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Published: September 9th 2010
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Well hello!!
Here it is - my first entry as a backpacker! I can now make that statement after sleeping in hostels, lugging round my nemesis (backpack) and generally looking for anything on the cheap!!
I hope you are all well and sorry that I have not done this sooner - this really has been the first chance to sit down and document the story so far. So as you all know we touched down into a rainy and overcast Sydney (just as i had predicted!) after a suprisingly decent flight. I lucked out and managed to get a row of four seats on the journey from Heathrow to Taipei and had around 6 - 7 hrs of sleep which just made all the difference. After landing in Sydney we headed off to enjoy our last night in luxury in our hotel. We were so happy to get there and have showers and catch some sleep.
After catching a few zzz's we decided to head on out to secure accommodation for the next few nights and checked out a couple of hostels in central Sydney. We ended up booking into the YHA Central Sydney which we were really
impressed with. We ended up staying in a 6 bedroom share and we met some lovely girls and one not very nice one! The hostel was really clean and had loads of facilities and pretty much everything we needed - no shower curtains either - phew!!!!
The next couple of days were spent wandering around checking things out and trying to catch up on sleep. The jetlag hit us pretty hard and we felt like we were passing in and out of comas!! (v dramatic i know)!! The weather was rubbish and Sydney was really expensive so we knew that we had to head for sunnier and cheaper climates!!! We ended up on a big night after we had decided to go out for a few drinks (always the way!) and we met some people we had met earlier on in the day. Ended up in some bar called the scary canary drinking buckets of 'cocktails' - sounds kind of wrong but we both had a fab night - my head the next morning wasnt so fab!
We decided on Monday that we should head for Cairns so we could work our way down the coast so we
could celebrate Xmas/New year in Sydney. We caught a flight upto Cairns which was the cheapest way to do it - we could not believe that some coach companies were charging upto $600.00 for a one way up there!!!
Before we left Sydney we had checked out a few hostels in Cairns that we had found in the lonely planet (Grazia used to be my bible but the LP now seems to have stepped in its place!). We booked into one called Dreamtime on Bunda St and we were told they would pick us up for free which we were really happy about! After a few hrs on the flight up we touched down in Cairns and as we were being driven through the hostel guy commented on how small Cairns was. This is a true statement and im really surprised at how small it is! As everyone says though its a place to base yourself and there is so much do to in surrounding areas its all you need. Saying that I really like the feel of the place and feel comfortable and happy to be here. The only draw back is that there is no beach however
there is an area called The Esplanade down at the marina which is basically a massive big swimming pool for everyone to use and its really lovely. I love how geared up they are for outdoor living, there are public barbeques and big tables and people just go down there with food and friends and cook together and there does not seem to be any trouble. They also have outdoor exercise areas on the boardwalk and free outdoor keep fit classes which i am intending to do (no laughing please)!
So after spending 2 nights at Dreamtime (its a lovely little hostel - almost a bit like a hippy commune - dont worry im not going to get all effected by the backpacker lifestyle and grow dreads Shiv!) we decided that we wanted to stay for a bit and read again from the LP that there was a company called Cairns Sharehouse and decided to see what they had to offer. We have managed to secure a room in a house for a month and its gorgeous and works out cheaper than staying in a hostel!! Its all decorated Balinese style with lots of Buddas and has a real
Zen feel to it. There is also a hot tub and barbeque in the backgarden! We could not believe our luck and its only working out around 12GBP a night!!! This is how you do backpacking Brennan style!!! Its now our 2nd day in our new home and today has been spent buying groceries and reading books in the sun - where did it all go wrong?? ;-)
We are still finding it expensive and we are working hard to a budget but Cairns is geared towards backpackers and we have had free and $1 dollar meals which the hostels/sharehouse company provide so we are trying!! We are also planning on hiring bikes and found quite a good deal and hopefully we will get it sorted tomorrow. I will probably start looking for work next week (once the tan is well on its way!) and i have seen a fair few jobs advertised so fingers crossed.
Im very much looking forward to start the tours in the surrounding areas and cannot wait to go diving at the great barrier reef. A lot of people stay and work here and on days off do all the tours like scuba
diving/ Cape Tribulation/ Port Douglas etc which just sounds perfect - beats the trafford centre dosent it??!! Tomorrow shall be spent hiring bikes and maybe going off the botanical gardens and have a walk through some of the rainforest which should be fantastic.
I do have pictures so far but once I have figured out getting them on here (and also remembering the camera) Ill get them on here.
I will keep you updated with how things are going and what we have been upto and hope you enjoy reading it!
Lots of love to you all
Jane xxx
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Sarah
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Hey lady cuz!
Wow that just sounds fab! Are you keeping count of the rounds or have we lost count now then??? Its lovely to hear what you're up to, keep 'em coming! Lots of love xxx