Australia! Sept/Oct 2010.

Here's my entry for now, amazing how long it takes to compile this blog stuff! Undone!

The rig parked at Hans and Maria's

...After months of trying to decide where to go for a three week vacation this year we finally landed on the idea that visiting Australia would be best. We had been considering an extended road trip up the coast in The VW Van but figured it may be tricky being that it was going into fall and the weather could be cold and wet, and in a van like ours the luxury of heating and insulation does not exist. Then we were thinking somewhere in the Caribbean, even Puerto Rico, but not to be an alarmist, after reading about crime in Puerto Rico the thoughts of that location faded, and besides places in the Caribbean could be pretty wet too. A trip to Spain was in the works as well, to say hi to Martyn's friends in Madrid and to see the north coast, but for some reason Australia seemed to draw us in.

Martyn had been to Australia twice before for only brief visits each time, but was struck with great impressions and insisted that I would love it. He has talked about wanting to relocate to Australia one of these days and while I am willing to move there sight-unseen, it would probably be a good idea to check the place out first. So a reconnaissance trip to Australia is was. Airline tickets were purchased shortly thereafter.

Friday, Sept 17th 11:55 PM Depart LAX
My brother Andrew graciously drove us to the airport, surfboards and all. Our 13 hour journey in the air above the Pacific on Virgin Australia went well, not even a bump of turbulence... or at least noticeable enough to wake us up from.

Sunday, Sept 18 7:00 AM Arrive Brisbane
What happened to Saturday? Anyway, grabbed (our way over-packed) luggage and headed, via taxi, to Apollo Camper's rental facility, where we were to pick up our 6 berth manual transmission RV, complete with driver on the right. I was off the hook for driving this rig as I don't drive stick and sure has heck ain't gonna start to learn down under where driving is all backwards. Again, camper rental went well and by 9AM we were southbound to Byron Bay to see Hans, Maria, and their daughter Nina - old and dear friend's of Martyn form the Barcelona days.

11:00 AM-ish Byron Bay
"Oh look, there's their house, lets pull up under their car-port." 'Crash! Bang!' Ooops, forgot about our hight clearance. Hmmm... The roof of the car-port has minimal damage, and the roof of the camper we hope won't cost us more than our $250 supposedly refundable deposit. But as the Aussie's say, no worries.

Rain. Like, really raining. And cold. What? Where's my bikini? Sunblock? Sunhat? Frilly sundress? Huh? I guess that's why Byron is so beautiful and green, it gets its dose of rainfallunlike the desert of Los Angeles. So I suppose the rain was a little welcomed change. A novelty :)

This was my first non-Skype meeting with Hans and Maria, and such wonderful people they are. Hans, Maria, and Nina were great hosts, and I can see why Martyn has keep in touch with them over theyears. We hadn't decided whether or not to drive down to Sydney and back yet at this point, we hadn't actually made any concrete plans other than seeing Hans and Maria, and Byron Bay. So after a couple nights in Bryon they advised us of a few things to do and see which all were signs pointing to a drive to Sydney after all.

Tuesday-ish, morning

Started our drive south to Sydney. After a full day of driving we stopped at Emerald beach. The sun was out, the campground was great (the nicest one we stayed at actually, but they were all pretty impressive), and we saw our first Kangaroo. This Roo, about 5 ft tall

was chillin on the campgroud licking its paws while a 5 year old girl stood about 6 feet away, staring. We walked up to get a closer look and the little girl warned us to keep our distance, she seemed to know what she was talking about and we weren't aboutto argue. She stared, we stared, the kangaroo licked

its claws, then it hopped away. And that was about it. Nevertheless any Kangaroo sighting is a good one.

We spent the rest of the evening playing Banana-grams (kinda like scrabble, but no points, and the letters come in a banana shaped bag, hence the name) and drinking wine. Crashed out early with more driving in mind for the AM.

Come morning we decided we had a little time to hike along the trail

the goes over the hills above the beautiful beach. The trail winds around the hill side in what turned out to be The Land of The Kangaroos. We were seriously in their territory now. Massive amounts of huge Kangaroos were just lounging around taking in the sun. Definitely photographic moments to be had. We snapped some shots, and were on our way.

