#Surf Lesson Adelaide Surf Lesson Australia

[glaciiermonarch]

❀ *◦ sen mitsuji. genderfluid. he/she/they. demiromantic homosexual. ⇝ hey, isn’t that takaharu mochizuki? i think that the thirty-five-year-old from adelaide, south australia, works as dj at the boom boom room, music producer & engineer, and drummer of vain rogues & the ghost orchestra; but outside of that people describe them as perpetual busyness to prevent the chance of an emotion occurring; a pristine but empty-feeling mansion with too many rooms; perfectly pouty lips pulling up in a smirk over a private joke; and a robin's egg blue drum kit with every possible bell and whistle on the market. i hear they are moody & distant, but they are also known to be cerebral & generous. consider giving them a visit at their home in winterwood estates and get to know why they’re called the ice queen.

➙ this character uses he/him, they/them, AND she/her pronouns freely! the writer will be using ALL of them, sometimes within the same paragraph, so please extend the same courtesy! ➙ taka is attracted to men and masc-presenting enbies and just calls themself gay!

full name: takaharu mochizuki ➙ this is in "western" order since taka grew up in english-speaking countries ➙ kanji: 望月 貴陽 (Mochizuki Takaharu)  望 (mochi) meaning "wish, desire" and 月 (tsuki) meaning "moon;” together meaning “full moon” 貴 (taka) meaning “precious” and 陽 (haru) meaning “sun”

nicknames: taka, taki, tako, haru, mochi-san, tsuki-san

dob: 17 august 1989

place of birth: adelaide, south australia, australia

languages: japanese (native); australian english (native); korean (advanced); german (advanced); arabic (advanced); hindi (strong); mandarin (strong); okinawan (some)

education: bachelor’s degree in philosophy and asian & middle eastern studies, duke university

strengths: educated; cerebral; generous; loyal; resolute; shrewd; creative; captivating; wise; patient

weaknesses: cold; moody; gloomy; judgmental; harsh; disconnected; distant; crass

hobbies: playing drums, guitar, piano, and clarinet; surfing; skateboarding; playing video games; smoking weed; napping; reading

likes: warm weather & beaches; fashion;

dislikes: messy people; uncreative people; children (friends' kids are an exception)

disabilities & health: major depression; chronic back and knee pain

even the silverest of spoons being in your mouth when you're born doesn't shield you from the unhappiness of life, but it does slap a bandage over a festering wound so you can ignore it a while longer. kenta mochizuki, a dermatologist originally from japan. beth mcnulty, general legal counsel for one of the biggest energy companies in all of australia. married a little later than either of their families would have liked, but in their defense, they were both busy being successful. and they barely slowed down long enough to have their only child, takaharu.

though of an ornery countenance since birth, taka was always still popular and favored because he was pretty and rich. clarinet lessons, piano lessons, drum lessons, surfing lessons, she was set up for success from the very beginning. her childhood memories are mostly accompanied by nannies and tutors, though her father, an earnest and excitable man, always made an effort to be present in his child's life, eager to see her succeed.

there was always a distance between taka and their mother, though; taka knows now that beth never wanted to be a parent. this attitude became clearly evident when she didn't show up to taka's tenth birthday dinner. it was soon revealed that she'd forgotten, and more of the truth came tumbling out: she shirked her parental duties for an affair. and this apparently had been going on for quite some time, seeing other men that weren't her heartbreakingly devoted husband.

a divorce ensued, and taka sided with his kind, loving father, who had also always made an effort to keep japanese culture alive in the home. when taka was barely into her teens, her father sat her down to tell her about a woman he'd met online, one he'd fallen in love with. the catch was that she lived in malibu. taka was given the choice to live with her mother or move to the united states with her father. she easily chose the latter.

lashonda rhimes, successful anesthesiologist to the stars, and kenta's second wife. she was a few years younger, though not egregiously so, but still childless. and she treated taka like her own child, which might have been externally brushed off by the surly teenager, but taka came to appreciate it. he was popular in his new home, with his accent and his money and his looks. being so intelligent, the transition to a new continent wasn't difficult at all, and he finished high school near the top of his class.

he didn't really have a plan for his life, and all his parents really wanted out of him was just for him to go to college. an acceptance to duke university was sweetened by some scholarships, and whatever those didn't cover was easily made up for by the wads of cash his family had. taka had started smoking weed not long after landing in the US, but she branched out into new drugs while in durham, north carolina, for college.

acid trips were unpleasant every time she tried dropping; and she didn't like injecting anything to leave marks behind on her pretty body. but she soon found a bad habit in cocaine. she would sniff a few lines, party for several hours, go home and do homework, go to class, and go to modeling shoots, and do it all over again. somehow, using sheer ambition probably, she finished college within 4 years, even with a double major and a couple semesters spent studying abroad.

bouncing around the US for a year or so; living with his aunt in japan for a couple years; and then landing in anchorage for the next adventure around 2016

these days, taka keep busy in any way she knows how: too long with her own thoughts can be dangerous and make her itch to return to her cocaine habit. but they've done a good job of staying clean. taka doesn't need to work for money—his mother sends him gobs of money to curry his favor, and his father and stepmother have nobody else to spoil—but he does work to stay busy, spinning tunes at the boom boom room; modeling for small indie publications and brands; and gaining some traction as a music producer.

with more money than one person should ever need, taka gives a lot of it away. there are a few charities she routinely makes generous donations to; but she also likes to take care of her friends. she'll buy her closest friends whatever they want, buy their groceries, offer to pay rent or even let them stay in her house, offer to pay their medical bills... seriously, what is one lonely person gonna do with all those digits in their bank account? besides, spending money is the only way she knows how to show love.

[victorharbortours]

Surf's Up! Exploring the Best Surf Spots on the Fleurieu Peninsula

The Fleurieu Peninsula, located just south of Adelaide in South Australia, is a hidden gem for surfers seeking breathtaking waves and stunning coastal scenery. With its diverse range of surf spots, the Fleurieu Peninsula offers something for surfers of all levels, from beginners to seasoned pros. In this article, we'll take you on a journey through some of the best surf spots this beautiful region has to offer.

Waitpinga Beach

Surf Spots on the Fleurieu Peninsula Located within the Innes National Park, Waitpinga Beach is a true paradise for surf enthusiasts. Known for its powerful and consistent waves, this spot is ideal for intermediate and advanced surfers. The beach is backed by rugged cliffs, which not only provide a picturesque backdrop but also protect the area from strong winds. Expect to ride some epic swells here, but be aware of the challenging conditions, especially during the winter months.

Middleton Point

Middleton Point is a favorite among both local and visiting surfers. This beach offers a variety of breaks suitable for surfers of all levels. The main break, known as The Point, is perfect for longboarders, while the waves closer to the shore are great for beginners. With the vibrant surf culture in Middleton, you can also find plenty of surf shops and schools to help you get started or improve your skills.

Goolwa Beach

Goolwa Beach, at the mouth of the Murray River, is a fantastic spot for those looking for a more relaxed and family-friendly surf experience. The waves here are gentle and consistent, making it ideal for beginners. Goolwa Beach is a great place to learn to surf and soak in the natural beauty of the area. With pristine sands and a tranquil atmosphere, it's the perfect spot for a stress-free day by the sea.

South Port

If you're after a secret spot, South Port is the place to be. Located at the southern tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula, this secluded beach offers excellent waves for experienced surfers. South Port is known for its powerful breaks and consistency, and it's often less crowded than some of the more popular spots on the peninsula. A word of caution: strong rips can be present here, so be sure to take extra care and be aware of the conditions.

Parsons Beach

Parsons Beach is a picturesque and remote surf spot, tucked away in the southern part of the Fleurieu Peninsula. This hidden gem offers a consistent beach break that's suitable for surfers of various skill levels. Its isolated location means you can often enjoy the waves here with only a few other surfers. The untouched natural beauty of Parsons Beach makes it a must-visit for anyone looking for a unique surf adventure.

Tips for Surfing on the Fleurieu Peninsula

Check the Conditions: Always check the surf conditions and weather forecast before heading out. Local surf shops and websites can provide up-to-date information.

Respect the Environment: The Fleurieu Peninsula is home to diverse ecosystems. Be sure to respect the local flora and fauna, and dispose of your trash responsibly.

Safety First: If you're not an experienced surfer, consider taking lessons from a local surf school. They can teach you about the local conditions and ensure your safety.

Gear Up: Ensure you have the right gear, including a suitable board, wetsuit, and other safety equipment.

Follow Surf Etiquette: Be courteous in the water, respect other surfers' turns, and always abide by the unwritten rules of surf etiquette.

[outbackaussietour]

Australian Tours for Adventure-Loving Individuals

Whether you are a nature lover, food and wine fan, or sun worshipper, Australian adventure tours has something for everyone. You can experience pristine beaches, wildlife, extinct volcanoes, coral reefs, and more.

The Great Ocean Road is one of the world's greatest coastal drives. It crosses Australia from Darwin to Adelaide, crossing the rugged mountains of the Flinders Ranges. You can also explore the towns of Alice Springs and Katherine.

The Red Centre in Australia is home to the Anangu people, who have been living in the area for 22,000 years. They have a unique way of life that is reflected in their sacred places. You can learn more about their culture on a guided tour.

The Great Barrier Reef is home to the world's largest coral reef system. You can take a tour of the island, swim with humpback whales, and experience the beautiful beaches and scenery.

You can also take a tour of the Murray River, which is one of the world's most exciting water adventures. You can see Jim Jim Falls, the Hell Gates, and more. You can also go rafting on the Murray River.

If you want to get closer to the wildlife, you can also go on a private wildlife travel outback Australia. Guests can get a closer look at kangaroos, emus, koalas, and more. The tours are offered by Pepper Bush Adventures.

