Boy, just finished my second day of work and I'm bushed. It's not like I even have to do that much - it's just so hot!
I've already got into a routine: I get up about 8am ish, and have breakfast and a cup of coffee. Then I sit about reading and relaxing before starting work about 9.30 - at which time I put on ear protectors, goggles and gloves and tramp down to the tractor where a huuuge pile of branches awaits. For 2 hours I feed the branches into the woodchipper until my tshirt is soaked in sweat, I have permenant goggle marks and my arms are numb from pushing stubborn logs in as they shake and vibrate about. And the pile doesn't get smaller as David keeps chainsawing new bits off the tree and dragging them up to me. We stop at about 11 for a tea/water break and chill out till I feel human again. Then we go back out again for more woodchipping, or to lay cardboard and newspaper round the baby orange trees before piling the mulch (woodchips) on top. The theory being that the nasty crawling grass underneath (horrible stuff, not like the grass we have in England) will die out and the baby trees will have a chance to grow. Hmm, lets hope it works; woodchipping is bloody hard work, 'specially in this heat!
Anyway, we break about 1 for lunch and sit around reading and recovering. Then I go upstairs and have a quick shower (woodships in hair, woodchips in clothes, woodchips bloody everywhere) before collapsing on my lovely bed and promptly falling asleep. Meanwhile David goes back out for a few more hours work (don't know how he does it - practice I guess). I wake up about 5 and go downstairs, pretending I don't feel knackered and haven't just slept for 2 hours, then laze around till dinner or go down to the lake for a swim. My host makes the dinner (I do offer to help ok?) then we watch t.v. or read more and I go back upstairs and collapse asleep again about 9 (pathetic).
So, all in all I'm having a good, if somewhat knackering and slightly cut-off, time. Food is great (nectarines never tasted as good as they do picked off a tree in the middle of a hot day) and I think this week will go quickly (and I'm not spending any money - yeah!). I think I will do another week somewhere up north before heading back to Auckland. Maybe somewhere near 90-mile beach.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Day 159 - A farm, Onerai
I'm here! I managed to catch my bus ok in the end.
Last night I stayed at a lovely hostel in Whangerai (called Bunktown lodge, highly recommended). This morning David, the owner of the place I will work, picked me up and drove me out to Onerai, where the farm is located. It's a small place really, run by David and his partner Lyndsey (who I haven't met yet, but seemed lovely over the phone).
This afternoon David showed me around the house, and then we drove down to visit a neighbour, Mike, to help him out with his irrigation. I say help; Mike, David and another neighbour (some funny old American guy with lots of facial hair) spent about an hour trying unsuccessfully to fit the bits of plastic together whilst scratching their heads and saying things like "dunno mate, dimn company sint us the wrong beets". Meanwhile Mike's young daughter and me scrambled over the fence to pick ripe peaches and scoff them down (well, it was listed as one of the required tasks!).
This evening we ate a v. healthy meal and chatted away about this and that. Turns out that David used to work in IT, and actually worked in Milton Keynes for 9 months on a contract (not EDS though, that would be really wierd). Funnily enough, he used to catch the 33 bus to N'pton on the odd Saturday to go shopping, and I pointed out that he had therefore driven right past our house several few times. It's a small world! He was addicted to Grand Designs when in the uk, and his house is like a grand design project itself - still in progress but very swish, and overlooking the bay and forested hills. I've got my own room, with it's own lovely terrace that I can sit on and watch the sun set behind the sea. Will put photos on to make you all jealous as soon as I get round to taking them.
Anyway, just watched Midsummer Murders and I'm now going to go to bed. Tomorrow I will be feeding the woodchipper and mulching some fruit trees. Also keeping my eye out for some wholesome kiwi farmer's sons, though our neighbours are so far off I don't think I should raise my hopes.
Last night I stayed at a lovely hostel in Whangerai (called Bunktown lodge, highly recommended). This morning David, the owner of the place I will work, picked me up and drove me out to Onerai, where the farm is located. It's a small place really, run by David and his partner Lyndsey (who I haven't met yet, but seemed lovely over the phone).
This afternoon David showed me around the house, and then we drove down to visit a neighbour, Mike, to help him out with his irrigation. I say help; Mike, David and another neighbour (some funny old American guy with lots of facial hair) spent about an hour trying unsuccessfully to fit the bits of plastic together whilst scratching their heads and saying things like "dunno mate, dimn company sint us the wrong beets". Meanwhile Mike's young daughter and me scrambled over the fence to pick ripe peaches and scoff them down (well, it was listed as one of the required tasks!).
This evening we ate a v. healthy meal and chatted away about this and that. Turns out that David used to work in IT, and actually worked in Milton Keynes for 9 months on a contract (not EDS though, that would be really wierd). Funnily enough, he used to catch the 33 bus to N'pton on the odd Saturday to go shopping, and I pointed out that he had therefore driven right past our house several few times. It's a small world! He was addicted to Grand Designs when in the uk, and his house is like a grand design project itself - still in progress but very swish, and overlooking the bay and forested hills. I've got my own room, with it's own lovely terrace that I can sit on and watch the sun set behind the sea. Will put photos on to make you all jealous as soon as I get round to taking them.
