So then, my Australia trip came to a close. What do I think about my weeklong trip in The Land Down Under?
Personally, it was an eye-opener in terms of what can I expect in a winter-y setting. As it was my first encounter with a proper winter weather (the closest other one was in Tokyo – not yet winter season but the cold was definitely creeping) and something I looked forward to, I am properly enthralled with Sydney and Melbourne, but for some reason, I dig Melbourne more. Sydney felt like a mash of Western business setting and some English influence mixed in, while Melbourne was proper European-ish.
Next time I go back to Australia, definitely I am going to Melbourne again. On Klook, there were lots of tours I could’ve done – the Great Ocean Road tours, Brighton Beach, Phillip Island, Yarra Valley… quite a lot to look forward to. And I’m going back on the same late June schedule for that wintery feel. But if my work schedule permits it, maybe a period where either Lake Mountain or Mount Buller gets really good snow. Maybe I’d like to stay one night in a cabin there and at least experience a snowy morning. And definitely, again, on late June or early July. But have to be strategic about the timing, as I do want weekdays.
Then maybe Perth for the second leg. I don’t mind spending a full week in Melbourne though, if I could cobble up a full lineup of Klook bookings of fun shit to do in just one place ike Melbourne, why not.
Do I want to go back to Sydney? Yes. But with a good caveat of “maybe later again”. I had a good fill of Sydney activities. I visited many of the best hits – opera house, harbour bridge, Blue Mountains, Manly Beach, Taronga Zoo, Fish Market. I did skip some notable ones too (like Bondi), but those can be held off for now. Like Japan, I am holding off on Sydney for now as I want some of that visiting magic back. Not even a case of fever held me back from trying out to visit many of them. Sometimes a gap year of 2-3 years can bring that wonder and magic back. Repeat visits over a short period of time might impact it negatively.
I have other plans next year, so definitely no return for then. Maybe in 2028? Definitely. Need to save some money again for that. But fortunately, I still have winter gear. Just have to keep them for now, and pack them again someday.
Until then, Australia. Loved my time lots, and I’ll definitely be back.
…and maybe a bit less on the chips, please. I ate dishes with chips, and they were very generous. Thanks for the generosity, but as a Southeast Asian, it hurts to leave a fourth of the chips on the plate 🙂
As for Bali… well, slightly different. I’d love to go back and maybe book a couple of Klook activities, and book a more remote hotel. But this trip was simply dipping, like my first Malaysia trip. Just to test what’s what and see how easy or difficult it was to go in and out. But I soon knew Bali was the place you go to WITH someone else. Not that fun to go single. I’d be back in Bali someday, but definitely with someone else to enjoy the fun times with.
But for the immediate future… maybe a trip to Hokkaido or Taipei first, then back to Melbourne. Sydney may be awesome, but Melbourne got my heart.
Briathrail // Albert 2MNG 
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