You can also try your hand at surfing at Bondi Beach. You can take lessons to improve your skills. Or you can just hang out and take pictures.

[obscuredeliights]

sen mitsuji & he/him / cis male ‷ watch out , takaharu mochizuki has crash-landed into roswell !! they look thirty-two years old and celebrate their birthday on february fourteenth. they are from adelaide, south australia, reside in moonbeam gardens, and are currently working as owner and general manager of cosmic candy. one thing you should know about them is that he has a degree in philosophy and asian and middle eastern studies from duke university.‷

content warning: cheating/infidelity; divorce; drug use/addiction

Full name: Takaharu Mochizuki (in western order; Mochizuki is his surname) → Kanji: 望月 貴陽 (Mochizuki Takaharu)  望 (mochi) meaning "wish, desire" and 月 (tsuki) meaning "moon;” together meaning “full moon” 貴 (taka) meaning “precious” and 陽 (haru) meaning “sun”

Nicknames: Taka; Taki; Tako; Haru....he calls people by nicknames all the time so it’s only fair to do it to him too; but the easiest, go-to one is Taka

Gender & pronouns: cis male, he/him

Romantic/sexual orientation: homoromantic, homosexual

DOB: 14 February 1990

Place of birth: Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Relationship status: single but crushing

Occupation: owner and general manager of Cosmic Candy; drummer of Fish Brains; philanthropist; model

Education: Bachelor’s degree, philosophy and Asian and Middle Eastern studies (double major), Duke University, Durham, NC

Languages: English; Japanese; French; some Okinawan; some Mandarin; some Arabic; some Korean; a little Hindi

Length of time in Roswell: 4ish years

Pets: Koki (male, Maltese); Nana (female, pug); Miyu (female, pug)

biography

Being born on Valentine's Day is unfortunate irony for someone who ends up not really understanding love in any form. Taka's parents' relationship started out fine—Kenta, a successful anesthetist originally from Japan, and Beth, general legal counsel at a prominent multi-million corporation—got along great initially, though there always seemed to be a bit of an imbalance. Kenta was wholeheartedly devoted to his wife, almost to a comical degree; it was a bit of a joke among both their workplaces, how Kenta was hopelessly obsessed with Beth, who from the outside sometimes barely gave him the time of day. By the time Taka was ten, however, everything had come to light, pieces falling into place, and a marriage torn apart. It was difficult to believe that Kenta was unaware of his wife's serial infidelity; it was very likely that he had looked the other way because he didn't want to tear his perfect little family apart. Beth's excuse was that she just wasn't cut out for married life. Then why lie?

Taka had always been a spoiled kid, never wanting for anything in the world thanks to his extremely wealthy parents. Their only condition ever was for him to do well in school, which was always a breeze for the naturally intelligent boy. And as long as he kept that up, Kenta and Beth would continue attempting to buy their son's happiness. This kicked into high gear when divorce proceedings began, both parents trying to buy loyalty from—and thus custody of—their son. In the end, Kenta gained majority custody of Taka, as the man had always shown a little more sincerity in his intentions; while Beth would get the boy during his breaks from school.

With "comfortable" being an understatement for his upbringing, Taka always had many luxuries at his disposal. He was able to start any hobby he showed interest in; he took a particular liking to surfing, but also skateboarding, and playing the drums. He was able to take lessons for all of those, as well as clarinet lessons so he could play for school. Even as a child, he had a bit of a haughty demeanor: picky, a little grumpy, vocal about his distaste for anything. His attitude didn't make him many friends for a while.

When Taka was fifteen, his father broke some big news to him: Kenta had met a woman on the internet, and he was planning on moving to the United States to be with her. And he wanted his son to come with him, though ultimately it was the boy's own choice. Taka was ambivalent initially, but upon hearing that the locale was Malibu, he agreed to move hemispheres with his dad. As a high schooler, being from Australia, having a thick accent, surfing and skateboarding and playing the drums, being good-looking, and being wealthy and a bit stuck-up all made him an instant success, making the adjustment easy as he was welcomed with open arms. His sassy and sarcastic attitude was more appreciated, and suddenly he was popular and magnetic. Taka was always busy doing something with somebody, yet still maintaining high grades in school. And Kenta and Beth both continued bankrolling their only child to make sure he was happy (and to make him love them more).

Nearing the end of high school, like usual it was time for teenagers to decide what they wanted to do with the rest of their lives. Taka didn't have any plans, nothing ever really stuck to him, but he still applied to many top universities, gaining acceptance from all. His parents really wanted him to go to college for something, they didn't particularly care what for. He ended up at Duke University—consistently rated among the top ten universities in the United States—and eventually studying a double major: philosophy, and Asian and Middle Eastern studies. He had no idea what he was going to do with either of those things but he did it anyway; his father was proud of Taka continuing to honor their Japanese ancestry, and both parents were satisfied enough with the intellectual nature of philosophy, even if they too couldn't think of any uses for it.

Being wealthy, attractive, and magnetic meant that Taka's popularity continued throughout his university years. He could spend most of his weekend partying and miss a couple Monday classes and still end up with high marks. Being a popular party boy landed him with an unfortunate little cocaine habit. He suffered in silence—he had never been very good at expressing himself beyond trivial matters, and the people he surrounded himself with either didn't notice or didn't care. There was an attempt at quitting during his final semesters of college, but the coke was too useful for getting through lectures and papers and exams. He managed to graduate with high honors and distinction; and then spent a summer detoxing, alone in Myrtle Beach, all his friends from Durham having forgotten about him.

That was the thing. Being rich, and being fun; rarely anybody had ever looked past these superficial parts of Taka. He was always a lonely soul. And after coming out of the haze of detox, he heightened his senses towards anyone who might have just been using him for money, cutting them off quickly. He was generous—is generous, but it's because the only way he's ever known how to show someone he cares is through money. Thanks, Mummy and Daddy. He spent some more time in Myrtle Beach, working menial jobs, allowing himself to blend in for a while and see more of actual life. He'd never been ignorant of his station in life, but having firsthand experiences of the world beneath him opened his eyes more.

Never having had a real direction in life, Taka eventually decided to pack up and move to Roswell, of all places, because it seemed kind of fun. His parents never really questioned him, just continuing to support him unwaveringly. He worked a few different jobs, mostly retail, and then eventually landed at Cosmic Candy, where he worked himself up the ranks despite maybe being intellectually overqualified for the place. Not accepting bullshit and being a good problem-solver ended up with him eventually being chosen by the owner to become the new general manager of the store. And a little more than a year ago, the now-previous owner notified Taka that they intended upon selling the store but offered it to him first. He accepted without needing to think about it too much. He has high standards for employment, but also treats his employees well, making Cosmic a little bit of a coveted place to work at among retail workers, with a generous starting wage, reasonable scheduling, and well thought out guidelines on things such as time off. In the time he's worked there, Taka has also started stocking new, interesting things, including gourmet candies and imports.

During the time he's been in Roswell, Taka joined the band Fish Brains as their drummer. In spite of his prickly, often grumpy exterior, he does care a lot about the other band members, though he doesn't verbalize it of course. He's the sugar daddy, always prepared to buy new equipment for the others, and actually just finished having a room in his house be soundproofed for them to practice in; he's also something of a reluctant den mother to them, being the oldest, being bossy, and letting them hang around as much as they want without question.

Though to most he may come off as cold and bitter and heartless, those that know Taka well enough are aware that there's some softness inside of him—he just clearly doesn't know how to express it. Any words of sincere affection towards him are treated with mock disgust, to hide how flustered he really gets since he doesn't know how to take a real compliment. He still comes off as haughty and snobbish, but it's mostly because he doesn't keep many close friends, being extremely wary of anyone who might want to use him and abuse his generosity. Those he does keep close aren't given many words of appreciation, but they will know that they're liked and wanted just by Taka's actions, even if there are still many jokes to be made about his seemingly cold, frozen soul. He's known for being a bit of a serial dater, because he does crave love and validation, but he isn't totally sure what he wants in a partner.

wanted/suggested plots/connections

The squad—Taka doesn't have a lot of close friends but his little squad would be a special handful that he lets close to him. Preferably 27+

Regular customers at the store

Loyal fans—Fish Brains isn't big or anything but local bands still have their supporters

...or loyal fans—your muse is just showing up to shows for Taka

Tinder/Grindr matches and dates—Taka is picky so most of the time these go nowhere, but there are bound to be a lot because he can’t stay off dating apps for long. Preferably 28+

Unrequited crush—Taka doesn’t notice your muse, or they aren’t his type

Romantic interest—Taka hasn't really had a serious relationship before since he's so picky, as well as bad at expressing himself and allegedly "allergic to feelings." a romantic ship might break him a little but in a fun way. he wants to be wanted for him, not just his money or looks, and he's instantly suspicious of any man who tries to get close to him. Preferably 28+

[thejosh1980]

I was lookin' back to see if she was lookin' back...

Yesterday Alex, Mum and I celebrated...

It's been one year since Alex and I arrived at Mum's place in Ocean Shores, NSW Australia.

If you've read my earlier blogs in 2020, you'll know that we had a lot of trouble getting home. Between the government and airlines, at one point it looked like we'd never get here; we were stranded. I was living in constant worry, stress and hopelessness - in fact, we all were: Alex's family in Germany and Mum's family down under.

Our July 2020 flights were cancelled or rescheduled many times, and eventually we decided to buy new, more expensive flights, on another airline through an agency, which gave us some assurances we'd be on the flight. Our new flights booked and confirmed for early September.

