Possum

This is the name that I see very befitting of my last blog for my travels around Australia.

As we left Cairns and started to fly over the Northern Territory it was clear why no one lived here, because it was so barren and isolated. As we landed, to our shock it was not as hot as we first expected. It was unlike Cairns where the humidity was suffocating, it was more of a dry heat which was much better. Anyway, the next day we left for our four wheel drive safari to Uluru (The large rock in Australia), in our beat down 4x4 called Possum hence the name for the blog. So let me give you the low down on this truck. It was officially the oldest truck ever. One door on the front does not open, it does not go into fifth gear, the air con does not work properly and the floor heated up to a temperature so hot that you could not keep your feet on it. It melted Kim’s thongs and shrank it by two sizes.

 

So after setting off at 6.30am that day we arrived at our first pit stop were we rode camels which was quiet cool. We then set off for our long ride to Uluru. We walked around the base which amazingly took 2 hours but still managed to get some amazing pictures. The next day we returned to the rock and managed to catch the sunrise at 6am which meant we were up at 5am (crazy I know!). The last day we went to Kings Canyon which was wicked. The views in the garden of Eden which was situated right in the middle of the canyon was very cool.

That about it for my travel to Alice springs, the only other think that is worth mention is the fact that most people didn’t speak English on the trip and there was this was this family form France that stood out in particular. They id not speak a word of English (will the mother understood a bit), and at the start of the trip it was clear that they had no idea what they had let them self in for. As when we got to the camp site we had to explain that we would not be sleeping in a hotel but in the outback lol. But over time we manage to win them over, after our frist dinner conversation were we talked (or at least make signs) about were we was from and how long it took us to get here from France. As the trip continued the family seemed to give more and more, but still talking in French. But for some reason I always seem to have an idea about what they was talking about and was able to explain to the rest of the group (most of the time) even the German ask if I could understand French (lol I wish), but despite there lack of English they worked hard and gave there all, most admirable I must say.

So that was it from my 5 weeks of traveling round oz. lots of packing tones of flying and a whole leap of diving lol. It has been amazing and I would not have had it any other way, the people the places and not forgetting my favorite girl in the whole of Australia MS KIMBERLY ANN BRUCE!!!! Who has made this trip unforgettable (very proud of her). Despite all her foolishness, crazy moments, only being able to say I don’t know every time I asked a question, tripping up at least three time a day and last but not least trying to steal my through as she continue to say “I was just thinking that” thank you all you will be truly missed…

London.

XXX                     

Sand, sand, everywhere Fraser Island

I am very happy once again after arriving at rainbow beach into this small town which a first impression did not seem anything to shout about, but it manage to win me in the little time I was there.

Anyway we meet the groups on the second day and these would be the groups that we would spend the next couple of days with, as we completed our own self tour around the world biggest Sand Island in the world WOO!! The group consisted of a total of 11, and there was some character but each adding their own little aspect to the group.

Two in particular that seemed to win over the group specify with their stories and wicked character. Phil Hewitt the English guy that had been play fighting whit his mate got hot which then lead to him losing all feeling in the left side of his body which he later found out was rare illness which if not treated could leave him paralyse by the time he was 21. Not only that but with the surgy there was a 20%chance he would not make and 40%chance he would be completely disabled, and all when he was 17. But now he is travelling around the world as he write his book and become an establish photographer.

Then there was Andy the Irish guy with all the bad luck in the world, as in his travel he managed to be chase buy dingos, lost and basically almost kidnap in Thailand and last but not least work in the mine in the middle of nowhere in Australia with no glove our protection gear.

The next day our group of 11 stated our self tour safari round the sand island, the sights and sound were amazing remember that this was the world’s largest sand island and it was also coved in rainforest amount many other amazing thinks such as the lagoons that each seem to have it own set of vibrant colours that were miraculous.

So at the start of the briefing we were told about the dingos that were on the island and we was not too fed or temp them as they were wild animals and known for hunting in packs. So anyway the first night came and as it got later packs of these dogs could be heard howling and it was why they had said not to go to the bathroom by yourself (as you could get killed!!!). any way as the last night came one of the girls told me that she was going to the loo and not to be scared if I saw something moving in the dark and I joking say to her you should be the one scared because of the dingos, so a couple of second later I hear this screaming and what had happen the dingos were standing there looking at here just as she was about to go the bathroom…. Too funny.

