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G'daaaaay...
It feels like ages since I have been on this website. Well ..... it has been a month now. Sorry for not writing sooner, however, things have just been crazy and I just haven't been able to find time. (That's a lie, I have just been lazy)
So, lot's to tell... We started off in Kings Cross, which is in the City Centre. Perhaps not the greatest place to start, as it rather jaded my expectations of Australia. Kings Cross...how can I describe it? Amsterdam meets Soho in a tacky encounter.... Lots of red lights and overweight, ugly women kidding themselves that they are every young travellers dreamgirl...obviously after ten beers though. However, despite this, every night out in Sydney ends up finishing in King's Cross and it can be a giggle.
Upon our arrival down under, we went straight onto a package tour for 4 nights. The hostel was class, and probably one of the best we have stayed in so far. It was called the Wooduck Inn in Woolloomooloo (Yer, after the first night out, I couldn't really pronounce that). The vibe in the hostel was so chilled out and we got to do some really cool activites. We had to spend time doing routine things, such as setting up a bank account, health card and a tour of the city centre. But we also went on a boat trip around Sydney Harbour, had a rooftop BBQ which provided me with my first taste of Kangeroo - which was lovely - a trip to the infamous Bondi Beach and a walk through the beautiful Botanic gardens.
Typically the second night out in Australia happened to be the Mardi Gras, so the streets were crawling with queers, wearing clothes that would only be acceptable on a gay parade! That prat, Louie Spence was presenting it all and the night ended prematurely as it rained, ruining the carnival atmosphere... All in all it was just like being in Brighton really.
We had made some good mates in the hostel and once our time ran out, we moved to a cheaper option right in the centre. From here I spent a lot of time walking around the streets and really trying to get to know the 'Real Sydney'. It is very Asian dominated, but it took me a while to clock that - 2 months in Asia probably made me get used to it. After a lot of exploring, I found out that they say you have done well if you find an Australian in Sydney Centre, and 'they' (whoever 'they' is) were right. It's kind of like trying to find an Englishman in London....
My advice to anyone thinking of travelling is not to plan things too much and here is why....
One night, maybe our 5th or 6th night I got a call from Stu and Mindy. A couple that we met on our tour of Cambodia. He said they were in the city and if we wanted to meet. So after a drink, we ended up with an invitation to move into Mindy's outhouse. We had only planned to livve in hostels for months whilst we worked and saved to travel the next part. Well, she lives in Cronulla, about 40 min train south of the CBD. She has a swimming pool in her garden, a hot tub, a dog and is right next to the beach...TOUCH!! We were so lucky, and two days after the meet we ended up moving to Cronulla.
Mindys family welcomed us with open arms and said we could stay as long as we wanted...That was three weeks ago. Since we have been here, we have both got jobs, had so many BBQ's , which has been amazing, BBQ breakfast, BBQ lunch, BBQ dinner. We have got drunk, painted, and shopped.
Oh, and on the subject of getting drunk, out here you can't buy beers from a supermarket or a newsagent. They have specific bottle shops. It took a bit of getting used to. And instead of having pints (568ml), they drink scooners (425ml). They say it's becasue they don't want their beer to get warm but really it's because Aussie's can't drink!! We have been skulling a lot of goon too. For you at home thinking 'What the f*** are you on about Conor?', translated into English that means 'we have been downing a lot of wine from a bag' - It's the thing to do out here....Just thought you would like those nuggets of Australian culture..
The money is seriosuly running low now, so we got onto making a C.V and getting it out to jobsite s as quickly as possible. After turning down a tele-sales position I was successful in a salesman role. My job now basically involves me working mon-fri 9-4 driving the bosses Honda CRV 4x4 around Sydney promoting the company, which specialises in mounting, laminating and framing professional prints. It's good money, but even bigger tax!! They tax loads as I am a traveller but say we can claim it back.
Lauren got a job in a cafe in Cronulla, however, the boss is a b**** and so she emailed all of the Fitness First Gym's in Sydney and had good response. She starts tomorrow working mon-fri 9-6 doing memberships, inductions and general things around the biggest gym in Sydney!!
So, what else to tell you about Ozzzzzz, well the weather has been pretty on and off. We have had a lot of rain, and some sun too, but it is coming into the autumn now so it will be cooling down :( The plan for now is to earn some money working for the next few months to eventually travel up the East Coast. I would also like to get over to Tazmania, an island just off the South Coast, to see the Tazmanian Devil amd it has some incredible hikes. That sounds a bit dull really, hiking around, but I brought some hiking boots in England and have only worn them once, so i need to get my money's worth.
Oh, and they don't really like football over here, which drives me mad, so I have been trying to get into Rugby League. It is actually quite good, better than the English version, however, it's not football.....and it really pisses me off that I have to call it soccer when I talk about it or they think football is rugby.... Why when you play it with your hands????????? Ozzies man!!!!!!!!!!
We miss everyone at home loads, I'm glad JJ, Pops and Cook had good luck in Vegas and a good trip... You have got me excited for America already... Hopefully I will have enough money left at the end of the trip for some bets haha ...
Any news at all....
MIss you and Love you all
C+L
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p.s. WInter, sorry I took ages mate. This is dedicated to you.
- comments
Winter This has made my day, loved it!!! Hope ur both well. Miss you xx
grandma and gramps its so lovely reading all about your adventures,you are really having a busy time,well done to you both for getting jobs,take care both of you.missing you,but these blogs make you feel closer,take care xxxxxxx
jane and Lissa I love reading the blog..feels like I'm there and I have a big smile on my face! I will read it through to Lissa later. You certainly landed on your feet with the pool house...glad youve both got jobs and will be able to save some cash! Lots of lovexx
charlie sounds so lovely! jealous! well done on getting jobs :) that was quick! suppose the polls cant take the jobs over there...lol....take care xx