TUTS ON TOUR

LEAVING ROTARUA WAS VERY VERY SAD...SAYING GOODBYE TO THE MANY FRIENDS IVE MADE OVER THE LAST 5 WEEKS WAS HARD. I MANAGED TO FEND OFF THE TEARS TILL I BOARDED THE BUS THEN HAD A SHORT 10 MINUTE SOB BEFORE SAYING TO MYSELF 'HEY QUIT IT GIRL,FURTHER ADVENTURES AHEAD'
I HEAD TO A PLACE CALLED THAMES,NORTH OF ROTARUA AND THE GATEWAY TO THE CORROMANDEL PENNINSULA. ONE NIGHT HERE IN A VERY QUIET HOSTEL I ARRIVE IN TIME FOR A STUNNING SUNSET AND AN EARLY NIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING BEFORE I SET OFF FOR THE CORROMANDEL I WALK THE RESIDENT DOG ALONG THE BEACH AND THEN POP TO A CUTE LOCAL CRAFT MARKET IN TOWN.
THE JOURNEY TO THE CORROMANDEL IS BEAUTIFUL AND WE VISIT HOT WATER BEACH NAMED SO BECAUSE YOU CAN DIG A HOLE IN THE SAND AND STAND IN BOILING HOT WATER BELOW...A WIERD EXPERIENCE WHEN THE COLD WAVES ARE SPLASHING OVER YOUR KNEES AT THE SAME TIME.
MY BED FOR THE EVENING IS IN WHITIANGA,A NICE TOWN WITH A NICE BEACH. A GUY IN THE HOSTEL HAD BEEN FISHING AND BROUGHT BACK THESE HUGE GREEN LIPPED MUSSELS...JUST DELICIOUS.
THE NEXT DAY IS A LONG ONE AND ON THE WAY UP TO AUCKLAND WE VISIT WAITAMO CAVES. WE WALK 20 MINUTES THROUGH THE COVES WITH INCREDIBLE LIMESTONE FORMATIONS THEN A SHORT BOAT RIDE TO SEE THE GLOW WORMS WHICH WAS LIKE LOOKING UP INTO THE NIGHT SKY.

WHEN BACK IN AUCKLAND I SPEND MY LAST TWO NIGHTS IN A LOVELY COTTAGE STYLE HOSTEL JUST OUT OF TOWN. MY LAST DAY IN NEW ZEALAND IS SPENT HIKING UP SOME OLD VOLCANOES,MOUNT VICTORIA AND MOUNT EDEN. TO DO THIS I HAD TO GET THE FERRY TO DEVENPORT. THE VIEWS OF AUCKLAND WERE AMAZING FROM THE MOUNTS. ON TYE EVENING I GO UP THE AUCKLAND TOWER FOR MORE SUPER VIEWS OF THE CITY.

