Hello everyone,
Well as this is probably my last travelpod update.. I guess I should start off by saying Merry Christmas to you all.. So..
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
I can't believe I'm not there joining in the festivities and constantly singing Jingle Bells!! I will be thinking of you all over the Christmas period and hope you all have a lovely break from work.
So who's going to admit that they have been bad this year then?! Santa wont be visiting you selected few!!
It's always hard to be away from your loved one's but its even harder at this time of year. I always like to look back over the previous year to see what has changed and what people have accomplished. This year has just been out of this world, so many of you have brought houses, fallen pregnant, got married, got driving licences, new jobs and even started your own businesses!! That's a lot to happen in one year!! I am so proud of you all xx
For me this year has been an emotional rollercoaster (to say the least)! People say I am lucky, although I agree I am to a certain degree, I also have to stress that me being here in Australia is not luck. I have always dreamed about being here and so I took the plunge and did it. It's a hard decision to make but one that has changed my life. Saying goodbye to you all and moving to the other side of the world was hard but has made me realise so much about life and who I really am.
I have seen some of the most beautiful spots in Australia, I have been diving on the reef, sailing on the Whitsunday islands, bungee jumping in the rainforest, driving a load of people around in a 4x4 on Fraser Island, camped with aboriginals, seen the opera house, had Beth Ditto sing to me personally and came face to face with my fear.. a golden globe spider!
As you all know, I booked my flights home for April... Since booking these my mind has been all over the place. Of course I miss you all and cant wait to catch up with you.. but I haven't finished what I came here to do. I will never regret my time in Australia but I know I will regret what I didn't do whilst this side of the world. So I have now decided that I am going to stay for another year. Thanks to Katie, I got to know a couple of lads that own their own farm, they have agreed to say I worked for them for them for 3 months, therefore enabling me to gain my 2nd year visa. That way I can continue to travel around without sponsorship. This doesn't mean that I will spend another full year in Australia. It just gives me the leverage to continue to work and travel all around Australia and visit New Zealand, Tasmania, Fiji and anywhere else I decide to go!! Katie and I will be travelling together at the end of February. I need to get rid of the apartment and Katie needs to finish off the East Coast as she ran out of money when doing it the first time round.
I don't know what our plans will be specifically but I would like to see Canberra for a few days and then head to Melbourne where I will meet Katie. Stay there for a bit and give it another chance!! Then drive the Great Ocean Road and head to Adelaide. Then probably fly into Perth and spend some time there. By then it will be winter and therefore a good time to see the West Coast.. which is what I really really want to do. Nip in along the way and see Ayres Rock and then end up in Darwin ready to head to Bali and then do Asia before coming home. That's now the new plan but we all know that I change my plans more than most have hot dinners. I guess it's my prerogative as a backpacker!! haha!!
And anyway, you lot will be bored of me quite quickly when I finally get home! All you'll hear is "when I was in... I did..." !!! Although Tessa, I never ever get bored of your Thailand stories.. you seriously should write a backpackers bible!! And a book!!
So after that bombshell, I guess I really don't have much more to say! So I will close by saying, Merry Christmas to you all and I wish you all a very happy and prosperous new year, I hope all your dreams come true!!
All my love
Keli xxxxxxxx
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A little poem from me to you all...
Christmas is close and yet I am so far,
You can reach me by plane, but not by car!
Although I am away, my thoughts are with you all,
I'm sure Christmas will be great, I'm sure you'll have a ball!
Think of me when your friends and families are all together,
Think of me whilst you're scraping your cars in the bad weather!
For I will be sat on Bondi Beach in the sun,
Finishing my Christmas before yours has begun!
No gifts to open, no turkey to be had,
Just me, Stef and Katie and some Aussie called Brad!
My thoughts will be with you on this special day,
Instead of being with you all, on the beach I will lay!
With a thousand other backpackers in a bikini and a sarong,
Although I should be with you all.. That's where I belong.
It wont be long until I am home again, this time forever,
Until then, here's some pictures of me for you to treasure!!
So I'll sign out by saying Merry Christmas to you all and I hope you have a fantastic time,
Be safe, get spoilt and indulge in plenty of wine!!!
xxxxx Much Love xxxxx
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