Revisiting Childhood while Moving On

Coming back DOWN UNDER TO (re) DISCOVER MY ROOTS

Locations: Sydney, Jervis Bay, Canberra


Australia has open it's arms wide and embraced me like a long-lost friend. Beginning at Sydney's airport-where i picked up my luggage after 11hrs of flying and had to negotiate my way through customs, agricultural inspections, trains, stations and finally the hostel- it felt different than my previous week of traveling. Perhaps it was due to my extra 100 lbs of bags and bike i was hauling around, but people were helpful and kind. I spent the night at a huge Youth Hostel that reminded me of a college dormitory and summer camp haul. The place was buzzing. Fortunately, i was able to fall asleep after being up for almost 24hrs.

My first day in Australia started off wonderfully as i ran through the Australian Botanical Gardens and Hyde Park over the the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. It was great to see so many joggers out amongst the amazing flowers in full-bloom amongst the constant harmony of birds. After returning to the hostel I went and wandered the streets, playing a popular game of 'spot the Aussie.' It seemed as those white, Caucasian folk were the minority in this part of town.

My next task, after making a substantial withdrawl from my Aussie Bank account, was to catch a train south to Nowra. For the last time, i dragged my bike through the station and onto the train, sweating and grunting in the process.

The train ride was very pretty as we passed through the southern Sydney suburbs, then country towns, along the coast and through large paddocks. After three hours or so i arrived at the train's termination to my Grandma's surprised, yet relived, expression that i had made it with all my gear. We drove to her place which is next to a beautiful National Park and picture-perfect paradise, sea-side community: Jervis Bay. That afternoon i got to meet my youngest cousins: Charlie (8) and Sam (4) as well as reconnect with my Auntie, Kay, and her partner, Blair. They live next to my Grandma in an incredibly customed designed (by them) and landscaped house.

Left: Catamarans on Jervis Bay.

Left: Family's house in Vincentia.

Right: Callala Bay- undisturbed paradise. Common for these parts

My days in Jervis Bay and Vincentia were spent riding my bike, running, swimming, sailing, walking, hanging out with family and playing with my cousins. I really felt as though i could make a life in this area as it was all so beautiful and self-contained. The great thing about small Australian towns is that they have not be corrupted by corporations. There still exists the locally run and owned butcher, baker, newsagent and everything else one needs to sustain life. Of course, in terms of recreation, they had anything beach and bush related so i was happy.

Atop Norwa Hill.

Heaps of biking and swimming to be enjoyed along Callala ShoresAfter a few days there, Grandma and i traveled south to Bateman's Bay, the hub of the South coast, yet a tiny beach town to American standards. I was able to swim in an outdoor 50m pool which was refreshing. that night we went to a live performance of The Wizard of Oz. It was really good.

Bush (single) track near Nowra.

After a long and difficult (read fun) mountain bike ride the next morning, we headed up over the hills inland to Canberra where i grew up before moving to the US. Our first stop was Jerrabomberra and our beloved house. A great deal had changed in this neighborhood, namely many new houses and grown trees. We stopped by the Harrisons, family friends of ours, and were happy to find two out of five home.

Me outside our old house. Roos up on Waniassa Hill

Next we drove into town and went to my Aunty, Jill's, where we were spending the night. I went for a walk behind the house and into the hills to survey my old town. So many fond memories of growing up in the Utopian-like environment flooded back.

That night we went to dinner with two of my Jill, Aunty Helen and cousins Jane and Sally, as well as a family friend, Kerry.

The first friend i got to see was appropriately, one of my best, Josie Russel-Brown (formally LeHoczky). We had a great time visiting old friends, touring Canberra and being kids again by re-calling certain memories and playing around. Josie took my to the bus depot after we walked around Commonwealth Park doing Jane Fonda exercises.

Josie and I at Floriade

I caught the Greyhound to Sydney airport which was pretty plush and easy compared to the US. My next destination- Queensland's Gold Coast- and my two cousins, aunt, uncle and college friend awaited. More details to follow.

Hawaiian Holiday

Mr. Turtle and his yellow friends.