Anyway, just watched Midsummer Murders and I'm now going to go to bed. Tomorrow I will be feeding the woodchipper and mulching some fruit trees. Also keeping my eye out for some wholesome kiwi farmer's sons, though our neighbours are so far off I don't think I should raise my hopes.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Day 158 - Auckland (not for much longer)
Another week gone, time flies when you are having fun!
This week has been much like the last; stripping beds and cleaning in the morning and job hunting, sightseeing and hanging around with guys at the hostel in the afternoon.
Yesterday I decided that I was sick of doing the above when I had a whole great country to explore, so I contacted a few farms in Whangerai (place up in the north) to see if I can help out for a week. One in Onerahi came back quickly, so that's where I'm going (pic below). Apparently my duties will include weeding, feeding a tractor powered mulcher, harvesting in-season fruit, general orchard maintenance, eating macadamias & fruit. I'm liking the sound of the last one!
After I work for a week or so (depending on how I like it) I'm going to do some exploring round the North bit; tramping through forests, quad biking down 90-mile beach, sea kayaking - it all sounds good.
Unfortunately the plans have already had a bit of a, urm, hiccup. I was meant to catch a 1.30 bus to Whangerai today, but unfortunately lingered too long over lunch, completely lost track of time, and totally missed it. Durr, I never change :-). Anyway, I'm going to catch a later bus at 6pm, which gets in after 8. What a palaver!
This week has been much like the last; stripping beds and cleaning in the morning and job hunting, sightseeing and hanging around with guys at the hostel in the afternoon.
Yesterday I decided that I was sick of doing the above when I had a whole great country to explore, so I contacted a few farms in Whangerai (place up in the north) to see if I can help out for a week. One in Onerahi came back quickly, so that's where I'm going (pic below). Apparently my duties will include weeding, feeding a tractor powered mulcher, harvesting in-season fruit, general orchard maintenance, eating macadamias & fruit. I'm liking the sound of the last one!
After I work for a week or so (depending on how I like it) I'm going to do some exploring round the North bit; tramping through forests, quad biking down 90-mile beach, sea kayaking - it all sounds good.Unfortunately the plans have already had a bit of a, urm, hiccup. I was meant to catch a 1.30 bus to Whangerai today, but unfortunately lingered too long over lunch, completely lost track of time, and totally missed it. Durr, I never change :-). Anyway, I'm going to catch a later bus at 6pm, which gets in after 8. What a palaver!
Friday, January 19, 2007
Day 151 - Auckland
Wow, I've finally got round to writing an entry (prepare to be bored - not much is happening, really).
I'm still staying in the City Lodge hostel, and am the hostel stripper. No, that doesn't mean I stand on the table in the kitchen and take my clothes off, I just take all the linen off the beds, vacuum, mop, and so on. Thrilling stuff. Still, I get free accommodation in return, so it's all good. In the afternoons I catch the link bus ($1.60 gets you anywhere) and ride round Auckland, opening bank/library accounts, posting stuff and generally getting sorted in NZ. Finally, in the evenings I hang around with Flo (German skater boy) and Bryony (Ipswich lass) watching dvd's, drinking tea, and generally trying to have a good time without spending too much money.
What to do next... I'm torn between a) staying in Auckland, working for a few months to earn some cash, then travelling round NZ or b) heading off soon, but travelling slower, and working in hostels/farms as I go. Hum, what do you think?
Anyway, think I'll be in Auckland for a little while longer as I'm liking it and also have a few people to visit. Those being my Gran's first beau, and a friends godparents - random, but all seem nice, I just have to get round to contacting them.
Um, really nothing more to report. Will try to remember to take some random pictures of the hostel/my friends etc.
I'm still staying in the City Lodge hostel, and am the hostel stripper. No, that doesn't mean I stand on the table in the kitchen and take my clothes off, I just take all the linen off the beds, vacuum, mop, and so on. Thrilling stuff. Still, I get free accommodation in return, so it's all good. In the afternoons I catch the link bus ($1.60 gets you anywhere) and ride round Auckland, opening bank/library accounts, posting stuff and generally getting sorted in NZ. Finally, in the evenings I hang around with Flo (German skater boy) and Bryony (Ipswich lass) watching dvd's, drinking tea, and generally trying to have a good time without spending too much money.
What to do next... I'm torn between a) staying in Auckland, working for a few months to earn some cash, then travelling round NZ or b) heading off soon, but travelling slower, and working in hostels/farms as I go. Hum, what do you think?
Anyway, think I'll be in Auckland for a little while longer as I'm liking it and also have a few people to visit. Those being my Gran's first beau, and a friends godparents - random, but all seem nice, I just have to get round to contacting them.
