An Act of Spontaneity

One of the reasons I decided to study abroad was because I wanted to learn to be a tad bit more spontaneous.  People might argue that simply studying abroad is an act of spontaneity however, I disagree with this.

Studying abroad is NOT spontaneous.  Going through the process of figuring everything out for study abroad proved to me that going abroad CANNOT be done on a whim.  It takes MAJOR planning.

However, once abroad, there is room for spontaneity and this is where I hoped I would learn how relax and go with the flow.

One day back in August I was feeling particularly spontaneous and I decided to get a hold of my friend Austin whom I know from Chico State.  Austin is studying abroad in Melbourne, Australia and I decided that I wanted to visit him.

So right then and there I booked a plane ticket for three nights in October.  There was no turning back,  I was going to Melbourne October 7-10.  How spontaneous of me right!?

Okay so it wasn't that spontaneous because I had two months to plan for it but it was a step in the right direction!

Last Thursday I spent my day in preparation for my 6 am Friday morning flight to Melbourne.  Yes.  6 am.  I didn't really take in to account that it takes about an hour to get to the airport from my apartment therefore I had to take a cab which was expensive.  I should have just paid more for a more convenient flight time but oh well.

At 4 am my cab was outside my apartment waiting to take me to the airport.  

I arrived in the city of Melbourne at about 11 am.  Austin was waiting for me at the bus station and we spent the rest of the day exploring the city.

After walking around the city for a bit we met up with a few of Austin's friends from school and made our way over to the Queen Victoria Market.

It is probably a good thing I was not visiting a girlfriend because I probably could have spent the entire day walking around and shopping at the market. 

I found some fun hats to try on!

After the market we did some more walking around the city and we ended our night with some dessert on top of the Melbourne Skydeck. 

Before

After

A pretty spectacular way to end a great day!

Saturday morning I slept in a little bit which was much needed since I got barely any the night before.  We spent the day window shopping at a shopping center closer to Austin's house near Deakin University.

Later that day we attended a BBQ for one of Austin's friends birthday's followed by a "Crazy Hat" party.

Note: Shirt was bought on  "Me Day"

Had to get rid of the Giants hat as soon as I got there.

Some how I ended up with a transformers mask by the end of the night?

Sunday morning Austin and I got up very early to go on a bus tour to the 12 Apostles which is a collection of limestone rocks off the shore of Port Cambell National Park located on the Great Ocean Road south of Melbourne. 

The tour began at 8 am and we were on the Great Ocean Road by about 10 am.

We stopped many times along the road for photo opportunity's and I have just to many beautiful pictures to include them all here.  

The most beautiful view however was that of the 12 Apostles and what better way to see them than from a helicopter!?

It was such a fantastic view from the helicopter and such an amazing experience!

We made it back to Austin's house at around 9:30 pm on Sunday night. 

The next morning I got up very early (again) for my flight back to the Gold Coast.  It was such a fun weekend and I was glad I got to spend some time with Austin and see more of Australia! 

My act of spontaneity made for a great weekend!  Maybe I should be spontaneous more often!?

Anna