Photos

Ok folks I have uploaded a few pictures just of around Darwin - not too many as not much to see!! I hope you enjoy the few that there are, and because Emma is with me and seems to always have her camera there are actually some of me and other people!! Well done Emma and thanks for letting me nick some pictures!!

Dawnie!!!
xxx

My Journey Home - Booked!!!

My return trip seems to be, all of a sudden, organised. I have booked my flights and a tour through Europe which is great and I am really looking forward to it.

Ok so my flight details are as follows: Brisbane - Bangkok Friday 15th June leaves at 15.20pm and arrives at 21.30pm. Bangkok - Zurich Friday 15th June leaves 23.25pm arrives 16th June 06.10am. Zurich - Rome Saturday 16th June leaves 07.25am arrives 08.50am. I will then have a day or so in Rome before meeting my tour group on Sunday 17th June. Here is the tour itinerary from 17th June.

ITINERARY
DAYS 1-2: Rome
Our tour begins in the Eternal City, home of the Vatican, the Trevi Fountain and some of the
tastiest pizza you’ll ever try! However long you spend here it simply won't be enough so make
sure you throw a coin or two over your shoulder into the Trevi Fountain – as it means
you will return! Please make sure you arrive around midday to make sure you meet up with the rest of the group and settle into the campsite. Your tour Leader will leave a message for you at the campsite reception to let you know their estimated time of arrival and what the itinerary
for that day will be. You will then know exactly what the plan is for the day and you can then
organise your time so you don’t miss out on anything when the group arrives. Later that
evening your Tour Leader will give you a briefing about your tour, outline the plan of the
next few days, answer any questions you might have and collect your ‘Local Fund’
payment in full Euro cash.
On Day 2 we will have a walking tour and you will see the Spanish Steps, the sprawling
Roman Forum, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and Piazza Navona and start to get
an idea of the depth of history which seeps from every street. Take in some of the
Michelangelo and Raphael’s remarkable art; stop in and see the Pope, St Peters and the
brilliant Sistine Chapel at the Vatican City; lose yourself in the maze of backstreets; sit in grand open squares filled with entertainers and finish the day at a pavement cafe with a bottle of chilled Frascati or fruity Chianti. (Day 1 – B, Day 2 – B,L)
Rome Highlights: Colosseum • Piazza
Venezia • Roman Forum • Spanish Steps •
Trevi Fountain • Pantheon • Piazza Navona •
Victor Emmanuel Monument • St. Peter’s
Basilica • Sistine Chapel & Vatican Museum
• Shopping at top boutiques on the Via
Condotti.

DAYS 3-4: Venice
Next we come to magical Venice. Built on water and cris-crossed by canals, Venice is all
about gondolas, romance, charm and a life never far from the water. We have a walking orientation tour of the highlights including the Rialto Bridge, St. Mark’s Basilica, Doges
Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. We also include a glass blowing demonstration by Venetian craftspeople and then have plenty of free time to wander the backstreets of the real Venice, where baroque backstreet churches meet the waters edge and the tempting aroma of pizza and pasta will leave you constantly hungry. But if there’s one thing you must do before leaving, it’s grab a guy or girl, buy ice creams and serenade each other on a gondola! (2xB, 2xL, 2xD)
Venice Highlights: Be serenaded on a
gondola ride • Glass blowing demonstration •
Bridge of Sighs • Doges’ Palace • Rialto Bridge
• Feed the pigeons in St. Mark’s Square

DAYS 5-6: Lauterbrunnen
Crossing into Switzerland our next stop is the alpine valley of Lauterbrunnen. Regarded as one of the most spectacular alpine valleys in Europe, the delightful Lauterbrunnen village is surrounded by the unspoilt snow capped Swiss Alps and has endless options for hiking and biking. Perhaps visit Switzerland’s highest waterfall, the cascading 300 metre Staubbach or jump on one of the many funicular railways which trace the mountainside. One of the most
spectacular is the ride up to Jungfrau, the highest mountain in the area and the site of the highest train station in Europe. (Days 5&6 – B,L,D)
Lauterbrunnen Highlights: Visit Europe’s
highest station, JungfrauJoch • Ski in the
Swiss Alps • Visit the alpine village of
Murren • Shop for a Swatch or Swiss army
knife • Stock up on Swiss chocolate!

