The latest on the travel bug or as I like to call it.... my Wanderlust. I wrote a blog at the beginning of the year about a big move to WA (Western Australia). It took me about 2 weeks and 6000km. Wow what a trip! I got to Perth area and it was the hardest few months. I couldn't get a job, I applied for over 100 jobs that I knew I was capable of doing, even some that I knew I wasn't qualified to do, but who knows it might have been right for me if I could get an interview. Out of the jobs I applied for I had 5 interviews....just 5! The job market was tough and my saving dwindled each week as I had bills to pay and grocery shopping. Before I had left Queensland I had been put on for a job that was temporary, but it was worth a lot of money for the short period, the job was pushed back until May and I decided since I couldn't get work where I was I would fly back for this 3 week job, it helped a lot with the bills and I wasn't so far behind anymore once I got back to WA.
In July it was Tax time and I did my tax like everyone else, then decided to look broader for work and applied for jobs in small towns and mining camps. I came across a job at a camp called 'Manigurr-Ma' working in the Tavern. It was located in the Northern Territory, another 4000km north east from where I was currently. I called a friend from QLD who worked for the same company the job was advertised for, and it was the same facility she was working at. With her help I acquired the job, packed up my life and Ruby into the ute once more and headed to Darwin, Northern Territory Australia, using my tax return to fund the trip. I had a basic outline of my trip, where I would stop and how long it was going to take me. I booked some accommodation, but winged the rest. I also indulged in a few road side naps. I completed the trip in 5 days. What a mission. But again so worth it. I got to see some amazing country. I also spent half a day and night in Broome, WA. Broome is such an amazingly beautiful place. It had just stormed before I arrived and the sky was a hazey gray/blue and the water was so flat and calm, it was clear and had a softness about it. I followed some other cars down onto the beach and parked up to take in the beauty of Cable Beach.... Famous for its sunset camel rides.
Driving from Broome to Kunanurra was probably, other than my experience on the Nullabor, the most awe inspiring scenery I have seen. The rock out crops, the land scape, the trees and shrubs and ranges were incredible, the colours of the sky contrasting with the red earth- Indescribable! My photographs do not even do it justice.
On my last day I drove from Kunanurra to Darwin Via Katherine. It was a long 9 Hour day and I crossed the WA/NT border not far out of Kunanurra, right where the speed limit changed form 100km/h to 130km/h I tried it once but decided I felt safer doing 100-110km/h. As I came into Katherine there were people everywhere walking around, it was strange to me, I didn't know why so many people where walking the streets, but as I got into town a bit further I realized the Show as in town and everyone was heading to the show grounds.
In July it was Tax time and I did my tax like everyone else, then decided to look broader for work and applied for jobs in small towns and mining camps. I came across a job at a camp called 'Manigurr-Ma' working in the Tavern. It was located in the Northern Territory, another 4000km north east from where I was currently. I called a friend from QLD who worked for the same company the job was advertised for, and it was the same facility she was working at. With her help I acquired the job, packed up my life and Ruby into the ute once more and headed to Darwin, Northern Territory Australia, using my tax return to fund the trip. I had a basic outline of my trip, where I would stop and how long it was going to take me. I booked some accommodation, but winged the rest. I also indulged in a few road side naps. I completed the trip in 5 days. What a mission. But again so worth it. I got to see some amazing country. I also spent half a day and night in Broome, WA. Broome is such an amazingly beautiful place. It had just stormed before I arrived and the sky was a hazey gray/blue and the water was so flat and calm, it was clear and had a softness about it. I followed some other cars down onto the beach and parked up to take in the beauty of Cable Beach.... Famous for its sunset camel rides.
Driving from Broome to Kunanurra was probably, other than my experience on the Nullabor, the most awe inspiring scenery I have seen. The rock out crops, the land scape, the trees and shrubs and ranges were incredible, the colours of the sky contrasting with the red earth- Indescribable! My photographs do not even do it justice.On my last day I drove from Kunanurra to Darwin Via Katherine. It was a long 9 Hour day and I crossed the WA/NT border not far out of Kunanurra, right where the speed limit changed form 100km/h to 130km/h I tried it once but decided I felt safer doing 100-110km/h. As I came into Katherine there were people everywhere walking around, it was strange to me, I didn't know why so many people where walking the streets, but as I got into town a bit further I realized the Show as in town and everyone was heading to the show grounds.
I stopped a few times on the 3 hr drive from Katherine to Darwin. One of the roadhouses I stopped at for a pick-me-up coffee was a complete surprise, from the outside it looked like a closed down petrol station, the inside revealed a warm and welcoming bar/restaurant with a listed deck that opened out onto a tropical paradise overlooking a serene green field full of large bushy trees. It was the camping grounds. Definitely a place I would like to go back to for a weekend to relax.
On my way to Darwin about 50km out I saw a rodeo happening at a pub which seemed to be in the middle of no where. little did I know that it would become my local store/pub/petrol station!
Darwin was not what I expected. It feels like a large country town, and I guess that's exactly what it is. there really isn't much traffic in the city. I guess when I imagine a big city I picture Brisbane or Sydney and this Capital city of the NT was so relaxed and laid back. If you have ever been to Airlie Beach in the Whitsundays then you will have an idea of what Darwin is like. It is full of backpackers, culture and the relaxed atmosphere that you come to know in beachy tourist towns. But in Darwin, you don't swim at the beach unless you are happy to wrestle with crocodiles! Every week the front page of the NT News ( not a reliable source) is covered with images and headlines that grab your attention in relation to croc sightings and attacks. So even though people know the water is dangerous, they still go in. Crazy! I like Darwin, because as you drive out you start seeing Toyota cruiser utes and utes with cages full of hunting dogs, you see people wearing R. M. Williams and Bullzeye gear, you see Akubra hats and you feel like you are out bush. Its a mixed place and I love the contrast of high fashion in the city/backpacker chic and a touch of country all melded together to give you a sense of confusion about where you actually are!
What is your Wonderlust? What drives you? what makes you feel free?
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