MY NEXT STOP....FIJI

I NEVER EXPECTED TO LOVE SYDNEY QUITE AS MUCH AS I DO. MANY PEOPLE HAVE SAID ITS OVER RATED AND ONCE YOUVE SEEN THE OPERA HOUSE THATS THAT. I CANT REMEMBER HOW MANY PICTURES I HAVE TAKEN OF THE OPERA HOUSE AND THE BRIDGE BUT EACH TIME I SEE THEM I CANT HELP MYSELF ITS ASTHOUGH IM SEEING THEM FOR THE FIRST TIME ! THE ATMOSPHERE AROUND CIRCULAR QUAY IS BRILLIANT AND YOU COULD STROLL AROUND THAT AREA ALL DAY. THE BOTANICAL GARDENS ARE CLOSE BY AND BEAUTIFUL AND YOU GET A GREAT PIC OF THE BRIDGE AND OPERA HOUSE TOGETHER FROM THERE.
SYDNEY WASNT HALF AS BUSY AS I EXPECTED DESPITE ME BEIN THERE AT THE BUSIEST TIME OF YEAR ! EACH AREA IS DIFFERENT. I STAYED IN AN APARTMENT IN A PLACE CALLED DARLINGHURST A JOYFUL AREA FULL OF TRENDY CAFES AND COOL PEOPLE. BUT TO MY RIGHT IS KINGS CROSS THE RED LIGHT DISTRICT OF SYDNEY...NOT A PRETTY SIGHT. 20 MINS WALK AWAY IN 1 DIRECTION IS THE OPERA HOUSE AND 20 IN THE OTHER IS DARLING HARBOUR ANOTHER CHARMING PLACE WITH GREAT BARS AND LOVELY RESTARAUNTS.
ONE OF MY FAVOURITE PARTS OF SYDNEY IS A PLACE CALLED THE ROCKS. THIS IS OLD SYDNEY WITH OLD STREET MARKETS,GREAT SHOPS AND LOTS OF GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS. I SPENT A FULL DAY HERE STROLLING AROUND AND SOAKING UP THE ATMOSPHERE.
A SHORT BUS RIDE AWAY IS BONDI BEACH AND COOGEE BEACH BOTH ARE POPULAR WITH SUN WORSHIPPERS. BEIN AWAY FOR SIX MONTHS SUNBATHING DOESNT HAVE THE SAME APPEAL SO INSTEAD I DO A 2 HOUR WALK FROM COOGEE TO BONDI ALONG THE SCENIC COAST WHICH WAS NICE.
THE BLUE MOUNTAINS IS A DAY TRIP FROM SYDNEY AND VERY BEAUTIFUL. IT HAS 1 OF AUSTRALIAS FAMOUS ICONS A ROCK FORMATION CALLED THE 3 SISTERS AND WE VIEW THIS FROM THE SCENIC SKYWAY.
BEING IN AN APARTMENT OVER CHRISTMAS WAS LOVELY AND WE ENJOYED A TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS LUNCH WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS. NEW YEAR TOPPED THE LOT. THE FIREWORKS OVER THE HARBOUR BRIDGE WERE SUPER AND WE GOT AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE SITTING IN THE BOTANIC GARDENS FOR 15 HOURS PRIOR TO MIDNIGHT ! THE SUN WAS OUT,THE ATMOSPHERE WAS GREAT AND IT WAS WELL WORTH THE WAIT.
LEAVING THE LUXURY OF AN APARTMENT IS HARD BUT I HAVE A NEW CITY TO LOOK FORWARD TO NOW. HEADING OFF TO MELBOURNE TO JOB HUNT AND HOPEFULLY SETTLE FOR A WHILE.

RAINBOW BEACH THE GATEWAY TO FRASER ISLAND....THE BIGGEST SAND ISLAND IN THE WORLD AND HOME TO THOUSNDS OF DINGOS (WILD DOGS)
A 2 NIGHT 3 DAY BEACH CAMPING TRIP AWAITS US. WE SATY AT A HOSTEL THAT ARRANGES THIS FOR US. WE GET PUT INTO GROUPS OF 11 AND HAVE OUR OWN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE,A LOAD OF FOOD, CAMPING GEAR AND A MAP OF THE ISLAND....OH AND OF COURSE LOTS AND LOTS OF GOON (CHEAP BOXED BACKPACKER WINE)
THE TRIP IS SUCH A MAD EXPERIENCE. WE TAKE TURNS DRIVING ON THE SAND,THE BEACH GOES ON FOR MILES AND MILES. OUR GROUP TURN OUIT TO BE QUITE BORING A ND WANTED TO CAMP IN REMOTE AREAS WHERE NO OTHER TENTS COULD BE SEEN SO ON THE FIRST NIGHT WE WALK FOR AN HOUR IN THE DEEP SAND TO ANOTHER CAMPING SPOT TO MEET SOME OTHERS. IT WAS A SILLY THING TO DO WITH DINGOS ROAMING THE BEACH AND AN OLD SHIPWRECK SWEPT UP BESIDE US ON THE BEACH MADE IT VERY SCARY!!!
MEAL TIMES WERE ALWAYS FUN AND WE HAD TO WASH THE DISHES IN THE SEA !
THE ISLAND IS BEAUTIFUL WITH 2 STUNNING LAKES...LAKE MCKENZIE AND LAKE WABBIE BOTH NATURAL POOLS CONTAING TEA TREE OIL FOR A RELAXING DIP.
AFTER NOT SHOWERING FOR 3 DAYS AND HAVING TO TAKE A SPADE TO DIG A HOLE FOR THE TOILET IT WAS NICE TO GET BACK ON THE MAINLAND FOR A NITE BEFORE HEADING OFF AGAIN TO NOOSA.

NOOSA IS JUST NORTH OF BRISBANE AND A NICE RELAXING 2 NIGHT STOP OVER IN THIS UP MARKET TOWN WAS JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED.
IT HAS A BEAUTIFUL BEACH SOME LOVELY PLACES TO EAT AND IS SO LAID BACK. FROM HERE I PAY MY SECOND VISIT TO THE ZOO AS THE GIRLS HADNT BEEN AND THE 2ND TIME BEING JUST AS GOOD AS THE 1ST.

