After working for several months in Brisbane I then travelled through Queensland (including the Great Barrier Reef), Sydney, and Adelaide before hitching across the vast Nullarbor Desert to reach Perth. While based in Australia, I also visited New Zealand, discovering the remarkable contrasts between its North and South Islands — from mountains and lakes to peaceful coastlines. Fiji was another unforgettable chapter — my first encounter with the South Pacific, where the light, colours, and warmth of the people left a lasting impression. About twenty years later, I returned to Australia, this time visiting Melbourne and revisiting Perth, Sydney, and Queensland. My photographs from these journeys capture not only the landscapes and light of this part of the world but also the sense of freedom, curiosity, and gratitude that travel brings.