Day 6 - Skydive, Sunburn and losing a few inches of height

9/2/15

I don't do early mornings, like, no, just no. However, Australia does funny things to you and Helen and I are up at the crack of dawn to meet Olly, Tom, Dec and Tony, have a quick breakfast and head to the bus stop to be picked up to go skydiving! I wasnt't scared about doing it at all, I was majorly excited. Too much adrenaline in my body to allow me to actually feel anything other than excitement! We get picked up in a little bus and then we're on our way to Byron Bay Skydive Centre. We only had to wait about half an hour till we got called to put the gear on.
Beforehand, we decided on the order of which we were jumping by playing Rock Paper Scissors. The guys seem to decide a lot by using this method. It ended up with Tony first, then Tom, Me, Helen, Olly and then Dec. When our instructors came out and introduced themselves, it was clear our order was not going to be kept. Seeing Olly's instructor, who was a petite older man, compared to Olly who is an absolute giant, was the funniest thing ever! I just had the image of a baby strapped to the parents back.

Here's the skydive crew!

Me, Tony, Olly, Helen, Dec and Tom

The Skydive was incredible! I am so happy I've done it and can now cross it off the bucket list!

Excuse the faces, but it was absolutey incredible and I want to do another one! I had a lovely instructor  called steve, who sounded South African. Great accent! We jumped out at 14,000ft and then free fall, which is one of the most exhilarating moments ever. You hang out the plane and the instructor pushes you both out and you free fall for 60 seconds at 220km/hr. After 60 seconds the instructor pulls the parachute and it feels like you're getting yanked up and then you just glide through the air. Byron Bay is so beautiful from 14,000ft! Steve gave me the ropes and let me guide us around. Writing about it now still makes me feel so excited about it! He took the ropes back, pulled down on the right one and we went spinning round and then again on the left. It was so fun and I'm pretty sure Steve was insane for even letting me steer the thing!

We were all buzzing when we reached the ground, all saying "OH MY GOD THAT WAS INSANE! THAT WAS CRAZY! I WANNA DO IT AGAIN!" We just couldn't stop talking about it. It's so hard to even describe the feeling during the dive and you're just buzzing and have so much adrenaline pumping through you, it's just insane.

We all got a video of our skydives on a usb and then we were ready to head back. Helen, Olly, Tom and Dec went to a surf lesson and Tony and I decided to get some food and walk to the lighthouse. We went to this amazing fish restaurant at the front near the beach called Fishheads. They have the best fish there, it was delicious! Tony and I walked along the beach and then up the path for about an eternity and got to see some spectacular views! 

...and then we got to this point! 

We thought that was it, just up the path and we'd be at the lighthouse. Nope, we were dead wrong. The lighthouse was another 1537356 miles away. Okay, slight exaggeration but really, it was a trek and I'm pretty sure I've worn out my feet and lost an inch or two from walking! We got there in the end though!

...and again, more amazing views from up here

Byron Bay has definitely become one of my favourite places in the world!

Fast forward a few hours, I find that my feet are severley sunburnt, get some pizza for dinner (dominos in Oz doesn't taste like dominos at home) and then get ready to meet the rest of the group for a night out in Cheeky Monkeys! We met in the communal kitchen area, all had a few too many glasses (cups) of cheap wine, played drinking games and then we were off! Helen, Olly, Tom, Dec and Lou fell asleep before the night even started so they didnt come with us so it was up to Tony and I to rep the Brits! Let downs!

The night was so good, good music, great company and a lot of alcohol. That's how it should be, right? 

When we're all slightly too intoxicated, it's time to go home. Cheeky Monkeys, it's been a pleasure.

Ciao -x-

Day 5 - Surfing, Byron Bay and Big Things

8/2/15

Today was the day of the surf lessons. Another early start this morning as we're up at 5:30am, eating breakfast by 6am, coach packed by 7 and we're off to the beach. Today was my first ever surf lesson and I fell arse over tit quite a few times but managed to stand up and ride a wave forabout 5 seconds. Cheers Benny ;)
We had Rosco, Benny, Steve, Lukas, Neal and Kayshia teaching us how to surf, making it look so easy and pushing us on the waves at the right time and telling us when to stand so we all looked pro for about 3 seconds. It was so much fun and I so want to do it again! There are two styles of surfing, normal and goofy. Left foot forward and you're normal, right foot forward and you're goofy. I'm classed as normal when surfing, every other day, not so much. Heres the East Coast TopDeck Crew!

After laughing so much and spending more time under the waves than on them, it was time for food. We got back to surf camp, freshened up and then we were on the road again. On to Byron Bay!
Alan, our tour leader, has told us all about big things in Australia (oo-err) and on the way to Byron Bay was the forst big thing of many. Behold the Big Banana!

