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nightrider_1980 - Kevin

Born and raised in Portsmouth, England, in a provincial area called Drayton. After school, college, and a year at Portsmouth Uni, studying predominantly Photography, Media and Film Studies, I left for Uni in Sheffield. Had a fantastic time 'studying' and successfully received a degree in Film Studies. Like many graduates I still had no clue as to what I wanted to actually do? After another year in Sheffield not doing much I decided to spice up my life with a move to London.

Got a job at the National Film Theatre where I have spent the last 2.5 years. Since working in London I have developed a passion for travelling and with very generous holiday allowance and flexible shifts, I've used most of my spare time seeing other parts of the world (while still feeling like a tourist in London!). The best of both worlds one might say huh? This time has been great but my thirst for travel and adventure has become too much, I need more!

Two days ago I handed my notice into work and have booked myself onto a TEFL course in Thailand, I fly on the 5th Jan (now 4th Dec).

At the moment my intention is to complete the month long course and get employment as an ESL teacher in Taiwan. Then who knows?

I hope to use this blog to record my adventure, and bug my friends with updates!

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Joined on: December 4th 2005
Last Login: December 19th 2009

Blog Entries: 30
Photos: 1027

TB Code: [blogger=9575]
Status: BLOGGER

Blogs & Travel Journals

by nightrider_1980, order by Date newest first.

By nightrider_1980
April 12th 2009

Hamlin Pool Oceania » Australia » Western Australia » Exmouth

Bush camping at Yule River

It's the Easter holiday 2009 and again I have a free moment to retrace my steps from almost 2 years ago... A 4:45am start to the day was needed in order to complete a considerable portion of the 700km journey before the van overheated. The drive was long, dry and dusty. In Exmouth we caught-up with ourselves and explored the area around Nigaloo Reef (unfortunately Whale season was out); here I enjoyed a snorkel off the beach, before we drove down to Coral Bay. The west coast of Australia is rugged and very beautiful, beaches are empty for miles upon miles. [View Full Entry]

Camp kitchen at Hamelin Pool caravan park

By nightrider_1980
February 3rd 2009

Kakadu, Darwin and Broome Oceania » Australia » Northern Territory » Darwin

Ubirr and views over the wetlands

It should be noted that it's now Feb 2009 and this is very much written in retrospect, but with London snowed under and no school today I feel the need to catch-up on some long-term projects that have began to fester, so armed with a brand new macbook, I begin the long road north.... From the red heart of Australia we put our foot down and made the long trip north passing: Renner Springs, Elliot, Newcastle Waters, Dunmarra, Daly Waters and Larrimah, 700 km of monotonous road. Eventually we arrived hot and dusty at Mataranka. We bush camped at a national [View Full Entry]

By nightrider_1980
August 20th 2007

The Red Heart Oceania » Australia » Northern Territory » Uluru

Uluru 125

Mt Isa, or ‘The Isa’ as it’s known to locals had been a wonderful home and showcase for the rodeo; we were deeply saddened to be leaving, but leave we had to. It was a long 600km drive to Tennant Creek where we stayed in a nice little campsite, before moving on the next day towards Alice Springs. En route we made a marvellous detour to The Devil’s Marbles, a cluster of boulders, made from the red rock prevalent this central, they were formed by volcanic activity many moons ago. Continuing on we passed through Australia’s UFO capital, Wycliffe Well, boasting [View Full Entry]

By nightrider_1980
August 9th 2007

Through the Outback to Mt. Isa and the Rodeo Oceania » Australia » Queensland » Mt Isa

Mt Hypipamee NP

Our first stop on the road inland was in Atherton which seemed a pleasant town, then we began to get more remote and we visited Mt Hypipamee crator, which is, yep a crater. The pretty Milla Milla waterfall was our stop for lunch, before we made our way to a brilliant free camping group in the town of Ravenshoe. It was only around this time that we realised that free camping groups are prolific throughout Australia, especially away from the touristy East Coast. The site in Ravenshoe is on a fantastic old railway yard, still with railway paraphernalia scattered around the [View Full Entry]

