Spending three weeks in Melbourne wasn’t part of my plan, but with so many friends there, and some generous free accommodation, it turned out to be an ideal place to rest and relax. I got to spend some time with a few people I’d only met for a few days back in Europe, and it felt great to solidify those friendships. Plus, Melbourne reminds me a lot of Vancouver, and I’ve never felt more at home during this year away.

It’s back to the road, however. I got into Adelaide today, and while I covered most of the city centre on foot today, I’m hoping there’s a bit more to check out during the next couple of days. I’m really back to travelling alone now, but I’m looking forward to seeing what South Australia and the Northern Territory bring!

I also just checked the price for a bus from here to Alice Springs. $240. Shit…

Welcome to Oz.

“To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find each other, and to feel. That is the purpose of life.”

It’s been happening for a few weeks. A creeping desire, driven by mental exhaustion, to stop moving around every week. To stop spending time researching sights, directions, transportation, and prices, and to start spending time on my own projects. I miss writing, working out, hockey, and especially DJing. Getting the chance to play a set during a warm up party on Koh Phangan really brought that home. Could a desire to return to work be around the corner? It would sure be nice.

I’ve spent the past month or so feeling guilty for not seeing nearby attractions. Since then I’ve moved past guilt into almost complete apathy. It’s just going to be another temple, or waterfall, or hill top view. Sunsets? They happen every day. Boring! It’s an awful attitude, but even the biggest sponge gets full of water. Having down time has become increasingly pleasurable, and I’m finding myself spending more and more time on my computer, doing the kind of organizational work and small creative projects I would do at home.

Australia is next. The first couple of weeks in and around Melbourne will tell me all I need to know about how much travel I have left in me. Is this full blown travel fatigue, or am I just tired of Asia? Hopefully it’s the latter. Either way, I’m certainly not thinking of changing any of my big picture plans for the trip. I’ll go back to being an excited traveller, or I’ll be desperately pushing myself along. The call to come home isn’t nearly strong enough to change that…yet.

My time in Oz will be slightly different than everywhere else. I’ll have more people to visit, and less I actually have a desire to see. Also, I’m going to be running a small experiment. For the first time in my life, I’ll be wearing glasses than aren’t just for protection from the Sun. I don’t need them, of course, but I’m curious to see if people respond differently to me while they’re on. I’m still getting used to seeing a different face in the mirror, but if that beard could become normal, anything is possible.

Onwards!