Hello
i can not believe it is only a week since i last wrote in the Blog, feels like ages ago. I have done so much though in the past week so thats probably why.
As you know i arrived in Manly last Sunday with plans to do a lot of walking, unfortunately this did not happenas the weather has not been to goo, lots of rain and wind, but i still had a great time. The beach on Manly is really nice and i preferred it to Bondi to be honest, i haven't got any pictures of it but this was because of the weather. The B and B i stayed in was really nice, it is run by the same owner as the Chelsea where i stayed my first two nights, was a bit cold though and the extra blankets had to come out.
On Tuesday 24th the weather was even worse, so i stayed in, read my book and then went to manly cinema to watch a film, the last king of Scotland, it was good just a bit too gory for me though.
On Wednesday 25th it was time to move on again, this time back to the centre of Sydney, i had three nights booked in a hostel and one night was free as i had entered Australia on a work travel visa. I only lasted one night, i did not like it at all, too crowded for me and no personal space. i booked myself into one of the hotels i was booked into for two extra nights-much better. Wednesday was also Anzac day here, a public holiday in Australia, although the weather was terrible i went to watch the parades. In the evening was my opera house night, i went to see Ying Tong-a walk with the goons, i really enjoyed the experience, the acting was brilliant and it was very funny. I went back to the hostel on the train and i overheard some English girls talking and they were saying that there is nothing to do in Sydney apart from go on the internet, they must be mad, i have been here almost two weeks and i haven't been bored once, even on the quiet days, there is loads to do and most of it doesn't cost as there are lots of walks, free exhibitions.
Thursday 26th April, i took another ferry ride to Watsons Bay across the Harbour, its a little fishing bay and and is very pretty, there are a few walks to do with some fantastic views and the weather was great. the views from Sydney National Park were breath taking and i took pictures until the battery depleted on my camera. I had some fish and chips here which were really enjoyable until some really nasty seagull came up from behind and stole my fish-what a cheek!!!
Friday 27th April i took another ferry ride, this time to Darling harbour, i could have walked but i quite like going on the ferry so i can take pictures of the bridge and the opera house. Once there the weather really turned again so i went into the Australian wildlife centre, very educational although the big bugs and the snakes made my skin crawl-i wonder how many i will come across in the outback.
Saturday 28th April was quite a quiet day i just had a walk to one of the markets in on "The Rocks" area, had a look at some shops then had a swim in the hotel pool.
Today (Sunday 29th), the weather is fantastic so i am going to go down to the Botanical gardens and read my book, take a few pictures. On Tuesday 2nd May i start my overland tour which i am really looking forward to, i have heard from a few of the girls who are on the tour and we are arranginging to meet up before the tour starts.
Si i have been in Sydney for almost two weeks and and i love it, it has such a nice feel about it, in fact i would say that it was PERFECT!!!!
Love
Andrea
Saturday 28 April 2007
Saturday 21 April 2007
Loving Sydney
Hi, glad you like the pictures, i have had some really nice comments about them. So, as you know i moved to Australia on Tuesday and it took all of about 2 hours to fall in love with the place. Its great just walking around there is so much to see and do.
On Wednesday 18th April i had a tour around the opera house which was great, we went inside a few of the theatres, concert halls and Sydneys Symphony Orchestra was practicising, just a fantastic sound. This inspired me to book a ticket to see a play in the theatre hall on the 25th. Its called A walk with the Goons and its based on Spike Milligans radio show, The Goons. The ticket was not a bad price and who wouldn't go to see something at the opera house given the opportunity. In the afternoon i spent some time in the Royal Botanical Gardens again, i love it here, there is plenty of people around, you can have your lunch, read or just look across the harbour, see the bridge and the opera house. Afterwards i walked to The Rocks area, had a nosey around the shops then went to the Museum of Contemporary Arts (its there and its free), interesting, but not for me, did not really get what the artist was trying to portray, but thats me, i haven't got an artists mind!!
