I'm up' North!...And nearly turned into Spag-Bol, Scuba Dived on the Great Barrier Reef and jumped 14,000ft & survived!!!

...All things I would normally do in January...Honest!



Sydney seems like a life time ago, especially after everything I've been up to since I left on the 6th January and flew up' North to Caines.

The flight between Sydney and Caines took 3 hours, which is mad especially when you think back home you could fly to Spain in less time - over here we'd not even left the country! Anyways, the flight was fine, I was a little hungover after an impromptu night at The Gaff. It turned out to be a Grease Themed evening, but all we wanted was the free beer! We being - Glenn, Nick, Ben, Wolf, Rich & Vinal. The standard rules applied, while there was the free hour of drinking we all become bar flies and just necked as much as we could. Once the freebies was up we headed upstairs and started singing and dancing along to Grease songs - it was like a remake of the movie...Honest!!!



Sorry, need to just step back a day - we kinda had two leaving do's the first was on the Friday (4th Jan) night, and we all headed over the Side Bar, which is under Wake Up!, where my Oz adventure started.

This was an amusing evening, we'd headed out as it was Richs last night and Glenn & mine last weekend in Sydney. We were all well on our way before we'd even got there and we all got in, which was a bonus. After a few more beers and shoots a couple of us decided to head over to Scruffys - it would of been rude not too! However Vicky lost her Driving Licence, so back to Side Bar we went, all walking about just looking at the floor, on the dance floor... we must of looked like fools. Once we'd found it we just ended staying in Side Bar, before heading home and passing out...



So Sydney is officially done and dusted for now...



Glenn and I arrived in Caines on the Sunday morning and got a pick up from the airport to our new home, Bohemia Central. On the way, the mad driver kept telling us about everything we could do...In the Rain!!... We know we're doing Queensland in the rainy season, but there was no need to over do this point to us!!

The first evening we ventured over to Rhino Bar for our free grub, thanks to our snazzy Peter Bar wrist bands, up on arrival we purchased a beer ($7 - we're backpackers, very expensive!), and asked about our free meal - which we were told was Spag-Bol. I for one was happy as I seem to be living on Pasta with a Tomato based sauce most of the time. That evening, back at the hostel, we took part in the pub quiz, 3 teams played and we come....3rd, well officially anyways. Unofficially we come 2nd, as one team got half a point for a funny answer!! Mind you the winning team bought everyone who took part a beer, so we're all friends really.



Cape Tribulation

On the Tuesday (8th) we woke just after 6:30am and jumped on our tour bus as we headed to Cape Tribulation and our Resort for the next few nights, The Beach House, located within the Daintree National Park. Our bus driver and guide was Matt - he was a good laugh and kept us all amused, except when he tried changing gear, turning on the road, changing music and talking in the mic, all at the same time - a lot of heart in mouth moments on the windy roads up there.

The first stop on the tour up was a crocodile farm, sorta thing. Basically we sat on a boat while the guide told us we might not see any crocs as it was to wet, so in turn he talked about the plant life around the lake - Joy!!

We were 'lucky' enough to see a 7yr old & a 3yr old croc, oh and a frog - if you zoom in on my pictures, you maybe able to see them...But to be honest, I was more entertained by my free brew and biscuits!!

The next stop was much better as Matt guided round the Daintree Rain Forest, it did feel a little like a geography trip with Mr Reever (Old Skool!!!), but we managed to see some plants that only live in this rain forest in this part of the world!!

Sorry. Will stop being "Geography Boy" now... We rolled up at our resort around 3pm.

We had a look about, once we'd dumped our bags in the B&Q shed that was our home. Basically it contained 5 beds and a bin.... You just can't buy this sort of luxury back home!! I know I shouldn't moan, it's a rain forest and I shouldn't expect 5*. At least I can say I have lived in the middle of a rain forest now.



Glenn decided the excitement of the morning was just to much for him and he went for a nap. I on the other hand decided to go read my book at the bar. After about 10 bites from the flies, I went to get my bug spray, but got chatting with a girl who offered me her spray, her name was Lisa and she's from Leeds.
Basically we moaned and tried to comfort each other with stories and activities to do in a rain forest, especially when it was raining and when you couldn't go in the sea as it's stinger season. We didn't get very far and with it being happy hour at the bar, it was wasn't ever long before the jugs of beer come out!