We flew Frankfurt to Adelaide, which was not our original plan. Adelaide had no COVID, and the chance of getting on a flight and getting into the country was higher than say, Brisbane, or Sydney. We could quarantine in Adelaide for 2 weeks and then fly on to Brisbane, which is closer to Ocean Shores.

That was like.... so last year...

This area where we now live is known as the Northern Rivers of New South Wales, and when we arrived at Mum's there was no COVID in the area. We are only about 35 minutes south of the Queensland border, about 8 hours north of the big smoke, Sydney.

Now, a year on, COVID has arrived here.

It's been biting at the heals of tourists and essential workers travelling north since Sydney went into lockdown a couple of months ago.

It's not our idea of a good time.

Right now it's school holidays, which is meant to be 2 weeks of families holidaying in caravan parks and hotels, an essential part of this tourist attraction mecca. Byron Bay, Brunswick Heads, and surrounds are usually very popular places; so popular that most locals complain about how busy it gets here during the holidays. You just can't get a parking sport anywhere!

The Northern Rivers was locked down for about 6 weeks through August into September because cases from Sydney were getting into regional NSW. These regional areas affected by COVID weren't near here, but they made a blanket rule for everywhere outside of Sydney, just to be on the safe side.

Honestly, I don't blame them for the rule, regional outback Australia can't cope with COVID, there's few hospitals, beds, or COVID experience in the scrub and farm land.

Anyhow, I digress...

After those 6 weeks or so in lockdown, they lifted the restrictions here in the northern rivers (and other areas of NSW).

And now, after 2 weeks, lockdown is back on...

There are a couple of cases in the area. Snap lockdowns are the government's preferred method of containing outbreaks. Lockdown areas wherever cases pop up for a week or two (or longer) to limit exposure.

It reminds me constantly that life can change quickly at any time. I have decided I will not waste time once this current lockdown has ended (who knows when that will be). I will visit friends, family, and musicians who live close by. I want to see as many folks as quickly as possible, before another lockdown kicks in.

Besides the boring, never ending tale of COVID, there have been a few things happening this past year...

Alex has been working consistently in the real estate industry since her temporary visa kicked in late last year.

Her first job was a few more miles away than any of us locals would consider driving, and the position wasn't as enjoyable or rewarding as she had first hoped. She really dived in the deep end, and while she didn't drown, she probably needed a few swimming lessons before the attempt. It was a life lesson, one she took on board, and when a new job came up closer to home, she nailed the interview (as she always does), and hasn't looked back.

The 2nd job is less than half the distance away, strictly 9 to 5 and in a company which she enjoys. There's a strong company structure, good work ethic, and entertaining colleagues. Her supervisors, colleagues, and managers are all very supportive; I think she'll be sitting tight on this one for a while.

Alex has also found her creative side again, scrap book journalling, instant camera photography, and some kind of couples diary/journal/photo book too. It's become an almost nightly affair of focusing, creating, and having something to show for it fairly quickly. She's very proud of her work, and it's something she does just for herself. I don't expect you'll get a chance to see a photo of what she's done, and she likes it like that.

I had a bit of work late in 2020 and early 2021, nothing special really, but wait until the premier!! It's interesting to think that some day soon I'll be able to go to the cinema and see my ugly mug on the big screen (even if it will most likely be out of focus). I'll be on Netflix too.

Having the opportunity to be an extra on film and TV was a real boost for my confidence after being off stage for so long. I felt creative, met some great people, made some friends, and had a few bucks in my pocket. Happy days.

By jumping into an industry I hadn't been in before right after arriving here, it reminded me that Australia has a lot to offer. I found myself comparing Germany and Australia, and Australia often feels like it comes up short. This was a chance to prove to myself that there are adventures awaiting here down under.

So, I decided to go back to school.

The last time I was in a class room was in 1998!! I am studying a Diploma of Counselling, and am currently half way through my studies. I've found it very challenging, but have passed every assessment so far, and gained some handy skills too. I have a good connection with my teachers, and I really enjoy the company of my classmates; some of which I can even call friends.

I chose counselling for a few reasons, but the first step was really just a process of elimination. Besides being a freelance professional musician for several years in Germany, I had worked in offices, shops, warehouses, kindergartens and various other jobs. While I could go back into IT or something similar, I wanted to use this opportunity to try something new.

I had my fair share of mental health issues in the past (and present). I thought maybe those experiences could help me connect with folks who need support as well. When looking at course options, the counselling course stood out. So now I'm making a mid life crisis gamble that I'll pass the course, and feel confident and knowledgeable enough to take on the role that many others have taken on for me over the years.

The course has helped me find a routine too, one that I didn't know I needed, until it happened. When you're jobless and unfocused, the mind wanders, the days pass. Now my mind is focused on study, and I feel better for it.

Up until the lockdown hit, we were in class 3 days a week and then I'd study from home 1 to 3 days a week. When lockdown hit, we had to go online. However, being on the computer so much has worn me out, and I really start to enjoy those rare days where I am not looking at a screen!

To be honest, it's been challenging every step of the way, and I even thought about quitting several times in the past few months. However, my confidence has steadily risen to each challenge and I felt better for it.

That's the kind of vicious circle I enjoy.

In July I had my first live show in 13 months! In fact, to date I've only had 3 since the pandemic started! Fingers crossed I can cross the border next month and add a 4th.

I was approached by Cherry Divine to play guitar for her. It's a relatively easy gig for me. The songs are fun rockabilly tunes, Cherry sings great, and she already has a band and gigs. I'm helping her write a few songs too, for her next album. I can't thank her enough for sparkin' the fire in me to keep music alive in my life; for a while there I thought it was all a thing of the past.

With the spark has come the possibility of “The Josh” solo band coming together. While the band isn't moving at any great speed (the recent 2nd lockdown kicked in right as I was about to arrange a rehearsal), I'm finally eager to get a band together. I miss playing live, and I miss having musicians in my life. I miss the spontaneity of a show, life on the road, and crowd reactions.

I've even started to write some new material, and get those ideas on “tape”, well, on the computer. Slow and steady, between studying, family, pets and surfing, music is coming back into my life, and it feels good.

Our family unit here is doing well. Alex and I have been under mum's roof and mum's care for a year now. There are some ups and downs, but mostly I'd say they're ups... The house is big enough to give all of us space, all of us get time outside of the house (except during lockdown, I was mostly stuck at home, but that's OK for me)...

Last night we couldn't go out for dinner, but we did have take away from the local Indian which was really good, and a special treat for us, we don't eat out often.

Alex and I plan to get away every 5-6 months for a visit to somewhere we haven't been. In March we were on the “Sunshine Coast” and checked out Australia Zoo, and in June we went south to the mid north coast to pick up BB Junior.

It's nice to get out and explore. A bit hard to do at the moment, with the restrictions, but we've agreed another trip away (before Christmas if possible) is in order. Those trips are part of the reason why I came home, to see some of Australia, and I'm lucky I get to make those experiences with Alex.

It's also nice to get away from it all. I know we live in a beautiful spot near the ocean, but here, at home, there's the computers, the life and routine, and getting away keeps us fresh and focused on each other. It's definitely something I look forward to!

Speaking of BB Junior, he's almost 7 months old now, and a real character. While he's not the easiest cat to train, I've been getting a few tricks out of him, and he enjoys his time outside, with his harness and long lead. He visits his cousin each week for play time, Charlie, who is another ragdoll of a family friend who loves to play chase all day long with Junior. Alex adores Junior, and Junior adores Alex; they can't wait to cuddle when she comes home from work. He's very vocal too, so even when everyone is at work, I have someone to talk to!

Losing our little boy Mijo was a real difficult experience. I know I've written about him before, but he deserves a mention here, as he was a big part of our first year here. He was full of character and strength, he and I bonded very quickly and not a day goes by I don't think of him. He also brought Alex and I closer together. When she chose him for me, and when he passed, and all points in between, he brought us closer.

I've been focused on sport a fair bit since getting back and settling in. I bought a RowErg, also known as a rowing machine, and I row about twice a week, in addition to riding my bicycle about twice a week. I try to surf every chance I get, which unfortunately ends up being only a few times a month. It's my goal to do something sporty to get my heart rate up every day, and of late, usually I get there too. I don't really do it for any other reason than I love to snack and I can't snack if I don't do sport!

A benefit of my sport/snack workout routine is it helps me stay calm and focused and connected with those I ride and surf with.

I haven't asked Mum how she's feeling about having her middle aged son and his wife living with her recently. Maybe I should, but do I really wanna know the answer? Well, I think she's OK with it. After all, we drive her wherever she wishes! I suspect it goes a little deeper than that, and in all honesty, we enjoy each other's company.

Since Alex and I have been here, I'd like to think Mum has been living a little bit fuller life. I don't think her eyesight has deteriorated much in the past year, but we've been able to provide her with support, eyes to read the small print, driving and help with google, or something around the house. When Mum was diagnosed with celiac disease earlier this year, Alex took her shopping to check over the ingredients of Mum's favourite food, and when needed, found alternatives. It definitely made the transition to gluten free a little easier on Mum and it was a load off my mind that we were around to help her through that phase.

Winter 2021 was over before it even started. I forgot how warm this part of the world is, and I don't know why I own so many jackets! Returning from Europe, where I was wearing a jacket daily for about 9 months of the year, here it feels like, if it's really needed, and I mean if you're desperate, you might need one for 9 weeks of the year. I think the heater was on a handful of times, and the sun was shining just about every day.

I tell ya, it's some kind of paradise here.

It's been a bit difficult keeping up with our European friends and family. I sometimes find it hard to find the time to be proactive to contact the 20, 30 or more friends I'd like to keep in touch with regularly. I know our lives keep on keepin' on, but time passes by so quickly too, and next thing you know it's been 4 months since I last contacted you!

Sorry about that!

