Published: 23.11.2025
**Travel Diary – New Chapter
"The business week ends. The adventure begins."**
The transition couldn't be clearer:
The intensive, inspiring, and challenging BNI week ends – and suddenly a day begins that feels completely different.
A day full of nature, humor, surprises, and true freedom.
A day that shows: Now the adventure begins.
And the man who made this transition perfectly is named: Steve.
Steve – not a history teacher, but a master of teasing
First things first:
Steve is not a history teacher.
Not even close.
He just brilliantly teased me with that – and I completely fell for it.
I sat front left next to him, right next to his driver's seat.
Behind us was a car full of Australians from Adelaide, along with two companions from the USA.
And him?
68 years old, decades of experience in international energy management (oil & gas), traveling the world, having seen and experienced a lot.
Now he’s retired – but a master of humor, a brilliant storyteller, and a really great guy.
And all day long, he charmingly, heartily, and incredibly humorously teased me.
The "Barra-Monday" joke – and how I beautifully fell for it
I must tell you about one scene just like this:
Steve very seriously explained the different types of barramundi to me.
I listened attentively.
Very attentively.
He started:
"This one is Barra-Monday."
I nodded knowingly.
Then:
"And this is Barra-Tuesday."
I nodded more intensely.
It continued with:
Barra-Wednesday, Barra-Thursday, Barra-Friday…
I hung on his every word.
I wanted to understand everything.
I believed every word.
Until Steve suddenly burst into tears of laughter.
He could barely drive anymore.
And only said:
"Mate… if your English is not perfect, you believe everything."
And yes – that’s true.
If the English isn’t perfect, one sometimes believes things that don’t actually exist.
But that’s exactly what makes such days special:
I laughed until I cried with him.
Research & Biotechnology – a surprising encounter
Among the American companions was a woman from cancer research, specializing in biotechnology –
exactly the field in which SolyPlus operates.
We had an intense conversation on equal terms.
I got to send her our materials.
A wonderful, valuable connection that – as often happens – started completely by chance.
The deadliest inhabitants of Australia – presented with a wink
Steve explained the animals you’d rather not meet:
He told it with such dry humor that we constantly oscillated between amazement and laughter.
Katoomba Falls – a gift of the day
The Katoomba Falls were among the most impressive moments:
Fantastic view.
Beautiful photos.
And – as Steve emphasized – unusually few people.
A rare moment that we were allowed to enjoy.
The cable car – glass bottom, thrill, and a thought of Bibo
We boarded the cable car.
Initially, I thought: "Beautiful view."
But then I realized:
The floor is made of glass.
An incredible moment.
Dizzying.
A breathtaking experience.
I immediately thought of Bibo.
She would have laughed at me – and simultaneously encouraged me to look down.
A moment I would have shared with her had she been here.
Feeding parrots – and a little “ouch” moment
After the ride, we could feed parrots.
Colorful creatures, lively, curious.
They perched on my hand – a beautiful moment.
And when the food was gone?
There was a little "reward bite".
More of a shock than pain.
An experience I won’t forget.
Coal mining – a glimpse into a harsh past
Steve showed us old coal mines.
I really looked inside.
Children worked there – because they were the only ones who fit through the narrow openings.
A sobering yet crucial glimpse into history.
A moment that resonates.
The wildlife – wild, large, and impressive
Australia shows its wild side – and it’s fascinating.
The “older gentleman” takes a break
Yes, it’s true:
I’m told I snored when I fell asleep on the bus.
The day was long.
The impressions intense.
And at some point, the body speaks up.
But I take it with humor:
I’m just an older man who has seen a lot – and laughs a lot.
The conclusion: By ferry to Darling Harbour
To wrap up, we took the ferry into Darling Harbour.
Evening light.
Water.
Skyline.
Freedom.
A perfect conclusion to a perfect adventure day.
A new chapter starts – thanks to my family
The business week is over.
Important. Valuable. Intense.
But now begins what I have been looking forward to deeply:
The great adventure of Australia & New Zealand.
And all this – every experience, every moment – is only possible,
because my family stands behind me.
Because they say:
"Go. Experience. Enjoy. Do it."
I carry you with me – in every step and every photo.
And now… off to the hotel – pack the suitcase!
I have arrived back at the hotel.
And now it’s time:
To pack the suitcase.
Because tomorrow starts a completely new chapter:
**Queensland.
Tropical North.
15 degrees warmer.
Great Keppel Island.**
A place I have dreamed of my entire life.
A place I can finally experience now.
I look forward to taking you along.
And if everything goes as I imagine,
it will be a chapter that is never forgotten.
For today I say: Thank you – and see you tomorrow.
