Woke up late again. Around 10. Daniel came in the room, gave me a kiss on the cheek and I said something. He kept poking me so I was forced to open my eyes. And off he goes, quick, so I dont have time to beat him up for poking me. I am a bit slow in the morning.
We headed to the City around 12ish to pick up Katrina, Daniel's high school friend, who is a very nice person. She showed me around, pointing at buildings of which I took pictures. We also went down to the Darling harbour which is celebrating its 21st birthday. Kat and Daniel found it exciting that it's the same year as they are turning 21. Had good kebabs there and walked back to a shopping center. Looks like it's the only place in the City where you get at least some hours free parking. Everywhere else it's extremely expensive. Next time we go to the City we will take the bus and the monorail. We got back to Katrina's house at around 3pm and stayed for a cup of coffee, then headed to Daniel's other nan's house. She and her son Stephen are very nice people. I couldn't believe, though, how packed their house is. Apparently, they collect everything possible.
We went for dinner to a nearby trotting club. Good value for good meals. When I asked what kind of cake is the "cake" the waitress, after thinking for a while, said: "It's a 'Cake'!!!". Of course. I thought so...
"It is Tiramisu." She remembered.
Great day.
Wollongong Wanderings
Today's Adventure saw Lucia and I head out of the city to Wollongong. Another smaller city futher down the southern coast of Australia.
After getting up late and slowly getting into gear we decided to take the scenic road from Sydney to the Gong. This way would take us through a National Park and also along the coastal road. The drive through the National Park was stunning, a winding road that was shaded most of the trip was beautiful to drive in, Personally I found It great to be behind the wheel of a car again, on a proper bit of road. After this we were treated to some of the best Ocean Views you can see anywhere, as the road swung back and forth along the coast, in and out of the trees and little towns. We also got to drive across a bridge that has been built to bypass what was the most dangerous part of the road for rockfalls. Now you drive above the sea next to a sheer clifface for 600 metres. We walked back out onto this bridge after crossing it to have a better look and take some photos. After this we continued to Wollongong to go to the Buddhist Temple. Unluckily it was closed today, Monday being the only day of the week that it is, so we will have to go back another day. This did have the positive outcome of giving Lucia and I an hour and half to kill. So we decided to go to the beach. WE parked in the parkinglot near Wollongong Lighthouse and bought ourselves an Ice Cream each for the walk. Then we walked onto the beach. A few seagulls walked around us, and Lucia decided that it would be nice to throw a small piece of her cone to them. WELL all this did was make the couple of hundred seagulls that were sitting on the fence above us on the beach to all come swopping down around us to fight for the piece of cone that the first gull had already eaten. I will never forget the look on Lucia's face as all these white birds swooped around us, calling out their ear shattering cry. It was hilarious.
After this we met with one of my dearest friends, Mona Forghani, who we went out for dinner with. We had a lovely meal in a chinese resturant, but sadly time restrants and only having low beam on the car mum has leant me, meant that we needed to part company early and Lucia and I have an easy drive back being carefull as vision is not as good at night without full headlights. We will see Mona again before we leave. So that is good news.
Now it is very late, and I need to go to bed.
Tomorrow we will meet Katrina for Lunch and take in the sights of inner city Sydney.
Daniel
After getting up late and slowly getting into gear we decided to take the scenic road from Sydney to the Gong. This way would take us through a National Park and also along the coastal road. The drive through the National Park was stunning, a winding road that was shaded most of the trip was beautiful to drive in, Personally I found It great to be behind the wheel of a car again, on a proper bit of road. After this we were treated to some of the best Ocean Views you can see anywhere, as the road swung back and forth along the coast, in and out of the trees and little towns. We also got to drive across a bridge that has been built to bypass what was the most dangerous part of the road for rockfalls. Now you drive above the sea next to a sheer clifface for 600 metres. We walked back out onto this bridge after crossing it to have a better look and take some photos. After this we continued to Wollongong to go to the Buddhist Temple. Unluckily it was closed today, Monday being the only day of the week that it is, so we will have to go back another day. This did have the positive outcome of giving Lucia and I an hour and half to kill. So we decided to go to the beach. WE parked in the parkinglot near Wollongong Lighthouse and bought ourselves an Ice Cream each for the walk. Then we walked onto the beach. A few seagulls walked around us, and Lucia decided that it would be nice to throw a small piece of her cone to them. WELL all this did was make the couple of hundred seagulls that were sitting on the fence above us on the beach to all come swopping down around us to fight for the piece of cone that the first gull had already eaten. I will never forget the look on Lucia's face as all these white birds swooped around us, calling out their ear shattering cry. It was hilarious.
