I am a lucky girl…(sometimes)

After the disaster with the first job I went out for job hunting on Tuesday and went in some cafés and bars around the area Richmond. Unfortunately I don’t have the RSA (Responsible service of Alcohol) certificate and therefore not allowed to work in a bar in Australia. One café immediately asked me for a trial shift on Thursday which I happily agreed to.

Nothing else really happened. I needed to cure my feet’s from yesterday’s torture. See below…

They actually called me and asked why I left after just one day and that it wouldn’t make a good impression on the others. As if I would care…Of course I explained nicely my reasons ;)

Yesterday I went around in Richmond a little bit and walked down the Victoria Street and was really surprised, I felt like in Asia. The smell, people and shops come close to the asian atmosphere. I have to say I really like Asia and planning to travel there a little bit more around next year. And before I forget, I received the Tax file number and my new bank card :) I just had to pick it up at my previous hostel.

Sitting near the Yarra River I missed home and friends again, but I know I will make it and that everyone is supporting me, so I am really not scared anymore :)

AND I found Aldi, not to be compared with the ones in Germany or UK, but cheaper than Coles. And they had my favourite Chocolate for just a dollar, which actually made my day.

Otherwise I really like the Public State Library, make me want to be a student here. What a great place to exchange information, read and talk about daily issues.

Today I started my new job and I was positive surprised. Nice colleagues, customers and good money. AND just a few minutes walk from the hostel. I am such a lucky girl :)

I think there is nothing else to say at the moment.  Just have to get used to the new wake up time around 5 am…

Oh yeah, and some other random pictures:

Read you soon again my dear friends and family :D

The daily grind (just some thoughts)

Being now into the second week of my Australian life I get to know the daily life. Even without a job I am still busy nearly every day.

Yesterday I went to the supermarket to buy some food for my daily needs. I was surprised by the prices and couldn’t really decide what to buy. I felt like a poor little girl who could not afford a proper meal or something really good. Noodles, plain Toast, cheese, butter, slices of chicken, cornflakes and milk was all I could really afford. The chocolates I left behind me with some sad eyes, but even only that came up to $25. But it is cheaper than eating out every day. So for the next time I will look out for some offers from the supermarket.

There are some things I start to miss, like a large fluffy towel, baking a cake when I feel like it and some really nice cooked dinners, a large bed and some really nice blankets.

Not that I had a very exciting life back home, but I am starting to appreciate the little things in life. I am sure that I will be ready to settle down as soon as I am back, of course depending on the adventure that I expect to have here. The sun, the smell of the air and the absolute awesome parks around me makes me feel like I am flying. I could dance in the streets when listening to my music and feel free. So at least I achieved something by getting here, I think I get to know myself better and I am already opener to most people.

I get to know the Trams, Busses and Trains better every day and don’t even need a map anymore for most destinations.

I like Melbourne, I like the people I meet but something is missing but I can’t quite define what that is.

Anyway, just some thoughts from me for today before heading off to the job hunting. Motivated and with a positive attitude I am sure I can blog some more interesting details over the next few days.

Take care.

The adventure continues (Melbourne)

What a miserable Monday, the rain and clouds make it feels like London, but just a little bit. The temperature is still enjoyable :)

I did go out on Saturday, but it wasn’t as expected. First I went to Mel Port to meet some people there, but somehow we missed each other. I enjoyed a while the sunset near the beach before heading back to the hostel. What a nice area. The sound of the ocean makes you feel welcome.

The girls in my room had returned earlier and we only had a quick chat before I headed off to Mel Port. Coming back surprised them a little bit, but as they had planned to go out anyway I just joined in and we quickly had a snack before heading towards the rooftop bar. The guy that was staying as well in our dorm joined us, however he was dressed too casual and the doorman didn’t let him in, he didn’t mind us to go in anyway.

It was busier than the first time but never the less enjoyable. Afterwards we went down to ‘the toff’, a nice little club and danced a bit. But I was tiered and headed off quite early.

The next morning we had to check out and just quickly grabbed the free breakfast before we went our own ways.

