And we are 3 knockouts and a supermodel hot when we've been rolling around in our orange sauna on wheels with a pop up tent on the roof for 12 days now. We're pretty fetching.
Look at it...
http://www.spaceships.tv/new-zealand-campervan-hire/
As the Kiwis would say..."Sweet as bro!" Except they pronounce the bro as bra. They also say "fush and chups" instead of fish and chips.
Am currently in Queenstown which is in the south of the South Island. Queenstown is beautiful, but not sure I could live here as it's a bit remote and lacking in anything to do except throw yourself out of planes/off bridges/mountains/speed down mountais on bikes. haha, like I wouldn't love to do that everyday! Queesntown is the adrenaline capital of New Zealand, possibly even the world. We've been running a day ahead of ourselves for about a week and last night thought it was Friday, but it was Thursday which is good because we were a bit stressed about making it back to Auckland to return our orange sauna on wheels. The campervan is good in the main except for waking up sweating profusely gasping for air because it's so hot. It's starting to smell a bit funky too what with spilt milk and sweaty bodies stinking up in the heat. We did a 5 hour trek at Fox Glacier (yes like the mints) that was pretty amazing other than being so bloody cold and it rained and every item of warm clothing I have with me (which isn't actually a lot) got soaking wet! Took about 90mins to get up to the edge of the ice and then trekked across it for an hour or so before back down the side of the mountain. Have attanded a Maori Village with old school tribal dancing and chanting and full on All Blacks kind of insane faces and tongue wagging (to signify the end of the spear) and wide eyes to freak you out. There we had the best meal I've had since being away. Literally filled ourselves to popping buttons before wandering around in the dark to check out all the gloworms. Look like stars in the sky. Pretty sweet. That was in Rotura which is nicknamed Sulphur City because of its stench. You arrive and the whole place smells like rotting eggs because of the geysers (hot water springs). Oh yeah that was pretty cool bathing in a hot lake/river/waterfall. Warmer than most people would have their bath but perfect for me and my asbestos skin. Sorry this is all a bit muddled, but the days are so jumbled. I'm keeping a travel journal, but we spend so much time driving to get from place to place that it all rolls in and out. Have spent a few nights just parked at the side of the road on long stretches and go to swimming pools to get cheap showers to try and combat the stench! We're staying in a hostel here because the campsites are pretty expensive and out of town and there's nowhere to park so we unloaded our stuff and parked the Camper out of town and walked back in. In the pouring rain I might add! Mainly the weather has been amazing. We drove down straight from Rotura to Wellington which was about 13 hours in the car with a few food breaks and toilet stops. I drove the whole of that day and it was mad because the weather fluctuated so much what with all the microclimates. Interesting fact I didn't know...New Zealand lies right on top of a fault line running the whole way through the middle of both Islands and so they have earthquake warnings and can't build their buildings to high. It's very strange to not see all these huge skyscrapers like they have in all the Australian cities. So anyways all in all New Zealand is beautiful. Seriously, breathtakingly beautiful. I've never seen anywhere like it (except actually England/Scotland/Wales) It's just so green and lush and there are just so many mountains everywhere you look and really truly it's spectacular. You will love it here Nanny and Peter.
Anyways that's enough for the mo. I'm off to watch Fiona jump out of a plane and then going to get the gondola up to the top of the mountain and maybe have a go at luging which I'm told you must try. We'll see. Will write again as soon as I get a chance, but that probably won't be until I'm back in Melbourne. Hope you are all well and I will talk to you soon. Not long until I'm home now...90 days or so!
Mwah
( )( )
( " ,)
x xx x
Thursday 8 January 2009
Monday 29 December 2008
Kiwi Land
I'm safe and sound in New Zealand.
I have no phone.
I have a campervan, but no money to pay for campsites.
If we have to put more than 4 tanks of fuel in we're in trouble.
We've eaten rice and pasta for 3 days straight.
All donations gratefully accepted.
I'm not joking.
If I die here, letit be known I love you all.
No, but seriously if you don't hear from me or Lauren by the 16th of January,chances are we're stuck in some remote part of NZ without phones or food and will probably be starving to death.
SEND A SEARCH PARTY!
