http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Central-Coast/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Oceania , Australia , New South Wales , Central Coast en-us Fri, 05 Dec 2008 01:54:20 UTC Fri, 05 Dec 2008 01:54:20 UTC By this stage we were all getting fed up with Australia and decided to gently make our way down the final part of the New South Wales coast to Sydney. Most of our days were spent the same way we would drive to a town or beach on the map become disapointed and move on in the hope of finding somewhere better. We visited Port Macquarie Coffs Harbour and Newcastle with various bays along the way bu http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Central-Coast/blog-317087.html My intercontinental journey is now more than halfway complete yes I am also surprised I have lasted this long and to celebrate this I have recently been lsquoon the roadrsquo once again. But first since it has been the longest break between updates lets have a browse over my actions the past couple of monthshellip I have been staying in a room known only as the lsquodungeonrsquo wh http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Central-Coast/blog-303575.html 11th July 2008 Well the countdown begins now.........3 weeks today and I'll be off on my big adventure to Australia. I can't wait to have fun and not work for ages...yeahI'm like a little kid in a sweet shop who can't stand still..hahaha http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Central-Coast/blog-298535.html Today I joined a walking group and we hiked from Pearl Beach to Patonga along the Great North Walk. It was a beautiful sunny day and the views were spectacular. http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Central-Coast/blog-291775.html We recently visited the Australian Reptile Park on the New South Wales Central Coast not the easiest of places to get to by public transport but we noticed several coaches in the car park so if you do not have your own transport touring companies would be a good place to start. The park is as much as anything an educational venue for families which is rather valuable because many of the visitors http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Central-Coast/blog-290234.html Many of you will be wondering if I have made it to Australia. Well if that person is you then itrsquos your lucky day I have been here for the past 3 weeks and for the first time this year I have settled down well sort ofhellip.BUT FIRST My last 3 days in Thailand turned out to be of superior quality forcing me to dedicate one last paragraph to the country full of rice and noodle delights http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Central-Coast/blog-275277.html Tonight we celebrated an early Mother's Day. My son Michael flew down from Queensland and Sarah drove up from Camden. We went the Bateau Bay Leagues Club for dinner. What a lovely evening and Sarah surprised me with a gift of pj's chocs and a dvd. Her boyfriend Steve joined us for dinner which was lovely. While we were waiting for dinner a clown came along and made me a lovely flower balloo http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Central-Coast/blog-274438.html On Friday I went out to lunch with Rosie mum and Sheelagh at the Gosford Sailing Club. Unfortunately I did not take the camera so I have no pictures. We had a lovely lunch though and it was great to catch up with Rosie who was visiting from Old Bar.In the evening Steve Meagan Sarah and her Steve and I went out to dinner in Toukley with Mick Jan and Winnie the people that Sarah lives with http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Central-Coast/blog-270660.html We've done about 450 km up the coast so far stopping off at Lake Macquarie Port Stephens and Port Macquarie along the way. The heavy downpours of rain over the past few days have surprised us but it's autumn here so I suppose it's not going to be so mad hot and sunny... We've encountered a few examples of Aussie wildlife on our way one particular introduction being quite unexpected and a bit http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Central-Coast/blog-264980.html Our trip has begun I'll keep this short because I'll be updating more often now. I'm currently at my good friend Mark Dunston's house in the Central Coast...about two hours north of downtown Sydney. We spent Wednesday night at Max one of my Harbord roomates holiday house. It is basically a time share so we went up for the night. It is on this tiny island so we had to take a ferry to get http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Central-Coast/blog-262816.html After staying 1 night in sydney at Legend has it west end hostel we visited our friend Danny who has an apartment around the corner from central station. The actual plan was to crash here for a couple of nights but we soon changed our minds.. Danny's apartment who he shared with another guy was as big as our bedroom if not smaller. It actually managed to squeeze a bathroom kitchen bunkbeds http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Central-Coast/blog-251805.html Sorry for the lateness of this blog yes itrsquos been 3 weeks