Australia: Overview Video
Michael and I traveled to Australia as part of our 2007 career break. The following is a video overview of our experience.
Text Version: Our first destination was Australia. Approximately the same size as the United States, with only 7% of the population, most of the landscape is made up of arid desert. Not surprisingly, the majority of the residents live along the 22,000 miles of coastline where most tourists tend to flock as well.
With just three weeks we wanted to make the most of our time and experience as much diversity as possible – from cities and seas to sand dunes and deserts.
[singlepic=253,200,,,right]Starting in Sydney, we spent the initial few days recovering from our jetlag and exploring the city by foot and boat. Moving up the coast, we took in some whale watching in Hervey Bay before setting off for a 2-day tour of Fraser Island. As the worlds’ largest sand dune, Fraser Island’s rainforests and 75 mile coastline is best explored by 4-wheel drive.
Further North in Queensland, we set sail from Airlie Beach for the Whitsunday Islands. On this trip, we spent 3 days sailing, diving and snorkeling Australia’s most expansive reefs. As an added treat, we were able to encounter the Great Barrier Reef up close and personal.
[singlepic=192,200,,,left]Having our fill of the beautiful blue seas, we decided to head inland and explore the red desert. Ayers Rock, otherwise known as Uluru, is the spiritual center for the local Aborigines, and to be in its presence is truly magical. Just 30 miles to the west are the Olgas. Also known as Kata Tjuta, which means many heads, the enormity of the Olgas is not lost in this vast barren region.
Before we knew it, our time in Australia was coming to a close, but not before a little excitement in Melbourne. Having arrived just in time for the spring racing season we got to partake in a long-standing tradition – the Melbourne Cup.
With so much to offer, Australia definitely kept us on the move.
You can read more about our experience in individual Australia posts.
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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.