Blogs from Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia, Oceania - page 13

Well we broke out of our jail cell. we left at 3am and didnt tell anyone... we hated our job so much it was the most plausable thing to do. We had to leave at 3 because we were scheduled to work that day and if we didnt get out of bed then they would come into our room and shock us with a cattle prod. We signed a 3 week contract saying we would work for 3 weeks on the tomato farm or we wouldnt get our last weeks pay, this is another reason we had to leave. we think we will still get paid however because the money has already left the farmer and is currently being put into our banks, we have our fingers crossed. our greyhound bus didnt come till 7:25 so ... read more

We arrived in Hervey Bay, fresh off the plane from Sydney and were conspicuous from the start, overdressed in our jeans, fleeces and trainers, whilst the locals wandered round in board shorts and flip slops. The temperature was about 15 degrees warmer than it had been in Sydney, the sun was hot in the sky and it seemed strange to think that it is autumn/winter here. The shuttle bus took us through dry, arid and very flat landscape, now and again dotted with a few settlements. Nearer Bundaberg the landscape changed to green fields as far as the eye could see, mainly sugar cane farms. We were dropped off at Cellblock, the place we would call home for the next week or so, and found our room to be in a converted cell. Quite appropriate considering ... read more

So sadly Peter and Rachel left us in the Blue Mountains - no longer could we afford the luxuries of hotel and hostel accommodation from here on its camping only. So we found a reasonably nice campsite in the Blue Mountains after leaving Pete and Rach and hammered pegs into rock solid earth. The evening passed quickly as we started learning Spanish again after our lapse of several months! The following day we went snake hunting - apparently there are large pythons in the mountains - with stout boots (and shorts) we set off towards the ruined castle (great pile of rocks) 6 hours away. 1.50 later we arrived (moving well this day) so we decided to climb up Mount Solitary another 6 hours away. A thin ridge scramble and fantastic views led to the top. ... read more

Distillery Here We Come! We headed in to the quiet town for the bus....20 minutes later, with no sign of this elusive bus, we realised it was Sunday...the place kinda didnt function on a Sunday. So...no busses. We returned to the hostel to be informed that all was not lost. We would be able to get a lift by the hostel staff. We did the 2pm tour and saw the molasses store....huge vats of the stuff that smell like treacle and we were allowed a taste. Then on the the good stuff. The Rum!! Smelling the barrels of rum was amazing. The store had $80000 worth of rum in it! Then on to the tasting! We tried the Royal Liquer and the 'Dark and Stormy' premix. the liquer was like chocolatey coffee rum and was yummy. ... read more

Bundaberg is famous for its Rum, So I thought it rude not to pay the distillery a visit. Having left my camera, watch and everything else in a locker to prevent me blowing the plant up with a miniscule spark, and having donned some sexy rented shoes (which I swear offer less protection than my fairly sturdy sandals...) I was off on the tour. The guides were interesting enough, but their sense of humour appeared to a generation gone by... a long time ago. Their attempts to 'get down with the kids' were shocking, and possibly even illegal! Cunningly the tour ended with a double tasting in which I tried Bundaberg Dark And Stormy (Bundaberg Rum w/ Bundaberg Ginger Beer) and Bundaberg Royal Liquer with cream (Rum, Sugar, Coffee, Sugar, Chocolate, Sugar). It was only after ... read more