8 day stop in Sydney.....cos that's the way we roll!

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Wow, where to start?? I think it's only been a few weeks since our last blogs, maybe slightly longer, but so much has happened. We finally left Asia and headed to Australia but more of that later!

Well, hello everyone. How's it going? We're both really well and without being too smug....are still having an amazing time! With Christmas fast approaching now it's so hard trying to imagine that it's nearly November. Anyway, I'm currently sitting in a back packers in New Zealand after just arriving here today. So far, so good. We pick up the camper van tomorrow and we're both pretty excited!

So, last time you heard from us we were back in Bangkok, just about to head to Ko Samet, a lovely little island about 3 hours away from Bangkok. A favourite with locals and also with backpackers who are going home soon or moving on. We'd said goodbye to our friends Ben and Amy but were still travelling with Katie for a few more days. We didn't really have a lot planned for our time there apart from topping up the tans and maybe a little exploring of this pretty little island. Unfortunatly, we both came down with a nasty cold the day after arriving and were bed bound for our first full day of planned sun bathing, very annoying. After paracetomol and lots of sleep, we both felt a little better though and managed a few days on the beach to recover. The beaches were lovely and the sand so soft and felt like cotton wool as you stepped on it. It was paradise, or at least it would have been if it hadn't been for all of the bloody moskito's!! We think there may have been some in the bed (or possibly bed bugs....yuk), under the net on the day we were both ill as we were covered.....and oh my Buddha, did they itch! Rich managed to count 68 on me a few days after and I am pretty sure there were more. It really put a bit of a dampener on the island experience. Soldiering on though.....we hired a quad bike and headed round the island for an explore.....and we are so pleased we did. It was even more lovely than we orginally thought. We found so many beauiftul beaches, some pretty secluded and we had a really lovely day out. The scenery was stunning, one side of Samet was beaches and the other, wonderful rugged cliffs and great look out points, which we were told, made an amazing sunset view point. We missed it unfortunatly, but can imagine it would have been pretty cool.
Evening's were fun too as the beaches came alive with bars and restaurants and we saw some of the best fire dancers that we had seen in Asia. The BBQ's on the beach with a few beers was a lovely way to see out each day.......covered in mossie cream, of course! lol The 5 days passed pretty quickly and it was soon time to head back to Bangkok for our last few days in South East Asia. It was pretty sad actually, leaving after 4 months of adventures but I think we both agreed we were ready to say goodbye. I was really looking forward to a slightly colder climate, after being hot and sweaty for pretty much the whole 4 months. And of course there was our extended plans to visit Sydney, which was a real treat as not in the orginal plans. So, we killed the final few days with replacing some clothes and Rich's suit fitting (and some more fitted trousers for me....oopsy) and then we were ready! And bloody excited!! Our friend Keren was back in Bangkok for our last night which was wicked so we did all our favourite things.....drank a bucket at The Petrol Station, walked the Khoa San Road, caught a tuk tuk, went to Pat Pong (wasn't any fun without you though Kit) and had some street food. A great send off I think.
So, goodbye South East Asia. Thank you for looking after us and we will see you again one day.......and HELLO AUSTRALIA!

