Welcome to Australia!
Unfortunately, one day later than planned ... unfortunately four hours earlier to appear at the airport in Dubai, was not enough. My flight was already full and the next two as well. I had no other choice than to take the night flight about 17 hours later. The good thing was to spend another day in Dubai, plus a five star hotel, with Emirates' private airport transfer, and a direct flight to Sydney. After spending a bit unplanned the day in Dubai on the beach, without swimming suits, because I had already checked in my suitcase.I went to the airport at 23:00 local time and at 1:00 with the A380 on direct way to Australia! Approximately Thirteen hours later, we sailed gently into Sydney, only 30 minutes late.
In awe I held all the papers (visa, passport, identity card, addresses and confirmation of the bank) ready. After a quick look at my passport, the policeman wished me a nice evening. I asked shortly if he wants to see my visa, which he kindly denied. Before I knew it, I was in Australia! As I walked out of the terminal, the air struck me. At 1 o'clock in the morning about 25C and felt 90% humidity, I started immediately with the sweating. Paulo was waiting for me in the hostel, after 6 years there was a lot to talk about. We talked until 4 in the morning... we both was awake of the jatlag.
14.12.2017
The first day in Sydney. After more or less rest, we went to breakfast on the terrace of our hostel and enjoyed the view of Sydney's skyline. It is between the Harbor Bridge and the Opera House, we went first to the opera. We spent almost the whole day at the harbor and the opera, took a lot of pictures and went to eat in a very delicious Thai restaurant, where we realized that Australia is very expensive.... In the evening we had a beer on the roof terrace, with a view of the illuminated opera and bridge.
15.12.2017
In the last days we explored Sydney and surroundings. One day we walked into the city center and spent a lot of time in different shops to see how high the prices are and what is here.
It is really expensive for German conditions, but since you deserve significantly more, the prices are fine.
One day we took the ferry to Menly and walked there for about 7 km through nature and the first time to the beach. The water is very pleasant, if you walk a lot at about 30 C. On the way back, we took the ferry in the dark to the skyline of Sydney (dreamlike). At night you don't need long pants or a sweater.
On December 18th we drove with Laura (Hamburgerin ...) into the Blue Mountains. After about an hour on the train and another hour's drive, we reached the National Park (Wentworth Falls). Beautiful nature, with great rock formations and a large waterfall. We went for a walk and drove on to the three Sisters (mountain). After getting some lunch at a grocery store, we headed back to Wentworth waterfall and a few hours later, we were exhausted and with great impressions of how beautiful Australia can be, back at the hostel.
The next days we explored further Sydney. We visited the Botanical Garden, experienced the pre - Christmas atmosphere at 35C and watched a colorful light projection on the opera Restaurant roof. lucky i could sleep at night and was awake during the day, most of the time.
20.12.2017
Christmas on the beach. A long-awaited dream comes true!
Listening to Christmas songs at 35C takes a bit of getting used to, but it's also kind of cool. It's just another Christmas. On the 21st of December we were at sunset on the Sydney Tower, from there you can enjoy the beautiful view over Sydney.
On December 23, we moved to a hostel on Bondi Beach. The beach is nice. What Copacabana is in Rio is Bondi Beach for Sydney. Fantastic white sand, blue water and big waves.
The same evening we were in the hippest club in the city (Ivy). Nervo was a guest for a Christmas special.
Then the time came. Christmas 24.12.2017. Paulo spent the day with friends who lives here in Sydney. I made an appointment with Nadine from our first hostel. We met at Menly Beach and spent a relaxing day at the beach. We had as Christmas lunch, a really nice pizza.
Merry Christmas!
24.12.2017
On Christmas Day, I went on the famous Coast Walk Bondi to Coogee. About 6 km along the coast, past beautiful beaches and cliffs.
On the 26th of December we moved to an accommodation, with some nice Brazilians. It was on the 7th floor, overlooking Bondi Beach. Our days looked like this: sleeping in, to the beach, drinking beer and just letting the soul dangle. I started to go jogging on the beach every afternoon.
Yesterday it was time. 31.12.2017, the year should end with the big Spectacular Fireworks of Sydney. To my horror, I realized that 2017 was about 10 hours shorter than any other year. Since I'm ahead of time here. We drove to a good place with Paulo's friends, overlooking the Harbor Bridge. Unfortunately we did not see the opera house from there ... But that does not matter much.
Since private fireworks are banned here, the official places are trying to make it even moor spectacular. it was, as every year in Sydney, one of the most spectacular fireworks in the world. For about 20 minutes, the sky shone over Sydney in all colors. It was amazing.
Happy New Year!!
That 2018 will be a special year, here in Australia. For a new beginning and to leave an old life behind me.
