Door 8 - Roadtrip with Maddy

On June 19th, Maddy and I leave the big city and get a taste of road trip air for the first time. The idea came to us during a girls' party evening, and I don't regret this crazy idea at all. With my part-time job at Boronia, I wasn't as busy as I had hoped, but it didn't make much sense to look for a new job for the last 2-3 weeks in Sydney. Her flight would leave from Brisbane on the 26th, so we have 1 week for the journey. It's not particularly warm at night, but we have plenty of blankets and warm clothes. Our first stop is the Brisbane Water National Park, a very beautiful piece of land with a certain resemblance to Saxon Switzerland. After that, we take a short hike in Bouddi National Park, which is right by the sea. It's too cold for swimming, but we climb along the beautiful pink-yellow sandstone formations. As it's already twilight when we return to the car, we stop at a beach settlement with the sonorous name 'Copacabana', cook, and consider whether we should stay on the site or look for something else. A middle-aged man who works next door offers us to stay in his house. I wouldn't accept this offer alone, but together... The room is located in the basement of the house, has its own bathroom, and even turns on a heater for us frostbite sufferers. The next morning, we set off early, our destination for the day is Port Macquarie, where my camping app says there is an unofficial free overnight place. After a detour to the harbor, where we play a round of billiards, we fall asleep in our already set up roof tent. The weekend is approaching and we drive to a small bush doof far in the north of New South Wales. We have acquired adornments such as flower wreaths and theater makeup because, with a costume, you pay a whole lot less admission. It gets a whole lot cooler out here in the countryside, and I'm very glad I bought a winter coat in Sydney. Only about 60-70 people are celebrating, but the atmosphere is beautiful, the music invigorating, and there is a big bonfire for warming up. We meet Liane, a woman from Hamburg who lives in Byron Bay. We drive there the next day, when the sun is warming intensively, much to my delight. In the afternoon, we check into the 'Arts Factory' hostel and meet Liane in a bar. Byron appears cute and beautifully done up to me, but on the other hand, it's quite crowded with backpackers. Before Brisbane, we make one more stop at 'Surfers Paradise' on the Gold Coast, where Maddy wants to go to a huge viewing platform. Instead, I take a walk on the beach, which is sandy and crowded with people. The surrounding high-rise buildings cast long shadows that already take away the warmth of the sun from many spots on the sand in the afternoon. In Brisbane, we check into the 'Somewhere to Stay' hostel in the West End in the early evening. I booked a simple double room there, and we even get an upgrade. Private bathroom and refrigerator, what a luxury! From the hostel terrace, there is an incredibly beautiful view of the illuminated skyscrapers of the city center. We set off on an evening exploration tour along the river and through the Botanic Gardens, where there are beautifully lit Banyan Trees. Two girls we meet on the street drag us into a rooftop bar that plays good music, so we stay. The next day, we board one of the city ferries and let it carry us through the city. In the evening, we go out for delicious Greek food, then Maddy packs up the last of her things, and I take her to the train. When I lie alone on the bed later, I feel nostalgic. Female company has definitely been good for me... I miss Matze too, but I have decided to leave in two days. I sit down with a few other people from the hostel, and I immediately feel less alone. The next day, I hike through Paddington to Mount Coot-tha, from where you have a wonderful view of the city. Then it's back alone to my Matze...