Friday, December 30, 2011
Milford Sounds
A little bit tired but amazingly not hungover we got the bus to Milford Sounds. Basically this entry will be short as I really can't describe in words Milford Sounds. If you think of all the scenery I've described so far multiply its beauty by ten add my favourite travel transport (a boat) on a semi opaque duck shell egg coloured lake going under waterfalls you might get some idea. This a very special place and was a very suitable grand finale to the line up of jaw dropping scenery on the trip. I'll never forget it and I have to return again some day.
Journey to Queenstown
It gets harder and harder the more you try to express in words how absolutely amazing the scenery in this country is. The photos don't work as you just get the depth of colour and sense of distance. I had no idea that scenery like this existed. Lakes that are so clear you can see every stone in them. Rivers that are a bright bluey green and mountains that stretch and stretch for miles and it changes all the time. The bus trip to Queenstown was full of countless inexplicable examples of this. Other than all that I got a bag of just picked delicious cherries from the growers and a hokey pokey ice cream. Plans of snoozes where dashed by consistent interruptions of astounding beauty.
We arrived in Queenstown about 4 and after a bit of mix up at the hostel we got settled and headed up on the cable cars they call gondolas up a local mountain for a fantastic view over the magnificance of Queenstown. Up on top they also had luge which basically is a concrete downhill track that you go down on carts with simple brakes. We did it three times and I won every time, who'd have thought it was my hidden talent. Maybe if they get some in Ireland and it becomes an Olympic sport, well, who knows...
We went back down to a pub in the town to meet a couple Mairead knows, Enda and Marie Ann and their friends. The plan was to have a pint and then get something to eat. Six or seven pints later we still hadn't eaten we were having such a good time.
Enda explained that he was hoping to get citizenship so he could get a gun to go hunting deer which seems popular over here. Although there is a problem with lamping which is banned. This is where they shine a light in the deers eyes and it stuns them long enough to shoot them. It's banned, as recently when the hunter saw the shining glint of the deers eyes it was actually a teacher washing her teeth while out camping and she was shot dead!
It seems Queenstown is a Mecca for adrenaline junkies encouraged by the fact that you are insured for any injury you get here and the Physio's are the best in the world. Every possible activity that brings you as close to maiming yourself without actually doing so is available for top dollar here and a lot of people are just working there way through the list satisfying their addiction and breaking bones all the way. Not my cup of tea, jumping out of the top bunk in the hostel is scary enough for me.
I had the most delicious veggie burger in the world from Ferg's burgers. A meal in two buns. Falafel, avocado, peppers, pumpkin, various sauces and lettuce.
We arrived in Queenstown about 4 and after a bit of mix up at the hostel we got settled and headed up on the cable cars they call gondolas up a local mountain for a fantastic view over the magnificance of Queenstown. Up on top they also had luge which basically is a concrete downhill track that you go down on carts with simple brakes. We did it three times and I won every time, who'd have thought it was my hidden talent. Maybe if they get some in Ireland and it becomes an Olympic sport, well, who knows...
We went back down to a pub in the town to meet a couple Mairead knows, Enda and Marie Ann and their friends. The plan was to have a pint and then get something to eat. Six or seven pints later we still hadn't eaten we were having such a good time.
Enda explained that he was hoping to get citizenship so he could get a gun to go hunting deer which seems popular over here. Although there is a problem with lamping which is banned. This is where they shine a light in the deers eyes and it stuns them long enough to shoot them. It's banned, as recently when the hunter saw the shining glint of the deers eyes it was actually a teacher washing her teeth while out camping and she was shot dead!
It seems Queenstown is a Mecca for adrenaline junkies encouraged by the fact that you are insured for any injury you get here and the Physio's are the best in the world. Every possible activity that brings you as close to maiming yourself without actually doing so is available for top dollar here and a lot of people are just working there way through the list satisfying their addiction and breaking bones all the way. Not my cup of tea, jumping out of the top bunk in the hostel is scary enough for me.
