Speaker 2 (00:00)
But also, guests have the opportunity to mingle with other local people. I took up the habit of swimming every day. I joined a group of local women who swim daily in the tidal pool just at the end of my street. I mean, it's an incredible privilege to do this.
Speaker 1 (01:26)
Welcome to No Borders, No Filter podcast. I'm Debra, the Experient
Explorer.
In today's episode,
we are going
the
down under and talk
a woman who redefined home from
mainland
Kangaroo Island.
I visited
Australia this
summer
and
it was an extraordinary
not only in nature,
in
the
colonization,
the habitats,
and the locals.
I have talked in my
previous episodes about redefining
home,
but in today's episode, we're going to go a little
on the journey
a very special
woman who created...
and carved out a
in this
unique place called
Island.
You know, the
is filled with life and opportunity,
or a remote island surrounded by nature's untamed beauty.
south
Adelaide, is a sanctuary of wildlife,
rugged landscapes, and deep history. But beyond its beauty, it tells a story of culture and what it truly means to live off the mainland.
Let me introduce Susi, the
and soul behind KI Guest House. It's a cozy artistic retreat that welcomes travelers with warmth, local charm, and furry friends. She left behind the bustle of mainland Australia to create a home on this incredible island.
Today we'll dive into her journey, island life, and why immersing yourself in local culture is truly Australia. Let's get started. All right. Hi, Susi.
Speaker 2 (03:27)
Hi Deb, thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (03:30)
Thanks so much. It's a pleasure to reunite again.
Speaker 2 (03:33)
Yes absolutely.
Speaker 1 (03:35)
But it has been also wonderful to stay in touch, of course, on social media and to continue to enjoy your life through your eyes. So
you from the
to Kangaroo Island? How does this transition from a more
traditional career to owning and running KI Dragonfly. Guest house.
Speaker 2 (04:01)
Yeah, so if I take it back to the fact that I was actually born in regional South Australia in a town called Cowle on Eyre Peninsula. And when I was seven, our family moved to Maitland on York Peninsula, which was 50 years ago this year. I completed all of my schooling in Maitland from that time on. And typical country kid, as soon as I finished school, I hot-footed it down to the big smoke.
the city of Adelaide and undertook some studies. I'm gonna say I was planning to be a teacher but I actually wasn't planning to be a teacher but I ended up at Teachers College. All I ever really wanted to do was travel and I'll just very quickly fast forward to the fact that in my late 40s
I had lived a life. had a child. I had done numerous courses. I'm an addicted lifelong learner. I had gone to university as a mature age student. So and part of my studies included travel and tourism. I had studied some languages and I finished up with a commerce marketing degree
then I met Bruno.
When I met
he'd been widowed for three years
he was ready for a change of pace and just a completely different life.
started talking about where we would live if it wasn't Adelaide. I wasn't necessarily in a rip-roaring hurry to leave Adelaide, but I'd started considering Melbourne as my new home. So quite...
turnaround shifting from contemplating Melbourne to moving to Kangaroo Island. By the end of November 2016 we were here.
Speaker 1 (05:42)
Okay,
new
at that time kind of inspired you to basically say, we're both in a similar, timeline of in our journey in life, and you were ready maybe to start something new. Can you share a little bit about how you first felt?
I mean, you might've said excited, but then what came after that? Like what, what were your thoughts then? You're like, this sounds amazing. Right. Cause we always think of like a new adventure, but then it kind of sets in about leaving your comfort zone, thinking about all the things you need to do to get from there to, another place.
you share a little bit about that?
Speaker 2 (06:23)
I'd have to say that the stars were actually aligned for us in lots of ways. It wasn't as stressful as it could have been. I mean, there were other life stressors, of course, that's just life. We came down here to house hunt and it was through the process of house hunting that my brain went, you know, as I mentioned, know, I've studied tourism, I've got a commerce marketing degree and slowly as I house hunting, I was thinking.
