January 11-18, 2017: The last days

After almost 6500 kilometers, the road trip was over. We settled in at the backpacker hostel on Cottesloe Beach for the finale, where the last details were managed. Basti already left in the early morning hours of the 13th. So, we had a last beer to toast the sunset in a lifeguard hut on Cottesloe Beach.

The last weekend was quite wild. It's not difficult to do in a hostel where beer pong is the most popular sport.

But from Sunday onwards, I withdrew. After all, this blog had to be finished and I had to start studying for my final exam.

That's it with the 10 weeks in Australia. Many interesting experiences have left their mark. As I write this, the memories of the past weeks play out like a movie. Cute quokkas, stolen water bottles, farmers living a 1950s lifestyle, German expats, fine wineries, an injured baby kangaroo, beautiful coasts, a completely wild New Year's Eve, amazing underwater worlds, and impressive canyons are just some of it.

I was often asked why I chose Western Australia, of all places. I don't see the Great Barrier Reef, the Sydney Opera House, or the city of Melbourne there. And these questions are the answer. I wanted to tell stories about things that not everyone already knows and that aren't overrun by hordes of tourists. Things that can only be experienced in rural areas. In the west, more of the 'true Australia' is still intact.

The book 'Instructions for Australia,' which I read during my stay, describes it well:

'...A dive into a riot of colors. The big yellow boats of the lobster and sea snail fishermen. Boats called Yellow Bitch, or Silly Love, crazy love. Western Australia, known as WA to all. The culmination of everything I have previously called Australia. While in large parts of Europe and America, you can no longer experience the night and the Milky Way is swallowed by artificial light, the night sky stretches over Western Australia like a message in sculpted glass. No one knows Australia until they've been to Western Australia. A new world, no, a new planet opens up...'

My impressions are reflected very well in this passage. Other backpackers who have seen both sides of Australia confirm this.

Nevertheless, I am incredibly excited to return to Lengfurt after the end of my journey. The Sebastianifest and our final DML season are waiting for us there, absolute highlights.

In this sense:

Saint Sebastian, knock me down until I buzz.

Thirsty men - Glug glug!!!

That's it....