After this we met with one of my dearest friends, Mona Forghani, who we went out for dinner with. We had a lovely meal in a chinese resturant, but sadly time restrants and only having low beam on the car mum has leant me, meant that we needed to part company early and Lucia and I have an easy drive back being carefull as vision is not as good at night without full headlights. We will see Mona again before we leave. So that is good news.
Now it is very late, and I need to go to bed.
Tomorrow we will meet Katrina for Lunch and take in the sights of inner city Sydney.
Daniel
Aussie Adventures
After spending a week in my hometown of Kandos visiting and being visited by old friends, Lucia and I left with the rest of my family to catch a flight to Tasmania. The reason behind this is that my sister, Sara, lives in Hobart now. After much joking about whether or not we would need our passports, as Tasmania isn't really a part of Australia, we headed off. We flew with a cheaper Australian airline called Jetstar, and the two hour flight was relatively comfortable. However, as anyone who has flown will know, after any length of time you are ready to get off a plane.
Sara and her boyfriend Rob were awaiting our arrival at Hobart International Airport, a tiny place on the outskirts of Hobart city which looks equipped to handle around 500 passangers a day. After waiting for our bags (of which mum watched one bag go past while saying "I dont think that one is ours.... oh yes it is") we emerged into the chilly evening to collect our hire car. As it turned out this car was a eight seater KIA grand carnival, which happily had more legroom in all seats than the whole plane. Bigger windows too.
Day One
The first day of our Tasmanian Travels was spent at Sara's small flat in Berridale, after a late start we had lunch with Rob's family and then in the afternoon headed off to the Royal Botanic Gardens. These were very nice, but sadly lacked any major section worth noting. This was probably because of the winter, and the lack of plants that were flowering.
Day Two
On the second day we headed down to Port Arthur to see the site of Australia's most well known convict settlement. This was an amazing place, which was full of amazing stories, architecture and history. Sadly during our tour it started sleeting so we think we ended up getting a shortened version. The rest of the day was better and we eneded up having a brilliant time walking around the ruins and old buildings and enjoying our trip out onto the small harbour.
Day Three
After getting back to Sara's later than we expected the night before, all of us except for mum overslept. This meant the day had to go into damage control and we spent it just shopping and walking around Hobart City. It was too cold and cloudy to bother going up mount wellington as we had planned. That just had to wait for another day.
Day Four + Day Five
These two days were spent mainly on the road. We drove through some beautiful scenery and small towns. It seems as if the moment you are more than 20kms outside Hobart City then you are in an isolated area. The trip was great, if you discount the fact that having 5 family members pent up in a car for 6 hours travel and the arguements and shouting that happen. We spent the night of Day Four at a lodge just outside Cradle Mountain National Park. A amazing place, the mountain is a beautiful sight but the story behind how the park came about and how lucky Australia is to have it preserved the way it is is something that should not be missed out on. Take the tour, it is worth the hour and a half and the money. Really.
Day Six
The final day saw us spend our time around Hobart again. After having Lunch at the Casino we went to the Baha'i Center to see the new building. An absolutely stunning building that is built in an environmentaly friendly way is such an inspiration. Lucia and I couldnt tear ourselves away and just wanted to spend more time there soaking up the atmosphere and environment. But this was not to be as we had already planned our last adventure. A trip up mount Wellington, the Tallest mountain in Tasmania and one that overlooks the capital city of Hobart. The trip up the mountain seemed endless, constantly passing through snow gates on a very narrow, icy road. The trip up was well worth the effort as we were rewarded with an amazing view and sunset. It was icy cold however and a bitter wind was blowing a gale. After a few minutes fingers were frozen and I needed to jump back into the car. Managed to get some great photos before that and my camera dieing.
Finally after all of this we dragged ourselves back to the Airport, returned the hire car and said our farwells to Sara and Rob before we boarded the plane for the two hour flight back to Sydney.
Added by Lucia:
First few days I thought that Sara lives in a village near Hobart. This was based on everyone making fun of "the village where Sara lives". After a few days they told me its actually part of Hobart... You can never be sure if what they say is true.
