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I don’t think I’m meant to be eating caramel chocolate at the computer screen, but no body’s noticed the sound of foil packaging yet . . .
Today: I found myself a map, and headed off into Sydney; my first stop the Opera House! It was big. It was pretty interesting-looking. It was kind of a dirty cream colour. But since it’s old and a national monument, I will forgive it. Just this once mind. The Sydney Harbor Bridge was right next door, but we drove over that yesterday which, I may have omitted to mention.
I then swept into the New South Wales Art Museum which was magnificent (and free!). So many great masterpieces, and you could saddle right up to them and admire every paint stroke. I’m always so awed by such fine art. The thought, time and passion that’s gone into each piece, and you're right there to wonder over such mastery. I don’t know how valid the saying is that only an artist can truly appreciate art, but standing right in front of another’s finest work sends me into spirals of utter admiration. I can only marvel over the thoughts going through the artist’s mind as the paint touched the canvas. And when I’m looking at the faces of the people portrayed in those pieces, now centuries passed, I think its wonderful that their life was celebrated by capturing it in the most skillful and magnificent way possible. Think me peculiar if you will - I love art, and I would have bought up their entire bookshop had I had the money to do so, or the capacity to carry it all.
Then I headed on through the Royal Botanic Gardens and oogled some amazing cast iron sculptors. Spectacular demonstration of man’s creative ability. I don’t know what it is about sculpture, but I’m absolutely mad for it. I just adore the craftsmanship in every piece. Nothing has me singing praise more than life perpetually frozen and immortalized in these wondrous creations. And all surrounded by beautiful greenery. It was gorgeous.
Surprisingly both the Botanic Gardens and NSW museum was as good as empty. Which is a terrible shame since heading back into the city, it was humming with tourists. Won’t someone tell them they are missing the most wondrous parts of Sydney?
So that was my final day, and I’m immensely plased with the experience that capped it all off.
Now it’s just the long trip home. But then I suppose there are no short-cuts to places truly worth going.Feeling:  contemplative |
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Just one day left ;__;
I have to say, the end of this holiday has been rather disappointing. There were plans of sand boarding on sunny beaches today. But all that went to pot after the weather collapsed. 95% of New South Wales has been in drought, but NOW it decides to rain, on my last few days, after being stuck on a bus for all the good weather ;__;
That’s 3 days of bussing and 2 nights of over priced, nothing to do hostels to reach Sydney (and last night was a right wiffer; I woke up physically gagging at the nauseating gastric productions emanating from the snoring heap of man-flesh below me).
So, tomorrow I’m spending some me time to wander up to the Sydney Opera House and do all that general tourist stuff. There’s a few pennies left in my purse that require spending. God, how will I manage to find something to buy in the retail heart of Australia? Oh woe and misery.
Wednesday will be a killer, with total traveling time from hostel door to home amounting to approximately 32 hours straight.
To cheer myself up and keep me riled about the return journey, here is my extensive list of things I won’t miss about my backpacking experience.
Sharing rooms with 3 to 16 complete strangers.
Living out of a suitcase.
Dragging the suitcase up the stairs/across gravel/over the road/up the hill.
Tinned spaghetti.
People’s ‘witty’ “traveling for a year, huh?” comments regarding my singular blue suitcase, when they are carrying one backpack bigger than I, three plastic bags, a heaving rucksack, a dirty teddy bear, a pillow, and a pair of shoes daggling from the rear. Hypocritical ass-holes. You’re just jealous coz I’ve got wheels.
The back of the Oz Bus.
The front of the Oz Bus.
Curry powder.
The driver Golem’s taste in music.
Baked potatoes.
The middle of the Oz Bus.
Toasters that don’t toast but mutilate.
Drunkards.
Snorers.
Wiffers.
Sleeping bags.
Tents.
Tents.
Tents.
That bug in your tea each morning.
That bug IN YOUR BED that’ a really big ugly mofo that won’t die even when you’ve pinned it under the sheet and your crushing it with all your might, but it survives to torment you all night with its eerie flitting in the dark and long wavy antennae that you swear are brushing you every single time you feel the tiniest tickle.
Dirty showers.
Smelly toilets.
Walking in the dead of night across a field to reach a toilet (and it’s raining).
Sleeping bags (and it's raining).
The Oz Bus.
Zak.
Complete lack of any personal space whatsoever.
Mosquitoes.
. . . The 32 hour return trip.
Ai! I miss home! X3Feeling:  excited |
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I just got back from the Black Dog Surfers School, and I ripped a curl, or rip curled, or whatever the term is for standing up and riding a wave on-my-first-go! *proud* I even have some photos to prove it to all you none believers who doubted my l33t skillz and muttered amongst yourselves that I was fooling myself. Ha to you, I say. HA!
And just to brag some more, I'd like to announce that I stood up on all my attempts to ride narley mother nature.
In other news, last night was spent being kept awake by iffy smelling young men who had a bad case of the 'munchies' after returning to our dorm room at about 3am. Quite suspiciously they didn't wiff of alcohol, but something else altogether . . .
I'm not having any of that, especially when it's five males to two females. The odourous incident was reported to reception this morning, who couldn't have been keener to move us out of the 8 share dorm room and into a nice 3 share dorm with another girl.
