So, I finally escaped from the 18 year olds in Surefers Paradise! Having had enough with cities, I decided not to stop in Brisbane, and head straiught for Noosa. What a beautiful little town! Very classy, and lots of lovely little shops and very posh houses!
I was put in a room with yet more Sweeidh people! (not all blonde this time..) All with perfect English - very embarrassing. So we all headed off to the late Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo for the day on Friday - and what fun it was!!
Fed the elephants, held a Koala, hang out with the Kangaroo's for a bit, watched very scary Crocodiles...and hid from a Snake or two. Was great fun. The totally coincidentally ended meeting up with Mark and Simon again, and we had a fun night out in Noosa (one club in the entire little village!)
Sunday the sun finally came out (for the past couple of days it has been very, very hot and sweaty - 90% humidity - but no sun!). There was a free concert in a park in the town - and much to my delight the first act was a quite well known Australian musical theatre star (sadly not PQ Mum...) singing a few well known songs to pass an hour or so in the sun. Then a walk along the lovely beach in Noosa (and a shark warning - very exciting!) before I boarded my bus.
I really like Noosa, and had a lovely couple of days there, was a very chilled, pretty and classy place - wish I would could have spent longer there, but more exciting things await! I arrived in Rainbow Beach tonight, and am just off camping on Fraser Island for a few nights...will report more soon - if I survive! Don't think I've slept in a tent since Scount camp.....
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Byron Bay And A Week With 18 Year Olds....
Hello all,
Once again - haven't written in far too long! So (if anyone still cares...) here's a little update...
In truth theres actually not too much to report - hence the lack of blogging. After the Blue Mountains I headed to Byron Bay - and despite a few thunderstorms at the start of the week, I pretty much went for long beach walks and sat around the pool. Finally after 2 months of work and another 2 1/2 months running around cities - finally I felt like I was having an actual holiday (for holiday read doing nothing!!). Was staying in a very cool hostel (more like a hippy commune) with a large assortment of travellers - all very chilled - and the perfect place to relax!
Then last weekend I headed here to Surfers Paradise....now...I was warned that this week would be busy here - but I was not quite expecting it to be like this! This week is 'Schoolies' week in Australia - where year 13 finish school - and all come to...you guessed it...Surfers Paradise...to get get drunk. So the place is absolutley jam packed with screaming, hyper 18 year olds - all drunk and bevahing very badly! Luckily, I'm in a nice hostel (with a TV in my room! Am watching Neighbours most days - hooray!!) and sharing with two very cool Sweedish guys, Rudolph and Marcus (blonde hair, blue eyes!) who have made it a really fun week. Gone out a few times - and managed to mostely avoid the teens! Other than that it's been more lazily on the beach and around the pool. Which has been great.
Tomorrow I'm headed up the coast (away from the teenagers!) and on to much more exciting things, which I hope to report on soon!
Lots of love, 3 1/2 week to go and I'll be home!
Rich
xxx
p.s
New Baz Lurhman film 'Australia' is out today - hopefully will see it in the next day or two and report back!
Once again - haven't written in far too long! So (if anyone still cares...) here's a little update...
In truth theres actually not too much to report - hence the lack of blogging. After the Blue Mountains I headed to Byron Bay - and despite a few thunderstorms at the start of the week, I pretty much went for long beach walks and sat around the pool. Finally after 2 months of work and another 2 1/2 months running around cities - finally I felt like I was having an actual holiday (for holiday read doing nothing!!). Was staying in a very cool hostel (more like a hippy commune) with a large assortment of travellers - all very chilled - and the perfect place to relax!
Then last weekend I headed here to Surfers Paradise....now...I was warned that this week would be busy here - but I was not quite expecting it to be like this! This week is 'Schoolies' week in Australia - where year 13 finish school - and all come to...you guessed it...Surfers Paradise...to get get drunk. So the place is absolutley jam packed with screaming, hyper 18 year olds - all drunk and bevahing very badly! Luckily, I'm in a nice hostel (with a TV in my room! Am watching Neighbours most days - hooray!!) and sharing with two very cool Sweedish guys, Rudolph and Marcus (blonde hair, blue eyes!) who have made it a really fun week. Gone out a few times - and managed to mostely avoid the teens! Other than that it's been more lazily on the beach and around the pool. Which has been great.
