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Published: January 10th 2009
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24th December 2008 - FAREWELL CHUBBS, HELLO BOOMERANG AND MAD NIGHT OUT!!!!
Woo hoo!!!! Christmas eve when I woke up. Woke up pretty early too. Nat went for a run whilst I sorted some stuff out in the van. It would soon be time to say farewell to Chubbs!! When Nat got back we cleared the van out and checked into Boomerang Backpackers......our home for Christmas!! We were put in a 6 room but advised that our bed had not been assembled yet...too right it hadn't.....it was still in the packaging!!! It would be a tight squeeze once put up but at least there would be no bed bugs!!! We were assurred it would be put up early in the afternoon!!
Once we had dumped our stuff we took the van back. The guys at the shop checked it over and was surprised to find nothing wrong with it considering two women had driven it half way across Australia and back!!! We handed back the keys and said our final farewell. I would really miss the convenience of him but you have to move on!!! So long Chubbs!!!
When we arrived at the hostel we sorted some of our
stuff and got a few food bits for the kitchen. We then set off with Gemma and Kirsty (who had both survived the night) into Kings Cross to check the net, do some shopping and find some santa hats for our Christmas Eve night out. We then bought some Goon - cheap wine that most backpackers drink out here bought in a 4 litre box - to drink later before we went out. Turns out Kings Cross where we are staying is the red light district and has the highest population of homeless people in Australia......nice!!!
Back at the hostel at around 3pm we noticed that we still didn't have a bed!! Thankfully the canadian guys in our room said they would assemble it for us...that was a relief because we didn't want to go out to come back to no bed!! Not a good start though Boomerang!! Once the bed was up we had tea, showered and cracked open the Goon. Not the best drink but ok with a splash of lemonade in. We had aimed to go out at around 4pm but changed our mind to around 6.30ish so we could have more Goon drinking time. As
time progressed we moved location from the kitchen to upstairs whilst we got ready. With my pea dress on and my santa hat I really felt like Santa's Little Helper!!!
The coventry guys on the end joined our party and shared their alcohol with us before going out. It was a fair trade as we agreed to pretend to pair off with them so they could get into the pubs. They had struggled the night before being a big group of lads. Some of us took it more seriously than others though....Nat made a whole story up with a guy called Liam. They changed their names to Marissa and Troy and worked out a whole relationship history spanning over 5 years. Funny...we called him Troy from then on!!
Kings Cross was pretty full of people from the Hostel and people dressed as santa etc. Us ladies put into a kitty and bought drinks together which worked out well as we only ended up spending $20 each which is about a tenner!!! Score!!! The night was fun and everyone was festive!! I had a bit of a clash with the others about what time to go back to the
hostel....bit too much to drink on my part I believe. Never mind....Christmas tomorrow!!!
December 25th 2008 - CHRISTMAS DAY $ ICE CREAM CAKE!!!
I woke up at around 6.30am not feeling so hot. I was worried after my christmas eve clash with the others and wanted to put my head back under the pillow. Instead I got up, apologised and we all went down for Christmas Breakfast together. I also opened my parcel from home which was really nice to get. Some nice cards and much needed gifts (Thank you everyone) brightened up my christmas morning. Missed the usual ritual at home though.......Santa didn't seem to find my pillow on christmas eve to drop of a new pair of pajamas...maybe he lost his way!!!
Following brekkie we did our gift swap and I got some earings, flipflops and a bracelet. I liked all my gifts and the ladies seemed to like theirs too so it was a good gift swap all round. After gift swap we spoke to Nat Staneff (friend from home) on the phone to wish her a merry christmas and then had a snooze before getting ready for our pick up at 11am.
We
were spending the day with Gemma's friend Claire and her family. They lived just outside of Sydney in a really nice neighbourhood. When we arrived we were put totally at ease and chilled out whilst waiting for dinner. The dinner smelt fantastic and I longed for some tasty food!!!
7 of us for lunch......us 4, Claire, her brother Gary and their mum. Dinner was roast turkey, ham, gravy, stuffing, roast potato, sweet potato, peas etc etc. No sprouts though or Yorkshire pudding but so much better than a barbeque. I helped myself to seconds after my first plate full and it was definitely the best meal I have had in Oz so far!!! Then....the desserts came out...so many of them!! Pavlova, cheesecake, plum pudding, fruit salad and....my favourite......ice cream cake (all home made)!!! I was in heaven!!! Ice cream Cake!!!! I managed to squeeze in some plum pudding and two helpings of ice cream cake before my belly could take no more!!! It had been a feast!!
After dinner we chatted, sat out in the sun, got some advice about Australia and New Zealand and where to go which was very helpful. We then veged in front of
the tv and watched some films including Elf and Bridget Joines Diary 2. It was a good day and the next best thing to being at home!!! I also made some phonecalls to friends and family and it was really nice to speak to everyone and catch up.
At around 12.30am we went to bed with very full stomachs. We stayed at Claire's house - pleasant yet unplanned surprise!! Me and Nat got a big double bed to ourselves and felt a million miles away from Boomerang Backpackers!!! It had been nice to see how an Australian Family celebrate and the whole day was fab!!!
26th December 2008 - BOXING DAY ON BONDI BEACH!!!
Good to wake up this morning...not hungover and the bed was so comfy I didn't want to get out!! Nat and I got up at around 9ish and sat with Claire whislt she gave us some more detailed advice on where to go when travelling up the east coast of Oz. So good to get some local knowledge!!! We had breakfast at around 10am which was almost as good as the christmas meal.......croissants with ham and cheese, fruit salad, cereal...the works!!! It was then
back to reality as Claire drove us back to Boomerang Backpackers.
Really hot day so after showering and changing we headed out on the 380 bus towards Bondi Beach. The beach was lovely...white sand stretching a long way though it was covered in people....so so busy!!! We stayed there for a good few hours chilling out and soaking up the sun. We did some wave diving and body surfing in the sea too...so much fun though my bikini borttoms failed me yet again!!! Note to self to bring shorts to the sea in future to avoid flashing!!!
After a nice day in the sun we headed back to the hostel and got some Goon on the way as we planned to go out later that night. After tea though tiredness set in and we spent the evening in the corridor playing cards and chatting with hatty and a few Canadians staying at the hostel. Kirsty and I both had our competitive heads on and clashed as usual over the rules of take 2 and cheat!!! All in good spirits though!!! Had a nice chilled night and rolled into bed at around 12.30am.
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