Howdy!
So the end of this month will mark my 9-month anniversary with Korea. As you have probably garnered from my passionate proclamations, I have a lot of love for this country. There are so many opportunities, tastes, experiences, people, quirks and (of course) shops to experience, you are never at a loss for something. Everything is here.
However.
(And I don’t use this however lightly.)
Sometimes, one may perhaps have a craving for certain things from home. What exactly am I talking about? Cadburys, for example. This is completely unavailable here (although the Philippines have a nice stash, along with Milo and oats… the Koreans need to work on importing these, stat). But it’s more than this. I don’t know if this is just something that I am feeling and that is completely not real (which may be entirely possible), but right now I miss Australia. In all of its Australian-ness. I can’t really put my finger on it.
It’s like, I have such a craving for travel, and I always love going to new places and experiencing different things. Whether they are fun, boring, beautiful, uneventful, relaxing, stressful, travel always gives you something. You won’t always like it, but something is what you’ll get. And I feel that this important for us (me, at least) to grow and become a better person.
But every time I come home, every single time, when I am crossing the Bolte Bridge and have that beautiful view of the cityscape on my left (or the slightly less stunning one of the Western suburbs industrial areas on my right), I always have a pang of love and relief to be back in my hometown. There is nothing quite like Melbourne, and I am reminded this each and every time I return.
I am actually coming back to Australia (to Perth in a week’s time), which will be amazing. It’s my grandma’s 90th birthday and the family is reuniting for a few days. Whenever I go to Perth, it is such a holiday – partly because I get ferried around and looked after by my family, and partly because there is not really much to do in Perth (sorry to suit the stereotype of Melbourne snob, I promise I’m really a nice person). But I love it anyway! Beautiful weather, and in all seriousness the Swan River is stunning.
So, in the spirit of Australia (so to speak), I am dedicating this post to things I miss/want to do/will do when I return home(ish).
Without further ado…
Things I am looking forward to seeing/eating/doing/eating (no, that isn’t a typo) in Australia:
- My family <3
- BRUNCH! Oh good God, I miss a delicious brunch… I am thinking a big plate of smashed avocado with fetta/goats cheese and two poached eggs, or perhaps some pancakes with ricotta, strawberry, banana and maple syrup… Yes.
- Fruit! You can get fruit here, and some of it is really quite nice, but (imho) nothing tops Australia’s produce for freshness
- Salmon!
- Sushi!
- The beach!
Things I want to take home with me:
- Cadbury chocolate – particularly Dream (my obsession)
- Some of my Lunar Candles <3
- My books! Couldn’t possibly take all… but I’ll try
- Double choc Tim Tams
- More Lucas’ Pawpaw Ointment (I can never have too much)
- My super padded vest from Kathmandu (shop) Mum bought me just before I left. I couldn’t fit it in my case on the way over, but seeing as it may get down to -20 celsius, I think I’ll be needing it.
- Moroccan oil: I really craved this for a while but distracted myself with a few Korean brands which didn’t really work… until the other day when I tried the Skinfood Argan Oil Hair Mask and it changed everything… perhaps a review will follow. Amaze.
- My friends & two cats: I wish I could fit all y’all in my suitcase; alas, you elude me in Melbourne town. Soon, my pretties, soon.
Keeping with the food theme of this post, the last time I was in Perth mum and I did discover this amazing restaurant by the beach (Cottesloe, I think). I can’t for the life of me remember its name right now but I will find out in a week. It was the best meal I have ever had there and gives me a lot of hope for the burgeoning foodie scene in this booming mining town. Have a look here:
This restaurant (whose name I will find, I promise!) gave us one of the best meals of my life, and introduced me to the oft-dismissed (by me) brilliance of the Eton Mess. The cream was heavy and rich, the meringue light and fluffy and the berries sweet and tangy. It was heaven. I can’t wait to go back.
And now, to remind myself to have perspective on my privileged life, a few encouraging musings on travel from my elders:
“Travellers always buy experience which no books can give.” -Anonymous (perhaps not quite an elder, but then again, maybe!)
“Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Travel is glamorous only in retrospect.”~ Paul Theroux
“Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves.”~ Henry David Thoreau
I’m so excited about heading back to Australia, I can’t wait. So close now! I shall keep you all ‘posted’ (wink) on my preparation for my trip, and I hope you are all enjoying yourselves wherever you are 🙂
Have a lovely Sunday!
Steph x