December 05, 2004

Packing

The big trip up Australia's east coast starts tomorrow. I've been packing and sleeping today to be ready for the fun! I hope to be able to write in my journal often enough to keep you posted on what is happening. Take care all!

December 06, 2004

Newcastle's Charming Beach

This morning I got up at about 5h15. Andy brought me to the bus station at 6h25. At about 6h40 I was there. We boarded the bus and at 7h exactly on time we left Sydney. At 9h30, with 15 minutes early, we arrived in Newcastle. I walked to get to the YHA Hostel but then went the wrong way so what was a 4 minute walk was now a 15 minute walk. With a big backpack too! I could not check in yet so I just left my bag in the storage room and went to see the sea! It was so beautiful and a nice sunny day! I had my peanut butter sandwich at Newcastle Beach and then got a phonecall from mom. At about 10h30 I checked in. The hostel is nice but it smelled of paint because they were doing renovations. I paid only 24$ (they did not charge me extra for not being a YHA member!) and that also included a free fish & chips dinner at a Irish pub! What a deal! I quickly changed into my swimsuit and went once again to Newcastle Beach to swim! The waves were very strong and the currant brought me down a few times but it was a lot of fun. After I walked around Newcastle and saw: Fort Scratchley (it was closed, so only the outside), Hunter Street, Town Hall, Civic Park, a tutu exhibition at the library, the Hill, etc. At about 16h I had so big headache that I took a nap. At 17h30 it was still there!! I decided to go outside take some fresh air at the beach. I walked there for 30 minutes. It was fresh and wind blowing hard and no sun so it was very enjoyable and relaxing. I love the sound of the waves! Then I waited a bit at the hostel and at 19h we all left (about 20 people!) for the free meal. It was about a 15 minutes walk in which I talked a bit with a USA girl. The meal was good. I also got a beer with it (4,50$). I came back at the hostel and had a shower. I also prepared things for the next morning and then I went to bed at about 21h30! At 23h I heard the two other girls in my room come in but quickly fell back asleep.

December 07, 2004

Driving to Coffs Harbour and Walk by the Windy Jetty

At about 5h I was awake because I had to go to the bathroom but was too lazy to go so I just laid in bed until 5h30. I could not fall asleep so I just got up and went. After that I slept on until 7h30. Then I got dressed and went to find breakfast at a cafe but their bakker slept in so there was no pastries. I went to another cafe where I had two thick raisin toast and a glass of orange juice (8$). At the YHA I finally found the kitchen! It was downstairs! They should have had signs pointing us to it! Had I known that I could have made brekky there! Then I packed and at 9h I went to the bus stop. I waited about 25 minutes and then the Greyhound arrived. I got seat 4D (window) near a bunch of kids that were really loud (16-17 year old I'm guessing). They were really annoying and it was a long bus ride I was really hoping they were getting off soon!!! That's what happened in Port Macquarie, more than half way through to my final destination. After they left though the bus was much more calm, almost like no one was on board, perfect to rest and relax. On the way we stopped many times (one 45 minutes, one 15 minute and all the way to pick up/drop off passengers). At 16h45 we got in Coffs Harbour like planned. The hostel bus was there to pick me and 3 other guys up. We were brought to the lookout for a quick look at the beach and the marina area. The weather was crappy though, windy, cloudy. I paid the hostel using my voucher which was nice not having to fork out any money! I got a room with 3 other girls and 2 beds were free. Then I went around for a walk in Coffs Harbour. I went back to the lookout and then also saw the marina, the jetty and the beach. On the way back I stopped at the IGA supermarket and bought for 20,20$ of groceries (that included two dinners). At the hostel I made dinner. It was alright but saltier than back home: pasta, Campbell tomato soup and minced meat. I then paud 2$ for 20 minutes of Internet just enough time to check my email and write a bit in my log. Then I booked a tour for the next day, 67$ to see the rainforest and waterfall swim. Also sent a fax overseas 1$, but it was supposed to be 3,50$! The guy at reception did not know his prices but I did not say anything! The staff at the hostel is really helpful. Then I showered, prepared things for the next morning and went to bed at about 22h.

