Succulent Sydney Part 2, Part 3 and the Wrap up

Woah...so looks like Sydney is all but over now. It's crazy how the closer you get to the end everything seems to bustle up and just become a huge jumbling mess of things to do.

Also who really wants to sit in a wireless hotspot...typing on a computer when its beautifully sunny outside? Yeah me neither, the end is fast approaching and I'm making sure I don't miss a minute...or atleast five.

This one's going to be a doozy, so grab some popcorn, maybe a nice cold refreshment and sit in that comfortable chair of yours and induldge...this is the fire storm of things I've done in the last week.

First was the beautiful day of sunshine and blue sky, which allowed for an amazing picturesque opportunity. The walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.



Here you can see the opera house and the city its self sprayed against the beautiful blue sky backdrop. The walk is not only beautiful with the city view down below, but a nice trek as well. Good to see I'm still in some kind of shape.

After a terrible few days it was finally a week of pure gorgeousness with the sun beating down and the clouds only a wisp of their former selves. Normally when you have such beautiful days, the sunsets turn out to be even more magnificent, and that stayed true.



Taking numerous walks around the Sydney bay I was able to find one perfect jetting spot that was home to a interesting view on the sunset.

Using the Sydney Opera house and Harbour bridge as a back drop the sun lazily fell down the sky. Creating an orangy red glow that turned out to be a perfect picture. I stood there in awe of its beauty as The colours and shadows danced across the water and the sky.



Views and walks are all fine and good, but I was gearing for a little more excitement. This came in the form of a free festival. Now I didn't really know too much information about the festival...only that it was FREE and they played music, had games and handed out FREE stuff. Mmmm...I love freebies. Especially in a world today ran by corporate America and all its goons, getting something free always seems to go down much smoother.

The festival was full of food from around the world, items from every far out reaching location and music...from...well the backyard or garage. Again, the weather helped make this festival enjoyable, even if close to when the sun was setting the wind picked up and I hadn't brought a hoodie.



Best thing all day...the food. My goodness all the smells, free tastes and just looking at them prepare it. You'd think you were a starving child who was looking at real food for the first time.

After much callebration from others and trying out the free goods, I decided to settle on food I had never tried. JAMAICA MAN. Jerk chicken it was called and best tasting meal of Australia was what I had. Yes I did have to wait a good half an hour, but I'll tell you what. My stomach, body and soul were thanking me when I did.

At the end of that day, not only did I feel rejuvenated and full of life...but my wallet felt alot more rejuvenated as well.



The next few days slowed down slightly, as it was due mostly to catching up with old acquaintances through traveling and partaking on ferry rides to different parts of the Sydney suburbs.

Then Poof...one day when I thought, you know, I may just take the day off and not do anything all day some friends from the hostel came up to me and asked if I wanted to come to the last day of the Royal Easter Show.

At first I thought, Easter...what the heck, isn't that passed like two weeks ago. Well yes, but this is an Easter Show, full of rides, shows, food and free stuff. Ahem...did you say free? Well sign me up.

Unfortunately getting to the Royal Easter show was not free. It was all the way out at the Olympic grounds. Which was another cool opportunity to see where all the athletes competed during the 2000 olympic games.

Once inside the grounds the group of us moved as a unit scowering the grounds for items of interest. We tried to participate in a sack race to get some free yogourt, but the people looking after the booth said we were too old. Luckily they gave us free yogourt anyways. We were all happy.



After sitting and enjoying our yogourt, off to the dog show, then the cheerleading competition, then the parade and finally some fresh lamb and rosemary pies for lunch. Mmmm I love Australia's meat pies. Unfortunately I got a little carried away with mine. Since the meat pies were being sold in the area full of animals(one which sheep were a part of) I thought it would be funny if while eating my pie I went up and told the sheep in the pen that I was eating their brother.