Tomorrow I'm headed up the coast (away from the teenagers!) and on to much more exciting things, which I hope to report on soon!
Lots of love, 3 1/2 week to go and I'll be home!
Rich
xxx
p.s
New Baz Lurhman film 'Australia' is out today - hopefully will see it in the next day or two and report back!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Sydney And The Blue Mountains
Goodness! What a week, just realised I'd become rather slack at keeping this thing updated, and as I'm sitting waiting for HOURS for the travel agent to get a move on, thought I'd use the time wisely...if anyone out there is still interested in where I am!
So, I made it to Sydney last Saturday. Unfortunately on arrival I realised that yet again I'd managed to book myself into a rather grim hostel (I use the word 'hostel' lightly...doss house/skank pit could be a more accurate description). Was put in a room with several people who had been living there for 6 months; and it looked like they hadn't washed in that time either. Ah well, it was just going to be a place to rest my head, and gave me even more excuse to spend as much time out and about in this magnificent city as I could.
I spent the first couple of days wandering around the city, and sampling all there is to see. Made it on a tour of the Opera House (Adam our tour guide was nothing coompared to your NT masterpiece Rach..), a trip to the Aquarium, the Botanical Gardens..all the very touristy stuff...and lots more photos to prove it!
Tuesday was spent on Bondi - its a real iconic place, and every bit as cool as they say. My white, not very toned chest did gets its first beach outing, and I made it into the sea for those big Ozzie waves! The day ended with a much brighter shade of red than is natural for the tops of ones feet...(missed area with the suncream!) but some swiftly purchased aftersun soon sorted that out...
I was determined to see some kind of show inside the Opera House, having not been to the theatre since Chicago - but I think the opera tickets were a little out of a travellers league. I did however managed to get an under 27's ticket for a production in the Playhouse Theatre - a modern reworking of Titus Andronicus. Lots of blood and Shakespeare in Ozzie accents!!
I also had a chance to catch up with a few friends here, Emily (a total blast from the past) who I used to do YTW with is living over here now, so had a great opportunity to have a good old natter - we spent Sunday afternoon in Newtown at a v.cool music festival.
I also caught up with Mark for a drink, who had been in New Zealand. He's headed up the coast now, but I may catch them up later on for his birthday at the start of December!
It's a shame I made it to Sydney at this late stage in my travels, I can entirely see that its a brillaint city, with an excellent vibe - but 10 weeks or so walking round big cities I've really been craving some solitary beaches and countryside. On Saturday morning I headed up into the Blue Mountains for the weekend, and am so glad I made the trip, as I had a really great few days.
On Saturday afternoon I did a 5k hike into the valley and through the rainforest, and on Sunday I went on a longer 10k hike up to the ruined castle (lots of rocks - splendid views..!) and again back into the valley and through some more rainforest. A hot shower upon my return, a wonderful dinner, one of the most chocolatey hot chocolates I've ever tasted, a beer or two and some good chat with other travellers made for a couple of really chilled and fun nights. I feel really refreshed - and ready to head on up the coast!
Rich
xxx
So, I made it to Sydney last Saturday. Unfortunately on arrival I realised that yet again I'd managed to book myself into a rather grim hostel (I use the word 'hostel' lightly...doss house/skank pit could be a more accurate description). Was put in a room with several people who had been living there for 6 months; and it looked like they hadn't washed in that time either. Ah well, it was just going to be a place to rest my head, and gave me even more excuse to spend as much time out and about in this magnificent city as I could.
I spent the first couple of days wandering around the city, and sampling all there is to see. Made it on a tour of the Opera House (Adam our tour guide was nothing coompared to your NT masterpiece Rach..), a trip to the Aquarium, the Botanical Gardens..all the very touristy stuff...and lots more photos to prove it!
