Goodbye Australia, Hello New Zealand

We left the flat in Wollstonecraft about 7:15am to get to the airport for 8am. That was the plan, but as it was a saturday we hadnt anticipated many of the trains being out of service. We had to wait for a bus and then wait about 20 mins for the next airport train. I think it was about 8:45 by the time we checked in. Cutting it fine as usual!! We managed to send a load of post cards and thank you letters and then we had to clear immigration. Easier said than done when you are travelling with tom. As soon as you stick tom under some sunlight and let him grow some facial hair, the security level rises and tom found himself having his bag swabed and sniffed and then then had his hands scaned for bomb and drg residue! I have not had any trouble at all going through security (appart from my belt setting off the metal detectors), so far tom has had it done plenty of times. Thankfully we got through, and tom was finally given that next stamp in his passport. It wasnt long before we were boarding the plane. As we had checked in late it meant Tom was on the seat behind mine. Both seats were poor. I was sat with the group of 10 under 7's with the need to be jumping over me and then seats every 2 mins. unlucky for tom he was seated on the isle with 2 oldies with weak bladders, so he was up and down every 5 mins letting them go to the loo!
The in flight entertainment was poor as well, and the Air New Zealand stewardess's were not up to the same standard we had become used to with Singapore Airlines. The flight thankfully was only 3 hours! We were in Queenstown by 3.30pm, and after 20 questions with the immigration officer we were finally allowed into New Zealand!!

Now we had to find somewhere to stay!

Sydney

We got the over night bus from Byron to Cairns, and then after some confusion about where to catch the train, we arrived at Carol's (my dad's cousin - so my 2nd cousin i guess??) at 10:45. We had arranged to meet Ross and Alison Hathway (old friends from trull) at 11am, so we were cutting it fine, but they didn't mind waiting for us while we freshend up! Shortly after Ross and Ali took us to Bondi Beach where they treated us to a lovely lunch, and we took a stroll around the clifside round to another beach, which I cant remember what its called off the top of my head, but it was abit of a mouthful. We didn't do in the water in Bondi, as it was a little chilly!!
After Bondi we headed more into the centre of Sydney where we met up with Georgie (Ross and Ali's daughter), and had a look round at her Art College, which was formerly a prison, but it seemed quite pleasant for an old prison!
We then got dropped off at Hyde Park, and took a stroll through there, and then had a look up George Street, the main street for shopping etc in Sydney.
That evening we met Carol properly and her flatmate Heidi as well. We went out to a pub for a drink and then a Thai resturant for a lovely meal. Carol then drove us up to Ball's Head where we got a great view of the Opera House and the bridge. We headed back not long after, and managed to get a relitivley early night.

Day 2
Carol was off for a long weekend away (which she had forgotten about when we first arranged for us to stay), so she let us borrow her car. We took a drive up to Manly beach. It is a much nicer beach than Bondi (which is abit of a concreate jungle in comparison). We had some lunch and then met up with Kat Krause Davis (an old school mate) and we headed towards Palm Beach aka Summer Bay from Home and Away!! Such an amazing beach!! One side is terrific waves, and the otherside is so tranquil and peaceful!!
We headed back to Kat's hostel for a BBQ (more Kagaroo), and we watched a really crap comedian!! Really he was rubbish!! We headed for the Scubar shortly after where stayed too long and missed the last train home and then had to wait 1hr for the next bus. I think it was about 3am when we finally got to bed.

Day 3
We had a day in the city. Had a look around Circular Quay, right by the Opera House. We though about getting a tour, but we had very little time left. We carried on looking round at the city, but we both realised we needed more time to see it all (like everywhere on the trip!!), and in the evening we met up with Kat again and we went for a nice meal before Tom and I went to watch a play at the Opera House. All in all it was a great end to a great time in Australia! We both agreed that we will be back there ASAP!!! Probably in the Ozzy summer though as it was getting bloody cold!

a spot of surfing in Byron

We arrived in Byron Bay around 5pm on Saturday. We had a look at the beach and the surf was unbelievable! the waves were huge. The sun sets just before 6 here, so we quickly hired some body boards, and headed out. There were only about 3 of us in the water, as it was pretty cold. It was great fun though. We both caught some good waves, which last for ages. There was a massive under current, so it was pretty hard work. We surfed until the sun had set, and then stumbled round the beach, trying to find our stuff in the dark. That evening, we had a bbq, and then headed out to one of the clubs, with a few friends we'd met in Cairns and Airlie.

