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Published: January 5th 2008
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Waitpinga national park Apologies for the tardiness of my latest blog, but have been soo busy hobbling round on crutches and being generally disabled, that it has taken a considerable amount of time out of my life!! I have had to undergo several sessions of physio, which has now, thankfully, resulted in me being able to walk normally (or march, as some of you may wish to comment!!), but nevertheless, I am without sticks. It is an immense relief. Still need some physio but can now actually do more stuff that I want to do, rather than having to do. Christmas was lovely but involved far too much food. The chinese really know how to make a buffet!! I'm sorry to say that the few things I wanted to do in Hk, I was unable to do...ie walk up to the Peak (one of the highest points in HK), ferry over to Tsim Sha Tshui (TST) for the skyline of HK; ferry to Lamma (one of the outlying islands) for a walk and fabulous food. But I am glad to receive news from my brother that once I had left, my family did all of the above and loved it! well im glad that
they completed my wish list.
Getting to the airport though was really quite a scenario. It took the best part of 2 hours on the phone to Cathay Pacific (CP) to arrange a wheelchair.....look, if it could have been avoided, believe me, I would have, but it was simply necessary, god love me. anyway, despite them having the attitude that they have never received such a request before; they agreed (after suggesting that I was totally unfit to fly at all..argh!). duly assured, they confirmed i would be met at departures with said wheelchair and assistant. arriving at the airport with mum and dad, I then suddenly remember that I had left my MP3 player (which I had spent the best part of 2 weeks working out how to download, rip, synch and sort out playlists; arrange for a replacement one for the one that broke the day before i left etc etc) recharging in my parents hotel bedroom! jesus christ! whatever next???? well, we toyed with the idea of dad going back for it, but, ah well forget that. it would have to be posted and as it turned out this was a v gd idea as dad proved
invaluable in securing my wheelchair, as CP expressed no idea that one had been arranged! (take note CP are rubbish). if you can avoid them, do. finally met and checked in (super fast at the check in for people with disabilities and children.....i was then given a lime green badge which clearly stated that I required assistance...as if the fact that i was evidently in a wheelchair was not symbolic enough! I was then wheeled away by mum for a cuppa before i went through departures. This of course necessitated a toilet break. Now, usually something so simple became something of a kerfuffle. getting into the disabled toilet was reasonably straight forward and we agreed that i would knock on the door when i was ready for mum to haul me out. however, as mum came to do so, the door got severely in the way of the chair on wheels and required the assistance of 3 passing Hong Kong policemen, in extracting me from the loo and to whom I am indebited.
The flight was uneventful (helped by a valium) and arrived in Adelaide on the 29th dec 2007. I was wheeled at pace through security and baggage (this
is the one MAJOR advantage of being in this awkward situation let me tell you) to be met by Courtney. Bless her. was gd to see her and she looks great. We went for a drive around and she showed me the sights of Myponga, where she lives in Adelaide (bowt an hr out), Victoria Harbour and Normanville. All lovely and typically australian. We then went out for dinner to meet her friend Kate, who was putting us up, or up with us, either way, for new year in Sydney. Korean restaurant called Mapo. We drove there (hr drive) but then this for some reason entailed a 5KM walk to the actual restaurant. Now considering that Gum is a physio and I was limping with a sprained ankle, this would suggest perhaps to park nearer to the restaurant, like OUTSIDE??? not that i expected any sympathy, but still....food was nice then went for more walks......ahem, for more beers then to a club called Marsbar...it was an experience!! nuff said.
We left the next day for Sydney (6.20am flight) and met with Kate. Weather was gorgeous at 28 degrees which was 12 degrees cooler than Adelaide!! went to Bondi for lunch,
then met up with some friends on the hill by Sydney harbour bridge at 9pm (they had conveniently been waiting there all day as you have to for a decent view of the bridge at NY or dont bother). so we rock up with beers in hand just in time to see the 9pm fireworks and then ate their food, got drunk and saw the most amazing fireworks ever. Cracking NY!! Courtney then decides to place her extinguished sparkler on my arm, to welcome in the NY, which to anyone else would have suggested that this would burn....not to the country girl. suffice to say, a warning to all. what is more dangerous than fireworks? friends with fireworks!!!! moving on....we've had a great time, beach, chilling, went fishing last night and I caught 3 whiting!!! get in the city girl! courtney caught what they endearingly refer to as a "shitfish", as when caught it shits all over you and thats precisely what it did do.....ha ha!
had the use of the Ute yesterday (this is a utility vehicle here in australia) and took myself off for a drive around and ended up in a national reserve of Waitpinga and it
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The Gum residence has to be one of the most beautiful beaches i have ever seen. perfect for surfing and bodyboarding which i think we're going to do either today or tomorrow. fabulous! the area really is gorgeous.
It really is so oppressively hot that we're taking a well earned siesta, then heading to the beach this arvo (thats aussie lingo that im learning) at Deep Creek and off wine tasting tomorrow. cant wait!
I've generously been offered 2 places to stay in the city, so will be off there next week to check out Adelaide itself, zoo, botanical gardens and hopefully some diving. there is also a german beer festival that requires my attendance next weekend. then off to brisbane on the 13th jan. Not having much luck with sorting out diving tours as yet and weather been bit rough over on fraser island. so plan at mo is to head over, see what the craic is, chill in fraser for 2 days, then head up to the whitsundays and townsville for diving, then cape tribulation and over to darwin. so far, so very very good. the aussie hospitality knows no bounds and I love them.
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