So, after five years of travelling and a crazy pandemic, it was time for me to return to Brisbane, my hometown for 13 years. I couldn’t wait, and neither could my friends. It was finally time for 10 days with my girls!
This blog is a little more personal than usual. Rather than focusing on the places I visited, it’s about spending time with friends, making memories and enjoying everything Brisbane has to offer. I hope you don’t mind. I promise the photos are worth it!
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My life in Brisbane
I love Brisbane. I was always more drawn to its relaxed, small-town feel than to the bustling metropolises of Sydney and Melbourne. When I arrived in Brisbane with nothing but a backpack and a one-way ticket back in 2005, I was ready to settle down. And settle down I did! I met amazing people, lived in various suburbs, renovated Queenslanders, and built a successful fashion and interior styling business.
After 13 wonderful years in Brisbane, life took an unexpected turn. In 2017, when my mum became ill back in Germany, I made the difficult decision to return to Europe. It certainly wasn’t easy, but at the time, it felt like the right thing to do.
As one door closed, another opened. Over the following five years, I had the opportunity to travel the world, exploring incredible countries, unique cultures and unforgettable places, many of which you can discover here on Sweettravelbee. Take a look at some of my 2018 adventures here.
Afterword: I have also written about the best luxury spots in Brisbane a few years later.
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My return …
Originally, I had planned on returning to Brisbane a few years earlier, but then the pandemic changed everyone’s plans. Before I knew it, five years had passed since I had left. So, as you can imagine, my 10-day schedule after getting back to Brisbane was pretty full. What did I get up to?
From fun shopping trips and a day on the Gold Coast to fancy dinners and, most importantly, spending quality time with friends, returning to Brisbane felt as though I had never left. That said, it took me a few days to get my bearings again among the roads and suburbs. Even so, I felt at home from the moment I arrived.
Brisbane has changed a little over the past five years, and in many ways it has become an even better city to visit. The city skyline at night, the iconic Story Bridge and the leafy suburbs with their beautiful views all make Brisbane a wonderful place to explore. Then there’s the shopping around James Street and the city centre. It may not have world-famous landmarks like Sydney’s Opera House, but Brisbane has a charm all of its own. I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing it from a visitor’s perspective.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to visit Noosa or Byron Bay, and I never even made it into the ocean. But that’s okay… I’ll definitely be back.
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Leaving …
Saying goodbye to my friends after 10 wonderful days wasn’t easy, although it somehow felt as if I’d be seeing them again next week. The world is much smaller these days, and now that travelling has become easier again, I hope we’ll meet up somewhere in the world, wherever our journeys take us.
I’m already thinking about my next trip back to Brisbane. Let’s just hope it won’t be another five years… x
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