Dawn's Adventure!!

Home......A little early!!

2007-06-18T22:03:00.000+10:00

Well for those who don't know I actually got home a week ago. I left Australia on 7th June and flew to Venice, which is beautiful. I spent 3 days in Venice and after joining my Budget Expedition tour I realised that it was pretty much a party tour, would've gone with Contiki if thats what I wanted, and although I would've gone to some amazing places, I would've been stuck with a load of pissed people and it really isn't how I want to see Europe.
I have decided that I will go there myself and see it the way I think it should be seen.
So my parents had a slight surprise last Sunday, 10th, when I rang to say I would be home!! I am pleased I did though and don't regret it.
I then was able to continue surprising people. We called Dan that night then a couple of days later I think my Nan almost fell over!!! We went to Paul's, cousin, 30th birthday so saw alot of the family there and we had a bbq on Saturday so been pretty busy but back to reality.
I ahve applied for a few jobs, also applied to get the jobseekers allowance!!! Am still trying to sort out all my stuff and through my photos!
Just thought I'd let you all know I am back in the UK, enjoying the rainy summer. Have been going out jogging and will get back into cycling as really wanna get back into shape and already feel better with the little I have done.
Speak to/see you all soon.
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Perth, Melbourne and now Hervey Bay!!! Goodbye Australia!!!!!!

2007-05-26T10:34:00.000+10:00

Ok so I have been a bit slack so I am just going to give you a quick rundown of what I have done as don't have easy internet access.
Well I was in Perth for about another 3 weeks. I went to Fremantle Markets, sprnt time in Cottesloe, went to Perth Zoo and saw Pink in concert, really entertaining. I enjoyed the rest of my time in Perth but without being able to find any work I decided to leave earlier than planned. I caught a plane on 23rd April to Melbourne.
I spent a week in Melbounrne where I visited and hung out with friends, wnjoyed the city, had anzac day, went to the immigration museum and had a few beers - it was really nice to see people again and relax. So I left Melbourne early on 1st May and flew up to Brisbane.
I spend a few days on the Sunshine Coast, on my way to Hervey Bay, in Mooloolaba and Noosa which was quite nice. I have been in Hervey Bay/Maryborough ever since spending time with Kristine and Kelly. I have been walking and cycling (all the free stuff). Last weekend Kristine and I spent some time on the sunshine coast, went to markets etc. We also went to Australia Zoo which was really good - we met Terri Irwin and saw Bindi, funny. I really enjoyed the zoo though.
Now I am on the home straight since I will be home in 5 weeks!!! Am really looking forward to it. I am spending the rest of my time in Oz here in Hervey Bay so this will prob be my last post on my website until I am home and doing one about my Europe trip, for those I can't see for a while.
I hope everyone is well and for those at home, I guess I'll see you soonish!!
Take Care
Dawn
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Margaret River, Wave Rock, My Birthday, York......Perth

2007-04-08T21:07:00.000+10:00

Ok so to continue..... We headed out of Shark Bay and drove down, through Geraldton, to Dongara where we found accommodation I beleive in the Lazy Lobster!! It was a sweet little 2 bed cabin and v cheap, we even got a complimentary Crayfish which Mum and I tried - yuck no thank you!! I cooked dinner for a change, well we didn't have a bbq so Dad wasn't as excited as normal, but I made a lovely meal!!
We stayed in Dongara a night and then after getting ourselves sorted we were off again around 9 the next morning!
We kept driving down past Perth and onto Bunbury where again we got a 2 bed cabin - a little more expensive this one. Part of the BIG 4 group! We wandered around Bunbury, saw another dolphin - I'm sure they followed us, did some internet stuff and then went to the cinema where I got my way and we watched Hot Fuzz - very funny and we were in fact in Wells when they were filming it which was cool (at the time we thought it had a stupid name!!).
After a good nights sleep in Bunbury we went for a little walk, through some Mangroves. Dad went to get the car while Mum and I walked to the centre, we saw 2 more bloody dolphins!!! We looked round a couple of shops, got some lunch etc and then headed off again - on the road again.
We stopped to eat our lunch at the side of the road in the forest which was beautiful. We arrived at Margaret River around 1.30 so we couldn't get into the house, Settlers Corner, yet so after driving up to have a nose at it we popped to the information centre to check out some wine tours (Dad decided to drive in the end so we could do what we wanted - good lad!)and after a little walk up the high street we ended up in a pub for a drink.
Once we had finished Dad went to get the car while Mum and I walked up to the house, we arrived around the same time. We got the key and got into the house. It was a pretty cool house, really quite large. It had a large lounge, dining, kitchen area upstairs with a nice balcony (Mum has pictures), Mum and Dads bedroom with en suite and the laundry on the middle floor then 2 more double rooms, a bathroom and games room with ping pong along with a patio bbq area on the lower level. We were all quite impressed. Dad and I had a game of ping pong right away, obviously not a proper game!!!
We chilled out a bit in the afternoon, Dad walked down to the shops and then Mum and I played ping pong - I laughed so hard I cried and my stomach hurt!!
We enjoyed a really good bbq dinner and then watched 16 blocks which is pretty good. A very lovely relaxing evening!!
We then had a leisurely morning and left the house around 10. We began to drive towards Augusta but stopped at a winery, Hamelin Bay, on the way to do some tasting - I loved one of teh wines here. The Rampant White, we got a bottle!! It was a really beautiful setting.
We continued down and drove through Augusta onto Cape Leeuwin which is the most South-Westerly point in Australia and also where the Indian Ocean meets the Southern Ocean which was pretty cool I thought. There is also the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse which you can pay to get into, we just paid to get into the grounds. We walked down passed the lighthouse and went onto, Dads fav, the rocks. We wandered around all the rocks, watched the crashing waves. We walked right round the point and then headed back up towards the lighthouse. Once we were back at the entrance we decided to walk to the old Water Wheel which wasn't too far. It looked like the wheel had frozen with mud rather than ice, it was quite interesting. So after a few photos etc we went back to the car.

We drove back through Augusta again and went up the Caves Road. We drove for quite a while through the forest area before we reached the Lake Cave and got parked. We got some tickets and then headed down the 300 steps into the Cave, meeting our guide halfway down. Apparently due to the very bad drought here in Oz the Lake Cave is drying up and we witnessed that a little when we went inside as one side doesn't have water in it, its quite sad. We wandered through the cave stopping at certain points to be told different facts. It isn't a very deep cave so we sat at the back for a bit while all the lights changed around us and then went off so we could experience it in the dark, it was odd because there was still a glow from the entrance although faint. Once we had finished the tour it was time to head back up the 300 steps, a bit of a workout. We had a little lunch in the cafe there.
We kept going along the Caves Road and stopped at a few more wineries on the way. The first one called Eagle something didn't have anyone there - just a phone number so we gave it a miss. We also stopped at both the Redgate and Zanadu wineries and tried a few wines, bought a few as well. It was actually a really nice relaxed day.
We drove back to Margaret River, stopping at the supermarket briefly, got back and had some wine obviously! We ate another delicious bbq and then relaxed watching the Joanna Lees programme. I could smell smoke, from burning wood, outside my bedroom window when we had gone to bed - I got Dad up and everything. I think it could've been a bush fire somewhere but didn't hear of any.
The next day we got up, packed, had some breakfast, played some ping pong and then said goodbye to our nice retreat at 9.30. We drove back up to Bunbury and then turned East inland through Mollie. We had a long driving day today....
We stopped for lunch in a tiny town and arrived in Wave Rock at 4ish. We booked into a cabin and unpacked the car.
We went for a walk up to Wave Rock, played on it a bit, and walked round to the right then up on top of the rock. We watched the sunset which was quite nice and wandered around on top for a while. Just as we were heading off of the rock a low dark cloud of dust or smoke or just cloud came over us really quickly so we moved a bit faster. It bought a chill with it as well! we got back to our cabin and had an interesting meal made by Mum, tasted better than we thought it would!! Had some more wine before bed.
Happy Birthday to Me!! I was woken up by Mum being all excited as she gets!! I opened my cards and couple of pressies - just want to thank everyone that managed to get something to me!!! We had some breakfast, packed up the car and checked out. We left the car while we went for a walk. We walked to Wave Rock again but then round to the left this time. We went to Hippos Yawn before crossing the road and following some board walk round the vastness around. It was pretty cool, and cold too!! We saw a couple of wild Kangeroos so that was nice. We walked right round in a circle back to the car.
We left Wave Rock and drove through Narembeem, Bruce Rock and on to York which is the oldest inland town of WA, 1831!! We parked up and had a wander, also grabbing some lunch. We then went off to find accommodation, Dad had one in mind so we left him do his thing!! We got there and he drove round to the self catering cottage, Peppercorn Cottage, and parked up..... I was saying to him that surely we should go and ask first but him with his usual 'I know something' voice said I don't think so! Well then I knew I'd been taken for a fool - why didn't I know!! Anyway, they had booked this cottage from home as a surprise for my birthday, it was just lucky that I had also choosen York to go through. We went inside and I had a few more cards, thank you again!! We settled into the sweet little cottage on the hill.
We went for a walk into town where we walked across the suspension bridge, v proud of Mum!, along the river a little and then back. We then relaxed for the afternoon. We showered and dressed to go out for dinner. We walked down again and went to the Settlers Inn, bear in mind this was 7pm, and it was closed in fact it was a bit of a ghost town - we thought maybe there was a curfew and we'd get into trouble. We had walked past the Castle which had a pub so decided to head back there since nothing else seemed open. We actually had a good meal and yet more wine! It was good. We had some of my Orange and poppyseed cake later, or for me the next day as was very full up! We chilled out later at the cottage. Thank you Mum and Dad for a lovely birthday although it was just nice to be with you guys!!
The next morning we had decided to see if we could stay another night, we could thankfully in the same cottage. We relaxed in the morning and then walked down to York, through a field this time which meant us climbing a fence at the end - when will we learn!!??
We had a look round York Motor Museum and then the old jail and courthouse. I enjoyed both and it was all very laid back. We played a board game in the jail which I won - hahahahahaha!!! We went again to the suspension bridge which we walked over and then back, Mum was getting daring!! We had a bit of a walk along the river, although we lost the river quite early on and I didn't find it again - think it was dry! We walked back down the high street and decided to head back to Settlers Inn for lunch, it was open and much busier. We had a yummy lunch there!!
We had a very lazy evening watching tv and having beans on toast later!! I really wanted to watch 24 but my eyelids fell so early on!!
In the morning we drove towards Perth. We stopped for some breakfast but by this time it was 11.30, well done Dad, so we had brunch!! It was still quite nice though. We went to a national park, need to look up the name, where we went for a walk to the waterfall - with no water. It was a pleasant walk until the ants took over, there were so many and one got on me and just bit me - little shit! So it was a game of keep your feet moving. We ended up walking up a hill, quite a tough one as we always do. It was a nice walk though, just a shame there is no water! We got back to the car, all huffing and puffing, and drove on to Perth. We stopped on the way at a car wash, one of the ones with the powerful water hoses, and what fun I had there cleaning the car - it was awesome and the car was happy to be clean! We headed straight to Cottesloe Beach and I booked into the hostel from the next day. The beach was beautiful and we were able to find a motel type place but with 2 beds so we checked in there. We unpacked and relaxed, dad cleaned the inside of the car.
We went for a walk to the sundial, which was right and I have checked it several times - its always right, and then went to a pub in the Cottesloe Hotel. We had some drinks and played pool, Mum and I won!! Dad should never have let us pick his pocket for the black.... We then grabbed some fish and chips, sausage in my case, and headed back to the motel where we drunk a bit more alcohol!! After having a great laugh at Dad being a bit tipsy (I can slip over the bed with out being seen trick!!) we all crashed, really early!!! Was so tired again!
In the morning, Mum had already been for a walk, Mum and I went for a walk to the beach and along it. We than packed everything up one last time and went out for breakfast which was nice.
It was an odd day I think because we knew it was Mum and Dads last!! We got the bus up to the city and wandered round. Mum and Dad got some pressies for peopl and I printed up some photos for them to have. We got the bus back around 2pm and then I checked into the hostel and dumped all my stuff. We had a wander around and then around 4pm we went for some food, the last supper!! We overlooked the beautiful beach and ocean and ate scrummy pizzas!! We wandered after the food and then at 5.30ish Mum wanted to go as it was just dragging! We had a really quick goodbye and then turned away from eachother!! They went off to the airport and I had to get used to being alone again - i didn't know what to do with myself!! I read!!! Miss you still xxxxxxxxxxx

Pinnacles, Kalbarri and Monkey Mia

2007-03-31T16:30:00.000+10:00

We drove up the Great Northern Highway through Bullsbrook then continued up the Brand Highway. We stopped off at the Pinnacles in Nambung National Park after a couple of hours driving, we saw a couple of wild Emu's on the way,and they were pretty amazing. It was so hot though so after driving round them we had a wander
around for about 10 minutes then had to get back into the car. The pinnacles seem to go on forever!! We also saw wild kangeroos chilling in the shade at the side of the road.
We drove on a little further and stopped for lunch at Hangover Bay which was just stunning, with beautiful white sands again and lovely warm water. We also went to
the toilet here....now I only mention this because they were drop toilets!! Mum and I went, one of the toilets had a load of caterpillers and the other had a snake - ohhh!! Mum choose the caterpiller loo but was so scared that something would come up the toilet and bite her bum, it was the quickest pee ever!! Ha ha.....at least she used it!
We drove on and had quite a way of just not much around, lovely. We drove through Dungara and then onto Geraldton where we decided to stay for the night, we just got a motel room. Geraldton isn't the prettiest of places but I think thats partly due to the fact that they seem to be trying to improve it. We didn't do much here except a quick walk, dinner then a bit of TV before bed.

We got off and headed off after breakfast in the morning and drove to Kalbarri National Park, only a couple of hours away. We arrived there around 11am and checked out the visitor centre first to see if there was an afternoon tour we could do as we couldn't get to all the gorges due to unsealed roads and our hire car. Unfortunately there were none for the afternoon so we decided to check out what we could which included the coastal areas and also a couple of gorges inland. Before we set off we had a little wander then thought we'd see if we could check into our room already, we could. So after unpacking, having rolls for lunch and a little relax we headed out.

We drove down to the cliffs and started at Eagle Gorge where we had a short stroll but again it was way too hot to be out in the sun for too long so we walked out a bit and then back to the cliffs, it was still quite nice. The cliffs were pretty stunning all along the coast. We went to the Natural Bridge, Island Rock and Shellhouse Grandstand which were all great. Its so beautiful on the West coast. So after wandering round them we drove to the Pot Alley coastal area and walked down through a little canyon type area to a small beach there, I got a little wet.
Mum and I walked along a big flat rock to see more of the coast and Dad went wandering up some other rocks and had lots of fun watching some crabs he found.
The last cliff area we stopped at was Red Bluff which was also cool. By the end though we had no water left, not even the yucky warm stuff so on our way back we stopped at the shop and along with food got some ice creams and drinks - yummy!!!
Well Mum and I didn't waste anytime changing when we got back and off we went for a swim in the ocean but it was so bloody shallow that we couldn't swim so we didn't last too long and ended up in the pool!!
We went out for a really nice meal and chilled.

The next morning we checked out at 8.30 and headed out of Kalbarri. We stopped at Hawks Head and Ross Graham lookouts on the way. We walked down to the River at the Ross Graham lookout so off we went, the river was really dry though and didn't flow all the way across which was a little sad. We saw some wild goats on the otherside on some rocks. Mum and I saw a little lizard when we got back to the top as well which was good. There was a wedgetail eagle circling high above us so it was nice to see one so free.The River was really beautiful as well with the jagged rock edges rising high above.
So we continued up the coast to Shark Bay and Mum's birthday pressie of going to Monkey Mia to see the wild dolphins. We only had one stop for some fuel and we arrived around 1.30. We grabbed some lunch while we waited to check into our Park Cabin. We had a little walk on another beautiful beach!! Had a quick look round the shop and headed back to grab the key.
It was a very hot day so when we first walked into our cabin we weren't majorly impressed what with bunkbeds, feeling like an oven and a weird orange bathroom that stuck out the side but after we had gone out and left it with some aircon on it was much better. Plus it was more about the place than where we stayed.
So Mum and I went for a swim in the sea, a little snorkel, and Dad joined us later!!! Yipeee.... Mum saw a little ray while snorkelling. So after our little swim and play in the sea we went off to book a wildlife cruise for the next day and had a couple of drinks.
Dad and I then went on a little battery powered glass bottom boat that we hired. It was rather hard to move around but we saw quite alot of the little rays and little fish - not too much though as there was alot of sea grass not far off shore. We were out for about an hour so that was cool.
Meanwhile, while we were in the boat, my Mum had been following some wild emus around taking photos. We all met on the beach and headed back to our cabin as it was about 7pm.
Mum washed a few things in the sink and as she was hanging them out Dad saw her bolt past the window at the back of the cabin and then we saw them.....the Emus had returned for revenge. They were outside the door so I opened it to see if I could see mum but I couldn't, the Emu's just looked at me and then headed round the front of the cabin in Mum's direction....! I asked these two girls camping where she was and they pointed round the back laughing!! Mum appeared at the back window again so we told her to comeback round because they had gone!! Funny...ha ha.
We bbq'd some steak and carrots for dinner which was pretty good. Had some wine, relaxed and then sleep - ready for the dolphins.
I woke up around 7 and got up, which woke everyone else up as well!!
We had breakfast and then walked down to the beach and waited for the dolphins. The dolphins come in daily for small feeds, less than 1/4 of their daily allowence if they attend all 3 feeds, (3 times a day) between 8am and 1pm. There were quite a few people there as well.

The dolphins appeared just after 8 and after a 30 minute talk from the CALM volunteers they started to feed them. It was amazing, these wild dolphins are so gentle and come so close, very trusting, and there were so many calves as well - cute. People were choosen at random out of the crowd to help with th feeding. We didn't get the chance to this time. Once the feed is over the dolphins swim out again to deeper water and then return later. Once they had all gone Mum and I went into the sea and Dad popped back to the cabin for a bit.
Mum and I were wandering back when we noticed a small crowd at the dolphin interacton area then we saw the dolphins, they were back already, so we went straight back to them and listened to the end of the talk. I was hoping that Dad would get back with my camera in time before they left and thankfully he did. I had
just got my camera sorted when they asked Mum if she wanted to feed Nicky the dolphin so luckily I was able to get a photo. Mum was so excited and kept telling us that she had fed Nicky exactly as she had been told to. I don't think she could've had a better pressie!
They are just all so stunningly beautiful and I feel priviledged to have been there.
We all went and sat on the beach then to wait for the final feedof the day and the dolphins didn't disappoint, they came back really quickly. Mum and I went down for even more photos, its very addictive!!
One of the babies, a couple of months old, was really funny this time randomly jumping out of the sea with little coordination!! No photos of that I'm afraid, thats a strickly memory moment!
After the dolphins had been fed again we rejoined Dad and started to watch the Pelicans who, because it was so hot, were catching the sprinkler water to drink - quite entertaining.
A few dolphins popped in again but wouldn't get fed since the 3 feeds had happened. This dick went into the sea and bent right down so he got told off and told to get out!!
We went back to the cabin to chill out a little and then at 12.30 we headed to the jetty to join our cruise. We jumped on the boat and sat down. The boat left the bay.
Once we were out far enough we started to spot Dugongs, it started slow with the odd one or two but once we'd been going a while it was like Dugong city and they were everywhere!! It was pretty impressive and because it was so calm we could hear the water break and them breath. It was pretty hot on the boat 39 in the shade and 46 in the sun. We were told that the beach was up in the 50's due to no wind!
We were out for a couple of hours and on the way back we saw a turtle and I think I saw a sea snake but it was fast. There were more turtles around the jetty. It was good.
We went for some dinner in the restaurant then after a quick relax in the cabin we went for a walk at 6. We saw lots of animal tracks - Emus, kangeroos, lizards and not sure what else. We walked round the the bush and then ended up back on the beach
so as the sun was setting we walked back round along the beach which was beautiful.
I was knackered when we got back so after a chat, look at photos and read it was time for bed. What a great day though!!! A highlight.
We had another early morning and after packing our stuff Muma nd I went down to the dolphins. They were already there so we heard the end of the talk again and watched the feed. The water wasn't as clear today but it was still good. Just as we were leaving more dolphins came in so they started the second feed on the day, we decided we should go as Dad had a long drive ahead! Awesome though.
We all got into the car, checked out and then we were off saying goodbye to Shark Bay, Monkey Mia and the wonderful dolphins.
We stopped at Shell Beach on the way out for a look which was cool. Its just covered in little white shells - great!!
We were on the road again!!
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Perth, and Rottnest, with Mum and Dad!!!

2007-03-30T20:58:00.000+10:00

I had a pretty uneventful week in Perth with Anne, we moved hostels and checked out Fremantle as well as doing a few bits.
So on the Friday, 9th, Mum and Dad arrived I checked into the accommodation - motel room, and had a shower before jumping onto the airport shuttle. It was a funny journay to the airport as the driver seemed to be a little lost but we got there around 5pm ad after checking the boards I noticed that I had about an hour before their plane was due. So I got myself a hot chocolate and waited, praying it wouldn't be late.
They appeared out of the arrivals at just gone 6.30 which wasn't too bad and after saying our hellos Dad went to sort out our hire car. He told Mum and I to take the bags to bay 29 so we did, thinking there had been a mistake with the car but apparently not. We had a nice little 4WD looking thing - cute. We all jumped in and drove back to the centre of Perth and unpacked into the motel. After Mum and Dad had washed etc we went for a stroll along the river to the harbour and found a chinese restaurant where we had a really nice meal. We had a quick drink in a bar before heading back for some sleep.....
The next day after breakfast we headed to Kings Park in a roundabout sort of way, under a bridge, round a pond and up a load of steps.
We wandered round the beautiful park, looking at the aboriginal centre, enjoying the views and up through a bit of a tree top walk. After our lunch in the park we walked more and then got an ice cream, yummy!! We eventually, after a bit of a bush type area, came to a road and so walked along a few and then found a shopping complex so had a quick look around - Mum bought something!! We walked back to the city and had a drink. We walked on bck to the harbour and had another drink in The Lucky Shag, Barmy Army HQ!! We headed to an Irish bar next to have a drink before going back to the motel to shower ready for dinner. We went back to The Lucky Shag for dinner which was great. I had Chilli Mussels - bit spicy but great!!

We wandered up to Northbridge for another drink before getting off to bed again.
We headed up The Swam Bell Tower this morning, checked out the view and watched the ringers practice ringing the Bells for a little bit. We picked the car up and drove to find a supermarket on the way to Hilarys, where the house was, but it would seem in WA that any shop except IGA is shut on a sunday..... We found a bakery and fruit/veg shop so we got some bits for lunch and headed to a beach near the house to eat before we could get into it. The beach was beautiful, stunning, and Mum and I had a quick paddle before we decided it was close enough to 2 to get into the house.
We drove to the house via Hilarys Boat Harbour, found the key and after finally discovering which door the key actually unlocked we were in. The house was pretty cool, lots of space and a pool to play in - so you guessed right we were in trying it out. It was beautiful.

We later went to the harbour for dinner and a wander before popping to the bottle shop and then back home where we relaxed with some beers.
Today we decided to head to Caversham(sp?) Wildlife Park, let Mum and Dad see they were really in Oz and do something touristy!! That was pretty cool, they saw their Koalas, kangeroos (Mum and I fed them), wombats etc. It was actually a really nice park and was fun. We had lunch before leaving the park.

We popped to the supermarket where we got some bits including Kangeroo steak, oh after stroking and giving them food earlier!!
We got home and jumped back into the pool, lovely!! Relaxed!!
We had a BBQ dinner, so Dad could try it out, and we had our Kangeroo - it was good. Chatted outside then chilled inside...
Tuesday was a bit of a relaxing day. I got my camera replaced - it was playing up. We stopped at Scarborough Beach, really nice. Went home and back into the pool, it was so great to have as was always there to cool us down!!

The next day we had decided was our beach day so after breakfast we walked down to the beach and relaxed. Mum and I swam a couple of times and it was really nice, beautiful white sand and blue/green water - amazing!!
We had our lunch on the green overlooking the beach before walking back home and cooling off in the pool again. By this time, I forgot to mention, we had bought a large inflatable whale called 'Fishy' and a large inflatable ball called 'Tomee' (there was already a ring called 'Ringo' at the house) so we could often be found playing with these in the pool!! We booked our ferry etc to Rottnest for tomorrow before going to pick Anne up from the city and heading to the Burswood outdoor cinema.
We watched Tenacious D: Pick Of Destiny - very funny. We also had some pizzas at the cinema which was great.
Dropped Anne off again on the way home before watching 24.... Ohhhhh
We were up early to get down to Hilarys Boat Harbour and catch the Rottnest Ferry. We picked up our bikes, and Mums snorkel, and boarded the 8am ferry. The ferry took about 45minutes and was a bit splashy!! We arrived on Rottnest and decided to cycle towards Parker Point, we saw Quokkas on the way. Quokkas are kind of Rottnests thing, when the explorers found Rottnest they thought that Quokkas were Rats so called it Ratsnest. They aren't really found anywhere else.

It was quite a hilly place, although small, so a little tiring to cycle. We locked our bikes at Parker Point and while Dad relaxed in the shade Mum and I snorkelled which was cool, although a little difficult to get to. It was fun though. Mum lost Dads hat.....silly!!
We went back and met Dad and then cycled on to Little Salmon Bay, it was all so beautiful and amazing, Mum and I snorkelled again. They had underwater plaques to swim round but Mum got scared of being too far out so she held back and I swam round the 10 plaques which was cool. It was quite hard to swim back though as the current was pretty strong - I managed though!! We got back onto the beach with Dad and chilled out before changing, being attacked by a March Fly - I think.

We continued to cycle round, the mainly sand island, and saw more quokkas (one wanted to eat me - ok it was tiny but still scary!!) along with a few salt lakes. We got round to Geordie Bay and then onto Thomson Bay, where we'd started. We relaxed with some lunch and a wander before getting all our gear ready and boarding the 4.30 ferry back to the mainland. We had a drink at the harbour before walking home. We

were all knackered when we got home that we just laid on the sofas and watched TV. We made a quick dinner later before a bit more chilling and bed zzzzzzzz
We played in the pool again, watched TV/DVD. In the afternoon we headed to Fremantle and had a quick look around the market there, popped onto the internet before grabbing some dinner. We wandered to Fremantle Jail back through the markets and waited to start our 8pm torchlight tour. At 8 the bell was rung for our tour so we all went into the original jail reception area, got given our torches. John, our guide, explained the procedure of new inmates entering the prison strip search in front of everyone etc!! We headed through to the courtyard where the wall is painted white upto about 8ft so that any prisoners would be easily noticed. We were told about a supposed haunted gun tower where 3 seperate guards had seem a figure sitting there - 2 of them had fired their guns...at nothing.
Fremantle Prison is apparently the 5th most haunted building in Australia, luckily I didn't notice anything!! We walked through division 1, which housed young boys then later peodophiles(sp?) and rapists who had to be kept seperate for their protection. We talked about the number of suicides and about the most common way of doing it, jumping off the landings which is why they put in a suicide net. As we were leaving there was a scream and a dummy was thrown down, oh spooky!!!
We walked through the kitchen next where we were told about one inmate murdering another, apparently a guy was transferred here and an inmate reconised him as raping his son and asked the guards to remove him otherwise he would kill him. You can guess they didn't since he took a knife and sliced him open!! Nice...
We wandered through the yards and stopped in the yard that was the most dangerous, mixture of people that'd committed serious and other crimes. The guard stood in a cage watching them and would never get involved in trouble unless life threatning and he had the back up.
We had a look through a load of cells, showing the changes that happened over the years from the 1850-1886 convict time to the Australia Criminal time. There were also a few painted cells with art. We also walked through an, apparently, haunted cell which had its own yard - would've been used for ex police or judges etc who would've been in danger from the criminals.
The convicts actually built the jail themselves, they stayed in the Esplanade hotel building and walked up to the site everyday, from the limestone hill its built on.
We checked out the punishment area where they used the cat of 9 tails, the maximum punishment of these was 100 lashes. If the inmate was declared too ill/hurt to receive all the punishment they would go to the hospital and recover before being bought back and given the remainder of their punishment. Afterwards they would have salt rubbed into the wound.
We wandered through the solitary confinement area where they had a guy dressed as an inmate being all crazy - funny stuff!! They have the death cell in there where those on death row spent their last 2 hours before being hung. We then headed to the hanging room, a new rope was used for each hanging as respect and the guy who did the hangings would have to come to the jail 2 weeks before to measure and weight the inmate to work out how long the rope had to be.
We also went to look at Moondyne (sp?) Joe's cell which had all wood panels nailed to the inside wall so that he couldn't escape, he did escape because he had to be taken out of it as it was too small and making him ill, I think?? They had someone dressed as him as well, acted crazy.....
We had a quick look in the church where one commandment has been changed from Thou Shalt not Kill to thou Shalt not Do Murder because obviously they killed people for punishment.
That was the end of the tour, very good and a little scary.

