Tag: travel

I am a planner.

My life (for the most part) is planned to the best of my abilities.

Even the “risks” that I take are very well calculated; I have likely already measured the pros/cons/ups/downs of every situation.

Fortunately, when you’re in a different country than your own … you don’t have a lot of control over things and all of things you try to control turn to shit and a blow up in your face.

Well, at least this has been a learning experience.

There are two things I strongly dislike:

1. Uncertainty
2. Wasting time

Life is short, why would I spend it “not knowing what’s next” or sitting around watching the day go by?

I’ve learned during my Radical Sabbatical these types of days are necessary.

You need to be curious and wonder what is coming up next? It keeps you on your toes; it keeps life exciting.

You also need days of doing absolutely nothing and stay inside; and when I say nothing, I mean nothing. No laundry, no dishes, no cleaning, heck – no cooking (every Filipino relative will be clutching their pearls seeing that).

Of all the places to learn about doing nothing, I learned it in the most unusual instance: while on vacation.

I’ve been going on weekend getaways that I call my, “Vacation from my Holiday” for the last few weeks.

Back in Canada, I would NEVER go away for the weekend.

I couldn’t fathom it, after all, traveling province to province is super expensive via air travel. I’ve also been in school for so long that weekends were meant for homework.

Yet here I am, in the country of my dreams and for the longest while – working my four days a week, then spending the long weekend I was privileged to negotiate … at home.

So, it was time to travel.

At the start of the year, I kicked off a trip down to Melbourne which was amazing and put a lot of things into perspective; like letting go of money and actually travel around Australia.

I purchased tickets to some areas of the country I had wanted to visit for some time:

1. Yulara, Northern Territories to see Uluru (Ayers Rock)
2. Gold Coast, Queensland to take on Australia’s highest external building climb (I don’t know why I do these things, I’m afraid of heights)

Yulara, Northern Territories

My Cousin-in-Law, Mark drove me out to the airport.

While waiting for my flight to take off, I watched this crazy foreigner mansplain to the gate agent how to do her job – screaming at her because he wasn’t aware of Jetstar’s strict 7kg combined carry on baggage weight limit and asked if, “is there was a man who I can speak to?”

Well, I wasn’t have it and I walked over to him as he was screaming at her and said, “Hi, excuse me. Couldn’t help but notice the misogyny over here. She told you to pay the $60 for your excess baggage, just pay it and sit down so we can board the plane.”

I was given an exit seat in the isle with extra leg room and complimentary meal vouchers! Eyyyyyyyyyyy!

(it pays off to speak up when no one else does)

The flight was comfortable, quite spacious as there were not a lot of people on the flight.

However, upon getting out of the plane, my clothes clung to me thanks to the 40 degree Celsius heat.

Not comfortable.

The accommodations in Yulara are limited. There are no Airbnb’s (something I wish I knew before I booked the trip), so you have some choices when choosing Ayers Rock Resort – specifically the Outback Pioneer Hotel & Lodge (comfort and best value)

When I walked out of the bus to my hotel, I was greeted by a fly going into my mouth.

Yep.

So apparently, a fly look for moisture wherever it can, hence why they love your face; they want to go into your ears, eyes, nose, and mouth.

How do you protect yourself?

Well, there’s bug spray … but that doesn’t really do anything, so you’re encouraged to wear one of these fashionable fly nets.

Another thing about Yulara is that you pay quite a fee to do just about anything there. There are a couple of free activities; but for the most part, you’re paying for everything (check out Get Your Guide for all the excursions) and at an increased price as deliveries to the area are limited due to its isolated area.

Nevertheless, they rely on tourists to help their economy … so GO!

Prices are based off the peak season; so May – October are the best times to go as the climate is more moderate (Winter is busier than Summer).

There is no need to rent a car, almost every excursion you book has shuttle service from outside your hotel, so it’s important:

1. To call the company do confirm your booking and time of pick up
2. To coordinate once more with the front desk as times may have changed

My first excursion of the trip was to see Uluru (Ayers Rock) up close (you also need to buy a $25 pass to visit the rock; it’s a separate cost)!

I’ve heard stories about Uluru from my Grade 2/3 Teacher, Mrs. Williams years ago.

There was a time when you could climb Uluru, however the it became a controversy with the First Nations of the area and you can no longer climb it (which is a good thing, trust me).

Like I said earlier, make sure you purchase your National Park Pass for the days you choose to visit!

My first excursions was to do the Uluru 1.5-Hour Sunset Tour with Sparkling Wine & Cheeseboard.

I opted for this as it was the most affordable and purchased a Pizza and some French Fries when I got back to the hotel (so worth it).

It is CRITICAL that you wear your fly mask when you go to Uluru. Just to get the photo ops was a struggle as the flies were so bad in this area of Yulara.

Smiling had to be timed as they would fly into your mouth if it was open for too long.

The “Yulara Salute” is literally you waving your hands to try and swat away flies as they go near the openings of your face. To protect my open wine glass and mouth from flies, I was chugging wine like nobody’s business.