On the way to Byron Bay there's a place called Coffs Harbour; it has the most livable climate in Australia and it's main attraction is The Big Banana which is one of Australias first Big Things. The Big Banana isnt  a real Banana which was slightly disappointing. Australia has a lot of big things and accordong to Alan "Australia isn't trying to compensate for anything, we just like big things..." Yeah, alright then Alan, we believe you.
We carried on to Byron Bay which is one of the coolest places I've ever been to. Alan says everyone loves this place, so me being the stubborn thing I am, was adamant on hating the place. I don't, I love it. Dammit! We have cute little cabins to stay in and they're probably my favourite type of accommodation on the trip so far.

I'm sharing with a great girl called Helen, who's from Birmingham. Fab accent. We're sharing because we're the only two girls doing the skydive (AAGHH!!!) tomorrow. We dumped our stuff in the cabins and met everyone at the front of the resort, grabbed takeaway burgers, pizza or fish and all sat by the beach watching the sunset and listening to some guys play the bongos, watched another guy juggle and generally just chilled out. I went to this amazing burger joint called Bayger and they had the best burgers I have ever tasted!

It was such a chill evening!

When we were all fed and watered, we all went back to the resort for a well earned rest, reday for the day of activities and exploring ahead. Thats it for day 5, day 6 is the exciting part!

Ciao -x-

Day 4 - Goodbye Sydney!

7/2/15

I’m sad to be waving goodbye to Sydney today but it’s time to move on. I met the TopDeck trip leader, Alan, and the coach driver PJ, at 7am outside the hostel. First person I spoke to was a rather hilarious 26 year old guy from Gloucestershire called Tony. We nabbed some fab seats on the coach, spoke to Ninni from Norway, Anna from Germany and Braden from Vancouver, Canada and waited for the off.

Alan came up with a pretty funny way to get to know each other, speed dating style. We spoke to someone for 2 minutes and then switched. I spoke to Anna, Braden, Danielle from Canada, Kaitlin from Canada, who traveled with Danielle and two other girls Carla and Kerry. In our group there are British, Canadians, Chinese, French, Norwegian, Swedish, German and Australian. We’re a right multi-cultural group.

We crossed over Sydney Harbour Bridge and traveled onto Hunter Valley. 

We learnt about the wine making process, tasted four different wines, a white, red, champagne style one (I don't know my wines but the guy said something about champagne so I’m guessing that’s what it was) and a dessert wine. Give me white wine any day. Not too much though, mind. Gets me a tad merry very quickly. I also found out that in the cafe here, you can buy a ‘beer paddle’ of six different beers in mini glasses and taste them. If you finish all six, you get a midi beer of your favourite one for free. That’s a bit of me that is.

The one on the left was absolutely disgusting!

We also got into groups and crushed grapes by foot! It was so much fun and I'm pretty sure everyone was trying so hard not to fall arse over tit. 

We leave Hunter Valley and drive to Crescent head. Before we get there, Alan and PJ take us to a place called Lennox Head and the views from there are absolutely incredible.

We then drove onto Crescent Head and it’s one of the coolest places I've ever been to.

Just look at it!

This place is called Surfaris Surf camp and there’s Kangaroos, geckos, possums, crickets etc. and also mosquitos. Lots and lots of bloody mosquitos. Sprayed some insect repellent and thought that would be enough but no, these mozzies know where the spray hasn't reached and they bite there. Fab. Also, the shower is full of mosses and spiders. It was the quickest and worst shower I have ever had in my life. This place os great but I’ll be happy when I can shower without creepy crawlies wanting to join me. Ew.
Onto happier things, tomorrow is our first surf lesson and I’m so excited. Wish me luck!

Ciao - x

Day 3 - Last day in Sydney

6/2/2015

Something that weirds me out about Australia is they give you hot drinks, like a hot chocolate with your breakfast, in a tumbler. Yes the hot chocolate may be fab, but burning my fingers off through the glass is not fab. So, double decked trains with moving seat backs and hot drinks in glass. Weird.

Anyway, today at about 11am I got a train to Circular Quay (again) and caught a ferry over to Manly. I heard great things about Manly so I thought I’d check it out. The ferry only takes about 15-20 minutes. I spent an hour walking around the town, checking out different shops and they seem to have an ice cream shop or gelato shop on every corner. One I know you’ll love, Mum, Guylian ice cream. It looked so yummy! I sat on the beach sunbathing and thought about home as I’d seen pictures of snow and I’m on a beach in 28 degree heat, drinking a slush, watching people surf, paddle board and play cricket. I’m not jealous of you guys at home at all! I fell asleep on the beach for about 2.5 hours and did I have sunscreen on? No. No I did not. Lobster legs are not a good look, trust me.