DAY 7: Tyrol
Heading into the Austrian Alps we stay at Kirchberg in the stunning Tyrol region. Famous for its skiing and snowboarding, this area is also great for those who want to party! There are plenty of outdoor activities available whatever the season such as skiing, hiking, cycling. After dark the aprèsski vibe kicks in and the real fun starts! (B,L,D)
Tyrol Highlights: White water rafting

DAY 8: Vienna
We have a day in the elegant capital, Vienna. Home of ‘The Sound of Music’ and schnapps, Vienna assaults the senses on all levels! Filled with baroque architecture, lavish palaces with finely landscaped gardens, towering cathedrals, endless museums, art galleries overflowing with
fine art and opera houses that come alive after dark, this is a city with much to experience - and some of the most delicious coffee and pastries you will ever taste! We have a driving tour taking in the Schonbrunn Palace, St Stephens Palace and the State Opera House before heading to the Schnapps Museum to sample a traditional shot of the hard stuff. (B,L,D)
Vienna Highlights: Schonbrunn Palace •
Hofburg Palace • Schnapps on our brewery
tour • St. Stephen’s Cathedral • Take a ride
at the Prada amusement park • Enjoy a
Viennese Opera, Waltz or Mozart concert.

DAYS 9-10: Prague
Crossing into the Czech Republic, we travel through Bohemia to reach Prague, the charming city of spires. Sometimes a place that has been so talked up can prove disappointing but Prague really does deliver – just imagine everything you've heard and then double it! This city is simply beautiful from every angle and you can’t help but fall in love with it. We have a walking tour from the lofty heights of Hradcany Castle and St Vitus Cathedral (where you can get magical
views over the city) to the bustling old town Square, enchanting Charles Bridge and Wenceslas Square. There is no shortage of things to do in your free time whether you just want to sit in a café watching Prague go by, take a cruise on the beautiful Vltava River or visit the Jewish cemetery and synagogues in Josefov. By night there are many great bars and restaurants and plenty of pounding night clubs if you fancy a big night out. (Day 9 – B,L, Day 10 – B,L,D)
Prague Highlights: Hradcany Castle • St.
Vitus Cathedral • Charles Bridge • Local
beers!

DAY 11: Heidelberg
We enter Germany and travel to the historic university town of Heidelburg where we camp by the Neckar River. We have a walking tour to point out the highlights including the Altstadt (old town), the Church of the Holy Ghost, the students prison in Augustinergasse and the dominating
Heildelburg Castle. The town has a bustling market with a traditional German feel, cobblestone streets and plenty of interesting little shops and cafés. (B,L,D)
Heidelberg Highlights: Hilltop castle with
giant beer vat • Make new friends at one of
many student bars.

DAYS 12-13: Amsterdam
Our final destination is the Netherlands and vibrant Amsterdam. Crammed with bicycles, museums, canals and cafés and infamous for its liberal attitude, Amsterdam has lots to offer. We have a walking tour taking in all the highlights including historic Dam Square, the National Monument and Anne Frank’s house. There are also many fantastic art museums to explore including Van Gogh and the Rijks Museum. Known the world over for clogs and cheese, it
wouldn’t be right to visit the Netherlands and not learn a bit more about their skills for making both so we include cheese tasting and a visit to a factory to see how clogs are made! (Days 12&13 – B,L,D)
Amsterdam Highlights: Anne Frank
Museum • Red light district • Cheese
tasting • Clog making demonstration • Hire
a bike and cycle like a local • Van Gogh
museum • Rijks Museum • Cold ones at the
Heineken Beer museum • Canal cruising •
Check out a sex show!

DAY 14: Calais – London
We depart Amsterdam after an early breakfast and drive through Belgium to Calais for our ferry back to England. Arriving in Dover we drive back to London (usually arriving early evening) where the tour ends – but the party doesn’t have to stop here and there’s bound to be an opportunity for one or two farewell drinks! (B)

And so that will be my travels, for now, over with and I should get home in the evening of 30th June 2007 to a good reception - I hope!! Maybe the parents will be too used to living alone then!!! No more hanky panky downstairs kids!!
Looking forward to seeing everyone!
Dawn
xxxx

Crazy Heat!!

