15 months have passed since Kenny and I last saw each other. For those who don't know who Kenny is...
I met Kenny in February 2015. He opened the door to my shared apartment in Utrecht at that time, and from that moment on, a unique and still existing friendship across the globe began.
It is December 9, 2016, the pilot of TigerAirways announces the start of the descent...just a few more minutes and Kenny and I will be reunited! I look through my airplane window at the coast and the song 'Am Wasser' starts playing...pure goosebumps!
I came to Down Under because I wanted to get to know Kenny's family and his life here. His family invited me to spend my time on the Gold Coast with them. An offer that I gladly accepted, as you get to know a country best when you explore it with locals. We started our little tour through his second home in Burleigh Heads. A place full of coziness and local charm. Locals gather here, drink beer, listen to the waves, and meanwhile have a public BBQ!
The region is called the Gold Coast, with Surfers Paradise being the actual city center. From Burleigh Heads, we enjoy the incredible view of the wild ocean towards the horizon, where the skyline of Surfers Paradise unfolds its full splendor.
We spend a few evenings here, try some of the local beer specialties, and let our thoughts wander...sometimes silence among friends is also pleasant, because sometimes you don't need words to fully enjoy the moment.
A few days later, we head to Byron Bay. A relatively small town, two hours south of Surfers Paradise, which is almost overcrowded with backpackers. But that's what Byron Bay is known for.As expected, we meet a lot of Germans, including Benedikt from Berlin. But there are also exceptions, like Tom from Wales. The four of us are traveling for the same reason. Different countries, different customs, and we want to enjoy life. Beach, beer, sunburn, little food, and a bit of Goon on the side, that's our daily plan in Byron. I have to say, the Aussies know a thing or two about brewing beer. The famous and highly regarded Stone Woods in Byron Bay is absolute top-notch. So, off to the Aldi Cooling Bag and to the beach. You meet a lot of Germans here, but you won't find any beach chairs that aren't occupied by us at 6 am.After Byron, we go straight to Straddie. That's what the Aussies call North Stradbroke Island. This large but relatively untouched island east of Brisbane is as calm and relaxed as the Allianz Arena in Munich. The beaches are long and almost empty.Many Brissies, who are looking for some relaxation away from the urban jungle of the latest Australian megacity, flock here.We often walk along the beach for 45 minutes, being careful not to step on one of the numerous stranded bluebottles (stinging jellyfish), and occasionally encounter people. This is the perfect place to relax. It includes Goon, beer, chips, and the good old card game Durak. Thanks to Tobi, Dome, Chris, and Alu for introducing me to it, and we play until late into the night. Now Christmas is just around the corner...Christmas, Australia, 35 degrees in the shade, Wham sings 'Last Christmas'...it doesn't make much sense. Here, it is not celebrated on the 24th, but on December 25th. Everyone gets presents. I can now call myself a 'real' Aussie, as I receive an Australia jersey! The food is traditionally British in Kenny's Irish family (be careful when referring to an Irish person as British), we have a Sunday Roast. Lots of food and delicious. soon, it will already be December 31...so the year 2016 is coming to an end. It was a year full of experiences, new adventures, and accomplishments. My time in my beloved Stuttgart is over, I need a change of scenery, but for now, I will discover what 2017 has in store for me on my journey. Even though my time in Stuggi is over, I will never forget this part, especially my boys.Let the journey go on!