Kangaroo Island's a really popular tourism destination. This is my time now. I had done lots of different jobs. Moving, changing things in my life has never been an issue for me. I don't get stressed about that kind of thing particularly easily. In fact, being stuck in one place is probably more of a stressing situation for me. I had done jobs in the past where it was just merely to...
the bills. I wasn't necessarily passionate about what I was doing and while I was house hunting I thought this is it. You know when I was in my mid-20s and traveled to Europe for the first time and stayed at B &Bs that planted a seed then that I thought wow what a cool job this would be meeting people from all over the world. So I started looking for properties that had a lot of bedrooms and bathrooms and couldn't believe my luck when I came across this property that had seven.
bedrooms and three bathrooms and I thought ⁓ that could work I could turn that into something and then reading the fine print of the advert for the property it said that it was a backpacker and I couldn't believe it and so I mentioned it to Bruno and he initially wasn't all that keen it was fairly run down as well it wasn't as if I was presenting him with a really lovely freshly built home or anything like that so
We came over here twice, we looked at different properties and I kept saying to him that
I wasn't going to move to the island, I wasn't going to move anywhere
I had something interesting and something that I was passionate about to move for.
was actually working a government job at the time and initially he was sort of digging his heels in about the fact that he did not want to purchase this property.
But because where he was working, there were a few changes happening and each day he came home and he was expressing concern and a little bit of unhappiness And then one day he came home and said, I've given my notice and let's go and put an offer on the property. So we came down. We actually stayed a night in room one and it was winter time.
So it was cooler. In fact, there was a lot of flooding. There was a lot of water everywhere, complete opposite to what's happening now. Sadly, there's not enough water. And yeah, on that very wet and windy afternoon, we signed our life away and made the decision to move, went home and packed our gear. Bruno saw out his contract. We piled our two dogs, the different dogs to the ones we've got here. Lucy came with us from the Adelaide Hills to the island.
We had an American bulldog called Little Boy at the time and he was just divine and we brought him on a little adventure as well.
Speaker 1 (09:40)
love the details that you have. Thank you. It sounds like you really had a lot of faith in this new adventure. I've seen the before pictures and the you're after is just extraordinary. I knew I wanted to stay like my criteria was
something either like a B &B, a guest house or a hostel or something where it's more community. it's a remote island. You can't get around without certain transportation it's very much limited to
things because the environment is maintained. So
when I came
your place I was in Tasmania at that time.
kept putting in dates on when I wanted to go and it was like filled or there was a gap between, the dates I wanted to be there. And I like, I kept looking for other places. I'm like, no, not this, but your place is vibrant and has art. has like a sense of home. It was just like, this is where I want to go. And this is exactly what I wanted. So briefly, can you just share your vision and just
give people an idea of what the feeling is like when they walk in.
Speaker 2 (10:52)
when you first arrive, the first thing that hits you is our long veranda. We actually put the porch on and that was for a bit of a quirky reason that I've always wanted a porch swing. And when we moved into the property, we didn't actually intend staying on site. We were going to go out and look for a property to live in. But of course we arrived, we arrived just as the peak season was coming. We had a really busy summer booked out.
And where we were going to live wasn't even on our minds. We just moved into one of the cabins in the backyard, we were coming inside to use the bathrooms as well as using the kitchen as we still do now.
the fact that we live here and live on site, we observe what guests are doing. We become far more knowledgeable about what it is that we think's needed. And it was a combination of, if we're living here, then we have needs and
Our guests have needs. And so in terms of the front veranda, it was my need for a porch swing.
And that turned out a thousand times better than what we even imagined it would. then you walk through the front door, you walk into the kitchen, there's a great big long table there. And then towards the back of the room is a big stainless steel bench for food preparation and an open kitchen, open plan kitchen with open shelving. So we designed it so that it was easier for people. You you're walking there and everything's there. You can see what you need.
You don't have to go around opening up lots of cupboard doors, trying to fetch things. There's drawers, of course. We're not too far away if there's something you really can't find. And as you would perhaps recall that ⁓ if we haven't got it in the kitchen, then you don't need it because we've got nearly every type of... Mind you, I still manage to buy, go into a kitchen shop and find something to buy.