WELCOME TO KATE CHAPMAN'S FIRST BLOG, MEANING THE INITIAL ONLINE JOURNAL DETAILING HER TRIP.

Read on for some cool stories and hopefully some inspiration!

The only hickup that occured during my visit to Hawaii actually happened before i even arrived. I was delayed in L.A. airport (no surprises there) which caused me to miss my flight connection to Maui. No worries though as I was able to catch the last flight over at 9:30PM local time, 1:30AM back home! My new friend Bruce Wacker picked me up and we proceeded to shove my bike box and two loaded backpacks into the rental car for a short drive to Kiehi. Already i knew that i was in for a climatic shock as the temps were in the mid 80's and very humid.

Left: Xterra Eco-team clean up. I find a machete/knife on the beach!

Before the race Bruce and i were able to ride a practice loop and swim the course. We also snorkeled, zip lined (video below), scenic drive (which is any time you get into the car) hiked and hung around. I also helped with the Xterra Clean up, something I would like to help grow and encourage at more events. It was great to see all the other racers from 'home' as well as from around the world.

Below: Host hotel, the Maui (Price)Prince for only $200 per night! no thanks

One of the greatest things about the Xterra Worlds in Hawaii is all the Lu'aus. Think teakie torches, awesome food, people and converstation. These were also some great awards handed out including the Warrior Award which was given to world class athelte Jamie Whitmore who is currently fighting cancer.

As for the race, it went pretty well considering it was only my second time racing there and my first as a 'pro.' Of course, the morning of we awoke to the hottest, cloudless and windless day so far. Before the gun even went off i was sweating more than i ever had (execpt for maybe hockey).

My swim was good as I took 5 min of my usual 1500m time. On the bike I finally got into a groove and started passing people on the first miles where the course in undulating. As far as sweet 'trails' go I would not put this one on the top of the list, but it's challenging nonetheless. Between the lava rock, three inch cactus thorns, no line to follow and 550+ people in a mad frenzy, you cannot left your guard off. When I got to the run i felt quite decent and believed that I ust have hydrated and fueled appropiately. However, half way through I started to get passed by some girls and could not stay with them. Then, I felt queezy, lightheaded and goosebumps despite the 90 degree heat. Suffice to say, Ifinished with everything i had, nothing was left in the tank. Check out these online pics> http://www.brightroom.com/view_user_event.asp?EVENTID=34690&BIB=74&S=230&PWD=

My final days in Hawaii were also great. The day after the race we went snorkeling (below right) and saw awesome tropical fish, coral and sea turltes. That night, after dropping Bruce at the airport, i went back to our Ohana (condo) and grabbed my bike and loaner surfboard and rode to the beach. here i caught three waves in addition to a steller sunset (below).

Later I headed over to Paia on the north shore where i met some great people, namely a French windsurfer and helicopter engineer (no joke) named Vincent. We chatted for a while as he spoke good, i mean, English WELL (better that me, right?)

Left: MTB ride to some archeological ruins in a watershed. Right" Vincent and i on the beack near Lahina.

The next morning I got up early like always and attempted to run through the sugar cane fields and up to road to upper Paia. I could not believe how sore my calves were. The signs of dehydration from the race were still apparent. When I came back I wrote letters home and waited for Vincent to wake up. Once he was awake I pursuaded him to come on a Kate's Krazy Adventure Day. Basically we did an adenture/triathlon type day that included swimming/snorkeling, hiking, sightseeing and night biking. To celebrate, we had a Hawaiian BBQ with some Xterra biking folk at crazy Steve's place (he windsurfed from California to Hawaii solo and has done every Xterra worlds race). Great beer, food and fun was had by all. Sadly the night had to end, as did my time with Vincent.

Overall, my last day in Hawaii summed up my entire week of fun, sun, people, playing, surf and so much more. If I could recommend anything to any travler it would be to live in the moment, do as many cool and sponatenous things as possible, and enjoy it all 'cause you never know when things could change (often for the worse as is the case with Jamie). Sieze the day and live life to the full as Christ would. I try to think about this each day as i continue my Krazy Adventures Down Under.

Thanks for reading. Stay tuned for more updates.