Australia

Australia 02/09/09 – 01/10/09

Sydney

Arrived in the airport at 6am. When through customs no problem. They didn’t even want to check our bags or nothing. We arranged with Mick that we would ring him when we were going to get the train so we tried to call him and no answer. Lucky Damien had asked him how to get there so we were ok. We got off at Bondi Junction and then got a bus to the hostel. We booked in and then went in search of Mick. We found him asleep and when Damien woke him he was still pissed. He had decided to stay up drinking till we arrived but fell asleep!! We told Mick the room we were staying in and he told us to stay in his room but we weren’t sure cos when we asked could we stay with him they said no cos they didn’t want to put me in with 7 lads. We asked could we move cos our room smelt and they gave us the room beside Mick’s with a load of Germans. We decided in the end to stay with Mick. We dropped our bags and went for a snooze although I was the only one who slept cos the 2 boys were too excited to see each other. After an hour of sleep we got up and decided to go check out Bondi Beach. We took a few photos and got some Mc D’s. Mick called Gary and he met us and brought us to his house and to pick up Damien’s new visa from DHL. He dropped us back to the hostel and we headed out for some Chinese. Jenny came to us for dinner and a few drinks. We headed seen her since we left Bangkok at the start of our travels so good to catch up. Mick brought us to a bar and 2 of his hostel friends came out too. Hazel and Rob. After a bit of bar crawling we got a box of Pure Blondes and headed back to the hostel.

Got woken up by the guy running the hostel. It was 10.30 and we had to be out by 10. We were also supposed to be on the train to Stacey and Craig so we said some swift goodbyes and got a taxi to the train station. Of course we got the train that stops at every stop so it took us nearly 1 hr to reach Stacey but we got there in the end. Good to see her as we hadn’t in over a yr. We got back to there hse and ate a sandwich and waited for Craig to finish work. We picked him up and then hit the road for some marathon driving. We drove till dinner time and then stopped for some KFC. After that Craig was tired and Stacey doesn’t like to drive in the dark so I drove for 2 hrs where we stopped for the night in a motel. We talked for a while and then headed to bed.

Surfers Paradise

We got up at 8am and hit the road again. We stopped in Coff’s Harbour to take a few snaps of the big banana (1^st giant thing) and then headed to Nimh Binh for some lunch. Nimh Binh was madness so many weird people who had smoked a bit too much. The only place in Oz where you can smoke. After that we headed to Bryon Bay to check out the surfers and then onto Stacey’s brothers hse. Ben and Beck’s and their 2 kids were lovely. We ordered pizza, had a few beers and watched a DVD.

We got up and we all got ready for breakfast. We were meeting Craig’s parents and grandmother for breakfast down on the beach. They were lovely. After breakfast we walked around Surfers for a while and then went to meet Stacey’s parents in their apt. Everyone was in Surfers for a wedding so nice to meet everyone. Stacey’s dropped us to the train station to go toBrisbane about 5pm. Sad to say goodbye but we’d meet them again in Sydney when we came back.

Brisbane

We arrived at the station and met Duggan. On our way back to the hostel as we were chatting so much he brought us the wrong way and walking with the big bags isn’t fun but having to walk for longer then necessary is a pain in the ass. We got there in the end and dropped our bags off. We of course started straight into the drinking with Dug and another New Zealander who was staying in his room. Mary (Dug’s g’friend) arrived back from work after a while. We wanted to stay up for the Irish match so we headed out about 2.30. we grabbed a cab on the way and headed for the valley. The cab driver was so cool. He was singing and playing his harmonica while driving. It was the best drive ever. We got into a club were we had a few more drinks and then headed off to the casino for a few drinks and to watch the match. We walked for about 45mins to get to the casino and of course the match wasn’t been shown on any channels. We just got a taxi back and went to bed.

Got up late and headed off to Nando’s for some dinner and then went off to the cinema to go see “Woodstock”. The film wasn’t on for a while so Duggan showed us the lagoon they had in the town. After the film we went back home as Mary and Duggan had work the next day.

