Noosa, Surfers Paradise, Byron Bay , Sydney!

Wow, when I summarize the headline like this, I realize what I have experienced - the last few days.

In Noosa it was somewhat difficult to write everything down, because the 3 days flew by! When I arrived, I was overwhelmed because I met a German girl in Airlie Beach and now saw her again in Noosa. We were super excited, updated each other right away, and decided to participate in the hostel's 'Glowparty'. Pretty funny event in the hostel's own bar and I immediately got 2 x $20 drink vouchers for the bar just for a little limbo. (Advantages of being flexible and small - yes!)

The evening was super fun and colorful (pun intended!)

Unfortunately, I twisted my foot a bit when jumping into the water, so the third and last day in Noosa was a relaxed pool day.

The next day I continued to Surfers Paradise and expected sun and, as the name suggested, a paradise! But that was not the case, two windy and cold days followed and made me spend a lot, a lot of money at the shopping center in Broadbeach.

Accordingly, I was happy to travel on to Byron Bay and behold - even though I mentally said goodbye to summer - I had to dig out my bikini and flip flops once again.

I fell in love with another beautiful sunset at the lighthouse in Byron Bay and prepared myself for my first ever surf lesson!

First, we went to 3 different spots to find the best waves for us beginners. Arrived, dressed, and prepared, we started with the first exercises on land. There is a sequence of steps that allows you to stand up quite easily. Once everyone got the hang of it, we went into the water and lo and behold - little Jennie didn't do too bad! Sure, it probably looked pretty funny as I tried to pull the 2-meter surfboard into the water next to me, jumping up every time and getting hit by the waves... but! .. when I finally made it to the trainer in the waves, I lay down on the board and with a countdown, I was pushed into the waves. Of course, I felt like I fell a thousand times, but in the end, I managed to ride 5 or 6 waves all the way to the beach, and even the trainers were very proud of me! Who knows, maybe after my cheerleading career, I'll get on a surfboard?!

After countless stops, acquaintances, and many days, I should be used to saying goodbye... but it's particularly difficult for me here. Hannes was the one who told me in Bali that when traveling, you experience many 'hellos' and many 'goodbyes'... but this time, we decided on a 'See you next time!'

But the longer I travel, grow, and learn new things, the more I wonder if I even fit into my old life... and how I will manage it when I'm back home and my heart still wants to travel? Because yes, I have changed, and yes, I like this change - even if it is scary.

Maybe it's just so hard for me because I know that I only have 1 bus ride, 1 city, and 1 week left in this country... maybe it's because I quickly felt at home here in Sydney, had a little bit of homesickness for the first time since Bali, or maybe it's because of the wonderful friendships you make... the fact is, traveling is beautiful and sad at the same time.