Bowen - the small village on the coast of Queensland

I would like to share a kind of review with you here. It is perhaps fitting for the new beginning of the year. Because for me, my time in Bowen came to an end towards the end of the year. I spent just over 6 months here. In this village on the west coast of Australia, at the northern end of the Whitsundays. Pretty much exactly between Cairns and Brisbane. Which are both between 600 and 1000km north and south. Bowen is known for the breathtaking beaches that surround the village, the heavenly sweet mangoes, vegetable growing and fishing.

Again and again you can catch a glimpse of the shimmering turquoise water through the slightly hilly landscape. Tropical plants and birds are at home here, as are countless kangaroos.

Apart from the small roadside vegetable stalls and the Sunday market, the shopping options are rather limited and the decision between two supermarkets is quickly made. I would describe Bowen as sleepy, quiet and relaxed. Not a single traffic light stops the few cars.

I came to Bowen with one goal: to work as much as possible to fulfill my requirement for one more year in Australia. That means working 167 days in agriculture or in the hospitality industry.

Fortunately, after some searching, I also found a job and accommodation. And I was able to start working. I experienced a lot during that time. Even if it didn't really seem like it sometimes, I had everything from the most boring days on the assembly line to almost 16 hours in 2 different jobs.

Besides the time-consuming work, there was often not much time left for other activities and so I was alone a lot in the first few months. Which I thoroughly enjoyed. Without a circle of friends, embedded in a social environment, as we are often used to. And yet, to my surprise, it was an incredibly great experience to really be on my own and follow my own needs. And so I went to the beach every day, cooked myself good food, had parties with myself and had a good time. I lived in a converted bus, which was more like a tiny house. My Saturdays were my highlight of the week for a long time. Mostly my day off of the week and time to go to a yoga class.

However, as soon as I moved to the village and changed jobs again, I got to know Bowen from a different perspective. The village itself hadn't changed, just the people I shared my time with. And I had a good time.

Again and again over the full moon I spent time with my friends, the fishermen.

I had roommates and yet I had arrived somewhere in the small village by the sea.