I'm going to leave the rest of this LJ for you all to insert your own bodacious (did I spell that right?) surfer slang.
And I think this guy's peering at my screen. That's really uncool, man.Feeling:  enthralled |
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Hey! What's that expression when the sh1t hits the fan?
Arrival London Heathrow, 4.45am Thursday 20th January 2005. Flight number QF319
It hit, it splattered everywhere, got me right in the eye and I am cutting my losses now and coming home after Sydney. There will be no New Zealand. No, this option was not in the original itinerary. But I've been left standing with no alternative, and my patience has been stretched to the point where it only springs back to slap people in the face that sorely need it.
My bank balance hurts as it is, and since I can do no more out here in Australia, I'm heading home to get on with the bigger plan with what funds remain aka getting into an art University.
I'm not overjoyed at the way things have turned out, but then I'm determined to get the most out of my last few days in Australia (though I am stuck in some doped-up hick town called Nimbin for the night. What is that smell?).
I'm furious to say the least, so before I put in text what I might regret later, I'll move on.
Yesterday was a day of Dreamworld. It was pretty good, though not really worth the insane entry fee to get in. A few big thrill rides, and a really excellent leaping tiger show that by far exceeded the Steve Irwin Zoo tiger display. The Big Drop was the highlight, and brought back memories of bridge swings - though this time I was determined to keep my eyes open for the entire fall. Thunder River nearly downed me, and I might have been annoyed at the complete soaking if it hadn't rained on and off that day anyway. My souvenier for the trip was a dopy-looking stuffed chicken I'm calling Roody; I never was a big fan of koalas. And, and, and, and, I can't remember anything else.
If anything fascinating happens between now and home, I shall be sure to let you know, dear LJ of mine. As for now, I got my free wine in my little plastic cup, and I'm off to find a public phone.Feeling:  Beyond an emoticon |
| » My s4!tty attitude is none of you f*ck1ing business! |
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Owww, there's so much shopping to be done in Brisbane and I've bought Not-A-Thing(tm) 8D
Since my last update I have mostly been indulging in window shopping, on account that I need $74 big ones to visit Dreamworld tomorrow.
After that its a night in Nimbin, then off to Byron Bay for three days of beaches and a learn how to surf course. I could be rip-curling in the first half an hour, or so they tell me.
Then it's two days travel staying at some place or other before reaching Sydney by the 18th for some sight-seeing: the Opera house and Harbour Bridge, yackety smackety and so forth. Flight for NZ on the 19th, yarda, yarda, I'm kinda bored of backpacking and dragging every single personal belonging along with me and living out of a blue suitcase with a busted zip that I have to haul up and down endless flights of stairs, sharing dorm rooms with strangers and their annoying quirks - please don't talk to me at the breakfast table; it's 7am, I've an Oz Bus to catch and I don't see colours until I've had my coffee. Who the hell are you anyway?
Jan. 9th, 2005 @ 12:38 pm
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| » CRIKEY! |
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I just went to the Steve Irwin Zoo! I was one of only 20% of people that visit the park to actually see Steve Irwin, in action, tormenting 15 foot crocs and waving around rat guts. Are you jealous? Are you? (If you're not, just pretend you are; makes me feel all big and clever).
Well, I can feel the post-Christmas/post-new year depression going around, and this over-excited LJ entry is probably going to make me the most unpopular person to exist in a tropical climate in the middle of a British winter. But WHOOO-HOOO-YA! LIKE, OMFG, IT'S THE CROCODILE HUNTER!!!
It took 3 boring days drive down the East Coast to get here to Noosa, and we had to endure a woman who snored like a tractor all night, a cattle ranch complete with swams of insects in our beds, a bloke's smelly feet, and a man dressed as an ape, but it had to be worth it to see Steve in action. There were whispers in Noosa that he was in the park. But he's only ever around on rare occassions to actually participate in the croc feeding. So when we got on the 'Crikey!' bus, elbow to elbow with more Steve-Fan-Hopefuls, it was such buzz to be told he was there, and we'd see him.
Other than watching Steve's bid to die in the jaws of a giant croc, we also saw a live tiger show, a live bird show (aka, swooping multi-coloured parrots inches above your head - incredible), snakes, dingos, camels, koalas and I hand-fed a bull Indian elephant. Yesh, all that for just $29!
Next main stop will be Brisbane a few days drive away, where I have my heart set on visiting DreamWorld.
To all those stuck back at home in the frosty post-holidays - I feel bad for you. I really do 8P~
Jan. 5th, 2005 @ 06:36 pm
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| » Yawns-ville |
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This amazing internet connection is on a par with South Africa, so this’ll be short and sweet.
I’m still traveling down the South Coast. We should be in Noosa by 3pm, but for now we’re stuck at some squatty little side-town for lunch. Not much has been happening, as anticipated with this leg of the journey. There really isn’t much to do between the Northern territory and Darwin except beaches and icecream shops.
We did stop over in Dingo the night before last: cattle station in the middle of nowhere. There was entertainment, but it mostly revolved around beer and loud music - not really my thang. BUT, we did get a tour of the cattle ranch (oh, thrilling, I hear you cry!). And there was the opportunity to have a possession shot with a 9 pellet riffle gun. One person chose a hat, another a T-shirt. Tez decided to shoot a hole through her Barclay’s Gold Card. Fun was had by all. There was also some line dancing, and a male vs. female tug of war, which of course the girls won, because men are the physically inferior sex and they couldn’t get any grip in the sand with their high-heels.
