M-whY

My five week jaunt through Australia was coming to an end. Seeing everything in Australia in that time frame is pretty much impossible. It would be like trying to see all of America in five weeks. You just can't do it. More often than not, backpackers would spend several months in Australia, taking temporary jobs along the way to support themselves in what is a fairly expensive country to travel in. Unfortunately, these working holiday visas can't be obtained by Americans. Maybe that's why there are so few of us here.

Both Australia and New Zealand's scenery are stunning in the own rights. It's difficult to say which I liked better. For pure, pristine beauty, New Zealand takes the gold. But for the single most amazing experience I've had, nothing beats sleeping under the stars at William Creek. It's one of those things that words can't describe and film can't capture.

After over two months on the road, constantly moving and never staying in one place for more than a few days, I'm a bit exhausted. More mentally than physically. Researching what to do, where to sleep, and how to get around takes its toll. But despite all that, I'm still having the time of my life. It gives the phrase 'Work hard, play hard' real meaning.

However, in some ways, my trip is just beginning. So far I've only been in english speaking countries, where the culture is not too different from home. If I had any trouble, every town had an visitor's center where I count on getting reliable information. Tomorrow, when I arrive in Bali, things will begin to get more difficult. Not immediately, as Bali is still a popular tourist destination. But in the next ten days or so, I will somehow need to make my way over to Jakarta, passing through areas where english will not be the primary language.

Should be exciting!

Thanks to everyone for their support and comments! Knowing people are reading keeps me motivated to continue the updates!