Hi Everyone,

Sorry I havent been updating the blog recently, Im working on it and it should be fully up to date soon but theres quite a lot to cover because Ive been so slack!

Ive been in australia for about 2 weeks now, I landed in Sydney and Im working my way north to Cairns. Ive stopped in Sydney, Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay and Im currently in Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast. I will be moving on to Brisbane soon. I have a ticket for the first day of the test match there so looking forward to that!

Nick

Right, here it is...........

Saturday 30th October
Tanah Rata - Penang

I got up early to catch the coach to Penang, an island off the north west coast of malaysia which is linked to the mainland by a very long bridge. Penang is also a state which includes the island and is sometimes used as the name of the main city of the island (more commonly known as geargetown) so it was all a bit confusing and hence I wasn't entirely sure whereabouts I was going to get dropped off! We had a bit of a mad coach driver but the scenery en route was nice. On arrival I got a taxi from the bus station into georgetown (which was a fair way in the end) with a german girl who was on the bus and then I checked in at the hostel I had booked in the centre of town. I had a brief wander around then went for a lie down as I was still feeling a bit ropey from lack of sleep.

Later on I went out to get some food (had thai this time) then met up with an irish guy called Neal back at the hostel and we went out to watch arsenal v west ham on the tv in a bar. We then went back to the hostel and tried to watch the man utd v spurs game there but I fell asleep before half time and went to bed.

Sunday 31st October
Penang
After breakfast I did a bit more site seeing in the city, it has some niceish old colonial buildings and an old british fort but I couldn't really see how the place justified its status as a UNESCO world heritage site. Its quite a scruffy low rise sort of a place but like Kuala Lumpur the streets were full of life and character. I had a wander round little india which was really buzzing in the lead up to deepvalli and I picked up some lovely freshly made samosas and bhajis for lunch for the equivalent of less than a pound. I also went down to the coast where I spent a while watching a load of crazy hole-digging crabs on the small stretch of sand on the shoreline.

Later on I met a guy called seb from London at the hostel and did a bit more exploring with him. I searched for ages for a cash machine and eventually found one before going out for a curry with seb and neal in evening. We then went back and watched newcastle v sunderland at the hostel before going to bed.

Monday 1st November
Penang
After breakfast I got a bus to a national park in north east corner of island with an ozzie guy and a dutch girl from the hostel. Its an area of lush jungle and we did a quite long trek through it. We saw some wild monkeys at 'monkey beach' and I got attacked and bitten by some pretty nasty swarming flies! On the edges of the jungle were some beautiful untouched beaches but the weather was bad again so we didn't take a dip. Once we had finished there about 2 we had a nice bit of curry for lunch before returning to city on a bus that seemed to take forever! I then spent a while trying to work out what to do next, I wanted to go to a Thai Island called phi phi and I had previously booked a flight back from Phuket to singapore. Unfortunately, as the weather had been so bad I couldn't get to thailand by bus or train due to flooding around the border and all the flights were full - I decided to extend my stay in Penang for one night in the hope that the flooding would clear.

A group of us from the hostel (including another guy from bournemouth) went out in evening for a lovely chinese/malay dinner then we had some drinks at the hostel and more drinks til late in a few local bars. Unfortunately there weren't many people around but we made the most of it!

Tuesday 2nd November
Penang
I spent most of the day relaxing/recovering from the night before. In the evening, since the flooding had still not abated I decided to cut my losses and head south to a city called melaka. I booked a hostel for the following two nights and checked the bus times. Neal and seb eventually decided to come with me as their plans had also been scuppered by the weather.

Wednesday 3rd November
Penang-Melaka
After breakfast and check out we got the short, free ferry to the coach terminal on the mainland which, as it turned out, was much easier than getting the taxi to the one on the island and we boarded the coach for the long journey to melaka which is on the south west coast of malaysia. We arrived early in the evening, checked into hostel then I went for a chinese with neal and seb. We tried to find a bar but nothing much was going on so we returned to the hostel and went to bed.

Thursday 4th November
Melaka
The 3 of us went over the road to a nice cafe for breakfast then we had a look around. There wasn't a massive amount to see but it was quite pleasant down by the river which runs through the city centre and there were some interesting historical buildings, we also had a look around a museum after lunch. Whilst walking around I tripped and managed to smash open my big toe which caused some amusement to the others and some pain for me. Melaka had a similar feel to georgetown but wasn't as lively since there clearly wasn't a great deal to do in melaka I decided to move on to singapore the following day and I booked some accommodation later in the afternoon.

In the evening we tried a newer area of town near the sea to see if there was any nightlife there. We had a curry for dinner which wasn't up to the standards of elsewhere and we found a bar where there was a little bit going on and had a few drinks there before going home about 12.

