Australia: Hervey Bay
Michael and I traveled to Australia as part of our 2007 career break. The following is an excerpt from our travel blog.
It was going to be a hot one in Sydney, with temperatures expected to be in the mid 30’sC (90’sF). But it was still relatively comfortable as we made our way to the airport to catch our flight to Hervey Bay. It was just an hour and 15 minute flight up the coast, but as we began our descent, we could see it would be much different weather from Sydney as we passed through thick clouds.
[singlepic=138,200,,,left]Hervey Bay is actually made up of five villages and stretches 16km along the coast, about 6 hours north of Brisbane. During the months of August through October, Hervey Bay is well visited by tourists interested in seeing the humpback whales that migrate through the bay. They’ll spend months here rearing their calves until they are fit to swim south to the Antarctic. We arrived at the tale end of their migration but still hoped to catch them during our afternoon.
The males had already left the bay, and they are the ones that tend to give more of a show to spectators. Still, we made our way out on the Whalesong. The clouds from the morning still lingered and even turned into on and off rain. But once out at sea, we were able to chase the sun as well.[singlepic=140,200,,,right]
Hervey Bey also offers easy access to Fraser Island, as it sits right off the coast. We made our way up the western side of the island in search of some whales. We mainly encountered moms feeding their calves or just resting on this lazy Sunday. But we couldn’t be too disappointed as it was still an amazing experience. And the real purpose for our visit to the area lay just off board- Fraser Island. Tomorrow we would be heading their for a two-day adventure.
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Leah on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:12 am
I really enjoyed reading your post. I am thirty-two soon and have itchy feet that are ready to try out foreign soils.
It is a fear of leaving the security of the day to day grind of paying the bills and living a safe and non-challenging way of life that has put me on hold for some time.
I hope (as it has I) your post will inspire others to go and follow their bliss – Leah 🙂
Patricia GW on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:54 am
Travel and experiencing a new culture really has put it into perspective, and filled that void with purpose (and joy).
In three weeks I’ll be moving to Paris myself for one month. I have the same feeling – the incredible surreal realization that I’m going to be living there…. it’s thrilling!!
Abby on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 2:11 pm
Oh, Jenny! Escargot isn’t palatable — it’s delicious! I love your writing style; it’s so fun and energetic. Can you believe how far we’ve come? Everyone, Jenny and I were in the exact same industry and have known each other online and via work emails for years and years. But we’ve only met once, many, many years ago. And one of those jobs she was sleeping next to her BlackBerry for was one I’d just left. And now she’s 33 and living abroad, just like I was last year. Kindred spirits. Jenny, you’re a true inspiration — I can’t wait to see how your adventure unfolds!
Debbie Beardsley on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 3:22 pm
Your life in Paris sounds ideal. It is nice to read about people who follow their dreams instead of wishing they had! Enjoy the rest of your journey.
Terriaw on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 1:40 pm
Wow, fabulous and well said! I love your new outlook on like. After experiencing career burnout and feeling a little lost and purposeless lately, you have encouraged me. I look forward to seeing Paris someday!
Jenny on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 6:50 pm
merci for all the sweet comments! @abby we are soooo kindred spirits! well except when it comes to our differing feelings on escargot…;) and congrats patricia on the move! thrilling indeed!
shawna on Thu, 9th Jun 2011 1:32 am
you’ve reawakened my travel bug. must. return. to. france. (someday.) eat a croissant for me!
Weekly Travel Blog Links — LandingStanding on Mon, 13th Jun 2011 6:16 am
[…] how badly I want to go to Paris… If only we could afford living there for an extended period of time during our travels! Any […]
G. Michael Schneider on Sun, 19th Jun 2011 3:36 pm
I am a firm believer in living and working overseas, just as you described. However, many of us actually like our jobs and our homes and are simply looking to renew and refresh our lives, not change it. However, you can have the same type of cultural experience without having to reach into your own wallet and without having to quit your day job–by taking what I call a “working vacation.” My wife and I have done this 15 separate times, from Australia to Zimbabwe, Turket to Tibet, Mauritius to Mongolia. I describe how to do it in my blog otherguysdime.wordpress.com and via Twitter at @otherguysdime. Learn how to have fun without having to have burn any of your bridges behind you.