Ok so just a quick post cos I'm bored and nothing else to do on the net!!!
I have to say that I am glad to be going to Melbourne in a few weeks because the heat is getting horrible, I am so tired alot of the time because of it and think I keep getting slightly dehydrated! I am glad to be working alot of the time as I am inside away from it. Work is good though, quite a busy reception job at Northern Territory News so thats good.
I will still have to work down in Melbourne, I am actually a little concerned that I'll be cold down there and I don't have a jacket! May have to buy something else......
I have booked my flight to Europe and will be paying my deposit for the Europe tour this week as well, oh its so exciting. I am also looking at what I may do when I get home and so am emailing a few places.
On another note Emma and I went to watch The Departed last night and a very good film it was as well. But the main, and maybe best, thing I noticed about it was how fantasticly hot Leonardo Di Caprio was looking, he has worked out and his body is great. I text my friend, Jess - some of you may have met, and told her how hot Leo was looking in The Departed and the reply I got was 'Whos Leo?? Tell me all?' and she thought that I was talking about someone in my department and that he was famous!?! Silly girl!
We are off to the final Beach Market tomorrow night, maybe get a few bits and watch the entertainment along with some fireworks.........oooooooooooohhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!!
Anyway I don't have a great deal to say so I'll leave it there. Have fun!!xx
Dawnie
xxxx

Update!!

Ok, so we've spent a couple of weeks in Darwin. I have work until 10th November and then we are flying down to Melbourne to work until Robbie. We have wandered around the Esplanade, been to the shops and the markets.
Darwin is quite nice but its pretty small so it'll get boring quickly. We are also waiting to hear about a flat where we may get a room while we are here.
By the time its November the humidity will be getting quite unbearable so its probably a good time to get down to Melbourne, which will be warming up nicely.
We have our Robbie concert on 17th December, we then meet Lorraine and Graham in Adelaide on 19th and travel back with them along the Great Ocean road, which is meant to be stunning. We are spending Christmas in Melbourne with Emma's Uncle Rod and Tracy, the plan is to have a Champagne breakfast (Bucks Fizz for me!!) on the beach and then head out to a restaurant for a Turkey lunch, hopefully not too expensive for me, we may then go to the local park etc and have a BBQ (thats what I imagine for an Ozzie Xmas). It should be quite good although apparently Graham gets quite excited with handing gifts out that I may of lost my normal position of Santa. I am not expecting it to feel very much like Christmas but it will be different.
After Christmas we are then driving to Sydney, stopping at Canberra on the way, for New Year which should be pretty special - still need an outfit!! Emma and I are staying in a hostel in Manly which is suppose to bea lovely area and somewhere I didn't get to on my visit in July.
After New Year Emma, Lorraine and Graham fly up to Cairns and I will either stay and work in Sydney or Melbourne, I think I will probably go back to Melbourne if I have already worked there. Only looking to work for maybe 3/4 weeks and also pop over to Tasmania for 5 days or so.
In February Emma should return to Melbourne and we plan to head back round to Adelaide, probably stay will Angie (a girl I met) for a few days, then continue round to Perth in time to meet my parents who arrive on 9th March so that'll be good.
When they leave at the end of March I may work in Perth for 2 months to get some funds before I pop back over to Brisbane, to collect a couple of things from Kristine's place, and hopefully over to Europe where I will travel round a little before getting back home. Still not sure of dates but it'll be maybe July/August time that I should get back.
Well there you go, these are my plans although I am sure most of you know how easily I change my mind due to circumstance etc. Anyway I really hope everyone is doing well and a big welcome home to Sally!!!
Dawnie
xxxxxxxxxxxx

Darwin - Work

Ok so I haven't done too much here. I have met up with Emma and we got free haircuts!!! It also looks like I'll have work in the outback - kinda. They are building a brand new, expensive, resort and basically I might be cleaning the completed units to perfection, I should find out tomorrow.
It will mean that I probably won't be on here for a while but I would still love to hear comments from people, would be great to have a heap next time I look. I'll hopefully be working for 8/9 weeks so until December, I have a flight to Melbourne on 14th.
Hope everyone is well and maybe speak to you in a couple of months, I will still be able to phone so my parents will be aware of what I am upto and probably Dan.
Take Care
Dawn
xxx