The following day, we took a trip to Nimbin. We went on a tour called 'Jim's Alternative Tour'. It was a great laugh. He'd made a soundtrack to go along with the drive there, which fitted in perfectly. We had about 2 hours in Nimbin. We wandered round the market, which was pretty funny. Some of the stuff they were trying to sell! Odd shoes, and broken pots etc! we then got some food from the Rainbow Cafe. Time seemed to fly after that, and we were even late for the bus! The tour then took us to Minyon Falls, where we stopped off for a while. The wasnt actually any water at the waterfall, but it was an impressive view anyway! After yet more irractic driving, which was getting worse throughout the journey, we arrived at Paul Recher's House. He looked like a hippy version of Ozzy Osbourne! He showed us round his garden, and gave us some fruit to try. Of course I didnt try any, as I dont like fruit, but apparently it was nice! We got back around 6pm. The day had tired us out, so we went to bed at 6, with the aim of getting up later that evening.

It never happened! we didnt get up til 9 the next morning. we went for breakfast, and then went to the beach. In the evening, we actually cooked for ourselves, which is a rare treat! We then started on the goon (boxes of cheap wine), and ended up turning into a pretty large night, and its fair to say, it was a struggle to get up this morning, to check out!

Brisbane!

After our action packed day at the zoo, we got on the train and arrived in Brisbane in the evening. Not wanting to waste much time, we grabbed some food, and headed to a bar, where we spent the rest of the night. The following day we just wandered round Brisbane, going into a few shops and cafes. The highlight of Brisbane was the meal in the evening though! We went to a 'traditional English pub' which wasnt anything like a pub back in England, but we both had Kangaroo steaks which were amazing! They were so rare, that they were practically still skipping around! Mark enjoyed a nice pint of Speckled Hen, but unfortunately, no cider was on sale. The follwing day, we were treated to a protest march by abariginees (don't know how to spell it though). What do we want: Justice! When do we want it: Now! and so on...

Crikey!!! What a Critter!!!

Crikey!! Welcome to Austraaaaaaaalia Zoo!
Yes, we went to Australia Zoo and it was the stuff that dreams are made of!! As soon as we got there we put our bags in to the locker area (we had everything with us as we were travelling onto Brisbane straight after), and then we went and checked out the Komodo Dragon! What a critter!! Then after the dragon we went and saw the 'Gators!! CRIKEY!! They were beauties! We saw the Dingo's, Tazmania Devils, Camels.
After that it was off to the shop to purchase some proper Australian Leather hats. We both look right charming in them! Then we went to see the Crocs!! CROCS RULE!!!
We went to a Koala show. The good looking girl talk to us about Koala's, it was very informative!! I learnt that Koala's are not bears, even though people call them Koala Bears!
After a spot of lunch (sadly they didnt sell Croc or Skippy burgers) we went and saw the shrine left in memory of steve irwin. there were hundreds of kakhi shirts that people had left messages on, and loads of pictures and banners. it was quite amazing how much there was of it.
we went next to the Crocoseam!! The arena designed for the Croc shows! It was good! They put on a great display. First they had the Elephants, then the snakes. They had some chap from the audience volunteer to be a snake bite victim, and they carried im off on a strecher, then they chucked him in the water! HAhah he had his phone in his pocket! Then I was 1 of 4 that volunteered to have a bird land on me!! However i was tricked! I had to hold my arms out and then squwak like an idiot, apparently to to attract the birds. Then he released the birds and they all flew off!! I was humiliated and embarresed, but i did get a picture of the legend that is Steve Irwin!! Then it was the Croc show!! They fed the croc and got it to jump out the water! It was very entertaining watching a captive animal perform for food!! Once the croc show was over we checked out the elephants and tigers, then headed for more koalas (we have some great photos!!!) and then the kangaroo enclosure!! again some cracking shots!!! we just had time to check out the snakes and then we had to leave. what a splendid day out.

