"Thirty things to do before you're 30" (No. 15, 16 and 17)

Right... so in case you missed my earlier to posts- I'm ranting on this article, which tells you the thirty things you must do before you're thirty. Obviously, I'm having a bit of a tough time- not because I've passed their so called cut off (i.e. thirty and old) -- but because the article sets out to suggest that once you're thirty you've lost your life (energy, singledom, and sense of adventure).  Shame on this writer. She must be a young twenty something.

No.15 Wallow in Mud South Korea- What are the changes- something that's on the list, and actaully in a country where I find myself presently living. Bad news is... I'll be thirty -one. Just one year over this so called age limit.  I plan on having loads of fun rolling around in the mud. Plus, they say the minerals in the mud are good for your skin. The Boryeong Mud Festival starts in July- and I'll be sure to tell you all about it.

No.16- Get in a Food Fight Italy/Spain- I guess that scene a couple of years back doesn't quite match up. I've been to Italy-- but I'll make it to Spain to throw wine at other people ( let's be honest-- I'd probably just end up licking it off most passerbys). The article explains that the people in Spain mark St Pedro's day by deluging everyone in sight with wine in the Battala del Vino.  Pouring wine on people sounds like my kind of good time- no matter how old you are.
 

No. 17 Stay in style (on a budget)-  So I totally agree with the contributor.  Staying in hostels is a must do before your thirty and if you haven't struck gold before you're 35, I'd say it's still alright to still check out a stylin hostel (just make sure you've reserved a private space). Hostels are kind on the wallet- put pack a pretty punch of young twenty somethings slumming it.  If you can still handle a room with 8 bunk beds- by all means indulge. 

 

In Surfer's Paradise, if you're over thirty  and are willing to hostel it- here's my suggestion: Surf N' Sun Beach Side Backpackers-- but take the private apartment for only a few dollars more.  It houses four people, and are way out from the 6 and 8 dorm rooms--

 

 

If you're headed to Sydney and you're over thirty- I can tell you that Wake Up Sydney Central was a pleasant experience. The hostel was decked out in high style- this is one place I highly recommend.  Great service, staff and a haven where your age doesn't  matter. 

Six days in Sydney

Sydney: a city of friendly and overly good-looking people (and by that I specifically mean men).

This short but concise impression may be due to the fact that I had just spent six months in Korea- but nevertheless, a fantastic place to see the sights.  Besides the unusually high cost of food and drinks, Sydney boasted a fabulous hostel- Wake Up! Sydney Central. The hostel came complete with a kitchen, bar and helpful staff. I highly recommend this hot-spot hostel if you're making you're way into Sydney.

We particularly enjoyed the sidebar  until the wee hours on our second night in the city, where a one man show played awesome sing-along style tunes for the crowd.  The devastating part was completely losing the following day of vacation due to severe levels of dehydration, fatigue and full fledged hung-overness.  Why is that we never see the consequences until it is far too late?

We strolled Darling Harbor, and had wine at the Opera house bar. We checked out China Town and Hopped on and Off  a Bus Tour.  We gawked at the abundance of gorgeous men- and even took a little time out to flirt a tad. We took a day trip to BlackTown where we stood beside Koalas and fed Kangaroos (please note if traveling to both New South Wales and Queensland- be sure to do the Koala thing in Queensland - you can't hold the Koalas in NSW).

We saw the ever famous Bondi Beach and sunbathed at Coogee Beach. Most Australians will tell you that there is something with Ozone that is overly open above Australia and that we should where 30 factor sunscreen at all times (still not convinced if this is 100% true) We did just that, and after a mere two hours slicked with our 30 factor sunscreen realized that we had literally burnt to crisp ( I'm talking sun blister style). These Australians weren't kidding around.... It was only later that we figured out we had purchased an expired bottle of cream.

We sauntered through the gardens, and ferried our way to Manly to meet up with some friends.   Sydney took us by surprise and despite our sunstroke and blisters we trekked on to the Gold Coast where the adventures really began.