#Book Driving Lessons Cairns

[umichenginabroad]

Week 9: Sands, Sips, and Scuba

Monday - Annnnnnd We’re off

We packed early in the morning after landing in Sydney. We loaded our stuff into the campervan parked across the street and made the cabin “sea-worthy”. After turning the first block, however, there was a thundering crash... We had underestimated just how violently the car could shake, nothing but good omens here.

Our first stop was the Australian Reptile Park. We booked the encounters tour which allowed us to pet koalas and echidnas, and even hold a juvenile wombat. We also got a backroom tour of some of the world’s deadliest snakes and spiders. They keep them to harvest their venom which gets sent around the world to develop antivenom medicine.  

Tuesday - Sand Boarding

The next day we drove up the coast to Nelson’s Bay. We toured the nearby beach around Port Stevens. We got a fascinating history lesson on how the Australians braced this beach for a Japanese invasion in 1942 and how the beach grows yearly by 4 meters. The large deposits are actually coming from the blue mountains eroding and getting washed out into the sea. And then we sandboarded, more like sled but yeah:

That evening we decided to go backwards and stay at a nearby park to make our 10 am wine tour in Hunter Valley. 

Wednesday - Wine and Turkish Delight

It was 23 fleets of wine and cheese pairings and it floored everyone.

It was delicious but way more alcohol than any of us were expecting. The day of drinking took us out for the next four hours of the day. We made it to Port Macquarie and took a stumbling but refreshing stroll on the beach.

That night we had the best food I’ve had during my time in Australia. We dined at Reyhana, a Turkish restaurant, and ate heaps of homemade pita and hummus as well as lamb shish and buttered rice.

I hastily booked a nearby campsite for the night as all the places I did find were unavailable. It turned out to be an unpowered campsite… Oops. No AC plus tons of bugs meant a humid, irritated night of sleep for everyone. 

Thursday - Byron Baes

The next morning we booked it to Byron Bay for a promising day of adventure.

First up was a guided snorkeling excursion through the EAC(East Australian Current) duuuude (the same one Crush and his son Squirt rode in Finding Nemo).

Some highlights were the eagle ray and leopard shark that were hitching a ride on the EAC to loop the island we were snorkeling around. The boat ride was another highlight, the swell coming in made for perfect hills to accelerate over and catch air, at least that’s how the driver felt. 

That night we ventured into the town of Byron Bay. We had only known the town from the cheesy reality TV show called Byron Baes so we were pleasantly surprised by how similar it was. It’s a town of linens and “inspirers” (rather than influencers). All that aside, we got a beautiful dinner in a bar that looked over the beach and then made our way to the local nightlife. Props to our Uber driver who convinced us to check out our first stop: someone’s backyard turned into a psychedelic bar with a trippy dancefloor.

It was unlike anything I had been to. The DJ was mixing vaguely familiar music over a wash of synths, there were artists actively painting their psychedelic pieces in the corners, and, when they felt it was getting a bit dull, fire-dancing people would inexplicably take over the dance floor and perform. 

Friday - Koala Cuddling to Cairns Crazes

We finally got to hold koalas! The state of New South Wales forbids the practice and so as soon as we crossed the border into Queensland we signed up for the experience. It was a brief encounter and the zoo keeper told us that it was a practice they and the rest of Australia would be phasing out over the next year.

We then parted ways with our roommates who drove up in their sleeper van and would now make the 13-hour drive back down the coast to Sydney. 

We quickly packed up and made our way to the Brisbane airport to catch our flight to Cairns. Our time in Cairns was brief. We got in late and spent most of our time running between loads of laundry at the local laundromat and finishing the procrastinated scuba diving e-learning course. 

Saturday - Live A Board, Dive A Board 

*5:45 am*

I’m up, I’m up. 

We started our day early getting our gear and luggage stowed on the diving boat we’d be living on for the next three days. The boat takes customers out to the offshore parts of the Great Barrier Reef and guides them through certifications and general scuba diving skills. Joe, my Dad and I signed up for the Advanced Scuba Diving and Nitrox courses. Over this day and the next, we took our e-learning skills and applied them out at sea. The technical dives focused on navigation with and without a compass, buoyancy and control, night diving (how to communicate and navigate), a deep dive down to 100 feet, and a fish identification dive. 

*phew*

By the end of the second day, we were officially advanced scuba divers! We dove, ate, and drank with people from all around the world. Almost everyone, regardless of age, had a similar story of feeling that too much of their life had gone by or that they had missed out on traveling earlier and so quit their jobs to see the world. For many of them, it was a decision that took several years of careful planning and saving and none of them regret diving out of their comfort zone and into the wider world. 

Quick side note: I was told by my instructor that he knew I was an aerospace student as soon as he saw me take off from the ocean floor, the plume of sand that followed my vertical, sound barrier-breaking push was "rocket-like".

Between dives, I tried to catch up on the alarming amount of recorded lectures I’ve missed.

And now I write this on the boat ride back to shore with nine new dives and two new certifications under my belt. I’m looking forward to the last few days with my Dad and dreading the reality check from the mounting days of missed school. 

Take care, everyone!

Grant Touchette

Aerospace Engineering

University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia

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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

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[decandnicoletraveladventure-blog]

Weeks 3-5

The last couple of weeks took a bit of a turn for us, but I’ll start from where we last left off and go from there. After writing my last blog entry, we stayed at Daintree National park for two nights, and then headed off north with Cape Tribulation as our end goal. The journey took us on a car-ferry across a river, and up some ridiculously windy, vertical steep roads up the mountainous terrain.  It was whilst there, driving up these insane vertical bends in first and second gear, engine revving to the max, that we suddenly realised we had No. Fuel. Whatsoever...

How could we be so stupid, you ask? Well, rest assured, we asked ourselves the same question. Personally, I blame our very questionable fuel gage, which stays on the same point for miles on end, before suddenly dropping by half a tank. Although it is possible that it could also have something to do with our combined air-headedness though…

Nevertheless, with little other choice, we ploughed onwards in the desperate hope of coming across a gas station while Sherman still could. As it happened, the gods took pity on us. After a hair-raising journey coasting the entire way down the vertical winding decline that, unsurprisingly,  followed the crazy vertical winding incline (would not advocate this driving style), we finally came across the blessing we were looking for, and pumped our tank full. By this point, Declan’s chair was soaked in sweat, and I think it’s safe to say we had definitely learnt an important lesson. Now, we vow never to let our questionable petrol gauge drop below the half way mark again. And, the whole palaver had a positive note too, in the form of this spectacular view…

Anyway, we continued onwards exploring the beautiful tropics of the North East. Cow Bay was our first stop, and probably my favourite; A gorgeous white sand beach with not a soul in sight, bordered by some brilliant rock-pools with wildlife that kept us entertained for several hours – sea cucumbers, hermit crabs, giant blue mud crabs, luminous blue fish, and even a couple of lizards. Although the ever-present threat of potential crocodiles lurking certainly made us wary!

From there, we went on to the highly-recommended Fruit Farm Ice Creamery. The concept was rather a novel one; Based on a large plot of land, they grow all sorts of exotic fruits themselves, importing nothing and harvesting those in season to make unique ice creams. Four flavours are served each day, based on what is currently harvestable, and you pay $7.50 per person to receive a large pot with a big scoop of each flavour. Dec and I were unanimous in our enjoyment of three of the four flavours. Unfortunately, one tasted like vomit - definitely would not recommend Yellow Sapote fruit – but the experience was really cool, and we had a great time exploring the fruit farm too.

From there, we stopped off for the night, unsuccessfully went on a hunt to see Cassowaries in the morning, and then continued up to Cape Trib. Here comes our second ditzy moment, wherein we actually drove past Cape Tribulation altogether, after unknowingly stopping RIGHT NEXT TO THE CAPE TRIB SIGN to check our maps for directions. A real ‘face-palm’ moment. Anyway, we made it to Cape Tribulation, which rather mirrored Cow Bay but was significantly busier. We stayed in the area for a couple of days – again, seeing some crazy wildlife, including a giant Golden Orb Spider and a monstrous Monitor Lizard – and booked ourselves onto the Great Barrier Reef’s  ‘Ocean Safari’; A 25 minute boat ride out to a sand bank and its surrounding coral reefs, where we spent 2 hours snorkelling. We swam with Sea Turtles, saw Giant Clams the size of a 5 year old child, luminous rainbow Parrot Fish, and so much more. It was totally incredible, and Dec especially was pretty elated (although sad not to have seen a Reef Shark).

Unfortunately, things took a slight turn from there.  I’ve been struggling with some complications of the surgery I had 3 months ago, and was in a whole lot of pain after coming back from snorkelling. We made the decision to drive back to Cairns that day and stay at the lovely Castaways Hostel again whilst we went to different doctors and figured out the best route to take to sort me out. We made some progress (many thanks to all the friends and family who got the ball rolling with their contacts!) and stayed there a week before continuing on with our travels. Our next stop was Port Douglas, where we were accompanied by our French friend Ben for a couple of days’ fishing. 