Friday 5th November
Melaka-Singapore
The 3 of us headed over to the bus station after breakfast and I boarded mine south to singapore the other 2 went north to Kuala Lumpur.

I arrived in singapore city late afternoon and it took me a little while to work out where I was in relation to the hostel but eventually I got there via the metro wet and tired! After settling in I went up the road to pick up some dinner then came back and had a relatively early night.

Saturday 6th November
Singapore

I set off in the morning to see the sights of the city. The hostel wasn't that central so I had to get on the metro. I got off near the bay and had a look round the impressive new buildings and other structures they have built there then I took a footbridge over the water and walked around the other side of the bay through a pretty spectacular new waterside mall that was partially open but still under construction. This led me to the CBD and its towering office blocks but there were quite a few interesting things to see at street level on the waterfront. I passed through this area and then made my way to chinatown more by accident than design!

I had a look round there and picked up some refreshments before heading back to the other side of the city centre over the river where the old colonial government buildings are. I also had a look round an electronics mall here which the guy at the hostel had recommended for cameras but I didn't buy one. Just as I left here I noticed a rugby 7s tournament was going on nearby, as I walked over James Brown, a guy I went to uni with in sheffield (not the singer) came out! Turns out he's been living in singapore for a few years. We went for a beer by the riverside and caught up then we were joined by a few of his mates. We had dinner and a few more drinks and I arranged to meet up with james the following day, I got a taxi back to the hostel about midnight.

Sunday 7th November
Singapore
After breakfast I walked down to the coast where they have reclaimed some land to build a seafront park and a stretch of beach. I walked up and down this stretch for a bit but was feeling a little worse for wear from the night before, this wasn't helped by how humid the weather was. There was an amazing number of container ships just off the coast waiting to dock in the port. Later on I walked back to the hostel and then I headed out again towards the arabic quarter of the city which wasn't especially interesting so I moved on to the slightly chaotic little india where I met James again for a nice curry and a few beers. He had work in the evening so we left about half 9 and I went back to the hostel and my bed after wishing him well.

Monday 8th November
Singapore-Sydney
I got up and checked out but the staff let me leave my bag in reception as my flight wasn't until the evening. I went over to the main shopping street, had a look around some of the dramatic new malls they have built there and managed to buy a camera after some monetary negotiations. Then I had a walk back down to the city centre, although it wasn't sunny it was very warm and humid. I got the metro back to the hostel, picked up some food and then headed out again on the metro to the airport. I really liked singapore, I'd had some mixed reports so was pleasantly surprised. Its as neat and tidy as everyone says but it was more lively and vibrant than I'd expected plus there was loads to see and loads going on.

I had an overnight flight to sydney with quantas. Despite a late take off due to an ash cloud from the indonesian volcano, the flight was fine but I struggled to sleep and felt exhausted when I arrived.

Tuesday 9th November
Sydney
After landing around 7 and getting through customs etc (where I got in a bit of a pickle after trying to fill in the form on the plane without all the lights on!) I managed to get a minibus to the hostel. They couldn't check me in as it was so early so I put my bags in the store and fell asleep on a sofa in the tv room. Once I was allowed into my dorm I went to bed to get some overdue kip!

In the evening I met up with an old friend from back home, paul tucker, who is living in sydney at the moment. We had dinner at a nice italian restaurant and had a good catch up. Paul drove us back to his flat which has a massive balcony with a great view over the city. He dropped off his car and we went for a few drinks near his place. We finished about 11 and I walked back to the hostel.

Wednesday 10th November
Sydney
I got up and went for walk into the city, en route I went through the botanic gardens where they have a huge population of flying foxes hanging from the trees. I arrived at the harbour edge and saw the famous harbour bridge and opera house. I passed the circular quays where the ferrys arrive then I walked up towards the CBD and the shopping area where I picked up some lunch.

Later on I went over to another wharf at a secondary harbour inlet whose name I have forgotten. There they have an aquarium, the convention centre and some chinese gardens. Whilst I was here a massive thunder storm came overhead and I hid for cover under a flyover for an hour or so until it had passed. I then walked through the rest of the city centre and a market area to the central station where I caught a train back to Kings Cross station which was a ten minute walk from the hostel.

On my return I did some food shoppimg then I made myself pasta for dinner. I don't remember much about the rest of the evening so I assume I went to bed early.

Thursday 11th November
Sydney
After a bit of a slow morning I got my beach stuff together and headed off to Manley on the other side of the harbour. I walked back down to circular quays and hopped on a ferry. I thought manley was nice, it has a beach on both the harbour and the ocean which are separated by the town and a short walk. I went to the ocean side and sun bathed for a while. Then I went for a stroll along the beach and a quick dip in the pacific! I had to get the ferry back as I had arranged to meet paul in the early evening back at the hostel.