Speaker 1 (12:44)
That's for you, you know? But just so that I could give people a little bit more information about when you walk in, what is really great,
even the color of your house is inviting. It's this really soft, warm yellow, kind of a yellow that you would want to feel in a place like Kangaroo Island. So it's very welcoming. And then you walk in and you're greeted by Lucy and I forgot the other one's Right. Kimchi, yeah. Kimchi. And so you get that home feeling immediately with that.
But also if you had any possible question about Kangaroo Island and if Susi wasn't there, let me tell you, you would be able to find it and then the books, the brochures, there's just tremendous resources for you to just access. Plus, again, local culture integrated into everything.
Speaker 2 (13:45)
Certainly through the renovation process, I mean, when I said that we went to Adelaide and would fill the car with stuff, our number one priority was always supporting local businesses. So we bought locally as much as we possibly could. And where either the price was just, couldn't, as business owners, we had to think about price as well. So where there was absolutely no competition, yes, we purchased off-island, but we purchased a lot of artwork by local artists.
And the great thing about Bruno is he's very supportive. He will say to me, I don't care if you purchase a piece of art so long as you've got somewhere to hang it, I'm not allowed to buy art that I've got nowhere for it to go. So if I see a piece that I really like, then I start rearranging things and go, there, it's going to go there. So yeah.
Speaker 1 (14:35)
That's exactly how I would be. I'll make room for art anytime. And as someone that studied art and of course appreciates it, it's something that was a very unique part of my experience there because I really took the time to walk slower, to enjoy all the artwork. Why do you feel though,
It is important for guests, travelers, and also, people that come to the island to work a little bit. to create this kind of environment for these people to come? I mean, for you, it's a pleasure. It's a reflection of who you are. But why do you think that more people should do this kind of accommodation when they go travel, especially to a place like
kangaroo island
Speaker 2 (15:26)
On the higher level, of course, there's the issue of connection and, you know,
everyone talks about the fact that as communities we're becoming more and more disconnected. We're connected technologically wise, perhaps more disconnected in terms of our human interaction. ⁓ So I think that side of it is really important.
But also, guests have the opportunity to mingle with other local people. I took up the habit of swimming every day. I joined a group of local women who swim daily in the tidal pool just at the end of my street. I mean, it's an incredible privilege to do this.
not just for the fact of the nature but also swimming with these amazing women from the island. You know one of whom like there's a 90 year old there's an 86 year old island born and bred been swimming in the pool for 40 plus years.
Bird life we see dolphins, seals, we even saw a whale last winter. It's just fantastic so
We are setting ourselves up to offer retreat experiences for women. And so we've put a sauna in and so a number of our ⁓ guests will notice that and I'll say, yes, you can use the sauna, but there's a little price you have to pay. You have to get up and go for a swim with me first.
the people staying here who come for that swim or come for the sauna, they meet those ladies. We sometimes are used as the halfway house of somebody who's moving here permanently. So they'll stay with us for a few nights while they are about to move into or look for a more permanent accommodation. So they get to meet local people. Or even we had the experience where we had this gorgeous Japanese woman who she stayed with us.
end of November. She was moving here for work. We invited her around here for Christmas Day so she got to mingle, had Christmas dinner with our guests, we put on a barbecue for them, and then she actually found a job at Uluru, so in the middle of Australia, so she packed up and head off and about a week before she was due to leave we had two guests walk in the door and I said, so where are you guys from? And they were
different parts of the world. Sorry guys, I can't remember what country you're from. One's English, I think the other one might've been French. And that, but at the moment we're actually working in Uluru. Really? Okay. Just hang on. Do you mind if I invite somebody over for dinner tonight and then get on the phone to Risa? You need to come around and meet these people so that when you move to Uluru, you know someone. And she just came around, she asked 50 million questions. And recently the other day I got sent a photo of the three of them together.
Speaker 1 (18:08)
So yeah, that's what a guest house does it I mean, it's just somehow Connects people and sometimes it makes you know lifelong Friendships, but more so people from all of the world's that's what I talked about with an experience I had in Indonesia where I went into this collapse cave But like when we were all lining up at the end, you know to go back up All of us were from different countries around the world this one place
became a hub of the world. And that's what a guest house, for example, what you just did is it connects people. And of course, you're getting to know people from places you might not have ever had the chance to. It's wonderful, these connections and your place creates those things.