I was still fortunate to capture some shots before the fly net went back on at Uluru:

The next day, I woke up early for a tour of the Australian Outback with one of the best forms of transport available: Camel.

Surprisingly, camels roam in the wild in Australia. They were brought to the county back in the early days of forming for commutes in the outback; delivering mail for Australia Post or doing supply runs for the locals.

They’re able to survive with their population continuing the grow because they’re one of the only animals in Australia that do not have a predator.

It is encouraged that you do not explore the outback without an expert guide, and walking it can be very long and can take a toll on the body – so this camel tour is highly recommended!

So, here’s the thing about being in Yulara.

It’s hot.

Like, super hot.

I’ve never experienced a place where the moment you walk outside, you instantly begin to sweat (it’s worse than humid Manila, Philippines).

It’s an extremely uncomfortable heat – and as someone who doesn’t like hot weather (I know, and I chose to live in Australia), the heat and I battled it out and I succumbed to it.

So, when I wasn’t busy with an excursion, I did something I’ve never done before on a holiday: I laid in my air conditioned hotel room and did absolutely nothing.

I ordered room service, watched TV shows: re-runs of classic sitcoms, the Democratic Primaries, and random comedy/action/dramatic movies. Then, when I was bored of that, I napped.

I’ve never felt so relaxed on a vacation.

I usually jam pack my holidays with different excursions and adventures, they are times become more exhausting that relaxing.

This is also why I usually travel alone: I want the freedom to do whatever I want, when I want, and not have to compromise.

In the evening, I chose to go on one of Yulara’s most popular excursions: Field of Lights.

The description of the experience from the website is:

“As darkness falls and Uluru is thrown into silhouette, Field of Light illuminates. As far as the eye can see gentle rhythms of colour light up the desert.

The critically acclaimed Field of Light Uluru by the internationally celebrated artist Bruce Munro is on display and due to popular demand, has now been extended indefinitely.

The exhibition, aptly named Tili Wiru Tjuta Nyakutjaku or ‘looking at lots of beautiful lights’ in local Pitjantjatjara is Munro’s largest work to date.

Overwhelming in size, covering more than seven football fields, it invites immersion in its fantasy garden of 50,000 spindles of light, the stems breathing and swaying through a sympathetic desert spectrum of ochre, deep violet, blue and gentle white.”

Now, I cannot really explain just how breathtaking the experience is – but believe me you, it haha we ab experience I won’t forget!

The final day of my trip came and after breakfast, I got ready to go back to the airport.

Upon arriving? I was informed that my flight was going to be three hours late and there was a storm in Sydney that has crippled the train system and airlines.

Great.

At least I got to cross of the Northern Territories off my list of places to visit in Australia!

Gold Coast, Queensland

Next thing I knew, I was getting ready for my next adventure, a weekend trip to the Gold Coast!

The trip started out as the biggest cluster I’ve ever experienced.

I checked into my flight the night before and packed my bag for the weekend.

I was set to take the first flight out of sydney at 6am, which meant I needed to take the first train at 4am.

Just as I was about to fall asleep, I received a text from the airline saying my flight was canceled due to operational issues and I needed to call the airline to be put on the next available flight.

Now, you’d think calling an airline would be easy at 11pm, right?

Wrong.

I was on hold for 20 minutes and then when the agent greeted me hello, he hung up.

The words that came out of my mouth shortly after cannot be repeated on here … but there was no shortage of me expressing my frustration and dissatisfaction of this experience.

After another 45 minutes of waiting, I was connecting to an agent and booked on the next flight out of Sydney at 10am.

The flight to the Gold Coast was a quick one. We were placed on a transfer flight going to Seoul, South Korea so we were on a newer plane with comfortable seats and had inflight entertainment.

Once getting off the plane and going through the painful task of clearing customs, I was whisked away into the shuttle, hopped in my rental car, and I was on my way to my first stop!

I stopped by a local gym in the Gold Coast and paid a visit to someone very important in my life.

I’ve known this “kid” forever.

I’ve taught him Sunday School, I’ve been his Small Group Leader, I’ve been his Camp Counsellor and I’ve even hung out with him while his folks were at work or out for the evening.

I’ve spent countless nights around the dinner table being teased by him for refusing to use my fingers while eating saucy chicken wings and we’ve battled it out with burping the alphabet.

He has beat me in every physical activity I can think of: Wrestling, Baseball, Basketball, Soccer, Ultimate Frisbee, Badminton … the list could really go on.

Oh, and don’t get me started with badly I’ve lost playing Nintendo Wii against him.

Jackson trained me at his gym. He fixed my form, coached me on technique, and identified opportunities that need to be worked on to avoid injuries.

It was quite a surreal experience!

Of course, after my killer workout, I needed some post workout eats … so I decided to grab a Pizza at Dominos and walk down the the beach.

It was also Valentines Day, so the beach was flooded with couples everywhere I could see.

Believe me you, I was the ONLY single person on that beach.

I was asked by beach goers if I could take photos of them posing in front of sunsets, their picnics, or in the water.

So, I was walking along the beach with my pizza and saw a young woman setting up a display for a couple that was arriving.

