Australia - A glimpse at Sydney and rural Melbourne
It is official I have arrived in Australia I am so excited so I thought I would start off with some facts from Bill Bryson's book that I am reading:
It is the worlds sixth largest country. The only island that is also a continent, and the only continent that is also a country. It was the first continent conquered from the sea, and the last. It is the only nation that began as a prison. It is the home of the largest living thing, the Great Barrier Reef, and of the largest monolith, Ayers Rock (Uluru) and the facts that scared me: It has more things that will kill you anywhere else. Of the worlds most poisonous snakes, all are in Australia. Five of its creatures - the funnel web spider, box jellyfish, blue-ringed octopus, paralysis tick, and the stone-fish are the most lethal of their types in the world. Here caterpillars give you a toxic nip, seashells actually go for you!!!
If I am not stung or pronged to death in some unexpected manner, then I might be fatally chomped by crocodiles or sharks, carried off by irresistible currents or get lost in the out back. It is a tough place, but not to worry, I think I can handle it :)
3rd September -Sydney
Anyway as i said before leaving Asia was amazing and arriving in Sydney was even better. After arriving at our hostel supposedly to share a room with about 15 17 year old boys and then upgrading to a 6 person female dorm, we spent our first day in Sydney. We didn't want to do too much because we would be back in a month, so we just wandered around the rough area where we were staying, called Kings Cross, which is known for its red light district and druggies - nice!
We shopped desperately for much needed warm clothes, got our hair cut and Jenna got a tattoo. Then to celebrate being in Australia we decided to go out on the beer, unfortunately Kings Cross is not the place to go for a 'nice beer' and before long we were lured into a strip club. Wasn't too bad, lots of men were getting us free drinks, but a group of Chinese men did ask us when we were on! Before long we escaped to a near by bar, full of fellow backpackers!
4th September - Melbourne
After almost missing our flight we fortunately made it just as the check in desk was closing and off we went to Melbourne. We were all exhausted from our previous day so slept the whole journey. Once arriving in the tiny little airport Kat's uncle Arnie picked us up to take us back to their house. It look about an hour off into the country side we went. They really do live in the sticks, but it is beautiful. They live in a huge bungalow with their 19 year old son, dog, sheep and chickens and acres and acres of land. The family was incredibly accommodating and we all enjoyed a delicious home cooked meal, the first for over a year...it was very much appreciated. However it was bloody freezing Melbourne. We all slept with hoodies on, Kat and Jenna had an electric blanket and I clutched a hot water bottle all night long.
We had a fabulous few days in Melbourne. Planning our future trip along the East coast, booking hire cars, catching up with our blogging, doing washing, reading our books and helping out around the house and garden. Even though it was cold outside, the sun was always shining and it was perfect weather for wrapping up warm and going for lovely long walks.
Kat's Auntie Olwyn, one day, took us to Mount Macedon and Daylesford where we had the most fantastic view of the whole of Melbourne and even got chance to visit the famous and haunted 'Hanging Rock', doing a bit of shopping in cute little villages and using every opportunity to stop for cream teas or pop onto book shops.
Kat's Uncle Arnie took Kat and I on a bush walk to 'Sanatoriam Lake' in the search for Koalas. Instead we saw the hugest trees that I have ever seen and lots of interesting birds, it was all beautiful and I really enjoyed myself.
I had the most lovely time with Kat's family and we got the well earned rest we needed to push us on to the next adventure. I really enjoyed my long walks and was so excited to see so many Kangaroos(honestly they are everywhere like rabbits), Cockatoos and Kookaburras and also grateful to see an echidna, some alpacas (they just look like big lamas) and some beautiful red and blue Galah parrots.
Tomorrow we are leaving Kat's families lovely little place and moving on into central Melbourne to check out the city and do all of the touristy things.
- Posted by emily1183 on 11/10/2007.
- emily1183's site
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