What can I say about Australia?
To the date of this post, I’ve traveled:
– 14,800 km (9,200 miles) by car
– 387 km (241 miles) by foot
– visited 4 of the 6 Australian States (New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory, South Australia, Victoria)
-Driven the Pacific Coast Route from Sydney, NSW to Cairns, Queensland, Overlanders Way, Explorers Way, Red Centre Way, 3/4 of the Great Southern Way, and Great Ocean Road
Of those above, I’ve shared the following with Tanguy, who I met in Darwin and dropped off in Melbourne:
– 7,288 km (4,529 miles) by car
– 180 km (112 miles by foot
– 3 states (Northern Territory, South Australia, Victoria)
-Explorers Way
-Red Centre Way
-3/4 of the Great Southern Way
-Great Ocean Road
I’ve seen or been to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Luna Park, Australian Reptile Zoo, Oxley National Park, Nimbi, Bexhill Open Air Cathedral, Bungalow, Byron Bay, Tweeds Head, Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise, Springbrook National Park, Brisbane, The Glass House Mountains, Capricorn Caves, Whitsundays, The Great Barrier Reef, Airlie Beach, Mount Inkerman, Big Crystal Creek, Cairns, Mossman Gorge, Crystal Cascades, Townsville, Hughenden, Cloncurry, Mount Isa, Barkly Homestead, Darwin, Litchfield National Park, Florence Falls, Mataranka Thermal Pool, Devils Marbles, Tropic of Cancer, Alice Springs, Macdonnell Range, Ormiston Gorge, Ochre Pitts, Ellery Creek, Stanley Chasm, Trephine Gorge, Corrroboree Rock, Rainbow Valley, Kings Canyon, Uluru, Kata Juta, Coober Pedy, Lake Hart, Adelaide, Mount Gambier, Blue Lake, Valley Lake, Grampian National Park, Mackenzie Falls, The Pinnacle, Grand Canyon, Portland, Bay of Islands, Bay of Martyrs, Loch and Gorge, Twelve Apostles, Erskine Falls, Melbourne, St. Kilda, Rowville, Macedon Range, Hanging Rock, Glenworth Valley and so much more than I can even list.
There have been towns and communities in between I’ve stopped for lunch, gas, a break from driving, or just to get out of the car and take a photo. Places I should have written down or can’t recall the names for. Places that if you blink, they’re gone. That’s no joke. What might look like a giant US truck stop could have been Barkly Homestead.
I could have spent hours posting thoughts and photos on social media, bombing my followers, friends, family and complete strangers with thoughts, feelings, photos and more.
Yet, none of those thoughts, feelings, photos or my descriptions would do what I’ve seen, done, or experience any justice.
I don’t even think my words could do Australia justice yet I try with each post I write, with each social media post I craft, and each photo I share.
People often ask me, “Why Australia?” It’s hard to explain but this is where my soul and spirit feels at home. If you’ve never felt that soul sigh or spirit sigh, then you have no idea what I’m talking about, but if you’ve felt that pull or tug, then you might understand. There is an energy here in Australia. A vibration level that is fantastically connected to the past, present, and future. If you tune in, you can feel the tingle on your skin of the ancestors of long ago. Take a deep breathe and connect with the now and exhale that the future is there but all that matters is now. Yes, the energy is electric. It’s not from the tourists that dump dollars into the economy, but from the people who are born, bred, and live here. Their love of their country and their respect for it is magical. Their insane love of cricket, roasting summer days, and no worries is infectious and a joy to be around (even if you’re melting in the sun).
I fell in love with Australia through photos and the songlines of Jimmy Buffett. I have been able to see those photos in person and been able to follow my own songlines like the Aboriginals of the past did and the ones of the now still follow. Their dreaming tracks, fed my own dreams. Did I ever think when I looked at photos that one day, I’d be in Australia? No. It was just a dream. A far off thought. Something to sit and daydream about while watching the clock tick to quitting time.
I’m not done with Australia. I still have 2 more states to visit and more to see, but what I’m happy about is that I can begin my next chapter. You’re stuck with me for awhile Australia. Let’s make it magical and send Universal light love and magic out to everyone who crosses our paths. I want to inspire and motivate others to follow their songlines. I want to create energy that nurtures and feeds the souls of others. I want to leave a positive footprint like Australia has left on me.
I’ll be beginning my next chapter in Australia with a wonderful little family in Sydney. The Jedi twins need a Jedi nanny to look after them while their Princess Leia mom runs her army of resistance fighters. I am beyond thrilled that the Universe is gifting me with this opportunity. I’ve always said to my nieces that I just want to make a positive difference in the lives of others and inspire them. I hope I am able to do this for this family. They have already brightened my life and day by accepting me and I hope to brighten their lives and future days with Universal light, love, and magic.