Sunday I had my usual morning habit. And ended up in an off day. Wasn’t too happy and just wanted to be left alone. The family though wanted to drag me to the big banana. No idea what it was. So just went along. It ended up to be a enlargement of a banana. (like it said) Apparently you have enlarged images all around Australia. And people actually make it a sport to see them all. The banana wasn’t just a choice it was because the local product is/was bananas. We had a train journey with a lot of information about bananas and the history behind it. Was pretty interesting. After that we went tobogganing. I started to de-mood a bit. After a bit of fuss we decided we al would meet up at a beach in Coffs Harbour. I had to get my bikini so drove home with Michael and Jessica for swim stuff. When I arrived home I actually just wanted to be alone so I decided to stay. Had a lovely time in front of the TV in a quiet house. That night we had left over food a chat and a bed. And off course TV. We tried to get some news about the tsunami.
The next morning after a shower, breakfast and checking news on the internet/TV. We went to the pet porpoise pool. Just heard something about watching a dolphin show. But it was much more. It was a pool developt to have damaged and sick animals. They make them better and let them loose in the wild again. They ended up with some animals who couldn’t be able to go back to nature again. So that when the show came in. It was a show with dolphins and seals. They also had in the small park; kangaroos, birds (example; penguins), turtles, sharks etc. And I stroke a dolphin! ;-) And played with the ball. Feed the penguins and fish. After the pet porpoise pool we went to some relatives of pat. The couple had an 8 months old twin. Was really cute. Had a fun time. Although I got puked under by one of the kids. Was good that I had a spare skirt with me. After a bit of persuading we took them with us for a barbeque at home. Louisa (friend of Mel) and Georgie (organisator of the cruise) came over as well. As they were traveling to Byron Bay. And used Pat and Guys’ house as a stop in between. So we ended up in the house with 14 people. Which was a lot of fun. Peter and Runekai (the couple) were very fun and nice. I had a very good time. The food was good. The drinks were very good… So I actually ended up very drunk. And went to bed a bit early. This morning actually not to much trouble with a hangover or headache. Feel pretty good. Everybody is running around because the plan of today is to have a day at Byron bay. (Surfers paradise) I am done, now the rest…
We had a really easy start. At 13.30 we left to Sawtell in the neighborhood of Coffs Harbour. The journey takes between 6 and 10 hours. Depending on the weather and traffic. It took 7.5 hours. After a really relaxing travel. With loads of breaks. In the evening we had a little bit of food and then went after a chat to bed. I sleep with Jessica in one room. Jessica is the daughter of Michael, whom is my cousin. Jessica is 15 (11 days older than you Elise ;-) We had a fun talk. And went to sleep. The next morning I woke up through al the strange new sounds. After a breakfast and a shower I still didn’t know what I was going to do that day. I ended up walking around Sawtell. (Which isn’t that big) So I ended up walking on the beach. Jessica was on the beach as well and we walked in to each other. We had fun with talking and walking to the (small) main street. Just admired some shops and getting scared of all the prices, which were to high for a backpacker. After checking the cinema and deciding to fill up our afternoon with Bridget Jones; the edge of reason. (Yes, again) We changed at home and got to the cinema. Film was again very amusing. Jessica liked it as well. After the movie we had a quick dive into the sea, but because it was cold and windy we went back fast. We had pizza as Dinner because Pat had an of-evening. After dinner we went for a drive to admire all the Christmas lights at houses. And people made a pretty big effort of it at some points. We even went to a big garden which was opened for the good cause and was decorated with loads of lights. It even contained a harbor bridge and an Opera House. When we came back we just had a little chat before going to bed. This morning we had an easy morning. After a slow warming up we all gathered in the living room and opened the mountain of presents that laid underneath and around the Christmas tree. I had bought for James a frame and put some photos in it from Mel and him. For Guy (my uncle) I bought a Von Dutch t-shirt. For Pat (my aunt) I bought a broche. For Jessica I bought a little bear (with the softest ‘fur’ I ever felt) and a little mouse hanger. And last but not least I bought Mel a cat. Which I promised. It was a little statue (piggy bag) of a cat which looked so cute I just needed to buy it. Then what did I got? I got a shirt (devil woman) and a silver bracelet from James. A beer and wine of Jessica and Michael. A towel and shirt from Pat and Guy. And from Mel I got a dirty dancing cd, a Christmas card, a shirt, flip-flops and fake chemical snow. All things were very nice to get. A big thank you all!! After that we had a little lunch, because we had to wait for the turkey to get ready. And played a lot with the snow. (bit of water and then you get heaps of snow) When the turkey was ready we had a huge Christmas lunch. Which was great. We had after the lunch some drinks and went to the beach. After the beach we had a shower and went on to dessert of the huge lunch. And now we are all pigging out having a chat and drink. And getting a good closure of this great but strange day. (for me it felt like Christmas in July)
Today I leave to my uncle and aunt which is about 10 hours north from sydney. They don't have internet so it will be a bit quiet. I will be bach 30st of December. And then I will update my stories and pictures as soon as possible. Just notice that in that amount of time, I probably won't be able to read email. Or answering it. And next to that, that somewheresouth won't be updated by me. Perhaps by Murf will update but that is something I don't know.