Turns out only a select few have that type of humour, as the mother of a child thought it was a very disturbing comment. (She didn't say anything, but when one of my friends pointed her out, she had a very shocked look on her face)

Subtleties are definitely not one of my strong suits. Anyway, off to the carnival rides we went next. However, I wasn't willing to pay 20 dollars to ride therefore only the girls decided to partake. Soon hunger was starting to set in once again, and I had over heard people talking about free food available inside the food tent.

We all raced over to claim what was rightfully ours and to our surprise...so was everyone else. Free cheese, sausages, crackers, chips, salmon and...wine. Boy what a deluxe combination.

Also I saw a stand selling off their oysters...so...ahem I dipped into the little wallet to enjoy a few of these ocean crustaceans. But just so you all know...I've had much better...wink wink.

After enjoying all these little tidbits I thought I'd sample some Australian wine. Boy was I in for a great experience.

Not only did I have some great tasting wines, but they seemed to enjoy my company and take on the different wine products. They kept pouring glass after glass of wine. Reds, Whites, Gris, and whatever other combination they could muster. I'd give them the thumbs up on some and the...yeah...that's juust a little to dry and bitter for me, on others. Surprisingly, I started enjoying their reds alot more. Normally I'll chose white wine, but some of these reds were just exquisite. Too bad I only have so much space...they were so cheap.

After telling my last story to the wine people and once again declining on buying a "whole case" of wine I went on my jolly way, feeling the happiest I had all day. Geez and to think people do this for a living.



To wrap up the royal easter show we all witnessed something I've always wanted to see. Someone who swallows swords. Don't ask me how the heck the guy does it, but it was an enormous sword, which just before he did it, cut up paper and a cucumber and then...voila with a weird jerk it was all the way inside him.



What a day of events, I was looking forward to the next day where I'd do some nice little relaxing.

Or so I thought. I had forgot that earlier in my travels I met up with a friend from back home who was now living in Sydney. He mentioned about playing golf and I thought that would be a grand idea. Today was the day he would collect on that promise.

He picked me up in the early afternoon and we litterally swung up. Even though I haven't played golf in suuuuch a long time, we decided to make it interesting.

At first he mentioned a big seafood dinner, but I was thinking...sheesh I haven't played in such a long time I don't think I'd be able to afford it, therefore we settled for a steak dinner.

Shot by shot, hole by hole, I started off pretty crappy, but funny enough I was outstanding at putting. Therefore the putting kept me close, and soon enough I was making some good shots and just like that I had taken the game.

We had a great time chatting and playing golf. It's crazy to look back and think this was such a stressful game. When you just relax, are out there for a good time...it's outstanding. Best part, I got a free steak dinner and even missed the rain.

With the days fast appraoching an end, I was continually cramming more and more into them. Therefore one thing I absolutely needed to do was visit the Blue Mountains. Now before you start thinking these must be some mythical blue mountains, stop and picture the grand canyon...juuuust with hundreds of trees. And the blue...well that comes from the type of fog dispersing over the land.



The train ride up to the mountains was long, but much cheaper than any tour I could have taken. Average tour cost: $50. Train ride: $17 Yeaaaah waaaay better.

Once I stepped off the train I was swept up with a cold I haven't felt since I left home. Immediately it was that crisp cold that caught my lungs and filled my body with a feeling of already having been there. It was great.



A friend and I took the stroll up to the blue mountain look out and were mezmerised with its sheer beauty. Stretching across a beautiful panoramic, trees, hills, crescents and mountains shot into your cerebrum with spectacular colour.

The walks were also magnificient as you could go right into the heart of these forests where only a smidgen of light could course through.



It was a great day of outdours, weather and views. Sharing it with a friend was also a great bonus.

At first I thought three weeks in Sydney was going to be too much time, but after going through and doing everything that I did, it was well worth the time.



Next up...how cold do you think Melbournes going to be?

Sucullent Sydney Part 1

Sydney...a big city with...well...lots of...big stuff. Ok, so it has more than that like tons to see, numerous beaches, right by the oceans, one of the biggest harbours in the world and on and on. Still...I was unfazed by all of this. Actually, this is probably the first place where I arrived and didn't care where my next step took me.