It was a brilliant couple of days. The beautiful scenery from Port Douglas’ Jetty made for an exceptionally picturesque fishing trip. The highlight, however, came from the fishing itself. Along with a Barracuda, a Stingray and Moray Eel, Declan and Ben between them managed to hook 4 sharks. BIG sharks, each reaching six to eight feet in length.  Naturally, this drew in quite a lot of spectators. None compared, however, to the absolute quality New Zealand lad who came out of nowhere in a tiny little boat and, in true Aussie fashion, shouted up to Dec “Oi mate, hop in! Let’s catch the c*nt!” !!!

Picture the disbelief of Ben and me at the scene: Declan, hobbling over metal chains and down the rickety stairs of the Jetty to the water’s edge, clambering onto this tiny boat with some dreadlocked, topless man, all the while trying to keep his line tight, then speeding off across the water (nearly falling off the boat in the process) after this huge shark. Unfortunately, after about 25 minutes of knackering work for Dec, the line snapped whilst they were trying to bring the shark onto the boat. The experience, though, is one that none of us will forget in a hurry, and left us laughing for the rest of the day. I actually managed to catch the whole ordeal on camera, which we’ll upload soon, and Dec was totally chuffed to not only have been able to see these awesome sharks up close, but  to have caught footage of them too.

After a great couple of days at Port Douglas, Ben returned back to Cairns and we continued on inland to go exploring the Tablelands. We are currently at Downfall creek campsite in Danbulla National Park, with plans for the next week to go to the Lava Tubes, natural hot springs, several waterfalls, and whatever else we may come across. Although it’s currently rather wet and miserable, it is fortunately much cooler inland than on the coast, particularly at night, which means spending the day snuggled up in the campervan isn’t awful and stuffy. It’s rather nice in fact – we’ve some sandalwood incense burning, some relaxing music playing, and we’re both sitting in bed doing some writing whilst the rain patters gently on the windows. It does, however, make us both feel a little homesick. Staying at a national park where there is no phone service and very few other people, as opposed to at a hostel surrounded by friendly faces, suddenly feels rather lonely, creating a sombre element to our travels. It certainly makes us feel ready to meet more people and crack on to the next fun activity.

Until then, stay tuned.

Nicole & Dec

P.S Lots of love and hugs to all our family and friends – we’re thinking of you all lots! And special thanks to Mike for helping sort the camper’s dodgy solar power. Really hoping you’re okay. We’re both sending you big hugs.

Danbulla National Park, 17.10.2017

[wildwandererblog]

2017 Lessons Learned

Well, I guess the seasons over.  I hiked 35 unique 14ers and 2 13ers since June of this year, bringing my total 14er count to 47 (including repeats).  I also made several failed attempts of 14ers and successful summits of peaks at 8K, 9K, 10K, and 11K not included in these numbers. 

When I started this endeavor last June I had a goal of hiking eleven 14ers this year.  I more than tripled that goal.  Not because I intended to, but because it became really fun:  mountaineering became a passion, a lifestyle, and very, very addicting. 

Most trails took 3-5 hours to drive to, approximately 10 hours to conquer, and 3-5 hours to drive back.  That’s a lot of solo time to think:  I loved every minute of it!

I’ve learned a lot too.  So much I could easily write a book.  Obviously I’m not done learning:  Mountaineering is full of continuous learning, improvement, and reevaluating.   

I wouldn’t be exaggerating to tell you my whole world view has changed this summer.  We all hear or read certain words and immediately a picture comes to mind of what that word means.  We have an association with that word.  For example, what do you see in your mind when you hear the word gully, traverse, junction, self arrest, spur, couloir, glissade,  basin, post hole, head wall, saddle, pitch,  scramble, ridge, cornice, crevasse, chute, narrow, soft, hard, rock wall, scree, river crossing, switchbacks, talus, summer storm, exposure, approach, cairn, chimney, timberline, gain the summit or take the ridge? 

Previous to this 14er endeavor I had visions in my head to fill all these words and phrases, but in this past climbing season these visions have changed.  Drastically.  They’ve come to life and taken on a world of their own.  Now when I see the word ‘basin’ in my head it’s not a drawing on a map, but a full scale area of drainage and rolling hills spanning multiple football fields in length, covered in tundra and alpine flowers.  A ‘gully’ is a 4 letter word (more on that later) and ‘exposure’ is something dangerous that could include drastic changes in weather or falling to my death.  When I hear the phrase ‘take the ridge’ I see a long narrow mountaintop with steep drops on either side I’m supposed to navigate around towers or rock to get to the summit I wish to climb.  I can envision in my mind vividly what each of these words means as an experience, and these experiences have changed me. 

As I said earlier, I’ll continue to learn, and I’ve learned more than I could ever put into words here, but I’ll give you some of the highlights in no particular order: 

Climbing is not the same as Hiking.  There is a huge difference between hiking and climbing (and between different types of climbing).  All 14ers include a hike, but not all include a climb.  I’d say most climbs begin with Difficult Class 2 and include Class 3 and above.  A climb requires putting away the camera and using all four appendages to scale a mountain.  There were times this caught me off guard, even with proper planning.  In essence, climbing is mountaineering, and hiking is just that (hiking).  

Hiking /Climbing /Mountaineering takes planning:  Successful summits don’t just happen.  Driving directions, routes, GPS coordinates, weather, dates, time, ability, etc. all need to be taken care of before the hike actually takes place.  Of course, you can just try to do all this on the fly, but I can guarantee you something will go wrong.  Things go wrong with even the best of plans, but when you plan you give yourself a bigger degree of success. 

When you plug in the coordinates into your GPS and it brings you 200 feet but 10 driving miles away from the trailhead where you no longer have access to cellular data and the GPS keeps unsuccessfully trying to reroute but you HAVE NO DATA and you arrive in the dark it can be daunting, but if you have a printed map available that can get you where you’re supposed to go you’ll appreciate your planning. This happened to me so many times this summer I’ve lost count.  

In addition, there were several times I found out hours before a hike my booked schedule was now free and I was able to go.  If I hadn’t already pre-planned routes, driving directions, etc. I would have missed out on a hike because they take a while to plan.  Several times weather derailed my plans at the last minute.  Because I’d put together dozens of potential trips I just switched to an area with more favorable weather.  Mountaineering takes planning.  Plan.

Hike when you can (see above).  It’s not always easy to get up at 2am and drive 4 hours to a trailhead, but I’ve never regretted a hike.  If I slept in on all the days I wanted to instead of hiking I would have missed dozens of amazing experiences, all for sleep.  You can tell people about your dreams or your accomplishments.  As far as I’m concerned, sleep when the weather is bad, hike when you can.

Difficult Class 2 means gully.  I hate gullies.  I used to think a gully was a beautiful canyon full of lush landscape, trees, waterfalls, and streams (hello, Fern Gully?) but they’re not.  Gullies are alleys eroded by water and snow.  They’re usually narrow and steep, formed by loose rock and sand, extremely difficult to find traction on to climb, and the only route up the mountain due to steep rocks on all sides. 

The more challenging ones encompass an entire mountainside.  They are difficult to climb up, but even more difficult to climb down, as your center of gravity is off and slipping and sliding hundreds of yards to your death or grave bodily injury is a serious possibility.  In my opinion, gullies are more dangerous and difficult to climb than a Class 3, and a route that includes a gully is one I try to avoid if at all possible. Wear a helmet and microspikes whether or not there’s snow/ice.

Listen to others.  Ask for advice from others who’ve summited a mountain you’ve yet to summit.  I’ve never understood why some people just don’t want to take advice?  Everyone has something you can learn from.  As far as I’m concerned, I want to be as prepared as possible when out there dozens or hundreds of miles from civilization (read: help is far away).  It’s great to know if there’s a false summit or difficult area that has a trick to get around.  Ask hikers hiking down the mountain while you’re hiking up about conditions (etc.) and truly listen to their responses.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been hiking down a mountain due to weather and tried to warn people hiking up. No one has ever taken my advice, and I know for a fact several of them ended up getting caught in hailstorms above treeline. 

Everyone has different comfort levels / risk tolerances.  Know yours.  When getting advice from others keep this in mind.  Challenge yourself, but don’t be stupid.  I’ve taken several routes I know I wouldn’t have completed if I’d been with others because I have a higher risk tolerance than most people.  We would have turned back and I wouldn’t have summited.  I’ve also taken alternate routes when the one in front of me was too difficult.  The bottom line is if you don’t feel comfortable don’t do it just because someone else has. 

Climbing time and pace don’t correlate to distance.  Just because you can hike 20 miles in a day near your home doesn’t mean you can hike a 20 mile 14er in the same amount of time.  A general rule of thumb for hiking is 2mph, but this varies widely depending on ability, experience, weather, carrying weight, and terrain.  Just because you hiked a 7 mile class 1 14er in 3 hours does not mean you can hike a 7 mile class 2 14er in 3 hours.  Look at elevation gain and difficulty of terrain before setting out, and remember climbing takes longer than hiking.  Think about it:  Can you climb up a mile worth of rocks in the same amount of time it would take you to walk the same distance?  Probably not.  This corresponds with 14ers too, and learning your speed comes with experience. 

