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Outta Box Experience
Hey, Welcome to My 'Outta Box Experience' Travelblog. My name is Steve and I have seemingly lost my marbles!!! For all of you who don't really know me, up until a few months ago, I lived my life in a 'bubble' and stuck to the same predictable daily routine day in day out, rarely venturing outside the confines of my numerous comfort zones. I have spent my whole exsistance working very hard whilst dodging the occasional curveball that life seems to throw at you, on occasions unsuccessfully, and have actively enjoyed a normal if slightly unfulfilled social life. I have a handfull of amazing friends who mean the world to me...and it was one of them who sowed the seed of this seemingly'madcap idea' and made me suddenly realise that there was indeed more to life than work and that there was also life beyond the bubble. Now, a few months on, I have quit work, bust open the box and am now preparing myself for the Trip of a Lifetime...a voyage of self discovery and one of which no doubt will produce some amazing stories, adventures and memories.SteveWivaV
Travel Blog Posts
Closer Each Day...Home And Away!!
Published: March 1st 2009Oceania » Australia » New South Wales » Palm Beach
February 28th 2009
I had a really bizarre dream last night about Buffy the Vampire Slayer...don't ask!! My fascination with Buffy worries me. I somehow got out of bed at nine and still managed to catch the twenty to ten L90 bus to Palm Beach...the home of Summer Bay and Home and Away!! The beach was lovely, really sandy as it goes, probably the sandiest I have ever walked on in my life...but it was hard work trudging through it on my way up to the Surf Club. I am not really a Home and away fanatic but just being on the set was awesome enough for me so I celebrated this achievement with a Double Choc Chip Cornetto!! Avalon, the next beach down looked gorgeous too with spectacular scenery...I may return there again to walk the coastline before ... read more
February 27th 2009
The plan was to take a ferry out to Manley today, however, with the sky distinctly overcast to say the least...I went for a general amble around most of Sydney instead. I saw some very cute jellyfish swimming around under Circular Quay, Castlereigh St was partially closed due to some dodgy scaffolding and the impressively sounding World Bar was distinctly 'Un-world' like. I somehow found myself attending a WW2 memorial service for Australian, Dutch, American and British Personnel which included the playing of the National Anthem which I haven't heard for who knows how long and whilst I was there, I also had the pleasure of meeting a very pleasant Aussie Sailor as a bonus which was kind of nice!!! The afternoon saw me wearily tread the streets of Kings Cross featuring some nice shops intermingled ... read more
Emulating Mr Benn and Dunkin Donuts!!
Published: March 1st 2009Oceania » Australia » New South Wales » Sydney » Darling HarbourFebruary 26th 2009
Today's adventures took the energetic traveller out to the Darling Harbour and the National Maritime Museum where he not only scaled the heights of a lighthouse, he also boarded a warship and the first time ever...a submarine!!! Crikey those things are small... being over six feet tall, leaves not a lot of room to manoeuvre and clambering through the air locks took some agility I can tell you!! As for the sleeping compartments, forget about it hehehe!!! I then walked across to Liverpool St to find somewhere to have lunch and found The Three Wise Monkeys Bar where I had Nachos and a nice cold pint. I returned back to the hostel via the QVB building which is nice and houses some great shops...pricy but great yes. Oh yeah, I must mention my first Dunkin Donuts ... read more
Macsquirrels Chair and Harbour Bridge Walk!!
Published: March 1st 2009Oceania » Australia » New South Wales » Sydney » Sydney HarbourFebruary 25th 2009
I erupted from my bed...hang on, that's just too dramatic...and took my poor aching feet on another agonising walk this time to Mrs Macquaries Chair and Farm Cove for an amazing view across to the Opera House and Bridge! It was like Camera Club whilst I was down there as a coach load of our Japanese friends arrived complete with half of Nikkon...why are they so obsessed with photography...I think my Stepdad must have some Japanese blood in him...he likes cameras too!! Many photographs later, I finally made it to the Opera House where I rested my weary pins for a bit before embarking on today's moment of madness... The Sydney Bridge Climb...I must be totally stupid!!! Why! Why! Why! He thought once he was all harnessed up and making his way up to the first ... read more
February 24th 2009
I emerged from bed at 8am and once dressed...grabbed my street map and embarked on my first Sydney reconnaissance mission which as it turned out, ended up being an epic expedition. Having found St Marys Cathedral pretty easily (my landmark marker), I then wandered slowly through Hyde Park taking in all the fauna and sights and was astounded as to how many joggists were tearing about, especially taking into account how warm it was...86F!!! Mad??? Stark Raving Bonkers if you asked me!!! The Botanical Gardens were really nice too, but, as ever I found something to be worried about...this time, the hundreds of bats dangling upside down in the trees above (Yes, A Return to James's Nightmare!!). Fascinating as they are, I was a little concerned about being crapped on from great heights as I sauntered ... read more
Sydney...The Tetley Tea Bloke!!
