Settling into a normal routine

by davemccreery
Melbourne from the river

Melbourne from the river

Since I got back to Melbourne in June, my whole focus has been on getting a job and recovering the funds I’ve spent since February. I had an amazing five months of travelling and doing some awesome things but it depleted me to pretty much zero.

Now, I don’t regret my choices at all. There are some things I may do differently if I could go back, and definitely things to keep in mind for the future but, in the end, things have worked out.

I was able to pick up work during the winter, which is harder to do than you might think, and get some stability. Then, back in October (a few days before my birthday, in fact) I finally got the job I was looking for. All good, right?

Getting the job I wanted

One thing I wanted to do when I came to Australia was work in digital marketing. This is my career back in the UK and I’m good at what I do, thankfully. I had a fair few interviews while working at the hostel but couldn’t get across that final hurdle, for whatever reason. It was frustrating, to say the least, but I knew it would come.

I was looking at short contracts that fit in with my visa. I felt that was likely going to give me a better chance. This job, as a content writer, fits my specialism perfectly but is actually a full six-month contract, with the option of a second six months to follow in my second year.

There are further opportunities open to me in the future as a result of this, but I’ll come back to those shortly.

Working life in a hostel

While I did move out of hostels for a grand total of six weeks, I moved back in November. Those six weeks were great for me, to have some space of my own and more peace and quiet to get back on track with things.

Hostels have rooms of various sizes, and with a different number of beds. I’m a bit older than most backpackers I meet, so I opt for a 6-bed dorm with its own bathroom. This is a bit more expensive but the room tends to be quieter and that’s an advantage when you work five or six days a week.

For the most part, everyone I’ve met or shared a room with has been decent. I’ve heard stories from other people in the hostel about roommates who aren’t as nice to live with, so I count myself lucky. That being said, sharing a room with five other people means you don’t get the best sleep. It’s a trade off but one I’ve adapted to now.

Trying not to plan too far ahead (and failing)

This job does have the potential to lead to sponsorship. Now, that’s a nice idea – and before I even came to Australia, I had convinced myself that if such an opportunity came up, I’d do all I could to take it.

Now, I’m less sure. Am I ready to stay in one place for a longer period of time? Do I want to settle into that mundane, day-to-day life again?

These and other questions are things I think about every day and I still don’t have the answers, yet. In the short term, I’m working and saving for the future, whether that’s for trips or activities or something else remains to be seen. While I try to just focus on this, it’s hard to not to wonder about two months down the line, six months later or three years beyond. It makes things a bit more complicated but I’m still going.

A much-needed reunion

One thing has been playing on my mind over recent weeks. It’s brought into question everything I’m doing and honestly, I’m feeling a little lost as a result. I miss the people from back home but I don’t miss the mundanity of daily life – and that’s what I’m in now. I switched one country for another but I cam travelling to escape this, and I did for so long. So, I keep asking myself; is this really what I should be doing right now?

Honestly, I have no answer yet. I’m looking at ways to keep myself focused or engaged, and I’ve got some plans to do so. I hope it works and I can come to the right answer later.

Something did stand out, though. I got to see my best friend when she stopped by Melbourne. The first time for just a day and then again for a couple before she flew home. It was great to catch up – it’ had been a good 10 months or so since we’d last seen each other!

I needed that. I know it’s not something to get used to but of all the people to find on the other side of the world, it had to be her. Those were good days, and I miss them already.

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Turning 30 in Australia

by davemccreery

Okay, so this is a very late post! Things have been a bit full on since my last update, which was back in August! I’m going to explain what’s been going on in this gap in my next post in a week or so. This one, however, is dedicated purely to my 30th birthday back in October – and what I did for it.

Doing something a little different

Most of my birthdays over the last decade have been celebrated with friends and copious amounts of alcohol. This year, for the big three-zero, I’ve been in Australia (duh) and while I do have friends here, most of my good friends I’ve met are in other places in the country, so I was feeling a little lost as to what to do.

Also, while I wouldn’t mind going out and drinking, this is a big one so I wanted something a little different. My first plan was to go to Hobbiton in New Zealand but money prevented that from happening.

The idea of a trip still appealed so I looked for something else and I found a day tour, on my birthday, to a place not too far that as been on my list for a while. It meant a day out alone (not counting other people on this tour) but it was a memorable way to spend my birthday.

I decided on a tour to Phillip Island, which ended with the Penguin Parade.

Moonlit Sanctuary

The journey was a good few hours but the tour was able to break this down on the by stopping at Moonlit Sanctuary, which is about half way between Phillip Island and Melbourne (there was no stop on the way back but it was so late and long day, most of us took a nap).