So, I asked her to take a photo of my Valentine, the delicious Pizza that isn’t capable of hurting my feelings, just my arteries.

Worth it.

I didn’t plan much on my weekend in the Gold Coast.

I had two daytime excursions planned around Surfers Paradise, and that was about it.

A trick to the Gold Coast if you’re renting a car; there is paid parking EVERYWHERE!

BUT!!!!!!!! If you park at the local shopping centre, Pacific Fair, it’s FREE parking for 5 hours! So, I parked there, walked through the mall, then walked out to the G:link (Light Rail) outside and went into Surfers Paradise (yup, I’m that guy).

Surfers Paradise was exactly what I thought it would be.

It was packed, there was a sandcastle building competition, and there was no shortage of activities for all ages.

I’ve always said, “I like the beach, I don’t like going in the water.”

So, I saw it, grabbed a photo, then I was out.

The main reason for going to Surfers Paradise was to kill time before my main excursion: do the Skypoint Climb at the Q1 Building!

Some quick stats about the Skypoint Climb:

• SkyPoint Climb is Australia’s highest external building climb.
• SkyPoint has one of Australia’s fastest elevators taking you from ground to Level 77 (SkyPoint Observation Deck) in 42.7 seconds, where you will begin the Climb.
• Once outside, close to 298 stairs will guide climbers up to the summit.
• The Q1 Spire located at the summit is one of the world’s longest at 97.7m. It commences at level 75, is made up of 12 sections and weighs 87.2 tonnes.
• The Q1 Building itself, is taller than the Chrysler building in New York City, and is structurally the 25th tallest building in the world at 322.5 metres high!
• SkyPoint is Australia’s only beachside Observation Deck.

The funny thing is, I’m really afraid of heights.

I get really nervous and shakey – not to the point of puking … but definitely close to passing out.

So, we all had a good laugh at the front desk when the staff greeted me and welcomed me to my experience.

Jasmine (our guide) said, “Welcome to the Skypoint Climb, Mr. Punzalan! What brings you here today?”

I looked at her and her staff and just said, “I just wanted the photo for Instagram.”

This is my life.

While I was one the climb, I was in front of a couple celebrating one of their birthdays, the big 60!

We got to talking and they asked me where I was going to go next after this.

I wasn’t sure.

I didn’t plan anything else after climbing the Q1, I was okay with this whole “doing nothing” and seeing where the day goes.

They explained one of the interesting things about the Gold Coast is how it’s border works.

While the Gold Coast is in Queensland, there are area around the Gold Coast that are actually in New South Wales; which not only represents a different state, but also a different timezone!

I asked if they had any recommendations for me to do after our climb?

They live in Byron Bay, which is about 1.5 south of the Gold a Coast, in New South Wales.

I’ve heard about Byron Bay, a very popular tourist attraction for the beaches, lighthouse, and a direct lookout point to where Captain Cook arrived.

There’s that saying, “when you’re not sure what do to on vacation, do as the locals do.”

Well, they told me to check out Byron Bay and I chose to do as the locals do, so, I hopped in the car (making it just 10 minutes shy of the 5 hour mark, so my parking was still free), and made the drive down!

There was no traffic on the scenic drive towards Byron. It was funny seeing my phone switch an hour due to the time change.

I did what you’re supposed to do any drive: music blasting, windows down, and on cruise control enjoying the views around me.

I got to Byron Bay and found parking (after driving around for 20 minutes for an available spot).

I did the Cape Byron walking track (which I underestimated as I was wearing the wrong shorts/shirt/shoes for an outdoor hike in 36 degree weather).

The views were unlike anything I had seen before.

As I walked around, I realized that I wouldn’t have seen this had I done what I usually did and “planned” my entire trip to the very last detail.

That’s the thing about “doing nothing” on a vacation.

You give space for the unexpected, the spontaneous, the surprises to happen.

It’s okay to ask the locals once you arrive, “what do you recommend we do?”

You’ll be surprised what they recommend.

It really is an art.

As I continued down the walking path, I got to a fence and sat there watching the waves crashing against the rocks below.

I tried to position my phone to get the best angle to grab a selfie when a local scuba instructor saw me standing there and asked me if I wanted to walk down with him so he could show me a better vantage shot.

One of the things I’ve learned while being on holidays is to give my phone to anyone who is willing to take a photo for me.

And, just like that, it was time to go home … fortunately the flight home from the Gold Coast was much better than the flight going there.

The next week, I received a surprise message from my aunt that my beloved Granny was brought back to Australia after three months in the Philippines.

I’ve said from the beginning, my Granny is the reason God paved a way for me to come back to Australia and spend some more time with her while she still has time on this earth.

Question time:

When is your next vacation?

What would happen if you left space in your itinerary to:

1. Do absolutely nothing
2. Do as the locals do

You’ll be surprised what can come out of your vacation when you plan less and just let things happen – oh, and say hello to everyone; you never know how far a hello can go.

It’s been working out for me so far.

Onwards,
Zaighum

(100 Days left in Australia … yikes)