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Published: March 12th 2015
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Hello there!
So I’m glad to say that I have my 88 days done and can return to Australia in April. I made some good mates whilst I was there but I am now glad to be back in civilised Melbourne.
Since returning from Sydney to meet up with my friend Tom I have been Almond Poling. The hostel has a big contract with the company Olam, which produces a third of the worlds almonds. Next time you tuck into your chocolate almonds at Christmas, think of me getting up at 04.30 everyday for two weeks battering a poor tree to death with a 4 metre long stick. Any clusters of Almonds remaining on the tree after the shakers and sweepers have been can cause the tree to become diseased, as they need removing with said stick. Getting all the nuts of the tree means more nuts to collect and sell, increasing efficiency. ( The face net is to keep the flies from crawling inside my eyeballs)
All in all I enjoyed my fruitpicking experience, however I was sitting around without work bored to tears for the best part of a month in a tiny little town. I
think I arrived at the wrong time of the year as between Mid December and up until February work was sporadic if non existant. There is also a lot scams going on between farmers, hostels and backpackers so choose wisely before parting with any cash. I was promised work Melon Picking but it never did arrive. The Local Newspaper had numerous articles regarding the mistreatment of young workers wanting money and their visa.
Check out this ' inside-out' style documentary about a farmer about 10k away from us:
An upsetting side of Red Cliffs and Mildura is that there is a large percentage of the population that uses Crystal Methamphetamines and a on a few occassions got asked if I wanted to buy any in the pub next doo.. From bar staff to the cleaners and patrons, everyone looked too wide eyed and Jittery, and it was shocking to view the view the knock-on effects this drug has on a community.
Realising that my 100 days of being in the hostel were coming to an end I booked myself a ticket to Melbourne to see if I could get some more work. With me coming back
in three weeks time, I decided that I would start afresh upon my return in April. On the train down I was peckish and I popped to the buffet cart for a bottle of pop and vegetable pie. I got my wallet out to pay and realised that my card had gone missing. I tried numerous times to use my English card but to no avail. With my pie warmed up and can of pop opened I was about to apologise profusely to the assistant when the lady behind me offered to pay for my purchases. It was very kind of her and she asked if I could do the same to someone if they were ‘ in their hour of need.’ I managed to get some cash out and pay for my accommodation, a hostel by the name of ‘ The Nunnery’ in an area of Melbourne called Fitzroy.
On my first day in Melbourne I went around the city with a group and a tour guide. We walked around the city centre, looked at the public artwork/ graffiti and the iconic laneways and Coffee Culture. I have attached some photographs for your perusal t the end of
the tour I went to check out Moomba Festival of Arts. There were live bands, a funfare and stages and activities for the kids aswell as a televised wakeboarding competition. As it was about 1pm the sun was strong and I could feel myself burning so I took shelter ( with my Indian Potato Dosa) in a tent where I could hear a band. As I got inside I realised that it was a group of childrens entertainers who had a following of around 200 screaming kids. I was getting a few funny looks of ‘why are you here you childless single man’ so I moved on after I finished my food.
I intend to stop in Melbourne for another week before embarking on an adventure along the Great Ocean Road and then up to Ayres rock (Ulluru) before returning home.
Keep on reading for updates on my travels in the outback and Hong Kong.
JJ x
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