Finally time to play tourist!

Well it has been a little while since my last blog so here is an update on some of the fun I've been having!

After the athletics nationals I took a much needed break. On April 20 I spent the day at the Victorian Institute of Sport to help celebrate the official handing over of the Commonwealth Games baton. I was also asked to be a member of the Queen’s Baton Relay which involved a walk from the VIS to Federation Square. An exciting moment when myself and Harish, the Victorian President of the Australia India Business Council were handed the baton to walk along a section of the Yarra River. A really fun and special day to be apart of!

(Walking in the Queen's Baton Relay, Getty Images)

A few days later I took off overseas but this time instead of sport it was for a proper holiday! A road trip to Vegas where we stayed for 6 nights along with some camping in Moab, Utah along the way. With the weather between 28-30C the body was thoroughly enjoying relaxing in some heat and playing tourist. It was my third time to Vegas (being close to Colorado it's a popular destination!) but every time is just as fun and exciting!
(The magnificent Bellagio fountain show)
(The Wynn Hotel buffet- a Vegas must do!)

It was however my first time to Moab and what a beautiful place! Hiking through the Arches National Park is a must the stunning rock formations are amazing, next time I definitely plan to hire a dune buggy as well as go white water rafting, it is a fun adventure town for everyone. Numerous times we spotted couples in there 70’s-80’s hooning around in their 4WD buggies it was awesome!

A trip to Denver to watch some Major League Baseball finished off what was a fantastic vacation!

(Arches National Park, Moab)
(Hiking through the desert)
(A sneaky lizard we caught trying not to be seen)
(Major League Baseball in Denver)

Arriving back into Sydney and it was straight to the hotel to get ready for a joint Olympic and Paralympic Welcome Home function. It was great to be able to mingle with the Olympians and compare Vancouver experiences with them. We were all presented with some special pins and I was chosen to talk on behalf of the Paralympic team to give our thanks to everyone who had been involved in making the Australia Paralympic Winter Team the most successful in history.

(Lunch on the Harbour- doing it tough!)
(Catching the ferry)

Since then it’s been back to business training 6 days a week getting in some solid training as the World Athletics Championships are only 8 months away! Stay tuned as I have some upcoming exciting news to share!!!