We arrived early in the morning on Thursday 16th October and checked into our hostel, a lively place called Maze Backpackers on Pitt Street. If we're honest, it was a bit like being trapped in the hectic world of 18-30's holiday's but the people were all nice and it was clean with great kitchen facilities and a huge TV room. Our friends Ben and Amy were already here and they soon sorted out a room share which was cool. Just the four of us....oh, and the squeakiest bunk beds in the world! All good though, pretty comfy. After a little catch up sleep we headed straight out to explore and realised we were pretty central which was a result. We could easily walk to Darling Harbour, The Opera House and Harbour Bridge and a stone throw away from a super market and loads of shops etc. First day we went to Darling Harbour.....really cool place, chilled out with lots of funky bars and hotels etc.....surrounded by tall high rise offices. Was my first taste of Sydney and I loved it. I felt at home....have decided I must be a city girl. Rich has been to Sydney before but I think he was still a little taken with it. It's a great city!
Day two we headed to Manley for some beach time and more exploring. With Amy and Ben in tow we all headed to Circular Quay and caught the ferry over to Manley. This was also my first glimpse of the Harbour bridge and Opera house. WOW! It's quite mad seeing such famous landmarks, in person. I don't know why but I was pretty overwhelmed by it all. Think it's because I wasn't expecting it as it wasn't on the original itinerary?? Dunno? The ferry ride was cool too as it takes you right past the Opera House and you kindof get a 360 view of it. COOL! Anyway, the beach was amazing too, pretty busy but big enough to handle it. It was a little windy but we did our bit for sun worshipping.....and then went to the pub lol. It was lovely over there though and I can see why so many people from Maidstone go and get stuck there. We headed back in the early evening and I agreed to cook for the gang. I know this is going to sound silly.....but what a treat! It was so nice to be able to cook for myself.....after practually 4 months of eating out. I did a Spag Bol.....and it was lovely, if I do say so myself. We finished the day off with a few drinks out and then bed. Pretty tired after the travelling and sea air! It's a hard life!
Day Three, Ben's Birthday!! We decided to head out with one of the arranged excursions (18-30's stylie) with the hostel and it turned out to be a really good day. We went to Coogee Beach and spent the day in the sun and enjoying a free BBQ on the beach. Got to know a few of our fellow backpackers and....more sun. Lovely. After food we headed along a coastal walk to Bondi Beach, taking in an art exhibit that stretches along half the walk. It was well cool. And to top it off......we saw Whales!!! We think there may have been about 4 or 5 of them but they were really close to start with and kept breaching out of the water and spouting water through their blow holes. We watched them for about 30 minutes, until they were nearly out of sight! It was AMAZING! A real dream come true for me as I love whales and dolphins. Apparently, we had missed a pod of about 20 dolphins by about 15 minutes but we were all happy with the whales. Ben said it was one of the best Birthday treats ever! I have to agree! We were pretty tired after our day at the beach so we hung out at the hostel for a while in the evening and then headed out to celebrate in style. Well, that is until we were refused entry to The Side Bar and went out for food instead. It was all good though.....Ben was happy (and a little drunkard) after the day at the beach and fun in the hostel so we ate and then headed to bed at about 1am.
We spent the Sunday just waundering around some more and checked out Paddy's Market and an outlet store where I managed to nab myself a few new vests and t-shirts.....much needed! After 4 months in Asia, my stuff was pretty trashed and good for not much but the bin. It was good to get a few new bits....and also discovered that there is a Stussy Store in Sydney....and it's cheap cheap too! After two failed attempts at finding it open on a Sunday, I vowed to return on Monday! lol After a day of shopping and walking the city streets we headed over to Paddington way to meet my friend of old, Hayley and her fella, Sam. This was a bit of a mission but worked out really well as took us out of the city centre and into.......England! This place was so much like home we nearly got homesick! We spent a lovely few hours with Hayley and Sam at an English pub and drank Wine and Pints. It was great to catch up and really nice to meet Sam....finally. We arranged to meet up again in a few days and they offered to do us a roast....HAPPY DAYS!
Next day we had to say goodbye to Ben and Amy which was sad. We've had so much fun with them and Katie and after five countries and many bus rides etc, it's the end of an era! Will definitely keep in touch though....and thanks for the good times! That's just the way we roll!! So to make ourselves feel better.....we went shopping and we got to Stussy and it was finally open! YEAY! I bought a hoodie and a cap and treated Rich to a t-shirt. Both happy bunnies. We then took ourselves off to do the main sights of the city, the harbour bridge, the opera house, The Rocks and the botanical gardens. Lots of walking but it was really worth it. The gardens are really cool with all the different trees, plants and well kept lawns.....which you can walk on. That's right, not a keep off the grass sign in sight! Strange! The smells were also amazing, really....woody and flowers etc. Lovely. Then there's the fruit bats. Huge Bats....flying around and hanging from trees....it's really bizarre! From the Botanical Gardens you get a great view of the harbour bridge and the opera house.....you know the one, you've probably seen it a million times. And yes, we had our picture taken there too. See attached! lol In the evening we went back down to The Side Bar for a killer pool competition and to meet up with Paul Hobbs. It was wonderful seeing him too. He's been in Oz for about 3-4 weeks now and to say he's loving it would be an understatment. Oh, and I beat both Paul and Rich in the competition.....ha ha ha....didn't win though :o(
Next few days were pretty chilled and the weather took a turn for the worst unfortunatly. We spent a day at the zoo....and it rained....a lot.....all day but we still managed to enjoy it. I was pretty cold, for the first time in months and I also got acosted by an over friendly kangeroo which was amusing, see attached pictures! We saw Koalas which were so cute and the main reason for going to the zoo or I wouldn't have seen them or Roo's in Oz, which would have been an outrage! The other animals were cool too but didn't really compare to Singapore zoo. Great day though, all in all. Sam and Hayley cooked us an amazing chicked roast with stuffing and gravy and veg and roast potatoes! It was such a treat actually and really nice to see their home and the cute dog again, Columbo! It's gonna be sad to say goodbye to all these friends again but I am so pleased to have seen them. On our last day, Chris Elliott and Luke Shaw also got in touch and we arranged a meet up in Manley, where they all live. After a lazy day in the hostel we headed over at about 4ish and met up in a cool bar over looking the beach. To our complete suprise they also invited a few other Maidstonions! Was a brilliant afternoon and got to meet Chris's future wife (they marry in Feb) too, she's lovely. We had a good old drink up with the boys and they went to work on convincing us to live in Manley with them. It's a great life they have out there and very tempting....but don't worry Mum's, we're still coming home next year!
Sydney is amazing! We love it and it was so nice to see so many old friends along the way too. I have definitely fallen in Love with this city and hope to return soon some day! We still have so much we'd like to do.....the harbour bridge walk being one but our budget just wouldn't stretch to it. Many thanks for all the tips on places to go and see.....we tried to fit it all in!

So, now we're in New Zealand! Another new adventure and we are going it alone too....we pick up a camper van tomorrow morning. We only have limited time so we have chosen to spend more of the time in the South Island....but are very excited and can't wait to get going. Need to good nights sleep first though so going to leave it there for now!

Love to all. Miss you all loads and hope you have enjoyed this chapter of our adventure!!
Carol and Rich xxxx

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Photos

Street Food in Thailand
YUK

Rich sad to say goodbye to the Chang
...and Keren of course lol

Bye Bye Thailand and Asia
Me at the airport

Darling Harbour
Where there was a shark and dolphins spotted during our stay

The Gang!
Miss you guys

Pie and Mash
Thanks for the tip Pete and Kate x

The classic tourist photo
Cheese!!

Comments

[Karen]

Great blog
Oh i just loved reading this blog, we never got round to writing about Australia, but we felt the same, it is an amazing city, awww it makes me feel soooooo jealous. I don't think i should read anymore of your blogs!!! You are going to have such a wicked time in New Zealand. Take lots of care xxx

[ma and pa]

still looking as though you are both haveing great time..
So you still get colds in a hot country.. And we are glad you put that bit in about staying australia ..and yes ma and pa will be out to find you both, so do not think you can get away from us ? It still looks realy great and glad you are still injoying it all. And are you going to the part of New Zealand that the Lord of the Rings was filmed . ..great blog .take care. love Ma and Pa xxxxxxx