Myanmar (Burma)

Everyone had already bordered the plane. They called out my name in the speakers. Being deep asleep on the floor of the gate I noticed neither. Luckily, the last person to border woke me up just in time. I slept all the way to Myanmar, made my way throught security without further complication and met Stina at the exit. Splitting a taxi we shared our stories from the last two weeks on our way to the city of Yangon. 

Yangon

We stayed in a Dorm at sleep in hostel, close to Chinatown. A funny thing about Myanmar is that everything is really cheap except from accommodation, where you're looking at paying at least $10 - $15 per person. Our days in the city we mainly spent strolling around town, getting use to the culture. We walked along the lakefront between the palace, and the big Pagoda, which is super nice. Yangon is nor the capital, but it is still one of the biggest cities with a traffic fairly chaotic. We met Italian Marco, who joined us for dinner at 19th street, Chinatown. The best area for cheap dinner and drinks in Yangon, with a nice atmosphere. Surely it will turn into a backpacker street in a few years. 

Bagan

We took the nightbus between Yangon and Bagan. The home for hounderedes of temples and pagodas, and may mars main touristattrachion. Even if we booked a V.I.P bus, our expectations wasn't to high given that we still are in Asia. To our suprise it turned out to be super luxury, with big back folded seats, snacks and blankets and we could easily sleep the whole way. It was 6am, when we arrived to Bagan. The buses is always early, as we learned during our Myanmar travels. There's 3 areas to stay in Bagan; new Bagan, old Bagan and Oowhyn. Confused tourists, and overexcited taxi drivers created chaos as we arrived just before dawn. No one knew where to go. We headed for the area Oowhyn who's providing the cheapest guesthouses with prices for around $20 for a double. Stina and I shared I triple room with a Japanese guy we met on the bus. While lazy people got an electric bike or motorbikes to get them between the temples, Stina and I got $1 pushbikes. We started biking between the temples, but the heat and lack of sleep brought us back to our aircon room in the afternoon. 

Sunrise over Bagan 

 

Kalaw

We got the local nightbus to Kalaw, to save us a nights accommodation. Bad decision. We got two seats in the far back - the only seats you can't fold back. Stina even ended up with a baby in her lap. As I mentioned earlier, feh buses always arrive early, and we for to Kalaw at 2.30! Being a town up in the mountains it was also way cooler than Bagan, which I was nor Prepeared for. Not wanting to spend the night on the streets, we checked into Lilly's guesthouse. With unfriendly staff, simple rooms, dirty showers and blocked toilets. I guess we got what we paid for with $7 a room. 

During breakfast we got talking to Line and Jeff, Danish and French, and decided to do a 3 day trek to Inle lake. Together with Inga from Latvia and American Rebecca we made a great team. Marco was suppose to come as well but changed his mind last munite. As he still joined us for dinner and drinks that night we started calling ourselves 'Lucky number 7', a name that followed us for the rest of the trek. 

We got the best guide one can ever wish for during these 3 days. Sue, a 24 years old Burmese girl. As she guided us up the mountains, throught the field and villages she was more than happy to share stories and information about her county, thieir culture and the history behind it. The trek itself wan not to competitive, and thinking back at it, we're addressing it more as a 'food marathon' than a trek. Fastlav was travelling with us under the name 'mr. cook' and Prepeared Myanmar food for us 3 times a day. Amazing local dishes kept filling up our plates, stretching our stomachs, and not ones during the trek did we go hungry. We stayed our first night in local house in one of the villages. 6 tiny madresses, which was more like folded blankets, was lying in a row in the middle of the room. I got to experience a hurtful traditional Burmese $2 massage that evening, before we once again stuffed ourselves with food listening to one of Sue's stories. 

Having a break to enjoy the view over Myanmar 

We started walking early, and just before lunch we passed a local village where they had a wedding celebration. Spontaneously, we decided to crash it. Hot and Sweathy, with dirty clothes and backpacks we squeezed into a room full of locals. The married couple was sitting in the corner of the room,  with all the guest seated on the floor. Our group created our own circle and got tea and snacks sent our way straight away. The dad of the bride was so happy having us there and incited us downstairs for lunch. It was such a different expedience from any wedding you'd attend back home, and improved our understanding of their culture and their way of celebration. Happy with our stop, we continued our journey, playing different word games as we went. Towards the end of the day, we passed a river for a well needed swim, washing of the dirt and sweat after hours in the Asian sun. We reached the village of our homestay just as the rain began or fall. The first rainfall in months. Celebrating our days mission, we headed to the shop for several beers and cultural exchanges with Sue before dinner. We continued our beer-drinking session with over 30 beers having Sue teaching us a great card game name 'kaboo'. 

A bad hangover in combination with too much local food made me sick all morning and with a massive lack of energy I struggled throught the last few hours of our trek. With a feeling of a knife cutting the inside of my stomach into pieces. Sue made me try their local medicine, which worked surprisingly well and after an easy lunch I felt much better. It was only a 1,5 hour boatride left to get us to Inle lake, our final stop. A roofless longtail boat where we all sat in a row as we went throught the river. Lucky enough, the rain began to fall just as we left and we were all soaking wet and ice cold as we reached the village of Inle Lake. We forced Sue, FastLav (mr. Cook) and sue's boyfriend to join us for a last celebration drink, with a thankful speech after an amazing trek that I would recall as one of the highlight of Myanmar. 

Lucky number 7 (w, mr.cook) 

Inle lake

Sue recommended a friend to guide us on a boat trip throught the Inle lake the following day. Luckily, the weather cleared up as we got into the same longtailboat as the day before. 

As we got back to town, we headed for the beer station killing a few hours with rounds of 'kaboo' before sadly saying goodbye to Inga who was heading south that night. 

Phyin oo Lwin 

A comfy nightbus took the five of us to Phyn oo Lwin, a smallish town just north of Mandalay. We hired pushbikes to bike to the nearby 'Anisakan falls', even thought everyone told us if was way too far to bike. We reckoned it was only in desperation to get us into their tuktuk and took no notice as we biked off. It didn't take us long or get there as it was only downhill. The worst part was still to come. We had to walk the last 30 minutes, steep downhill throught the forest before reaching the waterfall. But omg how it was worth every step. The colors of the water in transpiration to the forest. The 20 metros high waterfall created different pool layers, in which we could swim. Behind the falls was a cliff to reach, where we sat overlooking the views through the falls. What an amazing sight. It reminded me of the waterfalls in Luang Prabang, but more spectacular and remote. We imagined it within a few years, where they surely will have entrance fees, shuttle busses and houndereds of people sharing the sight. We stayed for lunch, making our own Burmese bean salad (our favourite dish during the trek), before starting our heavy trek back up. The cycling back took us a long time, with a few 'beer&kaboo' breaks. A never ending uphill road with our one geared bikes. In the end of the day we felt like we'd reached a level of fitness we did not achieve during our 3 day trek from Kalaw! 

