Australia always fascinated me.
Early in life I had two dream trips and Oz was one of them. I’m not sure if it was the culture, the accents, beaches full of good looking women, Paul Hogan, or just the promise to go on the piss for a few weeks and chill with a koala for once, but finally, I had arrived in Oceana.
I started in New Zealand, solely on the recommendation of friends and found that Auckland was a really interesting city with plenty to do.
As a foreigner who decided to show up without doing any research whatsoever, I found a great restaurant/bar scene, plenty of shopping, a museum full of Māori history and artifacts, a volcano, and a beautiful nearby island full of vineyards.
I jumped on my plane bound for Queenstown after 45 minutes of unconsciousness from a heavy night of after hours drinking with some bartenders I befriended a few hours before.
Upon our descent, the weather didn’t permit our landing and I found myself on a detour to Christchurch and later on a bus back to my original destination.
The 7 hour bus trip was awe inspiring.
Having to repress my desire to vomit profusely, was not.
After arriving in Queenstown, I checked into my hostel, ate the complimentary pea soup and debated to drink again or go to sleep…
Subject my liver to further abuse, heard.
I can sleep when I get home, right?
Judge me if you will, but this night set the course for my entire experience in Queenstown.
Good company makes any amazing experience better and this is where I met two of my favorite people in my adventures, Dorotka and Mary.
We bungee jumped the Nevis together, ate Fergburger, and unwillingly met an Italian kid who gave a kiwi a dead fish hand shake which almost started a brawl. Good times.
Queenstown is home to a booming adventure sport scene for those who enjoy a thrill. The majestic mountains and glacier fed lakes are a scenery that could intrigue the greatest outdoor enthusiast.
My time in New Zealand was brief. Shorter than I wished it had been. The islands are breathtaking, the people were great to me, and the food was delicious, and drinking with the New Eland Warriorsbut it was time to move on to the next stop.
I spent my first 4 days in Australia in Melbourne.
Home to the Melbourne Cricket Ground, I immediately headed to watch an Aussie rules football match. I knew nothing about the sport, but made friends at the bar who helped me along with the rules.
Melbourne is an upbeat city with plenty of graffiti style murals and a top class restaurant scene that will fulfill any foodies dreams.
Plenty of day trips are possible from Melbourne to nearby locations like Great Ocean Road, Bells Beach and Phillip Island if you get tired of the hustle of the city.
After a few days in Melbourne I decided it was time to carry on and headed to Brisbane for a few days.
I didn’t get much accomplished since most of the 2 days are an alcoholic blur.
Hey, these things happen.
This is with the exception of an afternoon around the town and a day trip to the Gold Coast. At least I found a Mos Burger, a fast food joint I tried in Japan.
Everyone loves a tasty piece of nostalgia.
I boarded my flight in the usual state and wedged myself between the 2 Herculean figures in seats A and C . They not only took the arm rests, but most of my seat as well.
Bastards, no wonder I drink so much when I travel, it’s broken seats, crying babies, and these assholes.
We were headed for Sydney, and I couldn’t get there fast enough.
My week in Sydney was my favorite time in Australia and well worth the shit flight.
From watching Madame Butterfly in the Opera house, climbing the Sydney harbor bridge, drinking in the rocks, or hanging out in Bondi and Manley beach, Sydney proved to be very entertaining.
I loved both countries, but wish I could have spent more than 1 week in New Zealand. All in all my trip was a success and my time came to and end.
Time to go home and start planning again.
