Wonderful ending tour-大洋路

在Adelaide 往機場的路上，我遇見全澳洲服務最好的司機。那天正好是2007 Melbourne Cup，途中他概略地介紹墨爾本有趣的地方，下車時他幫忙卸下行李箱並把拉桿拉好，還協助我「穿」上那笨重的背包；有趣的是他到過台灣幾次，要寄兩封信給在台灣的朋友，正煩惱分不清楚哪個是「林口」哪個是「新店」？我義不容辭地用專業的中文能力幫了他一個大忙，於是他熱心地分享澳洲景點予以回報。他知道我會從Melbourne回台灣，建議Great Ocean Road很值得去，而最好的季節是二月。於是2008的二月…
我找不到人一起租車，我聽說要一天玩完有點吃力，於是我選擇兩天一夜的tour-Lets go bush（只要$130，包住宿和晚餐、歐式早餐）聽說一月是旺季，二月天氣好適合前往，五月之後觀光人數銳減，但冬天有機會看到鯨魚。
第一天
我選擇最晚的集合地點Southern Cross station，然後往Great Ocean Road出發。第一個休息站是Geelong－墨爾本近郊，在掏金時期興盛的小鎮，衝浪熱門景點。我們停靠在一個類似shopping center的地方，這裡聚集各種衝浪品牌，導遊放我們下車shopping，他說不買摸一摸也好，畢竟澳洲以衝浪素負盛名。逛了一下，其實並沒什麼特價，但至少牌子、樣式、品項都比City齊全。
之後在Great Ocean Road的起點有個大招牌，我們又下車照個像、在海灘上漫步。總途中大大小小的觀景台就是我們的停靠站，就這麼悠哉地走走停停。中午在某觀光小鎮自由活動一個半小時，午餐自理加上游泳時間。儘管晴空艷陽頭頂35℃的高溫，跳到水裡還是~凍！暑氣全消~~
途中導遊開到一個樹林要我們下車去找無尾熊，這是我第一次在野外看到無尾熊，真的隨便走走就可以在樹上發現他們的蹤跡。導遊說他們一個小時吃飯、一個小時從這棵樹移動到那顆、二十一個小時在睡覺（還有一個小時忘記在幹麻了><），果然我們找到的大多都在睡覺。
有趣的是導遊每宣布一次集合時間就會問我一次，我只好乖乖覆誦一次。他對我這個唯一的亞洲人特別有耐心，尤其同伴大部分是以英文為母語的西方人，不過明明是德國人才搞不清楚集合時間><”。想當初第一次參加tour如果導遊這麼好心，就不會對我弱小的心靈造成難以磨滅的傷害了…anyway這是最後一次tour，我早就被操的很機靈了^^
五點左右我們抵達夜宿地點－Apollo Bay－典型的陽光海岸度假小鎮，我們住在花園平房、小橋流水的Backpacker＋caravan park，小巧、整齊、乾淨，特別的是提供各式茶包，包括英式早餐茶、愛爾蘭早餐茶、伯爵紅茶、茉香綠茶等，冰箱牆面還有年度訪客國籍統計（目前台灣3名），老闆是一個每年渡假六個月的幸福老人。晚餐在附近的pub享用，我點了當地Fish chips& salad，魚很嫩但是有點油，大家對於物超所值的晚餐和住宿都相當滿意。
第二天我們往十二使徒岩出發，途中小停Otway NP參觀雨林。一個曾經到竹科出差兩週的英國人跟我說，這個台灣也有你應該不覺得稀奇吧！It’s true！澳洲很多自然地形、景觀或林相在台灣都有，只是小巧些，如果外國人真的感興趣我也想當當tour guide開著車遊遍大江南北。之後我們到達主要目標：十二使徒岩、倫敦斷橋，這趟行程最重要的就是它的海蝕岩岸地形，因為澳洲地大，什麼都壯觀，照什麼都上像。中午休息一樣預留游泳時間，吃飽飯後到當地海灘泡泡腳，然後賦歸。
這趟旅程的highlight是，tour guide （Getin）人超好，一個人旅遊不用擔心落單。他一直關心我玩的如何，聽不聽得懂？其實倍受關注有點壓力，我都很害羞的躲起來。遇到什麼神奇的事也會特地叫我去看，因為我常常失神。無論如何，他是一個超級大好人，第二天握手告別時，我又差點飆淚。 （OS.經過一年的分分合合，還是學不會放下Orz~）