Um, really nothing more to report. Will try to remember to take some random pictures of the hostel/my friends etc.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Day 144 - Auckland
I'm in New Zealand!
Got here a few hours ago to grey skies and drizzle - it feels England! I'm staying in the City Garden Lodge, a hostel that is mainly full of old people who eat muesli. Still, there are some young'ns too, and it's got a really homey smell (plus a yoga studio in the garden), so it's all good in my book.
Had some problems confirming my working visa at the airport (the one time I don't have a printout of something - typical) so I have to hunt down the immigration office now and get that sorted. Otherwise, all is peachy and I'm enjoying being in a place that isn't 32° and 80% humidity!
Got here a few hours ago to grey skies and drizzle - it feels England! I'm staying in the City Garden Lodge, a hostel that is mainly full of old people who eat muesli. Still, there are some young'ns too, and it's got a really homey smell (plus a yoga studio in the garden), so it's all good in my book.
Had some problems confirming my working visa at the airport (the one time I don't have a printout of something - typical) so I have to hunt down the immigration office now and get that sorted. Otherwise, all is peachy and I'm enjoying being in a place that isn't 32° and 80% humidity!
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Day 142 - Cairns
Not much happening here, but thought I'd write another post to add some photos I missed:
Me holding 2 scaly things (yes, the croc on the right is the only the charming keeper threw on my lap). Bizarre facial expression on left is due to the fact the snake decided to explore
Also, for your viewing pleasure...
... and that's why you don't go swimming in croc infested pools! (If the doo-dad above doesn't work, click here to see my amateur video)
And I'm proud to say that although one of my friends jumped out of a plane at 14,000 ft yesterday and said it was amaaazing... I haven't blown any money on adrenalin-packed craziness, I'm going to save it all for New Zealand instead :-)
Me holding 2 scaly things (yes, the croc on the right is the only the charming keeper threw on my lap). Bizarre facial expression on left is due to the fact the snake decided to explore
Also, for your viewing pleasure...
... and that's why you don't go swimming in croc infested pools! (If the doo-dad above doesn't work, click here to see my amateur video)
And I'm proud to say that although one of my friends jumped out of a plane at 14,000 ft yesterday and said it was amaaazing... I haven't blown any money on adrenalin-packed craziness, I'm going to save it all for New Zealand instead :-)
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Day 140 - Cairns
It is the end of the Oz Experience trip up the East coast now, in 3 days I fly out to New Zealand from Cairns airport.
I left Airlie on the 6th first thing in the morning, and travelled in the bus up to Magnetic Island, so called because when Captain Cook sailed past his compass went haywire. We had to get the ferry over from Townsville on the coast, and reached the Island about midday. I only planned to stay one night, so didn't get to do much. The further north we go the hotter it gets, so I spent most of the time in the pool cooling down. Afterward we all pulled out the double kayaks and paddled along to the next beach, where we mucked around and climbed the rocks.
The next day we got the ferry back and hopped back into the bus to carry on up north. We picked some people up from Mission Beach (where you go if you want to throw yourself out of a plane) and then went to visit a croc farm. When we arrived at the farm I was sitting in the seat right near the door minding my own business, when one of the croc keepers hopped on the bus and threw something in my lap. I looked down. It was a baby crocodile. The keeper grinned at me, waiting for the reaction. Meanwhile the guy in the next seat along let out a piercing scream and scrambled away as fast as he can. Luckily the croc had it's mouth cellotaped together, so couldn't bite me. I think the keeper was very disapointed I didn't join my neighbour cowering at the back of the bus ("bloody british").
We had a look around the farm - most amazing was the huge 5 metre long crocodile, cutest was a joey that the lady behind the counter had swaddled up like a baby ("for 10 bucks you can feed one to the crocs" - yuk). Passed up a job offer cutting the grass in the pens and cleaning the crocs teeth. Hugged a snake and a scaly lizard with a blue tongue. All in all an eventfull day.
The monster
Vicious croc
Next we moved onto Cairns, our final destination. I booked into a cheap hostel ($20 a night, free meal) in order to save the pennies, and have spent most of the time here alternatively roasting in the stifling heat, or freezing in the overly air-conditioned library/internet cafes/shops. A mate Natalie, is staying in the hostel too, and I've met lots of nice people in my room/the communal kitchen, so I've always got someone I can drag with me to the Woolshed for the free meal (pasta or pasta - yahay!) and if I decide to blow some more of my (parents) hard earned cash I can pick between white water rafting, or an aerial slide over the rainforests in cape tribulation.
I left Airlie on the 6th first thing in the morning, and travelled in the bus up to Magnetic Island, so called because when Captain Cook sailed past his compass went haywire. We had to get the ferry over from Townsville on the coast, and reached the Island about midday. I only planned to stay one night, so didn't get to do much. The further north we go the hotter it gets, so I spent most of the time in the pool cooling down. Afterward we all pulled out the double kayaks and paddled along to the next beach, where we mucked around and climbed the rocks.
