Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort

So two weeks ago it all started at Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort. That also means that the first two weeks of work are now over.

The MMDR is best thought of as a normal holiday resort that you know from all over the world. Many small bungalows, a restaurant, a bar, a small shop, many caravans, motorhomes, tennis courts and beach chairs. The only difference to the Cote d'Azur or the small bay on Ruegen is perhaps the seclusion. There is nothing within a radius of 500km in any direction. Really nothing.

Anyone who has spent their entire working life surrounded by keyboards, coffee machines, and conference rooms (like me) will quickly learn in the gastronomy environment that you can actually work properly. Double shifts, tapping beer at a fast pace, and working on Sundays. Nothing against Siemens, but phew.

After getting used to the working hours, I was able to dedicate myself to volunteering from time to time.

In my opinion, the coolest volunteering ever. It will probably be the only place in the world where dolphins from the ocean come to the beach to be fed.

That was declared a national treasure a long time ago and that is why only 5 special dolphins are fed with fresh fish, down to the gram. But three times a day. Experienced rangers can already see the wonderful dolphins swimming into the bay with binoculars. Just by their fins. Wow.

But something very interesting struck me after a very short time and I really wanted to post it here in my blog:

Australians have a completely different attitude to work than what I am used to from home.

While we tend to 'live to work' in our home country, the 'Aussies' have a slightly different approach. Somehow the other way round. Everyone here gives you the impression that they work to live. That really catches on quickly. If you can get involved, it really feels somehow liberating. Nothing against German morals, thoroughness, and order. After all, they have brought forth Mercedes, Siemens, Volkswagen, and many more.

The people here know that they don't have a Volkswagen. But they know they have the ocean and all the time in the world. And beer.

I hope I can keep that for as long as possible.

Let's rewind for a moment. The arrival was funny. I had only been used to hostels for weeks (I don't mean that negatively, I love hostels) and was then accommodated in a normal standard room for guests for the first night. Flat-screen TV, shower, private bathroom, what a luxury.

'What will my employee accommodation look like?', I wonder to myself as I lie on my bed exhausted from the journey and watch 'I am Legend' on TV for the 250th time.

'On the one hand', I think, 'this resort is run by over 50 employees. They can't be residences. 'On the other hand, well-rested and happy employees can also deliver performance.'

As you can see quite well in the picture, there is no TV hanging in my new place. Haha. But because you really live door-to-door with your colleagues, a really cool atmosphere is created there in our trailer park.

If everything goes as planned, I will stay here until the end of December/beginning of January to save enough money to finance my onward journey and, best case scenario, buy a car, which is almost a mandatory requirement for the staggering distances here.