The last 3 days have been a bit of a blur to be honest...
I arrived back in Perth with Frank... In one piece after the accident.
Frank has some crazy mates in Perth that he met whilst traveling in Loas... they are from Belgium (Ilan, Landor) and OZ (Reza). I have been staying in their house with them for the past 3 days, and they have been doing their best to look after me, and show me a good time, and I have to admit, that it's been great.
We went to the opening night of a funky new club in Perth, got invited to a birthday party of one of Reza's friend, hung out with and made friends with laods of locals, which is my favorite thing to do and went to a BBQ (in ture Ozzy style) and just chilled out in and around the Perth area. I've really got to know the city quite well.
It was nice having a real home to stay in (and recover) and even though my time hanging out with the guys has been short, (and I wish that I could continue to travel up the West Coast with them), I am going to miss them. Guess I'll have to catch up with them in Europe sometime.
Anyway I'm heading to Melbourne tonight, to start a new adventure... I have managed to talk a hilarious Irish guy to fly to Melbourne this week, (from Perth) and meet me there, and cruise up the East Coast with me... I'm sure it's gonna be a strange, and interesting experince with no doubt about the fact that we are gonna laugh a hell of a lot.
A special shout out has to go to:
Reza for letting me crash at his place in Perth, and making me feel so welcome... Your F'ing 'A' mate
To Frank for hooking me up
To Ilan and Landor for making me laugh so much and
Brad for putting me up in Melbourne... you are a star
From Perth...
xx
Monday, July 31, 2006
Saturday, July 29, 2006
'Tingle' all over
Have been pretty much everywhere on the South-West coast, I can safely say! To name but a few places: Bunbury, Buselton, Bridgetown, Pemberton, Northcliff, Walpole, Denmark, Augusta, Yallingup etc...
My favo0rite places have to be Margeter River and Walpol where I drove and treked (throught the bush) through the Valley of the GIant... The Tingle Forest!
I met a CRAZY dutch guy (Frank)... ('yes', another one!) who invited me to drive with him back up the west coast... so I have politly accepted, ticket re-arrangement permitting.
We'll have to wait until Monday to find out...
Guess I'll give you an update then...?!
p.s. - We were in a car accident ... it was their fault... honest!
Don't worry everyone is fine...
Over and Out
xx
My favo0rite places have to be Margeter River and Walpol where I drove and treked (throught the bush) through the Valley of the GIant... The Tingle Forest!
I met a CRAZY dutch guy (Frank)... ('yes', another one!) who invited me to drive with him back up the west coast... so I have politly accepted, ticket re-arrangement permitting.
We'll have to wait until Monday to find out...
Guess I'll give you an update then...?!
p.s. - We were in a car accident ... it was their fault... honest!
Don't worry everyone is fine...
Over and Out
xx
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Pissin' Down Perth
So, so far Oz is just like being at home....
It's freezing and I spent my first day here in hospital!
They couldn't work out what was wrong with me... Surprise surprise, just that I have an eye infection and that I have been badly bitten by "something'' ... lol
Anyway I went shopping, for winter clothes... everyone was looking at me like I was a freak for walking arond in shorts and t-shirts... What did they excpect, I had just landed from a 30 degree Singapore?! Worse than that all the shops were closed when I arrived, so I had to leave my hostel in the morning in shorts and t-shirts too!!!
I managed to take in the sights of Perth on my second day, and head south to Fremantle and Rockingham... I would like to say that the place lives up to it's name, but truth be told.... It doesn't!!!
Anyway... I've headed even further south to Margaret River, which is chilled out and pretty, and plan on hitting the South Coast tomorrow.
Not much else to report except everywhere I have stayed so far, the people have been great!
From Margaret River...
xx
It's freezing and I spent my first day here in hospital!
They couldn't work out what was wrong with me... Surprise surprise, just that I have an eye infection and that I have been badly bitten by "something'' ... lol
Anyway I went shopping, for winter clothes... everyone was looking at me like I was a freak for walking arond in shorts and t-shirts... What did they excpect, I had just landed from a 30 degree Singapore?! Worse than that all the shops were closed when I arrived, so I had to leave my hostel in the morning in shorts and t-shirts too!!!
I managed to take in the sights of Perth on my second day, and head south to Fremantle and Rockingham... I would like to say that the place lives up to it's name, but truth be told.... It doesn't!!!