since we arrived home and we have been flat out.One thing that has kept Rob busy is the computer virus that we picked up in one of our camera memory sticks from an internet caf in Kuta be careful of this one The virus was only 10 days old when we plugged the stick in Donnarsquos computer and it quickly replicated itself and mig http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Central-Coast/blog-227193.html This Christmas why not experience a one of a kind adventure in Cairns There are numerous exciting activities in Cairns that are just perfect for the whole family to enjoy Explore Kuranda Rail Rainforestation and Skyrail Tour Cairns or better yet visit Cape Tribulation or dare to experience the Daintree 4WD SafariFrom the Railway Station you can get on the famous Kuranda Scenic Rail. The journe http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Central-Coast/blog-226470.html Today we went down to Terrigal. Carrie posted a surprise to Sophie keep your eye out for it Sophie Then we went across to the beach for a swim Stay between the flags Alex. After a lovely refreshing swim we went to The Fragrant Garden which is an area of fragrant plants with a little cafe and a shop. After wandering through the gardens we returned home so as Carrie and Alex could pack http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Central-Coast/blog-223720.html i have 6 days until i leave and i am almost ready very few last minute things to buy. I have my stockings so i don't get deep vein thrombosis or however you spell it. Yes im getting very excited. I have been on the phone to Stu in London and of course Chris B and Chris D little chris organising accommodation how we are getting around i am fairly organised surprisingly My trip is a little http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Central-Coast/blog-190826.html After a testing goodbye to friends and families at Adelaide Airport we flew to Sydney to visit my sister and her family for a couple of nights before starting the real adventure overseas. We've spent our time playing with the kids drinking scotch and dry and consuming heaps of fresh seafood from Cassy and Warren's shop. Today we went out on the oyster boat to check out their oyster leases and tr http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Central-Coast/blog-181860.html Early doors for 9 of the team on Thurs 5 July they had packed the bus and trailer with all the donated boards and equipment on the Wednesday evening. There was great chatter and excitement on Wednesday as John and Slim laid down a few rules for the trip including time of departure for the folllowing morning Meanwhile in the background Garry and Anita were running around doing last minute orga http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Central-Coast/blog-177802.html Forward JourneyAvoca Beach SLSC Addit to Outline of project For the trip in July 2007 life saving equipment has been kindly donated by NSW Fire Brigade 12 oxyvivas rescue and racing boards from Greg Bennett and various Central Coast surf clubs rescue boogie boards by Nick Mesritz resuscitation mannequins by the NSW ambulance service clothing by Good Gear SLSNSW SLSCC and Avoca Beach SLS http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Central-Coast/blog-177433.html Our FlightWell the longawaited day has arrived for our departure. We had to spend the last couple of days cleaning up around the house the damage from the massive storm that ripped through here last weekend 300mm of rain and wind gusts well over 100kmh. A couple of trees came down and lots of litter but no major damage. Many others did not fare so well Joel and Luke are bubbling with exciteme http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Central-Coast/blog-169339.html Slammin' it Travel with TeensBy Mark Sheehan Letrsquos face facts. My two teenaged sons would be happy to claim they were fatherless if they thought they could get away with it. So whatrsquos an old fella like me meant to do to spend quality time with his teenagers Itrsquos simple really go 'underground'. Like the chameleon we parents need to change colour and blend into the woodwork http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Central-Coast/blog-165371.html The Esky the Ute the Stubbie ARB vehicle accesories the Meat Pie Pizza great Aussie inventions for great Aussie blokes. The time was right for me Shez to get on the giant metal bird to visit our good chums Andy and Jenny and see what all the fuss was about. Bearing in mind we'd managed to travel the 7533 miles from Abu Dhabi to Sydney on time it was a bit disappointing to have to wait http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Central-Coast/blog-148459.html As this is our first entry we thought it might be a good idea to give a brief description of our planned journey for the coming months. Our trip begins flying from Sydney to Ho Chi Minh City from here we have one month to make our way overland up to Hanoi. From Hanoi we head over to Thailand for about 3.5 weeks visiting Bangkok Koh Chang Auytthaya Chiang Rai. Bangkok Xiamen China Sh http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Central-Coast/blog-145304.html