I had the most delicious veggie burger in the world from Ferg's burgers. A meal in two buns. Falafel, avocado, peppers, pumpkin, various sauces and lettuce.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Journey to Fox Glacier
We got the train from Christchurch in the morning and after about an hour we were right into some of the most dramatic scenery yet as we passed through New Zealand's Alps. Amazing views of fields of purple loopins stretching to crystal clear glacier rivers backed by rainforest hills below snow capped mountains. I could see why it is considered one of the best train journeys in the world. It was the same commentator as the last train continuing his witty and historically educational remarks. Just fantastic.
We got to Greymouth and nearly missed our bus to Fox Glacier waiting for chips! The bus driver sounded as though he really wanted to be a dj not a bus driver as he described the journey "Beautiful West Coast views coming right at ya! Sit back, relax and enjoy the show."
We got to Fox Glacier town which was very busy and lively. Me and Col were sharing a room with two girls in their twenties much to Col's delight. Cooked a dinner then we hit the town and got to a pub on the outskirts that seemed a bit quieter. The owner seemed to want to get his business known as he gave us free shots and pool! Though we had a goo for more drinking we hit the hay early to have the energy for our upcoming glacial hike.
We got to Greymouth and nearly missed our bus to Fox Glacier waiting for chips! The bus driver sounded as though he really wanted to be a dj not a bus driver as he described the journey "Beautiful West Coast views coming right at ya! Sit back, relax and enjoy the show."
We got to Fox Glacier town which was very busy and lively. Me and Col were sharing a room with two girls in their twenties much to Col's delight. Cooked a dinner then we hit the town and got to a pub on the outskirts that seemed a bit quieter. The owner seemed to want to get his business known as he gave us free shots and pool! Though we had a goo for more drinking we hit the hay early to have the energy for our upcoming glacial hike.
Journey to Christchurch
Early start today and after a Christmas call to my beautiful wife I woke Col to leap into a cab for the ferry to Picton. My love of boats was satisfied greatly by the trip but wow what amazing scenery. Picton bay is just stunning and on such a clear day we could see it all (refer to photos)
Picton itself was a buzzy place full of people enjoying the sunshine. We saw a sign for a walk up a hill to see a view of the harbour and decided to walk that. On our return we realised that Picton had loads of enticing looking chip shops but we had wasted our time on the hill and now had no time for lunch before the train. Must prioritise. Life is tough on holidays!
The train journey to Christchurch was... you guessed it full of amazing scenery. You would imagine at this point I would be getting scenery fatigue but each new place brings different types of amazing scenery and it really is so so awesome. The train went along the Pacific coastline so there were crashing wave beaches to the left with huge mountain stretches to the right!
The were also cool salt lakes that make 40/% of New Zealand's salt and some of them were bright pink because of some bacteria that live in them.
The guy doing the commentary was hilarious with very dry humour that had us laughing all the way e.g. as we went into Christchurch some kids threw rocks at the carriages and the comment over the loud speaker was just "Any passengers carrying AK47s are now welcome on the open viewing deck."
We arrived in Christchurch and me and Col decided to search for somewhere to eat. We were surprised and stunned to find that the place was like something from 28 Days Later in that there were no cars or people anywhere and everything including most of the streets where fenced off! I knew that we were in the red zone where the earthquake was worse but I thought it would just be a city centre with a few buildings cordoned off but the rest of the city back to normal. I was wrong. Nearly a year later a good few of the streets and buildings in the centre are completely closed off with fencing. Rubble lies everwhere. As you can see in one picture the steeple of a cathedral lay on the road beside it! Sobering.
When Mairead arrived we finally found a restaurant out of town and a drink. Apparently Christchurch's population has dropped dramatically as people have decided to live elsewhere and I must say I don't blame them. Fascinating place though.