Got up and decided to go exploring Brisbane. We got the bus to the library as they have free internet there and then we walked to the main street. We stopped and got some food and then walked down the equivalent of Grafton street where they had all these Koala’s, turtles, bats and snakes on show. It was so cool. We walked on then to the monument for all the soldiers that have fought for Australia. We then booked the XXXX brewery tour and headed off to find it stopping at city hall along the way. The brewery tour was good and then brewery was actually started by an Irish man. After the tour ended we got 4 beers to try. We also got to pour our own beers (I was better then Damien). We headed off home but on the way we got caught in a shower. (Like being at home) we got food and then headed back to dorm and said our goodbyes to Dug and Mary as were picking up our campervan early in the morning.

Noosa

Got the 8am bus into the city and then got the bus to Jucy. We arrived and got all out instructions and then headed out for breakfast. We came back and headed off on the road. We drove to Australia zoo where we spent a few hrs looking at all the animals. We got to pet Koala’s and Kangaroos and watch the Crocodiles being feed. After that we headed onto Noosa where we went shopping and found there was a mouse in our campervan!! We thought he had jumped out so we weren’t too worried. We headed back to the camp site but as it was Tuesday we opted for Domino’s. Oz to a cheap Tuesdays deal. We met an Irish couple in our camp site and chatted with them for a while.

Got up and decided to go to the beach and book in for some surfing lessons as this was the last place on the coast you could surf as no waves after here and loads of jelly fish about. We booked in for 1pm and chilled on the beach till then. We got given wet suits and we learned first on the beach with our board. We then took to the sea and tried very hard to stand up. After about the 20^th go we eventually got up and got into shore. As we had to keep going back out to catch a wave we were pretty wrecked after an hr and they gave us a break and then taught us ho to turn while standing. It was a great 2 hr lesson and we really enjoyed it including the drowning!! We headed back to our camp site and made dinner. We decided a few beers were in order and we met 2 Canadian girls, Amber & Amy. They were lovely and we had a good laugh with them.

In the morning we said our goodbyes to the girls and hit the road again. We drove all the way Hervey bay where we were going to go to Fraser Island. We stopped in Marybourogh on the way where its claim to fame is that the writer of the Mary Poppins books is from there (nothing else to see but a hundred yr old shop). We got to our camp site and booked our tour with “Fraser Experience” for the next day. We decided on this tour cos it was small and the cheapest. We drove around Hervey bay to see what it was like and took a stroll down the beach to see the sunset. We came back and cooked dinner and got an early night as we were being picked up at 7am in the morning.

Fraser Island

We got picked up Greg our driver and there were 4 Germans on our trip. We were told we had to drive 2 hrs to Rainbow beach to pick up one more person and get the ferry across to Fraser. It was only a 10 min ferry journey from there where as from Hervey it was 1 and a half hrs. We arrived on Fraser and we were first brought to our accommodation for some morning tea and biscuits. After tea we went off into the rainforest and did a walk around there. At the end he had lunch waiting for us. We spotted a few lizards in the rainforest. After lunch we went ontoMcKenzie Lake which is a fresh water lake and was really nice and refreshing. We spent nearly 2 hrs at the lake and then headed back to our accommodation for dinner. Greg cooked us up some steak, burgers and salad it was delicious!! After that we all sat down and had a few beers. He Germans didn’t bring any beer even though Greg told them when we stopped at the only shop on the island to buy some if they wanted to drink so we gave them one of ours as we had only 6 beers each. That was annoying. 2 Oz lads came to join us for some drinks and we drank some scotch with them that they proved. Good night but a late one….

Got up early and packed up. First we were brought to Pinnacles and then onto Indian head where we had morning tea and then climbed up the rocks to see into the ocean where we spotted whales. After that we went to see the famous ship wreck and then onto Eli Creek and lunch. We drove onto the ferry after that to go home. We arrived back to Hervey bay about 6pm and we hit the road straight away. We stopped over night in Gladstone at a parking bay.

We drove to Rockhampton for some lunch and to pick up some mouse traps as our fury friend was still with us. We had discovered this as he had nibbled on some of our food.

Airlie Beach

We drove onto Airlie beach and found a camp site a bit out of town but was the cheapest. After checked in we went to Red Rooster for dinner and got some beers. We chilled out with beers and cards.

Up the next morning and we decided to chill in the camp site for the day as we had done a lot of driving over the past few days and decided to do nothing. Later on we cooked dinner and played more cards.

