Blogs from Oceania - page 7861

Well, I'm in Vanuatu now and it is hot, a Darwin-type heat. Earlier, after I landed in Port Vila having flown in from Brisbane, I found my way from the international terminal to the domestic terminal. I plopped myself on the ground. Immediately, I was face to face with two curious Vanuatu kids with dark skin and the biggest of wide grins. A minute later I heard, "pssst, pssst" and there were two teenage Vanuatu girls who wanted to know all about me, my name, where I was from, and where I was going. After this I checked in for my flight from the capital city to the island of Espiritu Santo. After this I finally got some Vanuatu money, but only after having a session of amused confusion at the bank counter. It still hasn't ... read more

Next stop was the coastal village of Palm Cove, just north of Cairns. We stayed at the massive Novotel Palm Cove Resort, which was about as far removed in style and ambience from the laid back peace and quiet of Great Keppel Island as it was possible to get. The tennis courts, large gym, and golf course with its attached pro shop were a bit wasted on us - the parents of three youngsters under eight. Our only prerequisites were a Kids Club and a pool. We didn't think it was compulsory to get around the resort's jogging track at a satisfactory pace every morning and then follow it up with a brisk 18 holes, but given the numbers of our fellow guests who seemed to be doing exactly that it was hard to be sure. ... read more

So I've returned to Coffs Harbour. I feel stronger, more self reliant and assured this time around. It takes returning to a place you've already been, like Sydney or Coffs Harbour, to judge your progress and just how much you have changed. It will be interesting to see how I feel when I return to Brisbane and my grounds keeping job at Queensland Uni. This was a good day. The husband of the family that I am staying with is a crack Fisherman, the other day he caught 10 fish in a two-hour expedition. Today I woke up at 5am, ate a couple of meat pies with sauce for breakfast and then we were off to go fishing in his little motor boat. It was still dark when we launched the boat. The seas were rough ... read more

Well, it’s my last night in the Territory. What better time to collect my thoughts on the Territory and the traveling lifestyle in general. What better way to end my trip with the Olympic closing ceremony and all. The Olympics have really been an integral part of my trip as they bring together all the different nationalities here in a common ground that everyone can relate to. The ceremony also allowed me to see Australia show itself to the world from Elle McPherson to Slim Dusty and his crazy good rendition of "Waltzing Matilda." The whole backpacker/hostel lifestyle was actually many times better than I thought it would be. You never feel like you're all alone because you are constantly meeting new people coming and going from all directions. That being said, you only get glimpses ... read more

It's Monday night and I'm lying on a stretcher near Uluru. The stars are so clear in the desert sky. At first today I was just bumming about how this tour wasn't like the Kakadu dreams tour and how all the same people weren't hear. But then I realized. HEY FOOL YOU'RE IN THE OUTBACK IN AUSTRALIA. Snap out of it. This is where you have wanted to be for ages. I shouldn't get down about what wasn't, but rather should be stoked about what was. Ayers Rock was just as I suspected. It was a rock. It was there and nice to look at, but Bill Bryson blew out of proportion in his book. Tomorrow we wake up ridiculously early for an early morning walk around it. Note: The Aussie Diaries are a XX part ... read more