Just found out there was a mini earthquake (3.3) at 1.30 in the morning but I slept through it as I am so used to Col's snoring!
Picton itself was a buzzy place full of people enjoying the sunshine. We saw a sign for a walk up a hill to see a view of the harbour and decided to walk that. On our return we realised that Picton had loads of enticing looking chip shops but we had wasted our time on the hill and now had no time for lunch before the train. Must prioritise. Life is tough on holidays!
The train journey to Christchurch was... you guessed it full of amazing scenery. You would imagine at this point I would be getting scenery fatigue but each new place brings different types of amazing scenery and it really is so so awesome. The train went along the Pacific coastline so there were crashing wave beaches to the left with huge mountain stretches to the right!
The were also cool salt lakes that make 40/% of New Zealand's salt and some of them were bright pink because of some bacteria that live in them.
The guy doing the commentary was hilarious with very dry humour that had us laughing all the way e.g. as we went into Christchurch some kids threw rocks at the carriages and the comment over the loud speaker was just "Any passengers carrying AK47s are now welcome on the open viewing deck."
We arrived in Christchurch and me and Col decided to search for somewhere to eat. We were surprised and stunned to find that the place was like something from 28 Days Later in that there were no cars or people anywhere and everything including most of the streets where fenced off! I knew that we were in the red zone where the earthquake was worse but I thought it would just be a city centre with a few buildings cordoned off but the rest of the city back to normal. I was wrong. Nearly a year later a good few of the streets and buildings in the centre are completely closed off with fencing. Rubble lies everwhere. As you can see in one picture the steeple of a cathedral lay on the road beside it! Sobering.
When Mairead arrived we finally found a restaurant out of town and a drink. Apparently Christchurch's population has dropped dramatically as people have decided to live elsewhere and I must say I don't blame them. Fascinating place though.
Just found out there was a mini earthquake (3.3) at 1.30 in the morning but I slept through it as I am so used to Col's snoring!
Christmas Day
Started the day with a fry and some present opening. I even got a CD from Mairead and Nathan of a Kiwi band. Sounds great. We then headed off in Dave's car to a viewing point over the whole city and got a real sense of the place. It was mad to see people on the beach on Christmas Day. All very surreal!
Then it was off to Mairead's friends Fiona's to sit on a large balcony in the sun watching a great view drinking jugs of ice cold Pimms. For starters we had a curry cheese dip baked in a loaf of bread. Absolutely delicious. Then we had a selection of creamy roast veg and veggie food all delicious including yummy sweet potatoes totally different than at home. I made a dodgy gravy but luckily I warned everyone to taste it before putting it on their dinner and ruining Christmas!
Then we all but rolled down a hill to a lovely wood that was more like a rainforest to build up an appetite for desert. Desert was a mouth watering chocolate mousse. We ended the night playing board games which were good fun even if our brains had slowed down to close to comatosed with all the food, sun and constant drink .
Most definitely the strangest Christmas I ever had even though the feeling of relaxing inactivity and over eating and drinking was very familiar. Great crack.
P.S. They have cool trees here. I can't remember the name of them and the flowers only come out on them at Christmas - bright red -pictured.
Then it was off to Mairead's friends Fiona's to sit on a large balcony in the sun watching a great view drinking jugs of ice cold Pimms. For starters we had a curry cheese dip baked in a loaf of bread. Absolutely delicious. Then we had a selection of creamy roast veg and veggie food all delicious including yummy sweet potatoes totally different than at home. I made a dodgy gravy but luckily I warned everyone to taste it before putting it on their dinner and ruining Christmas!
Then we all but rolled down a hill to a lovely wood that was more like a rainforest to build up an appetite for desert. Desert was a mouth watering chocolate mousse. We ended the night playing board games which were good fun even if our brains had slowed down to close to comatosed with all the food, sun and constant drink .
Most definitely the strangest Christmas I ever had even though the feeling of relaxing inactivity and over eating and drinking was very familiar. Great crack.