Keep your pack packed.  This also goes hand in hand with planning.  If you never unpack your gear you’ll never need to re-pack it.  I always keep my microspikes, sunscreen, gloves, hat, compass, emergency first aid kit, matches, whistle, etc. in my hiking pack.  When I get back from a hike I refill my water bladder and replace my bandana (and wash the old one).  I never need to wonder where my gear is or if I have it because I always keep it in my pack.  This saves me the time and hassle of prepping the night before, and wondering where stuff is. 

Have the proper gear.  This is very important.  You shouldn’t just head out on a hike up a 14er with just tennis shoes and a water bottle (although trust me, I’ve seen many people do just this).  Know what the 10 essentials are and bring them.  Use a water bladder instead of a water bottle.  Get a good pair of hiking boots, trekking poles, a helmet, microspikes, and all weather jacket.  It’s amazing what a difference good shoes and microspikes can make on a trail with just a little bit of snow/ice.  If the weather/terrain calls for it, invest in crampons, climbing gloves, and an ice axe (and learn how to use them properly before needing them).  It’s extremely frustrating to hike in 10 miles and have less than 1 mile left to the summit, only to have to turn back because you don’t have crampons and you can’t hike any further without them. 

Learn to layer.  The weather on the mountains is unpredictable and changes quickly.  I’ve never regretted bringing my snow jacket on every hike I’ve been on, even in the summer.  And in case this is new to you, NO COTTON!  (this means no jeans, cotton socks, cotton t-shirts, cotton gloves, etc.).  In case you’re unsure of how to layer, here’s a photo:

  Learn how to eat.  I don’t get hungry on the trail as a rule, but every so often the hike takes longer than anticipated and I’m glad I pack food no matter what.  While on the trail don’t go for foods that are overly ‘healthy’.  During the hike is when you need protein/calories to keep going!  Lightweight foods that are high in calories work best.  I like to make homemade beef jerky and bring that with me as a snack, along with some dehydrated bananas and peanuts.  When hiking long distances remember the weight to calorie ratio:  I’d rather bring along and eat two Reese’s Peanut Butter cups than an apple (even though it’s “healthier” the apple weighs a lot and doesn’t give you the calories you need to keep you going). 

Hike Early.  We’ve all heard to hike early to avoid summer storms, but there are realistically many more reasons to do so than just the stormy and unpredictable summer weather. 

You’re generally more rested earlier in the day 

In the summer while it’s cold in the morning you’ll warm up fast once you start hiking and it won’t be quite so hot above treeline if you get there earlier in the day. 

If something goes wrong you’ll have more time in the daylight to problem solve

You avoid the crowds and actually get a spot at the trailhead to park your vehicle

Colorado sunrises are amazing.  Be where you can appreciate them (above or as close to treeline as possible)

If you finish early you’ll have time to celebrate by resting your feet in a stream or head to town for a beer

Making it up is optional, making it down is mandatory.  We’ve all heard this phrase dozens of times, but it’s much more difficult to implement than to say.  Nothing hurts more than turning back on a summit, but know your abilities, and make a plan before you ever get into that place where you need to make the decision to turn back.   This includes time limits (I need to be at my halfway point by x time to summit today) and weather restrictions (if I hear thunder I’m turning back versus if I hear thunder 3 miles away I’m turning back versus if I’m above/below treeline and hear thunder I’m turning back, etc.).  If the terrain is above your abilities or you don’t feel comfortable, know to turn back.  The mountain will be there tomorrow, next week, and next year.  Make sure you’re there to see it.

Easy and close to Denver means crowded.  Think Mt Evans, Mt Bierdstadt, Quandry Peak, etc.  If it’s a class 1 or 2 and less than 8 miles of hiking distance expect to hike with dozens (if not hundreds) of your favorite hiking buddies no matter what day of the year it is.  This means limited parking at the trailhead, crowds, fewer animal sightings, blaring music from someone hiking with speakers, hikers that smell like marijuana, seeing people peeing above treeline and summit photos with people you don’t know in the background.  Sometimes the drive away from town is worth it. 

The mountain is bigger than it looks, and smaller too.  Study your maps and do your research and things will still surprise you.  The mountain looks different from far away than it does up close.  Sometimes the challenges are bigger than they appear, but often smaller as well.  There have been several places that from afar looked impassable, but once I was closer I could see a navigable path.  Take the trek one step at a time, and don’t give up or make up your mind until you get there. 

If you don’t try you’ll never know.  I got this advice from my 14 year old while going back and forth over whether or not to hike on a particular day when all my information was giving me a 50/50 chance of summiting.  When in doubt, go.  You can always turn back if you need to, but you’ll wonder forever if you never try.

Weather forecasts are wrong, but check them anyway.  I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve checked and checked and checked the forecast for a particular area only to have it completely different once there.  Sometimes this worked out in my favor (anticipated 30+mph winds that never materialized) but often it didn’t (the only cloud in the sky was directly above the peak I intended to hike, and it was filled with ice and wind).  On the other hand, it’s nice to know when it’s expected to thunder and lightning all day or if the wind speeds are anticipated to be above 50mph.  Knowing there’s a 50% chance of hail at noon helps you to make an informed decision about whether or not to continue your hike when you see clouds forming overhead, or even in determining which hike you should take that day. 

If there’s water, there’s ice.  Especially when it’s dark, just assume everything wet is really ice and can cause you to slip and fall.  Proceed with caution. 

Ladies:  Never let anyone tell you a tampon is unnecessary weight.  Never, ever ever.  Altitude does weird things to your body, and those around you as well.  You might not need it, but you’d be surprised how often you might just meet someone along the trail who does and make a friend.   They don’t weigh enough to outweigh the benefits of having one with you, and they can double as emergency first aid supplies (a quick google search can answer any questions).

Carry a bandana (or two).   Seriously, these are lifesavers!  There are hundreds of ways to use a bandana, not to mention for blowing your nose, for use instead of toilet paper (this is why I said two), or to immobilize an injured appendage.   Ladies, also see note above and infer. 

Ladies, learn how to pee above treeline.  For guys this is a no-brainer, but for women it can become an issue, as many hikes continue for miles above treeline and if you’re drinking water you’ll need to pee (and there’s no place to hide).  Here’s a hint:  Find a place to sit and use your jacket to cover your lap.  Problem solved!

Learn how to blow your nose without a tissue/bandana/etc.  It’s gross, but along with a trusty chapstik will save your nose/upper lip from getting raw (basically you just plug one nostril with your thumb and blow really hard).  Also, don’t do this in the company of others (once again, it’s gross). 

Bring along a GPS and a topo map:  And know how to use them!  Social trails abound in popular areas and the real trail can get muddied.  A GPS is no good if you don’t know how to use one, and a topo map and compass are as well.  Practice before you need them on easier hikes closer to home.  They can both really save you if you get lost/stuck on the trail. 

Don’t expect an engraved invitation.  What this basically means is don’t expect a trailhead sign to indicate where the trail starts, or even signs along the way indicating which direction to take at a junction.  While there are many trailheads with amazing signs indicating you’re at the right trailhead and where the trail begins, this is often not the case for 14ers.   Several times I’ve parked (in the dark) at the end of the route and supposed beginning of the trailhead,  not able to see where the trail actually begins, or even a sign indicating I’m at a trailhead.  Often times you’ll come to an area where several trails intersect and there’s no signage.  This is where having a GPS comes in handy. 

Don’t expect a trail.  Unless you’re hiking a class 1, there won’t be a trail to the summit. There will be some route finding involved as well as hiking over rocks (etc.) with no established trail.  I’m not sure why this was a surprise to me, but it was in the beginning.  For some reason I thought I was owed a trail while hiking, but 14ers are a different game and considered difficult and a challenge for a reason.  Learn to use a map and compass and develop some route finding skills. 

Sometimes the obvious route is the actual route.  One time I was hiking and met several people along the way.  We all knew the cutoff for the peak was difficult to find, and somewhere in-between two points.  I happened to see a cairn wrapped in pink electric tape, and suggested that was the route to take.  Everyone else agreed that was too obvious, and probably there to indicate the mine behind it.  Nope, the pink tape indicated the correct trail.  GPS was helpful here as well. 

Just because they’re close to each other doesn’t mean they’re the same.  Each 14er is unique, and just because two 14ers are a couple of miles apart or in the same range or ‘connected’  doesn’t mean their routes are similar.  Sure, the views, animals, flowers, and stability of ground will be similar, but look at their class rankings:  A 2 class can be very different from a class 3, even in the same range. 

Buy a 4WD vehicle with clearance.  Extra points if you can sleep in the back.  If you’re serious about hiking all 14ers you’re going to need a 4WD with clearance; either that or you’ll need to love hiking an extra 15 miles to get to the trailhead.  Many trailheads to 14ers are at the end of serious 4WD roads.  If you can’t afford to buy one make friends with someone who has one, or rent one for the weekend. 

13er doesn’t mean easier.  Think about it, a 13er could be one foot shy from being a 14er and is still referred to as a 13er (13,999).  They’re just as difficult, and often more so because they don’t have established trails and aren’t as frequented by other hikers.    Don’t judge.