That’s mostly it. Last night was just a stop-over in some place called Bagera (I think 9_9’ You can tell I’m really paying attention lately).
My mobile is also still messed up. Please don’t waste your phone credit sending me anything because I’m simply not getting the delivery.
Now I've had enough of this 56k and its back to the Oz Bus.
Jan. 4th, 2005 @ 12:19 pm
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| » 2005 |
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Happy New Year!
I'd text and ring people, but I can't!! Damn sorry, everyone :/ The mobile networks in Airlie Beach seem to be down (no idea, don't ask), and the phones around here just don't agree with my phone card. Plus, we're heading down south to Noosa tomorrow, which will involve some nightly stop-overs, the first being in Dingo - a squatty little nowhere. So I doubt I'll be contactable for a day or two . . .maybe three >_o
So, New Year here was pretty good. There may have been some illegal smuggling of store-bought alcohol into our hostel room, but it's not a crime if no-one catches you. Then we spent the remainder of the night at the hostel bar, where our room-mate James - who seems to be excreting money - bought us a shot of something digusting, and we spent most of the night just looking after the druken foo' Bless him X3. A trip down to the beach to watch the midnight fireworks, which were pretty impressive for a little town like Airlie. Much exchanging of good wishes and new year kisses, and then masses of people, all fighting for buses and taxies home. If some of us accidently forgot to pay the bus fare in the panic, well, that can't be helped, ai? 8P~
I've never been so full of cheesecake and alcohol at the same time. But it was good fun to have a summer-style New Year.
There's also the issue of the new hair cut. Most frightening trip to the hairdresser I've ever had. Give a crazy woman scissors and I honestly can't say I have much hair left - and what I do have looks pretty . . .different. But I dunno, I really like it; spiky gravity-defing bits and all. Besides, everyone I know won't ever get to see it unless I whip out the photos 83
That's it. Gotta go. Hope you all had a Happy New Year, whatever way you spent it.
Jan. 1st, 2005 @ 07:09 pm
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| » Airlie Beach |
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Just the usual passing update to let everyone know I’m still alive, especially after reading about the recent Tsunami. 9_9'
Mother: The itinerary is exactly the same, just knock 2 weeks off of New Zealand at the end and know that I'm staying in Aukland. And yes, I’m getting your text messages, and Vick’s second new mobile number.
So, here in Airlie beach now, and staying here until Jan 2nd. Magnetic Island was okay, but such a bore, Tez and I only stayed the next day for a tanning burning session. Also, a small factor to the equation being the complete ass-holes we were roomed with on the island. The stumbling arrogant, selfish drunk male strikes again. It was four lads against two ladies, and not only did I not feel safe with a flailing drunk in our room, I also hardly got any sleep between the suffocating heat, his snoring and the mossies that flew in after said drunk left the door open.
So, were we ever glad to take-off a day early and spend a peaceful night back in Townsville before moving off to Airlie Beach (not so much of a beach as a lagoon FYI). Very pretty area, great place to spend the new Year.
Arriving at Reefo’s Backpackers in Airlie Beach, we thought booking-in would be easy, since we’d booked four nights well in advance.
But no! Dun, dun, dur!
Some sort of computer crash/virus/someone not doing their job, meant all the bookings were messed up, and we were a hair’s breadth away from having nowhere to stay over the New Year (since absolutely everywhere is now booked up). Not like camping would have killed us. Hell, we probably would have felt right at home rolling about with the insects.
Fortunately reception crammed us in, and we actually got a rip-roaring deal with a far better room than what we originally paid for. Will they notice their blunder? We hope not. Besides, we’re not telling them. BUT, our ‘free’ en-suit bathroom was suffering plumbing issues, the toilet gushing water all over the floor when we got there 9_9’ It's apparently being fixed as I type. . .
I really don’t know why these things have to be so complicated. :/
Here's a few more things backpackers might like to consider packing before they leave home:
A saucepan for your pasta/rice/cooking needs - you sure as hell will be lucky to find a hostel with one. However, they usually have 10 varieties of frying pan which they will rent to you for a staggering $20 a piece.
A microwave-safe bowl – even though they may have a microwave, they won’t have anything to contain your food.
A lighter and wad of paper – for lighting the gas hobs, because the clicker buttons don't work, and most people don't shoot fire out of their fingers. Also extra useful when they have no microwave/kettle.
Ear plugs!
A goose that lays golden eggs.
So, tomorrow I’m booked in to the hairdressers for a new-year new doo. And there’s much promise of lounging around doing nothing but enjoying the sun for the next two days. All I really need to worry about is the toilet . . .
Happy New Year, all! 8D
Dec. 30th, 2004 @ 03:47 pm
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| » Tropical Paradise Under Water . . . |
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Bored.
Bored silly.
So bored Tez and I stole some internet time from the dreary woman at reception.
It's raining here at Magnetic Island. We just arrived from Townsville this morning, and if I haven't mentioned it already, we're bored.
Yes, when it rains on a tropical island paradise, there really is nothing to do. We've collected our snorkel and flippers, and plan to make our way across the island to find somewhere half decent for a dip after lunch. But with the water so choppy and murky, we're unlikely to see much. But it's worth a try - better than sitting on a wet sunbed in the rain, at least.
