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  • Amelia Wilkinson
  • Amelia Wilkinson

This side of things

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  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Forests!

    October 11, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    Woke up nice and late in our little hostel in Apollo Bay and headed out to our first stop, Maits Rest.

    An insane little cool-climate rainforest buried on the eat coast. It was funny because most of the group had never seen a rainforest before we were likening it to walking through centre parks! I was trying so hard not to laugh as it was so serenely quiet. I did not succeed.

    Perhaps it was I'm laughing that scared all the Koalas away. Despite it supposedly being a hotspot for them, we couldn't spot a signal one. But it was still worth track up the hill.

    The landscape here changes so often it is astonishing. One minute we are driving through forests and up mountains, the next we are back down on the beach with the bluest waters.

    We ended up having to do a little pit stop for fuel and were so confused why the signs led us to a little shop and not a petrol station. That was until we spotted this tiny little fuel pump directly outside. It was the cutest thing ever, but also one of the most expensive. Fuel in Aussie seems to be ranging between $170.9 and $209.9, that one was $232.9!! But side effect of being the only fuel spot for an hour.

    We stopped for our little picnic lunch at a wetlands. Lots of marsh and pretty long grasses. Before hopping back in the car for the beginning our rock trip.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Rocks!

    October 11, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    Now, like anyone, I love a good rock. This was a little bit excessive though.

    First stop, Griffins steps. Now these steps were big, long, damp and uneven. Treturous even, but worth it.

    The first of the 12 Apostels is honestly massive. Well they all are, but it is the only one we could go down and stand near on the beach. We ended up spending close to an hour down there just staring at it and hosting a photo shoot.

    Once done, we made our way to the other 5 Apostels. Again with the, they are massive. The photos can never do them justice, especially on my little phone camera. They are insane.

    After spending yet more time staring at them, we moved on. Loch Ard Gorge was a little less impressive in comparison but still cool. The arc shape made the bay below fill with practically still water, the waves dissolving into the rock. Next to it was a very cool headland. Eroded down by the waves and sea spray, it was spiky on the top and smooth down the side. Super cool.

    Next was London Bridge. Aptly named as it is indeed falling down. Two arch ways carved by time, one gone, one left for now. Reminded me of Durdle Door and the holidays we spent there.

    Then onto the grotto. Definitely the coolest t
    Close up rock formation. Hollowed up by the waves, you can see right through a few hundred meters of rock to out to the sea. I could imagine on a windy day, how incredible the waves must look.

    Our final rock was the bay of island. Lots of much smaller but no less impressive rocks. More like giant stepping stone for the rulers of old. By this point we were all beyond exhausted and were glad to be making our way to the next hostel.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Koalas!

    October 11, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    On our way to the next hostel we took a detour for some food too wake up. After ages in and out the car all day, we were all falling asleep. Ended up getting an iced coffee and the yellowest chips ever. We were debating what made them that colour, either the kind of potato or if the oil was rapeseed.

    Next was a massive nature reserve. You could drive through along a track and stop at some points and walk around it on foot. The area was huge and we were all tired so didn't go too far. But we did see Emus, Kangarro and Koalas!

    I was very proud of myself as I managed to spot both of the ones we saw. They were super high up and blended in so well so we definitely missed a few. But the last one was much closer than the first and it was awake so moved about a little aswell.

    Felt like a proper tourist all day and loved it.

    Once we were at the hostel, cooked some more pasta. I'm not thinking about the quantity of pasta I have eaten this week, it is worrying. But I did add on the broccoli I bought, so it was a bit healthier!    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    The climb

    October 12, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 15 °C

    Rainy days call for slow progressions.

    Started off strong with a coffee and look at the journey and seeing half of our roads were closed because of flooding.

    Then out to the coast for a walk along the docks and lighthouse. We spotted an echidna in the bush which was cute and some birds nesting in the sand bank.

