jelibean93s Blog on RealTravel

Queensland journal: Trinity Beach

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:33:20 GMT

Ok, so false alarm. I didn't go to the beach yesterday. Instead I chose to lay by the pool at the hostel. I was particularly buggered from the train ride so it would have been a pretty unproductive day anyways. So did that, wonderful. Then dinner. It was barbeq nite at the ol hostel. Beautious! SO much food, really delish. But I sat at this table with 4 Brittish, one French, and 2 Brit turned Kiwi. And they pretty much all hated Americans. Think we're loud, stupid and obnoxious. Then they asked me where I was from. Shut them all up pretty quickly. But I just said everyone was ...

Melbourne journal: There's No Place Like Home

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:33:17 GMT

Ahhhhh, home again. Got back into laid back, diving life. Got a flight to Melbourne this morning. I fly out Saturday afternoon, and then I leave for the states on Sunday. Not quite sure where I'll spend the night, airport or hostel--we'll have ot see how the cash flow is! :o)

Last night had a blast. Ended up meeting a girl from my safari at my hostel, we were in the same room, go figure! So then she and I, another girl from the tour, Jenn, and 2 other random blokes all went out for some dinner at Johno's (my favorite bar) and then went dancing and drinking at the Woolshed with 2 ...

Brisbane journal: The Boardwalk

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:33:15 GMT

Gosh, so things are just working out so well. I had a slight crisis with the bank because SOMEONE (DAD) forgot to deposit money I had left on the kitchen table! That's parents for ya :o)

So Friday in Brisbane was just great. One of the women who I had met at the English conversation table--her son is about my age, his name is Bruno, from Yugoslavia (the former anywho) and he called me up and asked if I wanted him to tour me around the city. So how cool was that? Free tour! Plus, my dear friend Lincoln from the plane ride in was able to meet the both of us for dinner, and it was ...

The World journal: R&R

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:33:13 GMT

So yesterday was pretty uneventful. Slept in till about 6am (some habits are hard to break) Laid around, went into town to get my pictures developed. Wandered around town, went to the Peter Lik Gallery, beautiful, beautiful stuff--he's the one who does all those really great postcards. Then I came back here, wrote in my journal for about 4 hours (wheh!) and then out to dinner with my diving buddies for some fun (aka, more drinking) Bummer though because Janet had to leave pretty much as soon as she got there, so we're doing lunch tomorrow. Now, I'm killing time before the bus comes to get ...

Australia journal: Mission Beach

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:33:10 GMT

BLOODY HELL! So I skydived today! 14,000 feet! Oh god it was so great! I was totally relaxed. The plane took off (no door on the plane, great) still relaxed. People jumped at 8000, a few at 10,000 one at 12,000, looking out the windows, peering out the door, still relaxed. Then I looked around. Buggered! Yea, me and my mate were the only ones left in the plane. He refers to it as the only real skydivers. I refer to it as the only real idiots. So we get all strapped in, still relaxed. And we're at the door, the ground really REALLY far away, and then it hits. OH SHIT. What is it ...

Sydney journal: KANGAROOS!

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:33:08 GMT

Kangaroos! SO my poor host family tried to play it all cool and make like they decided to go to this wilderness park for their kids. Mostly it was to go and laugh at me whilst I frolicked with the kangaroos. So neat, you could stand right next to them and pet them. Petted kangaroos and koalas. Saw wombats, cuckaburrows (sp??), Tasmanian devils, emus, fruit bats, peacocks. All types of things. I was in heaven. I think I gave the family a good laugh. It's a bit scary though, because they were telling me some of their more funny memories, and now I'm a tad worried that I will become one ...

Australia journal: Down Under Dive!

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:33:06 GMT

Ok, so it's only appropriate that the intitials of my diving company spell DUD, don't you think? (Down Under Dive) And it's quite disconcerting at first because all the equipment has the word DUD on it, and you're like, ummmmm....

But I love it! Bus picked me up at 7:40, spent the morning watching these dreadful movies with the most hideous 80's actors. My instructor though is cool, really super neat. And I got in a small group, only 7 people, which is spectacular. After lunch we got all suited up. And I'd just like to take this time to thank the Lyco chem dept for, at one time, ...

Australia journal: Diving diving, cha cha cha!!

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:33:04 GMT

Holy bloody moly! I am back, a certified bubblehead now! Gosh, it was SO amazing. Really. This might cut out in the middle because I'm waiting to be picked up by my fellow divers to go drinking now that we don't have to be sober anymore. :o) Ok, so the first day I was absolutely miserable. A two hour cruise to get to the actual boat...but the rockiest ride you could ever want, and my instructor was dead set on doing dive tables, and with all the rocking and then having to read I thought I was about to loose it all. Stopped half way, dumped us overboard to snorkel for about an hour, ...

Australia journal: Diving Again :o)

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:33:01 GMT

Hit the reefs again today. Dived Hastings and Michaelmans Reefs. Saw Wally! (the big ass friendly fish, a barrier reef must) Petted him for about the whole first dive, he kept following us. Went with a different company diving today, and I think it was run by a bunch of idiots. They put your gear all together for you and made you almost sit in the water to put it on. Made me nervous, I like checking my own gear, so I know exactly what's going on. And the people were really inconsiderate, I grimaced as I saw them bashing through coral, and touching things that you definitly shouldn't be ...