Anyway... I've headed even further south to Margaret River, which is chilled out and pretty, and plan on hitting the South Coast tomorrow.
Not much else to report except everywhere I have stayed so far, the people have been great!
From Margaret River...
xx
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Spotless Singapore
After spending the night in KL, I left for Singapore... yipee a new country, where apparently they have no mozzies?!
Anyway have been here 3 days now, and leave for Australia (Perth) tomorrow morning.... You'll be pleased to hear that I am fully recovered from my ear infection and jelly fish stings... only to have contracted an eye infection, and tens of bed bug bites... mmmm. lovely. It's official, I'm one big walking disaster at the moment. Am really looking forward to getting to a western country although I fear that the bugs over there will love me just as the ones in Asia!?!
Singapore has been fun, I am staying right in the heart of Little India, it reminds me of Sounthall.. lol.. Maybe I'll try and find my sis a nice husband here?! ;o)
I've visited China Town, which was crazy, Sentosa Island, The Aquarium there, and Singapore Zoo, which was really interesting, no cages, so that was nice! I've put a few photos up for you guys to take a look at.
Went to 'Ministry Of Sound' Singapore last night... it was awesome!
Don't exacaly know what I am going to do in Perth, but I have a long flight to figure it out on.
Guess the next time I make contact will be from a different continent... ohhh how exciting...
Catch ya later
xx
Anyway have been here 3 days now, and leave for Australia (Perth) tomorrow morning.... You'll be pleased to hear that I am fully recovered from my ear infection and jelly fish stings... only to have contracted an eye infection, and tens of bed bug bites... mmmm. lovely. It's official, I'm one big walking disaster at the moment. Am really looking forward to getting to a western country although I fear that the bugs over there will love me just as the ones in Asia!?!
Singapore has been fun, I am staying right in the heart of Little India, it reminds me of Sounthall.. lol.. Maybe I'll try and find my sis a nice husband here?! ;o)
I've visited China Town, which was crazy, Sentosa Island, The Aquarium there, and Singapore Zoo, which was really interesting, no cages, so that was nice! I've put a few photos up for you guys to take a look at.
Went to 'Ministry Of Sound' Singapore last night... it was awesome!
Don't exacaly know what I am going to do in Perth, but I have a long flight to figure it out on.
Guess the next time I make contact will be from a different continent... ohhh how exciting...
Catch ya later
xx
Sunday, July 16, 2006
I Love Bali
Ok so back to civilisation... God I wanted to kiss the ground when I arrived here... after Borneo Bali seems like heaven... Its beautiful and swanky and the people are amazing.
I know, what can I say, I am a city girl, you can take the girl out of the city... but....
Anyway Kuta is great and after arriving at 9pm, I headed straight out with Kent, a friend that I made on the plan! We hit the town hard, and partied until the wee hours of the morning. I couln't sleep in late, so I decided to explore, and headed to Bali's cultural capital Ubud. It was great, and I just chilled out there for a while, before booking my trip to the Gili's, and having another wild night out... didn't get backl to my hostel (which is amazing by the way) until 5.45am and I was being picked up for the Gili's at 6am... Thus resulting in another 48 hours stint without sleep, which hopefully I will end tonight, but anything can happen, you know me!?
Unfortuantly I have developed a cold, and I feel the tingle of ear infection coming on, bar the fact that I felt like my head was going to explode on both my flights, so... No diving for a bit.. which sucks! :o(
Anyway to my utter disbelife I bumped into Dominic at a nightclub in Kuta (Dom is one of the guys I trekked with in Pai) It was soooo nice to see him after such a long time, so we hung out togethjer for a while... I should be seeing him again in Bali before I leave, so that will be nice!
Visited Lombok today too so have been pretty busy.
Not much else to say really except the Gili's are beautiful and chilled out and the people here are the friendliest I have met so far, should just be hanging out on the beach tomorrow with the gang that I met on the way over here. Went snorkling today and saw a turtle, as well as lots of jelly fish... not plesant, but they sure kept me on my toes! Am currently recovering from couple of stings!
From The Gili's...
xx
I know, what can I say, I am a city girl, you can take the girl out of the city... but....
Anyway Kuta is great and after arriving at 9pm, I headed straight out with Kent, a friend that I made on the plan! We hit the town hard, and partied until the wee hours of the morning. I couln't sleep in late, so I decided to explore, and headed to Bali's cultural capital Ubud. It was great, and I just chilled out there for a while, before booking my trip to the Gili's, and having another wild night out... didn't get backl to my hostel (which is amazing by the way) until 5.45am and I was being picked up for the Gili's at 6am... Thus resulting in another 48 hours stint without sleep, which hopefully I will end tonight, but anything can happen, you know me!?
