hello , still trekking Aussie!

hello

sorry i have not written for a while and my last entry was very short, but to be honest i had written the last entry three times but it would not publish for some reason, so out of frustration i did one very short. However, this one will be a biggie so get your self a cuppa!!

Well would you believe that i have been in Australia for five weeks and i am half way through my Aussie trek, just three weeks to go ( i don't want to leave) and i am already planning when i can come back and see some more.

The trek started on Wednesday 2nd May but i had met up with three of my fellow trekkers the day before, Sarah, Steph (who used to be a police woman in Moston) and Caroline. We did a jet boat cruise across Sydney harbour then hit a few pubs, a jolly good start to the trek. The following day we left sydney and headed towards Canberra for the day, had a tour of the city, Parliament house (a very impressive structure) and the War Memorial where we watched the changing of the guards.

Thursday 3rd may we then left the Australian Capital Territory and headed for the stae of Victoria to Lakes Entrance, the weather was not too good but we had a brilliant walk along Ninety Mile beach which was deserted (apparently this happens alot in Australia as there is so much coast), absolutely fantastic viewing. The following day we left for Melbourne, arriving around midday, in time for lunch. Unfortunately i had an appointment with the dentist and had to have my tooth removed so i did not get to see much. The following day though we went on the Neighbours tour, this was brilliant and laughed most of the day. We met two of the characters the guy that plays Dr Karl Kennedy and Dylan. I have never been so star struck in my life. This was the day that my camera was stolen, literally under neath my nose, i was a bit upset as it had all my Sydney photos and Lakes entrance photos, so maddening. It did not spoil my day too much, in the evening we went to a theme restaurant called Witches and Britches, laughed a lot here too. After Melborne we headed towards Port Campbell, had our first night camping on the tour, it was good, quite enjoy sleeping in the tent although it was a bit cold. We also passed the Great Ocean Road, amazing scenary. Just a shame i did not have a camera but i can get pictures of the others. Prior to arriving at the hostel we had a wonder around the site of the 12 apostles, just watching the sea splash agaist the rocks is mesmorising, i could have stayed there all day. The next morning we got up a 5am (there are quite alot of early get ups on this trip) and watched sunrise over the Bay of Islands. That day we camped at a place called Robe and then from there we moved to Adelaide. In Adelaide i bought a new camera exactly like the one which had been stolen so i was really pleased about that and the insurance can be sorted when i get home so i don't have to worry now until i get home.

Wednesday 9th May, we camped at Mount Remarkable. i swear i sleep better in a tent than i do in a house. The Mountain area is gorgeous and i saw some Wallabies, Kangaroos and quite alot of ants on my shoes. Next day we moved into the outback area to Coober Pedy. the opal capital of the world. What an interesting place, with its dug out hotels, houses and Catholic churches. It is so hot though and water is scarce, it is 5 $ for a bottle of water. here we slept in a dug out motel, for me it was far too hot and i would have liked to be back in the tent.

Friday 11th may Uluru (Ayres Rock) we arrived, amazing scenary but guess what i wasn't impressed with the rock, although it has a great history, insted i preferred the walk in between the Olgas at Kata Juta and the walk we did at Kings Canyon on Monday 14th May. After the walk at Kings Canyon we headed for Alice Springs, here we did not do much but let our heir down and got a bit drunk, we did not bother going to bed as we were picked up at 5am the following morning for a balloon ride across Alice springs and had a champagne breakfast before arriving back to camp to collapse and sleep. Lots of laughter though. We then headed to the Devils Marbles where we were subject to storms, although i slept right through it in the tent

After Alice springs we we headed for Manyallaluk an aboriginal town, it was here that i finally plucked up the courage to ditch the tent and sleep outside under neath the stars, AMAZING experience, very peaceful and now i am addicted and have so far managed three nights although i am in a hostel for two nights. At Manyallaluk we had a walk around the lands, practiced painting, making fire and basket weaving, oh and throwing spears.

We then moved to Katherine Gorge where we did a boat cruise and a few walks, great scenary lots of good swimming holes and thermal pools. At the moment we are in Darwin, but i am just using it as a catch up and a rest, we move on alot and have early get ups its good to just relax, go on the internet and do your washing. We move on tomorrow to Kakadu national Park where we spend two nights. Not sure when my next internet stop is but will fill you in soon.

Love

Andreaxx

Out and about in Australia

hello everyone, just a quickie today. I have been doing the lets trek now for a week and its brilliant, i am with 14 others and everyone is so nice and seem to have bonded quite well. So far i have been to Canberra, Lakes entrance, Melbourne, Port Campbell and Adelaide so far.

In Melbourne i had to have a tooth taken out at the dentist and i had my camera stolen, but still having a great time. I am off into the outback for a few weeks so maybe off line for a while, so see you all soon

Take care

Andreaxxx