Tuesday was spent on Bondi - its a real iconic place, and every bit as cool as they say. My white, not very toned chest did gets its first beach outing, and I made it into the sea for those big Ozzie waves! The day ended with a much brighter shade of red than is natural for the tops of ones feet...(missed area with the suncream!) but some swiftly purchased aftersun soon sorted that out...
I was determined to see some kind of show inside the Opera House, having not been to the theatre since Chicago - but I think the opera tickets were a little out of a travellers league. I did however managed to get an under 27's ticket for a production in the Playhouse Theatre - a modern reworking of Titus Andronicus. Lots of blood and Shakespeare in Ozzie accents!!
I also had a chance to catch up with a few friends here, Emily (a total blast from the past) who I used to do YTW with is living over here now, so had a great opportunity to have a good old natter - we spent Sunday afternoon in Newtown at a v.cool music festival.
I also caught up with Mark for a drink, who had been in New Zealand. He's headed up the coast now, but I may catch them up later on for his birthday at the start of December!
It's a shame I made it to Sydney at this late stage in my travels, I can entirely see that its a brillaint city, with an excellent vibe - but 10 weeks or so walking round big cities I've really been craving some solitary beaches and countryside. On Saturday morning I headed up into the Blue Mountains for the weekend, and am so glad I made the trip, as I had a really great few days.
On Saturday afternoon I did a 5k hike into the valley and through the rainforest, and on Sunday I went on a longer 10k hike up to the ruined castle (lots of rocks - splendid views..!) and again back into the valley and through some more rainforest. A hot shower upon my return, a wonderful dinner, one of the most chocolatey hot chocolates I've ever tasted, a beer or two and some good chat with other travellers made for a couple of really chilled and fun nights. I feel really refreshed - and ready to head on up the coast!
Rich
xxx
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Everybody Needs Good Neighbours...
I made it to Oz!!
I have now been in Melbourne one whole week, having a generally quite relaxed, uneventful time - just planning the next two months, and catching up on some well needed sleep after the heights of California!
Tuesday was a public holiday, and the Melbourne Cup horse race. Was a gorgeous day, and the race was being shown on a big screen in the centre of town. So along with a few people we headed down to spend the afternoon watching. Was a real treat, even if I did end the day with very sunburnt feet!
And what a small world we live in...ended sharng myroom in the hostel with two girls who graduated from Bristol in the same year as me..lots of names/friends in common!
On Thursday I fulfilled yet another lifelong ambition...and headed to Ramsay Street! Have been trying to uplaod some photos, but once again my computer skills seem entirely incompetent! Was a real fun, if very silly way to spend an afternoon - Erinsborough High, Grease Monkeys, followed by the street itself...what more could a guy want of an afternoon? Our celebrity appearance was the actress who played Janelle Timmins...no Dr Karl, or Kym Valentine (Libby) for that matter...but hey ho!
Tonight I head to Sydney. Melbourne has been cool, but I am super excited about Sydney. It is a city I've always wanted to visit, and have been sent many recommendations!
Hope everyone is well,
Rich
xxx
I have now been in Melbourne one whole week, having a generally quite relaxed, uneventful time - just planning the next two months, and catching up on some well needed sleep after the heights of California!
Tuesday was a public holiday, and the Melbourne Cup horse race. Was a gorgeous day, and the race was being shown on a big screen in the centre of town. So along with a few people we headed down to spend the afternoon watching. Was a real treat, even if I did end the day with very sunburnt feet!
And what a small world we live in...ended sharng myroom in the hostel with two girls who graduated from Bristol in the same year as me..lots of names/friends in common!
On Thursday I fulfilled yet another lifelong ambition...and headed to Ramsay Street! Have been trying to uplaod some photos, but once again my computer skills seem entirely incompetent! Was a real fun, if very silly way to spend an afternoon - Erinsborough High, Grease Monkeys, followed by the street itself...what more could a guy want of an afternoon? Our celebrity appearance was the actress who played Janelle Timmins...no Dr Karl, or Kym Valentine (Libby) for that matter...but hey ho!