Alice Springs - Darwin

Picked up at 5.30 this morning, I really couldn't wait for a lie in!! Jumped on the bus with Carl, the guide, and we headed to Melankas to pick everyone else up and check in. We didn't actually leave there until gone 6.
We had a quick stop on the way at The Tropic of Capricorn, I didn't get out to take a picture as I had been at it in Rockhampton. It was ok but just a statue.
We continued on for a bit longer and stopped at Ti Tree for a drink etc and a look found the aboriginal art gallery which was quite good. We were there for about half hour or so.
We kept on driving and did the usual microphone introductions, did mine first to get it out the way. Can't believe how worried some people get about it - poor souls. We then played a TV theme tune quiz for a little while. We stopped at Barrow Creek for a quick loo stop and then continued onto the Devils Marble for lunch. We had a wander around all the random boulders lieing around and I played with my timer and took a few shots. We all ate, it was getting really hot!! We all jumped back on after lunch and off we went.
I finished my Bill Bryson Britain book which was good. We had a cash, food and drink stop in Tennant Creek then went to the Mary Ann Dam so people could have a swim, it was a bit cold if you ask me so needless to say I didn't enter the water.
We had to stop and collect fire wood during the next drive. We arrived in Banka Banka Station at 6pm and got settled in. We went to watch a slide show that the manager, Will, put on for us. All about cattle farming. It was actually quite interesting and lasted about an hour or so. We had a good dinner and sat round the fire for a bit before going to bed.
Got up early. We left at 7am and saw 2 baby Emu's on the road, didn't even really look like Emu's. We drove through Elliot adn Dunmarra, maybe stopping for fuel - don't remember!!
I also saw a Frilled Neck Lizard running across the road which was pretty funny to see!!
We drove onto Daly Waters where the first Australian Internation Airport was, because the planes had to refuel. There were also lots of army camps here during the second world war, Darwin was badly bombed, and you often see petrol cans on the side of the road that have just been left.
We also went to the Oldest Pub in the Northern Territory and had burgers for lunch there. The pub was interesting as people had left a wide range of things including money, flags underwear, id's - all sorts, very odd. Pretty cool place though.
We drove to Mataranka where there are Thermol pools and a river, with Freshwater crocs, for people to swim in. I didn't swim, the thermol pool was pretty small and busy and the river was cold. A few people swam.
We stopped by at Katherine for food etc and then headed on to the camp. Chatted a bit, had dinner and then bed!!
We left at 7am again and headed straight to Katherine Gorge where most of us were canoeing. I had teamed up with Iain from Ireland as they were double canoes. It was great, really stunning scenery and fun. We headed round to the first gorge and parked up on the beach. We walked across the river looking very unsteady and not very ladylike (no change there) and went to check out some Rock Art. It was really good, very different to what I had previously seen. We walked along the bank a little and spotted a better place to cross back ove, much easier. Once we were back across we walked up that bank a little until rocks and cliffs stopped us. We wandered back to our canoe and started to paddle back at 9.20am so we could have a relaxing time. It was really nice, good to do something active - that wasn't swimming!!
We had an early lunch and headed off at 12-12.30.
We drove to Edith Falls so people could swim, again!!, I chatted to an Aboriginal lady from Katherine which was nice. We were there for a little while.
We continued on and stopped at Adelaide River, not actually the river, but the pub. We actually stopped to see the Buffalo from Crocodile Dundee, who is now stuffed on the bar!, his name is Nick although his stage name is Charlie. Had a drink while the locals were going crazy about th AFL final!! Bloody hell...
We arrived in Darwin at 6ish and got settled into our hostels. We met for a free meal and they played some silly games in a pub. I left around 10 for an early night and lie in!! The hostel had messed my booking up so I have a twin to myself which is great!!
Dawn
xxx