Speaker 2 (18:55)
It's my favorite part of the role, I have to say, is watching people who walk through that door complete strangers. again, technology is fantastic for being able to help people stay in touch. And so you know that they are exchanging details. And of course, many of them are people from overseas who have come to Australia for a holiday. And so they might plan to reconnect at the next destination.
or they might be from the same country and know that they're going to catch up again when they get back home.
Speaker 1 (19:29)
So I just wanted to point out also but I believe when I went to this local supermarket with Bruno, he was telling me that the average age of the locals on the island are like something like 74
Speaker 2 (19:41)
Yeah, something like that. He's more obsessed with that statistic, so he's got a better handle on it. But yeah, yeah. And I think a lot of regional areas are like that. mean, and South Australia as well, in particular, they talk about, how do we stop the brain drain? Because the young kids or young adults finish university and all want to head interstate and over to the East Coast. And most people's knowledge about Australia is the East Coast.
And ⁓ as much as I love visiting, I know I was planning to live in Melbourne for a while, but to be perfectly honest, when I was there for my interview and jumping on the tram, I was looking around and I thought, I think I've left this too late. I'm too old for this.
And I was living in the Eastern, or living in different parts I just, would not have been able to do that in a much bigger city because your commutes would have been two hours rather than, you know, I could jump on my bicycle and be in town in 30 minutes and walk up to the North Terrace and go to university on my lunch break. know, just such an easy city to get things done. ⁓ And same for here.
you
Speaker 1 (20:48)
one of the questions that people ask when you teach English and once you have a grasp of the language is, what are the differences between the city and the country? What are the pros and cons of city life and country life? Now, I don't want you to break that down, but it's like you're kind of sharing that right now is the hustle and bustle. It's when you get older, you kind of want things to maybe slow down a little more. You want to take in nature, maybe a little bit more.
or something that's a higher value to you. But what I was just thinking about was I really still need that mix, even though I'm getting older and I want more quiet time, I still want the culture of a city, like going to the museums or seeing a live show or certain things that you can't access on a smaller island. But it's like you do get to a point where I had my fill.
But okay, and as you said, you can fly back to the mainland. It's not like you're stuck there.
Speaker 2 (21:47)
Yeah,
we certainly have the best of both worlds. And again, you know, I acknowledge the privilege I have that I can go back to the mainland. There are some people who live on the island who choose not to go to the mainland. And some of that is they simply can't afford it. So that's not necessarily a choice. But some people choose not to because they just don't like big cities. But yeah, for me who enjoys it.
when I need to go, I can jump online, book my ticket and go. We do take the ferry more often so that we've got a car up in town. And yeah, I'm the same. we want a couple of things that we kind of miss around here is, I mean, we've got brilliant food and restaurants here, but not very many. So if we were to eat out every week, eventually we'd be starting to be looking for a different cuisine or,
So it's one of the things I like to do when I find myself in Adelaide is I make sure I eat out. And yeah, the arts, the cultural thing.
Speaker 1 (22:54)
if I'm going to promote kangaroo Island, one of the things is slowing down. is not a place to race around. I mean, if, if you're coming to Australia with the intent of including kangaroo Island, then make the time.
Speaker 2 (23:02)
Mm-mm.
Speaker 1 (23:13)
to immerse yourself, because I talk about immersing yourself in other cultures. It's a place to take in. It's an ecosystem, unique, unlike any other part of Australia. that's what, mean, one of the amazing things for me of why I went to Australia is because it's not a same situation. Even cities are not same, same. There is such a depth of history and culture and ecosystem that
You just got to slow down. lastly, if you don't have a car on Kangaroo Island, boy, like we talked about the trans, then you need to get involved in the tourism groups and things like that, which some people really enjoy. But I do have, I just want to let you know, Susi, did get my driver's license renewed here in the Philippines. So when, when I go back to Australia, I will be able to drive.
Speaker 2 (23:46)
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 1 (24:11)
around and really, do things on my terms and to take in things without any distraction. But I do recommend to people, even if you're with your friends or your partner, sometimes just taking a walk in the morning and just enjoy the nature right near the guest house where there's these wild ⁓ birds and seals and pelicans and so on. It's just...
