"Do you miss Australia?"

Bundeena Sunset, New South Wales

A question I'm frequently asked and one that I still can never confidently answer. 

In short, yes. I do miss it. A lot. 
In long, well yes I still do miss it but you see, I miss a lot of places. All the time.

I miss Germany and the voice of the train announcer before each stop. I miss walking around London for the first time and the smell of the tube. I miss waking up to the sun and waves in Byron Bay. I miss Portugal and the living room in my Lisbon hostel. I miss Scotland and the pebbled streets and accents.

I'm always missing something, I've left my heart in so many places that missing somewhere I'm not seems to be second nature. But is it that I miss the places, or is it the moments?

I miss the feeling I had when I was there. I miss the memories and I miss what was and what could be. The ruby red stain on my tongue from too much wine. The warmth of a foreign bed. The chill of the autumn air. The taste of the Indian food in a German city. 

Travelling is the best thing I've ever done. I've learnt lessons no teacher, friend or coffee shop hottie could ever teach. I've seen things I never thought I would, and never thought I should, but it makes me who I am today. I have never so confidently embraced myself as I do today, my eyes have been opened to the blessings of everyday life and I'm not the same person I was before I saw the other side of the world.

But maybe that's what it's taken for me to realise I miss Australia. I was always grateful for the country I lived in and the beaches in which I swam, but it's not until it's gone that it's missed. As much as you appreciate, love and cherish something it can still be missed. But missing does not mean you need to be there. Or right now anyway.
There is so much more in this world to be appreciated that it'd silly to go back just because it's missed right now.

I miss Australia and the accents (ah, so much). I miss the simplicity, freedom and comfort of the familiarity. I miss the summer (sometimes). I miss warmth of the sparkling crystal clear ocean. 

I miss Australia. With all of my heart. But I miss most places.

Sydney, my dear

"My favourite city. Easily." The words I find effortlessly flowing from my mouth everytime I visit somewhere new.

Luckily enough I was able to spend just over a week in and around Sydney whilst in Australia last September. It just seems to get better each time I go back. 

My mum, sister and I visited family in various places before mum and I spent 2 nights in Newton, which is like an Australian Brighton, just with no beach.
Activities included: watching the sunset from the Opera Bar as we sipped on ridiculously expensive wine, dining on squid ink risotto (YUM) in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and going to a bar that's well disguised as a butcher. Like really well disguised.
On our last morning mum woke me at an hour that seemed to be an obnoxiously early 11am (maybe I did suffer a slight bit of jet lag) to have breakfast at The Stinking Bishops. Yes, that is a cheese and wine bar for breakfast and we aren't even sorry. It was flipping great.
I also convinced mum the Grounds of Alexandria was a good idea, not just because they have a resident pig named Kevin Bacon but because I'd read about it everywhere. Anyway, Saturday morning in said grounds was not the greatest idea, the table wait was 45 minutes, but there was a florist so I wasn't even mad. 

A HUGE thank you to my mother for not only funding my flights back to Australia but also taking me to Sydney and spending too much money on me and my expensive tastes. I appreciate it and you.
(The beach pictures below are in Bundeena, which in my opinion isn't far off paradise) 

Do you love the ocean?

Noosa. Another place to add to list of where my heart has been left. In fact, this is probably where it was born. To describe this place in one word would have to be paradise. 

In South East Queensland, tucked away in the best bay ever is Noosa. This seaside town is a huge hotspot amongst tourists and surfers and is literally breathtaking. I always knew that, but sometimes it takes change for you to really appreciate it. The ocean is warm, which apparently is not a worldwide thing, and crystal clear. When I went back to visit, after living in England for a year, it blew my mind that I was able to open my eyes under the water and see before me, see the rays of the sun as they lit my path and the fish as they swam about. I do miss the warmth and the sounds of the ocean, but it's comforting to know that this will not only always be home, but this is somewhere I am so blessed to be able to return to. 

My favourite things to do in my favourite place: walk through the national park (!!!!), have a BBQ, stand up paddle board, Noosa farmers markets, fish and chips along the river. 

"Shake the cold from your toes, and let the east coast walk you home....Do you love the ocean, and well could you love the ocean with me?" - Ziggy Alberts

Byron Bay, Australia

While I was in Australia at the end of last year, inevitably falling in love with my own country, I made Byron Bay a priority on my list of places to see/experience/feel/love. So on a tastily warm Sunday morning my sister and I packed up my parents car (thank you parents, for everything), a mattress lay in the back, a stove & tea and with desire for adventure flowing through our veins. 