The way the mountain is facing is important for snow/ice reasons. Routes facing the west and south clear of snow and ice much faster than routes facing the east and north due to length of exposure to sun and ability to melt snow and ice. Do your research, know which way your route is facing, and plan appropriately.  I’ve hiked mountains where one side of the mountain was completely clear of snow (the side you could see from the road), and as soon as I got to the inside hiking area it was like a snow globe. 

Weather changes class.  A class 1 hike can easily become a class 2 climb or above in snow.  Wind, snow, ice, etc.  can drastically change the difficulty of the climb.  Know your abilities and be prepared. 

Don’t hike to get in shape.  Get in shape to hike.  The hike will be a lot more enjoyable if you’re physically up to the challenge.  Breathing above treeline is a lot different than breathing below it. When you go above treeline, it’s like you can suddenly feel that the air is thinner. You get tired quicker and it’s harder to breathe as well as you do in lower altitude.  Being physically fit makes this transition easier.  Use the winter months to work out and build up your endurance.  You’ll thank yourself for this later.

It hurts just as much not to hike as to hike.  Sometimes you need to make the call not to hike, and that has to be ok.  Personally, right now, I’m itching to go hiking this weekend, but the weather isn’t cooperating and I’ve already made other plans.  I’m a nervous ball of energy that’s struggling to find an outlet, so I’m going to use this weekend to catch up on sleep, and to plan future hikes.  Be prepared for times when hiking isn’t possible, and ways to be ‘ok’ with it. 

Every hike/peak/summit has a story:  Yours.  After a while they’ll all run together and you’ll forget things.  Write them down as soon as possible after your hike.  Take pictures.  Talk about your experiences and share your stories.  If you don’t, you’ll wish you did…

[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.

[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

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[teachyou2drive]

Edmonton Driving School Drive-Test Preparations For A Licence Are Some Of The Most Comprehensive Driving Lessons In Cairns. Call Now For Booking: 0409113592

[melodywooo-blog]

Great Barrier Reef, Queensland: where to dive, snorkel and stay

As David Attenborough’s new three-part reef documentary begins, here’s our guide to exploring the world’s largest living structure and its Australian coast, from scuba diving trips to rainforest excursions – plus the best places to stay

                                                                                    Hardy Reef, on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

      The Unesco world heritage-listed natural wonder is a ribbon of blinding blues and greens, a constellation of islands and reefs, running parallel with the Queensland shoreline from the tip of Cape York in the north 1,600 miles south to Bundaberg. At the reef’s southernmost end are Lady Elliot and Heron islands, two stars of David Attenborough’s new three-hour documentary (screening at 9pm on 30 December, BBC1); heading north, Airlie Beach, Townsville and Cairns are popular starting points for reef explorations.

      Great Barrier Reef and Queensland, Australia

      Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Islands

      It’s easy to spend an entire holiday exploring the Whitsunday archipelago’s 74 jungle-clad islands. The jet-set flocks to ritzy Hamilton Island (owned by wine baron and sailing enthusiast Bob Oatley) but nature lovers can delve into uninhabited isles fringed with coral reefs and perfect beaches. Fly to Hamilton Island’s Great Barrier Reef Airport or Whitsunday Coast Airport, a 20-minute drive from Airlie Beach.

      Stay

                                            Airlie beach. Photograph: Tanya Ann Photography/Getty Images

      Airlie Waterfront B&B

      Airlie Beach, gateway to the Whitsundays, attracts visitors eager to wallow in tropical pleasures without paying the hefty price of an island resort stay. Between day trips to the reef and islands, unwind at the town’s manmade lagoon, 200 metres from Airlie Waterfront B&B. Lounge on a deckchair in the B&B’s garden and survey the dramatic rainforest-meets-reef coastline. The double-storey property is all modern geometric lines with a deep veranda up top to catch the sea breeze. • Doubles from AU$179 (£88) B&B, +61 7 4946 7631, airliewaterfrontbnb.com.au

             Palm Bay Resort Sunrise or sunset? Catch both at Palm Bay Resort, which sprawls over the neck of Long Island (travel there by water taxi from Shute Harbour near Airlie Beach). The 23 suites and Balinese-style villas, with hammocks strung out front, provide a great getaway. Unusually for an island resort, this is self-catering so some planning is required to source provisions. Meals are cooked in a communal kitchen. In 2015 the resort added a cocktail bar that shakes a mean Long Island iced tea. • Doubles (beachfront villa) from AU$209 (£103), +61 1300 655 126, palmbayresort.com.au

      Activities

      Dive the outer reef Want to brag that you learned to dive on the world’s most famous reef? Cruise Whitsundays, based at Port of Airlie, ferries divers, snorkellers and day-trippers via high-speed catamaran to a pontoon anchored alongside a coral wall at Hardy Reef. The day-long tour (from AU$230/£112) to the outer Great Barrier Reef includes snorkelling, visiting the underwater observatory and touring the reef in a semi-submersible; scuba diving costs extra. • Dive lesson AU$119 (£59), certified dive AU$99 (£49), +61 7 4846 7000, cruisewhitsundays.com

      Scuba and sand combo

                                            Snorkelling near the reef. Photograph: Robin Smith/Getty Images

      Combine a dive with arguably the Whitsundays’ most popular attraction by going to Whitehaven Beach with Airlie Beach-based Mantaray Charters for a visit so leisurely there’s time to climb Hill Inlet for an elevated view over the gorgeous white sand. Peer into the shallows to spot juvenile sharks and rays before returning to the boat for lunch. In the afternoon, plop into the clear waters near Hook or Hayman Island to scuba dive or snorkel. • Day trip AU$197 (£96), introductory dive AU$100 (£49), certified dive AU$80 (£39) (second dives $60). Bookings essential, +61 7 4948 1117, mantaraycharters.com

      Whitehaven Beach Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island – the group’s largest island – has become a must-see destination for its blue waters and white sand. This means there are plenty of day-trippers along the 7km sweep of dazzling silica; so, for something a bit different, sail over for a day trip (including morning tea and lunch) on the Lady Enid, a former racing yacht. Get the beach (almost) to yourself by taking a barge from Shute Harbour with Whitsunday Island Camping Connections and then camp overnight (the barge company also rents camping gear). • Sailing (eight-hour trip) from AU$225pp a person (£110pp), +61 407 483 000; ladyenid.com.au. Camping permits AU$5.95pp (£2.90pppn) a person a night, +61 13 74 68, nprsr.qld.gov.au Return barge AU$155pp (£76pp), +61 7 4946 6285, whitsundaycamping.com.au

                                                                    Shute Harbour and Conway national park. Photograph: Ted Mead/Getty Images

      Mountain bike in the rainforest Peer over your shoulder in Airlie Beach and you’ll realise the town is not only a reef gateway but right next to Conway national park. The rugged coastal rainforest is a birder’s paradise: keep watch for emerald doves, sulphur-crested cockatoos and orange-footed scrub fowl. From November to March, buff-breasted paradise-kingfishers travel from Papua New Guinea to nest in termite mounds. Get among it on an all-day guided mountain-bike tour with Airlie Mountain Bike Tours that includes stopping for a dip in a waterhole. • Tour from AU$120 (£59), +61 408 800 159, airliemountainbiketours.com

             Townsville and nearby islands

      Townsville, Australia’s largest tropical city, is more business than pleasure but it’s the perfect gateway to a handful of reef islands. Magnetic Island (Maggie to the locals) lies just offshore; think of it as a far-flung Townsville suburb. Spend a day or two exploring Townsville’s attractions, which include a huge aquarium and an unlikely pink-granite hill overlooking the city.

      Stay

      Rambutan Rambutan, in Townsville’s nightlife area, bills itself as Australia’s first “glam-packers’” resort. The low-rise property, which opened in 2015, turns the concept of a backpackers’ hostel on its head with a stylish rooftop bar and pool, air-con and en suite for each room, and a restaurant serving American-style food (think barbeuce pit meats and southern fried chicken). Accommodation ranges from undercover van sites to mixed and single-sex dorms, private rooms and a four-bedroom villa. • Van sites AU$34 (£17), dorms from AU$30 (£15), doubles from AU$119 (£58), +61 7 4771 6915, rambutantownsville.com.au

      Magnetic Island B&B

                                            Guests are given a mini-tour of the island – and perhaps a glimpse of a resident koala – when Magnetic Island B&B’s owners fetch them from the ferry. The B&B is at Horseshoe Bay at the island’s northern end. Most of Maggie, which has 23 secluded beaches and bays, is national park. Spend days rambling along bush tracks to lookouts and picking a favourite swimming spot before returning to relax around the pool. • Doubles from AU$140 (£69), +61 7 4758 1203, magneticislandbedandbreakfast.com