So that was it really Fraser island the biggest sand island in the world amazing and a must do if coming to Australia.

O and we got stuck a number of times, having to dig our self’s out and getting in trouble for blocking the tours buses because of getting stuck and getting breathalyse at 8 in the morning all part of the oz experience (“,)   

London   

There still hope for the black swimmer, Cains

Today Kim and I set off for the Great Barrier Reef on a boat called Freedom Ocean, of which the question was not how good was the day going to be but would I dive????

We arrived in cains the night before and checker in into our hostel and had managed to get a room full of Londoners which Kim was not so happy about, but still was very excited about the days ahead. The next day we set off for the boat and a word was not said about whether I was going to do the dive, but the tension was there as this was the big question.

After getting on he boat and meeting the team they were some really cool guys, which put me at ease, I realize that this was one think that I was actually scared of doing this. (as I didn’t want to die yet anyway)

So I filled out the paper work went through the briefing, knowing that I wanted to do it, not being sure whether it feasible but could I rustle up the courage to do it if given the chance.

After filling out the paper work I later found out that I had paid $105 for this dive which then made the decision of whether I was going to go into the water a whole lot easer (you must be crazy if you think I’m not getting into the water after paying $105). So suited up and jumped in despite my first bit of panic it was not that bad… (Sign of relief)

We got to the bottom of the reef and the views were amazing, and after going for a while I realize that I was making a big deal out of nothing, beside there were people that were far worst than I was…after that first dive we decided to go for another in a different location which once again was wicked. So there it was Daniel London Charles swimming the Great Barrier Reef, all that per-lava last time for nothing, but let not get confused I am still not a fan of the sea…

In the jungle the mighty jungle

So the next day we set off to cape tribulation one of the 9 wonders of the world consisting of more rainforest than the whole of south American and being the only place in the would were two wonders of the world meet. Anyway after getting there it was clear that it was going to be a chilled couple of days as there was not much to do, in fact it was so quite that every person had there own room which most of the time meet a room built to hold 5 had only two in it. Later that day we went jungle surfing, which was the highlight o the trip as we soared through the canapés of the rainforest.

That was really it for cape tribulation, the next day we came back to cains and watched 2012. one other thing happen that as we look back now we laugh but at the time not so much. So to keep a long story short Kim was having what I believe you girls call an ugly day and was going on how she felt under dress anyway but she hopes she has a better day tomorrow, anyway I go ahead with my big mouth say “it not that easy miracles don’t happen over night” don’t ask me what I was thinking (and didn’t realize how bad it was till after dam) so there it goes again me with my big mouth getting my self into trouble :-)

london

Tracy and Jessica

These are the names of the mopeds that we rented on magnetic island. After taking the ferry over we reached the 3000 strong island which again had picture perfect views, but after being there for a while Kim and I realize that the 15k island didn’t have much to offer and is the reason for renting the bikes, Much to my dismay Kim (I don’t know) put in a good show while drag racing along the pier. This was the main highlight of the small island, and the only other thing that happen that was remotely interesting was that I managed to drop my camera not while racing but after completing racing (just my luck), but I later dropped it again which seem to have fixed…. Wooo

I also tried to learn to swim after only my five minutes in the great barrier reef the previous day, which not only proved to be to be a massive disappointment but a reality check as I realize that I could no longer swim and as for floating (or treading water that they like to call it) was well out the question. This being a large problem as I had a dive the next day.

That evening Kim and I dinned at little Mexican restaurant were I had the best Mexican ever (although I have never eaten Mexican in the UK)this mean was superb easily the best meal I have ever had in Australia. On departing the restaurant I decided to cut across the filed instead of taking the road, and to my dismay I was attacked by a tall long footed bird which all of a sudden got very big as it spread its wings, and proceeded t chase me down like a dog, for what seem like for ever.

London

Whitsunday and the 74 islands

After over 14 hours on the coach we finally got to Whitsundays which turned out to be a delightful little town.

So after packing up our stuff and dilly dallying about for a bit we finally set sail. The boat was called the boomerang and could hold 28 other people which was not that bad. We could sleep on top deck or below and all the meals were included which was wicked, as you know how much I love me food. Smile

The next day we went to white haven beach which was wicked, my camera almost got lost when the tide came in and we was out in sea it was literally a dash to save mine and Kim stuff as all we heard was who’s bag is that floating in the water..

