So... Life in Adelaide! Since my last blog update, I've been working daily at my new job in Adelaide City. I gotta say, it's an amazing and challenging job. My colleagues are really nice, highly motivated, and I actually learn a lot from them. Even on my technical skills, I'm improving a lot. When I accepted this job a few months ago, just over the phone, without a visit at the company itself before, I knew I took a risk. But it turned out very well. I've been working for about 7 weeks now, and after Friday (today...) I have my first vacation time this year, I'll get back at that ;-)

Even though everything went so well at my work, it was hard to adjust to Adelaide. Compared to Melbourne, it's so much more quieter over here, really different people around you. Well, not in a bad way, but in not many backpackers actually go to Adelaide. And if they come to Adelaide, the regular backpackers are out of this city within 4 days...

So, I was living in a sharehouse with the owner, his girlfriend, a French guy and an Indian woman. All more closer to Australians than backpackers. I've looked around in Adelaide in sharehouses with people who are more related as backpacker / Europeans. It's not easy... In fact, there are none! I've been in about 6 sharehouses, mostly occupied by Australian students or trainees (first year professionals). I really wanted something bigger than the house where I was temporary living, because I still have the intention to stay in Adelaide for at least one year.

Ok, different plan. I started my search on an own unit/apartment. It took about 3 weeks, couple of inspections around the city, writing s***load of paperwork, making s***load of copies of documents, and I did succeed: I HAVE MY VERY OWN APARTMENT! My own place, after 14 months travelling and living in shared houses, I got my own place again. It's really not bad, 2 bedrooms, comfortable living room, bathroom with tiny badtub, big kitchen and a private courtyard (with my own bigass BBQ). The apartment did come unfurnished, completely empty, but thanks to my nice colleagues, I got some furniture to start with. I can honestly say I have a nice home again (see pictures).

I've been too busy with my (share)house hunting the last couple of weeks, that I haven't done much else in the weekends. Except for one weekend, with Australia Day. During Australia Day on Saturday the 25th of January, I drove all the way to Melbourne to give my old friends a visit and celebrate Australia Day in the evening with them. When you look at the map of Australia, Adelaide and Melbourne look pretty close, but it was still 720km's (9 hours) driving. The other reason why I went to Melbourne for the weekend, was to see the Australian Open Final with Justin and Susanne on Federation Square a big terrace in Melbourne City. About 3000 other people were watching the game on a big screen, such a nice crowd. On Monday morning I drove back, which took me 8 hours to drive straight to Adelaide again. Since Australia Day was on a Saturday, everyone in the country had the Monday public holiday. Nice deal over here :)

Alright, and now the big news... On Friday evening (Friday morning for the Dutchies) I'm going on vacation to The Netherlands! For 16 days, I'll be back in the very cold country which I justed to call 'home'. Well, someday it will be home again, but not yet. I'm really looking forward to see my family, friends and old colleagues again. On the 11th of March I'll fly back to Adelaide, to get back to work, saving money fot the next trip, somewhere in 2014.

Soon I'll have my housewarming in Adelaide. Please come! :D