      Hinchinbrook Island

                                                                    Trekking the Thorsborne Trail. Photograph: Will Salter/Getty Images

      Hinchinbrook, one of Australia’s largest island national parks, is famous among bushwalkers for its cloud-wreathed mountainous backbone, lush rainforest, melaleuca swamps, waterfalls and rugged headlands. Only 40 people at a time can traverse the spectacular 20-mile east coast Thorsborne Trail, which is best enjoyed over four days. Seven campsites offer limited facilities (mainly toilets and picnic tables) along the trail, which requires creek crossings and rock-hopping around the headlands. • Camping permits AU$5.95pppn (£2.90), +61 13 74 68, nprsr.qld.gov.au

             Activities

      Adrenalin Dive Experienced divers can explore the wreck of the Yongala, a passenger steamer that sank during a 1911 cyclone. Lying 15 metres underwater, the ship is one of the world’s best wreck dives. It attracts sharks, manta rays, turtles, sea snakes, giant trevally and schools of tropical fish. During winter, divers may see humpback whales. Adrenaline Dive also takes snorkellers and divers to Lodestone Reef – popular with parrotfish, angelfish and clownfish. • Two Yongala dives from AU$255 (£125); two Lodestone dives from AU$250 (£122), snorkelling AU$220 (£108), +61 7 4724 0600, Facebook

      ReefHQ Learn all there is to know about the Great Barrier Reef at reefHQ – the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium. The idea behind the attraction was to replicate the reef on land to make it affordable and accessible to all. Highlights include the coral reef exhibit that’s open to sunshine, moonshine and storms – just like the real thing – and a predator exhibit with black-tip reef sharks and a replica section of the Yongala that can be viewed through an underwater tunnel. • Admission AU$28 (£14) adults, AU$14 (£6.90) children 5-16, +61 7 4750 0800, reefhq.com.au

                                            Photograph: Alamy

      Hike Castle Hill Central Australia has Uluru but Townsville has its own unmissable monolith in the shape of Castle Hill – a pink-granite landmark that looms 286 metres above the city. Despite the heat and humidity and the fact there’s a perfectly serviceable road, people persist in taking the hard way to the summit. There are more than a dozen marked and unmarked trails to the lookout – offering views over the city and Magnetic Island. • Free. Trail map at thegotownsville.com.au

      Cairns and beyond

      Cairns is the northernmost point of Australian tourism’s “golden triangle” (Sydney and Uluru are the other two). While the city’s fortunes have waxed and waned over the years, it’s now on an upward trajectory following major investment in several developments.

                                                                    Coastline near Port Douglas. Photograph: Alamy

      Stay

      Ryan’s Rest Stay in a traditional Queenslander – think corrugated-iron roof, louvre windows, high ceilings, deep veranda and timber floor and walls – with nine rooms ranging from singles with shared facilities to self-contained two-bedroom apartments. Seven blocks back from the lagoon, this place attracts guests seeking a quieter stay away from the city’s party zone. There’s also an on-site pool for those needing a close-at-hand dip. • Doubles from AU$66 (£33), +61 428 514 738, ryansrest.com.au

             The Hotel Cairns In a city with its share of generic hotels, The Hotel Cairns stands out for architecture that channels the tropical surroundings. The hotel has an excellent location: it’s only a block from the Esplanade, home to a spectacular all-year swimming lagoon and beach. The Hotel Cairns has its own pool, framed by towering palms, while rooms are kept cool with plantation shutters, terracotta tiles and that all-important air-con. • Doubles from AU$129 (£63), +61 7 4051 6188, thehotelcairns.com

      Port Douglas Motel With pops of primary colour, the Port Douglas Motel exudes a joyful 1960s vibe. The property’s central location makes it easy to stroll to both Four Mile Beach and the marina – the departure point for reef tours. Jump into the motel’s saltwater swimming pool or watch others frolicking there while cooking up a storm at the communal kitchen. The resort town of Port Douglas is about one hour’s drive north of Cairns. • Doubles from AU$125 (£61), +61 7 4099 5248, portdouglasmotel.com.au

      Activities

      Cairns Dive Centre Snorkellers, first-time divers and certified divers travel via Fitzroy Island before reaching the outer Great Barrier Reef with Cairns Dive Centre. The daily trips cover two reef sites offering great viewing of the reef’s famous fish, as well as turtles, stingrays and reef sharks. The full-day trip includes morning and afternoon snorkels and dives, with lunch served aboard the catamaran. • Snorkel day trip AU$150 (£74), add introductory dive AU$50 (£25), certified diver day trip AU$200 (£98), +61 7 4051 0294, cairnsdive.com.au

      Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park

                                            A ‘Night Fire’ show at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park,. Photograph: Alamy

      Learn about the region’s strong indigenous culture at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, which unveiled a multimillion-dollar makeover in 2015. There’s a humorous touch to performances relaying the beliefs and stories that have shaped this ancient culture. At night, an interactive dinner show includes a fiery finale. The park neighbours the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to Kuranda. • Park admission from AU$60 (£30) adults, AU$40 (£20) children, AU$160 (£78) family; Night Fire AU$120 (£59) adults, AU$75 (£37) children, AU$315 (£154) family; Tjapukai with return Skyrail, from AU$135 (£), +61 7 4042 9999, tjapukai.com.au

      Moore Reef pontoon Those who aren’t water-confident can still enjoy a day on the reef thanks to a pontoon anchored at Moore Reef 40km from Cairns. Sunlover Reef Cruises runs day trips to the covered platform where visitors can snorkel, hop in the glass-bottom boat and semi-submersible coral-viewing boat, check out the underwater observatory and explore the marine touch tank. Extras include Seawalker helmet diving, scuba diving and a guided snorkelling safari. • Day trips from AU$199 (£97) adults, AU$99 (£49) children 4-15, +61 7 4050 1333, sunlover.com.au

      Mossman Gorge Centre

                                            Photograph: Adam Bruzzone

      What’s better than leaping into a waterhole deep in the middle of a rainforest? Try pairing that experience with stories from the local Kuku Yalanji people. The Dreamtime Gorge Walk at Mossman Gorge, 77km north of Cairns, begins with a smoking ceremony to ward off bad spirits. Learn about bush foods, traditional plant uses and how to make ochre paint before finishing the 1.5-hour tour with tea and damper (soda bread). • Shuttle bus into the gorge AU$8.90 (£4.40), Dreamtime tour AU$60 (£30) adults, AU$30 (£15) children 5-15, AU$150 (£)74 family, +61 7 4099 7000, mossmangorge.com.au

[ourinnercollectorpuppyposts-blog]

10 main Differences Between American And British Golden Retrievers

Frequent brushing (perhaps twice a week) is advised to keep the volume of fur to a minimum and for that reason making your housecleaning life much easier. dogbreedanswers.com have the tendency to shed a lot, specifically in the spring and fall, so a great brushing twice a week or more will keep the coat looking shiny, healthy and reduce shedding. Pay interest to hair mats and tangles and eliminate them in the early stages. A small mat of hair is a lot easier to remove if done early. The next Golden Retriever training session must begin with a repeat of the initial lesson. This time, hold the treat a bit longer prior to providing it to your baby. Begin over and do not provide him his treat if the pet stands prior to 5 seconds passes. Stay by your canine's side and repeat the command and the benefit till your pet remains in the sitting position for five seconds. It is very important for you to obtain your golden to sit in position for a prolonged program with you at their side. He certainly will not remain there if you stroll away if he will not remain in the position with you there. You must extend the time very slowly. That's fine till you concern understand you do not want or perhaps like cars. To you, they're a discomfort to drive and you get tired of utilizing a clutch. You 'd prefer more time unwinding or hiking in the woods. A lot of individuals set the end goal, but they forget to set little milestone goals. For example, let's say someone wishes to lose 30 pounds or enhance their income by $50,000 this year. Those are longer term goals. Routine brushing (at least as soon as a week) of your pet dog's coat will help you minimize dropping, avoid tangles and keep the coat attractive and the skin healthy. Start brushing from the pet's neck and move gradually to the tail. Move the brush from top to bottom. Don't put too much extra pressure given that you may pull out some extra coat. The phone called and this time it was our buddy Anna Cervenak. She and Max Bartikowsky have a Beagle, Glimmer. She stated that they were going to the Victoria Inn to stay and would satisfy us there. I called the Victoria Inn but figured it out that while I had actually been packing the clothing and pet products in my Maxi Van, others had been requiring reservations. No Rooms available. Because I understood from traveling the pet reveal circuit that they accepted animals, I next off called the Knights Inn. No rooms readily available up until noon on Saturday. I booked for 2 rooms. One for us and one for our buddy Bob Adams who has a Cairn Terrier, Darcy. It was now near to midnight, Friday January 19,1996. I yell, "Move over." However they don't get it. Dogs have no sense of spatial relationships. They aren't as smart as some people believe they are. They're smarter than we remain in particular methods, however they are likewise extremely dumb in other ways. I often wonder if they have a sense of time since they offer you the same greeting if you have actually been gone an hour that they provide you when you have actually been gone a week.

