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Tuesday 1st March : G'day! I'm @ Surfer's Paradise Beach again... Weather is still hot and humid here. Planning to visit Ayres Rock / Alice Springs in the next few days, thinking of going to Cairns, after that and then back to Brisbane, then onto Sydney...
Wednesday 2nd: G'day! I've booked a tour to visit Fraser Island (North Queensland) and then off to Sydney next week!
Thursday 3rd : G'day! Hi! Today, I started packing for both for Fraser Island and Sydney! Well, I've got to start some time and I figured today would be a good day to start! Anyway... Took Grandma and Grandpa out for dinner tonight, as it was my last proper night staying with them. Went to Conrad Jupiter's Food Fantasy, where you can eat as much as you want for just 10 pounds! Amazing!
Friday 4th : Left Grandma and Grandpa's at 6:30am... I don't think I have seen this side of the morning whilst I have been in Australia yet... but anyway...! Grandpa gave me a lift to the local train station; I got the train to Brisbane! I arrived at Brisbane at about 8.15am, and asked a local where I should be going... anyway, this nice lady (actually really nice) showed me where I was supposed to be going, so without her help, I would have ended up in Wollowong - which is actually a real place in Australia... Met other people at the bus stop, strangely enough, these people were my flat-mates for the weekend... By the time we got going, it was about 9am! We stopped off at a service station at a place called Coola in Noosa! Got back on the road again, there were 8 of us in the bus a few Japanese girls, a German girl and a few English people from London - which included me! Arrived at Rainbow beach at around 2pm. yes I know the journey took about 5 hours from Brizzie! It would have been cheaper and quicker to fly to Hervey Bay! Had to transfer to a sea-boat to get across to the Island! Wow! What a view, amazing white sandy beaches, stretching for 58 miles! I found out that they nickname the beach the '75 mile beach' but actually, it is only 58miles, don't ask me why, but the ozzies have to exaggerate just a little bit! Got back into the bus, and whoah, what a bumpy and windy ride it was! It was just like being on a rollercoaster! There was hair blowing everywhere, people bobbing up and down... and a few screams along the way from the girls, and no it is not what you are thinking, and anyway, how can 8 of you do it in that combined space anyway!!! Off that subject now! Arrived in Eurong, and had about an hour 'free time'. After, we went to Lake Wabby! We had to walk for miles and miles on this desert-type set-up beach! We finally arrived at Lake Wabby, and what an amazing place that was! The walk was worth it! I swam in the lake, played water-ball - their version to football, but in the water, did sand boarding, and had a great time! We then made our way back to Eurong Beach, and had candlelit dinner on the beach, with champagne and watched the stars. I couldn? really say that the meal was amazing, but anyway... had Taco and Nacho's for dinner on the beach... yeah I know, but we were in the right setting, all we needed was some mushy romantic music to make the night fu-fill it's potential! That came later, when I was nicknamed 'Disco Dave'...we all hit the bar after dinner (as you do!) and after a few too many drinks - well what do you expect when the drinks are virtually free all night @ $1 each! . And you're kinda wondering why I was nicknamed 'Disco Dave!' ...well I started the ball rolling, got up on the dance floor and other's followed, so the whole weekend Scott and Jason (out tour-guides) were going on about it! They were up there too, so it wasn't just me! just the first day... there's more below!
Saturday 05th : Day two on Fraser Island. After falling into bed at about 2am! Rolled out of bed at 5.30am, in time for the 5.54am Sunrise! That was well worth the three and a half hour sleep! Went to Pile Valley, again another long walk but worth it as when we got to the other end, there was Wanggoolba Creek waiting for us. Went for a swim then visited 'The Pinnacles' which are completely made out of man-made sand! After, we visited the 'Maheno Shipwreck�, which used to be a cruise-liner in the early 18th Centaury, and travelled all the way from Glasgow, England right to Fraser Island in Australia where it got stuck and that is where it stands today! Stopped for lunch back at the resort, then back on the road again to see Central Station, which I might add consists of nothing today, years' ago it used to be a station, only to transport wood from one end of the island to the other. Today, there is a plaque which stands near where the station used to be built, and is located in the middle of the rainforest... ok, history lesson over...it was time for yet another swim at Eli Creek! Visited Kingfisher Bay and then it was onto the bar back at the resort!
Sunday 06th : G'day, and it's the final day on my very own Island... ok, but at least it has felt like it, no TV, no Radio, no reception on my phone, no music, absolute heaven... uhh... no!! How can you live without all of those things! They are life's essentials! Oh, yeah, food and drink too! Had to be up real early today at 8.30am, for the journey to Rainbow Gorge and Lake McKenzie! Rainbow Gorge was just like being in 'I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here', I felt like screaming it out, and figured that I could be Ant and Dec for those few seconds! It really was just like that, with the real echoes and everything and none of the sound effects they use! Walked through the Gorge and Rainforest, saw many types of species and animals! After we were driven this time (after all that walking!) to Lake McKenzie, and wow what a spectacular place that was!......Now, if there was ANYWHERE in the Australia you should go, then I highly recommend Lake McKenzie - Clear blue sea, a white sandy beach, trees circling the circumference of the lake so no one sees you, and the sun shining, what more can you ask for, nothing? - oh except everything I mentioned in the second line of today's Journal entry of course! After we all made out way to Rainbow Beach at 1pm, had lunch there, and then it was time for that 5-hour bus journey back to Brizzie! On the way down to Fraser Island, we drove on the free-way (Motorway) but as the roads were busy we drove on the beach and grabbed a ferry from Noosa Heads. Stopped a few times for food and snacks etc. Arrived back at Brisbane at 6.30pm, and was so tired, I nearly missed my stop on the train! Had the most amazing weekend ever, have been in contact with a few people I met, along the way and would defiantly go again! Grandpa picked me up at the station, near to where they live and fell into bed! I was rather lucky I had organised myself for Sydney as I was so tired and was sleeping for most of Monday!