My first full week in Sydney and all that really mattered, was catching up with friends and exploring things little by little.

I didn't go to any museums or to any live shows, but I walked around the botanical gardens, gazing at the hundreds of enormous bats hanging and screetching from the treetops.



I spent a couple days in one of the coolest areas of Sydney called Newtown. Where people dress which ever way they please and the buildings are all old style with a newesque sort of feel. Plus the food which erodes from the shops is overwhelmingly delicious.



Then I bought a ridiculously expensive weeklong Sydney transport ticket only to find out minutes later that if I said I was a student I could've saved 50%. Still that ticket got me all the way around the city numerous times. Such as the local beach of Bondi.



Surprisingly the city of Sydney is very vast. Spread out to the far out edges of other towns all the way to the ocean. You'd think because of its vastness that they would have a very intricate and calculated transport system...well...hehehe...atleast they have one right.

After spending a few days with previous friends and catching up on the good ol days, I partook in a little sight seeing. I gallantly strode down to the Sydney Opera house snapped some pictures,walked around the circular quay(its called key) and they realized they must have some sort of Treckie convention going on. Actually it was only Australia's introduction to the new Star Trek movie. Hahaha...I was looking at all these weirdo's dressed up and talking in weird languages thinking to myself...no wonder they don't have adult Halloween.

Another day I was walking down a side street only to come across a huge riot. All I wanted to do was catch a bus, unfortunately there was no bus catching tonight. I watched as all the police got out with their riot gear, and made a line so none of the rioters could cause any harm to the building. Wow...glad I walked down this street.



That same day another interesting walk up. I came across a pre-screening Fast and Furious. Here they had the red carpet and everything. Girls were screaming cameras flashing and me thinking what a bunch of attention seekers as I tried to squeeze my way to the front.



Aside from the cool run ins, I was able to meet some amazing people at one of the best hostels I've ever stayed at. The group of us, went to Bondi beach, Manly beach and even had an awesome Easter Picnic together.



The Easter Picnic was probably the coolest. We all had to bring a food item for the picnic, plus some chocolate so we could go on a easter hunt. Since I didn't feel it was a rush and forgot to think that maybe, just maybe the store wouldn't be open Easter Sunday I waited to buy my stuff then. Turns out, the store was closed and I needed to find something else...and quick. Luckily there was a fresh food market and I was able to track down a beautiful quiche, and some chocolate. Yipeee.



With all our food in tow, we strolled down to the botanical gardens and laid out over looking the Sydney Harbour. The sun lazily draped its rays over us as we all indulged in our little spectacle, listened to music and eventually ate our chocolate. Two of the girls also bought kinder surprises...yay...I also got a toy.



It was a very relaxing and enjoyable easter that will be with me until...well...next easter.

Again, I've got another week of no rush ahead of me. So far my plans are to visit some free museums as well as go golfing, possibly watch a show at the Sydney Opera House and walk the Sydney Bridge.

It's raining its pouring its Coffs Harbour

Well its about time I get some free internet. Guess its also been a pretty busy couple of days in Sydney as well. So I'm just going to blast this out and hope for the best.

Coffs Harbour. A small picturesque spot with great beaches, death defying surf and...rain?

I had chosen this place as a stop because it was basically an untouched gem from majority of the backpackers. Unfortunately, I didn't check the weather. Still I was optomistic whilst leaving Byron Bay. It was raining hard and I thought, great, I'm going to a new place on a crappy day.

Turns out, it was just as terrible in Coffs...actually worse. How could it be worse you may ask...well...geez hold your horses, I'll tell ya.

Sheesh, everyone always wanting things as they want them when they want them. *takes a breath*

Alright. So the first night was damp, but atleast I was able to make my way down to the warf, beach and harbour and do a little walking, snap some pictures and think to myself. Wow, this place would be awesome without all the grey clouds and gail like winds.