    It drizzled a little as we made our way inland and stopped at an old volcano crater. The view from the top was incredible. England has very little land that is flat enough to see for miles, but up there we could. I imagine on a clearer day the sea may even have been visible. We got our first look at the Grampions, our destination.

    Before long we were back on the road. It's a long way inland so we stopped for a few photo shoots before finding a mildly spooky spot for lunch.

    Soon after the rain began, and it did not stop. Ended up getting soaked as we ran for the shop and back, and decided against doing any of the hikes. Instead we headed for the pub. Very british. Had a pint before checking in.

    We were a bit early for check in but we were soaked and didn't want to be out anymore. After that, just relaxed in the hostel and made good warm food.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Paths becoming rivers

    October 13, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 10 °C

    Did we wake up at 6,15am to go see the sunrise and a waterfall? Yes.

    Was it absolutely chucking it down? Yes.

    Did we make it to the lookout for the sunrise? No, the road was closed.

    Did we instead go see a waterfall? Yes.

    Did we see the waterfall? Also no.

    We decided there comes a time when you need to turn back. When the path to the waterfal is now a part of the river, that is the time.

    Through the trees we could see the waterfall flowing, but there was no way we were getting closer. The rain had been falling for about 20hrs at this point, almost consistently, as a result it was very flooded.

    We had a fun time getting back to the hostel as the roads were looking more like rivers aswell. Lots of grit pushed down by the rain caused a few sticky moments.

    As a result we are thinking of leaving no later than 9am. We intended to let the others lie in until later but it looks like roads will be really bad soon. Two roads are already closed and we do not want to end up getting stranded.

    Fingers crossed for the journey back out of the mountains and back to Melbourne.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    5 hours from Hell

    October 13, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 16 °C

    Only managed one other photo for today. The moment when we realised, this was not going to be a fun journey.

    After hastily retreating back to the hostel, we successfully woke everyone up and told them to move their butts cause we were jumping ship.

    Two of the girls I was speaking with last night ended up giving a third girl a lift back to Melbourne. The trains were being cancelled for the entire weekend and busses were limiting services. So we decided to leave pretty quickly.

    And it's a good thing we did. At first it wasnt so bad, but it just kept getting worse. The rain got somehow heavier and the sky darkened. People couldn't seem to understand that though it is 110, you should not be going that fast in this kind of weather. A few butclenching moments and the mud guard on our tire going, we made it back into Melbourne safely.

    Though the mud guard had come clean off, what Daisy is holding in the photo, the car hire company did not care. Perhaps it was the fact that it had been clearly glued on before, or they were aware of the 2 leaks the roof had or the suspect smell we never could identify or get rid of. Whatever the reason, we were happy. And that little green and purple monstrosity got us up some steep slopes and started every time (something the other group didn't have!)

    In all honest though, that was one of the best 5 days ever. Odds on I will never see any of the 14 or the others we met along the way again. But that is the side effect of travelling. You have the best time with complete strangers, people come and go and in the end you're on your own. But it is so worth it.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Long journeys

    October 14, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 11 °C

    Highlight of my day was realising the bus driver had made up our time. So our bus left 45minutes late from Melbourne, but arrived 15 minutes early in Adelaide. That man is a legend. Only 10.5hrs instead of 11.5.

    The roads were the least of the problem, much more rain and the routes are going to be impassable. Large fields were flooded along the route. Ditches along the road were streams. The rivers in Melbourne have burst their banks. There were times when I could only see it was a field and not a pond, from the long grass that stuck out from the middle. Trees were encircled with water. It clearly does not rain a lot here, because nothing is prepared for it.

    At one of the stops, I was sitting beside a claw machine full of sweets. A maintenance guy came up to do something with it, and handed me a couple chocolates! He was so sweet, said I needed some chocolate to go with my coke. I got proper grandfatherly vibes from him, it was so nice of him.

    Then at last stop, we were 8hrs in at this point. Very little sleep and high on sugar, I found some pork scratching things. They hit the spot. Little bit of salt (well a lot, but shhhh) to counteract my sugar intake. They weren't great, but just what I need.