You don't want to miss these little moments. Not everything is just the destination. It's the journey. And the journey on Kangaroo Island is so unique. So that leads me into my next question to you, Susi. what is the one thing that people must see or something that you have to do. But perhaps can you share something that people might not know?
Could you share maybe one place that people just seem to overlook?
Speaker 2 (25:12)
Wow, certainly in terms of, look my favourite beach is a place called Western River Cove and for people who do have a longer stay here and have their own vehicle we always recommend the North Coast ⁓ beach journey where you drive through the centre of the island, you head north when you hit North, see North Coast Road and
into Western River Cove and then after you've completely been mesmerised by that place you roll up, you park next to the river, there's a footbridge, you cross that, then you walk alongside the river towards this tiny little cove and you walk out into it and you're hit with the sea and the colour of the water. The beautiful thing about that area too
is that when you're driving through the center of the island, you see the expanse of it and it's big and it's flat and it's more of plains. Whereas this part of the island is quite high. mean, cause right out west where Cape Border Lighthouse is, that's some of the highest cliffs or the highest cliffs in South Australia. Unfortunately, that journey is a little bit of a rough one. The road is quite corrugated. So you want to have ⁓ good dental cover if you're gonna.
go on that road. And it's a couple of really beautiful walks out there. You have the Ravine de Cassoir walk. This is like heading out Cape Bordeaux. That's an absolutely stunning walk and comes out onto another beautiful beach. mean, there is just so many stunning beaches.
Speaker 1 (26:42)
That's hilarious.
Speaker 2 (27:06)
If you write down a list of the things to see and do here, you could be here for months and still not do it all.
Speaker 1 (27:16)
And I would have to say, because again, the change of seasons also changes, ⁓ even, you know, maybe certain animals and when they come out or when they're mating or, you know, flying over you as a guest, you can only get a taste of it. I would say the seals to me made a major impact on me. Can you tell me again, that place?
Speaker 2 (27:39)
So you have the sea lions at Seal Bay.
Speaker 1 (27:42)
Yeah, that one. Yeah, the sea lions.
Speaker 2 (27:44)
⁓
Yeah, they're beautiful. They use that area as a breeding ground because just off the beach is a reef and so that means they're protected from the sharks. So they can go onto the beach, they have their babies and then ⁓ when their babies are learning to swim and learning how to deal with waves and all of that kind of thing, they are safe. Once they go over that reef, all bets are off of course.
Speaker 1 (28:13)
just to follow up on that, like because I did go on a tour group, which I do recommend the tour groups, although again, as my personality, I like to go off on my own, but a tour with the right person, which Susi could recommend you the right person, ⁓ you get into the history of the colonization, but how it did affect the ecosystem. But when it came to these sea lions, the reason why these particular ones survived was that they were located in such a place that
the colonizers couldn't access them. So while a lot of, unfortunately, their population has been endangered at this point, but this particular group of sea lions survived because fortunately, the colonizers weren't able to access them. So just to point out that what Australia does, which I did realize throughout my travels in through the
mainland and Tasmania and on Kangaroo Island is that there is protection everywhere for these animals that you can't just do anything you want, there are regulations and respect to the land, to these animals. And so you can't see these sea lions without a tour guide, actually. If you want to go on the beach per se, like maybe if you want to just stand far away, you can take a look. But if you really want to get up close and see these
beautiful, unique sea lions, which they are because they're all different colors. They kind of blend into the beach and the area. They have a camouflage to them as well. And it's just, it's a very unique experience that I'll always keep with me. So let's move on to maybe a little bit more about the colonization of Kangaroo Island. Perhaps you can share
some of the things that are good and maybe the consequences of the colonization on the island that Australia is still trying to get back on track a little bit.
Speaker 2 (30:21)
So a really brief overview. So visiting Kangaroo Island, you'll see that we have places called American River and American Beach. There are a number of places that have French names. And then also we have Flinders Chase National Park, and that's the English explorer Matthew Flinders. He circumnavigated Kangaroo Island. And Nicolas Bordard was the French.
fellow who also circumnavigated Kangaroo Island and gave the French places their names, or French named places their names. The American connection is the sealers that they actually, and whalers that came over here and settled. You can get a really beautiful map of Australia that shows you the 200 plus Aboriginal groups that lived in Australia.