We're also sharing a room with six other people >_o This is one thing you need to hack when backpacking; you can end up in a tiny room that varies from 4-12 people, and you just pray to God you don't have one of the following:
Late night/early morning plastic bag russlers.
Someone with stinky feet.
More than one person with stinky feet.
Snorers.
A drunk who struggles in and out of the room in the middle of the night, shouting that he can't find the toilet and apologising for all the noise he's making.
If you can avoid those you're on a winner.
Meanwhile, I forgot to mention yesterday that on the way to Townsville, we stopped off at a crocodile park. Here a strange scared man took us about the enclosures for $14, putting his life at risk, hand-feeding the crocs with lumps of chicken, and sitting on a 5 meter long specimen as though it were a sofa. Honestly, he was so laid back about the whole thing, yet he had the scars to prove that obviously such an attitude wasn't the best thing to have around crocs. Oh well, if I ever go back, I'll have to enquire if he's still alive.
I did get to hold a wee snake and a foot-long saltwater croc at the end (and at the same time may I add O_o;). So overall, the experience was well worth the entry free, and I'm certainly looking forward to the Steve Irwin Zoo after that little taster.
Dec. 27th, 2004 @ 12:40 pm
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| » Whoooosh! |
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Must update quiiiiiick!
This computer is really racking me off with its stupid quirky keyboard, so bear with this incredible poor quality post.
Christmas was most agreeable X3 Snorkelling on the Barrier Reef Christmas Eve was one of the best experiences I`ve had on this holiday next to swinging from a bungi rope. The trip out to the reef was well over an hour and a half, and having no sealegs whatsoever, I was feeling preety green by the time we reached the our destination - which on the surface looked like more water.
But after getting in with snorkel, sting suit (for those pesky jelly fish) and flippers, I had a mild attack of nerves, believing myself to be drowning before getting a grip on myself and floundering (is that the word for splashing about in a degrading manner?) and finding my feet flippers.
The fish were incredible. HUGE beasts of the murky blue deep. Visibility wasn`t great, but you didn`t really need it when 4 foot multicoloured parrotfish were right in front of you. I got slightly carried away chasing several varied specimens about the reef. This led to much aching and pain in the legs the following day, but the day out would still have been worth it if I`d lost a foot (heaven forbid 9_9;).
Next day - Christmas, was mostly spent sleeping and stuffing myself to the gills with the $20 Christmas dinner laid on by the hostel. There was some hording of chocolates and theft of sweets and fruit, but in my eyes, $20 means grabbing everything you can and hiding it in your hostel room for later use.
We`re now in Townsville, and more than lucky to be here after our bus driver stopped for a toilet break, then drove off leaving four of his passengers (that includes Tez and I) behind. Lucky Tez and I take all our valuables with us EVERYWHERE, including 5 minute toilet stops. A quick call to the head office, and the driver was contacted. Of course he was full of apologies on return, and I`m sure he felt us much of a prick as we all thought he was - afterall, there was hardly 12 people on the bus to start with, and you`d think he`d notice a third was missing.
So here we are in one piece, and off to Magentic Island first thing tomorrow for 2 days of beach-style relaxation. Hopefully somemore snorkelling to boot.
Hoping everyone had an excellent Christmas, and thanks so much to all who passed on messages of festive cheer to me over the holiday season.
Dec. 26th, 2004 @ 07:12 pm
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| » IMPORTANT DATE CHANGES - RETURN HOME |
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Look here - this is a very important LJ entry. Pay attention, both eyes forward. You looking? Put that mince pie down, right now. There'll be a quiz at the end.
I am coming home early - Tez and I had the biggest fight EVAH. There was bl00d, and tears, torn limbs everywhere!!!11!1 Like, OMFG, it was the shitzest!!11/
Ok, the truth is I'm running out of money 9_9' Since the first three weeks of our trip in South Africa was such a financial mockery, I'm well over budget, to the point where it was ruining my fun since activities cost money. But then, so do hostels and food. So I had a choice to make, and Tez and I made it together.
The result is that my holiday is 2 weeks shorter, but I now have an extra two weeks budget to splash out on things like snorkeling Christmas Eve at the Great Barrier Reef, visiting Magnetic Island for New Year, theme parks, water parks and the Steve Irwin Zoo X3 I gave myself a head start today, splashing my cash on a few Christmas pressies for myself. I know, I'm so selfish 8P~~ You should see my precious 14 inch beany red-eyed tree frog. (He needs a name, suggestions?) Bargain new watch, bargain new tops, everythings a bargain!! *shopping spree spasm*
Yeh, so I feel better for it.
Here's the official return date. This may please some, others may want to go dig themselves a grave just so they can role in it. But it's going to happen, sorry about that:
London Heathrow - Friday January 28th 2005. Flight Number QF319. Arrival 4.45am, terminal 4. Total hours spent flying = 28 X___X
That's it, nothing more interesting to report. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!!! 83
Quiz:
How many Australians does it take to screw in a light-bulb?
Dec. 23rd, 2004 @ 04:54 pm
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| » A different kind of bug . . . |
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OH-MY-GAWD.
Have I ever been sick 9_9' Let me relish you with the adventures of Pukeahonas over the last 2 days. Fetch yourself a brew, it's a goodern!
