Land, people and much more.....

I don't know if it's the weather, but we have only met friendly and extremely open Australians here. Really everyone is ready for small talk. Strangely enough, it might annoy me in Germany, but here I find it great. Recently we went shopping in a store and the shopkeeper asked us if we were relaxed and if we had some time. Somehow the German inside me shouted: what does he want from you? Do you have to participate in a survey?

But the shopkeeper didn't want anything, he just wanted to have a conversation.

I also think it's great that people always talk to the bus driver, greet him and say 'Thanks mate' when they say goodbye - how cool is that ? On a bus that is not in service, it says 'sorry.....not in use' in Germany 'Dienstfahrt'!☺️

And Australians always find a topic: how are you, where are you from, how is the weather, there are 1000 things. I got into conversations with women in the shower room and kitchen at the campsites. On the bus, while shopping, you can talk to people everywhere. I have also only experienced helpful Australians. It started right at the beginning when we lost our passports. If I didn't have any change to do laundry, there was always someone who immediately changed the money for me without me having to ask. However, it was a bit strange for me when I was addressed by unknown women with 'Lovely, Darling, Sweetie, and Love!' I had to really overcome myself to use that in communication with Jayell.

I wouldn't have any worries about traveling alone in this country. I think if you were in need, there would be people who would help you immediately. And even though the conversations are mostly superficial, the friendliness puts you in a much better mood and somehow spreads a positive and relaxed atmosphere!! I never had the feeling that someone is really stressed here.... the Australians really say 'no worries' all the time - and about everything!

'No worries' - what about !!!

I have already written a lot about traffic in the blog! Here everything is on the left - accordingly, you drive on the left into the roundabouts and exit the exits! But it's not difficult at all because everything is perfectly signposted! By the way, it is noticeable that all road signs have text again! So it's not just a give way sign - it also says 'give way'! Foolproof, like many things in Australia - even Australians make jokes about it!

There are many bicycles - especially road cyclists who are well integrated into traffic - even on the highway and in the roundabouts, which are plentiful here like in many countries! We saw designated training routes along the way and consideration is often requested. Everyone always wears a flashing light - regardless of the time of day - that seems to be mandatory! And on the 'rental stations' for bicycles, there are always helmets available - whether that is gross or not, that can be debated.

Here in Brisbane, 4 'lanes' are always formed on pedestrian bridges! Pedestrians on the left, then cyclists for one direction, then cyclists for the other direction, and pedestrians for the other direction! And the great thing is, everyone sticks to it and it's easy for everyone!

With driving on the left, it's generally a bit tricky. It's not just that cars drive on the left... as a pedestrian, you always have to look in the other direction when crossing the street, which is quite dangerous at first! If you want to avoid someone on the street, you do that on the left here (you can quickly recognize Europeans). Escalators and stairs run on the left (stand on the left, walk on the right), doors open to the left, and hot and cold water is also different from here! The faucet itself opens in the other direction. Even doors are opened in the other direction! Allegedly, the water also drains in the other direction - I don't know if that's true, but it's definitely true that the moon is different here!!!

The animals are different here too! I'm not an expert to tell you about it. Kangaroos, koalas, and wombats, maybe dingos, everyone knows that.....but it's really fascinating how many animals there are that I have never heard of.

I would like to learn more about that and on my next trip to Australia I will definitely bring my proper camera equipment!

We didn't see any spiders and snakes - not even cockroaches!

In the rainforest house, I saw a very large lizard, but that was it!

My personal favorites on this trip were definitely the fish and the birds!

While snorkeling on the reef, I really 'dived into' another world. Sometimes I tried to just lie in one place and watch the coming and going of the many colorful fish. It was very surprising that some fish stand in the same group at one spot for a long time.

I really took the birds to my heart! Especially in the morning at the campsites, when I was already up early and the boys were still sleeping, I was often outside listening to the many bird sounds! It showed me every time that I am very far away from home because it's so different. Often, very large birds also just walked by on foot! Really funny animals sometimes! That was the ultimate relaxation and fascination for me. Besides the kookaburra, there is another bird whose voice I really liked, too bad I can't play it here. Unfortunately, I don't know what the bird looks like or what it's called. But I have made a firm commitment to myself to take the feeling of getting up early and enjoying nature home with me.....