Found a flat!

Found a flat this morning in St Kilda - click here to see it on the map. The flat is only available on the 7th March but the landlord had a smaller one we can use until then in the same block so we're moving in this afternoon! It seems to be a real job to get a flat here so we're pretty delighted. With the Grand Prix coming up in two weeks time and the world swimming championships are coming straight after that accommodation is becoming really scarce.

We've gotten a ticket to the Grand Prix, which is also out at St Kilda so really looking forwards to that.

Not been doing that much else lately - concentrating on the flat hunt! Our first hostel - Victoria Hall- was pretty dirty and we thought it had bed bugs so we moved out of there yesterday into "The City Centre Budget Hotel" on Little Collins St, would highly recommend it!

Went to the Queen Victoria Market on Thursday, which is a huge market in sheds not far from the centre. It has a lot of the normal tourist trash but it was really good for fresh food, meat etc.

Went to Fitzroy Gardens on Saturday, it was a very nice day so just sat in the park and didn't spend any money! Noticed my Camcorder Screen was cracked though so then had to get in touch with the insurance as it can't be used without the screen - thankfully it's covered. Went to Broadmeadows shopping Centre on Sunday and the Melbourne Museum yesterday which was really good.

Will try and get some photos up shortly, of the new flat etc! And I'll post my address when I know it!

Early departure from Merrigum!

Well, we're back in Melbourne now. Left Merrigum, and the fruit picking, yesterday. It was far too hot for us - we worked well from about 7am till 12 and got about 5 buckets a day but couldn't do much work in the afternoon because of the heat - around 35/36 degrees. This meant the money was hardly even enough to cover our costs so we thought best get out and look for some shop/office work in Melbourne. It was an experience and I've put some photos up on my flickr page!




When we were there we got trips to Shepparton, Echuca, and Kyabram. It was a pretty amazing area, the land was just flat as anything. The roads were straight as far as the eye could see. There was a very bad drought there so the grass was in very poor shape - all the cattle were skin and bones. Pears still seemed to be in ok condition! Echuca was a very touristy town, loads of paddle boats and old blacksmiths, woodturners etc.

At the moment we are staying in a Hostel in Melbourne. Planning to look for a flat once we get our bearings. Been on the trams yesterday, they are pretty good and cheap.

Merrigum!

Made it to Merrigum on Tuesday, with a one night stopover in Melbourne. Melbourne looked like a nice city so will probably go there once we're finished here. Got the train out via Shepparton which was a typical Australian town - dusty roads and flat as anything.

Staying in a Wig-Wam type thing in Merrigum. It was a bit of a worry last night as the lightning was very close and there is trees all around it! It is just a little village with a shop and a post office. Started fruit picking on Wednesday. Its very hard work for little money but a good experience none the less. Its very warm here - 33 degrees today and warmer yesterday, so it isn't ideal conditions! Filled 5 buckets today, all three of us working together. People keep saying you get better so we'll see!

Possibly going to Echuca on Sunday, which has a jazz festival on, and the employers are putting on a free bus!

Not much other news and this internet is expensive so I best go!

On the move

Just been down to the Rocks Market - lots of nice souvenirs but all very expensive! Seen most of the main sights now in Sydney and money is going down fast so we've gotten a Fruit Picking job in "Merrigum", Victoria (Near Melbourne). Starting on Wednesday so that will be an experience. The weather forecast says to expect a high of 34 degrees on Thursday!

Flying down to Melbourne on Monday, still waiting for our Tax Number but the Bank Account has been sorted.

Went to Palm Beach (Summer Bay in Home and Away) on Wednesday. Bus out there took about an hour and 45 minutes and wasn't really worth seeing but did get a photo of the surf club!

Did the Bondi - Coogee Walk on Thursday, which was good as it wasn't too hot a day. Got a few photos uploaded on Flickr with it.

Yesterday we went to Manly beach, which is a pretty nice place - lots of surfers on the go.

Not sure whether I will be able to get on the internet when we're out at the fruit picking as we are staying in a little village, but if I can I will be updating this!

Latest News

I've put a few more photos up on flickr - mainly of Bondi Beach and the Opera House.

Getting on fine, moved to the new hostel which is going fine - it doesn't have airconditioning so it gets quite hot at night but its good to have our own room. Got a Bank Account opened and have applied for a Tax Number so we can get job hunting.

Got on some of the Sydney Ferries at the weekend (Public Transport - just like buses to some of the islands in the bay.) They were good - good views of the city and got to a few beaches. Went to the Maritime Museum on Sunday which was also pretty good.

Went up the Sydney Skytower yesterday - gave really good views across Sydney as it was a nice day. Weathers been pretty consistantly hot which seems to be doing wonders for my Eczema!

Got a few more sights to see here, then we are thinking about moving out into the country and trying out some fruit picking as finding a flat in Sydney seems to be hellish at this time of year.

Times up so must go!

New Phone Number

Got a Simcard sorted, so my new number is +61 420785818. Its a vodafone prepay, which only seems to cost 25c (about 10p) to send a text to a UK number.

Not having much luck finding a flat, so have booked into a different hostel, the "Jolly Swagman!", for a couple of nights. It will be an experience as it's in Kings Cross. Got a private dorm this time which will be good. Been organising bank account and things too, but it is not easy without a permanent address.

Got a day pass for the monorail today, which was pretty good. Central Sydney seems pretty easy to navigate so could really have walked anywhere but its nice not to have to! Went to the Powerhouse Museum which is a science/technology museum - would highly recommend it, although slightly ran out of time.