01.01.2018
Not much has happened in the last two weeks. Our accommodation on the beach and the nice weather help to relax, although it was really uncomfortable for four days. About 40Kt of wind and cloudy skies tended to go lie on the Sofa and watch Netflix ... Now the weather is better again, average 25C and sun / clouds mix. Despite clouds, you need to put ALWAYS sun cream on. The sun is burning mercilessly.
On January 12, Paulo and I took the RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) course to work here in the restaurant, in a bar, or as a deliveryman. To sell alcohol, you have to have this qualification ...
Paulo has already found a new home near his school (Bondi Junction). I have first booked a cheap hostel in the district Glebe and continue to look for an accommodation ...
17.01.2018
I found a "cheap" stay for the period from February 2nd to March 12th. It goes back to Bondi Beach. Since the hostel in Glebe was not so nice, I am changed in a hostel in Kings Cross. The hostel in Glebe was disgusting and dirty, so I walked a lot to avoid being in the disgust room. The district Glebe is very nice. There are many small shops and parks. It is also a little quieter. This was my first time here in the cinema watching Jumanji. I understood more than I thought.
Kings Cross is the "St. Pauli "in Sydney. A bar next to the others. Strip clubs and party every day... my hostel here is very clean and nice. The city is located between the city and Bondi Beach. So it's not far in both directions.
Today is Australia Day. I'll go to the opera and see what's going on there.
Happy Australia Day!
26.01.2018
The Australia Day was great. By a lucky coincidence, I stood close to the entrance to the big stage, shortly before the live broadcast started they had not enough people so they let everyone in for free. I stood in front of the opera at the Stage and enjoyed a great program. Of course at the end a powerful fireworks. It was a great evening.
I stayed at the hostel for a few days to heal a sunburn that i got when I did a trip to Olympia Park on Sunday and I didn't cream myself properly.
From now on I will definitely ALWAYS use sun cream, no matter where I go or at least take the cream ...
There should be a Moon eclipse on January 31st. But unfortunately I could not see it, because in Sydney the sky was cloudy and it was raining a bit...
Well, what can I say, I arrived yesterday in my new apartment. I am now five minutes walk from Bondi Beach. With three South Americans. The mood here is good, everyone is super nice and the apartment is really clean. I think I will have a good time with the three here. :) Until the 12th of March I can live here.
Unfortunately, there is still no job... but 2 ½ months without work with best weather, is not too bad... The beach, relaxing and just letting it all hang out, is doing really good, Thoughts like: Never again work would be nice, do I ever want to go back to cold, wet Germany? Or which country could be the next?
03.02.2018
The last week I've been really busy with job hunting, this week it will continue. I was at a job interview today. It will be hopefully something....
Much more important was the Brazilian Carnival in Sydney! My new roommates invited me to come along and so we went to the carnival yesterday. The party was not so good organized... but after a few beers, it's not really matter. : D But we had a lot of fun.
12.02.2018
The last 4 days I spent with Silvia from Brazil. She was spontaneously in Sydney and wanted to visit her friend Mari (my roommate). Unfortunately, she had to work and so I showed her Sydney. I walked a lot again. We were in different museums. There is still something new to discover in Sydney. On Friday, February 15, Paulo and I were at a boat party and were able to see a beautiful sunset over the opera in the blue sky.
On Monday I have my first working day. I'm looking forward to what will awaits me.
18.02.2018
From today I work in a hospital Carpark, in the morning I park the cars and in the evening I get them out. They pay $ 19 an hour (net). This means that I can save some money first and relaxed looking for another job.
Of course I spent the last free weekend without work on the beach. The three months without work were very relaxed and nice i wish i could do that for the rest of my life...
19.02.2018
The first week of work is over. Now the Australian life starts. $ 19 an hour is not too bad, so i can save money and plan the next trip.
But today I wanted to write something about myself, about life here and my experiences. In the first few texts, I have often written that I don't know what to expect, and how it is to give up everything and go to the other side of the world.
Today I can only say that it was the best decision of my life! If I'm honest, I'll never go back. The people here are very friendly, life is more relaxed, no frustrated faces and if I have to leave someday... definitely the next country, but not Germany.
I was very afraid to travel alone and give up everything. I am happy now. At first, it's a bit strange to just look at yourself, go to the cinema or to the beach. But over time you get used to it. You meet a lot of nice people, unfortunately often only for a short time and then you will never meet again. However, some stay in touch and become new friends. So you are not really alone. And then there are still the friends and family with whom you can write. Thanks, Whats-app and Co., it's really easy to stay in touch these days, so sometimes it feels like you're close by.
Job hunting was not easy and once again I have more luck in my life than anything else. Through a Flatmate I came to the job.