Stina and Rebecca in from of the waterfall

Hsipaw 

Marco walked into the hostel early the next morning! And we convinced him to come with us on the trashy, cheap but sightful train taki us to Hsipaw. Just the train ride was an experience, passing the national bridge, and the first time we've been travelling daytime. We met Swedish Matt, Fliz and Ronnie from England and Canadian Lindsay on the train, expanding our variation of nationalities. We spend the day playing games over beers while watching the beauty of the country passing by. Arriving to Hsipaw we booked the ten of us into mr Charles guesthouse. The number one place to stay in Hsipaw, and the best accommodation I experienced in Myanmar. $14 for a double room with the best buffe breakfast included. The lucky 5 of us booked a full day trek for the next day. They claimed it'd be a hard 10 hour trek up the mountains, in which we experienced as a comfortable 7 hour walk. Taking us up and down the mountains, throught the forest and villages and to the top village for lunch, beer and kaboo. As we got back down to the hostel we had a tearful godbye to Line, Jeff and Rebecca who all was heading on a nightbus down south. We've been such an perfect travelling group, leaving memories to carry for the rest of our lives. 

Rebecca, Stina, Jeff, or guide, Line and me after our one day trek

In a mission to make new friends Stina and I joined the group from the train for dinner and drinks. After sharing about 50 draught beers between us in the resturant the local waiter showed us to a pool hall. Hours of chatting, laughing, drinking and games of pool kept us there until 5am when Marco realized he had to catch a bus back to Phyn oo whin. With the worst, and first Myanmar hangover we could not achieve much the next day. We realized that I had counted the days wrong, and we had one day more in Hsipaw than we thought (who would know that March has 31 days?). As it was getting towards the end of our trip we didn't mind having a couple of relaxing days in the beautiful town of Hsipaw before leaving for the hectic life in Yangon. 

Yangon

Lindsay (Canadian), joined us on the afternoon bus taking us back to Yangon after a 17 hours ride. We spent most of the day on 19th street, getting ready for an emotional goodbye. 1.5 year of knowing, living and travelling with Stina had come to an end. An end where I was heading back to Australia, and Stina's heading home after travels in Asia. We had a few beers or finish up our time together before I jumped in a cab taking me to the airport. All by myself! 

Thailand!

For the 9th time (if my counting is correct) I felt my feet reach the solid grounds of Bangkok as I stepped out of the plain after a 18 hour journey from Auckland. Knowing that I had my mother, who was longing to see, waiting for me at the hotelroom in town, I hurried out of the plans and throught the security faster than ever. Just over an hour later I found myself buried in my mums arms breathing in her smell after 1 year and 8 months apart. She claimed that she had to film me, and just as camera the camera started rolling, the wardrobe door burst open and out jumped my little brother. I let out a shriek of surprise and happiness as I hugged him tightly. I could not believe it. What surprised me most wasn't the fact that he had jumped out of the wardrobe and now was standing in front of me, but the size of him. When I left he was but a tiny little boy, my little brother. He must of had grown twice the size since, his voice was darker and his body was covered with an amount of muscles that seems simply unfair for being a sixteen year old. I barely recognized him.  

Khao Lak 

Aching to get out of Bangkok as quick as possible we booked a ticket to Phuket the following afternoon. After visiting Thailand numberous of times in my days, never have I been to Phuket. Given that it's renown for being a 'on the beach' version of Bangkok, surrounded by fancy resorts, and attract trashy backpacker, I guess it never pulled my interest. This time wouldn't be any different. Instead we got into a taxi taking us alo the west cost an hour up north. To a place I didn't know existed until our cousin started working there a few months back. I didn't gave her too much notice regarding our arrival and even if she knew we would come she was suprise to see me on the street, calling her name as she was buying dinner. Khao Lak is a one street town, and I just happen to pass by in my mission to find accomodatin for the night. I brought her back to the resturant where mum, Joel, our bags and our dinner was waiting for my returnal. 

Victoria works as an entertainer at a luxury resort nearby, where we spend most of our time sneakily taking advantage of all their facilities. And watching her perform. The different Pools stretching along the doorstep of people's rooms, or along all the sun beds, Palmtrees leading the way to the beach, sunbed after sunbed overlooking the ocean. We attended their work -out classes, grabbed free drinks, while watching Vicci being a clown joking around with the kids. Every night they had different shows as the tables was set up around the stage and free dinner buffet was served. 

As Vicci didn't start work until afternoon, we started the days with breakfast on her balcony, including my mum's homemade sourdought bread. Unbeatable!! Joel and mum shared a bungalow just around the corner from Vicci's place, while I stayed in her bed. Our last day she took us to he national park before starting work. Natural fish spa, and a waterfall on the bush. As a side job, she sings together with a local band at a bar a  few nights a week, as they have live music every night. The bar was super nice, with good music scene and cosy atmosphere. The musicians was riddicously talented and Joel and I ended up dancing away as they preformed. 

Koh Lanta 

After a couple of days spoiling ourselves with the luxury all inclusive resort life, we decided iit was time to keep going and got ourselves to koh Lanta. One of the few places In Thailand where I haven't yet been. We got Joel booked into a 3 day open water diving course, starting the next day, to make him a certificated padi diver. As he headed off for his course, mum and I had a brilliant day lying on the beach. As mum and I was after some fundives ourselves, we came with Joel and his diving team on the boat, joining him on his first 2 under water dives. I had been looking forward to diving with mum as well, who use to be a dive instructor back in the days. And Thailand's diving is never to disappoint. 

After Joel finished his cource we spend our last day on the island renting motorbikes. Joel got to drive his own as mum and I shared one. We drove down east cost to 'old town' for breakfast, continued to the viewpoint and across the centre to the soutwestern beaches. We then found ourselves getting lost in the jungle on our way to a waterfall, that was a bit to dry to be called such thing. At least we got a good walk out of it. 

Railay 

I remember Railay as one of my favourite places in Thailand, and when we got there I was shocked over the almount of resorts and buildings. How much could it possibly have changed during the past 2 years? It wasn't until we got across to the opposite side I started to recognize myself and my surroundings. The main strip, the walking path, the tiny restaurants and bars along the seafront. having that issue sorted out my mum booked us into a full day of diving the next day - her shot. It ended up being one of my favourite diving experiences so far. Starting with a 30 meter deep wreck dive. Joel had to be put in a different group for that as he's not yet an advanced diver. The currents was strong and we didn't have the best sights but the experience of swimming through the wreck was enough to make us forget about the rest. We did two more dives together with Joel before starting our trip back to Railay. Poor Joel was hanging out over the back of the boat beeing sick all the way back. His seasickness escalated into a dramatic nightmare of fighting the toilet all night long, which he kindly enought brought me to be apart of. Exhaustion and sickness kept us inside for the next couple of days. Thank god we our mother to take care of us. I felt like a little child again. 

Before catching our afternoon boat to the airport, we got into a half day of rock climbing- my favourite sport. Joel still didn't feel great, but mum and I both did exceptionally well fighting the walls. Especially my mother, who highly impressed everyone due to her age! 

Bangkok 

Our days together was sadly enought leading towards the end. The end of 2 amazing unforgettable weeks with parts of my beloved family. Except for the two days of beeing to sick to move, I could never have wished for the trip to turn out differently. Getting into Bangkok that last night, we checked into a hostel on Khao San road. I place I'd never think of bringing my mother unless she insisted in expedience this chaotic backpacker street. Which she did. A few last minute shopping items and a last meal later we were facing our beds as they had to get up at 6 in the morning catching a cab to the airport. Waving them goodbye on the street that early morning was probably one of the hardest things I've had to deal with, knowing that it will be a year until next time. All that day I walked around with a feeling of emptiness, until I met Courtney that evening. The American girl I met in Borocay, Bangkok and Melbourne and who invited me to stay with her in her apartment. She showed me around the sukhumvit area, and a nearby beer garden for dinner and drinks. She had to leave early for work the next morning as I slept in and spent the day in their gym and by the swimmingpool located in her building. That night we headed to a skybar for one way to expensive drink as overlooking the skyline of Bangkok. We ended up at a nearby hostel, where Courtney's friends works, celebrating St Patricks day with green beer, beer pong, Irish hats and good company. The night brought us a taxifare away to an Irish bar, where we danced, drank and chatted away until we finally made our way home just in time for me to catch a taxi to the airport and my early flight! 

