But as I reach the two month mark, I'm beginning to realise it isn't always that easy. I've covered the miles, met some cool people, but have found it difficult to travel the way I really want to. I hoped to meet like minded lone travellers who I could hire cars and catch lifts with, get off the beaten track. So far, despite chatting to people, putting notes up, even placing a futile ad on Gumtree, I haven't got anywhere. Hostels have been full of Germans who stick together, long termers looking for work, couples or lone Brits who have pre-booked tour after tour, and people going the opposite way. At times, the lack of options has left me feeling a bit down. Given that I'm not about to hitchhike, usually I've got no other option than to book onto a tour bus and be driven to the next photo opportunity. But I don't want photos. I want experience.
Hiring a car to drive these long distances by myself isn't fun...or safe. Although travelling alone has saved me the hassle of fall outs and given me freedom in some respects, the efforts of the last few days in Adelaide have left me envying the people who'd come travelling with a like-minded friend.
I'd wanted to travel the Great Ocean Road at my own pace, but finding someone with a similar plan was proving difficult, so I reluctantly booked onto a tour. The problem was, the bus was fully booked until Thursday. That meant I faced 4 more days hanging around in Adelaide, a city in a heatwave. A city which, to a city girl, holds very little interest.
As with most times that I've felt a bit down since leaving London, what I needed was a good night's sleep followed by a Productive Day. I needed to hatch a plan. I needed to get away from the city.
Four days, four days. What can a girl do on her own for four days?
Hmmm. Well.
After a bit of google-mapping, I came up with Coober Pedy, an opal mining town 844km north of Adelaide. It's a place where 60% of the population live underground because it's too damn hot above. The Greyhound bus goes there, so today I will too. Just me, a change of clothes and 2 days to explore.
I'm going on my own, so no change there. But I'm excited about travelling somewhere random again, getting some freedom back for a few days, which is just the change I needed.
12 comments:
Have fun!
Coober Pedy is also well-known to fans of the film "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" as the one where Adam (Guy Pearce) gets beaten up...
Are you traveling other places besides Australia? New Zealand and Southeast Asia are great destinations. But there are probably still groups of Germans, etc. etc.
No hitch hiking alone. Good girl.
(Hope that doesn't sound condescending!)
DON'T get a tour down the Great Ocean Road! There's a public bus that goes up and down all the way to Geelong (where you can get a train to Melbourne) and stops at all the townships, catch that and go at your own pace.
Oh, and it's more like a coach than a bus, so luggage won't be a problem.
I feel so lazy every time i see your blog. You have been in Australia 2 months and have seen soooooo much more than i ever have haha....
Not bad, jo.
Traveling is just like that.
You are growing up you will became a good writer.
Sorry to hear things are quite going to your non-plan making.
But really pleased that your making the most of your down time and looking for things to do.
Stick to your guns as much as you can I think your plan of taken the beaten path is great. Everyone else is just doing it wrong!
lyle - Yep, its a good film that one. Mad Max, Pitch Black, and a load of others were also filmed around there too. It's a cool place with some insane scenery.
Evie - Yep, I'm off to New Zealand in about 3 weeks, then Fiji and America. SE Asia doesn't tickle my fancy at the moment though...
Ellie - No not at all! I've met a couple of people who have chosen that route, but it's not really for me. Simply put, I haven't got the balls.
Miss Milk - Too late I'm afraid! The bus is booked...unfortunately time was against me and I had to make a decision about what to do. I'll remember that advice for others though.
Al - Yeah, but then I've never been to Scotland, Wales, Ireland, or a load of other places in tiny little England. You never explore whats on your own doorstep!
BB - Why thank you. Yep, travelling is all about the varied experiences...
Robbie - It's a bit of a pain, but everything happens for a reason. I'll be able to do a lot more of 'my style' travelling when my boyfriend gets out here and we can hire campervans and such. I'm just impatient!
When we have been looking forward to something so much and made detailed plans inevitably the actual experience ends up somewhere between being out of this world fantastic and downright shit.
Nothing to be disappointed about unless you hark for trudging to work in the early morn' through a month's worth of ice and snow.
isto é que é viajar, sim senhora.
sounds like youre having a great time, im very jealous and think youre really brave. are you posting photos too?
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