English blog: loving Australia!
Blijf op de hoogte en volg Willeke
29 Mei 2015 | Australië, Brisbane
So I have been blogging about my experiences since I arrived in Australia a couple of months ago. But always in Dutch, so for a change I have decided to write something in English. I thought some of you who don’t speak Dutch may be interested in hearing about my time here in Australia so there you go. And if not, I still enjoy writing this haha. I have met a few Dutch people here and it’s strange talking to Dutch each time since I have gotten so used to speaking English again over the last couple of months. And it sounds a lot better than Dutch, I reckon. (see, I am becoming more and more Australian ;))
Australia had been on the top of my travel bucket list since I got back from an amazing exchange in the United States. From August 2011 until June 2012 I lived and attended school in Missouri and I had the time of my life there. It was my first time travelling by myself and living away from home. It was an extraordinary experience that made me realize that travelling is what I love doing the most. From the moment our plane landed back in Amsterdam I knew I wanted to travel again and as much as I possibly could. That I would do an exchange again was not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’. I had to wait a couple of years but this February I finally got on a plane to Australia and I could not have been more excited.
I don’t know if it is because I have travelled far away from home before or because I am a bit older now (probably both) but this exchange is in many ways so much easier and more carefree than last time around. When I arrived here in Brisbane, I had come to a country I had never been to before, all by myself not knowing anyone yet. A completely different situation to three years ago in the US when I was awaited at the airport by the best host family I could have wished for. But somehow it all worked out in the best ways possible.
Each and every day here has been great and I feel extremely lucky to be able to go through this experience. Australia is truly the most amazing country I have visited so far, it is absolutely stunning. I got to admit that I am not much of a nature-lover, I am happiest out and about in a big city. But Australia has changed my mind. Yesterday I visited Noosa Heads, a cute little beach town not too far from Brisbane with a few friends and we enjoying a walk through a beautiful natural park during sunset. The pictures we took don’t do justice to how gorgeous it was. Other beautiful places I have visited include the Great Ocean Road and Twelve Apostels near Melbourne (absolute favourite!), Stradbroke Island (best beach), Moreton Island (little desert in the middle of the island), a pink (!) lake near Melbourne and so much more. And the sunny weather here in Australia makes it all so much better. I love that it is ‘fall/winter’ over here now but that I can still wear shorts out during the day. (Have to say it does get quite cold at night by now, guess you can’t have everything ;-))
Of course I have also spent quite some time exploring the city. Brisbane is a great city; it is big with plenty to do, see and discover but it somehow still has a nice and chill vibe and it does not feel like the big city that it is. South Bank is by far my favourite area of the city with its great view over the city and all the nice restaurants and bars. There is no better place to hang out with friends than next to the river at South Bank taking in the gorgeous view with a some drinks and snacks (TimTam’s obviously).
This brings me to the best part of travelling: the people you meet. The top reason why I am loving it here so much is because I have made so many great friends in the short time that I have been here. Our friend’s group consists of people from all over the world but our love for travelling and adventure got us all here and I know we will be friends for life. I am leaving in just seven weeks and I don’t know how I am going to say goodbye to this country and my friends. They have made this semester to what it is: the best five months of my life. No day is boring here with all of them and we have already made some unforgettable memories such as our road trip to Melbourne, some epic nights out (I don’t think we will forget that pub crawl in Melbourne anytime soon), many many many trips to San Churros and other chocolate café’s and a whole lot of adventures in and around Brisbane.
Deciding to come to Australia was the best thing I have ever done. I have 47 days left in Australia so I am just going to continue what I have been doing for the past 3.5 months: make the most of every day and every moment and enjoy it to the fullest. Way too soon this adventure will be over and even though I look forward to seeing my Dutch friends and family again and to catch up with friends at home over some cheap-ass cocktails (you know you have been in Australia for too long when you start considering $12 cocktails cheap), I don’t feel ready to leave yet. It’s just way too much fun over here!!
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