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I'm in Australia!!
Disbelief is the main feeling over anything else, as I wander past the Opera House and through the Botanical Gardens, filling a bit of time rather than just sitting in another airport for five hours. Typically, after crossing the entire world to take a break from it, as I walk around a corner of the Opera House, there is a Sparks van. What looks like a news link is being filmed on the steps. Can't escape!
Rain is in the air. Train back to the Domestic Terminal, a bit early but a wave of tiredness hits just after buying a hot roast beef and mustard sandwich from a little Deli. (It was either this or, more likely I think, a lemon Strepsil, that made me feel a little ill. Hot chocolate to calm stomach). Sandwich was nice, very hot, blowing away the last remnants of a sniffle. Watched Part 1 of Planet of the Spiders on my I-Pod.
For the first time signposting is lacking, so have to ask where Gate 49 is. Turns out that once through security there is a really rather comfortable, open place buzzing with atmosphere. Still don't know the result from the 5th Australia-England One Day International - I'm just assuming we lost again.
The strange thing is that, even though from leaving England to arrival in Oz was only 23 hours, it felt like I had spent three nights on the plane. The resulting feeling is one of not knowing nor caring what the time is. My favourite state of mind, in fact.
As a sign of how tired I am, virtually as soon as I am settled on the JetStar flight to Cairns I am asleep, waking only as we are about to descend. Cairns airport is a very small place - a three minute walk to arrivals, which is in a different building, and no checks are forthcoming. My bag comes out early, and I call the hostel to arrang a pick up. At 1905 I get my first 'G'Day!' from a pony tailed man patrolling the pick up area. So far, so friendly - at Sydney airport I had started talking to a woman whilst booking luggage into storage for a few hours - she'd just been to London and, of all places, Redditch! She had talked me through the train system and advised me on things to do. Nice.
Eventually the van arrives - the driver, definitely English, seems a little under pressure. He is the only driver tonight, it seems, and feeling the strain. Which is to say, not dealing with it that well! Arrive alive at my first hostel - Nomads Esplanade - and check in. Breakfast (of sorts I hear) provided and a free meal each night at a place down the road, from 7-9pm. Didnt use it tonight but I'll go tomorrow, why turn down free food?!
Met two of the dorms other occupants. Brian (Aussie, 29, we think originally from Darwin) and Lizzie (27, from Norwich). Chat for a while and then go for a wander, a $7 special at an Asian place at the Night Market - good value. A bit of squid, some chicken, some other fish. Not bad for $7 when you can pile the plate 6 inches high as the person next to me did! Then back to dorm, more chatting, mett Nikky (22, Essex). asleep around 2330 - at last a proper nights sleep, two and a half days since the last one!
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