Uluru, Kings Kanyon and Kata Tjuta

Another early start and the beginning of a killer cold for me!!! We were picked up at 5.15am, I was feeling rough!!! We made a couple of stops for breakfast etc.
We arrived at Kings Canyon at 11am and were told we were doing a long walk up it. We all jumped out and headed up the, very steep, stairs on the Canyon. It was tough and I almost turned round because I felt faint and so ill but I pushed on!! It was a fantastic walk and a beautiful place. The walk took 2-3 hours. It was quite an interesting walk with our guide chatting about Aboriginals, what they ate and did and different beliefs.
We left there at 2pm and ate lunch quickly before getting on the move again. It was pretty overcast which was unusual. We arrived at our Uluru Camp site at 5.45pm and went up to watch the sunset. Well we couldn't see the sun since there were clouds so wasn't the best sunset at Uluru but I was there!!!
Had a BBQ, again, dinner and then an early night to bed!!!
Got up at 5am the next day. We left camp at 5.30 and headed to Uluru for sunrise and breakfast. I wasn't hungry so just had a couple of apples. It was still a bit cloudy so not the best but still lovely. The beams from behind the cloud were beautiful!!
We left at 7am and a few people were dropped off to climb the rock. It is requested that as a respect for the aboriginal people that you do not climb the rock so I was surprised at how many people were doing it. The rest of us walked round. It was a lovely walk, I tried to be alone to enjoy the peacefulness of it all. Saw some rock art again which was nice. It took about 1 1/2 hours to walk round.
We then headed off to visit the red domes of Kata Tjuta or The Olgas. Apparently traditionally woman were not allowed here and would've been kiled for coming as it was a male initiation site so already I felt guilty for being there!! We did a short walk at the Olgas which was quite nice.
Saw Mount Conner on our way back which is bigger in diameter than Uluru but 5m shorter, I would've loved to visit it as I imagine it isn't a touristy spot.
We drove back to camp where we had lunch before leaving at 1.30pm for Alice Springs.
We had one stop on the way and got back at 6.30pm, just in time for me to do my washing, shower and get ready for next tour!! Still feeling like crap and wanting a rest!

Cairns - Alice Springs, The Long Way!!

Well we left Cairns at 6.30am and after all the buses had been organised our bus was off. We headed down towards Innisfail and then through the tablelands, pretty much the route I had driven back by. We stopped at Millstream Falls which was actually quite impressive so that was nice. We continued through the sparse rainforest and then it changed to Eucalypts Forest due to the change in drought/rainfall.
We stopped on the first day at a Roadhouse for lunch, however, we had our own food so everything was set out and we made our own sarnies. The Roadhouse did have the smallest bar in Australia which was maybe the size of a toilet cubicle.
After lunch we headed to Porcupine Gorge and that was nice although there was a big shadow due to it being late afternoon. We did alot of driving during this tour so my activities may be few and far between.
We saw lots of wild animals. Bustard (sp?) Birds, Broga Birds - where the male will dance to attract the female and then once together they stay together for life aahhhh sweet, Wedgetail Eagles - largest carnivorous bird in Oz, Emu's, Kangeroos, Whistling Kites, Galaah Birds and lots of cattle!!! The guide maybe talked too much and explained loads of stuff, even what a cattle grid is!! If anyone is unsure, ask me!?!
We arrived in Hughenden at 5.30/6pm and got settled into our usual dorm rooms!! I forgot to mention that we had a couple of sisters from WA on our tour, one was 89 and the other 90 years old!!! Good stuff.
Dinner was great and we had a game of killer pool which I was shit at but its the taking part that counts.
Another early start leaving at 6am after breakfast.We travelled through flat black soil plains today and stopped at Winton. Winton is famous for several events. There were the big shearers strike, they broke the world record for the longest roadtrain (34 carriages) in 1995 - which has now been broken, Qantas was created (Queensland And Northern Territory Aireal Service) and Waltzing Matilda was written adn first performed there as well so a great little town. We had a little while just to wander etc.
We kept driving and stopped at Carrisbrook Cattle Station where we had a BBQ lunch. We also managed to walk down this track and look at some Aboriginal Rock Art which I really enjoyed, didn't see any snakes though which is disappointing.
We had another stop at Middleton Pub for a quick drink and ice cream. They also have the most remote payphone I have ever seen.
We drove through Boulia and arrived at Wirrelyerna Cattle Station at almost 6. We watched sunset which wasn't the best. We got our gear ready for sleeping outside. There was a big dust storm on the horizon so we thought we may have to go in but luckily it went round us and we just got a bit of wind. They had a pet Kangeroo, pigs, calfs and 2 dogs - obsessed with a rock!! Another great dinner and early night under the stars. It was beautiful although a little chilly in the morning. We saw the Southern Cross again and lots of shooting stars.
We left even earlier the third morning. 6am departure. Saw wild Camels and more Emus. Also saw a pretty big Goanna which was cool. We got dropped off by the bus and walked along the outback road for a bit which was nice.
We had lunch at Jervois Station and picked up a guy from there, he'd been working for 2 months. After lunch we continued driving across the top of the Simpson Desert. We were dropped at the Queensland - Northern Territory Border so we could walk across and also change our clocks half hour back!!
There was alot of driving on dirt roads today so we watched a crap film and played a quiz.
We arrived in Alice Springs at 7pm. Showered and packed for next tour tomorrow!!