Archive for August 2003

Together with some of the lads and lass we put 15 bucks to hire a car; that includes petrol. How cheap 60 bucks of 25 quid for a days drive. In the morning we travelled to shark bay, rose bay and double bay.

In the afternoon we decided to got to the northern beaches, inc Palm beach; where they shot Home&Away. First when to Balmory, passed through manly and onto Dee Way, Collaroy plato and finally up to palm beach, where we eat. The Restaurant was cool and the food was excellent, however the best part was having parakeets steal sugar and eating jam from my fingers.

By the time I got back it was very dark but that’s ok, I got to see Sydney at night.

Again, not a brilliant day, however, I did have a walk round Bondi with Kym, and a drink down on a club with brilliant views of Bondi. The evening was spent watching Tape, really good, originally a play, one set, three players; highly recommend it.

To be honest it's getting a bit boring (except for the kym), so as soon a I meetup with Layla I’ll be off to Cairns; and i'll be meeting up with Layla on monday so I’ll probably leave on the 3rd (wednesday), the theory being if I get hammered I can spend the next day in bed.

Boring day, went down to Bondi not much fun; thought I brought a book ‘C# Web Development with asp.net’ will give me something. The evening was more fun thought, me, kym, Rodger and Peter when to a bar; with a talent contest on (not much talent thought). It was a good laugh!

Got up and was planning to slouch-round, however Kym and Cosmos wanted to walk up to Watson Bay. I did mention that is was quite a distance (6km), and we could get a bus; still was a nice walk and which will further tone my thighs;-) Kim’s a lovely girl, very attractive, however as their a high clustering of beer monsters here I tend give here space and stick to the talking; last thing she needs is a more hassle. As for Cosmos, he in my dorm, and got his name from being a Space Cadet.
Had lunch again at Doyles, this time it was 5 fish battered platter, thought the all tasted the same. The others decided they wanted to see the nudi bay, wasn’t keen however when you get pass it, south head is very scenic.

The evening was spent having a go on the surf machine, which is a good laugh; the best part was Rodger, who looked like Elvis, drunk, on a surf board. I didn’t do too bad, probably should have had shoes on. Still Kym got better, after about four goes, first time she fell off as soon as it started. My advice is bend your knees and stick you booty out.

Like I mentioned earlier I’ve decided to get some business cards, however rather that a dodgy generic one, I’ll create my own. Some thing simple, the result 'not that bad' and cost only $50, which is quite cheap. If I run out, which is unlikely I’ll probably make it different, flasher, but for now it’s ok. So now, I can give somebody a card rather than writing down it on a piece of paper.

Today started off relatively nice, however that quickly changed when some of the worst storms in Australia’s history started; and I mean windy 110+ in Bondi.

So I decided to stay in and ride out the storm; except for a quick trip down to the beach. The sea looked lovely; where the sea’s normally blue you could see increasing flex of white off into the distance. Also the waves where breaking with spray flying off into the distance.

Spent the night in and have a couple of drinks, 3 longnecks, and chatted to people; including this crazy German, Nora and Roger (under the influence, again) and Kim.

I’ve decided to travel into the centre mainly to pick up my Barclaycard, walked back along Oxford Street. The prices are still far too expensive; but I’ve got my Credit card so splurging is more temptation. Nevertheless, I resisted, I’m going to wait, it’s only a couple of weeks till I make my way up to Cairns and start this holiday proper like. Also I’ve decided to design my own business card (thought it’s more a personal card).

Got up early and a quick walk to on Bondi beach, it’s surprisingly warm in the morning, as you get full warmth of the sun. After that I decided on a talk a quick walk down to coogee, quick being relative; it took about two hours. On the walk I passed Tamarama bay, Bronte then walked on upto Waverly Cemetery, around Shark point. Gordon’s Bay, where you’ll fined $20,000 for taking sealife, is very picture.
By the time I reached Coogee I knacked, so I’ll be just bumming for a couple of days. Coogee is far nicer that Bondi, smaller but a more rounded, however as it started to rain.

It's about 5o/k and I’m not awake but aware of coughing that’s coming from down the hall, odd i think; WWWAAAAWWW RRRRRRR WWWAAAAWWWW RRRRRRRWWWAAAAWWWW WWWAAAAWWW RRRRRRR WWWAAAAWWWW RRRRRRRWWWAAAAWWWW. Off goes the alarm. Some stupid little s%&ts have set off the alarm.

Anyhow went back to sleep and got up normal time, and set off to the city, going to try the Chinese friendship gardens and Aquarium. The gardens ok but for 6 dollars they were far too small. The Aquarium was better, thought I still caught it off-season, the tanks weren’t that clean and the seals were being moved; however their where some nice points.