On Thursday 19th i checked out of my B and B in the Darlinghurst area and got a bus to Coogee Beach and spent three nights there in a hostel. The hostel was clean and there were some really nice people to talk to. On the Friday i had a break from sight seeing i think the adrenaline had finally stopped and i felt worn out so i just had a lazy day, plus the weather was cool anyway. Saturday 21st, the weather was fantastic and i decided to do the 5KM walk from Coogee Beach to Bondi, it took around 1 hour and 20 minutes. its a great walk and you pass Gordaons Bay, Clovelly Beach, Bronte Beach, Tamarama Beach and the Bondi. The scenary is fantastic, and i have been snap happy with the camera. Those pictures i uploaded by the way are just a sample i have at least 1500 to show you once i get home and i am not yet half way through my trip.
Sunday 22nd i checked out of my hostel, catched a bus to circular quay, near the opera house and then took a ferry to Manley. I arrived at my B and B and then came for a walk, have a look around and write this blog entry. Not sure what i plan to do over the next few days, there is a 9km walk to do here so i might do that, plus a bit of beach too.
Keep safe
Andreaxx
On Wednesday 18th April i had a tour around the opera house which was great, we went inside a few of the theatres, concert halls and Sydneys Symphony Orchestra was practicising, just a fantastic sound. This inspired me to book a ticket to see a play in the theatre hall on the 25th. Its called A walk with the Goons and its based on Spike Milligans radio show, The Goons. The ticket was not a bad price and who wouldn't go to see something at the opera house given the opportunity. In the afternoon i spent some time in the Royal Botanical Gardens again, i love it here, there is plenty of people around, you can have your lunch, read or just look across the harbour, see the bridge and the opera house. Afterwards i walked to The Rocks area, had a nosey around the shops then went to the Museum of Contemporary Arts (its there and its free), interesting, but not for me, did not really get what the artist was trying to portray, but thats me, i haven't got an artists mind!!
On Thursday 19th i checked out of my B and B in the Darlinghurst area and got a bus to Coogee Beach and spent three nights there in a hostel. The hostel was clean and there were some really nice people to talk to. On the Friday i had a break from sight seeing i think the adrenaline had finally stopped and i felt worn out so i just had a lazy day, plus the weather was cool anyway. Saturday 21st, the weather was fantastic and i decided to do the 5KM walk from Coogee Beach to Bondi, it took around 1 hour and 20 minutes. its a great walk and you pass Gordaons Bay, Clovelly Beach, Bronte Beach, Tamarama Beach and the Bondi. The scenary is fantastic, and i have been snap happy with the camera. Those pictures i uploaded by the way are just a sample i have at least 1500 to show you once i get home and i am not yet half way through my trip.
Sunday 22nd i checked out of my hostel, catched a bus to circular quay, near the opera house and then took a ferry to Manley. I arrived at my B and B and then came for a walk, have a look around and write this blog entry. Not sure what i plan to do over the next few days, there is a 9km walk to do here so i might do that, plus a bit of beach too.
Keep safe
Andreaxx
Monday 16 April 2007
Having a good time
I was not really going to say much about my week in Koh Samet apart from that i really enjoyed it, it has a lovely beach and even though the weather was a bit hit and miss i still had a good time. Trying to lose the stig (of the dump look) i had a vitamin hair treatment, a facial, a thai massage and a manicure and pedicure, so felt great.
Towards the end of the week the Thai New Year celebrations began to take place, the Thai's run on a different calender to us and its currently the year 2552. The start of this celebration begins with the water festival, where everyone goes around throwing water at everybody and flour. It was all quite calm until i returned to Bangkok on Saturday and the locals were going around in trucks throwing buckets over everybody-what a laugh! I was quite dry until i went to me my friend in the Khaosan Rd area and i had that much flour and water over me i looked like something that had been made with pilbury's dough. Had such a good laugh though, although i am suprised they let me back into the hotel looking the way i did-think they are used to it.
Anyway i am now in Sydney and have been here about five hours, i have had a walk to Sydney opera house, which i have a tour of tomorrow, harbour bridge and the royal botanic gardens and i love Sydney already! I am currently in the area of Darlinghurst and then i move to Coogee Beach for three days on Wednesday, after this i plan to go to Manley Beach for three days and then return to the city centre before i commence my six week overland tour.
Keep well
Andreaxx
Towards the end of the week the Thai New Year celebrations began to take place, the Thai's run on a different calender to us and its currently the year 2552. The start of this celebration begins with the water festival, where everyone goes around throwing water at everybody and flour. It was all quite calm until i returned to Bangkok on Saturday and the locals were going around in trucks throwing buckets over everybody-what a laugh! I was quite dry until i went to me my friend in the Khaosan Rd area and i had that much flour and water over me i looked like something that had been made with pilbury's dough. Had such a good laugh though, although i am suprised they let me back into the hotel looking the way i did-think they are used to it.
