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Published: February 25th 2008
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Friday night was great fun. Ghost Tour of The Rocks. Little chunk of Sydney stickjing out with the bridge stuck on the end. Nice area well preserved over the years so lots of little alleyways to wander down in the dark. Our "Ghost Host" James, (really nice, enthusiatic old bloke) even had us act out the stories, with props, to get everyone involved. I was part of "The Rocks Gang" so with 5 others, got to beat up a bloke with a sock - we actually got told off for no being scary enough, laughing too much. I also represnted Bubonic Plague, so got to wander round with this sock, and a plastic rat hanging from my neck all night.
We got taken round the city, into all the little alleyways, and round the backs of museums to be told where everyone died. Murders, hangings, suicides, some poor kid that fell into the concrete as they were making the bridge (probablt still there), and a really gross story about a bloke who, in a guilty fit having had an affair, cut a bit of his anatomy off and left it there for the cleaner to find a few days later. All
the sort of stuff you want to here about just before you walk hom e in the dark.
He also showed us the place where the Sydney Habour Pub used to be, then the bridge got in the way so it got moved 100m. Huge plaque. And the childhood home of Australia's first Prime Minister, no plaque. Aussies have thier priorities sorted alright.
I've brought a travel pass giving unlimited access to buses, trains and ferries in central Syndey. As such, I feel the need to get my monies worth and have been playing on the ferries, going to places just because I can. Well why not. One such excusion was to Watson Bay. North of Bondi on the edge of Sydney Habour. Contained Sydney Habour National Park. Dinky, but had lots of nice view accross the habour, and plenty to read about this being the mouth of the habour, hence well protected, and used for training recuits to shooot and boats. Skim read the first couple, then ignored them to admire the views.
Reminded myself why I hate buses. The trains, trams, ferries, bikes, feet, crawling on hands and knees... are quicker, and much more pleasant. Took 90
minutes to get max 10 miles down the coast to Coogee Beach. Made the dreaded Greyhound buses look quick and entertaining. Bored to tears by the time I got there. Nice beach, but just a beach. Sea to choppy to paddle in, besides, I had somewhere to be.
Had nice, if really hot, walk up the coast to Bondi Beach. Passing lots of other smaller beaches. Was itching to see a sharks fin apear of the water just by a group of noisy yoths. That would have made the day far more entertaining. 6.5km of cliffs, beaches, cliffs, beaches... Not quite as nice as Pembroke, with less wildlife. Too many people really, it's famous, so everyone goes to this 1 place. Why?
Bondi may be fabulous, if you enjoy sitting aroung all day going from pink to red to sizzling. Good surf, and paddling available. But that's only good fun if you have family around you, and can keep wandering off to buy ice cream, or play on the 2p falls.
Evening spend at the openair ciinema just of the beach. Lying on a beach bag under the stars watching a very good film. "Into The Wild". Would
highly recommend to all. It's about a kids who goes off into the wilderness to find peace and to find himself. Don't need to watch on the beach, but it certainly adds to the atmosphere.
Sunday decided to test out their theme park. Discovered to my horror that I've grown up. Can no longer see the appeal of the rides. To be fair, most of them were tiny, and I would have gone on the dodgems if it wasn't $8 (about 4 pounds - spent too long in Yorkshire, becoming cheap). Opted for the tanqulilty of the Chineese Garden instead. Then Sydney Tower. Amazing views over the whole city, out into the wide open ocean. WOW. watched a few people playing with the telescopes and wondered what was the point of coming all the way up here to focus solely on something downthere that you can see at a better angle from the ground. Did see a couple of bigs ships but didn't think anything of them.
Last night in Sydney obviously spent watching the bats. Slight problem, thousands of people in the streets, in my way. Had no clue what they were looking at but must be something amazing. The Queen Victoria and the QE2 were passing through. Yey. Big impressive ships. Well huge. Think I'm missing something though. Couldn't get overexcited about them. People were behaving as if the Titanic had just arrived in the harbour. Skyies full of bats far more thrilling.
Actually went to some museums today. Jewish Museum and the Austrailian Museum. Both had different stories to tell, very moving, and oddly similar in many ways. The forced removal of people from their homes. Different scales and ferocities, but I have to wonder why it took till the start of Feb for anyone to appologise to the Stolen Generations. the excuse of "done with the best intentions" doesn't ring true either. Jewish Refugees were denied access to Australia using the same "White Australia" laws. Don't pretend to know half the facts, but it made me think.
Back to brain dead shortly. 12 hour coach trip down to Melbourne. That's if I can get my bag back. Had a battle with the dingbat at the station luggage room. In order to store my bag, he had to see a ticket. I stupidly showed him the one with Greyhound written on the top of it. Really confuesed him. Stared at it for 5 mins then told me to go next door and get a ticket. When I explained that the bus driver only needs ur, my ticket, I was told this particular luggage room is only for people using the train. Total Crap. In a city with Suburban trains, countrywide trains, trams, monorail, buses (tourers and ordinary), at least 4 coach companies and an endless collection ferries. Most leaving from that station, it's quite unlikely that only they only want money from the small minority just using the train. He proabably wanted me to be leaving from that platform aswell. Pillock. Waited till he'd gone off to stare at the wall and gave my bag to the other bloke. Just praying he's the one thats there now. May just lie and tell him I'm going to fly instead, that'll really confuse him.
Sarcasm fit over, I have to depart. Please keep leaving messages. Really enjoy getting them, and some hint that the outside world is doing fine without me in it causing havoc.
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Tim
non-member comment
Sydney
Hello Cuz. Sounds like you'm havin fun. I remember Wil being thoroughly dissapointed with Bondi beach too. My father recommended Kuta beach in Bali, for years and years, so when I finaly got there that was dull too. I think beaches must change over time because Kuta used to be all the rage and is now like Blackpool. Glad you're still alive - will write more soon. Love Tim