We spent much of Saturday relaxing. Went to the shops where I got a few xmas pressies....yay. We bought a few other bits and got our food for BBQ. In the evening we walked down to the green in front of the beach and had a BBQ there which was great, had a few drinks and relaxed - excellent. Watched the sunset and ate our kangeroo - yummy!!
We watched The Departed when we got home and chilled.
The next morning we were up earlyish and once we'd packed and had breakfast we left the house :-( We headed out of Perth.
Next installment soon!!
Bye Mum and Dad - Miss You...
Dawn
xxxxxxx

Take Care of Our World

2007-03-05T18:32:00.000+11:00

A small section of writing that I liked and I wanted to share with everyone, I hope you guys like it as well:

Look around you. The land is alive with the spirit of our Earth Mother. Listen to her.....Feel her.....

We humans are born of the land. The Earth Mother reminds us that if we do not care for the land and all living things then this land cannot protect us.

Take time to let the spirit of this land be a part of you.

So take care of the world because otherwise it won't be here much longer!!

Bush is best.....

Dawnie

xxxxx

We Miss You Kylie!!! You Rock!

2007-03-04T23:41:00.000+11:00

Just thought I'd do a tiny post to say that we miss Kylie!!! She was a great bird who made the trip so much more fun, laid back and gave us so much info!!! Never to be forgotten!
Here are a few phrases for her..........Did I just Score.......HA HA.........You said Root.....hehehe.......Where do all the flies go??................Do Wat.................When do u poo.........Dude..................geezer..................and many more I am sure!!
Hope to see you again in Perth
Dawnie
xxx

Nullarbor Travelling

2007-03-02T20:19:00.000+11:00

Well where do I begin.....at the beginning I guess!! ha ha!!!

I began my tour on Wednesday 21st February with a nice early pick up! I met Matt Man, American, as we were both waiting to be collected at 6.45am. Kylie, our super duper tour guide, got there and we chucked our stuff on the trailer before making ourself comfortable on the bus. Fred, Surge and Jeanette (sp??), all French, were already on the bus. We then had a couple more pick ups, first Alison, Canadian, and then Anne, Dutch.

We headed out of Adelaide, yay, checking out a Salt Lake on the way. We drove through the small township of Snowtown which apparently had the largest Mass Murder where 12 gay men were killed, after being abused, then cut up and put into barrels of acid - nice stuff eh!

We had a quick wee wee stop at Fort Germein which boasts the longest pier in South Australia so we were checking out pretty famous places here. We walked part of the way along the pier taking photos.

We stopped in the Flinders Ranges at Mt Remarkable for some food. We had a walk just before where we saw a couple of kangeroos. We got back ready to stuff ourselves silly!! A couple of rather rude Emus were hanging around hoping we were gonna be stupid enough to feed them - not us!! HA! We also encountered a Goanna as we left which bolted up a tree - funny little guy!

We went through Port Augusta and had a little tour at Iron Knob. Iron Knob was built because of the Iron there and from thousands of people only 150 live there now, its around 100 years old. They were at one stage mining alot of iron from here. It was quite interesting with Phil, swallowed a fly, who kept calling Kylie Jo even though he has never met Jo.......spooky!!
We drove on to Wundinna for our camp, we set our tents up - me with the ants!!, and had a great feed before getting some sleep.

Up nice and early again the next day, 6am, and after breakfast we drove to Baird Bay where we were gonna get a chance to swim with Sea Lions and Dolphins. We were there slightly early so waited on the boat for Trish, Alan and Cal. We were not allowed to were sunscreen so we didn't transfer it into their homes.....

We set off and checked out the sea lions first but the tide was still too low there so we went to see if the dolphins were about and after jumping in the rather chilly sea it turned out they didn't want to play. We headed back to the sea lions and were able to get in. After we'd jumped into the flat bottomed tinny we got to the reef where they were and jumped in. These little guys are fun and playful. I took photos but have yet to get them developed so to come!! They were swimming around us, playing, jumping and one decided to have a sniff of my foot which kinda tickled - he was lucky not to get a kick!!! It was fun and we stayed swimming with them for about 45 minutes!!

Once we'd got back onto the bigger boat we headed back to the dolphins. We jumped in and there were about 3/4 dolphins but they didn't want to play either, although one did swim right under me which was cool. We headed back to shore then as it was obvious they weren't in the mood!!

It was fantastic though, really fun and amazing!!

We had a bbq lunch just up the road then off we went to check out Murphy's Haystack, at this stage I will tell you all that Alison is a Geologist so she was in heaven for most of this trip!!!, and these are basically rocks although technically they are discribed as inselbergs - a hill that looks like a rocky island rising sharply from the sea! They were rather nice. Matt, Anne and I saw a Blue Tongue Lizard there which was good.

Our final stop for the day was at Venus Bay where we did a walk around the cliffs. It was really good, there are tree fossils (?), I'm not sure of the proper terms etc but you'll get the idea, that are on the edge of the cliff from when Australia was attached to the antarctica and this area was all forest - amazing! Just incredible.....

After our beautiful walk we drove on to Coodlie Park where we would have beds not our tents....although I am quite attached to my tent now!!

Sandie made us dinner and Grampa took us out on a spotlight tour to look for wombats, unfortunately according to Grampas first review they were all in the pub - he then said he thought it was too hot for them so we didn't see any. We did, however, have a kangeroo and her joey just sit in front of the truck occationally looking at us which was quite cool.

We headed off to Scales Bay in the morning for a surf lesson, I opted out of this one since I had already done it and wanted to take photos. So we watched the few who went for it and they all did pretty well, all standing up quite quickly - well done!!

We had a stop then at Streaky Bay where we had to do a bus swap and we checked out a small museum for the largest shark caught on a hand line, although the guy was disqualified, and apparently he used a live sea lion as bait - sick!! We then grabbed lunch, a very windy lunch.

We drove quite a bit more then stopped for food and booze and to have a look at Ceduna Aboriginal Arts Culture Centre and something I learnt from Kylie was that if you put your ear to a digereedoo you can hear how good it is - very clever and it works too!!

We then passed through Penong - the town of 100 windmills??

We got to our next camp at Fowlers Bay and it had started to rain. A few of us thought we'd still see if sand boarding would work or not.....well to all those wondering it doesn't work on wet sand or the dry sand under the wet sand but at least we tried!!

The next day, after an interesting wake up call from Kylie, we stopped to look at the Dingo Fence which is the longest Man Made structure at 5614km, longer than the great Wall of China!! Quite impressive. A few of us sat under the cattle grid to listen as something drove over, shame we didn't get a road train.

We stopped at a road house where one of the road train drivers told me about a japanese guy who would keep cycling in the dark on the nullarbor, even though he was told not to, and he was pulled in by a road train and killed about 3 months ago!! Pretty scary!

We then got to the Famous Sign, I hadn't heard of it, and it is quite cool!! The Camal, Wombat and Kangeroo Sign so we all got excited and took lots of photos.......

We also reached the Eastern End of the Treeless Plain and there is a sign for that as well.

We checked out the Bunda Cliffs which were very cool and impressive. We also saw some Sea Lions down by the sea on the rocks - good stuff!! It was beautiful. We grabbed lunch here, trying to finish all our fruit and veg before entering WA as otherwise we'd have to throw it away!! very strick....

We crossed the border, taking photos of random signage etc on the way and made it, we put out clocks back 45 minutes!

We had a quick stop in Eucla where we looked in the museum, bought a drink and played in the play park - it was fun.

We then drove to Old Eucla which is a bit lower and nearer the sea. It was buried under sand dunes and the old telegraph station was lost for about 80 year. The vegetation grew on the sand dunes so they couldn't move, then the rabbits came and ate it all and so eventually the sand could move and revealed the old telegraph station again, pretty cool. We also checked out the beach, saw emu, snake, rabbit and kangeroo tracks. It was great except for the March Flies - I hate em!!! We also saw the beach there which was beautiful and had an old jetty, half fallen down.

We then drove alittle bit more with the Hampton Tablelands to our right, through Mundrabilla and then we bush camped at Madura. Bush camping is pretty cool and was def one of my fav spots, you feel so remote and there are no facilities except for Bob the shovel if you need a poo and Kylie did a wonderful demonstration on how you would use him - fascinating I thought. I was rather pissed off that I didn't have the need as I would have liked to test it...... We used our bush camp stove on the camp fire to make dampa(sp??) - good stuff!

After we had done the usual in the morning ie packed everything up, had breakfast we headed out back on the road again. We stopped at an upended car which looked rather cool.

We saw alot of Wedgetail Eagles on this day, one family of Mum, Dad and Kid! We checked out a smallish cave before heading off to Cocklebiddy Cave, which is where they used to take people swimming on this tour but is now unsafe. We walked down to the entance which is pretty big and had a look around - looked creepy.

Driving back out on the dirt road we did a bit of aisle surfing in the bus..... Fred won although I think there was a little cheating going on - no I'm not a bad loser!!! Ha

We past the 90 Mile Straight Sign for the longest straight road in Australia, I think you could easily fall asleep!!! We then stopped to look at Caiguna Blowhole which, depending on the air presure, either sucks or blow air. We stopped at a roadhouse where the American Skylab fell to the ground a few years back. We than had a toilet stop a bit later where there were beautiful paintings on the outside walls.

We had a great sunset just before we drove through Norseman, gold town, and then on through Esperance. We arrived at Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand around 8ish - this was the longest driving day and would give us an extra day in Lucky Bay. After a late dinner it was time to sleep!!!

I got up pretty early and had a walk along the beach during sunrise which was really nice. I saw a few kangeroos down there. Had a nice paddle.

Around 10ish we went to Esperance and after a costal drive checking out the beautiful beaches we were let loose for an hour and a half....... We had lunch in a burger place, a proper one, and I had a massive burger with everything on it, egg, bacon, pineapple, salad - I don't remember but it was good. Popped on the net and then to the bottle shop. Anne had gone to the trophy shop, as she had already booked Perth accommodation, and picked up something for Kylie. We were picked up, jumped out to buy a frisbee and taken back to Lucky Bay. Jo had arrived with her group, 2 passengers.

We got back and chilled for a bit before attempting to play frisbee but it was too windy so we decided on beach cricket which was ok but still a little windy, fun though!!

We all walked up Frenchmans Peak with Kylie which was a good walk and fantastic views from the top. I really enjoyed it and when we returned a few hours later Jo had made dinner - great!!!

We played some stupid flexibilty game where you have to pick up a small cardboard box with your mouth without bending your legs, so obviously you end up ina splits like position - Ouch!! It hurt and I didn't win, I am bitter!!!

Another early morning for me......my bodyclock evolved. I chilled out until 9 am when Matt Man, Alison, Fred, Surge, Jeanette and I did a 3 hour hike from Cape Le Grand Beach to Hellfire Bay, through the mountainous area. It was quite a tough walk but good, fantastic views and the finish was just beautiful. Finishing up on Hellfire Bay and walking along the beach paddling, heaven. I had a quick swim at Lucky Bay when we got back before stuffing my face with more food....

In the afternoon we went to Thistle Bay where we walked along the beach to have a look at a few whale bones, a jaw bone - massive, bit smelly!! There had been a bush fire around thistle bay so there were just burnt remains of trees, a little sad but a fact of life.

We wandered back to the bus and when we got back to Lucky Bay Anne and I went for a snorkel. It wasn't great snorkelling but it was funny, saw a few fish and lots of seagrass. I then had a shower, wow my first in 4 days........

After some dinner Alison, Anne and I walked to Matthew Flinders Monument in the dark, we saw a little froggy and a crab which was good. Had an early night!! 9.15pm!!

So this morning was a sad one as we left Lucky Bay at 7, well 7.20!! Late again..... We had a couple of stops for food, alcohol and we also stopped to check out some camels. Anne and I had fun doing the voices of the camels while the others fed them grass.

We drove through the Fitzgerald National Park which is a Biosphere reserve - I thought that was kinda cool. Alot of the towns we were passing finished with 'up' and Matt Man questioned Kylie as to why, Kylie told us that up in aboriginal means place of so like a town coule mean place of the big tree.

We stopped for some lunch before heading to the Stirling Ranges. We were going to do a walk up Bluff Knol (sp?) but because we were running late and also because we had spotted smoke pretty close from what looked like a bush fire, we could smell the smoke, we decided it was safest not to. Instead we just dumped the trailer and drove up to take some photos, the top of Bluff Knol was under cloud and was kinda chilly just where we were so I think it would've been really cold up there.

We drove on to the Porongurup National Park which, just over a week ago, had had a bush fire go through it and wipe a load of it out. Alot of people were lucky not to lose their homes and luckily noone was killed. We stopped to take photos of the burnt out woodland - was quite sad to see its so bare.

We pitched our tents in a caravan park for our last night. We decided to present Kylie with her award tonight so we all wrote our little notes and put them in the trophy. Anne and I spent time making a crown and sash for her to wear. It was quite funny giving it to her but I think she was really pleased with it and she deserved it.

Fred and I then got a cake each for our birthdays, his was a few days before the tour started and I had just being going on about mine!!! It was a really nice last night. To finish it off Anne, Alison and I were ready from some trashy novels - v amusing!!

Then to bed and what was to be a very windy night. I had a broken pole in my tent and so at 4.30am my tent kinda fell in on itself so I decided to just get up!! Not the best night sleep.

We headed off after breakfast at around 7 and drove to Denmark!! We stopped there where I got some fruit, a hot chocolate and a chocolate bar - yummy!! Denmark apparently has an average of 700mm of rain fall each year and so to prove this it was pissing it down!!

We continued on our journey and arrived at the Valley of the Giants at 10ish. We did the tree top walk which was amazing and beautiful. It was a bouncy iron walkway through the massive forest, our highest point was 40 m and we were still looking up at the trees. I loved it. We then went on to do the Ancient Empire Walk with some trees being over 400 years old - about twice as old as white Australia. They had Red, Yellow and Rates Tingle trees there and also the Red Flowering Gum. Some of the trees were huge and had hollowed out trunks at ground level - awesome!!

We stopped at the Diamond Tree where we were going to have lunch. First though we could climb up to the fire watch tower at the top of one of the trees, there were no ropes for support but I felt pretty safe. It was cool and what a view, 75m up!! Anne and I walked up together and saw a nice big huntsman spider on the way up - a little freaky but not dangerous! Kylie had already had to kill one we saw in the toilet as it had lost half its legs and could barely move - poor little thing.

We had our lunch, joined by a load of the wonderful march flies - die flies die!!

We got back on the road and were now on the home straight to Perth....was a little sad. After a stop at a gas station for a drink and wee wee stop we headed for Perth. We blasted the music, opened the windows and danced in the aisles on entering the city!! Shock return......

Kylie dropped us all off at our hostels, got to mine at 8.30pm. Anne, Matt Man, Fred, Alison and I met for some dinner in the evening before going to bed at 11ish!!

I had such a fun trip and alot of the fun was had sitting up the front chatting to Kylie and Anne - really had a laugh!! Def recommended to anyone. Will be waiting to hear that Kylie has become a Ranger in a National Park and will have to check it out!! Miss you guys.......

Love
Dawnie
xxxxxxxx

Goodbye Melbourne:-(

2007-02-19T20:25:00.000+11:00

Well there is not a great deal to say since I last updated you guys but I wanted to get upto date before my tour starts on Wednesday!!

So since you last heard I have done alot of relaxing.......a bit of work.......little drinking and maybe the odd outing!

I went to the Yarra Valley with a few people from the hostel...Rebecca, John, Dermot and Kate to be precise. Rebecca drove which was handy and we checked out a few wineries where we had a bit of a taste!! You don't beleive it I know......!! It was really beautiful up there and pretty peaceful!! Lovely. We had a nice lunch/dinner in a cafe called Mad Hatters, where the owner entertained us with a few cards tricks - very appropriate. We also tasted cheese at one of the wineries which was yummy - well most of it anyway! I had fun

I have had a few stressful days at work which in turn required a few enjoyable drinks after work.... Joss and Paul have been great with supplying me with the required workmates for such events and we had a laugh until the dream team were split up!!!

I have seen Babel and Music and Lyrica at the cinema. Babel was ok, a bit odd but quite good. Music and Lyrics was really funny - just what I needed!!

I went to Rod and Tracey's for dinner, which in actual fact due to being rubbish at organising a time to meet ended up being a goodbye dinner - it was really good.

I have been out.....yes you heard correctly I did leave the hostel on a couple of evenings!! Firstly I went out with Linda, Dermot, Emma and Kate to an Irish bar which was not bad, the band could've been better. The entertainment ended up being Kate falling over and knocking herself out (nothing to do with drink she says!!), all appears to be well now with her which is good.

I then went to the St Kilda Festival with Joss and a couple of her mates then Paul joined us later, watched a couple of bands I've never heard of, got really pissed, danced all night and after walking home I got in around 3.30-4am!! What a great time I had!!!

I have also had a couple of afternoon sessions in the pub with Jono, who is clearly a bad influence because when has anyone ever known me to drink in the afternoon!!! Anyway I can't complain because I enjoyed every minute of it - even listening to him ramble on!! Ha ha, just kidding. We did talk alot and drink alot...... We ended up back at the hostel with a more drink each. Which only encouraged everyone else to drink too.......he he he

Oh I have also been to the Melbourne Museum which was pretty good, but on my way ther Ned from neighbours was in front of me!! Not as good looking as Stu but still not bad.

My last day/night at the hostel consisted of me being very hungover and so just relaxing and eating extremely greasy food!! Good stuff....

I am now in Adelaide and although it was quite sad leaving everyone I am pretty positive I'll meet up with some of them again in the future - don't get rid of me that easily guys!!!!

Well I have been to the shops here, the few there are, and today I checked out the Adelaide Gaol which was ok and cheap so I enjoyed it although it was a boiling day and most of the gaol is outdoors. I then walked along the river to the north of Adelaide where I checked out a church (it is the city of churches!!). I heard some music when I was walking back along the river and discovered it was Adelaide Universities Orientation week so I wandered through there where I was very tempted by the beer tent and another unknown random band but I managed to resist - mainly because it was so hot and I couldn't stand to be outside drinking!! I returned to my air conditioned, thats right guys!!, room to read and relax some more!!

I have confirmed my tour and the last payment has been taken off my credit card and so I will be picked up at 6.45am on Wednesday to begin my adventure to Perth!!

Hope you are all having fun wherever you are!!

Love

Dawn

xxxxx

Photos - A few

2007-02-17T23:38:00.000+11:00

Hey Guys
I have uploaded a few photos, will have to apologise as there is a gap between Christmas and about a week ago.... I had alot of problems uploading those pictures, I have managed a few so now they are just out of order!!
Anyway I hope you enjoy what I have put up - Lots of people for a change!!
Have Fun
Dawnie
xxxxxxx

Melbourne - Again but drunker!!!

2007-02-02T11:46:00.000+11:00

Ok I am sorry for keeping you all waiting so long..........
I am still alive and well in Melbourne. I left you guys off on New Years Day so I give you a quick run down of what has happened since...
Ok so on the 2nd, still in Sydney, after saying goodbye to Emma I walked upto the Government House to have a walk around, assuming I could go inside, and walked up to the door trying to get in - well it was locked so I looked a bit of a twat!! Anyway I looked around the beautiful gardens. I then made use of a present Emma gave me, free entry to walk up one of the pylons of the bridge.
So off I went along the bridge to the pylon and walked up to the top. Really fantastic views over Sydney and the opera house and so more pictures!! I read all the info on the bridge which was quite interesting, I'll tell you a few bits.........you know you wanna know! It took 7 years and 356days to build, started in 1924 and finished in 1932 and 16 men died during construction, only 2 fell from the arch. I won't go on too much although I do have more! Anyway after spending quite a bit of time there as they had a visitor centre and a video to watch I jumped on a ferry back to Manly and walked up the hill to our castle! Oh I also heard from Kerry on this day to let me know she'd had a baby girl on the 1st, actually I still don't know what she has named her!!! So congratulations Kerry and Stewart.
On the 3rd I had to catch my flight to Melbourne, arriving at 4.25pm. Oh and this is exciting, more famous people!! I was waiting for my baggage when this guy picked up this pink bag which I thought was funny so I watched him and who should he give it to but Danni Minogue (sp?)!! Oh my god she is so beautiful, really tiny with soft features. So that was cool standing right next to her although I did feel like a giant minger!!!
So I have been here since then staying at Central Melbourne Accommodation, I think thats its name, in Richmond. Its a nice small hostel so I have made quite a few friends, its like a little family. I have also taking up drinking, quite often, again!!!
Melbourne has had really odd weather while I have been here. From really hot 40's where I can't sleep to cold and miserable raining. The hot days are too hot although it is quite pleasant today.
I do have a job although not full time hours as it has been too quiet but I am now getting a little cash in. I have been working at Computershare dealing with inbound calls about shares. We are just starting to work on APA takeover of Qantas so I will be doing that from Monday, although I only have 2 weeks left in Melbourne before I hit the road again so I can't wait!!
I have visited Rod and Tracey a couple of times, normally when the cricket is on (although I am kinda on strike from watching us lose!!) and also had a BBQ there which was really good so thanks to them!!!
So a few of the people from the hostel are Moira (Scottish), Dermot (Irish), Jono (Kiwi), Annabel (Irish), Linda (Aussie), Taran (American), Nicola (Irish), Mark - Jockeyboy (Irish), Aaron (English), Emma (English), Gabriel (German), Oli (German), Young (Korean), Kate (Engliah), Rebecca (Scottish) and quite a few more but I can't think!! Some have left now Jockeyboy has gone home and Aaron is now in New Zealand, Nicola will be joining him tomorrow........ Steve and Prue own it and are really nice. Prue works in promotions for the Australian Open so we got free tickets to that which was cool.
So while I have been here I have been to the cinema a few times and by far the best film I have seen is Blood Diamond, just fantastic but also sad - def think everyone should see it! I have also been to the night market a few times again for food and to people watch!
We have also been to the tennis, first the qualifiers which are free anyway and then we went to the first day of the open, thanks to Prue, but just on a Ground Pass so couldn't see anyone too big. It was a good day, although we waited in the garnier queue for like an hour and a half for a free goodie bag!!! Then lucky for us we got to go to the Womans Final on Saturday which was really cool - I don't even like tennis!!! It was great though. Would've been great to see the Mens, that was a good match.
We have been to watch a TV show being recorded!!! Steve was very enthusiastic about us going and how great it was. The show is called Temptation and the show wasn't too bad but the guy entertaining, and I use that word loosely, the audience between takes was just terrible - I felt braindead after a couple of hours in there - although it was one of those 40degree days so the air con was good!!
I have been to a few gym classes Body Pump and Body Jam!! Highly entertaining....
Drink has played a big part of hostel life and I have had many a drunken night here, including last night - not good. I have also been out with Joce and Paul from work for a couple of drinks.....very social I am now!!! I can manage another couple of weeks!!!
Oh yeah and another thing we have done is go and see A Midsummer Nights Dream at the Botanic Gardens one night. Dermot, Young, Nicola, Aaron, Taran and I went along with a picnic, rug and some wine. It was a really good show, so funny and a fantastic night - enjoyed it alot!!
Australia Day was a great day. I jumped on the train early to go to Rod and Tracey's as we, Emma as well, were having a day out. After a little faffing we headed off in the car. Our first stop was Hanging Rock, there is a book called Picnic at Hanging Rock or something where people went missing there, and we headed up the walk to the summit. There were fantastic views and funnily enough we did get a bit lost and couldn't find the path down. There wasn't a flat summit but a load of rocks sticking up out of the ground so we were walking between them.
After a little while we headed back down and jumped in the car again and went to Kyneton Races. We got our tickets, Rod, Tracey and Emma placed their bets, we grabbed some lunch and found a spot for the picnic rug. We relaxed, watched the races, watched the streakers and they all won something although Rod did best!! After a great day at the races we headed back in the car at 6ish and Rod treated us to an Indian Takeaway which was so yummy!!! I said goodbye, last time I'll see Emma in a while, and headed back to the hostel.
Anyway I think that just about covers everything I have done. I am having a great time here and will be a little sad to leave but really looking forward to my Perth tour as well, plus Mum and Dad arrive in 5 weeks!!!! Crazy.....
Hope you are all happy and healthy!!!! Take care
Dawnie
xxxxxxxxxxx

Video's....New Year, Snake and Penguins!!

2007-01-06T15:38:00.000+11:00

New Year Countdown.......Exciting!!

More Fireworks!!

Copperhead Snake.....

Puking Little Penguin!

Hope these are ok and your computers are fast enough to watch them!!

NEW YEARS EVE.....AND DAY!!