This is not a test.
Peace out (possibly for eternity)
( )( )
( " .)
x xx x
I have no phone.
I have a campervan, but no money to pay for campsites.
If we have to put more than 4 tanks of fuel in we're in trouble.
We've eaten rice and pasta for 3 days straight.
All donations gratefully accepted.
I'm not joking.
If I die here, letit be known I love you all.
No, but seriously if you don't hear from me or Lauren by the 16th of January,chances are we're stuck in some remote part of NZ without phones or food and will probably be starving to death.
SEND A SEARCH PARTY!
This is not a test.
Peace out (possibly for eternity)
( )( )
( " .)
x xx x
Sunday 30 November 2008
So Here We Are
Hey.
It's been ages since I did an update, but today I find myself at a loose end and 30 mins left on my internet time so I figured I should do an update.
Where was I? The Everglades...that was pretty interesting. We canoed for a fair few hours over three days and saw lots of trees and water and camped and got bitten and...well that was it really. Not the most spectacular of adventures. Was a bit boring really.
After Noosa we went back to Brisbane for the party and to say goodbye to the children etc. It was pretty sad. The party was good. I massacred Dido...twice. And then sang everything that Shane or Nick could play, got a little drunk and crashed out. Awoke early the next day and then fell asleep in Oskars bed until the day was almost over.
Went to my last dance classs and cried like a baby saying goodbye, but saying goodbye to the children and Nicole was horrible. Had to do them all seperately. Jonny woke me up at 5am as he was off on a bike ride to say goodbye so was all groggy and couldn't get back to sleep because the wheels were in motion. Children hopped into bed with me early doors and it was just awful all day really. Goodbyes to Tillie and Nic took her off to school while I played bubbles with Oskar, goodbyes to Oskar as he hopped off to daycare. He didn't know what to do with himself poor little mite. Doesn't like all this emotional stuff, me crying like a baby and Nicole getting upset. Sensitive soul. Then there was goodbyes to Nanna and Pa as we drove off for Nic to drop me and Lauren at our appointed bus stop. I'm never going to forget waving goodbye to Nic and Olly at the side of the road. The windows were tinted and I knew that even though I could see them, they couldn't see me. Was heartbreaking to say the least and I sobbed my heart out for a fair old while once they were out of my sight. I don't know when I'll see them again. With any luck before I leave, but I don't really know how that'll work out.
So after Brisbane it was on to Byron Bay where we have already been once for Laurens birthday. We met up with our English lads on route which was nice as we'd missed them. The first night we just hung out as I was pretty wiped from my emotional day and early start. Then we did a day trip out to this little hippie town called Nimbin. Everyone had been telling me it was the maddest thing they'd ever seen and it's mad because people are just offering you skunk and hash cookies left, right and centre. To be fair I was a little disappointed as it was just like a miniature version of Camden really and nowhere near as wacky and insane as I was hoping it migt be. there was a cool museum though which I got some funky pictures of. That night me and Lauren went out and met some really cool guys from the gold coast that we hung out with. Ended up dragging everyone to the beach to watch the sunrise only to realise that the beach actually points North and so you can't see the surise. Whoops. Was pretty fun anyways.
Our Oz bus picked us up and took us down to surf camp. We hadn't been to bed and had Sonic as our driver again. He was probably my favourite out of all the guys we had. Him and Forrest the others were spanners really. So yeah down to surf camp where we had a surf lesson, which is pretty hard when you've not had any sleep. I crashed out immediately afterwards and except for a 30 minute wake up to munch a chocolate bar that tasted disgusting I slept right through until 6am the next day. Much needed rest.
After this it was a long ass trek bus journey down to Sydney where we stayed for 2 days before flying to Melbourne. Which is where we currently are.
I have managed to find a job in a bar, but it's only 2 nights/12 hours a week which is an issue as I need to save money for New Zealand and it just about covers rent, food and expenses. I'm looking for office work, but apparantly I can kiss it goodbye before Christmas. Have also been looking for other bar work and cafe work, but alas so is the rest of the backpacking population that are here for Christmas.