There was a day trip to the Home and Away set today from the hostel - didn't do it as I don't think I would know it if I saw it! Might go to the beach at some point though, it seems to just be a random beach in Sydney.

Photos

Got LOADS of photos uploaded. Click here. Julie has also uploaded some of her better ones, which are here.

Did the City Sightseeing (open top) bus tour yesterday. Went to Side Bar (In our hostel) and Scubars (in the YHA) at night. This morning we went to a weekend market at The Rocks, lots of Craft things. Thinking about going to the Cinema tonight. Then need to start looking for Flat, Bank Account, Job, Sim Card etc!

Australia Day

Was Australia Day yesterday - incredible weather at least 30 degrees. Had lots of suncream on and still got a bit burnt. Went to Sydney Harbour and sat outside the Opera House. Got a good view of The Harbour Bridge. There were lots of activities on, flyovers by the RAAF, Tall Ships display, etc. Went to Darling Harbour in the Evening for the Fireworks, it was amazing, best I've ever seen. Got lots of Photos so will try and get them on my flickr account shortly.

Hostel is going fine, going to start looking for a flat shortly. Planning to do the Sightseeing tour on the open top bus today, possibly get out to Bondi Beach.

Sydney

Made it to Sydney! Looks like a nice city. Arrived at 6am this morning. Plane was fine enough, very boring! Got a train in from the airport to the central station. Found our way to the hostel, now just waiting to get into the room. Looks very nice - it's the "Wake up! Hostel"

Glad we made it out of Bangkok alive, the roads there were just hellish. Got a taxi back to the airport and it was only 300Bahts (around 4 quid) when the taxi in from the Airport was 1200 Bahts (about 13 quid). Think they see the tourists coming! Went to the Grand Palace the one day, it was nice but it was a really hot day and couldn't stay out in the sun too long.

Sydney wasn't very dry this morning but I think it is looking better now. Australia Day tomorrow so thinking about going down to Darling Harbour to watch the fireworks.

Keep the comments coming! I'm going to see if I can change it so that you don't need a google account to comment.

Bangkok

Arrived in Bangkok yesterday - quite a place! It's the year 2550 out here! Taxi in from the Airport was an experience - driver couldn't really speak english and tried to give a running commentary on the trip. Then he was expecting a tip and I just gave him 20Bahts (about 30p), which he didn't seem to appreciate. I didn't really have the value of the notes sussed at that point!

Hotel is really nice (Pantip Court), we've got a two bedroom suite with a balcony. Right beside a shopping centre with Boots, Starbucks etc. All the stuff in Boots is FAR cheaper here than at home, e.g. Soltan Sun Cream is under two pounds. Went to a Supermarket and got some supplies for Breakfast.

Went to the Pantip Cafe in the Hotel for tea, it was about 3 quid for Fillet steak and buffet of Starters and Puddings - as much as you can eat!

Got the Underground to the centre this morning, it is exactly the same as the Singapore one, and uses RFID for tickets aswell. Had to change and get the "Skytrain" which is a monorail type thing - it was a bit more dodgy.

Just about to go to a shopping mall with 500 shops so will see what bargains I can find! Hoping to get to the Grand Palace tomorrow then we're off to Sydney on Wednesday.

Singapore

Finally made it to an Internet Cafe! At the airport ready to depart Singapore. It was excellent. Incredibly clean city - cleaners seem to be everywhere the whole time. Hostel was nice, near to Underground station which was handy. Brief Roundup of what we did:

Day 1
Went to Sentosa Island on a monorail to the Underwater World and Dolphin Lagoon. There were incredible thunderstorms so the dolphin show was cancelled. Also went to some of the shopping Malls - Vivo City was particularly good. The number of shopping malls here is just unbelievable.

Day 2
Went back to Sentosa Island, on cable cars this time, as it was really hot so we went to the beach. Went down to Orchard Road to look around there, it was good - very flash. Also went to Suntec City and the Fountain of Wealth.

Day 3
Went to the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari. It was pretty good, night safari in particular. Saw an elephant show which was particularly good. The mini-bus out was a bit ropey and weaved inbetween all the traffic but we made it.

Just seen a Playstation 3 for 400 quid - tempting! Airport is very big. Bangkok in a few hours, I'm told it is a 'space age' airport so hopefully we'll manage!

London

Made it to London, wind caused some problems! Been sightseeing yesterday, went to Madame Tussauds, Big Ben, Downing St, Trafalgar Square, etc. Went to the Cinema at Leicster Square to see Happy Feet - wasn't very good! Travelodge is fine, quite central. We've got the Tube sussed so its really handy. Been to the BBC TV Centre today and did a tour - saw "Eggheads" being recorded and the Paul O'Grady Show.

Been Shopping on oxford St this afernoon and planning to do the City Sightseeing Tour if we get time. Also going to see a BBC Show tonight called "The Watercooler"

Flight tomorrow leaves at 10pm so we have a day to fill. It is a 12 hour flight on Quantas so plan to start taking asprins today to prevent DVT!

6 Days to go!

I was down in Edinburgh for New Year this year and only got back yesterday. Had a great time, photos are on flickr. Been packing since I got home and now have almost filled my suitcase and still got plenty more to go in!

I've also been working on getting my website set up - see it here.

Been looking at things to do in London next week, annoyingly the London Eye is closed for maintenance.

Must keep packing! Will start to use this properly when we get away.

Graduation

Graduation went well. I'm at the far right of the photo speaking to Louise. I got a first Class in Computer Science and Management Science! 

Test

This is a test!