2007-01-06T14:41:00.000+11:00

Emma and I went to catch a ferry in the morning, we just missed the 9.20 so had to wait for the 10.15..... Turned out ok as gave us time for breakfast. Had a cooked breaky which was quite good. After arriving in Sydney around 11am we dumped some stuff at Lorraine and Graham's hotel before heading to an internet cafe to do a couple of things and where Emma could put her pictures onto discs. It all took quite a while, until about 1.30.
We then decided to just head to the botanic gardens to get information on our tickets and where we have to go etc. We had Lawn with The View tickets and discovered that we had a great spot right next to the Opera house, great view of the bridge. We found out our entrance was the Government House gates and that they open at 7pm so we should arrive 30-45mins early to queue. Only 600 people in our bit though. We wandered to find the entrance so we were all set for later and then as it was about 3pm we headed back to the hotel. Lorraine and Graham were at Bondi so we decided to get ourselves ready at their hotel. We took baths, ironed our clothes and Emma did her make up. Lorraine and Graham arrived back and after Lorraine had been for a swim they got themselves ready as well. Decided to leave the hotel at 6 to walk down.
When we arrived at our entrance there was a bit of a queue and because it wasn't managed too well we ended up a little nearer to the from than we should've been, oh well. Well we queued for quite a while and then around 7.10 they opened the gates. We walked in, confirming our tickets on the way and being given our food vouchers. We were also given bright pink wrist bands, free glow sticks and a free calendar thing - from channel 10.
We wandered all the way down to our great area and picked the perfect spot to see the fireworks. We laid out our 2 picnic blankets which Lorraine and I sat on while Emma and Graham went off to get the food and some drink. They came back with a cardboard box each. Each box contained a menu, wooden knife and fork, rolls, bread sticks, crackers, fishy dip (really nice), leek quiche, chicken noodles and salad, walnut tart, fruit salad and cheese and biscuits - it was great, really tasty. We nibbled away at our food throughout the night along with drinking wine, it was all very relaxing!!We chatted and had a toilet break which included queuing obviously!!At 9pm we had the first set of fireworks, or the kiddies fireworks!! They were really impressive, just amazing. They went on for 5-10 minutes and gave us a taster of whats to come!!
We continued to chill out, listened to music, toilet again, had a possum run past, watched the boats - which were all lit up and just had a very enjoyable time.It started to get close to midnight, it was exciting!!We got our champagne ready, bucks fizz for me, and watched the bridge. Finally the countdown appeared and we all joined in 10,9,8,7.......1 and the bridge just lit up with fireworks, all amazingly timed, we then had fireworks going all over the place around us, including on hotel roofs. Then the bridge would go crazy again with more fireworks, it was fantastic and went on for about 15 minutes - incredible. We all wished eachother happy new year. The theme for this years fireworks and new years event was Diamonds (75 years of the Bridge) and Emeralds (as in Emerald City....Wizard of Oz). All of a sudden, at about 12.30 I looked around our area and there were hardly any people left....they'd all packed up and gone home!!! We had to be out by 1am.
So we all headed out, with Graham suddenly a little drunk!!! Funny. We walked back to Lorraine and Graham's hotel where Graham went straight to bed so Emma and I headed off to catch a bus back to Manly. When we got to the bus station we were told there had been a fire somewhere so buses were running a bit late. We had to wait about an hour but then we jumped on one and sat down. We got to Manly about 3am and started walking back to our castle, the taxi queue was a bit big, when my phone rang and it was Mum and Dad - so I chatted to them while walking with Emma and suddenly we don't know where we are. I asked Emma where we are and she said she was following me and because I was chatting on the phone I assumed she'd take us the right way. I worked out where we should go and we got back onto our road, found Manly beach though!! Got to bed around 4am!! It was a really enjoyable night!
We woke up around 10am when Emma's Dad rang. I got up and dressed and then went to phone home just before 11am as it would be their New Year then, chatted to them for a bit and brought in the new year over the phone which was nice. There were a few people waiting to call home so I cut the call a little short as felt bad, although I shouldn't just because I was organized!! Ha ha...
We jumped on a ferry and wandered a little around the harbour. Then Emma headed off to do her bridge climb and I walked round to Darling Harbour to go to the Sydney Wildlife World, which is quite new. It was quite enjoyable. All Australian wildlife. They had a butterfly section, insects, spiders, reptiles, kangaroos, wallabys, koalas, wombats, possums......was really nice and chilled and not too busy unlike the aquarium that had people queuing out onto the harbour!!
I than wandered the botanic gardens, there was some concert on. Was nice walking around.
I then popped into a shop, had some fruit and chilled.
By then it was 6ish so I decided to head to the bridge climb to see if Emma was finished yet. I found her in the giftshop, she said she had a really good time. We wandered to Lorraine and Grahams hotel and chilled there until heading to Manly where we all had dinner (was raining). The place we ate messed up the bill so worked out nice and cheap.
After dinner Lorraine and Graham caught a ferry back and Emma and I got a taxi to our castle!!
A nice relaxing New Years Day!

I do have a couple of videos which I will try to put up!!
xxxxxxx

Melbourne - Sydney

2007-01-04T14:52:00.000+11:00

Boxing day was not very eventful. We were in Melbourne still, popped to St Kilda Beach, wandered around there, Emma and I packed our stuff up and we had a meal out on Lygone Street. Very nice.
On Wednesday 27th December 2006 Emma and I got up ready to leave. We said goodbye to Rod and Tracey and picked up L&G.
We drove down towards Phillip Island and stopped in San Remo where we had fish and chips and, Dad this will disappoint you, Lorraine and Graham took great pleasure in feeding a load of seagulls - I have photo evidence!! Fish was great, nice bit of Barra. So after that fun we drove over onto Phillip Island.
We explored the Island a bit and stopped in a few little towns including Cowes. We headed to the Koala Conservation Centre. We got in there and walked along the raised walkway area where we saw quite a few koalas, there were 6 or 7 in there so good stuff. A highlight for me though was seeing a wild copperhead snake on the ground below the walkway. We watched it for quite a while, they are venomous(sp??) but have small teeth so if you have shoes or jeans on etc they wouldn't get through. That was cool and it was quite active - exciting!!
We then walked round the woods. Lorraine, Graham and Emma were walking a bit fast to spot koalas so I slowed down and looked around, I saw about 7 round the woods and one baby put on a little show for me by climbing right to the top of the tree whiles its mum watched from below.
I really enjoyed it and met the others back in the gift shop. We all got into the car and drove to Seal Rock.
Emma was tired so she stayed in the car. Graham and I walked round the walkway (although kinda separately as he was originally waiting for Lorraine). Seal Rock is quite far away from the shore but could kinda make out things on it..... The coast was really nice again. I bumped into Graham on my way back and he said that there were some of the little penguins under the boardwalk so we headed back that way and I laid down and got a couple of photos of them standing under there, that was cool. When we got back to the top there were some under the boardwalk there as well. You can't take photos of them while they are doing their parade in the evening as you can't use the flash so it was good to get pictures.
We popped back to Cowes and had a look round the night market there, had dinner and then headed for the Penguin Parade at 7.30pm. We looked round the gift shop and then walked along the boardwalk to the beach and raised seating area looking out to sea. Every evening the penguins come into land to their homes to rest and sleep, some of them walk miles!!
We had quite a while to wait but at 9ish the penguins began to emerge from the water, there were also seagulls just standing on the beach watching!! You would just notice a little group of them just on shore getting ready to make a run for it and then a seagull would just move slightly and they'd all turn and jump back into the sea!! Quite funny. We sat and watched quite a few groups. Once they had began moving they then had to tackle a pile of seaweed then had the rest of the beach and then onto grass and hills!! There was a group of 3 which were funny to watch. Sometimes a group would've made it over the seaweed and almost to the end of the beach when one penguin would panic and run all the way back down, over the seaweed and into the sea!! Not too clever. They were funny to watch because if they were lagging in the group you could see them really struggling to keep up.
After watching them for quite a while we walked back along the boardwalk where we could watch them there going along side or under it. I asked one of the ladies that worked there if we bothered them but she said they'd normally live near a seal colony where they would have the threat of being eaten and the seals are really loud so that's good to know, well maybe not the eaten bit! They are such tiny cute penguins!!
We left at about 10.30pm and drove off the island in search of somewhere to sleep for the night. Everywhere seemed closed, until about midnight and we were all sat in the car outside one and Graham called the number - they had room thank god. Straight in and to bed!!
The next day was mainly a driving day. We left at 9ish and drove through Sale, got breakfast, and Bairnsdale.
We drove to Lakes Entrance where we stopped for lunch. it was quite a nice little town with lots of Black Swans, a few wooden sculptures and a river/lake! Lorraine, Emma and I walked down along the shops, got an ice cream each. Graham drove!!
Emma and I got the Dirty Dancing Soundtrack for the next section of the drive, being fed up of Rod Stewart, Don Williams and David Cassidy with the Partridge Family - god knows why....!! We drove through Orbost and onto Eden where we thought we'd stay but everywhere had no vacancy and when we asked anywhere noone thought we'd have any luck!! Oh dear. We drove on to Merimbula which was much the same. We eventually found a room in a caravan type site. Thank god! Just went for dinner then bed.
The next morning we got up and left by about 8.30am. We stopped in Bega for some breakfast, it was good, I had some scrambled egg with mushrooms on toast....yummy!
We drove on and turned onto the Snowy Mountain Highway towards Canberra. We stopped at a lookout and it was really cold, I could see my breath!! We pretty much just drove all the way to Canberra, arriving there just around lunchtime.
We drove around a little bit, really quiet place, and then went up the hill to the Telstra Tower - good views. Lorraine and Graham went up the top of the tower but Emma and I didn't. It was a nice warm day....
We went off to find somewhere to stay and after looking in a book, calling somewhere and checking out their rooms we were unpacking the car. Stayed at the Forest Inn.
We decided to do a load of washing before heading out for a wander so we got that sorted out. It started to rain so Emma and I ran to the laundry to put the washing on but then didn't have enough change, and it was really raining hard now, so we jumped in the car and drove round to reception for change. We headed back and just as we parked up the hailstones started.....Big bloody hailstones.... Emma and I were stuck in the car!! They were banging so hard on the roof that we had to shout to be heard by eachother!! We sat for quite a while before Emma thought up a plan, she would drive up close to the laundry door and I could jump out and put the washing on.... Seemed ok so we got the car as close as we could and after a moment hesitation I jumped out, slipped, fell over and caught my fingers under the machine.... I was stuck, Emma was shouting from the car to see if I was ok.... Luckily I dislodged my fingers kinda looked back in a "I'm still alive" way and after putting the coins in the machine I decided to rinse my fingers under cold water - always fixes things doesn't it!! I eventually jumped back into the car, which was now a little wet, as was I, since I'd left the door open - ha, and we drove round to our door. Well that was an exciting event.....and do you know the most annoying thing!?! When we went to check the washing later, although I'd put the coins in the slots I didn't push them in!! All that for nothing! Oh well gave me a little story about the massive hailstone storm in Canberra.
Well we couldn't do much while the weather was like this so we just chilled, showered and ate nibbles while we waited for it to pass.
We all got changed ready for dinner and at about 7pm were able to go out. We headed up to the Parliament House, looked around the outside, took photos and did a full circuit before heading to where all the restaurants were - so we'd been told. The place was dead, hardly any cars, streets were empty.....Ghost town. We walked a little way to the street and when we arrived there it was buzzing - this is where all the people were!!! Strange place...
Quite a few of the restaurants on one side of the street were flooded due to the storm so we picked a corner one which seemed ok. We had a nice meal there, except for Grahams hard potato (which they did nothing about), and then headed back to our room. We all went to bed, I watched a little TV before I dozed off as well.
We left Canberra at 7.30am, sorry that we weren't able to see more, and drove off through Goulburn to Sydney - was quite excited about returning to Sydney.
We got into Sydney and to Lorraine and Grahams hotel with no problems, we unpacked everything there and then returned the hire car....
And so we were in Sydney. We spent a little time wandering, had lunch and took Emma down to see the Bridge and Opera House, so much busier than when I was here in July - something to do with the weather maybe!? We wandered around the harbour. We also decided to go onto a Jet Boat, we booked it and got a family ticket(Emma and I under 16!!), so after a short wait we headed down to the jetty thing. We were given out waterproof poncho, stored our things and then jumped into the boat. Emma, Lorraine and I were in the front. This was good fun and by now the sun was out and warm. We headed out the harbour where we did emergency stops and spins, we weren't too wet so that was ok. We headed under the bridge and did another spin, this was when a little kid complained about not being wet enough......that was it. We went back under the bridge where another emergency stop took place and we got drenched!!! Got in my poncho so I had a nice big wet mark on the front of my top....lovely! It was still great fun.
We all jumped out, grabbed our stuff and Lorraine and Graham decided to get the ferry round to Darling Harbour, Emma and I decided to walk round and said we'd meet them there.
We walked through the Rocks and up to Darling harbour, picking up an ice cream on the way. We still bet them there so we waited. Apparently the ferry's were so busy!
Once they arrived we all just got a drink and then chilled drinking it. We discussed that we all felt a little burnt, we were... We got the monorail back to the city.
We got to their hotel, sorted our stuff out and looked at our burn marked, put cream on!! Oh dear! Emma and I left around 5/6ish, walked down to Circular Quay and jumped on a ferry to Manly. It took about 30 minutes and when we arrived we had no idea where our hostel was so after a couple of phone calls we jumped in a taxi bound for the castle on the hill!!
When we arrived it was pretty impressive, normally a management college, its over 100 years old (old for Australia) and looks like something from Harry Potter. We got our room, dumped our stuff and headed for some dinner. Much to Emma's annoyance (sorry Emma) we walked down the hill and grabbed some food down there. Food was good although the service was crap! No tip there... We walked back up the hill and after chatting a little went to bed.
Hope you are enjoying!!!
Dawn
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CHRISTMAS DAY!!

2007-01-04T14:33:00.000+11:00

Well I got up early today (did fall asleep at like 9pm!). I was up at 7.30, as was Emma, and we watched Mickeys Once Upon a Christmas!! Although I missed alot of it as Mum and Dad called so I chatted to them for a while, opened my pressies from them which was a bracelet and a Robbie photo, negative type thing. I liked it!! Thank You!!
Rod and Tracey got up about 9am and Rod was excited so opened a couple of pressies with them. They got us a metal water bottle each and a colouring book with crayons to share!!
Emma went off to pick up Lorraine and Graham. When they arrived we opened all of our gifts!! I got sweets and photo album from Maureen, thank you very much - sweets were a little melted!! A Calender from Fran and David, very nice thank you Fran, a bag from Nana and Grandad, thank you very much. Quite alot of random things from Lorraine and Graham or Santa....not sure. Things like belt, gardian angel badge, mobile phone xmas accessory, sweets, bath things so it was all quite nice. Thank you very much Lorraine and Graham. Now I know Daniel organised something but it hadn't arrived in time, it has arrived there now and I will be going to collect things from them soon. Thanks to everyone who sent something as it was all very unexpected. I also received a christmas card from John and Mandy, thanks guys!
Anyway back to Christmas Day......we eventually got to breakfast, a cooked one which was really good and we got to have poppers and crackers with it - yay!!
It was quite a miserable day with rain and then freaky hailstones, which gave us a bit of a white christmas and it did feel a bit like home as I was cold!! We had the fire on!!
We had a really chilled out day really. I drank pimms and we started to play scattergories, dinner interupted us but I am not complaining about that. The dinner was really good. Turkey with all the trimmings and some extra like pumpkin... It was really tasty so again thanks to Rod for all his hard work in the kitchen with that! Poppers and crackers again!
Mum and Dad phoned again as it was now their christmas morning so chatted for a bit. we then returned to scattergories, quite a funny game and as the night went on and the more drinks we had the stupider the answers got.
It was really fun actually. Kristine phoned me right at the end of the game so we chatted a bit and when I came back they had added all the scores up, I came second.....yippee....!!
We watched the Queens Speech, think that might be the first time I have!! They started to play Jenga.
Lorraine was falling asleep so her and Graham got a taxi around midnight. We chatted for a while and went to bed about 2am.
Thanks so much to Rod and Tracey for welcoming me into their home especially over Christmas, I really enjoyed it.... I bet my Dad will be pleased since Tracey got me watching Cricket!!
Hope everyone had a great Christmas Day!!
Dawn
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Christmas Eve, Neighbours Tour!!!!

2007-01-04T14:11:00.000+11:00

We were up early and ate breakfast quickly.... We then headed down the the Neighbours centre to meet Lorraine and Graham. We were a little late as it seemed to take ages, at least we didn't miss it!!
Well, finally, all of us British people were picked up by our bus (we didn't get the neighbours bus!!). We headed out of the city watching music videos of the neighbours stars, Emma and I singing merrily along!! There was Holly Valance (sp?), Delta Goodrum, Stefan Dennis, Kylie and Jason (of course), the twins and Craig MacLaughlin - funny stuff!!
Our fist stop was Erinsbough High School which is actually an English school. I think Lorraine and Graham felt a bit crazy stopping to take photos of some random school!!! We had to get pictures on the stairs they always use for class, where they have lunch normally and under a wooden thing where Skye and Lana kissed!!! Well Emma wanted us to kiss for the photo under there but I was having none of it!!! Watch her.....
After also having our photos taken with the school sign out the front, exciting stuff, we jumped back on the bus and headed to the street. It is actually called Pin Oak disappointingly but we all know it as Ramsay!!! It is really tiny with only the 5 or 6 houses they use on the show on the entire street!!
We got taken round each house by our guide who talked about each one and said who'd lived there through the entire show, right back to the start - now there are some names I haven't heard in a long time!! It was all quite interesting and also cringe worthy when he'd mention some of the old storylines!!!
After he'd done each house we went off to take photos, now I was rather excited and didn't realise I would be!! It was great! We took photos with and without the Ramsay Street Sign which was like gold dust out there among us Brits!! A few lads were really excited and it was funny watching them, think they planned to try and keep the sign!! ha ha
We were also driven past the studios, but didn't get to go in which rather annoyed me. The guy just pointed out the rooftops of Lassiters etc and showed us where all the interiors where filmed. He told us some funny facts like it was going to be called No through Road or The People That Live Next Door before thankfully someone came up with Neighbours!
We were then driven to St Kilda where we got to meet a star - yes another one and we met Jannelle, not so great for L&G as they've not watched it in years, she was really nice though so it was ok. Some spoilers - Toadie is shot but survives and him and Steph get together, Lynn leaves for her honeymoon alone and doesn't come back, Stingray dies after a bone marrow transplant for Skyes baby........ Exciting stuff!! Izzy is Preggers in London with what she claims is Karls baby!
Anyway after watching a couple of old episodes on the way home, Harold and Madges Wedding and Daphne(sp?) having the baby!!, we were dropped in town again - what a great tour!!! I know I am sad...
Emma and I left L&G shopping for a bit and headed to Rod and Tracey's with our gear and the car!! We wrapped some pressies, popped to the shop and put up some decorations!!
L&G came later for a BBQ, although it wasn't really BBQ weather, and we had Shrimps on the Barbie which were great and also salmon and salad, very yummy - thanks to Rod!!
I went to the room pretty early and fell asleep really early as well, must've been tired!! And so Christmas Eve was over.....you know what that means!!!

Adelaide and The Great Ocean Road

2007-01-04T12:10:00.000+11:00

Well Emma and I caught a flight to Adelaide on 18th December in preperation to meet Lorraine and Graham on 19th December. We arrived at Melbournes Avalon airport, a big porta cabin!!, about an hour before our flight was due to leave so we checked in and waited...
The flight was straight forward and quick. We arrived in Adelaide around 10.30ish, remembering that we had to put our clocks back half hour! We had an interesting first night as we were put in a dorm where there were too many people for the number of beds so poor Emma got woken up in the middle of the night with some guy saying it was his bed!! She got to stay in the bed, after getting up, dressed, packed and going downstairs!! Shame!!
Anyway the next morning we got up and moved hostels, checking into a rather nice YHA so that was good. We went to the market, had breakfast and then chilled in the hostel - when I say chilled I mean fell asleep!! We woke up in the afternoon and it was so hot!
Showered and changed before heading to look at the botanic gardens which were really pretty as are most of the botanic gardens in Australia.
We headed back to the hostel for a bit before going for dinner and then catching the bus to meet Lorraine and Graham from the airport! We met them off their flight at around 9ish. Lorraines case was missing - bit of bad luck as the day before her handbag had already been stolen!! Not a great start to their holiday but once they'd checked into their hotel we headed out for a few, much needed, drinks. We just chatted for a bit and had a nice evening before heading off in our separate directions to bed.
The next day we were also staying in Adelaide so after we'd all met up we headed to the beach at Glenelg, taking the tram there. It was a nice hot day. We walked down to the end of the pier, had some fish and chips and spent way too long in a shop called cheap as chips - playing with things and taking photos!! I put on a fat suit, looked good!!
We then relaxed in Lorraine and Grahams room before heading out for some dinner. We choose a chinese restaurant, my food was great but we were all so tired so once we'd eaten we just all wanted to get to bed and sleep!! Oh dear....
The next morning Emma and I checked out of the hostel and stored out bags. We then showered at L & G's hotel and they all went off to collect the hire car!! They took quite a while to get the car, and come back to collect all the bags and me, so I amused myself for the hour or so it took!
We were then able to start our journey. Our first stop was the Barossa Valley where we had a bit of trouble finding our first winery - Jacobs Creek!! We eventually did find it and parked up. We pretty much got right to the wine tasting!! We tasted quite a few wines and a port. Emma was driving so she was limited. I enjoyed the Sav Blanc (sp??) the best, the port was really fruity and I didn't like the rose or sparkling at all!! It was fun though, I have never done wine tasting before (hardly anyone spits it out you know!!). We were there for quite a while tasting our wines.
Our next stop was the Penfolds winery to taste a few. We only tried a couple and one of them was really nice - really odd name though (maybe Lorraine will remember!?!). We weren't there as long, staff weren't as friendly as at Orlando winery (Jacobs Creek).
We stopped in a little town for a bit of a late lunch, 3pm!! Was quite sweet.
We then headed off towards Hahndorf where we had planned to stay the night. Hahndorf is an old German village. We did begin driving through the Adelaide Hills but our map was very limited and didn't make much sense so we had to head via Adelaide instead!! We got to Hahndorf around 7pm parked the car and went for a wander - most things were closed. Its quite a quaint looking town with a bit of character! For some reason we seemed to ask in the motor inn furtherest from where we'd parked the car but at least we found somewhere!! A little chalet type thing, open plan. Well what happened but it started to piss down with rain!!! We had to wait quite a while for it to die off and we were lucky, we then had to go and get the car!!
We got our stuff unpacked into the chalet and Emma and I had some dinner - buffet style which was ok, quite average! We played some pokies....it was fun because I spent $1 and came away with $10 not bad! Pokies are weird slot machine type things. Off to bed after that....
We all woke up quite early the next morning, Friday 22nd Dec in case you can't keep up!, and said good bye to Hahndorf. We drove until about 11 and then stopped at a roadside cafe/shop/video rental in Tintinarra and had a bacon and egg sandwich - it was good!
We headed towards the coast, passing through Kingston and Millicent before Mount Gambier. We stopped briefly at the Blue Lake in Mount Gambier which was beautiful. During summer months the lake turns an amazing shade of blue, above, and then in winter it returns to grey. Its something to do with particles that the sun reflect off??
We drove on to Port Fairy where we spent the night, stayed at The Dubliners - quite nice. We had a really nice meal at a little restaurant just next door and wine.... Very relaxing.
I don't think Emma liked the wine as I was woken at 3am with her loving the toilet a little too much - poor thing!!
The next morning we headed off to begin The Great Ocean Road!! The first section of the road doesn't follow right next to the ocean and is mainly cliffs etc. We stopped at London bridge, Arch, Blowhole, the twelve apostles (only about 6 left!) and a cave. It has gorgeous cliff coastlines and perfect walking weather so a bit blowy.
We drove through Apollo Bay and after that is when the road gets stunning and is following the coastline with its lovely beaches and perfect blue sea. Very windy but just stunning. We passed through a few small seaside towns.
At one section we passed alot of people just all standing at the side of the road and looking up. I looked where they were looking and saw a koala yawning!! So we pulled over as well and jumped out. There were about5/6 wild koalas in trees along the road and it was amazing! We took photos etc and one of the koalas moved and peed, some of the pee hit a woman and her daughter in their faces - we laughed!! HA HA So after spending some time looking at the koalas we decided to continue.
We stopped in Lorne for some lunch....had a steak sandwich which was quite good. People in the cafe seemed moody and one girl wouldn't smile, we were all very polite. Lorraine decided to ask if she had a problem with smiling - we all ran away and left her!! It was funny.... We had a stroll along the beach before heading inland towards Melbourne.
We drove through Geelong and then into Melbourne, arriving around 6pm and a day early!! Lorraine and Graham booked an extra night in their hotel and Emma and I went back to our hostel.
It was a nice few days although some seemed a little rushed, mainly because noone had really planned what to do. It was beautiful though and I thoroughly enjoyed it!!
Will post pictures soon I promise!!!
Dawn
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HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

2007-01-01T11:35:00.000+11:00

Well now that everyone should of celebrated......well everyone I know!!, I will wish you all a very happy new year! Hope you all have a great 2007!

I was able to bring the New Year in twice, once in Sydney with the amazing firework display and again this morning on the phone home so that was good!! I had a great time, very relaxing. We had a great view of the bridge in our section and plenty of room as there were only 600 of us (about the population of Boat!!), we were also provided with a lovely picnic which we sat and ate. Its the best way to do it I think!! Anyway finally got back to our castle in Manly at 4am!!

I promise that once I get back to Melbourne and have some time etc I will blog about everything I have done and upload a lot of lovely pictures for you to look at, along with a few videos if possible - got a few great ones of the bridge fireworks!!

Take care everyone and enjoy!!

Love

Dawn
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MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

2006-12-25T15:39:00.000+11:00

Well just a quick message to wish everybody a very happy christmas day!!

We have been relaxing in the house so far, as it hasn't quite been the Aussie Christmas any of us were expecting...... We have been cold, had some sun, rain and hail stones!! Oh well it has been different.

I am having a good day with Rod, Tracey, Lorraine, Graham and Emma!! Looking forward to our turkey dinner!!

Thank you to everyone who sent me a present, it is very much apprechisted. V impressed with this years pressie Fran!! Will know when everyones birthday is now!!

Sending my love to everyone - have fun!!

Love
Dawn
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Close Encounters with the Robster - I'm not complaining!!