P.S. They have cool trees here. I can't remember the name of them and the flowers only come out on them at Christmas - bright red -pictured.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Christmas Eve
We got up and had coffee while listening to reggae in the sunshine, it couldn't be more Christmasy!
We got the train at the station and sat back on our seven hour trip to Wellington. It was really excellent with big windows and a viewing lounge and running commentary on everything interesting that was coming along. We crossed some really cool and high viaducts and passed some massive scenery. We managed not to crash off the bridge that the same train had drove off the same day and time 58 years before!
The best sight though was old Kevin who stands out waving the train everyday as it passes. Today he had a big Santa bag and was jumping up and down waving like all his christmases had come at once.
We were welcomed in Wellington by Mairead and Nathan who took us on a quick coastal drive of Wellington. On first impressions it looks like Wellington has the beautiful harbours and hilly beauty of Sydney with the Bohemian vibes and similar streets to Melbourne. Well cool city to live in.
Back in Mairead and Nathan's place we had a BBQ with delicious veggie sausages and falafels. Mairead's friends came over and it was great to talk to people who live here and have a bit of crack.
Oh, apparently nobody has ever heard of a tradition of putting luminous decorations on graves so looks like I might have been hallucinating there!
We got the train at the station and sat back on our seven hour trip to Wellington. It was really excellent with big windows and a viewing lounge and running commentary on everything interesting that was coming along. We crossed some really cool and high viaducts and passed some massive scenery. We managed not to crash off the bridge that the same train had drove off the same day and time 58 years before!
The best sight though was old Kevin who stands out waving the train everyday as it passes. Today he had a big Santa bag and was jumping up and down waving like all his christmases had come at once.
We were welcomed in Wellington by Mairead and Nathan who took us on a quick coastal drive of Wellington. On first impressions it looks like Wellington has the beautiful harbours and hilly beauty of Sydney with the Bohemian vibes and similar streets to Melbourne. Well cool city to live in.
Back in Mairead and Nathan's place we had a BBQ with delicious veggie sausages and falafels. Mairead's friends came over and it was great to talk to people who live here and have a bit of crack.
Oh, apparently nobody has ever heard of a tradition of putting luminous decorations on graves so looks like I might have been hallucinating there!
Friday, December 23, 2011
National Park 2
Wow what a day. We got taken to the start of the crossing at 7 in the morning and started walking taking a number of photos of the amazing scenery. We were told that if you kept a good pace you could climb the large volcano but it was a tough climb but instead you could climb Mount Tongariro as another side project but only about one in ten of these experienced hikers ever did that with only about one in a hundred doing the volcano. Colin wanted us to do the volcano. After we climbed the Devil's staircase, a tough hours long staircase climb, I was thinking we would just stick to the crossing. In the end we compromised for climbing Mount Tongariro.
At the top of Mount Tongariro I met Santa Claus and his wife on a bit of a hike before the busy season ahead!
We returned then to do the rest of the crossing passing a massive red crater and sliding down scree to three emerald lakes. We then had lunch at a big bright duck egg blue lake. Finally we turned the corner to see a view of Lake Taupo and all it's surrounds.
That is the details but what is really hard to describe are the views we experienced. It was like being on a few different planets. Completely breathtaking and just when you thought what you had seen was the most amazing sight in your life another view would trump it. Each little part of the crossing would have tourists coming for miles in Ireland.
The walk was tough and I feel now like all the jet lag has hit me at once with legs like jelly but at the time you are so hypnotised by the views you don't care. Best experience so far.
Found out from Aideen there were earthquakes in Christchurch (we were blissfully unaware) so hoping our hostel is still standing there!
At the top of Mount Tongariro I met Santa Claus and his wife on a bit of a hike before the busy season ahead!
We returned then to do the rest of the crossing passing a massive red crater and sliding down scree to three emerald lakes. We then had lunch at a big bright duck egg blue lake. Finally we turned the corner to see a view of Lake Taupo and all it's surrounds.