I have decided to look at the world. There are many beautiful places to discover in the world. And I want to see them all. All I have to do now is find out how to do that. Working, visas and traveling.
Only a few months ago, I had a plan for my life... Today, the plan has only a headline without chapters. To travel! Life!
What are valuables, such as car, house or computer? Man needs nothing from all that... It is experiences we make and stories from our lives that we can tell and what we have learned, what makes us rich!
25.02.2018
This weekend was the Mardi Gras Day. All Sydney was in rainbow colors. On Saturday night there was a big parade. For three hours, colorful cars past me, followed by colorful dancers. There were about 100,000 people there. The mood was good and the party on the streets of Sydney was great. This city is open to everything and you can see it every day. That makes everyone happy. In the last weeks I have not met a person who was in a bad mood or grumpy. This good mood is simply on!
04.03.2018
And again, a week is over. This week was a bit stressful as I was looking for a new flat again. I found a great apartment on Friday. Not far from work, very clean and just a couple with whom I share everything. A room just for me !! Unfortunately I have to pay a bit more, but that's ok. I think about buying a bike and then I will save the money for the bus.
On Saturday there was little extra work. We drove to the north of Sydney and parked cars for the customers at a bowling center. This time we had something to do at least not like the last event where we just stood for 4 hours. After work at 2200 I drove with my working colleague Mohammed in the region where he lives (Burwood) to eat something. In the middle of nothing on a major road was a food truck. Where we waited untill 2400 in the queue. But the burgers were delicious and super cheap for Sydney. $ 12 with fries and drink!
On Sunday I got up early to pack my things and move to my new home. Every time I find out that I carry too much stuff with me... It's a bit hard for me to go, because my roommates Mari, Francesco and Sebastian were so great. Thank you for taking me so friendly. It was an unforgettable time. I had a lot of fun.
My new hosts are also very friendly. An Argentinian couple. I think we will have a good time, too.
Unfortunately, I do not know exactly how long I was in Brighton, but in the next few days the time has come, I'm abroad longer than ever before! It's amazing how time fly's. But I still feel not homesick. This city and this country are indescribable.
13.3.18
Yesterday I spend the Day on the Palm Beach, which is north of Sydney. I was about 2 ½ hours by bus, but it was worth it (see pictures). I could walk on a beautiful, almost empty beach and then I saw a beautiful sunset. Before I drove back 2 ½ hours. Places like this make you forget everything and show you how beautiful Australia can be. I sat on the hill for about 3 hours in the sun and listened to the silence.
18.3.18
At the Easter weekend my colleague, his brother and i went to the Figure eight pool. Its in the Royal national Park south of Sydney. Beautiful nature over there. The bad thing was only that it was Sunday and nearly half of Sydney was there... we will definitely go again one day and hope that there will be not so much people. But it was still nice. To reach the pools you need to go over Rocks on the Coast and you only can go if the tied is low. If the tied is high everything is under water. It can be very dangerous. The rest of the weekend i spend the time on the Collaroy beach in the North of Sydney. It's around 1 hour by bus, the reason is just a few people on the beach. At Bondi is everybody it's so crowded on the weekend. We still have around 20C at night and 30C per day and Blue Sky. I never used so much Sun-cream... But I Love it!
03.04.18
Yesterday we went out for Bowling and Laser tag. 25 dollar for unlimited games from 5pm to 11pm on Monday's. But first we got into a Escape Room! It was fun. We can't escape in time but we still enjoyed our experience. For the rest of the Evening we played Laser Tag and Bowling. It was so empty that every one of us played on his on lane.
10.04.18
This weekend was awesome! Short but awesome! On Saturday morning I went to the Randwick Horse racing track for work. I finished at 3pm and took the bus home. Short Shower, change clothes and dinner before I took the train to the Olimpic Park Showground Halls. I was 1 hour before opening of the “State of Trance Festival” there and one of the first. I got a really good place direct in the front of the Stage. 8 Hours Trance music, Laser & Light Show. awesome! At 5 am in the morning the Festival was over and I went to the Opara House and saw a beautiful Sunrise. After 3 hours of sleep I got up ant travelled to Manley Fairfax lookout. I enjoyed a nice day with view to Sydney. And a beautiful sunset ant Menly harbour. A unforgettable weekend.