Noosa Heads

After a good coach journey down to Noosa, we got checked into the Hostel that had free Surfboard hire, and we pretty much got down the beach for the rest of the afternoon. The waves werent very big, but we managed to get some surfing done. It was the first place we have been to where you can actually go surfing.

After the surfing, and sun bathing, we took a look around Noosa. It seems a very rich area with loads of designer shops. There is also alot of posh property in Noosa. I think when i am a Millionaire i will by a place there. They have a few rivers leading out to the beach where the houses back onto the river and have there own private jetties. Its great.

That night we went out for a Mexican. We had been eating pasta and for the last 4 or 5 nights so we treated ourselves! It was lovely. We got back to the hostel and did some laundry.

The next morning we were up early as we were to embark on another journey. A magical journey that would take us from Noosa to a location near Beerwah. Can you guess where it is. Check back soon and find out about the 'ripper'
day we had! Crikey! It was a beauty!!

Hervey Bay

We had a much better coach journey over night this time! We could get off the bus if we wanted, or we could stay on. Strange rules they have here (I supose its because they are all upside down here!!)
We arrived in Hervey with the intentions of getting straight on a tour to Frasier Island, but we were too late for that for the day, so we got checked in to the cheapest hostel in town.
We were welcomed by a woman who you can only describe as Miss Trunchbull, but she just did not have a clue. The hostel its self was very basic, we were paying $15 a night which is dirt cheap, but we got what we paid for. To be honest it was comparable to Psycho. We honestly thought that Norman Bates was gonna visit in the night, it was abit worrying. Anyway, we went into Hervey, and there was litterally nothing there, it was so boring!! Honestly...there was a few shops and that was it.
Sadly we had left it too late that day to get booked on to the day tour of Fraiser Island for the following day, which was a real bugger, and because we have so little time left we had to give it a miss. We packed up the following morning and got on the coach down to Noosa Heads.

Note to self (and everyone else), dont got to Hervey Bay, you will be bored!! Go to Rainbow Beach instead if you want to go to Fraiser Island.

The Tongara!!