That is the details but what is really hard to describe are the views we experienced. It was like being on a few different planets. Completely breathtaking and just when you thought what you had seen was the most amazing sight in your life another view would trump it. Each little part of the crossing would have tourists coming for miles in Ireland.
The walk was tough and I feel now like all the jet lag has hit me at once with legs like jelly but at the time you are so hypnotised by the views you don't care. Best experience so far.
Found out from Aideen there were earthquakes in Christchurch (we were blissfully unaware) so hoping our hostel is still standing there!
National Park
We arrived in the National Park after a bus journey with a completely crazy bus driver at 3. We found the hostel and soon discovered there was absolutely nothing to do in the town so we decided to give the climbing wall in the hostel a try. It was great crack but we were useless at it, only able to do the beginners wall barely.
We then got chatting with a few people and ended up playing card games with them each one with a rude name for it's title. We headed to bed early to be up for the big hike the next day.
We then got chatting with a few people and ended up playing card games with them each one with a rude name for it's title. We headed to bed early to be up for the big hike the next day.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Rotorua
Started the day well with pancakes and damn fine coffee. Then after some consideration decided to first head to Tepui. This was a national park full of bubbling steaming mud baths, a couple of kiwis and a big geyser. The tour guide gave us an overview of Maori culture and history and we also got a performance of a collection of Maori dances and songs. Fantastic place that looked like you could film the set of a whole series of Star Trek in it and all the cool colours: bright pinks and yellows in the rocks and turquoise and ash white lakes with bubbling grey mud made it totally unique.
After a bit of lunch we hired some bikes and headed to the Redwood Forest. As we cycled up an endless hill and I felt I was going to be reacquainted with my lunch from exhaustion, I wondered if I needed to face the fact that my instance of cycling being for me was misguided as I always end up near dead with complete prostration. This all changed though when we hit the tracks. It was an adrenal rush of twists, turns bumps and splashes that was like a roller coaster in a forest. It had us laughing all the way. The only worrying part was when we had being going for about a half hour on a track and hadn't reached an end. Thoughts of the plot of Blair Witch Project started to flash through my mind till finally we emerged back on the road. We both pledged to take up mountain biking when we got home (but the bruising from the saddle has since made me reconsider).
Afterwards we went to the local lake and found about ten black swans, what are the chances!
After a soothing hot pool dip in the hostel we hit the town for grub and pub. Got a nice meal and found a good blues rock band but finished the night in a late bar full of drunken twenty year olds from the adjacent hostel. This made us feel very old but glad we'd booked the quiet hostel down the road.
Rotorua was totally safe and quiet but the fact that the police station was massive and that some pubs had signs saying no gang paraphernalia made me think there was a side to the town we were (gladly) missing out on.
After a bit of lunch we hired some bikes and headed to the Redwood Forest. As we cycled up an endless hill and I felt I was going to be reacquainted with my lunch from exhaustion, I wondered if I needed to face the fact that my instance of cycling being for me was misguided as I always end up near dead with complete prostration. This all changed though when we hit the tracks. It was an adrenal rush of twists, turns bumps and splashes that was like a roller coaster in a forest. It had us laughing all the way. The only worrying part was when we had being going for about a half hour on a track and hadn't reached an end. Thoughts of the plot of Blair Witch Project started to flash through my mind till finally we emerged back on the road. We both pledged to take up mountain biking when we got home (but the bruising from the saddle has since made me reconsider).
Afterwards we went to the local lake and found about ten black swans, what are the chances!
After a soothing hot pool dip in the hostel we hit the town for grub and pub. Got a nice meal and found a good blues rock band but finished the night in a late bar full of drunken twenty year olds from the adjacent hostel. This made us feel very old but glad we'd booked the quiet hostel down the road.