22.04.2018
Nothing new for the moment. I still work a lot to save money to buy a car for traveling around Australia. I still feel not homesick, I am getting more afraid to go back one day. I would like to see all nice places on this world. But I still don't know what is the right way for me and what's next...and how can I do that... I only know that I travel to the north at the beginning of June and search for Farm work that I can stay the second Year here in Australia. But after? Job? And anything else... I will see later. That's for me the most difficult thing to learn, i don't know what's next. I always tried to plan my life and it never works. And now where I can do what I want and I don't need long term planing I am Afraid? … sometimes I don't understand life. And it's still strange to know that I don't have a “ Real Home” like a place where I can return one day. Nearly a half year is already over... 5 Month's I'm now here in Sydney. The time is running so fast, unbelievable. Time to move on before the Daily Life catch me. I start missing a little bit Flying. And it's now more than 8 Month's ago that I flew by myself... I can't stop taking this drug. When I travel to the north I will search for a flying club to go back up in the Air.
08.05.2018
Sunday Fun Day! Weather forecast 20C and Sunny! Back to the beach! Okey the water is not that warm any more so I went to a beach close to the Airport where is a long beach and a coast walk where I walked for more than 5 hours and 15km. I enjoyed the Sun and cold water on my feet's. In the evening I went with Muhammed and his brother Mohsin to Lakemba where a lot of Muslims live. At the moment is Ramadan. After sunset all the people going on the street to eat something and everywhere are food store's and BBQ. We eat a camel Burger, Deer Burger and a lot of other nice food from other country's. I arrived at home so full of food that I thought I have enough for the next wee.
20.05.18
Today I've bought a car! A Holden Comodore Wagon build 2004. With a nice V6 3.8Liters Engine. Now the real journey can start! Australia here I come! :)
21.05.18
Friday the 01. of June 2018! My colleague invited me to a silence Party at the Sydney Tower. I've got a headset with 3 channel to listen (pop/rock, dance, rnb) every channel have a different colour that all the other people see what are you listen. It's very funny, if you take off the headphone the people singing to different songs. The vew from the Sydney Tower at night is awsome. Saturday I got up early to go with Mari to the Blue Mountains. First longer trip with my car. I was exited. But every thin is fine with the Car drives very smooth. We arrived at around 12.30pm and walked for 4 hours around the wentworth waterfall. Its a beautiful nature over there. Silence and fresh air let you relax. For 3 Weeks Sydney is coloured. The Vivid Festival Sydney is a massive light and projection show around the City. Sunday evening I went to the Opera house to take some nice pictures from this spectacle. But I must say it getting cold in Sydney 5-12C during the day and a cold wind let me feel freezing.
03.06.18
Hey guys. Long time ago that I wrote something but I work 6 days a week with 57 hours... saving money for the next trip. I've got some shifts at the Star casino where we make valet parking for Hotel and casino guest. I drove already some really nice cars. Some of them i never saw before. Just a few of this nice cars: Ferrari F430, Audi R8, Lamborghini, McLaren 420, Bentley, Tesla and a lot of BMW's and Mercedes. At the 18.06.2018 I went with Nadine to the Blue Mountain. We wanted to see a other nice place but a tree crossed our planning... after 10km of road with a maximal speed of 25km/h was a tree on the street so we can't go further. So we went to the Wentworth waterfall and walked nearly every way that we can until it was dark. After we found a nice Indian Restaurant and eat very spicy. But it heat us up after a long could and windy day outside. Yesterday I enjoyed a Sunny day at the Airport. And i made a decision. I will leave Sydney in less then 3 Weeks... its only allowed to work for 6 month in 1 company and I nearly reach this time. Time to go and say good bye to Sydney. :( One eye is crying the other one is smiling. New adventures!
26.06.18
The 30.07. will be the last day in Sydney.
Now the journey begins. First stop will be Byron Bay or Port Marquee and than heading north! In warm areas. I Try to find farm work to apply for the second year visa. If I can't find farm work or I don't have more time I need to leave Australia on the 13.12.18 but I know already the next stop will be defiantly New Zealand!
Firs I try to drive around Australia with my Holden Commodore. I will sleep in the car or stay in Hostels. See so many beaches as possible. Enjoy the nice weather and see the beautiful Nature. Sleeping under the Stars in the outback or sailing around the Whitesunday Island. I calculated the rout and it will be around 15.000 km. A hard and long journey. But after that I can say I traveled around Australia, surrounding a hold continent, who can say that? I hope I find time to write here and more details for you guys. But I will post a lot of pictures.
Time to look back. 7 Months in this special city. Busy, noisy, beautiful and sunny city. So many reasons to stay longer and so many reasons to move on.
At the 23.07.2018 I went a last time for Bowling with some Friends, colleagues and Flatmates. It was a nice evening. Even when I lost the Bowling against Paulo... again...
It's also time to say goodbye, I hope a goodbye that stand more for a see you soon, all of you! All this new friends that I have to leave. I have to thank all of you for this awesome time here in Sydney. All of you helped me on a special way to find a way back to life, and enjoy it. Thank you so much for that!
I will never forget this time here in Sydney.
28.07.18
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