Canberra - A Heartbreaking Return

"What's in Canberra, it's so boring"

Canberra was where I studied for my degree in July 2013 to July 2016. When I left, I never thought I would return so soon. I boarded the bus with pangs of excitement, with this once familiar 3-hour bus ride from Sydney airport. The journey was a bliss, like I remembered. But what was shocking along the way, was the angrier skyline as I am approaching the capital. At that moment, the bushfire was still devastating homes in New South Wales and it turned worse over New Years Eve/Day. While I should be aching for the damage and deaths the bushfire had caused, my heart ached for the state of Canberra that it has become - orange, angry, hazy; instead of blue, peace, and clear.

Canberra was familiar yet with a lot of new additions in just 3+ years time. The capital city now has a tram line! I checked into my friends' lovely new accommodation in New Acton. We walked with mask and had good Thai food at Kinn Thai.

I spent the next day visiting my alma mater, The Australian National University (ANU). The ANU definitely, definitely had the largest change - new buildings, revamped Union Court and new residential halls. My favourite University Avenue with the two straight lines of trees were still there thank God. There was now an indoor pool which I took a sneak peak. It was truly unfortunate that the university is closed, and it is like a ghost town. But that gives me more reason to head back!

Guzman y Gomez was something I really wanted to had. And I had a walk along the most hipster street, Lonsdale Street. It brought me down so many memory lanes - some brunches, my first date, my favourite Mandalay bus, some walks with the girlfriends, etc. I got emotional standing at the junction, where I last said goodbye which sealed with a kiss. I toughened up and went back to check out some hipster shops. Reunited with a friend and we had a good walk back again.

Australian brunch is like unbeatable. We went to Rye, which was not an existing cafe during my time. I wanted to have my favourite Chocolate drink at Koko Black but once again, closed because of bad haze. How timely. I felt insecure hence I booked an earlier ticket to return back to Sydney. True enough, the highway was closed at midnight because of bushfire. While I think I could still make it back, the anxiety would have killed me at night.

Nobody does brunch as good as the Aussies

I am glad I made the trip back, thought part of me was disappointed to see Canberra this way.