[carot-dj]

"Finding Franklin had been nothing less than a crusade" "Resolute" by Martin W. Sandler begins as a very intriguing story of a ghost ship discovered by the whaling ship "George Henry" in 1855. Items were laid out on the HMS "Resolute" as if the crew of the British ship had just stepped out. But, as a previous reviewer has pointed out, the "Resolute" is not the main subject of this work; in fact, there turns out to be not a lot to her story. Her abandonment was not mysterious and her future after being found not as significant as one might gather from the first chapter. Later in the book, it is described how, through the daring and expert command of Captain James Buddington, the "Resolute" was brought to port in New London, Connecticut. From there, the "Resolute" became more a symbol of U.S./English relations, but, ultimately, not in the form of a ship. She would be scrapped and made into desks. Go to Amazon

HMS Resolute, The Ghost Ship Lost in the ice of the Arctic only to reappear again in open ocean in Sept 1855, the HMS Resolute would first venture to America, then returned to the Royal Navy, and again back to the Arctic! A mind boggling story for the search of the North-West passage and the loss of John Franklin, RN. Go to Amazon

Five Stars One of my favorite books! Go to Amazon

Four Stars very interesting reading….. about the lost ships of the turn of the century. Go to Amazon

Good read for artic fans My husband was an arctic explorer while serving in the army and he enjoyed this book. Personally I haven't read it Go to Amazon

Poor Quality Binding Before even reading the book, I've noticed that the quality of the binding plus pages were not evenly cut. It is one of the worst book presentation seen for a hardcover book. Go to Amazon

Enjoyable This book is readable; I appreciate that. The age of Arctic exploration interests me, and this book is worth a read. Sandler does a good job with the maps and the names of the ships and their rews; the information does get bogged down a little when there are so many rescue missions underway in the early 1850's. Go to Amazon

The Courage, the Vision, the Horror It is exceptionally rare for a work of non-fiction to transport the reader to a landscape so alien that it defies the imagination, to meet characters whose particular combination of courage, determination, ingenuity, and vision drive them to feats beyond all experience. Resolute is such a story and were it not for Martin Sandler's scholarly writing, his copious end notes, appendices, and biographic epilogue, the reader might be forgiven for thinking it just so much fiction. But the images of skeletons languishing in open boats, of message cairns against bleak snowswept horizons, and the thought of hundreds of men cowering in the cold and dark for month after mind-numbing month awaiting the spring to break up the ice seizing their ships, cannot help but shock the modern reader. Sandler's scholarly history of the search for (and discovery of) the Northwest Passage, and of the search for the men who disappeared there both thrills and haunts us. It is extraordinary how much treasure, planning, and hope went into England's quest for a commercially viable route over the northern boundary of North America, but it is equally remarkable how large a role was played by wanton ignorance. The gentlemen (nearly all were eventually knighted), who took this stage, very rarely consulted the people who knew most about the geography and the terrain, that is, the whalers and the Inuit natives. And the disregard for fundamental science is startling. How could Second Secretary of the Admiralty, John Barrow, whose orders sent so many men into those icy seas, ever have imagined that the ice that blocked the sea at lower latitudes would somehow vanish as the pole was approached? And sending those men out with what amounted to experimental food canning technology amounted to negligent homicide. Go to Amazon

Five Stars It's a real page turner! Entertaining, cinematic history lesson Interesting, readable A page turner that is missing something...including More Maps

[thesylvalining]

The last supper — in the morning. So that would be… breakfast. Left to right: Lauren, yours truly, Ashton, Bonnie, Noah and Brandie.

To be exact, it’s been 103 days — and we’re not talking about the anniversary of a certain tangerine-tinged President. No; it’s been 104 days since January 9th, when Tyler and I officially filed for divorce. As I write this, he’s just arrived in Panama with his new girlfriend (and it’s not exactly breaking news). His new girlfriend is an old friend of mine, someone I once trusted with my doubts and fears and formerly one of my good back country skiing and bike touring buddies.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel angry, hurt and doubly betrayed. I’d also be lying if I said I hadn’t given into my anger once or twice and said things I might regret in time. But what’s the saying? I want to be nobody, because nobody’s perfect.

I’d also be lying if I said I wasn’t grateful for those eleven years. Or for the countless adventures — local and international, on a bike or on skis. It would be a giant fib to say I didn’t learn, grow, laugh and even thrive with Tyler.

But the end of it all isn’t what I want to dwell on as I sit waiting for the dishwasher and the dryer to stop on my last morning in Dillon. Instead, I’d like to gnaw on the nuggets I’ve unearthed in these eleven years, the seeds of wisdom the Universe planted in me.

I’ve had long enough… so what have I learned?

The Universe wants us to be happy.

Over and over through these hard times, as I made myself available to and asked for reassurance from whatever up there knows what’s going on, I have been given what I petitioned for and more.

Take Friday as a shining example of what I mean. I’d spent weeks packing up all my sh*t (how on Earth or whatever dusty corner of the galaxy did I accumulate so much? I landed in CO in 2005 with a bike and a suitcase, for goodness’ sake). Friday, April 21st was the culmination of Operation Move Sylva: we’d hitch up Lindsay’s trailer, head down to Denver, drop my car off at the mechanic for new brakes, unload the trailer at the storage unit, eat some lunch, drive the trailer over to Lindsay’s wholesaler and load up flowers (she owns her own increasingly successful flower biz, Pots and Petals), retrieve my car, unload it at the storage unit, drive back up to Dillon, unload flowers and crash face first on our respective beds.

So — after weeks of weather so unseasonably warm and nice it was almost boring — it snowed heartily the night before. And those wicked, cold little white things persisted from the skies into the morning.

Just a few last minute adjustments…

As the wind whipped snow in our faces, Lindsay and I loaded up the last bits of furniture I needed four arms for. When Ashton arrived we headed down to the Dirty D.

Everything went smoother than Justin Timberlake’s hip-hop harmonies (I had to work that in since a hungover Jizzy Tizzy and Jessical Biel visited the Arapahoe Cafe yesterday morning) until we departed the Yardhouse in Arvada with full bellies. Back on 1-70, Lindsay merged left to prepare for the joys of I-76. A blue CRV in front of us slammed on their brakes for no apparent reason. Lindsay slowed down abruptly but she had more than adequate room between us and Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb. The lady behind us did not; a sharp bang and a solid impact was quickly followed by the sound of dragging metal on pavement.

“We lost the trailer,” said Lindsay matter-of-factly, pulling over to the left shoulder.

Then ensued the joys of insurance swapping and waiting for police on the side of a very busy Interstate. Semis whizzed by like stinky comets as I eyed the Jersey Barrier I leaned upon, ready to jump it like an Olympic hurdler if anyone else on I-70 decided to cause mayhem.

In my periphery, I see two figures running up the road — one tall and dark haired, one curvy and shorter, with shoulder length hair tousled by the chilly breeze. I blink; it’s Matt and Erica, two good mutual friends of mine and Lindsay who live in Summit County, too!

Zagorstmans to the rescue!!!!!!

“I saw your rainbow hair!” Erica said, wrapping me in a burrito hug. “I was like stop! That’s Sylva!”

What are the odds Erica and Matt would be zipping by just after (a very sweet girl in cowboy boots) rear-ended us?

And furthermore, what are the odds Erica would have ample nylon webbing for Matt to produce a series of adept knots that looked more like hyacinth blossoms than anything that would, in the end, get us, the flowers and the trailer all safely back up to Dillon? Without that fortuitous roadside rendez-vous, Lindsay, Ashton and I would probably still be waiting on the side of I-70 for a tow…

Shortly after Matt finished his roadside art project, one of the police officers walked by with an amused glance and said, “Good ’nuff for me!” HAHAHA.

2. Learn to let go

The other day at the doctor, the physician’s assistant who took my vitals asked me if I was a professional athlete — my oxygen saturation was 98 percent. I laughed but she was serious. I mean yeah, I skin the Basin semi-obsessively these days but I also eat cream cheese-infested bagels like tomorrow’s my last day on Earth and practically soak in a pool of stress (which is ending once I get on the plate to Italy this evening!). I told her I think maybe it’s because I have never taken so many deep breaths in such a short period of time — it’s how I manage most of my tough emotions in the moment. It’s how, breathing out, I can start to let go.

For a lot of us — myself included, and those of you who know my extensive wardrobe know the truth — even parting with stuff is hard. We always mean to go through our closet and give away enough unused clothing to cloth a Laotian village. Or part with our back up pair of beat up early season skis, the books growing ant-sized, dust stalagmites… and do we really need seventeen jackets? Maybe…

Rar! Shoulda got rid of more crap!!!!

Material crap aside, try letting go of an eleven year chapter of your life, a life partner, a best friend. It’s not entirely easy and like many hard lessons, it occurs in painful increments. Occasionally, I feel like I’m emotionally stuttering, unable to move past anger, or sadness or pain. But I know if letting go is all I can master through this, it will be worth it. And even the little whiffs of letting-go-ness I catch are oddly uplifting, stabilizing and above all: freeing. Especially with a lot of deep breaths!