The next day we got the ferry back and hopped back into the bus to carry on up north. We picked some people up from Mission Beach (where you go if you want to throw yourself out of a plane) and then went to visit a croc farm. When we arrived at the farm I was sitting in the seat right near the door minding my own business, when one of the croc keepers hopped on the bus and threw something in my lap. I looked down. It was a baby crocodile. The keeper grinned at me, waiting for the reaction. Meanwhile the guy in the next seat along let out a piercing scream and scrambled away as fast as he can. Luckily the croc had it's mouth cellotaped together, so couldn't bite me. I think the keeper was very disapointed I didn't join my neighbour cowering at the back of the bus ("bloody british").
We had a look around the farm - most amazing was the huge 5 metre long crocodile, cutest was a joey that the lady behind the counter had swaddled up like a baby ("for 10 bucks you can feed one to the crocs" - yuk). Passed up a job offer cutting the grass in the pens and cleaning the crocs teeth. Hugged a snake and a scaly lizard with a blue tongue. All in all an eventfull day.
The monster
Vicious croc
Next we moved onto Cairns, our final destination. I booked into a cheap hostel ($20 a night, free meal) in order to save the pennies, and have spent most of the time here alternatively roasting in the stifling heat, or freezing in the overly air-conditioned library/internet cafes/shops. A mate Natalie, is staying in the hostel too, and I've met lots of nice people in my room/the communal kitchen, so I've always got someone I can drag with me to the Woolshed for the free meal (pasta or pasta - yahay!) and if I decide to blow some more of my (parents) hard earned cash I can pick between white water rafting, or an aerial slide over the rainforests in cape tribulation.
Friday, January 05, 2007
Day 136 - Whitsunday Sailing
Wow... had a great time. For two days I sailed on the Atlantic Clipper around the Whitsunday Islands. The first day we boarded the boat at lunchtime and sailed to Whitehaven beach. Below are the pictures of the beach I took from the lookout point; the sand was white and the sea was warm and shallow, with stingrays skimming across the bay.
After Whitehaven beach we sailed to a sheltered cove and dropped anchor for the night. The chef cooked fresh fish with veg and mashed potato (it was delicious) and we took our plates up onto the deck and ate and drank as the sun set behind the sea. After it got dark some dolphins came to play around the boat and the whole cove was illuminated by the full moon.
The next day we got up early and went snorkelling in the reef. It was AMAZING. The reef was fantastic (particularly like the ones that looked like brains), something straight out of Finding Nemo. There were thousands of fish of every colour and shape, turtles too. I had bought an underwater camera and used up all of my film.
Afterward we sailed to the next location - apparently the beast place to snorkel/dive and the place where we would be spending the next night. The weather was sunny and we stopped briefly to have some jumps off of the boat (aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarghsplash).
Dropped anchor in a different cove, then did the same routine as the day before; big dinner, early snorkelling the next day. If possible the reef was even more amazing (I really wished I hadn't used up all my film the day before). One of the guides brought the leftover bread from breakfast and threw it in after us - the fish just went bonkers and there was hundreds of them swimming round us like loonies. It's quite hard to describe just how cool it was, you had to be there...
We got back to the Marina at lunchtime and all got off hot, tired and happy. Great trip, so glad I forked out. Tomorrow I leave Airlie Beach (finally) to head north for Cairns.
After Whitehaven beach we sailed to a sheltered cove and dropped anchor for the night. The chef cooked fresh fish with veg and mashed potato (it was delicious) and we took our plates up onto the deck and ate and drank as the sun set behind the sea. After it got dark some dolphins came to play around the boat and the whole cove was illuminated by the full moon.
The next day we got up early and went snorkelling in the reef. It was AMAZING. The reef was fantastic (particularly like the ones that looked like brains), something straight out of Finding Nemo. There were thousands of fish of every colour and shape, turtles too. I had bought an underwater camera and used up all of my film.
Afterward we sailed to the next location - apparently the beast place to snorkel/dive and the place where we would be spending the next night. The weather was sunny and we stopped briefly to have some jumps off of the boat (aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarghsplash).
Dropped anchor in a different cove, then did the same routine as the day before; big dinner, early snorkelling the next day. If possible the reef was even more amazing (I really wished I hadn't used up all my film the day before). One of the guides brought the leftover bread from breakfast and threw it in after us - the fish just went bonkers and there was hundreds of them swimming round us like loonies. It's quite hard to describe just how cool it was, you had to be there...
We got back to the Marina at lunchtime and all got off hot, tired and happy. Great trip, so glad I forked out. Tomorrow I leave Airlie Beach (finally) to head north for Cairns.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Day 133 - Airlie Beach
There's been a change of plan - I'm going sailing! At 1 I'm climbing on board the Clipper, a posh sailing boat complete with hot tub, and heading off for 2 days sailing round the whitsunday islands. I've bought a silly cowboy hat (so I don't burn my nose) and a waterproof camera (for the snorkeling around the barrier reef), so I'm all ready to go.
