Blue Mountains

So called as a result of the hot sun heating the oil in the tree leaves which evaporates and mixes with the dust in the air giving a blue haze effect - I sobered up long enough to remember that useful little fact :>

With an very early start (left Sydney at 10:30am) we headed out to the blue mountains on the train - a nice 2hr trip to get some more sleep. On arrival and with not much clue on what was going on we sorted our selves out with a bus ticket which gave us full access to the whole area for the day.

Now we still don't quite understand the whole set up but I will try and explain it to you. You buy a ticket which allows you to get on and off the bus and any point, all you have to do is press the bell. The ticket has a map (of sorts) with the stops numbered. Sound ok so far. The problem comes when you have no idea where you are to start with or where each number stop is in relation to the real world and even what is at each stop.

Some how we managed to get on and off the bus and normally find our selves at the right place. This aside the area is amazing with spectacular views in all directions and the day was well spend wounding around taking it all in.

At one point looking out over the three sisters (some rocks) this little old man joined us with some bits of trees in his hands and gave us a little nature lesson. Now from the 30 mins he spent with us we found out he was Polish but has been living in the mountains for the last 20 years. We also found out he is a great story teller - the sort that would of given Jackanorie a run for its money - so armed with his binoculars and some great sound effects told many stories of how the rocks came to be there (these i will leave for another time)

A spot of culture

After numerous times walking past the Oprah House I have finally managed to get round to getting inside.

It was suggested at the bbq that they were showing a British comedy which was meant to be really good so we got a group of 8 together and booked some thickets. Due to the late booking we were told that 'sorry but we only have bench seats available' so when we arrived we were expecting to be tucked away behind a pillar somewhere.

They must have a different meaning for sorry over here as the 'benches' were front row center. The production was by a four person group called Spymonkies and the show was called Cooped.

It was hilarious. A must see if they are ever back in the UK and you get the chance - Oh and it will help if you have a dark sense of humor (bordering on the Little Britain type of comedy)

Shrimp on the barbie

Well after 2 weeks in OZ I have finally managed to get a Shrip on a barbie.

On Saturdays the hostel organize a bbq over at Coogie which is a nice little beach about 30 mins on the bus out of the city center. The day was nice and hot and with the sun shining we were all in good spirits - plus there was a box of Goon on the go.

Now this is one of the many things I am liking about over here. Scattered around in nice little parks they have bbqs which are free for every one to use. Put something like that in the park down the road in England and on the one sunny day it would be good to use some little punk would of driven a car into it.

So the afternoon was spent munching our way through burgers (which was all provided by the hostel), sipping Goon out of over sized pastor pots, - there was a shortage of cups in the area - and some intense Frisbee action on the beach. Its a hard life.

My Hostel

I have now moved into the Maze Backpackers (for those who know - on Pitt Street down by Paddies Market) after my original hostel had no life and was getting dull.

The Maze has a great group of folk and have met a lot of new friends there. And just in case you are unable to find anyone your self the staff put on a couple of activities each day. I managed to get $5 off my rent by getting in on a far too cleaver team on quiz night - Also with free Goon.

Friday looks a good night - Wine and Cheese. From what I can tell it consists of a 15L box of Goon and a block of Cheddar. So sophisticated.

A bit of terminology

Goon - A term used when suggesting what to drink tonight. Goon is a generic form of alcohol which at some point grapes where used in its creation. (according to the label: May also contain nuts and fish products and has a collection of preservatives)
Goon usually comes in a 4L box with the description on the box something like: fruity White and costs $9.99 (about 4 quid) - Classy stuff.

Thongs - You ware them on your feet

Pants - You ware them on your head, ahh a good night. Otherwise known a trousers.

Jaunt up the coast

After a week in the city it was time for a weekend away. As it happens one of my uni flatmates, Hannah, is now living up in Newcastle which is a short 3hr train trip up the cost.

Now the trains over here are something else. I know British rail try to stack people two high at time but the trains here actually have an upstairs. The thing is that the trains aren't that much taller, they just make use of that big space down close to the tracks between the wheels. Then to top off the clever design all the seats have the option to flip the back rest over so you can face which ever way you want. Great.

Well Newcastle (I know it is like being back in England. I left Sydney via Kings Cross and Paddington and then passed through Cardiff before getting to Newcastle) is a nice little beach town. It is down between the beaches that some one has had another great idea. For all those people out there that want to swim in the sea but don't like the waves or want to do lengths then they have come up with a solution. They have built a big concert whole with the top just below high tide. Then when the tide comes in it fills the pool up and then leaves you with a pool - plus free water. Genius