Nature, wildlife and new experiences in Australia!

Melbourne, finally I MADE IT TO AUSTRALIA! Still can't believe it..yet here I am. While standing in line for the passport check, I see a sign behind the booths that reads "Border Security is filming here today, If you don't want to be filmed..etc". I get really excited! I would love to see the area where it all happens and guess what..I have a bag of peanuts in my luggage (which I declared of course but you never know). After a couple of check points, a lady asks me if that's all I brought: No meat or vegetables? I shake my head.."Take that exit"..Darnnit..I found myself at the arrival hall.

I stayed with Ian and his family, Ians 1st wife's family lived next to my grandfather so he knew some of my family. Ian and his wife are very fond of nature, birds, bats. On my first morning there, I saw my first kangaroo, while we were walking the dog somewhere! How amazing is that! They showed me a different side of Melbourne, we went bat trapping (and after writing down some info, let them go again) and animal night spotting (to observe what lives there), it was very exciting! I saw animals that I had never seen in the wild. He also took me to Healesville Sanctuary, I must say, they take very good care of their animals here (they also did that in Singapore), but they also run and fly free, it was amazing to see! And they only hold Australian animals here, so it was very cool! I also saw the home of the flying foxes (bats), trees filled with them, tens of thousands just living in the wild!

We went to Penguin Island one weekend, where we took a boat to Seal Rocks, where you see as you can guess.. Rocks filled with seals, just doing their thing 'being seals', swimming around, communicate with each other and just laying around in the sun. On our way there, some dolphins passed, another animal I had never seen in it's natural habitat. At night we went to the Penguin Parade, after a research tour, we sat down in the best seats of the house where 60% of the penguins would cross that night. NO PICTURES ALLOWED! The penguins go out fishing during the day and come back at night, when the coast is clear to cross the beach, to go back to their burrows. What an amazing sight. The Little Penguins (named after their size) just wobbling in front of you. It was weird to see them walking in the grass and up the hills, because I'm used to penguins in snow, on ice and swimming. It was an amazing day!

Of course I also saw some of Melbourne city centre, the Botanical Gardens, China Town, Queen Victoria Market, The Melbourne Museum (incl. a 007 design 50 years exhibition which was displayed while I was there). I liked the city for the time I was there, though totally different from the nature scenes and less impressive therefor I guess. I met up with 2Dutch friends and also with 1English guy I met in KL (he'll hate me for saying English..cause he's from Wales and that's TOTALLY different, I'll see him again in Sydney for our skydive).

All and all, I am excited for what's to come after Melbourne!

Next stop: Hobart, Tasmania. Cute little town, didn't do much, walked around a lot, went to the movies and visited MONA (museum of old and new art). First of all there was a Dutch invasion in the hostel...4Dutch girls and also a Dutch guy that worked there..I couldn't get around it and ended up having a great first night with my first Goon too :). MONA was the weirdest, most confusing museum I've ever seen. I guess it's because it's called a museum..it was unusual and the route was confusing..and then when I finally decided to go to the toilet before leaving the museum, it ended up being an artwork as well, I'll spare you the details..let's just say, guys would love looking at their junk in here from a certain angle, while I really did not need to see it. Anyhow, I guess that's what this museum was all about...thinking.. what the hell did I just see..

And then, after almost a year of communicating on facebook..visiting my family (my moms cousin). I took a 4hour bus trip to Devonport where they picked me up to take me to their home in Gunns Plains. I knew it was “in the middle of nowhere” but getting closer to it, I REALIZED it really was in the middle of nowhere. Some farms, lots of land, lots of animals, mountains, beautiful surroundings! Corina grows her own veggies, fruit, flowers. They also have a couple of chickens for fresh eggs and a dog an two cats. The dog became my best friend, she's crazy but so sweet at times! The cats are about twenty years and don't do much anymore besides sleep, eat and walk around. Her husband, Ross, brews his own beer, some of which are quite tasty :). Corina took me to see a couple of towns in the area (min. hour away), Bernie, Penguin, Sheffield. Cute towns, in Sheffield I felt like going back in time. Also took a bike ride here, very hot..you really do need a hat to protect you from the sun!

The weekend after we went on a cruise in Strahan, where we also spent one night. We went to the pub on the first night and it was fun, I can see now why we're family (hehe). After watching Bad Santa and a goodnight sleep we went on a 6-hour cruise. The cruise stopped at two points, first one was a nature walk in the most qualifying world heritage area of the planet (scoring 7/10) and the second stop was Sarah Island. The surroundings on the cruise as well as during our stops were beautiful. Truly amazing to see such preserved natural surroundings. After that we went back to Gunns Plains.

