Australia (English)

After 3,5 months travelling around Asia, I went to Australia. It was a bit of a culture shock when I came back in to a western country. It took a while to get used to the organized life style, the expensive hostels, grocery shopping and cooking by myself. I started out 1,5 hrs south from Sydney to visit family. Great to catching up, see Sydney and visit the easter show. This was something i had never seen before; award winning animals, cattle, woodchopping, rodeo, rides, food, and so much more! 
After that I booked my trip to travel the EastCoast with Loka. It started with a visit to the Blue Mountains. An amazing day, with kangaroos, beautiful view over the mountains, the three sisters, waterfall and some education about the wildlife of Australia. Great way to start the trip. First stop: Barrington tops. Surrounded by mountains, a small accommodation with a bar and Jacuzzi. Absolutely beautiful. We went tubing there; bumps up, was great fun! At night time a bit of a party with drinking games and pizza. 
The next morning a beautiful sunrise. After saying goodbye to the staff, it is time to do some winetasting and drive to the next destination: Spot X, Arrawara. Here we had a surfing lesson; I liked it and I hated it haha. If you see the big waves coming closer, that's scary. But I managed to stand up twice (sort off). In the afternoon we went by Kayak to the next overnight stay, River retreat. Camping in a tipi tent, the swags weren't waterproof so we didn't sleep in there. 
Next stop: Yamba. A small surfing village with one hostel. Close to the beach, where you can have the feeling to be alone on the world. So good to relax. At the hostel I've met Dominik Schnettler. There I've learnt the drinking game ring of fire. Lots of fun! 
Because there was no loka bus available to take me to Byron bay, I went with the Greyhound where I met Lena Menke. Even though they and I stayed in different hostels we met a couple of times. We went see kayakking together, and we saw dolphins! I really liked Byron Bay, but it was also a bad experience at the hostel where someone stole money from me. Luckily just some money, but still pretty crappy. 
After Byron I went to Noosa. From here I did a day trip to Fraser Island. This was a great experience, driving on a highway on the beach, through the forest, swimming in a lake of rainwater and walking through the forest. Noosa was a lovely city. I've done some shopping and relaxing. After Noosa I went to Rainbowbeach, what actually not really a good decision was. I already went to Fraser and Rainbowbeach is so small that there is not much to do. 
After Rainbowbeach Rockhampton. The states cattle capital. I've been to a cave where you can marry, that is something different. Next day I've spent the day with Hortensia Marques visiting the free zoo and botanic garden. Here was a actual wedding going on. Also a very nice place to get married.
After Rockhampton the train to Airlie beach. A very long day of travelling. I arrived at the hostel, where I meet up with Lena again. Airlie beach is a nice beach town. After all the hostels we check in to a hotel. Great to have a place that you don't have to share with 5 other people! Next day we are boarding the SV Whitehaven to go to the Withsundays. This boat is a sailing boat with 24 people and 3 crewmembers. it was amazing! Really beautiful, sailing, kayakking and snorkeling. Sleeping on the deck. And the second day to Whitehaven beach. Wow! White sand, blue sea. We had a bit of rain, but it was still beautiful. At night time a after party with almost everyone, so that was good fun.
The last day in Airlie beach we went shopping. Lena went with the night bus to Cairns and I went by train during the day. It was a long day before I arrived at the hostel and meet up with Lena again.
We meet some very nice people who are going to a festival. Lets join! For the people in the Netherlands, it was kind of Dancetour festival. But it was fun. 
The next day we went to Cape Tribulation, North of Cairns. Where the rainforest meets the reef. First a viewpoint, the Indigenous welcome with a smoke ceremonie. It was not totally what I had expected, it was just walking through smoke of a fire. After that we've git some information about the tribes. Very interesting but very short. We went to a swimming place and a short walk in the rainforest. 45 min, to do all of this. It felt like we were rushed all the time. Then we went to the river for a river cruise to spot some crocs. We only saw one. After the crocs we were dropped off at our hostel. Unfortunately without lunch and with a lot of rain. So we stayed at the hostel bar, played some monopolie and drank some beer. Fun night. Next morning we went horse riding through the rainforest and on the beach. Great! My horses name was JD, Jack Daniels. Do they know I like a drink ;-). Was a perfect morning without any rain. An hour late the bus picked us up again. We expected to get lunch now but no, they already had lunch. The driver tried to make up for it.. 
And again a race against the clock with too much activities. Not the best trip. 
The next days in Cairns some sightseeing and a great bbq at the hostel. 
Now it is time for my next stop. I don't know exactly why, but I have the feeling to go back to Thailand. So today I fly first to Bangkok and tomorrow to Chiang Mai. It is not that I didn't like it in Australia. I saw great things and met lots of nice people! But Asia is calling!