Monday 7th: Hi! Nothing much really happened today, did a little last -minute packing for Sydney, went in the pool for the final time and watched abit of TV.
Tuesday 08th: Arrived in Sydney at 5pm, got picked up at the Airport via the Backpacker bus! Explored the city @ night, walked to Circular Quay and had McDonalds at 11.30pm! Didn�t go to bed until about 1am, Was abit tired still from Fraser Island!
Wednesday 09th: Met Navah and Ronen for lunch today, we then walked up towards Circular Quay, and walked around the Opera House. Early evening I met people for dinner and went down to the 'Starbar' on George St (Entry was free before 11pm). Played pool and had a few drinks then rolled into my bed at 3am!
Thursday 10th: Went on the Palm Beach Tour today, (The Big Day Out) which included seeing behind the scenes of Home and Away, (did not see anyone, as they film on Tuesday and Wednesday's!) Was going to do surfing, but I figured, for just over $80 it's not worth a broken leg! So, instead I played volleyball on the beach, with the other guys! Had lunch at Bondi Beach, and then it was off to Manly beach for a tan-top up! After, we made out way onto the 'Side-bar' in Kings Cross for free shots of Vodka with Cranberry and Pineapple...!
Friday 11th: Hello! Played pool with the other guys and gals from the backpacker's. Early evening I went to Navah and Ronen's place for dinner. Barbara was also there, she was just visiting for the weekend!
Saturday 12th: Went up on the AMP Sydney Tower today. Wow, What a view! Early evening, I went out with Navah, Ronen and Barbara to the cinema! Fell into bed as I was sooooo tired!
Sunday 13th: Walked to Hyde Park this morning, read the newspaper (also looking for jobs) and had a hot chocolate... what's that song called, oh yeah 'Easy Like Sunday Morning'! Early evening, a few of us went down to the Sidebar located in the Wake Up! Backpacker's!
Monday 14th: Had two Agency appointments today - one with Select and the other with Manpower... they were just to register and both have nothing at the moment! Went down to Darling Harbour with two girls and another guy who I met at Select. Had lunch there and then it was onto the 2nd agency - Manpower!
Tuesday 15th: Went along to a free Barb-Que organised by Maze Backpacker's, on Coogee Beach! Played Volleyball and then in the evening it was Bingo back at the Backpacker's!
Wednesday 16th: They are preparing for the St. Patrick's day parade, which is tomorrow! Weather abit grey and dull out, I'm sure it will brighten up tomorrow!
Thursday 17th: G'day! I've been in Sydney just over a week now and as you can see from the photo's I've certainly got around abit! It rained today, played pool, with people and after we went on the monorail! Keeping with the theme of St. Patrick's Day, we all (the people from the backpacker's) headed off to Scruffy Murphy's + Paddy's pubs!
Friday 18th: Went to register with two more agencies today - 'Quay Appointments and 'Select Australia' They both said the same thing, that there are no temp jobs at the moment!... ...I'm off to Melbourne on Tuesday!
Saturday 19th: Got a ferry from Circular Quay to Darling Harbour! Yes, I know, I could have walked it, I am so lazy, but I just wanted to go under the Sydney Harbour Bridge! Walked around Darling Harbour, then I went to Hyde Park, and then onto Bondi Beach! As if that all wasn�t enough...In the evening, I went to Sydney's hottest night-club 'Home' with everyone from Maze Backpacker's!
Sunday 20th: Hello! Started packing today for Melbourne! Last night, there was Movie night @ the Backpacker's - Sharks Tale, and Lord Of The Rings 2!
Monday 21st: G'day! Continued packing, and spent my last day up at Circular Quay, went back to Maze Backpacker's in the evening and then I went to the Sidebar, for my final free drink!
Tuesday 22nd: Arrived in Melbourne today, it is so cold here, but not as cold as the UK! Have met a few people from the UK, and a other's from Malta, Germany and Finland!
Wednesday 23rd: Went to find out information about jobs, they have an agency here at the Backpacker's so I will find out if they have anything...
Thursday 24th: Not much happened today, walked up the whole of Elizabeth Street, which is a simular length of walking from London to Scotland! No really, it took me about 30 mins� with the help of a Tram or two! Played pool at the bar, which was next to the Backpacker�s!
Friday 25th: Went out with Mum�s young friend Judy and family on a day trip. Visited The Docklands Park, Had lunch by the riverside, and then it was off to Ramsay Street aka Pin Oak Court. If anyone wants to know where it�s located in Vermont South!
Saturday 26th: It was Barbara�s Birthday today. Went for dinner at a Thai Restaurant in Carlton. It was good to catch up with Karen and Avi of whom I haven�t seen since 1992! Also was in attendance was Avi�s wife, Howard and Jasmine and Barbara�s work friend!
Sunday 27th: Took a Train out of the city today, and met Judy and family again. We went to the Dandenong�s, in which you can see a birds� eye view of Melbourne and it�s many Suburbs! After, it was onto the Yarra Valley for some wine tasting at Domain Chardon. Went back to Judy�s place for dinner!
Monday 28th: Went to see �Hitch� with Howard and Jasmine, after we went for a Chinese and a walk along the Southbank!
Tuesday 29th: Moved into Howard and Jasmine�s place today, contacted an agency and registered with them today!
Wednesday 30th: Not much happened today, unpacked and explored Carlton.
Thursday 31st: Went for an Job Interview today at RMIT (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) Ok, that�s it for March, April is on it�s way! Hope everyone had a good holiday break! Ben and Mum, hope you had a good time in Rome!
