Okay, this blog post is a bit overdue. But I’ve been chilling. Let’s get into it.

AUSTRALIA

At this juncture of my trip, I’m doing some repeat countries, Australia included. But I have only ever been to Sydney and I was just a little tike. So, I figured it deserved a trip as an adult. I settled on four nights in Melbourne right after my Bali trip. My family now tells me that I would probably like Sydney better, so I’ll probably be back to Australia and check out Sydney and the Gold Coast (so I can surf).

The Bali airport was horrendous, I immediately regretted my six hour red eye flight, and I arrived in Melbourne rather cranky. I was sleepy and I was so sore from a week of intense physicality. Luckily, I was able to check into my hostel early and I proceeded to sleep for over eight hours the morning that I arrived. The first day was rainy and I just wandered around downtown for a while after my long sleep.

When I checked in, the receptionist asked if I was in town for The Open. I was not, but that put an idea in my head. I proceeded to find out that I could go to see some fancy tennis for quite cheap and there was a first round night match in the main arena with Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka both playing matches. I bought a lower level ticket and a black polo so I’d look tennis forward. I do not play tennis. I do understand the scoring, though. I’m just a sports girlie at heart.

Live tennis was way better than I thought that it would be, and it was a great sporting event to attend solo. Nobody really spoke. Everyone was locked in. The matches were wildly entertaining, and I barely looked at my phone (except to snap some pictures/videos). I was there until after midnight and there wasn’t a dull moment. Tennis is also athletically impressive. Highly recommend going to see some tennis live if you’re like me and have never gone. It was riveting.

The match started at 7:00 p.m., but I got there at 5:00 p.m. so I could watch some of the other matches from the screens outside and just wander around. I obviously bought a hat. I did some people watching. I judged people’s outfits. I thought Australians would dress better, but I was wrong. Australians: they’re just like us (loud and lacking in fashion taste).

Here’s some photos from the Australian Open:

My last day in Melbourne, I signed up for a wine and chocolate full-day tour. It was the first time on my entire trip that I was the youngest person around. How refreshing! I am so youthful. actually!

The wine/chocolate tour was a blast. We were escorted around in a van, and I made fast friends with the group of mostly older couples (plus another American divorcee) and we drank good wine and had good snacks. It included a delicious dinner as well. Would recommend it if you’re in Melbourne. I even tolerated a couple of Chardonnays, which I normally steer clear from. The tour started at 9:00 a.m., ended around 5:00 p.m., and I fell asleep by 9:00 p.m. Solid last day.

Here’s some other photos from Melbourne and the wine tour:

Vibe of the moment: mastering Aussie and Kiwi accents and dialogue. I’ve been working hard on mine, especially “no” – but the Kiwi no, not the Aussie “nauuuurrrrrr”

Boguns = Aussie version of rednecks (I learned this from a boomer couple at the wine tour in Melbourne and I find the term to be really, really funny)

The ‘r’s are not okay (they don’t really say them here unless absolutely necessary)

Utes = trucks

Spuds = potatoes

Good cunt = great friend and person, highly regarded

Pissed = drunk

Pissed down = rained down

Wankers = dicks (I think we need to use this more in the USA, but we cannot say the ‘r’ or it sounds bad)

Road maggot = cyclists (lol)

Bush walk = light hike

Hike = long bush walk (lol)

Togs = swimsuit

Jandals = flip flops (or ‘thongs’ in Australia for some reason)

*Pissed is one of the funniest to me. You wouldn’t want to move to New Zealand then tell your new Kiwi friends that you “got really pissed at work” because that would mean that you got really drunk at work, not that someone made you angry.

NEW ZEALAND

After Melbourne, I caught a quick three hour flight back to the Motherland (the Fatherland?) — New Zealand. For those who do not know, I am technically half-Kiwi because my dad is from New Zealand. I am so cultured and cool. I haven’t been back here since I was in law school, and that was a long time ago. It has been lovely. Throughout my trip, I’ve met several people who have been doing similar trips and have said that after about three months they started to get really tired. It hadn’t hit me yet, but it was the perfect timing to be in New Zealand. The first full weekend that I was here, some of the travel fatigue started to hit. I spent two days exclusively watching the NFL playoffs, lounging around, and eating snacks. It was delightful.

I developed a bit of routine while in NZ. In the morning, I would either go to pilates, go for a run, or do both if I was feeling particularly energetic. Then I would do some reading, writing, or trip planning. I would catch up with friends and family via FaceTime when the time difference permitted.  I would often take another walk around the beach or walk around the local shops and cafes by the beach in the afternoon. I’ve been staying with my aunt and uncle at their lovely house that overlooks the beach. Honestly, it was hard to leave. I didn’t even book a flight out of Auckland until almost two weeks into my time in NZ. I was just avoiding it.

In the evenings, my aunt usually cooked up something delicious and we would all hang out on the deck overlooking the water and a nifty little volcano. Life has been good, and it was a good slow down from my constant bopping around different countries for the past three months. I’ve laughed a ton, got to spend time with my grandmother and cousin as well, and have really enjoyed my time with my aunt and uncle. It was so nice to get to know the family that I rarely see because they live halfway across the world, in a time zone that is twenty hours ahead of my own.

Snack of the moment: my aunt Wendy’s cooking. She is such a good cook. I cannot emphasize this enough. Most days, I forgot to take a picture of what she made because I was too excited to eat it. Shame. Also a special shoutout to my cousin Madi’s cheeseboards, homemade granola, and homemade focaccia.

Here’s photos of some of the delicious meals:

They both should start food blogs.

New Zealand is also such a beautiful country, so obviously I have to drop some photos of the nature, the beaches, and from a “bush walk” that my aunt, my cousin, and I went on. A “bush walk” is essentially a light hike. I find that term funny too, and I will start using it. The trees here are really cool too. I could ramble on about it, but I’ll just drop the photos instead:

Oh, also, I get to feature some cool animals. Featured in this post are: my cousin’s pretty cats, my aunt’s friend’s fancy dog, and a special guest: Kendrick, pictured from my uncle’s place back in Knoxville, Tennessee. I miss her dearly.

Animal photos:

Song of the moment: Slim Pickins – Sabrina Carpenter

Why? Because the radio here was playing a lot of Sabrina, and I think this song is quite funny. Guess I’ll end this life alone, indeed.

Featured lyrics:

Since the good ones are deceased or taken***,

I’ll just keep on moanin’ and bitchin’

***or in other foreign countries ):

Now listen to Sabrina!!!!

Next stop: back to Bangkok, then off to Chiang Mai, Thailand, and then Hanoi, Vietnam, with my bff Kelsey (!!!!!). I couldn’t be more excited to see her and get to travel more around Asia. We have already booked a cooking class, a visit to an elephant sanctuary, an affordable Michelin star restaurant, and that’s just the beginning. It’s going to be awesome. And I get to reunite with my beloved: 7-Elevens in Thailand. ❤ toasties forever ❤