In Cairns where he has to go for administratives matters.

Visit the photo gallery : Armand

Armand came 4 years ago in Australia. First he was planning to travel and then to work to complete his training in the area of hospitality. He is originally from Beaujolais and then went to study in Lyon (France). He had heard about Australia a lot before from his friends, who all came back mesmerized. So ha had decided to see it through his own eyes. He ended at the top of the east Australian coast in Port Douglas (40 km up Cairns), poch seaside town, after a travel along the east coast with a friend, who then came back home (in France). That was his first travelling for a long period to live outside France, which has been positive, as he hasn’t come back !

On the road between Port Douglas and Cairns. The first time that Armand arrived and saw that he loved the place straight away.

Since that he has been working a lot to save money for travelling, among else in India, and then to build his own buisness. He has been working hard as a waiter, dishwasher, cook, which gave him a lot of experiences and to get quite quickly a position as a manager. He has done it in the hotel and restaurant « Hi Tide », by the sea in Port Douglas.

Swimming in a river of Daintree's rain forest.

Since that Armand came back in France twice. His goal was at getting his residence in Australia because it’s now his country as well and he says that it brings him some safety : he is sure that he will always find a job and that it will be sunny and warm ! To achieve that he has been sponsorized by his boss (to get a visa to work which is quite expensive if not paid by a compagny if you stay for more than a year). After 4 years he had to pass an exam (which he found quite easy) about Australia (its geography, politics and so on). That’s it, he is now franco-australian.

Reading time by the Blue Hole, a spot where the river is very blue in the rain forest.

He is going to travel for a year now and plan to come back in Port Douglas after that, where he thinks that he can find some work easily and where he can save money without difficulties. But plan can change quickly… Also he has some real and deep friend over there now, who have been like « family » during those years. Indeed although there is Skype (which allows to talk with a video through the internet) he is far from his true family. He has always been living with housemates which allowed him to meet a lot of people from all over the world. He feel totally well-integrated, among other reasons one is that australians are used to this mixe of culture.

English breakfast with his indian friend Rupa.

He explains that to speak English was first really hard for quite a long time, and when he is tired or speaks with somebody who has a new accent to him he still find it difficult. But he is proud of his « French accent » which is very often considered as sexy. He also misses good cheeses, good wines and French gastronomy, and to stay around the table for eating for hours and then to talk about politic (very typical French). But he has met some friends with whome he can do so and can find some good products imported from France when he goes to Cairns in special shops (only problem : it’s very expensive!). It’s balanced with the amazing quality of life that he finds in Port Douglas : it’s very sunny and warm all along the year, the ocen is beautiful, people are relaxed, he is leaving less than an hour from the rain forest at Daintree and Cape tribulation, where he has seen crocodiles and this funny animal nammed cassowarrie. He is also living by the Great Barrier, which is a huge barrier with a lots of pretty corrals along the north east coast of Australia. And, he appreciates the fact that work doesn’t miss while he always hears the French to complain about unemployment.

Armand is smiling while he is working at the restaurant « Hi Tide ».

Armand doesn’t forget his French ots, that he likes and claims. But today he feels more like a « citizen of the world ». if you go to Port Douglas he recommands to sit in a café and to observe, to look at the people walking, at the peacefull and cheerful atmosphere of this town. Then go for a boat trip to the great barrier to snorkle or to dive if you can. Try to get 2 or 3 days to camp at the rain forest in Cape tribulation, you are going to feel totally immersed by this wild nature.

Lookout on Cape Tribulation and its jungle. Far on the end is the Great Barrier.