9th - 11th September 2012
Sunday was very much a rest day after the hectic week we had just had and thoughts turned on what to do next so a bunch of us were sat in Ultimate Oz HQ all afternoon looking at jobs, houses and campervans. I spent all day doing a Travellers At Work profile. Took forever and I was very hungover which didn't help.
A few of us went for a drink that night and I must have looked haggered coz I was refused entry to one place and refused service in another. I wasn't even drunk! When we came back I found Mark, Shelly, Beckie, Frank and Brandon having a 'gathering' in their room after spending all day drinking on a boat. I joined them only to be disturbed by the security guard telling us all to go back to our rooms. It was 11.30 and all of us had been kept up all week by people having parties in there room until 3-4am and nothing had been done about it so we were all a little pissed off. The bouncer was an absolute bell end as well. He squared up to Mark and offered to fight him outside. Professional then! We went down to reception to complain about the situation and the bouncer but they were less than helpful. I left them in their room where they wanted to continue the party and the next day they weren't allowed to extend there stay!
Monday came and peoples plans started to take shape. My orignal plan was to stay and work in Sydney until Novemeber and then travel to Cairns for the total eclipse but as almost everyone was leaving Sydney I thought I would alter my plan a little. Me, Charlie and Hollie fancied staying together so we started looking for farmwork as a 3 as Charlie was low on cash and needed work asap. It quickly became appararent that it were unlikely to get all 3 of us in one place and i'd rather do fruit picking than farm work anyway. Not an animal lover really. Hollie decided she would go with Ben, Angela, Mel and Kelly down to Melbourne which became my plan C but i wasnt keen on that either. It was still cold down south and I wanted to be there in March for the GP.
Plan D came in the form of an invitation from Mark on Tuesday. He, Beckie, Adam, Shelly, Frank, Dennis and Brandon were hiring campers and driving up north. 7 was an odd number as a camper would take 3 people so he asked me if I wanted to join Dennis is the 3rd camper. I was a little apprehensive at first as I hadn't hung out with any of them all that much but as they doing what I wanted to do and going where I wanted to be eventually I said yes. A good decision!
We made our plans, booked our campers and said our goodbyes that night. It was sad to leave everyone as I was just getting to know them but we had decided we would all meet up again at Christmas back in Sydney which I am very much looking forward to. But we were about to spend 16 days driving from Sydney to Cairns which was much more exciting!
Friday, 9 November 2012
Monday, 5 November 2012
Ultimate Oz
3rd - 8th September 2012
The first day of Ultimate Oz and the most incredible week of my life!
MONDAY: We met Big Dan down at the reception at WakeUp and we got to see the extent of our group. I had been meeting people here and there as they arrived and they said they would be on our week but now I got to meet all of the 25 or so people in our group in. I made a point of introducing myself to everyone in the hope that I could make some friends but I needn't have tried so hard, it was easy to make friends with this lot.
Big Dan ran us through our itinerary for the week and then we set off for Darling Harbour where we were to have our lunch. Never had so much small talk in all my life. "Where you from?", "What's your plans?", "What was your name again?!". They seem like a good bunch of people though so I was happy.
We had lunch and walked to Ultimate Oz HQ where we had a few presentations on campervans and surfing etc. BRUCE! No idea what his actual name was but we decided to call him Bruce and he seemed happy with that. Then Little Dan went through most of our important stuff like phone cards, where to get our bank cards and the tax back situation. Then we set off for a walk around Sydney.
We walked to Circular Quay and the Opera House. Me and Hollie had seen it 3 days in a row now so the novelty was slightly wearing off but we joined in none the less. Then we went to the Botanic Gardens and tried to entice some Cockatoos out of a tree so we could get pictures with them. It took a while. Only the fat ugly ones wanted to play but eventually we saw about 20 of them all milling around this bird man who was taking photos and he let us steal them of our own photos. There claws are sharp!
Out of nowhere two Rainbow Lorikeets landed on me and shouted at Dan to get a picture of me with them before they flew away! He said that he had never seen that happen before so I was fairly pleased with myself!