Just look at Manly!

Definitely one of my favourite places! I found out that the Australian Open of Surf was happening on the 7th and I’m slightly bummed that I have to miss it. That would have been great to watch! I caught the ferry back to Circular Quay and the sea was quite choppy, that mixed with too much sun is never a good combination. Caught another train to Bondi Junction only for it to sit at the station for half an hour because of a broken down train in front. Sounds like home.

Finally got to Bondi and it’s breathtaking!

Bondi and Manly have fast become two of my favourite places. One day I’ll come back and spend more time here. It’s safe to say I’ve had the best time in Sydney and I’m sad to leave but I’m also excited to move on to the next place!

Ciao - x

Day 2 - Sydney

5/2/2015

Had a great sleep last night.I fell asleep so early, probably about 9:30pm and woke up at 7am. The sleep was definitely needed! Caught a train with a girl in my room, Carolina, and we went to Circular Quay. Quick note: the trains here are double decked and you can move the backs of the seats so you can face a different direction. Craziness. This place blows my mind. Anyway, Circular Quay, we walked around Sydney Opera House and it's just as pretty and just as huge as you would expect.

Also, Sydney Harbour Bridge is huge! 

We still had the whole day so Carolina and I decided to go to Sydney Wildlife Zoo. We caught a train back to Town Hall and walked to Sydney Wildlife. To say it was amazing would be an understatement. Koalas, wallabies, echidnas, kangaroos, kookaburra, alligator etc. (used to sing a song about a kookaburra when I was a kid so I got a little bit excited when I saw one in real life. Yes I'm sad). 

Carolina carried on to the Sydney Aquarium and I went to grab some lunch, headed back to Circular Quay in time for the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb. Got to the bridge climb, checked in, put on a rather snazzy ninja suit and headed on up the bridge. I'll tell you this, it's high. Dad, your fear of heights would defintely be tested. The view was spectacular. Walking up, it was still quite light and when we reached the top it eas getting darker. The city lights were turning on and it looked absolutely amazing. We saw a peek of the sunset through the clouds which was beautiful and then we walked on down the bridge. I took a slow walk back round Circular Quay and saw Sydney Opera House all lit up as well as the bridge. It was beautiful.

So pretty! One of the best sights I've ever seen! It definitely looks better at night. It's now 11pm and I'm shattered. Tomorrow is another busy day as it's my last day in Sydney and I want to squeeze in Bondi beach and Manly Beach. I'm going to be boring and go to sleep. 

Ciao - x

Day 1 - Arrival!

4/2/15

I’m pretty exhausted right now. *No, no, I’ll be fine. I won’t get jet lag!* Famous last words.

The journey from Dubai to Sydney took F O R E V E R and I mean forever! I keep thinking “I’ll never get there. I’m going to be stuck on this plane for life!”

I had a whole row to myself flying to Dubai, then an old Brummie couple sat next tp me from Dubai to Sydney. They kept asking me if I wanted anything “a drink? No? Biscuit?” It was cute. They probably thought I was a lot younger than I actually am. No surprise there really.

This was my glimpse of Dubai.

Stunning, right? I will visit Dubai one day.

I napped on the plane for a little while but I couldn't sleep for longer than 2 hours at a time, whereas the guy in front of me pushed his chair back and fell asleep from start to finish. Lucky sod.

My room at the WakeUp! Sydney hostel

Had the best shower of my life when I arrived at the hostel. 22 hour flight all packed together like sardines is not very pleasant. Got a shuttle bus from Sydney airport to the hostel which was quicker than getting a train and I’ve just walked around Chinatown, which is completely different to the one in London, like, theres an adult shop on every corner. So many nice places to eat though, so that was fab.

I really need to take a nap now as I think jet lag is kicking in but I’m determined to keep going till tonight so I can kick jet lags butt!

Ciao - x

Here we go!

2/2/15

IT'S THE DAY. LIKE, THE ACTUAL DAY. I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS DAY FOR 5 YEARS.

...and breathe.


Question: Why is Heathrow so confusing?

Answer: Because of reasons.

I'm all checked in, said farewell to my Mum at the station and Dad and Sister at the airport and I'm currently sitting in the departure area waiting for my flight to be called. I'm dreading the flight as I get bored on a 2 hour flight to Alicante so you could say that I'm fully prepared for this 22 hour journey to Sydney. Yes, fully prepared. I'm just hoping there are decent films on this flight, like LoTR or something. Nothing can or will go wrong. Right?
Oh and Dad my dear, if you're reading this, I still have all 15,000 padlocks and yes I still have my passport. Just.


Kidding!


Shall keep you all posted when (if) I get to Sydney!

Ciao x