So, Friday morning I got up at 4.30am with a touch of a headache, and rang home at 5.20am ~just~ to be sure it was evening back home and ~somebody~ would be in to answer the phone.
Success!
And I felt much better after a proper chat to my Mother, even though I was risking life and limb at the telephone box before sunrise.
The tour bus to take us to Ayers Rock finally came at 6.45am, and we set out, stopping off in the middle of nowhere to eat lunch. Now this lunch was kept in the tour bus without a cooler, but since there were no flies about for once (OMFG-it's-a-miracle-of-nature) I thought I'd choke back some even though I was feeling a bit listless in the heat. After all, it's not often you go on a camping tour and can get a slice of tomato from your plate to your mouth without a fly spitting up on it somewhere inbetween.
After lunch we then had two activity options:
Heart Attack Hill or
The Creek Walk.
You following this?
Now, the Rangers advise people not to do Heart Attack Hill in temperatures over 38 degrees, and that day it was 41 degrees in the shade. Of course, being the sensible, easy to burn soul that I am I decided to . . .take the Creek walk (bet you thought I was going to say Heart Attack Hill, huh?).
So Tez and I, and just one other guy out of our 22 strong tour group did the easy, flat Creek Walk, and man, did we laugh our arses off at the silly fools when they retured with faces like radishes complaining of feeling sick and dizzy.
But the joke was on me, for when as the coach pulled away, we were hardly on the road for more than 30 minutes when my headache was pounding, and suddenly, I just had to stop the bus. I also think there was an echo, because the panicked cries of my fellow passengers to 'stop the bus' lead Karen the guide to slam the breaks on, and my pineapple chunks nearly found the seat in front of me before I could get off the coach and introduce it to the sand instead.\\Three times >_o
Plus every drop of water I'd taken in that day made a reappearance along with my stomach acid, and although I didn't have any of the tell-tale symptons of heatstroke, I was feeling more than sorry for myself. My remark about Karen's lunch being responsible was met with denial, though I can tell you I felt a hundred times better with it on the sand. Karen herself gave me over a litre of some sort of suger/salt mix, and pulled faces, dropping remarks that she didn't want to take me any further on the tour and she wanted to send me on the next bus back to Alice Springs.
No way! I paid my money, and even though it took me nearly 3 hours to drink what she gave me without fear of it coming back up again, I really wanted to see Ayers Rock!
We got there in time to see the Sunset, which the group agreed wasn't really worth the days drive :/ Meh, then I was sick again twice more at the campsite >_o Then it was gone 9pm before we had dinner, by which time I was starving, but could only risk a bowl of rice to sustain me.
Next morning we were dragged up at 4am! 4AM! WHA!? I'm sick! I dunwanna be up at 4am ;___; But feeling a bit better, I shoved some cereal and a litre of water in me, and we headed off for the sunrise at Ayer's Rock.
It really wasn't much better than the sunset, and there was a group murmur of dissapointment on the bus, but what you gonna do, ai? That's what happens when TV/internet/tour brochures and guides hype things up.
Now, I gotta tell you about these toilets at Ayer's Rock. They rake $25 off each person that enters the park, with about 300 visitors a day - but their toilets are beyound words, so I'll use the closest ones I can think of to phase it best: convulsion inducing, the real bog of external stench, excrement lavished crapper-can
Seriously, they were BAD. A pit suspended several feet above ground level, and you could smell it on the way up the steps. Even with hats over are faces and breath held, there comes a point when you just have to breath-in or risk passing-out, and hell, you might pass out from the invading stench when you do anyway.
I've never seen so many people run from a toilet in sheer terror, and the smell could linger on your nostrils. It had a better effect than those milipedes in South Africa that were twice as long as your finger and just as thick.
BUT! I survived the loo and managed a 10k hike around the base of Ayers Rock, which was pretty nice and easy enough going on the flat. Though overall, Ayers Rock really isn't the amazing land feature they make it out to be, and it's really no wonder only 10% of Australians actualy bother to go see it - obviously they know better. I then even hacked another 2k walk through a gorge staright after, because I am dead'ard me, and dodgy stomachs and stinking pits of unspeakable filth don't stop me.
On the way back to Alice Springs, I won a free drink at the bar off Karen for my amazing skills in the tour-bus art competiton, where I kicked everyone's arse at doodling humerous comic strips on the back of the feedback sheet.
Tomorrow we leave Alice Springs for Cairns, where we'll be staying until Dec 26th. There will be no more tents, hopefully no more tummy bugs, and I plan to call home Christmas, and Mother, you'll answer the damn phone.
P.S Has anyone had their postcards yet?
Dec. 20th, 2004 @ 03:47 pm
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| » Bugs . . . |
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Well, I'm in a bit of a 'the world has forgotten I exist' mood, so I'll try not to wollow in self-pity too much.
I'm here, I'm still alive. I've been dying to get on the internet for days ;_; I've actually been doing much more camping than expected, and it's gone beyond adjustment or tolerance, to being completely utterly sick of sleeping outside with the insects. I've one more night of camping, which wouldn't be so bad, if not for the fact our 3 day bus- tour from Alice Springs turned out to be ANOTHER camping experience, and not the self-catering hostel experience Therese and I had aticipated. 29/38 days spent in a tent, sharing my food with the local bug population. Please, no more!
