Growing up in Western New York, there is the typical trip to New York City or Myrtle Beach. If you are lucky you may be able to go to Disney World once or twice. But every once in a while an opportunity presents itself and you can leave the country to do something really amazing. This may be for family vacation and you get to see the Eiffel Tower, a study abroad program where you completely submerge yourself in a new culture for 15 weeks, or a term three travel trip with your fellow students and professors. Now if you get to go somewhere you may go to Europe or South America, but I urge to reconsider.
Here are a few of the reasons why you should visit Australia.
The Food
I am a person who loves to try new foods, whether that be fruits, meats or new types of candy. If you are a person that falls under that same umbrella, you should visit Australia. When you walk around there is food everywhere, restaurants, grocery stores, and even little vendors, all of which serve the cuisine of Australia. As seen in the picture that could be as simple as a chicken sandwich but the difference is the portions are smaller and are quite healthier. So if you are like me and you eat out a lot you don't feel like you are packing on the pounds. So get out of your comfort zone and try something new, such as beetroot on your burger or aioli sauce for your french fries.
The Chocolate
Now I am the type of person who is obsessed with chocolate and Australia is a perfect place to try new things. Watching YouTube, I have seen these little eggs called Kinder Surprise. They are little chocolate eggs with a white chocolate layer on the inside. The best part is that the egg holds a little surprise, a toy. So if you remember what a Wonderball was, this is a perfect substitute.
When you walk through a grocery store there are countless different types of Kit Kats, Oreos, and Cadbury. So if you have a sweet tooth you should visit Australia.The Coffee
I go to college with a Starbucks, so I am used to getting a specialty latte or a cold brew. When you walk the streets of New York City there is a Starbucks every block, no matter where you go, you will see the white and green letters. To get away from that you should visit Australia. In my four weeks in this country, I think I saw only two Starbucks. What I had in its absences was something darker and stronger. Their coffee is simple, but they do have a fun twist on an old classic. When you order an iced coffee instead of just coffee and ice, you get a piece of art. In this land, you not only get coffee and ice, but instead of cream to fight the bitterness they put a scoop of ice cream. I know it simple, but it a nice change and incentive.
The Animals
Koalas, Kangaroos, Wallabies, oh my.
One of the great things about Australia is their endemic species of marsupials. If you visit Steve Irwin's Australian Zoo, you can feed Kangaroos old and young till your heart is content. You can also go to The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and hold a Koala and get your picture taken with him or her. All over this land, there are special animals that can only be found in Australia.
The Sights
This is the true reason why you should visit, especially if your camera is getting dusty. Australia is filled with beautiful places that are just waiting to be explored and there is truly something for everyone to see. To start there is Uluru, a beautiful rock that is covered in history from the Aboriginal people. If the outback is not your thing and the water is, there is The Great Barrier Reef. With it covering the same area as Texas there are all sorts of coral, fish, and stops to see. Lastly, if none of these sound exciting there is The Sydney Opera House. If you want you can take a tour or see a show and just live a day as an Australia native and see a wonderful piece of modern Australia history.
The People
If you are a social butterfly you should visit Australia. Waiting staff tends to have an idea about them that they are rude and do not care about their customers. But in Australia they are quite different, you go to the counter to order your food and the waiter came and brought our food, but in the brief encounter they asked where I was from and what I go to school for. It was refreshing being seen as a person and not a paycheck. But even people on the street or in the hostels want to learn more about you or have stories to tell. If you listen, Australia turns from a trip to an experience of a lifetime.
Going Home
No matter how far away you go away from home, it gives you a new perspective. You become a world traveler and see a new way of looking at things. Australia is a modern country with heavy British influence so it is not far from a United States of America lifestyle. But it is different enough to show you what you like most about home and what is most important to you. So if you are having a hard time or just need some time to figure yourself out, you should visit Australia.
In all, if you have any urge to go somewhere far away, do not let a long flight, spiders, or snakes stop you from going to this amazing country. With the amazing sights to the delicious food, there is truly something there for everyone. So for your next vacation, trip, or semester, see if you can make it to Australia. I promise you will not regret it.