North Island, New Zealand

After 3 amazing weeks crossing the southern island, we was exited to experience the northern part during our last 2 weeks. It took us 3 hours on the ferry to get over the sea from Picton to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. Also known as windy Wellington, the most southern part of New Zealand! 

Bert and I on the ferry between the south and the north island 

Wellington

We spent the day in Wellington heading for the Te Papa museum, after enjoying a well deserved sleep in.  It was a beautiful sunny day and less windy than usual, and we kind of hurried throught the museum to be able to enjoy the sun outside. We had company by an Italian guy from our hostelroom named Jan, and together we continued our day with hiking up to the mount Victoria viewpoint where we overlooked the whole city and the mountains beyond. Even if we had a gorgeous view, I can imagine it would have been better on the dark, having the whole city lightened up. 

We saved our whole budget that day to be able to spend it all on drinks that night as we headed out to meet up with our friend Tom. We use to live together back in fruitshack doing our Australian farmwork but haven't seen him in 1,5 years as he's been making a living in Wellington. Being a bartender he hooked us up with free jugs as we waited for him to finish. As he knew all the bartenders in the area the night escalated with endless jugs of beer and free shots as we moved on between the bars catching up with our old friend. Obviously, we woke up with an horrendous hangover as we had to check out 4 hours after getting to bed. Giving our whole day to last night we realized that there was no way we could get into a car just yet without getting sick. After a few more hours sleep on the couches in our hostel lounge we eventually had to face the fact that we have to get moving and forced ourselves on to the road even thought our brains was ripped into pieces and we felt as if our stomachs had turned inside out.  

Palmerston North

Stina was in a way more serious pain stage than I was as we struggled our way towards Palmy. It should only be a 2 hour drive, but given our late start and the fact that we headed off getting on the wrong road it took us what felt like an eternity with several different rides, whiny roads and vomits. We rocked up at the doorstep belonging to our lovely Brittish friend Arla, who we did the Mount fox trek with a couple of weeks prior. After living in Palmy for the past year working as a doctor she was about to head home in a few days and had her leaving drinks that very night. Stina and I felt sorry for being in our miserable stage, but was more than happy to come our for dinner. Her friends joined us one by one, mainly all doctors, to say goodbye to her over a few drinks. 

Tongariro crossing 

It was a good 45 minutes walk for us the next morning getting to the right end of the city, but whilst there we had an easy ride to Turangi. Our Italian friend Jan was waiting us at the hostel as we had agreed to do the tongariro crossing together the following day. A one day trek taking you between the mountains and volcanos where the famous movie 'lord of the rings' has been filmed. 

At 6am, Stina, Jan and I got into the car together belonging a French couple from the hostel. We had been promised great weather, 25 + and sunshine,  and Stina and I got talked into wearing shorts even If we usally always wear long clothing just in case. Even in this early hours, before the sunrise, I had a feeling that we had a beautiful day laying in front of us. I couldn't have been more wrong. For the first time since we got to this country, the weather surely turned us down. It got chilly as we started walking, and I was having second thoughts about leaving my jacket last second back home, but kept telling myself that it would clear up during the morning. We walked along an easy, comfortable pathway with designed steps taking us uphill. Getting deeper and deeper into the clouds, we got on a higher level having the wind growing stronger. Eventually we had face the truth - there would be no 25 degrees and sunshine. We were getting towards the highest point of the crossing, fighting the wind as the track got steeper and it started to rain. Very lightly rain, but constant. Fog was our only sight and the idea of doing the extra hike up the volcano suddenly felt quite pointless. Stina and I, being stupidly poorly dressed, had to leave our friends behind as it was simply to cold to stand still waiting them in. They were all clever enought to bring extra layers and rainproof. We were both in shorts, Stina with a hoodie while I was in a riddicously thin long sleeved shirt. With all my hiking experiences in the past you would think I should know better. The cold was biting, like thousands of needles attacking every inch of my body.  I didn't know wether to cry or to laugh. It started to decend downhill, and the so enjoyable pathway turned into a hill of black sand that we slalomed down throught, struggling to keep the balance as the wind tried blowing us off. We finally got down to solid ground as we bumped into familiar faces. 

'What a day for a good walk, ey?' 

He had to screem  to make himself heard throught the sound of the wind. It was 3 Israeli guys and one girl from our hostel that we had convinced into doing the trek today instead of the following day, not having a second thought that weather like this could appear. Still, they didn't seemed to upset and the girl kindly offered me a spare scarf to wrap around my neck as Stina and I hurried down as they kept going the other direction. We were running now, back at the wide comfortable walkway leading us downhill.  Not even stopping for the famous lake as we passed. Soaking wet we finally made it or a hut, located about an hour from the end where we happily got inside to wait for our friends. The last bit back down wasn't as bad. It stopped raining, and I had borrowed a dry sweater from the French guy. As we finally got down to the end of the track we waited for about 2 hours for our French friend to hitch a ride to the start of the track where we had left the car. Tons of people where standing waiting for the shuffle bus. As it had been such bad weather most of the people had rushed down, just as we did, and finished the trek ours before expected and way before the first bus would be taking them back. We were happy to be in the car as we drove back to the hostel, enjoyed a hot well deserved shower and cuddled up under blankets for the rest of the day! 

On our way down the Tongariro, and the clouds we just decend below 

Lake Taepo 

It was not even noon as we reached our hostel in Taepo where met up with Jan again, who got a lift from Turangi a couple of hours earlier. We walked to the hot pools just outside town, which is basically steaming hot water by the end of the river. Like spa made of nature. As I understand it, the water heats up under the grown by the volcanos and are still hot as it streams into the river. So we could chose what temperature we want based on how close we are to the waterfall, which obviously is the hottest point. Pretty sweet. 

Our ride between Taepo and coromandel gave us a fairly rare but amazing experience. The first guy picking us up was a local man probably in his forties. He mentioned that he had a boat back at his place and offered to take us out on the lake, to bring us or the hot springs located in the middle of the bush only reachable by boat.

- 'Hell yeah'.  Stina and I shared the same thoughts as we got change and left our bags at his place. We got into his motorboat and put ourselves in a floating wetsuit as we crossed the lake. The water was warm as we got out of the boat. He took along the river into what was like a tiny roofless cave, where we had to squeeze through in between the walls. Floating, as the water was to deep to reach with our feet. It was so quiet, and such an amazing feeling. Following the river throught the bush we found ourselves in front of a waterfall and natural hotpools. We sat enjoying the heated water and the quietness of the nature. Without a single tourist around. Being in that very moment, we could not stop smiling. Tryi to be as thankful as we could. It is amazing really, the people you meet, the stories you hear, the things you see and the experience you gain travelling the way we are!

