The Final Countdown... and the end... of this chapter

This will the the final post in this Xmas's blog.

For those of you who have been reading it, thank you. I had no intention on writing anything like this until it was mentioned it to me the day I left... it was a great idea. Writing this has more or less negated any homesickness on my part; I've enjoyed writing for you guys. I hope it has at least provided some little entertainment!

The last few days I've been conspicuously quiet... for some of you who've spoken to me, I've come out with grand plans... caving in the blue mountains, swimming in the olympic pool etc etc... all great touristy things, which are musts on any trip here. I've subsequently done none of them =). Since my last post, at the cricket, I've spent the last two days doing absolutely nothing... and loving it.

Again, those that know me, know that family is very much paramount; despite how little I actually see them! Without making it sound too clinical, I took a little bit of a step back and realised, I'd hate leaving here, let met correct myself, hate leaving here even more, if i felt I could have spent more time with my cousins and nieces.

Since coming here, I've had innumerable 'deep' chats with the cousin I've been staying with, joked with her hubby and carried on where we left off with my newly migrated cousin. Above all the skydiving, shark diving, bridge climbing and beach lounging... this has been the best part of my holiday. I could have run around for the last few days, doing everything and anything... but it'd be a waste.. instead, i've spent every minute with one of the above, or the kids. I would change nothing.

Mentioning the kids; I've done my very best to spoil them rotten on this trip, with varying degrees of success. The last holiday to Oz up until this one was my 'favorite' holiday, I went with parents and did nothing for 4 weeks... loved it because of my then 8 month old niece. She has matured into an opinionated 5 year old whom I adore and has been joined by the cutest bi-lingual 2.5 year old I've ever had the pleasure to meet! Once again, they've made my trip and it genuinely upsets me to have to leave them. The next time I come here, my cousins will not have changed, we'll pick up where we left off... my nieces may have become brand new people. I only hope they dont change too much! More so than this country, I will miss them; from the 'Tharshaaaaaaan *anna*, watchu doing?" from the little one, to the genuine affection the elder one shows toward me.

Australia is a huge place, with countless more things to do... Ayres rock ' Ularu', Cairns and the Barrier reef, Bungee jumping, Caving in blue moutains, Visiting Adelaide and the mountain passes... just to mention a few. This will not be my last trip.

As my blog hopefully illustrates.. I've had an incredible time, fitting more 'activities' and seeing more sights in this trip than I'd expect to in 10. I said it before, I was very young; this place is the place I want to be. Australia is my utopia; if I don't end up living here at some point, I've made a serious mistake, or lost perspective along the way!

Anyway, I think i'm done. All that is left is to once again thank you for reading, it's been fun blogging... and I've had a blast.

See you all very soon, come and give me a shout if you wanna see photos of any of the described =)

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(Also, for the record.... Skippy tasted fantastic... that makes it Skippy, Thumper & Pumba =) )