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PhilOsman - Phil Osman

I have left Ireland..........that country is dead to me!

I'm an Irish accountant living & working in Sydney at the moment, having spent almost 4 months travelling through South East Asia, followed by 7 months work in Brisbane.

I also spent the month of October travelling up the East coast and to Alice Springs.

Am looking at leaving Sydney in November 2006, then onto New Zealand for 6 weeks, South America for 3 months, Central America for 5/6 weeks, Cuba , possibly Canada, then back to Europe.
Latest plan is also to catch the Cricket World Cup in Jamaica in March 2007!!!

Click the map to the right to see a larger version of the countries I have visited on this trip.

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My review of South East Asia: Asian Awards - 2004/2005

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Joined on: May 15th 2005
Last Login: October 7th 2009

Blog Entries: 49
Photos: 116

TB Code: [blogger=3547]
Status: BLOGGER

Blogs & Travel Journals

by PhilOsman, order by Date newest first.

By PhilOsman
October 24th 2005

The Daintree Rainforest Oceania » Australia » Queensland » Cape Tribulation

Cool Tree
In Daintree Rainforest

The Daintree Rainforest is located on Cape Tribulation, north of Cairns. We took a 2 day trip to see what the area had to offer. After pickup it was off to the small town of Port Douglas where we stopped for 45 minutes so the hungover passengers amonst us could get some Coke & chocolate. As we had booked to spend the 3 nights after the tour in Port Douglas it was nice to get a quick look at the place. From Port Douglas it was onto Mossman Gorge in the Daintree itself. We were taken on a 1 hour guided [View Full Entry]

By PhilOsman
October 19th 2005

I think I'm turning Japanese, I really think so....... Oceania » Australia » Queensland » Cairns

Airborne !
Quad bike riding outside Cairns....

Arrived into Cairns last Thursday evening and was completely disorientated when I got off the bus. Couldn't find any Australian people, even shop assistants where all Japanese. Shop signs etc all in Japanese as well......weird ! Eventually found a local who gave us directions to our accommodation: Southern Cross Atrium Apartements. A hostel double room was gonna be about $80 and got a studio in this joint for $90, and it is lovely. 3 swimming pools, a gym, satellite TV in room......English Premiership on all night !! Definat [View Full Entry]

By PhilOsman
October 13th 2005

Going Topless....... Oceania » Australia » Queensland » Magnetic Island

Phil goes Topless.....
In the rental car we won at the table quiz !

We arrived onto Magnetic Island via a 5 hour bus trip North from Airlie Beach and a 20 minute ferry from Townsville. As we had prebooked accomodation at Base Backpackers, we got picked up from the ferry and taken by bus to the hostel which is situated in Nelly Bay. I should point out that the bus driver was the weirdest fecker I have met in my life.....has to be seen to be believed......about 50 years old wearing tight denim hotpants, and full of stupid one liners.......when we got to the hostel: "As my ex-girlfriend used to say - GET OFF [View Full Entry]

By PhilOsman
October 8th 2005

Whitsunday Islands - Sailing & Flying ! Oceania » Australia » Queensland » Airlie Beach

Solway Lass
Our Whitsundays transport & Accommodation

We arrived in Airlie Beach last Tuesday and checked straight into our boat tour which set sail that night. The sailing trip was absolutely fantastic. We went on a boat called Solway Lass. It was about $100 more expensive ($429 per person) than the majority of the cheaper boats favoured by backpackers, but I would HIGHLY recommend spending the extra money as we have heard really bad stories about the cheaper boats, in particular one called Maxi Samurai. The food on the boat was superb, and the cabins were fine. We went sn [View Full Entry]

By PhilOsman
September 11th 2005

Swimming with Sharks Oceania » Australia » Queensland » Gold Coast » Surfers Paradise

Yesterday we made the 1 hour trip to Brisbane to SeaWorld, which is located on the outskirts of Surfer's Paradise. The park is cool, with plenty of shows. The shows are really aimed at kids, but they are still quite good. We went to the Sealion, Dolphin, and Water Skiing shows during the day. In addition, there are a few good rides including a decent roller-caster. The Bermuda Triangle was especially fun......! The highlight of the day was our Scuba Dive. We had pre-booked a 20 minute dive at the park. The cost was $90, but turned out to be money [View Full Entry]

By PhilOsman
August 1st 2005

There be Whales in them there waters.... Oceania » Australia » New South Wales » Byron Bay

Headland
Most Easterly point in Australia you know...

Just back from a great 2 day trip to Byron Bay. We set off early on Saturday morning from Brisvegas and arrived in Byron in less that 2 hours which was a bit quicker than I thought. It was straight up to the top of the hill at the end of the town to the famous lighthouse. The lighthouse is located on a headland that juts out from the cost to make it the most Easterly point in Australia. Such a location called for a picture surely………which is when Ruth realised that although she had brought the camera, she had forgotten [View Full Entry]

By PhilOsman
July 29th 2005

Christmas in July ! Oceania » Australia » Queensland » Stanthorpe

Cosy!
Our cottage in Stanthorpe, complete with log fire and whirlpool Spa !

We set off early last Saturday morning from Brisbane, heading South-West towards Stanthorpe. The 3 hour drive is really nice with some mountains and such like providing a pleasant backdrop. Along the way there are some real country towns like Warwick, where we spotted a rodeo ring! I was later to learn from someone in work that the Warwick rodeo ring is home to the biggest rodeo in Queensland every September…….I’m SO there! Stanthorpe itself is a one street town surrounded by miles of farms & vineyards. The locals are a mix of homegrown hicks, and semi-retired city fo [View Full Entry]

By PhilOsman
June 15th 2005

Still Alive.... Oceania » Australia » Queensland » Brisbane

Zorbing
All set to go !

Bless me Reader, it has been many weeks since my last communication. My time in hibernation has not been in vain however, as I did a little work on my website during my spare time. Be sure to go check it out : My Website I'm sure you shall all add my masterpiece straight into your Internet Favourites!! We have been on TV! The 4 of us visited this restaurant: Louvre It was part of a TV programme over here. They had the best steak I have had in Australia so far, but sadly they [View Full Entry]

By PhilOsman
April 26th 2005

The Largest Sand Island in the World ! Oceania » Australia » Queensland » Fraser Island

Lake Birabeen
A White lake. A bit cloudy but beautiful white sands.

Our trip to Frasier Island was fantastic. We went with an organised group in a 17 seater 4WD truck thing. The company we went with were called Trailblazer Tours and this is the exact tour we did: 99% of backpackers go for the self-drive tours and seem to enjoy it, mainly because of the cheap prices! However, with the guided tour: -All food cooked for you and included in price -All petrol included in price -Guide drives, much lower risk of getting stuck in sand, and no risk of having to pay for damage to jeep -Guide gets everyon [View Full Entry]

By PhilOsman
April 22nd 2005

In the Groove.... Oceania » Australia » Queensland » Brisbane

Home Sweet Home
Our appartment in Brisbane, middle floor one is ours.

Brisbane life is great. We're well settled into our 2 bedroom appartment. It's very close to the city, 7 minutes on a train and the station is within stumbling distance of the appartment. Andy & Anto have been living with us for almost 6 weeks now, and everyone is getting on well. We're all working. My contract is due to finish on Friday the 29th but the others are about half-way into 2 month contracts. For those of you who don't know the lads, I suggest you visit their websites to find out more about them..... Andy Orr, primary school friend, [View Full Entry]

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