Don't take it personally, and I'll get back to you, eventually!

My overall mental health has improved over the year, I'd say it's become quite stable since I started the course. I mean, can't you tell? I write less and less in this blog, because I have less and less to process. I'm not sure if it's the fact there's a lot of self reflection that is inherently a part of doing that kind of mental health course, or if it's the routine of being a student or the new friends I've made and classmates I study with.

It could be that it's taken a year to come to terms with being back here, cause when I first arrived I felt uncomfortable, depressed and worn out... There were a lot of questions; is this a mid life crisis? What am I doing here? Will I ever feel good again? Is my music career over? What am I going to do now? Is Alex OK? Is Mum OK?

My journalling, blogging, and support from friends and family has helped a lot too this past year. Processing my thoughts in words, by clarifying and reflecting, has helped a lot. I've been trying to care for myself a bit more now and then too, I think people call it self care, sometimes I call it sport! Alex has helped me to recognise my achievements, however big or small, and focus less on what I haven't done.

I'm not perfect, but definitely improving.

I was hoping that Alex and I would be in a position to start looking at buying our own house around this time, a year in, but unfortunately, with one of us being a student and the ever rising cost of housing, we have to sit tight on that idea for a while longer. Sorry Mum, you're stuck with us.

There's been many smaller things happen during our first year here. Lots of moments of gratitude, love and support. There's some stuff we've forgotten, or that has been overtaken by something bigger. All in all, I'd say it's been a real rollercoaster home coming!

We're still here, a year on, still going strong, making motions, taking chances, being in love, talking shit, laughing, smiling, misbehaving and focusing... What more could we ask for?

Thank you for reading, for your support and love. I love you too.

Josh

[yahooin-feature]

Get bowled over by Australia with airfares starting at just Rs. 40,000*

You’ve seen videos of people on the sun-kissed beaches of Australia. You have heard your friends talk about their trip to the Great Barrier Reef or how they explored Melbourne. With so many things to offer, Australia is bound to be on top your travel bucket list. Well, it’s time to act on it because leading airlines are offering exclusive prices to fly to Australia. Starting from Rs. 40,000*, the fares are perfect for someone who likes to book their travel in advance. But hurry up, because the sale is valid till 13th December. Read more here.

If that’s not motivation enough, these eight spots will definitely make up your mind.

1. BONDI, NEW SOUTH WALES

As one of Sydney’s most popular golden-sand beaches, Bondi Beach needs no introduction. This stretch of sand comes alive with the sunrise, and the party continues all day and well into the night. As you walk to the beach, chances are you’ll see surfers riding the waves, swimmers getting their laps in at the Bondi Baths, and plenty of people soaking in the sights and sounds (and sun) from their towels on the sand. You can dip your toes into a true-blue Aussie way of life and sign up for a surfing lesson here; there are plenty of accredited schools along the main stretch that’ll show you the ropes. Grab a bite at the iconic Bondi Icebergs, one of the country’s oldest swim clubs, or walk the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, a six-kilometre (3.7-mile)

2. WINEGLASS BAY, TASMANIA

Lounging on one of the top ten beaches in the world should be a definite addition to your Aussie bucket list. Tasmania’s Wineglass Bay is situated within Freycinet National Park, just a one-hour drive from the capital city of Hobart. A crescent-shaped bay with clear blue waters, hugged by the peaks of the Hazards range – you could spend hours taking Insta-worthy photos here. A cruise along the waters is one of the best ways to get up-close with the bay and its highlights. Spot wildlife and gaze up at the soaring granite cliffs as you learn more about the region and its history.

3. AUSTRALIA’S COLOURFUL LAKES

You can never get enough of Australia’s coast, but for something a bit different, head towards Western Australia and its colourful lakes. The bubblegum pink lakes of Australia’s Golden Outback are an astonishing site, and will make a great addition to your Instagram feed. The most famous of the pink lakes is Lake Hillier, near Esperance, an eight-hour drive or short flight from Perth. In this region, you can also visit Lake Ballard near Kalgoorlie, a salt lake that features a permanent art installation of 51 statues. Down in South Australia, you can visit the bright pinks, blues and greens of Lake MacDonnell in the Eyre Peninsula, or even see the world’s largest ephemeral lake, Lake Eyre. Whether there's water or not, it is a phenomenal sight best taken in on a scenic flight.

4. KANGAROO ISLAND, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

If you are looking for up-close encounters with Australia’s intriguing wildlife, Kangaroo Island should be a top pick. Located a quick 40-minute flight from Adelaide, over a third of this island is a conservation park that is home to everything from kangaroos and koalas to short-beaked echidnas and tammar wallabies. You’ll find all of this in beautiful surrounds, including natural structures like Admirals Arch and the Remarkable Rocks. Kangaroo Island also provides opportunities for a luxurious retreat, whether it's staying in an award-winning lodge set atop coastal shelves, treating yourself to a massage at a cliff-top spa, or sampling the delicate flavours of marron – a type of crayfish – paired with some of the country’s best produce, gins, wines and brews.

5. DAINTREE RAINFOREST, QUEENSLAND

Trek through lush jungle amid ancient ferns and green vines as you spy animals and plants that are found nowhere else on the planet. This is the Daintree Rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site. Here you can fly through the canopies of an age-old forest on a zipline for a bird’s-eye outlook of the land below, or cruise down the Daintree River towards Cape Tribulation, where the Great Barrier Reef meets the rainforest. You'll also find plenty of lodge and luxury accommodation. This is truly a magical place – it’s no surprise it served as inspiration for the movie Avatar.

6. SNOWFIELDS AUSTRALIA

If you are visiting in the Australian winter (June – August), don’t miss a trip to Victoria’s snowfields. From skiing and snowshoeing to cutting through the powder on a snowmobile and skidding down slopes on a toboggan, there’s plenty for an adventure-lover to pick from. While you’re here, go on a dog-sledding experience; it’s one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the beauty of the Alpine scenery. You will get a chance to test out your mushing (dog sled driving) skills before spending some time cuddling with your new four-legged friends. But if you'd rather stay cosy indoors, you can opt for a wilderness retreat, where you’ll enjoy being curled up in front of a warm wood fire with cheese fondue.

7. VLASOFF CAY, QUEENSLAND

If you want to step off the beaten path towards something secluded and remote, consider Vlasoff Cay. This private sand island is surrounded by the vast blue ocean and appears only at low tide, making it a unique spot for an intimate picnic. You can get here on a helicopter or take a chartered boat from Cairns and settle onto the sand with a delicious picnic lunch and a bottle of bubbly.  The island is yours to explore, making it the perfect mix of leisure and adventure.

8. HEART REEF, WHITSUNDAYS, QUEENSLAND

When a heart just pops up in nature, you have to check it out. Heart Reef is a naturally formed coral heart found in Hardy Reef in the Whitsundays and was first spotted by an Air Whitsunday pilot flying overhead in 1975. It may have popped up in your Instagram feed once or twice (especially if there was a romantic proposal involved), and though it might look remote, it’s not difficult to get that ‘Gram worthy shot. Its protected nature means that the only way to see it is via a helicopter or light plane flight over – that’s also the best way to get a photograph (or five) of this romantic location. You can combine the flight with a tour of other incredible sights in the Whitsundays, like Hill Inlet and Whitehaven Beach.

This content was provided by Tourism Australia

[brownsarah357-blog]

The most basic thing that you need to work on when you plan to learn how to surf is your swimming skills.  Find out what are the basic  one that you have to learn before surfing, this is important for us so that we can be good in surfing. Read this full article

[elevenhoursinfront-blog]

29th September 2017

I couldn't sleep. I didn't know why either. I've not had this problem for ages. Maybe it was the mattress. My head was going 100mph. I laid there from 2100 to about 0130 before I must've eventually fell asleep.

What I did do though, was very productive. I planned our East Coast trip, or so, I briefly outlined it. Here's what it's looking like:

- Leave Cardwell and get the bus to Cairns.

- Pick up our Campervan in Cairns

- Stay in Cairns for however long and do the Great Barrier Reef tour. We have two tours in mind. One cheap one and one expensive one. We'd LOVE to do the expensive one but we'll see how money goes.

- Complete the Daintree Rainforest and visit Cape Tribulation. This is the oldest living rain forest in the world and it's where the rain forest meets the reef. We might do this one weekend with the farm family rather than alone. We'd probably camp too.

- Drive down to Mission Beach to maybe complete our Sky Dive!!! We'd like to do White Water Rafting but we definitely won't have the money do that. - Drive through Innisvale, Tully and Cardwell. We'd be able to stop at Cardwell for a free nights stay I reckon. Leonie's that lovely. We'd be able to shower and all sorts.

- Then drive to Townsville and see the Wallaman falls which is the highest single drop waterfall in Australia. We was meant to do that a few weekends ago but I wouldn't have been able to do the hike with my leg the way it was. It's still sore but getting much better.

- Drive down to Magnetic Island. We'd be able to stay on the beach in a tent with a double bed and electricity. We've done this in India but it's only $30 each. We'd be able to hire 4x4's too so we could explore the island.

- Drive down to Airlie Beach and visit there. Apparently, the beach isn't all that nice but different people have different opinions. If we don't like it, we can drive 1 hour inland to visit the Eungella National Park which is known for seeing wild Platypus.

- Then to do the Whitsunday tour. The Whitsunday tour is the most popular tour in the world, I reckon. It's stupidly expensive so I think we'll only do the 1 day tour rather than the 2 day tour. You still see Whitehaven beach which is the only reason people go.

- Then there's nothing to see for about 5 hours worth of driving.

- We'd then arrive in the town called 1770. This is the only town that has numbers rather than a name. We'll be booking a surf lesson here for the bargain price of $17. It's the cheapest school in Australia and it's a good 3 hours long. We wanted to do it in Byron Bay but it's about $50.

