August 4, 2017 After a 2 week vacation in Fiji with sis, I took another plane up North to Cairns. It is about a 2 day drive from Sydney...so it is pretty far up there. This is where you will find the Great Barrier Reef, tropical rain forests and a wet and dry season. Oh and of course all of the most deadly animals and insects on the planet. I moved up to find work for my requirements of my visa. I have to work in a certain post code for 88 days in order to apply for a second year visa.....yes, that is right. I am extending my stay in Australia. Did anyone see this coming? I decided to extend my stay not long after I met Chris. Not only do I want to be here because of him, there is really just so much more to see and do here in Australia. I mean, I barely touched the surface living in the Sydney region. So far, Cairns is almost opposite to what I have grown custom to in Sydney. It is very humid here, with light rainshowers throughout the day. It is about 10 degrees warmer up here right now since it is the winter season; you could compare it to year round Florida weather. And unlike Sydney beaches where you jump into the surf and have waves crashing on top of you, you want to only swim where its permitted because of box jelly fish and gators. I don't think I will be swimming any time soon, I will just still to underground pools at the hostels. Speaking of hostels, I am staying at Gilligans hostel and wow, comparing this place to the hostels in Sydney is like a 5 star hotel vs a broke down motel. This place rocks! With clean kitchen areas, big wide open areas for lounging, activity center, daily maid service and full night club and restaurant on site, I literally can sustain my entire Cairns stay right in the hostel without leaving. And it is reasonably priced at $155/week in an 8 bed dorm. As I am working on getting a job in the city, I will plan to extend my stay here. When I first moved to Sydney, I had everything planned before I crossed over borders; I had a job lined up, a place to lay my head, and a full bag of cash waiting to be spent. Moving to Cairns was a way bigger adventure because I did not have any of that planned. I mean, I booked my hostel and plane ticket 3 days before I moved here. I am such a planner that this put me a little on the nervous side. Luckily I have Chris around to keep me calm and tell me to enjoy myself and don't stress. Thanks babe :) But with my visa expiring in 4 months, I am pressed for time on getting a job and working no less than 6 days a week, just to stay legal in the country. C'mon, a little stressful right? With finding a job the only stressful thing on my plate at the moment, I have found some ways to not worry and be happy. Found some night markets in Cairns and bought a handmade bracelet watch, and got my feet nibbled on by fish that eat dead skin (not that tickleish!) There is a long walking trail along the water called the Esplanade and I think I will start jogging along it for a good workout. I also have see so many species of birds out and they sing with delight in the trees. Tomorrow I am renting a scooter and going up North to a rainforest village to hike around and hopefully on the next sunny day take a day tour out to the reef for a snorkel. Life is pretty great. 22/8/2017 Well it took only 2 weeks and 3 days, but I am finally "established" in Cairns. I have a full time bar and coffee job, I live in a 3 bedroom and apartment just 20 minutes away, and I bought myself a used cruiser bike with a sweet red helmet to make my commute more fun and quicker. I feel like a local already; knowing what street the good food is on and where to go for some sun bathing. I am really enjoying the warm days here. We have a community pool at this apartment complex, so lately to save money, I have been lounging by the pool with loads of sunscreen on. I have been working for a temp agency doing odd kitchen hand jobs, but I got a call back from this bar called Fusion Art Bar and Tapas. They have been training me on house cocktails and barista work. It is a small restaurant with only 13 tables, and there is local art hung up. It is connected to an art gallery the owner has, so it has a modern artsy/hipster vibe. Super bright and welcoming, and all the tables and chairs were hand made by the owners partners; made out of smooth wood and re purposed metals. I have been missing Chris every day. He has been so supportive through my move, and even offered to move up to Cairns with me, which is sweet, but I couldn't ask him to do that. He is planning to fly up here once or twice each month and the first trip is coming up in 8 days! So excited to go have adventures on the reef and the rain forest. I love having a travel partner over here with me, and someone to support everything I do. ---------Update: I have been let go at my job at Fusion Bar. Honestly, I was miserable there because I just wasn't recognized for any of my hard work. Now, I don't mean I need an applause every time I polish a wine glass, but when I am going above and beyond or not needing any assistance and understand my role, it would be great to not just get "was that done?" or "Did you get this?" There was just this tension with the owner, and it didn't help that it was a family run business and I was the odd man out. I have been on my feet ever since, looking for work. I think I have found something that will make me have to move out of Cairns, but I don't want to jinx it so I will wait until my next chapter to talk about it :) 12/9/2017 Well as fast as I arrived I am now leaving Cairns. It was dead ends every where I looked for work. I don't think this is a secret anymore, but I am working towards my second year visa, and that means I have to work 88 days in a certain zipcode and in a certain industry; hospitality. So I have been looking for bar and restaurant work. I was fortunate to get on at a temp agency that sends you to special events in the Cairns area, but that wasn't consistent. And my other job, well just look above for how that turned out. My first year visa expires on Dec. 5th( I can't believe it has almost already been a year since I've been gone!), so I will need to work full time up until then in order to apply for that second year. Wish me luck! I head off to a private island resort next and I gotta say, this is the kind of this I have been waiting for. What an experience! What a way to end my first year in Australia! I think my private resort will only be missing my partner Chris. He has been so supportive throughout my travels and has come up to visit me and calls me every day. When I feel low, he boosts my mood and encourages me to stay strong and reminds me everything will work out. Although I am living an amazing dream, I am so happy to say that 'happily ever after' came true once I met Chris. Couldn't have asked for a better outcome with this decision of mine to move across the world, and to find love. I opened my mind to travel, but then my heart opened up to love at the same time. :) Bye Cairns
2 Comments
Denise Euell
6/8/2017 03:43:52
Sister you amaze me...from one adventure to another!!!Iam back home and about to head up to the river,then camping with mom,dad and David over to Jordan😁I miss you but Iam glad you are loving life💙🌏💙🌏
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John Taylor
10/8/2017 08:58:56
Hi sweetie just got back from camping. We had a great time with the Kids. David caught a big fish made his trip! Sounds like you have been real busy getting it all together in a very short time. Time how it fly's cant believe its almost been a year and before you know it it will be going on two (WOW!)Really enjoyed all the pictures with you and Denise in Fiji. Good luck on the job in Cairns. I am sure you will be happy what ever it is. You being where you want to be and doing what you want to do will always make you happy. Keep living your dream sweetie.:)
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Blissful BettieAusI want to see, do, explore, wander, and live to the fullest. I hope to inspire the next generation travelers to journey on. |