And so it begins
22 Juli 2015 | Australië, Alice Springs
Hi again!
So, I've decided to switch my blog to English. It's quite the same as writing in Dutch anyway and it makes my foreign readers understand what the hell I'm writing about too (no more Google translate!).
The time has finally come that I have something to answer to those asking if I have done anything exciting, because I have! I truly enjoyed my time working at Marketing Eye and even working at the Fish Market during my weekends, but at the end of the day it was pretty much the same every week.
Friday the 10th of July was my last day working at ME and the Saturday after my last day working at De Costi at the Fish Market. And what's the perfect way to celebrate and start off my vacation? Obviously, going on a wine tasting tour to The Hunter Valley! One of the few reasons for me to get up at 6 in the morning too..
It's incredible how short the drive is to get out of busy CBD - before you know it, it's all quiet countryside and pretty landscapes. We arrived at the first winery after about a 2 and a half hour drive, resulting in having our first sip of wine before 10am - and being just a liiiittle tipsy before 1. It was kind of sad for the guy at the third winery though having to deal with all of his guests being giggly and everything, cause no matter how hard he tried to tell his winery's story, I can't really say that I remember anything of it. But I bought a bottle of wine from him, so I guess I made up for it. To top it all off we saw a group of kangaroos eating in the vineyards when driving back to Sydney: finally, kangaroos! So exciting (sorry again for waking you over this at that very moment, mom ;)).
The week after I took care of stuff for China (cause having a visa for example is quite convenient), started packing for the weekend to come, and spend time with Julia who was leaving Sydney that Wednesday. The weather was perfect on her last day that Tuesday, which was great since we were spending the day going on a whale watching tour. The whales are migrating to warmer waters these months and passing Sydney doing so. We found a couple of whales quite quickly, sleeping ones though, so our captain told us - just our luck. Still exciting to see them, even though not being very active! We spend the evening at the cinemas with our good friend Magic Mike, obviously. How else to spend a last evening! The morning after I brought Juul to the airport. I guess she's one of the other reasons to get up early, 4am this time, but worth it (aawh am I not sweet, hun? ;)). I've cried and laughed with that girl, mostly laughed though. She got me a job, could read my mind, randomly flashed me, was always up for a glass of wine, or bottle, fell out of her bed from vivid dreams, went romantically ice skating with me, and so much more - basically: made our apartment in Sydney a home to me.
I actually wanted to stop here and finish some other time to prevent this from getting too long, cause people tend to drop out on reading when it's taking too much time. I don't blame you, I'm one of them ;). But then again, those who care enough will probably continue and in the end I'm writing this for them and myself so oh well! Also, it doesn't happen very often that I feel like writing..
Last Friday the 17th of July Birgit and I hopped on a plane taking us to Central Australia to visit one of Australia's most iconic symbols: Uluru, better known as Ayers Rock. After witnessing the snowy tops of the Blue Mountains at Katoomba, about 3 hours later we prepared for landing in the red dessert aka the middle of nowhere. The airport was no more than one runway and one main terminal and close to the rock itself, a 20 minute drive we later found out. Our guide Gavin picked us up from the airport, later admitting that he'd expected two blokes considering our names which I still refuse to believe, and we went to join the rest of the group that arrived earlier. While driving Gavin told us Anangu stories, the aboriginal people of the area, and other geological and historical facts, dropped us at some point and let us hike around Uluru. Words actually can't describe the beauty and experience of it, neither can pictures, but I can say it was just kind of magical to see it, learn about it, and touch it after seeing so many pictures of it. Uluru actually has a gray color but appears to be red due to surface oxidation of its iron content, so we were told by our rock specialist. The sun would set around 6 o'clock which we were going to view from a platform viewing area while having sparkling wine. During this sunset the rock just changes color before your eyes. Amazing! Afterwards we went to the camping site for dinner, a hot shower and sleeping around the campfire with millions of stars above. Freaking cold, but freaking worth it. Why sleep anyway when you can watch shooting stars and the milky way?
Next morning it was rise and shine at 5am for the third reason to get out of bed at such a time: the sunrise. We went driving at 6.10 to a different platform where we waited for the moment the sun would show herself, which would be at 7.30. Again, totally worth it even though I could barely feel my hands and Birgit felt her toes practically dying.
