A spontaneous trip to New Zealand

Half way through our East Coast of Australia travels we spontaneously decided to go to New Zealand. We always planned to go to New Zealand while we were this side of the world, however we initially penciled it into our schedule after we had finished in Australia completely.

There we were one hot afternoon in Brisbane planning to sunbathe around the hostels roof top pool. Only, when we got to the pool, we realised there was nowhere to sit and sunbathe so instead we (me and Jen) sat at a table on the rooftop terrace overlooking the city of Brisbane. Conversation naturally turned to our future travel plans and off the cuff Jen suggested we fly to New Zealand within the next few weeks. The dreadful Cyclone Debbie had just caused havoc further up the East Coast (where we were heading) and the operation of recovery was underway. Many hostels were damaged, without water and electrics, and trips cancelled leading to a big backlog. It made more sense to disappear for a while and return when the East Coast was more operational. I agreed with this reasoning and so there and then we decided to plan and go on the most spontaneous trip we had ever done! We spend a solid 10 days frantically researching what New Zealand had to offer, shortlisted the places we wanted to visit, worked out how we would get to every location and booked flights and accommodation.

10th April was our 6 month anniversary of being in Australia, and for a while we had joked about celebrating this day. Neither of us had even contemplated jumping on a plane to another country, but coincidentally we had booked our New Zealand bound flights for this day, New Zealand we are coming for you!

High above Brisbane

Seeing the sunset from the sky was special

We had 18 nights in New Zealand, starting in Queenstown and working our way North finishing in Auckland. This is what I got up to...

Queenstown:
After A long travel day, arriving late, we only had the time and energy to venture to the local pizza restaurant before retiring to our beds. Upon morning, my first impression of Queenstown was that it was cold, very cold!! Queenstown was a relatively small town, but it was beautiful, even in the rain.

Beautiful Queenstown

Not a bad spot to sit for lunch

While staying in Queenstown, we also went on a day trip to Milford Sound. Despite the weather not always being on our side, the views were incredible. Once we reached Milford Sound we boarded a boat for a cruise around the Fjords.

The Milford Sound Fjords

Our Boat

Seals

Christchurch:
On arrival into Christchurch, my initial impression was that it looked just like Gloucester (very run down). I then remembered Christchurch was a victim of a devastating earthquake in 2011. I put two and two together and realised it looked like it did, because of its history. Being the geography graduate that I am, I found it very thought provoking, A case study that I learnt out of textbooks at school, I was now witnessing with my own eyes. My mood was very sombre during my time here. It was sad to see the very visible devastation still evident 6 years on from the disaster happening.

The ruins of Christchurch Cathedral

A typical view of Chirstchurch City Centre

However, despite the clear devastation and lack of current opportunity, Christchurch managed to make good of a bad situation. Firstly there is the Re:START Mall, made out of shipping containers, it was erected in 61 days within the Red Zone with the aim of bring retail and a sense of normality back into the city centre. Secondly, there is Quake City, a museum giving an interactive learning experience all about the 2011 earthquake

Re:START Mall

I had never visited anywhere with disruption like Christchurch before, and despite there not being a lot going for it at current, I left feeling educated and inspired by the city. I would love to revisit in the future and see how it has changed.

Wellington:
Next stop was the capital city of New Zealand, Wellington. Wellington is just a normal city, but hidden within it there is the quirky Cuba Street. We also ventured up to Mount Victoria Lookout. Despite the strong winds making my face feel very cold, the views looking over Wellington were decent. There was even an outside slide!!

Boats in Wellington Harbour

Views from Mount Victoria Lookout

Rotorua:
Rotorua was home to Geothermal lakes. Essentially, they look like low cloud over water, but it is actually steam rising from the water (I think, google them).

Geothermal Lake

Walking through a geothermal lake

Looks like you are in the clouds

While in Rotorua we also went to a Maori Tribe Village experience. We saw traditional Maori tribes performing, I was chosen to play the traditional game of Moi, I wasn't very good but it was fun! We saw the Maori men perform the Haka, and were also treated to a traditional Hangi meal. This is where the food is cooked in the ground. It was a very enjoyable evening.

Traditional Maori Tribe

Hangi, where our food was cooked

Our Hangi raised from the ground

Yummy

Waitomo Caves:
En route to Auckland our coach stopped at Waitomo caves for the glow worm experience. We went inside the caves, learnt some history and then boarded a boat to see the glow worms. Photography was strictly prohibited, but the only thing lighting up the blacked out caves were hundreds of glow worms.

