This past week and a half have been big for me. When I first decided last year to take some time off to travel I saw it as a solo mission. However, as it turns out I know a ton of people that also like to travel and be adventurous (don’t get me wrong, I love that part about my life). After quitting my job 2.5 months ago this is the first time I set out on my own. I’ve traveled a bit in my life but I’ve never gone alone, and especially for not this long. I thought the easiest way to start would be to go somewhere that speaks English, is well traveled, and I’m somewhat familiar with the culture. It’s terrifying and exciting at the same time when I think about how my courage is going to be tested over the coming months, so I’m glad I picked Australia as the first place to get started.
When I was packing for this trip, which by the way, how do you pack everything you need for a year into one bag? I was also pretty emotional time to time prepping for the trip. I won’t lie sometimes I didn’t want to pack because it brought to tears. While this trip is something I really want to do, it’s impossible not to think what I would have been doing had my life not been changed a year and a half ago. Definitely not selling off all my belongings and blowing through a good chunk of savings. I was also emotional because things in my life have been going so well lately, and now I’m risking losing that by getting up and leaving. I know now life can change on you in an instant, and I try not dwell on where I would have been. So instead I’ve just been reminding myself to accept that life is always changing and evolving, and chances are things will happen just as they are meant to.
So back to my question on what the hell do you pack? Well, here’s a little glimpse. And yes, I already know I over packed and have been trying to leave things here and there. It adds up quick when you are walking all over the place and constantly on the move. I’m so glad I don’t have to see the same people day in and day out.
Yep, all my clothes compressed into this guy
I flew into Sydney and spent the first few days getting used to being by myself. It’s kind of freeing knowing you can do whatever you want when you want. You don’t have to answer to anyone. That part is fun. If any of you know me you know my sense of direction is terrible, so I made it a point to walk as much as I could and try not to look at GPS to get me back. The first day I easily got 10 miles of wandering (my Strava mapping is pretty funny).
Birds out by the pier. Fearless little suckers that are always after your food.
Because it’s not a trip to Sydney without seeing the Opera House and Sydney Bridge.
Next it was off to Brisbane for the weekend to visit a friend from the States. She just moved out here and is in med school. I also got to meet her Fiance, Chris and their 2 year old, Josephine. It was really nice to see familiar faces, not to mention all the hospitality. I’ve learned so far travelling alone I haven’t been as outgoing with people as I normally am. I’m not sure if I just need more time adjusting but the truth is I’ve kind of reverted to myself. I haven’t minded so far, but I’m also hoping to branch out a bit once I feel the time is right. Either way, in Brisbane I got to do a lot of really fun things with friends and it was nice to just talk to people. Had to get out of there after 3 days though, Brisbane is so hot and humid. Crikey!
This little Water Dragon chilled with me the whole time while I was reading my book at a café.
Then this guy and I had a staring contest. He liked having his photo taken.
Here’s a picture of Chris and Josephine. We visited the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and had a blast. Chris was my personal tour guide as he knows so much about Australia’s wild life which he studies at the University of Queensland. It was really a treat.
Koala bears are so cute and fluffy! How can you not want to cuddle them?
Also learned in Brisbane that there are some nasty looking spiders. This guy is actually one of the smaller ones we saw. Thank god Chris pointed them out so I didn’t walk straight into their webs!
Back in Sydney now and taking my open water dive course… more on that to come next time!
The Unplanned Journey 