After a while Glenn and Jenny, a girl from our room who's from Warrington come and joined us and we just sat chatting for the rest of the night.

As you can imagine, you get many bugs in the rain forest and it makes going to the toilets at the top of the hill a mission itself, especially in the dark - I think I set a new life time best running up to the toilets at one point!!

Lisa and Jenny thought it was amusing we had another evening in Cape Trib, as they were leaving in the morning. Cheers Girls.

Come the morning, Glenn and I went on a 9k round trek to a water hole which we could swim in, it was knackering walk and we never found it, but we did find a nice little beach which we kicked about on for a hour or so.

That evening, we bought a couple of jugs and played....Monopoly!! Yeah that's right, in a rain forest, drinking beer and playing monopoly - I was the Hat... Thought I would get the luck of County, but nope I lost...Big time!!

On the day we left we visited a water hole for a swim, but it was lashing it down so no one went in, then we had a couple of beers in Port Douglas. All in all Cape Trib in lovely, but 2 nights in maybe one to many at this time of year.



Back in Caines, more Spag-bol and a Scuba Dive

With us both being poor back packers we ended up back at Rhino Bar for the next 5 nights eating Spag-bol, I really did feel like I was turning into in by our final evening.

Saturday 12th - We went Snorkeling and Scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef, it was amazing, simple as that. There was only about 12 of us on the boat and everyone got chatting after a while, I got chatting with an Aussie girl and then Ed a lad from Reading. Glenn seemed to of forgotten his sea legs, so I left him along to sleep it off, better than having me in your face all the time, hey!

As we were not qualified Scuba divers we had to dive with a dive master, but that still didn't take anything away from the experience. I managed to see a school of Clown Fish (Nemo's) along with some other random fishes.

I wasn't that fussed about doing the reef, but as soon as I got out there I was all excited and just couldn't wait to jump in. Once we got back from our dive, I was straight back in the water and snorkeling for about another hour - great stuff. I swear I saw some fish which were bigger than me!!...

Once we returned to land, we went back to Rhino Bar for more Spag-Bol - I've had my fill of it for the year already. Then we had a night out in Caines, we went to the Woolshed, I had high hopes for here, but was a little disappointed, especially was it was just pop music all night - who in there right mind, excluding you H ;) , likes dancing to Fergie, S Club 7 & Justin! - And to add to the night I lost my wallet!! Panic set in big style and again I was walking round a bar and dance floor looking at the floor - Glenn managed to find a bouncer and we finally found it, all the stuff still in it...I was one very lucky boy!!


Skydiving - we're not sure who's idea it was but we paid for it and had to do it. We should of jumped on the Monday, however due to bad weather it got canceled. So, being gluttons for punishment, we booked it for the next day and our final day in Caines. Now or never.
We arrived the next morning and within 20 minutes we were in our gear and heading to the aircraft.
Four of us we're jumping in our group and I was second out. On the journey up there I was fine and not to worried about what lay ahead of me. I have to admit, once we got passed the forest below I would of been happy to of jumped at that height. Funnily enough I also had that same feeling when we were entering the clouds, but we were only 7,000ft - half way!!
Above the clouds it looked so peaceful, I managed to take in some of the views out of my little window, something I will always remember.
Then bang, door open and at our height, all 14,000ft of it!!! First person out.... Me shuffling along on my bum to the open door, making the mistake of trying to see how far down they were - all I could see was a dot entering the clouds - oh bugger... A little look to the camera and away we went...Aaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!
What an amazing rush - just total freedom, I can't describe just home good it felt as we hit the clouds. I just cought my breath as they we're so cold, then out the otherside with just the ground below me. It was a relief when the parashute opened - even if I had forgotten about it!!
Floating down to earth it gave me a great chance to take everything in - which was special especially as we landed on the beach - mission beach.
I do have a DVD of the jump, so that'll be fun to share with you guys whenever I get home!!..... Black&Deckerrrrr!!!!

Townville & Magnetic Island
Glenn and I left for Townsville that evening, sleeping for the best part on the bus, arriving at Townsville ferry terminal at midnight. We'd made the decision to just sleep on the benches at the terminal, rather than book in somewhere for 5 hours before getting the 1st ferry to Maggy island. It was a rough nights sleep, but nothing us hardcore backpackers couldn't handle..haha!!