Next stop was Kata Tjuta, or The Olgas, a group of large domed rock formations with a circumference of about 22km (Uluru is about 10km) where we went for a 5.5 km hike called the Valley of the Winds, and windy it was, right through the grooves to a stunning lookout point. We went back to the camp site for lunch, packed up, and left for the other place to spend the night which would be at Kings Creek Station, just about a 4 hour drive away. On our way there we stopped at the Mount Connor lookout, we stopped for some brumbies crossing the road, and, my personal favorite, to collect wood for the evening. Upon arrival we set up our beds in the safari tents we would spend the night in, and set everything up for the bbq. Well, actually, Gavin and some others set up stuff for the bbq, but I did make a damper! Well, Birgit did most of the work and I just had to add beer, which I drank, so I just added water. Writing this I realize I'm not the greatest help. Anyway! We ate around the campfire, even had some kangaroo steak, roasted marshmallows and just spend the rest of the evening warming ourselves, talking, and listening to campfire music, which differed from Jack Johnson to Britney Spears thanks to Gavin's awesome playlist :). I wasn't too upset about not sleeping under the clear sky again since I saw a dingo earlier and one of those bastards even walked into our kitchen tent leaving some nosy paw prints on the table. They'd probably only steal your shoes when left unattended during the night, but still, on to the tent for me!
Sunday and already the last day, we got up at 5 again, almost getting used to it now! We drove to Kings Canyon for the most awesome 5.5 km hike to the top of the Canyon. It's funny, initially you come for Uluru, but there's so much more to see which I maybe found even more stunning!
After lunch with camel burgers, we packed up again and starting our 5 hour drive to Alice Springs. Along the way we stopped at the Camel Farm so Gav could rest and for us to ride a camel or just look around for a bit. Arriving at 6pm in Alice we ended our tour having dinner and drinks at The Rock Bar with the group. A great last evening of an even greater weekend.
And so, for everyone who doesn't get where I am at the very moment, last Monday we flew back to Sydney where I'm currently spending my last three days before leaving for the east coast. The Dutchie I'm travelling with, Stephanie, and I rented a camper van to travel up North, planning to end our roadtrip at Daintree forest just North of Cairns.
For the ones who made it to here, I hope it was worth the read! I'll keep you posted.
Oh and I got a tattoo! Maybe I'll share 'em later.
Lots of Love! x
So, I've decided to switch my blog to English. It's quite the same as writing in Dutch anyway and it makes my foreign readers understand what the hell I'm writing about too (no more Google translate!).
The time has finally come that I have something to answer to those asking if I have done anything exciting, because I have! I truly enjoyed my time working at Marketing Eye and even working at the Fish Market during my weekends, but at the end of the day it was pretty much the same every week.
Friday the 10th of July was my last day working at ME and the Saturday after my last day working at De Costi at the Fish Market. And what's the perfect way to celebrate and start off my vacation? Obviously, going on a wine tasting tour to The Hunter Valley! One of the few reasons for me to get up at 6 in the morning too..
It's incredible how short the drive is to get out of busy CBD - before you know it, it's all quiet countryside and pretty landscapes. We arrived at the first winery after about a 2 and a half hour drive, resulting in having our first sip of wine before 10am - and being just a liiiittle tipsy before 1. It was kind of sad for the guy at the third winery though having to deal with all of his guests being giggly and everything, cause no matter how hard he tried to tell his winery's story, I can't really say that I remember anything of it. But I bought a bottle of wine from him, so I guess I made up for it. To top it all off we saw a group of kangaroos eating in the vineyards when driving back to Sydney: finally, kangaroos! So exciting (sorry again for waking you over this at that very moment, mom ;)).
The week after I took care of stuff for China (cause having a visa for example is quite convenient), started packing for the weekend to come, and spend time with Julia who was leaving Sydney that Wednesday. The weather was perfect on her last day that Tuesday, which was great since we were spending the day going on a whale watching tour. The whales are migrating to warmer waters these months and passing Sydney doing so. We found a couple of whales quite quickly, sleeping ones though, so our captain told us - just our luck. Still exciting to see them, even though not being very active! We spend the evening at the cinemas with our good friend Magic Mike, obviously. How else to spend a last evening! The morning after I brought Juul to the airport. I guess she's one of the other reasons to get up early, 4am this time, but worth it (aawh am I not sweet, hun? ;)). I've cried and laughed with that girl, mostly laughed though. She got me a job, could read my mind, randomly flashed me, was always up for a glass of wine, or bottle, fell out of her bed from vivid dreams, went romantically ice skating with me, and so much more - basically: made our apartment in Sydney a home to me.
