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Helllloooooo everyone!
Hope all is good with everyone! I hate to say it but I think it might be warmer in the uk than it is here at the moment.
So, before I left Byron Bay for Sydney, I went off to Nimbin......well all I can say is it was interesting! Glad I went to say what it was like, but after two hours of saying no I don't want any cookies, mushrooms and god knows what else it was time to leave. I was then on the night bus to Sydney, so after hanging around for ages in the hostel it was time to get the hostel shuttle to the greyhound bus stop in town, after sitting on the shuttle bus for 10 mins waiting to leave we are then told its not going anywhere as it's broken down..... So a very quick 20 mins walk lugging nearly 30kgs of stuff to the bus stop, not fun! And yes the rucksack has got heavier and I've still got my skates..... We finally get on the bus. After 13 hrs and only two stops and no sleep I arrive in Sydney, absolutely wrecked.
After checking into the hostel at the rocks, it's time for a bit of exploring around Darling Harbour - it's lovely! then rain stops play so off to the pub we went, purely to shelter from the rain which was very heavy! Anyway after a few more beers ( it was raining for a long time) it was time for food, my first taste of kangaroo and emu.....on a pizza! It was very good.
It's bridge climb day! But first matt and I headed to the opera house only to discover that the royals were due in half hour, that would've explained the massive crowds and Union Jack flags! Unfortunately the climb was due to start so we missed them but would give them a wave from the top of the bridge! We get to the bridge climb place to get our really attractive climbing suits! Lovely blue and grey boiler suits! And for some stupid reason I got really nervous, god knows why I've done abseiling before and been fine! Oh well, off we went..... We climbed up the bridge during the day and then back down at night. We walked up the top part of the structure of the bridge, in total it took about 2 hrs both ways, the bridge itself is incredible and views at the top spectacular, it was great to see the view in the day and night. Definitely worth the climb!
The next day we headed off to Manly beach for a couple of days - the first order of the day being a skate along the bit by the beach. We locate the skate hire place to discover they only do inlines for outdoor skating, not a problem for me, but matt I don't think was very happy. armed with skates we headed off, such an amazing place to skate, it's places like this that make it worth lugging them with me! They seem to get heavier each time I move. Later on I thought I should probably move to the dark side and have go on the inlines! awful things! I was all over the place! Never again lol! Sorry to the skating lot, but I had to try at least. Such a fun day..... The day very nicely finished off in a bar over looking the beach and then a Kebab!
Tomorrow is beach day, the beach at Manly is gorgeous, I will definitely be going back again when I hit Sydney again after my outback trip to Uluru. Again huge numbers of people and flags, which could only mean one thing, Kate and William are following us! And yes they were, the whole of Manly beach was mobbed which meant our attempts to go snorkelling failed as we couldn't get through the crowds! A nice chilled day topping up the tan on the beach. Followed by the bar that overlooks the beach.....again!
Today we said goodbye to Manly, but not before I had an early morning skate with my iPod........a great way to start to start the day and to get rid of a smallish hangover! After this I was left to my own devices, matt headed off to Perth and I trekked back to Sydney and my new home in central for a few nights. After a 20 min very slow walk to get the ferry and nearly a 2 mile walk at the other end with all my gear I made it to the hostel absolutely exhausted!
Today was Easter Sunday, so was feeling a bit odd being away from the family......I headed off to the botanical gardens which were lovely, rolling green hills, lots of trees and a few random sculptures of hippos ( part of an art installation all across sydney). After a few hours I headed back to the opera house for a tour of inside. It's an architectural marvel to see up close, very impressive! We were very lucky to be able to go into the main concert hall as no one was in there, it was magnificent, I can only imagine how a concert would sound in there. After this it was a walk into darling harbour for an afternoon refreshment which was well needed, I had just lost my favourite jumper and my bank cards had stopped working!
The next day was as spot of shopping :) and then a pedicure!! Very traveller I know, but after lugging all my gear in flip flops for the last few month I decided my feet were deserving of a little treat! In the evening I headed off to meet my friends sister in Coogee who I didn't eve realise was travelling till a few days ago, so that was nice.
Tues - after a rather late night I eventually got up, and headed into town to meet mike who I used to work with, it's was lovely to see a familiar face! After a lovely lunch and great catch up I headed back to hostel to sort out some more trip stuff - namely booking eng v all blacks rugby tickets for when I'm in nz. Very very excited about this!!!!!
I've met som fab girls from the uk, Charlotte, Gemma and Sophiein the hostel and today we set off for the blue mountains which were stunning! The views were spectacular, we saw the 3 sisters and went on a long walk to various viewpoints along the way. The we did the 900 step descent to the bottom and then another 900 to get back, hard work being an understatement! After a long day we headed back to the hostel for food before heading out.....and this is where it gets a bit hazy!! Drag Queen Karaoke at Scruffy Murphys! The name says it all! as most of you know I can't sing to save my life, the only thing my singing voice is good for is clearing the pub at closing time. But oh no not tonight! After a few pints, charlotte and I put our names down for Oasis Wonderwall! Our names were pulled out of the pint glass, One Jaeger bomb later we were up on stage! Luckily for you guys I can't upload videos. We won a pint of lager because we weren't as bad as they thought we would be. How rude! After being on the dance floor till 3am we decided enough was probably enough!
Gemma and I then made our way to Bondi beach the next day, we finally arrived after a rather stressful bus journey, my rucksack got stuck and when I did manage to get it off the luggage rack I turned round with it on and whacked some poor lady with it by accident! Not my best journey, oh and we got off at the wrong stop!! We headed to the beach which was lovely and hot. The next day we headed off to do the bondi to Coogee famous coastal walk. It was beautiful, reminded me a bit of Devon, especially when the heavens opened and we got absolutely soaked! Gemma then left, I had one more night in bondi before I was due to go to the airport to catch my flight to melbourne. Charlotte and Sophie were still in sydney central for one more night before they headed up the east coast and to work so I went off to meet them for a quiet few beers. So I'd worked all my bus and train times and would be leaving no later than 10.30pm as my shuttle transfer to the sir port was at 9am and I still had to pack. Best made plans an all that...... We started off in a bar that sold 3 dollar drinks - that was an interesting venue, we soon ended up back in our new favourite bar Scruffy Murphys......again. So at 1am I'm trying to get a cab back to Bondi...and yes I made it to the airport in the morning......but only just! Some things don't change.
I've had an amazing time in Sydney with some fab people, as is always the way was incredibly sad to say bye.....
But Sydney I will be back after my 2 week adventure in Melbourne and outback trip........
All the best everyone, spk soon
Lou (I'm off for a rest in Melbourne!) xx
- comments
John Keep an eye out for Jan's identical twin sister in Melbourne.
Jan Pardon Louise, Ive told my twin sister Ann to look out for a mad backpacker carrying a pair of roller skates looking lost in Melbourne! Hope she finds you. Jan
Elvis Bismarck St Bond III aka Twonky great blog lou! I think you may have found a new occupation - professional hobo x
Lou Hey jan, where abouts in Melbourne does your sister live?
Debbie Sweet Hi Louise, We had a lovely BYO dinner at The Hoop on Friday with your Mum & Dad , Jan , John, Bridget and John. Glad to see that the trip continue to amaze and delight you. It's a little cold here but the wisteria, lilac and bluebells are lovely this year. Love Debsxx