    Ended up doing the entire trip on 4hrs sleep and no coffee. I was impressed with myself. I guessed that the coffee would keep me up and make me need the bathroom more, so I abstained. In hindsight, I'm glad I did. The onboard toilet was a last resort option and the public ones at the stops weren't much better.

    Half the price of flying, 10x the time but 100x easier. All I did was show up say my surname and stick my bag in the bottom. No bag checks, no passport control, he didn't even want to see proof of purchase. It was a long time, but so much nicer than flying. 100% will do again over flying if possible.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Adelaide

    October 15, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 10 °C

    Wow had a busy day today.

    Started off strong with a midday walk around adelaide. The city is constructed with the CBD surrounded by green space and then the suburbs. Lucy and I spent like and hour an half walking the dog around. She showed me all the sights and we took in the sunshine. That dog is insane. 4 years old and full of energy. He refused to just walk forward, was weaving back and forth like he was avoiding something in the center of the path.

    Then came back to Helen's and went out to help Tessa set up her market stall. Lots of clothes later, and we went out for drinks. Ended not actually going for drinks as Tessas friends weren't in the mood. So instead just hung around one of her mates places. She's only a few years older than me so it was nice for a bit.

    After a bit we headed out for some food. Met Lucy and her friend. I had a very good red pesto pasta in this packed little restaurant over a bar. Perk of being friends with the workers, you can walking in and they find a table for you despite being fully booked.

    Ended the night at a music gig at The Lab. Very expensive looking place but great music. The first band wasnt so great, the lead was very annoying. But the second band was great. Cousin Tony's Brand New Firebird. Great name for a band. They had a guy on the saxophone, and the lead singer had a deep voice that was really good. I've downloaded some of their music to listen to.

    The Lab was a really cool place. All the walls had light displays showing. Patterns constantly moving and the songs changed. There arent many places in Brighton where you can go for music that isnt a club. Some pubs host bands, but not like this. So it was cool to do something a little different. And definitely up my street with the vibes and mood. The photo is not mine as it was packed, but showed the space.

    By this point I am beyond exhausted. We had a drink afterwards before Lucy dropped me back at Helen's.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Sunny days

    October 16, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 14 °C

    Another busy day today.

    We went down to Tessas market stall. It was a very cute little market. Tucked inside a cow shed used for farmers markets half the time, the space was filled with little independent businesses and 'vintage' shops. Not sure how much was actually vintage, but there was definitely a lot of clothes for sale.

    Outside was a load of food trucks, not one fish and chips in sight, I'm definitely not in Kansas any more! I ended up having a very nice bagel from one of the stalls. But there was everything from pizza, lemonade, pancakes, curry, samosas. They had everything.

    I also spent about 4hrs doing my RSA today. Now I can working in any bar, in any role, in all of Australia. Well not Victoria or NSW, but neither of those is very high on my list to work at. It honestly took forever, but got there in the end. I now just need to completely my RSG. It's the same thing but for gambling. Thanks to my dyslexia, it too was taking me forever and I kept getting confused as loads of the questions and answers were written as double negatives. I ended up getting frozen out, as I got too many wrong. Have to call them tomorrow to do some over the phone training before I can continue it. But once done, I'll be much more employable and for the same states. Both last 3 years, so i wont need to worry again. Unless I want to work in Vic or NSW, but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

    Finished of the day with a lovely family dinner. Got to finally meet all 5 cousins and their wives/baby. I got handed the baby at one point but was quickly releaved of him, when it became clear I had no clue what I was doing. I have never felt so terrified, was so sure I would hurt him unintentionally. The meal however was lovely and it was great to meet them all.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    A day with Clara

    October 17, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Had a very busy day again today. Spent most of it with Clara, which was lovely.

    I had to pick up a bunch of staff this morning that I have managed to loose or break already. It is impressive how the little things just disappear. My headphones, no clue where they went!