Coromandel  

We got to Coromandel town quite, feeling exhausted due to our days adventures and a bit sick after all the windy roads. I collapsed on top of me bed almost immediately, as Stina stayed up chatting away with German Max and Daniel. We continued to Whiteanga first thing the next morning, at the east cost of Coromandel bay and only an hour away.  Dropping our stuff off we hitched a ride straight to the renown 'hot water beach' where you during low tide can dig your own hot pool right on the beach. Apparently,  it turned out to be high tide as we got there and no hot pools to be seen. We changed direction and hitch another ride to the cathedral cove instead. A 45 minutes walk along the bay brought us down to a big cave in between 2 beaches. It was a lovely sight. Reminded me a bit of the hidden beaches there was to be seen while island hopping in the philllipines. As we got back up we  got ourselves in a car heading back to the 'hot water beach' for the low tide. It was not at all what we had expected. A ridiculous amount of people trying to dig themselves into the sand on top of eachother as Stina and I tried to squeeze throught the crowdness. It was insane, and we didn't bother staying much longer. 

Bay of island

It took us 8.5 hours and 13 different cars or get us from Coromandel to Paihia, Northland. We had woken up to great wether in Whiteanga that morning deciding to extend our stay with one more night. To our great luck we faced the fact that they where fully booked and we had about 5 minutes to check out. We decided to hit the road instead. The hard part was getting in and out of Auckland, as the motorway throught the city is the only road leading up north. Even if we never had to wait longer than 10 minutes for a ride, having to wait 13 times adds up. After being on a constant every day move since we left Wellington we were excited of having a couple of relaxing restdays in front of us. Sleep as long as we want, spending hours on the beach and what not. We took the ferry over to Russel, which is a tiny touristy community. It didn't have to much to offer other than a gorgeous beach which served us well for the day. As we walked back to hostel in the afternoon, a car pulled over next do us showing us the familiar faces of Max and Daniel. They had been driving from Coromandel town a few days ago and was currently staying with a friend in Kerkeri.  The came over to our hostel for a few drinks before heading back, mentioning that they'll be driving down to Auckland in a few days if we wanted a lift. We hitched an easy ride to Kerikeri the next morning, where we met our friends at our hostel as they was about to sell their car. They was leaving the country the same day as Stina and I, and had to get rid of if before then. It was a lovely day in Kerikeri, and together with Max and Daniel we walked into town to have a look at the carshow. Neither Stina nor I have a passion for cars but came for the company dancing to Elvis Presley. As the cars drove away we seated ourselves in the park outside the designed area of the food&winenfestival, listening to their music and cheering in celebration for Daniels success of selling his car. 

Auckland

Everyone has been telling us how not too waste to many days in Auckland, as it supposedly is a terrible city. As Daniel manage to sell his car up in Kerkeri, he was no longer able to give us (or themselves) a lift to Auckland. Still feeling tired of our intense days of hitchhiking we was pleased to meet Adrian at the hostel, who was heading down south the following morning. As he was driving a 2 seater, I was lying in the back, on top of mattress which supply him as a bed, and slept the whole way. Adrian was heading for lake Taupo and still had a fair bit to go as he dropped us off in Auckland, where we met Max and Daniel in our hostel. We had made plans to head out dancing as it was our last night. Almost. Stina and I had decided to spend our very last night at the airport to save us a nights accommodation. Full of excitement we occupied the streets of Auckland that night just to discover what a disappointed city we had got ourselves to. Not a single place was open for clubbing or dancing, and even to find a bar was a struggle. Even if it did was a Sunday night, we expected more than that from the big city. In a basement of a backstreet we finally found a decent pub that satified us with beers and free pool tables for a few hours. 

Sadly, it was time to face the fact that our time in New Zealand was about do end. 5 weeks went past too quickly. After spending all day at the beach we headed our for a brilliant Indian dinner and bottles of wines together with our German companions. Followed by several games of pool and It wasn't until 4 in the morning that when we left for the airport. With sadness and excitement. We couldn't have wished for a better trip in New Zealand, challenging ourselves with Hitchhiking and trekking, meet and interact with all kinds of persons, all with their own story or tell. With our minds full of great memories and inspiration, Stina and I hugged eachother goodbye as we boarded different planes, taking each of us towards our own destiny. 

South Island, New Zealand

Being in Australia everyone kept telling us how friendly kiwi's are.  And yes, the inhabitants of New Zealand calls themselves kiwi's, which is really the name of a famous bird that does only exist in New Zealand. It's silly, I know - it's not like Australian walkes around calling themselves kangaroos? Anyway, apparently kiwi's are renowned for being the friendliest people in the western world. I had a hard time believing that there where such thing as being more friendly than Aussies. Our first hour in New Zealand proved us wrong. 

Christchurch

 After 3 slepless hour on the plans we reached the land of New Zealand at 5 am, and got through immigration without further complications. Cam, who is originally from christchurch had us sorted with  accommodation  for the night at his cousins friends who's living in town. Waiting for the first bus to leave, 3 different bus drivers tried to help us out finding the right one (even if we already knew which one do take) and insisted in following us to it making sure we'd get on safely. That's how friendly they are! 

Whithout any trouble, we got on the right bus, managed to get off at the right suburb and find our way to the right house. Which i found impressive due to my sense of direction. As our Australian phones wouldn't work in NZ, and we hadn't been in contact with these guys ourselves, we simply had to knock on the door at 7am hope for someone to welcome us. We where standing outside a cute little streethouse, with the number 2 written on the letterbox. It felt a bit weird standing outside a strangers house at this early hours, but eventually the door opened by a young, blond guy who had obviously just woke up. 

-  Hi, we said nervously. You were expecting us, I hope? 

-  Yeah. Sure,  come on in. 

-  sorry for waking you up, I said while climbing through the doorway 

-  It's fine, I have to get to work anyway. 

James kindly showed us around his house that was shared between 7 people, and we joined him in the kitchen as he was getting ready for work. 

Stina and I slept all morning, but when we finally made it out of bed in early afternoon we got ourselves into the city. It's not much left of the city these days. The earthquake 4 years ago destroyed it all, and the majority of the population moved elsewhere. Today, the city itself is mainly construction work  in a desperation to build the city back up. We walked down empty street after empty street that finally brought us to the beautiful botanical garden. 

We met James at the supermarket on our way back. He gave us a lift home, and for hours we sat in the back garden drinking beers and having highly intense discussions about death penalties. Cams cousin Brendan, who had been the one bringing us in contact with James, came over as he finished work. We stay'd up a few hours too long drinking a few beers to many but finally made it to bed. 

Dunedin 

We got up early to start our hitchhiking towards queenstown. The hardest part is always to get out of the city, where you're more likely to get a lift. Last years hitching sign 'anywhere please' which has been lying in our closet for almost a year was finally ready to be used again. Highly excited we hit the road, where we where surprised to se another couple hitching a ride. It didn't took us longer than a few minutes before a car stopped for us offering a ride to Milton which we kindly approached. 4 different cars finally brought us to not Queenstown but Dunedin in the end of the day. We like to be open for suggestion when it comes to final destinations, as our sign does say 'anywhere please'. As long as it's somewhere we haven't already been.  

Checking into a hostel in town we met a couple of Canadian guys in our room who happily joined us for food. As Dunedin itself didn't have too much to offer we ended up spending the evening together with the Canadians over a case of beer, playing games and chatting away.

