Surfer's Paradise... The name says it all... and I was thrilled to make my first visit. I was told that people from all around the world came to this place to begin their surfing careers. With waves at times over 20 feet, the feeling was slightly intimidating yet thoroughly exciting. As we walked around the area known as Surfer's Paradise, I noticed a Hard Rock Cafe that brought back memories from home. I also notice the famous Golden Arches known universally as a McDonalds or what the Austrlians called Maccas.

The view from Surfers Paradise was breathtaking. As I walked through the metal archway inscribed with the words "Surfers Paradise" I looked above and saw a scorching hot sun that was beating at my back. It turns out the ozone layer above Australia was not very thick so the sun took a much greater toll on everyone. As bad as this was for you, the result was beautifully tanned bodies everywhere.

I had come with a whole group of people, a mix of Aussies and some Americans from our group as well as a few Canadians. Even though our backgrounds may have been different, we all had one thing in common: an ambition to conquer the waves known to Surfers Paradise!! We hurridly put our stuff on the sand, took of shirts, threw on some sunscreen lotion (SPF 30 of course!) and ran towards the waves. What came was a wonderful experience highlighted by waves that practically ate me alive. So it was no secret... I wasn't the best swimmer on the coast but it's safe to say that I learned rather quickly how to dodge waves from taking you out. Nonetheless, doing sommersaults in the water, and not willingly, was quite an amusing experience.

Then came the relaxing part... as we lay there basking in the sun I turned my mp3 player on and put the earbuds into my ears. As I lay there listening to my favorite tracks I started to think about all the new things that I had experienced in such a short time