Unfortuantly I have developed a cold, and I feel the tingle of ear infection coming on, bar the fact that I felt like my head was going to explode on both my flights, so... No diving for a bit.. which sucks! :o(
Anyway to my utter disbelife I bumped into Dominic at a nightclub in Kuta (Dom is one of the guys I trekked with in Pai) It was soooo nice to see him after such a long time, so we hung out togethjer for a while... I should be seeing him again in Bali before I leave, so that will be nice!
Visited Lombok today too so have been pretty busy.
Not much else to say really except the Gili's are beautiful and chilled out and the people here are the friendliest I have met so far, should just be hanging out on the beach tomorrow with the gang that I met on the way over here. Went snorkling today and saw a turtle, as well as lots of jelly fish... not plesant, but they sure kept me on my toes! Am currently recovering from couple of stings!
From The Gili's...
xx
Saturday, July 15, 2006
"Where are you from?!"
Ok , so, this happens soooo often that I thought it deserved a whole blogg entry to itself!!!
So I’m sure that I have mentioned before that I always get asked where I am from, and things haven’t really changed much over the past 3 months (from India to Indonesia). More some unknown reason Asians are intrigued about my nationality and more to the point my ethnicity… So much so that it drives even the most shy and retiring of people, such as monks to approach me in the street and strike up a conversation with me.
Don’t get me wrong I love it, I speak to more locals than most because of it, and its great. The point is, that when someone asks me where I am from and I reply London… they give me funny look as to say ‘Are you sure about that young lady’ often accompanied by a look of total bewilderment (what they really wanna know, is what my ethnic origin is, and that leads on to me explaining how I was ACTUALLY born in the UK… “No really, I was!”. I put it down to the fact that most of these people have never left home, and they just assume that all white people are either from the UK if they are arrogant and drunk, Oz if they are quirky and USA if they are loud and obnoxious, all Black people are from Africa, and all brown peopl are from India!!! (No offence intended).
It was however taken to a whole new level today when a passer by greeted me (as strangers often do in Asia) with “hello” followed by “Do you speak English”… lol
I just giggled and walked on.
p.s. – I love Bali
;o)
xx
So I’m sure that I have mentioned before that I always get asked where I am from, and things haven’t really changed much over the past 3 months (from India to Indonesia). More some unknown reason Asians are intrigued about my nationality and more to the point my ethnicity… So much so that it drives even the most shy and retiring of people, such as monks to approach me in the street and strike up a conversation with me.
Don’t get me wrong I love it, I speak to more locals than most because of it, and its great. The point is, that when someone asks me where I am from and I reply London… they give me funny look as to say ‘Are you sure about that young lady’ often accompanied by a look of total bewilderment (what they really wanna know, is what my ethnic origin is, and that leads on to me explaining how I was ACTUALLY born in the UK… “No really, I was!”. I put it down to the fact that most of these people have never left home, and they just assume that all white people are either from the UK if they are arrogant and drunk, Oz if they are quirky and USA if they are loud and obnoxious, all Black people are from Africa, and all brown peopl are from India!!! (No offence intended).
It was however taken to a whole new level today when a passer by greeted me (as strangers often do in Asia) with “hello” followed by “Do you speak English”… lol
I just giggled and walked on.
p.s. – I love Bali
;o)
xx
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Sepilok Sanctuary
Borneo has got to be the hardest place I have visited by far!!!
I'm leaving tomorrow for Bali, and I can't wait.
The place is beautiful and the people are nice, but the language barrier, and probably the lack of alcohol and foriegners makes life pretty difficult!
I left the Orangutan Sanctuary in Sepilok this morning after spending 2 nights there and spying on 'The Man of the Jungle' for a couple of days. Sepilok was beautiful, and peaceful (my sanctuary from Sabha), and I met some nice people there, it was nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, especially when everyone is trying to rip you off, even though you know better.
I spent a full day traveling from Semporna to Sandakan, it was a roller coaster ride involving 5 bus journeys, and a flat tyer. I'll upload some photos when I get a faster connection, just thought I would check in 'cos I'm not sure where I am going to be for the next couple of days.
