20/3/13 - Town of 1770
When booking our East coast trip, 1770 was sold to us by one thing only - the Scooteroo tour. It sounded so cool, getting to ride choppers through the amazing scenery where we were promised kangaroo sightings. We even get given leather jackets and fake tattoos! It was going to be awesome. Just a short 5 hour drive from Rainbow Beach.
The problem was, we chose the cheaper bus company didn't we, as we're always cheapskates. So the only bus of the day dropped us at our destination at midnight. Which would have been fine if it was in the town centre, but no it was in the absolute middle of nowhere. A piece of gravel, surrounded by grass and darkness. Luckily our hostel provided a shuttle service but it was late. So there we were, about 5 backpackers stood waiting, no phone signal, no civilisation to be seen and one street lamp half a kilometre away. It was only a matter of time before somebody mentioned 'Wolf Creek'...
And then our shuttle arrived and we were in for another surprise. Other backpackers were driving us back, and they were crazy French stoners. So we're all packed in this tiny van, driving down a road for half an hour with not one street light, and we're putting our lives in the hands of a high Frenchman. All part of the adventure...
Our hostel was actually really cool, with a name like Cool Bananas so it should be! It had a chilled out hippy vibe, with flowers in the toilet and people doing yoga on the grass. And then it rained relentlessly for 2 whole days and our scooter tour got cancelled. What to do in the tiniest village ever when it rains? Find the pub of course. Funnily enough there was only one bar, called a tavern, on Tavern Road.
So this whole stop off was pretty pointless. Then we got in the crazy van again at midnight to get on the cheap bus for another 9 hours. The distances around this country really are something else. I mean, we still haven't left the state, not even close.
Friday, 5 April 2013
Tuesday, 19 March 2013
Travel Blog: Australia
18th March - Rainbow Beach/Fraser Island
So I got back from Fraser Island yesterday, and it was so incredible I don't even know where to start.
First off I'll rewind back to Noosa, which is a gorgeous little town. With a great long beach and a huge coastal National Park to walk in, 2 days wasn't really long enough. The National Park is home to wild koalas but no matter how hard I looked, I just couldn't see any. That was Noosa's only disappointment though - we even caught a surf competition which was really fun to watch. They make it look so easy! From there we travelled North to Rainbow Beach, ready for our own surfing lesson. This is the tiniest Australian town we have seen yet, we don't even get phone signal. But it has a high turnover of tourists and backpackers, as it is the gateway to Fraser Island. Back to our surfing lesson...our first attempt wasn't exactly the sense of accomplishment one imagines it as. We did the whole boot camp training on the sand, which was fun and I got the technique perfect straight away. However, applying it in the water is a whole other story. I aquired injuries just trying to stand up, it really is SO much harder than it looks. By the time I began to catch the waves, on my belly or knees -because you can feel it when you're on the top of one - the lesson was over. It was still good fun, but now I want to go to proper surf camp because I am determined to stand up! For more than 1 second...
The next day we were up bright and early for our trip to World Heritage listed Fraser Island; the largest sand island in the world. We were on a 4-Wheel-Drive tag along tour, and it was so much fun, cruising down the beach, 80k/h with 8 people squished up and bouncing around in the jeep. The beach looked like it went on for eternity, (around 75 miles) and it was so deserted and untouched. No buildings lined the beach at all, and you passed very few people, just the odd fisherman in the sea or a tour bus driving past in the opposite direction.
The summary of our 3 day trip goes a little something like this:
The summary of our 3 day trip goes a little something like this:
Swimming in a beautiful lake in a rainforest with cute turtle inhabitants, 'flooring it' down the beach, driving past a real shipwreck from 1935, naming our jeeps Matilda and Sheila, stargazing on the beach with dingo sticks, catching snakes in our camp, starting the party at our campsite club Winky's, floating down a refreshing freshwater creek, climbing a gigantic sand blow then running down it into a clear lake to cool off, driving 'SCHNELLLLLLLL' and almost crashing into a tree, and climbing Indian Head, a spectacular cliff with an even more spectacular view, where we tried to spot tiger sharks down below. It was the best trip ever, the weather was kind to us and we met some really cool people. Our car, Matilda, was the best; 2 Mancs, 2 Cockneys, 2 Germans and a Dutchie. The good thing is most of them are going up the coast to the exact same destinations so our paths will cross again.
Sunday, 17 March 2013
Travel Blog: Australia
11th March - Mooloolaba
So we are finally out of Brisbane!! Hoorah.