"Base" on Maggy Island was our resort and it over looked the beach - I managed to get some nice sunrise pictures before check in.

Our hut slept 8 and was very crowded -but everyone in there was cool, so it worked out fine.

We rented a beach buggy type car on the first full day and bombed about the island on that - it only takes 25 minutes to cross from one side of the island to the other!! We got chatting with some a few people and I personally enjoyed my time on the island.

Back on Townsville after a few days with Maggy, we decided to stay one more evening before heading south to Airlie Beach. It was a good job really as I got one of my migraine's so spent most of the day in bed. I was lucky it was on a 'nothing day', otherwise I could of missed out on a trip or something.

Airlie Beach - Whitsunday Islands
I have spend the last few days, from Sunday 20th, on a yacht sailing round the Whitsunday Islands and I have to say - it's by far the best thing I have done so far. Sunshine, sailing, crystal clear seas and a good crew. We went snorkeling more times than I can remember, eat well and basically just chilled out on the boat listening to music and getting a bit of a tan - even I managed some colour!!
I'm feeling so chilled and relaxed at the moment, it made me laugh to think that at 8am this morning I was snorkeling on the reef, where as this time last year I was on a train in the cold on my way to work. I know reality will come back and haunt me soon - but it's going to have to do a pretty good job to catch me first!!!

Off out with the girls and guys from our boat this evening, which should be a laugh....
Promise to update the blog more often... it's a pain for me too!!...

Next stop camping on Fraser Island!!!......

New Year, New City...

Well my love affair with Sydney will be over in just a couple more hours, as I will be flying up to Cains...

I think spending New Year down near the botanical gardens and just having a laugh with everyone was maybe the best new year I have ever had. The fire work show was amazing and as I'd decided to only have a couple of beers in the day I managed to remember it all, which I am happy about. The view we had all day, in the sweltering heat, was of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge - then when midnight arrived and the fireworks went off it was just, well, immense.
I managed to capture some of it on my camera, so I will post up the pictures and videos at some point next week.

Last night we all went out for a few beers, think there was something like 10 of us, as it seems the majority of people are leaving Sydney over the next few days, it was a nice way to end it all - plus it's another excuse for a piss up...not that we need much of an excuse!! Mind you, not sure I want to meet up with one of the girls, Louise, as last night she told me I couldn't dance - I was so offended she didn't like the old knee-jive!!

It's sad to be leaving Sydney, especially in the respect that I have made a real good bunch of mates here, but I have to start traveling, and we've said we're going to have a big reunion when we're all back in England, which will be great - but it may feel strange not drinking goon on a roof!!

Friday was my last day working for MSF, it's kinda strange to think I will not be working for at least another 5 weeks. I've been told to get back in contact with them if I come back into Sydney and need some work, which is great to know.

I think that's about it, feeling a little light headed and hungover so trying not to think to much... Oh... I got some good news last night, spoke with the guy that "takes some corners and free kicks" (Ste) and he's thinking of coming out to Oz in March, so that'll be great if he pulls that off... If anyone else fancies coming joining me just let me know :)

Well I'm going to bust-a-groove now and head for a cheeky beer. I will be up in Cains for the next couple of days, then off to Cape Tribulation midweek for a bit of R&R on the beach and in a rain forest. Think it's the Great Barrier Reef after that. To be honest I've become so laid back, I'm glad I'd traveling some of the coast with Glenn, as I just leave him to sort everything. Oh and also with the fone network being even more limited up there I think it's best to contact me via the old electronic mail still...

Look after yourselves and I hope to have a bunch of emails by next week telling me how cold you all are!!!... G

Two Cups and String - But someone cut the string!!

That is how I am summing up the Mobile network out here - I seem be unable to send more than one message to the UK at the moment, and I can't get any back... Just thought everyone should know, so if you sent me a New Year message then thank you.. Off to Cape Tribulation to who knows when I will get a signal again!!!...

Look after yourselves and if you want to get in touch email me!!!....

Bye...Gx

Seasons Greetings

Merry Christmas to you all... I know it's a bit late, so sorry!

I hope everyone have a great time - I know I did, it's not that often I play footie on the beach on Christmas day - think I still have that Spurley Hey Magic!!!...