There's the Gunns Plains Caves just a couple of km away from here and a Wings wildlife park (about 10km). I went on the Caves tour on monday, amazing caves. I don't know why, but I just love caves! It was a bit of a adventure walk we had to do, going up and down and “mind your head”! But it was really cool and the tour guide was hilarious! The day after I went to the wildlife park on the bicycle as well, again beautiful surroundings, nothing but mountains/hills, paddocks, cows, a couple of houses is all I saw on the way. It's funny because all the cows always look my way when I pass. Anyway, the wildlife park was awesome! I fed my first kangaroos, I watched how 3 devils fought over a wallaby tail, funny animals but I could see how they can be really dangerous! Also saw some koala's, a baby wombat, a camel, some birds, monkeys, etc. And then back to feed some more kangaroos! It's so cute how they use their paws to hold your hand while they eat.

“It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas”. Not really haha and didn't feel like it either the days before, maybe because time went by so fast the last months. Anyway, after opening presents and a champagne/orange juice and croissant breakfast, the christmas vibe was there. Spending it with new found family was great! And also to see that the food here is different from what we usually eat in Holland, reminded me more of the christmas dinner in the states.

On my last day here I bottled some home brewed beer with Ross (the husband), it was fun haha! Too bad it was morning, cause it really makes you want to drink a couple during and after haha.

And then here I am, spending my last hour in Gunns Plains with family before they drive me to Launceston where I'm flying from tomorrow morning to Sydney and seeing two friends from Holland! Poor guys..their journey here takes about 24 hours. My flight is 1.5hour. Can't believe after almost a year of talking about this and planning it, it's really happening.

Happy New Year to all far and near :)!!

Cheers,

Talitha

Back in Asia

Well hello, dear followers :). I wish I could say this in all the languages of the countries I've visited so far, but unfortunately I haven't paid much attention (most I remember is from Japan).

I don't know where to begin.. I have seen so much already, that I feel like I've been away for longer than I have. Started in Tokyo, Japan. I was there for a total of 7 days and I stayed in a dorm room in Anne Hostel. The location was perfect and so was the staff and the other travelers that I met. It was a great start of my trip! Tokyo has many districts and of course I aimed to see them all. With my booklet and the metro map, I went on my way every day. Sometimes by myself and sometimes with others. Every district is completely different from the next. Tokyo has it all, modern, spiritual, authentic. Take Akihabara for instance, the electric city. This is where you will find the manga stores, the weird sexshops (where I found the -buy panties- machine as seen on tv on 'spuiten en slikken'), also lots of pacinko & slots (games that they love). I walked in a couple of them and the noise, my god the noise..it's not only the sound of the metal coins or balls you hear but they have to top it off with some loud music! Then there's Asakusa, which I visited on my first day and there was a temple, a nice streetmarket, a boattour so you could see some more of Tokyo from a different view. And there was much more to see, luckily I took about 500 pictures of it ;)!

It's really easy to get around in Tokyo by metro/JR, just make sure you also check out if one of the unlimited travel passes. They might be cheaper. It's funny how many Japanese people 'sleep' in the metro or play games. I loved it when I saw some reading a book, can't remember seeing that much back home anymore! Most though is best seen on foot, that's why I walked over 10km each day! Luckily the weather was great :). As for the food, sushi, sushi, sushi, fish and my favorite GYOZA and Edamame (I don't eat fish). I did go to a couple of Sushitrains, where I had veggie sushi or chicken.

Then there's the people, the people are so polite! They don't all speak english, but they will still try to get you on your way with hand gestures. One guy even walked with me for 20 minutes to help. Tokyo really started to grow on me...but it was time to move on to Osaka!

Osaka is totally different, people will sit next to you on the metro (in Tokyo they would only if they really had to). I stayed in Toyo Backpackers, had my own Japanese style room with shared bathrooms. Osaka has a couple of things to that you must see but a couple of days is enough. I had about 5. I met up with a dutch guy (that I met in Tokyo) for a day trip to Kyoto where he was staying. I must say, Kyoto is amazing! I wish I had more time there, but always a good reason to return. We climbed mount Inari (over 4km one way), only because he convinced me too and am I glad he did. It was amazing! After that we went to the bamboo path which was very peaceful. And then I went back to Osaka. The most impressive thing I have seen in Osaka, was the aquarium, it was huge! They say it's the biggest one, it has about 5 floors and in the middle of all of them is this huge tank with (whale)sharks, stingrays and lots of other fish and around it on each floor were different fish. But you could see the middle tank from 5 floors and walk all around. It was so peaceful and it totally relaxed me. I was almost mesmerized as I was the first time I saw a panda.

There is so much more to tell, to share, to show about Japan.