The shark tank was ok, in that weren’t only sharks. I can understand the fear people have with sharks, it odd but they don't seem to have any sole; turtles On the other hand seem intelligent. Perhaps they missed that part of evolution out; after all they haven’t change in millions of years. Then again, with crocks you get an excellent sense of being watched; especially as they open and close their eyes as you pass by.

Walked round south head had fish and chips and at Watson’s bay before getting the ferry back into Sydney.

Got the bus from Bondi (L82) up to Macquarie's lighthouse then walked pass the gap, round south head, thought that army base stopped me from walking the entire coast. However half way round meet a fellow traveller, Hailey, and we chatted and walked the rest; going passed a nudie bay. Next on Haileys recommendation we had fish and ships in Watson’s bay at doyle's, before getting the ferry back to circular quay. Have to admit that the long and mostly point less chat, was great and it seems such I will never see here again (even if she did have a boyfriend).

After getting back to the city had a quick wander the got the train to Kings Cross, to have a quick look for the nice area; couldn’t find it. My list has increased, to include the aquarium, zoo and observatory.

All in all, a very nice day, oh and in the evening did the didgeridoo.

Went to the market and resisted the temptation to but clothes, I needed one more pair of trousers, two isn’t enough, I could have picked up a decent pair of diesel jeans for 90 bucks, however I’m think that I’ll probably not needed them by the time I get to cairns.

After that, I decided to get wet, even thought I know its cold, and on that point I wasn’t disappointed. Also I’ve found it’s not a good I dear to swim with combat shorts, they only get filled with sand and water. The rest of the day was spent looking at the find I want do but can’t until I’m up north; got to try surfing and diving their the two main things that are a must.

Spent the today bumming mostly, however went upto the Paddington market and walked along Oxford Street. I did venture into the centre but that was dead. Oxford streets full of clothes shops, expensive clothes shop. However, Paddington got some Victorian houses and loads of art galleries.
Then back to Bondi and chilled until the evening when I had a drink, which is eating into my money.

If you like you're birds: ibis, cockatoo and fruity bats (always after you plums!), then the royal gardens your place, just go on a sunny day! I did and it was gorgeous. Mainly trees and shrubbery and some bamboo thrown in, only thing I’ll say about bamboo, it's creaky even in a slight breeze. However, the best part must be the views from Mrs Mcquariey point, here you can see the opera house and bridge and lookout onto manly.

After that had a quick walk-up to the opera house, and onto fingers quay, and then back to Bondi. Later I will have to try out some of the pubs around circular quay and the rocks. You really have to walk round Sydney central, and luckily the centre is not that large, only a couple of miles wide. One of the other places I must visit is Manly, which is on the other side of the bridge. I’ll have two options, walk or take a ferry, I’ll probably try both.

In the evening when down to a local pub/motel, like the beach fount their not much to talk about; however the restaurants look excellent, which is true about Sydney in general.

It’s been a lovely day, sunny and still not too hot, i.e. tea-shirt weather. Went down to the Bondi and then into the city, and walked from Hyde Park stopping off and the Australia art museum, dull but the aboriginal was cool. After that I walked to south quay and on to Kings Cross. Would have done more, but I can until I can my cash flow sorted out.

Just to make life easier I decided to open an account, ANZ bank; if you open within six weeks it’s far easier. However it’s going to cost me 5 dollars a month. Ouch, however I’ve found out that ST George will charge nuthing if you earn 1500; so in a couple of months when I’m earning that, hopefully, I’ll switch or barging some money out of ANZ. Thought I still think it's a rip that that charge.

The only other thing that I got up to was walk around central Sydney, got to see the opera house and Hardour Bridge; later I may cross it by foot.

It seems that no-matter where you go theirs pidgins and seagulls , thought I had left them in UK, I’ve had enough of scabies pidgins. So I came as a light relief to see this a white ibis; which I could have feed it I had food.

Today was their run 12km, if I’m still here net year I may give it a try. However got to see Bondi for the first time thought, you can't knock the beach; however the front makes Margate looks pristine and to be honest Margate’s longer!
Other than Bondi working on a info website, that will hopefully make getting work easier.

Also had a shock when i saw this aaarrgghhhh the ghost of Joe Wee.

I felt that that I’ll try a different place, the centre was ok, but due to my swollen foot, I didn't feel like going out or even walking. So I tried Glebe, nice area, reminds me of Hearn bay, only better conneted, ten minutes into the Sydney.

However i decided to try Bondi, it's a lovely with views over the Tasmanian sea. However, the Bunks are with out safty rails, so I decided not to get drunk until a bottom bunk is free. Advise that other should have taken, so at four in the morning, thud thud, and some one fell out of bed, totally spangled. I had a quick wander and to south of Bondi there are two lovely little coves, this must be fantastic in the summer, which it isn’t right now.