We has a 2 night cruise spread over 3 days on board the Tongara, the best party boat in the area. We boarded the catermeran, which was conveniently the same colour as rust! But it had an engine, sails and 2 blokes, so we were in safe hands!!! As soon as we got on, we started drinking (well we had the safety breif first). It was great. We went to a place called Hook Island and anchored there for the night. Apparently the water was infested with Hammerhead sharks, so that stopped us from going from a mid night skinny dip! We slept on the deck of the boat both night, under the stars. The sky was so clear, it was an unbelievable sight. There was the stars which are in the shape of the stars on the Australian flag...that was pretty cool, as well as all the shooting stars, which were amazing and we could see the milky way as well - no not the choccy bar!!! On the 2nd day we went snorkling in the morning. We've still not found nemo!!! But there were loads of amazing fish, and we also saw a Hump back whale, not while we were snorkeling though, that was later on when we were on our was to Whitehaven Beach! There are no real words to discribe Whitehaven beach. It one of the most Beautiful places on earth! The beach is actually on Whitsunday Island (the largest of the 'Whitsunday Islands') and the sand is litterally white. It is really weird as well, because it is so fine that it sort of squeaks under your feet as you walk on it. We also saw loads of Sting rays in the water. The closest you can get to them is aboutt 3 meters, not because you want to do a steve impression, but because they swim away very quickly! We also treked up to the viewing point on the island, which gives you the most fantasic view of the beach. The water is crystal clear there, it is the perfect postcard picture, and everyone loved it so much that we actually were late back to the boat. We decided that if all 22 of us delayed, then they couldnt do anything about it, and if they left without us, we wouldnt care because we all would have happily stayed there forever!!
Anyway, back on the boat after such an amazing afternoon, we put the sails up for the first time (it was much faster than using the engine!!), and sailed properly for about an hour. By the time we got moored up we were treated to an amazing sun set!! We partied into the night. We were drinking 'goon', which is what they call boxed wine! We were playing drinking games with it (and we have a few more games to all impose on people when we get back - were looking forward to our welcome back party by the way!!!). It was such a good laugh. Mike, one of the german guys who was on the trip was so wasted and watching him try and take part in the drinking games was just hilarious. It was such an amazing day! Then just as we were going to sleep on the deck it started getting pretty rough out on the water. The boat was rocking and rolling! We had to move the boat as we were in quite a vunrable area, but to be honest it didnt really make much difference.
We soon got to sleep, and when it was morning, the water was still pretty rough. Some people didnt cope with it too well, and Massa, a Japanese chap was abit sea sick. We all survived though and after about a 2 hour journey to our next stop (because of the rough water - it should have taken about 45mins) we all went snorkling again. This time there were loads more fish, and they would swim so close to you. There was also loads of coral as well, it is so amazing that you can get all that under the sea. If you get the opportunity to go snorkeling around some coral you have to do it!!
After snorkling we got back on the boat and it was time to return to Airlie beach. All 22 of us had an amazing time, and we made some good friends there was well. There was Ross, a canadian guy, and then Team America - Alex, Joe, Marjorie, and Malissa, they were a good bunch and hopefully we are gonna meet up with Joe in LA and maybe Malissa in Washington DC. We got email address' from most people and then we all went to the Lagoon and just chilled there for the rest of the afternoon!

Later on we got the Greyhound over night to Hervey Bay, but just before, we went to Dominos for a cheap dinner! While we were in there it was really weird, this girl went up to Tom and said "Excuse me, did you go to Taunton School?" turned out she was the year above tom at Taunton. Apparently she thought he looked familiar, but it was only went i spoke to tom in a west country accent that she said something. It was really weird. Anyway, i forget her surname now, but she was called Pippa and she lives a couple of doors down from Chloe Bush in Hatch Beauchamp, but we might be meeting up with her in Fiji!

But to sum up this essay...Whitsundays Rocks!!!

Airlie Beach

Airlie Beach was a very chilled out town! In terms of the lay out it was similar to Cairns, but it lacked the night life of Cairns. We ended up staying 3 nights here as we had left it a little while before we finally got round to booking a cruise around the whitsunday islands! The first night in Airlie, it was fairly dull, although we has some guy who was all..."are you looking at me?? is there a problem??" and i managed to soon turn the convo from anger to rugby! then the 2nd night we hit the town (for another rubbish night). we went with our next door neighbour from the hostel. the hostel was abit like a very down market centre parcs, but it was well priced and it had a great location, it was only the very low bunkbeds which were a pain (literally as i kept smacking my head on the bottom of the top bunk every time i sat up in bed!!)
On our last night in Airlie we went to a wet T shirt comp! It was quite entertaining, and we saw quite alot of flesh, there was this one girl however, and the chanting turn from "Off! Off! Off!" to "On! On! On!" She wasnt nice!!

Big Update Coming Soon

Sorry for the lack of updates. Been V.busy and there have been a lack of COmputers, but have lots of stories to share!!

All aboard!!

Well, its about 3am and we have just got off the bus because it needs to refuel. I dont really understand why we need to get off for this. I was quite comfortable sleeping. Anyway, hopefully we should be back on in 30mins and back on our way to Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Islands. We arrive there at about 11am (after another hop on hop off routine).
Today we went to Palm Cove where there was a beach (meant to be the nicest one in the area). We were pretty knackered and just slept for the day on the beach, topping up the tan! We then treated ourselves to a 'light snack' at the local burger joint. Light is an understatement! Anyway, only 60 seconds left on the net, so best be off. More news from Airlie Beach tomorrow id imagine!!