- Next would be Bundaberg which is a remote town, again mainly for farms. There's a rum distillery there should we want to stop. There is a tour called Scooteroo where you drive round on scooters that sound exactly like Harley's.

- Rainbow beach, Fraser Island and Hervey Bay would be our next stops. Fraser Island is the second biggest tour in Australia and just as expensive as Whitsundays. These are the two tours that will take the biggest chunk out of our money. We'd be doing a 2 day tour and you drive in 4x4's along the biggest sand beach in Australia. It has a fair amount of Dingoes though so we will stay away from them... Hervey Bay is where we wanted to go whale watching but it’s not going to be the season unfortunately.

- Sunshine Coast is the next place of arrival. We'd either have a beach day in Noosa or visit The Australian Zoo (Steve Irwin's Zoo). Depends on money, again.

- Brisbane city! Mel is living there at the moment and she said we'd want to spend a good 5 days here. I haven't really researched into what to do as it's one of the main cities.

- Gold Coast / Surfers Paradise. This will most probably be a beach day.

- Byron Bay. The one place we have wanted to visit since we arrived. It's meant to be the most chilled out place in the world. I'm hoping to stay a good few days. We'd be able to do the walk to the lighthouse, kayak with dolphins and all sorts.

- Yamba is next and I've found a $10 tour with a local who will show you around. The next few places, including this one, is where backpackers will just drive straight to Sydney. I wanted to stop because they're meant to be hidden gems.

- Coffs Harbour - I wanted to see the Sealy Lookout which is meant to be unreal.

- Port Macquarie - It's meant to be stunning here.

- Newcastle - Now we'd be back in New South Wales (well, we would be up in Byron but any who). Newcastle has fabulous beaches so I wanted to stop, for at least a day.

- Port Stephens for sand boarding! The sand boarding tour is only about $28 each for a good few hours and it looks like so much fun. How many people can say they've been sand boarding?

- Hunter Valley - Only because it's the oldest winery region and we love wine.

- SYNDEY! Although, I would like to drive down another 3 hours to Canberra just to say that we've been to the capital. I know it's meant to be rubbish with literally nothing to see but who knows. We might enjoy it. Plus, if we have a vehicle, what's 3 hours? It's like going somewhere along the M25.

So, that's the outline so far. It's going to cost a good $3,500 each. We have to do a lot of planning, especially with the camper and trying to find free/cheap places to park overnight. It'll be an absolutely amazing experience if we can do it but it's all dependant on money, like anything in life. Work hard, play harder.

I fell asleep after planning that. It was a restless night, I was uncomfortable and hot. Steve fell asleep at 2030 because he's got a cold. He slept across the majority of the bed and I had to keep pushing him onto his side. He fell asleep with his phone somewhere in the bed too and I woke up with it stuck to my stomach! Thanks hun. I peeled it off me and shoved it under the pillow. We couldn't have the aircon on because it makes too much noise so we were sweaty and horrible.

The locals woke us up around 0700 with their loud motorbikes being on for about 15 minutes before driving away. Why? Why don't you turn it on, when you're leaving? Or does that make too much sense and not enough noise? We fell back to sleep aroud 0800. My alarm went off at 0900 for work, which I obviously snoozed until 1000. I swapped with Jessy so I was in earlier which didn't bother me. I quite like going in and getting it over with.

I got up, had my breakfast and got ready for work. My phone rang and it was work. Now what? I rang back and Mel answered, she went "Hi Charlie, you start 4. Thank you bye". She hung up straight away before I could even get a word in. I was furious. How bloody rude!!! Mel is basically like the manager but not quite. She's from Asia somewhere, maybe Philippines but her English isn't fantastic. I never, ever dumb anyone who's English isn't great because it's not their first language, so I'm not being horrible. I couldn't learn another language.

I didn't know whether Mel knew that Jess and I had swapped or whether she did, and that she's asking me to start at 1600 instead. Argh! Why hang up? I rang back and explained that I had swapped. Mel said that I should come in at 1100 then.

I got back up, continued getting ready and she rang again. She told me to start at 1600 and to tell Jess to start at 1100, the way it was. I explained, AGAIN, that Jess was at work at the lime farm and she doesn't finish until 1500. Mel said 'oh right, okay' and hung up...

She rang, again. By this time, I was furious. She told me to tell Jess not to come in if she can't start at 1100 and to ask Francis to start at 1400. I told her that I didn't know Francis' number so I couldn't. Why am I doing your job for you? This is ridiculous. There is no organisation here whatsoever.

I text Jess saying that we couldn't swap and if she couldn't start at 1100, then don't worry about going in. I also said that if Francis can start at 1400, if she's not at a farm, then amazing. I didn't get a reply, which I expected.

My phone rang again and I decided to ignore it. My whole morning has been stop, go, stop, go and I'm not changing it anymore. They're rude and unorganised - I can't deal with it.

Steve and I chilled in bed for ages. Hours in fact. We didn't get up until 1300. We did however, break into room N, steal our mattress back and change the TV's over. Now I should sleep well tonight. I've figured out that the aircon makes a noise from the vibrations so when I hold my hand on the window sill, it stops. Now to find something to keep it stopped. I'll leave that for another day. I got my cosie on and went to the pool for a swim. Another 40 lengths in the bag. Steve stayed in bed. I don't think that he has got what he had in Melbourne. It's just a cold this time, thankfully.

I had been speaking to Mel a lot on the phone lately. She's ridiculously home sick and wants to go home. She's living in Brisbane but struggling like hell to get a fulltime job. There is nothing. She's trying to force herself to stay in Australia because she didn't want to go home until November but I told her that there is no point in making yourself unhappy to prove a point, a point that means nothing. She's going to have a think. She ran out of money doing the East Coast but still has enough to see Perth, Adelaide and to go home via Fiji which in my eyes is a lot of money and a lot of travelling.

I got back to the room and jumped in the shower. Steve put some chicken into the oven for us to have for lunch. When I got out of the shower, I see that Leonie put on the backpacker Facebook page that she needed 4 staff to work for a farm 9th October to mid November - PERFECT! I wasn't even dry from my shower and I shoved my pj's on and ran to the office. I put Steve's name down straight away. It's for a different watermelon farm. I would've put my name down but I would struggle big time doing that.

I told Steve and he gave me the dirtiest look. I just gave him the biggest smile. He was happy deep down for full time work but watermelons is hard. I just said that think about it as a free work out and that he'd come out looking like Arnold S!

We had chicken salad for lunch and I left for work. Jess messaged saying that Rachel asked her to come in at 1600, probably not realising that I was too. We got there and it was staff overload. Mel was stressing out. Serves you all right. Work was awful. Absolutely awful. It was packed and constant for hours. We have two busses that arrive at the same time around 1700 so the queues go on forever.

Whenever we get someone trying to get petrol, we have to accept it, like at home I guess. It bleeps loud and every second until someone accepts. When we do, we're meant to write down the reg, the time, the pump, the make/model/colour, the amount etc... Well we didn't have time to do this and one car managed to drive off without paying.

We told the 'supervisor' Saab after the rush stopped and she said that it would come out of our wages as it was our fault. Lexi and I were on the tills. I just went BANG at that point. I shouted saying that it was absolutely ridiculous that she would even consider that to be an option, it's illegal to take our pay, let alone for something OUT OF OUR CONTROL. It's not my fault someone else is breaking the law so you will not punish me for it. You should have CCTV, a process in place for things like this. Not a measly bit of paper. I told her that money will not come out of our pay otherwise I would call the Police and Fairwork Australia. I walked away. Saab went off speaking in her own language which I think was Hindu. I didn't even care. How bloody ridiculous. Lexi said she'd just quit.

I was furious for the rest of the shift. It went by quickly thankfully. There wasn't much to do late shift wise because Jess and I split the work between us. It was really busy customer wise so if Jess weren't there. I wouldn't have finished until roughly midnight.

Brandon is the guy that works nights. He's absolutely lovely. I explained the fuel thing to him and he said that he has been forced to pay it before. I shouted 'WHAT!' to him. He said that he told Rachel he shouldn't be paying it and she blackmailed him. That's also illegal... This is absolutely disgusting and nothing will come out of my pay for it.

I finished at 2300. Jess was meant to stay at work until then but she was tired. She'd been at the farm all day so I said she could go at 2200. She's in early tomorrow morning too which I don't understand. I'm lates all week but it'd make sense to let the girls have a lay in over the weekend. It's bank holiday on Monday and we'd better be getting BH rates for it otherwise I'm not going in. I'm so fed up of their crap!

Steve was outside my work waiting to walk back with me which was nice. We walked along the pavement listening to the waves crash against each other and the very weird wildlife around us. Mainly birds, weird and ugly birds. Pigeons with really long legs, legs that my Dad would be jealous of.

We sent a parcel to Steve's Grandad with some bits inside that'd he'd like. We paid for the delivery and tracking too. They received a note through the door saying that they had to go to Waltham Cross office to collect it and pay the customs fee! We were both fuming - what is this? And, why is this? It was nothing out of the ordinary. A hat and a book. What an awful day. We hoped that it wasn't going to be expensive for them.

I showered and laid in bed. Steve is moaning at me because I'm doing my blog and it's a long one... Sorry guys. It's now 0110 and I'm hoping for a good sleep!

Luckily, customs only charged £16 which is still absolutely ridiculous. But, Grandad is one very happy chappy so that's all that matters.

[tripstations]

Perth to Melbourne – Australia Road Trip!

the trip from Perth to Melbourne can be an almost 4000km-long journey and filled with numerous stops in some of Australia’s most gorgeous regions. Is your car all set and ready to hit the road? Pack up and explore the untamed natural gems, the wildlife, the national parks and the streets of smaller Aussie cities, and you’ll fall in love with this incredible country once more.