Rotorua was totally safe and quiet but the fact that the police station was massive and that some pubs had signs saying no gang paraphernalia made me think there was a side to the town we were (gladly) missing out on.
New Zealand
After a bit of a caffuffle with buses and an obstacle course of security checks I finally made it on to my plane. Sadly before leaving I had to say goodbye to Niall, Ma and Da.
As the plane flew into New Zealand I knew this was going to be a whole different kettle of fish. The land was green and hilly like home but instantly more spectacular and the lake we passed over had shades of bright green and turquoise in it.
Met Col who was thrilled to finally switch of his Blackberry and start holidaying. With in minutes a guy was chatting with us who I recognised as the guy who was been given out to by the captain of the plane for leaving his seat in landing and then giving cheek. He proceeded to tell us how he was an ex con deported from Oz for bank robbery and had just been denied access back for Christmas to meet his sister. He then proceeded to give us all the advice we would need for travelling NZ including claiming that our first destination Rotorua was crap and that we would probably be mugged by Maoris. Then at one scary moment it looked like he might actually be coming with us to Rotorua to stay in our hostel but luckily changed his mind. Friendly guy but just a bit unnerving.
Bus journey was dark so not much to see but did notice that the graves in graveyards seem to all have illuminous decorations on them! For a split second I thought Rotorua was on fire when we arrived till I remembered it was steam from the hot pools. Then we thought we might be sleeping in the streets as the hostel was all locked up. Luckily someone arrived to let us in. Nice hostel situated safely between the cop shop and the firing range (they even have wheelchair access)!
As the plane flew into New Zealand I knew this was going to be a whole different kettle of fish. The land was green and hilly like home but instantly more spectacular and the lake we passed over had shades of bright green and turquoise in it.
Met Col who was thrilled to finally switch of his Blackberry and start holidaying. With in minutes a guy was chatting with us who I recognised as the guy who was been given out to by the captain of the plane for leaving his seat in landing and then giving cheek. He proceeded to tell us how he was an ex con deported from Oz for bank robbery and had just been denied access back for Christmas to meet his sister. He then proceeded to give us all the advice we would need for travelling NZ including claiming that our first destination Rotorua was crap and that we would probably be mugged by Maoris. Then at one scary moment it looked like he might actually be coming with us to Rotorua to stay in our hostel but luckily changed his mind. Friendly guy but just a bit unnerving.
Bus journey was dark so not much to see but did notice that the graves in graveyards seem to all have illuminous decorations on them! For a split second I thought Rotorua was on fire when we arrived till I remembered it was steam from the hot pools. Then we thought we might be sleeping in the streets as the hostel was all locked up. Luckily someone arrived to let us in. Nice hostel situated safely between the cop shop and the firing range (they even have wheelchair access)!
Last day in Melbourne
Decided not to have a drink today and see some sights so me, Niall and Da headed off to go on a walking tour only to find out that we needed to pre book. The start of the tour was meant to be the Immigration Museum so we decided to at least go to that and paid ten dollars to be depressed in a visually impressive way.
To cheer us up a bit we decided to go to an exhibition on Space in Film. We bought our tickets in the Moving Image Gallery and went to its permanent exhibition which was most impressive with a history of film and plenty of memorabilia from various movies such as Mad Max. I went into a booth that videoed me in a Matrix style (video to follow). The most impressive exhibit though was a spinning wheel with various characters in different stages of animation. The magic happened when a strobe light came on and the characters came alive (must see video to come). The actually space exhibition wasn't as impressive in comparison. Another novel scene was people out on deck chairs in the main square enjoying the sun while watching Miracle on 34th St. I tell you it's like a parallel universe.
To end the evening we kept with the film theme and decided to go to third largest cinema screen in the world to watch Mission Impossible Four. Although the film was standard enough the screen was impressive. Bizarrely a giant bat landed on the screen and looked like an annoying fly on a TV screen. Once again a mad country for animals.
