Blogs from Oceania - page 7279

I was supposed to be going up to Auckland to see U2... who then canelled (well, hopefully postponed to November but that's another story!):0( As I had already paid for a flight from Auckland down to Christchurch to meet Helen for our weee South Island road trip (that'll be the next blog!!) and I couldn't change it, I thought I'd go up anyway and spend a few days visiting the Coromandel Penninsula... one of the places that I really wanted to see but hadn't had the chance yet. I was really glad that I did - they were having a mini heat wave so I spent 3 days sunbathing on the beach!! Much more fun that the rain and wind I'd left down in Welly! I hired a car from Auckland and drove to a place ... read more

We arrived in Perth to be picked up by the brother (Tieag) of one of Jason's friends. Yet again we were subject to fantastic Australian/Irish/Singaporean hospitality. You could quite easily say that Perth is one of the best places to bring up a family it has such a lovely vibe about it. However it is so isolated as It is a 4-5hr flight from Australia's east coast (but this is probably why Perth is so lovely). We tried (or rather I tried) dim-sum in Perth with Tieags family and celebrated St Patricks day as Tieag is Irish. We rented a car and headed south to a place called Bunbury. This is another lovely 'ideal to live' place. The bay in Bunbury is famous for it s resident dolphins who come up to the beach every morning ... read more

Narrogin. 17 March 2006-August 2006 We have been here longer than we ever anticipated. Though I did sense something ( or used it as an excuse to buy two chooks perhaps) from the beginning. But now that the end truly is in sight I relly feel sad about leaving here. Although for the last five months I have a 5 kilometre radius of existence in this town. As I turn to leave, knowing I will probably never return, I feel a strong sense of loss and a sudden regret. And of course a sadness at having to part ffrom with all the lovely people we've made brief acquaintances with along the way. Without exception they were all so wonderfully nice to me (especially now that Im leaving?!). Well truth be known, its easier to be nice ... read more

The plan was to meet up with Jenny, Donna, Craig and Matt for some pints of the black stuff, but spending the night in a packed out bar surrounded by hammered Irish men really isn't my idea of fun, but luckily Craig had suggested a jaunt to Commercial Road, (the gay street), which, seeing as I still hadn't explored seemed like a much better idea. So, come 11 o'clock, we jumped on a tram and headed off. Craig's a lovely guy, but he never shuts up! Any possible conversation will see him waffle on for hours, dropping in references to back home in New York, travelling in Japan, his schollarships in Yale and Cambridge ... la,la,la...yarda,yarda,yarda....and so after an hour of this I'd had enough and could see the night draining down the plug hole unless ... read more

5am doesnt really exist does it? well apparently yes. up bright and early with a spring in my step (thats pushing it a little but i was conscious at least) erm ended up in charge again...must be really annoying the group by now! Since im not driving on the trip i didnt need to go to the 'how to drive a 4wd' briefing so stayed to pack the Toyota land cruiser high top that will be home for 3 days...has to be packed correctly so it balances and so everything fits. I hate being bossy but im just too good at it. Me and Paul made an ace team and packed the van perfectly despite everyone wanting things from there bags once we'd packed em! cheers guys! but we got througha dn managed to get everything ... read more