2006-12-18T17:42:00.000+11:00

Well pretty close anyway!
Emma and I left Rod and Tracey's place yesterday around midday and after checking into the hostel, having a shower and having lunch we headed off to the Telstra Dome to see how long the queue was and join it!!
We arrived there at around 3pm and me being me - I can't walk past the merchandise without getting something!! I bought a programme, a necklace thingy and 2 tops!! Oh dear, now I had to carry them round all night, oh well. We had gold standing tickets so we joined the appropriate queue.
We were probably only waiting about 1 1/2 hours until the doors opened, we all made our way in - showing our tickets (even though we were given wrist bands) 3 times before eventually getting them taken off us!! Emma and I walked down to the approprate area, namely right at the front of the stage and found a spot. We then had to wait again for ages!! A DJ started playing a bit at around 6.30ish and everyone stood up, we would've been trampled if we hadn't also stood and surged forward!! Plus we'd have lost our spot..... We ended up about 10 rows back from the stage which I was happy with!
After the DJ, Sneaky Sound System began to play as the support act - they were ok, kinda funky although we didn't know any of their songs. They were on stage for around an hour. We had to wait about another half hour before Robbie came on stage!!
He started with Radio, god we were close, and everyone was going crazy!! It was great. All in all he played (from what I remember) Sin, Sin, Sin, Make Me Pure, Advertising Space, Me and My Shadow (with Jonathan, get a life, Wilkes), Strong, Come Undone, Feel, Rock DJ, Kids, Rudebox, Angel, Let Me Entertain You and Mellenium......Back For Good and a few snipets of others!!
It was great, but I very much feel that he will no longer be touring. I was getting that feel from very early on in the concert and he kept saying he was going to miss this - good on him though, if it will make him happy! It was a great show by a fantastic showman and I even got into Rudebox!! Very proud of our man Mr Williams!!
Although he got in trouble for smoking on stage, he was still doing it!! He also talked about a girl he'd had in his room after a concert and when he asked what her favourite part of the show was she replied "the flames..." - how sweet! Him and Jonathan Wilkes mucked around on stage as I would imagine Dan and I would, although should never be done in public!!
The concert went on until just after 11pm and even with being squashed, having sore feet and being very tired - I loved it!!
I just hope he enjoyed it as much as we all did!! I have posted a few pictures on my site so check them out!! I will blog more next week after The Great Ocean Road and Christmas.
I hope everyone has a fantastic Christmas and a great New Year!!
Take Care
Dawn
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A week gone by......in Melbourne

2006-12-12T12:02:00.000+11:00

Ok a quick update of what I have been upto as I'm sure its really exciting!!
Right well we returned to the Queen Vic night market, ate some curry and had some wine. The band wasn't as good as the week before, it was a Beatles cover band and they didn't look like them and didn't sing good either. We didn't stay late.
We got back to the hostel and decided to head into the hostel bar. We had a few drinks, chatted to the barman (hairy man!) and when he finished we asked if he wanted to join us. We had vouchers for cheap beer - which was not a good idea. We got pretty drunk but had a laugh so it was ok. I think the night ended around 3am. It was fun.
We also headed back to the free outdoor cinema on Friday (I don't know what it was with this week...) with a bottle of wine! We watched Muriels Wedding and drank our wine, it was nice. We got back to the hostel bottle shop and got another bottle - all in all we went through 3 bottles between us, were a little drunk - went to bed and then remembered we wanted to have french toast so got back up, went to the 7 eleven and got eggs. Made and ate that at around 3 am!! Yummy.....!
The city on Saturday morning was hot and smoky...there are loads of bush fires in Victoria at the moment and the smoke had been blown into the city. We moved into Emma's uncles on Saturday morning time. We chilled out there and then in the evening headed to the outdoor cinema again. This time for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (sp?), no wine, but we did have fish and chips. I had a really yummy grilled burrimundi with some parsley sauce on it. I have to say thats one thing I prefer about the fish and chip shops over here, you don't have to have it battered. You can choose grilled, crumbed or battered. Anyway, the film was ok and food was good. We got the train back afterwards and off to bed.
I did not sleep well but we had decided to go to St Kilda on Sunday morning for the market and the beach. Another really hot day, got up to 42 degrees!! We got to St Kilda and ate some breakfast and then wandered round the craft market. I had forgotten my hat and so bought a new one, was too hot to be on a beach in direct sunlight without some protection. After checking out the craft stalls which were rather nice we headed down to the beach.
I got changed in to my swimming stuff, yes I cover up, which consists of shorts and a protective t-shirt. We found a spot and Emma sat down, I headed into the sea - oh my god it was cold!!! I eventually managed to get right in, tried to snorkel but that was rather boring as it was just sand and further out was really cold.... I chilled for a bit in the sea and then came out to dry. Emma then went in for a bit. We chilled on the beach for a while then went off and had a sorbet each and a drink. We met back up with Rod, Emma's uncle, and headed back to the house in the boiling hot car!! Watched a film in the afternoon and chilled for the rest of the day.
Now yesterday we didn't do much during the day, popped to the post office, had a drink and cake.... Last night though we had Neighbours night!! Yes it is sad..... Yes it is tacky..... And yes it is full of British people!!! But we had been promised Stuart (Blair), Toadie (Ryan) and Steph (Carla) and I wanted to get a picture with them!!!
There was alot of waiting around, you wait at the start for them to come out and then they do a couple of, stupid, questions each and then you wait for them to make their way round the crowd to you.
When Toadie came out he had someones question in his pocket and moaned cos he gets asked alot of the same stuff, he pulled it out and it was something like "How did you get that blonde cos you're so fat" his response was "Every time I fu#k your mother she gives me a cookie" - I felt it was appropriate. There was cricket talk....which got all the Engliah singing Barmy Army!! Toadie was quite a bit smaller in real life, not fat at all!!
Steph seemed a little drunk but very happy. She had stupid questions too.....one was "Why did the turkey cross the road?" and the other was "You don't really use f#cking soda stream surely?" - apparently she has done an advert for it. She was really beautiful though and petite.
Stuart......well what can I say but perfection!! I would quite happily sleep with this man, marry him and, if he so wished, have his children too!! He was very sexy!! I liked him alot!!! As did Emma, she was going crazy clicking her camera taking pictures of random parts of his body - he did have a nice arse though! He was asked a Do, Date or Dump question with Mrs Mangel, Helen Daniels and Madge Bishop. In their order in answered Dump, Date and Do (apparently just to piss Harold off).
After the random questions we went and stood at the bar and then had to wait for them to come round. Toadie reached us first, he wasn't very chatted, he asked if we wanted our pictures taken and I was like "well thats why we've come...." which he just laughed at! We then said to him that he didn't really need to go to the UK as it comes to him in this bar. He seems to do these evening quite often, which makes you questions his life!! Although apparently he is married with a baby! There is a bit of a season finale happening here where Toadie gets shot.....I asked if he died and he said no - I think he was just saying that!!
We then had Stuart, wow, and he has just returned from the UK so I asked if he had done panto (kinda taking the piss) it turned out he'd done 2.... Dick Whittington and Cinderella (played Buttons)!! Ha ha. I think he is returning to the UK. He was just the right height and was a really friendly guy. We liked him best....
Steph was next, her body guard had a bit of work!!, she was a bit all over the place. Seemed good fun though as she was dancing around and really happy. She seemed happy to chat as well but I didn't really know what to ask her plus she seemed pretty drunk. We got our pictures taken with her though and she was really nice.
I think these nights, although possibly annoying, make them feel really famous!!! Its quite funny. I liked meeting the stars but the rest of the concept was not really me. They were doing a quiz and other competitions while the stars were working their way round. It was quite a good night. We stayed until all the famous ones had left and then we headed off. I am glad I met who I did, I don't think I'll feel the need to go to another night.... We do have the neighbours tour booked for Christmas eve with Lorraine and Graham though which will be ok!
Anyway so there is my week, we have Robbie on Sunday and then we are off to Adelaide to meet Lorraine and Graham and do the Great Ocean road back!! Should be good.
Hope everyone is well.
Congratulations to Louise and Phil who were married on Saturday!!! Well done, you guys looked great - my mum emailed a couple of pictures! xx
Dawn
xxxxx

Melbourne....Still

2006-12-05T10:35:00.000+11:00

So I thought I should do a quick update. We haven't done a great deal here. We have spent many hours in the DVD room watching films, walked around all the parks in Melbourne, along the river and down to the docklands. I particularly enjoyed a walk I did alone to Fitzroy Gardens.
I walked round the gardens, through the conservatory and also around Captain Cooks Cottage which was bought over here from Yorkshire about 70 years ago. It was tiny and wasn't the full cottage that they had lived in as half had been knocked down, while still in Yorkshire, for a road. I paid my $2 entry and wandered round the tiny kitchen and then up the stairs to see the main bedroom - I thought it was really nice a sweet. They had also put in a herb garden.
I then walked on to see the Fairies Tree, which is just a tree for children with lots of carvings in it - I was expecting something slightly more magical. I suppose it was different though. I also checked out their miniature Tudor village, nothing compared to the ones we have at home. It was however a gift to Victoria from a little village in UK because Victoria had helped them out with food shortages after the war. That's nice.
I really like Fitzroy Gardens with its tree lined paths and fountains. The day I was there there were also a load of Asian women dressed in wedding dresses - this confused me. Maybe 10 of them got married at the same time, I think they were just playing dress up!
We also had a walk right along the river, past Southbank and onto the docklands. We stopped at a park and played on some swings and twirly things on the way. Saw the Telstra Dome, where Robbie will be playing. We have booked into the hostel for that night as its walking distance.
We've watched The Princess Bride at the docklands on the free outdoor screen, was bloody cold though but we stuck it out - classic film. We will prob be going again over the next few weeks as there are showings every Friday and Saturday night, we have The Notebook and Gremlins on at some stage - have to see them.
We have been out for dinner a couple of times, which has been ok. We've also checked out a few of the cafe/restaurant bound streets but not eaten there yet - maybe go with Lorraine and Graham when they arrive. Lygone Street is like Little Italy, seems quite nice, with all its pizza/pasta restaurants. Brunswick Road is a bit alternative, bit rock and roll maybe and has quite a few cafes etc. I quite like them as they are older buildings which haven't been painted in a while - different to the city.
We have also been to the Queen Vic Market, once on a Sunday morning and once on a Wednesday night. The Wednesday night was more crafty and we got some dinner there along with a couple of wines but by far the best thing about the night market was the Victoria State Police Rock Band.....they were hilarious. They sang Green Day, Black Eyed Peas and a load of Australian songs we didn't know. It was just so funny seeing some middle aged policeman rapping to the Black Eyed Peas "Don't Lie", just great entertainment. We will be returning to the market and just hope they are there again!!
We went to Rod and Tracey's, Emma's uncle's, for a BBQ on the Sunday just gone - its great BBQ in December!! It was really nice to meet them, since I'll be spending Christmas with them, and we had a relaxing time chatting and eating. We also swapped our DVD's and got a whole new batch while we were there.
On another note we are in a dorm, mainly by ourselves, and get the odd visitor which has been interesting. A week or so we had two Australian girls who were slightly more than friends!! Kept me awake, and feeling not too great, with their shenanigans - then to top it off when they fell asleep they snored! We had another guy from the UK, Russell, who we had a laugh chatting to so he was ok although he was due up at 7am the next morning and seem to wake up 2 hours early!! We have also had Mr Scribble...... Mr Scribble was very smelly. He arrived the night that Russell Russell was there. He got up quite early and went out. He didn't come back until really late that night and knocked saying his key was playing up and reception were aware (this confused us because Emmas key had been playing up and they fixed it right away!). This night was the worst, he stank so badly that we put tea tree oil on our pillows and under our noses!! The next morning after he had gone our we decided to complain, which is what we did, and it turned out that he hadn't paid. Reception said to go down when he came back that night. We were in bed when he started knocking again at 2am - we didn't answer. Anyway he has since come back and taken his bag so we hope that's the last we see or smell of him!!
We now have a 19 year old guy from Germany and he is so young, I am bored of him as he just invades our space and starts talking crap...well thankfully he leaves tomorrow so hopefully we'll have the last few days to ourselves.
We should be moving into Rod and Tracey's in a little while so that will be quite nice. Thanks to them!!
Not too sure what else to say.....we have been quite bored a lot and so wandered around quite a bit. No work as yet so looks like I'll have to wait until the new year. I will be staying in Richmond when I come back to Melbourne for 6 weeks which is just East of the city - I should be able to walk in.
Well I hope everyone is doing well.
Take Care
Dawnie
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Happy 50th Birthday Mum!!!

2006-11-25T19:25:00.000+11:00

Oh my god who would've ever believed that you were so young!!! ha ha ha

I hope you are having fantastic birthday festivities!! I know you enjoyed your meal last week and am now in Amsterdam to book..... You will also by now of had the surprise of having a few people join you for dinner in Amsterdam on Saturday night - hopefully this has been good and Dad didn't push your whole "I don't want to do anything for my birthday" too far!!

I really wish i could be there to wish you a happy birthday in person but hey its just not that convenient for me right now, although I wish I was getting to come to all these events! Might've even got a free trip to Amsterdam! Well at least I am going there next year.

On another slightly exciting note.....only 3 weeks til Robbie and 4 until Christmas!!! Ohhh this is exciting! And of course only 3 and a bit months until you guys will be in Perth - it'll be great.

Anyway I'll let you get back to your exciting time, no doubt I will speak to you on this special day.

Lots of Love and Hugs

Dawn

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Adelaide to Perth Tour Booked - to meet the folks!

2006-11-22T14:04:00.000+11:00

So this is the tour I have booked - the only one I could find actually!! Check it out though because it looks good!

The 9 Day Adelaide to Perth travels through the Southern Flinders Ranges and onto the Eyre Peninsula. The tour then crosses the Nullarbor and into Esperance and the South West of Western Australia.
This tour has a focus on the South West of Western Australia travelling along the coastline of Western Australia through to Porongurup and then inland through tall timber country and into Perth. The journey is approximately 3800 kilometres - Some days are more driving than others but on average each day is about 400 kilometres.

DAY 1
Our adventure begins north from Adelaide. Depending on the weather conditions we include a bush walk in the southern Flinders Ranges.
We stop off along the way to take in typical rural cities and towns. At the end of the first day’s journey we stay either in a bush camping setting or during winter an Aussie farm retreat staying in updated shearer’s quarters.

DAY 2
After a short drive we board the MV Investigator for a 4-5 hr cruise (own cost at $100 Inc GST). It’s a relaxing day viewing and swimming with dolphins and Australian sea lions. We visit the famous Murphy’s Haystacks – the weird and wonderful - 100,000 year old granite inselbergs shaped by the sands of time.
Time permitting we head back to Coodlie Park Farm Retreat to view a spectacular sun set at a secluded beach. Our hosts Hassie, Jo and family then conduct a nocturnal spotlighting tour looking for Australia’s National Emblems – Kangaroos, Wombats and Emus.

DAY 3
Optional Experience – Scenic Flight - 120 Kilometres of magnificent rugged coastline between Coodlie Park and Ceduna [$140.00 per person minimum 3 people] We travel further along the West coast of South Australia, and after a short stop at Ceduna we check out the surf at one of Australia’s best surf beaches “Cactus Beach’.
You can do a coastal walk along some rugged coastline or relax with a book on a remote beach. Later in the afternoon we head for the tiny historical settlement of Fowlers Bay, adjacent to massive sand dunes. We finish off the day with some extreme fun sand boarding.

DAY 4
Leaving Fowlers Bay behind we cross the dingo fence, travel through Yalata Aboriginal lands and drive onto the Nullarbor Plain.
Outside of the whale season you will not be disappointed with the spectacular coastline and viewing platforms that showcase the majestic Nullarbor Cliffs. We stop at the famous wombat/camel/kangaroo road sign and call into old Eucla, a telegraph town buried by sand dunes!

DAY 5
Get ready for some adventurous caving (bring a torch) because today we are going deep beneath the Nullarbor and you can even have a swim in an underground lake. We travel through some real outback country and it will certainly give you a sense of the size of the vast and ancient land.
Please note:- Caving as been stopped for the interim by CALM – Western Australia’s National Parks on account of floods and overall safety. Nullarbor Traveller are looking for another caving alternatives. In the interim the tour includes playing part of the "Nullarbor Golf Links" an 18 hole golf course that starts at Ceduna and ends in Kalgoorlie – playing golf in the middle of nowhere! - Bloody Golf!!!!

DAY 6
We arrive in Esperence (our first bit of civilization for some time) and while we restock supplies you can look around this beautiful seaside port.
We set up camp for the next two nights only metres away from a picture postcard beach in the cape le Grand National Park, and the sandy beaches and crystal clear water.
A late afternoon hike up the granite formation known as “Frenchman Peak’ rewards you with fantastic views of the bays and islands of the Recherche Archipelago.

DAY 7
We have another full day to enjoy this beautiful spot and it’s totally up to you how you want to spend your day.
There are some stunning coastal walks, you may like to swim, boogie board, snorkel, fish or just relax while lying on a pure white sandy beach (you might have to share the beach with a local kangaroo or two).

DAY 8
We leave early and head for the Stirling Range or Fitzgerald River National Park, where we will do one of the many walks on offer.
We like to keep today flexible as there are so many great spots to visit, the guide will decide the best route on the day.
We arrive into our overnight destination at Porongurup before sampling some award winning wines and settling down to a vineyard platter.

DAY 9
The landscape changes dramatically as we head into the heart of the southern Eucalypt forests of W.A. We walk the talk on the tree top walk at the “Valley of the Giants”; a unique structure that takes you up into the canopy of a very ancient and special eucalypts called Red Tingle trees.
In the afternoon we climb one of the giant Karri trees that once used as a fire lookout. Our last bit of the nearly 4000 km journey gives you a chance to reflect on the experiences over the last nine action packed days as we head for Western Australia’s capital Perth.
And so there it is...exciting eh!! I should arrive in Perth on 1st March whic will give me time to have a look at what we can do when the parents arrive. Can't wait to do tour or to meet up with my parents. It is all going so fast because by then I'll only have a few months left!
Well I hope everyone is well and jealous!!
Love
Dawnie
xxxxx

Arrived in Melbourne safe and sound....

2006-11-17T16:59:00.000+11:00

Well after our final day in Darwin, not doing much except packing and eating, Emma left on Sunday evening to catch her flight to Melbourne and I got up on Monday to prepare for my flight. I got on an airport shuttle around 10ish and after alot of pick ups we finally got to the airport at 11ish. I checked in for my flight and then chilled until boarding time at 12.05pm. I jumped on and had an aisle seat with noone next to me....bonus!!
I was fed some pasta then chocolate while I watched You, Me and Dupree so it was all quite comfortable. After the 3 or so hour flight to Adelaide I had to hang around at the airport until my next flight to Melbourne at 19.20. I had a couple of hours but it went quite quickly. The second flight only took about an hour but we still got dinner. Some chicken thing with mash and veg and I got a free glass of wine. Again another relaxing flight.
When we had landed in Melbourne I offered to help this lady with her stuff, as she had 3 bags and 2 young kids, so I carried a bag to the baggage collection area. She then said she could try to drop me off in town if I helped with her luggage...so I agreed. It turned out that she had 2 trolley fulls of bags etc!! I went with her to get the hire car - which seemed to take ages, and then she dropped me by Flinders Street Station which was really nice of her. It turned out that her husband had died just 6 weeks ago and she had a 5 year old and 2 year old with her and a one year old at home, she was here to see her parents. It is quite sad - I was pleased I had offered to help her.
I then text Emma to say where I was and she was nearby so we met up and jumped on a tram to our hostel on St Kilda Road. It was quite a new hostel but our room was a tip, 10 bed dorm with all girls. It was ok but we figured that we would be better to be in town more so after two nights in this hostel and one day wandering to look at hostels we moved to Melbourne International Hostel on Elizabeth Street which looked ok. Well it is ok but not great, we are both on top bunks and aren't getting much sleep but we are only there for a week so it will do.
We have emailed various places about work, I dropped my CV into the cinema but haven't heard back from anything yet - which is annoying. They seem to be a bit like this in larger cities. So we have had rain most days and hail a couple but it has been ok.
Today the sun finally appeared so we decided to do one of the city walks. We went with number 2 - Secret Gardens. So we headed to Federation Square as this is where all the walks seem to start from. We walked round Queen Victoria Gardens, down past the Kings Domain, checked out the Shrine of Rememberance, walked round the royal botanic gardens, by the ornamental lake, past where the Make Poverty History concert was playing today and back along the Yarra River. We walked on to South Bank and had a hot drink there. It was a nice walk although the map wasn't really good so we didn't always walk the right way!! What a beautiful day, still a bit fresh but lovely in the sun.
We headed back over to Federation Square and then headed into St Pauls Cathedral which is currently having renovations done on some of it so we could only see a bit. I gave a donation, lit a candle for Nana and took some photo's. We didn't stay too long. It is quite a nice catedral though and someone began playing the organs as we were leaving.
We just headed back towards to hostel and took a few photos on the way. It is still sunny out and hopefully the weather will stay much the same while I am here!!
Not sure what the weekend plans are, maybe another walk? Have to contact more agencies about work so that we will get something soon.
Hope everyone is doing well.
Love
Dawn
xxxx
P.S. I have to apologise about some of my pictures....I had it on a silly mode and so will probably walk that way again and take some better ones!!

Final Weekend in Darwin - Finally

2006-11-11T16:40:00.000+11:00

Ok so I have now finished work...yippee!! Kerstin and Sarah left for Broome early Friday morning, Emma leaves for Melbourne late tomorrow night, I leave for Melbourne Monday afternoon and Sylvia will be here another couple of weeks I think!
So my last week at work was ok. The heat is getting even worse though so I cannot wait to get to Melbourne although I will prob need to buy a coat of some sort!
Emma and I went to Crocodylus Park here this morning as they were celebrating 12 years being open so it was only $10, instead of $25!!!
This was a stressful event, especially after the hassle it was to get there. On the website it says can get the number 5 bus from Darwin so off we went to catch it and then looked at the timetable - its doesn't run weekends!! We asked a bus driver and he said we should get to Casaurina(sp??) and then get the number 9 to the park so we jumped on the 10 to Casaurina and then once there we sat where the number nine should pick up from but there was no timetable for it so we didn't know if it would come. We sat for quite a while with Emma getting bored and me making up little songs which seemed to be embarrassing Emma!! Ha ha. Finally a bus pulled up - a number 1, we heard a lady (very loud lady) who got off saying she was going to Crocodylus and they would be getting back on that same bus. Everybody started to get on and eventually Emma and I decided to venture towards the bus and then asked the lady if it was the right one, she confirmed it was!! We jumped on and probably arrived at the park at about 11.40am, almost 2 hours since we had left Darwin!!! We got there anyway...it was getting really hot by now.
Well we weren't too impressed with the layout or the animal enclosures and to be honest it all seemed a bit make shift!!! However, I am uploading some pictures from our very sweaty experience. I can't believe people normally pay $25 to go as it is so small. We got to see a tiger being fed, which I don't really like (unless they stimulate them a bit), and all the lady did was hold meat to the bars and the tiger took it through.... All the big cats seemed far too hot - tongues out, trying to cool in the shade or in water, poor things. It didn't take us very long to walk round the place so we headed off around 1pm which bought on the whole bus back thing!!
We eventually found the bus stop and waited there about half an hour before the bus came and we were lucky that at Casaurina there was a number 10 just waiting for us so we got on. We were home by about 2.30pm - most of the day spent getting to and from the park which is not easy if you don't own a car!!
So anyway I have showered and wandered down here to upload the pics and do a quick blog to get everyone up to date on what is happening.
Emma and I are going out for dinner tonight to somewhere that is always busy so we hope its good!!! I am so excited about going out to eat somewhere nice.... We sat in last night watching Starsky and Hutch - which was good except for the adverts!!
Take care and I will let you guys know how Melbourne is!!
Dawnie
xxxxx
Yes I know - more picture of tigers...

Photos

2006-10-31T00:30:00.000+11:00

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!!!

2006-10-31T00:12:00.000+11:00

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!!

2006-10-25T21:15:00.000+10:00

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!!

2006-10-13T11:15:00.000+10:00

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

2006-10-03T23:53:00.000+10:00

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

2006-10-03T23:13:00.000+10:00

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

2006-10-03T22:39:00.000+10:00

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!!

2006-10-03T21:34:00.000+10:00

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!!

Cairns!!

2006-09-21T09:58:00.000+10:00

Hi
Well I have been pretty busy while I have been in Cairns. Last week I spent 4 days doing an Open Water Diving Course which was great. I can't wait to get back under the water although it looks like I'll have to wait til the West Coast. I don't have any photos of me diving, unfortunately, as we were learning and not allowed cameras. I really love it though and plan to continue doing it whenever I can. It was actually quite alot of work so I was really tired every night!! Worst thing was taking the mask off under water and replacing/clearing it, I hated that. Mike, the instructor, was my buddy and he wasn't the best buddy to have duie to the fact that he had to be there for everybody so that was not too great. Emma has learnt diving so we'll probably go together.
I have also visited Cape Tribulation which was pretty cool. Where Rainforest meets the Reef. It is pretty cool to see the rainforest and all the different plants growing. We also went on a crocodile cruise down the Daintree River and saw 2 wilc crocodiles which was great, a much better way to see them. One of the ones we saw was 5.5 metres long and a fat guy too. They didn't seem bothered about the boats at all which kinda bothered me a bit, I'd like them to try to hide or something.
We walked through the rainforest and were told about how much damage the Wild Pigs cause by digging up all the new growth. The rainforest had also been damaged by the Cyclone slightly, its mainly the canopy that had the damage from that. There are wild Cassowary birds up there but I wasn't lucky enough to see one.
I stayed in like rainforest bungalows in CapeTribulation which was quite nice. I wandered around the rainforest some more and along the beaches. We couldn't swim in the sea due to recent crocodile sightings and a couple lived around there. I had quite a bit of rest up there also after my busy last few days.
We left Cape Tribulation around lunchtime the next day. We stopped at a lookout which was a lovely view. It was of the ocean and Lowe Isles which is where Steve Irwin was picked up by the emergency helicopter, I imagine he died somewhere in the view which is quite sad.
We also stopped at Mossman Gorge and so I took photos and walked across a wabbly suspension bridge, no Mum wouldn't like that at all!! We were only there about 30 mins and then we headed for a quick stop at Port Douglas so just had a walk down to the marina and back along the street a bit, they had Cane Toad racing in one of the pubs!! It seemed quite a nice place.
I got back to my hostel in Cairns around 6ish and then I walked to the Night Markets and got some fish and chips for dinner, chips weren't proper but it was ok.
Right now here is a stupid thing!!! The next day I went round getting car hire quotes as I thought I'd hire one on Thursday. Well I decided to do it today. I completed all the paperwork and off I went. I didn't get far, actually to the first set of traffic lights and was turning right, I am sure the car coming towards me was also indicating right so off I went and the next thing I know this little old Asian lady in a big old Volvo had hit me!!! We pulled up and exchanged details, obviously no damage to her car but my bumper was - oh shit!!! So we drove back to the rental place, I was slightly shaky since I have never had an accident before and also pissed off cos I knew this would cost me money!! Apparently the lady in question has quite a lot of accident so she is experienced... Anyway I had to pay my money and then I decided that I was still taking the bloody car out since it had now cost me so bloody much!!
Anyway off I went again, this time in a bit of a mood, and I drove down past Innisfail and to Paronella Park. Paronella Park was built by a Spanish guy who dreamed of having a Spanish Castle. So it is beautiful gardens with a waterfall and a bit of a Castle. It was really lovely to walk around although there was also damage from the Cyclone here and some parts you couldn't walk through. It reminded me of walking round some of the national trust places at home except different trees and plants. Was good. I was there for about 1-2 hours.
I decided that I would head back a different way and so pop to some Waterfalls on the way back. The first one I stopped at was Mungalli Falls which was quite nice but you viewed it from the top so couldn't really see it properly. I then stopped at Ellinjaa Falls, Zillie Falls and Millaa Millaa Falls, again, and they are all nice. I can see why Millaa Millaa Falls is the usual stop though. The others had trees fallen on the path, I guess from the cyclone, so it was a bit of a task to get down to them. It was good to see them all though.
After I had seen them all I started to head back. I followed signs to Gordonvale which was the direction I wanted and ended up going through the Tablelands, down the side of a mountain on a very windy road with a high accident rate!!! It was kinda freaky as sometimes I got worried as felt I was going a little too fast. But eventually I got down and drove through the valley. I got back to Cairns at about 4.30pm and after getting petrol, dropped the car back.
I then went online and told Mum of my stupid error....
Couldn't really eat dinner so ended up pigging out on doughnut and cookies!!!
Yesterday I was picked up at 9ish and taken ready for my 14,000ft skydive!!! I did all the paperwork and got ready, we then headed to the airport. We all jumped into the little plane and we were off, it was cosy. 2 tandums and 1 single jumped out at 10,000ft which was freaky since they just disappear!! There were then 3 singles and me, the only tandum, at 14,000. We went last so I just sat in the doorway and did as I was told. The guy just pushed us out and that was it we were falling, felt alot slower than I thought it would. I found it hard to breath but it was ok. To be honest I am glad I tried it but I wasn't scared and I didn't get the thrill I thought I would from it. It was nice once the parachute was pulled and we could have a proper look around and a chat. I don't need to do it again but it was a good experience.
I had a bit of free time so I chilled out and had lunch. At 2 I was picked up for my half day Barron River White Water Rafting. We got all set and put into our different teams and then headed down the river. It was great, so much fun. I love those bendy boats. The rapids were great, got a bit wet but didn't fall in thankfully. The boat just feels like it goes all over the place and you think you will go in bumping about!! Very exciting. We spent about 2 hours on the river, which does have Crocs in but not in the section we were in!! We did get photos taken which I have ordered and they will be sent to Mum and Dad so they will have to upload a couple for me to see!!!
Watched Steves Memorial last night and then had dinner and read my book. Hope everyone is well.
Dawn
xxx

