May 2008

Slowly trying to find my way around a new country. I must have some kind of strong idiot magnet in my pocket as I am approached by one. Minding my own business, wondering around the botanical gardens, I'm approached by someone who looks about 13 years of age, wearing a hooped rugby shirt, who starts making ridiculous small talk about the tree I was admiring and tells me he is top in his kick boxing class. He beckons his friends over who are a short distance away and walking slowly towards me. They are from the local public school and have been using the sporting facilites in the gardens, playing football or something. It dawns on me that he wants to start a fight. I manage to keep calm and refrain from beating the living cr*p out of him before his friends turn up. I turn and slowly walk away. Thankfully, he didn't follow me.

How ironic, in the country I was expecting least problems with and beggining my visit with the most positive vibe, I have to dodge being involved in a fight with a moron !

The rest of the day is uneventful and I return to my hostel and a quiet evening.

Catching the 5:10 am bus was no fun but a new adventure awaits - New Zealand.

Arrived in Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand around 3pm local time. A friendly minibus service at the airport takes us to the hostel we are staying at.

The temperature is a little lower in New Zealand, it's going into their winter. There's a familiar feel about New Zealand - a little English. There are only a million people who live in the South Island and because it is the low season for tourists it seems slow, quiet and relaxed; I'm sure this is partly due to my preconceptions of New Zealand.

We visit the local botanical gardens - a very big park, there's a lot of space here.

This is an excursion to see a famous mountain site a few hours away from Sydney.

Tomorrow morning I am leaving Australia for New Zealand, so this will be virtually the last major thing I see of Australia.

The sight of the Blue mountains and a visit to a local waterfall does not disappoint.

'May the 4th be with you'

It's my birthday and nobody sent me a card. That's it, you are all off my Christmas card list !

Revisited sights for the benefit of my travelling companion: Sydney Opera House, Paddys market,Botanical gardens.

In the evening went to a Vietnamese restaurant with Pat, it would be the last time we meet up. I had the hottest starter I've ever had ! It was a sort of soup, I can't remember the name, but the restaurant made it specially hot for us. It was filing and delicious and I ended up taking the rest of the meal away to eat later.
Another day flies by.

Up to now, for the most part, I've been travelling by myself and seeing new faces. Now I'm joined by a friend from England. I'm more than happy to carry on the way things have been going. Hopefully, we'll get on okay, as we'll also be travelling in a camper van around New Zealand for a month.

Said my farewells to Pat today and thank you very much for looking after me for the last few days.

I revisited Manley beach. It must be great to have a beach like this near your door step. There are people jogging, playing beach volley ball and surfers trying to catch the waves. And the inevitable tourists like me.

The return ferry trip takes me back to near Sydney Opera House an another look at it. At about 6pm I head to the airport by train to meet my hanger-on. Beware if you make the same trip as you are charged an extra fare at the airport to come in; the station is privately owned.

At 7:30 pm we finally meet. We travel back by train to hostel where we are staying for the night called, 'X-Base' in Sydney. Unfortunately, the hostel is next door to a nightclub so it's 3 in the morning before everything quietens down and we can sleep.