Anyway i am now in Sydney and have been here about five hours, i have had a walk to Sydney opera house, which i have a tour of tomorrow, harbour bridge and the royal botanic gardens and i love Sydney already! I am currently in the area of Darlinghurst and then i move to Coogee Beach for three days on Wednesday, after this i plan to go to Manley Beach for three days and then return to the city centre before i commence my six week overland tour.
Keep well
Andreaxx
Saturday 7 April 2007
Dirty and smelling
hello
How are you all? i have just done my week of trekking and camping, just thought i would tell you all about it! I normally write my diary and then write this but i haven't done that yet so i am telling you from memory.
We set off on Monday to Phutoei National Park it took about 4 hours to get there. We stopped off on the way at Tesco Supermarket (i have tried to avoid it) to buy som goodies for the trip. The Tescos here are huge and this one had a KFC. Shamefully myself and Sandra could not resist after our three weeks solid of Thai food, but it tasted sooo good! We arived at the National Park in time to put our tents up and have our evening meal, have a wash and get into bed! I am quite suprised how much i enjoyed the camping and also how much i am turning into an outdoor person too.
Tuesday we made our way into the National Park to begin our trek, three hours lond and it is normally done over two days but we did the full three hours in one go. There are meant to be alot of Wildlife in the park including tigers, but i did not see anything, partly because i was always watching where i was putting my feet and if i was not watching my feet i was watching for things i could walk into with my head. On the trek we came to three waterfalls which we had to climb, one of them about 8-metres without using any equipment, just my hands and feet. Quite a scary thought but such a good feeling once at the top. The jungle is very dry at the moment and there are alot of bush fires, we kept having to change direction because of this and at one point we had to walk through it. After this we then walked into the path of some angry looking Buffalos and had to change direction again-all good for the adrenaline rush.
Tuesday evening we set up camp at an orchid farm and it actually rained. Spent the evening playing cards and draughts, then had an early night. The next morning we trekked to some local caves, i managed to get over my claustrophobia and went inside, really good with some amazing stalagnites and stalatites (think that is how you spell it, i wish i had wrote my journal first so i could clarify this). It was so dark and i thought that they would not photograph well but they did, got some brilliant pictures. We went into three caves altogether. After lunch we moved on to another national park and camped on a raft close by to a lake, lovely view and i slept like a log. However actually getting there was a filthy business, another four hours in the truck on dusty roads we were covered from head to toe in dust and it was in my hair, ( i am starting to look more and more like stig of the dump each day). Worst of all there weren't any washing facilities, but the guide took us to a local village and they let us use there communal bathroom (a pipe and a bowl, very functional though).
Thursday morning we set of for a homestay, again down the dusty roads, so more filth and in the same clothes as yesterday as i didn't see the point of putting clean ones on, so now smelling bad as well. The homestay was great although i did not sleep very well that night, think i was missing the openess and airyness of the tent. Just did a lot of chilling here and then set off the nest day for a hotel.
I am currently back at the eco house in Singburi but move on to Koh Samet on Monday for a bit of time on the beach.
How are you all? i have just done my week of trekking and camping, just thought i would tell you all about it! I normally write my diary and then write this but i haven't done that yet so i am telling you from memory.
We set off on Monday to Phutoei National Park it took about 4 hours to get there. We stopped off on the way at Tesco Supermarket (i have tried to avoid it) to buy som goodies for the trip. The Tescos here are huge and this one had a KFC. Shamefully myself and Sandra could not resist after our three weeks solid of Thai food, but it tasted sooo good! We arived at the National Park in time to put our tents up and have our evening meal, have a wash and get into bed! I am quite suprised how much i enjoyed the camping and also how much i am turning into an outdoor person too.