Townsville - Cairns

2006-09-12T17:06:00.000+10:00

Well I joined a couple of agencies, did half a day of work - envelope stuffing, even though I called them daily! Spent alot of time wandering and watching crappy old videos. Walked up Castle Hill a couple of times, went swimming in the pool and chilled again!!! Finished a book, started a new one.
After a week and a half and a very drunken evening I decided to jump back onto the Oz Bus up to Mission Beach then Cairns. So with a hangover I caught the bus at 1.30 on Saturday and off we went to Mission Beach. Not too much happened. I read some more and we had a few stops for food and views. We did however reach part of the area that Cyclone Larry hit in March. Cyclone Larry was a grade 5 Cyclone and took out alot of the rainforest and destroyed crops and homes. Apparently the only difference between a Cyclone and a Hurricane is that a Cyclone spins anti-clockwise and a Hurricane clockwise and they are graded the same. Quite strange seeing the thinned out rainforest with trees snapped in half and some destroyed buildings, bit shocking.
Had a chilled out evening in Mission Beach. Tried Kangeroo Steak, it was just like beef, don't really agree with eating Kangeroo but thought I'd try it. No need to ever eat it again.
The next morning we left at 8am and headed straight to grab some breakfast. After that we jumped back on and off we went to The Johnstone River Crocodile Farm. I like to see the crocodiles but I really don't agree with farming them for meat and skin, its just wrong. Anyway we saw a feeding and a massive crocodile that didn't really do anything, looked a bit fake but ate a chicken leg so must've been real. I held a crocodile which was great and also a carpet python and I loved that. Really love snakes and crocodiles and would love to learn more about them.
After seeing the crocodiles etc we headed to Milla Milla Falls, I came here last time I was in Oz and there was hardly any water, and it was beautiful, plenty of water coming down.
We grabbed some lunch and headed to a lake to eat it. The lake was purely rain water which is quite amazing for such a drought stricken place. It was so clear and large. We left there at 2.30 and had a quick stop at a look out over Cairns to take photos.
Had a really chilled out night, ate dinner then watched tv....
So now I am in Cairns and I start my Padi Open Water Dive course tomorrow morning for 4 days, Sunday and Monday I am on a Cape Tribulation Tour and then, here is the exciting stuff, Wednesday I am doing a 14,000ft Skydive (oh shit!!!) and white water rafting in the afternoon!! Should be great. I am then heading to Alice Springs on Sat 23rd where I'll see Ayres Rock and then head upto Darwin. Emma will be there so after I have done my Kakadu tour on 1st October we'll meet up and I will finally get a job, with proper determination!!
Hope everyone is well.
Dawn
xx

Steve Irwin What a Bloke

2006-09-04T16:19:00.000+10:00

I had to put a post on here about Steve Irwin dieing this afternoon. I was really sad to hear about it and very shocked. I feel so bad for his family.
Steve Irwin has died in a diving accident in far north Queensland. He was 44.
Police say he was stung through the heart by a stingray while diving off Port Douglas.
He was filming a documentary when the accident occurred around midday AEST near the Low Isles.
A helicopter arrived with paramedics on board to try to resuscitate him, but it was too late.
Irwin's body is being taken to the morgue in Cairns.
His family are believed to be flying from Brisbane to Cairns this afternoon.
Irwin, who was was born in Victoria in 1962, inherited his love of reptiles from his father.
His father Bob was a keen reptile enthusiast and moved the family to Queensland in 1970 to open a small reptile park on the Sunshine Coast.
Irwin took over the family business in 1991 and grew it into Australia Zoo.
In 1992 he ventured into television, making the first series of the Crocodile Hunter.
When the program aired in the United States, he shot to international fame.
Irwin is survived by his wife Terri and two children.
I just wanted to add a little something to this. I just watched the Memorial Service which was held at the Crocoseum at Australia Zoo. It was a very touching event and Bindi is an asset to her wonderful parents, she delivered a wonderful speech about her Dad and was very brave. I think she shows what wonderful parents Steve and Terri are. Her Dad would be so proud of her. It was sad to watch but also so nice to watch clips of Steve doing his great work. I will miss him for sure, I love his shows and am gutted there won't be more, however, I think that Bindi will follow in his footsteps and have a brilliant TV show.
Dawn
x

New Pictures

2006-08-30T20:18:00.000+10:00

Ok so finally I have uploaded some new pictures and there are more to come, it takes ages!!! Enjoy people, I think you'll find a few more with me in them.
Love
Dawn
xxx

Magnetic Island

2006-08-30T19:55:00.000+10:00

Left Airlie Beach at 8am and we only stopped a couple of times for food etc. When we got to Townsville we drove upto Castle Hill to have a view of the city, much bigger than I thought. Looked nice. Had Cosmic as a driver and he seemed a pretty cool bloke.
We checked out an aboriginal centre quickly before boarding the ferry to Magnetic Island. Looks much more developed since I was last here. We arrived at 3 and had to just dump our bags and head straight out for The Forts walk.
We started the walk and Cosmic pointed out different plants and also the green ants where you can lick their arse and its like lime, noone trusted him though!! He also warned us about the Death Adder as they are around up there but they wouldn't be on the path so that was fine.
We walked for a while keeping our eyes peeled for wild Koalas. Well Cosmic was rubbish cos he just walked right past them but I spotted them. Really close to the path was a mother and baby Koala so we took some snaps and then left them in peace, Cosmic was a bit freaked about how close we were so we didn't want to upset them. I was really chuffed, they looked like they had been placed there in a nice little pose!!
What a fantastic thing to see, I am so impressed and happy to have seen them.
Anyway, we stopped at some great lookouts on our walk with great views of the Island. We also went into these little concrete room things where there were tiny Bentwing Bats, I love the wildlife in Australia.
We got to the top of our Forts walk and had a view of the entire Island which was fantastic. We made our way back down but didn't spot anymore Koalas, so I was great!!! Got a free drink in the bar later for it so that was good.
There was a pub quiz with stupid games going on later on and that was ok but got really boring cos they dragged it out too long. I went to bed at 12.30 and it hadn't finished yet!! Stupid...
I chilled out the next day really, got my washing done, did some very overdue journal and relaxed. I went for a random walk with this guy James which was ok, we went up a hill and down to another beach so there was a bit of activity. Had some dinner while watching the stupid Feral cats trying to find food along with the possems. Had a few drinks and then bed.
I left Magnectic Island early this afternoon and am now in Townsville, off to an agency tomorrow. Hope everyone is well, sorry about any spelling mistakes!!
Dawn
xxx

Airlie beach - Whitsundays

2006-08-30T19:04:00.000+10:00

I got picked up at 8.30am from my hostel and taken, along with others, to the Marina where we met our crew and the rest of the group, mainly consisting of alot of crazy Irish guys, and jumped on our home for the next 3 days - Maxi Siska.
The Irish loaded all their alcohol on board and we all ditched our footware and jumped on board. We had the usual safety chat etc and then went off to pick a bunk. I choose a top bunk as there seemed slightly more room.
We went back on deck and chatted/chilled for a bit. All the crew had seperate chats with us. There was Pete the skipper, Tris and Jesse. We couldn't sail on the first day as there was no wind!! But that meant it was lovely weather with calm seas. So on the way to our first stop we saw Turtles getting it on and dolphins getting it on!! We disturbed them but I guess it is spring time...!
We also saw a whale pretty close and then saw a load of whales quite far away, but it was an amazing sight anyway, and they were all jumping really high up out of the sea - almost their entire body was above water. Just incredible.
We had some lunch and then stopped so people could swim/snorkel. I went in but it was really cold and so I struggled with the snorkling. Was in there for a while, great visibility. I got out pretty soon though and chilled on deck. After a while when everyone else had come back in we moved off and parked up in another bay. I went in in my wetsuit and with just a mask and that was cool, swam about for quite a bit. Only 5 of us went back in that time. Quite alot of fish around.
We had more chill time on deck for a while and then went off to where we would spend the night. A few people went for a final swim. Sat chatting and having some drinks. Jesse bought us nachos which we scoffed quickly and then we had dinner which was great. We stayed chatting for quite a while. The Irish guys are great free entertainment, so funny...
The next day was more swimming although we had the pleasure of Paddy swimming naked, he did look like he had white shorts on though.
We headed off mid-morning to Whitehaven Beach and got there around 11am. We walked up to the Hill Inlet Lookout which showed thet fantastic view at the top of the page. Like a paradise beach really, quite amazingly stunning I don't think anyone could dislike it.
We took our photos and then walked down onto part of the beach and the sand was just like powder, so fine. Had to be careful with cameras and stuff as the sand would get everywhere. Went for a quick swim as it was so inviting, but cold!! Because the Whitsundays are protected you aren't allowed to remove anything from anywhere on them so if you get caught with a shell you could get fined $10K, crazy.. Needless to say I didn't touch anything. The guys played football and the girls kinda volleyballed a ball around.
We were at Whitehaven Beach for a couple of hours and when we left we could sail because there was wind - YAY!!
I helped get the sail up and did a spiffing job, I kept my rope super tight!! Well sailing was fun, the boat was really tilted over to one side which was cool. I loved it. We just had lunch and chilled for the rest of the day on the boat as we didn't want to stop now we were sailing.
When we stopped for the evening it was dark so we couldn't really see where the land was. Apparently the crew started looking for crocodiles as they thought they saw the eyes!!
The stars were always stunning while on the boat so we saw the South Cross etc. People pointed out a few but I forget. Paddy was making them up! We had some drinks and chatted. We then went for dinner after which the Irish guys had a great idea to play Kings, a drinking game. Now this is why I don't drink. I got really drunk so much so that I can remember halfway through the second game and thats it, nothing til morning!! I did have to down a mixture of everyones drink though which was, thankfully, just beer and wine as noone had spirits. One of the Irish, Damien, was sick over board - at least I didn't do that, I don't think!!
So I woke up in the morning wondering how on earth I had got there and managed to climb into my bunk, well I amazing had so thats all that mattered!!
I had a really lazy day as I didn't want to be up in the sun and I was tired and, dare I say it, hungover slightly. I chilled out all day, mainly snozing downstairs although going up every now and then and managing to eat lunch.
We got back at about 4pm and got taken back to our hostels etc. I sorted some things out and then we met for food at 7.30. Mark and I were first so we chatted for a bit until the others came. Obviously the Irish lads wanted to play drinking games again... Well, I couldn't manage but I did watch and it was funny. I said my goodbyes and left at 11pmish ready for my early bus the next day.
My group were Mark, Caroline, Cat, Mel, Lisa, Annette, Becki, Luke, Leen and the Irish group - Paddy, John, Big Kieran, Kieran, Damien, Terry-Ann, Peter and one more who I could never work out what they called him. It was a really good weekend although I would've liked to explore some of the Islands more.
Dawn
xxx

Rockhampton

2006-08-30T18:52:00.000+10:00

So I was going to maybe work in Rockhampton and stay with Kristine but I decided to just visit and actively look for work in Townsville, as its nicer.
So Kristine and I went to see United 93 which I felt was a good film, maybe because its a true story and it brings back all the emotions of the event itself. It was really good though.
I also spent a day in the Botanic Gardens there which has a small free zoo to look round. The gardens were beautiful and tropical. It has a Japanese garden which was nice and then lovely walkways round the rest with a war memorial in the centre.
The zoo has a couple of chimps, snakes, kangeroo, koalas and emus etc. It was pleasant to walk around. I also booked my hostel for Airlie Beach and my 3 day 2 night sailing round the Whitsundays on Maxi Siska...
Kristine and I went out for a meal on my final night, I was only there 1 1/2 days, and we had Thai. It was so good. It was great to see Kristine again and a bit sad to say goodbye as we are not sure when we'll meet again. Maybe Townsville, Cairns, Melbourne, Perth or UK. I'll def keep in touch though. I need to thank her properly for everything she did for me. I owe her a few meals out thats for sure.
Kristine dropped me off with my bag and I had a walk around town then I was off at 11am to Airlie Beach and ready for my sailing trip.

Kroombit Cattle Station...!

2006-08-30T17:57:00.000+10:00

So it was an early morning and Gwen took me to my Oz bus at 7.10am. I said goodbye and jumped on. Shaun was the driver and I was only one of two passengers!! Tracey was the other and she grew up in Milton Keynes, her parents still live in Furzton - Freaky!!
Shaun was a funnyish driver. Working for 8 years in Africa as a safari guide. Talked alot of rubbish but we enjoyed taking the piss out of him!! Tracey was easy to get on with, had a good sense of humour.
We had a laugh on our drive to Kroombit and arrived there around 2pm. Tracey and I wanted to go for a walk so we made Shaun take us, he wanted to chill in the pool!! So we walked up a hill and it was lovely views, nothing around us except countryside, hills and trees. We walked back down and then got told we were going to Lassoo a Goat!!
We headed off up to the goat pen and began to practice our form... I was good until I had to let go and I just couldn't get that right. Well, it was too late no more practice, we watched a couple of guys doing it and then there I was stuck in a pen with lots of goats just staring at me!! I picked my goat and he appeared unfazed by my approach ( I think he knew I wouldn't get him) so I got closer, spinning the rope over my head I decided it was time and the clock was ticking so I went for it and let go of the rope but no I just missed and the goat hadn't even moved!! I had two more tries with the same goat and I got close by getting the rope round his horns but I wasn't quick enough to pull it tight, oh well it was fun. Tracey did better by getting the goat on her second go so she had won!! Damn...
We then had to work as a team, Shaun, Tracey and I, so we had to milk a goat each. We would take it in turns so that one person would hold the horns, the other the leg and then the last would milk. Tracey was due to milk first but she freaked out to Shaun jumped to the rescue... I held the leg up while he milked and then proceeded to drink what he had milked!! I was up next so we found a female goat and while they held it for me I milked like I had never milked before and got some out, Shaun drank that too! Tracey was up next and she had to do it this time, she struggled cos she had an old crusty one but eventually she got a drip and dropped the drip in her mouth!!
We were then due to start competing, us three against three workers (backpacker workers). First we had, pretend, branding. All but one goat were removed from the pen and we had to catch it, get it to the ground and then brand its bum. I did the branding. We did that on an adult goat and then a baby goat, we won!! We then had to catch the goat, get it to the ground and tie three legs together and it had to stay down for 5 seconds. We did well, I tied the legs and the goat was down... We lost though because their stupid goat just ran towards them so they caught it straight away. It was fun playing with the goats!!! The goats were all let out when we had finished violating them.
We headed back to our rooms to shower etcand get ready for dinner. When we came out the Southbound Oz bus was there with its 5 passengers!! We chatted and then had a fantastic home cooked meal.
After dinner we toasted some marshmallows on the fire. We chatted some more and then it was time for some good old whip cracking. We had a little lesson and then it was down to us. I was quite impressed with myself. I could do it almost straight away and with a bit of practice I was good!! I did whip my hand and back a bit so was a bit bruised from the experience. After playing for quite a while we got to try with a bigger whip and the was great, it made such a loud noise. Look at me breaking the sound barrier!!
Tracey, Ruth (girl from Melbourne on other bus) and I were drinking giggle juice, basically cheap sparkling wine... So we had some more before attempting the mechanical bull. Well we all had a go. When it came to my turn I got into position and the bull started, what a fright!! It is crazy and pretty hard. I lasted for 9 bucks or seconds which I thought wasn't bad but my hand and crouch were rather sore from the experience. The winner lasted 12 bucks so I wasn't far behind. I also bruised my knee when I fell off!!
Anyway the rest of the night was relatively tame, we played some games, drank some more and had some moe marshmallow. I had a great time there.
Dawn
xxx

Fraser Island Trip!!!

2006-08-30T16:49:00.000+10:00

Ok so Kristine dropped me off at her Mum's house in Hervey Bay. I booked onto a guided tour of Fraser Island. I also visited the large group of Bats that live in Hervey Bay and took lots of photos.
So I left for Fraser pretty early at 7.40am and jumped on the bus to the harbour. We all grabbed our boarding passes and waited for the Kingfisher ferry. When it got there we all poured on, some lady was taking everyones picture but I told her I wouldn't buy it so she shouldn't bother taking my picture...
When we arrived at the Island we all jumped on our bus with our ranger, Patrick, who had a strange look of Patrick Swayze (sp?)!! Don't get too excited girls he didn't have the body!!
So we headed out of the resort and started on the fantastic roads on Fraser which consist of sand and hills. It was really fun bumpy about all over the place. We came across a 4WD type car that was stuck so a few of the guys had to help them out.
We drove for quite a while and then parked up, had morning tea and went off for a wlk to Basin Lake. It was about a 30 minute bush walk which was good. All the lakes on Fraser are fresh water and all come from rainfall. The acidic water in some of them can condition your hair and the sand, being so fine, can exfoliate (sp?) and also clean gold and silver. Quite clever. Anyway Basin Lake reminded me slightly of the Green Loch at Glenmore which was kinda cool. I walked round it but a few people swam.
We walked from there to Central Station through the bush and met up with the Ranger there. We then walked about another 2km to the bus. The walks were really nice but we ended up in a bloody queue because of all the tourists!! Annoying...
Once we were all back on the bus we drove to Lake Mackenzie. We arrived at about 2.30pm and so lunch was set up. A very delicious lunch. We wandered down to the lake after stuffing ourselves! I paddled and the water is just crystal clear, very soft. Again there were alot of people around so didn't manage to get a perfect picture!! It really is beautiful though, stunning scenery.
We headed back to the resort after that for dinner and a few drinks. It was a relatively quiet night as we were pretty tired.
Well the next day we were up at 6.30 ready for breakfast at 7!! We packed up, ate and jumped back into the bus. We left the resort around 8 after waking someone up!!
We drove right across the Island to The Great Sandy Highway which is 75 mile beach and is actually classified as a highway with 100km/h speed limit!! It is full of 4WD trucks everywhere and pretty nice to drive along.
We had a quick stop on the beach to take pictures and then drove further up to Eli Creek which is one of the largest easterly creeks, on the Island, feeding a heap of fresh water into the sea daily. We had morning tea there and Kerry, a girl I met, and I did random things on the beach and took photos.
We then headed further along the highway where we could actually do a scenic flight so I did. We jumped into the little plane and sped off down the beach and took to the skies. It was quite an eye opener to see how big Fraser really is. Even knowing that it is the biggest sand island in the world at 125km x 25km (at the thickest point) I didn't realise the size. There is also such a great deal of rainforest on the island. It was stunning in the flight. We saw dolphins and a massive whale from above so we could make out the shape perfectly!! Fantastic. We also saw some of the freshwater lakes, Mackenzie looking massive!, and the big sand drifts. So we were in the air about 20 minutes and I am so glad I did it.
Once we had landed we headed to the Maheno Shipwreck, which when being towed to Japan in 1935 a cyclone cut her adrift and she was driven ashore, its quite strange to see how much of the ship has disappeared. Anyway, I took a few shots of that and then we had to get going. A few more people did a flight so we headed along the beach a bit to pick them up.
We continued along the beach and after having to drive over the back of the beach and onto another beach we reached Indian Head. We jumped out of the bus and all walked upto the top of Indian Head, it was so warm... We sat up there for quite a while. Saw sharks, turtles, stingrays and dolphins in the sea below it was quite a sight. I was so excited to see Sharks in the wild but I wanted them to feast on something - sick person I am!! After taking quite a few pictures and chilling out on the rocks up there we had to be off.
We drove on a bit more to the Champagne Pools where we had lunch and relaxed. A few people swam but not many. I just photographed it. We had to leave at 2.30 as we had to be off the beach by 4.
So we headed back down the beach and had been driving quite a while when Patrick spotted a Dingo so he slammed the breaks on and a few of us jumped out to try and get a picture. Well, we didn't cos the darn Dingo had scampered off before we could. At least I saw one thought and its not hard to imagine. A skinny ginger dog really...
We carried on down the beach and stopped to check out the coloured sands. Just a quick stop really, a few pictures then we were off again. I think we got off the beach at just the right time as the tide was coming in.
We stopped at a lookout, looking back out to sea which was quite nice and then we were off to catch the ferry. The ferry left at 5pm so I said goodbye to Fraser knowing that it is always changing. I would like to go back without any agenda and enjoy each place for as long as I like.
Fraser Island is made up of sand which drifts up the coast and can be made smaller in extreme weather. I would definately recommend anyone nearby visit Fraser, its quite an amazing natural place.
Dawn
xxx

Hervey Bay - Lazy Days....

2006-08-15T20:29:00.000+10:00

I had a very lazy time in Hervey Bay. I had four days there before Kristine was due back so I had to entertain myself. I decided not to do Fraser Island until a bit later in the year, if poss, when it is warmer.
I walked around alot and saw the aquarium which was a bit of a rip off but something to do for an hour or so. I checked out the beach and saw a load of fruit bats nearby which was cool. Went out a couple of nights and chatted to some guys which was ok. Most people don't bother with Hervey Bay, they just use it as a stop of point for Fraser Island.
I also visited the Botanic Gardens and had some great seafood. I read alot and finished my book there.
The accommodation was actually really good. I stayed in The Friendly Hostel which was set up like apartments and no room had more than 3 beds in it so that was great.
Met an interesting guy from Tasmania but who lives in Rainbow Beach. He was very hippyish and spiritual so we had an interesting chat one evening in the hostel.
So when Kristine arrived I didn't really get very active. I got to stay in a home though which was fabulous. I cannot thank Gwen, Kristine's Mum, or Kristine enough for everything they've done!! We watched alot of DVD's, went for walks, had a cycle and got my resume etc sorted out ready to apply for jobs.
Anyway I am currently in Brisbane, emailed some agencies but haven't heard back as yet. Staying at friends of Kristines so at least its a bit nicer than hostels.
Heading back to Hervey Bay with Kristine and doing Fraser Island.
Lets not go crazy with the comments on this one guys..
Dawn
xxx

Noosa!

2006-08-01T15:43:00.000+10:00

Well to be honest Noosa has been a real chill out place for me. I have had a couple of days where it has just pissed it down. I have walked round the beautiful national park a couple of times, once wandering onto a nude beach and catching a glimpse of some old guys little pecker!!! Wasn't very impressed thats for sure, I quickly got off that beach as there seemed to be quite a few more old people standing around naked....not a pretty sight!!
I have stayed several places while here. I started at the YHA Halse Lodge in Noosa Heads, bit pricey so I was only there a couple of days, I then moved onto Dolphins Beachouse in Sunshine Beach - such a stunning beach and I was there for about 5 days which was quite nice as they have apartments so we could all just chill in front of the telly!! I am currently staying in Noosa Backpackers ( where I stayed when I was last here 5 years ago!!) which is in Noosaville located on the Noosa river which is lovely.
I have been to the infamous Australia Zoo - Home of The Crocodile Hunter and before you ask NO!! I didn't see Steve, Terri, Bindi or Robert..... It was a great day out though and I really enjoyed it. I have been looking into volunteering there which is something I may do nearer the end of my year here!! Would love to get some experience there, accommodation is a bit of an issue though which is why I'm not doing it now.
Oh I also have to say that I played killer pool one night with 14 people playing and I amazingly came 3rd!!! God only knows how....
I have wandered round the shops here, managed to put a load of photos onto disc and also checked outthe Eumundi Markets not far away. I went there with a girl I met at Dolphins and it was great, we tried so many delicious food samples. I was only really interested in the food there and it was great. Only bought a couple of food items!
I have read alot while here also and so finished my final Dan Brown book, Deception Point (?) and exchanged that for another book which I haven't started yet and clearly don't know the name yet!!
Really apart from all that I have gone on a few jogs so have done a little exercise which is kinda nice. The weather has been great the last few days with nice clear blue skies and about 25degrees. Kelly has come up for a couple of days so we have had a BBQ on the river which was really good.
Ok so I did the Noosa Everglades which were beautiful and a very relaxing afternoon cruise. The reflections are just stunning as was the wildlife and national park. We did see Richard Bransons Island there which he has apparently only used for 5 afternoon parties and has never stayed overnight on even though it cost him around $3million... Crazy man has too much money. We also went through the largest salt water lake in Queensland and it was large. We had to be careful as the lakes were pretty shallow so the driver had to follow the red and green flags.
I got all packed up the next morning and jumped back onto the Oz bus at midday headed for Hervey Bay!! Only 6 people on the bus so very quiet.... We stopped and checked out Rainbow Beach where we also got to play the Digereedoo (sp?) and throw a bomerang - shockingly I could do both kind of.
Dawnie
xx

Ozzy Mobile

2006-08-01T08:35:00.000+10:00

Ok so I have had my mobile number for a while and have text people if I have their number but for the rest of you heres my mobile number: 0061423628392 if texting etc from UK. I will mostly reply to texts unless low on credit etc.
Hope you are all doing great xx

Nimbin, Surfers, Zorbing and Brisbane...