As Xmas looms I kind of want to be at home. That's probably mostly to do with me being unsure about work etc. It's only 4 weeks until we go to New Zealand, but if I can't find some extra work I don't really know where that leaves me with going there. I think I'd still go as the flight is paid for and the camper would be cheaper than a hostel for the three weeks. Although I wouldn't find a hostel for it now I don't think. Sorry t his is musings as oppossed to plans, but I need to try and think my way around things.
So yes, we're in Melbourne, which I love and I feel like myself again while I'm here. That sounded a lot less strange when I said it in my head. Pretty much we just hang out in the day and I work Thursday and Friday nights. My bodyclock is shot as my shifts start at 10pm and finish anywhere up until 7am. My bar shuts on the 20th December so that's another worry. It opens again on the 8th of Jan, but I need to get my shifts covered otherwise I won't be able to come back to it which I'm planning on doing. I want to stay here until my visa expires now. I like it. It's just like London, which is probably why. It's got more culture too.
Anyways my half hour is almost up. I hope this well overdue blog finds you all well and happy and looking forward to the festive period. Take care and I will keep you updated on my goings ons when I actually have some.
Mulu
x xx x
It's been ages since I did an update, but today I find myself at a loose end and 30 mins left on my internet time so I figured I should do an update.
Where was I? The Everglades...that was pretty interesting. We canoed for a fair few hours over three days and saw lots of trees and water and camped and got bitten and...well that was it really. Not the most spectacular of adventures. Was a bit boring really.
After Noosa we went back to Brisbane for the party and to say goodbye to the children etc. It was pretty sad. The party was good. I massacred Dido...twice. And then sang everything that Shane or Nick could play, got a little drunk and crashed out. Awoke early the next day and then fell asleep in Oskars bed until the day was almost over.
Went to my last dance classs and cried like a baby saying goodbye, but saying goodbye to the children and Nicole was horrible. Had to do them all seperately. Jonny woke me up at 5am as he was off on a bike ride to say goodbye so was all groggy and couldn't get back to sleep because the wheels were in motion. Children hopped into bed with me early doors and it was just awful all day really. Goodbyes to Tillie and Nic took her off to school while I played bubbles with Oskar, goodbyes to Oskar as he hopped off to daycare. He didn't know what to do with himself poor little mite. Doesn't like all this emotional stuff, me crying like a baby and Nicole getting upset. Sensitive soul. Then there was goodbyes to Nanna and Pa as we drove off for Nic to drop me and Lauren at our appointed bus stop. I'm never going to forget waving goodbye to Nic and Olly at the side of the road. The windows were tinted and I knew that even though I could see them, they couldn't see me. Was heartbreaking to say the least and I sobbed my heart out for a fair old while once they were out of my sight. I don't know when I'll see them again. With any luck before I leave, but I don't really know how that'll work out.
So after Brisbane it was on to Byron Bay where we have already been once for Laurens birthday. We met up with our English lads on route which was nice as we'd missed them. The first night we just hung out as I was pretty wiped from my emotional day and early start. Then we did a day trip out to this little hippie town called Nimbin. Everyone had been telling me it was the maddest thing they'd ever seen and it's mad because people are just offering you skunk and hash cookies left, right and centre. To be fair I was a little disappointed as it was just like a miniature version of Camden really and nowhere near as wacky and insane as I was hoping it migt be. there was a cool museum though which I got some funky pictures of. That night me and Lauren went out and met some really cool guys from the gold coast that we hung out with. Ended up dragging everyone to the beach to watch the sunrise only to realise that the beach actually points North and so you can't see the surise. Whoops. Was pretty fun anyways.
Our Oz bus picked us up and took us down to surf camp. We hadn't been to bed and had Sonic as our driver again. He was probably my favourite out of all the guys we had. Him and Forrest the others were spanners really. So yeah down to surf camp where we had a surf lesson, which is pretty hard when you've not had any sleep. I crashed out immediately afterwards and except for a 30 minute wake up to munch a chocolate bar that tasted disgusting I slept right through until 6am the next day. Much needed rest.
After this it was a long ass trek bus journey down to Sydney where we stayed for 2 days before flying to Melbourne. Which is where we currently are.
