Hidden Gem

Let’s not talk about the 17 hour journey from Ghent to Vienna. If you like to leave your travelling decisions to the last minute like me, you’ll find out what it’s like to navigate several busy trains in a row without seat reservations.

So, what was I doing in Vienna? I didn’t really know, this one was never on my original plan but everyone said I should go. So here I was, feeling sorry for myself after a long journey, not knowing what to do with myself. It was going to be 32°C and I did NOT want to go outside. But there isn’t anything to do at this hostel either. So I eventually ventured out into the burning sun, lathered up in sunscreen, sunnies and a hat of course.

Continue reading “Vienna, the City of Music” →

I’m going to be honest, starting this blog was hard. I didn’t feel like writing anything at all for a little while. Before meeting Kevin, I was happy to be alone and my journal was a nice way to debrief myself at the end of the day. After leaving Kevin, I felt more alone than I ever had before, I didn’t even want my own company. But eventually I got there, I finished my Ghent journal way back on July 7th, I just hadn’t gotten around to converting it into a blog yet. Here I am. I hope you didn’t miss me too much!

Stepping off the train without Kevin was a surreal experience, like leaving the cinema in the middle of the day, confused to find the sun still shining. But I found my way to my hostel via tram somehow. Rolling my huge suitcase behind me made a lot of noise on the cobblestones and I felt nervous as I approached a large, intimidating church, knowing my hostel was close, but feeling a strange sense of wrongness. I only paid €30 a night, surely we can’t be that close to a wonder this size? But sure enough, once I rounded the building my hostel was in sight!

Continue reading “The Medieval City of Ghent” →

I arrived on the train in Bruges around 9:30pm after my lovely last day in Amsterdam on June 28th.  The youth hostel was much more fun than the last two I’d stayed at, with table tennis, foosball, pool tables, a small library, a belgium beer bar, and even a pair of playful cats teasing each other in the bushes nearby! I felt right at home straight away. I finished off my Netherlands Countryside blog that night with a classic Duvel, followed by a Bruges Zot. I’ll be trying as many beers as I can while I’m here, but they’re almost all at least 6% which would be considered strong back home, so I really do need to limit myself to two most evenings!

Continue reading “My Fairytale in Bruges” →

So, it’s time to talk about the tourist attractions. While I generally prefer avoiding large groups of people, and like to go against the grain when it comes to most things in life, there is a lot to be said about the educational history you find in a country’s local museums and attractions. And I also just love boat tours!

Continue reading “Zaanse Schans and Amsterdam” →

Hi again! Yes, it has been a while. I’ve been busy saving my butt off and getting organised to leave my Melbournian life behind for a while. But before I go I need to spend some quality time with friends. What better way than a four day camping trip?

I haven’t been to Wilson’s Prom since I came fore an Outdoor Education trip in year 8. I didn’t remember too much about it; I certainly didn’t think I was going to have an experience as good as I did.

Continue reading “Wilson’s Promontory” →

“Baby there ain’t no mountain high enough!” we sang at the top of our lungs in the back seat. Yep, time for another road trip! This time we’re off to Mt Baw Baw. For my two younger siblings’ birthdays we combined our savings to pay for a family stay away, in a sweet little cottage not far from the ski village.

Continue reading “Mt Baw Baw” →