Love to you all.
Have a nice Christmas!!
Nicky
Well, today I finally got my flight-tickets.
After a few weeks of arranging lots of things today was the day I could go to my travel agency to pick up the last nessecairy part for traveling to Australia. Next to me zillions of documents, flight tickets, travel insurance, international drivers licence, foreign money (AUD & SGD), vouchers (for my Singapore citytrip), flight schemes, passport, vaccination certificate and last but definetely not least, my Working Holiday Visum. All scanned and ready to burn on a small cd so I have a credit-card sized copy of all important stuff.
My backpack is already almost fully packed so is my in-flight-backpack. Saturday I will close the door of my appartement for the last time in more then 7 months, leaving it to a Hungarian and a Japanse student who will rent it for the time I'm gone.
Really the only thing which I have to think of is creating a nice MP3 cd for my 1-week travel through the west of the Netherlands. Probably with some good rock music on it, pumping out of my car stereo on saturday so loud that they can hear it in Oldenzaal, 25Km's away from Enschede.
Well, that's it for now, maybe I'll write something the very last week I'm here, for now I'll simply have another beer. To celebrate that I'm ready to go.
Cheers M'tes!
And after a week I had a final birthday night. And now I finally have to accept that I am 19. The night was one big bang. It was my musical night. Dirty dancing!! And there was some dirty dancing going on... Johnny was very musculair. So good for me he was shirtless for half of the show.. And as good old dutchie I was going for an underwear peek. Which was satisfying after the break. Lots of undie showing.. Ow and the rest of the crew was good as well ;-) A lot of dancing and good music. You can compair it a bit with Saturday night fever the musical. A story that can't go wrong. And is highly entertaining. And off course with all the famous lines; Nobody put baby in a corner ;-) After the show we got a bit of food. And i can tell you; I had the time of my live....
Just a short 'story'. Went on Friday to some shops and Manly and watched some dvd's. On Saturday I went to the beach. And watched some dvd's and sat behind the computer. On Sunday I walked a bit around Manly and went home. Funny to see that it takes 1.5 hours to come from Manly to Sydney. First a ferry for half an hour. Where in Manly the sun shone in the City it was raining. After that you have a bus for almost an hour to Bondi. Where the rain just stopped. Watched another dvd before going to bed. (and returned James' key) And before some good food. (indian) Today fixed some clothes and did some stuff around the house.
That was practicly it. Very boring...
Love Nicky
Ps still getting used to a warm Christmas, but it is still very odd. Although beggars wear christmas hats. And restaurants are playing Chrismas songs.. It still doesn't seem right.
Tuesday I tried to make a long walk to a park I still wanted to go to. And I wanted to buy a copy of the hitch hickers guide. I ended up checking out the guide and not buying, because it was pretty expensive according to my budget. And I thought it was to hot to walk any further. So I went down to the beach again and had a nice swim. After that Mel called, because Sophia had called her... She had a 2 day job for me. On thursday and friday. So I said yes to everything at that point. After seeing Mel that night I went to bed early.