Wednesday

Drive, drive, drive, stop for meat pie, drive some more. It's all a blur of Eucalyptus. I can't even remember where we went that night, but eventually we wound up in Port Macquarie, coulda been that night, or the next. Either way it took a lot of driving to get there. And well worth it. The campground was clean, and the beach beautiful, all par for course for Oz it seems. Port Macquarie is a medium sized city with a great walking/bike path the goes all alongthe ocean and around the city and into "the bush" (aka trees and stuff). Thankfully the campgroud is right on this path and our RV was about ten feet away. The ocean side of the path is bordered with large rocks all individually painted and adorned by visitors and locals which added lots of color to this already super duper cute spot. Out in the ocean where tons of kayakers, paddlers, and surfers, and along the path some thru out their fishing line but most biked walked and jogged - all day, and into the evening. Seems like people in Port Macquarie are proud of their out-doorsy options and aren't afraid to use them.

One night here. In the morning a long walk for me along the path as Martyn goes for a run and then we are on our way again.

Thursday

Hmmm, again my memory may not be right but I'm pretty sure we made it to Newcastle this day, and by lunch even. We drove around the city in our sore-thumb of a vehicle, getting our bearings, and enjoying the Victorian style architecture. Newcastle was smaller than we expected but not altogether small, it even had a bit of a gritty feel to it, like as though the city was mean to have more people looking after it but instead everyone was somewhere else, possibly surfing. I liked it. It was refreshing to have to wonder if the car was going to be safe, felt like home ;). Except not.

Once finding a parking spot big enough to park The Rig, we walked around town, then walked up a long long spiral staircase that took you to the top of a lookout tower that gave you a real good view of the harbor. Martyn's knees were weak due to the fact that he's a scardy cat when it come to heights, so snapped a couple quick pictures and down we went. Then lunch on the boardwalk. Very pleasant.

We had originally thought to stay the night in Newcastle but we were no longer so inspired, besides were could feel that were were pretty close to Sydney. Back on the road.

Drive, drive, drive. There was apparently a Holiday Park (aka cam

pground, or RV park) called Lane Cove that was just on the outskirtsof Sydney. I called the Park up for directions and they assured me that it was easy to find and that as long as we made it by 7PM they could get us a spot for that night and a few nights to follow. Well I for one have never driven in Sydney and neither had Martyn, never mind it being after dark, during rush hour, and in a six berth motorhome nonetheless. This park was *not* easy to find,but we powered thru and by some grace of god made it just at 7:05PM, all in one piece. Funny though, the guy at the check in desk stayed a minute longer because he said people usually get lost the first time. Well thanks, dude.

Lane Cove was just fine. About as good as your gonna get for an RV

park in the city. It wasn't until morning that was noticed that Lane Cove backed up onto a beautiful and lush public park filled with exotic yet native birds. We didn't get to see this park much, but indeed it was there.

Sleep. Much needed. The Rig was pretty comfy actually, we slept in the overhead bunk and it was super cozy. We slept like the dead that night, and planned on getting up early to see the Sydney sights.

And no need to set an alarm mind you, and I hope you didn't want to sleep past sunrise 'cuz these birds are loud. Kookaburra. Those dark cute looking things sure know how to make an entrance. So I guess awake it is. Martyn goes for a run, I take my sweet time getting ready for the day and off we were off to see the city. A ten minute walk then a 25min train ride, and we were in center of Sydney.

Damn Kookaburra ;)

Friday

We had gotten off the train at the stop just before the Harbour Bridge so that we could walk over it and see Sydney Harbour from that vantage point. I had no idea w

hat to expect. What a wonderful view. The most amazing crystal blue water sits surrounded by apartment laced cliffs, all which draws your eye to the Opera House.

The sun is out, and it is hot. As we walk across the bridge we begin to sweat, happy to continue to have some sun.

I can't say enough about those first few hours spent in Sydney. Words just don't describe. It felt old, but new, classy yet classic. The wind, the sun, the birds, the people, the buildings, the streets, so lovely. The Opera House. The closer you get to the Opera House the more impressive it is.

Wine and cheese in the Hunter Valley

A little gift from Emerald Beach campgrond

Boomerang Beach

Hence the sand...

A coldie in Brisbane during the last leg of the trip

Amazing Noosa

Fill your empty bottles anyone? Genius. 

View from lunch at Manly Beach, Sydney

Hiking in Noosa  

The Hunter Valley

First surf at Byron

.... Ugh, this post is driving me nuts, just when I just managed to get some pics posted, I seemed to have lost half the text. So I say 'F' it! I'm done with this one. Moving. On. Enjoy the pics, they speak a thousand words anyhow, right?