2006-07-29T18:09:00.000+10:00

So we arrived in Nimbin at 9.30am and headed straight to the candle factory. They use old fashioned methods and no chemicals which is good. Thre were alot of nice candles to buy but I didn't really want any. We went into Nimbin for breakfast etc. Nimbin is actually well known for tolerating cannibis although it is still illegal. We could've bought hash cookies or chocolates but I'm not really like that and I don't think anyone did from our group.
It is such a colourful, hippy place and everyone is so laid back. Everyone seems to live an alternative lifestyle so they grow their own veg, use solar power etc. Quite good really. They also hold a Mardi Grass annually to peacefully protest for hash to be legalised. We checked out the little museum which was sweet.
We left Nimbin around 11.30 and headed to Surfers Paradise. On the way we stopped off at Point Danger, NSW/QLD border, and stopped to take some pictures. We got to Surfers around lunchtime. There isn't really much to do there except shop and surf I guess. We had a wander round and grabbed a pizza slice for lunch. We left there around 3pm and headed out past all the amusement parks including where Oz BB is filmed.
Just past there we pulled into zorbing, you'll understand this more once I am able to post pictures.... We got there and grabbed our swimwear and towels. We did this in groups of 3 so Tash, Kelly and I got taken up this small hill together where the zorb was waiting. A zorb is a large inflatable ball with a small ball inside. The guy at the top was chucking in some warm water into the smaller ball (apparently to stop us sticking to the inside) and then we each had to dive in through the entrance hole. Once in we couldn't see what was going on out side which was a bit freaky. We started to roll down the hill and we were just laughing our heads off as we sloshed about inside!!! People had laid down in front of us as we rolled down so we rolled over them but we had no idea.... Once we were at the bottom we had to be re-born in the sense of jumping out the hole. It was great fun and I'm glad I did it.
We arrived in Brisbane around 6pm and got into our hostel, Palace Backpackers. We were in a 3 bed room so we freshened up and then went to the pub for our cheap $6 steak, it was good a bit like wetherspoons steak I suppose. Had a few drinks with some of the group and probably went to bed around 11ish.
We had to move rooms because we could hear like a rat or something scratching under the floorboards although to be honest after the night we had I doubt that would've made a difference. We had very little sleep due to the TV being really loud and drunken backpackers shouting and running all round the hostel, it got quiet around 6am!! I complained and was told thats what I should expect from backpackers as the majority are like that, not impressed...
Well Kelly and I got up around 7am anyway because we just wanted to get washed and out. Tash left on the bus this morning so we didn't see her. We went off in search of a new hostel and ended up staying in Cloud 9, booked for 2 nights as I was booked on the Saturday bus.
We didn't really do too much this day. I finally got my visa stamp put in my passport!! We wandered round, Kelly bought a camera and we went to the fake beach on Southbank. It was quite nice. We did go back to our new kostel for an afternoon nap which was good and needed. Had a good dinner and an early night.
We got up at 8 the next day and had breakfast on our way into town. We jumped on the bus to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary which was about 45 minutes away. We spent half the day there. Saw all the animals. Held a koala and listened to the talk about them which was interesting. We also fed the kangeroos which was ok, they didn't care about you unless you had food!! It was a nice day, I had been there when I visited last time so was odd to go back. Its strange now getting to places I came to then, seems a different life.
We left there around 2pm and got the bus back to town. We wandered round the shops where I bought some new tops. Had a nice dinner of Oysters which was good.
Popped on the net when we got back to the hostel, we chatted for a bit and then I called mum and talked to her which was nice.
Bed at about 11pm.
I was up early the next day, 6am, to catch the Oz bus to Noosa which is where I am now. Dane was my driver, who we had met at Barrington - he had looked after Kelly during her chuck up moments!!! That was funny. We stopped to check out the Glasshouse Mountains on our way, we walked up to a lookout which was good. Got to Noosa around 10.30am...
Sorry I keep getting behind, at least it gives you more to read at a time!!! I will try to go somewhere that I can upload pictures from and get a few up there.
Love Dawnie
xxx

Byron Bay

2006-07-29T11:27:00.000+10:00

So on our way to Byron we stopped at Coffs Harbour to check out the Big Banana!! Apparently they started building big things over here so I got my picture of the banana, although they are still too expensive to eat!!
We also passed by the Big Prawn..... And there was a photo stop, I wasn't as impressed with this so I didn't capture it.
We got into Byron Bay around 6ish and settled into the Holiday Village, Kelly, Tash and I stayed in an apartment which consisted of a double room and a dorm room with four beds. There were a couple in the other room, it was nice to have somewhere to chill out.
We just get changed and then headed over to "Cheeky Monkies" to meet the rest of the group for dinner.....well we weren't overly impressed with cheeky monkies due to the fact they are famous for wet t-shirt contests and having some strange power over drunken ladies that they seem to get on the tables and strip!!! We ate and left, needless to say we didn't return during our time in Byron although alot of the group did! We went to another pub that night and had a couple of drinks but it was a relatively early night.
Had a pretty chilled time at Byron really. The next day we grabbed breakfast, wandered round the shops and then down the beach. Had a delicious dinner from the supermarket, salad with broccoli, roast chicken and mayo followed. We went out for dessert and ended up at a place called The Balcony which was very nice. I had a chocolate fondant pudding with choc ice cream - it was soooo goooodd, also had cocktails. We had a nice evening chatting.
The next day we god up around 9 and had our cereal for breakfast. We left the apartment at 10ish and walked down to the beach. We walked all the way to the end and followed a path up the headland where we saw Australia's most Easterly Point. We also saw some wild dolphins and a whale which was pretty cool. We walked upto Byron lighthouse and then followed a new path through some bush which eventually took us back to the main beach which we rejoined. It really is beautiful with some stunning scenery.
We popped back to the apartment for lunch and then went to reception to hire bikes.We cycled round a bit and ended up on this road surrounded by trees and fields which was quite nice, very English really. I did have an issue where my seat was loose so as I cycled it slowly slid down so I had to keep stopping to put it up again but it was still a nice ride, good to get active. We did end up at like a farm dead end so we had to turn around and cycle back. We were out for about 1 1/2 hours.
We wandered down the main street and I had my astrology and tarot read. It was ok but nothing too amazing.... We'll see how right he is, apparently I'll meet someone in Sept/Oct but that won't mount up to much but then I'll meet a great love in Feb, that'd be interesting!!!
We went back to the apartment and just chilled for a few hours. After the dessert last night we decided to treat ourselves by booking a table at the Balcony tonight. We went for dinner at 7.30. Had some bread with Balsamic vinigar, oil and humus to share which was very nice. I had a couple of cocktails and a fantastic fillet steak with mash, spinach and tomatoes. Best meal I have had in ages.
Went for a couple of drinks after and when I asked for peach schnapps (sp?) I was given butterscotch!!! Not very nice. Any way went to bed around midnight. A very good day.
The next day Kelly and Tash sat on the beach most of the day and as I'm not into that I went for a little walk along the beach, did my journal, went on the net for a bit and just chilled. Had a shower and then they got back so we did some shopping and came back and made dinner. Watched the OC, think I've missed quite a few!! Early night as leaving in the morning.
We got up at 6.45 and got everything packed. Washed and dressed. We checked out just after 7.30 and got on the bus. Tanya was our driver. Left just after 8am

On to Surf Camp!!

2006-07-18T14:01:00.000+10:00

So we got up early and had breakfast. Said goodbye to our new friends in Barrington and off we went on our Oz Bus with Gollum our driver. We were given a bit of entertainment to begin with as Gollum did his impressions, which is where he got his name from. The impressions were great and so similar to the real thing - fantastic!!
We drove most of the way to Surf Camp at Cresent Nest, just stopping for lunch. Oh it was so nice to eat something different after BBQ lunches at Barrington. We had fish and chips, delicious!!
We arrived at Surf Camp at about 1.30pm and were welcomed by the typical surfer australian couple Kimbo and Sarah, such lovely people. We got into our rooms and got changed before meeting for our surf lesson. Kim went over the basics first and then we all had to grab our wetsuits which had been sympatheticly named. Mine was Smelly Pussy Cat which wasn't too bad. We got taken down to the beach and all put our wetsuits on and then grabbed our boards.
We walked down onto the beach, which was pretty overcast, and all got in our circles and started practicing jumping up which was fun! After about 10 minutes we went into the sea, wasn't too cold with our wetsuits on. I managed to stand up quite a few times shortly before falling off!! It was hard work though, the board was pretty heavy and we had to continually carry it back in to try and surf again. Well eventually I had a horrible fall under a big wave and then was pushed down again by another one and so I kinda had enough. I surfed for a couple of hours and it was fun but I think I would benefit more from a smaller group. A few of us had enough so wandered back to the truck to get changed and so Gollum picked us up.
Had a fantastic BBQ dinner there in the evening with lots of great salad stuff, steak, burger and sausage so that was cool. We had to get into teams of 6 to play Jenga and see who had to wash up, we were the Vaginamites!, well obviously I knocked it down so we had to wash up. Although with 6 of us it was easy and quick.
Sat by the camp fire that evening chatting, we did have to keep coming in briefly while it rained!!
The next day a few of us didn't fancy surfing again, plus our arms were killing us. So after an early but fantastic breakfast of porridge and fruit Kelly, Tash, Dan, Chinese Girls, German group, Gollum and I went for a walk along the beach, round the headland and through a bit of rainforest until we got back to the beach. It was a really nice walk and obviously it was raining so we all got a little damp. Gollum gave us interesting facts on the way round as well which was good. We left surf camp around 11am to travel to Bryon Bay.

Bye Sydney...Hello Barrington

2006-07-18T13:35:00.000+10:00

Well it was an early start, on 10th July, to say goodbye to Sydney and a nice way to go as we left over the Harbour Bridge with a view of the sun rising over the Opera House. It was a nice place to visit but I was happy and ready to leave.
We had a couple of stops on the way to Barrington. A bunch of us decided to make a load of spag bol so we bought all the stuff and split the costs.
We arrived at Barrington about lunchtime and it was quite stunning. www.thesteps.com.au Where we stayed was in the valley of the Great Dividing Range and reminded me a bit of Scotland with the lovely river and green hills all around, was nice. Everyone seemed pretty friendly as well. Frank and Dave who jointly own the place. Nick, Talos and Shrek who are all Canadian and were working there. Adam who also worked there but had a farm nearby as well and Donna who had been there a few weeks and was a hairdresser, bit bossy though!!
We had our free BBQ lunch which was ok and then a few of us had decided to do the mountain bike ride. We were told it was an intimediate track.
We set off around 3.30 and it was pretty tough. I really enjoyed it though. Apparently it was about 9km, 7km of which were downhill. We started by being driven a bit of a way to the start point and then began by cycling into the bush. We had to walk up a few of the bigger hills which was ok. Some of the downhill was pretty steep and I could feel my back wheel skidding a bit in the dry dust. I did well though, I thought. We ended up coming out of the bush onto the top of one of the hills and then going down the side of that. We were out for just over 2 hours which was great but it had got pretty cold. My hands were killing after it though.
When we got back we all headed up to the bunkhouse, where we were cooking/sleeping, and all chipped in to cook dinner. It was a really good meal and we sat around the table chatting for ages. A bit late on we headed down to the miners den to sit by the fire and warm up. Generally it was warmish in the day with nice clear skies but they would stay clear into the night so there was often frost in the morning.
Kelly and I decided to stay in Barrington for a few days, doing a bit of work and getting free food and accommodation. Tash, from our bus, also decided to stay but for a different reason - Nick!! Anyway we stayed til Friday 14th and did barely any work. They had Oz buses coming in daily so we met a few people and some of the drivers which was cool. They had an all you can eat pizza dinner which they did nightly so we helped make the pizza, clear up after breakfast and sometimes help clean the bunkhouse. Pretty easy stuff but we were ready to leave by friday. We did really do much else there, did get pissed for the first time since I left home!!! Kelly was being sick....haha. Got to everyone quite well so it was a bit sad to leave. It was fun and nice to be in the middle of nowhere and unable to really be contacted or contact people. Oh we did briefly see a platypus in the wild, also saw possums and a few other things.
Well that easily takes you guys upto Friday Morning

Sydney Last Few Days!!

2006-07-09T19:33:00.000+10:00

Ok so haven't been too busy the last couple of days. Walked round from Darling Harbour, under the bridge to check out the Rocks. Its quite a cool little place. they had a market on, although it wasn't a cheap market - bit pricey actually. Bought some chocolate covered peanut brittle though which was delicious. We carried on walking round the harbour and back to the beautiful botanic gardens (where I actually noticed something, don't know if you remember me jumping on a great little free train around the gardens??? Well anyway it wasn't free - I should've paid $10! Oops so I got a bargain there) and walked to the cafe to grab some lunch. We sat in the gardens for a bit. I then suggested walking across the harbour bridge to explore over the water for a while so thats what we did.
It was a surprisingly longish walk over the bridge but nice views if you could ignore the traffic roaring past one side! We got over there and it has a completely different feeling to the city centre of Sydney. We tried to walk round the coastline but this seemed an impossible task due to everyones houses so we had to walk through the housing estates which was really quite peaceful and nice.
We walked for quite a while and then decided we didn't wanna end up being over there when it got dark so caught a ferry back across at about 4.10pm. I will try to remember where we caught the ferry from but can't now.
We got back to the hostel so called home for a bit which was nice. We left the hostel at 6.30ish and walked over to Darling Harbour for the second of their Winter Concert Series, this time we had The Whitlams playing who seem to be quite well known over here although I have no clue who they are. They started and I was originally under the impression they were a rock band, thats what the poster said. Well they weren't really although the guy had quite a good voice and they were ok. I quite enjoyed it...
After the concert we went off to find somewhere to have dinner. We eventually choose a basement cafe. Well, I ordered a fishermans basket which sounded quite nice. It wasn't - it was all deep fried which is horrible. So I was a bit pissed off with the food and it wasn't really cheap. I ate it all though to make it a bit worth while paying for. Now if you don't want to hear possible criminal activities don't read on!!! We went to pay and were paying for our meals seperately so they did mine first and the girl only charged me for my orange juice, so I gave Kelly a look so that she wouldn't say anything!! We actually got away with not paying for our meals and when we got up the stairs Kelly grabbed me and so the two dishonest girls were now running down the street - making it feel really naughty!!!
So because we had a free meal we thought we could have chocolate cake. We did but the Sydney Chocolate Mud Cake actually tasted like christmas pudding which I do not like. I ate a bit anyway and vowed not to bother trying to find a nice chocolate cake again - not a successful night with food.
Today we ended up getting up a little later. We did however manage a nice cheap breakfast in the YHA cafe so that was a good way to start the day.
We also caught the ferry over to the Olympic Park which I wasn't very impressed with but maybe some stuff was closed since its a Sunday? There was a rugby match in the Telstra Stadium, Bulldogs Vs Warriors maybe!?! and some small football thing going on in the Athletics Stadium. It was ok but nothing great.
That is pretty much all we have done today.
I have enjoyed Sydney but am so ready to leave and am really looking forward to getting moving. Get me into the countryside away from the city!!!
Hope everyone is having a good hot weekend, my parents are off to Prague with my Mum and Lorraine going to see Robbie so hopefully they will have a good time.
Take Care
Love Dawnie
xxx

Sydney - since 4th July 2006

2006-07-07T17:21:00.000+10:00

So Kelly arrived around 11.30pm on the 3rd which was good. We chatted for a while and went to bed about 12.30.
We got up at 8.30am packed everything and had breakfast. We checked out just before 10am and walked down to the new hostel.
We got into our room which was actually a 10 bed dorm and it was slightly smelly, several people still in bed. There were also clothes all over the place so just like a girls room!!! Well we just made our beds and I stuck my backpack underneath while Kelly unpacked everything and put it into a little cupboard...
Kelly then booked onto Oz Experience. We wandered through Chinatown and had some lunch in a Chinese, shocker!!, restaurant. They had some meal deal thing on. It was ok but not like home chinese food.
I then took Kelly to the Opera House and Botanic Gardens etc to show her around a bit.
Actually went out to a pub which was ok. We had a few Coronas each but they were a bit expensive so we then bought this jug of Tooheys (sp?) because that was cheap. There was a magician going round who was quite impressive although I do not trust magicians!! They mess with your mind.
The music was ok and a band started to play a bit later on. All in all it was a pretty good night. Got a bit tipsy and even had a drunken Macdonalds at 1am....
We got up at about 10am on the 5th so a bit of a late one for me. Didn't even have breakfast til 11.30am. We did go to check out a 6 bed dorm this morning as we might swap but it looked scank so guessed we may as well stay where we are.
We wandered over to the Chinese Gardens to look around plus it said you could dress up and prance about taking pictures of yourselves..... Well we could've for more money but we didn't want to spend anymore so we just looked round. They were lovely gardens and we were there for a little while which was nice.
We pretty much just wandered around most of the day and looked round some shops.
We decided to cook dinner in the hostel. Well we tried to cook it....!! None of the hobs seemed to get hot enough. I complained to the guy on reception but he really wasn't much help with it!! Eventually we had to wait for this group of Korean people to finish cooking their stuff because they appeared to be using the only hob that actually worked!!! So in the end it took about an hour and a half to make mince, potatoes with salad! It was good once it was done but I was not pleased since the whole point you stay in hostels is to be able to save money on food by cooking your own, won't be cooking here again which is annoying.
We did also try out the TV lounge but they had a load of crap on and smoking is also ok which I don't like so we ended up sitting upstairs chatting.
So yesterday we got up early at 7am, got ready and had breakfast. We left the hostel around 7.45 to go to Central Station. We bought our tickets to Katoomba (Blus Mountains) and jumped on the train.
The train left around 8.30am and took about 2 hours to get there. Once we arrived we went into this information thing and a lady sold us this bus ticket (big mistake as we didn't really use it!!).
After Kelly had purchased a fleese and wooly hat we jumped on a bus to stop 10.
We saw cascades and then walked through the bush to get on the Skyrail. Well it wasn't very impressive as it was over so quickly, it was basically a compartment on cables that went across the valley. We did see the three sisters and the blue mountains are beautiful.
We got off the skyrail and walked towards Echo Point where we had lunch, after wandering around a bit. very tasty it was too. I had Homemade Chicken and Mushroom pie with chips and salad, very impressed!!
We then started following this path to The Three Sisters walk and got onto the three sisters which wasn't really that amazing!! We followed everyone else and started walking down these stairs and they went on forever into the valley below.... Eventually we stubbled to the bottom, a little tired to say the least. I did find out it was the giant staircase with 1000 stairs!! Anyway we wandered through the bush for quite a while and that was lovely, we passed lots of waterfalls and cascades which was nice. We then started heading back up so more steps. Well I assume there were just as many because we were knackered!!!! We walked for 2-3 hours through the bush and up/down the stairs which was good. I really enjoyed it and only wish we would've thought and spent longer there. We had a hot chocolate and a cake and caught the 5.25 train back to Sydney.
When we got back we had a bit of a wash and went onto the net. Popped into a 7 Eleven to get a sandwiche and then went off to the cinema to watch Johnny Depp in Pirates. I quite enjoyed the film as it was quite funny but you can tell its just an inbetween film. Got back at 11ish and then went to bed, I think.
So today we got up around 8ish and showered. Left the hostel, had breakfast and made our way to Circular Quay where we caught a bus to Coogee Beach. We got there and it is such a sweet beach. At least the sun was shining today and it felt warmish.
We walked round the cliffs from Coogee to Bondi, passing Bronte on the way. I really enjoyed this walk, took us a couple of hours maybe. The cliffs were stunning and the beaches all nice and clean. Bondi is a bigger beach and has a real sea-side feel to the place. Its nice to just sit and watch the surfers, when they eventually get a wave. The waves are quite stunning also. We got back to the hostel around 5pm.
We left the hostel around 7pm and walked down to Circular Quay to catch the ferry to Luna Park. We just missed the 7.30, due to the stupid guy that sold us the ticket!!, so waited and got on the 8pm. We wandered round and looked at the rides. Obviously we didn't actually go on any because we'd have to pay. It is basically a fun fair over the harbour. I had some nachos from there and then we both got some fairy (candy) floss so now feel a little ill but its my own fault.
We jumped on a ferry at 9.20 and made our way back - real party animals eh!!!
So probably just gonna chat for a bit and then sleep...very tired after all our walking!
Well I hope everyone has been keeping busy and having fun xxx

Sydney since 1st July

2006-07-03T21:16:00.000+10:00

Right so I have really had a few lazy days here in Sydney. I know I said that I would stay at this youth hostel until I leave, well that was a lie as I have found one just up the road which is cheaper with better facilities!! www.ccbackpack.com.au
I have had a quick look round Paddys Market at Haymarket, I wasn't really in the mood for it though so will have to go back and have a proper look.
I walked through to Darling Harbour which was buzzing but then it is Saturday and the start of their school holidays - GREAT!!! The sun was shining and it was pretty nice. By the time I got there it was about 12.30 so I grabbed a Subway and sat down to eat and read. I was there a couple of hours reading my book which was really good.
I also went to the Hyde Park Barracks Museum and bought myself a Ticket Through Time for $15 which gets me into 11 Historic Houses although I doubt I'll get to them all!! I was looking around the barracks for quite a while, it was really interesting. I didn't realise that us Brits used America for our criminals until they got their independance and we had to find new land which led us to New Holland (Australia) where we stole the land from the Aboriginals.... or so I heard!! There wasn't really much order with which criminals they sent over, they could've murdered or rape or maybe just stolen meat or opened a letter not addressed to them, crazy. Anyway I was glad I went as I really enjoyed it.
That very evening at around 6.30pm I took myself back to Darling Harbour to see the beginning of their Winter Concerts Series and it was a live performance from the Tap Dogs. They started at 7pm on a floating stage and were really impressive. They also had some musical people with drums and the tap pups, aged between 3 and 8. It was pretty busy and a really good show. They finished at 8 with a firework display with all the required ooooohhhhhhhhh's and aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh's so that was quite good.
Actually ended up having the dorm to myself that night which was a little creepy....
So the next day, Daniel's Birthday, I wandered down through Hyde Park, Darlinghurst and the pretty tacky Kings Cross, I can tell its tacky because they just have MacDonalds there unlike us who have MacCafe's. They have alot of Adult Shops and dodgy people standing about. I think I'll go back as it seems like a really nice place, during the day at least.
I continued walking to Elizabeth Bay where I went to the Elizabeth Bay House. It was a really nice house with a fantastic view. The guy that had it built originally had 52 acres around it, its ashame it still doesn't, and he got into great debt through building it and after only 6 years of living there lost it to his son - whom he owed alot of money. Before it was made into a Historic House it had been seperated into 15 flats, luckily it hadn't affected the original house much at all, and stayed flats until 1975 when all the tenants had been moved out and restoration began on it.
I would've liked to live there, beautiful. There were also convicts hired there, although the owners didn't like it too much, including the butler who had been sent due to opening a letter in the Edinburgh sorting office!!
I then walked round Woolloomooloo Bay and saw the Navy site there with their Darwin and Sydney ships there. They have also renovated alot of the wharf buildings around Sydney, which is great, into apartments or shops/restaurants and so I passed a few here which had very posh yachts outside them!!
I was also headed to the Government House to have a look around but there was some sort of event going on here where roads were closed and lots of uniformed people about and so the Government House actually closed early, just as I arrived.
So I moved onto the Museum of Sydney, who had a woman performing out the front, where there was free entry all day. The museum is actually built on the site of the first Governers House. It was actually quite an interesting museum, although small, but to see how the city developed was good. Also to see about the aboriginals as there were quite a few clans around Sydney. I, stupidly, thought you only got aboriginals in Australia but obviously now I know thats just what they call original inhabitants anywhere so it was interesting seeing all the proper names of the different aboriginal people (clans).
I also had news of a visitor this evening... Kelly, who is in Perth, has decided to come over to Sydney and we'll probably travel together a bit which should be cool. At least get me out in the evenings a bit more!!!
Tried to call Daniel several times to wish him a happy birthday. Called his home and mobile a few times and they just kept ringing, which I have now been told by my mum was because they were eating breakfast and he didn't want his sausages to get cold!!!! I don't know you try to call all the way from Australia and the call gets ignored! So I text instead...that'll have to do.
So this morning I went to the post office to send a few things home which actually took a while and cost me a hell of alot of money so thats the last time I'll be doing that!!!
So haven't done much today either. Wandered through Darling Harbour and round the coast through Pyrmont Bay and a bit further and then there was a barrier so I couldn't go any further. It was quite nice though. Just been relaxing tonight. Kelly should be here later on this evening so we can go off exploring tomorrow, maybe the chinese gardens - not sure.
Well I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the warm weather there!!
Dawnie
xxxx

Photos

2006-07-02T17:18:00.000+10:00

Ok so I know I have been really slack with photos. I am uploading a few from each place so you guys will be able to check them out. Just click the link to the right. Cheers
Thanks for your patience......

Happy 26th Birthday Daniel!!

2006-07-02T17:04:00.000+10:00

Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday Dear Daniel, Happy Birthday to You.....!!! Thats harder to type than sing.
I hope you are having a brilliant day although you are probably still in bed! Well they seem to celebrate your birthday here as well with roads closed, free entry to some museums and lots of uniformed people showing off medals, not sure what its all about.
I will be speaking to you later but thought you deserved a post. Pressie will be on the way from tomorrow.
Lots of Love
Dawnie
xxx

Seagulls - sorry Dad!!

2006-07-01T17:07:00.002+10:00

I just have to put in a special post about seagulls. Now when Daniel and I were younger we always fed the birds, mainly seagulls, on family holidays or days out. This irritated my Dad greatly which, of course, just made us want to do it all the more.
I have to say sorry to my Dad cos I am now on his side!
I was eating a prawn roll on Circular Quay near the Opera House and I had to be very aware of the seagull as they were swooping into me trying to steal my food, it was very annoying.
Also when at Darling Harbour today enjoying a nice lunch the gulls were all around and a few people were feeding them which was pissing me off a great deal.
Anyway that is all I have to say on the matter - I will never feed a gull again!!

Arrived in Sydney!!! First few days.

2006-06-30T18:56:00.000+10:00

Ok so the arrival went quite smoothly, no problems with customs. the only annoying thing was the big queue to get my luggage scanned.
Now that I am in Australia I will be blogging generally, I won't be doing a daily diary as its too much work. Plus some days will be really boring.
So I had booked a hostel for my arrival but didn't like it when I got there, just a bad feeling, so I stayed there one night - it was the Woodduck Inn. I then found a new hostel which I will stay in until I leave Sydney, The George Street Private Hotel - still in dorm.
Geogre Street is quite central and I am really glad I moved because its much busier so feel better walking around here.
My first few days I have walked to see the Opera House and have seen it so many times now that I'm not really fussed about it!! The Botanic Gardens are stunning and I could walk round them forever, don't think I could ever get bored. There are hundreds of fruit bats/red flying foxes there who are apparently nocturnal (sp?) but fly around during the day to cool down, its great to see them all. There are also alot of birds mainly cockatoos and the Australian black beaked ibis bird. They have a salt water pond and a fresh water pond in the gardens with lots of fish. I have also seen a tree planted by Rolf Harris (ooohhhh ahhhhhh!!) and a tree that was thought to have been extinct for over 65 thousand or million - alot anyway - years and then someone discovered one in Tasmania and so they planted one here. It really is a stunning city with some beautiful old buildings. It reminds me of Edinburgh a bit (not that its really like it) maybe its because you can walk round everywhere or just a feeling?
I have also been to the Australian Museum which wasn't what I thought, it was more like a natural history museum with skeletons, birds, insects and minerals but was kinda interesting all the same. They had a skeleton of a dinosaur that someone found which was cool. I think the skeletons were the best bit. I did check out the bridge climb but its about 60 pounds so I am going to give it a miss, would be good to do with family or friends so will just have to come back.
I went to Darling Harbour which is also very nice, maybe more of a holiday/tourist place. The aquarium was quite good. Seeing all the obvious sharks, stingrays, catfish, sealions, platypus, crocodiles, squid, jellyfish and lots of other fish like creatures. It was alot shorter than I expected.
I did check out the National Maritime Museum which was quite good and free. I don't know if I would've paid but it was fine to take up a bit of time.
I also did whale watching the same day. I met 3 lovely ladies Jill, Wendy and Kay. The whale watching was cool and we actually saw some whales, they did entertain us a bit by jumping out the sea a couple of times and we followed them for quite a while which was great. Anyway after the whale watching I went for a drink with the ladies and Wendy very kindly brought me a couple so a big thank you to her x x
I have been making my own dinner so its pretty much the same nightly. Chicken, pasta, veg and pine nuts actually really tasty and good to just have something simple again.
I have had a lazy day so far when I didn't get up until 10.30 which is really late for me but I just felt so cold. It is cold in the morning and evening but generally is ok (although jacket stays on - what was that about not owning a coat Maureen!!!) during the afternoon when the sun is out. Looking forward to heading to warmer airs. Sorted out my Oz Experience pass and I will now be leaving very early in the morning on Monday 10th July to head for 2 days surf camp, yes you heard correctly - its bloody freezing and I will be in the sea!!!
I met a Danish girl, Berit, who was just here for one night so we walked round the botanic gardens together, we also met 2 Korean guys who couldn't speak alot of English but we sat with them which was quite entertaining, and then after dinner went to the cinema to see Click (back to expensive cinema!), Click is a good film but also sad - it mad me cry!!!
I haven't really seen much tv as have been out most days doing stuff, did just see 10 minutes of neighbours but haven't seen it in about a month so it doesn't really interest me.
So today I went to Taronga Zoo. I had to get up earlyish and head to the Harbour to catch a ferry across, then a cable car up to the entrance of the zoo. I had a great day there. Got some fantastic pictures, I hope, of lions, tigers, birds, koalas, chimps which is cool. I watched the great bird show as recommended by numerious people. They are actually waiting to bring 5 Asian Elephants to the zoo and it has taken over a year and alot of money. They won the court case to bring them and boxed them up but protesters banged on the boxes and so the elephants were under so much stress that they had to be taken back, quite sad really. There seems to be alot of redevelopment going on at the zoo which is good to see. They also have a fantastic view of Sydney Harbour from there.
I got back from the zoo at about 3 and started to walk up George Street and who should I bump into but Imogen!!! Crazy. Said hi and had a bit of a chat, she begins her tour tomorrow so that should be cool.
I got back to the hostel and have just chilled out, called home, done blog(as you can see) and had dinner.
Well let me know if this style of blog suits you, hopefully it will.
Sending my love from Sydney!!
xx
P.S. Oh I forgot to mention the bananas. Now if anyone knows me well they'll be aware that I eat alot of bananas, well not here! Due to the cyclone that hit Queensland in March there is a massive shortage of bananas so when there are some they are so overly priced. I think the most I have seen have been 12 in a supermarket. I'll wait til the shortage is over but I do miss my bananas!!!