Queen VIC Night Mrt-fine food'n fun

It’s held every Wed nights, there’re loads of food stalls from countries. They all looked yummy, but not budget for me. It’s my second time to go there, this time with IJ. Her purpose was crocodile hamburger, it’s kind of OZ souvenir for her because there’s no crocodile in Kr. First, I bought a bread looked like a heart called Bretzel, it’s cinnamon and vanilla flavor and delicious. I was deeply moved while I bit and even thought it’s the best bread I’ve eaten in OZ. And then we were attracted by Spanish seafood with yellow rice. There’s a special herb used in rice, it’s just nice to experience Spain by food. IJ bought the Great Australia bite, combined Croco, Emu and Roo, the most famous animals in OZ. It’s really a clever idea to sell this meat and cooked by B.B.Q, that’s truly OZ. And she also bought Spanish ** for snack, it looked like rice stick but tasted more like doughnut. After all these food, we were all full and content. The night was full of music, fine food and crowd.

ED/Broome- He is a really BOSS July2007

I got working holiday visa, I worked for holiday. Working at McDonald’s is one of my OZ dreams.
When I left for Broome, I didn’t know what kind of job I can do. I was keen to do hospitality in a small town to improve my English before going to eastern coast.
The day I arrived was weekend, I just walked around this small town to search my opportunity. I was satisfied at its size, much more hotels and restaurants than Coral bay, even it got chain supermarkets. Enough! It’s enough for me. While I was shopping, I tried one café posted wanted outside. But they answered me no more vacancy, I thought might be I didn’t prepare yet.
The next was Monday, I dressed up and made up, went to the McDonald’s near by. Actually I didn’t know if they need hands, just I wanted to try. I don’t really like the junk food, but I attracted by the people I used to work with. I chose non-rush time walking in, and searched someone wearing different uniform then smiled to him. He was Shanti. I asked him for job, presented my resume which wrote staff in macca for job objective.（flattering） He was glad that I came from TW macca, and treated me a cup of latté. The interview went well, he promised me a job straight away and suggested a good accommodation with discount. I was so lucky and grateful, wanted to check his name on his polo shirt. It’s BOSS on it, he is a really boss.

What a strange life, as a student.

I’ve lived a regular 10-4 life in Mel, the main schedule in a day is study study study, then eat and sleep. I would struggle to get up before 8:30, but it’s getting harder for me because of the chilly weather. After breakfast I would rush to train station around 9:09 every morning to catch the 9:12 train. Fortunately this train used to be delayed so that I could catch it in time.
My first class starts at 10 and finishes by 12:40. It’s supported by Japanese and Korean church. The teachers usually give us some articles to read, practice the sentences and the key part is take time to discuss particular topics with the classmates. Although the class combines with Bible study, it’s full of free atmosphere and people are gental, nice and friendly.
I usually have lunch with IJ after that, and then go to the second class. It’s run by RMIT University, teachers are trainee. This class is more formal, just like a language school. We listen, read, speak, sometimes write, there’s more stressful. We practice grammar by comprehension quiz, but they don’t really teach grammar. Sometimes we got confused, but the teachers who speak English as mother tongue can’t understand what the problem is. And some teachers are very nervous when on stage, it hardly to see a humorous oz vibrate when speaking English, anyway they’re brilliant.
After all classes, I would go to library to review all the stuff. I just behave like a student in Melbourne. The people I met here are quite different from the backpackers I met before. Some of them don’t work, even don’t really travel. The main purpose of most of them to be here is improve English, I could see them attend class as routine, I could meet them in library for study. It maybe because I change my objective, from travel to study, I chose the place so that people is also changed. It’s easy for me because everyone walk toward the same direction, I just follow. I had not studied like this since I failed the entrance test of master, I even thought I couldn’t concentrate on textbook anymore. Anyway it’s nice to be a student again without any worry.