The trip cost $250 (a hundred quid), but I figured I had to do it; once in a lifetime opportunity and all that.
The trip cost $250 (a hundred quid), but I figured I had to do it; once in a lifetime opportunity and all that.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Day 131 - Airlie Beach
Airlie beach still... not much to do but sunbathe and read. I've been browsing through Anna's pictures and sighing, remembering when I was going somewhere new every other day amnd never even had the chance to get bored (unless it was with yet another ruin!)
Yesterday I tried to get a volunteer position on a boat, but the waiting list is huge, so that's out of the window. The sailing trips are about $340 for 3 days (on average) so I think I'll skip it and go snorkelling further north.
Tonight it's new years, and I'll probably be with a few of the guys from the Oz bus - sitting next to the sea watching the fireworks and drinking cheap wine.
On the 2nd I'm going further north, to magnetic island, where I can go walking, sea kayaking and snorkelling. I'll be there a few days before travelling up to Cairns on the 6th and finally flying to Auckland, New Zealand on the 12th. Really looking forward to being in New Zealand, and have already been registering online with job companies so that I can a job as soon I get there (so sick of spending lots of money without being able to earn any back!) So, that's the plan! New country, all very exciting.
Yesterday I tried to get a volunteer position on a boat, but the waiting list is huge, so that's out of the window. The sailing trips are about $340 for 3 days (on average) so I think I'll skip it and go snorkelling further north.
Tonight it's new years, and I'll probably be with a few of the guys from the Oz bus - sitting next to the sea watching the fireworks and drinking cheap wine.
On the 2nd I'm going further north, to magnetic island, where I can go walking, sea kayaking and snorkelling. I'll be there a few days before travelling up to Cairns on the 6th and finally flying to Auckland, New Zealand on the 12th. Really looking forward to being in New Zealand, and have already been registering online with job companies so that I can a job as soon I get there (so sick of spending lots of money without being able to earn any back!) So, that's the plan! New country, all very exciting.
Friday, December 29, 2006
India Photos
Hey Everybody!
Just a quick note: my lovely travel buddy Anna (part of the goa crew) has uploaded her piccies from India. It's her camera I used when I chased the goan creep down the beach! Unfortunately there is none of the skew-if shots of his back as he pelted away from me (think Anna deleted these), but this is just as I whipped the camera out and he turns round. Idiot.
She also has some other lovely photos, you can look at them here. One of my favourites is this one of Julie and the little guy from the Hostel - in the Anjuna rave club, Paradiso... hilarious.
Just a quick note: my lovely travel buddy Anna (part of the goa crew) has uploaded her piccies from India. It's her camera I used when I chased the goan creep down the beach! Unfortunately there is none of the skew-if shots of his back as he pelted away from me (think Anna deleted these), but this is just as I whipped the camera out and he turns round. Idiot.
She also has some other lovely photos, you can look at them here. One of my favourites is this one of Julie and the little guy from the Hostel - in the Anjuna rave club, Paradiso... hilarious.
Day 129 - Airlie Beach
I'm in Airlie beach now, base for the Whitsunday sailing trips and great barrier reef heaven.
But, again I have been rubbish at updating the blog, so I'll fill in on what I've been up to (I would upload photos, but this stupid computer won're let me, so you'll just have to wait for those...).
I spend christmas day morning on the beach, frying in sunshine and watching people wonder round in their swimming costumes with christmas hats on. Very odd. At lunchtime we went back to the hostel and fired up the barby on the balcony. Everyone had burgers and salad, and I had veggie kebabs, and we drank wine and generally relaxed and got merry. After dinner we had mince pies and christmas cake and listened to the carols that were showing on the TV ("I'm dreaming of a white christmas", "Let it snow" etc. - doesn't quiiite work in the middle of summer). In the evening we watched some dvds: Love Actually and Charlie and the Chocolate factory (the first and best version obviously) and ate lots more food.
Eating on the balcony...
The xmas spread
Let them eat cake, lots of cake (so bloomin' bright outside!)
Boxing day I had to get up at the frankly rude time of 5.30 am to be picked up by the fraser island tour I had booked. After being collected I was dropped off at the dock and loaded onto the Kingfisher Fraser Island ferry with the couples and families on the tour, guides and the grim-faced resort staff that had to take the trip over every day. At the other end the tourees were loaded onto a 4WD coach by our guide Rob ("g'day mate"). It seems day tours are the trip of choice for couples and families (the backpackers generally opting for the self-drive 3 day trips) so I was the only party of 1 - but it was ok, I got to sit in the front next to Rob and actually see the trenches and hills before we hit them and all got thrown around in our seats.