Having spent the entire day wandering round Sydney, mainly getting my Medicare/visa sorted, I must have walked at least 6/km. Is that all, well the problem is not the distance it's the pain. When I was walking thought Heathrow, a stupid china-man decided to talk a hit a my ankle with his trolley. It wasn’t a bad hit, so I ignored it. However new shoes, and being stuck in a single position of over 10 hours (*2), my ankle was naturally under more pressure; and now it’s swollen.

I've just arrived and as soon as i got out the airport door, whoosh cold; it's like a spring morning here, a very good spring morning. So putting on my new jacket i stepped out in the bright sunshine and move forward.

Great metaphor!

The second flight wasn’t as good and the first, smaller aircraft, Boeing 777, the seat's view was more limited, but it was the front of the wing this time. Taking off from Incheon was cool, still impressed by the grunt of these beasts, even if this was only 2 stroke.

Oddly, we took a strange route flying over Seoul and onto Japan, instead of going straight down (the direct route). Naturally the pilot had a reason, HURRICANE/TYPHOON Etua, I agreed that is was a good idea. Flying over Seoul at night you could see one difference (from London) blue and white lights, which gave a different atmosphere. The rest of the journey was at night, in thick clouds, however by dawn we where out of the clouds and over Australia.

Couldn’t see anything detailed, expect rain forest, until we nearly their. But just before we arrived the best sight; Sydney harbour bridge and Sydney opera house; what's when I knew I had arrived.

Having just taken my first flight, I can truly say it's cool, taking off was easier and quicker than I expected (though I wasn't surprised that Hollywood is a bad frame of reference).

Anyhow arrived safe.

As this was my first flight I took a great deal of notice of the take off; this is, after all, where the second most accidents happen. Well after about 5 minutes of taxing and seeing loads of other attempts (all successful) we got into position and by god has this girl got some wellie. She (a Boeing 747 400) is a fantastic piece of engineering, and you got to be impressed by the grunt of her four stroke engine.

Pulling away with my excellent position at the back and behind on the left, I saw Heathrow, then London disappear. That I’ve got to admit is one of the best experiences I’ve had. The old dirty is some sight, first the streets pearls of sulphur; looking down you can see little car's taking their masters home.

Next you see a different scale as the different patterns of streets, roads and crescents; punctuated by the voids left by woods and commons. Scaling back still further you start to see amoeba like patterns like too little butter spread on toast.

At this point wee break for lunch, my first airline food, naturally being an adventurous fellow i chose the Korea option, well I’ll try anything once. And once is the category I’ll place this. Though it's not offensive it's got this pungent smell, like fermented cabbage.

Racing across Europe, Belgium, Denmark and Germany; with Sweden just a little further out framed by sea. At this height humanity starts to get scaled down; and you can appreciate your little part in it. Now the come blackness as we move into Russia.

Later on, I look out and i catch sight of thunder storms over St Petersburg; little atomic blasts of energy lighting up the clouds. Far off in the distance i catch sight of the dawn and we chase her down. After that was the forest of the eastern step, then Mongolia and onto the Gobi desert, (boring sand mostly).

Finally we fly into Korea, and pass over it's dark green forest. The landing again was easier and stopping quicker, which has help by the big old girl having here draws down to catch the breeze.

So I have to get up early just to catch the train to Erith, just to pick up bank details, so at least I’ve got some dosh for OZ. Next, I have my second shower, and set out for the long walk, well mostly train and under ground. Having wetted my way to Heathrow, the only advice i can give is never do this in new trainers. They look lovely, but the thing is my feet are painful and needed a long soak.

Having got here far too early, I left at 2 o/k for a 10 flight (given this the heat and buckling tracks it sound sensible). Goodthing is I’m first in the line so I get a choice of window or isle, mmm WINDOW. That Way when the plane is in a plummet at least I can see the ground before I’m pate!

having spent half the day running round, phoning and moving stuff i am tryed. It does'nt help that will be onof teh hottest day's of the year! So i'm hot sweaty and have got nuthing to wear, as 's all been bagged and tagged; sounds sexy ah! andto top tha i've lost my credit cards, aarrruugg!

The only things left to do is to watch james bond, :-)

The last two important things in the post arrive to day. Firstly the property transfer documents which I’ve personal handed in, lucky my solicitor wasn’t their other wise it would be even more personally handed. The other is my tickets.

It’s funny but it still doesn’t feel real, thought I do get flash, like think about taking clothes to the charity shop; I’m going to be in Korea in 4 days!
Anyway it’s not thought I’m going to stuck inside a glorified hairdryer travelling over hundreds of miles an hour thousands of miles high over unpronounceable countries. And if the aircraft does lose power and it stuck in a power dive into the ground, I’ll have just enough time to realise that this was a mistake and I would have been better off still working in a soul destroying job.

Monday I spent 440 on flights and today I spent 580 on clothes and a Digital Camera. That's a lot a monkeys, but it's worth it (repeat until convinced). Also It's my final day a Tiscali, and I can only say, Yes! YesYes!! YesYesYes!!! No more work, only sun sand and other things.