Te Anou 

We had an interesting mixture of people picking us up on our way towards queenstown. An older man who used to be a hitchhiker himself back in the days, and who are more than happy to drive our of his way to pick people up to pay the favor back. Him followed by a very wierd big man in a youth. We all squeezed into the front seat, and as we chatted away about travelling he mention that he couldn't get a passport given that he's been in and out of prison a few times to many. Stina and I shared worried looks, but he calmed so down with the fact that it hadn't been anything serious. As we got dropped off in the middle of noway, 2 young German backpackers stopped for us and drive us to Alexandria. It's the first time we've been picked up by other backpackers. They where really nice and more relaxing, Which is nice for a change. Somewhere along the way we spontaneously decided to head for Te Anou instead for Queenstown and the last bit we hitched standing at the side of a road with the most beautiful scenery behind us before getting a lift to our final destination. 

Milford sound on a cloudy rainy day

We planned to head for Milford Sound the next morning, which is renowned for its fjord and spectacular mountain views. The weather didn't look too good as we woke up,  and the receptions irk warned us did storm, hail and heavy rain. We laughed, and headed off anyway. Neighter Stina or I was to impressed about it, despite the fact that both of us have experienced the fjords of Norway. We would probably have enjoyed if more with better weather. A German couple picked us up to drive us back towards Te Anou. We planned to stop for a trek on the way but as the rain started to get even heavier we decided to skip it this time and headed straight back.      

Invercargill 

We left for queenstown the next morning, knowing that they didn't have any free accommodation for the night. When the first driver to pick us up was heading for Invercargill, we spontaneously decided to spend one night there instead. Invercargill did not have very much to offer and seemed to be a bit of a ghost town and not a single person could be seen on the big empty streets. Most people would go there to head south to Stewart island. Something that is out of our budget. We planned or head to Bluff, the most southern part of the mainland, but heard that it wasn't really anything to see. Instead we walked to the gardens, and watched the wild animals,  ready to leave the next morning. 

Queenstown

We finally made it to queenstown, which had been our first final destination since we got to New Zealand. We're definitely living up to our hitching sign that does say 'anywhere'. This day we had the longest wait we've ever had. After a few short lifts we ended up in the middle of nowhere, on the road towards queenstown. Knowing us, we wasn't worried and believe that the longer we wait the better ride we're gonna get. It took us over an hour before we got picked up by Mike, an Australian like minded backpacker who drove us all way to queenstown and who was booked into the same hostel as us. We spend feh evening over a decent amount of beers chatting away with Mike and his friend, who turned our to be one of the most inspiring and adventurous travelers I've ever met. 

I was up early the next morning to achieve my long life dream, bungyjump. A jump from 134 meters hight, the first one ever, and the highest in New Zealand. I was shuffled into a bus together with about 10 others on our way up the mountains. We got weight in and put on a big harness before they transferred us out to the plateau from where we would jump. I was second last, as the heaviest ones go first, and full of excitement I had to wait and look at 15 people jumping before it was my turn to go. They tied my feet together and clipped into my harness and led me to stand at the end of the plateau looking down at what I had in front of me. I wasn't scared, but excited as I dived into the sky. The feeling is indescribable. Trying to keep my mind in this very moment I laughed as wind blowed in my hair. I didn't want it to end. But it did, too quickly. I didn't even realized when I started to bounce up. To be in a upright position I unzipped my feet as they started to drag me back up. I wanted to do it again, and was tempted to pay an extra $100 for another jump. My wallet forbid me to. With the biggest grin on my face I headed back, happier than ever. 

Our last day in queenstown we decided to hike to the top of the mountain 'Ben Lomond'.  A full 8 hour trek. We was a bit worried as the weather had been quite horrible the last few days and was likely to keep that way for the next week. We was therefore happy to see the sun shining as we woke up that morning. Maybe it wouldn't be that bad after all. The first hour of the trek was insainly steep right uphill throught the woods. As we got over the treetops it faded out to an enjoyable walk over and around the montains. And the views was beautiful. Reminding my of the mountainviews I've been experienced while trekking in Scandinavia back in the days, which is something I've really missed. We couldn't have been more lucky with the weather, and the sun was shining as we enjoyed different view hiding behind every mountain we passed. The last bit up to the top got again, insainly steep but as we got to the top we realized how it was worth every step. The last clouds removed for us and gave us an amazing 360 degree view over the mountains stretching as far as our our eyes could reach, the lake below us and the tiny village of queenstown. 

On the top of Ben Lomond 

As queenstown is fairly known for beeing all year full of backpackers, it's also known for having a never ending nightlife that we hadn't yet experienced. Feeling exhausted after the trek we simply forced ourselves down to town, joined by a finish girl, a English guy and a German guy, all staying at our hostel. Given that Stina and I are on a very strict daily budget, we couldn't allow ourselves more than 3 beers each. And we had obviously hit a bad day for it as well as most of the bars and streets was way more empty than what we've been expecting. Not arguing this fact, we headed back to bed being able to say that we sure had experienced the nightlife of queenstown. 

Wanaka

As it is a high season we're still not use to, all the hostel in Wanaka was fully booked and we ended up about 6km outside town. As we got there they kindly let us borrow 2 old bicycles that clearly hadn't been in use for a very long time. Wobbly as the were they still served us good enought to bring us into town. Wanaka is a small, cute village next to a lake surrounding by mountains. We walked through it in 5 minutes and ended up at the cinema. We were sitting on couches watching something silly with Johnny depp and stolen valuable pictures. Mainly, it was the couches that interested us. 

Fox Glacier

A young south amarican girl picked us up the next morning and drove us all the way to Fox Glacier. We' re lucky to get a quick lift this time as rain was pouring down heavy as ever. It didn't stop in the afternoon and remained us from going outside all day. I had my first prober sleepin the next morning, as Stina was up early to do a skydive. We looked at her pictures as she got back and it looked absolutely amazing. If only my budget would allow me too .. 

That afternoon we walked down to lake mathea, what's suppose to be one of the best viewponints in New Zealand with the mountains relflecting in the water. We saw no reflection as it is mainly showed in the early mornings, but was not disappointed. You can't get everything the perfect way. We got a lift halfway there, even if we were not trying to hitchhike. Our driver, Nigel, was a sociable local in his mid age, and we promised to meet him for dinner later on as he dropped us off, even if he was mainly invited himself. The walk around the lake was along a nice comfortable pathway. And even if there was no reflection to be seen, the view with the lake and mountains in the background was beautiful enought. After a cup of coffee in the middle of this surroundings, we walked the 6km back into town. We met up with Nigel that evening, as promised, joined by a English guy Stina had been skydiving with the same morning. Sam, who was travelling with his sister. As the night went on, Nigel insisted in buying us drinks as our budget wouldn't allow us to. We ended up at the only bar chatting away with this hilarious old locals who clarely had a couple of glasses to much. 

