Sorry for not posting as soon as my travels ended. It has been a busy summer and semester. There is a TL;DR (too long; didnât read synopsis) at the end if you donât feel like reading the day-by-day. Also, this blog post is very similar to what I have already posted on Facebook (again).
As my time in Australia came to an end, I learned and felt a lot of different things. I realized how laid back I was and how chill I could be. I realized that I did not get to immerse myself in Australian culture because I was almost constantly surrounded by other international students. I did get to experience Anzac Day and the Australian friends I did make were wonderful and insightful. I am beyond fortunate and privileged to be able to have gone so many places and been a tourist.
From my last blog post to when I got back to the US, I went to Cairns, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, and went back to Lismore (SCU) a few times in between. After leaving Australia, I went to Indonesia, where I spent time in Bali, my motherâs hometown of Jogjakarta, Madiun, Magelang, and back to Bali. My flights back started on July 1 and ended on July 1 (mom and Edenâs birthday!) and went from Denpasar (Bali) to Seoul (South Korea) to Atlanta to Charlotte with a nine-hour layover in Korea.
CAIRNS, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA with Kate (from Southern Cross), Eunice (from App State), and Brianna (from New York)
May 27: Kate drove us from Lismore to Brisbane, where we met up with her brother and his family. We all headed to Eat Street and wandered around, had delicious food, and listened to live music. After that, we caught our plane to Cairns and played Heads Up. Our plane felt like it was falling out of the sky for a bit because of some crazy turbulence. We got to our hostel, which is also a night club, by 1am.
May 28: We walked around downtown Cairns; went to markets and spent time in our hostel, Gilligans.
May 29: We decided to go on a road trip! The four of us rented a car and three of our roommates from the hostel did also. We drove to Kuranda, stopping at Kuranda Range Lookout. We had lunch at Frogs, where I ate Crocodile and it tasted like chicken. There was a cute little market there also. We then stopped by at palm Cove beach, where I watched someone catch and gut a fish. We stopped at Rex lookout on the way to Mossman River Gorge, where we took a shuttle to see some beautiful scenery. After we headed black to Cairns and returned the cars, we went to the night markets again and had dinner before looking around.
May 30: We got up early to get some coffee before heading to the Marina. We checked in and got on the boat to the Great Barrier Reef. We had booked it online earlier, so it was easy. We laid up on the deck and chilled inside for the hour it took to get out to Saxon Reef. There, I snorkeled for the first time in my life. It was surreal. We had a nice lunch on the ship before heading to Hastings Reef, where we snorkeled again and Kate got to scuba dive. We spent less time snorkeling than at the first place. Super fun. I canât believe I checked that off my bucket list! There was also a cool entertainer on board. Afterwards, we shopped around, met with another SCU International student and had dinner with him. We went back to Gilliganâs to meet our hostel roommates and play Bogan Bingo and eat more. It was a good time. We also went to another place and ended up on the dance floor.
May 31: We had Meldrumâs pies for breakfast, which are supposedly the best pies! We went to the esplanade and met with Kayla, Tori, and Justin. Troy showed up also. We swam a bit and then headed back to Gilliganâs to hang out by the pool there. Brianna, Kate, Eunice, and I got burgers for lunch and then packed up to leave. Our flight was nice and I talked to a lady from Gold Coast the whole way to Brisbane. Kateâs brother picked us up and we got her car before getting Troy and heading back to Lismore. We made a pit stop at maccas (McDonaldâs)and I got a happy meal.
June 1: Alex, Kayla, and I finally took a trip to Nimbin, which is only 30 minutes away from Lismore and I always wanted to go but didnât get a chance until nearly the end.
ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA with Alex Funk
June 2: Alex and I started on our journey to Adelaide. We took a bus from SCU to Gold Coast, went to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary because Alex wanted to buy a mug. Had lunch overlooking the beautiful beach! We stopped by SCU-Gold Coast. Then, we caught our flight to Adelaide, bussed into the city, checked into our hostel, and had dinner at the Central Markets. There was such a wide array of foods from all around the world, including farm fresh produce. We had some Algerian couscous and mint tea.
June 3: Alex and I slept in a bit and took a bus to Harbourtown, which is an outlet mall. We wandered around before grabbing an Uber to the food truck festival, Fork on the Road. There were so many different types of food. There was also an indoor area with seats and a disco dance floor. There was an outdoor area for sitting and kids to run around in. We had some great food. I had a South American rice dish, Alex had a burger, and we shared some waffle sticks. We went back to the hostel and ended up going out to The London with some of our German roommates and their friends, who were all very sweet.