Tuesday we made our way into the National Park to begin our trek, three hours lond and it is normally done over two days but we did the full three hours in one go. There are meant to be alot of Wildlife in the park including tigers, but i did not see anything, partly because i was always watching where i was putting my feet and if i was not watching my feet i was watching for things i could walk into with my head. On the trek we came to three waterfalls which we had to climb, one of them about 8-metres without using any equipment, just my hands and feet. Quite a scary thought but such a good feeling once at the top. The jungle is very dry at the moment and there are alot of bush fires, we kept having to change direction because of this and at one point we had to walk through it. After this we then walked into the path of some angry looking Buffalos and had to change direction again-all good for the adrenaline rush.
Tuesday evening we set up camp at an orchid farm and it actually rained. Spent the evening playing cards and draughts, then had an early night. The next morning we trekked to some local caves, i managed to get over my claustrophobia and went inside, really good with some amazing stalagnites and stalatites (think that is how you spell it, i wish i had wrote my journal first so i could clarify this). It was so dark and i thought that they would not photograph well but they did, got some brilliant pictures. We went into three caves altogether. After lunch we moved on to another national park and camped on a raft close by to a lake, lovely view and i slept like a log. However actually getting there was a filthy business, another four hours in the truck on dusty roads we were covered from head to toe in dust and it was in my hair, ( i am starting to look more and more like stig of the dump each day). Worst of all there weren't any washing facilities, but the guide took us to a local village and they let us use there communal bathroom (a pipe and a bowl, very functional though).
Thursday morning we set of for a homestay, again down the dusty roads, so more filth and in the same clothes as yesterday as i didn't see the point of putting clean ones on, so now smelling bad as well. The homestay was great although i did not sleep very well that night, think i was missing the openess and airyness of the tent. Just did a lot of chilling here and then set off the nest day for a hotel.
I am currently back at the eco house in Singburi but move on to Koh Samet on Monday for a bit of time on the beach.
Sunday 1 April 2007
I will pass on becoming a Buddhist
hello, here again to tell you about my week in Thailand. I am currently still based in the provence of Singburi but travel around by the day and return to the eco house at night. On Monday 24th we visited the city of Ayutthaya, this is a UNESCO world heritage city and used to be the capital of Thailand before it was sacked and the title went to Bangkok. First we saw a young gentleman having his initiation ceremony to become a monk-a very colourful affair! After we then visited the elephant village, but to be honest my heart wasn't in it! After seeing a herd of elephants in Zambezi National Park just roaming around, as opposed to them being used for work purposes there is just no contest.
Tuesday 27th March
i had to get up at 5.30 am to give alms to the local monks, a Thai tradition where the people of the village provide the local monks with food for their daily meal. This consists of rice and fruit. It was actually quite interesting to see. I then went back to bed for a few hours and then watched a film on Buddhism. It appears to be all about taking the middle road and doing things in moderation, but this is just common sense to me. In the afternoon we visited the temple where we are staying tomorrow night.
Wednesdayday 28th March
very hot day today, got up usual time and then made our way to the temple. Once at the temple we had to get changed into all white, i had a long white skirt on and a white long sleeved top, T shirts are not allowed. We had a look around the temple and then were invited by the monks to chant and meditate with them. Interesting experience although i did discover that i have the concentration span of a gnat and only lasted about 3 minutes before my mind started to wonder. However the monks were really good and they lasted about 25 minutes. The meditation included chanting, walking and sitting. The walking one just involves walking slowly and concentrating on the movement. However to me this just just makeswalking difficult , have a go and concentrate on your every move and you feel like you are going to fall over, not to mention sweat alot!
After the chanting/meditation we had some free time so we went up to our room to prepare it for the evening. Quite a nice room, very hot though, we had four fans going at the same time and it was still boiling, i am sure it had something to do with the stone floors absorbing heat. I just used my sleeping bag for padding as it was far too hot to get inside. In the evening we did a bit more meditation, but i was still no better.
Next morning (Thursday 29th march) a very early start. We joined the monks in collecting alms from the local village. A few more volunteers joined us all dressed in white, felt a bit like i had joined some religious sect but all the same interesting to see. I had to put on the same clothes from yesterday and i kept thinking what on earth is that smell-and of course, yes, it was my good self!
After breakfast we planted trees with the monks, Sandra thought that they should leave me there as she said i looked quite at home in my white garments (not that they were white anymore, not only were they sweat coloured but they were also now covered in soil) planting trees. Later on we thanked the monks and gave them pressies. What an interesting experience, although i do not think i will turn to Buddhism myself they even have a website, if anyone is interested i will give you the link!
