Back to the UK!

Wow, haven't updated my blog for ages! Started writing a little something at Melbourne airport last week so I'll copy and paste that to begin with!


"So here I am once again waiting to begin a 25 hour flight, though this time in the opposite direction! Definitely doesn’t seem like close to a year since I was at the airport sat at the gate staring out the window at a HUGE Qantas plane.

So much has happened in the last few months. Well, not loads, but I made the big decision to use my second year visa straight away. So although it feels very strange to be going back to the UK, it’s nice to think that in 3 weeks time I’ll be back in my flat in Melbourne. Though I really can’t wait to see people back home!

I made the decision because I have loved all my time in Australia, especially Melbourne, and I feel so at home and settled here, and definitely not ready to leave. Even leaving for 3 weeks makes me feel like I’m going to miss out on something exciting in Melbourne, there’s always something cool going on like a random festival or even just a fun night out with my friends!

Luckily I’ve managed to secure my job at the cupcake shop and will be working there until the end of October, as you can work for the same company for another 6 months in your 2^nd year visa. So the plan is to save up as much as possible, then begin my travels once again and probably go over to Western Australia. That’s about as far as my plans go. I’m just going to see what happens!

There’s no free internet at Melbourne airport so I probably won’t actually post this til I get home!"

So that's what I wrote at the airport. I've been back in North Wales for about a week and a half now, but in just over a week I'll be heading back to Australia! Not really got much to say about my last few months in Melbourne. It's mainly just involved working and going out with friends! Doesn't really feel like I'm on holiday over there now, just feels like home! Actually felt like coming back to the UK was a holiday as it's three weeks off work!

I've managed to fit quite a lot in so far while I've been at home. In the first week I managed to go to the hairdressers, the doctors and the dentist. Went over to Yorkshire to see my Dad and his side of the family. It was nice to see them though I was still a bit jetlagged so was really tired after the drive! It was so weird though, on the way there I actually drove through some snow - something I wasn't expecting to see in April! I've also seen a lot of the family here in North Wales, and caught up with a few friends! 

Although it's nice to come back here and see people, it really has confirmed that I made the right decision to stay in Australia for another year. The thought of actually staying here and having to find a job etc is not something I want to do anytime soon, if ever!

Got a few more things planned while I'm home, going shopping to Chester with my mum tomorrow. Meeting up with a few friends and going on a night out with my sister at the weekend! So still got a few things to look forward to. Then it's back to Melbourne to start my 2nd year in Australia!! So hopefully lots more adventures for me! I'll try and keep my blog updated as much as I can!

Noosa

Had a really good few days in Noosa, stayed at Dolphins Beach house which was about a 2 minute walk to the sea! Arrived at about 3pm so didn't do much that day!

On Saturday me and Beatrice, a girl in my dorm went to the Eumundi Markets which were really good - even though it was pouring with rain! We only stayed for an hour because of the weather but I still managed to spend some money and bought myself a bracelet :)

In the afternoon the weather got a bit nicer so I went for a walk along the beach.

The next day me and Beatrice decided to hire a surfboard as it was free to hire them from the hostel. I choose a girly board with pink hearts on it! But it wasn't the kind of board I was used to surfing on, as I've only used the soft boards for beginners! When we got to the beach the waves weren't great but we headed out anyway and attempted to surf. It was a bit of a disaster! I didn't managed to stand up and spent most of the time doing massive nose dives and feeling like I was stuck in a washing machine!! It was still good fun though anyway! After about an hour in the water I gave up and spent the next few hours lying on the beach watching other people surf. 

That evening as it was still a bit cold me and the other people in my dorm decided to rent a film, so we all sat in our living room (each dorm has its own living room, kitchen and bathroom) and watched 'Yes Man'.

The next day I was leaving for Rainbow Beach but my bus wasn't until 1pm so I decided to do the coastal walk from Noosa Main Beach to Sunshine Beach - the beach near my hostel. It took about 2 hours and was very scenic with lots of gorgeous bays and beaches, and it was right along the edge of the National Park. 

Next stop Rainbow Beach to do Fraser Island!!

Travel Insurance

After extensive research I've finally sorted out my travel insurance!
I decided to go with mindthegapyear.com as their standard gap year insurance covered pretty much everything I need. It includes medical, cancellation, personal effects and money etc. It also covers any work I'll do, and various activities including scuba diving, white water rafting, surfing, bungee jumping and lots more! I've gone for the Australia & New Zealand only package, as it includes 7 days worldwide on my journey to and from Australia, so if I want to spend a couple of days in Singapore on my way home I can do!
One thing I'd found quite difficult when researching insurance options was finding a company who would insure my laptop, as most backpacker insurance policies only cover valuables up to around £250. But for an extra £29, mindthegapyear have insured my laptop up to the value of £1000!

So my insurance in total has cost me just under £350 (£299 standard policy, £20 excess waiver, £29 laptop insurance). Yes, it's a lot of money, but worth it I think incase anything goes wrong while I'm away!