June 4: Alex and I went to Blackwood, Which is a small town south of Adelaide, to go to a craft market. There were a lot of cute stalls. Afterwards, we headed back to the city via train to check out the mall and just walked around the central business district. We went to Chinatown, near our hostel, for dinner. We had some great sweet and sour chicken and seafood dumplings.
June 5: Alex and I went to breakfast at Zuma Caffe. Afterwards, we got gelato from an award-winning gelato place called 48 Flavours. We then walked through the partially closed markets, and walked towards the museum, stopping at Rundle Street Mall. We walked through the University of Adelaide and went to the South Australia Museum. Then, we went to St. Peterâs Cathedral, which was also closed. We got some sushi from Sushi Train before heading back to the hostel and then watching Baywatch at GU Filmhouse. This was our last full day of traveling together.Â
June 6: Alex and I woke up early and went to the Central Markets. We had breakfast at a waffle place in town, then she realized her flight lands at 11:30, not leaving at 11:30 as she thought. We made a mad dash to the airport and she caught her flight to Melbourne. Mine followed around two hours after to Sydney. Ben picked me up at the airport and we went to Newtown to get milkshakes and toasties. In the evening, we went to Vivid at the Toronga Zoo, which was beautiful and all lit up.
SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA
June 7:Â Ben and I went to the Wildpear cafe for breakfast, and then hung out with his mom for a bit before heading to the city. We wandered around before going on a Vivid cruise through the harbour. It was rainy, but there were some great views. We got to see the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and the entire city projected in lights. Afterwards, we had dinner at a German place and ended the night in Kings Cross.
June 8: I headed to the Sydney airport early in the morning and flew to Brisbane alongside all the business people who fly early. I met mom in the Brisbane airport and we wandered around the Brisbane museum and Queen St. mall. Then, we took a nap in our hotel that turned into sleeping until the next morning.
BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA with mother (Siti Kusujiarti)
June 9: Mum and I went to Jimmyâs on the Mall for breakfast before taking a train to where she used to live when she was pregnant with me. We visited University of Queensland, which is where my dad got his PhD. Afterwards, we headed to the Royal Brisbane and Womenâs hospital, where I was born. We went to China Town for a light meal and headed back to the hotel. We went to Luminous, which was at SouthBank. And we ended the night at Eat Street. So much good food!
June 10: Mom and I slept in a bit and went for a walk around the city. We went to the Queen Street Mall, and then to the Botanical Gardens. From there, we took the City Cat (boat) to South Bank and rode on the Wheel of Brisbane. Then, we went to the Australian Football League game between the Brisbane Lions and the Fremantle Dockers. Lions won 121-64! We got lost on our way back and took a train back into the city, then we got Mos Burger and gelato for dinner.
MELBOURNE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA with mother
June 11: Mom and I had our flight from Brisbane to Melbourne this morning. We took a skybus into the city and planned for tomorrow. We got Korean food before heading to St. Kilda, where we went to the Esplanade Markets and walked on the beach. After sunset, we saw the wild penguins. So cute!
June 12: Mum and I went on a full-day tour of the Great Ocean Road and surrounding rainforest. Here are the places we went:
Anglesea
Memorial Arch
Kennett River
Apollo Bay
Ngatanwarr rainforest walk
Loch Ard Gorge
12 Apostles
June 13: Today we slept in and then went to Brighton Beach to see the colorful bath houses. Then, we explored Federation Square before taking the circle tram around the city. We got off to go to the Eureka Skydeck. There was a cool open balcony area. We went to a fish n chips place on the esplanade of the Yarra river and watched flames randomly shoot out of a column. Momâs friend dropped by our hotel and talked to us in the evening.
June 14: Mum and I took an Uber, plane, and bus to get back to Lismore to spend some last hours with Alex.
LISMORE, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA
June 15: I had to say goodbye to Alex in the morning as she headed off to Brisbane to start her new adventure in Cairns. I showed mom around the campus, packed up most of my stuff, took her to Mary Gâs for dinner, and went to the square for probably the last time ever.Â
June 17: I left Lismore for the last time this morning! Emptied my room and said goodbye to Mandy, the only other roommate currently in 19B. Iâll miss SCU and all of the friends I have made there so so much. Mom and I took a bus to Brisbane, where we explored near our hotel, Southbank, Queen Street, and took some trains to get around.