Feeding this little guy at Moonlit Sanctuary

Feeding this little guy at Moonlit Sanctuary

This was quite a small wildlife park compared to some I’ve been to since arriving in Australia but that actually worked to its advantage. We had a barbecue lunch and had some time to walk around and explore. Plenty of different animals to see and learn about but the real highlight of this place is at the back where there were kangaroos and wallabies to feed and get pictures with. I even fed one with a joey peeking from the pouch!

The highlight here, however, as a baby koala on one of its first talks with people around. It had only been out in the world for a couple of months or less and it was very curious and a lot more active than most koalas I’ve seen.

Phillip Island

Just one of the residents at the koala sanctuary

Just one of the residents at the koala sanctuary

I probably could have spent all day at Moonlit Sanctuary but before I knew it, we were off again. Our first stop on Phillip Island was at a heritage farm, which was a nice place to wander around and look at. More animals and a bit of history but the next stop was more interesting.

We had a bit of time to stop by a koala sanctuary on the island. Now, yes, I’ve seen plenty of koalas already but they’re so cute! There are different enclosures with boardwalks to explore and I managed to see half a dozen or so, mostly all close together.

One of the views from the Nobbies

One of the views from the Nobbies

We then moved on to the Nobbies, which was a boardwalk on the coast of the island with some stunning views and the chance to see some wild penguins in the huts and holes. I did manage to make out the silhouettes of a couple and one that was definitely awake and checking if it was time to hunt but that’s it. The real penguin viewing was

The Penguin Parade

The highlight of the tour is the Penguin Parade. We had some time to kill so I grabbed some food and took a seat in the stands. As the sun dropped so did the temperature and I was glad to have brought a coat on an otherwise hot day. Some penguins marched out to see but more were returning and it didn’t take me long to realise there were better spots to be.

I camped out along one of the main ‘paths’ and watched a lot of groups of penguins march by, some breaking off as they reached their homes. They were constantly looking at the people and making plenty of noise. There were a few little scraps as well but it was definitely an interesting sight to see so many marching penguins – unlike St Kilda where you’re lucky to see more than a few at a time.

It was a lovely way to finish the day and tour before the long bus ride back home.

Unfortunately, there was no photography allowed of the penguins. Flash photography can really damage their eyes and to make sure there’s no accidental camera flashes, all photography is banned and there are plenty of staff making sure no photos are being taken. There is an app with photos they’ve taken but it’s not the same so I decided just to remember the little birds on my own.

The day did end with a few drinks but all in all, it was a great way to spend my birthday. A lot more chilled than the ones over the last decade or so.

The six-month recap

by davemccreery

Wow. It’s been over six months since I arrived in Australia. That time has flown by and I’ve done and seen so much, and this trip still has so much to offer – not to mention what happens after.

I did mean to write this last week but, you know, life gets in the way. I’m currently lying in bed, suffering from a cold (along with half the hostel) catching up on everything.

I figured that it was time to take a look back at the last six months; the things I’ve done, seen and encountered, what I’ve learnt, the highlights and such. Overall, I can say right now this has been the best decision I could have made and while I probably could have done things better, or smarter, I’ve gotten by just fine (with a little help) and I’m glad with how things have turned out.

So far.

Hostel life and backpackers

As someone who spent four years prior to this trip living alone, moving into hostel life was probably the biggest shock. Suddenly I was sharing a room with six, eight, ten or twelve people every night – and most of these people changed every few days. The constant turnaround of people was hard to get used to, especially when you got on with someone really well.

That’s the life, though. A day or two or three of time together then goodbyes. I’ve seen my fair share of people who got upset over it at first. I’ve spent time in hostels before but never for this long a period.

I’ve settled into a routine now, and I’ll pay extra to be in a smaller room (usually six people) with a private bathroom. Maybe that’s my age showing through but it does make things a little easier.

Backpackers are a different kettle entirely. They’re as diverse as anyone else you might meet anywhere but the biggest thing we all have in common is the place we’ve chosen to visit. That gives you a chance to start a conversation and 90% of backpackers I meet are incredibly social.

That being said, and this isn’t an insult or dig but an observation, a lot of backpackers I’ve met have been very focused on drugs. That’s all well and good but it does stop me from getting too involved in everything going on as it’s not really my scene. They’re all cool people, though, so I’ve found myself in that borderline area. It works well but I have other priorities right now.

The standout moment(s)

Lake McKenzie on Fraser Island

Lake McKenzie on Fraser Island

Oh geez, where do I begin?