Singapore 25/06/06 - Last Day in Asia!!

2006-06-30T18:42:00.000+10:00

Woke up at about 8.30 and went down onto the net for a bit as did't want to wake anyone in the dorm. Went back up at 9 and had to prop the door open to get some light as no window, got ready.
Kelly appeared just before 10 so Kristine, Kelly and I went to the kitchen and had our free breakfast which was ok. Then I got my stuff and checked out, putting my bags into the luggage room ready to pick up later to go to the airport.
We had a look round a big electronic mall. Store owners were all pretty rude, obviously didn't really want to sell anything - their loss!!
We walked down towards the Esplanade, it was raining, we saw Imogen, Bekki and Eliza having lunch so chatting to them for a little bit.
We got to the Esplanade and the mini merlion was covered as it was being washed so we just walked round to the restaurants etc to find somewhere to have lunch. Ended up in a pub with penny in the title. It was a little pricey and we had toasted sandwich and chips, the toast was cold so we asked if they could put it in the microwave and they obviously didn't understand as they made new ones and the toast was still cold!! We just ate them, polite as we are.
Esplanade was quite nice, probably better on a sunny day.
We wandered back to the hostel and get there around 3.15pm so went on the internet to get some pictures from Kristines camera.
At 4 I grabbed my bags and we all went out into the street to hail me a cab. Got one pretty quickly so said a quick goodbye and jumped in, it was a bit sad really leaving them...!
The taxi driver was nice and chatty though so that took my mind of it. I got to the airport at 4.45ish and checked in.
I went straight through to departures. Didn't do very much, used the free internet and then met Imogen and sat with her while she ate, I wasn't hungry. It was nice to see someone I knew. At about 6.30 we said goodbye and went off to our gates. Think mine was 34 so it was a little walk away.
They let us into the gate at 6.45pm and we began boarding at 7.15pm so it wasn't too bad.
I was sat on an aisle seat off the central four seats next to some snotty american kid, about 13, he was so annoying during most of the flight. Watched quite a good film with Tommy Lee Jones in it, The Three Burials of. .......? The food wasn't as good as my flight to Bangkok but it filled a hole.
Probably had about 2 hours sleep during the whole flight. Landed in Sydney at 5am.

Singapore 24/06/06

2006-06-30T16:44:00.000+10:00

Met for breakfast at 9.30am. Breakfast was good...
Kristine and I had to check out so dumped our bags in the luggage room and went to find a new hostel with Phillip and Kelly. Alissia had gone to meet her friend Becky, little did we know that we wouldn't actually see her again to say goodbye to!!
We walked down to Little India and Dunlop Street. We asked in The Inn Crowd but they were fully booked so we walked along the road a little bit more and then asked at The Fragrance Backpackers Hostel, they had vacancies $18 a night in dorm. So we booked that up.
We then set off to catch the MRT to the harbour. MRT is so clean and shiny, not like the underground.Once we had reached the harbour we were going to catch the cable car to Sentosa Island but the queue was massive so we went off to catch the bus, much quicker.
Once we were on the Sentosa and had paid our entrance fee all the buses were free so we jumped on the blue line bus to the Merlion which didn't take long.
We wandered around for a bit, it was just like a holiday island - seemed so different to Singapore. We walked up and went on the Luge, plastic car things that go down the hill, it wasn't as fast as I thought but I was still worried I might knock some little kids over.
When we reached the bottom we walked along the beach which was nice. I was hungry so we stopped there for some lunch. Phillip, Kelly and I shared a veggie pizza and greek salad - it was good food.
Afterwards we started to head back along the beach and then jumped on a free tram which took us along a bit, so slow. We were looking for the pink dolphins but couldn't find where they were as there was some construction going on.
We went on the Sky Rail to get back up to the top which was nice and relaxing. When we got there we decided to head back into Singapore so at 3 we jumped on the cable car back, no queue, and then we jumped on another MRT to go and check out chinatown but it was pissing it down again when we arrived so when it hadn't stop after a short while we went back to the original hostel to grab our bags.
I did have a slightly entertaining slip on the wet tiles so got a wet sore bum... We popped onto the internet and then at around 5.30pm we grabbed our bags and walked down to Fragrance Hostel.
We got semi settled in and had a shower and then it was time to go and meet everyone for the night safari.
We all jumped into taxis at 7.30ish and it took about 30minutes to get there, we already had our tickets. We went in and grabbed some tasty chips.
Rene, Urvi, Kristine, Kelly and I queued to get on the tram, it was packed and so hot!!
The tram was ok and took us round to see lions, anteaters, bears, elephants, tigers, deer and quite alot of other animals. It was different but you couldn't see all the animals well due to the fact it was night. I would love to go to the Singapore zoo. Although I did learn that the Hyiena has the 2nd most powerfull jaw, crocodile 1st.
After the tram ride we went to queue for the creatures of the night show at 10pm. We got in and sat down and they proceeded to hold the show up to sqeeze as many people in a possible which was slightly annoying.
I'm really crap with remembering which animals were there. They started with a monkey thing, had a wild cat that could jump really high, a pithon, otter, mongoose and some other things. It was a good show but shorter than I expected.
I would of liked to have done some of the walks around but everyone wanted to go after that so we all jumped in a cab, 5 of us, luckily the driver didn't notice until we were almost back!!!
Kelly came back to Little India with Kristine and I but the bustling streets during the day were now dead. Kristine and I ended up buying a can of Tiger each from a 7 Eleven, sad!!! We walked Kelly back and then it was back to our hostel to sleep.
Slept relatively ok in the dorm but did wake a couple of times.

Melaka - Singapore 23/06/06

2006-06-30T16:22:00.000+10:00

Right so I was up at about 8 making sure everything was packed and then I got ready. Went for some breakfast at 8.30 with the rest of the group.
Jumped in a taxi at 9am to go to the bus station. We then got the 10am bus to Singapore, nice big seats again...
I read and dozed, the usual bus journay activities!! At 11.30ish we had a toilet stop and also a chance to buy some food from a market, I didn't buy anything as already had my snacks. I did however use the loo and it was so horrible.
Then we were back on the move until 1pm when we stopped and all had to get off to offically leave Malaysia and then get back on a drive over to Singapore.
Not long after we all disembarked again this time with all our belongings and entered Singapore. We had to queue and then get our luggage scanned, all went really smoothly. They all stamp the passport on one page though which is a bit annoying!!
We only had another 30 minutes on the bus til we arrived at the bus station in Singapore.
Once at the bus station we then had the difficult task of hailing at cab which was almost impossible as they were either all booked or just didn't wanna stop. We finally got one and jumped in, ahhh seatbelts are back! The taxi driver was actually a really nice guy. They have these devises in their cars whereby when they drive into a certain area it charges them, a bit like the London congestion charges except maybe more hi-tech - not sure how it works in London.
We all got to our rooms. Sharing with Kelly again. So we all, as usual, dumped all our stuff and met in reception.
Kristine, Kelly, Alissia and I all started to wander down Orchard Street, it was very different to what I imagined but probably heaven to all those shoppers out there. Although much more expensive than everywhere else we'd been. We stopped on the way for a Subway for lunch which was so delicious. Ate too much though.
At about 6pm Kelly and Alissia had enough so went back to the hotel. Kristine and I decided to keep going for a while. Ended up going into the more expensive malls. Went into a really posh shop (can't remember the name LV) and nobody came to help us, don't know why!!!
We walked quite a way down but didn't reach the end. At 7ish we thought we should head back since we were suppose to meet the group at 7.30! Got back to the hotel dead on half past and went onto the net waiting for Kits chat to start. We waited for a bit and then decided to go and have a quick shower, we'd probably be back before everyone had arrived anyway.
Got back all refreshed at 8pm and not everyone was there. People gradually appeared and Kit did his little chat although I couldn't hear much of what he said I'm sure it was entertaining.
We went to dinner, following Kit, and ended up in another Indian Restaurant about 5 minutes away. Kristine and I shared a Chicken Masala thing, rice and naan as our subway had been filling.
At around 11pm we all headed off to Raffles. We were originally trying to get a cab but ended up just walking as it wasn't too far away.
So we arrived at Raffles and went into the Long Bar. I really wasn't too impressed, it really wasn't that great. The band playing were good but the drinks were over priced and you walked over peanut shells all over the place which I didn't like. I am a snob though. Alot of the group had Singapore Slingers but I just tried one of theirs - just another cocktail but quite nice. I just had a Tiger though, always a winner!!
We stayed out until maybe 1am and then walked back to the hotel. It pissed down on the way back and so we got wet!! I did a bit but not as much as some cos Kristine was clever enough to have an umbrella.
Time for bed.

Melaka 22/06/06

2006-06-28T21:06:00.000+10:00

Met at 9am to go and find breakfast after not a great sleep! We popped to the bank so that Kristine could change some travellers cheques. Then it was onto the mall for breakfast, there wasn't a great deal to choose from but I got mine from the supermarket and had a pretty goot meal.
We walked around some more up the hill to St Pauls Church and then on into the Christ Church which was old but not like our old English Churchs. Met some of the others out and about and they told us where an internet place was so we went off in search of that. Found it and so I confirmed my flight change, from 24th - 25th, and checked a few other bits which was cool. I wasn't feeling great after that so I left the others and went back to the hotel.
Went to the room and started to read and chill out for a bit. Kelly knocked and came in for a chat. Alissia appeared next shortly followed by Kristine so we all relaxed and chatted for a while.
We decided it was too hot to be wandering around outside so we decided to go and watch another film at the cinema, it was a great way to escape the heat. We watched Cars at 2.10pm. It was quite a sweet and funny film.
We went for some food after the film and so went to a pub by the river, brown river, where Alissia's friend was. I had a local beef dish thing which was good once I had added some tomato sause to it.
There were actually some big lizard things in the river which was kinda cool.
We sat and chatted for a bit until about 6 and then we went back to the hotel. I used Kit's computer to sort out my pictures and it took ages!!. Got back to my room at 7.40 and had to change quickly to meet people at 8.
Alot of the group had a BBQ that the hotel puts on weekly and it actually looked really good but I wasn't hungry so I just had dessert. Banana Split again - yummy.
We popped to a bar afterwards but after a bit I wanted to go so went back to the hotel to use up my Malaysian phonecard. Called home which was nice. Also put Love Actually on the TV which was good. I popped to Kristines room after that to say hi and then it was back to my room to write my journal and read. I left the TV on and fell asleep.
Alissia got back at about 12.30 so we chatted for a bit and then I went back to sleep.
Take Care
Dawnie
xxxx

Kuala Lumpur - Melaka 21/06/06

2006-06-28T20:46:00.000+10:00

Got up just before 9 and popped down to check my email before heading out for breakfast at 9.30. We had it at a cafe outside of BB Plaza.
I had pancakes with banana, it was good except the pancakes were a little thick.
We went into BB Plaza to have a wander but I was a bit fed up of malls so I went back to the hotel to do some blog!! Which I did for about an hour. At 11.30 I went upto the room to grab all my gear, bought it downstairs and checked out. We then discovered, or Kit just told us!, that we had to either walk or get a taxi to the bus station.
Kristine, Kelly, Alissia and I decided to be imaginative travellers and walk with our backpacks while all the others got taxis!!! Useless.... Too much shopping.
It was around 10-15 minutes walk away and Kit had said to meet him outside the entrance. Well when we got there we couldn't find any of the group at any of the entrances so we ended up walking around for quite a while searching for them. Eventually we found Kit at the first entrance, would've been a god story if we had been stranded!
Went down to platform 7 where the coach was and jumped on, another roomy coach. 3 seats per row so 2 together and then 1 by itself, I jumped into a single seat and read for most of the journey.
We arrived at Melaka at 2.30pm and Kit had sorted taxis out for us to get to the hotel in. Kristine, Alissia and I jumped into the first taxi and we were off, although we didn't even know where we were going!! You seem to trust everyone when you travel.
It took about 20 minutes to get to our hotel. the Alby Hotel. We went to wait at the first floor reception as we needed Kit to get our keys.
Alissia and I were sharing again and this was by far the nicest room. Good clean bathroom, TV, A/C, Fridge and tea/coffee with a kettle.
We dumped our bags and ended up having lunch in the bamboo hut bar downstairs, it wasn't great and made me feel a bit sick. After lunch we went for a wander. Wandered through chinatown and to tha mall etc.
We got back to the hotel at 7.30ish, showered and got changed. We were a bit lame for this evening as we all met at Kristines room as we had hired a DVD. After the Sunset or something with Pierse Brosnan and Woody Harrison, it was good. We also just got room service for dinner so it was a couple of share platters and the a couple of banana splits to share. Really yummy. I had a really nice relaxing night.
We went back to our room to sleep at about midnight.

Kuala Lumpur 20/06/06

2006-06-27T20:07:00.000+10:00

Woke up at 8, got ready and Kelly knocked on the door just before 9. We went down to check out the breakfast and I didn't want any but Kelly and Alissiahad some.
Left the hotel at about 9.30. It was clouding and raining on/off but obviously still hot and humid. We made our way to the Petronas, twin, towers. Once we got there we took pictures outside and then wandered into the shopping bit inside and straight to the food floor so I could get breakfast. Had a delicious banana, cinemon and sugar toasted sandwich and water, was great.
We walked around the shops and I bought a t-shirt from Quicksilver, not really cheap but I liked it. We then went to see if there were tickets left togo up to the Sky Bridge but there wasn't, tickets are free on a first come service and apparently people start queuing at 6am even though it doesn't open til 8 - crazy.
We bumped into Bekkie and Elize in the mall and chatted for a little while. Kelly had been out with them last night til 4am!
We then walked to the KL tower to go up there. Got there and brought our tickets. We just jumped into an elevator and up we went - easy. It had a fantastic view with so many unusual buildings, thought of Daniel. Took alot of pictures just of the view.
After that we went to find lunch, ended up in Planet Hollywood. I had a chicken penne thing which was so good and filled me up. Bit pricey though 3/4pounds!!
We collected our laundry and returned to the safety of the hotel,but just for a short time. Got changed and went to find a taxi to take us to the Batu Caves. We got a good taxi driver who took us there, waited,and then back for 35RM.
We got to the caves at about 3.15pm and there is a huge gold statue outside them - apparently the tallest in the world. We walked up the 272+ steps into the caves. There were alot of colourful religious things around which I photographed. The most entertaining things were the monkies though who were playing and running around us so you can image how many picture of them I took,Oh My God. A guy also came up and fed them so they were a little crazy. It was fun and free apart from the taxi.
Got back to the hostel around 5. Went to my room to write my journal, change and pack.
Popped onto the net before leaving with Alissia and Kelly just before 7 to meet Alissia's friend Becky. On the way this Canadian guy ran over to us and asked us to go for a beer, cheap beer. We said we might come back after meeting up with people.
We met Becky and Maria, Bulgarian from her tour, at Starbucks and we all decided to go back and have a beer with those guys.
The Canadian was Aaron and there was an Austrian guy, I couldn't understand him very well, don't know his name. Seemed nice enough. Kristine was wandering past and saw us so joined us. Had a Tiger!!! Go Tiger beer. We also saw Catherine, Amy, Eliza and Bekki and said hi. I felt like we were locals!!
We said goodbye to the guys and went to get some food. After attempting to eat at an Irish bar, seeing it was pricey, we ended up back in Pizza Hut (bloody western food is everywhere). It was a good meal although they did mess up the order a bit.
After dinner Kelly went back to the hotel. Alissia, Becky and Maria went for a drink and Kristine and I decided to head to the petronas towers to see them at night time. Got some photos and then sat and chatted a bit at the end of the fountains. Watched an asian family, it was sweet.\We then just wandered around Kuala Lumpur, maybe got a bit lost, and talked. It felt really quite safe.
Got back to the hotel around 11.30 and went to bed.

Cameron Highlands - Kuala Lumpur 19/06/06

2006-06-27T19:41:00.000+10:00

Early start this morning, up at 7.30am and got dressed, packed etc. Grabbed all my stuff and headed down for breakfast.
The local bus (nice bus, coach really) arrived at 8.15 to collect us so I got my bag put in the hold and went to grab a seat. Everyone got on and most of them had to bring their backpacks onto the coach which was a hassle - stupid really that they ran out of room.
Sat next to Kristine so we chatted for a while which was nice and then I read and dozed.
We got to our hotel, The Cardogan, in Kuala Lumpur at 2ish. I'm sharing with Alissia this time, sowe all dumped our bags and, after an entertaining chat from Kit, went to find a laundry place and have lunch. Well we could not find the laundry straight away so our dirty clothes came to pizza hut with us.
We had a good lunch and chatted. After lunch we found the laundry place so stuck our clothes in.
We went into the Lot10 plaza place to check it out, it wasn't too great. We went into BB Plaza next which was slightly better - so sick of shopping though.
We popped back to the hostel, Alissia collected her pictures. We also grabbed some tops as air con kills.
We went to find the IMAX in Times Square Plaza, it was raining.
When we got into Times Square it was much better and bigger than the others. Found IMAX but they were only showing 3D films, saw an indoor fairground thing with a rollercoaster which looked kinda cool. Then went to the real cinema on the 3rd floor to see what was on. Pirates wasn't on- not out until July. Decided, for some unknown reason, to watch RV with Robin Williams at 6.45pm.
We went to get some dinner first and ended up in some Kenny Rogers Restaurant!! I had a baked potato with macaroni cheese, it was ok.
They messed up a few things which made the meal entertaining. Even tried to over charge us- my beedy eyes!!!
Went to watch the film. It was an ok average comedy, maybe a bit too stupid. After that we walked to Chinatown to look round there. Didn't get a great chance to look around as its difficult with four people. It was just really a market with alot of fake named stuff.
When we got back to the hostel we were told that a few of the others had gone to Planet Hollywood for ladies night, free drinks. They never have a mens night do they, why is that??
Kristine, Kelly and I decided to take a wander down. Alissia just wanted to relax. We got there and Kristine and I had one drink there, Kelly stayed, then a few of us went to try something which I can't remember the name of!!! It was a bong type thing, not drugs or illegal though, there were hot coals put at the top above a choosen flavouring, we had apple, you then sucked on this pipe which was in water and you inhaled like a fag. I wasn't too impressed- not much flavour.
Everyone sort of drifted off. Kristine, Catherine and I walked back to the hotel. Got to my room and chatted to Alissia for a bit then slept.

Cameron Highlands 18/06/06

2006-06-27T19:10:00.000+10:00

Ok so we had decided yesterday to do a half day adventure 1 tour so we were up for breakfast at 8.15, had some yummy scrambled egg with toast!
Kristine, Alissia, Kelly, Urvi, Rene, Nancy, Nadine, a Sri Lankan couple and an English couple boarded our mini bus for our exciting tour.
Our first stop was to see some of the many, and I mean many, tea plantations. The plantations were owned by Boh Tea which itself is owned and run by a Scottish family. Apparently they own the most acres of tea plantations in the Malaysia, as usual I don't remember the deatails, but none of the tea in Malaysia is actually deported. There are 2 other tea plantations in the area.
The workers are bought in from Indonisia (sp?) on a 2 year contract and they are supplied with accommodation which is in the highlands, they are blue house which we actually saw quite a few of. They also get paid by the KG although they do not hand pick anymore and have been supplied with a machine which picks all the young tea - grows out the top.
Our next stop was the highest point (maybe 200m above sea) on the Cameron Highlands. There was a small watchtower, with steep steps, which we climbed and took photos from.
Once everyone had finished checking things out there we were driven a short way to do a trek. It was only a short trek but was wet and muddy and mossy. It was good but could have been dodgy if you put a foot wrong. Needless to say everyone got slightly muddy. While on the trek we saw wild orchards, which were tiny, and a picture (sp?) plant (insect eating plant).
We all came back at our own pace, wiped our feet on the grass and jumped back into the bus. We were then taken to the tea factory. It was quite interesting to see how the tea is prepared. Ground down, heated,sieved - I think. We went to the tea room and I had a hot chocolate, while the others had tea obviously, and an apple pie. We sat on the balcony with stunning views. We were there for around 30 minutes.
Then our guide, Robbie (no not Williams Emma!!), drove us to a strawberry plantation and so off we went to buy our fresh strawberries. They were yummy, although I thought a bit sour..
Next stop was the butterfly farm, we grabbed our tickets and went down. Robbie was putting butterflies on people and they'd just sit there. There were so many beautiful butterflies. They also had leaf insects, stick insects, beetles, gheckos, snakes, camelions, scorpions, rabbits and a few other things. A few people held alot of the insects, even the scorpion, I had no need to touch anything. Was happy to watch. It was really good at the butterfly farm and well worth visiting.
Well that was the end of our tour so it was back to the hotel at 2pm sat for a bit. Kristine, Alissia, Kelly and I decided to go on our own little trek so off we went to the tourist information to get a map, the lady advised on how long certain walks might take.
We started at 3.15 and walked down through the town, the playpark and along the brown river. They had put down like a tile path which wasn't great as could be slippery. We saw a little waterfall but i was disgraced to see so much rubblish there. We also went up a look out tower which was quite a way up a hill! Good view though.
We then ended up completing the walk and going round a golf course and back along the road into town.
I think we made it back at 5ish so it was off to shower in which I used my travel towel for the first time, sorry mum and dad dumped the other towel from home!! I was ready at about 6 so went to Kelly and Alissia's room to chat. We met some of the group at 6.30 for dinner.
We ended up eating at another indian restaurant. I had a banana rice dish which consisted of eating off a banana leaf again with a few different dishes, rice, naan etc. Was really good but very filling.
We went back and it was another movie time. After a failed attempt to watch Munich (rubbish quality) and Hostel (disc error) we managed to put Man on Fire on sowe watched that. Quite a few people ended up piling in to watch it. Finished at 12.30 so that was my bedtime ZZzzzzz

Penang - Cameron Highlands 17/06/06

2006-06-27T18:04:00.000+10:00

Right so I was up at about 8.10am. Kelly and Alissia knocked at 8.20 to say they were going for breakfast so I said I'd meet them up there. Got all my stuff sorted and went for breakfast.
After breakfast I got all my luggage down to the lobby and checked out. Then I popped onto the net to transfer some cash.
We were on the bus at 9am but a couple of the group slept in so didn't actually leave until 9.30ish.
Had a double seat to ourselves again and about a 4 hour journey ahead of us. I read and slept...normal really.
We stopped off at 1pm, about an hour before arriving, and bought some fresh fruit and a drink - yummy.
When we arrived the sun was out but there was a breeze, something I didn't think existed anymore! Was quite nice. We were staying in a nice black and white chalet type place which was really pleasant. Kristine and I dumped our stuff in our rooms and went to find atms and internet. When we got back I just relaxed for a while in one of the common areas, made a change to have them so was nice. Sorted some pics and did my journal.
I went to get ready for dinner at 7ish as we were suppose to meet at 8. I didn't shower - what a skank!!
Met everyone in the TV room and then we went to find the restaurant,a steamboat place. Catherine said she knew where is was but didn't,as there are so many and Nancy knew the name but not where it was!! Mayflower!?! I went to ask somewhere and eventually found out where it was and then Kit appeared and told us anyway!!
We had 2 tables so we plonked ourselves down. We got our drinks and the food was coming out gradually. For those of you unaware of the genius of steamboat. You basically get a large pot with stock in it, ours had a veggie stock in half and a spicy in the other, and alot of raw fish, veg and meat to cook yourself in the Steamboat.
We kinda chucked everything in and the stocks sort of mixed but hey it didn't matter. It was actually really tasty, I used chop sticks part of the time. Also I tried Jelly Fish which I wasn't really a fan of. Anyway it did the job and I was full. We left the table in a good enough mess that said we'd enjoyed it.
When we arrived back we went to the TV room and a few of the girls had started to watch a film,16 Blocks, so we joined them. Didn't really get it all because people were in and out quite alot but got the just. Usual action type. Kristine and I were the only ones that actually stayed up to watch it all, average film really.
Got to bed with my earplugs in, my torch and book in hand, read a while and then slept. Lovely- bit cold though.

Penang 16/06/06

2006-06-25T18:52:00.000+10:00

Got up at 8.30am, got dressed etc and knocked for Kelly and Alissia. Chatted to them while they got ready and then we knocked for Kristine.
We decided it would be a good idea to go out and find our own breakfast, easy right!!! We eventually left the hotel at 10.45ish and walked up to the mall to begin our search. It took ages and then we found a crepe place so I ordered a banana chocolate one but they didn't have any bananas! Kristine wanted one but also wanted ice cream with it and the girl said she couldn't. We decided they didn't want our business. Ended up at a 7 eleven eating a load of crap.
Once we had finished our very unsuccessful breakfast we popped into the mall so that I could buy some discs for my photos. Also had a quick wander, to our surprise it was just another mall.
We then ventured off to get the free shuttle bus around town and by this time it was around 1pm so we waited at the stop. A bus finally appeared and stopped a little way before the stop, it was packed. We started to walk towards the bus and the driver waved us back, we thought that maybe he wanted us to let people off before we got on. Everybody got off until the bus was empty and then he just drove off. A local guy told us there would be no more buses as they all went to get a drink or something! Crazy..........
We figured we didn't need no shuttle bus so we started to walk about. We had maybe walked a couple of blocks and big shocker it started to rain - heavy. We ran into this closed shop doorway area to wait and then we realised we were pretty much stuck there for a bit. We stood for about 10 minutes and then it appeared to calm down a little so we thought we'd go for it. We walked through Little India getting quite wet.
It got really heavy again so we rushed for cover next to some Malay guy who appeared to like Alissia...!
After a bit we risked it again and ran over to King (?) George's Church but it was bloody closed so we had to stand at the entrance for a few minutes. We were off again down a road towards the hotel and we thought we could go into all these historical places and museums but everything was closed, we figured there was something religious happening as we had seen a load of people rushing into a mosque.
Anyway the rain had calmed down so that was something. We got back to the hotel and I popped online and then went to the room to rest.
Kelly and Alissia knocked at 3.30 and I was about to go downstairs to play cards with them when Kristine knocked and said she was off to wander the mall again. I said I would go, get out, so I would meet her in the lobby. I popped to see Kelly and Alissia, Kelly decided to come and Alissia wanted to rest and call home.
So we walked up there and Kristine and I got corn on the cob from a street stall, it was still in the leaves and steamed. Best I've ever had. A bit hot though!
I got some brown 3/4 length trousers which are quite nice to wear out. 29RM - 4quid, not bad.
Got back just after 6 and went to shower etc for dinner. I was ready by 7.15pm, early as usual. We went down to meet everyone just before 8. We were first there again, need to start being late. Catherine and Amy turned up and gradually a few more. So a few of us went off with Kit to the restaurant and the rest would join us.
We got to the indian and all went upstairs, all to ourselves, sat down and ordered. It had a really nice atmosphere and was well decorated. I had a lentil and spinach curry which I ate off a banana leave, was great. The food was great and I am also having a beer stage, had a tiger - yummy.
After dinner quite a few of us went to Slippery Singureatas (sp?) and into a club called Glo in there. It was loud and the music wasn't great so Nancy, Nadine, Kristine and I decided to back to Soho, as originally planned.
When we got outside though we decided to wander to the pretty posh Eastern and Oriental Hotel and have a peek at that. We just wandered around inside, there was some sort of wedding going on and we did consider sneaking in and then thought that we would probably get caught being all scruffy and the only white people there!!!
We were then back on track and on the way to Soho when we noticed a funky club with lights and mirrors all along the entrance hall. We walked in to check it out and it was ok. A live band were playing but Nancy and Nadine didn't fancy it so we left.
We got to Soho and a very nice man playing pool, not nice as in sexy!!, gave up his table near the back for us. We all got a drink each and watched some guy dancing, he was good - apparently a dance teacher. We sat for quite a while drinking and enjoying the music and when we finished our drinks Nancy and Nadine went back to the hotel so we said goodbye. Kristine and I decided to head to the funky lights club.
However, we got distracted on the way and went into this locals bar called Carls. We got inside and a waitress asked if we wanted a table so after looking around we said yes, before we could even get passed the first table the group sitting down gave us a beer eash and asked us to join them. There were about 7 Malay guys and 2 woman. I think only the women could speak english. But after a couple of the guys heard I was English they thought I was great cos we are great at football - for gods sake!!!
There were live singers and so we danced a bit to that and then carried on dancing when the cd player got put on even though it was playing westlife or something!! It was fun but one of the guys always liked to be hugging one of us so Kristine and I were trying to get away from him quite alot.
After about an hour we said we were going and it took a while to get out cos they didn't want us to go, we were the only westeners in there! When we eventually got out we started to head back to the hostel and met Phillip on the way so walked back with him.
Got back around 1.30 so off to bed.