We worked for what felt like eternity, lived in a skanky hostel, and I didn't post for a while because there was absolutely nothing interesting to write about. We made friends and had lots of fun, but it was no different to working in a bar and having a few good nights out back in the UK. So we scraped our money together and now here we are on the infamous Aussie backpacker route known as the East Coast. We have a mini stop off here in Mooloolaba (good luck saying that first time round) just to go to Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo. It was a brilliant day, I almost forgot how much of a legend he was and all that he did for wildlife education. His family still take a lead role in the running of the zoo, and there was a live show where the keepers enticed the crocodiles out of the water to attack, just like Steve did on his T.V. programme Crocodile Hunter. I also got my koala fix haha! Not to mention the once in a lifetime opportunity to hold a baby alligator and a not-so-baby python. It was a great day, and it just feels so nice to be out of the city. We have already adapted rather easily to the beach bum lifestyle!
So we are finally out of Brisbane!! Hoorah.
We worked for what felt like eternity, lived in a skanky hostel, and I didn't post for a while because there was absolutely nothing interesting to write about. We made friends and had lots of fun, but it was no different to working in a bar and having a few good nights out back in the UK. So we scraped our money together and now here we are on the infamous Aussie backpacker route known as the East Coast. We have a mini stop off here in Mooloolaba (good luck saying that first time round) just to go to Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo. It was a brilliant day, I almost forgot how much of a legend he was and all that he did for wildlife education. His family still take a lead role in the running of the zoo, and there was a live show where the keepers enticed the crocodiles out of the water to attack, just like Steve did on his T.V. programme Crocodile Hunter. I also got my koala fix haha! Not to mention the once in a lifetime opportunity to hold a baby alligator and a not-so-baby python. It was a great day, and it just feels so nice to be out of the city. We have already adapted rather easily to the beach bum lifestyle!
Sunday, 27 January 2013
Travel Blog: Australia Day!
January 28th - Brisbane
So this weekend we got to experience the phenomenon known as Australia Day and weekend. There was lots of things planned around the city, and the stage was set for a major piss up.
Then cyclone Oswald arrived, and it was not a Happy Australia Day for Queensland.
Saturday wasn't too bad for Brisbane - continuous rain, but that wasn't stopping us from going out drinking in the city! Both of our shifts at work got cancelled, as it was too quiet, so we just met up with a few friends. It was an OK night, but nothing special - the weather really had put a lot of people off coming out. Not the Aussie dream one has in mind, especially as by this stage floods had swept through North Queensland.
Sunday it hit us bad. People were advised not to leave the house as the winds were so dangerous. But we were very bored and decided to brave it and walk to Pizza Hut. It was only around the corner and as Rik said, "we are manc! It is only a bit of rain." Haha. But it was not only a bit, and soon enough my work rang me to confirm they are closing for the next 2 days as they will probably flood. The most annoying thing about this is I lose my double pay shift on the public holiday today. And I REALLY need the money to get out of Brisbane, but it seems like the world is against us.
I am currently writing this in a blackout. The cyclone has taken out our power, thank goodness the tablet was fully charged. No hot water, no electricity, all our food ruined...
But at least we're not flooded. So many others are, and it has claimed lives.
So, Happy Australia day. I presume we're going to spend it playing cards.
Travel Blog: Australia
January 8th - Brisbane
I'm starting to feel trapped here and my brain is always off wondering where we could travel to next.
The last 2 books I have read have mentioned a town in India called Pondicherry. Now isn't that a massive coincidence? Never heard of the town before, never been interested in India and now 2 consecutive books introduce me to it.
The first was 'Backpack' by Emily Barr, which I picked up in Thailand. It sounds cliche thanks to a terrible title, about a girl travelling alone around South East Asia, but it was a surprisingly refreshing, clever murder mystery. The second you have probably guessed from the recent bkockbuster - Yann Martell's 'Life of Pi.' Reading, then watching the story was an amazing experience and has confirmed my longing for Pondicherry. The book I read before these was ALSO set mainly in India. Now, I've never planned on going to India, but it looks to me like fate is giving me a sign, and pointing to Pondicherry.
Of course, Rik doesn't want to go. But I have 10 months to persuade him.
(And my digestive system....what the hell would I eat in India?!)
Monday, 14 January 2013
Travel Blog: Australia
28/12/12 - Brisbane
So we have been in Brisbane around 3 weeks now, and things are looking up. We both have bar jobs, luckily really close to each other in a riverside complex, with gorgeous views. Christmas was always going to be hard, on the other side of the world, so we just got on with it - it was too hot to even feel like Christmas Day anyway. We had a nice Boxing Day trip to the cinema, to see The Hobbit - with lots of "We've been there!" whispers. And that brings us up to today...the day I've been waiting for my whole life! We finally have the funds and the time to visit the largest koala sanctuary in the world, Lone Pine. I already seen one up close in Sydney, but here in Queensland you can cuddle them and have photographs too; all proceeds of course go towards koala habitat conservation.