Barcelona journal: Did I Even Leave Home?

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:32:59 GMT

Allright. So this is only the third time I've done this but am already getting sick of it. You have to understand the place where I go to do this is all American. Everything is in English, the people are English, they play American music. Sickening.

But a few more interesting stories. First, my new favorite street performer. A guy dressed up as a police officer stands in the middle of the Ramblas on a Saturday night and sneaks up on people and snorts at them really really loudly. Some people will do anything. Good for a few laughs though. Second, found this really super looking ...

Australia journal: Denial, denial, denial!

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:32:57 GMT

Well, so here it is, my last full day in Aussie already. Last night was an extremely late night. There were 4 of us, and we closed down bar after bar, the last one was at about 4am. Then, there was this marvelous, brilliant street vendor selling the best hotdogs ever, so we hit that and met a Canadian guy there. And everyone on this whole damn planet wants to discuss politics. On a party night, at 4:30 in the morning. Aye! but it was a great night. The live bands here are so darn good, and lots of Aussie music that I haven't heard yet so all really refreshing. And I'm learning, ...

The World journal: Crazy time

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:32:54 GMT

Allright, so in the next few hours I have about a million things to do, one of which is write this thing. Ok, dive school today was great, did all sorts of fun things. Bought a mask and snorkel, because I had a leaky mask one day and let me just tell you I'm not dealing with that at 20 meters. So tomorrows the boat, gone for 3 days to dive and snorkel. Plus, I have the option of taking 3 dives towards an advanced diver certification thingy, which includes a 30 meter dive, yikes! Um, 30 meters...about.....90 feet I think? So we'll see how hefty the price on that beast is. SO I get back ...

Sydney journal: Bridge Climb

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:32:52 GMT

Opera last nite--can't comment much about it, I slept through the better portion, actually. Ha, so much for that! I mean, cmon, when you combine jet lag, 2 weeks of go go go, dim lights, and opera music of all things, it's really QUITE a challenge. The parts I did see though were very enjoyable. And the house inside is great, although was a bit underdressed, but yes well...

Did Bridge Climb this morning! Turns out there was an extra spot that I could squeeze into. Pretty cool! Left at 8:30am, and climbed all the way to the top of Sydney Harbor Bridge. Very very very nice views. ...

Barcelona journal: Beach and More

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:32:50 GMT

Made it to the beach today. And yes, partook in the European tradition of topless beach-going. First time ever! It was not bad at all, actually kind of nice once you get used to it. (although it took some mustering to go for it!) Hey, when in Rome.....

But the people on the beach--oh my goodness. All the men in speedos, quite a site. Especially the guy who layed by me--fuschia speedo. Yee haw. Oh, and musn't forget the 70 year old in a leopard bikini. good thing I had on sunglasses....

As for other stuff, took the bus tour yesterday, and did it the real way. Saw all ...

Montserrat journal: A Little Country

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:32:48 GMT

So I have to admit that the city is growing on me, despite the crowds and crazy drunks. Made a semi-large mistake of going to the ramblas on a Friday nite--there are people selling birds and rabbits and fish, right on the street. People, mostly drunk at that, are everywhere! I don't know, I guess I'm not a typical kid because there sure were a lot of folk my age there. I figure I can get drunk in my own country, and I sleep late enough as it is! The beer though, is good, although you never know quite what you're getting. I must concur with Al here and say that the street performers are ...

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) journal: What a Nite

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:32:46 GMT

Gosh, so I think the past 24 hours rank as one of the best days I've ever had in my life. Diving, of course, first off. Then out with Janet, had an absolute ball. Then met friends at a pub, ended up drinking and dancing the nite away, rolled into my hostel at 3am. Ha! All you Lyco girls, see I am working on it! I'm getting past the 10pm pass out habit. Met a zillion people from all over the globe. Yes, it was definitly a tequila night. Fun fun! Then Janet was picking me up at 7:30 this morning, and I woke up at 7:34am, great. Did flight of the bumblebee packing, and managed to get ...

Hong Kong journal: Nice!

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:32:44 GMT

Nothing to be afraid of in Hong Kong. Absolutely gorgeous. I can't believe I was ever afraid. Mountains and water, all right from the airport. Astounding! FLight from London was loooong, 12 hours. Bu tI slept so bearable. To Sydney was a 9 hour flight, made extremely comfortable by my new friend Lincoln. A Brisbane bloak, who I am actually going to go to an air show with. Quite a neat lad, big boxing champion, as in, was goign to go to the Olympics. Intersting stories and good times. Enough of airline food though. That stuff doesn't grow on ya.