Finding Nemo

We were up bright and breezy this morning in Cairns. I say bright and brezzy...we hardly got any sleep last night probably due to staying in bed till 3:30 on Sunday. We were to embark on a voyage that would take us 18 miles from Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef.
We left the hostel at 8:10 after enduring the hostel bathroom. Some pleasant person had left a dirty brown looking 'mess' over the toilet and bathroom walls...Nice!! At 8:30 we boarded 'The Falla'. An old boat used to fish for Pearls back in the 50's. I could bore you all with the history of it...I wont!! So now it is used to transport the likes of me and tom to the Great Barrier Reef for Snorkeling and Diving day trips. It took about 90mins to get there. The sun was shining, with crystal clear water. The views were amazing!! I could have stayed there forever (if i was a millionaire!). We swam around the coral, and saw all sorts of different fish, not that i can name any of them. The colours of some of the fish were abousolutly staggering. We also saw sea cucumbers and bright blue star fish. It was amazing! After an hours snorkel we had a break for some lunch back on the boat, which was followed by more snorkeling, this time on the otherside of the reef. It was alot more shallow here and I managed to get my waterproof video camera up and running, so hopefully i will be able to put that online soon. We probably swam for another hour or so and then headed back to the boat. It was such an amazing day, and by far the best one of this trip. It was scenes like that, that you only see in magazines!! Sadly however on the way back as i was taking my new digital camera out of its case, combined with a sudden jerk of the boat, the camera flew out of my hand and over board! Absolutely gutting! Thankfully i had saved all of the photos i had from HK onto my iPod, but we had so many pics from today!! I wasnt bothered too much about the camera, that is insured and can be replaced (hopefully), but its the photos...argh!! Thankfully i still have the waterproof camera and video footage, and one of the other people on the trip took my email address so she could email us some photos. Gutting! However it was a fairly insignificant event in what was such an amazing day. I can definatley say that i will be going back to The Falla and i will recomend it to everyone we meet on the way down the coast! Sadly we didnt see Nemo, but hopefully we might see him further down the coast. I think we are gonna save a proper Scuba dive until we get to Fiji - we have heard it is amazing there!!

We have bought our Greyhound pass now, so we are going to head south late tomoro (on the overnight bus to save a nights accom) to Airlie Beach and Whitsunday island area! Hopefully it will be just as awesome as Cairns has been.

Photos

It is proving abit difficult to add photos to this blog. It would mean i have to add them all one bye one - which we dont have the time to do. So i have uploaded the best ones to our group on Facebook. Search for Mark and Tom's World Tour on facebook and then join the group. I think you have to be a member of Facebook to view it which is abit difficult for those that dont have it, but hopefully you might know someone who does have it and you can peer over there shoulder in the office (when you should be working!!).

Apart from that having a fabulous time. Off snorkling on the Great Barrier reef tomorrow so hopefully we might have a few more good pics! Cheerio

Hello from Cairns!

We arrived in Brisbane yesterday, about 6:30am, and managed to catch a flight at 9:45 to Cairns. It was hot and sunny when we arrived about midday. we phoned around, and booked into a hostel, and caught the bus to it. Its a bit like a prison cell, but its got some advantages, like a free meal voucher for the bar next door which is handy! yesterday we spent thw afternoon just lying out in the sun, and in the eveing, we took advantage of happy hour! they sell the beer in jugs here, and mark got through 3. i stuck to the wine, until i realised that say sold strongbow, and so got on that! we ended up in a coyote bar until aboutn 3 in the morning. there was also a band playing, and we were jumping around and going crazy at the front. all in all a good night! Today we didnt wake until 3:30 in the afternoon, and we just rolled out of bed, and onto the beach. a couple of hours later, we had our evening meal. we're blaming it on being tired from Asia and jet lag...