Wednesday I had a quiet start. I packed some stuff because I would leave for a couple of days. In the afternoon I went to the city. Because I thougt that I would be able to get THE guide a bit cheaper. Bad luck for me. But I did found a cheap copy of the da vinci code. Everybody is talking about it so i figured out it might be worth reading. And it was cheap any way. So I ended up that afternoon spending a couple of hours reading at Cockle bay in the sun. (really good) At 7, I made sure I went for Central station. Because Amanda, Nana and Randy were waiting there for me. (the girls I met in New Zealand.) They invited me for a late birthday party. So we went for dinner in this really cheap place. the food was very good, though. After that we went to a pub/bar/club (or however you want to call it) We had a nice time, with drinks, guys and dancing. We went to bed at 2 AM
And on Thursday I had to get up at 7.15 AM. So after not that much sleep. (4 people on a room with all their own sleeping habits/coming home time) I needed to be at the station at 7.45 so I got dressed and made myself a bit presentable and went off. That wasn't enough for crossing a roadwork, though. I did made sure that I walked around the truck. But forget all the parts that were on the truck. So I got hit in the face. Pretty hard acctually because I walked pretty fast... No problems. Got to the station and got the right trains. Was on time to get picked up by Sophia. Got to te work. (covering up 1150 books with another girl. Got paid by the book.) So I just started because Kate (the other girl) had already started. Had a small lunch. And worked together so hard that afternoon, that we acctually were done at the end of the day. So exhausted but happy. And $200 dollar richer. Instead of going back to Bondi I stay a couple of days with James. To explore Manly. And lay on a different beach... And James stays with Mel for a couple of days, so I am here alone... :D
But at this point my head has finally realised the hit. It begins to hurt a bit... :s
Like the titel says, I am writing this while I am pissed. So excuse my grammer etc. Yesterday I had a long walk along the city for some christmas presents. After that I went to Manly by ferry. By that time there was a thunderstorm with loads of rain going on over the city. But when I got out on Manly the sun was shining... Because Mel and James were already at Sophia's. (where the party was) So I was picked up by one of the other gasts who hadn't drunk. I ended up getting picked up in a silver BMW. Two seats... A gourgious car. Ended up at the party with a surprise pre-birthday cake. Lovely time as well with Mathilda and Rose. (Sophia's kids) Slept at James'. And today I went back with Mel and after that the train and bus. At bondi I opened my presents. Got a forever friend keyhanger of my boyfriend and pyjamas of my uncle and aunt. The rest sended me cards and some money. After that I did some house stuff. In the evening Mel came home. And we went out for diner with Reg, Christopher, Louisa, Mel, James and me. After I got a pair of nose rings from James, which will be really handy. Mel got me some gadgets and a card for the Dirty dancing musical!! That will be next tuesday... We went for a good dinner at one of the cafe's at bondi road. We had lovely waiters. And to much booze. That's why I am a bit pissed... Just having some contact with holland, before I go to bed...
Ps no phone, so no job
[redactional addition by Murf]
And off course Nicky forgot to mention the absolutely great present she got from Sabine... A self-made book with photo's and childrens songs and such. Shame on you! ;-P
[end note]
14 december
And for the ones that are fussing about incorrectness of my entry. ;-) (which is pretty obvious because I drank too much) I am very happy with Sabine her little booklet. Which is a good quick look at home without using the internet. I love it and will use it more often. Something else is forgotten. And that was that I usually wish for some snow for my birthday. We had instead of sun yesterday a lot of heavy thunderstorms. And in one storm we had hail. (ice falling from the sky) The pieces of ice were about 3 cm big. And it was a delight to have over here. Although a bit ironic because in holland i never get snow.
And pissed in my entry of yesterday isn't pissed as in angry. But in drinking too much....
A little bit of nonsense info
2 days till my birthday. Which is also the date that I have exactly 200 days away from home to go. Today is 3 weeks and 3 days till my boyfriend is coming over.
and some information people perhaps find more interesting;
gallery.somewheresouth.net
contains new pictures....
after 2 days of doing just some small things. Like cleaning dishes, writing cards, doing groceseries and looking some tv. Still 2 big things happened today and two days ago. Two days ago I finally called for an appointment to get my learners permit. But instead of the email that told me that I would be able to take the test. The lady on the telephone told me that I was only able to drive in New South Wales and in none of the other states. So that was a big dissapointment. And be able to drive in other states would be a big hassle. So I had to give up that. Including my idea to drive all around australia. So we have to stick to the old plan of driving half of australia. With another big challenge; driving through the desert from south to north. Which probably takes round about 2 weeks with one big stop; Alice springs.