Margaret River

The city, as well as the river itself, are iconic sights of southwestern Australia, and a must-see on your travel bucket list! Whether you’re looking for an ideal surfing location or a restful stroll through their famous wine regions, don’t miss out on the scenic beauty of this area while traveling towards Melbourne.

The Margaret River is filled with all sorts of activities, various accommodation, stunning beaches, and fine wineries, so you might be tempted to drop the trip and stick around until you explore every nook of this gorgeous area. Visit the Mammoth Cave in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, and enjoy the aviary life of the surrounding Karri and Marri forests.

Albany

A city usually overshadowed by the metropolises such as Sydney or Melbourne, Albany is a hidden jewel of Australia with numerous activities worth exploring on your road trip. You can have a curious history lesson with a visit to the old Convict Gaol Museum and learn about the difficult life in Albany from the period of 1852 and then visit the Princess Royal Fortress.

The spectacular view from the Torndirrup National Park will let you catch a glimpse of The Gap, a famous canyon where the ocean waves crash onto the magnificent rock formation created millions of years ago.

Esperance

Next stop – the Shire of Esperance, otherwise known as the natural wonder of Western Australia to those who have had the chance to visit it, with its turquoise coastline, inquisitive kangaroos, and pristine wilderness, it will surely dazzle you into a few stops in and near the city.

Visit Cape Le Grand National Park and you’ll be able to dip your toes in the warm ocean at the Lucky Beach and add a special adventure by taking the Great Ocean Road. It’s 40 kilometres of breathtaking scenery, beaches and stops such as the Pink Lake, so make sure to have an extra tank of fuel in your trunk for these additional rides.

Ceduna

If you’ve never found the time to go whale-watching in your home town, then this visit to Ceduna is a perfect time to take a break at the Bunda Cliffs viewpoint. This place is ideal for a meditative rest and admiring the beauty of the Ocean and its versatile marine life.

Yet another opportunity for a sunset swim is the stunning Alexander beach. Although some Australian cities now have access to professional mobile mechanic services, make sure that your car is ready to get back on the road because you don’t want to be stuck on a highway in the middle of your eight-hour drive to Adelaide.

Adelaide

Planning your trip for February or March? Then you’ll have a chance to see the incredible Adelaide Fringe Festival, a blend of innovative, hilarious and artsy performances. Don’t miss out on the Port Lincoln swim with sea lions, or if you’re a daredevil at heart, there’s a perfect chance for a cage dive with a great white or three!

Take a stroll in the Botanic Gardens, admire the architecture of St. Peter’s Cathedral and if you’re a true foodie, don’t skip the Haigh’s Chocolate tour, it will be a spectacle for your taste buds.

Take the Great Ocean Road from Adelaide to Melbourne, and you’ll “Ooooo!” and “Aaaaaw!”, but the best advice you can take for this trip is to safely explore outside of the given scope and check the places you cannot see on the map – that’s where the best adventures await for the brave and the bold among you!

Nicole Noël is a lifestyle blogger at HighStyleLife and incredibly passionate about travel and healthy living. She enjoys sharing her experiences and ideas on how to lead a happy and healthy life. If you want to read more from Nicole you can find her on Twitter and FB 

World Traveler, Writer, and Blogger, Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the tripstations.com travel blog.  A former Actor, current shower-singer, and non-hipster foodie. Loves his week-end house in St Marys, Ontario. Dad to Sophia, Ariel, and Hastings three of the best cats in the world.

The post Perth to Melbourne – Australia Road Trip! appeared first on Tripstations.

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#Repost @adelaide_drone_productions • • • • • This was taken a while ago when some unlucky boat owner discovered his/her boat washed up on shore. The lesson here which you can apply to life is be patient if things go wrong in your life and eventually you will be back on board towards floating towards your goals and dreams 🙂 🏝30 Saves to unlock as wallpaper🏝 @Australia @southaustralia _____________________________________ #surfing #adelaide #australia #surfphotography #adelaidedroneproductions . . . . . #surf #surfer #aov #surfers #dronewise #surflife #phantom4pro #surfsup #droneoftheday #dronephotography #djiphantom #beach #visualsofearth #highinthesky #adelaidephotographer #dronegear #skysupply #dji #swell #waves #fromwhereidrone #artofvisuals #dronestagram https://www.instagram.com/p/Btr4yyjHocv/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1kxoe2qasx1ub

[surfandsun109-blog]

If you are aiming for a specific adventure camping activity that interests your students in a particular discipline of outdoor education, then we highly recommend these outdoor camp providers. They have a long-standing specialisation and skills of outdoor education that will give an enjoyable experience.

[charlesandmartine]

An Epilogue

It sounds a cliché to say Australia is a diverse country/ continent but that is exactly what it is. It is diverse, very very big and absolutely fabulous. It encompasses tropical rainforest, temperate rainforest, dry arid desert, lush farmlands rich in fertile soil, and maritime climates similar to the UK. Its agricultural outputs are surprising; everything for making a beverage – tea, coffee, sugar. Everything you need for puddings; mangos, bananas, grapes, apples and much more fruit. And of course above the city of Adelaide, in the rich flat lands that used to be covered by sea, vines as far as the eye can see with so many household names in wine; wine that is second to none in the wine world.

I have said many times in this tome how BIG this country is, and Australia never ceases to amaze me. Do you know it took 5 hours of flying to cross it. You can almost get to the USA in that time from the UK. Half way, diagonally across the continent, we reached Alice and looking down on the dry landscape, we could make out lines that intersected others that were simple long ruler straight dirt tracks leading to somewhere, but even from 35,000 feet impossible to tell where. I had no concept of this amount of nothingness until we travelled this country.

Your Aussie has a bit of a reputation of, and is stereo typed as being  a bit brash, loud, assured and certainly not shy and retiring.  They can be a little loud, but they are big hearted, generous, very comfortable in their own skin and they are immensely passionate about their own very young country. When we left our ship’s first Australian port of call, Darwin, and the Voyager set a course for Port Douglas, the very loud female entertainer who heads the activities team on board, lead a misty eyed rendition of ‘I still call Australia Home’ The lyrics, designed to pull at the Aussie sense of home:

I've been to cities that never close down from New York to Rio and old London town, but no matter how far or how wide I roam I still call Australia home.

This they truly believe in a way that we, in the UK, do not seem to understand or view our own homeland. They are proud of their journey as a country and recognising it as being not much more than 200 years old, they have come a very long way from a tiny penal colony to an important independent state.

We loved this country and will undoubtedly try to return and travel to the west coast starting at Perth. We have visited five of the seven states; Northern Territory, Queensland, NSW, Southern Australia and Tasmania. We didn’t do Western Australia or Victoria and we feel beholden to the good people in those states to do this sometime in the future. Perhaps our favourite state has to be Queensland. The beautiful rainforests, the deserted areas with tiny townships with huge distances between them, the strategic history of Cooktown, the Great Barrier Reef, crocodiles, deserted beaches (because of the crocodiles most likely), the wildlife, especially the dawn bird song, and OF COURSE the fabulous sunshine and warmth of said sunshine on your skin. And not forgetting the beautiful city of Brisbane.

We loved behaving as Australians; believing we lived in Sydney as of course we did for what seemed quite a time. As we strolled around the city so often we felt a part of it, a member and so familiar with it as a city. As time progressed we no longer needed a map to guide us around the simple grid system of streets. The Rocks became our favourite area of Sydney, so pertinent to the development of the new settlement back in the 1780s and full of stories both of the suffering of the early colonials/ convicts and also the successes of some. And of course we never tired of taking photos of the Bridge and also the Opera House. The first time we saw the Opera House in all its glory was at breakfast on Voyager just before we disembarked for the last time. We went up to the top restaurant, sat down at a port-side table and there in front of our eyes, eye poppingly, just a couple of hundred metres away, was the Opera House; so iconic and representative of Sydney and for that matter of the entire continent of Australia.

On the subject of the Opera House, the locals were aghast when the city planners first suggested building an opera house. Do you know, they said, for a moment I thought you just said you were going to build an opera house! We are, they said. Why? They said. And when we heard that, we realised that opinion regarding the arts hasn’t really changed much. Maybe I am being a bit harsh, but there is no West End as such in Sydney and culturally speaking they seem a bit backward. They do like ‘I’m a celebrity, get me out of here’ though. ‘Nuf said I guess. Celebrity?? Didn’t recognise a single one of them.          

We like the way the Australians live. It is a more relaxed way of life; often a walk along the beach before work, or exercise along the grassy areas, or even time in the surf. Manly is very much split between an area Sydney dwellers use for relaxation (they come over on the ferry) and a dormitory town for Sydney Business workers, who I am told do get stressed but it doesn’t seem to show much to me. The myth of the Aussie bloke as an outdoor type, barbequing at every spare moment doesn’t seem to hold up. We did not see much evidence of this going on. Someone said there are too many flies to spend too much time eating outdoors. We had to hand our allocated fly over on departure. The advertising urging us to participate in a Foster’s Lager is another part of the Australian lie. There is no Fosters available. The beer in general is not good and more of a lager anyway. Hungry Jack’s is a very popular alternative to the Golden Arches and the Whopper is far superior let me tell you. People sadly don’t seem to say ‘g’day’ as often as you might believe, and I was only once called cobber, which was in Tasmania. I never met anyone called Sheila and the only Bruce was the hound where we lived. Bondi beach is often heralded as one of the best beaches in the world. The Northern Beaches from Manly upwards are better. People come for miles for the surfing and the jelly fish. It is fascinating to see schools giving surf lessons as part of the curriculum. What a way of life. Oh, did I mention the sunshine. You can actually make plans for outdoor activities, BBQs without the fear it will chuck it down. Mind you, when it does chuck it down, it really chucks it down.

