16th feb - A minibus picked me up from the bus station and took me to the hostel - i stocked up on supplies for tea then headed back to my room - my first encounter with my roomate was over a cockroach - there was one in my room and i was a litte freaked out as it had been near my rucksack and was now under my bed - my roomie returned at this point and said i looked horrified - he caught/killed the cockroach for me :) It poured with rain all night so most people stayed in at the hostel

17th feb - I braved the weather and walked into town - Newcastle is a small industrial town, parts of which are a little run down. Money is being put into the town with old buildings been taken over and renovated. There wasnt really much in the town itself - ended up going to the cinema in the afternoon to see He's Just Not That Into You. Newcastle is a very studenty city with a great cafe/bar scene and beautiful beaches but with horrible weather it really isnt all that nice.

18th feb - minibus took me to bus station at 9am - next stop Port Macquarie