Tonight I head to Sydney. Melbourne has been cool, but I am super excited about Sydney. It is a city I've always wanted to visit, and have been sent many recommendations!
Hope everyone is well,
Rich
xxx
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Sweet Dreams My LAX
No...not a Rachel Stevens song, but my final US blog...
So after the highs of San Fransisco, I took a couple of days to attempt to recoperate in Santa Barbara - not without its dramas (as nothing ever is...long story!) I did manage to spend a day at least on the beach, and had some quiet time, and catch up on some much needed sleep.
Then on down the coast for one last stop in LA.
I was staying with Brian, another American I met this Summer in Edinburgh - and he and his lovely girlfriend Dianna showed me the sights, and treated me wonderfully for my final two and a half days. I loved LA, it gets a really bad rep, and clearly is mad, crazy, and slightly surreal, but I think if you get swept up in the glamour of it all and just roll with it then its a really exciting place to be (even if there are a lot of cars!). We did all the Hollywood walk of fame stuff, which was great fun, and spent a day at the Universal Studios theme park, which was just totally awesome.
My final day in the US was pretty chilled, Brian and I spent the morning in Beverly Hills, and Rodeo Drive. I tried shamelssly to spot a movie star, but to no avail... Then in the afternoon took a stroll along the pier in Venice. To have made it to the Pacific Ocean on this last day of the trip seemed like the perfect end, to what in all honesty has just been the most perfect two months...
I can't belive the US is one country, I've spent two months here and have seen and been through a huge variety of cities and landscpaes; yet I've barely even scrathched the surface of what this place has to offer...I guess this gives me even more reason to come back again....
So I've done it...two years ago my planned American summer adventure ended in disaster....and two years on I've finally completed the journey that I then started; this time minus the singing ten year olds.....!
Now...let's just hope Obama wins on Tuesday.....
I somehow managed to get an upgrade on my flight to Melbourne, so the 15 hour flight was pretty much the most incredibly perfect way to end that stage of my travels...
Australia here I come!
Rich
xxx
So after the highs of San Fransisco, I took a couple of days to attempt to recoperate in Santa Barbara - not without its dramas (as nothing ever is...long story!) I did manage to spend a day at least on the beach, and had some quiet time, and catch up on some much needed sleep.
Then on down the coast for one last stop in LA.
I was staying with Brian, another American I met this Summer in Edinburgh - and he and his lovely girlfriend Dianna showed me the sights, and treated me wonderfully for my final two and a half days. I loved LA, it gets a really bad rep, and clearly is mad, crazy, and slightly surreal, but I think if you get swept up in the glamour of it all and just roll with it then its a really exciting place to be (even if there are a lot of cars!). We did all the Hollywood walk of fame stuff, which was great fun, and spent a day at the Universal Studios theme park, which was just totally awesome.
My final day in the US was pretty chilled, Brian and I spent the morning in Beverly Hills, and Rodeo Drive. I tried shamelssly to spot a movie star, but to no avail... Then in the afternoon took a stroll along the pier in Venice. To have made it to the Pacific Ocean on this last day of the trip seemed like the perfect end, to what in all honesty has just been the most perfect two months...
I can't belive the US is one country, I've spent two months here and have seen and been through a huge variety of cities and landscpaes; yet I've barely even scrathched the surface of what this place has to offer...I guess this gives me even more reason to come back again....
So I've done it...two years ago my planned American summer adventure ended in disaster....and two years on I've finally completed the journey that I then started; this time minus the singing ten year olds.....!
Now...let's just hope Obama wins on Tuesday.....
I somehow managed to get an upgrade on my flight to Melbourne, so the 15 hour flight was pretty much the most incredibly perfect way to end that stage of my travels...
Australia here I come!
Rich
xxx
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