3. We are never alone — but we are enough.

Popular culture would suggest to be complete, we need another. Look at every Disney movie ever penned, listen to the radio where the singer croons about having found a reason to live after meeting the girl or guy of their dreams. Take “All I’m Asking” by Band of Heathens, as an example (a ditty, incidentally, that is catch enough to have made it to my road trip playlist — Sylva’s Free Bird Mix)

“My mind is right for the first time

I found a reason, I figured out the round

If you let me, I’ll do better

Maybe next time, we’ll be together”

After awhile the tune gets lodged in your brain like a treble-cleft shaped dart — and so does the insinuation that we’re not whole until we are in a couple. Being with someone can be magical, but it’s not paramount to our sense of self.

Newsflash: We are already enough. I am already enough.

Even for an independent soul like myself, after more than a decade with someone, I had to wrap my little pea brain around a few key points: I am capable of accomplishing anything I set my mind to and even if I felt lonely sometimes that didn’t mean I was alone. Au contraire; during these 104 plus demanding days, people have literally sprung from the woodworks to help, encourage, listen and be there in ways I could not have appreciated if I were in  another space in my life.

Teamwork makes the dreamwork!

4. Nothing is Final

On a recent trip to Moab, Utah with the parental units, I was given the opportunity to say my goodbyes to the desert — at least for now. Thanks to my parents’ Old Fogie Pass ($10 for the whole year), we flitted around Island in the Sky National Park for a whole day. I sunburned my calves and took a billion pictures (which, incidentally, I just accidentally deleted — I had to take a deep breath and practice letting go!).

Viewpoint one at the somewhat mysteriously formed Upheaval Dome — the meteor theory is currently winning.

Heading towards the second viewpoint at Upheaval Dome.

Stopping to “admire” the world’s most obnoxious rock cairn :)

The parental units at a windy Mesa Arch.

As I looked across the endless vista, past white sandstone rims, red Kayenta cliffs and Moenkopi waves, I got a strong whiff of cheese. Why? Because I happened to be thinking, as I often am these days, that time heals all wounds (and produces breathtaking desert landscapes). I was also pondering how change is the only thing that stays the same  And therefore, nothing at all could be final — so all the goodbyes rolling constantly off my tongue were more like catch-you-on-the-flip-sides. I’d see the desert again if I wanted to; heck, I could even move back to Slummit if I felt like it (which, I have an inkling, is a nudge closer to improbable).

None of us is ever stuck or nailed to the floor by any decision. Our futures are reversible, malleable. Even the most gargantuan problem can be solved, if only we are able to see it as solvable — which brings me to:

5. Everything is possible — even the “impossible”

During the last four plus months — going through a divorce, suddenly alone, moving to Oregon, packing, trying to stay in shape and connect with friends, working six days and a night or two a week, fighting sinusitis and food poisoning — I began to feel the cold fingers of despair creeping up my pasty legs. This was impossible! Especially faced with a to-do list that looked more like the US Constitution:

If feeling brave: see reverse for the other half of The List…

But as of last night, I climbed A Basin in 54 minutes (just four minutes shy of my record), my crap is all packed in storage, my list is checked off, my catch-ya-on-the-flip-sides are said (mostly via a kickass party on Wednesday night), I’ve saved as much money as possible and I feel strong, independent and free!

It’s like they say — small steps to a big goal. I’ve never been one for goals, except in the rare occasion I kick a soccer ball. But then again, nothing is impossible: I’ve just accomplished more than I ever imagined several months ago!

  Although I have more to share, I’ll leave it there in order to cruise down to Denver and hang out with my uncle Benjamin. This evening, I’m hopping aboard a plane to skip the pond. Tomorrow, I’ll be standing in the rain, growing webbed feet with my friend Lisa as we hike and camp in Northern Italy’s Apennine mountains…

Ciao for now Summit County!

Ski ya later…

100 Days… And Counting To be exact, it's been 103 days -- and we're not talking about the anniversary of a certain tangerine-tinged President.

[foodtravelsleepstuff-blog]

Tour Review #3

Name: The Big Walkabout (Sydney Start, With Sailing)

Company: Contiki

Length: 25 Days, 1 Country (Australia)

Start Location: Sydney, Australia

End Location: Darwin, Australia

Other Places: Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay, Surfers Paradise, Noosa, Fraser Island, Farmstay, The Whitsundays, Cairns, Alice Springs, Kings Creek Station, Uluru, Tennant Creek, Katherine, Kakadu National Park

Price: £2895

Overall Rating: 8

Accommodation Rating: 7. The accommodation on this trip was really good for the majority of the east coast. In Coffs Harbour, we were meant to be staying in a converted shipping container for the night, but as they were under refurbishment, we got upgraded to a 4* hotel! Definitely can’t complain about that. Most of the accommodation we stayed in were actually hotels, which was quite nice after mostly staying in hostels in my previous tour. I wasn’t keen on the hostel in Byron Bay as we had a leak and the room stank, but no real issues with anywhere we stayed. Until we got to the Northern Territory! We had one night of camping, which wasn’t actually as bad as I was expecting, but way too many creepy crawlies. I was expecting to wake up next to a brown snake, but I survived. Everywhere else we stayed in the Norther Territory had spiders, lizards, frogs and numerous other bugs. Sadly, there is nothing you can do about this, they are everywhere you go! I found that I struggled to sleep in the accommodation in the Norther Territory, mainly because I was so freaked out by the bugs, but we were warned to expect this. 

Weather Rating: 9. The weather was perfect in Australia. I picked a really good time to go - the middle of Summer. I spent 30 days here in total and I only saw rain once. This was in Kakadu National Park where it absolutely chucked it down but thankfully we were on the coach so didn’t get wet and had stopped by the time we got off! I managed to get such an amazing tan, the sun was always shining and I don’t think it ever got below 25 degrees, even at night. The further north we went, the hotter it got. The Northern Territory was even hotter but also very humid.

Inclusions Rating: 8. For the price I paid for this tour (which was actually quite a bit less than the price advertised on the website) I was definitely impressed with everything included. Especially as the majority of the accommodation we stayed in were hotels. On top of the decent accommodation, we had 35 meals included which was a huge cost off our shoulders because food and drink was relatively expensive out there! This included 24 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 10 dinners. We had the following activities included as well: a day trip to the Blue Mountains, a small tour around Darling Harbour and Mrs Macquarie’s Chair Lookout, a cruise across Sydney Harbour on a ferry from Manley, one surf lesson, visit to Austrailia’s most eastern point and Byron lighthouse, a visit to Currumbin wildlife sanctuary, a 4WD trip across Fraser Island, tour around the farmstay and practice whip cracking, Simpsons Gap, participate in an Aboriginal ‘Bushtucker’ tour, equipment for one night camping in the outback, a hike to the ‘Garden of Eden’ waterhole and the ‘Lost City’, a photo stop at Mt. Conner and Lake Amadeus, a hike through / around Kata Tjuta, a visit to the Uluru cultural centre, Uluru sunrise and sunset, a visit to a traditional outback roadhouse, a visit to Wycliffe Well (UFO capital), a visit to the Devils’s Marbles, a visit to the Daly Waters pub, a swim at the Mataranka thermal pools, a hike to the Aboriginal rock art at Nourlangie Rock, a boat trip through the Kakadu swamps, a swim at Florence Falls and last but not least a visit to Darwin museum! So as you can see, you don’t miss out and this doesn’t even include “me time” activities!

Activities / Free Time Rating: 9. After reading the above list, you are probably thinking ‘how do I even have any time left for other activities?’ Well it is a pretty packed trip, but there is still PLENTY of time for extras! You’ll find that there are a lot of early starts on this trip, so that is something to think about when you are wanting to stay out partying until 6am! There are so many activities you can choose from and if you want to do almost everything (like me) you need to budget quite a bit for them as they aren’t cheap! I found that I was taking a lot of naps on the bus journeys so that I didn’t miss out on anything. It’s not everyday that someone from England can just pop over to Australia, so I knew I had to make the most of my time there. I managed to do everything that I wanted apart from scuba diving because I had a chest infection. Luckily I was able to get a refund (they are very strict with illnesses at the GBR so you can’t scuba dive if you’ve ever had asthma)! However, don’t feel like you are missing out, snorkelling is just as amazing, I promise! I don’t advise going on the boat tour in Katherine, it is quite pricey and actually pretty boring. You have an included swamp tour in Kakadu which is so much better - we saw 3 crocs, just saying!

Group Rating: 9. I was rather worried when I found out there was going to be 52 people in my group. How would I remember everyone’s name? Who would I hang around with? Would it be really bitchy? I’d never done a massive group tour before, but I am so happy I picked these dates, because I couldn’t have shared 25 days with better people! I made SO many new friends. I don’t think there was one person that I didn’t talk to and I somehow managed to remember everyone’s name! Within the huge group, there were mini groups and most people tended to stay within their mini group. However, I tried to get to know everyone and spent my free time with different groups. I shared room with all different people. Apparently there were a couple of arguments between a few girls, but I hadn’t even noticed, so it wasn’t that much of a big deal! I keep in contact with many people from this group and two months after returning from my travels, I went on an amazing reunion trip in Canada where I was able to meet up with many fellow Canadian friends I made. I am also seeing a few more people this year and there are talks of possibly a UK reunion in the summer... watch this space! 