Auckland:
By time we reached Auckland we were pretty knackered. We wanted to experience as much as possible during our short time frame in New Zealand which meant that we were on the move every 3ish nights, with long travel days of up to 15 hours. It had started to take its toll, so our time here was a lot more chilled. One thing we did do though was going up the sky tower, with views looking over Auckland.

Stood high about Auckland

Auckland from the sky tower

Auckland from the sky tower

I really enjoyed my short time in New Zealand :)

Amester x

East Coast of Australia: What I got up to

My journey of travelling the East Coast of Australia started with an overnight coach journey from Sydney in mid March, before finishing 3 months later in Cairns. I did have a brief escape from the East Coast where I jetted off to New Zealand for 2.5 weeks. But the majority of this 3 month period was travelling North along the East Coast taking in all the sites.

3 months is a long timescale for this trip, it can easily be done in a matter of weeks but seeing as our bus pass lasted for 3 months this was how long we decided to dedicate to travelling the East Coast.

I visited 12 places along the East Coast, on average spending around 4 nights at each place:

• Port Macquarie
• Byron Bay
• Surfers Paradise
• Brisbane
• Noosa
• Hervey Bay
• Agnes Water
• Airlie Beach
• Townsville
• Magnetic Island
• Mission Beach
• Cairns

It is impossible to detail everything that I did but here is a summery of some of my favourite moments.

Port Macquarie: Koala Hospital
For a voluntary donation a visit to the koala hospital is a must. We went for the 3pm guided talk. The work they do here for the ill and injured koalas was really interesting to see.

Koala Hospital Mascot

Byron Bay: Lighthouse Walk
The walk to the lighthouse was enjoyable and once at the top, the most eastern point on mainland Australia is located. I was also lucky enough to witness hundreds of dolphins playing in the waves. It was incredible

Stood at the most eastern point on mainland Australia

Lots of Dolphins

and jump

Surfers Paradise: Ripleys Believe it or not museum and Infinity
Growing up one of the few books that actually interested me was the Ripleys believe it or not annuals. In surfers Paradise there is a museum dedicated to the facts and memorabilia of Mr Ripley. It was a lot of reading but generally interesting. My favourite part was the laser maze.

Another attraction I visited at surfers paradise was called Infinity. Prior to going I was unsure about what to expect but it was awesome. I have never done anything like it before. It is hard to explain but it is basically a sensory maze with one entrance and one exit, made up of many different rooms. As you leave one room you enter the next and so forth. No room is the same; one was pitch black, another was lasered, one room was a mirror maze, uneven floors etc. It was a lot of fun but at times scary when you can't work out how to exit the room and panic builds. Needless to say me and Jen held hands around it and I wouldn't do it on my own.

Brisbane: Roma Street Parklands

I enjoyed it here, it was a nice place to walk around. My favourite area was the spectacle garden at Colin Campbell Place, because there were soo many lizards. We also watched Grease outside on a big screen one evening which was cool.

Spectacle Garden

One of the many lizards I saw

I see you

Airlie Beach: Whitsunday Island Day Tour

Unfortunately Airlie Beach was damaged due to Cyclone Debbie, so its main attraction of the lagoon was not open when we were there. However Airlie Beach is the departure place for Whitsunday Island Tours. We decided to go on a day trip (not overnight) and despite waking to torrential rain, the sun made an appearance and it was a very enjoyable day. I describe our boat as a big speed boat, and with the heavy morning rain causing big waves, our boat was in its element flying over them. It was fun! We visited two snorkeling spots where we saw some cute fishes, as well as visiting the famous Whitehaven Beach where I tried SUP-boarding. We then finished the day by visiting one of the private Whitsunday Island resorts for cocktails with a view.

Me and  Jen in our sting suits ready for snorkeling

SUP-boarding

Cocktail with a view

Townsville: Castle Hill for Sunset

In Townsville there is a massive boulder called Castle Hill. It was a boiling hot day and we decided to trek up it for sunset. We made it with minutes to spare but the views were insane.

Castle Hill in the distance

Sunset from the top of Castle Hill

Taking in the views

Magnetic Island: Feed the wild rock wallabies at Geoffrey Bay

Magnetic Island is situated just offshore from Townsville. It is such a beautiful island. My favourite part of visiting here was feeding the wild rock wallabies at Geoffrey Bay. We decided to walk for 2.5 hours following the Nelly Bay to Arcadia Bush Walk to Geoffrey Bay. We timed it so we would arrive for 5pm which is when the rock wallabies appear. They were soo friendly, and we were even treated to an incredible sunset.