It really was a dream come true. There were koalas absolutely everywhere, they have over 100 in residency. We sam them sleeping, eating, yawning, scratching and even jumping from branch to branch. We also saw tiny joeys nestling into their Mothers' pouches, and various other Aussie wildlife such as kangaroos, crocs, dingoes, emus and snakes.
In the queue to cuddle one, there are 2 or more different koalas with their keepers so you don't know which one you're going to get. When it as finally my turn, my koala wouldn't sit still so they had to go and swap him for another one! Typical, I've loved them all my life and they can't wait to get away from me! The new one was much more well behaved though, and even nearly kissed me at one point! Its claws were very sharp though, but the scratches were so worth it. Then it was Rik's turn, and the same thing happened to him! His koala was trying to climb right over him, so he ended up getting a tiny cuter one which was reserved for children to hold....I was not happy! (But of course I was, I was in koala wonderland!)
Best. Day. Ever!
So we have been in Brisbane around 3 weeks now, and things are looking up. We both have bar jobs, luckily really close to each other in a riverside complex, with gorgeous views. Christmas was always going to be hard, on the other side of the world, so we just got on with it - it was too hot to even feel like Christmas Day anyway. We had a nice Boxing Day trip to the cinema, to see The Hobbit - with lots of "We've been there!" whispers. And that brings us up to today...the day I've been waiting for my whole life! We finally have the funds and the time to visit the largest koala sanctuary in the world, Lone Pine. I already seen one up close in Sydney, but here in Queensland you can cuddle them and have photographs too; all proceeds of course go towards koala habitat conservation.
It really was a dream come true. There were koalas absolutely everywhere, they have over 100 in residency. We sam them sleeping, eating, yawning, scratching and even jumping from branch to branch. We also saw tiny joeys nestling into their Mothers' pouches, and various other Aussie wildlife such as kangaroos, crocs, dingoes, emus and snakes.
In the queue to cuddle one, there are 2 or more different koalas with their keepers so you don't know which one you're going to get. When it as finally my turn, my koala wouldn't sit still so they had to go and swap him for another one! Typical, I've loved them all my life and they can't wait to get away from me! The new one was much more well behaved though, and even nearly kissed me at one point! Its claws were very sharp though, but the scratches were so worth it. Then it was Rik's turn, and the same thing happened to him! His koala was trying to climb right over him, so he ended up getting a tiny cuter one which was reserved for children to hold....I was not happy! (But of course I was, I was in koala wonderland!)
Best. Day. Ever!
Travel Blog: Australia
12/12/12 - Brisbane, Australia
So today is the worst day EVER.
We've only been here a few days, settling in etc, and mainly job hunting. Luckily Rik has been hired in less than a week and is at his first shift at work right now.
I am not meant to be a kept woman. Sitting in the house all day waiting for Rik to come home?! No thanks. I know you're thinking I could be out doing things, but we have no money and I don't know my way around. I don't even have a book to read. I feel like Cameron Diaz in The Holiday when she's in a house in a strange country all alone. As the day drags on I'm trying my hardest not to become hysterical, like Charlize Theron in The Devil's Advocate.
13/12/12 - Brisbane, Australia
Today I have made the decision that I will not be Cameron Diaz or Charlize Theron.
I am Carrie, from Sex and the City, when she moves to Paris with Alex whats-his-name. I was all cultural, all alone. I went to a museum, an art gallery and took a walk down the river. I didn't, however, sit in posh cafes eating delicacies, I can't afford that.
I really need a job now. And some friends please!
So today is the worst day EVER.
We've only been here a few days, settling in etc, and mainly job hunting. Luckily Rik has been hired in less than a week and is at his first shift at work right now.
I am not meant to be a kept woman. Sitting in the house all day waiting for Rik to come home?! No thanks. I know you're thinking I could be out doing things, but we have no money and I don't know my way around. I don't even have a book to read. I feel like Cameron Diaz in The Holiday when she's in a house in a strange country all alone. As the day drags on I'm trying my hardest not to become hysterical, like Charlize Theron in The Devil's Advocate.
13/12/12 - Brisbane, Australia
Today I have made the decision that I will not be Cameron Diaz or Charlize Theron.
I am Carrie, from Sex and the City, when she moves to Paris with Alex whats-his-name. I was all cultural, all alone. I went to a museum, an art gallery and took a walk down the river. I didn't, however, sit in posh cafes eating delicacies, I can't afford that.
I really need a job now. And some friends please!
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