I didnt think Sara's apartment was small... Well, small for 7 people but alright for 2.
The National Park of Tasmania is huge and beautiful, they tried really hard to get me lost but I knew their plans and watched out.
On the way back to Hobart we were running out of fuel and still had 50 km to the next service station when we passed a fuel sign pointing left 1km. So we tried our luck and got to a very scary horror-movie village where there were only two streets and all the houses looked completely the same with the same fences and trees in front gardens, and at the very end of the street was one fuel stand in total darkness. No phone reception. Me and Sara already saw ourselves covered in blood somewhere under a tree. Run for your life!
And I saw the beauty of Australian sky. Couldn't stop looking until we entered Hobart.
Sara and her boyfriend Rob were awaiting our arrival at Hobart International Airport, a tiny place on the outskirts of Hobart city which looks equipped to handle around 500 passangers a day. After waiting for our bags (of which mum watched one bag go past while saying "I dont think that one is ours.... oh yes it is") we emerged into the chilly evening to collect our hire car. As it turned out this car was a eight seater KIA grand carnival, which happily had more legroom in all seats than the whole plane. Bigger windows too.
Day One
The first day of our Tasmanian Travels was spent at Sara's small flat in Berridale, after a late start we had lunch with Rob's family and then in the afternoon headed off to the Royal Botanic Gardens. These were very nice, but sadly lacked any major section worth noting. This was probably because of the winter, and the lack of plants that were flowering.
Day Two
On the second day we headed down to Port Arthur to see the site of Australia's most well known convict settlement. This was an amazing place, which was full of amazing stories, architecture and history. Sadly during our tour it started sleeting so we think we ended up getting a shortened version. The rest of the day was better and we eneded up having a brilliant time walking around the ruins and old buildings and enjoying our trip out onto the small harbour.
Day Three
After getting back to Sara's later than we expected the night before, all of us except for mum overslept. This meant the day had to go into damage control and we spent it just shopping and walking around Hobart City. It was too cold and cloudy to bother going up mount wellington as we had planned. That just had to wait for another day.
Day Four + Day Five
These two days were spent mainly on the road. We drove through some beautiful scenery and small towns. It seems as if the moment you are more than 20kms outside Hobart City then you are in an isolated area. The trip was great, if you discount the fact that having 5 family members pent up in a car for 6 hours travel and the arguements and shouting that happen. We spent the night of Day Four at a lodge just outside Cradle Mountain National Park. A amazing place, the mountain is a beautiful sight but the story behind how the park came about and how lucky Australia is to have it preserved the way it is is something that should not be missed out on. Take the tour, it is worth the hour and a half and the money. Really.
Day Six
The final day saw us spend our time around Hobart again. After having Lunch at the Casino we went to the Baha'i Center to see the new building. An absolutely stunning building that is built in an environmentaly friendly way is such an inspiration. Lucia and I couldnt tear ourselves away and just wanted to spend more time there soaking up the atmosphere and environment. But this was not to be as we had already planned our last adventure. A trip up mount Wellington, the Tallest mountain in Tasmania and one that overlooks the capital city of Hobart. The trip up the mountain seemed endless, constantly passing through snow gates on a very narrow, icy road. The trip up was well worth the effort as we were rewarded with an amazing view and sunset. It was icy cold however and a bitter wind was blowing a gale. After a few minutes fingers were frozen and I needed to jump back into the car. Managed to get some great photos before that and my camera dieing.
Finally after all of this we dragged ourselves back to the Airport, returned the hire car and said our farwells to Sara and Rob before we boarded the plane for the two hour flight back to Sydney.
Added by Lucia:
First few days I thought that Sara lives in a village near Hobart. This was based on everyone making fun of "the village where Sara lives". After a few days they told me its actually part of Hobart... You can never be sure if what they say is true.
I didnt think Sara's apartment was small... Well, small for 7 people but alright for 2.
The National Park of Tasmania is huge and beautiful, they tried really hard to get me lost but I knew their plans and watched out.
On the way back to Hobart we were running out of fuel and still had 50 km to the next service station when we passed a fuel sign pointing left 1km. So we tried our luck and got to a very scary horror-movie village where there were only two streets and all the houses looked completely the same with the same fences and trees in front gardens, and at the very end of the street was one fuel stand in total darkness. No phone reception. Me and Sara already saw ourselves covered in blood somewhere under a tree. Run for your life!