Can I just say I'm sorry for not contacting people on Christmas day or if you contacted me and I never got back to you, basically VodaFone was up and down for nearly 48 hours so I wasn't receiving or able to make calls or texts. I can't wait till New Year - think I might be easier to get a couple of Pigeons and send them with messages!!!...


So what have I been up to I hear you ask... Well...
The Saturday before Christmas, our hostel throw a big party on the roof - which was great, free beer, a bbq and music - by all accounts everyone got wasted. Then a bunch of us headed out into Sydney, ending up in Scruffys for a bit with some live band playing. Then Ben and I headed to the 3 wise monkeys to meet some girls he knew, the problem was we got split up when I went to toilet and with it being 4 floors it all went a bit wrong and I walked back to the hostel with 3 pizza slices!
When I got back I sat around with my mate Glenn who was on night manager duty, so we just wanted to footie, then I fell asleep in the tv room - i'm sure that's like 4 Saturdays on the run now, but with the footie on from 12pm till 5am I think most people would!

Anyways I finally made it back to my own back about 5:30am, only to be woke at 9am by Floor (a Dutch girl in our room, as we'd agreed if it was nice weather we should all head to the beach) - all I wanted was sleep, but up I got. Floor ended up heading to Manly, while Mel, Nicola and I went to Palm Beach as it's where some of Home and Away is shot - it sounded like such a great idea till we were sat on a bus for 1hr half!!...
As I get restless on the beach, I decided to do a Jason Bourne and do some running down the beach - I don't look anything like that as we all know - but there I was shirt off running along the sand. I ended up doing the whole length and back, the only issue was I realised just how RED I was looking - not good!!... Anyways to cut a long story short I managed to burn my legs, chest and to burn my face so it looked like I had two black eyes!!! I managed to nip out of work on Christmas Eve and buy some cream which made them go down, otherwise I would of stayed in my room on Christmas Eve...HAHA...

After finishing work about 2:30pm on Christmas eve I ran can sorted myself out and meet up with everyone else in the Rocks - There must of been about 20 of us, Nick and Dave in Santa Suits the rest of us in hats...We looked class... I would of posted up some pictures but I didn't fancy taking the camera, but I will get my hands on some. Basically the idea was to do "The 12 Pubs of Christmas!!" - I had a bit of catching up to do, but was up to speed by about the 2nd pub for me 5th for them.
We basically went along a route getting beers and doing drinking games, it was a right laugh. So people start falling by the way side, but we survived till quite late. Orla and I ended up at a midnight mass - you know religious gray over here! - basically I stud there, reading from the wrong hymn sheet getting moaned at for talking, so I did the only thing you could do in a situation like that...RUN OUT THE DOOR!!!

Christmas morning, I awoke to Gemma, Mel and Nicola jumping about and then playing the only festive song we had....MARIAH CAREY - ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS!!... This got played on repeat about a million times more than it should ever be played!!..Poor Floor, the dutch girl in out room must of not of know what was happening... Anyways we had some goon and wine and then went about waking up the rest of the 3rd floor!! - once I got some quite time I opened my cards and presents - so thank you family, love you all!!!
The girls headed off to Coogee to see a Christmas dinner with the Irish girls, while I get off to Manly with 314 and everyone who had come out the night before. We choose Manly as we belived it would be less packed, compared to Bondi, which it was. The weather overcast, but to be fair I was happy with that after burning the other day. We stayed on the beach till late, us lads played footie and then we all just messed about. A few of us dug a big hole then a couple of the lads got filled in with the sand so just there head were showing!!
For Christmas dinner I had a pizza!, we all eat out on front of Manly beach and went back to Jonny and Stephs apartment for a bit of drinking and to play some shit head (a card game), followed by the last ferry home.
All in all it may or been a completely strange Christmas compared to a normal one back home, but will all us orphans together we had a wicked time and I loved every minute of it... *PICTURES HERE*

Now we just have New Year to survive, I finished work today till the 2rd then I only have till the 4th before I finish, as I fly to Cains on the 6th, then the traveling can really begin... Which fills me with joy, but also a bit of sadness that i'm leaving my home for the past 2 months and I have made some good mates within the past few weeks, onto of the girls of course!! - get shot if I didn't mention them :0)

I wish you all a quality New Year whatever your all up to.. I will try and speak with as many of you as possible, but as Australia's mobile network is built of two plastic cups and some shoe string this may not happen - this is also the same for messages, I didn't get some I know I should of had...