Published: March 1st 2009Oceania » Australia » New South Wales » Sydney » Hyde ParkFebruary 23rd 2009
I had a really bizarre dream last night, but can't comment on it too much coz its wrong hehehehe so you will just have to make do with me once again getting up to supplement my usual toast and coffee needs. It's a sad day today, I am saying goodbye to Mike and Ella and moving on today to Sydney, NSW. A BIG Thank You Mike for everything you have done for the past few weeks, it was really nice meeting you all and you made me feel so welcome!! We never got to play Tiger Woods 2009 did we...have to do that next time huh! Hope everything works out and make sure you get away for that break when you can! Thanks once again... The flight was really smooth and short, just an hour and ... read more
Packing and Repacking...Again!!!
Published: March 1st 2009Oceania » Australia » Queensland » Brisbane » ZillmereFebruary 22nd 2009
I awoke at eight o'clock and proceeded to the kitchen in order to obtain my now regular fix of toast and coffee. Full o beans on caffeine, I spent the majority of the morning packing and then repacking my case...it's amazing how much stuff one can accumulate on your travels and I have actually found myself sacrificing a couple of books to make extra room for these new bits n bobs!!. The rest of the day was pretty much taken up with watching some really weird programmes that Ella likes, I worry about her taste of viewing though I am slightly embarrassed to admit that I did find myself chuckling on a couple of occasions...sorry folks!... read more
Brisbane...The Return!!!
Published: March 1st 2009Oceania » Australia » Queensland » Brisbane » ZillmereFebruary 21st 2009
I found myself getting up at seven this morning and packed my suitcase in readiness for the lunchtime appointment with the Greyhound Australia service back to Brisbane. One thing that really both amazed and fascinated me this morning was the weekend newspapers arriving wrapped in cling film...so by the time I had figured out how to unwrap them, my coffee had gone cold!! I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bruce, Liz and the Kids for everything they have done for me the past week...they made me feel so welcome and nothing was too much trouble for them...I loved every minute of my stay and I will take with me some nice memories...including scrapbooking...so just wanna say once again...thanks guys for everything, you are amazing xx The return to Brisbane passed without any real ... read more
February 20th 2009
Today started off with something I haven't done for over twenty three years...waiting for a School Bus!!! I had to catch it in order to accomplish my master plan of connecting with the 9am bus to Byron Bay which I successfully made aided by my very own young tour guide Andrew...compete with skateboard!! Once I arrived, I invaded the Tourist Information Office (that's if one person can invade somewhere that is...mind you, streakers can... technically) in order to purchase a ticket to Nimbin...an old hippie town in the hills. I felt very under-packed on the coach, all I had was my camera...we were sightseeing after all, so how worried was I when I saw suitcases, guitars and surf boards being loaded up by one very stressed confused looking driver!! Once the luggage...and the nine fellow passengers ... read more
February 19th 2009
This morning, I somehow found myself missing the 9.55 bus (I blame the really nice shower I had earlier for that) so ended up on the 11.25 instead. First port of call(he said sounding like a cruise liner) was the Travel Info Centre to inform them about their incorrect advice yesterday...there is NO Greyhound Australia ticket office at the Big Prawn Restaurant! After browsing the shops for a while, I returned back to Horizon Drive in time for the kids to return from school...and fulfil my outstanding promise to Alex, a game of Monopoly!!! After an awful start and two stints in jail caused by yet more double trouble (why do I always seem to have the knack of hitting doubles all the time...yep, this worries me too) I got my act together and aided by ... read more
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