    Anyways, Clara picked me up at 12 and we headed out into the hills. Our first stop was Norton Summit. The view from up here was amazing. You could see across the city to the sea, and the sun was shining so bright it was insanely clear. We had intended to have lunch here but unfortunately they were closed on mondays, so instead we headed further into the hills.

    Out spot for lunch was lovely. Nestled away in lobethal, this little bunch spot was amazing. The food was so much better than I had expected for a little cafe in sort of the middle of nowhere. I had strawberries and avo and rye bread, and Clara had halloumi and broccoli. Both dishes were really colourful and super tasty.

    After our next stop was Gorge road. This road runs alongside the river as it makes it's way through the hills. One moment we were meters from it, the next we were high up above it looking down. Between the bright sun and rains the last few weeks, the scenery was gorgeous. All green and luscious, we could have been hours from nowhere not a few minutes from the city.

    From Gorge road, we made the climb up corkscrew road. At the top of this insanely twisting road, is a little old Anglican church with the most amazing view of the valley below and hills beyond. All of these spots Clara took me too were ones that John had mentioned and taken her too in the past. It was nice to learn a little more about him through the places he liked.

    Slowly we made our way back through the hills and descended into the city. Once there we grabbed a coffee and Clara took me on a little driving tour of the city. Now I have been through a few times, I am beginning to plot a map in my head of the city and placement of things. We made a little stop at Clara's brothers house to visit her mother. A lovely woman, and a lovely house.

    After Clara dropped me back at Helen's and I lie down after a very busy day!    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler
    41

    Beach walking

    October 18, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Spent most of the day down the beach. It was a little cold when I started off so grabbed a coffee, 2/10 would recommend. Not good coffee.

    Then began my walk down the coast. I walked from Henley beach down to Glenelg. All in all room me around 2hrs. Walking in direct sunlight, 0/10 would recommend. But it was very pretty all in all.

    Saw a strange looking bird half way down, realised it was a penguin. The poor guy looked quite confused so I left him and the locals too it.

    Didn't really do anything except the beach today. A quiet day.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Botanic garden

    October 19, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Not another one! Yes, another one.

    Spent the morning with Tess. We went for breakfast at the market and had a little walk around before she dropped me at the botanical gardens.

    I spent the next four hours walking around. Though not huge, this garden has many different sections and parts to it. I found myself lost at times, completely zoning out of reality, which is probably why it took me so long too look around.

    There is a guided tour that runs at 10,30 every day. I will attempt to get there for that tour tomorrow so I can see it in the morning light and from anothers eyes.

    In the evening I had a lovely meal with Lucy and Clara. The food wasnt quite as good as I had expected from the reviews, but it was still very nice. And the company made up for it.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Rainbows

    October 20, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    I played the rainbow game in flowers.

    It did not take me long at all, and I was pleased to find almost all were very soft.

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Flowers and shopping

    October 20, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    I was very proud of myself today, managed to drag my butt out of bed and across down for the 10,30 tour of the gardens. I did require a coffee upon arrival, but I made it.

    I realised walking with a guide showed me a lot of the gardens I hadn't seen yesterday. She pointed out little flowers hidden in sections I didn't know were there, and had all sorts of facts about the plants.

    I now know to identify whether a Wisteria plant originates from China or Japan, the direction of the twisting. And the difference between a Geranium and a Pellegonian, the positioning of the petals. I intend to out useless knowledge both mum and grandad one day.

    It was also hilarious walking around with the group. If you plotted our ages on a graph, I would have been removed as an extreme outlier. I do not think any of the others was under 55. But that's the nature of things.

    From there I visited the wine museum. It is a part of the gardens and you can actually buy the wine made there some years. It was an interesting little exhibition on wine making in Australia. Apparently within days of arriving one of the first settlers planted a handful of grape vines outside his tent. Wine was more important than anything else. You could also do wine tasting there, if you had a few hundred $$ sitting around. The centre had an event on today and I had great fun people watching aswell.