前進東南亞on my way home

快回台灣了，開始籌劃新加坡之行…
開始蒐集新加坡轉機的住宿資訊、旅遊景點、血拼品項，老實說對中規中矩的新加坡並沒什麼期待，stop over 只為了多收集一個入境章吧！慢慢注意到新加坡隔壁好像有個馬來西亞，觀光或血拼都更勝一籌；可是Kelly.k說那治安不好，他去了三次只有一次真正走入市區『觀光』，加上瀏覽網路上的評論令人直冒冷汗。雖然我是個身經百戰的背包客了（10個月資歷），但大部分的時候突破險境只是因為運氣好（MS.阿滋說2007年雙魚座屬豬大旺）；我走夜路、搭便車、貪小便宜、少一根筋，還活著根本是命大。

不過去馬來的想法一直在心中盤旋，開始規劃要怎麼申請簽證：
1.搭巴士，在邊境下車，面臨赫槍實彈的歡迎儀式和整車免簽的旅客說再見，然後獨自辦完簽證默默地等下一班巴士
（花費：巴士錢＋＄101RM；危險指數：＊＊＊）
2.先在新加坡請旅行社代辦，耗時三至五天；搭巴士，看別人怎麼過關然後照做…
（花費：巴士錢＋＄43SD＋五天在新加坡和蚊子打架；危險指數：＊＊）
3.學有錢人搭飛機，可在機場辦落地簽
（花費：＄機票錢＋簽證費；危險指數：＊）

前幾天聽說JET＊特價，到吉隆坡只要＄18SD，而且MS.F也想去馬來，不由得心動一下，難道這就是天助好心人？趕緊上網訂位，才發現這其實是詐騙集團的騙局。什麼是票價18，稅金60？騙小孩沒坐過飛機ㄛ？…失望
在查票價的時候發現泰國也特價－曼谷來回＄76SD，曼谷至少比吉隆坡有趣吧？雖然IJ說「你不能一個人去泰國，THAT’S FOR COUPLE」；MR.D說「曼谷不錯啦！只是會比較無聊…」，但抱著都來東南亞了，一定要玩一下的心情，衝啦！這次小心翼翼地確認總金額沒有外加稅，但是在結帳時…稅外加$150SD…晴天霹靂＞＜…大失望！看來東南亞之行的計畫要胎死腹中了。
後來跟MR.L拜年的時候聽說胖子也要去泰國，突然出現一線生機㊣，他還用激將法說胖子工作比我多，玩的又比我多，一定要爭一口氣！（屁啦！然道你不知道我變了嗎？為了爭一口氣失去A最好的朋友，然後還發生2007聖誕節慘案，能爭的只有氣，失去的無限大…25歲以後決定忍氣吞聲…）不過我在網上發現可以在曼谷學做泰國菜耶！一直想在MEL學一下做菜，可是苦於不到合適的課程I MUST GO BKK！…還可以按摩＋學按摩，血拼曼谷包…ㄎㄎㄎ心中竊喜！曼谷是我的夢想天堂。認真比價之後發現亞航票價＄1.5SD加上雜費共＄70SD最便宜（心中還是很多OS），回程新加坡由於票價普遍較貴，所以稍緩訂位。去泰國的最高指導原則是：不騎大象、不去海灘、避開情人潮。
做了一個決定，開始有旅行的心情。從對未知的恐懼、莫名的期待，到掌握旅遊資訊，接著在實地演練、在預期之外蹦出驚奇的火花，這就是旅行的意義。不過好想有個伴喔，一個人旅行的好處是無拘無束，兩個人旅行的好處是：住宿半價、吃飯有伴、拍照有機會入鏡、觀光有人分享心情、血拼有人提供意見、至少被搶的機會減半（搶隔壁的）。為什麼我要刻苦地獨自旅行？

I was crying, still not strong enough.