Some interesting facts

• A lot of bicycles in Japan!
• When crossing the street, the stoplight makes a whistling bird sound
• There's a cart on the metro, just for women
• Japanese do not want to miss a day at work, even it they start at 2 (due to a Typhoon).
• Fruit is really hard to find, you'll find some apples and bananas but expensive!

Next stop, Hong Kong. I arrived at the airport, took a bus, looked outside and already fell in love. The city is so beautiful at night. I arrived at the hostel, YESINN @ Causeway Bay, got a bed in a 21bed dorm..bed was taken so they moved me to a 9bed female only dorm (and girls are so messy yikes). Hong Kong is totally different from Japan. Again, there's a lot to see but also a lot outside of Hong Kong Island. I did one day in Macau (wish I had more time there), Kowloon Island (avenue of stars and the 8pm laser show they do every day for tourists, temple night market). The hostel's location was great. 24/7 supermarket, 7/11 (which are everywhere in Asia), a beautiful park to escape the madness. And of course everywhere you go, shopping...shopping...shopping...it is insane. I don't think there is anyone there that will not buy something every single day. I did some pubcrawls in HK, which were organized out of the hostel, great way to meet people and discover HK nightlife! I loved the supermarket, fruit fruit fruit and a bakery hehe. It was a great start of the day to get a fresh fruit juice!

To get around in HK is so easy. Again, trains that take you from A to B, but also trams, busses, ferries. Their transportation system even won some awards for being the most user friendly to foreigners (I think). So all and all, I loved Hong Kong.

Then there's Bangkok! I've been to Bangkok 3 years ago, but walking on Khaosan Road again, I remembered how much I loved it! The atmosphere, the food, the markets, the tuktuks and all so cheap! I stayed with Canadian Noor, a girl I met a couple of years ago in Croatia (she was one of the pubcrawl guides) who lives in Bangkok. It was a warm welcome :). On my first night I went to Khoasan to meet up with an ex coworker that was only in Bangkok that night, so that was fun! I didn't do much else in Bangkok, just went out a couple of times, enjoyed the fooooood and the beers ;) and of course the people!

After Bangkok came Koh Phangan, an 8hour bus trip and another 4 on a boat. It's an island that I've visited before as well. I had my own little bungalow with a porch :) and there was great free breakfast, nice staff, a pool, a bar, a private beach! But for the island itself, there's not much to do, so I rented a bicycle for 24 hours and then added 2more days. Other than that I did some sunbathing, walked or biked around a bit, read my book, watched my shows and was waiting for the half moon party. Half moon party was great, it's outside in “the jungle”, but of course totally changed for the party. Before we left, you could decorate yourself with some glow in the dark paint, I had people that did it for me of course :). Party itself was a cool experience, everybody was painted, had bright colored clothes on, music was pretty good, so I had fun :)! After Koh Phangan, I went to Koh Samui (another island), where I was in a bungalow at first but I changed it to a hostel last minute and I am glad I did! Met some great people on the first evening that convinced me to rent a scooter and learn how to drive so I did the next day, with them of course! And we went up and down the hills of beautiful Koh Samui, so glad I did that! Next day we did the same, so much freedom with a scooter! And at night, of course, we drank. Went out once, it was fun, haha, I was reunited with my buckets in Thailand.

After the islands, I went back to the big city, Kuala Lumpur. I must say, at that point I was ready for a big city again. Arriving in KL, I took a shuttle bus that dropped me off in front of the hostel. First time I had the top of the bunk-bed, but it was fine. Met some great people, yes AGAIN! Did lots together (sightseeing, dinner, etc) and at night, we drank...there was a liquor store where you could get 3cans of beer for 10RM (around E2,50) and after we usually went out or the other way around. Didn't pay for any of my drinks, nobody really did, hehe, so that was good :). I sang some songs with a band, did the easy indonesian linedancing (Poco Poco) in the same bar, sang some more, made people laugh! The guy from the hostel took us almost every night. And KL has great foooood!! SATAY SATAY SATAY! The real one, the one I had in Indonesia couple of years ago, I was sooo happy!! Also tried Stingray..different..don't really know what to think of it. And of course there was the family reunion! I have some family that lives in KL for work and by coincidence her mom (who lives in Arnhem too) was visiting in the same week, so we all had dinner together, which is kind of weird when you're traveling so far away but also really cool! Was good to see them after so many years (the ones that moved to KL). I wanted to send some extra stuff home but luckily the mom could bring it back to Holland for me.

