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Published: June 20th 2007
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Greetings from a cold and wet Sydney. It is certainly not hot here all the time. I am hating the fact I dont have a car, and have seemed to feel constantly damp. In an attempt to do the Aussie traveller thing and chase the sunshine I have just got back form a 2 week holiday. To say it had ups and downs would be a slight understatement. I wont bore you all with the details though.
Wil came over to visit me and we set off on a mega tour that I had planned. After firstly introducing him to a few of my friends and getting quite drunk doing the Sunday drinking thing at the Sheaf. We jetted off to Alice Springs on the monday. I misread the ticket and arrived at the airport an hour early, but better that way round I pointed out. Although that extra hour in bed prob would have made the differnce between me feeling hungover and not (it was 7am). Alice Springs is a strange place. I've been told that my grandad was here when it was just one main street and the railway still ruled. He also shot and ate a lot
Prince Charming?
I wish, it still just stayed a toad! of crows in the bush (just for all of yours information!) It is a pretty rough place now. You certainly wouldn't wander around on your own at night. There are a lot of aboriginals living there, just emphasised to me how you dont see them further south in the cities. We only stayed one night there before starting a 3 day tour to Uluru (Ayres Rock). This was an amazing trip. Uluru is a very sacred place for the Aboriginals. They ask you not to climb it now, as it is very disrespectful. The rock climb is still there, even though Uluru was handed back to the Aboriginals some years ago. Part of the deal when the land was handed back that they kept the climb open. The tribe decided to, because unlike the white man, they wanted to give us the choice not to climb and not dictate our choices. They just ask you not to. So of course me and Wil didn't climb it (I dont need any bad karma in my life thankyou).
We saw Uluru at sunrise and sunset. It was amazing. The colour changes so quickly, it looks like its glowing. We slept out under
the stars (on the 2nd nght anyway, apparently Wil had had his time of being cold and wet in the elements). It was so cold at night. Prob got down to 1C. I was sleeping in thermals (thank you Janet- lifesaver), 2 jumpers, coat and gloves. We slept in swags which are goretex sleeping bags with in-built mattress thing. I saw 3 shooting stars too! We sat round the camp fire every night and even roasted marshmallows! We also went to Kings canyon and the Olgas, which are another set of Rocks, not quite as impressive as Uluru thought. After our trip we went back to Alice Springs for our final night there before catching the plane to Cairns, in Northern Queensland.
We went straight to Port Douglas, which is North of Cairns. It is a lovely place, where a lot of Australians go on holiday. So for once the foreigners were out numbered. Here we were hoping for warmer climates. It was defiately hotter. We got a couple of days on the beach before the clouds took over. Went on a diving boat to the Reef. I did another scuba dive, and have come to the conclusion that
it is not for me. I would prefer snorkling. The reef wasn't as vivid and colourful as the one I saw at the Whitsundays, which was a shame for Wil. We also went cane toad racing. Cane toads are actually pests, but there is one guy making money from them! It was a lot of fun, then Wil did kareoke, not so fun on the ears (kidding).
From there we hired a car and drove further north to Cape Tribulation. It is in a rainforest, very jurassic park-esque. We stayed in these huts in a middle of a rainforest. Unfortunately, as the climate would suggest, it rained. A lot. Such a shame cos we were right on the beach. Also, as some as you know relations had begun to get a bit strained by then (understatement, but I said I wouldnt bore you). So we spent some time hunting for crocodiles, which we saw. And some time arguing over scrabble (we know how to have Fun). It then came time to return to sydney. Back to more rain and cold. Wil left a couple of days early, and the rest as they say, is history.
With all this
Emmy queen of the dessert
Apparently this is known as Priscilas crack, where he emerges in the film! in mind I have made some decsions about my future plans. It may not surprise evryone to hear I want to stay on a bit longer here. I am in process of sorting out my sponsership visa, which should be no problem. I propose on taking off 4 weeks from work between mid Aug to mid Sept, and importantly be back for Fliss's wedding. I'll spend a couple of weeks in the U.S then back to blighty for a couple. This is so I dont lose my return ticket and also get to (hopefully) see Kristen in San Fran. Then I'll jet back out here and resume work. The plan from there is not decided, see how it goes and maybe come back before next summer. Do it right this time and get 2 summers in a row, as opposed to the 2 winters I would have got!
So, I'll update you all soon as poss.. Esp when I have booked my tickets etc. Cant wait to see everyone in Aug, I'm very excited about that. XXX
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Seraphina Number 1
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Hi Emmyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Hi my good friend hope all is well, life has its ups and downs across the world here also, trust me. I seem to be stuck at a certain wieght and cannot shift the ****ing thing, anyway i believe where theres a will theres a way. If your staying out there might come and vist my australian cousin is here at the end of the month and we are having a bbq on the roof for my birthday, anna/tosh you are invited its on the 1st of july 2pm onwards you know where i live, pop over it will be good to see you and i am having fireworks, he he he. The photos of oz are just as i imagine and now i don't need to go there, ha ha ha. What else can i say, i'm alive which is a amazing thing. missing you xxx