Friday 30th March
I had about 20 showers post the temple experience, if i felt this dirty after one night of sleeping on the floor and wering the same clothes for 48 hours what am i going to be like after trekking in the same clothes for four days! Today we checked in to a nice resort where you can have spa treatments. The place had a lovely infinity pool. Did not really do much here about from relaxed, swam and took sanctury in the air conditioned room! I even slept with a blanket on the air con cooled it down so much.
Saturday 31st march
After a lazy lie in, we went off to a local pottery store where they hand paint everything they make, it is brilliant, i would have liked to buy something but i am so worried about things like that smashing in my rucksack. Later onwe went to the zoo, they had some reallly big cats, tigers, lions, panthers. Quite good but just not the same as seeing them in the wild!
Today (Sunday 1st April) has been another lazy day, been at the local swimming pool eating ice cream. Tomorrow we begin a four day trek so i will let you know how i get on or how bad i smell at the end of it! Ugh
I have also decided to go to Australia a bit earlier than planned, so now leave on the 16th April, quite excited about going to Auz!
Take care xxx
Tuesday 27th March
i had to get up at 5.30 am to give alms to the local monks, a Thai tradition where the people of the village provide the local monks with food for their daily meal. This consists of rice and fruit. It was actually quite interesting to see. I then went back to bed for a few hours and then watched a film on Buddhism. It appears to be all about taking the middle road and doing things in moderation, but this is just common sense to me. In the afternoon we visited the temple where we are staying tomorrow night.
Wednesdayday 28th March
very hot day today, got up usual time and then made our way to the temple. Once at the temple we had to get changed into all white, i had a long white skirt on and a white long sleeved top, T shirts are not allowed. We had a look around the temple and then were invited by the monks to chant and meditate with them. Interesting experience although i did discover that i have the concentration span of a gnat and only lasted about 3 minutes before my mind started to wonder. However the monks were really good and they lasted about 25 minutes. The meditation included chanting, walking and sitting. The walking one just involves walking slowly and concentrating on the movement. However to me this just just makeswalking difficult , have a go and concentrate on your every move and you feel like you are going to fall over, not to mention sweat alot!
After the chanting/meditation we had some free time so we went up to our room to prepare it for the evening. Quite a nice room, very hot though, we had four fans going at the same time and it was still boiling, i am sure it had something to do with the stone floors absorbing heat. I just used my sleeping bag for padding as it was far too hot to get inside. In the evening we did a bit more meditation, but i was still no better.
Next morning (Thursday 29th march) a very early start. We joined the monks in collecting alms from the local village. A few more volunteers joined us all dressed in white, felt a bit like i had joined some religious sect but all the same interesting to see. I had to put on the same clothes from yesterday and i kept thinking what on earth is that smell-and of course, yes, it was my good self!
After breakfast we planted trees with the monks, Sandra thought that they should leave me there as she said i looked quite at home in my white garments (not that they were white anymore, not only were they sweat coloured but they were also now covered in soil) planting trees. Later on we thanked the monks and gave them pressies. What an interesting experience, although i do not think i will turn to Buddhism myself they even have a website, if anyone is interested i will give you the link!
Friday 30th March
I had about 20 showers post the temple experience, if i felt this dirty after one night of sleeping on the floor and wering the same clothes for 48 hours what am i going to be like after trekking in the same clothes for four days! Today we checked in to a nice resort where you can have spa treatments. The place had a lovely infinity pool. Did not really do much here about from relaxed, swam and took sanctury in the air conditioned room! I even slept with a blanket on the air con cooled it down so much.
Saturday 31st march
After a lazy lie in, we went off to a local pottery store where they hand paint everything they make, it is brilliant, i would have liked to buy something but i am so worried about things like that smashing in my rucksack. Later onwe went to the zoo, they had some reallly big cats, tigers, lions, panthers. Quite good but just not the same as seeing them in the wild!
Today (Sunday 1st April) has been another lazy day, been at the local swimming pool eating ice cream. Tomorrow we begin a four day trek so i will let you know how i get on or how bad i smell at the end of it! Ugh
I have also decided to go to Australia a bit earlier than planned, so now leave on the 16th April, quite excited about going to Auz!
Take care xxx
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