Fraser Island is a huge all-sand island, left behind by one of the huge continents before everything shifted around. It's a world heritage site and at about 125km long by 18 wide it is the largest sand island in the world. It's really beautiful, covered by rainforests, lakes and huge sandblows. We visited the rainbow sands and McKenzie lake, driving along the beach or bouncing across the tracks through the rainforests. McKenzie lake is beautiful, the water is warm and the sand is so pure and perfect it actually polishes your jewellary! We rounded off the tour with walk through the rainforest around centre point. The trees grow out of sand and crstal rivers of overflowing groundwater run here and there. I was so absorbed in looking around that I didn't notice that a leech had decided to make friends with my foot until I got back to the coach. Luckily Tour Guide Rob was on hand to burn it off with a cigarette lighter, eeeew yuuuk. We got back at about 7pm and I cooked dinner, ate dinner, and collapsed into bed.
Driving along the beach
Rob the guide/driver - look, the sea!
The rainbow sands (not really rainbow, more various shades of orange/yellow)
The Maheno boat wreck
New sport, walking up Eli Creek and floating back down (funfunfun)
Lake McKenzie: perfect white sands (if it were not for the cloudy sky, the water would be azure blue too!)
The next day was the day of departure. The oz bus picked me up at 7.30 am and we headed off on the loooong drive to Airlie beach, so long, infact, that we were having an overnight stop at a cattle station in Kroombit to break the trip up. We got to Kroombit at 2pm and the fun commenced. First up: goat branding! I teamed up with Carolyn and Karen, Carolyn chasing, me picking up the goat and pinning it to the floor (tipping) and Karen branding. Unfortunately the goat was a particularly bouncy one (Carolyn claimed it sensed her fear) so took ages to catch, so we came last. Afterward we tried clay pidgeon shooting. I really sucked at that; not only did I fail to shoot a single one of the clay disks, I also nearly managed to hit the shed full of ammunition and gunpowder. Ooops - hehe. Then the potato gun came out (boys and their toys) and we shot a few limes at aforementioned shed. Oh, I forgot to add, the whole time this was going on it was raining (first time in months apparently - bloody typical if you ask me) so we were completely covered in mud and goat shit by the time we were loaded back on the jeep to be driven back to our cabins. After dinner (beef, and pasta for me - yaawn) we had a go on the mechanical bull. I came 2nd with a time of 11 seconds (the winner stayed on for 17) - it was hilarious to watch the boys expressions of agony as their crown jewels were crushed before they were flipped onto the mat. Then came the inevitable drinking games, that started with pass-the-parcel and rapidly degenerated from there.
The goat branding team avec war paint (i.e. mud)
After the clay pidgeon shooting
The mechanical bull: 1) be nice to me bull 2)this doesn't seem too bad
3)aaaaaarrrghhh!!!
Drinking games...
Happy drunk people...
The next day we had to leave early. Again I swore never to drink again, and spent most of the remaining 10 hr trip curled up on my seat, asleep. We stopped off on the way for a quick game of bowles (like you do) - not quite sure why, gues it was to break the interminable journey up.
Bowl, check, beer, check (yes - my vow never to drink again lasted a whole 4 hours)
We got to airlie beach about 7pm and promptly went out for dinner, which again degenarated into drinking games (after 1/2 an hour of a game involving tipping beer into a glass floating in a beer jug, and downing it when it sank, I groaned and left). I'm in the Airlie beach YHA over new years, and hope to go sailing on the 2nd of Jan. Carolyn and I are going to do the rounds today of the travel companies to try to find volunteer work on board one of the sailing boats (so we don't have to pay the extortionate prices). I can't wait to snorkel in the reef. Yay.
Yet more drinking games (highly intellectual stuff this)
But, again I have been rubbish at updating the blog, so I'll fill in on what I've been up to (I would upload photos, but this stupid computer won're let me, so you'll just have to wait for those...).
I spend christmas day morning on the beach, frying in sunshine and watching people wonder round in their swimming costumes with christmas hats on. Very odd. At lunchtime we went back to the hostel and fired up the barby on the balcony. Everyone had burgers and salad, and I had veggie kebabs, and we drank wine and generally relaxed and got merry. After dinner we had mince pies and christmas cake and listened to the carols that were showing on the TV ("I'm dreaming of a white christmas", "Let it snow" etc. - doesn't quiiite work in the middle of summer). In the evening we watched some dvds: Love Actually and Charlie and the Chocolate factory (the first and best version obviously) and ate lots more food.
Eating on the balcony...
The xmas spread
Let them eat cake, lots of cake (so bloomin' bright outside!)
Boxing day I had to get up at the frankly rude time of 5.30 am to be picked up by the fraser island tour I had booked. After being collected I was dropped off at the dock and loaded onto the Kingfisher Fraser Island ferry with the couples and families on the tour, guides and the grim-faced resort staff that had to take the trip over every day. At the other end the tourees were loaded onto a 4WD coach by our guide Rob ("g'day mate"). It seems day tours are the trip of choice for couples and families (the backpackers generally opting for the self-drive 3 day trips) so I was the only party of 1 - but it was ok, I got to sit in the front next to Rob and actually see the trenches and hills before we hit them and all got thrown around in our seats.