Today is Chinese NYE, I didn’t have classes just went to city for some paperwork. I changed my date of plane, and then went to Colonial First State office to cancel my super. Actually I didn’t know how to explain my situation, but the receptionist was very kind, she ask me to wait for another assistant. I told that lady I’d like to cancel my account, and then she dialed a number for me to talk to the other office worker.
The guy from phone asked some security questions for identification, just as other OZ companies. He ask the acc no.6502…, my birthday 2702…, my balance…I don’t know…, my address I gave him the add in Mel. He said the add is wrong; I can’t give you any information until you answer four security checks correctly. I thought maybe he need the add in Broome, I try to remember the share house’s add, but it’s wrong again. Mcca’s add, wrong still. And then the guy kept announcing their security policy, and he said even my birthday is incorrect. It made me so uncomfortable, although Broom is a small town, I’d stayed in 3 places before, I don’t know which the hell add they used to register. And how come the birthday is wrong. I just asked can there some people face to face to check my ID, I don’t know my birthday, I couldn’t answer the question. He still insisted their policy: I can’t give you any information until you answer four security checks correctly.
I gave up finally, just went out to the receptionist try to ask if there someone can check my ID. But when she asked ARE YOU ALL RIGHT? I couldn't help but burst into tears, because I felt wronged indeed. It’s so embarrassing that I cried in public. Even though I dealt with all my things independently in this year, I am not strong enough to stand for myself. I’m so disappointed about how fragile i am.

Puffing Billy

根據IJ房東的MEL情報，這禮拜我們計畫去傳說中的蒸氣火車之鄉－Puffing Billy
Puffing Billy的小火車位於Zone2，Belgrave Line的最後一站。過了Zone2，車站圍牆少了五顏六色的牆面刺青，建築變得新穎而現代化，加上自然宜人的鄉間環境，不由得又開使囔哴著要搬來這些不知名的小鎮居住。其實從家裡出發已經轉車兩次（Richmond+Ringwood），我的壞習慣是每次看到環境好就想隱居山林，真正需要往返市區時才懊惱距離遙遠。
在風光明媚的星期日上午，我們抵達 Belgrave終點站，沿著指示走很快就見到古色古香的歐式車站。也許我們並不了解50年前的維多利亞，但車站內的懷舊味道讓人很容易進入情境模擬，瞬間老鐘、木屋、郵筒、售票亭都是入鏡的標的，拿起照相機兩個人就玩的不亦樂乎。但確認一下票價，搭火車不是我們的選項；其實IJ在路上已經宣布他不坐火車只照像，但是心裡還是期待有商議空間。等下一班火車的空檔，我們拿出點心就開始野餐，在這安靜、舒服的小鎮。突然聽見嘟嘟的汽笛聲，只見火車頭開了過來，拿起照相機又一陣狂拍。媽阿！它真的是貨真價實之「蒸氣」小火車，汽孔排放蒸氣伴隨汽笛嘟嘟聲的節奏，我們倆的心同時癢了一下，好想體驗小火車的魅力喔！43塊澳幣兩個小時來回車程的「蒸氣」小火車不是沒有他的價值，只是還要以無業遊民身分在墨爾本大城市生活一個月，即使是玩樂闊小姐也不得不行事低調些。
想到以前旅遊是用時薪去計算價值…
標的：Broome Cable Beach Camel Riding
時間：1 hr
價格：一天薪水（AUD65）
價值：全西澳最上相之夕陽海岸＋台灣騎不到的稀有動物－駱駝
結論：價值大於價格───＞衝啦！

現在是…
標的：Australia’s Favorite Steam Train
時間：2 hr
價格：一週伙食費（AUD43）
價值：全澳最古老之蒸氣火車＋沿途熱帶雨林、海岸線、火車博物館、農莊風光-凱因斯已有小火車經歷-沒人共乘…
結論：價格遠大於價值───＞飲恨！

~~誰叫我不事生產，只有不勝唏噓…