Day 8, Monday 13th July 2009

Basically today was a day of travelling from near Gosford where i am staying, to Brisbane. Which is probably about the distance from Kirkcaldy to London for those in Kirkcaldy... A bit less.


My cousin dropped us off at the train station in Gosford, then we jumped onto the train to Sydney Terminal, then changed onto the train to the Airport.

We were about two hours in advance... (It's my paranoid dad )... then set of for a nice short flight- at least compared to the one from Heathrow to Sydney. :)

From Brisbane Airport we got a train to the area we are staying in.

After checking in and having a Chinese/ Vietnamese meal we walked from the resteraunt to the City center, which is a lot longer than what is fun! *Note to self- catch bus tomorrow!*

Day 7, Sunday 12th July 2009

Well, won't have to much opportunity to post from this point on... Because i head to Brisbane tomorrow!

Today, not much is going on, chilling at my cousins house... We went out for lunch but basically packing my bags and preparing for my flight tomorrow :D

Day 5, Saturday 11th July 2009

Today i return back to my Aunts house outside Sydney, but before then i am hanging out with my cousin all morning and into the afternoon.


We met up with a friend of his and then we walk round the Sydney shops and have some lunch in the food court of Market city. It was good fun, afterward we headed back to his place by train followed bus to his apartment. Then by car for two and a half hour to my aunts house. It would have been a bit quicker but the Sat nav was working up, it kept telling us to turn when there was no turn. Oh well, I'm used to travelling by now so it wasn't that bad. Just reasonable fun :D

Day 4, Friday 10th July 2009

Today is the Bridgeclimb!


Not just any bridge of course, the world famous Sydney Harbour bridge! It started a 12.15, so we had a couple of hours before hand.


It had rained overnight just enough so that it was clear and sunny by the time we had left the hotel. Perfect weather for climbing the bridge.


Firstly, in the spare time before we had to go to the bridge we walked around and explored Sydney Opera House. Which really is extremely beautiful on a fine day.


From there we headed to The Botanical Gardens which contains many exotic plants and animals we had never seen before. We spotted Flying Foxes hanging from the trees, they are in fact huge bats which were trying to get some sleep hanging from every tree. There was thousands of them! I'm wondering how they compare to with bats back home-?


After this, we started heading back towards The Harbour Bridge, on the way we had a quick stop at a Bakery Cafe (121 George street), before arriving at at the bridge for our preparation for the climb.


We took 45 minutes getting kitted out in our one piece overall (compulsory), hats gloves, fleeces, rain jackets and hankies! Then after a quick practise on the ladders (To check if we could climb them) we were off. After an hour of gangway walking, ladder climbing and a all in all 1337 stairs we reached the summit, which was fantastic, unfortunately we were not allowed cameras, so we simply have to remember the fantastic experience.


The group leader was good, funny and knowledgeable, he cracked some funny jokes, but as it is his job we presume its the same ones he uses every day. For example he told us about the only man who survived falling off the bridge received a medal "Commemorating the preservation of his life"


After climbing back down from the summit and getting off our equipment we walked through china town again for a good meal to finish the great day. Looking forward hanging out with my cousin tommorow. :)

Day 3, Thursday 9th July 2009

Today we headed to Sydney. We took a bus to Gosford then a train to Sydney central to change trains and go to Circular Quays which is five minutes from my hotel, The Russel. The area is called The Rocks.

After arriving, we left our bags and then left the hotel to explore, stopping for lunch at The Rocks Cafe. Which is a neat little cafe.

From outside the cafe we can see the Sydney Harbour Bridge, a magnificent and iconic structure. To our delight the weather has been lovely and sunny today, so we could spend time in the sun gazing at the famous Opera house and Harbour Bridge,which we climb tomorrow!

Unfortunately i cannot upload the pictures i have taken just now, i have to wait until i get home but when i am home i will do so. The Bridge is quite a spectacle, we were able to walk directly underneath it and gaze up at it in wonder. So it's unfortunate that i can't upload photos as i see the sights.

After passing the bridge we took a long walk to Darling Harbour, passed The Sydney entertainment centre, went into Paddies market and walked around China town well into the dark. (Which starts at 5pm remember :P) After hours of walking we took a quick ferry under the Harbour Bridge back to our district, The Rocks.

After a quick stop at the 24 hour restaurant City Extra for a meal we returned for a early sleep... *Goes to bed.

Day 2 Wednesday 8th July 2009

Our second day exploring Australia.

Today we we took a Bus then train to end up in Woy Woy, (yep, its a place). Fish 'n' Chips for lunch, with many pelicans flying around the water. A ferry back to complete the Bus-Train-Boat sequence. :)

The strange thing about Australia, for me, is the time that it goes dark. Where i'm at, in Sydney it turns dark at around... 5:30pm. This is weird because in Scotland right now it turns dark after 10pm. It's crazy, my body tells me it's later at 8pm because its been dark for two hours already. Possibly it's still the jet lag but i don't know. To be honest i haven't really felt the Jet lag to badly i mean i feel pretty much fine which is suprising since my body has had a 10 hour change to adjust to.

Sydney harbour bridge climb on Friday. Can't wait!


-Colin

Day 1, Tuesday 7th July 2009 + Arrival

Well, here i am, in Australia in one piece. All baggage is with us and we have all arrived safe and sound. *phew.



Hopefully Australia will live up to it's my expectations and prove the 23 hour plane journey to be worth it.



Overall the journey wasn't enjoyable. Economy class is cramped and uncomfortable i was sick for the first leg. The meals didn't help any, breakfast especially. Not recommended. After the uncomfortable first leg of the journey we a two hour stop in Bangkok, before carrying on for a second slightly shorter second leg.



Whilst boarding the plane we were upgraded! We know someone who works for British Airways and they put a good word in for us, a member of the crew realized who we are and gave us seats in business class. The quality of the journey vastly improved and i started feeling better soon afterwards. More comfortable seats, round the clock food and a lot more leg room. After that the flight was relaxing, almost enjoyable! Also, upon being upgraded the number of staff per person increased and they started doing a good job. Very friendly British Airways staff!



We arrived in the early hours of the Australian day. Surprisingly, it was freezing cold! Of course the Australian stereo type is of sunny hot weather. But its been cold, and today it rained!

On arrival we didn't do much an hour drive to get to where we are staying and then slept and had a lazy day. Today we were exploring the local area. We say some shops and then went to terrigal to admire the views. A bit cloudy and cold, but the views turned out alright.

I heard that in kirkcaldy it is sunny! Just after i leave and its cold here!

I'll post again soon and keep you updated!

Colin