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Diary From Down Under -- Updated Aug. 16
Aug. 16, 2004
Aug. 16, 2004 The Butler volleyball team is expected back in Indianapolis Monday night at 8:45 p.m. Indianapolis time. The team will resume practice Tuesday at Hinkle Fieldhouse in preparation for the 2004 season. Sunday, Aug. 15 Our last day, but definitely a good day. The Bulldogs played our last match against another of Queensland's club teams. This time the matches were more challenging as we won the first game 25-14, but fell in the second 21-25. The third and fourth games were ours however and we took match. The rest of the day was ours to do as we pleased. The town of Caloundra had an afternoon street market where everything from hand-woven crafts, homemade biscuits and candy, to jewelry, clothing, and fresh fruit. Some of us hit the pool for some last-minute tanning while I got lost in a bead shop, spending most of the day making necklaces for people at home. Tonight was the final team dinner and everyone got decked out to go. We had one last photo op and went back to pack up and clean up our rooms before our departure from the hotel at 6 a.m. sharp!
While it will be nice to go home, I know that each of the girls on the BU team, as well as those that came with us, had a trip that we will always remember. We are so grateful to those who helped get us to Australia, and it has been worth every penny. Australia is a beautiful country that has challenged us personally, forcing us to break out of our comfort zones and become better players and people. We have learned so much about one another, and have come to rely on each other as both teammates and family. Thanks again, to anyone who reads this--family members, friends, alumni, and BU fans alike. We look forward to seeing you this season and cheer us on as we work toward taking the Horizon League! That's all from down under! Saturday, Aug. 14 We traveled this morning to Noosa, a beach town just north of Caloundra (where we are currently staying). It's an awesome town characterized by beautiful beaches and board walks. We quickly familiarized ourselves with the white sand and beautiful sun rays as it was definitely the most spectacular day yet. Laying out, however, was quite a challenge since the winds picked up and sprayed us with gusts of sand. That put an end to that, yet we still managed to do what we do best.....shop! After picking up a smoothie, sundae, or cone we hopped back on the bus for our third match of the trip. They were a formidable club team and after winning the first three matches, we opted to play two more just for sport. Afterwards, everyone went out for a bite of Thai food, something I had never tried. Suz had to explain the menu to me, but I found some great chicken stir-fry (I like to keep it simple!). After a team walk on the beach we headed to bed as we have on match left in the morning. Later gators, Laura Friday, Aug. 13, 2004 Today was a day to catch up on all the shopping--gifts and souvenirs we needed to get before returning home. We went to downtown Brisbane, a large city very much like our own in the states. The first place we headed was (you guessed it) the Mall. Brisbane has a main street that is just loaded with every kind of shop you could imagine. I spent most of my time looking for new clothes...sorry mom! But everything to Rugby, men's fashion, Australian, and Aboriginal shops were available. Needless to say I was successful in getting everyone a little something. Then we headed to an Aboriginal tour where the guide and real aboriginal dancers gave us a taste of what Australia's roots are all about. It was amazing to learn about the customs and traditions of such a peaceful and unique group of people. After a short dinner, it was off to bed as we were all exhausted. Later gators, Laura Thursday, Aug. 12, 2004 We began our day today at the Australian Zoo. Home of the Crocodile Hunter and the cutest koalas I've ever seen (also the only koalas I've ever seen!). I'm a Biology major so this part of the trip was extra fun. The crocodile show, Roo heaven, wallabies, the 'most poisonous' snakes, and a birds of prey exhibit were among the many sites to be seen. My favorite, however, was the opportunity to hold and take a picture with a koala. We browsed the gift shops and tested the ice cream stands. We took tons of goofy pictures and tested out the didjery-doos that Candice and Areal bought. Later we made our way up to the sunshine coast, two hours north of the gold coast. We are staying in three-bedroom apartments with kitchens and much-needed laundry facilities! haha! We went to a local restaurant where music and a live band played while locals entertained us on the dance floor. Another good day for the Bulldogs in Australia! Later gators, Laura Wednesday, Aug. 11 To describe today in one word: hilarious! Today, half the group went surfing and what an excursion it was, let me tell you! We started early in the morning and the air was still quite cool. We were all worried about keeping warm, and the wetsuits they gave us weren't much help while we were still on the beach. Nerves were high as none of us had ever done anything quite this 'cool' before. It's a lot trickier than one might think and we all learned that quite quickly. The waves were huge and tough to get through but everyone gave it their best effort. Only some of us actually stood up but the rest of us had a great time and millions of laughs as we tried desperately just to stay on the board. We were thrown off, pulled