And like those groups still live here of course, you know prior to colonization that was there, ⁓ where they lived and what language they spoke and they're all very quite different. Like you know it's very easy to just refer to the Aboriginal people as being one group. Nothing could be further from the truth. If you look closely at this map, Kangaroo Island doesn't actually have anything on it.
And that's because when the colonizers first arrived, there were no Aboriginal inhabitants at the time. Kangaroo Island once was ⁓ part of the mainland. And so at that time, there's evidence that Aboriginal people lived here 16,000 years ago. But when the island separated off, there are three different Aboriginal groups that
have a connection to the island. Australia's history with Aboriginal people has been very messy is probably the kindest word I could use here. There's been a lot of cover-ups. We weren't told the truth as we were growing up. I was well and truly into adulthood before I knew about the stolen generation, had no idea.
And a lot of our Aboriginal education was sort of, we're always given the impression that it was all very peaceful in terms of the transaction of the white people moving here. it's been a very long drawn out process to get to the stage where even acknowledging Aboriginal people, adopting their names for parts. There's still people who refer to Uluru as Ayers Rock. And it's just like, really? Are you still there? Are you still stuck?
in that place when it's been Uluru for many, many years now. It's not that hard to pronounce or to recall. Over time, we introduced ⁓ what was called an acknowledgement of country so that when you had a special event, you made reference to the Indigenous people of the area. Well, there's already been backlash about that and a demand that it just stopped.
Kangaroo Island in the meantime, because we didn't have Aboriginal people living here at the time of colonisation, it was never any question. We don't have to do acknowledgement because there weren't any people here that we have to acknowledge.
Speaker 1 (33:59)
A side note on that is that the name kangaroo for the animal is an aboriginal origin.
Speaker 2 (34:07)
Yeah, it's funny, yeah, ⁓ as an Australian, it's not something that we learn, which is really interesting. I mean, you hear bits and pieces. Now remember,
There's a town on York Peninsula called Wallaroo that's somehow connected to a Wallaby. Yeah, so you hear bits and pieces, but you don't necessarily. You know, like, it's funny how when you travel, you learn, sometimes we learn more about something than what a local would know.
Speaker 1 (34:33)
And you know what, I have to be honest with you. There are things that, yeah, I've met people who have seen more of the United States than I ever have and the average American for that matter. It is a matter of interest and a perspective of a place. When you live in a place and it could be anywhere, you just take advantage of it and be like, I'll get around to it or whatever. But when you're a traveler, you're really in that mindset of opening up, hopefully, opening up your mind to other things. But for me,
regarding just quickly on the Aboriginals, like I wanted to see more of their native land and the artwork in the caves and all that. And unfortunately, due to my transportation challenges throughout my travels, I wasn't able to go to those places. However, I made an effort where I could to go to like their museums, ⁓ but also ⁓ the tour guides would always share.
When I would get on a plane and off the plane, recognize that, like as you say, they recognize the Aboriginal people. There's a thing that is said wherever you go. ⁓ When I was on mainland and other areas on islands, there are also signs, like little things that share information about the colonization, about the local people. So one of the things that made me feel really, I don't know, I felt very.
proud in a way, even though it's not my country or my people, but I love that things aren't swept under the rug like things in America does with our native culture. just don't, we don't acknowledge them. We don't have holidays for them. don't, you know, have places to really say, go here to enjoy and learn about the native people. went to Tasmanian Island and information was accessible.
everywhere. you want to find out more about the history of Australia in your travels. You can't help but bump into it everywhere you go. But you know, the locals have a wealth of information unlike someone that even in let's say a hotel worker, the locals know the local everything. So
If you take the time to, again, part of the slow down is you take the time to talk to the owners of a guest house or the person that you might meet at the supermarket. Any of these local places, they love sharing and they're proud of where they're from and want you to have the most ultimate experience. And that's what makes my experiences as a solo traveler.
so much richer because it's not like I have to be going to the top landmarks on Kangaroo Island. It's these little moments that actually bring a huge value to my experience.
