A Solo Travellers Mind

This is a 2 parter!

When I finished my contract in Batemans Bay, I headed back to newy to stay with Ethan for a few weeks before heading on my hols. We had two lovely weeks, but not before the first two days were spent with me on the toilet with violent diarrhoea, lol. I went to work on Thursday, got home, had some pretty serious stomach cramps, honestly thought I was going to die, nearly took myself to A and E in fear the appendix was about to pop, before I started to evacuate my bowels at speeds never experienced… and then continue to all night long in Ethan’s ensuite… (lol it’s a good job we are close). So I was slightly written off, but luckily, I bounced back quite quickly!

We spent a day at the museum checking out the dinosaur exhibit, evenings eating steak dinners, and afternoons heading to an impromptu art showing, and watched the sunset over nobbys Beach! We also headed to Nelsons Bay, where we did the very mini hike up Tomarre Hill and explored the old war bunkers, we also went for a snorkel and spotted a mini sting ray! Before a lunch of prawns and oysters was devoured once again! We spent one day on another hike, checking out the secret pools waterfall in Brisbane Waters National Park, a very easy hike with a huge reward, having a picnic by the water and quick swim in the very cold pool! The obligatory sunset swims occurred, where I learnt I could back flip off Ethan’s shoulders, hehe. Lots of yummy dinners were had, including a creamy sundried tomato pasta and, of course, the steak! And then we headed to Sydney for a night before I flew to Thailand for my Hols! We explored the hotel sauna, which was actually kinda shit but it still made me feel bougie! We had a day of shopping intill I got bored and left Ethan to it and went to look at the dinosaurs in the museum (is the autism showing?), before a lovely Japanese dinner of miso soup, curry and very strong Japanese booze! We said our fair wells early doors before I headed to the airport!

Skip forward 3 weeks, and I return to Aus a very tired girly after my flight home. I’d not slept the night before my flight due to travelling, and then didn’t sleep on the flight, so you can imagine my relief when Ethan said he’d collect me from the train station and save my little legs from walking to his! With the last 6 days in aus for a while, I wanted to try and enjoy every moment, this was slightly ruined by the fact I’d caught a cold and couldn’t breath out my nose but we move! My first day involved hella organisation, cleaning and repacking this time attempting to pack for a year and all 4 seasons… lawd save my soul! I also ran some errands collecting my new and fancy prescription sunglasses (ya gal can see in the sun now, lol). My final weekend in Australia was spent at the beach, skating down fernleigh track, swimming in my favourite spots in newy and eating tasty food. On Tuesday, I was dropped off at Newy airport to fly to Melbs for my flight in a couple of days. I was thankfully staying with John in Melbs, and he kindly collected me and my broken soul post flight. My final day in Aus were spent at the beach and walking the coastal walk of Melbs, enjoying the sunshine and having a final dinner with John.

A lot of time has been spent reminiscing on the people and places of Australia. This year has truly been one of my best, I’ve got to travel to parts of Australia, places some only ever dream of, and I’ve met some utterly incredible people in the process. I really found my feet working contracts across Australia, and most importantly, I’ve  formed relationships and made memories with some really special people. It’s very sad leaving, so much so my heart and my head are in battle on if this is the correct choice. But as a wise woman once told me, it’s better to regret what you have done than what you haven’t.

Leaving Australia is without doubt I very hard thing for me. Saying goodbye to newy was super rough. it’s the place that has been closest to home and where the majority of my friendships formed, and it resulted in me crying in the airport for over an hour. I think when I planned this trip a year ago, my life was so incredibly different, and now, it’s so hard to follow through with my plan. The heartbreaking side of travelling is very rarely discussed. Falling in love with the places and people of a country to then leave. I know I’ll be back in Australia in a year or so, but so much life can happen in that time, as I’ve learnt. I think what this sadness has taught me, though, is that this country is truly where I want to be, and post travel plans, I am really excited to hopefully start life here ❤️