I'M IN BRISVEGAS BABY!

Yep, it's come round that quick. I am in Australia already. Cannot believe how fast the last few months have gone. Oz always seemed like such a far off dream... Well best get up-to-date with my movements since I was in the Gilis. Bear with me while I play catch-up...

Spent another day in paradise and got the super-slow boat back to Bali with the team. This involved a small boat to Lombok, a gauntlet of transport hustlers, a 3 hour bus ride and then a 4 hour ferry. It was ridiculously hot. On the ferry itself it's like some sort of hassle-market central. 100s of locals trying to sell you things, the seats that your sitting on(?!) etc. It was all abit much after 10 days of peace and quiet (sort of...). Got back to Kuta and booked into the hotel the lads had been staying at before I met them. Four of us in a room again, cosy :) Kuta the second time round was much more fun, probably because I actually had friends this time. haha. It's a completely mad place; massive sensory overload at all turns. Traffic, music, lights, all coming at you about a million miles an hour. BIG contrast to the Gilis. But unlimited free drinks, 3 hours of all-you-can-drink Heineken for about 3 quid, and HUGE clubs helped ease us back into this crazy town. Had alot of fun messing around in the hotel pool watching the boys do their synchronised swimming... and covering myself in suncream and sliding along tiled floors... you know, standard. We went to a waterpark called Waterbom which was AMAZING. This one ride called Climax you stand in this little glass capsule and the guy counts you down and then a hatch at your feet drops you down a vertical slide that does a loop-the-loop! It's MAD fun. That was a really great day, floating about in tubes on the lazy river, trying to race on the slides, Parker going nuts with excitement like a kid. It was a good end to our holiday. On our last day we checked out and went bowling, well I watched, having run out of rupiah again. Some great skills demonstrated by all present. Then it was off to watch the sunset on the beach, which is really, really gorgeous in Kuta. This was the day I had to suck up my pride and buy some flipflops. I had been barefoot for nearly 10 days, and was quite frankly loving it. It's very liberating you know, you should try it. Clubbing barefoot? Feels GREAT. So it was off to the airport, and goodbye to Bali. Strangely, all had our flight on the same night, but the boys' was 7 hours before mine, so they went through departures and left me to spend another broken night in an airport. Gotta say this was one of the hardest things I've done since Nai left me in Bangkok, pretty similar. Really bonded with these guys, definately made friends for life, and I was completely gutted to lose them so soon after meeting. Promised myelf that I will see them again.

So back to Singapore, AGAIN. Had come down with a nasty cough and cold after the revelery of Bali, so it was time for a major detox before heading to Aus. I tried some dubious 'Fried Carrot Cake' at a Hawkers Centre - actually more like an omlete with unidentified white squishy stuff in it. Never been near a carrot - or a cake - in its life! Had a pretty tight budget so I was sticking to super cheap food and activities. Blew that on a digital watch. Sick of not being able to tell the time at night! I slept. Lots. A rather odd police officer tried to buy me a beer at 11am. hmm. Went round Chinatown and the waterfront at night, I love Singapore at night. It's so beautiful. It was a lot quieter than last time; when the Kiddie Olympics were on. Watched some Rugby League in a pub. Really wanted to get to Aus by then. My last days in Asia. It has really opened my eyes to so much, but I was ready to leave the heat, the noise, the chaos, people constantly gawping at me... I'll be back I'm sure.

Night flight to Brisbane with Etihad went smoothly. Didn't sleep a wink but watched some good films. It was BLISS to arrive outside the airport and not immediately start sweating. It's a gorgeous climate at this time of year in Brisbane. Sunny, fresh air, low twenties. AH! Since arriving at the hostel I've been mainly indulging in western foods (think I've drunk about 2 litres of milk already!) such as cereal, marmite (a very poor version of the one at home. They managed to get the flavour AND texture wrong. Idiots!) and lots of toast. Carb central, haha. Also just trying to get over the cold that's lurking and recuperate abit. Not really met anyone yet even though the hostel I'm staying at is HUGE. Plently of time to make friends. It's also nice not to have a language barrier with everyone for the first time in months. The area of Brisbane I'm in - the West End is really cute, loads of little cafes and shops and nice food. Heading into the city today for some sightseeing.

Miss you all, lots of love

El