Sorry To Be Anti-climactic

Every journey around the world should include a stop in Sydney, what world trip incomplete without one, and it just so happens so does mine. I've had to make a pitstop on my world tour, and come back to Sydney for a few days. Thank fully this just so happens to be over New Years, so there's a silver lining to returning.

It doesn't feel like being home, mainly because I know I'm not having to settle back into home life and start setting up again. Instead I'm able to just enjoy all my favourite things about home and still be in holiday mode, knowing that the journey continues soon enough.

It's funny to actually hear my phone ring, I can access the internet without needing to source free wifi and actually receive a phone call. Although I seem to have forgotten how to take one, because I kept talking over Jody when we we're having a conversation. 

Thing is you don't realise how accustomed you get to travel life, I mean, don't all countries take US dollars, why is a beer not $1.50 here, my toiletries and clothes living outside of bags for longer than a day, there's no need for electrical adapters, I don't need to slow down my English to be understood or brush my teeth without being cautious of tap water.

It's time to kick back, enjoying the company of family and friends in the comforting recesses of home. I've been able to do my washing, re-pack, prove to my mother I am alive and well, update my playlist, watch the second instalment of the hobbit and be reunited with my bed.  

This little stint in Sydney has become part of the trip, it's been a whirlwind visit back, a non stop party really. Starting with Sydney New Years, one of the greatest parties around, where anything goes and the celebrating mood stretches on for days afterwards.

Some friends gathered and we watched the fireworks from Balmain, with a view so picturesque I felt like a tourist in my own city. Then started Chillfest 2014, with beach runs from Bondi throughout the South coast. With that Aussie heat glistening, it feels good on my skin. humid is different in every country and here my hair doesn't go Afro in this humidity. which is always a plus.

With catch ups over drinks, several drinks, I'm sure residual alcohol is still in my body.

This time back has given me the chance to reunite with friends and family, and ring in 2014 with a passion to focus energies on the people worth investing in and aspirations that give something back to me in my personal growth. I have a habit of getting distracted from the big picture, easily moved by emotion and whim, very much still young at heart without concern. The new year has given rise to realising the importance of prioritising and moving myself forward towards bigger things.

The one driving force behind all this, since being back people have inundated me with such a growing support towards this blog. The positive reception towards The Focal Point that I've received has surpassed my expectations. I never thought that anyone would remember, let alone visit, let alone enjoy and be 'proud' of me, it's so moving it pretty much brings me to tears. And we all know how sentimental and emotional I get over that stuff. 

So guys, depending on internet connection it'll feel like you're right here with me taking on the world. Although warning, never read this blog with Germaine, I know it's the primary school teacher in you but *Disclaimer I will always have grammatical errors in this blog. I'm joking, comment away, make me a better writer. 

The week has also been a week of goodbyes, I'm not getting any better with them, I still get that pit in my stomach. I hate leaving home, but part of travelling is learning to make new ones wherever you go. 

Nothing will ever be Sydney, although Sydney's never meant so much to me since seeing the rest of world through everyone else's lives.  

It's more fun in the Philippines

I never would have agreed with the marketing team behind the Philippine's latest travel hashtag, but after my week in Boracay I feel I must somewhat agree. With so much to do yet with so little time, the four of us are caught up in what to do next. Our week is passing us by, and Boracay has more to offer than we ever thought it would and we want to take it all in. There isn't even adequate time to relax poolside.

Our days go a little something like this. Wake up and slowly make our way to breakfast, finishing up somewhere before 10 and by the time we end that meal we're getting ready for the next. The biggest challenge we face is choosing where to eat amongst the varying selection of places that serve rice. Each meal was a feast as our appetites never seemed to waiver. My top choice in Boracay, Paradiso Grill. After a good few hours of getting our act together with a nap in between we get on with the day. We take on the sun soaked days like kids high on energy drinks, choosing to only do things that had a chance of risking our lives. Paddle boarding, scuba diving, cliff jumping, quad biking, it was amazing we fit in as many naps as we did. And I've never signed so many waiver forms.

Day in and day out we continue to meet people. Between a good mix of locals and fellow travellers the strip becomes full of familiar faces. Admittedly we were still working on names til the day we left, so we may have resorted to just calling out to people based on country of origin.

On our slower days, typically our hangover days, energy escapes us. Somehow exhausted from a day of doing nothing. The fresh coconut water helps.  Here may I mention the best massages in Boracay are at Yasuragi Relaxation Spa, a hidden gem in station three. 

As slow as time is around here in a blink of an eye my week here is up and I have tanned too quickly and too much. Endless amounts of fruit shakes are in my tummy, I think I've still got sand in my hair and water in my ears. I've got another ukulele, 6 new novelty shirts including matching father daughter Jack Daniels shirts and 10 or so magnets. 

Before I call it quits I have to tick off two challenges set to me by some friends.

1. Balut

A somewhat delicacy of the Philippines, is a developing duck embryo that is boiled alive and eaten in the shell. It is commonly sold as streetfood. Vendors walk the strip yelling out the known call 'BA-LUT!' When we gathered the courage and pulled one over, I ask for the youngest they have, 16 days. Our waiter at the restaurant for the night assists us, showing us the ropes. It's kind of like an Oreo, First you crack it open, then you suck out the liquid and finish off by downing the embryo and in my own personal experience but 'you can have the rest of my yolk'. It ain't as bad as the hype makes it out to be, seeing as I have been listening to  all my life. Although I did get the mildest version. A bit tough, quite chewy and better off without the vinegar. In the end nothing to be scared of. I ended up having two.

2. Cocomungas' 15 shots

A bar with a challenge, it's as simple as 'still be standing after 15 shots'. The menu is set, tequila appears several times as does Baileys and even Tabasco sauce, thank fully so does my favourite bourbon yet also my most feared, Sambucca. I still want to vomit at the thought of it. My strategy, take five at a time, we re-arrange the shots to my strengths and weaknesses. There is no time limit but if I know myself well, the longer I wait the less likely I'll get to the 15th. From first to last shot it took me an hour and I got the shirt!

Boracay is well travelled to for a reason, it's a beautiful, fun with a vibrant atmosphere running on its own happy energy. Although it is different from the Philippines I know, I'm happy to of had my time here. I can't wait to return and see Palawan, and visit my provincial town in the mountains reunited with family and a simpler way of life. But that will have to be another story.