In Asia, it's very rare for me to feel the comforts of home. Living there is amazing, but almost everything is vastly different from the life I left in the United States. I was really excited to return to Australia, because I have such amazing memories from my last visit there in 2014. Although it is 10,000 miles away from family, something about Oz makes me feel like I'm back at home.
This trip was primarily spent in the capital city of Canberra, which is a peaceful place that felt more of a college town than it did the center of government for a country of 23 million people. In a way, Australia is defined by open space, so it is only fitting that the capital city is also sparsely populated.
When I arrived, the weather was cool and crisp. The hotel was buzzing with traditional afternoon tea, and I could hear a pianist playing in the background. The staff members were casual and inviting - a welcome change from the very formal environment throughout much of Asia. Canberra has many traditions, but it is still Australia - a place where people like to have fun and enjoy life.
My first full day in Australia was filled with none other than a half marathon. When I woke up, there was still frost on the ground and I almost didn't know how to cope with the freezing weather. Before the race started, people were chatting in small groups and staying warm just like I would expect in a perfect autumn race back home. This was a small race, with only around 450 runners. There were no race shirts, and no loud DJ's to pep up the crowd. Just a serious race filled with serious racers.
The first mile went along a paved street, and I actually felt like I should have worn more layers because my feet were frozen and my breath was visible in front of me. Eventually, I warmed myself up - just in time to enjoy the beautiful riverfront park that we were now running through.
With such a small group of runners, we quickly fell into a rhythm and there were very few people passing each other. I just pushed myself to keep from falling behind the person who was pacing me. It was pushing me to the limit of discomfort, but I couldn't let myself fall behind.
Although I was struggling, I still managed to take in the sights around me. I loved seeing the leaves changing colors, and an occasional rower piercing the otherwise calm waters. There were even a couple hot-air balloons taking in the perfect autumn weather. The entire ambiance just felt like being in New Hampshire. I was loving it.
The race course took a loop around the river, with lots of small twists and turns throughout the path. The elevation was relatively constant, too, which made for a really pleasant run. Before I knew it, the 13.1 miles was complete and I was running through the final stretch of grass to reach the finish line. There were no big crowds, but I was really happy to start my trip with a sport that I love.
The YMCA Half Marathon didn't have any sort of post-race activities, so I just went straight back to my hotel (which was conveniently right across the street from the finish line). It wasn't my best finish ever, but I was under 1:25, which is always my psychological threshhold for feeling satisfied.
That afternoon, I walked around downtown and did some shopping. Canberra Centre has a surprisingly huge mall, which is spread across several city blocks and contains almost all of the stores you would also see in Melbourne or Sydney. I actually ended up buying quite a bit of things that I can't get in Hong Kong, so I was pretty happy.
One not-so-convenient thing about Canberra is that all the shops and restaurants close so early. I was actually somewhat surprised, considering that it is also home to one of Australia's best universities. I would have expected more of a late-night culture. I don't think I could live in a place like this unless I had a family.
My hotel was located near all the government buildings on Capital Hill, and although I didn't go inside any of the buildings there, I was amused by the unassuming architectural style. Parliament House is such a contrast to many other government buildings around the world. I actually learned that the construction of the building required the removal of much of the hill, which was placed back on top of the roof. Yup, Paliament House has grass on the roof. Try to find that in another country!
Although I didn't have much time for sightseeing in Canberra, I made it to the Australian War Memorial, which was surprisingly incredible.
Leading up to the war memorial on Anzac Parade, you actually pass an outdoor memorial for each war that Australia has participated in. They are very well done and remind me a little of all the memorials in Washington DC.
The building itself is perched upon another small hill, with wonderful views of Capital Hill across the river.
I didn't really come with any expectations, but the museum was very well done. The two world wars were on the main level, with lots of relics, statues wearing period clothing, alongside other miscellaneous supplies and news stories depicting the events of the war. The back wing was a huge hall with actual aircraft that was used during the wars. It was amazing to get up close, and I can imagine that little kids would be in absolute awe.
The basement level contained a chronological series of the more recent events, going all the way up to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. I was visiting the museum with a colleague from Vietnam, and it was really interesting to learn about the Vietnam War from his perspective (actually called the "American War" by Vietnamese people).
After visiting the museum, we went up to the tomb of the unknown soldier. On the way into the building, I saw lots of people placing poppy flowers on the walls where names of the soldiers were engraved in the walls. Unlike Arlington National Cemetery, where the tomb sits outside, the Australian version is in the center of a church-like building. In a way, it is fitting that the tomb of the unknown soldier sits atop the museum that commemorates Australia's involvement in all of the international conflicts.
Leaving the Australia War Memorial, I felt so much more impressed than I ever would have predicted when I first walked in. I learned a lot about the wars that I was never taught in my US-centric education. Walking through the museum with a Vietnamese citizen made the experience even more interesting.
Canberra may not be the most exciting place in the world, but it is full of national spirit that makes Australia so unique. From the old-world style of my hotel to the understated Parliament building covered in grass, Australia has quietly asserted itself as a country that doesn't need to be about the glitz and glamour. I really enjoyed the laid-back ambiance of the city, and the kindhearted nature of its people. Although I was on the other side of the world from where I grew up, I felt like I was right at home.
