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Published: December 28th 2015
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Although I am an Australian resident I still travel using my Swedish passport. My boyfriend and I have recently been thinking of going travelling for a while in the beginning of the New Year before I start working full time. As we were brainstorming trip ideas and getting itchy travelling feet I suddenly realised that my passport expires in February next year. The balloon filled with travel excitement started to deflate. My first thought was that I could simply renew my passport at the Swedish consulate in Perth. After many email and phone discussions I was told that the only option for me was to renew my passport in Sweden or at an actual embassy. In Australia there is one Swedish Embassy: in Canberra. So through pure bureaucratic forces I had to book a last minute flight to Canberra, where I checked in at the central YHA Backpackers.
Despite not going to Canberra on my own accord, I have thoroughly enjoyed my stay in Australia’s capital. The first place I visited was of course the Swedish embassy located in Yarralumla, next to Capital Hill. After having finally sorted out my passport issues I went to Parliament House which is a
magnificent modern building located on top of Capital Hill, overlooking the entire city. I got to see the Magna Carta, House of Representatives and the Senate as well as some beautiful views from the roof top. I then walked down Federation Mall towards the Old Parliament House in which the Museum of Australian Democracy is located. As I was walking through Parkes Place I was surrounded by the beautiful National Rose Garden but also by tents, Aboriginal flags, protest signs, piles of rubbish and big white letters spelling out sovereignty. The Aboriginal Tent Embassy is a stark reminder of the darker side of Australia’s history and the formation of Canberra as the nation’s capital.
During my second day in Canberra I started off the day with some Christmas shopping at the Canberra Centre on City Walk. After lunch I walked from the city centre to the Australian War Memorial where I spent most of the afternoon. Having read my fair share of European history back in Sweden, it was interesting to learn more about the World Wars from an Australian perspective. I went on a guided tour and our guide John was very engaging and knowledgeable which was great.
Christmas Eve was my last day in the ACT. I got up early and walked through the Australian National University campus towards the Australian National Botanic Gardens. As I arrived in the Botanic Gardens, after approximately a 45 min walk, I grabbed a map at the visitor centre and decided to do the Black Mountain Summit Walk. The Summit Walk went through the bushland up to the Telstra tower on the top of Black Mountain. The loop was 5.5km with a consistently steep incline. I really enjoyed the walk and since I was early I was the only one doing the trek. The views of Canberra could be seen through the many Eucalyptus trees throughout the walk. The views on top of the mountain were not as spectacular as I had hoped as they were mostly covered by the high tree tops. Overall I was happy with the experience though and I would strongly recommend it to anyone visiting the Botanic Gardens. When I arrived back at the visitor centre, I grabbed some food at the local cafe and then made my way back to the hostel, where I am now sat waiting for the taxi to the airport.
Overall I have very much enjoyed my stay in Canberra and the town has positively surprised me. At the same time I am happy that I get to come home to my little family on Christmas Eve and look forward to our Christmas Day celebrations tomorrow.
In true backpacker style I cook my own food whenever I have the benefit of using a kitchen. Here at the YHA Backpackers there is a communal kitchen and so I have been able to make my own healthy clean meals as usual. One misconception about eating healthy is that it is expensive. I however live on a tight budget and still manage to incorporate lean protein and fresh vegetables into my diet. The key is to buy seasonal fruit and veg and not to waste any food. Whilst travelling, my favourite staple is canned tuna in spring water. Tuna is supercheap and packed with protein, healthy fats and omega 3. To add some carbs to the meal I generally add some noodles and stir fry vegetables. This meal costs $5 and is clean and healthy.
Here in Canberra most attractions are relatively close to the City Centre and so I have
been walking everywhere. Walking all day is a great way of burning calories as your muscles constantly have a full supply of oxygen allowing more fat to be burned. I have also been going to one of the local gyms to squeeze in some weight training.
If not possible to go to the gym, body weight always works. I have been doing pull-ups, sit-ups and push ups in the hostel when I get a chance to incorporate my strength training. During my last day I did a bush trek up Black Mountain which cost nothing and gave me a great leg and cardio workout.
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