Couchsurfing in Langkawi

On November 1, 2013November 5, 2013 By ambertravelingIn Animals, Asia, Backpacking, Couchsurfing, Uncategorized2 Comments

With 8 dogs and 37 cats, Jeff’s house is not your typical couch surfing pad.

We arrived on the island of Langkawi by a nauseating 3-hour boat ride. Jeff met us at a pizza shop and showed us to his house, a quaint two bedroom nestled in a little patch of forest. Wild monkeys greeted us from the trees.

Resting on the hammocks on his porch, one of his cats clambered onto my lap, and Jeff told us his story.

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Favorite breakfast spot, with Indian, Chinese, Malaysian options

A secret waterfall spot where locals (and us!) were jumping in

Waking up to the dogs while couchsurfing in Malaysia

Tour of a Buddhist Temple

Sydney

On October 5, 2013September 28, 2013 By ambertravelingIn Australia, Backpacking, Couchsurfing, Uncategorized1 Comment

From Melbourne we cruised up the coast through Wollongong and Sydney. We did the whole trip by train, which was scenic and relaxing. Wollongong is a beach college town reminiscient of my alma mater Santa Cruz.

We couchsurfed with some students there which was nice – family style meals every night. We went out dancing and even learned some acro yoga one early morning by the beach!

Sydney was special because we got to stay with my cousin’s friend Karen in her spiffy apartment at Bondi Junction. We had a few pleasant days exploring the waterfront, Botanic Gardens, and Opera House.

Biking and Gardening

Tasmanian devil

Karen, thanks for hosting us!

Under the bridge

We did some drawings of it 🙂

Sooo cuuuute. They must have drugged it…

not sure what building this is, but love it!

What is this? I forget, lol.

Side view of Opera House

Bondi Beach

Opera house from the bridge (we walked across!)

These love locks are a trend in Australia, they had some in Melbourne too

Held a wombat! downtown Sydney

Sailing!

Acro yoga on the beach!

Waterfront busker

Goodbye, Melbourne

On October 3, 2013September 24, 2013 By ambertravelingIn Australia, Backpacking, Couchsurfing, Uncategorized1 Comment

I lived in Melbourne for 4 months, and fell in love with the architecture, buskers, public transport, and art scene. It is a beautiful and liveable city; this year it was voted the #1 most Liveable City in the World.

I had a myriad of well-paying jobs, from being a kitchenhand to babysitting to cleaning and nannying for kosher Jewish families – we were living in Caulfield North, the Jewish neighborhood. With persistance anyone can find a job there. I’d reccommend Melbourne to any traveler seeking a job, or just for a quick visit.

My favorite places include Federation Square (so many free museums there!) The State Library of Victoria, Degraves Street for a bite, the Botanic Gardens, and just wandering around the graffiti laneways.