The bugs in your dinner plate, the flies in your ears, nose and mouth everytime you walk outside is pretty rough going, and the humidity here currently stands at 85-90%I went out and bought a hat/face net thing to keep the flies off, after I nearly toppled from a rocky trail and fell to my doom trying to swat the flies away. It makes me look like I'm on a funeral march, but anything to keep those insects out of my face is worth the money.
Anyway, it's little wonder that sometimes I want to be home, be with the people at home, do stuff at home, and miss everyone and everything at home so much it aches trying to hold back the tears. Yeh, laugh at me if you will. It's even harder when I call home repeatedly to get no answers, no one's on msn, and my inbox is full of nothing but people demanding I let them use my art or that I haven't updated in a month (well, duh >8/) and not the family/net-buddy chat I had anticipated. I know where I am, where is everyone else? I know Christmas is coming up, but don't forget me ;_; [/homesick rant]
Well, here's the run-down of the last 7 days.
3 days in Kakadu park was good fun. The camping was actually pretty good minus those tiny wee bugs that get in all your food, plus all the flies. The camps were pre-setup before we arrive, and more like fabric sheds than tents, except they are not water proof (another minor detail you'll need to remember later). 5.30am starts each morning >_o But at least we packed a lot in each day.
Plenty of rock pool and waterfall swimming, a few hikes to reach them. And a great guide who liked to swerve off the road, have us all jump out the megatastic air-conditioned safari truck, and chase down a frill-necked lizard or banded tree snake. I even got a chance to wear the tree snake, that while poisonous, apparently has deep rear -facing fangs - which means that unless you shove your finger down it's throat, it can't bite you. Or so the guide said.
We had a boat trip on the Azura One ( meow, Sam 8P) where we had a change of pace and chased down fresh and salt water crocodiles. I know we see these things at zoos and on TV, but nothing compares to a speeding wild croc as it rips through the water in front of your boat, or hurls itself from the bank where it was sunbathing with a thrash of its massive tail. I personally have a new respect for these reptiles.
And the sunsets in Kakadu were wonderful. Australia is by far my beautiful then South Africa.
There was even some time to check out some aboriginal cave art before we got back to Dawin. And we made a pit-stop at an authetic aboriginal art store (shack) where I bought not a thing, but instead had a love affair with the owner's hand-tame baby Galah parrot.
Back at Dawin, we had about 5 hours sleep, and left on the Oz Bus the next day at 5.30am sharp for our 3 day drive down to Alice Springs. Except the drive turned out to be a 3 day camping tour O_o
It was pretty good, and better than a straight drive, except I had been hoping to book ourselves into hostels with beds and bug-free food along the way, not to be shoved into more tents. But, we did stop over at some thermal pools, checked out some more aboriginal art shops, and made some scenic stops.
Now those kool thunder storms I mentioned in South Africa, can't hold a match to the incredible show of Mother Nature's power in Oz. Our first night on the Alice Springs tour came to a thundering climax as the biggest lightening storm I have ever seen hit our tents. Yes, we were drenched as rain poured in, and I slept in a soggy sleeping bag on a wet wooden mattress, but what a show! It was like strobe lighting for two hours. And the build-up before impact was incredible to watch.
We just got in at our hostel in Alice Springs yesterday for one night to recover from all the early starts and camping. The 'lizard-man' was at the hostel bar last night, putting on a demonstration with his over-sized reptilian pets, which we had a chance to hold them staight after.
Ayers Rock 2 day tour starts tomorrow (one more night of camping >_o, But I can do this, I can. God save me, it's a 5am pick-up).
Please don't forget me in the lull, and wish me a bug-free breakfast.
Dec. 17th, 2004 @ 04:44 pm
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| » Spend, spend, spend |
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Hurrah for an hour free compensating internet access (see hostel's err in LJ post below).
Hell, did I spend a lot of money yesterday X_x Will it last? Will it? Well, I don't know 9_9 If things carry on the way they are, I'll be back a week or two early :/ Stupid unforseen additonal expenses.
Okay, here's the breakdown of where I'll be over Christmas, so pay attention, I aint friggin repeating myself.
Dec:
Fri 10th - Fly from Sidney to Darwin (4 hours, arrive Darwin 9.55pm).
One night at Cavenaghs hostel.
Sat 11th - 3 Day Kakadu Safari tour. Pick up at 6.30am (Yes, I'm going to be fuggin tired).
Mon 13th - One night back at Cavenaghs Hostel
Tue 14th - 3 Day Darwin to Alice Springs Tour with Oz Experience bus tours.
Thu 16th - Two nights at Alice Springs at Melankas Hostel
Sat 18th - 2 Day Red Centre Adventourer. Pick up at 5am (owch, I thought this was a holiday?).
Sun 19th - Two nights back at Melankas Hostel
Tue 21st - Fly from Alice Springs to Cairns via Sidney. Yes, I know that is one hell of a scenic route; it turns out that the Oz Experience people we bought our tickets with back in England didn't tell us there may not be direct flights available, and we ended up paying an extra $90 tax for the privilage of going the long route via Sidney. Note to me: make big complaint to STA Travel back in England >8(
Leave Alice Springs 12.20pm; arrive Cairns 9.25pm.