    After yet more time spent sitting in the sunshine, I decided to move on for a spot of shopping. Unfortunately, I could not stop myself in a few shops. I now have a cute black skirt I have to fit into my backpack, a puzzle book for when I am bored, cough medicine so I stop sounding like I am choking to death and some chocolate cause it was on offer.

    Rundle street is a very tempting area. I avoided the main shops you see everywhere and down some of the little roads are some very nice looking cafes, shops and restaurants. I'm going to try and avoid that area tomorrow as I know I will just end up spending more money. And I mean look at the books, how can you not when they look so pretty.

    A little after 5 I made my way back to the house and went on a rather long walk with the little terror.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Light, camera, action

    October 21, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 16 °C

    Today was all about art.

    Started off strong with a trip to MOD (museum of discovery). They had a piece on Australian ancestry focusing on the aboriginal heritage. One of the rooms was filled with a light display, I'm not sure how it linked but was very pretty. Then another room had a bunch of poems from aboriginal writers. The poems were all on ancestry and nature and were very good.

    Next I moved onto the state library. Along with the rooms full of books, one was holding a display of the photography finalists. All of the pictures had been taken by years 7-9, and encapsulated their thought on Adelaide. Some of them were surprisingly good for the age of the artists. Each picture had a little description of how it linked to the brief. Some had clearly been written by mum and dad, but it was a very sweet little exhibition.

    Finally I moved onto the art gallery. Now I'm not a huge fan off art, I dont usually get it. But this one I really liked. I unfortunately wasnt able to complete the entire exhibition as it was closing time so I will head back another day and finish it. Definitely something worth doing.

    Then Lucy and I went to the Oz Asia festival. Full of songs, Asian food stalls, and light displays it was very pretty. The laturns began in the main area and stretched along the bridge to the opposite bank where the light show was. Lots of different animals and figurines light up against the black background of the city.

    I have unfortunately spent much of the day coughing. The Adelaide climate seems to be disagreeing with me. Dry air, high pollen levels and lots of cars do not make a fun mix. Hopefully come Sunday when it rains, I will be able to breathe a little easier.

    However the best part of the day is everything I did was free. Cannot knock a full day of free stuff.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Markets

    October 22, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Today is just one of those days that I just could really be bothered to move.

    Woke and took the doggo out with Lucy, we met Tom and Aggy out aswell at the dog park. Lots of watching other dogs and making sure lenny didn't barrel headfirst into the pond.

    Then Lucy and I popped to the market so she could buy some coffee. Before going back to he house.

    I then decided that I would go back to the market on my own and do a bit of that part of the city. Its closed Sunday, Monday so today was my last opportunity. And my gosh, it was busy. The food stalls were already half empty when I arrived at 12,30! I wandered around and had a look at all of the different stores before stopping at a panini shop Tess had said I go it. The most expensive panini of my life, €15 but worth it. I got prosciutto, mozzarella and tomatoes cause they were all the same price so I went with the most expensive sounding one because value for money!

    Anyways, the panini was great and then I just sort of lost all my energy. It's like I ate, and my body then decided it wanted to nap. Unfortunately, my cough is just as bad today as yesterday and people were beginning to give me funny looks for coughing. I mean it's not covid, its allergies, but they are still very touchy over here about it all. So I just decided to head back to the house.

    I stopped off at this insane stall full of amazing cakes. Staring at them all, I think I figured out the worst part about solo travelling. Alone I could choose one. With someone else we could have bought 4 and shared, but no. I'm alone. So I did the gracious thing and bought myself 2, I had to make up for the sadness I was feeling with more cake. It was very disappointing, I could have easily bought more. And they were definitely worth it. The baklava was divine and the lemon tart perfect. 100% worth it, very sad I cannot go back for more.