Fraser Island is a huge all-sand island, left behind by one of the huge continents before everything shifted around. It's a world heritage site and at about 125km long by 18 wide it is the largest sand island in the world. It's really beautiful, covered by rainforests, lakes and huge sandblows. We visited the rainbow sands and McKenzie lake, driving along the beach or bouncing across the tracks through the rainforests. McKenzie lake is beautiful, the water is warm and the sand is so pure and perfect it actually polishes your jewellary! We rounded off the tour with walk through the rainforest around centre point. The trees grow out of sand and crstal rivers of overflowing groundwater run here and there. I was so absorbed in looking around that I didn't notice that a leech had decided to make friends with my foot until I got back to the coach. Luckily Tour Guide Rob was on hand to burn it off with a cigarette lighter, eeeew yuuuk. We got back at about 7pm and I cooked dinner, ate dinner, and collapsed into bed.
Driving along the beach
Rob the guide/driver - look, the sea!
The rainbow sands (not really rainbow, more various shades of orange/yellow)
The Maheno boat wreck
New sport, walking up Eli Creek and floating back down (funfunfun)
Lake McKenzie: perfect white sands (if it were not for the cloudy sky, the water would be azure blue too!)
The next day was the day of departure. The oz bus picked me up at 7.30 am and we headed off on the loooong drive to Airlie beach, so long, infact, that we were having an overnight stop at a cattle station in Kroombit to break the trip up. We got to Kroombit at 2pm and the fun commenced. First up: goat branding! I teamed up with Carolyn and Karen, Carolyn chasing, me picking up the goat and pinning it to the floor (tipping) and Karen branding. Unfortunately the goat was a particularly bouncy one (Carolyn claimed it sensed her fear) so took ages to catch, so we came last. Afterward we tried clay pidgeon shooting. I really sucked at that; not only did I fail to shoot a single one of the clay disks, I also nearly managed to hit the shed full of ammunition and gunpowder. Ooops - hehe. Then the potato gun came out (boys and their toys) and we shot a few limes at aforementioned shed. Oh, I forgot to add, the whole time this was going on it was raining (first time in months apparently - bloody typical if you ask me) so we were completely covered in mud and goat shit by the time we were loaded back on the jeep to be driven back to our cabins. After dinner (beef, and pasta for me - yaawn) we had a go on the mechanical bull. I came 2nd with a time of 11 seconds (the winner stayed on for 17) - it was hilarious to watch the boys expressions of agony as their crown jewels were crushed before they were flipped onto the mat. Then came the inevitable drinking games, that started with pass-the-parcel and rapidly degenerated from there.
The goat branding team avec war paint (i.e. mud)
After the clay pidgeon shooting
The mechanical bull: 1) be nice to me bull 2)this doesn't seem too bad
3)aaaaaarrrghhh!!!
Drinking games...
Happy drunk people...
The next day we had to leave early. Again I swore never to drink again, and spent most of the remaining 10 hr trip curled up on my seat, asleep. We stopped off on the way for a quick game of bowles (like you do) - not quite sure why, gues it was to break the interminable journey up.
Bowl, check, beer, check (yes - my vow never to drink again lasted a whole 4 hours)
We got to airlie beach about 7pm and promptly went out for dinner, which again degenarated into drinking games (after 1/2 an hour of a game involving tipping beer into a glass floating in a beer jug, and downing it when it sank, I groaned and left). I'm in the Airlie beach YHA over new years, and hope to go sailing on the 2nd of Jan. Carolyn and I are going to do the rounds today of the travel companies to try to find volunteer work on board one of the sailing boats (so we don't have to pay the extortionate prices). I can't wait to snorkel in the reef. Yay.
Yet more drinking games (highly intellectual stuff this)
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Day 124 - Hervey Bay
HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVE EVERYBODY!
Am now in Hervey Bay, and it's not that bad after all!
I had a bit of a disaster this morning when my bus didn't turn up, and when I rang Oz Experience I was told that despite the fact that I both booked and confirmed the bus for the 24th, there was no bus running. Let's just say I panicked a bit. I rang Oz Exp and shouted, so they told me to ring Greyhound and book a bus that they would refund the cost (from the tired, accepting tone of voice of the operator I guess this happens on a fairly regular basis). So I called Greyhound. Office closed. So I went online and booked a ticket on the first bus outa Bris. Then I looked at the bus and realised that it was already 7.35 and my bus was leaving from the Coach terminal in 10 minutes. I went "Aaaargh", picked up my bags and ran out the hostel, waving wildly at the taxis whizzing by. Thankfully one stopped, and when I told the guy my bus was leaving at quarter to, he raced over to the coach station and dropped me off as close as he could. Then I picked up my bags (why do I have to carry so many around: backpack, day pack, yoga mat and huge bag of food/crockery? It makes last minute panics so painful) and ran to the bus. The doors were just closing so I sort of just went splat against the door and desperately hammered on the glass. Drivers here aren't like those in England, and like to leave on the dot, so I got much grumbling and muttering as the guy opened the luggage compartment and assigned me a seat ("mumble, mumble, knew I shouldn't have got out of bed this morning, mumble". Anyway, the trip went quickly and I was deposited, along with my pile of bags, safely at Hervey Bay bus stop at about 2pm.