Tue 21st - 5 days at Calypso Hostel in Cairns over Christmas.
That's the gist of it 8P~ Yeh, more safaris. You'd think we'd have learnt our lesson by now, but this one promises real beds, though a lot of walking 9_9; And I already gave my old hiking Sketchers to Zak back in S.Africa for some shoeless African kid. Ah, well. I survived 3 weeks in a tent, I can survive a total of 5 days in the Australian bush.
And OMFG, they are playing the same shitzy 'Castles in the Sky' music in this hostel net-cafe as Zak had on repeat in the smeggin tour bus >_o *mentally scared*
Body clock is still totally screwed ;_; It's 3.30pm, but no wait, it's actually 4.30am back home.
No wonder I have a headache . . .
Dec. 10th, 2004 @ 03:07 pm
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| » Just to Bore |
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Ok, I'm alive. The plane didn't plummet into the ocean and send us all to our death. Lucky, eh?.
. . .I probably shouldn't make jokes like that O_o'
So, here in Sydney. About 12hrs + GMT. I think I'm going to pass out at the computer @_@ I couldn't sleep last night on account my body thinks it's the day, and I could curl up in a ball right now, becuase theoretically, it's gone midnight ;____; This, as you can guess, is not helping the homesickness one jot. BTW, Mother, be prepared for some late-night phone calls!
But, Tez and I are on the case today, booking up our flights and bus tours around Oz up to about Xmas, which means some day activities and things that'll hopefully take my mind off home.
Slight glitch with the first hostel in which they shoved us in a mixed sex 6-bed dorm, not the four-bed female only dorm we paid for >_o Though in their defence, they have thrown free breakfasts at us, which helps, since I am not eating well at the moment, (@_@) and they do plan to upgrade us tonight. Yes, I know - this journal entry is boring. Yes, I know - I hope it gets more exciting too.
And internet here is cheeeeeap! *claws at screen*
That is all. You may return to your lives.
Dec. 9th, 2004 @ 11:56 am
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| » STILL HOMESICK |
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Note: The following people have postcards on the way: Mum and the family (inc Vick and Mick on one card - please pass it along, Mother) Sam, Jen and the guys at work.
Well, Friday I was missing home so much I decided to hurl myself off a 65 meter high bridge. I fell at about 120kph for over three seconds of free-fall until the bungi rope attached to my waist went taut and I heard Therese, strapped to my side in tanderm, declaire 'shiiiiit!' as we swung in a pendulum motion.
It cost just eleven pounds each, and if Zak had given us the time, I would have taken-up the half-price second jump offer.
I've never been keen on the idea of bungi jumping; dangling from your feet as you bounce up and down isn't my idea of fun. But a bridge-swing seemed to be a whole different kind of thrill ride, and according to Therese afterwards, it was far my scary anyway.
The decision to jump when Zak asked if we were going to try it was more of an ill-considered yes, than a well considered one. To be honest, I had considered it, but it had always come down to ' well, I'll see how I feel about it when/if we get the chance.' The actual morning we jumped, we'd been dragged up at the usual 6am, I was flaked and bored of the truck and 3 weeks of Safari, and a bungi bride-swing seemed to be a better wake-up than coffee. The oddest part is that I didn't really get nervous about what I'd decided to do until I was standing on the platform, the bungi rope extended infront of me connected to the opposing bride, and Tez joined to my waist since she'd nodded and gone along with the idea (besides it was cheaper to jump in tanderm).
The final jump was met with one more crazy moment of panic in which the height was oddly forgotten, when I was told to 'step off left' after the count of three, to which I replied: 'Left? Left! What do you mean? Leave on my left, or keep the left to the ground. God, tell me or we're going to die!'
Funny thing is I can't remeber what foot I stepped off on in the end, since the extended bungi cord tends to drag you off the edge more than allowing you to jump on your own accord.
Free-falling for so long is the most terrifying, amazing experience - I was sad that it was all over in seconds.
After that, nothing could really conclude the Safari tour better, so what remained was a bit of an anti-climatic dinner that night. My biggest problem being that after 3 weeks of crack-of-dawn wake-up calls, my body was well tuned for going to bed by 9.30pm. So when the food didn't arrive until almost 9pm, and the bill not untill 11pm, it was torture just trying to stay awake at the table while the less intelligent members of the tour doubled over the bill in an attempt to deduce what they owed, as opposed to having added it up as they went along. Idjits.
The next day was spent driving into Cape, and going on a wine tour. I'm not much of a wine fan myself, and the Vineyard guide's remarks of 'can you taste the caramelised wood bark and bananas?' as we all swirled and sipped at our glasses, left me wondering if I should remind her that wine was made from grapes.
Getting to the Ashanti lodge was the highlight of the final day, and I couldn't get off the truck fast enough! Never have I been so happy to see a bed, and threw myself at the top bunk with much excitement and over enthusiasm which probably isn't normal. So pleased am I to now have a pillow, I'm not much affected by the six other people we have to share with - you don't hardly speak or see them anyway during the day, so what the hell if they think I'm a bit odd to be so possesive over a bedsheet.