HAPPY NEW YEAR - ALL THE VERY BEST FOR 2008!!!...

Just to add...

To my main post before - I have uploaded a couple of videos... Enjoy!!

Sydney Opera House

Sydney FC Vs Newcastle Jets (1)

Sydney FC Vs Newcastle Jets (2)

Bye...

Tired....

Feeling tired today... I don't think a afternoon of drinking on The Rocks followed by some goon at the hostel is a good idea. It only took till the point where I woke up in the TV room during the footie at 5am for me to realise this... I don't think I will ever learn... Oh well...

Finally booked my ticket out of Sydney, I leave on the 6th January for Cains - now just to let work know!... Flying up with my mate Glenn, he's going to attempt to do the East Coast in a month, where as I have as long as I need... No point returning back to England while it's cold by all accounts...

Well I have finally gotten over the Hatton fight, it was so disappointing, especially as everyone of the lads from the hostel seemed to in the same bar together. After the fight, to try and get over our disappointment a few of us did the only thing we could do in a situation like that...Drink - BIG TIME.. Which was fun, until someone pushed me into the fountain on Kings Cross - so I sat for the duration of a curry wet all down one side of my body...Thanks Guys...
However this lead to everyone deciding that we should try and recreate the opening credits to "Friends"... So in we all hoped - well to be fair I didn't - I took some pictures, up until the police asked us to all move on!!... So on the way home we popped in Nick's for a box of Goon and decided it would be rude not to go jump in the big fountain at Hyde Park (After all it's only there for the Chinese to take pictures of themselves never to it) - So off we went, wet and with goon in paper cups... And in we jumped - Bloody typical English hey!!...
The pictures ain't great but to be fair I had been on it all day... :)

Had my works Christmas do on Friday afternoon, it was a pub quiz! Our team ended up joint 3rd which was quite respectable... I enjoyed it, but decided that I should head back and eat - it's not like a Rowlands do where we just get smashed beforehand, this was more civilized drinking and that's a style of drinking I still haven't mastered yet....
Does anyone from Rowlands read this blog?? - Will someone give me a shout let me know how you're all getting on and stuff?...

Not really much more going on - I've been feeling a bit rubbish midweek after doing my neck and shoulders in some how, so just been chilling out... Looking forward to Christmas and New Year, even though it's going to be really strange...

Just short of 2 months into my trip and I'm not regretting a moment of it... well except the hangovers in work, but it's all part of the adventure....

G

COME ON RICKY!!!!....

I'm gearing up for the fight over here - a bunch of us lads from the hostel are off watching the fight in the cross... Due to the time different it's on over here at 1pm on Sunday - this could well mean a very long all day session and a very quite day in work on Monday!!!...

Not been up to much again this week - Gemma and I went for a few quite drinks on Thursday which was anything but quite again!!! I swear we're such a bad influence on each other...
Other than that, went for a few beers on Sunday in the day with Ant then meet up with 315 and Michael, who's Mel's boyfriends and also a top lad. They're now left to do the east coast for 3 weeks before he fly's back home - then Mel's got to try and find a bed in the hostel...good luck love!!!

Glenn and I went and watched Sydney FC Last night, even though the game was poor - think about 3 shots on goal all game, the fan's were signing more of less all the way through... brings a tear to my eye when I think I'm missing out on County ;o) ..well maybe not with the way I've heard they've been playing at the moment though....
Sydney scored in injury time, so at least we got to see a goal... some pictures here... The real bonus was it cost about 5 GBP to get in and you can drink beer while watching the game...

Weather has been shocking the last few days, real big thunder storms - to be honest I'm glad I'm in work, not really much else I can be doing...
I'm spending today making my plans to escape Cairns the first week in January, so long as work don't need me anymore...

Well I hope you've all got your Christmas Tree's up and whoever is going to H's fancy dress birthday party has a quality time - please have a drink in my absence... and make sure Dave doesn't drop his food again the "messy-pup" - get it!!!!

I'm off - think I may start singing "Blue Moon" as I walk round Woolworths doing my shopping....

COME ON RICKY!!!!!!!!