We had our Welcome Dinner back at WakeUp that night. Free pizza chips and wedges, cant complain. Lots of drinks later we went to Shenanigans, an irish bar around the corner. The music was good but there wasn't much of a atmosphere. We managed to create one though. I dared Charlie to have a dance off with the only guy dancing on the dancefloor, a middle aged bloke thinking he was awesome. Its safe to say Charlie won and afterwards the dancefloor seemed to fill up. There were many MANY photos taken that night and most aren't suitable. I got bored of photos after a while and decided to give up smiling!
TUESDAY: Today was the Sydney Harbour Boat Cruise or as we called it, The Booze Cruise. Easily the best way to see Sydney. We sailed out of Darling Harbour, under the bridge, past the Opera House and all the way up to a little beach further inland. Just us lot, beer in hand and good party tunes on, it was amazing! BRUCE! Yes he was there too. There were two things we were shouting all day. BRUCE and GOON!
We stopped off at a beach where we dived in and swam to shore. It was
bloody freezing! It was a nudist beach and there were a few old men with
there tackles out and Mark decided he'd go up and chat to them! After that we
booze cruised our way back to the city. Trying to keep your balance
while drinking on a boat is a skill! Then we had a few more drinks in
the bar and went to bed.
WEDNESDAY: Finally getting over the jet lag now I think. I thought one nights sleep would do it but your body is so used to getting up a different times.
A few us went to the bank in the morning to set up our bank accounts and it took bloody ages. They were doing us in big groups so when we got there a big group had already gone in so we had to wait for 2 hours before we complained. We told them that were going to be late catching the bus to basecamp and they suddenly seem to find more staff! But they didn't even have our bank cards so we couldn't get any money out and I had to use my English account which then got blocked because I used it in a different country. So I had to ring them and sort that out. Was a stressful morning and Hollie had lost her passport too so she was stressed as well! Nightmare! (She found it a week later in a book!)
We all piled onto the upper deck of a coach going to Port Stephens. The lower deck was full of old people who must have been delighted to see us all pile on with our crates of beer and boxes of goon! It took us 3 hours to get to Port Stephens. Some of scenery out the window was amazing. There were so many places I wanted to stop and take photos but we weren't in charge so instead, Me, Charlie, Hollie and Ashley played endless games of Eye Spy. I could quite easily never play that game again for as long as im in Australia! I think we named everything on the coach!
By the time we got to Melaleuca Surfside Backpackers (Basecamp) it was getting dark already. So we quickly chose our rooms then headed down for a quick look at One Mile Beach which, funnily enough, is one mile long and is just 5 mins from the camp. On the way we saw a koala attached to the tree which was really cool but it was too dark to get a picture of it without the flash.
We went back to the camp and we got chance to unpack a little bit and settle in. I was sharing a cabin with Charlie, and three Germans; Dennis, Christophe and another German dude I cant remember the name of. The cabins were quite basic but nice enough (if you don't mind a few bugs).
Back in the lounge area Big Dan had returned with our booze and lots of pizza. We met some people who had been there the week before and were starting off their journey up the East Coast. They were already very drunk by the time we got there so I didn't talk to them too much.
THURSDAY! It was an early start to get some breakfast in before we set off for the day. I woke up extra early though because of the bloody roosters! So I had another look round the place as it was dark the night before and I didn't get to see it properly. There were 4 cabins set in amongst the trees that fit up to 5 people in, a bigger cabin which had 4 dorm rooms, a large toilet block and a big cabin with the lounge area and kitchen. The couple that owned it lived in a separate wooden building on the site. They were a really friendly couple with loads of stories about the place and it was nice to finally meet some real Aussies! They have a few pet birds which I saw. A pink cockatoo and a Galare (as in flamin!)
There were two mini buses and a jeep and me being towards the front of the queue went straight for the back of the jeep for a more exciting journey. We were on our way to some sand dunes to go sandboarding. Being in the back of the jeep when we were driving over sand was pretty awesome when you're sliding all over the place.
Sand dunes are very sandy! There was quite a wind when we were there and sand just gets everywhere. It sticks to your hair, your lips and even gets stuck in your eyebrows!
