I find it so hard to believe that Oktoberfest was 5 months ago, and I've been back in the land down under for just on 3 months now. Time flies when you go back to reality. It was a tactical move, really, leaving my blog until now. Because it means I have to look back at the amazing memories I have and put them in print, which always puts a smile on my face. So although it's late, work with me here and pretend we are all the way back in September last year...

The first thing I did when I arrived to Germany at the end of 2012, was start looking at accommodation in Munich for the next Oktoberfest. I'd heard nothing but good things about it and it was top of my list when I got there. I couldn't believe that nearly a year in advance, ALL the cheap accommodation was booked out! I decided to go through a tour group so as not to miss out.

But as the year wore on and I started seeing and experiencing Germany, my thoughts changed a little. I started thinking that maybe Oktoberfest wouldn't be that great. I mean, 10,000 locals and tourists from all over the world coming together to dress up, sing and get wasted on 10 euro pints? By this stage I had heard from a few Germans that they didn't like Oktoberfest, because tourists come from far and wide to get completely s***faced and disrespect the tradition. Did I really want to be one of them? Or did I want a more low key celebration in my home town?

After much deliberation I rationalised it like this; you may only be here once and you'll regret it if you don't go. So with that, I paid off my Contiki and booked my flights to London. In hindsight it would have made a whole lot more sense to go straight to Munich, but I do love London, and I spent a great few days there catching up with friends.

The trip from London to Munich was a long and tiring one. A bus, a ferry, and another bus all joined together to make 18 hours of slow and painful travel. It was a great way to get to know everyone on the tour, though.

We finally arrived in Munich at 2 in the afternoon and everyone was well and truly ready for a beer. I put on my traditional 'Dirndl' that I'd already bought, but as none of the other girls had outfits we had to take a little trip to the shops. I was originally scared that I would look like a complete dickhead wandering around Munich in my beer wench dress, but as soon as we hit the streets I realised that it wasn't me who was out of place! Every man and his dog were strutting around in their Oktoberfest get-ups. I saw enough liederhosen, Dirndls and boobs popping out of dresses to last me a lifetime.

The girls all bought their dresses and we met up with the Contiki group at the Augustina beer garden for dinner and drinks. This is one of the oldest beer gardens in Munich and is quite close to the festival. We had a pretty quiet night because we wanted to spend the whole next day at the Oktoberfest grounds.

The next day we were up bright and early, to put on our Dirndls, braid our hair and experience the one and only Oktoberfest! We had been told by our tour guide that we would be spending the day in the Lowenbrau (Lion Brew) tent, and to expect a lot of drinking, singing, and dancing on chairs.

On the way to the tents I learned an interesting fact; the way you tie the apron on your Dirndl represents you. If you tie it to your left side, you're single. To your right, married. If you tie it up at the back, you're a virgin, and if you tie it at the front, you're widowed. I would tell you where I tied mine, but you can use your imaginations.

We arrived at the grounds at about 9, and all I have to say is WOW! It's amazing how they transform this huge area, into a temporary drunk circus for two weeks. Hundreds of tiny little food stands. Tonnes of cute little drinking tents. Heaps of cute carnival rides. A handful of huge manmade tents representing Bavarian brewerys. And, throughout the day, literally tens of thousands of people roaming this wonderful place and making it their playground. I couldn't wait to become one of them.

We made our way to the Lowenbrau tent and it was pretty empty for that time of day, so we were able to spread out comfortably over a few tables. No sooner had we sat down than a boisterous and busty Frau had swooped to take our orders! Each beer wench had their own area to take care of; and if you didn't tip her, she wouldn't be your friend! These women (and sometimes men) are nuts. They can carry anywhere up to 12 steins at a time. I could barely lift one in my hand! And you don't want to get in their way, either, because they're always on a mission, and they WILL knock you over if you don't move.

The one thing I really struggle with when writing these blogs is actually trying to find the words to describe what I've experienced. My day in this tent was one of the best, and most memorable (up until about 4pm, anyway) of my life. Just picture yourself sitting in a dress that makes you feel amazing amongst a sea of 10,000 revellers. More beer than your heart could ever desire. The entire crowd breaking out into song and dance at random intervals. And meeting people from all over the world with one goal in common: to party! I would kill to relive that day and the memories I made.

I promised myself before I left for Munich, that I was NOT going to spend the entire time drunk at a festival. After my first taste of Oktoberfest, I seriously reconsidered this promise. After all, it was only a promise to myself. A promise I would have been more than happy to break. However, the adult in me won that round, and day two was spent on a bike tour of Munich.

At some point during the previous day, myself and two other guys from Contiki decided it would be an excellent idea to wear our onesies on the bike tour. Not many people can say they've ridden around Munich on a bike, dressed as a unicorn, with an Australian cape blowing elegantly in the wind. I can, and it was brilliant. I've never had so many hi-5s, wolf whistles or photo requests in my life!

The city itself is, like the rest of Germany, stunning. Hundreds of beer gardens, beautiful streets and buildings and plenty of history blend in to create the very impressive city of Munich. It's a very unique place and I would love to go back, especially in summer!

Day 3 was Saturday, and it was going to be huge! We had already decided to spend the day in the 'Oide-Wiesn,' which is Bavarian for 'old tent.' This area is Oktoberfest's best kept secret, hidden at the back of the grounds and charging a 3 euro cover charge to get in. Here, the beer is served in traditional ceramic mugs and is one of the oldest brews.

The second week of Oktoberfest each year is notorious for the amount of Italians it attracts. Our Contiki guy warned us women that we would 'probably, at best, be only mildly sexually assaulted this weekend.' Spoiler alert: it didn't happen, but I was definitely on the lookout!

The Oide Wiesn was awesome! The beer in this tent was so heavy and strong, it took me 3 hours to finish my first one! We had the best waiter ever, his name escapes me. But he had a wicked beard and waited on us hand and foot, we wanted for nothing. Even better was our waitress, who brought me the best roast chicken I've ever had. Ever. Fun fact; you have NOT had roast chicken until you've had it at Oktoberfest. She scored an impressive tip for that chicken.

The rest of the day is a bit of a blur as we drank too many beers, sang too many songs and made a heap of new friends. I couldn't believe how quick the 3 days went, and the next day it was already time to head home! The contiki bus left at 6am, but I had already decided I would make my own way home from Munich.

I spent the Sunday being shown around Munich by my friend Felix. We started the day by watching the Glockenspiel 'do it's thing,' as I like to say. The Glockenspiel is a famous building in the centre of Munich which chimes at 11a.m. each day. The characters then re-enact a famous scene from the 16th century. It goes forever, and while it's kinda impressive, it's not nearly as good as watching all the tourist's disappointed reactions when they see it for the first time.

Felix was like my own personal tour guide, he showed me all over the city and told me everything he knew. As much fun as organised tours are, there's nothing quite like hearing a local's perspective.

I spent the night in at a friend's apartment, and made my way home the next day. I had to take a long bus trip, and I was extremely tired, and hadn't showered properly for a while, and it was all round an unpleasant experience. I was so repellant, in fact, that the guy next to me actually moved seats! It actually kinda hurt my feelings, but it's nothing a few years of counselling won't fix.

I finally made it home, not necessarily in one piece, but alive none the less. Looking back, I can't believe I ever thought twice about going to Oktoberfest. It was one of the best experiences of my life and I would repeat it ten times over if I could.

That's it from me guys, over and out! Next to come is one of my final instalments: Iceland! Another amazing experience that I won't forget in a hurry.

Over and out,

xoxo gossip Kate