We in the UK often seem to think everything is always better overseas and they have all the answers. Well, the Australian MPs are being investigated for fraudulent expenses at the moment. Sound familiar? Each State has its own assembly and then there is the all Australian Parliament made up of the Senate, the House of Representatives and then The Queen. (our one but normally represented by the Governor General) There is just as much bickering as in our own parliament. The state pension appears to be means tested and they are looking at including the value of your main residence to assess how much, if any, state pension you will receive. Nobody seem to give us a straight answer on health issues, but it would seem that you will get some amount of free health care, but you need to pay monthly into a Medicare system for the bits the government scheme does not cover. As in UK, there are petitions against closures of wards/ hospitals. There are at least three types of schooling; State, Private and semi-private where you pay some. They are arguing that standards are falling both locally and internationally. Martine has said that innovations are being proposed that were introduced to UK schools five to ten years ago! Then there are big issues with child protection. There is a Catholic order that apparently had possibly up to 75% of its number involved in child abuse! Then there are issues with immigration and refugees. Especially the people Trump has said he will not take from Australia. That is not to even mention the indigenous population problems. So there you go, on all levels the grass is always greener. It is always too tempting to compare one country with another and think they have bigger mountains, deeper lakes, better canyons than we have in the UK. We can’t change any of those things, but we can appreciate our own country for what it has. But it all seems much better when you have wall to wall sunshine.      

We feel extremely privileged to have been able to spend this amount of time away in another continent and very grateful to our children for allowing us to spend their inheritance. We will take a vote on that one later. It has been the gap year that we never had in our youth. We have enjoyed this time immensely and it was worth every dollar of it. We have gained a real taste for railway travel from our time spent on the Ghan. Every single bit of the trip was fantastic we have fantastic memories. Our regrets were that we didn’t have another month to do the bits missed. It was good we made it to NZ. Unlike everyone else we know, we preferred Australia. We liked NZ but we loved Australia. It might well have been different if we had visited the south island instead of or as well. It has been so interesting to be in the land that we have heard so much about over the years; to see the place where the ten pound poms went from our class at school in the 1960s. In some ways Australia is a little bit of Britain but with sunshine: we share a Queen and a language, we both drive on the left, we have a common history prior to 1770, and we have a similar structure of parliament with the same royal standard above the buildings.

When we stepped out of Terminal 4 at Heathrow, sensed the cold, we almost turned around and got on the next plane back again. Australia is a very desirable place to be but it is so far away from anywhere and even the Aussies feel this I think. Those who have had links to the UK, if the truth be told, have a yearning for the homeland, but most say it is too cold and wet in the UK. We will strive to go back; we miss it already. It is good to be home and we will be meeting our new grand-son for the first time tomorrow and that we are most looking forward to and there is much to do ahead of us. The B&B diary is filling already and 2017 promises to be a busy year. So if you have, thank you for reading this. If you haven’t, well what can I say? What I can say is, if you haven’t been yet and get the opportunity, go see for yourself. 

                                                  THE END

[toughgirlchallenges]

Cathy Alldred - Planning and leading an expedition to climb Fox Jaw Cirque in East Greenland (2014)

A lover of all things outdoors, Cathy is an explorer, mother, wife and USA Operations Lead at global drone-based inspection company, CyberHawk - and that doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface.

  Back in 2014, Cathy led a climbing expedition to a remote part of East Greenland, establishing four new, never-before-explored routes. 

  Cathy passionately believes that these kinds of life-changing experiences don’t just fall into your lap - you have to work hard for them. 

  Expeditions are born from a book full of notes and ideas, endless nights of planning, and more spreadsheets than any outdoor-lover cares to imagine.

  Australian-born and adopted-Scot, Cathy currently splits her time between Colorado and California, where she’s learning to both snowboard and surf, while spending time with friends and family. 

  It’s safe to say that she’s really taking advantage of every opportunity life throws at her.

  Listen to Cathy on the Tough Girl Podcast! New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Subscribe so you don’t miss out! 

  The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons. To find out more about supporting your favourite podcast and becoming a patron please check out www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.

    Show notes

Who is Cath?

Currently based in Denver, Colorado, USA

Living in Scotland for the past 20 years with her husband and children

Working for CyberHawk using drones 

Growing up in Adelaide in South Australia

Spending time in the outdoors and climbing trees at a young age

Leaving Australia to go to Canada in her early 20s

Meeting her husband in Canada and moving to Scotland

Starting climbing in her mid thirties after having her 3 children

Making progress in climbing 

Having an accident and spending 9 months in recovery

Building her confidence back up

Finding people to climb with 

Venturing outside to climb

Not giving up when challenges happen

Dealing with fears and building confidence

Deciding to head to East Greenland in 2014

Wanting to climb in a remote and challenging location

Needing to find a team and get people on board

Starting with the research

Struggling to find women to come and climb

Spending 5 weeks in East Greenland

Planning the new routes

The tent sent up and what base camp was like

Feeling confident but apprehensive

Paying and funding for the expedition

Being supported by Tiso 

Figuring out the food requirements for 5 people for 5 weeks

Human waste and dealing with poo!

The wildlife considerations from crows to polar bears

Her physical preparation and working with a personal trainer 

Being part of a “fit-family”

Reflecting back on Greenland and the lessons learned

Being careful of the people who you surround yourself with

Being open to the learning 

The next challenge…. and wanting to head to South America

Final words of advice to encourage other women to take the next step

The power of talking about what you want to do 

  Social Media

  Website - cathyalldred.com 

  Instagram - @cathyalldred 

  Twitter @cathyalldred 

  Check out this episode!

[topfygad]

How to Spend One Year on a Working Holiday Visa in Australia

Almost nine million people visit Australia each year to scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef, trek to waterfalls in Kakadu National Park, visit the Sydney Opera House, surf in Byron Bay, find Chris Hemsworth and eat Vegemite (you’ll quickly learn that last one). There’s a demand to see these places, which means there is always a demand for work.

That’s where you come in.

Australia is one of the easiest countries to get a Working Holiday Visa, and it’s actually the most popular country out of the 62 in the world that offers these kinds of visas.

That’s largely why it attracts 333,000 prospective workers each year who travel to experience the country, make friends and save money along the way.

Prior to 2016, travelers on a Working Holiday Visa (WHV) or Work and Holiday Visa (W&HV) were only able to stay in Australia for a year. However, due to changes in legislation, travelers on a W&HV are now able to work and travel for two years—that’s a whole lot of time to experience Australia!

There are is a whole heap of things on your Australian bucket list to tick off so, this one-year itinerary for traveling in Australia on your Working Holiday Visa should serve you well.

4 Months Before Your Trip: Get Your Visa

Don’t put the cart before the horse and buy your flight first. What if your visa gets rejected? That is one expensive lesson!

Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia.

Identify the visa that you would like using the Australian Department of Home Affairs website. Depending on which country you are from you will be directed to either a 417 (Working Holiday Visa) or a 462 (Work and Holiday Visa). For example, the UK, Germany, Netherlands and many others get directed to the WHV, whereas the USA, Spain and Argentina can apply for the W&H Visa.

While there are tons of websites out there charging anywhere between $70 to $200 on top of visa fees to give you a visa, your best option is to apply directly through the Australian Government website (the website URL should always end in .gov.au).

The process is pretty simple, should only take around 30 minutes to an hour to complete and, whether you’re applying for a Working Holiday Visa or a Work and Holiday Visa, it will cost you $440 AUD.

These visas give you full working rights in Australia, with the only condition being that you cannot work for the same company for more than six months. It’s structured this way, so you work and travel. Not just both.

Note: You can only get these visas if you’re at least 18 and not yet 31 years old.

It can take anywhere between 24 hours and four weeks for your visa to be granted, so be organized and apply as early as you can. But once you have it, the clock starts ticking—you have 12 months to make your way to Australia. From your date of entry, you are then given one year to work and travel.

3 Months Before Your Trip: Decide Where You Want to Go and Book Your Flight

Once you have your visa (which can take anywhere between 24 hours and four weeks), you’ll want to buy your flights. But Australia is massive, which can induce some serious decision anxiety.

You’re coming over to Australia to work and travel, so you’re going to want a perfect combination of the two.

Well, Melbourne is the world’s most livable city with, beautiful beaches, unique laneway bars and cafes and really, really good nightlife. It’s a cultural melting pot and a foodies’ paradise, and the breathtaking street art makes it, in my humble opinion, the best place to start your travels.

Plus, there are great value-for-your-money flights to Melbourne from most major international airports, with a one-way ticket generally costing $450 USD.

Melbourne is literally the most livable city in the world!

I know many of you likely have Sydney on your mind as a place to start. Just keep in mind it’s going to be the most expensive choice with some serious competition. Because, really—did you think you’re the only backpacker to make Sydney your first choice?

News flash—you’re not, which means “backpacker jobs” will be slightly more difficult to get, especially if you don’t have experience. This isn’t to deter; it’s just some food for thought. Bring your A-game if you plan to find work in Sydney (and maybe a few extra thousand in the bank to tide you over).

Pro Tip: As with any flights, try to avoid the holidays as you will have to pay a premium to fly, and keep in mind that June through September is Australia’s winter (yes, we do have winters here in Australia), so flights are generally a bit cheaper then.

1 Month Before Your Trip: Save That Money and Plan an Epic Party

If it costs $200 just to walk across Sydney’s Harbour Bridge and a whopping $5 for a dozen eggs at the grocery store, just imagine how expensive Australia will be.