Sandboarding is essentially sledging on sand. Apparently its the most dangerous sport after Formula 1 as sand is as hard as rock when you hit it at spend so we were banned from standing up on the boards and the guy told us some horror stories of dislocated shoulders so that we didn't forget! It was really good though! We were on a steeper slope then I expected so most people took some persuasion before going down but once you had done it you couldn't wait to go again. But the problem is the bloody trek back up! Climbing a sand dune once is an effort but 5 or 6 times and you are knackered!
We set off back but we stopped off at a beach for a while where the drivers were telling people horror stories of sharks and crocodiles and all kind of scary shit that wants to kill you. We also saw these awesome shell things that bury themselves in the sand.
We went back to camp for lunch and then out to Tomaree National Park on the edge of Nelson Bay. It was quite a climb but the views at the top were spectacular. You can see right over to the other side of Nelson Bay and some islands out to sea. We were told to keep an eye out for whales as they were still migrating. It was towards the end of the migrating season but apparently they could still be seen. None of us saw any though. On the way down we explored some old war bunkers which were full of empty beer bottles!
Back at the camp Josy had come out to play. Josy is the kangaroo that lives on the campsite. She is so used to seeing people now that it really doesnt bother her and everyone can right up close and get a picture with her, which obviously i did.
We ate a proper Aussie BBQ and had some more drinks that night. We saw a possum munching is tea in a tree near the lounge. Dennis got a whipping! I can't remember why. I think he didn't wash he plate or something but I have pictures of him getting whipped with a tea towel and he seems to be enjoying it! Anyway, most people weren't up for another big night but as the wax strips had come out and most of the guys got cornered I quickly went to bed. I could here the screaming from my cabin!
FRIDAY: Woke up bloody freezing. We had heaters in the room but it didn't really make much difference. It gets so cold at night with it still being very early spring. We only had one bus today and as I was on the first load we had a quick look round the shops in Nelson Bay. When the others arrived we all piled onto the boat for our dophin cruise. It was a bit chilly today with a strong wind so everyone was a bit cold on the boat. There's a side netting thing on the side of the boat which you can jump into but most of us decided it was too cold.
There were a few dolphins around but it was blink and you'll miss it which I did several times so I was surprised I managed to get one on camera. The trip wasn't very long either. As soon as we saw a couple of dolphins we went back again. We needn't have gone on the tour either as we saw a dolphin in the marina. a couple of hours later.
We piled onto a bus which took us to Newcastle and in true Newcastle fashion it was raining. The first rain I'd seen in Australia! The train took us back to Sydney where it was sunny again. I was talking to Ben who turns out was in walking distance from my house at home and I may well have served him in the pub!
SATURDAY: Today we did the walk from Coogee to Bondi Beach. Thats 'Coogee' is in what you would say to baby not as in Cougar which is what I thought! Its a really scenic walk. More so than i thought it would be and we took a couple of alternate routes over rocks which was good fun. There is a rock with a hole in it and you can crawl underneath and stick your head in it and overhanging rock which you can sit on if you've got the balls as its quite high up!
We stopped on Bronte Beach for some lunch in the cafes along the front. After lunch some of the guys decided to challenge each other on the exercise stations along the front. Brandon seemed to have all kinds of excuses why he couldn't do it properly. When we got to Bondi Beach some of us decided to stay for a while when most went back to the hostel. Me and Charlie decided we would brave the sea and it was sooooo cold. We ran down the beach to warm up after we got out. We only stayed for an hour as it got cold and we had to get ready for the party bus!
We met in a bar on Darling Harbour. Well it was more of a bowling alley but we were in a side room all to ourselves and it had karaoke. 30-40 of us in a room murdering some karaoke classics was awesome.
I was surprised by the party bus. I thought it would just be a regular bus with some speakers fitted in it but it was like a full on nightclub with lights, disco balls and some bad ass speakers. We weren't allowed to sit down otherwise they would turn the music off!
The second bar had a sex position game which I managed to avoid but obviously Mark and Shelly got up for a go. Hollie also volunteered (before she knew what it was) and she was paired up with a moron who threw her around. Most of us were just stood there shocked. Last I heard Big Dan was trying to get the manager sacked and the party bus has been taken off the Ultimate Oz week. Hollie was fine though, apart from a few bruises.
We went to 5 bars in total and partied on the bus in between. It was a really good night and its safe to say I was quite drunk by the end of it!
