Back to Beaver Land

Tonight I landed back to Toronto...and come back to Canada after three weeks in Australia. It was quite an experience and it went by like a whirlwind. Between, travelling around and making sure I have my essentials (ticket, money, passport, Bible etc.), at times it is stressful to itself.

Though there are also many days where I have so much time I don't know what to do with it. I just spent wondering around. Either walking down the street. Or sit by the beach. To stop and reflect. Perhaps to meditate. As almost always, to listen.

The most memorable time was renting a bike at Manly beach and climbed up to North Head point. North Head is a tip outside of Sydney. From there you can see the whole city as well as the Pacific Ocean. I went there on a weekday and such it was quiet and serene.

It was there where I meditate upon Psalm 19...

1The heavens are telling of the glory of God;

And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

2Day to day pours forth speech,

And night to night reveals knowledge.

3There is no speech, nor are there words;

Their voice is not heard.

4Their line has gone out through all the earth,

And their utterances to the end of the world

In them He has placed a tent for the sun,

5Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber;

It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.

6Its rising is from one end of the heavens,

And its circuit to the other end of them;

And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

7(H)The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;

The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

8The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;

The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

9The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;

The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.

10They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;

Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.

11Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;

In keeping them there is great reward.

12Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults.

13Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins;

Let them not rule over me;

Then I will be blameless,

And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.

14Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

Be acceptable in Your sight,

O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.

Oh Lord..how awesome and mangificent is your works...that even whisper Your name. The pictures do not do justice of the scenery I saw at North Head.

In the presence of God down south

I have been in Australia for almost three weeks.

As I am here by myself, I feel a sense of longing for friends.  At the same time, I am reminded of the need for solitude.  Of which, I get both.

Staying hostels and going on different tours, I meet a lot of different people.  Guy from Belgium looking for work in Australia and studying Law.  A lady from Ireland coming to visit her brother and was on my tour at Fraser Island.  A German couple who is interested in knowing more about Internet Marketing. We exchanged contacts and told them if they ever come to Toronto, I will show them around (in return, if I go to Germany, they will show me around!).

Everyday, I do not have a big schedule.  Though this is a vacation and Australia have many things to see.  There are things I opt not to do.  Simply it is beyond my budget and simply I rather focus on just entertainment fun. 

This is how one of my day is like.  Two days ago I got up at Bondi Beach (Sydney) and headed to a place call Manly Beach.  I spent the morning read the Bible (re-reading Acts focusing on the role of the Holy Spirit).  Then headed over to the ferry.  The ferry took me to straight to the beach.  I saw a store that rented bike and took one for a ride.  They had a trail that led up to a point called North Head.  It faced the whole city of Sydney and the Pacific Ocean.  Beautiful. I was all alone up there and meditated upon Psalm 19 under the sun with the roaring sound of the ocean.  I went down to the beach for lunch then headed to visited a church and talked to a local there.  I ended up the night doing some more reading (Bible and other books). Praying and head to bed.

Not bad for a vacation..nothing glamour or glitzy..very refreshing and joyful!