Over the last three weeks, I’ve travelled from one end of Australia (Tasmania) to the other (Darwin), stopping at Port Campbell, Grampians, Mt Gambier, Adelaide, Quorn, Coober Pedy, Alice Springs, Uluru and Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon, West McDonnell Ranges, Kakadu, Katherine and Litchfield. It wasn’t no disco. And it sure as hell wasn’t no country club, either, but it was by far one of the best things I’ve ever done. Before leaving on this trip, many people asked why I wouldn’t want to see somewhere with more history, somewhere more ‘unique,’ somewhere else that ‘won’t always be on my doorstep.’ I was also asked why I would do a tour and not just drive myself. What are all youse dickheads on about? Indigenous Australians have built a culture that’s more than 60 000 years old and the Australian landscape can change overnight through bushfires (as we are seeing in Tasmania) and by mining every nook and cranny out there. As for somewhere unique, I’ve got two words for you, Coober Pedy. And as for why I chose not to travel alone, I’ve got two words for you again, Ivan Milat. If you live in Australia, don’t forget to see your own country. And really look. Be a good tourist, too. There are literally hundreds of big, old rocks to climb, respect the wishes of indigenous people and don’t climb the most special one of all (Uluru). And don’t forget... you never never know, if you never never go. PS thank you to @kyle.north.1 and @blob_blob88_123 for keeping me company on the last Darwin leg. PSS the biggest thanks to @marykateoregan @biancabrown_ @jacoobmack @joeeross @jarrodmelmeth and @_thisisjacob for not only helping me discover Aus, but parts of myself I never knew I had, and the portrait mode on my iPhone. <3
I handed in my PhD thesis on Friday. Took me three and a half years to knock that off. Wish I had a nice photo from Saturday night, but there was only about a half hour window during which that was possible and I missed that boat big time. So here's one of the best moments at Mawson Station, Antarctica. On Friday I get to go to the middle of nowhere for three weeks and then I'm not too sure where I'll go from there. I really, really want to work with people, and continue with teaching and my fiction writing. I know my goals are a bit fanciful for some, but I've got this. I'm going to do this. Not trying to be the world's first 6 ft 1 jockey here. If I've learnt one thing over the last few years it's that it's okay to change your mind about where you want to be going in life. I have the best friends and family and huge thanks to Mum, Dad, @cinta290, @meggles_91, @deviveytia, @frances_palmer, @eatsafelivewell, @stuartcorney, @jess__mt, @jessemelvin, Kerrie, Stacey Mac, @countryhorizons, Amy and Roshni for getting me over the line 😎
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#phdlife #academiclife #overandout #antarcticscience #marinescience #phd