And that ends one of the best weeks I've ever had! I wasn't sure whether or not to do Ultimate Oz but I am so glad I did. You can do all these things separately but its the people you meet which really makes it really worth it. I was in a big group and I would like to think that I have made friends with all of them, really good friends with some of them. When I bumped into the next group of people fresh off the plane I found myself quite jealous of the fun they were about to have. But nearly our whole group is meeting up again at Christmas in Sydney for another awesome week of fun.
Anyone reading this and debating whether or not to buy this package I would say to them DO IT! The experiences you have and the friends you make really sets you up for your time in Australia! I now have 25 friends I can go travel the country with and the support of the guys in the office at Ultimate Oz who really look after you even after your week is over.
The first day of Ultimate Oz and the most incredible week of my life!
MONDAY: We met Big Dan down at the reception at WakeUp and we got to see the extent of our group. I had been meeting people here and there as they arrived and they said they would be on our week but now I got to meet all of the 25 or so people in our group in. I made a point of introducing myself to everyone in the hope that I could make some friends but I needn't have tried so hard, it was easy to make friends with this lot.
Big Dan ran us through our itinerary for the week and then we set off for Darling Harbour where we were to have our lunch. Never had so much small talk in all my life. "Where you from?", "What's your plans?", "What was your name again?!". They seem like a good bunch of people though so I was happy.
We had lunch and walked to Ultimate Oz HQ where we had a few presentations on campervans and surfing etc. BRUCE! No idea what his actual name was but we decided to call him Bruce and he seemed happy with that. Then Little Dan went through most of our important stuff like phone cards, where to get our bank cards and the tax back situation. Then we set off for a walk around Sydney.
 |
| Charlie, Me and Hollie |
 | ||
| Front row: Dennis, Me, Charlie and Christoph Second row: Hollie, Shanna, Sarah, miserable German, Ashley, Ben, Kelly, Mel, cant remember Third row: no idea |
 |
| Cockatoo! |
 |
| Best picture award goes to Mel |
 |
| I steal the best picture award |
 |
| Mark, Shelly, Mel, Sarah, Beckie, Gem in Side Bar at WakeUp |
 |
| Angela, Soph, Shelly, Hollie, Charlie, Me, Dennis and Jess in Shenanigans |
 |
| Party boat! |
 |
| This really is the way to do it |
 |
| Little Dan in his budgie smugglers! |
A few us went to the bank in the morning to set up our bank accounts and it took bloody ages. They were doing us in big groups so when we got there a big group had already gone in so we had to wait for 2 hours before we complained. We told them that were going to be late catching the bus to basecamp and they suddenly seem to find more staff! But they didn't even have our bank cards so we couldn't get any money out and I had to use my English account which then got blocked because I used it in a different country. So I had to ring them and sort that out. Was a stressful morning and Hollie had lost her passport too so she was stressed as well! Nightmare! (She found it a week later in a book!)
We all piled onto the upper deck of a coach going to Port Stephens. The lower deck was full of old people who must have been delighted to see us all pile on with our crates of beer and boxes of goon! It took us 3 hours to get to Port Stephens. Some of scenery out the window was amazing. There were so many places I wanted to stop and take photos but we weren't in charge so instead, Me, Charlie, Hollie and Ashley played endless games of Eye Spy. I could quite easily never play that game again for as long as im in Australia! I think we named everything on the coach!
By the time we got to Melaleuca Surfside Backpackers (Basecamp) it was getting dark already. So we quickly chose our rooms then headed down for a quick look at One Mile Beach which, funnily enough, is one mile long and is just 5 mins from the camp. On the way we saw a koala attached to the tree which was really cool but it was too dark to get a picture of it without the flash.
 |
| One Mile Beach |
Back in the lounge area Big Dan had returned with our booze and lots of pizza. We met some people who had been there the week before and were starting off their journey up the East Coast. They were already very drunk by the time we got there so I didn't talk to them too much.
 |
| Plenty to go around |
We piled all our drinks into a wheelbarrow and went back to the beach where we lit a fire, put some music on and danced under the stars. We were the only ones on or even near the beach so we could make as much noise as we wanted. It was awesome!