Given that last night got way later than intended, we still managed to be up, fed, packed and ready by 8am when we met Sam and his sister Arla in front the hostel. Ready for the fox mountain hike. We drove together to the parking lot and began walking. We soon realized that it was not a mountain to hike, but a mountain to climb. Complaining about the steepness in our last climb made me feel stupid. That was nothing in comparison. 1300 meters straight uphill was laying in front of us. We met German Marcus in the beginning of the trek as he walked behind us, and got him to join us for the rest of the day. We helped eachother throught the tricky parts, routes that clearly put our rock climbing skills in use. The last bit felt easier as we got out of the forest and could see our final destination. Snow was lying along the pathway now, even it was still hot in the air. It's the first time I've felt snow in over two years. The temptation and childhood memories got irresistible and before we knew it we had a snowball war breaking out on top of the mountains. Finally, after 4 hours of constant climbing steep uphill we reached the top. We had a gorgeous view over the glacier, with new Zealand's highest mountain behind it. We stopped for lunch at the top for over an hour. Stina and I sharing what intended to be stir fry rice, but ended up more like a tasteless ricepudding. Sam had a nap, still feeling a bid wrecked from last night.  We were lucky to have left the time we did, as the clouds took over the view leaving a thick, white cloudiness as the only view for the rest of the day. We felt sorry for the trampers we met on our way down. Heading downhill was as bad as going up. Careful not to slipped we helped eachother at every hard move, shouting when it got slippery, and handing eachother helping hands. Our knees sure disapproved in this steep downhill never ending track and when we finally reached solid ground I felt like my legs could no longer support my bodyweight and was afraid for them to collapse at any moment. We headed straight to the bar for a celebration beer before Sam and Arla was heading down to Wanaka the same night. Stina and I promised eachother not to do any heavy treks for a while after accomplished 2 mountaintops in 4 days. This turned out to be an empty promise and only a few days later we saw ourselves heading for a 3 day trek throught the Abel Tasman. But I'm getting ahead of myself .. 

Arla, Sam, Stina and I on the top 

Hokitika 

Since accommodation in New Zealand is just as expensive, or worse, than Australia I tried to sort cheaper options out with my long lost friend, couchsurfing. I got in contact with a lovely Belgian backpacker who's living with her kiwi boyfriend in Hokitika and kindly let us stay for the night. They weren't home when we got there but the back door was left open for us. It felt a bid wierd entering a strangers house, even if we had been told to make ourselves at home until they got back. We didn't wait for long before Liz and Kieran drove up the pathway. They where a lovely sociable couple, who met eachother couchsurfing a few months earlier. We shared a few beers and cooked dinner together with fresh vegetables and potatoes growing in their garden. Having a really good home cooked meal is something neither Stina or I have had for a long time. As it was getting darker Liz took us to watch the glow worms, where the whole forest is lightened up. 

Nelson 

As we left Hokitika in the rain, we got picked up by Swedish people for the first time. A lovely elderly couple from Stockholm travelling around New Zealand for a couple of months. It took us most of the day to make our way into Nelson city. We were planning to couchsurf again but I hadn't recieved a address fromthe guy I've been in contact with this time. Only a mobile number on which he did not answering. Worried that he might have changed his mind regarding us staying, we headed to a nearby bar and waited. We didn't have to wait for too long before receiving his reply and started walking in the right direction. Morrie turned out to be the nicest guy in his 30's, welcoming and helpful. He had 2 German backpackers staying there as well as we arrived, and was surely enjoying the company. 

The weather was gorgeous the next morning, and we started the day with a couple of hours at the beach. We walked the 6 km into town in the afternoon and hit the visitor center to hopefully gain information about the Abel Tasman trek. As the queue to the information desk stretched across the whole shop we decided that we could sort it out ourselves! Passing the supermarket we bought food to last us for 3 day, and with a poorly written map we started planning our trek along the cost. As we got home and on interned we faced the realization that all the huts was fully booked for several days. All our plans was falling to pieces ...

Alban Tasman national park 

First mission of the morning was to head into the city and get a tent, as we got 3 nights of camping booked instead of the huts. Morrie kindly borrowed us a couple of blankets to save us from the nightly cold. We repacked our backpacks with food, tent, blankets and insect repellence and hitched off to Marahau. Our first day wouldn't be very hard as the only available campsite was located only a couple of hours from Marahau, where the trek starts. We walked along an easy, comfortable pathway taking us throught the jungle along the cost. By the afternoon we found ourselves in apple tree bay where we put our tent up right at the beach. With a gorgeous costal view at our doorstep. As this site wasn't around any of the huts, there wasn't a lot of people around. Only me, Stina and Sandflies. Being one with the nature. 

Our perfect located campsite 

We headed to bed as the sun went down, and struggled through the freezing night. I thanked Stina for convincing me into bringing 2 blankets. We had a longer hike in front of us this day as we left our lovely campsite and sat foot back into the woods. The pathway continued to keep its easy grade. A few ups and downs was nothing compared to our previous experiences. We passed countless almont of people only doing day trips throught the Tasman. Taking the water taxi from Marahau to bark bay, walk for a few hours before taking the water taxi back. Flashpackers is what we call them. It was getting to late afternoon when we arrived to bark bay campsite. A bigger site close to the Bark Bay Huts. Finding a good spot we pitched up our tent. We put our blankets on the ground in from of it, as we always did. Reachable from the sun. We could lie there forever, reading, writing or talking away. 

We woke up to the most brilliant sunshine, and started the day with a swim. As it wasn't to far to our next campsite we took it fairly easy with a 2 hour stop lying on the beach of oknaloukvit bay. As we got Awaroa, we got attacked by both Mosquitos and Sandflies as soon as the sun was setting. Even after we had drenched ourselves with insectspray. The cold precooked vegetable pasta we'd brought for dinner was hitting it's last minutes. Which is why it would have been hard doing a longer trek without a cooking stove. We felt a bit under geared compared to our fellow hikers. With our one layered $16 tent, no sleeping bags or proper outdoor clothing, and converse. And still we find ourselves so cool, and keep reminding eachother how great we are and how everything works out for us. Keeping that spirit! 

We had a 30 minute walk crossing the low tide back to the Awaroa car park the next morning, where we planned to hitch back from. A tiny Misunderstanding of the tide- timing made us leave a bit too early and ended up crossing with water up to our waist. Getting to the carpark we had to realize that our possibility to get a lift from there would be limited to the minimum. Prepeared to walk all day to reach the closest town we started walking up the dirt road leading towards Takaka. After about an hour we saw a car in the distance coming from a third road towards an 3 way intersection in front of us. We waved, put our thumb out and half ran towards the car who thankfully stopped for us. As we got to the tiny town of Takaka, the road leading out of town was so crowded of Hitchhiker's that we simply had to wait for other people to get picked up before even trying. Getting a good spot, an amarican hitchhiker had to wait for us to get picked up before getting out there. It was ridiculous. That just showes how common it is to hitch in New Zealand! In the end, a lovely Japanese girl stopped for us. She already had a German hitchhiker in the front seat, so Stina and I, and the American, all squeezed into the back seat with our backpacks on our laps. As we drove away we passed at least 4 or 5 more of them leaving the city. 

Picton

We stayed with Morrie for one more night as we got back to Nelson. He was happy to have us even if his 2 year old kid was staying over the weekend. The cutest, over energetic little boy. Stina and I went for a valentines dinner together at a Thai resturant around the corner, but other than that we did not achieve much more of the day. Morrie drove us out to the road towards Picton the next day. The good spots was already taken by other Hitchhiker's,  but we found a decent one further down the street and made our way of Picton by early afternoon. The guy driving us got into a conversation with Stina, who was sitting in the passengers seat, about her own driving ability. Telling him that she hadn't been driving for 5 years and never ever in her life would put herself behind the wheels in Australia or New Zealand he simply pulled over and got out of the car forcing her to drive us away from there. 

'What are you doing?, there's no way I'm driving', she said in a matter of fact voice as he left the car still going. 

'No worries, we just have to stay here then. You have about an hour before we'll run our of gas' he said laying down in the back seat. 

