This series is about places that we’ve been able to visit because of our freelance lifestyle. This isn’t just so that I can share my travel photos; there is a larger point! We have been able to take more holidays or stay longer because we could combine our work with travel. I want more people to get involved in online freelancing and I hope that this series will inspire you. Yes, you.
We've Worked in... Australia
This was a particularly unexpected trip. I have been working with a client in Australia for nearly a year. Our relationship has gone from strength to strength and he invited me to the land down under to be part of his team planning for 2016. I asked Agi if she wanted to join me... stupid question!
My client had a few things on the agenda so this was a working holiday. I was scheduled to go to the offices in Sydney CBD on Monday and then up to Brisbane for 3 days Wed-Fri. The rest of the time was ours so Agi and I decided to go for 10 days. I have a good friend from when I worked in Japan who lives in Sydney. She very kindly offered to let us stay at her house while we were there; I love it when a plan comes together.
We flew down to Sydney overnight and landed on Friday morning. We found our hostel but couldn't check in until the afternoon so we asked for a cafe recommendation. We were directed to Colombia Organik. They only have outdoor seating but the coffee is delicious! If you're in Sydney check them out. After that we needed to do some work so we found a cafe with some indoor seating and got down to it.
In the evening we met up with my friend Marie and went to see Furnace and the Fundamentals. They were a great band that performed a mash up of every popular song from the last 40 years. We may have got a little drunk and had a boogie! The next morning we hurriedly checked out of our hotel as we had overslept (nothing to do with the hangover). We couldn't go over to Marie's house until the afternoon so we went for a walk through the botanical gardens up to the Opera House. At this point we were both struck with what a beautiful city Sydney is.
On Sunday Agi and I went to Coogee beach and did the famous coastal walk up to Bondi beach. The weather was spectacular and the views breathtaking. The main image for this article was taken during that walk.
On Monday I went in to my client's offices. I really enjoyed saying "We've just flown in from Bangkok for a meeting in Sydney". Something I never expected when I started freelancing but life is full of unexpected treats. Tuesday was more work in the morning before heading up to Manly to meet Marie who works there and walk along the beach. A couple of beers on Manly Wharf before heading home. Did I mention that Sydney is beautiful? Manly is absolutely gorgeous.
Wednesday to Friday we were in Brisbane taking part in a workshop for a small business owner group my client is a member of. Again, I took great pleasure in telling people I met there that I'd flown in from Bangkok for the meeting! Small things...
Saturday and Sunday were typically Australian. A long day drinking at the beach on Saturday then a recovery barbecue on Sunday. We had a great time and I loved Sydney. I went there 10 years ago and wasn't impressed but this time I loved it. Either Sydney has changed, or I have, or we both have. This thought reminded me of one of my favourite quotes
No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man. - Heraclitus
Anyway, I could imagine living in Sydney one day if it wasn't so shockingly expensive!
Another great trip enabled by freelancing! Get in touch with us and see how you can freelance and have more holidays.