under, chased by 'fish', attacked by Hillary as she went all out battling the waves, and tripped up by runaway boards (I got taken out by Meg and Elizebeth's and landed right on my back side! They all thought it was hilarious...as did I). The instructors must have thought we were nuts but we had a great time nonetheless. We were all really excited to meet up with the rest of the group and share our stories before our game this evening. We played Bond University's men's team. They were great competitors and just fun people to be around, however, they were a little discouraged at being beaten after only four games by a bunch of 'girls'! After a brief photo shoot, we headed back to the hotel where we went for dinner at a place called Nando's. Now I love chicken and anyone who knows me knows that, but this was the best chicken I had eaten in a very long time. Needless to say I definitely considered seconds! That's all from Australia for now! Later gators, Laura Monday, Aug. 9 By far the most fun we've had yet! Today was an awesome day. We traveled to Couran Cove Resort, an island just off the coast. To get there we boarded a ferry, and after 15 minutes or so arrived at our gorgeous destination. Now I'm an outdoors kind of girl and this place was like paradise to me. Kayaking, fishing, jet skis, pools, rain forest walks, hiking, biking.....on and on! There was wildlife everywhere and we were even lucky enough to see a wallaby or two. We began the day with a training session. We played tennis, beach volleyball, lifted, basketball, and they even had huge trampolines which coach Clark made very fun! haha! Next we headed to a huge lunch buffet with wonderful fresh fruit, chicken, steak, potatoes, bread, corn on the cob, and some kind of dessert that I really don't know what it was but I ate and loved it anyway! So minus the birds dropping by for a bite of lunch as well, the morning was very fun. Then we all decided to head up to the dunes and the beach where we spent the rest of the day looking for shells and wave jumping. Talk about a work out! Sunday, Aug. 8 Busy day today. We practiced at Bond University, which was a beautiful campus. We were all glad to get back on the court since our muscles were still cramped from the trip. Only an hour and a half, but it was enough to get the kinks out. It seems the air is different here because most of us were finding it hard to breathe (and we are all in perfect shape so the drier air is the only explanation! Haha!). After that we had some free time. We spent some time browsing the streets and picked up a smoothie to hold us over. We also hit up the beach for a much needed tan and relax session. Sara (Gallagher) and our assistant Hillary (Wise) were the only two brave souls to venture into the water today and the waves threw them around quite easily. Just ask Sara about the large gulp of salt water that she was so fortunate to taste! We traveled for an hour to the playing sight against Redlands Volleyball Club. The gym was so cold that I w as considering wearing my warm-ups or, if I had them, long underwear, to play in. We warmed up though and won the match in three games, 25-18, 25-16, 25-19. After, however, they asked if we wouldn't mind playing one more game, and of course we agreed, winning that game 25-23. It was late by that time and we made a quick stop for dinner on the way back and then off to bed for a well deserved, and the best nights of rest I have ever had! Later gators! Laura Saturday, Aug. 7 Arrival: Getting off the plane yesterday was the most amazing feeling in the world. No more seatbelt signs...no more packaged and processed foods. On our final descent, we witnessed the beauty of Australian coasts as blue green water, tiny speed boats, and white sand all became visible. Each of us stared out the window excited for what was to come, or at least I know I did. We made the hour long trek to our hotel via shuttle bus with two tour guides and an enthusiastic driver. We learned that people here pay at least four bucks right now for gas and laughed at all the little cars that sped past us. (We couldn't have gone more then 40 mph the whole way!) Our hotel is wonderful and after getting situated we ventured out into the gold coast...a tourist-driven town with amusement rides on some blocks, millions of shops and money exchanges (which we found extremely useful). We went to the beach and tested the water...it is even more beautiful from the ground than the air. Today is the first real day, and after going to bed at 8 p.m. Australian time, all of us are still exhausted! We have practice and a game so wish us luck. Today should be an exciting day, if we can keep our eyes open!
Friday, Aug. 6 As I'm sure you know, we are headed off to Australia and are extremely excited. It seemed as though we would never get there, but through a lot of work, persistence, and most of all patience, we are about to embark on this once in a lifetime trip. Tonight, our team celebrated our trip with Butler athletic director John Parry as he took our team out for a farewell dinner to Union Jack Pub in Broad Ripple. This was such an awesome and unexpected gesture that I thought I should share it with you. He met us all at the door...greeting us one by one as we came in. He spent time getting to know us and even took the time to research the origins of volleyball. This trip is about expanding our boundaries...experiencing a side of volleyball that none of us had ever imagined. It promises new competition and a definite change from the norm here in the states. |