I arrived at my new hostel and really felt like home. It is such a nice place with swimming pool, clean showers and toilets and very quiet. I only can recommend it. The manager is really nice and supportive, for anyone who is interested: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=48246476588

After a bit relaxing I headed back to the city for the travel expo and received some very good information as well as some nice goodies. I would love to see so much of the world and everything was interesting. I am actually very interested in the volunteering offers; however the price for a 12-week offer is way over my budget. Such a shame…maybe one day.

Otherwise I decided to go for a sky dive and bungee dumping trip in Cairns later this year, something I always wanted to do and the prices seems alright. That will be great :)

Monday arrived and I got ready for my first day at the new job. The group arrived and we had some coaching for the day and met the other reps who started earlier. Separated into several groups we headed out the Endeavour Hills to start knocking at people doors. My manager showed me and another newbie his pitch and how he approached people. After he had done the second sales I knew already that this job is nothing for me.

It is difficult to describe, but he basically tricked the people into signing the contract and they didn’t even know what they were signing up for. Ok, if they are that stupid to sign a contract before reading it, though luck, but hey, I am not that type of person who is bullshitting people at their door just for some money. And to be honest they didn’t even got the best deal out of it. After a while he let us go by ourselves. Everyone was very nice to me and I had some nice conversations and got even to the point where I could show the deals, however, I always ended up being more expensive. So, the decision was made and I quit the job after we returned. If you know me, you know I am not a quitter, but I know when not to waste my time.

Back now at the hostel and getting my CV ready for some waitress jobs. I know I promised myself to make new experience, but surely you understand that I won’t do it in this case. The year is still long and many opportunities will come my way. I am sure :)

Thanks again for reading and I hope everyone out there is happy and healthy.

The first week is nearly over (50 weeks to go) (Melbourne)

Sitting again at the Federation Square, enjoying the sun (27 degrees), the passing people and the entertainment around me, I have to say I feel well. Not too well, I do feel a little bit lonely, even if I have met many people through work and hostels. I even go out tonight, meeting again some new people. But friends and family are far away. I am not sure where to put these feelings but I am somehow sure they will pass, as everything else so far.

I have started the training for my new job. I am still not excited about it and sometimes it comes to mind I just should have done the hospitality jobs. But again, I have done that already, nothing new about it.

G’day mate. Welcome to Australia. (Melbourne)

After a few exhausting days I am now sitting in my room and listen to the rain outside. Time again for my blog me thinks. I arrived after an easy flight (though I couldn’t sleep) in Sydney and passed through immigration and customs. On my way to the next flight I quickly crabbed a coffee and a sandwich, oh my, was that expensive. I really have to look better out for my money from now on. Shame it isn’t as cheap as Thailand ;)

I finally arrived in Melbourne after a few hours. I was scared and not so sure anymore that I actually made the right decision. But it was a bit late now to change my plan. I took the skybus to the city centre where my hostel is located. After arrival the bus company offered free hotel transfer from the Southern Cross station, very comfortable.

I decided to stay in a dorm for a few days to save some money on accommodation. I really wished that there would be some girls in my room, but for my luck just guys. But all of them were nice and friendly.

Day 35-36 (10-11/02/2011) Back in Bangkok

I am now back in Bangkok and really enjoyed the last few weeks, which unfortunately gone by way too fast. Marina is now on the way home and I am alone, sitting in the hotel and thinking about my next destination Australia – Melbourne. I actually need to start working on my CV and get started with the planning otherwise I will be sooner home than expected.

I will write again when I am in Australia, but please do not expect an update every day as I am returning probably to a boring working life day in day out. So if you have recommendations on jobs, accommodations or sightseeing, they are more than welcome.

SEE YOU IN OZ :D And thanks for reading my blog ;)

Day 25 - 34 (30/01 -09/02/2011) Phuket - Thailand

We finally arrived in Phuket. Because we didn’t plan the trip to Bali from the beginning we booked a return flight to Jakarta where we would catch the plane to Phuket. Unfortunately we had to wait 7 hours in between at the airport. Not so much fun, but hey, I was drunk when we made this plan, so nothing else to expect.