Sunday was spent hiking the 40 minute walk up to the Waterfront at Cape's harbour: a shopping paradise built just for the tourists. It was wonderful to see real shops, and walk around them without be hooted, leered or stared at. We picked up a new suitcase for Tez since hers hadn't survived the 3 week Safari ( 5 year guarantee my pasty white english backside) and enjoyed battered hake (shark) and chips (chips, OMFG, chips *slobbering over excitment*).
It's not that I don't like Africa. In fact I like the countryside and animals very much, but the people are just that touch too intimidating, and despite the fact they must see thousands of tourists a day, they like to hassel a lot . The final straw was when one male out of the two dozen men that try to woo you the moment you step outside the protection of the tourist's mall stared to follow us back to the lodge. My "Just get lost!' Was met with 'What's your problem baby, why you so selfish?'
You know, you're rigt. I should just give my body away to every cur slobbering on the sidewalk. </sarcasm>
So yes, ultra happy to be jetting off to Oz tomorrow morning! Seeing wild lions, rhino, elephant, doing bungi-swings, cave walks, hikes and looking over rolling mountains have been wonderful experiences - but, 3 weeks living out of a tent, eating Zak's curried-everything for lunch and dinner, and spending days in a hot sticky truck, has brought me to a point where I feel I've had enough of Africa to be satisifed. Tez and I can even pitch a 12 pole, 2-man tent in under 3 minutes.
Bring on the kangaroos.
Dec. 6th, 2004 @ 12:48 pm
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| » Homesick, homesick, homesick!!! |
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See above ;___: I thought the homesickness would fade after a week or so, but on it drags. I hate this feeling sooo much! I’ve been trying to ignore it, but this morning’s rain and soggy sleeping bag (again) really got to me.
Okay, stiff upper lip, Rachel.-gotta make this a quick entry because yet another expensive net café and I wanna call home on my international phone card it took me forever to find.
So, last time I forgot to mention we watched one of the girls in our group do the biggest bunji jump in the world. No, I wouldn’t do it 8P It takes a certain level of insanity to throw yourself from a 216 meter high bridge . I’m obviously not quiete there . . .yet. Maybe I'll just go for the bridge swing tomorrow, we'll see. . .
And no, Zak didn't jump - I could just imagine Mr Lucky's one way trip down.
Yesterday afternoon Tez and I paid a kwool one pound fifty (15 rand each) to hire a 2 person canoe for an hour and paddle our way up river. Very nice indeed, got drenched without even falling in. Work that one out if you would.
Today was raining 9_9; But, then God said:
“Behold, it rains too much on Rachel – let there be sun, for her jeans and jacket are wet and won’t dry!' (I tell you, I am sick of wet cloths, wet tents, wet sleeping bags etc etc).
And so it was that the sun shone today, except we spent the morning in the Cango Caves. Very neat.
Then next door to the ostrich farm where I sat (not rode because I wanted to keep my spine intact) on an ostrich. I got my photos as proof!
Then we pitched our tents at the campsite next door, spot of lunch, and off to Cango Wildlife Zoo for another kwool four pounds. Saw some white tiger, lion, cheetah, pigmy hippo, jaguar and . . .bunny rabbits O_o’
And now I sit here paying too much for internet yet again, but then I’ve already gone way over budget on this circus-tour, so what the hell. 8P
I better go, I still wanna make that phone call.
P.S Mom, please send me some money 83
Dec. 2nd, 2004 @ 05:22 pm
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| » Higher or Lower? |
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Holy fricken fried chicken is this net connection slow. Plus, I think the owner of this cafe fell out of the 70's 9_9'
Another little update in the eager hope that this time, the tin can of a truck we now lovingly call Cid does not start-up and begin edging down the road without me :/ Talk about being given the evils by all residents within 9_9' It's not like 20 minutes of net time really kills the timetable this tour has done a shambles of keeping from day one 8P
So, since da oddur day, I have mostly been being rained on, and putting up a tent in gail force winds on a beach. Then the next day, I was shined upon until I was an unhealthy shade of pink. I can't understand why I burn with factor 35 reapplied 4 times a day :/ So, after scorching my feet (my feet!!) I'm giving up on the tan and keeping covered up.
I didn't expect to be either drowned or burnt on this tour >_O Is there no comprimise?
So, yesterday morning, after combing the beach while Tez did a little bit of snorkling, I went for a good long boulder-clambering hike along the beach and coastline, which was excellent fun if a bit potnetially deadly 6_6'. We would have done one of the many other activities on offer, like tree-canopy gliding, if they weren't madly expensive like most things here in S. Africa >_o But then, they say the best things in life are free. (I'd like to point out here that I paid a lot of money for this tour X_x).
But we've packed up this morning, and are on our way to Wilderness (not sure what we're planning there) But, I must say, I can't actually wait to get to Oz and back to beds and clean cloths! This tour has been okay, with conflicting highs and lows, but overall, I want my bed back!
Pillows, pillows, give me a friggin pillow! ;_;
Anyway, tour ends this saturday, then it's a few days in Cape Town (hopefully to post those cards I keep mentioning and have yet to write 9_9') and then off to Oz and on to planning our own daily activities! 8D
Done plenty more drawing for my portfolio, plenty more writing for my novel, and munched my way through Anne McCaffrey (Dear Santa, please send me another).
Until next time everyone, keep safe, keep dry, and don't burn your feet because it friggin well hurts,dammit!
Dec. 1st, 2004 @ 12:20 pm
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