MOVING ON

Hi people.

I will soon be moving on to New Zealand. I had planned to stay in Melbourne and Australia until at least mid-febuari, but some things have changed. I didnt find a job in architecture, but in a restaurant. But this is only covering my expenses [barely]. I am not saving any money for the remainder of my travels. Also my father is going through some though times personally. So, I have decided to go to New Zealand soon [probably around 14 december] which will bring me back to The Netherlands around mid-March.

Before that time I am plannig to go see the red-centre [Alice Springs and the N.P. around there] and the Great Ocean Rd.

Ofcourse it is too bad, Melbourne is a great city. I would have loved to spend some more time here and celebrate christmas with Dennis and his friends and family- but fortunately he will move to Paris in Januari- so we can catch up then.

This is the way travelling seems to go: you never know what's going to happen next. That's what the edventure is all about.

Hope all of you are well. Nice to see you are all still following my stories [Nol en Vijf bijvoorbeeld!].

Bas.

Merel in Melbourne's Possum Paradise

Hi there people. This is Merel. Merel rocks! She is from Utrecht and loves great food and good music, and loves playing violin! I have met Merel about 2-3months ago, when I was visiting Leanne in Proserpine. We enjoy a lot of afternoons in Melbourne's very nice parks. Check the pictures at the PICASA site for an impression of my time in Melbourne.

One evening this week, in the park, we ended up feeding many many possums! It was POSSUM PARADISE. How cool is that!?

More news soon, because Merel and I will be going to drive the Great Ocean Road together and hopefully visit Ayers Rock, the Olga Mountains and Alice Springs soon.

Bas.

work in Melbourne

Hi People.

Finding work as an architect in Melbourne has not succeeded. The global financial crises has distroyed the construction-industry here. No jobs what so ever. A lot of architects and related professionals have actually been fired. It's havoc. Anyway, I have found a job as a waiter in a Tasmanian Restaurant- very 'sjiek'. It's very hard work but I like it. The money is extremely bad (8euro/hour) but enough to cover my expenses.

You can check the restaurant's website here:

http://www.puresouth.com.au/

Take care,

Bas.

Whitsundays- NEW PHOTOS

Hi people,

I received some photos of my Whitsunday-sailing adventure. These pictures were taken by Daniella and Iwan; a very nice German couple that was in our group. The pictures are amazing so enjoy!

Bas.

PICTURES

in Melbourne

... we do a lot of this on the front-veranda of Dennis' house.
Bas.

bad luck!

[the sunday paper: click photo for enlargement]

Just when I arrived in Melbourne, the global economic crises has crushed the local architecture- and construction-industry... that's what they call bad luck. Architectural offices that had 5-10 jobs available 2 months ago and couldn't find anybody, have now thrown out 10 or 20 people at the same time. The board of architects estimates that over the last 2 weeks, some 250 people related to the architectural profession, have lost their jobs. Just when I am really running out of money and looking for a job... bad bad luck. So, now I am overthinking my options: continue travelling to New Zealand on find backpackerswork there (on a farm or something) or finding a 'normal' job in Melbourne (in shop or restaurant). We'll see what happens.. but I can tell you it is no fun!