Summary of Australia Sector
Trip Start
Jul 12, 2002
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Trip End
May 17, 2005
Australia,
Australia
Tuesday, February 11, 2003
It's amazing how three months can go by so quickly and slowly at the same time. There were days in Australia which seemed timeless and others which I couldn't remember what year I was in, let alone the month or day.
Bryon Bay was my first real stop which was a good pick as three days turned into twelve thanks to some extraordinary individuals who introduced me to Oz properly. My experiences in Bryon helped me to believe that magic really does happen! It is a spiritual haven bursting with creative energy and love.
Nimbin is definitely and experience you won't have anywhere else...this decade anyway. Burleigh Heads showed me how people live and play so close to the surf. It was when I went to the beach in Noosa that I learned how to swim and play with the ocean. Sailing around the Coral Sea gave me a taste of life in the day of sailor. I also had some great moments with Mother Nature all the while learning about environmentalism and interdependence. Airlie Beach was full of good clean fun from excessive foam parties to leisurely dips in the very warm lagoon. I still don't know quite how I made it from the bar to catch my bus out at 1am.
Cruising around the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef was a definite highlight as I met some fun people and visited some breathtaking places. The diving was like floating through a gigantic underworld vegetable garden. I felt like Peter Rabbit and the shark was making sure I didn't steal any carrots...er...I mean, coral. From the elaborate meals to the oh so accommodating crew to the magical phosphorous in the sea, the Anaconda 3 was one of the best cruises I have been on yet.
Mission Beach was like coming home to freshly baked gooey chocolate chip cookies and a tall glass of cold milk. We put up the Christmas tree and it was hard to believe how far away from home I really was. I didn't feel like it. The peace and quiet here soothed my soul as I watched the magnificent sunrise.
Melbourne is a bustling city which doesn't sleep. The Great Ocean Road is prolly one of the best stretches of land to drive on with some many postcard moments. While in Melbourne, I remembered what it was like to get back to city living watching movies, shopping and doing dinners.
Perth has warm people and warm windy beaches. I will always remember my first Australia Day and the over the top fireworks presentation. Last but certainly not least, Sydney was an amazing cosmopolitan hub, well suited to almost any lifestyle you desire. With stunning scenery (natural and manmade) and gloriously funfilled beaches, it's not hard to understand why Sydney residents are so happy to show you their beloved city. Genuine hospitality and kindhearted people kept me in a steady supply of smiles. With its high standard of living, I can truly understand why Sydney is one of the most sought after cities to live in the world.
Australia will be remembered for its helpful and laid back locals as well as the diverse terrain. It was here that I first learned to enjoy and respect the ocean. Such a welcoming country - it's no wonder that although Aussies are some of the best travellers in the world - they always come home. I met my scarecrow and cowardly lion and the tinman even found his heart. I battled a few demons but with the help of the munchkins, I made it through.
The mighty sun will light the sandy beaches and warm the frothy waves creating a wonderous playground. The horizon will beckon and she makes her grand farewell in the the vivid hues she projects. As sure as the sun will set, the ominous moon will rise with a quiet but powerful presence. Awakening the creatures of the night and dancing with the stars, he too has his place in the ever loving cosmos. Both the sun and the moon are enveloped in a ring of light and sometimes they eclipse kissing tenderly for one precious moment. Just like the rest of our galaxy, if you look long enough, opposites will balance and two come together as one.
Next Stop - New Zealand
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Comments
Australian tales
I lived in Sydney, Australia for 5 months as I was an exchange student at the University of Sydney. I had the most amazing time in Australia. Subsequently, I travelled with friends to Thailand, Malaysia and New Zealand during a 2 month period. I am now back in Montreal, Canada... and strapping on my skis. What a difference a few months make!
The best part of my trip was the thrill of being in new surroundaings and meeting people from different parts of the world (Sweden, USA, Germany, France, Phillipines, Malaysia, etc). In fact, I still have two friends from the Phillipines in Sydney, and I miss them and Sydney dearly.
It was an exhilirating experience... exploring diffent areas of expansive Sydney, from infamous Bondi Beach, the Opera House and Cronulla Beach (in my opinion, a heavenly oasis and one of the most beautiful beaches on earth).
The Australian folk are a generally gragarious bunch and welcome foreigners.
I must advise that if you have any money to spare, do take a trip to Thailand. The Southern part of Thailand has the most exquisite beaches, and your money will stretch very far. You can live very comfortably on $10/day.
New Zealand is also a magical place. If possible, visit the country in the summer months (November to February), as it gets cold in the winter. For outdoorsy types, New Zealand is a haven. There exhists a cornucopia of activities, from hiking to hand gliding, to glacier walks...
Australia, Thailand and Zew Zealand attract A LOT of tourists. However, in Malaysia, Westeners are very seldom seen. Malaysia boasts amazing temples, and these places of worship are virtually present at every corner (as in Thailand for that matter). Visiting temples is a wondrous activity and extremely interesting. Remember to always take off your shoes before entering. :)
One of the highlights of Australia was Cape Tribulation, home of the oldest rainforest in the world, the Daintree Rainforest. This rainforest is right next to the beach. It is a little piece of paradise. Cape Tribulation is about a 3 hour plane ride north of Sydney.
Melbourne is also a very beautiful city and reminds me of my hometown of Montreal. I was visiting Melbourne during the yearly international comedy fetival, and Melbourne attracts a vibrant cultural scene. Wonderful bars, restaurants, museums and theater lure many tourists to this great city.
If you choose to visit Melbourne, don't forget to meander through Phillip Island (about one hour drive from Melbourne). Bells Beach is spectacular, the koala conservation park lets you be up close and persoanl with furry friends, and you can also watch the smallest penguins in the world make their nightly march onto the shore from the ocean.
Australia is a magical country... You are bound to see kangaroos hopping around the streets in the countryside, pelicans are in abundance and a welcoming people will greet you and make your trip unforgetable.
Cheers mate!
Laura Rudy
Excellent Advice
Well done! I agree with most of what you cited. I am very much looking forward to Asia...I have heard so many good things. Thanks for the helpful comment!