Feeding a rock wallabie

Incredible Sunset

Cairns: Skydiving

Originally we booked to do our skydive in Mission Beach, but the weather wasn't great and it was cancelled twice. By this point we were due to leave Mission Beach and head to Cairns. Luckily we were able to relocate our skydive at no extra cost. So as the saying goes '3rd time lucky' and we excitedly boarded a tiny place and headed for 14,000ft above Cairns. I then jumped out the plane, freefalled 10,000ft in 1 minute, breathed a sigh of relief when my parachute opened before taking in the views for 5 minutes before landing in the middle of nowhere feeling super pumped with adrenaline. Considering i'm not an adrenaline junkie (you wont catch me on a roller coaster), I really enjoyed skydiving, and would probably do it again.

Me and Jen about to board the plane
Photo Credit: Skydive Australia

I screamed the entire freefall
Photo Credit: Skydive Australia

Thumbs up if you are having fun
Photo Credit: Skydive  Australia

Cairns: Cape Tribulation/ Daintree Rainforest Day Trip

From Cairns you can do a day trip to Cape Tribulation and Daintree Rainforest. It is a long day of travelling, and sightseeing but my highlight was the crocodile cruise.

Scarface, the alpha male of the Daintree River

Amester x

Happy Birthday Amester Ames Blog

Today my blog turns 3 years old. I can remember 3 years ago, I was sat in my bed in my university house in Derby, UK, when I created this small piece of the internet. Initially it wasn't called Amester Ames. It was either called 'Life of Ames' or 'Life of Amester'. In truth I cant remember, I just remember not being 100% happy with it. I then came up with Amester Ames and it's stuck since. I like it, it was a good change.

If I'm honest I'm suprised this blog is still running. I have a tendancy to start projects, eventually get bored and never come back to them. Somehow this one has been one I've come back to. I think this may be because I have no upload schedule or set content expectations. I can go weeks or months without uploading but it works for me. After all I created this blog for myself, it's just an added bonus other people have took an interest in it.

This blog has taken me on a journey from a fresh 20 year old graduate up until today, a 23 year old currently 7 months in on living my childhood dream of travelling Australia.

In 3 years I have uploaded 37 blogs. I have had a total of 5633 page views. On average I get 55 views per blog post. My most viewed post is Dreams do come true with 172 views. Whereas my least viewed is Smooth Move with only 9 views. My personal favourite is things I am thankful for, as it is my most creative post. What has been your favourite post?

Other than my family and some friends I don't actually know who reads my blogs. My analytics show that after the United Kingdom my next popular audience locations are Ireland and USA. I also have views from Ukraine, Portugal and Russia to name a few. Considering I only really know people from the United Kingdom with a few exceptions, it is cool to know that my content is viewed (and hopefully enjoyed) by people I dont even know. Where in the world are you situated?!

I wonder what the next 3 years will pan out like?! Will this blog still be a part of my life?! Will I still enjoy using punny titles?! Will it still document my travel journeys or will it take me through an entirely different journey?! Who knows...

Heres to the next 3 years!

I'd love to know what peoples favourite/least favourite post of mine has been?! Also where in the world you are located and how long you have been following this blog. Comment below or tweet me @AmesterAmes

Amester x

Its not all smiles and thumbs up - The reality of long term travel

Just a warning, this post gets a bit deep and might not be the most funnest of reading. Sometimes it is just good to get stuff of my chest.

Here is a thought for you: that perfect travel Instagram you've liked, you take at face value, have you ever thought about the reality hidden by this perfect photo? What i mean by this is that what is portrayed, isn't always a true reflection of the reality. This might be confusing to grasp so let me show you...

My view whilst writing this blog post. Looks instagramable right?!

The view behind the camera of the above picture, not so instagramable and perfect.

This same scenario can be applied to humans. You only share the details you wish to share. In essence it is a nit-picked edited version you are happy to share. I am going to apply this to myself, my own situation.

If I told you that it is 2pm on Friday 12th May, in the middle of Australia's Autumn and I am sat on a beach in my bikini. That sounds perfect right?! Well life isn't always as it seems. These facts are true, however there are many details I have not included. One being my current state of mind while sat on this beach.

I am regularly told by people that it looks like I am having an amazing time. Dont get me wrong, this is true, but I only disclose an edited version of what I've been up to, I voice the good and brush aside the bad. After all I'm on the other side of the world, living my dream, while the majority of people I know are working a full time job. I don't really feel like I can complain.

The thing is despite living my dream, experiencing and creating great memories, it isn't always smiles and thumbs up.