Windsor journal: The First Day

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:32:42 GMT

Gosh, there is so much to tell. I am just having a great great time. Ok, so the flights were really really reaaaaaaaaaaaaaally long. Hong kong to syd was about 9 hours. London to Hong Kong about 12. On the skipper flight from Barcelona to London, sat next to 2 Aussies, go figure, but both severly hung over. But most chatty. Made fun of me for liking Oprah,but then again they loved Jerry Springer so I think it's more than a fair trade off. Met a most likeable chap on the flight into Sydney. Named Lincoln, apparently was a world class boxer, almost went to Olympics in Sydney. Has won ...

Katoomba journal: Blue Mountains

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:32:40 GMT

So today was a road trip to the Blue Mountains. Actually not mountains, more like strategically planned cliffs. Blue because of the Eucalyptus (spelling is just a lost cause on that one) leaves--they omit an oil, and light reflects blue off of it, and well, I think you can make the rest of the connection. Beautiful, just superb. Did all the touristy things, one of which was ride the steepest rail car in the world. They said the angle was only 52 degrees, so that's what I'll go with, but I recon it's got to be more than that. Then took Aussies only Gondola back to the top. Passed over ...

London journal: Air time

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:32:31 GMT

London. 7 hour layover. enjoyed some nice beer in the Shakespearean pub, or at least the airport version of it. Cloudy. What else is new?\161\177\193\211\161 \177\193\211\193\001\017X \193\001\017d\193\001 \017p

Barcelona journal: Que dia!

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:32:29 GMT

What a day! Made it to Barcelona, took forever to get to where I was supposed to be going. But made it there allright, although I ave to admit I did break down and take a cab because after about 1 hour of bussing and training and metroing around, I said forget it, I'm tired! They are sort of friendly to Americans here (but mostly I think because we give them our money!) No noticeable ripoffs yet, much to Al and Dave's pleasure I am sure. The biggest bummer so far was that I was suppsed to meet Al (Franzies son for those who know) and I couldn't because we just couldn't meet up , I ...

Sydney journal: Town and Country

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:32:27 GMT

Caught a train this morning to get to Sydney. Said good bye to my first hosts, after dropping 2 of them at school. Such cute kids. Did I mention the other day that I got to tour an air force base? Well, not really tour tour, guards and all, but got to see some planes....of which I got a roll of the eyes from the husband after pointing out the kangaroo on the side of one plane....:o)

Train to Sydney was about an hour fifteen, got picked up by my new hosts and am all situated. They're really nice, and actually have 2 other students staying with them now too, so I'll get to meet them. ...

Melbourne journal: More Random Times

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:32:23 GMT

So after Trinity beach, it was din din time with Anna, Jen, Janet and her crew. Had a delightful meal, it was so good to meet up with her again. Got to meet all her new diving students, too, which was great, and after dinner the night was spent dancing away at PJ's, a suitable last evening. Bloody fantastic, actually. So my last hours in Cairns were weepy ones. Finished up some shopping this morning, and all the places were playing this sappy sappy music, like 'I will remember you' and well, you get the idea. I was fightin back those tears. Janet picked me up around 11:15 (on time for ...

Cairns journal: Train to Cairns

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:32:21 GMT

Shoot, ok so this journal is pissing me off. I keep deleting things when I'm trying to add and I don't really understand why. Ok so to sum it up quick, the train ride sucked. 36 hours, and god my butt was totally asleep. Met an outdoor photographer, though, shoots for Outdoor and National Geographic and some aviation magazines. SO I got to see some of his work and got to take a picture using a D1X, which is supposed to be really great. Don't know, just a camera to me. But so that was that. Next time, plane!

Cairns journal: Safari Mambo

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:32:18 GMT

Allright so I'm pissed because I just wrote this whole big thing and the computer timed out on me. Bugger! So, you'll get an abbreviated version, which you probably all want anyway. Just got back from Alice and the Red Center. Hiked around Ayers Rock, didn't climb it out of respect to the aboriginals. Hiked the Olgas, really nice. And hiked Kings Canyon,a killer of a workout, but worth every darn second. So beautiful. Camped out under the stars, cooked on an open fire. Really a super time. A good way to see the center, but when they say outback, they mean it. No one, not even a petrol ...

Cairns journal: I Love the Beach!

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:32:16 GMT

Ok, so it is official and I love this place! The hostel I'm staying in, I'm paying 9 US dollars a nite for. The rooms are gorgeous, I'm sharing a room with 5 other people...3 guys and 2 girls. There is a pool, a barbeque pit, which we're using tonight! This grassy area, and a communal area with picnic benches and stuff. And it is all surrounded by palm trees, tropic fronds of all sorts. You wake up to all these weird birds chirping, it is great. It's super close to the city, and they give you free shuttles in and out anyway. Today I'm off to the beach, have to take a bus though because ...

Brisbane journal: Birthday party countdown

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:32:14 GMT

I got to Brisbane, after a long train ride. Made thoroughly impossible by the 'band' in the back of my car. Played alllllllllllll nite. Fun though, just had to get in the right mindset. Staying in Brizzy now with a new host family, of which one of the daughters turned 11 yesterday, and is having a sleep over tonight for 13 of her friends. And her one beany bear just got married, so the wife is coming over tonight for their honeymoon. Ah, to be 11 again. I've been told that I'm the entertainment for the evening. Not that I'm used to getting much sleep anyway....

They're really ...