And while I am adding these words of the last two countries, I am sitting in Singapore on my first night. The last country in Asia for a while. I will be here for 7 days and will then go on to Australia, which means I have almost been traveling for 2months when I leave Asia. It's crazy, the days go by so quickly, especially when I'm having so much fun and experiencing so many new and amazing things and meeting lots of new people! Singapore at first sight is a LOT cleaner than KL and the traffic is definitely more structured. Everybody has been telling me that 7days here is too much, but after spending “too long” in KL (7days) I think it's fine. Because life gets like everyday life, you learn your way around, find your own favorites and oh did I forget to tell you that there's Universal Studios, Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Safari, pubcrawls, I thought on my first day, 7days will do just fine :)!

I am at the airport while I write this last bit, waiting for my flight to KL (where I transfer to Melbourne), it has been delayed for about an hour but I should still be able to get to my next flight in time. Just a little more about Singapore, my hostel was located in Little India which was different but fun. Lots of Indian men on the street at all times, just hanging out or walking around. I had Indian food for the first 3days, which is more than I had in my life. Anyway, once you go more into the city, you'll notice it is not as clean as expected but still clean compared to some other Asian cities. There are signs everywhere of what is forbidden (like smoking, no urinating, no littering, etc.), which is kind of funny ;). Anyway I did a lot in Singapore, it reminded me a bit of Tokyo...different district, modern, great train system, a more expensive Asian city. I met great people here again and saw amazing things! 7Days was perfect :D

And here I am, still in disbelief that I am (finally) going to Australia. A bit sad to leave Asia, but also very excited for Australia! I changed my visa, last minute, from Working Holiday to Visitor. I figured I'll be with family and friends and won't work (and don't have to either). This way I can do a bit of exploring first and come back before I turn 30 (yikesss) to work in the city/cities that I like most. Am happy with my decision, even happier it all worked out before I entered Australia hehe. All I can think about now is BORDER SECURITY, but am not worried...listening to some relaxing, Asian, classic tunes here at the airport.

I'd like to close this Asian chapter for now and open a next one on Australia! Hope you've enjoyed reading it and there's so much more to share with you, but I'll have to tell you some day :)!

Cheers!

Just one last, long journey before real life kicks in (if I ever let it)

Many years ago (ahum), when I was a little girl, I wanted to become a teacher…When I was about 10, I either wanted to become a teacher or a bartender. I know, little girls dream BIG. All I'm trying to say is that dreams, hopes, desires, goals, they all change over the years but some stick with you through the years. 

I remember when I was little and one of my sisters traveled the world (she still does). She always wrote me cards, came home with presents, pictures and of course stories. I don't remember details of any of the stories or presents, except for a coloring book she got me and the excitement she told her stories with. I always think that might have been where part of my interest of travelling came from. And perhaps the fact, that I've always been a people-person, sometimes maybe too much of one. I love learning about different cultures, languages, countries, habits and meeting new people. When I was about 14, I even thought about studying anthropology, but I ended up doing something completely different. I did try to see as much of the world as possible during and after college though.

And then, there comes a time in life that everything is fine, okay, comfortable. You're life is going pretty well, a job that pays well and the work you have to do is fine, maybe a house/an apartment, relationship, a nice pet, surrounded by friends and family. This is a life many people would perhaps envy you for. But do you really want to live your life comfortable? And some do, for some, this is the life they've dreamed of; that white picket fence, a cute dog, a husband, two kids (huisje, boompje, beestje) or at least that's what they are working towards. I thought about staying a little longer, I mean work was fine and I was comfortable, and of course going away and leaving a good thing is scary or is it exciting? In my case, I want to live on the edge, look for excitement and go back to that feeling I had when I was a kid and the world was my playground. I love my life in Holland, but this is something I have been looking forward to for so long and there is nothing that is keeping me here right now, so why wait? Just one last, long journey before real life kicks in (if I ever let it).

I've seen a lot of the world already, well according to one of those –calculate how much you've seen- I only saw about 10% of the world. But after my trip in 2010, a little over 3 years ago, there hasn't been a day that I stopped thinking about seeing more and planning another trip.

So here it goes, coming October it is time, to once again, spread my wings and make the world my playground J

Travel plans 2013/2014:

Asia: Tokyo, Osaka, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Koh Phangan, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore

Australia: Adelaide, Melbourne, Tasmania, East Coast with two friends in a campervan (starting in Sydney, ending in Cairns), Darwin, Alice Springs, Perth

New-Zealand 

Optional: Fiji Islands

Back to Holland through Asia: Jakarta and Philippines

Duration: No idea, we all knows how my predictions worked out last time, but guessing at least 6 months.

Talii-Special: One of the things I want to do during this trip, and what made part of the route, is visit theme parks! A rollercoaster junky like me should have no problem enjoying the Asian version of Disney and Universal but (hopefully) also the rollercoasters in the local theme parks.

That's it for now. I'll try to keep posting, you all keep reading now you hear J!