The land of Koala's and Kanga's!
Trip Start
May 06, 2006
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51
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Trip End
Mar 23, 2009
Castlemaine,
Australia
Sunday, May 13, 2007
So, I've arrived safely in Oz and am in a little bit of a limbo land! Not the country of course, just in my mind! And it's cold! Jumper cold which is weird. Nice, but weird! I seem to be colder than everyone else and I knew I was coming into winter but while my brain was prepared, my body was not!
My thoughts are all over the place so excuse me if this entry is a little jumbled but you'll just be feeling how I do at the end of it... good luck! I quite like Oz and it's a shame I'm not staying 'cos I think I could easily work here. Of course, everything's easy compared to Thailand. All the signs are in English and only English, everyone understands me without speaking baby English/Thai and, more the point, I understand everyone
01 Alli, Anouk and the fairy tree!
. Transport is expensive but easy... it's all easy but not a challenge and I'm not sure I like that.It's great to wear a jumper, have blankets in bed, hot water being there automatically and not a selling point of a room, not feeling fat 'cos people are of a normal size (height and weight!). But then I smell the clothes I had washed over there or see a tiger whisker (which I got in no problem by the way, strict security! Pah!) and I miss Thailand, I miss Helena, I miss Jom and I miss FaDaeng. And I wasn't prepared for that at all.
Anyway, aside from all that I've had a great time in Melbourne so far. I spent the first 3 days sleeping, using the internet and eating A LOT of food - the hostel had it's own kitchen! Yey! I ate pasta for 3 nights in a row and loads of bread and just crap food! Carbohydrates all the way! On Thursday I went out to the suburbs to see my friend Allison from Camp Becket and meet her new (new to me at least!) family! She's been an amazing host and took me on a lovely tour of the city where I got to see Federation Square, an aboriginal art museum, Brunswick Street (great veggie cafe too!), a walk through Fitzroy Gardens with a lovely fairy tree (fairies painted onto a tree a loooong time ago!) and then stopping off for an oreo and white cream chocolate milkshake type drink and the chocolate shop... absolutely gorgeous. By that time little Anouk (Alli's baby who also came on the tour!) was getting cold, hungry and tired so we headed back. I was plain exhausted anyway! Haven't done that much walking since the Hellfire Pass epsiode!
Now we've come to visit Alli's parents in Castlemaine and it's gorgeous here
02 At the springs!
! All open spaces, houses with nothing inbetween and Alli's parents have so much land... we took a little walk this evening up onto the hills and spotted tons of kangaroos - quite exciting! Her dad also has a very cool Hot Rod shop with some amazing cars (pics to follow!)! They're a very creative family and a very welcoming one too. It's nice to be in a real house with real food!I have to say that Alli is one of the most relaxed mothers I have ever seen. Considering she's only been doing it for 4 months she just seems to have everything under control. Nothing seems to stress her out or panic her and it's all just a breeze (I'm sure there are times but I certainly haven't seen any evidence!). A damn good mum if you ask me! Sorry mum, still don't want the baby!
So, now it's just decision time. Staying here for a while or going to NZ right away, or home if it all costs too much. Gotta investigate prices for flights and x-rays and all other kinds of junk and then I'll make my decision. For now I'll be staying Melbourne for another week or so - got a Neighbours tour on Thursday so won't be going before then! (cheesy Oz soap for those who never had the addiction as a kid.... or for some, an adult!). Gonna go to Ramsey Street, had to be done! Then moving up the coast to Canberra (where I wanted to volunteer at the zoo but can't not get paid right now!) and probably stopping in Syndey and then hopefully staying with some family friends for a while.
I'll keep you all posted on the plans when I get a chance! Hope all is well with everyone and please email me with your news!!
ps - I added some pics to this and my last Thailand entry if you wanna go check 'em out!
