When I wake up and set course for Sydney, I feel my excitement growing with every kilometer. It almost feels like coming home, even though I have nothing here and I’m farther from home than ever. This sense of excitement is a mix of: my 30th birthday, a new city, people I’ve made plans with, all kinds of beautiful emotions, lots of energy, and also the end of my journey from India to Australia and a new beginning, since my plan is to stay here for a few months.
I stop for fuel and take a short walk to stretch my legs. I step into a thrift store, the Salvation Army Store, full of bargains and knickknacks. Still, I spot a pair of jeans that fit me perfectly, and for $5 (about €3), I can’t leave them behind. My presence doesn’t go unnoticed by the people drinking coffee there. “Where are you from, sir?” someone quickly asks, and I’m offered a cup of coffee. I say yes, even though I normally don’t drink coffee. Still, I sit down, drink it, get offered some sweet treats, and soon find myself in conversation with an older woman, 80+, well spoken who shares a beautiful romantic war story about a German man she once met and stayed in touch with. She believes in God and tells me He’s watching over you and there to help you. I choose to be present for a moment, to sit and reflect before heading into the city. It makes me realize that even in a shop, with a €3 pair of jeans and a meaningful conversation, you can get so much out of life, if you’re open to it and paying attention. I have to admit, I rarely buy second-hand clothes and do enjoy a nice luxury item now and then but maybe I can combine both for balance. A pair of jeans will come in handy anyway, since Sydney can get a bit cooler in the evenings.
I drop my van off in an industrial area and take public transport into the city, where I pick up the keys from a friend of Stefan. The ferry ride across offers a spectacular view of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and the city skyline. It feels like a movie—unreal—and I’m the one playing the main character. The view and the energy I feel in this city are almost cosmic, as if I belong here. When I enter Stefan’s apartment, I can hardly believe I’ll be staying here. Amazing location, fantastic view—and it feels like coming home. I calmly unpack my things and explore the neighborhood with a walk to the supermarket. A wave of gratitude rushes through me, and I feel incredibly happy with the sense of home I have in Stefan’s apartment.
Stefan is from South Africa, and we had a special connection at work. We did many client visits together and built a strong, trusting relationship during long hours in the car and while preparing for customer visits. Beyond work, we talked about life and personal things. Being here, I feel the energy of our connection flowing again, a kind of full-circle moment. Stefan still works for Workiva and had Australia in mind ever since applying for a visa during COVID. Through Workiva, he moved from Amsterdam to Sydney and trust me, they only do that with people who truly add value. I quit my job in June 2025, and Stefan was going through a similar process around that time. I’m proud of him for taking that step, it takes courage to make such a decision. And it’s beautiful how it all aligns. I’m staying in his apartment while he’s still on holiday, and I’m already looking forward to seeing him. I spend my last day as a twenty-something relaxing in the apartment.
And then… March 26, 2026. 30 years old. Stan the Man, in Sydney. For someone who loves words, this feeling is indescribable—yet here I am trying to describe it in this special blog for my 30th birthday. It’s a feeling I may never experience again. The sun rises beautifully, and I wake up in peace, alone, I couldn’t have wished for better. Of course, my family isn’t here, so I call them and receive incredibly kind messages that day from many others as well! Thank you so much for that.
In the afternoon, I meet up for a birthday lunch at Totti’s in Bondi with Mark and Sander, two of my old neighborhood friends from the street I grew up on in Zandvoort. I never would’ve imagined celebrating my 30th birthday here with them, and maybe that’s the beauty of life, it rarely goes as expected. Sander has lived here for over 10 years, and his younger brother Mark is my age m, we used to play video games together. Sander built something really cool here: Unofficial Run Club. It started as a small idea and at its peak had over 1,000 participants at some events. The running hype has calmed down a bit now, which is actually good for focus and their new direction. Mark always seemed cooler than me as a kid, he had video games with more fighting and action, which I wasn’t allowed to have at home, so I preferred hanging out at his place. Did those “aggressive” games turn out badly for Mark? Not at all, he turned it into a creative design career that he’s now gradually winding down remotely here in Sydney. The only aggressive thing connecting us that day is the ocean and the powerful waves at Bondi Beach, where we take a refreshing dip. It’s a moment of revisiting old memories. Sitting there with them, it feels like home, and being able to feel that on this day is special for me. A delicious Italian lunch with two old neighborhood friends. In this case, I’ll make a philosophical statement: better a good neighbor than a distant friend—though here, it’s a paradoxical mix of both.
After lunch, I buy some balloons as decoration for my birthday, which I celebrate with Danny. I freshen up at home and then head out to the pub. Despite some rain, which doesn’t disturb the mood, we have a great night. My Aussie friend Angus also drops by. So many names, friends, and people here—it’s quite a list, and I haven’t even mentioned everyone. I don’t try to remember everything—writing it down is my way of capturing it for later. In the end, I have a beautiful memory, and I feel happy and grateful within myself—that’s the greatest feeling I can have.
Despite a few beers and a short night, my alarm goes off at 4:45, and I join Sander’s Run Club. It’s an amazing concept and a great way to exercise. A unique route and a collaboration with a coffee brand, great for socials, branding, and for me personally, a sporty start to a new decade. By 8:30, I’m in the bath responding to messages and realizing just how many there are, and how many people are thinking of me. It’s a special feeling. I also realize it’s my longest birthday ever because of the time difference, fun fact. The rest of the day, I rest and process all the impressions.
On Saturday morning, I meet Izzy, whom I met in Nepal—she lives here in Sydney. We shared part of the route to Everest Base Camp, were we kept running into each other. That automatically creates a bond, so we go for a walk along some beaches. When I ask about the nets in the water, Izzy casually says, “Ah yeah, those are shark nets.” She tells me there were quite a few fatal deaths last summer… Uhmm, okay… I think. It’s normal here, judging by how casually she says it. I laugh it off and don’t feel afraid to go into the ocean, just stay alert, that’s all. It’s a lovely walk, and I feel good having Izzy as my guide.
What does the average Englishman do on a Saturday afternoon? Exactly, head to the pub for a beer. To top off my birthday weekend, Izzy drops me off at Danny’s place after the hike and we head to Club Rose Bay. This is where Sydney’s chic, hautain, luxurious, and stylish side comes together. Great for people-watching, and yes, the women too. Even in my casual hiking outfit, I still get some attention… even here.
That Sunday, while recovering, I feel a shift coming, a new chapter. A strange feeling, amplified by a slight hangover. I take it easy, do some blogging, and in the afternoon I meet Bernie and Dave—two die-hard Sydney locals I also met in Nepal. We grab a beer at Manly Beach. It’s wonderful how relaxed and easygoing Australians are, and how welcome they make me feel. On Monday, I go bouldering and have a BBQ with Sander and Mark. Something new for me, well, not the BBQ, I know that one. Just as good as Sander is at running, Mark is at bouldering. It’s impressive to see how effortlessly and flexibly he climbs, shifting his weight on the tiniest holds. Respect. After that, I do what I’m good at, BBQ, for a relaxed Monday evening.
Life in Sydney: social, active, vibrant, and sunny. I do a lot, see a lot, and experience a lot. Stan is in Sydney—and Sydney is now in Stan. And that feels perfectly balanced.
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