NEXT STOP IS BRISBANE FOR A COUPLE OF NIGHTS THEN SURFERS PARADISE ANOTHER 3 HOURS SOUTH.
SURFERS IS A BIG HOLIDAY DESTINATION FOR AUSTRALIANS,WITH THEME PARKS,BEACHES AND LOTS OF THINGS TO DO. LEARNING TO SURF WOULD HAVE BEEN GOOD BUT ALL THE SURF SCHOOLS BEING BOOKED OUT AT THIS TIME OF YEAR.
MY LAST STOP BEFORE SYDNEY IS BYRON BAY.
STRAIGHT AWAY I LOVE BYRON BAY. THE BARS A BUZZING WITH LIVE MUSIC AND EVERYONE IS HAVING A GREAT TIME.
THERE ARE STREET PERFORMERS GALORE AND PEOPLE ARE SO FRIENDLY.
A DAY TOUR FROM BYRON TAKES US TO NIMBIN. A HIPPIE TOWN WHERE ITS POPULAR TO BUY GRASS ON THE STREETS AND VARIOUS COOKIES AND CAKES OF THE AMSTERDAM KIND. ALTHOUGH ILLEGAL THE POLICE SEEM TO TURN A BLIND EYE. SO WHILST HERE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN RUDE NOT TO DO AS THE LOCALS DO. 1 COOKIE AND MY WHOLE DAY WAS SPENT CHILLED OUT BY A LAKE WITHOUT A CARE IN THE WORLD......
NEXT STOP AN HOURS FLIGHT AWAY...THE BIG BIG CITY...SYDNEY JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS X

HELLO ALL....ITS BEEN A WHILE SO LOTS TO TELL...
FROM CAIRNS I HEADED NORTH TO A PLACE CALLED CAPE TRIBULATION...ITS A POPULAR TRIP FROM HERE AND THE ONLY PLACE IN THE WORLD WHERE THE RAINFOREST MEETS THE OCEAN. IF NOT FOR THE WEATHER THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN LOVELY AS THE BEACH WAS SO LONG AND BEAUTIFUL. I SPENT 2 NIGHTS HERE AND DURING MY STAY I WENT ON A 3 HOUR HORSE RIDE ALONG THE BEACH WITH 9 OTHERS IT WAS REALLY GOOD BUT MY HORSE(GONZO) WAS VERY LAZY WHEN IT CAME TO GALLOPPING AND I WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO HAD TO USE A STICK.

FROM CAPE TRIBULATION I HEADED BACK TO CAIRNS AND DID ANOTHER BOAT TRIP OUT ON THE REEF FOR SOME SNORKELLING. THIS TIME SEEING A FAMILY OF TURTLES... I WAS SO AMAZED I FOLLOWED THEM ROUND FOR HALF AN HOUR,EVEN WITH MY DODGY DOGGIE PADDLING IT WAS VERY EASY TO KEEP UP WITH THEM AS THEY ARE SO CHILLED OUT AND SO FRIENDLY(SO GLAD I HAD A DISPOSABLE CAMERA FOR THE PICS)

SKY DIVE
WHAT A BUZZ...1 HOUR SOUTH OF CAIRNS IS MISSION BEACH A FAMOUS SPOT FOR SKY DIVERS OVER THE GREAT BARRIER REEF...GOTTA GIVE IT A GO I GUESS.
I DIDNT EAT ALL DAY KNOWING I WAS GONNA BE JUMPING 14,OOO FEET WHO WOULD?
I WAS SO SCARED. THE PLANE WAS TINY AND I DIDNT THINK IT WOULD EVEN GET OFF THE GROUND. MY INSTRUCTOR WAS WINDING ME UP ALL THE WAY KNOWING HOW NERVOUS I WAS. AT 5,000 FT WERE SO HIGH I COULDNT BELIEVE WE HAD ANOTHER 9,000 TO GO!!
BEFORE YOU KNOW IT YOUR ON THE EDGE OF THE PLANE LOOKING DOWN AND YOUR GONE 1 AFTER THE OTHER. AND WOW.... 1 WHOLE MINUTE OF FREE FALLING WITH THE MOST AMAZING VIEWS EVER THEN 4 MINUTES WITH THE CHUTE OPEN MAKE THIS THE BEST THING IVE EVER DONE. I WAS SO HIGH FOR HOURS AFTERWARDS AND WOULD HAVE GONE AGIAN STRAIGHT AWAY IT WAS JUST BRILLIANT.