By nightrider_1980
July 27th 2007

Magnetic Island and As Far North as We Could Get! Oceania » Australia » Queensland » Cairns » Inn The Tropics

Lake on Magnetic Island

After regaining our land legs, we made our way through Bowen, then onto Townsville where we purchased camping equipment for our trip over to Magnetic Island. Nervously we left the van parked in a side street and preyed folk would leave his old ass alone. The ferry ride across was a short one and we caught a bus down to our campsite, Bungalow Bay, where we set up our tent on a nice green patch of grass. I always love the cosiness of a tent, and we regretfully left our nest to explore the Bay. It was nice enough and we [View Full Entry]

By nightrider_1980
July 18th 2007

Sailing the Whitsundays Oceania » Australia » Queensland » Whitsundays

Harbour

Our first impressions of Airlie Beach was that it was a fun and vibrant town, full of travellers, and surf bums, looking to have a good time. In between the bars and restaurants, the tour agents compete for business on Whitsunday sailing packages. The choices at first are mind-boggling; classic sailor, or modern catamaran, romantic voyage, or party time, 1 night, or 6 nights…. After sifting through the glossy brochures we made our decision: The Alexander Stewart, a classic vintage sailing boat, marketed at the ‘couples market’, and the 3 day/2 night trip promised to be an ec [View Full Entry]

By nightrider_1980
July 12th 2007

Horses and Dolphins Oceania » Australia » Queensland » Rockhampton

Dolphins go Crazy for Fish!

Our sadness at leaving Fraser Island was repressed slightly by an early morning visit to Tin Can Bay the following morning, our reason for coming; dolphins. This place is a gem, for now, as around 8am every morning a small crowd gathers by the shore, as volunteers introduce the act, and fishermen watch on bemused by the whole event. Tempted by fish, and surely the attention, a pod of dolphins, swim into the bay and happily roll in the water, and take the free food straight from your hands. The volunteer group don’t charge, provide the fish and are happy for [View Full Entry]

By nightrider_1980
July 7th 2007

Fraser Island Oceania » Australia » Queensland » Fraser Island

Our 4x4

A trip to Australia’s East Coast is incomplete without a visit to Fraser Island. This Island is unique as it’s the world's largest sand island, yes it’s completely made up of sand. Think of a sand bar, often more pronounced at low tide, then think of a giant sandbar which the top of, never sinks below the water, that’s Fraser Island in a nutshell. The island acts like a huge sponge, and absorbs rain, thus creating fresh water lakes and rivers, and allowing vegetation to flourish. These facts alone make a visit a must, but add to this the 4x4 adventure, [View Full Entry]

By nightrider_1980
July 1st 2007

Call Centres In Brisbane and Fishing in Hervey Bay Oceania » Australia » Queensland » Brisbane

Japanese Bridge

Coffs Harbour was a brief stop, but we had time to visit the quite beautifully maintained botanical gardens, and the harbour itself. The harbour was nice enough, and we fortunately saw dolphins from the harbour wall, we also soaked up the fresh sea air from Mutton Bird Island. The drive from Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay is quite nice as it actually follows the coast for some time. I was immediately smitten with Byron Bay, the town was full of surfers and old hippies, and the type of establishments here seemed to cater for a diverse clientele. The next day we [View Full Entry]

By nightrider_1980
June 15th 2007

Nelson Bay and the Rain Oceania » Australia » New South Wales » Nelson Bay

Beer tasting

The Hunter Valley is rather beautiful and we arrived in Cessnock, excited to be starting our trip proper, and to be in wine country. Wine in Australia is cheap and excellent, even the cheapest, nastiest stuff purchased in boxes for only a few dollars is drinkable. With the luxury of our own transport we were able to tour the region ourselves, for there are countless vineyards and all have showrooms which operate wine tasting sessions. Selecting a few randomly, we enjoyed the free wine (and cheese!), and made a couple of shrewd purchases. If you are without your own transport you [View Full Entry]

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