In lieu of a proper post

Issue #45 - since I can't seem to organize a post lately, here's some unfiltered ramblings on my recently holiday to Sydney and Melbourne.

For various reasons (mostly me feeling like my life is in a complete rut and lacking a zest for life) I just haven’t been able to pull together a new issue of this newsletter. It had aspired to be interesting, light-hearted, chill, related to culture and what’s going on etc. Honestly i’ve just been up to sweet f all of late and by the time i’ve clocked in my full time job, been to the gym and cooked my meals i’ve had little enthusiasm to do much more than play Detroit: Become Human, Dredge and The Last of Us multiplayer and watch Severance and Silo. I’ve also started journalling these past few months which has been… illuminating? I think i have a fairly strong and constant inner thought monologue so nothing too ground breaking has been unearthed, but the facts are… i’ve been in a slump. Mercifully a little week long trip to Australia has just begun. Four days in Sydney, four days in Melbourne. Finally hauled out of my bubble I can see my world just a little bit more clearly. So i’m simply just gonna jot down thoughts as they happen, hit send, and hope not to see too many unsubscribed. But I wouldn’t blame you lmao.

15 March - First night in Sydney

Well I've only been here an evening so there’s not much to say. We arrived after sunset and still it was warm warm warm, I knew it was warm but Wellington was literally at “feels like 12” the other day so 28 and humid is shocking. It’s exciting though but the thought of trying to live a normal life, hauling groceries, exercising, walking or cycling to work in business attire… I already sweat at the drop of a hat.

It’s a bigger city than I often realise. I spend a lot of time bemoaning the size of Wellington, and in part rightfully so. It is a small city and for a single gay, even more painfully so. But hmm am I a big city guy? I lived in Taipei for a year and it never seemed this crowded, or maybe I just forgot. Or maybe i’m just particularly sensitive currently.

16 March - Sunday night

Today was a wonderful day in Sydney.

17 March - Monday morning

Lmao that’s all I wrote last night and then decided to read my book instead of waffling on here. It was a lovely day but there was an intense heatwave and the temperature was 35c+ for most of the day. My friend and I spent the day indoors and perused the art galleries, malls and shops which might sound dull but given we live in an absolute shopping desert (the nation of New Zealand) we were excited. And it takes a lot to get me excited about shopping.

We had a nice saunter around Darling Habour in the evening and mercifully a nice breeze had picked up, though it kinda felt like standing in front of a heater fan. Is this really how the world be living with 30+ temperatures? It’s ungodly.

Having cast my eyes across the offerings of Sydney dating apps I must say….

If I lived here I would need to get so so so serious about the gym and diet I'm not even kidding. I fear an office day tail ended with a singular F45 class just wouldn’t cut it. Nor my diet of ham salad sandwiches and poke bowls.

Today our plan is to hit up the zoo and Bondi Beach which I've never been to. I’m excited.

March 18 - Tuesday morning

Yesterday we had a look at the Opera house, Sydney harbour Bridge and took the ferry to Taronga Zoo which wound up taking most of the day. There was a dramatic 15 degree Celsius drop in temperature from the previous day which was a welcome relief.

Taronga is an amazing zoo but I must say, I think the allure of zoos has well worn off for me. I feel like after you’ve seen a few animals you’ve seen them all and it becomes a begrudging chore to tick off all the “must see” animals. As long as I see the gorgeous giraffes I’m happy. 🦒

March 19 - Wednesday morning

Had a truly gorgeous day yesterday perusing some cafes and shops in Surrey Hills, the CBD and a trip to Bondi Beach and Bondi Junction where i had a swim in the absolutely iconic Bondi Icebergs.

It wasn’t as quiet as this photo would have it look but there were far more people standing around sunbathing and taking photos than actually swimming.

March 21 - Friday morning in Melbourne

Have just woken up for our second day in Melbourne. Another friend has joined so there’s three of us traipsing around and it’s been fun so far. Melbourne is far bigger and more happening than what I'd really realised.

Our first day consisted primarily of checking out the Queen Victoria Markets which certainly had a lot to look at. Huge markets and I was truly gagged by the gorgeous fruit and vege stands and the cheap prices compared to the endless rip-offs we’re subject to in New Zealand. (sorry for the consistent shitting on NZ - it’s just not hitting lately!)

We all enjoyed a treat from the food court area (I had a lovely carrot, watermelon and orange juice) and then enjoyed a coffee. It’s undeniably a nice environment and would be a great spot to do a weekly shop, though i can only imagine how busy it would be on the weekend. So many good fish, meat, breads and cheeses on offer, I think you could probably find every fresh ingredient you’d ever need for cooking.

In the afternoon we made our way to the National Victoria Gallery to check out the Yayoi Kusama exhibition. It was better than I was expecting, and I had definitely unfairly reduced her in my mind to being simply about colorful polka dots. Her career is vast and she was incredibly prolific. There’s both a triumph and a joy about her art but also a madness and grief, which perhaps means she’s successfully articulated life through her work?

March 22 - Sat evening

This trip has been super busy, a real go go go trip but I’ve loved it. Yesterday we checked out a few inner suburbs to get get feel of Melbourne beyond the CBD. Upon the advice of a friend's friend we went to Fitzroy, Collingwood and Carlton. The later of which where we went to an absolutely GAW JUS bakery store.

We also went to an Australian Football League (AFL) game at the Melbourne cricket ground stadium. Apparently it holds like 100k people and looked super full, must’ve been about 80k people? I was shook. Weird sport but it was easy enough to get the hang of and the vibe was a lot of fun.

I’ll write about what I did tomorrow at the airport lol.

24 March - Final thoughts

Never got around to finishing this up yesterday after an early morning uber to the airport and flight, I was too tired / lazy to write anything. It was definitely 8 days of go-go-go but extremely fun and wonderful to spend time with two great friends.

Our last day in Melbourne included a tram ride to St Kilda’s. It was a cute beach and a nice boardwalk for a walk or run, as many were doing on a sunny Saturday morning. However, we weren’t terribly impressed with the offerings in the township and had a fairly rote, but pleasant brunch and fairly swiftly wandered off to get a tram ride back into town. We checked out the botanic garden but it was at this point all three of us had sort of hit a wall and were feeling exhausted and it was time for an afternoon snack and rest.

For our final hurrah we wandered into the CBD to a bar for a drink, then to Wagu Wagu for Hokkaido soup curry and it was delicious, but it wasn’t really terribly authentic to the gaw jus soup curries I enjoyed living in Hokkaido way back in 2014 (and recently reminded myself of visiting in late 2023). It was nice though, and we polished off the evening with a third trip to Taiwanese dessert shop Dessert Story for a deeply delightful tofu pudding. Well, I had shaved iced with traditional toppings and went home happy as Larry.

I just briefly skimmed the first post when I wrote this and wow - I really needed this holiday. I was feeling really down about life and exhausted. I think it’s a good reminder to actually take breaks and to take holidays, I know they’re a privilege but they’re also a necessity for good wellbeing. Doesn’t need to be a flight away, but the occasional change from your daily routine. I was feeling overworked and very trapped in my life - a nice week away was a delightful salve and I feel energized and excited for the future now.