I have been away from home for 7 months and thankfully it is only within the last couple of weeks that my mindset hasn't been completely positive. Up until 6 months I barely let myself think of home. I knew if I did, home sickness would kick in, I'd then find it hard to snap out of this feeling and then I'm faced with a downwards spiral until I return home. I know this because it used to happen to me during my university years when I lived 2 hours away from home. The difference this time, is 24 travel hours and a hefty plane ticket price away. I can't just spontaneously pop home for a night or 2. So a positive mindset was vital to me and thankfully it worked.

So why has my mindset suddenly changed in the last couple of weeks. I put it down to a combination of things:

• Realisation that I have been away for a realively long time - I am closer in time to the end of this travel than back to the start of it. I've started to miss home comforts, but mostly as silly as it sounds I miss hugs (Jen isn't a huggy person) from my parents and dog.
• Fatigue - traveling is tiring. I don't have one set home, my hostel becomes my home and I'm rarely at the same hostel for more than a week. Packing up all my belongings every few days, long travel days getting from A-B, familiarising yourself with a new area, doing the mundane chores of food shopping, laundry, etc as well as exploring a place within limited timescales. It's full on, it takes its toll
• The need for space - in 7 months I haven't had a single night to myself, there has always been at least 1 other person in the room, sometimes as many as 8. I don't have anywhere to call 'mine' to escape to and hibernate when I'm not feeling socialable. Also because I'm traveling with my sister, it got to the point where we were just annoying each other, because we had been around each other to much. 
• Nothing to occupy my mind - as silly as it sounds I feel like I'm losing my intelligence and memory whilst travelling. I don't have a great deal of things that have to be thought about, I'm not being challenged mentally. This creates a lot of thinking time, which isn't always good.
• Hostel life - if I am in a hostel I dont enjoy, it is hard to stay in a positive mindset.

There are steps which have helped to deal with this negative mindset.

Firstly, me and Jen decided to go our separate ways for 10 days. For 206 days (my mum pointed out some marriages have lasted for less time) we were practically together for 24 hours a day. The most we are apart is when one of us goes for a shower, even then it is only 20 minutes apart. We do also try and have a day apart a week but the reality is, it is only about 7 or 8 hours apart. So as you can imagine we were winding each other up, and desperately needed some time apart. I have never solo travelled before, so I was a bit nervous but I knew it was for the best. In truth it has been good for me. I was forced out of my comfort zone. The first 7 days were very enjoyable. I was in a lovely hostel and made some good friends and had a great time and was feeling happy and positive. I then left this hostel and moved to a different hostel in a different town. How a mood can change in a matter of hours! In short I'm not enjoying this hostel, I don't feel welcome or settled and it's made me feel lonely, dramatically impacting my mood. Luckily I'm on day 10 away from my sis, and we are both looking forward to reuniting tomorrow. I'm sure I will then start feeling back to my normal self.

This blog helps to stimulate some of my brain cells every once in a while, however I have to be in the right mood to do it, which isn't all to often. I have also been trying to do puzzle books. I love a good suduko and that definitely challenges my brain.

So what I feel I am getting at here is that on the surface everything in my life may look idyllic, having the opportunity to live out my childhood dream, my Instagram feed looks awesome, exploring and making unforgettable memories but I am only publically portraying the parts of my life I feel like. I am still human and there are underlying mental factors brought with it. The reality is traveling isn't always going to be 100% positive. But what I do know is that I would much rather be in the position I currently am than be waking up each morning going to work, but maybe I'm subconsciously missing stability in my life. I'm not ready to come home yet, but each day I'm another day closer to some much needed hugs.

Amester x

Dolphinately got the surfing bug

Departing Port Macquarie at 2am we boarded the overnight coach to Byron Bay. It really frustrates me, or maybe I'm just envious, that Jen has the ability to fall asleep within minutes of being on transport. Instead I had to endure a restless night of barely any sleep, ultimately feeling like a zombie on arrival.

Byron Bay was probably the place on the East Coast I was most looking forward to visiting. Within the Australian backpacker community it is known as a must see visit on the East Coast. It is known as hippy central and that couldn't be more true. More people than not found here have dreadlocks, tattoos, wear loose baggy clothes, walk bare foot and travel around in campervans. The town itself is relatively small with a very chilled out vibe.

We were gifted with lovely weather while we were here which was handy because there isn't a great deal to do if the weather is naff. The main attraction to the area is the beach. It was sooooo long, you could easily find a spot to chill that was isolated from others. It is also a dog beach, so I got to fuss a few :) I also enjoyed watching the sand crabs running in and out of their holes.