 |
| On drinking carrying duties |
 |
| Party on the beach |
THURSDAY! It was an early start to get some breakfast in before we set off for the day. I woke up extra early though because of the bloody roosters! So I had another look round the place as it was dark the night before and I didn't get to see it properly. There were 4 cabins set in amongst the trees that fit up to 5 people in, a bigger cabin which had 4 dorm rooms, a large toilet block and a big cabin with the lounge area and kitchen. The couple that owned it lived in a separate wooden building on the site. They were a really friendly couple with loads of stories about the place and it was nice to finally meet some real Aussies! They have a few pet birds which I saw. A pink cockatoo and a Galare (as in flamin!)
 |
| Melaleuca Backpackers |
 |
| Charlie, Hollie, Dennis, Soph, Gem and Me in the Jeep |
Sandboarding is essentially sledging on sand. Apparently its the most dangerous sport after Formula 1 as sand is as hard as rock when you hit it at spend so we were banned from standing up on the boards and the guy told us some horror stories of dislocated shoulders so that we didn't forget! It was really good though! We were on a steeper slope then I expected so most people took some persuasion before going down but once you had done it you couldn't wait to go again. But the problem is the bloody trek back up! Climbing a sand dune once is an effort but 5 or 6 times and you are knackered!
 |
| Yours truly |
 |
| I couldn't possibly begin to name them all |
We went back to camp for lunch and then out to Tomaree National Park on the edge of Nelson Bay. It was quite a climb but the views at the top were spectacular. You can see right over to the other side of Nelson Bay and some islands out to sea. We were told to keep an eye out for whales as they were still migrating. It was towards the end of the migrating season but apparently they could still be seen. None of us saw any though. On the way down we explored some old war bunkers which were full of empty beer bottles!
 |
| The view from the top |
 |
| Mark and Big Dan in the bunker |
 |
| Profile picture moment with Josy |
 |
| Whipped! |
 |
We piled onto a bus which took us to Newcastle and in true Newcastle fashion it was raining. The first rain I'd seen in Australia! The train took us back to Sydney where it was sunny again. I was talking to Ben who turns out was in walking distance from my house at home and I may well have served him in the pub!
SATURDAY: Today we did the walk from Coogee to Bondi Beach. Thats 'Coogee' is in what you would say to baby not as in Cougar which is what I thought! Its a really scenic walk. More so than i thought it would be and we took a couple of alternate routes over rocks which was good fun. There is a rock with a hole in it and you can crawl underneath and stick your head in it and overhanging rock which you can sit on if you've got the balls as its quite high up!
 |
| Coogee Beach |
 |
| Scary looking cliffs |
 |
| Cheesy grin |
 |
| Mark and Shelly |
 |
| Taking an alternative route! |
 |
| and again! |
 |
| Me doing scary shit |
 |
| Bronte beach |
 |
| Brandon and Little Dan |
I was surprised by the party bus. I thought it would just be a regular bus with some speakers fitted in it but it was like a full on nightclub with lights, disco balls and some bad ass speakers. We weren't allowed to sit down otherwise they would turn the music off!
The second bar had a sex position game which I managed to avoid but obviously Mark and Shelly got up for a go. Hollie also volunteered (before she knew what it was) and she was paired up with a moron who threw her around. Most of us were just stood there shocked. Last I heard Big Dan was trying to get the manager sacked and the party bus has been taken off the Ultimate Oz week. Hollie was fine though, apart from a few bruises.
We went to 5 bars in total and partied on the bus in between. It was a really good night and its safe to say I was quite drunk by the end of it!
And that ends one of the best weeks I've ever had! I wasn't sure whether or not to do Ultimate Oz but I am so glad I did. You can do all these things separately but its the people you meet which really makes it really worth it. I was in a big group and I would like to think that I have made friends with all of them, really good friends with some of them. When I bumped into the next group of people fresh off the plane I found myself quite jealous of the fun they were about to have. But nearly our whole group is meeting up again at Christmas in Sydney for another awesome week of fun.
Anyone reading this and debating whether or not to buy this package I would say to them DO IT! The experiences you have and the friends you make really sets you up for your time in Australia! I now have 25 friends I can go travel the country with and the support of the guys in the office at Ultimate Oz who really look after you even after your week is over.