Speaker 2 (37:22)
Hmm. I'm the same kind of traveler Deb, I have to say. at the end of the day, as much as it's lovely to see a monument, you've seen it so many times in a photograph. It's just like, yeah, there it is.
Speaker 1 (37:34)
Yeah, exactly. Okay, check.
Speaker 2 (37:37)
Whereas an encounter with a human being, you can't possibly begin to imagine what that could turn into and where it may lead you.
Speaker 1 (37:50)
it's okay to go travel with people. But to me, when the more people you're with, you block yourself, you kind of put yourself in a bubble away from the local experience. Unless you are again, with people really like minded to yourself, you're not engaging ⁓ in the local experience and leaving yourself open to having that accident of bumping into someone and who knows what it leads to. It's just.
It is really what travel to me is all about where my everyday life in any country, like even here in the Philippines, it doesn't matter how friendly they are than they are. But when you live a routine life, everyone's in their routine and you don't get to really talk with people. But when you're in this travel environment, it just makes it, it's just different. And you're able to have these rich encounters social media cannot ever, ever substitute.
It's not, it's not a substitute. mean, I'm glad I can, again, keep in touch with you. But, the conversations that we had in your house, at your table, late night and things like that was like part of the best part of my travel experience. I just want to remind people it's okay to feel vulnerable, a little uncomfortable, a little, like out of sorts. But the thing is like, just like anything else, everything takes a habit.
And if you are really wanting to have a more intimate travel experience, then opening yourself up to, being a little uncomfortable and not safeguarded by your friends really creates much more memorable experiences. I just want to bring up one last thing. It's just, ⁓ one of the things that about the colonization of kangaroo Island is that, it had made a major effect on the ecosystem.
that is still a challenge. And I just want to point out to people to recognize that, yes, these are tourist attractions, but taking a tour guide or reading those signs and things that are around the island to help you understand how fragile their ecosystem is and the challenges they still have with the bushfires, with the koalas. And there's a lot of things that we just
don't know that they can fill you in on. me, Australia is a great reminder of we are not, you we share this planet and we need these animals just as much as they need us. the power to me of mother nature. like, there's a reason why certain things are there and there's certain reasons why there's certain things that aren't there. And then when we as humans force our ways on it, there is a consequence
We need to think about the long term, not just this short term fix. So yeah, it's very, very interesting. ⁓ And I learned so much about ⁓ even the types of trees that koalas eat and the consumption and all this stuff. mean, Kangaroo Island, let's just point out, is not just about kangaroos. It's certainly not a place where you're going to just...
bump into them everywhere. Kangaroo Island is a great name for a place, but the diversity on this island is one of a kind that is just something to add on your list. And certainly going to Kingscote and staying at KI Dragonfly is, to me, I can't help but shout it out because it really just was.
like kind of the glue to the whole experience and where you stay and who you stay with really plays a big role. Again, we all have to think about a budget, but if you have a budget to go to Australia, you have a budget to go to this guest house because it's not the most expensive. It's very reasonable place to be, but it also lands you in a place where it's very accessible to everything that you want to experience. All right. thank you so much, Susi, for your time,
Susi had no idea what she was getting into, really in a big picture when she moved from the mainland to Kangaroo Island. And the thing is that it's possible for you, if you want to start over, if you want to make changes, it's just taking one step at a time to get there. I will be putting Susi's guest house and contact information if you want more information about.
any of the topics we talked about, but certainly to stay at her place. She does respond very promptly as well, helping you out in any way or getting you to the island. So I'm gonna wrap up by saying Australia is a land of contrast. You have cities like Sydney and Melbourne, fast paced, multicultural and constantly evolving. And then you have places like Kangaroo Island, untouched.
deeply connected to nature with a slower pace of life. when you go visit Australia, I highly recommend slowing down. It's one of those places that you have to, I think, go visit multiple times. It is just too grand to say, visited the place and only go to one city or one part of it.
Thanks for listening Check out my social media in the description to like, share, and stay tuned for all episodes where I deep dive into this journey I'm taking around the globe. Until next time, the best way to learn is by doing. So go out.
and get your hands dirty. Bye bye.