I have managed to find a job in a bar, but it's only 2 nights/12 hours a week which is an issue as I need to save money for New Zealand and it just about covers rent, food and expenses. I'm looking for office work, but apparantly I can kiss it goodbye before Christmas. Have also been looking for other bar work and cafe work, but alas so is the rest of the backpacking population that are here for Christmas.
As Xmas looms I kind of want to be at home. That's probably mostly to do with me being unsure about work etc. It's only 4 weeks until we go to New Zealand, but if I can't find some extra work I don't really know where that leaves me with going there. I think I'd still go as the flight is paid for and the camper would be cheaper than a hostel for the three weeks. Although I wouldn't find a hostel for it now I don't think. Sorry t his is musings as oppossed to plans, but I need to try and think my way around things.
So yes, we're in Melbourne, which I love and I feel like myself again while I'm here. That sounded a lot less strange when I said it in my head. Pretty much we just hang out in the day and I work Thursday and Friday nights. My bodyclock is shot as my shifts start at 10pm and finish anywhere up until 7am. My bar shuts on the 20th December so that's another worry. It opens again on the 8th of Jan, but I need to get my shifts covered otherwise I won't be able to come back to it which I'm planning on doing. I want to stay here until my visa expires now. I like it. It's just like London, which is probably why. It's got more culture too.
Anyways my half hour is almost up. I hope this well overdue blog finds you all well and happy and looking forward to the festive period. Take care and I will keep you updated on my goings ons when I actually have some.
Mulu
x xx x
Saturday 1 November 2008
Sand In Your Pants...
So i'm currently in Noosa about 2 hours north of Brisbane and we're on the last leg of our insane 4 week madness!
Have just been at Fraser which is absolutely stunning, but being a sand island you get sand in everything and even end up eating it. Eggy bread and sand...lovely! I pretty much lived on rice crackers for 3 days because it was easier than having to wait for evryone else to finish cooking there meat dinners before starting mine and being on the beach it's very windy and so takes lonegr to cook. They put lentils in for my dinner, that would have been fun to try and cook on the silly litle gas stoves you get. But anyways Fraser Island is beautiful.
We went up to Indian heads where you look out over the water and it's so clear. You can see all the sharks swimming around and turtles and stingrays when you're stood at the top of all the cliffs. We went to Lake Mackenzie which is just stunning. You walk through "The Bush" and before you know it you walk out onto pure white sand with this beautiful freshwater lake on the otherside. There's no fish or anything in there and your skin is so smooth after you've been swimming in it because of all the Eucalyptus trees. The sand is also really fine and works like a brilliant exfoliator. We also went to lake Wabby which is strange. Again you have to walk through the bush and then you come to this great big sandblow and you feel as if you just walked into the desert. You have to trek for about 2 kms and then you go over the edge of this big dune and it's really steep and there's another beautiful lake. This one is a bit green because it has fish and algae, but I prefered it to Mackenzie because it was just so strange to walk across a desert and find this beautiful little oasis.
Back to Brisbane on Friday to see my surrogate family and after that maybe head North back to Rainbow Beach to work at the hostel we stayed in. We'll probably be there until we go to New Zealand on the 28th of December as Christmas in Sydney will cost way more than we can feasably do on our budget.
So I think that's about it as my time is ticking on this bad boy and I can't get anymore time because the reception and bar is closed for the evening. Tomorrow we're off for a bush camp and then a 3 day 2 night canoe safari down the everglades.
Will tell you about that when I get back on Wednesday.
Hope you're all well.
Mulu
x xx x
Have just been at Fraser which is absolutely stunning, but being a sand island you get sand in everything and even end up eating it. Eggy bread and sand...lovely! I pretty much lived on rice crackers for 3 days because it was easier than having to wait for evryone else to finish cooking there meat dinners before starting mine and being on the beach it's very windy and so takes lonegr to cook. They put lentils in for my dinner, that would have been fun to try and cook on the silly litle gas stoves you get. But anyways Fraser Island is beautiful.