    Then I just hopped on the bus back to the house. It was still within the cheaper fare timings so that definitely made up for the extra cake. It also started to drizzle which made me damp, but it's so warm I was dry in seconds.

    Back at the house I watched the School for Good and Evil. The book is better, but then they always are. Responded to emails, did some budgeting and relaxed. I fly to Cairns on Tuesday so am beginning my plans for my next city.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Raining again!

    October 23, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

    Had another rainy day here in Adelaide. Woke up to it and a damp dog.

    Ended up just sitting on the sofa job hunting and reading all morning. Listened to the rain outside and planned my next step.

    In the afternoon Lucy, Helen and I headed up into the hills to a market in Stirling. It was raining rather hard at this point but there were still lots of people out. The entire town centre seemed to have been taken over by this market, stalls along lots of roads and car parks. I really wish I needed something and could carry it, because I have been to a lot of markets in Adelaide and in each there has been something I have wanted to buy.

    After getting thoroughly rained on, we took shelter at the very popular and very nice Red Cacao. It is a cafe but sells primarily chocolate based things. Helen and I had a Dark hot chocolate and Lucy had a Vienna hot chocolate. It was very nice, and I am glad I chose the dark as it was very rich. I think the milk choclate would have been too sweet for me. They came on these cute little platters as well. We did a but of snooping at what other guests had ordered and there was a lot of choclate on some of them, like a heart attack on a plate. But they did look cool, artistically speaking. Eating them would have bee far too much.

    Next we drove to Hahndorf. As the name suggests the town was settled by Germans after the war and still has a lot of German influences. Many of the cafes included pretzels or schnitzel on their menus, I was very tempted to buy myself a pretzel as I haven't had one in ages, and they were just so good. But sadly I refrained.

    From there were drove the long way back down through the hills, the scenery is stunning in rain or shine. And came back to the house. We had the sunday family meal again, pizza this time, and relaxed for the evening.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler
    1

    Art Gallery

    October 24, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    I went back to the art gallery today and loved the other half as well.

    I've always enjoyed art galleries and museums, but not as much as I liked this one. Having been around the entire building now I realise my favourite is landscape painting, particularly of forests. I dont know why but those painting really struck me. I also love interactive art but hate abstract. I really dont understand abstract. The aboriginal art featured was cool too. I'm sure I will end up seeing more in other parts of the country.Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Final day

    October 24, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 15 °C

    My final day in Adelaide has arrived.

    I met Tess in the city around 11 for a bit more sight seeing. We saw the other half of the art gallery, the only good part of the museum, the pretty part of the library, and did a bit of shopping.

    From there I came back to the house and took myself out for lunch. I went to a little cafe around the corner, it had only opened for the first time today and was very good. Service was a little slow as they are still figuring out how to do it. But the food. Those pancakes were divine. Choclate sauce, berries, icecream, perfect. Id been thinking this morning how much I'd like some pancakes, and then I saw them on the menu, it was fate. The coffee was pretty good too, little strong for my liking but good.

    Then I headed back to the house and packed up my stuff. And then repacked it as it didn't fit first time around. Still doesn't really fit now but I can make it work.

    I'm sad to be leaving Adelaide as I've really enjoyed it here. The city is exactly what I like, lots of green spaces and calm. But also the guys here have been so welcoming it's really felt like home in a way. I'm really looking forward to Cairns but I like Adelaide a lot.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Flying away

    October 25, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Yet another pre dawn wake up for me. That's 3 now since being away. Probably more in the last month than the last year!

    My uber driver cancelled on me 15mins before I was scheduled to be picked up. Thankfully after an extra $5 and some serious stressing on my part another guy accepted and got me there on time.

    Airports these days are so limited in human contact. I mt was 5am and I genuinely did not have enough brain function to figure it all out.

    So first off my boarding pass was on my phone so i had to download an app to access it. I now have all of my cards on my phone aswell which is unnerving. Then I had to check my own bag in. I went up to the machine, scanned my boarding pass and it printed off my checked luggage sticker. I attached it, placed my bag on the conveyor and sent it off myself. Now normally I could have done that with little effort. Not today. Today it was 5,30am, the sun was not up and I did not have enough brain cells to figure it all out.