Of all the places I’ve been, things I’ve seen and done, the best has to be Fraser Island. That was three days of stunning scenery and jaw-dropping sights, such as Lake McKenzie and the Champagne Pools. A lot of driving and a really good group of people made that one of the best trips I’ve made. The best moment of the whole thing was the view of the stars around midnight each night. We’d head to the beach and, being away from light pollution, were treated to clear nights with stunning views. Even if I’d had a proper camera with the right lens, I still couldn’t have taken a picture to do it justice. I’d love to see that again.

The skydive in Cairns has to be up there, too. Jumping/being thrown out of a plane at 15,000 feet wasn’t exactly something I would say to people was something I wanted to do but when the option came up, I knew I had to. I’m scared of heights as it as but being treated to a sunrise skydive was incredible. I would like to do it again – but I’d be just as scared, I know it!

Help! I'm falling out of a plane!

Help! I’m falling out of a plane!

Other memorable moments include the Australian F1 Grand Prix weekend, Penguin Island over on the West Coast, Magnetic Island, SpotX surf camp and meeting some very good friends who I’m sad to have had to say goodbye to – for now.

Always learning

This trip hasn’t always been plain sailing. Things haven’t gone to plan all the time – such as my Greyhound from Agnes Water to Airlie Beach being cancelled and missing the Whitsundays tour – and that knocked my confidence a little. I felt like I was out of control and when money got a bit tighter I couldn’t find a job.

I’m impressed I managed not to work for five months or so – that’s money management! I had a little freelance money come through but I did need to borrow some to get myself back to Melbourne where there are more jobs and now I’m settled and sorting finances for future plans.

If I could go back and use some of the free time at the start to get a casual job, maybe I would but I wouldn’t have gotten to meet and do all the things I did. It’s a catch 22 and one I don’t regret. Yes, I could probably have been smarter with the money I did have but that’s something to keep ready for the next trip, and I will.

Looking forward

Minus small trips, I’ll be based in Melbourne for the next four-to-six months and working solidly to build some money while I work out my next moves into 2019. What those ideas are, I’m keeping close to my chest right now but they’ll become public soon enough, I’m sure.

Anyone who was hoping I’d be coming home after this year out, brace yourself for disappointment; I’m not planning to come home any time soon.

The end of the honeymoon period

by davemccreery
Vineyards at a Hunter Valley Winery

Vineyards at a Hunter Valley Winery

Since getting back to Melbourne, I’ve not been doing much except job hunting and working. I’m in a better place now than before, but not quite where I’d like to be in an ideal situation. Still, the whole thing is proving to be an eye opener and proved that coming back here was the right move.

What I have learned is that the honeymoon period is over. It’s lasted longer than it probably should have and to go the best part of five months not working is a surprise but, while it’s been stressful at times and brought a couple of dips, I wouldn’t change it.

There’s so much more to see but there’s plenty of time left!

Getting back into work…sort of

So, I have two jobs right now. I started working at my hostel for free accommodation shortly after I got here. It’s not glamorous – just cleaning up, changing beds and such – but it does the job. That’s definitely helped. Since then, I’ve been put on the books so while I still do some of that, I also get paid for doing night shifts in reception a couple nights a week, as well as adhoc work when it comes up. This last week has been my “training” shifts but tonight I start my first full shift, alone.

Interestingly, a lot of the backpackers think I’m too soft for this. Boy, are they in for a surprise. There’s no reason I can’t be nice but strict when they go too far when I’m working. Night times are generally quiet but issues do arise and since I’ll be on alone, managing that and them (when they’re usually drunk) could be interesting.

I also do bar work in between this in a RSL/concert hall. It’s very quiet in the members lounge but the concert hall can be busy. They’re all really cool guys and I enjoy the shifts I do get, so it’s nice to see more people who aren’t backpackers.

I’m still hunting for something more stable but I can get by like this. I’m considering expanding my freelance client list, too.

Winter isn’t that bad

Apparently, it’s REALLY cold in Melbourne, but coming from a UK winter, it’s not bad at all. The mornings and nights can be chilly but that’s mostly the wind. The days are quite nice, usually hitting around 15 degrees. I remember summers in the UK colder than that!

That said, due to not knowing my money and work situation, I haven’t done much. I haven’t been writing much but setting time aside for this in the future – more on that in a bit – and there are a lot of exhibitions and such I want to see. Hopefully soon I’ll have more fun stories for you. Picture spam is also incoming on Facebook, just an FYI.

Using my free time better

Vineyards at a Hunter Valley Winery

Vineyards at a Hunter Valley Winery

In my low moments, saving money is everything – not that it always worked well! I found myself watching Netflix for hours simply because I could, even though there are plenty of free things to do here.