The owner of my hostel, the Friendly, picked me up from the stop. The hostel is really nice - more like an apartment with a proper bed (not bunk), kitchen and living room with widescreen TV and DVD player! I managed to find Laura, who is also staying here, and also met a couple of other girls staying in the apartment above mine. Tomorrow we are going to have a BBQ on the balcony (have bought tuna steak and ingredients for vegetable kebabs - yum, oh and red wine) and then we will go to the looooveelly loong beach to sunbathe all day in the lovely weather. Picture of the beach below. Will take more piccies tomorrow of BBQ in sunshine, and us sitting on the beach in bikinis and santa hats to induce complete jealousy in those of you stuck in soggy England. Tee hee.
Am now in Hervey Bay, and it's not that bad after all!
I had a bit of a disaster this morning when my bus didn't turn up, and when I rang Oz Experience I was told that despite the fact that I both booked and confirmed the bus for the 24th, there was no bus running. Let's just say I panicked a bit. I rang Oz Exp and shouted, so they told me to ring Greyhound and book a bus that they would refund the cost (from the tired, accepting tone of voice of the operator I guess this happens on a fairly regular basis). So I called Greyhound. Office closed. So I went online and booked a ticket on the first bus outa Bris. Then I looked at the bus and realised that it was already 7.35 and my bus was leaving from the Coach terminal in 10 minutes. I went "Aaaargh", picked up my bags and ran out the hostel, waving wildly at the taxis whizzing by. Thankfully one stopped, and when I told the guy my bus was leaving at quarter to, he raced over to the coach station and dropped me off as close as he could. Then I picked up my bags (why do I have to carry so many around: backpack, day pack, yoga mat and huge bag of food/crockery? It makes last minute panics so painful) and ran to the bus. The doors were just closing so I sort of just went splat against the door and desperately hammered on the glass. Drivers here aren't like those in England, and like to leave on the dot, so I got much grumbling and muttering as the guy opened the luggage compartment and assigned me a seat ("mumble, mumble, knew I shouldn't have got out of bed this morning, mumble". Anyway, the trip went quickly and I was deposited, along with my pile of bags, safely at Hervey Bay bus stop at about 2pm.
The owner of my hostel, the Friendly, picked me up from the stop. The hostel is really nice - more like an apartment with a proper bed (not bunk), kitchen and living room with widescreen TV and DVD player! I managed to find Laura, who is also staying here, and also met a couple of other girls staying in the apartment above mine. Tomorrow we are going to have a BBQ on the balcony (have bought tuna steak and ingredients for vegetable kebabs - yum, oh and red wine) and then we will go to the looooveelly loong beach to sunbathe all day in the lovely weather. Picture of the beach below. Will take more piccies tomorrow of BBQ in sunshine, and us sitting on the beach in bikinis and santa hats to induce complete jealousy in those of you stuck in soggy England. Tee hee.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Day 121 - Brisbane
Today I went to the zoo! Australia zoo, to be precise - home of the late and great Steve Urwin. I went with Laura, and we had to get up at a rude 7am and catch a 1 hr train and then a bus to get there, and then pay 47 bucks to get in, but it was worth it. (Plus my tan got topped up nicely!)
Here are the pictures:
Taz (tazmanian devil)
Sleeping Dingo
Wombat (soo cuute)
What! No food?
Even cuter than the wombat... sleeping koala
Manically depressed kangaroo
Lazy Kangaroo
Lazy elephant (not dead, just sleeping)
Steve Urwin wannabe annoys a 17 ft croc
Kookoburra (urm, don't know how to spell it!)
Huuuuge tortoise (you can't really tell from the piccy, but this beast comes up to my knee)
The story of the late Harriet - interesting stuff!
I've also added some pictures of me in wetsuits/drunk (tho not at the same time thankfully) to the Day 115 post.
Here are the pictures:
Taz (tazmanian devil)
Sleeping Dingo
Wombat (soo cuute)
What! No food?
Even cuter than the wombat... sleeping koala
Manically depressed kangaroo
Lazy Kangaroo
Lazy elephant (not dead, just sleeping)
Steve Urwin wannabe annoys a 17 ft croc
Kookoburra (urm, don't know how to spell it!)
Huuuuge tortoise (you can't really tell from the piccy, but this beast comes up to my knee)
The story of the late Harriet - interesting stuff!
I've also added some pictures of me in wetsuits/drunk (tho not at the same time thankfully) to the Day 115 post.
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