    From there I joined the mammoth queue for security. Not bare in mind its 5,50 in the morning. No flights leave until 6,30am. And the queue had birthed a second queue. It was insane how many people were trying to check in so early. Anyways, that was an ordeal but me and the woman in front made sarcastic comments about everyone else together so that made it feel a little quicker.

    The flight itself was super simple and easy. I got on, had a little nap, watched some of my movie and eavesdropped on the argument happening next to me. I was vibing.

    Cairn's is just as hot as I was told. For some reason it still came as a shock. Had great fun trying to get out of the airport. There is no public transport from the airport to the city. Or anywhere else for that matter. So had the lovely ladies at the help desk tell me it would be $20 for a shuttle bus to the city. Not a vibe. But I made it.

    At this point I was quiet hungry as I had only had the muffin and coffee at the airport many hours before. I thought the coffee cup was cool tho so I took a little video.

    At the hostel I just relaxed by the pool. Did a bit of reading, finished my movie and attempted more of my RSA which is giving me a major headache but it must be done.

    In the evening me and two girls went for a drink at the hostel bar. Nice and loud, we could barely hear each other. But it was good to meet some more people.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    A day in the sun

    October 26, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    By God its hot here. 35° and humid. Remind me again why I chose to come up here? Ah well, had another good day today.

    Started off with a walk around the city at midday. It's a very nice area but it is just so darn hot. Ended up grabbing some food and heading back to the hostel.

    When I arrived two of the girls, one of which I had drinks with last night, were going out to the lagoon. I joined them and had a great couple hours at the lagoon, sun bathing and swimming.

    On the way we stopped of at an ice cream shop and I had the best icecream. It was toleberone on the bottom and dragon fruit on the top. Delicious. Well what didn't melt down my arm was!

    While we were at the lagoon it started raining. Everyone got up, grabbed there stuff and ran for shelter. We ran into the pool. There is something so cool about being in a pool in the rain.

    We then went back to the hostel to shower and have dinner before heading to the night market. The market was cute but small. From there we wandered about the city a bit. Saw some pelicans asleep which was super funny, they looked so weird. Then went back to the hostel and spent a couple hours on the balcony chatting to some of the other girls in my room. Despite it being a party hostel, we are all not partiers so its really nice to just get to know them and relax. We also bought 3 packs of timtams to share. The original dipped in peanut butter is the best thing ever. 11/10.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler
    2

    The sun rises and it sets

    October 27, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Yet another pre-dawn wake up. And yet another sun rise blacked by rain clouds.

    Me and two girls in my room decided to wake up tow watch the sun rise from the lagoon down by the beach. So instead was we went for a dawn swim in the rain. I am loving swimming in the rain.

    After spending as much time there as possible before the UV levels got too high, we went back to the hostel. Have breakfast and showered the salt water away. Then did a little shopping trip. I got a large 1litre bottle, so I am now a water bottle girl, living her best life. Also picked up another pair of shorts because everything is so sweaty, its grim.

    I then met a Daisy for lunch. She did all of the driving on our Great Ocean Road trip. It was nice to see her again and to catch up. It had only been 2 weeks since we last saw each other but it feels like months! Had an amazing egg and bacon roll, top tier.

    I then spent the rest of the afternoon with the girls in our air conditioned room doing admin stuff. I am now one step away from having my RSA, got lectured by a woman over my RSG and booked my bus and accommodation at Mission Beach. I have been doing a few interviews in Adelaide over the phone and in person since arriving in Cairns. Thanks to hours of headaches and applications, I am moving to Missiom Beach Resort on Monday to begin working as a bartender. I am very excited about this as it is perfect for my experience, and will count as my 88days so come February I should be able to apply for my second year visa!!! It has been a lot of work, but I'm so excited.