THE TRIP DOWN THE COAST TOOK A FEW DAYS TO PLAN. I DECIDE TO TRAVEL WITH THE IRISH GIRLS FOR COMPANY.
WE TRAVEL ON THE GREYHOUND BUS A SIT IS A CHEAP AND EASY WAY TO TRAVEL. FIRST STOP IS MAGNETIC ISLAND OFF THE COAST OF TOWNSVILLE.
THE ISLAND IS FAIRLY SMALL BUT PRETTY, WE HAVE 2 NIGHTS HERE SO WE RENT A VERY SMALL PINK AND WHITE OPEN TOP CAR TO BUZZ AROUND THE ISLAND IN. THE TWO IRISH GIRLS ARE BLONDE SO THEY LOOKED ALOT LIKE BARBIE BUT IM NOT SURE IT SUITED ME!!!!!

OUR NEXT STOP IS AIRLIE BEACH ANOTHER 6 HOURS SOUTH. FROM HERE WE GO SAILING ON THE WHITSUNDAYS.....A COLLECTION OF 74 ISLANDS OFF THE GREAT BARRIER REEF.
AIRLIE BEACH IS VERY BUSY AND EXPENSIVE AND GETS YOU IN THE HOLIDAY MODE.
OUR BOAT IS CALLED THE CLIPPER AND WE ARE ON IT FOR 3 DAYS AND 2 NIGHTS.
THERE ARE 50 OF US ALTOGETHER ON THE BOAT SO ITS VERY MUCH 1 BIG PARTY. WE SET OFF AT 2PM AND A HUGH STORM SETS IN.....NOT A GOOD START. THE WEATHER CHANGES WITHIN AN HOUR AND WE HAVE A FANTASTIC 3 DAYS OF GLORIOUS SUNSHINE,LOTS OF SNORKELLING AND GREAT FOOD.
ONE OF THE BEACHES WE STOP OFF AT IS CALLED WHITEHAVEN BEACH....AND ALTHOGH SEEEING THE PICTURES THEY DONT DO IT JUSTICE..IT IS JUST MAGNIFICENT.

THE DAY AFTER GETTING OFF THE BOAT I REALLY WANT TO SEE THE REEF FROM A DIFFERENT ANGLE SO I DECIDE TO TAKE AN HOURS SCENIC FLIGHT OVER THE GREAT BARRIER REEF AND THE 74 WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS. THIS WAS THE ONLY WAY I WOULD BE ABLE TO SEE AND PHOTOGRAPH THE HEART REEF AS ITS NOT ACCESSABLE BY BOAT.
THE FLIGHT WAS INCREDIBLE LANDING ONCE ON WHITEHAVEN BEACH AND ONCE IN THE WATER IT WAS MONEY WORTH SPENT AND I MUST HAVE TAKEN ABOUT A HUNDRED PICS OF THE REEF AND ISLANDS AS THE COLOURS AND VIEWS WERE JUST UN REAL.

ALL THIS RELAXING ON A BOAT AND DRINKING IS EXHAUSTING AND NEXT WE HAVE A 12 HOUR OVERNITE BUS TO RAINBOW ISLAND................

WITH HAVING NO LUCK WITH WORK IN CAIRNS I DECIDED TO TRAVEL TO A PLACE CALLED INNISFAIL AN HOUR SOUTH OF CAIRNS KNOWN FOR ITS BANANA FARMING AND SUGAR CANE INDUSTRY WITH HOSTELS OFFERING GUARANTEED WORK FRUIT PICKING.

NOT REALLY SURE WHAT TO EXPECT BUT THINKING THIS WILL BE A TRUE BACKPACKING EXPERIENCE AND A CHANCE TO SAVE A LITTLE EXTRA MONEY BEFORE LEAVING NORTH QUEENSLAND.

I BOOK MY GREYHOUND BUS AND ARRIVE IN INNISFAIL AT 830 PM ITS A TUESDAY NIGHT AND I HAVE BOOKED INTO A HOSTEL CALLED BUDGET BACKPACKERS. 1 OF THE GUYS WHO WORKS AT THE HOSTEL MEETS ME WITH MY BAGS OFF THE BUS ...WHICH WAS NICE. I ARRIVE AT THE HOSTEL BUT NOT SO HAPPY.........IT IS AWFUL THE WORST HOSTEL I HAVE BEEN TO BY FAR. VERY SHABBY LOOKING AND DIRTY,IM IN AN 8 BED MIXED DORM...I FELT LIKE CRYING AND THIS WAS BEFORE I FOUND OUT I WAS STARTING WORK AT 6AM THE NEXT MORNING.

