Posing beside a plane after skydiving for the Best Job in the World
After I found out that I didn’t make it into the Top 16 for the Best Job in the World, I had planned to update the look of my website because the theme you see here and on my Twitter icon was created specifically for my BJITW campaign. This is why there is a picture of a GBR island in my Twitter icon thought bubble, and bubbles along the side of this website that resemble the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef logo. It didn’t seem right to have a picture of me dreaming about Australia on here or Twitter if I wasn’t going to be going.
Something else you may or may not have noticed about my campaign was my haircut about a week after the Top 50 candidates were announced. I had cut a couple of inches off just to make myself look the same as in my application video. Nobody noticed, but I guess that was the point right? Anyways, I digress.
As you can see, I didn’t end up changing the look of my website after all. Why? Because I decided that not being in the Top 16 wouldn’t stop me from seeing Queensland! Last Thursday I applied (and got) my Working Holiday Visa and round-trip tickets to Brisbane!! 
It’s crazy how fast my Working Holiday Visa application was processed. I assume that the computer generates an automatic approval so long as your application answers and passport aren’t flagged. My Visa was processed in a matter of minutes and within three hours I had all the paperwork to head down under: Visa, flight tickets and travel / medical insurance. VOILA!
I’ll be leaving on July 2nd (the day after Canada Day) and returning on December 23rd, just in time for Christmas. <3
Common Question: Do I have plans for when I get down there? None whatsoever.
Have I got kangaroos jumping around in the attic? Quite possibly, but it should be fun just the same! 
PS Thanks @whitsundays for the crash course in Aussie slang!
What a fun upcoming journey for you! I actually recently wrote a post on Aussie slang, as well, following my trip to Oz for the launch of the campaign in January:
http://camelsandchocolate.com/?p=1751
LMAO!! I’m totally memorizing some of these for future use! Like ‘Christmas on a stick’ and ‘like a pickpocket at a nudists’ camp’
I gotta say, I don’t understand where some of these phrases come from. Like narniebar — how do you get that from a banana??
what slang? teach us!
I wish Twitter had a function to look up a series of tweets from someone — then I’d just send you all the stuff I read.
You’re going to have so much fun, Anny! I’m going to wait ‘until the right moment’ to start begging my man again. Maybe he’ll cave in by July? *grin*
Here’s some recommendations;
You’re arriving in Brisbane, so chances are you’ll need a place to stay, right? You HAVE to stay at The Emporium Hotel ( http://www.emporiumhotel.com.au/ ) I’ve been there a few times now, and it is SWISH. It’s just as good in real life as it looks on the website. Look them up on http://www.tripadvisor.com to see all their awesome reviews. The hotel looks out onto a parking lot and two major roads, but that doesn’t make the location horrible. The hotel is smack in the middle of a complex of swanky restaurants, cafe lounge bars and boutique shops. Seriously, put some money aside for at least one night in a King Suite or King Spa Suite. It’s so nice that my fiancé and I are staying there for our wedding night. ^_^
While you’re in Brisbane, check out the shops on Queen Street Mall. It’s the major shopping district of the area. You’ll find good touristy shops as well as a whole host of clothes shops to pick up some good outfits. ^_^
Heading into the Gold Coast, check out the theme parks if you’re into that. Dreamworld and Movie World are my favourite of the parks (Wet’n’Wild is getting a bit old, and Seaworld appeals more to young families). Just be aware that heading into winter, the theme parks often do major annual maintenance on rides, which can last weeks. Check their websites for any planned ride closures.
While you’re on the Gold Coast, you need to go to Surfer’s Paradise (aka. “Surfer’s”). Cavill Avenue (aka. “Cav ”) is another major shopping district, and also great for tourists. Go there at night and they often have shows on, such as aboriginals on didgeridoos, etc. I don’t recommend you visit during November/December though, as Schoolies will be on and the place will be overflowing with drunken teenagers. It gets a little dangerous.
I recommend checking out the bushwalking trails around the Gold Coast Hinterland, including around Mount Tambourine. There’s some beautiful Aussie rainforest and bush out that way.
The Whitsunday Islands, Cairns and Port Douglas are a few more must-sees. ^_^
Let me know if you want any more info Anny (if somehow this post wasn’t detailed enough lol!). I know a fair bit about South-East Queensland, so if you have a question, just ask!
I’m glad you’re still coming to Queensland even after not landing the job. Here, a vodka cruiser in your honour! *clink* ^_^
Thanks for all the tips Belinda!! I DO like theme parks so I definitely want to go to Dreamworld.
And Surfer’s and Cavill Avenue sound like fun. I want to see the shows.
But Holy Guacamole!! I checked out the prices for a room at Emporium and they’re so ridiculously out of my budget! lol ~$300 for a standard room for one night. Oi. Perhaps one day when I’m filthy rich
It does look pretty swanky.
Have an amazing time, Anny… It’s amazing there. Best place for me was Cape Trib, right at the top of the East Coast. There’s a hostel there where the rooms are in huts at the top of the trees, and I think it’s the only place in the world where the rainforest meets the ocean (or at least that’s what the hostel leaflets say: but trusting a leaflet is very, very dangerous, as we all know). It’s amazing, especially at night. Very peaceful (and noisy: the animals make a racket).
Good luck. Hols xxx
Hey Hols,
Do you remember the name of the hostel? I’m having a hard time trying to find it — is it PK’s or Ferntree lodge?
Anny!
I am so happy that you’ve decided to go to Australia anyway! Sticking it to the man! haha just kidding. Good for you, though. I’m sure you’ll have an amazing time there. You must blog all about it! Perhaps I’ll do something similar myself eventually! I’m itching to make a move overseas again.
My website will convert itself back to a travel blog / updater for family and friends at home when I get down there.
GREAT! I am so glad you decided to do it. That is what I went down there on also, the work/holiday.
YAY! ON YOUR WAY! wah wah wee wah!
Thanks Kim!
Oh. What you should really be preparing for is the two option flush.
Half flush or Full Flush.
Honestly. Sometimes the half flush button is just not enough.
LOL They have those in Asia too. Actually, they had those at the office I was working at last week here in Vancouver too! The two-option toilets are better at conserving water.
Love your blog!!! Sorry you didn’t get the job. It truly was the best job in the world. I’ve been to Oz 3 times and had the most AMAZING times. If you’d like any advice please let me know, I’d love to share it with you.
Hey Andi,
Sorry for the late reply! YES, please do share any advice you may have about travelling and finding work in Queensland state.