We drove down from the Sunshine Coast, which took just over 3 hours and due to the strict rules enforced in regards to sleeping in cars, we booked into First Sun Holiday Park, which was so good. Given location and convenience it was definitely worth the $40, and took an approximate 1.36 minutes to walk into town AND was right on the beach - perfect if I don't say so myself. The first night we stayed, Sunshine Coast local boy, Ziggy Alberts played at The Northern. His music is captivating, raw and strongly inspired by Ben Howard. I'm hooked. 

Each morning we awoke with the sun and to the sound of the crashing waves, we would open the back door, enveloping ourselves in nature and breathing in every bit of warm ocean air our lungs could hold. Waking in the mornings to the warmth of my sisters skin made my heart so happy. A feeling I never want to lose and one I wish I felt more often. 

Markets at Eumundi

In a quaint, picturesque town on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland you'll find the most delightful Saturday (Wednesday and Sunday also, but bigger and better on Saturdays) markets. What better way to start off your weekend than to explore the variety of stalls, stuff yourself silly with just about every food you can think of and wash it down with a freshly squeezed juice or the best ever banana smoothie you'll ever have.

Dreaming of Sydney

Before visiting London, Sydney was the biggest city I'd visited. And I feel head of heels in love. I have visited a few times in my life, however I never fell in love until I took a weekend trip with two friends. Then later again with my sister.

Both visits were very very short, but all the more reason to cram in all I could. Less sleep, more adventuring, and infectious sleepy laughs between all created the whimsical atmosphere. 

The city has plenty to offer and it a must on the places to see in Australia. 

Just to name a few, there's,

The bridge. 

The house (Opera). 

The beach (Bondi). 

Centrepoint tower. 

Luna park. 

Manly Beach. 

Chinatown. 

The Road Less Travelled

In an attempt to soak up all I can of the Australian sun and way of life I have been exploring more and more and photographing the beauty in an attempt to never lose what I have now.

I ventured out near my house down a dirt road that leads way across town, in my car that wasn't designed for it, but did it anyway (she's a trooper). I find myself falling more in love with the familiar surroundings each time I look around.

Travel: Cedar Creek Falls, Airlie Beach

About a month ago, I went to visit my best friend who was living in Mackay. Her mum organised a weekend in Airlie Beach for the three of us, it was so nice and a whole bunch of fun. A short 30 minute drive from the heart of Airlie Beach you will find the Ceder Creek falls. It feels like a different world. From beachside to rainforest. They both hold impeccable beauty.

In the warmer months you can enjoy a swim in the water below and under the falls. In the cooler months, as it's dry season, the falls are unlikely to be flowing, but you may not have such an urge to swim anyway.

The rainforest location is popular among travellers and locals.

It's not all about the swimming. You can bird watch. Bushwalk along the tracks and find your own secluded falls and spectacular views. Picnic in the shade. Have a photoshoot.

To get there you will need a car as it's too far to walk, if you don't have a car I suggest befriending a lovely bunch of travellers who have a car and are keen to make friends!

The Great Barrier Reef: Scuba Diving

When my mum told me that my sister and I would be scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef I was insanely thrilled! I mean scuba diving for one and ON THE GREAT BARRIER REEF for two!

Our first destination with Seastar was Michaelmas Cay. Now for those who don't know what a Cay is, and I know you're wondering, it's when the calmer side of the reef gets a build up of sand, making a little sand island.

After a quick brief on what to expect when diving from our dive instructor Ash, we put our wetsuits on and jumped in the water. Now, to help set the mood here, we are talking lustfully blue, romantically saturated water. Which inhabits the most stunning of reef fish and tropical corals. Diving amongst this beauty was insanely fabulous. It was like out-of-this-world great.

With the first dive done we headed out to Hastings Reef, which is right on the edge of the Australian continental plate. Sadly I didn't see any sharks or turtles. However, it was spectacular to see the world that lives under the surface. It's amazing how alive it all is.

If you've seen Nemo then you're halfway there to experiencing it. Well kind of. 

Seastar were fabulous! The staff were so friendly and accommodating. Lunch and afternoon tea is included, as well as all snorkelling and diving equipment needed (diving costs extra). It's something not to miss if you are holiday-ing in Cairns!