australia2

Tuesday June 5th (halfway point)
Been on Magnetic Island nearly a month now. That's the longest I've spent in any place since I've been away. I've been working pretty hard and last Friday was the first day off I've had since I started. I've been on the Tropicana Tour and done some sunbathing. I've been up Sail Rock near where I'm staying for the sunset a few times and last Thursday I met up with Amanda (who me and Lel met for the first time in Phuket, Thailand) and went horse riding. It reminded me of what backpacking was all about and it's not about working every day from 7.30. Gave my boss Steve a weeks notice last Thursday and decided to go up to Cairns from here to look for work. Since then I've been given the job of creating a website for his tour company which is the most interesting thing I've done for him. I had a taste of freedom last Tuesday when Steve sent me on a mission to Townsville. Went to the cinema to watch Moulin Rouge, which was fantastic, and bought some cheap t-shirts. It doesn't sound like much but after spending so long on an island where nothing much happens it felt like Disney World. Been spending quite alot of time on the internet as some of you probably know which is nice for a while but I should be out there seeing Australia. There's a full moon party at a backpackers hostel this Friday, which is my last day at work (I hope). Probably stay in a backpackers hostel over the w/e and get a coach up to Cairns on Monday. I can't explain how exciting that thought is. I'll miss the lack of traffic and Rocky Bay Beach and if I end up in Sydney I'll definately miss the weather. I'm so looking forward to staying in a backpackers hostel. Mmm, bed bugs!

Monday July 3rd
Left Magnetic Island at last and came to Cairns about 3 weeks ago. I've been to the Tablelands and did a canoe trip and got my face painted. I did a Great Barrier Reef trip and did some snorkelling and almost drowned being pulled along on the cargo net. Met some wicked people and drank a fair bit. Been hanging out in The Woolshed and eating their cheap but nice food. Did a day and a halfs work last week which nearly killed me. Been sunbathing quite alot with my factor 30 suncream so my tan is coming along fairly slowly. Went to a gay club with Dan, Emma and Catherine the other day which was interesting. Lot's of tranvestites prancing about saying the F word too much. Wasn't the friendliest club I'd ever been to but we made up for it afterwards by going to the best chip van in Cairns. Dave is a legend and he's single! Check him out at the weekend market on Sheridan Street. I was staying at Dreamtime backpackers which was really nice but they had a bit of a mosquito problem (well I had a problem with their mosies) so moved to Leo's Budget Accomodation which is nice but a bit dirty. I should be looking for work but the sun is shining and I still have money in my bank account. George and Stu will be getting to Cairns soon so I may hang around for them and then buy a campervan and do some more sightseeing. All I know is that I'm still having a nice time and work is definately not a priority.

Sunday 12th August
Did another reef trip which was alot better thanks to the weather. Got over my addiction for Big Brother when the show finished at the end of July and Ben won. Met up with Georgina and Stuart and stayed at JJ's backpackers which is alot nicer than Leo's but it's a bit further away from the centre of the city. It's quite near a swimming pool which we all visited a few times and me and Stu are now approaching Olympic standards. After alot of umming and ahhing we hired a 6 berth Re-location Motorhome which needed to be in Sydney by August 6th. It was a very big vehicle with a shower, toilet, cooker, microwave and fridge. It only cost $11 a day because it needed to be in Sydney so urgently and they even gave us a $350 fuel allowance. On the first day I pranged it and lost us our $600 bond and I let Stu do most of the driving after that. Saw lots (and I mean lot's) of road kill whilst driving down and almost added to it a couple of times. Didn't have time to check out any of the sights on the way and averaged about 800km's per day. It's nice to be back in Sydney although this time I really need to find work. The weather is colder than before but we have missed the worst of it and spring is on the way. Met up with Steve from back home who's staying in Bondi. We are staying in Kings Cross which hasn't changed except this time the police are targeting dope users instead of people not wearing seat belts. On the plus side they've set up an injection room for the heroin addicts resulting in less people injecting in shop door ways and advice and counselling for people who want it. I think I could become quite settled in Sydney what with it's cultural goings on. I'll probably stay for 3 months if the work situation pans out and then head for NZ. Don't worry mum, no plans to emmigrate...yet.

Sunday 19th August
"Mr Thomas Fitzroy? It's Nathan from American Express. I'm calling in relation to you corporate card account which is 30 days overdue. Can you advise me when you'll be making payment? No? Well I don't really care anyway, I'm just a backpacker working for peanuts in a dull office job." It's not as bad as that but it's pretty close. At least I've got money coming in. In the process of moving into a house which isn't as easy as it should be. Not as easy as moving into a hostel anyway. It'll be nice to settle down for a while in one place - especially in Sydney. The weather is on the up and everythings groovy. Went to a house party with Steve last night which reminded me of home and Elm Grove, although it was nowhere near as good as a Grove party. Georgina has work too and Stu's in the process of getting work. I've got a mobile phone now. Didn't think I would ever own one before they became retro. It was pretty cheap and it helped me get a job and is helping find us a flat. Feel obliged to carry it around everywhere just in case it rings. I do feel slightly burdened by it and I remember when I survived quite happily without it. Make me feel better by giving me a ring and making it more useful. The number is 0415 196861. Speak to you soon.