We went to the Lagoon in the centre and played in the water and worked on our tan. We walked the town later in the evening and found another place in the centre for cheaper so we booked in for the next night. Came home and checked out the net for a while. Watched a film on TV.

Drove down to our new camp site and did some washing. We went to the Lagoon and saw they had a Lea’s book store (I’m so famous even though they spelt my name wrong). Simo had been in Townsville for the last 2 days so he dropped in to us at the Lagoon to finalise our visit for tomo. We came back to our site and got the backpacker special in the fish & chip shop and had a few beers. We chatted with a few Irish lads that were staying in our site but we had an early rise the next day so opted to stay in.

Hayman Island

We got up and dressed in our best as we were told we had to cos we were like the staff and had to be presentable. We drove down to the pier and parked up our home. We went down to the boat and the crew was really nice to us until they realized we were going as staff and then their attitude changed. Lovely boat (Emerald cruises eat your heart out) the journey took about 1hr and when we arrived we text Simo and he came and collected us in a mini van/golf cart. He could only take one of us cos it was so small and I thought the battery on it was going to die a few times. We got shown to our fancy rooms even for staff facilities and went for a snooze. We then headed for lunch and to the pool where Simo works. We had to be cool cos staff or their guests weren’t allowed there. Simo gave us 3 free cocktails each aaahhh it was so cool. The pool actually went the whole way around the bar. How we know how honeymooners feel… Simo got his lunch and we went for a walk with him. We got back and watched some TV but of course I fell asleep as usual. Simo called around and we had a few drinks before we went to the restaurant for some food. It was a seafood restaurant and as Simo’s friend was the manager he sorted out our entrée’s for us. We had the most amazing food and a few glasses of wine. We went to the gentleman’s club for a cocktail and then headed to the staff bar where we drank 1 and a half litres of Jim Beam and then headed to bed at 4.30am

Up and still pissed as we had booked a Great Barrier Reef tour. Got Simo up and got down onto the boat. As soon as we got on myself and Simo fell asleep and poor Damien spent the whole 1 and half it took to get to the reef in the toilet, sea sickness and alcohol don’t mix. We arrived at the reef and me and Damien did some snorkelling. I wanted to do a dive but neither would with me. The boat had a slide, an underwater observing tank and a glass bottom boat. Really good but only really saw a lot of coral and a few fish. Had some lunch on the boat and then about 4pm we headed back to Airlie beach letting Simo off along the way. We taught one of the crew knock and we played that for the last hour of the boat journey. Good day but would have been better if we didn’t drink so much the night before. Damien got the bus back to get our home while I made sure we still had a reservation. Of course no but they gave us a private double room in their hostel for half price so it wasn’t too bad!! Chilled in with a DVD.

Townsville

We left Airlie in the morning and drove to Bowen where we saw the giant peach (2^nd giant thing) we drove on to Townsville where we stayed in the car park of a hostel full of Irish young people. We went for a walk into town and got some shopping. We then cooked our dinner and had some wine. A group of people heading out for the night invited us to come and join them for some drinks. We headed out with them to a night club and partied with them till about 3am. We got some Mc D’s on the way home and met these 3 girls who were in the army. Walked home and crawled into bed.

Cairns

We got up at about 9am and we decided to get out of there and head to Cairns. We stopped in Tully along the way and saw the giant boot (3^rd giant thing). After that we drove straight to Cairnsand checked into our new camp site which also gave us 3 hrs free internet a day. We decided as it was late in the day that we walked down into the town on the promenade at the beach. Got some dinner in a pub and bought some beers to take home as Man Utd was playing and Damien wanted to watch it.

Got up and went to Kuranda village. We saw the train, Barron waterfall, a reptile zoo and some funky shops. Nice village, very hippy but closes down really early. Got back to the site and met a couple from England called Laura and Kevin who also had a Jucy van and had a few problems too although they were renting theirs for 3 months! We sat up with them for a good few hours but were nice as we hadn’t met too many people on our adventures in Australia.

Up and chilled out in the camp site. Had some lunch and then headed off to Blazing Saddles to our horse riding lesson. We were in a group of about 10 people and it was nice. We rode around on them for about 2 hrs. We did some trotting and some people including Damien did cantering… a bit scary for me as first time on a horse!! We decided to go to the cinema that night as it was cheap Tuesday so it was cheaper and we got some dinner before hand.

