Perth

My first stop was Perth in Western Australia on an eight hour direct flight. Longest flight I've been on so far. I flew with Air NZ who are always great, watching films to pass the time (highly recommend The Perks of Being a Wallflower). With a five hour time difference, I was tired pretty early! My Nan picked me up from the airport and we went to a mall so I could sort out a sim card for the phone I had so I could keep in touch with people around the place.

The first day of my holiday I caught the bus then train into the city of Perth and went exploring, wandering and catching free city circle buses. I ended up at Kings Park which had amazing views of the city and a beautiful Anzac memorial.

The temperature was about 41 degrees Celsius. Walking from an air conditioned house or shop to outside felt like you started breathing through a hair dryer. But it was a very dry heat so it wasn't as bad as it sounds. The landscape was a dry brown colour with very little green grass around. And at night it was too hot for even sleeping with a sheet with the bedroom window open.

The suburbs in Perth are really spread out, I noticed, but that could've just been the side of the city I was on.

I caught up with a friend who I used to work with in high school who is a musician. He played me some of his songs which was awesome. His style has changed a lot since I last heard him. He's now a 'looper' which is a completely different style of live music than I've seen before. Pretty neat stuff.

I also had lunch with some family who live there which was nice. I met my cousin's wife and daughter for the first time, which seemed to be a recurring event on this trip, with everyone settling down. I had a kangaroo steak for lunch which was different. Kind of like beef but gamier, easy to overcook which would turn it very chewy. It was served rare so it was great. I'd definitely have it again.

I didn't spend long in Perth so I think I've still got a few things to do and see if I go back for another visit.

Three words: dry, parks, sprawling

Prior to departure

There were several of reasons I wanted to travel around Australia. I had friends in Brisbane who I wanted to visit, whom I had met on my volunteer trip to Fiji in November 2011. I have family all over the place who I hadn't seen in years. I bought a ticket to Soundwave in Melbourne. And I've got the travel bug and was starting to get itchy feet.

My itinerary had me flying out of Auckland on the 31st January. The weekend before I left my little sister came to stay, which was fun, and we both flew home to Tauranga on the Monday. Tuesday, I drove back to Wellington with my new car. Keeping busy before I'd even left the country! Not to mention the fact I'd moved house only the week before.

It was just my luck that on the 29th I got a toothache. I managed to get a dentist appointment the next day and, after drilling and filling, my dentist tells me there's a 50/50 chance of whether my tooth would get better and I might need a root canal while in Australia. Not ideal. Luckily nothing came of it and I've survived the trip w no further problems.

I flew up to Auckland that evening, drugged up so the cabin pressure wouldn't make my tooth hurt more, and spent the evening and the following morning with my dear friend, Richard. He took me out for breakfast before taking me to the airport for my flight to Perth.

In order to save on costs, my trip has been done with only carry-on luggage. Thankfully, because of the number of family and friends I have around the place, I have been able to do as much laundry as needed and actually ended up posting some things home because I just wasn't going to use them. I've also been staying with the aforementioned relatives to save on accommodation and food costs. Bonus.

I might do a post on what was in my luggage, for those of you who think traveling for a month with such a small amount of stuff is impossible.

Another reason this worked for me is because I haven't done any shopping. As tempting as it has been, self imposed budget and space restrictions have prevented this. Also, I don't need any more crap to fill up my house. My memories and photos will be enough.

More next time
Michelle
x

My Australian adventure

I've just spent a month traveling around Australia. I've been to several cities and met some amazing people. My views on everything from scuba diving to parenting styles to relationships to methods of travel have been reevaluated. Here I'll tell you about my adventures and hopefully this blog can come in handy for tracking my future endeavours too.

Peace out,
Michelle

A letter to a friend

Dear Friend.

I just restarted this letter. It was full of negative things but that’s not helpful. Actually, it’s still not helpful, but I have to write this or my head will explode with things I have to say to you.

In the beginning, your Mum cheated on your Dad. Later in life, you hooked up with a chick who was in a committed relationship, then proceeded to become infatuated with her. She asked for space to break up with her boyfriend. You appeared to have gotten over her, (via a couple of other girls) and things were looking up. Then you met another girl, a nice girl. You two started dating after knowing each other for about a week. You were happy, she was happy, you made a nice couple. She was good for you. Then last night you made a mistake. This other girl, who cheated on her last boyfriend, told you she likes you. So you hooked up, again. And now you’re in a pickle.

You have a crush on a cheater. Not only does she cheat on her partners, but she doesn’t mind helping other people to cheat on theirs too. I wouldn’t trust her.

Understandably, nice chick seems upset. I cannot predict what will happen there. She knows you’re messy in the head, so maybe she’ll forgive you, take you back and you can be disgustingly cute, forever after. Or maybe she’ll be hurt and things will end there. And that’s ok too.

But you need to stay away from the bad lady. If things end with nice chick, that’s not a reason or an excuse to have a drama-maker in your life, no matter how dreamy you find her. You will get hurt.

