Happy New Year from Australia (Cloncurry)

I can’t believe it has been nearly a year again since I was last home in Germany. I remember the beginning of this year so clearly like it was yesterday. I was so excited to see again more of the world but at the same time scared because I didn't know what would expect me during the year ahead.

It has been a great year with fantastic memories I will never forget. A lot of adventures and a lot of people I met during my travels in Asia, New Zealand and Australia. And I wouldn’t want to miss one second of it, even the sad and lonely times are a happy memory for me.

I am still in Cloncurry at the moment and started my last two weeks of work here before I continue my travels again. Even though it was a great time, I am glad I booked my flight back to London to see my friends and family again and I am also glad that 2012 will be another great year in my life with a lot to expect. I have found a few possibilities of activities that I could do within my last two weeks here in the middle of nowhere which means I am defiantly going to give you another update before I am on the road again.

I spend my Christmas at the pool with a barbeque and drinks while soaking up the sun. I never had a warm Christmas in my life, so this was a totally new experience for me and I must admit I really enjoyed it, even though I missed my family and friends pretty bad at that time.

BLOG-O-TIME (Cloncurry)

It has been now 27 days since I arrived in Cloncurry, and I can’t wait to get out of here. I got used to the work and don’t even think of it anymore as exhausting, it just became a routine day in and day out. I don’t even have anything to tell you since I am really doing NOTHING here, just work. Sounds pretty boring? YES it is and I am counting every day that is over and every penny I am able to save up.

I was able to book already all my remaining trips in Australia. Next I am looking forward to book my Asia trips and my flight back to Europe. I guess it is about time….

The other thing I wanted to mention is that McDonalds is valued a absolute treasure here since it is so far away. A co-worker of mine actually did such a drive and brought back a cheeseburger for us. I admit I don’t miss it a bit. I rather would like to cook myself a good meal, but the kitchen is too dirty for that and I am absolutely not willing to clean up that mess that someone else brought on and most likely will bring back again once I actually clean.

The disconnected life (Cloncurry)

After a few days in Cloncurry I thought I put my emotions and thoughts again into my blog.

The work is really exhausting and I think I have never worked that hard in my life. I usually work in the morning 4 to 5 hours for Housekeeping and again as Kitchen Hand in the evening for 4 to 5 hours. My feets are aching and the heat doesn’t help at all to stay awake and work fast. I will work 7 days a week until January and I am looking forward to the end of the time, even tho it just started. So far I had no complains about my work and everyone seems happy with my doing. The work is so tiering that I sleep in between shifts. The positive aspect is of course the money but as well as that I start losing already weight :D

The other day I bought a new SIM card from Telstra so that I have at least a phone again in case I need to call someone since I am pretty much alone here and the good news is that I kept my old number. Everyone is going their own way after work which is totally understandable since they must be as tired as I am.
 

My housemate was so kind and let me use her internet for a while so I had at least a chance to update everyone that I am safe. That way I know as well there is mobile internet available. I tried first to use my new SIM card in my old dongle, but it wasn’t working which means I have to buy a new one if I really want to check emails and messages from time to time. I am not sure yet if I should invest the money or not, but knowing me I probably do it as soon as I have some money again on my account.
 

The Australian outback life (Cloncurry)

After an very exhausting 17 hours bus drive from Cairns via Townsville I arrived in Cloncurry. The drive was amazing and I finally got to see the outback from its best site. I really enjoyed the trip even though I did sleep as well for a bit. I found it funny that most people from Townsville onwards where Australians and not backpackers. I would like to add at this point that Cairns was overrun with Germans, they were everywhere. Throughout my travels I met the odd one here and there, but the amount of Germans in Cairns really took me by surprise. 

The Aussie adventure continues (Cairns)

After some nice and relaxing days in Auckland I headed to the Airport ready to get back to Australia. I am still amazed of my adventures in New Zealand….
 

Funky Chicken on Tour day 18 (Christchurch)

It is my last day on the tour since I decided to fly back to Auckland. I’ve thrown out some stuff from my backpack to make sure my luggage isn't overweight and left the remaining food in the hostel kitchen for other travellers. 
 

Funky Chicken on Tour day 17 (Queenstown - Milford Sound)

We waited in front of our accommodation for the pick-up to Milford Sound. Shame the sun decided today to hide again behind clouds and a few rain drops said good morning. At this point a BIG THANK YOU to my sister, brother in law and niece, without whom the trip would have never taken place. 
 

The bus drive through the fantastic scenery took a few hours before we arrived at the cruise terminal in Milford Sound. Apparently Milford Sound is much more mystic when it is raining since it builds temporary waterfalls. We stopped a few times for a walk around the area and photo opportunities.

As soon as we got on board of the cruise we started to eat our buffet, which could have fed an army, massive and yummy. It filled me up for the rest of the day.

A stunning, mysterious and beautiful cruise trip through the water made me smile.

We stopped at the Discovery Centre Platform, which in my opinion wasn’t worth the money. We didn’t get to see much underwater but luckily it was included in my trip anyway.

We headed back to Pier and our driver was waiting to get us back. On the way back we came across some heavy winds and had to drive very slowly to make sure the bus didn’t get tipped over, interesting experience……

Ah and the water in the pictures below is the lake not the ocean.

Happy Travels!

Funky Chicken on Tour day 16 (Queenstown)

I had a very nice and long sleep in since I had nothing planned for the day. Of course I could have done some of the activities that Queenstown offers; you seriously can do everything here from Kayaking, swing, sky dive, bungy, hang gliding, parasailing, jet boat and much much more, but I didn’t. 
 

Instead I wandered around the park and absorbed some of the sun with the hope to get at least some kind of a tan (which of course I didn’t). I have to admit that Queenstown didn’t strike me as a very usual Kiwi city as there are not many locals around and mostly it seems like a holiday/party city.

Just as I was about to walk back a Kiwi bus arrived for the mandatory group picture. Some of the faces I recognised and after a few hugs and hellos I waited and took the picture for them, so they didn’t had to pay for it.

This was followed by an absolute amazing night when we watched the France vs. New Zealand Rugby Final. You could cut through the atmosphere so thick and tense it was. Most people continued to celebrate through the night; I went to bed since I had to get up early for my tour to Milford Sound the next day.

Happy Travels

Funky Chicken on Tour day 15 (Queenstown)

I had to get up early in the morning for my long awaited bungy jump. We met at the AJ Hackett office where a bus would drive us up to the Nevis Bungy Jump point.

Most of us were really excited as we were all first offenders. As soon as we arrived we got fitted into the gear and took a gondola up to the platform. The height was really frightening….

I was second in that group and my heart started to race as soon as I was standing on the platform looking down. The guy counted to three but I couldn’t let go of his hand for at least another 5 seconds….but watch for yourself:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSZjn2Ejww8

The Bungy jump was definitly fun and I would do it again but compared to the skydive; I would prefer falling down for 60 seconds instead of just 8. Skydive was and is still my personal favourite, but I guess everyone has their own preference.

After my return I went to the Jazz festival near the pier with my roommate and had a wander around the lake. This was followed by a quick afternoon nap and a quiet evening with some more movies to watch since another guy had over 400 movies on his hard drive and was so kind to share some with me. I am so happy now that I have the 2 TB as storage, very handy.

Happy Travels!