My final two weeks on the farm were filled with sheep, olive picking, my fellow backpackers, and going away get togethers. They were also bittersweet of course. I realized that since graduating high school five years ago that was the longest consecutive period of time that I have spent or lived anywhere. I played my final game of hockey July 1 (unfortunately we broke our winning streak), spent one last evening with my Kulin pals, and was off to Perth the next morning. Along with two other backpackers, the Irish and I made the trip and spent two days in Perth before parting ways. Then it was off to Thailand!
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| The Kulin-Kondinin Vipers (AKA the hockey team) |
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| The remaining members of the Kulin-Kondinin backpacker crew at Wave Rock |
Overall my trip to Thailand had a few rough spots, but still definitely worth going for the experience. We flew in to Bangkok and while there we took a day trip to see a train that goes right through the middle of a small market and separate floating market. It was pretty cool but I spewed rather heftily in the van on the way there so I was admittedly a bit grumpy the rest of the day. I also ended up getting covid in the first week which did put a damper of things and meant I wouldn't get to go diving, but I figured at the end of the day there are worse places to feel sick than a warm, sunny beach.
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| My Irish travelmates and I on our first tuk tuk ride (sort of like a motorbike with a cart attached) |
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| The train coming through the market. All of the shops have to pack up and fold down their awnings whenever the train passes through |
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| The market stalls are along a series of channels and you must travel by boat to do your shopping |
After a few days in Bangkok we headed south to do a bit of island hopping for a week and a half. We visited Koh Samui, Koh Tao, and Koh Lanta. While last of these was the most slow-paced and relaxing the most memorable moment of the trip took place on Koh Tao. We were out for a stroll one evening and stumbled upon a cabaret show put on by the local ladyboys - it was hands down the best impulsive twenty dollars I have ever spent. It was two straight hours of deafening music, energetic dance performances, entertaining crowd interaction, and to top off the night I got a picture with (and of course tipped) my favorite performer.
After the island hopping came to an end I returned to Perth for two weeks where I met up with Ben. My days were spent job searching, going to a spa/pool, watching movies, playing lots of Uno, and attending a women's world cup game (Panama vs. Jamaica). Most notably, I also finally purchased a vehicle! It is an older Subaru Forester and so far it has served us well. Two days after I picked it up Ben and I hopped in at 4am and drive 30 hours in two days to Marree, SA where we are now working.
Here in Marree we work at the Hotel/motel/pub and this is definitely the most remote I have been thus far in Australia. The nearest grocery store is 2.5 hrs away and when you look out from the edge of town you see absolutely nothing besides desert and one distant group of hills. I believe the local population is about 40 and my favorite treat, Tim Tams, are about twice as expensive as usual. On the bright side of being so removed from any sort of sizeable civilization the stars here are absolutely stunning and the best I have ever seen.
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| A sign along the road leading out of town reads "WARNING! Remote areas ahead" |
We have been here almost two weeks now and have about five to go before we make our way to New Zealand, which I am very excited about.
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