Journey across the Outback
Having a promising career is of top priority for most university graduates.
Only an adventurous few choose to follow their dreams and not be dictated by what is considered 'practical' in the commercial world.
Orange Au Wing-tui is one of them. Driven by his love of travelling, he decided to leave everything behind and spend a year in Australia after graduation.
Once the enthusiastic Hong Kong student found out that Australia offered a special working holiday visa, he was determined to go backpacking there to practise his English and explore the culture.
'I told myself it would be hard to go away for such a long period if I started working,' says the 26-year-old Lingnan University graduate.
'As a fresh graduate, I didn't have any responsibility. And I didn't have to support my family. So I decided to give it a shot.'
Using money he had saved from giving guitar lessons and being a tour guide for a travel agency, Wong bought a round-trip ticket and headed for the country famous for its spectacular landscape last October.
Within a year, he travelled across Australia, including New South Wales, Tasmania, Northern Territory, South Australia and Queensland.
Tasmania was one of his favourite stops.
On the island known as 'the best island in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific', Au spent more than a month exploring the sights by bicycle, spending his nights in a tent.
He says one of the good things about backpacking is that you have some memorable encounters with people.
'Backpackers are usually true and open to each other. They can talk about anything.
'They don't have to worry or pretend, as they'll probably never meet again.'
To support his travels, he worked as a waiter and kitchen hand in restaurants and cafes, picked up rubbish at the Rugby World Cup in Sydney and worked on farms. He found his jobs through agencies and magazines.
There was a week in Bowen, Queensland, when he was broke, with only A$2 (HK$12) left. He already owed his hostel rent and could not find a job.
He had to eat the cheapest bread and pasta.
'I reached my limit. It was a really difficult time, but I survived,' Au recalls.
'When I look back now, it's not a big deal. But at that time, I really didn't know what to do.'
Fortunately, the hostel owner returned some of the deposit Au had paid when he first checked in.
That carried him through till he found another job.
The Australian trip was a most rewarding experience.
'I have so many memories. It's something I'll remember for the rest of my life,' Au says.