Guess the next time you will hear from me will be from Bali... (Oh forgot to mension decided to take another detoure to Indonisia... lol)
Catch ya later
xx
I'm leaving tomorrow for Bali, and I can't wait.
The place is beautiful and the people are nice, but the language barrier, and probably the lack of alcohol and foriegners makes life pretty difficult!
I left the Orangutan Sanctuary in Sepilok this morning after spending 2 nights there and spying on 'The Man of the Jungle' for a couple of days. Sepilok was beautiful, and peaceful (my sanctuary from Sabha), and I met some nice people there, it was nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, especially when everyone is trying to rip you off, even though you know better.
I spent a full day traveling from Semporna to Sandakan, it was a roller coaster ride involving 5 bus journeys, and a flat tyer. I'll upload some photos when I get a faster connection, just thought I would check in 'cos I'm not sure where I am going to be for the next couple of days.
Guess the next time you will hear from me will be from Bali... (Oh forgot to mension decided to take another detoure to Indonisia... lol)
Catch ya later
xx
Monday, July 10, 2006
Sipadan-tastic
After being awake for 38hrs solid I was feeling rather sorry for myself yesterday, especially after arriving in Semporna (Borneo) at 3pm in the afternoon, only to find out that the whole place was deserted during the day either because it is too hot, or all the cool people are out diving?!
I’d spent the night in KL and didn’t bother getting a room ‘cos I would have had to check out at 3am to catch my flight to Borneo, so in true Sity style I stayed out all night... Hung out in a bar in KL with a cool Brit that I met called Lee... (I know... British and cool... what are the odds?!), thus feeling exhausted and maybe even a little bit home sick the following day?!
Anyway Semporna felt like the end of the world… I mean literally, if the world was flat, Semporna would be at the edge, I tried to get a permit to dive on Sipadan Island, only to find out that the reservation I had made had not gone trough (the icing on my cake)!!!
I checked into a really nice hostel (Dragon Inn) which is built on stilts in the ocean, where I met a gal called Kelly who hooked me up with a permit thus allowing me to make 3 dives in the ‘Worlds Best Dive Site’ today!!! Hooray!
Anyway I saw sharks and turtles… tens of them (among other things), so I’m a happy girl again!
Should be heading to Sipolok tomorrow to the Orangutan Sanctuary, if I ever manage to get out of this place alive, it’s a ghost town during the day, and a cattle market at night… Guess you’ll find out in the next blogg!
Yours a very dubious Sity
xx
I’d spent the night in KL and didn’t bother getting a room ‘cos I would have had to check out at 3am to catch my flight to Borneo, so in true Sity style I stayed out all night... Hung out in a bar in KL with a cool Brit that I met called Lee... (I know... British and cool... what are the odds?!), thus feeling exhausted and maybe even a little bit home sick the following day?!
Anyway Semporna felt like the end of the world… I mean literally, if the world was flat, Semporna would be at the edge, I tried to get a permit to dive on Sipadan Island, only to find out that the reservation I had made had not gone trough (the icing on my cake)!!!
I checked into a really nice hostel (Dragon Inn) which is built on stilts in the ocean, where I met a gal called Kelly who hooked me up with a permit thus allowing me to make 3 dives in the ‘Worlds Best Dive Site’ today!!! Hooray!
Anyway I saw sharks and turtles… tens of them (among other things), so I’m a happy girl again!
Should be heading to Sipolok tomorrow to the Orangutan Sanctuary, if I ever manage to get out of this place alive, it’s a ghost town during the day, and a cattle market at night… Guess you’ll find out in the next blogg!
Yours a very dubious Sity
xx
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Cameron Home-Lands
After taking the Jungle Railway South to Jarantut, I made my way to Taman Nagara National Park, where I did my toughest trekking yet. Ventured across the canopy walkway, which was scary but exciting at the same time! Spent the night there at headed for the Cameron Highlands the following morning for a couple of days, before heading to KL. Stayed at a chilled out place called Brothers. It was nice in the Highlands, the climate was just like at home, sunny and cool, had to sleep with 2 blankets!!!
Anyway did a half day tour there where we visited a Temple (another one), a honey farm, the biggest flower centre in the Highlands, a strawberry farm, a butterfly park, (where I man-handled a scorpion) and the Boe Tea Plantation which was amazing.... Acers and Acers of tea plants… sorry for stating the obvious! lol
The bus journey from The Cameron Highlands to KL was breathtaking… Took a road that snaked through the central mountain range of Malaysia and then dense jungle as far as the eye could see! Nothing but the road, the jungle and us! I must have seen at least 14 waterfalls!!! I love the local bus!
