At the airport in Perth,
waiting for my connection to Sydney
for my flight out to L.A., I took
some time to reflect on Australia.
After spending almost 4 weeks in “the land down under”, with only 3 days where
the sun didn’t shine on a bright blue sky, I was truly sad to leave because it
has really grown on me!
I have to admit that when I arrived in the beginning, it
took me good few days to adjust from the India
experience, being back in civilization where everything seemed “normal”, and
probably a lot of initial impressions were slightly blurred for that reason. Even
though I spent the first few days in Australia
in this amazing remote island, I seem to recall the best memories from Queensland
and Western Australia. This may
also simply have to do with changes in mood...
Now, I think that Australia
is an absolutely magic place. So then what is it that I liked so much about it?
Nr 1 has to be the beaches! I have walked along so many nice
beaches in the last few weeks but never ever got tired of them. Every beach is
different and has left a lasting memory, but Whitehaven beach in the
Whitsundays has gotta be way up there – I will forever rave about the softness
of that sand! And the sunsets of Western Australia…
Secondly, the wildlife – both that on the ground, in the
air, and underwater. So many species, so many colours … I have seen wild
kangaroos, possums, quokkas, cockatoos, parrots, dolphins, countless fish, sea turtles
but no snakes, spiders, great white sharks, crocodiles and still no cockroach!
Then, the people, you just gotta love them. Australians are renowned for being
laid-back and this is true, and certainly very pleasant for someone who is here
on holiday. No matter where you go, you are greeted with a friendly “Hi, how
are you going?” (this takes some time to get used to from “hi, how are you?”,
and no, you do NOT reply to this question by “oh, I’m catching a bus there…”). Everthing
is “awesome” and there are “no worries”. I have yet to meet a miserable
Australian and I firmly believe they do not exist (at least not in coastal Australia).
Australians are also very sociable and definitely like a drink in their hand.
If this happens to be a can of beer, it will always be in a foamie can holder
which I have grown to like a lot, because it makes total sense – keeps your
beer cold and your hand warm! They also love their food, especially if it’s
barbecued, and make very good wines that, surprisingly, don’t seem to give you
a headache ! (except if you are tasting it all day).
Finally, traveling in Australia
is just really easy, although it can become expensive. Everything is geared
towards the tourist, no matter what category, and there is always some
organized tour to make your life easier and your wallet emptier. Eating out is generally cheap though, but transport
comparably expensive.
And to finish off, couple of favourites:
Favourite part of Australia:
WA!!! (Western Australia). It has
everything you would ever need in life: great weather, beaches, sunsets, waves,
wine, food, music, people and attitude!
Favourite beach: Whitehaven, Whitsunday
Islands, Queensland
Favourite wine: Cabernet Merlot, 2007, Woody Nook Estate,
WA.
Favourite food: Kangaroo steaks (bbq’ed by John on Three
Hummock Island)
and venison sausages a la Gemma & Rob!
Favourite soft drink: Solo Lemonade
Favourite animal: still in love with that koala...
Favourite moment: When I was waiting for the ferry from Hamilton
Island to Airlie
Beach, just after Mike’s departure,
and Aussie guy Andrew from Cairns,
married with 2 kids, started talking to me about Australia,
traveling, love and life, and mentioned at the end of the conversation that all
Australians firmly believe that “life is a journey”. I couldn’t agree
more.