Later that day we went off should I say attempted too (remembering that I have not gone in water that I can’t stand in ever unless in a swimming pool) snorkel. Anyway everyone was going and this was one of the main reason I wanted to come there was to see the Great Barrier Reef, so they dropped us out into the all of us into the water and the hell began all I can say is that I must have panic as I bobbed and kick for my life to stay above the water.
So fly half way round the world the world, go as fast as possible from the UK and all I wanted to see was the Great Barrier Reef, and I don’t last more than five minutes (he laterally drop me off and went off to get more people and I just panic for that little bit to time which seemed like forever) the thing that make worst is that I have done it before. But there was a second snorkel later that day which I wanted to try again which we was told was in a much better location. However the chance two came along and Kimberly was very persistent that she wanted me to go in as she knew we had dive coming up in our next location in cairn and had noted how quick that I had came out last time, despite this I still chicken out on the second snorkel, and just my luck as he took us out to pick up the guys it was clear that it was not as deep and near the shore and looked much better.

Anyway as I sit here writing this blog on the sailing boat with the sunset in the back ground I realize that I have not told you anything about the lady that I am traveling with called Kim (aka Kimberly Ann Bruce) so here the low down.
I met here on the orientation trip in the first week she was the blond hair blue eye petite little girl that didn’t sit over 5ft 2 she was from the states and went to a different campus which was situated a couple of hour away from mind (in fact in a different city). When we first met I remember her saying that she had no plans but wanted to travel round OZ, which at the time I took no notice of because believe it or not even through that I ad decided to come and study here for a year I had no plans to travel around in the country (just to get eaten or killed by some crazy animal). So she told me how she was traveling by herself and but was traveling to go round oz and after hanging out a couple of times in I mention that I would not mind going travelling with her as I had not plans anyway and could Asia after. I know what you lot are thinking but know it was not like that I was told at home by everyone not to go traveling but myself so here I was listening to what I had be told beside anyone that small should not be traveling by herself (just being the gentleman that I am. So here we are today. I some time refer to her as Kim I don’t know because she often, no that would be an understatement all the time I ask her a question and anything she says that she even says it at the end of sentences

So anyway that evening we chilled as the boat sailed into the sunset (cheesy I know). O and there was one thing that I forgot to mention was that every time we went sailing we had to raise the sales about 110 ft into the air. Now people who know me will know how i am and i was like yea bring it on i am ready for this it can’t be that had, but how wrong i was the eight of us struggle to raise the sail it was so hard you would not believe I want to give up after not even reaching half way.

So last day on the boat we went for a hike which was wicked but was not the main event of the day. So on the way back from the hike everyone started jumping off the boat into the sea (not for me of course after what happen the day before) anyway Kim (I don’t know) decided that she wanted to a back flip for the first time ever, so she it and from the start it looks really good as seen in my pictures but that about the only part because she ends up doing a belly flop (and remember the whole boat is watching) ...so as she coming out she does not check her top and ends up flashing the whole boat. (Kim say And then actually did a good one to make up for her epic fail) it was ok nothing special lol. We docked that morning and chilled for the rest of the day , a wicked place but make sure you can swim before you go in the water

Love ya
London

Don’t be silly

All i am going to say is dont go to the city of the dead Brisbane. Not impress. Off the Fraser Island WOO!!!

‘Back to the sugar shack’

After waiting an hour and 45 minutes with Kim ‘I don’t no’ WE MANAGE TO MAKE IT BACK TO THE SUGAR SHACK IN SYDNEY (“,) and checked in for a week (was not going to have our bed sold again)

So we did the normal stuff, as you do when you go too Sydney apart from two thing that made this trip special. The first was Sydney markets which is a must when coming to Sydney Saturday the best day and you should try to get too as many as possible.

The second factor that made this trip was the room that we got in sugar shack not only did I get another good room but the people in it was wicked, after meeting them all I found out that I was living with 3 other English people which was not only cool because we could talk about how cheesy oz was, but we was also able to gang up on Kim about why England was better than the USA and how she couldn’t say certain words.

Apart from that I would highly recommend that you go to Sydney

London