Friday, 26 October 2012
Year 1, Week 1, Day 1
1st - 2nd September 2012
After arriving at Sydney airport me and my new friend Jess met Brandon, an inquisitive Canadian who we had met on facebook, and we got the shuttle bus to our hostel - WakeUp. We couldn't check in until 2pm but we were allowed to have a shower so we did and then we headed out to explore Sydney for the first time.
I finally got to see the things I'd been dreaming about for ages and working my arse off for 2 years for! The Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge! I thought I would be more excited to see them but I think because I was so tired it was a little underwhelming.
We ate some breakfast in a little cafe right on the harbour where we met
Soph, Hollie and Adam who were also on our intro week. Apparently the aussies
don't really do the full english and if they do its missing the always
missing the hash browns and the sausages!
We had a little walk around the Opera House and the Harbour before went back to hostel to get some much needed rest. The hostel was good. Clean with good kitchen and bathroom facilities but expensive for what it was, which was a theme we found in Sydney. Its expensive here!
The first person I met in hostel was a guy from Germany. Here I was all excited at the possibilities in front of me and there he was moaning he was fed up and can't be bothered anymore and wants to go home. Not the best start for me then! We all managed to get into the same room which was cool. We also met Mark and Shelly (a couple from Burnley (definitely Burnley not Blackburn!)), Angela and Kelly and we all went for pizza.
Day 2 was much more exciting. Slightly refreshed (jet lag is a bitch),
we were ready to explore Sydney properly. Hollie and I, decided we would
take the scenic route to the Harbour and what a scenic route it is.
Sydney seems so picturesque. Even the skyscrapers look magnificent against the bright blue sky. We walked through Hyde Park past Anzac Memorial and through the Botanic Gardens. We saw this bird and thought it was really exotic but we find out later it is effectively the flying rat of Sydney so that was a bit less exciting. Even on the other side of the world there are bloody pigeons as well!
We went in the Anzac memorial. It was basically a round room with a statue in the middle which looked out onto the 'Lake of Reflections'. It also had a side room with a little war museum with a cinema room playing a video about the help Australia gave during the second world war. Just outside was a plaque saying
We were suprised by the amount of homeless people there were in the park and in all of Sydney. There were quite a few sleeping on benches around the park.
We saw a big church opposite the park called St Mary's Cathedral. We thought we would go in and have a quick look around but when we went through the doors we found they were in the middle of mass so we quickly left. There were two women just outside the door welcoming people in and they just laughed at us!
Sat staring at the Bridge and Opera House and being more refreshed than
the day before it finally hit me. I'M IN AUSTRALIA!!! Finally! and i'm
incredibly excited!!! Not underwhelmed today! The picture was taken near Mrs Macquaries chair on Mrs Macquaries point at the end of Mrs Macquaries road. No idea who she is!
We went back to the hostel and with Mark, Shelly, Angela and Kelly we took a bus down to Bondi Beach. I'd seen it so many times on Bondi Rescue and I couldn't believe I was stood on actual Bondi frikin Beach! The sea was freezing so we didn't go in and the beach wasn't even that warm but it was nice just to chill on an Aussie beach.
That was the first weekend in Australian and it was soooo good but the adventure hadn't really started yet. That was on Monday on the first day of our Ulitmate Oz package.
After arriving at Sydney airport me and my new friend Jess met Brandon, an inquisitive Canadian who we had met on facebook, and we got the shuttle bus to our hostel - WakeUp. We couldn't check in until 2pm but we were allowed to have a shower so we did and then we headed out to explore Sydney for the first time.
I finally got to see the things I'd been dreaming about for ages and working my arse off for 2 years for! The Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge! I thought I would be more excited to see them but I think because I was so tired it was a little underwhelming.
 |
| the coat-hanger |
 |
| Sydney Opera House (just in case you didn't know!) |
We had a little walk around the Opera House and the Harbour before went back to hostel to get some much needed rest. The hostel was good. Clean with good kitchen and bathroom facilities but expensive for what it was, which was a theme we found in Sydney. Its expensive here!