We went up to Indian heads where you look out over the water and it's so clear. You can see all the sharks swimming around and turtles and stingrays when you're stood at the top of all the cliffs. We went to Lake Mackenzie which is just stunning. You walk through "The Bush" and before you know it you walk out onto pure white sand with this beautiful freshwater lake on the otherside. There's no fish or anything in there and your skin is so smooth after you've been swimming in it because of all the Eucalyptus trees. The sand is also really fine and works like a brilliant exfoliator. We also went to lake Wabby which is strange. Again you have to walk through the bush and then you come to this great big sandblow and you feel as if you just walked into the desert. You have to trek for about 2 kms and then you go over the edge of this big dune and it's really steep and there's another beautiful lake. This one is a bit green because it has fish and algae, but I prefered it to Mackenzie because it was just so strange to walk across a desert and find this beautiful little oasis.
Back to Brisbane on Friday to see my surrogate family and after that maybe head North back to Rainbow Beach to work at the hostel we stayed in. We'll probably be there until we go to New Zealand on the 28th of December as Christmas in Sydney will cost way more than we can feasably do on our budget.
So I think that's about it as my time is ticking on this bad boy and I can't get anymore time because the reception and bar is closed for the evening. Tomorrow we're off for a bush camp and then a 3 day 2 night canoe safari down the everglades.
Will tell you about that when I get back on Wednesday.
Hope you're all well.
Mulu
x xx x
Saturday 25 October 2008
Blagger...
Howdy.
I've managed to blag free internet by being super dooper helpful and rejigging a few of my trips to help out the guys here at Dingos hostel Rainbow Beach, so thought I'd do an update. It's quiet here and not much to do. Me and Lauren have been taking it easy as Fraser Island is supposed to be pretty full on in the late nights and early mornings stakes. We were supposed to be going tomorrow but due to a booking cock up we have moved it to Tuesday as I said to help out the good guys here at Dingos. Anyways...yesterday we went for a chopper motorbike tour around the area. Was pretty cool, these little 50cc mopeds like something out of easy rider. We had a few drinks with some Irish guys who were in our room last night, actually we drank snakebite something I swore I'd never do after Mummys little shennanigans way back when, but it's cheap and that the name of the game. To hell with my health apparantly. We haven't done our sea kayaking yet as it was cancelled on Friday de to weather conditions. We do that tomorrow now. There was a huge storm yesterday so hopfully that will have passed by the time e go to Fraser as sand and tents and rain isn't really my idea of a good time, but then again I guess it is all part of the fun. Just got to hope we don't get stuck with a rubbish group, although once again our helpfulness has secured first dibs on group choice. We're so nice. Not really a lot else to say.
Oh Rainbow Beach itself is pretty cool. All of these different coloured sands. reds, pinks, oranges, yellows and browns. Very cool and the surfs pretty sweet. I'm getting annoyed with still being white though! I'm browner at home. Me and Lauren have finally just done some washing! Which is useful as I'm currently running around commando as my last clean pair of undies went in the pool last night in a moment of drunken madness. It wasn't my idea for once though!
So yeah that's about it from the fun and exciting world of base camp Rabbit.
Mulu x
I've managed to blag free internet by being super dooper helpful and rejigging a few of my trips to help out the guys here at Dingos hostel Rainbow Beach, so thought I'd do an update. It's quiet here and not much to do. Me and Lauren have been taking it easy as Fraser Island is supposed to be pretty full on in the late nights and early mornings stakes. We were supposed to be going tomorrow but due to a booking cock up we have moved it to Tuesday as I said to help out the good guys here at Dingos. Anyways...yesterday we went for a chopper motorbike tour around the area. Was pretty cool, these little 50cc mopeds like something out of easy rider. We had a few drinks with some Irish guys who were in our room last night, actually we drank snakebite something I swore I'd never do after Mummys little shennanigans way back when, but it's cheap and that the name of the game. To hell with my health apparantly. We haven't done our sea kayaking yet as it was cancelled on Friday de to weather conditions. We do that tomorrow now. There was a huge storm yesterday so hopfully that will have passed by the time e go to Fraser as sand and tents and rain isn't really my idea of a good time, but then again I guess it is all part of the fun. Just got to hope we don't get stuck with a rubbish group, although once again our helpfulness has secured first dibs on group choice. We're so nice. Not really a lot else to say.