To cheer us up a bit we decided to go to an exhibition on Space in Film. We bought our tickets in the Moving Image Gallery and went to its permanent exhibition which was most impressive with a history of film and plenty of memorabilia from various movies such as Mad Max. I went into a booth that videoed me in a Matrix style (video to follow). The most impressive exhibit though was a spinning wheel with various characters in different stages of animation. The magic happened when a strobe light came on and the characters came alive (must see video to come). The actually space exhibition wasn't as impressive in comparison. Another novel scene was people out on deck chairs in the main square enjoying the sun while watching Miracle on 34th St. I tell you it's like a parallel universe.
To end the evening we kept with the film theme and decided to go to third largest cinema screen in the world to watch Mission Impossible Four. Although the film was standard enough the screen was impressive. Bizarrely a giant bat landed on the screen and looked like an annoying fly on a TV screen. Once again a mad country for animals.
Back in Melbourne
Arriving back in Melbourne we felt quite wrecked so decided to chill a bit in the room. Then after feeling a bit more rested we decided to go and see St Kilda's a sort of out of town beach with various pubs. Went to a pub that looked cool but the band that were playing we're a bit crap and since there was only three of us who just wanted to have one or two pints and a chat we soon left.
We met up with Mark and David in the Crown Casino who calmly disclosed that they had won a grand within ten minutes on the roulette wheel!!!
Inspired by the Twins wins I decided to give it a go. The casino is a massive massive place the size of football pitch on three floors with all sorts of gambling and gamblers. I was only willing to spend ten dollars at most so we were brought to a back corner of the casino were the cheap skates and last hopers were.
Mark and David explained all these superstitious patterns that I had to follow such as that if a number comes up twice it will come up again and always stay on a winning bet and to tell you the truth by the time I realised what it was all about I was hoping I didn't win as I was bored and had also noticed that even when someone won big the casino took at least twenty times that in lost bets. I placed three bets none came in and we left.
One plus in the casino was the fire show where three large pillars build up bursts of flames into the air until eventually the whole sky is lit up and heated up by the explosions. It felt like being close to three dragons and I was a little nervous about a seagull who seemed quite unaware of the likelihood he would be roasted at any minute (it must happen quite regularly!)
We met up with Mark and David in the Crown Casino who calmly disclosed that they had won a grand within ten minutes on the roulette wheel!!!
Inspired by the Twins wins I decided to give it a go. The casino is a massive massive place the size of football pitch on three floors with all sorts of gambling and gamblers. I was only willing to spend ten dollars at most so we were brought to a back corner of the casino were the cheap skates and last hopers were.
Mark and David explained all these superstitious patterns that I had to follow such as that if a number comes up twice it will come up again and always stay on a winning bet and to tell you the truth by the time I realised what it was all about I was hoping I didn't win as I was bored and had also noticed that even when someone won big the casino took at least twenty times that in lost bets. I placed three bets none came in and we left.
One plus in the casino was the fire show where three large pillars build up bursts of flames into the air until eventually the whole sky is lit up and heated up by the explosions. It felt like being close to three dragons and I was a little nervous about a seagull who seemed quite unaware of the likelihood he would be roasted at any minute (it must happen quite regularly!)
Saturday, December 17, 2011
The Barbie
An hour or so after we went to bed the alarm went off to clean up before everyone arrived for a BBQ! The hungover clean up was made even more enjoyable by the discovery of a giant huntsman spider as big as your hand on the wall and hours of manoeuvring to get him out. On the plus side we discovered a giant stick insect in the house.
Soon enough the house was full with beer guzzling sausage chewing guests laughing and playing board games. Another great day and night.
At one point in the night me and Niall headed in the pitch dark down to Ma and Da's gaf to ring Aideen. We got a bit lost and when I heard a rustle in the bushes I shined the torch in to see at least two huge dogs staring at us and moving towards us cautiously. We quickly headed the other way and thought they had gone till I heard a growling once again in the bushes. We weren't sure if they were wild dogs but Australia sure is a crazy country animal wise.