Tour Leader Rating: 7. The way the staffing worked for this trip was that for Sydney to Cairns we had one tour guide and one coach driver. For Alice Springs to Darwin, we had a different tour guide and a different coach driver. Our driver for the first part of the trip was really friendly. He did a very good job with the driving and loading/unloading the coach at every stop. Along with our tour guide, they both did an amazing job at keeping us entertained on the long journeys up the east coast! Our tour guide was super friendly and somehow managed to remember all our names pretty quickly (though he did get me muddled up with another girl on the tour because we looked alike)! It was quite sad saying goodbyes! On the second part of our trip, I wasn’t really a fan of our driver. He was quite grumpy and always seemed to be complaining about us. His driving was pretty good however. On the other hand, our tour guide was pretty good. He also kept us entertained, especially on the very long journeys around the Northern Territory. He didn’t really hang around with us though (where as our first tour guide did). I was so thankful that he helped me find a doctors when I needed one and made sure I was OK throughout the time I was unwell.

Top 3 Memories:

1) Snorkelling around the Great Barrier Reef

2) Sailing around the Whitsundays

3) Watching the sunrise in a hot air balloon over Alice Springs

Top 3 Tips:

1) Be very prepared for creepy crawlies in the Northern Territory. There is nothing you can do to avoid them, so just get used to them. It is quite rare that you will see a really poisonous creature e.g. spider or snake, but if you do, do not make any sudden movements. Stay calm until it moves away from you. Make sure you double check toilet seats to ensure there are no frogs hiding ready to give you the shock of your life! Also, do not swim in water that could be inhabited by crocs or sharks! 

2) If you need to see a doctor, make sure you do this at some point along the east coast. I got a nasty cold during our farmstay and decided to wait until the Northern Territory to see a doctor. This was a bad move because there is basically nothing in the Northern Territory! I had to wait almost 2 weeks to see a doctor and my cold had turned into an awful chest infection. This meant another round of antibiotics just in time for my next trip! 

3) I definitely advise arriving a few days early to explore Sydney. You spend 2 days in Sydney, but these are pretty packed full of group activities and therefore if you don’t give yourself extra time, you may miss out on things you wanted to do. I booked 4 extra days before the trip actually started and to be honest, I probably could have done with a couple more! I was able to find some of my tour group through the Contiki forum beforehand and met up with them during these 4 days, so I didn’t start the tour completely alone! On the other hand, Darwin is quite a small town in the Northern Territory so I didn’t plan to use any extra days to stay here. The tour finished and I flew to Thailand early the next day.

I have a past blog post that has more details on this tour, otherwise feel free to head over to the Contiki website for more information here.

[elevenhoursinfront-blog]

16th September 2017

We had an alarm set for 0830. Mitchel and Cait had flights booked to leave for Sydney. Their coach from here to Cairns left at 0900. Everyone had their plans set out except us. Should we be leaving straight away too? I don't know what to do and my head is just empty but not. I can't explain it. It's weird knowing that you have every option in the world but none at all. I just don't understand. We got up, got dressed as quickly as possible and grabbed the van keys. We got into the van with Rory, Mitch and Cait. We parked at Seaview which is where the bus always picks them up from. Seaview is the cafe I applied to work in the day that we got made redundant. Everyone grabbed a bacon and egg breakfast muffin and an iced coffee for $8.50. I decided against it and waited to have my muesli back home. We sat there chatting away. Cait and I said that it was such a weird situation to be in. It was one of those "How the hell am I here ?" moments. We live in the middle of nowhere in Australia, working on a banana farm and got made redundant... How weird is that? When you actually think about the situation, it's really strange. Who'd have thought that would be our life.. They got on their bus and we hugged goodbye. We drove Rory back to the hostel. Rory works at the Seafarm and will be returning when it reopens. He has a group of friends that went on holiday to Bali whilst it shuts. He couldn't afford to go which is sad. Their group is called 'The Brighton Boys' for obvious reasons. They're all from Brighton. Rory said he'd put a good word in for us some I'm hoping he actually does. I had my cereal outside and decided that on my first unemployed day, I was going to lay by the pool. I looked at the weather app and it was meant to be sunny today and for the next 4 days, it was going to be raining. Great. Sunbathe today, worry about life tomorrow. Kind of. I got my swimsuit on and packed my bag to walk down by the pool. Steve got ready too as he decided he was going to chill with me too. We got there and nobody was there which was great because we got the first 2 sunloungers. We laid our towels out, put suncream on and chilled. I started to flick through my phone. Mel rang and I spoke to her for a bit. She was arriving in Brisbane tomorrow to find a job as she's ran out of money along the East Coast. Maybe Steve and I could go to Brisbane to work. Mel and Jack were staying in a 4 bed dorm for $175 so we could technically share a room with them again. Options, options! I checked the prices of us getting to Brisbane and it was looking ridiculously expensive. The bus from here to Cairns is $35 each. Then a flight was looking to be $150 plus baggage each. A bus would $200 each. It's just too much money. We could get the bus straight from Cardwell but that would take 15 hours of non-stop driving. It's an option, but, an expensive one. The other option we have is to go to Sydney. We know that we both would get work there fairly quickly (hopefully). The pay is higher in Sydney but it's more expensive to live. The only downside is that we would be at the bottom of the East Coast. We wanted to end in Sydney for Christmas and New Years so we would have to go up to come down again which would cost too much money, again.   I wanted to try and stay here and make it work although nobody was going to be here. The rest of the group are leaving tomorrow to try and get on the banana farm at Innisvale. It will literally be about 5 of us left, including Steve and I by Sunday night/Monday morning. There will be no fun and games anymore. No day trips, nothing. We're here to save money now though so there's nothing we can really do about it. Dad said he was doing the lottery all the time so here's hoping that'll come through so we could do the East Coast with no worries! Steve and I were in and out of the pool. Fraser came down and he was chatting away with us. I carried on reading my book when he left after an hour or so. I eventually fell asleep, which is a school boy error. Falling asleep in the sun only means on thing. BURN BABY BURN. I woke up and was starving. My belly felt empty and that's probably because it was. I've had cereal for breakfast and dinner for the last few days. We left the pool to make lunch and Steve disappeared somewhere, obviously, there was something to do! I heated up our pasta from yesterday and magically, when I put the bowls on the table, Steve reappeared. He's so good at that! Must be a man thing. We had lunch and then I went back to the pool for another hour or so. I was enjoying my book, The Alchemist. It's meant to be one of the most life changing books. I'll let you know when I finish it. Once you get past the actual story of it, there's a lot of lessons learned. I got to the pool and Danny was laying on the grass reading his book. Sarah and Danny (2) came down too. They were leaving tomorrow but hadn't actually figured out a plan yet. They were looking at getting to Cairns and then doing a car relocation. Steve and I looked at doing a car relocation which is actually brilliant. You get to hire a car for $1 a day with fuel money given to get the car back to a different state/city for the company. The only problem is that you have a certain amount of days to do so IE 5, and you have to give a $1,000 bond. It's an option though.  Steve came down and started looking at relocation campers. It would be perfect but the limited days is what an issue is. You can't do anything apart from drive in 3-4 days. Driving from Cairns to Sydney is further than driving through Europe. We left the pool when the sun went in and got back to the room. I realised I was slightly pink (slightly in italics please). I got into the shower and borrowed some of Louisa's aftersun. I looked at my phone and I saw that I had a text. The text said that I started work at Seaview tomorrow at 0600! YES! Work! FINALLY. Well, not finally as it's only been a day of unemployment but this is good, right? Maybe we could stay here and work it out. Anyway, whatever it is that we decide, I'm back to earning money as of tomorrow. I got into my pyjamas and sat outside with the rest of the gang. Steve, Lexi, Danny and Louisa that is. The only people left as of tomorrow. We started to play a game of cards - shithead. It's quite good to be fair, I enjoyed it. We then played cheat which is one of my favourite card games. Steve isn't very good at lying because he starts to laugh, by the way. Everyone started to drink but I wasn't feeling drink. I was feeling early night before 0600 start... I'm such an old lady stuck in a 22 year olds body! We went up to the entertainment room and started playing drinking games as it was pretty much everyone's last night. I didn't drink but I still participated. Steve was drinking though. It started getting loud and funny as time went on. That was the alcohol sinking in. We managed a good 5 drinking games. Leonie came in once asking if we could keep the noise down. Around 2300, I retired. I went to bed because I don't function on no sleep, let alone day 1 at a new job. I said my goodbyes to everyone that were leaving tomorrow - Donald, Hugo, Catrin, Dimi, Nick, Danny and Sarah. I got into bed and it was absolutely freezing. I couldn't sleep. Everyone was being so noisy and I heard everything. Usually, I don't here anything as the entertainment room is quite far away from us. It's Northside next to the kitchen. Nick, our next door neighbour kept slamming his door so hard every time he got a new beer. This literally shook our room and woke me every single time. By 0200, Steve came in and I was still awake. Very stressed by this point. Restless. Tired. Steve absolutely stank of alcohol, he was definitely steaming. He passed out within seconds and I managed to fall asleep straight away too. Everyone was retiring.

Oh, and Lexi’s second year visa was approved. What a lucky girl...

[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

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