June 18: I left Australia (my new favorite country/continent and technically my homeland). So bittersweet. We got a shuttle from the hotel in Brisbane. Mom went to the international terminal for her direct flight to Bali. I hauled my luggage to the domestic terminal to go to Sydney. Layover for 3 hours. 7.5 hour flight to Denpasar. Dadâs friend had people pick us up at the airport and take us to our gorgeous hotel. Also, Happy American Fatherâs Day. Australian Fatherâs Day is in September. Indonesian Fatherâs Day does not exist.
BALI, INDONESIA with motherÂ
June 19: Mommy and I went to her friendâs house and we went to a cool restaurant over some water. Then, we went to an arts festival where there was traditional Balinese theater and some handcrafts. That evening, I met one of my dadâs cousins, Rahmat.
June 20: Mommy Siti and I took a day tour around Bali. We went to the Barong Dance, handicraft stores (silver, batik, painting, wood carving), a Hindu temple, rice terrace, Ubud market, and Monkey Forest.
June 21: Mommy Siti and I went to Kuta Beach this morning and walked around. We packed up for our flight at 3. We got to her hometown of Jogjakarta and we went to her family home with Tante Any (momâs sister in law) and Om Cungki (momâs younger brother). We had dinner and then headed to cousin Viaâs house.
JOGJAKARTA, JAVA, INDONESIA with family
June 22: Spent 7 hours getting my hair done⌠nbd.
June 23: Traveled to Madiun with 6 other family members: mom, her siblings, their spouses, and one cousin. We visited graves of our ancestors: all some sort of local Indonesian royalty. We spent some time at the hotel and those who were fasting broke their fast. People are all on holiday for Ramadan.
June 24: Mommy Siti and I took a becak (pedicab) ride of the city before taking a train back to her hometown of Jogjakarta with cousin Via and fam. After dinner, Om Cungki and Tante Any took us for a drive and we saw many Takbiran, which is a parade of people chanting prayers for the last night of Ramadan. The next day was the Eid al Fitr.
There are many mosques around, so we listened to the chanting all night. There was also fireworks and lots of celebration.
June 25: Eid Al Fitr (Idul Fitri), which is the first day after the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. There were many gatherings for the morning prayer because Indonesia is the most populous Muslim country. We started the day at one of these, then visited with Aunt Anyâs relatives. We payed respects at graves of relatives, including my grandparents. We also saw where mommy Siti and Uncle Cungki lived as children.
June 26: Mommy Siti, Om Cungki, Tante Any, and I did a lava tour around the Mount Merapi volcano. We stopped at the Kaliadem Bunker, the museum of survivors and victims of the eruption, and we went through the Kali Gendol river. Afterward, we hiked to the Japanese Caves and then drove to the Muncar waterfall.
June 27: We traveled to Magelang for a family reunion with mommy Sitiâs side of the family. I met a lot of relatives. I spent the evening with Tante Any and Om Cungki and we ate at Es Teler 77, my fav Indonesian restaurant.
June 28: Mommy Siti and I picked up my second cousin Cici from the airport and got lunch at a mall. We failed at looking for a spa that was open (everything is still closed for end of Ramadan holiday). We visited Reza and her fam and had dinner with them. Then, mom, Cici, and I went to karaoke  It was in a little room, unlike most karaoke people think of in the US.Â
June 29: Mom and I spent the morning packing. Mommy Siti, Cici, Aunt Any, Uncle Cungki, and I went to lunch together. Afterwards, mom, Cici, and I went to the spa and Cici and I got facials while mom did a hairspa. We walked around the mall a bit before packing up, heading to the airport, having one last meal with my uncle and aunt, and then getting on our plane to Bali. We were picked up by hotel staff and checked in. Aunt Novi and cousins Via and Rangga got to Bali earlier today and are in the room next door.
BALI, INDONESIA with family
June 30: Cousins Cici, Vidya, Rangga, Aunt Novi, Mommy Siti, and I visited the village of Tenganan and saw some traditional crafts and temples. Then, we went to Virgin Beach and played in the waves. We celebrated mumâs birthday at Bali Bakery and I got her a cake. I packed up all of my stuff at the hotel and everyone came to drop me off at the airport. My path was DenpasarSeoulAtlantaCharlotte.