It's not only the fact that they're driving on the opposite side of the road. The road we were standing on was a tiny, whiny one leading up and down the mountains. Realizing that there was no other way, she got into the drivers seat and struggled back on to the road, throught the sharp turnes having him next to her. She did surprisingly good considering her insecurity about driving.  We got into Picton safely and got dropped off outside our hostel. We stayed in a 28 bed dorm, but with our bunk in separate section having a sheet hanging from the ceiling. The town itself was not big. Most of the people comes here for the reason of taking the ferry to the north island. Which was our purposes as well. The beautiful south island of New Zealand has been treating us well for the past 3 weeks, and with excitement it was time to move on, to experience what the north island has to offer! 

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne was cold when i arrived. At least colder than I expected it to be. I was wearing my long pants but my favourite swather got lost as I was hurrying to the airport shuttlebus one day prior. I was well annoyed about this, not only was it a perfectly fine clothing, it also meant I was without a pullover on the flight who  turns the air -con up max. Despite that I was flying with Jetstar that charge extra for everything - entertainment, water, toiletpaper and of cource; blankets. After a cold night on the plane I arrived to Melbourne's airport at 10 am and went throught what must have been one of the longest immigration processes I've ever experienced. Never ending queues that led to nothing but another security check. They checked my bags several times, asked a lot of questions and it took me at least two hours before finally finding myself on the skybus towards home. 

I headed straight to see Stina at work. I got lunch, and Stina's kee to the apartment and decided to come back by the time she finished so that we could head for catch - up drinks. It was so great seeing her again and we chatted the hours away before realizing what time it was and decided to head home. Ready for my first shift back at work. 

I remember the feeling of leaving fruitshack, returning a couple of months later facing completely different people. I felt the exact same way returning to Albert park deli. The place was the same, the work as was the same but with a completely new selection of staff. I was happy to see myself standing face to face with my American friend Will, as the only one remaining from the staff members I know even if he's only works at the deli once a fortnight these days. But to work without Eric by my side as the head dinner chef was beyond sad.

Bush walking

 I didn't got as much shift as I hoped my first week back, and got 3 days off in a row. To keep myself busy I headed straight for the climbing wall. One of the things I've missed most whilst being away. Despite my 2 months lack of practice, I never expected to be at the same level as when I left and was prepared for disappointment. 

As I had 3 days off, and couldn't possible climb 3 days in a row as it would kill both my arms and wallet I decided to go for a full day bush walk. I didn't have many options since I don't drive, and headed for the dandenong range. Prepeard with 2 bottles of water, lunch and a poorly written map that I downloaded to my iPad, I settled off on the train to upper ferntree gully. I struggled to find the right platform, and by the time I reached the tiny village after over an hour on the train, the time was already pass noon. I went in to the tourist information to get the right directions. She gave me a printed map over the area, and recommended a 4-5 hour route that would take me up the famous '1000' steps, through the jungle, across a big road, and along a number of different walking tracks before having me ending up in Belgrave. 

Sounded good enought for me, and off I went. I shared the experience of the thousand steps with dozens of other people I wouldn't say it's too much to brag about. A thousand steps isn't even that much. Specially not due to the fact that back in the phillipines and 'the nut huts' Alice, Louise and I walked close to 300 not being able steps just getting from bed to breakfast. I got to the top, and instead of following the crowd straight back down I followed the pathway further uphill and got myself to 'one three hill picknick ground' where I stay'd for lunch and water refill. It was a beautiful day. The weather was in great condition, the nature was quiet and gorgeus and I couldn't have been more happy with myself. I followed the walking track that at some point would take me to a main road. With the nature as my only company I was crossing the jungle and finally reached the road. I was suppose to follow it for a couple of hundred meters before crossing onto another track leading back to Belgrave. As I stood facing my poorly written map, with the road in front of me I couldn't quite figure out whether to head left or right. It never accord to me that I was facing the wrong road. I walked left, and followed every turn of the road even if it never seemed to turn the way it supposed to, according to the map. I took my time finding out how far off I was and couldn't other than walk back, laughing at my own stupidity.   As I walked the same track deeper into the forest the parhway suddenly separated into two and I realized that I had no idea which one I came from. I lay all my faith into my poorly printed map who told me to head left, which finally brought me back to the right track. According to the map, following this track would have me end up on a bigger road. It took me to a dead end. I had to tell myself that this map wasn't up to date. Crossing a few backyards and jumping a couple of fences got me to the one three Hill road in the end, after a 2 hour detour! Following it I managed to find the right track back into the forest that definitely would take me to Belgrave. I couldn't be more happy about myself. The last 2 hours went sucessfully unenventful as i crossed different tracks through the forest and made My way back to belgrave, tired as. I'm proud to say that, given that I spend the day by myself kept getting lost, I still managed without losing that smile of mine even once. I had the most enjoyable day! 

Christmas

If there's one day of the year where i wish that i was back home, it would be for christmas. I miss the fact of being around my family, and all the weeks leading up to the holiday. The preperation, excitement and the dark but cosy atmosphere and simply just the feeling of Christmas. What I want is not 40 degrees and boiling sun. It's family. And not being able to be with my family around the holiday took away the satisfaction of celebrating Christmas, and I didn't mind spending all day working. 

Louise arrived at the 23rd, and as I was working Stina was the one welcoming her with open arms.  We woke up early on chrismas eve. Louise and I headed for breakfast at Stina's before i started work letting Louise hitting the city of Melbourne. I got a bottle of wine for chrismaspresent from my work that I happily shared with my swedes back in the flat before heading for christmas dinner. After a lovely meal in lovely company we headed for a couple of drinks and then home to watch 'Karl bertils julafton' eating saffron buns. A quiet, but enjoyable Christmas Eve! 

During Christmas and boxing day I voluntarily worked at Stina's place as they where ridiculously understaffed given that their regular staff wants to spend Christmas with their family. Being the only cafe in the area open on Christmas it got super busy. And no one except from Stina had been working there for more than I couple of weeks, with me having my first day on their busiest day of the year. That's when I realized how much I have learned and how much experience I've gained during my time at Albert park deli. When the day was finally over, after having us all working for 10 hours without a break the owner bought us all dinner and we enjoyed a few drinks together. I headed to the hostel afterwards to meet up with Ashleigh and Louise and their christmas celebration, but my exhaustion from work brought me to bed. Ready for the same chaos the next morning.  

Abbotsford adventure! 

A couple of days after Christmas, Louise and I headed out to meet up with Courtney. Our amarican friend from Boracay that Alice and I met again in Bankok, and that was now on a visit to Melbourne. We went for a few drinks, and ended up dancing in the clubs hours later. I struggled through work the next day but as I finished early I decided to show Louise around the suburb outside Melbourne. Given that we've had beautiful sunny weather everyday for the past weeks I was well excited to finally be able to spend the afternoon int he sun - nor working. Due to my luck, the rain decided to hit us only this day. Louise met me as I finished work, and we headed to Brunswick and sydney road -northern Melbourne. , They have a lot of cosy little cafe's, the city's biggest op shop and K-mart that kept us entertained for a couple of hours. I knew it wasn't too far to walk from Sydneyroad to flitzroy and Brunswick street which is one of my favourite districts. That would also be on the way to abbotsford where we agreed to meet up with Vicky later, my long lost Sydney friend who's in Melbourne only for the night. My first travel partner in Thailand (except from Beccy) who I haven't seen since my first visit in Sydney as I arrived to Australia 15 months ago. As the rain suddenly disappeared replaced by a hearing sun we didn't mind walking. We put all our trust into my sense of direction, which surprisingly enought brought us the right way. This didn't last all the way, as you probably figured, and we somehow lost the track of the main road. Crossing a beautiful park I've never seen before we stopped a lovely lady to ask for direction. She kindly described how far off we've got, with the directions to abbotsford. She finished with telling us that we where standing right by her car, and that she was happy to give us a lift, as she was going that way anyway. With no intentions of hithhiking we happily jumped into the car. We got dropped off at Johnson's street just outside abbotsford where I convincingly told myself that I knew the way. We're meeting Vicky at 'lentil as anything',  a volunteerly driven resturant with the slogan 'pay as you like' located in a convent in abbotsford. Stina and I went there last year just as we arrived to Melbourne, why I insisted in my confident of finding the way. Allthought, My sense of direction seemed to have disappointed me once again and we had to call Vicky for survival as we were just around the corner. With the best vegan food one could ever imagine 'lentil as anything' filled us up as we were chatting away over everything that had happened during the last year and a half. If was indescribably nice to see her again even if for such short time. And I promised to come visit Sydney soon enought. 