I had a plan to have written the first draft of my next book before this month even started, but that didn’t happen (I’m about a third of the way through). So, after a lot of thinking, and realising I haven’t been swimming in months, I thought about how I used my time.

The answer was not encouraging. Downtime is great and all but I still have things I want to do. So, I cancelled Netflix and looked at my shifts to set aside some time each day to do some writing, to read a book, take a walk and generally go to things that I’ve been putting off.

I actually took a short trip to Sydney at the beginning of the month to see a friend and go on a wine tasting day around Hunter Valley. Too expensive but it was a nice way to refresh and see exactly what I was here to do; work hard, earn money, go see/do something new. I’m not the biggest wine drinker but I did find more than a few I enjoyed and it was all local to the area. Shame I only had hand luggage to fly back to Melbourne with! More of this to come.

I’ll let you know how this works out. Until then, ciao!

The highs and lows of travelling

by davemccreery

Getting back to Melbourne was definitely the right choice. After the failed attempt at farm work, and with nothing else for me in Cairns – other than things that cost money – I wanted to get back to a city with some opportunities.

Sunset in Melbourne's Albert Park

Sunset in Melbourne’s Albert Park

That’s what I did. It’s been a few weeks since I got back, and they haven’t been easy. While it’s silly to assume so, I was thinking, or perhaps hoping, to find a job within a couple of days of arriving back here. What I didn’t take into account was that it’s winter here so while a lot of backpackers leave for warmer areas, the hours vanish too, to an extent.

At this point, I do have a job but it’s not many hours, and that’s an issue. Thankfully, I’m helping out around the hostel I’m in and that’s cutting down what I’m spending on rent each week so it’s not all bad. The problem is, if I want to move into my own room at some point, I need consistent hours so I’m still searching for those. Hopefully they’ll turn up soon because I also need to get back into saving mode for upcoming trips and plans!

Now, these last few weeks have been hard, the hardest of my trip to date – and that’s keeping in mind how I felt in Cairns when I was in limbo for so long.

I’m impatient, we all know this (but better than I was during my younger years) and seeing people with less experience get a job before me was tough. I found myself wandering aimlessly at times, after applying online and at the places I knew and could find, in the hope of finding somewhere I hadn’t given a CV to.

The nights were spent in my room, watching Netflix or ranting to my dorm mates and friends online (thanks guys, you’re all awesome!) and I felt stuck in a rut. There was plenty of advice, but nothing I hadn’t done. I knew it’d work out in time but that’s not helpful in the moment.

20/20 hindsight

Balcony view of south Melbourne

Balcony view of south Melbourne

So, while my situation isn’t perfect yet, it’s a step in the right direction and I’m grateful for that. I did have to start facing the fact that I might have to leave if the situation didn’t change. I knew that’d be a huge mistake and regret.

If I could go back and tell myself what was going to happen, would I change things? Perhaps. Getting a job first might have been a smarter move, or maybe being a bit stricter with my funds before the East Coast trip might have helped. In the end, I’ve been to some awesome places, seen amazing things and met fantastic people so I don’t regret anything. Part of this whole experience is how to deal with the lows as well as the highs.

I could have skipped Perth back then, worked from day one (okay, maybe day two) and then done the trip but even that might not have worked. At this stage, what if isn’t of any use so I’m not dwelling.

What I am dwelling on, however, is what’s next. I’m making plans for later this year and going into 2019. Those will become clear in the coming weeks when I’m a little more stable.

What I’ve learnt so far

A couple of things of the last four months have become crystal clear to me:

  • Money never lasts
  • Experiences are far more valuable than money
  • There’s no such thing as a great hostel kitchen
  • A dorm room where you like everyone is rare
  • Backpackers, generally but not all, don’t know how to clean up after themselves

I’m almost in my thirties and it’s a stark difference between my attitude and outlook on life compared to the majority of backpackers I meet, who are in the 19-23 range. Mostly, they want to drink, smoke and do drugs and that’s it.

Now, whatever floats your boat but consider it’s more expensive to do all three here compared to other places I’ve been, that’s a bit daft. They never stop though, and it’s tiring just watching them go!

I tend to look for quieter hostels if I know I’ll be staying a while. A couple of nights doesn’t bother me and I have met some great people in those short stays but after four months, I’m happy to have a bed that I know is mine.

There’s a lot of Australia left to see but Melbourne is a good base right now, and even though it’s getting colder, I feel more comfortable here than anywhere else I’ve been to, as much as other places have been great. Travelling is really tiring, guys, so giving myself a break from it is probably a good idea.

Forgive the slightly rambling post but its worth putting it down so you don’t think I’ve vanished just yet!