Got up and went to see an aboriginal show about the Tjapukai tribe. It was really interesting and they told us all about their history up to the present day, their dancing, spire throwing, boomerang throwing and medicines they use. We headed down to the Lagoon after that for some sunbathing. We got back to the camp site and a group were in talking about tours so we got some free sausages. After that the 4 of us decided that we would hit the town later on so we all showered, changed and the lads went down and bought some beers. We got a taxi into town and as it was Coyote night in the Irish bar we hit there first and then when onto the wool shed for some dancing. Wasn’t too late by the time we got home.

Up the next day and decided to chill out reading our books and catching up on emails. Nothing to really report for that day.

We dropped back our camper van in the afternoon and got a taxi to the airport.

Sydney

We had to wait 4 hrs for our flight so we played some cards. On our flight we could watch TV for the first 30 mins for free but as you had to pay after that we opted not too. Gary picked us up from the airport and we decided to go for a “few drinks” in his local. It wasn’t the nicest local. When you went out for a cigarette a bouncer would come with you. Crazy but good to catch up. We as usual had a few too many and woke Sally (Gary’s g’friend) up on our return. Gary was really bad he actually broke a frame… good man to take the focus off us waking her.

We got some coffee into us and then headed for breakfast while the lads went shopping and some how ended up in the pub again. When we got back Damien was asleep but Gary was prepared. I was just about to lie down when the guests arrived so no nap for me. They were all Gary’s friends from home and had been here a few yrs. Mick and Peter, Damien’s friends came down as well so that was nice to catch up with them. About 8pm we all went to the pub and had a few pints there. Good day and night. Met really nice people.

Next day was a bit of a write off but I was delighted as w got to chill out and watch TV on a couch which is something I hadn’t done since before we left. Sally went to her friends for the day and I cooked dinner for the lads. Handy as we had a good few things left over from the BBQ.

We got up and Sally came back to the house and brought us to Bondi where we got the train to Circular Quay where we got breakfast and got the boat over to Manly Island. We got to see the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera house. Got to Manly and most things were closed but also not much to do there. We walked down to the beach and then Gary rang and told us we had to come back for dinner so back on the ferry and then on the bus home which took an hr to get there. We went to a place where you can cook your own dinner but we were lazy and decided not too!! Watched a bit of TV at home and then off to bed as we had an early start in the morning.

Got up at 6am and Gary dropped us off in town so we could get our tour of Hunter Valley. A load of Chinese on our wine tour, a couple from Vegas and 2 Australian girls. Nice day. The first winery was all right but was a big budget one and wasn’t very personalised. The second one was a boutique winery and they took us on a tour of the winery. They also had a famous wine that was amazing with chocolate cake that they provided too. We decided to buy a bottle for Gary & Sally to say thanks for letting us stay. We then went for a gourmet sandwich lunch and went into the chocolate shop and another wine tasting. After lunch we went to a cheese making factory where tried the most amazing cheese and bought some for Stacey & Craig and Gary & Sally. We then went to the last winery where we bought a bottle to have with dinner. Got another really long bus journey home of 1 & half hrs… as it was our last Tuesday in Australia we decided to have Domino’s again with our lovely bottle of wine.

We got up and Sally dropped us into Bondi and we got the train to the aquarium. As this was our 5^th one to go to we had seen a lot of the fishes already. Really enjoyed it too and saw some things we hadn’t seen before. The kids were so cute pointing out Nemo and Dorey whenever they saw those fish. We walked around to the IMAX after and booked tickets to go see the Dinosaur show. We got a Lynet chocolate ice cream and some lunch and then headed into show. After the show we got the train to go meet Stacey & Craig for dinner as we hadn’t seen them since we got back to Sydney and we were leaving tomo. We went to Una’s then walked up to Kings Cross and had a pint in some pub. After that we got a taxi to scruffy Murphy’s the famous Irish bar where I got 2 packets of King crisps. Stacey and Craig couldn’t understand how a packet of crisps could make someone so happy…we had a few shorts there and then got a taxi home to say goodbye to Gary & Sally. We chatted with them for a while and then headed to bed.

Up the next day and I went off to print out our boarding cards so we could pick our seats and then we got a taxi to the airport. Our flight was delayed so when we got to Singapore we had to run for our flight to Mumbai!!

Bye Bye western civilisation….