This trip was primarily spent in the capital city of Canberra, which is a peaceful place that felt more of a college town than it did the center of government for a country of 23 million people. In a way, Australia is defined by open space, so it is only fitting that the capital city is also sparsely populated.
 |
| View from the plane as we were approaching Canberra airport |
When I arrived, the weather was cool and crisp. The hotel was buzzing with traditional afternoon tea, and I could hear a pianist playing in the background. The staff members were casual and inviting - a welcome change from the very formal environment throughout much of Asia. Canberra has many traditions, but it is still Australia - a place where people like to have fun and enjoy life.
My first full day in Australia was filled with none other than a half marathon. When I woke up, there was still frost on the ground and I almost didn't know how to cope with the freezing weather. Before the race started, people were chatting in small groups and staying warm just like I would expect in a perfect autumn race back home. This was a small race, with only around 450 runners. There were no race shirts, and no loud DJ's to pep up the crowd. Just a serious race filled with serious racers.
The first mile went along a paved street, and I actually felt like I should have worn more layers because my feet were frozen and my breath was visible in front of me. Eventually, I warmed myself up - just in time to enjoy the beautiful riverfront park that we were now running through.
 |
| First part of the race, on pavement with frost on the ground! |
With such a small group of runners, we quickly fell into a rhythm and there were very few people passing each other. I just pushed myself to keep from falling behind the person who was pacing me. It was pushing me to the limit of discomfort, but I couldn't let myself fall behind.
Although I was struggling, I still managed to take in the sights around me. I loved seeing the leaves changing colors, and an occasional rower piercing the otherwise calm waters. There were even a couple hot-air balloons taking in the perfect autumn weather. The entire ambiance just felt like being in New Hampshire. I was loving it.
The race course took a loop around the river, with lots of small twists and turns throughout the path. The elevation was relatively constant, too, which made for a really pleasant run. Before I knew it, the 13.1 miles was complete and I was running through the final stretch of grass to reach the finish line. There were no big crowds, but I was really happy to start my trip with a sport that I love.
 |
| Approaching the finish line of the YMCA Canberra Half Marathon |
The YMCA Half Marathon didn't have any sort of post-race activities, so I just went straight back to my hotel (which was conveniently right across the street from the finish line). It wasn't my best finish ever, but I was under 1:25, which is always my psychological threshhold for feeling satisfied.
That afternoon, I walked around downtown and did some shopping. Canberra Centre has a surprisingly huge mall, which is spread across several city blocks and contains almost all of the stores you would also see in Melbourne or Sydney. I actually ended up buying quite a bit of things that I can't get in Hong Kong, so I was pretty happy.
 |
| A sculpture sits in front of Canberra Centre mall |
One not-so-convenient thing about Canberra is that all the shops and restaurants close so early. I was actually somewhat surprised, considering that it is also home to one of Australia's best universities. I would have expected more of a late-night culture. I don't think I could live in a place like this unless I had a family.
My hotel was located near all the government buildings on Capital Hill, and although I didn't go inside any of the buildings there, I was amused by the unassuming architectural style. Parliament House is such a contrast to many other government buildings around the world. I actually learned that the construction of the building required the removal of much of the hill, which was placed back on top of the roof. Yup, Paliament House has grass on the roof. Try to find that in another country!
 |
| Parliament House in Canberra, Australia |
 |
| The unassuming main entrance of Parliament House |
Although I didn't have much time for sightseeing in Canberra, I made it to the Australian War Memorial, which was surprisingly incredible.
Leading up to the war memorial on Anzac Parade, you actually pass an outdoor memorial for each war that Australia has participated in. They are very well done and remind me a little of all the memorials in Washington DC.
The building itself is perched upon another small hill, with wonderful views of Capital Hill across the river.
 |
| View of Anzac Parade from the Australia War Memorial |
I didn't really come with any expectations, but the museum was very well done. The two world wars were on the main level, with lots of relics, statues wearing period clothing, alongside other miscellaneous supplies and news stories depicting the events of the war. The back wing was a huge hall with actual aircraft that was used during the wars. It was amazing to get up close, and I can imagine that little kids would be in absolute awe.
 |
| Loading a plane from the WWII era |
The basement level contained a chronological series of the more recent events, going all the way up to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. I was visiting the museum with a colleague from Vietnam, and it was really interesting to learn about the Vietnam War from his perspective (actually called the "American War" by Vietnamese people).
 |
| Preparing to jump out of the helicopter in Vietnam |
 |
| An exhibit depicting one of the more recent wars |
After visiting the museum, we went up to the tomb of the unknown soldier. On the way into the building, I saw lots of people placing poppy flowers on the walls where names of the soldiers were engraved in the walls. Unlike Arlington National Cemetery, where the tomb sits outside, the Australian version is in the center of a church-like building. In a way, it is fitting that the tomb of the unknown soldier sits atop the museum that commemorates Australia's involvement in all of the international conflicts.
 |
| Looking at the building that houses the unknown soldier |
 |
| Students add memorial poppy flowers to the wall |
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| Tomb of the unknown soldier |
Leaving the Australia War Memorial, I felt so much more impressed than I ever would have predicted when I first walked in. I learned a lot about the wars that I was never taught in my US-centric education. Walking through the museum with a Vietnamese citizen made the experience even more interesting.
Canberra may not be the most exciting place in the world, but it is full of national spirit that makes Australia so unique. From the old-world style of my hotel to the understated Parliament building covered in grass, Australia has quietly asserted itself as a country that doesn't need to be about the glitz and glamour. I really enjoyed the laid-back ambiance of the city, and the kindhearted nature of its people. Although I was on the other side of the world from where I grew up, I felt like I was right at home.
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