http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/SteveWivaV/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from SteveWivaV en-us Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:54:10 +0000 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:54:10 +0000 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 trudgin http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Palm-Beach/blog-377753.html 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 'Unworld' like. I somehow found myself at http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Sydney/Kings-Cross/blog-377752.html 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 http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Sydney/Darling-Harbour/blog-377751.html 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 http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Sydney/Sydney-Harbour/blog-377750.html 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 t http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Sydney/Opera-House/blog-377747.html 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 meeti http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Sydney/Hyde-Park/blog-377746.html 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 th http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Brisbane/Zillmere/blog-377744.html 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 o http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Brisbane/Zillmere/blog-377740.html 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 somew http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Nimbin/blog-377739.html 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 callhe 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 http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Ballina/blog-377737.html I surfaced once again at 7.45 and witnessed the usual morning departures from Horizon Drive Station. With breakfast coffee and a bonus two hours sleep hehehe I took an amble up to the shops for a quick browse and on my way back got absolutely soaked. Having dried out and changed I realised that I forgot to sort out my Greyhound ticket to Brisbane whilst out earlier so as the weather had impr http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Ballina/blog-377734.html I woke up at eight o clock just in time to flag the kids off to school before then readying myself for the short bus ride into Central Ballina. Upon arrival I proceeded first to the top end of town where the Tourist Information Office is stationed and picked up a few useful leaflets of potential places to visit including Nimbin an old hippy town fuelled by drugs and Ballina driving range to ma http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Ballina/blog-377732.html Today I was awake at seven thirty which meant I got to witness the everyday spectacle of the household early morning routine which is very reminiscent of Witham Train Station as it goes with passengers departing for school and to their respective jobs...even the pets were in on the scenario Having had my morning toast and numerous cups of coffee I took a wander up to the Big Prawn Restaurant http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Ballina/blog-374761.html I surfaced at eight and had my morning toast and coffee before Bruce and Liz dropped me off in Byron Bay for the day. My first assignment was a short wander along the beach to the lighthouse which as it turned out was a longer walk than I first figured A good hour and aching legs later I was dawdling wearily back again...before succumbing to old age and collapsing in a heap in the sand. I spent http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Byron-Bay/blog-374759.html The rain has followed me down the coast...its pouring down outside which thus prevents any outside activity apart from water polo that is We did however venture up to the shops on a couple of occasions to pick up some household items plus Liz and I also had time for a quirky 10 cent bet on the distinct possibility of one of the kids using the phrase 'I really need thatone of them' We had http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Ballina/blog-374758.html I surfaced at eight...showered shaved and assembled my cases outside the front door in preparation for the oh so familiar walk across to the bus stop...the difference today was not only that the bus shelter crowded with people well 5 anyway but also it was raining. In order to avoid getting soaked I had a brainwave and stood under Mikes veranda and waited for the bus there...Clever Me On h http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Ballina/blog-373462.html I woke up to the sound of the Doctor Who theme playing on my mobile thus realising sleepy time was once again over and I had an urgent 7 o'clock appointment on the golf course. After a pleasant couple of hours we returned back to base where upon I readied myself to take the now familiar journey into the City. After admiring the criminal courts not that I have any real desire to frequent them an http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Brisbane/Aspley/blog-373459.html I awoke to the glorious sounds of Aussie wildlife chirping happily outside my window this morning and upon looking at my phone sleepily...realised it was nine thirty Two cups of coffee and a warm shower later I was awake ready for the day ahead. Someone somewhere is sounding a 1940's esque car horn...though upon looking outside the front window all I can see is the postman on his 'slowped'. http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Brisbane/Mt-Coot-tha/blog-373458.html I got up...yep that says it all pretty much doesn't it I spent the morning plotting the next few weeks of my Brisbane experience checking out coach fares and accommodation possibilities in Chinchilla and also places of interest on the Sunshine and Gold Coasts. After watching Macgyver once again save the world I watched the Aussies win the cricket for the second game in succession...it's like http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Brisbane/Aspley/blog-373457.html Having surfaced like a mole from a mole hill...yes I know this is getting worse the first thing I noticed was just how stupidly hot is was clear blue sky and a sticky 94F. I hopped onto the bus and ventured into town and within an hour I was tired hot and bothered...so I found the nearest bar had a huge pub lunch and then chilled out with an ice cold 'Pure Blonde'. Feeling refreshed although http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Brisbane/Aspley/blog-373456.html