Satun - Penang 15/06/06

2006-06-24T03:26:00.000+10:00

So we had to get up at 6.30am and re-pack everything!!! Had breakfast and then all clambered into 3 mini buses. We left around 7.40am. I listened to music and read most of the way.
We got to the border at 8.30ish and all had to get off the bus with all our stuff and walk to one post to leave Thailand and then to another post to enter Malaysia, all went simply enough. So now we are an extra hour ahead so 7.
Arrived at Penang at around 2pm, get a room to myself tonight which is cool. Went straight up and had a hot shower. Met everyone at 2.30pm, popped on the net and bought a phonecard. We walked along to change our baht to ringgit and then onto an english pub called Soho for lunch. Had a jacket potato which was ok. I rang Emma at Margaret-Ann and Peters to arrange our meeting.
After lunch we walked upto the mall and wandered round a bit. I got a bit bored so left them there at 4.45pm and went back to the hotel to get ready for meeting Emma. Just got changed quickly.
Emma, Margaret-Ann and Peter arrived to collect me at 5.30pm, said hello to everyone then we jumped into the car and wentoff to their apartment. They live on the 19th floor so a nice view. Its a cute little 2 bedroomed place.
Emma and I chatted a bit and had dinner, salmon, potatoes and veg - tasty. It was good. After dinner we were dropped off at the touristy area at a market, can't remember the name!!, so Emma and I wandered around and alot of the stalls were just setting up. I didn't see anything to buy as usual. We sat down for a drink and I had a coke float which was good and chatted some more.
We got a taxi back to the apartment at 9.30ish after being caught in the rain. Peter then dropped me off at the hotel which was really good of him. It was great seeing Emma but would probably of been better if we could've met somewhere new to both of us as Emma had been there quite a while.
Once I was back at the hotel I wrote some journal and then did some blog til about 12.30am. I rang home when I got back to the room and talked for a bit but there was a time delay which was really annoying me.
End of another day.
Dawn
xxx

Koh Phangan - Satun

2006-06-21T13:26:00.000+10:00

Got up early, 7am and finished off my packing. Got washed and dressed and took all my bits down ready to leave. Had some scrambled egg for breakfast which was quite good.
Got on a semi covered pick up truck at 8.40am to leave and catch the ferry. Same old bumpy, dodgy roads.
Got to the ferry at 9.30 and didn't have to wait too long before we could board. Went into the air conditioned VIP bit which had big chairs but was quite cold. I read quite a bit and slept a little then about half hour before we were due to arrive I had to get out of the cold!!
Arrived around 1pm and all clambered off. It was then straight into 2 mini buses. We had a TV in ours so King Kong was put on, I watched a bit and slept a bit. Didn't really like hour the film was done.
Kit got us some pumpkin crisps and bananas as the restaurant was closed, they were nice though. We did stop at a restaurant for something a bit later, they only had one english menu. I had a horrible salad there.
Carried on in the mini bus, with 80's music this time. Kit showed us a rubber plantation on the way which was quite interesting.
We eventually made it to Satun, quite a large fishing town. Room was ok.
Kristine and I went to find a payphone so wandered down the road. She called Jamie and I tried to listen to messages but wouldn't work!!. We started walking back and wanted to go on the net but the place was closed.
Met the others at around 8.30ish and went to a restaurant just round the corner for dinner, lots of mossies - nice. Just had rice with prawns and chatted, it was nice.
Got back to the room at 10.30 to get some sleep and continue travelling to Penang tomorrow. Not a very interesting day really.
xx

Koh Phangan 12/06/06-13/06/06

2006-06-21T12:51:00.000+10:00

Heard some of the group returning at 7.30am but didn't properly wake up until 10ish, showered etc and went for breakfast.
Had a really relaxing day really. Did some journal and sorted out laundry. A few of us went to town at 2pm, air con mini bus! We walked round some shops, had lunch and looked round a market. Didn't buy anything - they all sell the same stuff and harrass you.
Got back to resort at 5.30pm and sat chatting on the beach a bit. Went to get ready for dinner at 6.30.
For dinner we walked down the beach to a restaurant, had a colourfully lit entrance. I had some spring rolls and a thai green chicken curry - kinda tasted minty but was good. Afterwards we chatted a bit and then went back to bungalows, I read some and chatted to Kelly a bit when she got back. Slept.....

13/06/06
Woke up at 8.15 and discovered I had been bitten twice on one leg, not too bad but red and a bit itchy - bloody mossies.
Had a nice fruit salad for breakfast and some of the group joined us.
Kristine appeared at 9.30am so we went to reception to ask about the elephant trekking. We decided to do it so both paid for 30 minutes each, we were getting picked up at 11am.
Went back to the table and sat with everyone while they had breakfast, alot of the group were going snorkling at 11.
At 11ish Kristine, Osh, Gary, Imogen, Ollie, Ellie and I got picked up to go to the elephants!! It took about 1 hour to get that and it was quite a nice drive. Passed through some small towns and schools with all the little kids playing.
We got to the elephants and could straight away see one big elephant in an open stable type thing. When we got closer we saw a baby elephant also but he was chained and looked distressed - Kit said he was playing/begging but we didn't believe that. There was another big elephant being hosed down.
We seemed to be stood around for a while, this guy was getting the baby elephant to do like circus tricks which I didn't like so I looked away. They wanted us to buy food. There was a little monkey there chained up and it just looked bored.
Eventually they got ther elephants ready so Imogen, Ollie and Ellie got on the first one. Kristine and I got on the second one, Coban - 30 years old, and a guy got on the neck to control the elephant. We had to get up onto a platform to climb onto the elephant.
The boys got on the 3rd and they had a guy pulling like a lead thing.
It was a slow, relaxing, hot ride. We went up a hill to where there was a fantastic view and then back down again. Our elephant although still slow was the quickest. I am glad I did it but I don't need to do it again.
Afterwards we had a drink and then set back off to the resort. Got back at 3pmish. I got my book and checked emails quickly. Read my book in the bar with a pineapple shake for a while then popped to the payphone and rang mum at work.
I went back to the bungalow to escape the heat for a while and read.
At 5.30 Kristine knocked on the door and said about getting kayaks out. We got a single one each, they were full of ants!!! We capsized them a couple of times but these ants hide and there were so many. We got as many out as we could and then jumped in. I kept getting distracted when an ant appeared and I'd try to kill it.
We went right out of the bay and around the island a bit. There were loads of crabs on the rocks and they would stay camoflaged if they didn't move - doh! We also saw alot of locals fishing round there. We were aiming to get round this corner but it ended up taking way too long so we turned round, we really only saw rocks - I was hoping for a cave or something. We got back just after 6pm.
Went to shower for dinner and went down to meet everyone at 7.15pm. It was Bekkis birthday so we went to this restaurant not too far from our place. We ordered aour food and stuff and then the heavens opened!! It pissed it down hard. Everyone squeezed inside. They managed to get everyones food to them which was good. I had a yummy tuna salad.
Outside the frogs were all doing some sort of mating call and it was so loud and seemed to echo around, was quite amazing.
The tour going the other way were there and seemed very lively, they were getting pretty pissed on buckets! One of the guys played a guitar and sang a bit which was cool. We chatted to them a bit.
Kit had arranged birthday cakes for Bekki and Nancy, whos birthday was the next day.It was nice.
Went to bed at 1am.

Koh Phangan 11/06/06

2006-06-16T02:07:00.000+10:00

Oh great, woke up around 8ish so actually slept well for the first time since I arrived!!!
We went for breakfast, I had pancakes with fruit which was nice except for the watermelon - not a big fan.
We wandered down the beach to the main street area ( more like a dirt track with some huts as shops/pubs etc) which was really sweet actually. We looked around a couple of shops and I bought a little bag and some postcards.
We walked quite far down the track but then the huts sort of dwindled off a bit so we turned back.
We then decided to go kayaking, which the receptionist didn't think was a good idea as it was windy. We ended up getting one double boat which 3 of us could sit on - onlt 2 ores(sp?) though. It was good, we paddled round to a beach on the other end of the bay just passed some rocks, although the co-ordination was not always great. We got out at the other beach and swam a bit. We headed back after 15 minutes or so and were going to go to another smaller beach but it was a little too windy and the wind kept trying to send us away out to sea. We just decided to head back to our beach. I did enjoy it anyway and we were out for little over an hour.
When we got back it was about lunchtime so we sat in the car to eat. Prawn sandwich and some chips, very nice but didn't really need any chips.
After lunch Kelly and I decided to walk over some rocks to one side of the bay, where was Dad!!, which was good. We saw a dead Blowfish caught between some and there were heaps of crabs on some of the rocks also. I walked all the way to the end tip of the rocks and checked out the view. We walked back over some rocks and the jumped into the sea, which of course meant that I could a bit wet!!!, so decided to dump our stuff on a lounger and go for a quick swim - very quick in my case.
I sat reading on the lounger a bit and then moved over to the hammock which was comfortable but I got a bit freaked out by all the big ants wandering around below me and over my stuff... Returned to the lounger and wrote my journal for a while. Renu came over so Kelly, Ali, Renu and I chatted a bit. Bekki joined us also.
We went to get ready for dinner at 5.30. Went to the bar at 7ish. Ellie, Ollie and Imogen then came down.
It was all rather disorganised. Kit booked us into a restaurant down the beach but people were all coming at different times.
We had the meal just a brown rice salad which had a little too much dressing on it but was ok.
Just passed 9 Kelly, Kristine, Ali and I paid and went to buy our taxi boat tickets to the full moon party.
We all got on the taxi boat which was an experience, very rocky while people were getting on - almost capsizing it at times. We had to walk into the sea and then climb in which meant we were going to get wet, oh well. It was a 40 minute ride, the back spray was rather bad.
We got to Haadrin Beach at 10ish and the beach did look pretty amazing with all the people, lights and fire throwers.
We all jumped off and Kristine and I went to get a drink. We found a guy with a bucket and so he bartered for us. We got a little bucket each with 1/4 bottle of vodka ( I know I shouldn't drink it!!!) and 2 cans of shark (like red bull) 220baht so pretty cheap.
We then sat and watched the fire act for a bit and then everyone sort of came over and said we were going to start at one end of the beach and work our way down. So we began to walk down. When we got to the end most of us got these luminous tattoos which were pretty funky.
We went to dance but it was drum and base style so Kristine and I walked back up the beach to find better music. There was normal music next along the beach and the like trance music. We went back and grabbed Kelly and Ali to take them to the normal music. We danced for a while and these guys go this poor kid, selling paradice necklace things, to do some funky dance moves - he was so sweet. We ended up buying a necklace each from him. The Thai guys loved Kristine which was funny!!!
We then decided to go and get another drink but got a bit distracted and decided to look at drink in the 7/11 but it wasn't great. We went to check out the streets behind the beach, they were quite busy as well. We met a few people as we walked round them and then went into an internet cafe for a bit.
Grabbed some water next. Then we checked out a clothes shop and I got some Fishermans Pants which are so comfortable and only 140baht so bargain.
We wandered all the way to the pier and then thought that we should probably go back to the beach, maybe find some of the group. We grabbed an ice cream each and walked through the crowd.
We could not see anyone from our group so we watched another fire act, just amazes me, until they finished and started to pack everything up. It was then almost 2am so we knew there were some people going back on a taxi boat. We went to find the boat, Nancy and Nadine were on it but they didn't know where anyone else was.
Kristine and I walked to the other end of the beach to see what was down there. There weren't as many people there which made it much easier to walk about and look around. They set fire to a Full Moon Party sign, as in pic, just where we were so that was quite good. By this stage though we were both really tired and ready to go..
There were taxi boats everywhere but we didn't know what our beach was called which really didn't help.
We thought we would just go back off the beach and wander through some of the other streets but just as we were leaving the beach we saw Kelly and Alissia - thank god. So we all went to the taxi boats and were working out what the beach was called, Kit appeared and told us the name. We jumped on the 3am taxi boat and were off, after a little wetness from wadding into the sea!!
Felt a little ill on the journey home but chatted to one of the guys on the boat. There was another guy who wasn't with anyone who was completely collapse, they ended up having to dump him on the beach - poor guy.
We were welcomed by about 7 dogs when we arrived at our beach, 3 of which ended up on our balcony for quite a while. Got to sleep around 4.30am, had a good time.

Koh Phangan 10/06/06

2006-06-16T01:42:00.000+10:00

So the train arrived at 6am and of course I was already wide awake after a night fending off the mossies!!! We all jumped off and walked to a cafe for breakfast, just toast and jam - yummy....
We had a bit of time to hang around before we could get the bus to the ferry. We had a look round the local market which was so nice. It was mainly a food market with some interesting smells, you could actually buy catfish that were still wriggling around!! I wish we were staying in place that we could cook in as I would of loved to try some of the food.
Anyway after the market and playing with some kittens we went back to the cafe at 8am ready to get on the buses. We were on the buses for about 40 minutes so that was not too bad.
When we arrived at the port we had around 15 minutes til we could board the ferry so it was a quick toilet stop. Well the toilets were not too great, squat loo with no flush and luckily I had my own tissues!!!
We all clambered onto to ferry and up the stairs to the deck where we dumped our bags. I spent some time out there and quite a bit of time in the so-called air con area. Read for a bit and wrote some of my journal. We were on the ferry for a couple of hours, there were some quite stunning views as we began to arrive at Koh Phangan.
We finally arrived at about 12.30pm after about a day of travel. We were collected from the ferry by 2 pick-up trucks so our bags were balanced in the centre and we had to sit either side with nothing really to hold onto. It was an experience as the roads were very basic, hilly and bumpy. I am glad I wasn't at the back of the truck...! It was quite a hot ride as well due to the sun beating down on us. I did manage to keep myself pretty covered up though. It was good fun anyway.
That journey took around 40 minutes and when we arrived at out bungalows I was amazed to see they were right on the beach, well the bar/restaurant was. We were welcomed with a sweet paradise style necklace and a whole coconut with a straw each. Was really nice. I drank some but it seemed to be getting fuller so left alot.
Kit sorted our rooms out and we all went off to find our bungalows, we were a walk up some steps. They were quite nice bungalows with basic accommodation. Flush toilet but no hot water. Hey you can't have it all. We had to tell some guys which bags were ours and this tiny little guy carried mine and Kelly's rucksacks up in one go, I don't know how he did it.
We sorted out our stuff and had a shower which was very welcomed!!! Went down to check out the bay and beach. I took some photos.
I wandered along the beach a bit and read some. A few of the group jumped in the sea but I wasn't too fussed. Went online for a bit although it was a little pricey.
I chatted to Phillip for a bit and then Kelly and Ali came over. Phillip, Eliza, Urvi and Kelly started playing volleyball so Ali and I joined Bekki and Renu in the sea - it was so warm and shallow for a long way. Kelly joined us after a bit and we just chilled.
Everyone decided to meet at 7.30 for dinner so after showering, again, and changing thats what we did.
Just ate in the resort restaurant, only mixed veg over rice which was nice.
Some of the group went to the pub after dinner, some to bed. Kelly, Ali and I wandered down the beach to the payphone with our carefully collected coins. Spoke to Dad for a few minutes.
Walked back to the bungalows around 10.30. Went to bed and chatted a while.
Dawnie xxx

Floating Market/River Kwai

2006-06-10T19:30:00.000+10:00

Well after a bit of a traumatic night with not much sleep the phone rand at 5.50am as a wake up call by Kit the tour guide - I don't think anyone thanked him for that!! Had breakfast, mango, pineapple and some waffles with what I though was syrup but was honey, and then left Bangkok at 7.30am. We all piled into 3 mini buses so 6 people in each. i had Kristine, Kelly, Alissia, Bekki and Eliza in mine which was ok.
Today in Thailand they are celebrating the Kings 60th reigning year as he became king when he was 16, bit crazy but they love him.
We drove for quite a while and then arrived at a car park and realised we could take the long tail boats to the market so those of us interested jumped in. Got on the first boat at the front which was cool. I actually really enjoyed the boat ride, it was really interesting going along all the "canals" with the houses on stilts and little shops for people to jump out of the boats into. Seemed a lovely simple was of life. There were actually quite alot of Thai people sitting out front of their homes watching the boats, must get annoying the boats going by all the time as they are quite loud.
There was a nice breeze. The floating market was quite amazing as people were just going around on their boats and buying stuff from the stalls.
There was also a market on land so we wandered around that for a bit but the people who run the stalls harrass you to buy stuff so we got round that quickish. It is very hot!! Worried about burning but am using my sun block.
Met up with the rest of the group and after trying some fruit we got back in the buses and headed off to the River Kwai and arrived at 12.45, It was actually quite an impressive bridge considering how it was built. We crossed right over and there was a chained, distressed baby elephant there, some kids wanted us to buy food to feed it but it looked to sad. There were also some small market stalls but not too much of interest. It was a lovely river with pretty nice scenery.
We had lunch in a pizza place, I only had chips as not hungry...
We drove from lunch onto the War Cemetary which is very well kept. There are alot of grave stones there so is quite sad. Kristine and I went into the WW2 and Jeath War Museum which was very interesting and we were there a while. Very skinny PoW's which was really sad, strange that I havenever really heard about any of it.
At around 4.30 we got back in the buses and drove to where we were catching the overnight train. We were there a couple of hours early so went for a wander, there is the oldest buddist building/monument?? , apparently way before christ, there which we walked down to see but they were having big celebrations for the king. We ended up walking right in the middle of all these Thai people praying and so they were kinda staring at us... We moved back out the way. A random Thai bloke came and chatted to us, explaining about the king and that he supported Man U??
We popped to an internet cafe there quickly, very cheap!! We went to catch the train at 7.45pm but it was delayed until 8.10pm so we waited and then when it came we all climbed on to find our beds!!
It had no air con and so wasn't the most comfortable. Anyway, once again I only ended up have a few hours sleep.

Take care
Love
Dawnie
xxx

Arrived Safely

2006-06-10T19:15:00.000+10:00

Hey
I am doing these posts today purely from memory so they may be amended later....
Well I arrived in Bangkok at around 4.15pm, no problems with immiration or collecting my bag. I was collected from the airport along with another girl from my tour. We were driven to the hotel, I didn't think the driving was that bad (what does that say about me!!).
We arrived at the hotel around 5.45pm and were told the group were meeting at 6.30pm so we literally went to our rooms to change. I am sharing with a girl called Kelly.
We went to the meeting which lasted hours, there are 18 people in the group which I feel is a bit too many and there are only 4 of us travelling alone.... We all went for a meal after the meeting at about 9pm. I had a sweet and sour chicken with rice for about 80baht which is about a pound!! Bargain.
I went back to the hotel at around 10.30ish as I wanted to try and sleep which wasn't successful and then on top of being over tired I felt a little homesick. Oh well.
Looking forward to tour and Oz.
Love
Dawnie
xx

Two Days To Go!!!!!

2006-06-05T17:55:00.000+10:00

Well its all getting major exciting now!!! Been trying to pack my backpack so I am happy with it and its harder than I thought!
Had a fantastic weekend. Michelle and Pauls wedding on Friday was beautiful and was a wonderful night, good weather too. Then we had a big family lunch on Saturday which was also really nice, haven't done that sort of thing in such a long time and it seems a bit different now with all the babies!! The lunch was good and then we had the usual round of photographs taken of all the cousins etc. I really enjoyed seeing everyone.
Yesterday we had a nice walk, in the sunshine again!!, and then we had a BBQ which was great. So now I just have a meal out with the grandparents to say goodbye to them and then its just time to get everything properly prepared.
I am so excited and can't wait to get on that plane. I hope I haven't forgotton to get anything - I've probably got too much!!! Oh well, next time I write on this I will be half way across the world. Take care everyone - will miss you all. Although will hopefully be having too much fun to dwell on that fact!!
Love
Dawnie
xx

Two weeks to go!!

2006-05-25T00:39:00.000+10:00

Ok so I only have two weeks to go until I depart and although I am really excited I must admit that I am a little scared....!!
Well I had a nice weekend in Somerset with my parents and grandparents, although it rained quite alot that didn't stop us getting out and about.
We arrived Friday afternoon at our little cottage and discovered it was just across the road from the village pub so after unloading the car that was our first stop, needed lunch!! It was actually really good food and so I stuffed my face with a Steak and Mushroom Pie - yummy!! My Mum and I went for a walk while the others went shopping!We just chilled out on Friday night.
On Saturday we made our way to Chedder Gorge, it was a bit windy but the sun came out. My parents and I went on the open top double decker bus along the gorge and then into some caves which were cool.
We then went in a museum which was over in a couple of minutes and then made our way to meet the grandparents in a pub for lunch, just soup today - not so hungry. Although we did pop to the ice cream parlour after!!
There was a 3 mile walk along the cliffs of the gorge so we left my grandparents in the pub and went to do that. It was quite a tough walk but lovely views. Took us about 1 hour 45 minutes which wasn't too bad but my legs wondered what the hell I'd done to them.
I realised that I would really miss the English countryside but we don't get out to do walks like that often anyway.
Well we got driven on a magical tour by my Dad and stopped in Street for a wander around and then some dinner in, you guessed it, another pub.... I had a Chicken Jalfrezi which was nice. Was getting a bit sick of having pub food. We went back to the cottage at around 7pm and relaxed there, did some reading etc.
On Sunday we went to Wells, it was a bit rainy. We walked about for a bit - they were filming some film there called Hot Fuzz, sounds good eh!!, so we walked round that and then into the Cathedral which was amazing!! The rain got quite bad after that so we walked and found a starbucks, I had a hot chocolate which wasn't as good as costa!!!
My Dad and his parents then went to a pub to settle down ready to watch the Watford match. My mum and I wandered about for a bit, went to the Bishops Palace and I got in as a student - I obviously looked young cos we just asked for 2 tickets!! Won't complain though. The actual indoor things to look round here were ok but the gardens were lovely and what, I feel, we were really paying to see. We wandered back down to the pub, had to stop halfway back while they filmed a scene....
After giving my Dad some cash at the pub we walked to tesco to get some sandwiches and fruit for lunch which we then ate! We went for another wander and bumped into this old guy, who said he would be 100 years old in a couple of weeks!! He showed us around these gardens where he lived as they are closed to the public so that was really nice.
We wandered back to the Cathedral after that because the back of it was closed earlier due to a service. It was so nice.
Well Watford won so the men were very happy! We ate in the pub across the road again which was ok.
We had to pack up on Monday morning and then we had decided to stop at Lacock Abbey on the way home. Lacock was a beautiful village and the abbey and grounds were also amazing. We had made sandwiches before we left the cottage so we had them for lunch. Headed home from there about 2pm. Finally got home around 5.
Anyway it was a good weekend and nice to get away. Now I have finished work so am sorting out my last minute things etc!! Just got Paul and Michelle's wedding to look forward to, along with the lunch the day after and then just need to prepare myself for take off!!!
Take care
Dawnie
xxx

My Itinerary!!

2006-05-08T04:55:00.000+10:00

This is the plan so far......

8th June 2006 - BANGKOK Arrive in Bangkok and check in to hotel. Time to relax or explore the nearby Grand Palace, Wat Phra Keow and Wat Pho.
9th June 2006 - BANGKOK - RIVER KWAI Early departure from Bangkok. We drive to Kanchanaburi and visit the Bridge on the River Kwai, JEATH Museum and War Cemetery. In the afternoon we continue to Nakhon Pathom for the overnight train journey to Surat Thani.
10th June 2006 - KOH PHA NGAN Travel to Koh Pha Ngan by ferry and continue by jungle pick-up truck to Thongnaipan beach, one of Thailand’s most beautiful beaches. Overnight in beach bungalows.
11th - 13th June 2006 - KOH PHA NGAN Three full days to do as you please. There are many options; snorkelling, diving, jungle and waterfall walks, boat trips to surrounding highlights and just lazing on the beach.
14th June 2006 - SATUN Today we leave our island paradise and catch the ferry back to the Thai mainland. Continue to Satun, a fishing town on the Andaman Sea coast.
15th June 2006 - PENANG Travel via Butterworth to the famous island of Penang with its beautiful colonial buildings and wonderfully atmospheric Chinatown - one of the most exciting in the region.
16th June 2006 - PENANG A free day to explore the markets, beaches and interesting buildings of Penang.
17th June 2006 - CAMERON HIGHLANDS We head back to the mainland and journey south to the spectacular hill country of the Cameron Highlands.
18th June 2006 - CAMERON HIGHLANDS Today you can take jungle walks and visit tea plantations and spice gardens - even pick your own strawberries.
19th June 2006 - KUALA LUMPUR We continue to the capital of Malaysia, an interesting mix of cultures and colonial influences. At night you can visit the famous KL night market.
20th June 2006 - KUALA LUMPUR Free day. Optional visit to the Batu Caves.
21st June 2006 - MELAKA Travel to Melaka, the capital of the Melaka Sultanate. This beautiful town reflects Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and British influences. The rest of the day is free to wander around.
22nd June 2006 - MELAKA A free day to explore this amazing mix of cultures.
23rd June 2006 - SINGAPORE Drive to the vibrant island city-state of Singapore and transfer to our hotel. Tonight we have the opportunity to eat together and reflect upon our amazing journey from Bangkok to Singapore.
24th June 2006 - SINGAPORE Tour ends. Flight to Sydney 8pm local time in Singapore.
25th June 2006 - 5.15am arrive in Sydney
25th June - 10th July 2006 - Will be in Sydney to explore for at least a month
I will then be making my way up the East Coast of Australia going a couple of days surfing!!! I will then be in Byron Bay from 13th July probably just for a few days.

This should help everyone to keep track of me. Enjoy....I know I will!!
Dawn xxx

One Month Before I Leave!!!

2006-05-08T03:26:00.000+10:00

Well Emma left yesterday and so it brings everything to light!!!

Its 31 days until I take off and I am excited. Everything is pretty much sorted - I think. Just gotta get my insurance and sell my car and I'll be ready to go.

Had a fantastic time in Boat saying my goodbyes and now just relaxing at home. I finish work in 2 weeks and then have a couple of weeks to either temp or just get all the last bits ready....its scary!!

I've got a long weekend away to look forward to and Paul and Michelles wedding before I leave so I am thinking about them at the moment. Should be cool and I'll get to see everyone just a few days before I leave, hopefully everyone will be there!!

Anyway hope everyone is doing ok. Take care and see you soon - maybe.

Love Dawn
xx