As soon as we arrived we picked a mini bus to bring us to our hotel. I pre-booked one night as I knew that we would arrive very late in the evening and it would make no sense to search upon arrival for accommodation. When we arrived the reception explained that there was no room booked under my name and that they don’t have any rooms available. A bit disappointed we called Marina’s friend Lama who managed to find a hotel on short notice. The hotel (Patong Terrace Boutique Hotel) just opened a day before, so we were one of the first guests to stay there. The only thing on our minds was a nice shower, very quickly I realised that the water didn’t run off and the bathroom was flooded very quickly. Just dressed in a towel I informed the reception, Marina had the same issue. So we moved rooms, but the same problem here again. We moved room again, still dressed just in a towel, it was a little bit embarrassing :S.

Finally we had a room and got ready for dinner around the Bangla Road. Very nice and happy to have arrived we fall asleep quickly that night.

 

We decided that the last few days from our holidays are proper lazy days and didn’t plan anything at all. Mostly we went to the beach over the day and out in the evenings. We really enjoyed the cocktails ‘to go’ on the beach. So calm at night and beautiful. One night we actually did go swimming and it was amazing, I just loved it.

One day I decided as well to go for the (actually very expensive) jet ski and parasailing activity, that was really fun and I could have done it every day again.

One thing I enjoyed as well on the site was watching the hot beach boys, running around half naked and serving cocktails :D

One night Marina’s friends in Phuket decided to take us out for a karaoke night, arriving at a complete empty bar, it was a bit disappointing, but actually we laughed about it.

On the 07/02/2012 we changed our plans and made a safari tour with water rafting, ATV, elephant tracking through the jungle, fish spa and flying fox. We visited as well another waterfall, so great again. I actually want one when I am back home! Amazing and exhausting day.

 I actually burned myself on the ATV and my leg skin came in contact with the tyres, very painful.

 

Later in the evening we found ourselves back at the beach and lit up balloons with personal messages for our beloved ones at home.

I could write so much more funny stories but I don’t want to make this blog too long. I think the pictures tell enough of a story.

HAPPY TRAVELS

Day 23-24 (28-29/01/2011) Bali

Around 8am in the morning we got picked up for our country site tour through Bali. We decided against the Island hoping as we will do that already in Thailand. We were again lucky that no one else booked that tour for the day and we had a private tour guide and driver.

First we visited a school with loads of little kids asking questions and practicing their english, very cute and I realized again that I am not very good with kids...

After that we got to a place where little bikes where waiting for us. They brought us to the nearby rice fields. We would have preferred the motorbikes that passed us, but it seems that we got the full tourist programme for the day.

As soon as we arrived at the fields we wandered through with the guide explaining what and how the famers to their day to day business. It was really interesting. We arrived at a field that was specially made for the tourist and the guide offered that we could hop on the wooden made plough and do the farming. So I got in, got dirty, got out. Loads of fun…..NEVER AGAIN.

After that the guide brought us to the house of spices and showed us the natural plants that provide the usual spices used for Indonesian food. It was very nice to see. We tried to create some of the Balinese ornaments that they give as gifts during praying and that you can find all over the city on the streets.

After that we went to a tasting of tea, coffee and chocolate. Very interesting and yummy. The lemon grass was the best, but I knew that I am not allowed to import this into Australia, such a shame.

I did enjoy the trip, unfortunately it was made very touristy and I had the feeling that this was more faked than the real Bali. I know that some people are still doing it the old way, but this wasn’t real…..so my feelings.

In the evening we went out to Kuta THE place for party in Bali. You can find loads of Australians and other foreigners. We first had cocktails and checked the situation and what we felt like to do and where to go. We decided against a club and went to a bar that offered live music. The band was very entertaining so we sat down and enjoyed the evening. We actually stayed until the bar closed and went with some people we met there to a club at the opposite. We found loads of drunken people and because we arrived late, the club closed just half an hour later. Not sooo much fun, but it was ok.

Because I wasn’t really tired, I went to the beach and dreamed away…it was nice and we got home later in the morning. Not at all what we had planned, but as you know a plan always changes when you at least expect it.

Day 23 (29/01/2011) Bali

We actually had planned to go the Gili Island today, but because we didn’t sleep that night and I was more sleepy than awake, we went instead for a relaxed day and didn’t do anything. We enjoyed the pool and the weather and made some plans for coming back to Bali with some more time on our hands and different locations. Not much to write, so I am not going to bore you anymore ;)