And I saw the beauty of Australian sky. Couldn't stop looking until we entered Hobart.
The Cunning Plan
THE CUNNING PLAN A: buy another car
THE CUNNING PLAN B: do the road trip on foot, bike, train, bus...
THE CUNNING PLAN C: go for a few weeks working or serving holiday somewhere south (because I need sun and hot weather)
cpA failed.
cpB wasn't very appealing to us.
We were working on cpC when Daniel suggested we go to Australia.
First I didn't like the idea because I still need to do my chemistry exam in August but decided that meeting Daniel's family is more important.
After two days of thinking about it I applied for VISA. That was on Saturday 27th June. I got it on Monday 29th when we also bought the flight tickets.
One Tuesday 30th we both left for the Junior Youth Camp in Smolenice where we served as facilitators and had a lot of fun. Returned on Sunday, most of the facilitators stayed at my place for the evening, we cooked dinner, had a great time, I passed my driving test the next morning. In the evening we went to Stupava to a good-bye party of our dear and very close friends Kathy and Lara. (Daniel slept through half of it.) On Tuesday we packed and on Wednesday flied out.
Flight information:
Flying out > 8th July Vienna to London Heathrow
> London Heathrow to Sydney via Bangkok, arrival 6am 10th July
Flying in < 24th August Sydney to London Heathrow
< London Heathrow to Vienna arrival 25th August
We are returning on 25th August which means I still have time to pass my chem exam on the 27th. Yay!
We sold our Cat Empire tickets (buhuuuu) in less than one day - that's how people love the band!
We spent the first night at Daniel's grandparents' house in Sydney and are about to go to Kandos today.
We'll try to keep you updated.
THE CUNNING PLAN B: do the road trip on foot, bike, train, bus...
THE CUNNING PLAN C: go for a few weeks working or serving holiday somewhere south (because I need sun and hot weather)
cpA failed.
cpB wasn't very appealing to us.
We were working on cpC when Daniel suggested we go to Australia.
First I didn't like the idea because I still need to do my chemistry exam in August but decided that meeting Daniel's family is more important.
After two days of thinking about it I applied for VISA. That was on Saturday 27th June. I got it on Monday 29th when we also bought the flight tickets.
One Tuesday 30th we both left for the Junior Youth Camp in Smolenice where we served as facilitators and had a lot of fun. Returned on Sunday, most of the facilitators stayed at my place for the evening, we cooked dinner, had a great time, I passed my driving test the next morning. In the evening we went to Stupava to a good-bye party of our dear and very close friends Kathy and Lara. (Daniel slept through half of it.) On Tuesday we packed and on Wednesday flied out.
Flight information:
Flying out > 8th July Vienna to London Heathrow
> London Heathrow to Sydney via Bangkok, arrival 6am 10th July
Flying in < 24th August Sydney to London Heathrow
< London Heathrow to Vienna arrival 25th August
We are returning on 25th August which means I still have time to pass my chem exam on the 27th. Yay!
We sold our Cat Empire tickets (buhuuuu) in less than one day - that's how people love the band!
We spent the first night at Daniel's grandparents' house in Sydney and are about to go to Kandos today.
We'll try to keep you updated.
Blowout
Well a major blow has just been landed on the road trip. We were trying to get the calibra registered and on the road before we needed to leave. Disaster has struck. While getting an originality check, we were called to come collect the car, then informed that the police were on their way. Turns out the car is either a stolen or crashed vechile that has been rebirthed. To add insult to injury, I still had to pay the man 80 euro for the checks, he gave me a piece of paper saying the car was illegal and handed me to the police. I mean, I could have done that myself FOR FREE!!..
SO now there is no car, it left on the back of a tow truck, and no plan for the summer. All we have to do is try to make it for the Cat Empire concert in Amsterdam.
Never fear, at this moment we are hatching a cunning plan.
More details soon.
SO now there is no car, it left on the back of a tow truck, and no plan for the summer. All we have to do is try to make it for the Cat Empire concert in Amsterdam.
Never fear, at this moment we are hatching a cunning plan.
More details soon.
Car Preparation
The major news for today is, the car is ALMOST ready to go. We got it back from the mechanics today, the fuel lines have been replaced and new brakes fitted. A few small bits and pieces need to be done, including replacing the rocker cover. But these are all jobs I will get to slowly over the time before we leave. Im going to send it to the Opel dealership to get a few more things checked before we leave.