Therefore because of the weather I just spent the evening playing cards with people at the hostel and sharing stories.



The next day...was a write off.

The heavens opened and let down more water than a children's water park. I was stuck in the hostel, no internet, no people and hoping for a break in the weather. Luckily, it happened. I packed up my water proof bag and gear and searched out the nearest free wireless internet.

Once I was too far away from the hostel and too far away from anything else, the rain demons thought, "hey, lets start again and see how this kid likes it. But this time lets get huge drops of rain, mixed with a machine gun like wind...yesss...that sounds good"

Soooo, I got pelted and drenched, and soakingly dragged myself into McDonalds for the free wifi. Only, to find out it was down due to the weather.

(picture me on my knees with my hands raised in the air to the sky)
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Since it was still raining outside, I decided to just read the paper that was available. Finally, the rain subsided enough for me to notice a movie theater nearby.

Well bless my lucky stars. I race over to the theater and find, its cheap Tuesday. Awesome, I love cheap. Also I'm able to just make it into the movie before it starts.

The movie was Duplicity and it was great. Funniest thing, was when they stopped the movie in the middle of a scene and a lady struts in. "Um...ya...I'm here to announce that all the rain has now caused a flood and our parking lot is under water. Sooo...uh...just thinking...if you don't want your cars all drouned...maybe...um...move them or something...thanks."

*People scuttle out of their chairs*

I sit back and begin to chuckle to myself silently.

Once the movie was finally over I exited the theater and witnessed this.



Complete and utter water works.

Well...guess I better be hitting the ol...soppy trail.

This time however, I wasn't discouraged by the rain. One, I was already as wet as I could possibly be and secondly, a good song was playing on my Ipod.

Mmmm good ol Journey...no...I won't stop believing. Hmmm...looks like that lady's giving me weird looks. Pfff...she just doesn't know good dancing when she see's it.



Finally back and dry at the hostel I begin playing cards and chatting with some people from Holland about my day. They I notice the pool outside starting to overflow.

Then the water rising outside the doors.

Soon water started spilling into the room.

The hostel staff placed blankets against the doors to stop the water.

The water takes this as some kind of joke and pushes the blankets away like a hot knife cutting through butter(If you could imaging the water laughing...well it would've been doing so, very menacingly)

The water has now reached over my sandles and is touching my feet



The water leves are now over my ankles

The water has completely filled the bottom floor of the hostel, up to the halfway point of your ankle to your knee.

I begin to laugh. HAHAHAHA. People are freaking out, saying things like they couldn't see this coming and why did this happen. I explain I saw this happening that's why I'm on the second floor and it all resulted because of a basic scientific explanation. TOO MUCH WATER FOR THE DRAINS.

Some people didn't find it humerous.



Then I offered free swimming lesson's on the first floor...Everyone enjoyed this, but none partook.

The next morning the hostel was dead. Except for me and three other people...oh and the staff, as they were all tearing up the carpet and draining out the water. I was still in great spirits and decided to go check out the damage around the town.

Turns out, the whole town got hit...very hard. Closed signs and water damage was everywhere. I even looked into a parkade to see it full of water. Well...looks like I should be heading on.



Luckily, the greyhound wasn't affected by the water and even though it was an hour late. Picked me up and brought me on a long and terrible journey to Sydney.

Geez, who can say they witnessed a flash flood in a small harbour called Coffs. Only a handful of people, and I'm one of them. That's traveling my friends...yes...that's traveling.

Beautiful Byron Bay

From the Gold Coast I continued to move into the beaudacious and gracious areas of the Australian East coast. This time, it was a place that I've heard nothing but good things. BYRON BAY.

This little beauty is tucked away in a corner of Australia known only as its most easterly point. Skyscrapers are now traded for lush greenery and the busy city is traded for a small town.

Surfing, sand and sun...yessss I've been looking forward to this.

After my first day of walking down, Byron's one street and laying out on the beach soaking up the rays, I had planned for a jam packed day of surfing.