New Year's

You know how you sometimes have those days where simply everything seems to go wrong from the point where you wake up? New Years was one of those days for me. I headed for a shower in the morning and shaved my legs in a hurry. A slint with my cheap razor cut half my leg open. With a silent scream I got out of the shover just to face pool of water covering the bathroom floor up to my ankles.  Before having time to clean it up, Cam woke up facing our terrific bathroom situation. Not understanding how I could not have noticed the pipes being blocked he tooked care of the situation without further arguments. All of this ended up having me being late for work, not in my best stage due to Cam's highly defended mood. Things didn't get better whilst at work. Given that I was working my 15th shift in a row brought my to a state of exhaustion not even 12 hour shift out at the farm would.  The ability to concentrate seemed to have disappeared, replaced with distraction. One thing after another ended up having my crying over a dropped plate by the end of the day.  

As I got home I dropped dead on top of my bed just to wake up by Louise's calls half and hour later. I forced myself out bed and across the road to the rooftop at their hostel, where I met Louise just as a second beer hit my empty stomach. By the time we finished our third one and started feel both tipsy and hungry, we met up with Stina for dinner. We have a Mexican favourite where we always seems to head on special occasions. Their food is delicious but way to expensive to make a regular habit. 

Before heading to the beach, counting in the new year, we dropped by a house party of one of Stina's workmates. As we got down to the beach just before midnight, Louise and I lost them all int the busy drunken surroundings. We overviewed the magnificent fireworks beyond the city as we downed a bottle of champagne at the beach. After enjoying a few phonecalls to our long lost well missed family we fancied another drink and decided to meet up with Courtney at one of the clubs around st Kilda. That's when we realized Louise's passport no longer existed in our bag. Someone must of have stolen it while at the crowded beach hoping for more valuable things, or we must of have simple dropped it. Either way, there was no way we was getting inte clubs without identification. Instead we headed back to the hostelparty meeting up with Ashleigh. Louise headed to bed and I passed out at the couch not too long afterwards.

 Line's visit

One of my best friends since 8 years came to visit Melbourne not too long after Louise had left. She met me at my work as I failed my attempt getting the day off. It was an indescribable feeling seeing her walking in with her massive backpack after one and a half year apart. We spend afternoon chatting away in my couch catching up on eachothers lives. I had called the next day off and as it was about to be a lovely sunny day we decided to simply spend it at the beach. It's funny how I've been living in at Kilda, Melbourne's beachtown, for almost 8 months with our even once being at the beach! Being a bit overexcited and naively thinking that there's no need of sunscreen, I ended up whith the worst sunburn in my life. It took weeks for it to peel off. A mistake I will never do again. Except from that we had a perfect - well deserved day together. I unfortunately had to work during the weekend but tried to spend as much time with my best friend as possible. As I had Monday off I brought her rock climbing. So much fun, especially doing if with a good friend. I showed her to Chinatown, shanghai dumplings and one of my favourite bars in town. After almost a week in town she left Wednesday night. We went into the city together and spent most of the day in my favourite city bar, where Cara came to join us -  one of my best aussiefriends who recently moved down from Brisbane. After a few jugs and sushi rolls we followed Line to the bus stop where I sadly enought have to wave her off after an amazing week together. 

Great ocean road

Stina and I both took our last weekend off work to be able to finally do a great ocean road trip before leaving the country. Cara and her boyfriend Djarra came to pick us up Saturday morning and the four of us headed southwest for a 2 day roadtrip down along the beautiful coastline. 

We had the weather on our side but not the traffic. The ridiculous almont of cars in front of us delayed our travel plans a bit. Passing Geelong, Torquay and Anglesea we stopped in Lorne for lunch at the beach where they had a market going on. We continued to Apollo bay where we stayed for the beach and a swim in the cold water. I was more careful with the sun this time! Before reaching our final destination for the day, Port Cambell, we stopped for the twelve apostles lookout. It was absolutely beautiful. Despite that it's one of Australia's most famous tourist attraction we obviously shared the experience with a bunch of tourists. Getting into Port Cambell, a super cozy tiny beachtown we checked into a hostel and headed out the experience wathever this town had to offer. It wasn't much, but just getting away from the city life for a change was a great feeling. Dinner, beer, and a couple of more beers did us well before heading to bed. 

The weather didn't treat us as well the next day as it was raining quite heavily. After breakfast we drove to the national park to hopefully be able to get sights of wild koalas. We hadn't driven far into the forest before spotting them climbing on top of the trees. Along the road we spotted more of them hanging on to te trees as we went deeper into the forest. We did another stop in Anglesea on our way back, another supertiny beautiful beachtown, before setting wheels for Melbourne! 

The twelve (seven) apostles 

Australia Day!

For the second time, I had to say goodbye to work, friends and the beauty of Melbourne and St Kilda. This time for the last time, as I'm not planning on coming back to live in Melbourne. As we got back from great ocean road that evening I headed out to spend my last night with the girls from work. Lately it been a team of 6 young girls working together having the best time. We met at a bar around the corner from the Deli where we ended up having a hysterical laughing session lasting for hours. 

On Australia Day the next morning, our last day in the country, Stina and I woke up super early to meet Corey for a coffee. He had just been working a nightshift in the area and wanted to see us before leaving. It was raining heavily as we forced eachother our of bed and down the slippery streets of St Kilda. It's funny thinking that he was our first friend in Melbourne, as we got here unemployed and broke almost exactly one year prior. 

When Stina and I had spent the rest of the morning cleaning our room, done all our wash and packed our bags I went back to 'Albert Park Deli' for the last time. Having a last breakfast, coffee and beer with the girls who wasn't working and saying goodbye to all my lovely colleagues after 8 months of working there. Emotionally I settled for the tram into the city to meet, and say goodbye to Chloe. We met at the bar at Brunswick street, where her roommate joined in as well as Cara with her boyfriend. The weather was great, the company was better and brought us all to a tearful goodbye as I eventually had to leave to meet Stina for dinner. Spontaneously I popped by the Deli as they closed for one last drink and chat with my boss. Getting a lift back to st Kilda I met Stina at our Mexican favorite resturant where we had invited some people for dinner, including our roommates Cam & Chelsea and a few friends from Stina's work. After a super nice farewell meal we had to rush home before heading for the airport, leaving Australia and our Melbourne life behind us.  With our backpacks on and full of excitement we walked towards new adventures. Happy Australia Day!