The second thing was that I finally gave in and went to the Belgium restaurant and ask for a couple of days work. Why I had to gave in? My auncle (guido) is a good friend of the owner. And off course Mel as well. So it would be a nice thing to do for them. But I wouldn’t be getting a job just for me. Today I had a try out for a couple of hours. And tomorrow I will get a phone call to see if I can stay or not. If not it was still a good thing. I could get some experience in being a waitress. Which I had never done before. But I stop writing and get a bit of food. And them go off to the beach. Because after the thunderstorm yesterday, today is a bright clear day. (27 degrees)
Ow and yes I am counting the days of to my birthday. I have no idea what that day is going to bring. But I do know it doesn’t feel like my birthday is coming up. The weather is all wrong! Although it is a nice thing to have the upertunity to celebrate my birthday for once like this. I collecting all the little packages and letters that everybody is sending me and will save them to my birthday…. So it will feal a bit more birthday with opening some ‘presents’
Love
Nicky
Sunday I got invited by James and Mel to come to a cruise a friend of them had organised. Curious as I was (and keen to get out of the door) I went with them. I ended up in a small boot with round about 15 people. Eating seafood and drinking champagne. And even brought to me while I lay in the sun on the deck. Sometimes a smill dive. It was gourgious.I fell on the boat but a bleu bruise on my knee was all. After the cruise we had a drink in a cafe. Then I went with mel and James to James' appartement and had some food and watched a dvd. I decided to go home.When I walked to the ferry my foot hurted. After a run to make it to the ferry in time it hurted awfull. On the boat I sat with my foot high. And had a fear that I sprained it on the boat while falling. I walked from to the boat. Very slow and very painfull. In the bus it still didn't improved. The walk from the bus to Mels' place I did crying, screaming and cursing. After sitting on the couch and calming down I asked to some people (my mum and parents of a good friend of mine) if there was any possibility that i broke it. Negative. Probably heavily sprained. The next day no bruise nor swollen. So no apraining. Probably overstreched something in my foot. Monday morning I walked pretty bad but it became better really soon. After spending a day on the couch watching movies it wend good actually. And today on tuesday I can walk properly although I still can't make some movements with my foot. But I will go for a small walk because I am crazy sitting al day in the house. ..
Today actually starts with yesterday. Yesterday I decided to finally go to Newtown. Which is the alternative side of the city. They have a lot of cheap and second hand shops. Where better to get you're christmas presents? So yesterday morning I went with Mel to work so it saved me a busticket to the station. At mels' work waited to our big surprise, my auntie anita and Hans. Her partner. She lives near newtown. And because hans justed moved to a new appartement there also needed a lot to be done. So after a bit of talking we made out that I would help anita and hans the first day a bit in hans' house. Hanging up stuff. (They are both not to tall) After that Hans cooked for us and I and Anita went back to her place. I loved by the way the car of Hans which anita is driving. (I will try to catch a picture of that, I forgot my camera :s) I slept at Anita her place. In the morning we drove to some shops she had to be. We had lunch. And after that and some chatting I went in to Newtown to go shopping. I had to buy 6 presents. After a day I have 3 presents and for the other 3 I have at least an idea for 2 presents. So just one to go...
Last thursday I finally started with some running and exercises. And the next day turned out no muscle pain. So that was good as well.
Wednesday I finally walked out the walk from Bondi Beach to Bronte Beach. I usually never came further that Tamarama beach. (before you think it is a reallly long walk. It only contains this three beaches) It was nice and I had a fun time. My sunburn wasn't fully recovered but I at last could wear a pair of pants.
Tuesday was... Ehmz More sunburn. Still hurted like hell. Still the same sarong and duckwalk. And watched all day tv.
And Monday was my sarong. I was so sunburned that I could not wear any pair of pants. My back hurted so bad I actually could not sit or lay down. Although I did with a lot of pain. And then it was the trick to lay as still as possible for as long as possible. As you can imagine I did absolutely nothing that day.
Sunday was funny. Mel came back from New York. (the first week was Miami the second week was New york) She was totally jetlaged and really tiered. James brought her in from the airport. They were both going to sleep that day but I don't think they slept that much. ;-) That day I just decided to leave James and Mel alone. And finally after 1.5 months I decided to go for a day on the beach. First went to a small market along the way to the beach. After my first dive in the sea when I came back I walked in at Amanda. she is the english girl I met in New Sealand. I knew she was here but she would ring me when she would go to bondi. (I forgot my mobile that day) So I was lucky to walk in to her that day, because the beach was absolutely stuffed. It turned out she still travelled together with 2 girls of the Danish group of New Zealand. We had a fun time that day for a couple of hours. And then went back home. At the evening I already felt a little bit (a lot) of burning coming up.
And I got my New York presents; a watch with the statue of liberty on it. And a t-shirt which said; Do not call me a bitch I am much more evil than that.... And after a few days when she was completly unpacked she gave me an I love NY t-shirt. Which I absolutely do not. But it is nice to go running in or something...
Do not call me a bitch, I am much more evil than that ^_^