WORK..............BOUT TIME I DID SOME I GUESS. AS IM HERE LOOKING FOR INSPIRATION FOR A NEW CAREER WHEN I RETURN HOME...... I CAN RULE OUT FARM WORK ATLEAST,ESPECIALLY IN THIS HEAT ITS 35 DEGREES AND VERY HUMID.
ALTHOUGH ITS CALLED FRUIT PICKING I HAVENT ACTUALLY PICKED ANY FRUIT COZ WITH BANANAS ITS CALLED HUMPING AND THE GUYS DO THAT BECAUSE THE BUNCHES WEIGH ANYTHING FROM 60KG TO 80KG. HOWEVER I HAVE WORKED OUTSIDE FOR 9 HOURS A DAY DOING VARIOUS THINGS INCLUDING
DE-LEAFING....TAKING DEAD LEAVES OFF THE TREES
STRINGING.......TYING STRING AROUND TO KEEP THEM UPRIGHT
KILLING OFF THE USED BANANA TREES USING PETROL
ADDING AND TESTING THE SPRINKLERS
DRIVING THE TRACTOR WHILST THE GUYS DO THE HUMPING
PACKING AND SORTING THE BANANAS INSIDE FOR 1 DAY
ALTHOUGH THE WORK HAS BEEN TOUGH MAINLY DUE TO THE WEATHER IT HAS BEEN A GREAT EXPERIENCE AND I HAVE MET SOME GREAT PEOPLE AND THE SCENERY AROUND THIS PLACE IS BEAUTIFUL.

YOU WORK 630 TILL 330 MON TO FRI WITH WEEKENDS OFF.WE HAVE A FREE BBQ ON A MON AND THURS. ON THE WEEKEND ALL OF US FROM THE HOSTEL GO ON DAY TRIPS EITHER TO THE BEACH(ETTY BAY) WHICH IS VERY PRETTY AND QUIET TOO, JOSEPHINE FALLS OR GOLDEN HOLE WHICH ARE 2 WATERFALLS CLOSE BY AND LAST SATURDAY WE WENT TO THE CROCODILE FARM WHICH IS HOME OF THE LARGEST CROC IN AUSTRALIA. THEY FEED THE CROCS WHILST WE ARE THERE AND I GET WITHIN 1 METRE OF SOME OF THEM. THE GUY WHO RUNS THE FARM SITS ON GREG THE LARGEST CROC FOR PHOTOS...HE IS ONE CRAZY MAN AND YOU CAN TELL WHEN HE SHOWS YOU HIS SCARS ON HIS LEGS AND ARMS FROM CROC ATTACKS....

AFTER 3 AND A HALF WEEKS IT IS TIME TO LEAVE INNISFAIL AND HEAD BACK TO CAIRNS TO CONTINUE WITH MY PREPERATION FOR TRAVELLING DOWN THE COAST.
IM KINDA SAD ON LEAVING AS IVE MET SOME GREAT GUYS AND MADE SOME GOOD FRIENDS ALTHOUGH THE PLACE IS A SHIT HOLE THE PEOPLE HAVE MADE IT INTO A PALACE. WE HAVE A LEAVING PARTY ON THE FRIDAY BEFORE PEOPLE LEAVE AND THIS WEEK IS THE SAME.
MY BUS BACK TO CAIRNS LEAVES AT 6PM ON THE SATURDAY...IM HUNGOVER AS DRANK ALOT LAST NIGHT.
ALL THE GUYS HELP ME TO THE BUS STOP AND WE SAY GOODBYE. SOME OF WHO I MAY SEE AGAIN IN OZ.
WHILST IM ON THE BUS THEY ALL RUN BACK TO THE HOSTEL AND STAND ON A TABLE OUTSIDE. WHEN MY BUS PASSES THEY ALL CHEER AND WAVE SO SWEET IT ACTUALLY BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE.....ILL MISS THOSE GUYS !

IM BACK AT THE GIRLS HOSTEL NOW AND GOING TO BE DOING A TRIP HERE BEFORE I HEAD SOUTH AGAIN
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