Soon enough the house was full with beer guzzling sausage chewing guests laughing and playing board games. Another great day and night.
At one point in the night me and Niall headed in the pitch dark down to Ma and Da's gaf to ring Aideen. We got a bit lost and when I heard a rustle in the bushes I shined the torch in to see at least two huge dogs staring at us and moving towards us cautiously. We quickly headed the other way and thought they had gone till I heard a growling once again in the bushes. We weren't sure if they were wild dogs but Australia sure is a crazy country animal wise.
The Wedding
After plenty of fretting about my decision not to bring a suit I got dressed and looked like someone who had just delivered a package. Well at least I made everyone else look better. The wedding ceremony took place at a lake and was real romantic. We met a load of people we hadn't seen in ages and gladly headed to the reception for drinks and food.
The evening was great crack with lovely food, a good band, funny speeches and a beautiful setting. The late bar had all sorts of things to play with such as giant Jenga and everyone enjoyed themselves. The people at the wedding were real friendly and didn't hold back chatting with you.
We eventually wandered back to our gaf under the most amazing clear sky with an unbelieveable amount of stars. Headed to bed after the sun rose full of gin and tonic.
The evening was great crack with lovely food, a good band, funny speeches and a beautiful setting. The late bar had all sorts of things to play with such as giant Jenga and everyone enjoyed themselves. The people at the wedding were real friendly and didn't hold back chatting with you.
We eventually wandered back to our gaf under the most amazing clear sky with an unbelieveable amount of stars. Headed to bed after the sun rose full of gin and tonic.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Sydney 3
This morning we got the bus to the ferry at Sydney harbour and got a ferry to Manley at the other side of the bay. You really get a sense of the real beauty of Sydney went out in the bay where you can view all of it's various alcoves. There were people on skidding speedboats and millionaires on yachts everywhere. The fact that a guy had two limbs eaten off him by a shark while swimming in the bay recently put me off leaning over the boats edge to get the perfect snap!
Manley was real Summer Bay stuff with the beach and life guards and sun and flaming crows. A veggie burger, a chocolate ice cream and a choppy wave wobble and we were back walking the city.
The Contemporary Art Gallery was shut so we headed to Darlinghurst harbour where the simple class of the below Santa Claws persuaded us to depart with a ridiculous $30 to see the aquarium. Although as you may see from the video or photos, it was totally worth it. This was no Irish aquarium with the highlight being a really big lobster called Larry. There were tons of crazy sea creatures, fish and huge sharks swimming over your head. My favourite was the grumpy looking fish below that looked like something from the muppets and actually turned out to be the most venomous fish in the world. The people who believe in intelligent design should be bringing out this guy and saying look some greater being must be out there taking the piss.
We then went back to Rob and Lisa's for another great night of chat and beers and watching Niall squirm and squeal as big camacazi beetles flew into our faces all night. We also had the honour of meeting a pirate king and princess.
Manley was real Summer Bay stuff with the beach and life guards and sun and flaming crows. A veggie burger, a chocolate ice cream and a choppy wave wobble and we were back walking the city.
The Contemporary Art Gallery was shut so we headed to Darlinghurst harbour where the simple class of the below Santa Claws persuaded us to depart with a ridiculous $30 to see the aquarium. Although as you may see from the video or photos, it was totally worth it. This was no Irish aquarium with the highlight being a really big lobster called Larry. There were tons of crazy sea creatures, fish and huge sharks swimming over your head. My favourite was the grumpy looking fish below that looked like something from the muppets and actually turned out to be the most venomous fish in the world. The people who believe in intelligent design should be bringing out this guy and saying look some greater being must be out there taking the piss.
We then went back to Rob and Lisa's for another great night of chat and beers and watching Niall squirm and squeal as big camacazi beetles flew into our faces all night. We also had the honour of meeting a pirate king and princess.
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