trip so far have been.....

As its time to head into the homeward bound leg of the journey ... Japan becons. I thought it would be useful to reflect on what I've been up2 - this is more for my ageing memory than any use to any of you.... so here goes...

I've been climbing, walking (lots in fact - some Ozi bloke told me I was nuts I walked so much). Been on a road trip - saw 2,500km of the Pacific highway, swam in the sea and drank some beers. I've seen 14 footie games, 5 of which have been live, and include a classic state of origin clash @ Telstra Stadium. I've eaten more egg plant that you could shake a stick @, oh and did I mention I'd had a beer!. Have witnessed countless Ozi bands, some good .... some very bad (bad hair days!). Chatted shit with numerous people, about well frankly nothing! Watched the Ozi's get beaten at cricket - theres a bitter pill :)

I've visited places with outstanding vista, including but not limited to Sydney (Bridge and Opera house of course) Bondi, Byron Bay... Manley @ Morton Bay and Coogee.... all of which make Ozi one of the most scenic places to visit on the planet.

Verdic, very busy few weeks - but I'm coming back, just as soon as the credit card will allow... its just as good the second time around ... gotta go, train to catch to Newcastle - the beach is calling.... btw did I mention I'd had a beer?

So thats about it, Japan in a few days followed by Glasto .... you know I really need a holiday!

so who knew

so who knew, road trip completed we'd be staying on a train ... yes thats right, stayin on a train in the heart of Sydney - now I ask you, does it getting any stranger than that?. The road trip was good, 2500km of coastline goodness. I like the pacific highway, it was fun .... the coastline of Oz is something special!!!! The sounds of coldplays new cd helped things to.. big fan of this I am.

last nights drinking had a bizzareness about it not seen as yet on this trip. Drunk Ozi's were convinced my brother was some famous footie player ... always honest he'd not let us play on it, so the fun was limited to light hearted banter. The whole thing was topped with an offer for him to turn out in the second row for some Sydney side this weekend..... he declined, which was a shame it would have been funny me thinks :)

Tonight we'll mostly be tripping out to Boteny Bay to watch the Sharks clash with the Roosters. Yes, Mozza is playing so am expecting some fireworks.... the Sharks are in a slump @ the mo, so expecting something special from them.

Newcastle calls tomorrow, followed by the lions game - fingers crossed for a win!. So thats it for now, off chill with a beer in the sun of Toyoto Park .... all the best to ya mate :)

a word on Ozzi grub

Being a vegi its sometimes a bit of a pain traveling the world ... a liquid diet of beer and not much more usually results. France for example have a real problem with the concepts of vegi's... however not so the Australians. In fact they embrace the idea.

The upshot is that Ozzi food is a not only a hotpot of mixed styles and flavours, reflective of the mix of races that make up the place .... but more importantly its GREAT... so surfice to say I'm eating well right now.

The road trip down from Bribane was good, couple of days in Byron Bay - personal favourite of mine... now sunning it back @ Bondi!. Went to state of Origin game last night. Brutal is the only way to describe what these guys do..

Anyways sun is shining - off to enjoy. :)

Made it to Queensland

Well, after a rough night on Wednesday (I'm never drinking after a lions game springs to mind) we jumped aboard a quantas flight north. So Queensland is now were its at. Its nice here in 'Brisi', bit more relaxed than Sydney ... so am a fan. Despite the fact there's a beach in the city, We've been out to the 'real' beach today - Manley to be exact. Lots of very nice boats in the Harbour!.

Being Friday, it means footie night... so an NRL game and a few beers. On the travels again tomorrow, so not to many for me. (that and the fact I over did it the other night). I think surfers paradise is on the cards tomorrow - heading back down toward Byron bay and NSW.

Nothing else really to report, weather is ok, beer is cold and Monkey's been a little wasted... same old, same old really :)

Catch you all soon - maybe some pics to follow next time if can get an internet connection that is fast enough for upload.

Safe and Sound in Oz

Well, after a Very, Very jumpy and bouncy flight I made it to Tokyo. JAL were good to fly with, not too short handed with the ale ... so a good drink was had by all. This was a god send considering the way the plane was being thrown around by the weather. You know I never knew you could fly through a thunder storm - especially one with lightning...!!

Anyways, after a short stop in Tokyo, I boarded the plane to OZ (I might add Tokyo airport must rank as one of the most boring places on earth). Again the flight was rough, but was used to it by this stage, so slept like a baby (although I suspect this was due more to the skinfull I'd had in Tokyo, topped off with low quality white wine on the plane)(blue nun like). So after a little more than 30 hours of traveling I made it to Sydney, safe and sound if a tad shaken by the flights. First port of call was the bar that I ended my last trip to Oz in 5 years ago. The reason I started here @ 9am in the morning, no not that I'm an alcoholic (some may argue here) its the great view it has of Harbour Bridge, and the Opera house. It your gonna visit Sydney its gotta be the way to start ... Oh and it does a mean breakfast to.

After breakfreast, hit the hostel - met my new roomies ... one chap was going to Cronulla for the day .. so I tagged along. A beer by the beach, what better way to get over jet lag?. Cronulla is fantastic, I think if I ever got my arse in gear and moved here, this is were I'd live. Had a few beers to ponder this point and watch the sun set :)

Evening entertainment came in the form a trip to Scruffy Murphy's (another previous haunt). Jet lag was hitting home now, but egged on by my new room mate I had a good drink. (truth be told I was wasted) ... so slept like a road traffic victim in a coma last night, good news is no jet lag today. Woke this morning to cracking sunny day, so wondered round Darwin Harbour and the city, truth be told was just killing time till my brother gets here tomorrow.

Well that's it to press, nothing too outstanding to report ... Yet. Trying to stay out of trouble, however we''ll see what mother brothers plans are tomorrow, but I think a flight to Alice might be on the cards very soon. Anyways, gotta go beers getting warm.

Japan here I come

So here we are again, sat in Bedfont killing time till my flight. This time tomorrow monkey will be up 2 his eyes in bright lights and Japanese culture..... Can't wait. I'm glad to say not being a girl I've restricted myself to a sole rucksack, basically can't be arsed to carry anymore - dare say that I suspect there will be lots of not so restrictive people at the airport. Oh, how I like to watch people struggle with too much luggage :)

Anyways, I hit Sydney late on Sunday, and my brother hits town a day or so later ... I think a drink or two will be on the cards (and not blue nun) ... That's about all for now, don't want to get to excited now do I!!!.

Watch this space - monkey has rucksack and will travel :)

T minus 2 and counting

Well it T minus 2 days and counting before I ship out to Japan, can't wait. A busy few weeks in store for me, Australia follows Japan in due course ... all rounded off by Glasto. Considering my trip will be spent in the company of my older brother it will be either a) very sedate and reserved or more likely b) messy beyond comprehension. I guess we'll see soon enough.

On a different note, after watching Leeds terrible performance at Saints on Friday, I watched Johnny Vagas's new show ... 18 stone idiot or something. Fantastic is the verdict, is the funniest thing have seen in an age. I mean what kind of show host asks a guest if they've ever shoved a finger up there arse :)

Thanks also to john and debbie, the annual eurovision part happened on Saturday. As is the way with these things the upshot was a) I lost the ability to speak, b) got home via the miracle that is the beer scooter, c) redecorated my bathroom claret, and d) spent Sunday looking/feeling sorry for myself. However, those points aside I think all had a good time ... so thanking you !!

So for now ... never mind the lions, monkeys tour of Japan and Oz starts here. First game is a warm up fixture in heathrow followed by an away game in Tokyo, against the karaoke kings :)