Now in Aussie

After having spent 3 days up in the Cameron Highlands, Malaysia I stayed for 3 days in Singapore, where I met up with a few old AIESEC friends. Amit, Vaibhav, PatriCK, Melissa...etc, just to name a few. It was really good to see again so many people I know, but there is never enough time to catch up with everybody. Also I had to take it very easy as I caught a really bad cold, which is due to all the airconditioning here in Singapore- or that's at least what I suspect. That's why I have a new nick name, Amit calles me "Germie"...:-) It's nothing bad though, I just couldn't go sightseeing for most days. However, I anyways prefer hanging out with friends and relaxing, instead of stressing from place to place. At the beginning of my trip, I was hurrying from place to place and sight to sight, but now, I tend to take things more slowly and I'm more than fine, with not having seen everything.

Singapore was actually a bit overwhelming after having travelled in Laos and Cambodia- almost like a reverse culture shock. Everything in Singapore is very developed, very fast and very crowded- ah and I forgot much more expensive..;-). Shopping malls are everywhere. Shopping seems to the national sport here...:-)

I arrived yesterday morning here in Brisbane, Australia. Sometimes there are places you just love from the first half an hour you are there, and I think Brisbane is one of these places. I just love the city, and the relaxed and friendly people! I could imagine living here for a while, actually. The next 5 weeks week I will be travelling with my cousin Barbara. We are starting our trip up to Cairns tonight. We have two weeks to travel up the East coast, before we fly to Darwin. From there we have two more weeks to go down to Alice Springs and then we will end up our trip in the Sydney area.

My travel style will change quite drastically, as Aussie is an expensive place to travel- especially if you are used to Asian prices. So yesterday we went out to buy a tent and some other stuff, as we intent to go camping whenever we can. I'll keep you posted on how that goes...:-)