Luckily for me, I learned to surf in a much easier area of the globe(in case you forgot...it was Bali) Glad I learned there as the waves in Byron were much larger and a bit more difficult to manuvour. Still I was able to get some practice in...mostly on the best way to get eaten and spit out by a wave, but I loved every moment, as its something I can't do back home.



After the one day of surfing, and let me re-iterate...ahem..."ONE", I was in for a little surprise come that night. After listening to drummers on the beach and sitting around a bon fire sharing stories, I headed off back to the hostel for a little shut eye. Unfortunately while I was on the top bunk, a boozing boozer came stumbling in and thought it'd be a good joke to pull down the bunk bed...with me on it. Now don't get me wrong, I love jokes, but this one, just wasn't funny. I ended up jumping off the bunk bed and the right time and barrel rolling away from danger, or so I thought. As I go to stand I realize my right ankle is feeling a little shaky, even a bit sore. As I look again, I realize its beginning to swell.

Ohhh great, just sprained my ankle, what luck.

So the next few days were spent with me hobbling around Byron Bay, getting weird looks and numerous questions. But as you may know, I'm somewhat of a quick minded individual, so after about the forth time of someone asking what happened to my ankle, I just said it was a surfing accident. Definitely a great conversation piece.

Still no sore or swollen ankle is going to slow me down, therefore when I met some friends at the hostel and they asked if I wanted to take a walk to the lighthouse, I agreed.

Therefore I struggled my way up to the highest point in Brisbane, but boy was it ever worth it. Over looking the entire small town below, plus the far reaching corners of Byron, the small pain was definitely worth these views.



Along the way I was also able to spot a group of dolphins and a small shark.

Unfortunately after this grand walk, I needed to purchase some frozen peas and ice my ankle. This helped heal my ankle alot quicker, even though the next few days were spent on the beach and swimming in the ocean.

Slowly, but surely I started getting a little tanned, then I thought it would be a good idea to put on a lower grade of suntan lotion. Turns out, guess I wasn't tanned enough. That one day where I went down to SPF 6, I BURNED. Yipee, guess it runs in the family.

Finally, after all the beach time and sunshine, it was time to go on a little tour. Best part, I met two people at the hostel who worked at the travel agency. So they booked us all a free tour and we took off to this tiny small town in the middle of no where called Nimbin.

This town is a full on hippy town. Dreadlocks, tie die shirts and tweaky looking people are the norm. They also have a great selection of organic markets on Sunday. So we all loaded up on the bus, made friends with the hoards of people and had a great bus ride up.



Once almost there, the bus driver pulls over to the side and tells us a story about the town. One, marijuana is illegal in Australia, however for some strange reason, this town is mostly left alone when it comes to selling the stuff, secondly, don't be an idiot and you'll be ok.

My curiosity was, how can marijuana be illegal yet a town like this be able to grow and sell the stuff. The answer...they still have police who come raid and search the town, but since this place is in the middle of no where, it's pretty much left alone.

Finally there I realized it was only one street, and there were millions of posters of anything to do with marijuana. Bob Marley's face blanketed most shops. Psychedelic glass and lava lights were to be sold, also snack shops...were a plenty.



It's quite humerous just walking down the street, taking pictures and just having a look at this place. Definitely somewhere I'd never want to be...or live.

After the town, the bus driver brought us to a rain forest, where we all went on a rainforest walk. Because of the fresh rain, there were numerous leeches and many of the girls in the group were very scared. (I thought that jumping up on rocks or benches were only things you saw in the movies...guess not)

Once finished the jungle trek, it was time for the outdoor Barbeque. Here we all sat around the fire, shared stories and ate our food.



After eating as much food as possible, it was off to a waterfall, where you could swim, jump and just relax. Unfortunately, it started raining once again.

All in all, I absolutely loved Byron Bay. Quaint little town on the beach great for surfing, and I guess scuba diving as well. Next up...Coffs Harbour