The first person I met in hostel was a guy from Germany. Here I was all excited at the possibilities in front of me and there he was moaning he was fed up and can't be bothered anymore and wants to go home. Not the best start for me then! We all managed to get into the same room which was cool. We also met Mark and Shelly (a couple from Burnley (definitely Burnley not Blackburn!)), Angela and Kelly and we all went for pizza.
 |
| I had to check it was real |
 |
| My first aussie pals - Jess, Soph, Adam, Brandon and Hollie |
 |
| The building Tom Cruise abseiled into in Mission Impossible 2 |
 |
| Not so exotic flying rat |
 |
| Anzac Memorial |
ANZAC MEMORIAL
This memorial is sacred to the memory of all who have served in war
Let silent contemplation be your offering
 |
| Hollie at Archibald Fountain |
 |
| Sydney Tower |
 |
| The best view in the city (where I plan to spend new year) |
 |
| Sydney skyline |
 |
| Do I look excited? |
 |
| BONDI!!! |
 |
| Angela, Kelly, Mark, Shelly and me |
 |
| The lifeguard tower off the TV! |
Thursday, 25 October 2012
Im on my way
What a journey! So epically long and exhausting but totatlly worth it!
I left my house at 11am Thursday 30th August 2012 to embark on the biggest and scariest adventure of my life. I'm told it will be the best thing I have ever done and I will return a different person. I will have to wait and see of that's true but it was very VERY exciting!
The first leg of my journey was from Manchester airport to Heathrow on the smallest plane I've ever been on. Only 60 people can fit on it and it was only a third full.
It was a nice surprise when we seemed to do a loop over central London. We were surprisingly low down aswell so I did a quick sightseeing tour before landing.
When I got to Heathrow I met up with a girl called Jess who was also doing the UltimateOz intro week. By pure coincidence she ended up sitting just one row behind me. I was sat next to an Aussie couple for Adelaide who were quite chatty. My first Aussie friends! not that I'll see them ever again. Next to Jess was a young english couple, Nick and Hannah, also on their way to Sydney and when we got to Kuala Lumpur after a practically sleepless 12 hour flight we hung out for most of the 5 hour wait. We didn't leave the airport terminal so I cant really say I've seen Kuala Lumpur but the terminal seemed ok. It was shaped like a cross and in the middle there was this round open air space with a small jungle in the middle. I thought it would be nice to get some fresh air but we quickly found that it was not at all fresh, it was extremely humid so we took a few photos and went to find some food.
Being all adventurous with my travels I decided I would try some new foods. Well what actually happened is that everyone wanted noodles and as Malaysia was so cheap I thought I may as well try the one that had chicken in it! Think it cost me like £2.50. Plus I got some Malaysian money (Ringgits) that can find a hole in the bottom of my bag for a good while.
I was very impressed with the instructions on how to use the toilet. Just in case you didn't know! crazy orientals!
So I boarded my third and final flight on my way to Australia. I had a window seat so I managed to get at least a few hours of sleep but when I woke up and saw this I got extremely excited and couldn't sleep any more.
I landed in Sydney on 1st September 2012 after 36 hours travelling. I was exhausted, I felt disgusting and I looked like something out of a zombie movie but it was 8am on day 1 of Big Aussie Adventure and there was no way I was going to bed!
I left my house at 11am Thursday 30th August 2012 to embark on the biggest and scariest adventure of my life. I'm told it will be the best thing I have ever done and I will return a different person. I will have to wait and see of that's true but it was very VERY exciting!
The first leg of my journey was from Manchester airport to Heathrow on the smallest plane I've ever been on. Only 60 people can fit on it and it was only a third full.
 |
| My diddy little plane from Manchester |
 |
| There wasn't a game on |
 | |
| We did a loop right round the wheel |
 |
| The middle of the KL airport terminal |
 |
| I cant remember what it was called but its chicken noodels |
 | |
| The exchange rate is awesome! |
So I boarded my third and final flight on my way to Australia. I had a window seat so I managed to get at least a few hours of sleep but when I woke up and saw this I got extremely excited and couldn't sleep any more.
 |
| nearly there! |
I landed in Sydney on 1st September 2012 after 36 hours travelling. I was exhausted, I felt disgusting and I looked like something out of a zombie movie but it was 8am on day 1 of Big Aussie Adventure and there was no way I was going to bed!
 |
| SYDNEY! |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)