Oh Rainbow Beach itself is pretty cool. All of these different coloured sands. reds, pinks, oranges, yellows and browns. Very cool and the surfs pretty sweet. I'm getting annoyed with still being white though! I'm browner at home. Me and Lauren have finally just done some washing! Which is useful as I'm currently running around commando as my last clean pair of undies went in the pool last night in a moment of drunken madness. It wasn't my idea for once though!
So yeah that's about it from the fun and exciting world of base camp Rabbit.
Mulu x
Thursday 23 October 2008
Sailing and Horses
Whitsundays were beautiful, realy good bunch of people and we just had a fab time. Was really nice not to have to worry about food and stuff. The chef made me all vegetarian, gluten free meals so all I had to do was relax. First time I've really felt like i'm on holiday.
Got back to Airlie Beach and went out with everybody for dinner and then a few drinks.
Left early doors Wednesday morning for an 11 hour journey to a compulsory Oz Experience stop at a Cattle Station out at Kroombit. Felt like I was on a school trip. I won the mechanical bull competition, but after the journey was suffering a sore neck. Woke up Thursday morning and could barely move. I'm still not 100% so i'm glad they had to cancel sea kayaking this morning due to conditions. Couldn't compete in the rodeo (goat wrestling etc) and couldn't afford to do the cow muster which trurned out to be a blessing in disguise as you're only allowed to walk around on a horse and that would be pretty boring for me.
Left the Cattle station and trekked another 9 hours down the coast to where I now am, Rainbow Beach. Go to Fraser Monday which should be amazing.
I'm skint hence the lack of contact and trip details, descriptions etc internet is costly.
Hope you're all well.
Mulu x
Got back to Airlie Beach and went out with everybody for dinner and then a few drinks.
Left early doors Wednesday morning for an 11 hour journey to a compulsory Oz Experience stop at a Cattle Station out at Kroombit. Felt like I was on a school trip. I won the mechanical bull competition, but after the journey was suffering a sore neck. Woke up Thursday morning and could barely move. I'm still not 100% so i'm glad they had to cancel sea kayaking this morning due to conditions. Couldn't compete in the rodeo (goat wrestling etc) and couldn't afford to do the cow muster which trurned out to be a blessing in disguise as you're only allowed to walk around on a horse and that would be pretty boring for me.
Left the Cattle station and trekked another 9 hours down the coast to where I now am, Rainbow Beach. Go to Fraser Monday which should be amazing.
I'm skint hence the lack of contact and trip details, descriptions etc internet is costly.
Hope you're all well.
Mulu x
Saturday 18 October 2008
Jack Sparrow Eat Your Heart Out
We are currently at Airlie Beach which is pretty much just one big party town. In less than a km of street there are 37 licensed bars and restaurants. They don't even have a cinema here. Me and Lauren had a TV in our hostel so we haven't been out at all. It's not a very nice place really. They don't have any beach because of the crocs and the harbour, but they do have a huge lagoon to make up for it. It is a full on Boganville though. A bogan is a term for someone a bit like a hillbilly. This place was full of them last night when I went to go make a phone call, all drunk and being well Bogans. Truly, truly not a fan of Australian boys. Have met only a few who I can stand to be around. Not a very nice breed the ones I've met so far. Chavanistic, racist, sexist bigots is a very accurate description.
Anyhoo...
In a few hours we go board our AMAZING pirate ship.
Go and look it up on the web...
Soulway Lass Whitsunday Sailing.
We will be vising Whithaven Beach. 99.89% silica sand. Supposedly it's like snow. I'll be totally out of contact for the next 3 days, but will do a blog as soon as I can upon my return to dry land. Internet costs a fortune some places though and as i'm running short enough on cash as it is you'll just have to wait to hear about all our adventures.
Mulu x
Anyhoo...
In a few hours we go board our AMAZING pirate ship.
Go and look it up on the web...
Soulway Lass Whitsunday Sailing.
We will be vising Whithaven Beach. 99.89% silica sand. Supposedly it's like snow. I'll be totally out of contact for the next 3 days, but will do a blog as soon as I can upon my return to dry land. Internet costs a fortune some places though and as i'm running short enough on cash as it is you'll just have to wait to hear about all our adventures.
Mulu x
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