December 08, 2004

4WD Tour & Swimming in a Freezing Cold Waterfall

I got up at about 7h. I did not rush to eat brekky and get ready which was nice for a change! I was the first to board the bus at about 8h30. I took the front seat as the other 4 people were 2 couples so I thought I'd leave them the two other bigger seats to sit together. Then we picked up the 4 other people (2xBritish + 2xUSA). Then we went to a banana farm to pick up fresh bananas directly from the owner. They were much sweeter than the ones we usually buy at the supermarket. I liked it much better! Then begun the fun with the 4WD truck and the high hills and rugged terrain. Then we went to see a little koala, it was half way up in the tree and way much smaller than the other ones I saw in Victoria. Then we took a little walk in the rainforest to learn about trees and things like sandpaper tree leaves (it really works too!). Then we had morning tea at the site of an old mining town but I did not like the cookies nor tea or coffee so I did not have much! We saw one of the only things remaining of the town, a shaft going in the mountain many meters in. We only saw the opening though! Then we went to Upper Orara to have lunch. We saw 2 possums and the guide gave them a banana. There was a sign saying to not feed the possums but I did not say anything. I thought the guide must know what he is doing. Lunch was sausages, bit of steak, bread and salad. It was nice and I ate a lot (got to get my money's worth!). Then we went to the Bangalore Falls using another 4WD track but this one was less rigourous. It was a bit of a walk down but once we got there it was beautiful and perfect for a swim with some kind of pool area. The water was not really warm (17C) but I swam in colder so I was happy to go in. I was the 1st in too! At first it was cold but after 5 minutes I started to really enjoy it! The first swam I took in I also got a bit injured. I did not know there would be a rock and my arm hit the rock. Got a bretty nasty scrath. I also went near where the water fell in the pool for a nice back massage and everything! I wanted to take pics but left the camera a bit higher at the falls so the guide went back to get it and took photos for me. Only the British woman and the guide did not go in. The USA girl went in but quickly out again. All together I think I was in about 15 minutes. Then I changed into my dry clothing but it was not an easy task (with a bath towel around me). Then we were back in Coffs Harbour at about 16h. At the hostel I chatted a bit with the people in my room (1 x Netherlands + 1 x Germany + 1 X Canada). Also I watched the news and at 18h30 I had the left over dinner from the previous night. Then I listened to music in my room reading old magazines from the hostel, showered and packed and at 22h I was in bed.

December 09, 2004

Bus to Byron Bay and Surf Lesson!

This morning at 5h I was up. I had brekky and got ready but at 5h55 when we were to leave for the bus stop (lift from the hostel) the driver was no where in sight! At about 6h05 he arrived and I got to the bus on time. In Byron Bay I walked to the YHA and checked in. I got a 4 share dorm room and was the first one in there. Then I went to change for the surf lesson and set out to find the surf school but it was very difficult because there was almost no building with a street number! After some research I found it and so I went to buy lunch at Woolworth (bread roll, ham and fruit). In the beginning of the afternoon I was at the school and tried on a wetsuit. It was a bit too small so I got another one which fit better. Then we all left in the mini bus for the beach. We got there and it was a overcast day and bit rainy. I did not have any sunscreen on my face (but my body was covered with the suit) so I was fine. Then the surf lesson. We were first thought the steps on the beach and then the instructor came out in the water with us to show us there. He told me some pointers on what I was doing right or wrong but still I was not able to stand completely, almost though 3 times! It was still great fun! At the end I was so tired that I left my board at the beach and just enjoyed the waves for 10 minutes before the lesson was over. Back at the surf school I bought the photo CD (10$) and then went to the hostel, dropped my bags, met the 2 girls in my room (2 Australian girls) and then went to Woolworths for food for dinner. I watched the end of Donnie Darko in the movie room, I will have to watch it again and see the whole of it! Then I went to my room and bed.