Tomorrow the registration will be completed, and then it will be on the road for a proper test drive. Luckily I will have the trip to Trnava for the Youth Camp preparation and also trips to Poprad and back to the youth camp in order to get used to the car much more, and also driving on the wrong side of the road (which they do in europe..)
Once I have the car washed and ready, perhaps I will also buy a Sat Nav before we go (if I have some money spare,, but dont tell Lucia :D... )
Tomorrow the registration will be completed, and then it will be on the road for a proper test drive. Luckily I will have the trip to Trnava for the Youth Camp preparation and also trips to Poprad and back to the youth camp in order to get used to the car much more, and also driving on the wrong side of the road (which they do in europe..)
Once I have the car washed and ready, perhaps I will also buy a Sat Nav before we go (if I have some money spare,, but dont tell Lucia :D... )
3 weeks until departure
Well the date of leaving draws steadily closer. With it the planning gets more intense. I have started printing maps of the internet and looking at the route on google maps. We still have to source a europe map and also the information about each country we are visiting. Not sure about what we will do in each country yet, just know that we want to see these places, Hopefully we will find some things.
The plans so far are only to see the Frankfurt Baha'i Temple, The Cat Empire, hire bikes and ride around Amsterdam, see The Tour De France, Drive the Stvelio pass in Northern Italy/ Southern Swizterland..
We are also hoping to go canyoning in Slovenia and looking foward to a few days on the beach in Italy. :D..
The car is still not on the road yet, Its still at the mechanics as he needs to get some more parts, also I still havent got a 30 day paper from another car place. This paper tells the police (when I go to register the Calibra) that even though I have owned the car for longer than 30 days without registring it, I haven't changed anything on the car and it is still the way it was when I bought it.
Hopefully I will get the car back and on the road this week.
Once it is on the road, It will get a test drive on the 20-21st June, as we are going to go to Trnava, for a training day for the junior youth camp. The thought is that we might go somewhere friday night in eastern slovakia, to give the car a good run and make sure there isnt anything that we are worried about when we go for the trip. It will definately have new brakes on, which I am happy about considering some of the mountains we will be driving through in Swizterland and Italy.
It also looks like the trip might start on the 26th June, as we may go to Poprad and stay at a friend of Lara & Kati's. This will be a pretty cool thing to spend some time with friends before getting down to the work of Junior Youth camp and then the trip.
It doesnt look like Lara and Ludo will come with us for even part of the trip as they have made some of their own plans. Thats the way it goes, we still have some time so we will see what we can plan, It would be great to meet with some more friends on the trip.
Anyway, going to go look at www.roughguides.com (thanks mum) to get some more information about places.
The plans so far are only to see the Frankfurt Baha'i Temple, The Cat Empire, hire bikes and ride around Amsterdam, see The Tour De France, Drive the Stvelio pass in Northern Italy/ Southern Swizterland..
We are also hoping to go canyoning in Slovenia and looking foward to a few days on the beach in Italy. :D..
The car is still not on the road yet, Its still at the mechanics as he needs to get some more parts, also I still havent got a 30 day paper from another car place. This paper tells the police (when I go to register the Calibra) that even though I have owned the car for longer than 30 days without registring it, I haven't changed anything on the car and it is still the way it was when I bought it.
Hopefully I will get the car back and on the road this week.
Once it is on the road, It will get a test drive on the 20-21st June, as we are going to go to Trnava, for a training day for the junior youth camp. The thought is that we might go somewhere friday night in eastern slovakia, to give the car a good run and make sure there isnt anything that we are worried about when we go for the trip. It will definately have new brakes on, which I am happy about considering some of the mountains we will be driving through in Swizterland and Italy.
It also looks like the trip might start on the 26th June, as we may go to Poprad and stay at a friend of Lara & Kati's. This will be a pretty cool thing to spend some time with friends before getting down to the work of Junior Youth camp and then the trip.
It doesnt look like Lara and Ludo will come with us for even part of the trip as they have made some of their own plans. Thats the way it goes, we still have some time so we will see what we can plan, It would be great to meet with some more friends on the trip.
Anyway, going to go look at www.roughguides.com (thanks mum) to get some more information about places.
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