The good news is that Australia is known for paying well. But you’re going to want to have a few dollars stashed away before you go since you probably won’t be working as soon as you land.

Hanging Rock in the Blue Mountains, Australia.

Your biggest expense is going to be your accommodation. A week in a hostel in Australia is generally around $150 USD. In any standard week, you should anticipate spending anywhere between $300 to $800 USD, depending on activities, your dining and, most importantly, your drinking habits.

(Take my advice: If you drink in pubs the whole time, you will somehow spend a lot of money.)

Just take a look at this breakdown of the average costs of expenses in three major Australian cities. For more, check out Numbeo for a cost of living breakdown in other cities around Australia.

The Average Cost of Living in Sydney (in USD):

Hostel per night: $32

One-bedroom apartment per week: $329

Pint of beer: $5.50

Cheap restaurant meal: $11

A day trip to the Blue Mountains: $75

The Average Cost of Living in Melbourne:

Hostel per night: $25

One-bedroom apartment per week: $298

Pint of beer: $5.50

Cheap restaurant meal: $11

A day trip to the Great Ocean Road: $80

The Average Cost of Living in Cairns:

Hostel per night: $18

One-bedroom apartment for a week: $181

Pint of beer: $5.20

Cheap restaurant meal: $11

Day trip to the Great Barrier Reef: $145

I would recommend getting to a savings point of $5,200 USD before you go, and I’ll tell you why later.

In the meantime, you may want to check out this handy guide on saving money for travel and creating a financial plan that will help you save over the long term.

Day 1-10: Get Set up, Meet People & Tick off That Bucket List

The plane touches down and you wake up from what was likely a very long flight, no matter where you came from. You rub your eyes and, suddenly, you’re in the coastal capital of the southeastern Australian state of Victoria!

Rugged rocks forms hug the bay beaches. The national parks are rife with wildlife. The center city is bustling with coffee fiends and shopping addicts and bar crawlers—vice or virtue, you decide. You’re finally here to pick your poison.

But before you dive right in, I would strongly advise giving yourself at least a week to get yourself set up. You’ll need to open a bank account, get a Tax File Number (this is essential if you want to work), and get your hands on a SIM card.

Traveling for the first time is daunting, and the reason why you started this adventure is to meet new people and to have life-changing experiences.

Noosa coastline

In Melbourne, you actually have the option to check off all the quintessential bucket list items for Australia, like petting a kangaroo or koala bear or learning to surf on some of the best surf beaches on earth.

You can also experience worldwide sporting events such as the Australia Grand Prix or the Australian Open, or go snowboarding or skiing just three hours away by car.

Plus, two popular day trips from Melbourne, include watching the Phillip Island Penguin Parade, when hundreds of penguins emerge from the surf to waddle back to their burrows for the night, and wine tasting in the Yarra Valley wine region.

Day 11-60: Venture Out to the Surrounding Areas

If you’ve taken my advice (and I hope you have) and landed in Melbourne, then I’ve spelled out your plan perfect for you.

Head west out of Melbourne and you have the Great Ocean Road, the most scenic drive in all of Australia and the number one road trip in Oz. It is the fourth most popular destination in Australia, and it’s an absolute must, especially if you’re in Melbourne. It’s about 150 miles of coastline-hugging, beach-kissing, rainforest-penetrating road with the most iconic part being the 12 Apostles.

A five-day road is perfect for this destination. This is especially true if you couple it up with a little-known destination called The Grampians. Then you can either loop back to Melbourne or keep heading west to Adelaide and the outback.

I would then recommend touching base back in Melbourne for a few days before heading in the next destination: east toward Sydney and Cairns. Every east coast trip is different, but you should travel for at least a month and preferably two to three if you want to experience it properly.

Overlooking the Sydney Harbour

The best way to travel the east coast of Australia is to take a hop-on-hop-off Greyhound bus the whole way there.

You could also find a group of other travelers to buy a used car together. You’ll find tons of cars for sale on sites like Gumtree (the Australian Craigslist) or Facebook groups like Backpacker Cars Australia.

If buying isn’t your thing, you can also rent campervans. You can get them from Jucy, Spaceships, Travel Wheels, Travellers AutoBarn, Hippie, Mighty and Wicked. There are plenty of different options depending on the level of luxury you want.

Likewise, if you visit hostels, check the bulletin boards for flyers advertising used cars for sale.

Months 2-8: Start the Job Hunt and Get to Work!

Just because you’re onto the job hunting stage doesn’t mean that the fun has to stop. After living on the road for weeks on end, you’ll probably crave some stability and structure. At least a little bit. And you’ll meet even more people while finally earning yourself some money!

Finding Work in Australia

When you’re done traveling, make sure you have enough money to last a month. You probably won’t find a job on day one of your hunt. That means you need to have enough savings to last you until you find work. Look at job websites like Job Search, Seek and Gumtree to find work in these specific fields.

Making friends and networking is a great way to find a job too!

But don’t spend all day on websites job hunting. Talk to people around your hostel, and ask the workers at the hostel for the best place to find work. In most major cities, there is a specific area where there are always people recruiting in hospitality. So print out that resume and enjoy the day going into as many places as possible asking if they’re looking for any workers.

These areas are your hospitality hotspots, which are full of bars, restaurants and cafes.

Sydney: Kings Cross, Bondi and Oxford Street

Melbourne: St Kilda, Chapel Street and Lygon Street

Brisbane: Fortitude Valley

Cairns: Everywhere

Darwin: Mitchell Street

Adelaide: Glenelg and the CBD

Perth: Northbridge

It is sometimes harder to find employment if you have a specific field you want to work in because most employers believe that working holiday visa makers can only be part of their company for six months, which is generally true.

What to Expect While Working in Australia

The minimum wage is $18.93 AUD in Australia, and most casual positions in hospitality and tourism pay around $20 AUD.

The type of work ranges from being a waiter up to being a skydive instructor—you can view the jobs available to travelers on Working Holiday Visas on the Home Affairs website here, but do bear in mind the work has to be above the Tropic of Capricorn and in certain postcodes.

Your new bffs?

Some aspects of the Australian work culture may also surprise foreigners. Understand these cultural differences:

There’s a lot of casual conversation.

Swearing in the workplace is to be expected.

There will be a lot of happy hours.

Australians are super laidback and uphold a “no-fuss” attitude, which can be jarring in stressful situations.

Office romances are a thing, and they’re not quite as taboo.

Most offices have flat organizational structures, without much hierarchy if any at all.

National workplace safety laws, “Occupational Health and Safety” or “OH&S” are taken very seriously.

Australians use a lot of blunt humor, even in the workplace.

Australians embrace a work-hard-play-hard culture.

The standard working week in Australia is 38 hours per week (7.6 hours per day). They value their time outside of work.

Month 9-12: Keep Traveling

You’ve been working for a few months—that’s a serious high five moment! Take a break. Go on a trip. Let loose a little. You deserve it!

Generally, people’s second journey within Australia is the outback. That may mean the wetland of Kakadu near Darwin. There, you’ll see some of the most jaw-dropping waterfalls and the highest concentration of salt-water crocodiles. I recommend a tour there for at least three days.

Entering Kata Tjuta in the outback of Australia

You can couple this up with the third most popular destination in Australia, the Red Centre. With the cultural history surrounding this area, the iconic sunset at Uluru and nights underneath millions of stars, this is another bucket-list item to tick. To get to this destination you can fly into Alice Springs or Yulara airport.

Alternatively, you can go overland from Darwin or Adelaide for a true outback adventure.

From here you can fly to the place you fell in love with.

Maybe you felt like Byron Bay had a spiritual calling for you. Or you realized that the busyness of Sydney was actually your “cup of tea.” Maybe you’ve been dying to get back to Cairns. Or maybe the world’s best coffee is pulling you back to Melbourne.

Want to Spend a Second Year in Australia?

So many people fall in love with the Australian way of life, so it’s not a surprise that thousands of WHV and W&H Visa workers choose to extend their visas for another year.

View from above—Australia, Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise

The Australian Government created an initiative for understaffed industries. This is for people who want to travel and work in Australia for extended periods of time. And the second year working holiday extension allows WHV and W&H Visa holders to extend their initial one-year visa to two if they work 88 days in one of those specific sectors:

Plant and Animal Cultivation

Fishing and Pearling

Tree Farming and Felling

Mining

Construction

At the end of your initial employment, your manager will have to sign off on Form 1263. This includes their ABN (Australian Business Number) to ensure that you have completed the work. Then you will apply for your second-year visa through the same website that you got your first one.

Tip: If you’re on a W&HV (USA I’m talking to you) you can extend your stay by working in hospitality and tourism, as long as these jobs are in Northern Australia. This work ranges from waiting tables to being a skydiving instructor—you can view the jobs for travelers on Working Holiday Visas on the Home Affairs website here.

This all said, you might want to head home or travel in between your first and second year. It’s up to you when you decide to use your second-year visa. Just make sure you use it before you’re 31 or you’ll lose eligibility.

Whatever you do, just remember that you’re going to Australia to work and travel. You left that all-work-and-no-play lifestyle behind at home.

Well, unless you’re this dude, that is.

So now the only question is, what’s the first adventure before you start working in Australia? Let us know in the comments!

READ MORE: Work and Travel in Australia: How to Get a Working/Holiday Visa

from Cheapr Travels https://ift.tt/2PzWNIM via IFTTT

[brownsarah357-blog]

Get a plus on your surf lessons in Robe with our awesome surfing camp! Explore Robe and the Limestone Coast on a surf camp only here at Surf & Sun. Book now! https://bit.ly/2FbGq1o

[brownsarah357-blog]

How to do a bottom turn - surf tips with Surf & Sun at Middleton and Moana.

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