Some people say “once a cheater, always a cheater”. But I don’t believe that. I used to be a scumbag, but I’m not anymore. Or at least I try not to be. It’s a conscious decision to be committed to someone, even if the next guy or girl is better looking or richer or sweeter or smarter or more fun or all of the above. I know you and nice chick have only been together for a few months, but (from the outside) you made a good couple.

We’re still young, all of us finding out who we are, who and what we like. You’ve got time to fool around. What we don’t have time for is hurting people. Doing stuff is fun. Just make sure there aren’t ant negative consequences to deal with in the morning.

I love you, and I will always be here for you, no matter how many times we both fuck up. Because that’s what friends are for.

Now, stop. Breathe. Apologise. And wait.

Day 8

Day 22: a picture of something you wish you were better at

I wish I was better at studying, more motivated, better organized and more efficient.

Day 23: a picture of your favourite book

Romance about a prostitute and a religious man. It was given to me by the more religious side of my family as a gift.

Day 24: a picture of something you wish you could change

No explanation needed.

Day 7

Day 19: a picture and a letter

I’m not really sure what is expected for this one so you can have a picture OF a letter. Ha.

Day 20: a picture of somewhere you’d love to travel

Well, in a single picture, everywhere is where I’d love to travel!

Day 21: a picture of something you wish you could forget

I don’t feel it would be appropriate to post but if you’ve seen it, you’ll understand.

Day 6

Day 16: a picture of someone who inspires you

Rachael Stace. She’s vegan, gluten free, a gym bunny, plays netball, loves to volunteer and has been on several Spirit of Adventure voyages. When she puts her mind to something she won’t sleep (literally) until it’s done. No matter what happens she always picks herself up, brushes off the dirt and keeps going.

Day 17: a picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently

In essence, this is a calorie counting app I have on my iPod touch. I’ve never been in to calorie counting, but this one does it for me. I’ve been using it for almost four weeks and, although I sometimes feel restricted (which is kind of the point), it seems to be working.

Day 18: a picture of your biggest insecurity

I don’t think this needs any explanation.

Day 5

Day 13: picture of favourite band or artist

I loves me some My Chemical Romance

Day 14: someone you could never imagine your life without

It’s my Ben, and while I won’t be keeping him forever, right now I can’t imagine life without him.

Day 15: picture of something you want to do before you die

I want to go to Egypt. I hope to travel a lot but Egypt is one place I’d really like to go.

Day 4

Day 10: person you do the most f***** up things with

Raunchy. My partner in crime.

Day 11: picture of something you hate

Man oh man. Stupid people annoy the hell out of me. Not unintelligent people, but definitely stupid people.

Day 12: picture of something you love

  

Panna cotta. Oh my word. I would eat this stuff morning noon and night. I love it.

Day 3

Day 7: a picture of your most treasured item

This one isn’t mine, but my charm bracelet that my mum got for me is very special.

Day 8: a picture that makes you laugh

Shhh. Don’t tell [insert owner of dress here]! She doesn’t know.

Day 9: a picture of the person who has gotten you through the most

Kat always wins.

Day two (secretly 4, 5 and 6)

Day 4: A picture of your night (Friday night aftermath)

                     

Booze. Fire engines. Noise control. Win.

Day 5: A picture of your favourite memory

The day I graduated from high school. RGHS, I sure don’t miss you!

Day 6: A picture of a person you’d love to trade places with for a day

Angelina Jolie. I mean, what hasn’t she got. Seriously.

30 day photo challenge in 10 days

Hey guys,

Not really back into blogging yet but I’m going do the 30 day photo challenge, and I don’t think people appreciate it when it’s posted all over Facebook and chokes your newsfeed. So I’ll just do it here! And multiple at a time!

Day 1: A picture of yourself with 10 facts

1. My middle name is Rebecca

2. I’m the eldest of 6 kids, spread across two families

3. I have a very sweet tooth and a separate stomach for ice cream

4. I’ve had 20 different piercings

5. I love to cook, but only if it turns out right

6. I’m trying to be a vegetarian and I would love to one day be a vegan

7. On a related note, I suck at being vegetarian because I dislike tofu, falafel and all those other meat replacements

9. I’m really enjoying my classes at university this trimester

10. I want a place of my own

Day 2: A picture of you and the person you’ve been closest with the longest

Me and Katrina! We’ve been friends since high school and she’s always there when I need her.

Day 3: A picture of the cast from your favourite show

This is some of the cast from Supernatural. Castiel the angel, Dean and Sam Winchester the sexy brothers who hunt supernatural beings, and Bobby their caring old friend who is in a wheelchair (obviously not in this photo). These guys are bad-ass.

I will do three a day, I have decided! Mostly because the next one requires me to actually take a photo and I’ll have to borrow Frazer’s camera.

Marahau vid

Marahau, Feb 2011