Spot the sand crab

After our surf lesson in Sydney we were eager for another. We booked up a lesson with Black Dog Surfing and definitely enjoyed it much more than the first one. We were made to do stretches at the start. Knowing how much I ached after my Sydney lesson (we didn't stretch) this impressed me a lot. Out of a group of about 12, only me and Jen had actually surfed before, so we got took off for a mini private lesson while the others learnt the basics. We got into the water and first attempt I managed to stand and catch a wave. Considering my entire Sydney lesson I barely stayed on the board lying down I was amazed. It wasn't beginners luck either because I stood up and caught the waves a fair bit. This lesson was made further enjoyable by the instructors. They had a genuine interest in each student and each time you failed to catch a wave they gave feedback on why this was and how to fix it for next time. I came away from this lesson knowing what to do and hooked on surfing.

Good surf waves

The final thing we did while here was a walk to the lighthouse on the eastern most point of mainland Australia. It was here we saw hundreds of dolphins playing in the sea. It was amazing! On return from the long walk we went for frozen yogurt.

Most eastern point on mainland Australia 

Soo many dolphins

and jump

I felt sick after

There was one downside to the area, the annoying tour sales people. Constantly getting stopped along the high street, trying to convince you to book the remainder of your East coast travel excursions with them, or miss out because you are leaving it too late to book. Well needless to say we didn't bide by this sales technique, and didn't book anything up in a panic.

Amester x

Koalaty first stop on the East Coast of Australia

The evening of 17th March it was time to start the next chapter of my Australian Adventure. Time to head up the East Coast. We have purchased a 3 month hop-on hop-off pass for travel from Sydney up to Cairns.

We left our family and jumped on the train to Sydney Central (which passed through Cheltenham) to catch the 7pm bus up north. We arrived at our first stop Port Macquarie at 2am, found our hostel and went straight to sleep.

Gloucester, Stroud and now Cheltenham

Although the weather in Port Macquarie seemed to be against us for the duration of our stay here, we still managed to do some exploring, ableit with raincoats on.

Cheeky the hostel parrot decided to sit on my head.

Around the town and suburbs of Port Macquarie there are decorated Koala Sculptures. One morning we wandered around the town centre and found 20 of them.

Some of my favourite Koala Sculptures

That afternoon we headed for Port Macquarie Koala Hospital. The only hospital in the world fully dedicated to Koalas. We found some more koala sculptures then joined a guided talk and saw the koalas in the care of the hospital. Many were there due to issues arrising from catching Chlamydia. One had been badly injured in a bush fire with another being involved in an accident with a car to name a few. At this hospital, competely run by charitable donations, the koalas receive the treatment they need, as well as rehabilitation to become strong enough to be released back into the wild. For those who unfortunately wouldnt survive back in the wild they remain at the hospital for life with fresh eucalyptus leaves daily, trees to climb and sleep in and lifelong care. The guide also spotted a wild koala up in one of the trees above the hospital which was koalaty to see.

One of the poorly Koalas

Another inpatient 

On the edge of Port Macquarie is a small rainforest centre with a boardwalk. On our walk around we saw lots of different vegetation, a long tailed eel, butterflys, lizards, birds, spiders and ants. We also found 3 more koala scuptures here.

Long tailed eel

Strangler

Once finished at the rainsforest centre we headed round the corner to Shelley Beach to eat our lunch. Munching on my jam sandwiches I saw what could be described as a mini dinosaur casually strolling across the path. By mini dinosaur I mean it was actually  a goanna but between 1.5-2metres in length  i've never quite seen anything like it. Despite its size it had a gentle nature to it.

Is it a wild dinosaur...

...or is it a Goanna?

Lunch finished we followed the coastel path to Tacking Point lighthouse. It was a nice walk along the cliff tops and across beaches.

Tacking Point Lighthouse

Our final day in Port Macquarie we went for a walk around Kooloonbung Creek. Full of animals we saw hundreds of fruit bats. They are soo noisey but they are weirdly cute and I love seeing them! We also saw many lizards, a crab, and spotted another wild koala. This time I spotted it all on my own quite hidden high up among all the trees. Me and Jen had now seen 2 wild koalas in 2 days meaning we had bragging rights over our family in Sydney. They have been living down under for 8.5 years and have never come across a wild koala hahaha.

It isn't great koalaty...

...but it is definitely a Koala

We also saw an Owl in the early hours whist we were waiting for our coach out of Port Macquarie

Overall I really liked Port Macquarie, a relatively small and quiet town but with some koalaty things to do.

Amester x