July 1: My last 2 days (international date line) of overseas travel this summer. After my 7 hour flight from Bali to South Korea, I went through security and found out the Incheon airport has free transit tours. While signing up for a tour, I made a new friend who was also traveling alone, Mary. We took a one-hour tour to a tv drama set and saw a âcaveâ where they filmed part of the show. Next, we went on a two-hour tour of a Buddhist Temple (Heungryunsa) and the Memorial Hall for Incheon Landing Operation. We crossed the 21km long Incheon Bridge. After getting back to the airport, we ate noodles at a Korean Restaurant and went the security. There was a String Pop group called Odd Eye performing. It was really interesting and fun to watch. By the gate, there was a Korean Cultural experience center where we painted fans. During my 13 hour flight from there to Atlanta, I watched several movies and slept a bit. After finally meeting my dad in the Charlotte airport, he drove me home and we arrived at 3am.
Although part of this list is in the Wilson Scholars Newsletter, I thought this list of lessons learned from each city would be a good way to wrap up my last blog post:
If there is such horrible turbulence on a plane that a flight attendant falls over and passengers are screaming, everything will be okay.
Seeing the Great Barrier reef in person is a breathtaking experience.
Staying at a hostel with a waterfall pool, multiple bars, and a nightclub in it is an indescribable experience.
Travelling together is an amazing bonding experience for existing friends, but itâs more fun when you make more friends from all around the world at your hostel and go adventuring with them (applies to Cairns, Adelaide, and Christchurch).
People are often racist towards aboriginal people. There are also many strange laws regarding aboriginal people that treat them as different types of citizens than other Australians.
Crocodile tastes like chicken.
 Sometimes sleeping for half of your vacation is worth it because you are refreshed, healthier, more carefree, and less irritable.
There is great food in Adelaide. We went to a food truck festival, markets, and restaurantsâall delicious!
My last trip with my Canadian best friend made me realize how close two people can become over the course of four months.
I love colorful lights, namely the Vivid lights festival. We went to the Toronga Zoo to see animal sculptures made of colorful lights. We also took a night cruise on the Sydney Harbour to see the city (including the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge) all lit up.
Big cities are where I belong.
It is okay for an Australian to take off a day of work to drive me around and go sightseeing. Â
 My birth city ties with Sydney for my favorite city in Australia. I have considered moving back to Australia after college.
Seeing where my parents lived when I was born, the hospital I was born in, and where my dad received his PhD is surreal.
Uber drivers can be very insightful on topics of racism and islamophobia in Australia.
The Great Ocean Road is full of beautiful beaches, cliffs, geographic formations, and good ice cream.
Travelling with mom is very different than travelling with friends.
 Bali is a tourist trap, but is filled with local Hindu culture.
My motherâs family descends from royalty in a line of sultans and founders of cities.
Celebrating the end of Ramadan takes a full week and many visits with relatives to cemeteries.
 Talk to the person next to you on plane rides. Who knows? They may have played basketball at Elon University, even though you are both traveling to Cairns from Brisbane.
I really prefer traveling with others.
I did not travel alone much at all, but I learned to talk to strangers well and be more vigilant of my surroundings.
 Planes, Trains, Buses, Rental Cars, Becak, and Other Forms of Transportation
 Being the navigator is difficult, but builds essential life skills such as how to operate Google Maps.
Walking is the healthy, free, and most time consuming mode of transportation.
My mom really likes trains. She will make the journey an hour longer if it means she can ride a train or tram.
You have to book buses ahead of time online in Australia. The bus drivers are always very kind and seem to like their jobs.
EVERYONE in Australia makes a living wage. A two-mile taxi ride might cost $30, but at least you can survive if you have a job.
The first time an American drives on the left side of the road is not bad.
Despite all of the hassles myself and my friends have been through in airports, I love flying.
In Indonesia, you can take a tour of the city in a becak (pedicab) for 30 minutes for less than $5.
 TL;DR I went to Cairns to snorkel the great barrier reef, Adelaide to eat good food, Sydney to see Vivid lights, Brisbane to see my birthplace with mom, Melbourne to be a tourist, Bali to learn about culture, Jogjakarta to spend a Muslim holiday with family, and Seoul on the way back home. It was the most amazing month of my life and I learned so much from it.
Last Month of Travels Sorry for not posting as soon as my travels ended. It has been a busy summer and semester.
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