RyanDavey1985

On the Monday the bus picked us up again, this time we were off to Wineglass Bay and the Freycinet National Park. Several years ago I was given a book about the top 10 beaches in the World, depending on what list you look at and what time the beaches included change like the wind, but I decided that I wanted to visit every beach on that list. Wineglass Bay being one I was really looking forward to this trip and the opportunity to become that little bit closer to completing the list. We made several stops in different locations to take photos of the scenery from the Hazards, pink granite mountains rising straight out of the water, to the sheltered waterway that they form. We climbed up the mountain trail to the Wineglass Bay lookout, ... read more

My first opinion of Hobart reminded me a lot of the outskirts of the area I had been living in, near Yellingbo. The suburbs gave the impression of a shanty town built in a woodland, very green. Even the city itself was broken up by trees and vegetation, parks and grass. The bus didn't drop us where the transit centre was marked up my Lonely Planet book. There was however a very nice gentleman in the Redline coach office that gave me very accurate directions as to where I needed to go. I found my way there easily, stepped into the Tourist Information Centre and set myself up on a table with my LP guide and a large map, marking all the POI. 3 ladies in turn asked if I needed any help and it wasn't ... read more

My trip to Tasi was to be my first chance to experience backpacking and get organised for it before actually setting off for my big trip around the country. Rob and Emma (and newborn baby Jess) took me out for the day stopping of at a tech shop to look at SatNavs. Whilst in the shop I began to play with the cameras and almost bought one when I heard my dad's voice in the back of my head. I decided to leave it until after my week in Tasi to decide whether I actually needed one rather that just acting on impulse as per usual. I was dropped at the train station with just my rucksack for the week, rather than my big pack, my sleeping bag dangling off the back. Once the perspex and ... read more

My first trip into the city was a daunting experience. I got up at 6 in the morning to catch a lift to the train station with Mark on his way to work. The sun was shining which helped the whole process but it was still pretty cold as we jumped into the Landy shivering, Melbourne in October is still pretty cold first thing. I had packed a backpack not quite knowing what I would need for the day, taking a jumper, jacket, my bible (Lonely Planet's guide to Australia) and some other bits that I thought may be helpful. Once at the station I got a return ticket to Flinders street station, near Federation Square and therefore the tourist information centre. $11 (about £7) to ride the trains, trams and buses within Zones 1+2 ... read more

7 hours and 4 films and some delicious food later we were flying over the barren expanse of sand that reminded me of flying into sharm el sheikh. I don't remember seeing the airport approaching on up and before I knew it that old familiar feeling of cranial pressure imbalance informed me of our decent. The landing was fairly smooth and it was nice to just go through passport control and into another boarding lounge without having to worry about my big luggage. Looking around I didn't really feel the need to visit Dubai in the future, it didn't seem like it had much to offer. The airport was nice though, clean and the staff were friendly, the floors were polished marble and it smelt fresh, even the toilets. Makes you wonder why England can't ... read more

So after 10 months of waiting the day was finally here and I was off on my travels. I had all my stuff ready to go the day before so it was just a case of have a bite to eat, say goodbye to my dog for a year, hide the fact that I was a little choked up and jump in the car. The drive to Exeter wasn't too bad, I sat quietly in the back on my phone (facebook) saying goodbye to everybody and getting a last bit of banter in with my mates. We arrive in Exeter bus station and hung around in the smeary perspex cage that is the dedicated non-smoking area and wait for the bus. Once it arrives theres the usual scramble of people and game of sardines as people ... read more