I actually wanted to stop here and finish some other time to prevent this from getting too long, cause people tend to drop out on reading when it's taking too much time. I don't blame you, I'm one of them ;). But then again, those who care enough will probably continue and in the end I'm writing this for them and myself so oh well! Also, it doesn't happen very often that I feel like writing..
Last Friday the 17th of July Birgit and I hopped on a plane taking us to Central Australia to visit one of Australia's most iconic symbols: Uluru, better known as Ayers Rock. After witnessing the snowy tops of the Blue Mountains at Katoomba, about 3 hours later we prepared for landing in the red dessert aka the middle of nowhere. The airport was no more than one runway and one main terminal and close to the rock itself, a 20 minute drive we later found out. Our guide Gavin picked us up from the airport, later admitting that he'd expected two blokes considering our names which I still refuse to believe, and we went to join the rest of the group that arrived earlier. While driving Gavin told us Anangu stories, the aboriginal people of the area, and other geological and historical facts, dropped us at some point and let us hike around Uluru. Words actually can't describe the beauty and experience of it, neither can pictures, but I can say it was just kind of magical to see it, learn about it, and touch it after seeing so many pictures of it. Uluru actually has a gray color but appears to be red due to surface oxidation of its iron content, so we were told by our rock specialist. The sun would set around 6 o'clock which we were going to view from a platform viewing area while having sparkling wine. During this sunset the rock just changes color before your eyes. Amazing! Afterwards we went to the camping site for dinner, a hot shower and sleeping around the campfire with millions of stars above. Freaking cold, but freaking worth it. Why sleep anyway when you can watch shooting stars and the milky way?
Next morning it was rise and shine at 5am for the third reason to get out of bed at such a time: the sunrise. We went driving at 6.10 to a different platform where we waited for the moment the sun would show herself, which would be at 7.30. Again, totally worth it even though I could barely feel my hands and Birgit felt her toes practically dying.
Next stop was Kata Tjuta, or The Olgas, a group of large domed rock formations with a circumference of about 22km (Uluru is about 10km) where we went for a 5.5 km hike called the Valley of the Winds, and windy it was, right through the grooves to a stunning lookout point. We went back to the camp site for lunch, packed up, and left for the other place to spend the night which would be at Kings Creek Station, just about a 4 hour drive away. On our way there we stopped at the Mount Connor lookout, we stopped for some brumbies crossing the road, and, my personal favorite, to collect wood for the evening. Upon arrival we set up our beds in the safari tents we would spend the night in, and set everything up for the bbq. Well, actually, Gavin and some others set up stuff for the bbq, but I did make a damper! Well, Birgit did most of the work and I just had to add beer, which I drank, so I just added water. Writing this I realize I'm not the greatest help. Anyway! We ate around the campfire, even had some kangaroo steak, roasted marshmallows and just spend the rest of the evening warming ourselves, talking, and listening to campfire music, which differed from Jack Johnson to Britney Spears thanks to Gavin's awesome playlist :). I wasn't too upset about not sleeping under the clear sky again since I saw a dingo earlier and one of those bastards even walked into our kitchen tent leaving some nosy paw prints on the table. They'd probably only steal your shoes when left unattended during the night, but still, on to the tent for me!
Sunday and already the last day, we got up at 5 again, almost getting used to it now! We drove to Kings Canyon for the most awesome 5.5 km hike to the top of the Canyon. It's funny, initially you come for Uluru, but there's so much more to see which I maybe found even more stunning!
After lunch with camel burgers, we packed up again and starting our 5 hour drive to Alice Springs. Along the way we stopped at the Camel Farm so Gav could rest and for us to ride a camel or just look around for a bit. Arriving at 6pm in Alice we ended our tour having dinner and drinks at The Rock Bar with the group. A great last evening of an even greater weekend.
And so, for everyone who doesn't get where I am at the very moment, last Monday we flew back to Sydney where I'm currently spending my last three days before leaving for the east coast. The Dutchie I'm travelling with, Stephanie, and I rented a camper van to travel up North, planning to end our roadtrip at Daintree forest just North of Cairns.
For the ones who made it to here, I hope it was worth the read! I'll keep you posted.
Oh and I got a tattoo! Maybe I'll share 'em later.
Lots of Love! x
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Je kunt nu ook Smileys gebruiken. Via de toolbar, toetsenbord of door eerst : te typen en dan een woord bijvoorbeeld :smiley