Anyway I had the bright idea of taking a bit of a detoured from my travel itinerary and head somewhere different so am currently in Borneo… fly by the seat of my pants or what!
Not quite sure what I am doing here, apart from some more diving... apparently the best diving in the world... Guess we'll have to wait and see considering I'm still waiting for a diving permit!!!
Will keep you posted.
xx
Anyway did a half day tour there where we visited a Temple (another one), a honey farm, the biggest flower centre in the Highlands, a strawberry farm, a butterfly park, (where I man-handled a scorpion) and the Boe Tea Plantation which was amazing.... Acers and Acers of tea plants… sorry for stating the obvious! lol
The bus journey from The Cameron Highlands to KL was breathtaking… Took a road that snaked through the central mountain range of Malaysia and then dense jungle as far as the eye could see! Nothing but the road, the jungle and us! I must have seen at least 14 waterfalls!!! I love the local bus!
Anyway I had the bright idea of taking a bit of a detoured from my travel itinerary and head somewhere different so am currently in Borneo… fly by the seat of my pants or what!
Not quite sure what I am doing here, apart from some more diving... apparently the best diving in the world... Guess we'll have to wait and see considering I'm still waiting for a diving permit!!!
Will keep you posted.
xx
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Ship Wrecked
I’ve been hanging out in the Perhentian Islands for the past week or so, its sooooo easy to get stuck in that place… It’s beautiful!!!
Spent about 24 hours traveling from Thailand into Malaysia… weird experience crossing the boarder by foot… could have been a little intimidating except for the fact that I had 2 crazy guys keeping me company… Once again, I met them in Chumphon!!!
After a hair raising speed boat trip we arrived on Long Beach, and checked in to the 5 star ‘Rock Bottom’, oh sorry… ‘Rock Garden’ Hostel…
The beach, the weather and the company was great, so great in fact that I ended up getting stuck there for 3 extra days!
The boys and me. (Kent & Jamon) did some diving together, my first wreck dive, and some swim troughs? It was pretty tough but a great experience. I’m glad that the others were there with me, it makes it a lot easier, when you know the other people that you are diving with. As you can see from the photos (which I will put up when I get a better connection), me and the lads got pretty close, and had the best time together (mainly at Palm Tree’s), we became quite well known on the island… not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing?! :o/ Hopefully I’ll see them again soon…?!
A few shout outs…
Shame-on (Jamon) ‘Get out of bed you lazy animal’
Kent – Save up enough cash and haul your backside to Canada
Dave – Keep Jammin’ & eating Roti’s sweetie
I’m off trekking in the jungles of Taman Negara for the next few days, so I guess I’ll be in touch when I get back to civilization…
From Kota Bharu… Over and Out
xx
p.s. - 2 words for you.... 'Monkey Juice' ;o)
Spent about 24 hours traveling from Thailand into Malaysia… weird experience crossing the boarder by foot… could have been a little intimidating except for the fact that I had 2 crazy guys keeping me company… Once again, I met them in Chumphon!!!
After a hair raising speed boat trip we arrived on Long Beach, and checked in to the 5 star ‘Rock Bottom’, oh sorry… ‘Rock Garden’ Hostel…
The beach, the weather and the company was great, so great in fact that I ended up getting stuck there for 3 extra days!
The boys and me. (Kent & Jamon) did some diving together, my first wreck dive, and some swim troughs? It was pretty tough but a great experience. I’m glad that the others were there with me, it makes it a lot easier, when you know the other people that you are diving with. As you can see from the photos (which I will put up when I get a better connection), me and the lads got pretty close, and had the best time together (mainly at Palm Tree’s), we became quite well known on the island… not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing?! :o/ Hopefully I’ll see them again soon…?!
A few shout outs…
Shame-on (Jamon) ‘Get out of bed you lazy animal’
Kent – Save up enough cash and haul your backside to Canada
Dave – Keep Jammin’ & eating Roti’s sweetie
I’m off trekking in the jungles of Taman Negara for the next few days, so I guess I’ll be in touch when I get back to civilization…
From Kota Bharu… Over and Out
xx
p.s. - 2 words for you.... 'Monkey Juice' ;o)
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