Farewell my big island friend.

BYE AUSTRALIA! I will miss you tremendously. For real. You have treated me like a sister during our time together. I learned so much from you. Like the fact that you are exactly like the US in terms of culture and fashion and lifestyle and politics. You just differ a bit when it comes to vocabulary. Plus your beaches are better. And you have cool stuff like kangaroos and koalas and platypuses and cassowaries. Oh, and a reef that is more than great (you should really consider a name change.)

It’s been fun, new friend. I will see you again. FER sure. I’ll be back with more time to spare so I can see your west coast. I’ve enjoyed all your foods, like pies and lemingtons and Cherry Ripes. I have also consumed your most tasty beverage, Lemon Lime and Bitters, and I will fantasize about its wondrous, bubbly taste until I return.

I will also miss being called ‘lovey’ by your most hospitable citizens. Oh! And I’ll miss all the roundabouts. They are such good alternatives to stoplights. I will also miss the masses of backpacking Europeans looking for work during their compulsory trips abroad.

But most of all, I will miss the vernacular. Pimples are spots. McDonalds is Mackers. The big dipper is the saucepan. And it’s always, 'How you going?’ Never ask how someone is because that would mean they’re not going. Your words are charming. And you wouldn’t be the same without them. One day you will realize it is you with the accent.

Until later, my friend. Until later.

New Year's in Byron Bay

Josh wearing a sand hat.

My new friend Cameron talking to his mom.

Joder! Mis amigos, los espanoles.

A big shrimp.

Sheila. We met at the beach.

Me at Manly beach in Sydney.

An Australian douche bag.

Bats in the trees in the middle of Sydney!

You're never too far from a dude with a metal detector.

This is a cassowary for Dom.

Kangaroo balls.

A tired koala.