    After finishing all of that pains, the three of us headed back down to the beach to watch the sunset. We met a few others down there and went for food at the Night Market. I chose the smallest tub as I wasnt feeling great but the woman still filled it so much. I had to eat a load before I could take a photo scared it would all fall out!

    Unfortunately after eating I began to feel really ill. I think a combination of the heat, humidity, stress, and lack of sleep combined to make me feel like I was dying. Thankfully the girls were really nice and walked back with me. After an hour of lying horizontal and one of the other girls giving me an electrolyte tablet, I was feeling so much better.

    Finished off the evening chatting about travels and packing everything up. Got another early morning for a tour tomorrow.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Lake

    October 28, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    Woke up at 6am, again. I knew we had to wake up early so needless to say, barely slept a wink. We had to check out before we could go on our tour so Lydia and I had breakfast and moved headed back to the room. Inside, almost everyone was awake. It turns out 5/8 of us had tours or buses at 7/7,30. I felt super bad for the 3 that didn't as they must have been woken up but it made getting out so much easier.

    The bus picked us up a few streets away and then proceeded to drive around the entire city picking people up. There were 24 of us in total, and such a range. Most were back packers but there were a few families and a couple of older American ladies. It was a good group.

    The drive was quite long to our first stop but we saw a lot of the landscape. We drove past on of the hills that has this pyramid shape. Every year locals and tourists race up and back down the mountain, starting and finishing in the pub. The record is held by a German tourist who happened to be passing through on the day. He completed it in 1hr and 20mins. Insanely fast. And there is only one rule, if your going up you get out of the way of the ones coming down. When you are coming down you are going so fast stopping is not an option.

    Our first stop was Babinda boulders. According to Aboriginal legend it is where a woman drowned whilst waiting for her lover as they ran from her husband and his tribe. According to recently surveys, 20 people have died in the area since, 18 of which were young guys. It was insanely pretty with the sunlight breaking through the trees. You could swim there but we didn't. The tour guide gave us some tea and biscuits here as well which was surprisingly good.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Josephine falls

    October 28, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    Now this was super pretty.

    The water falls down in multiple little waterfalls and creates tiny fresh water pools in between. The entire area is gorgeous.

    We were there for around an hour and I could have easily stayed for multiple. There was a water slide formed from the rock and was so much fun. We were all sliding down it and I obviously had to get head first. Genuinely thought I might have broken something when I hit the rock on the side but all good. So much fun!

    I got to chatting with some of the other girls there aswell which was great nice. A few were from the states but were interning in Sydney so had come up for the weekend.

    We also jumped in off a large rock which was super fun as well.

    The entire stop was the best.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Falls, birds and strangling trees

    October 28, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Our next stop on the tour was millaa millaa falls. The advert for herbal essences a few year ago, with the woman flipping her hair in the water, the waterfall. It is again insanely beautiful here. I feel like a lot of Cairns tropics is like that but definitely here. I also spotted some fish and a turtle in the water and then a very curious Turkey wandered by and attempted to get into someone's bag. It was not successful.

    After spending some time at the waterfall, we headed for lunch. A surprisingly good burger for a random town in the middle of nowhere. They also had a really cute hippie shop that sold literally everything.

    Then it was off to the strangling fig tree. This thing is wild, and aptly named. The seeds land on a tree and winds its roots down to the forest floor, then grows its branches and wraps around the tree. Its roots take all the water and nutrients from the ground, and its leaves overs the trees sunlight so the tree dies and rots away inside. Nature is genuinely crazy with some of its inventions. But the coolest part of this one is that the tree inside didn't rot away, it feel over. So this fig tree is now slowly wrapping itself around the tree next to the first one. It is the King of all the fig trees and the most insane thing. You can also see around the forest were other figtrees are beginning to grow. The tree sprouts figs every few years and birds then distribute the seeds across the forest. All of those trees are doomed!    Read more

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