Once I got back I met paul and gave him a load of stuff from my backpack which I didn't think I'd be needing in australia, ill pick it up again when I return to Sydney in early january. After he'd left I booked my accommodation and coach trip for the following day. I had done a bit of research and decided to head to a seaside place called Coffs Harbour 8 hours north of sydney. I hadn't previously appreciated that the majority of the sites on the east coast were so much further north and, unfortunately, my best option to get there was an overnight bus. After cooking myself dinner I joined a bit of a hostel night out to a club in the Kings Cross area and I got home about 1.

Friday 12th November
Sydney-Coffs Harbour

I checked out in the morning but I was able to leave my bags at the hostel until my coach left and I decided to head over to bondi beach. I made myself some brunch then I got the train from Kings Cross to bondi junction and walked to the beach. I sat on the main beach for a while then walked around the rocks at the head of the beach where there was quite an interesting outdoor sculpture park on a coastal path. I bought a refreshing ice lolly before following the path past more sculptures and another headland which lead to a beautiful cove beach.

I walked back to bondi junction then got the train back to kings cross again. From there I walked back to see a few of the things I had missed in the city centre. I picked up some dinner there then headed back to the hostel where I picked up my much lighter bags and took a leisurely stroll to the coach station back in the city where I got on the overnight coach to coffs harbour. I found Sydney to be a really relaxed, sociable and beautiful city and I can see why people love living here and visiting so much.

Saturday 13th November
Coffs Harbour

I arrived in Coffs around 6.30am having failed to get much sleep on the coach, luckily there was a minibus from the hostel waiting to pick me up. I got on the mini bus with a guy called max from sherbourne who had run out of money and was trying to find some work in coffs, he had come in on the slightly earlier bus and was similarly knackered. We got to the hostel before reception was open and we both fell asleep on the sofas. When I woke up about 9 max had disappeared but the reception was open and they let me check in and go to my proper bed. I was woken up about 12 by a guy from the hostel trying to organise a 'games day' for the hostel. I eventually agreed to join in.

The games day consisted of walking around the town in teams undertaking and recording various sorts of strange and daring tasks. For some reason I was made captain of my team even though I had only just arrived, didnt know the town or anyone at the hostel and had only had 4 hours sleep! Suffice to say it was really my sort of thing but some of it was fun. It went on for way too long though and was actually pretty tiring, a hell of a lot of walking was involved as althought the town isnt big at all it is very spread out. Unfortunately I stubbed my bloody toe again and I also hurt my other foot standing on something in the creek whist doing the rope swing task, by the evening I was a knackered, limping wreck! My team came an undistinguished last place but we fiinished the day with a really nice bbq/drinks and a party on the beach. It was a good way to get to know the people I was staying with. We had few more drinks back at the hostel but the rest of the evening is a blank! I think I was a victim of 'burning the candle at both ends' as mum would say!

Sunday 14th November
Coffs Harbour

I woke up at 7am in just my shorts on the sofa in reception again! I have no idea how I got there as all my clothes, keys and valuables were back in my room. I had to knock on the door for someone to let me back into the dorm and I got a few more hours sleep.

After getting up and getting some food I went back to bed again in the early afternoon as I felt pretty exhausted. Later on I picked up some food supplies for the next few days, booked in to go white water rafting the following day and cooked some dinner. In the evening the hostel organised a bowling night out which I went along to then turned in for the night.

Monday 15th November
Coffs Harbour
I had to get up early as the white water rafting crew picked me and another guy up from the hostel at 7. The bus took us out into the bush on a dirt track and we eventually came to a clearing next to the river where the rafting was to start. They served us some breakfast and then gave us the introduction information. Once we got in the water I came off the boat on the first rapid! I got back on board after a little while in the water and managed to stay there for the rest of the trip. The whole thing lasted for quite a few hours and was good fun but a little more stop start than I had imagined. We had some cliff jumping along the way and we finished of with a bbq in the afternoon alongside the river.

After replacing two tyres that blew on the track coming back from the river, the bus dropped us off back at the hostel around 5. I went down to see the beach and the harbour/marina as I hadn't seen it in the daylight yet and I had a walk around there for a few hours before heading back to make myself some dinner. I liked the place I was staying at so I booked in for another night.

Max had now reappeared since the hostel now had room for him, apparently he had spent the previous 2 nights sleeping on the beach under the wharf! He joined our team for the hostel's quiz night which my we won. We then celebrated with a few drinking games before heading to bed.

Tuesday 16th November
Coffs Harbour
I didn't do much in the daytime due to rain but I did manage to sort out my plans for the following few days. In the late afternoon we went out kayaking up the creek near to the hostel which was fun but spoiled a bit by the rain. In the evening we had fish and chips courtesy of the hostel and later on we went to a bar in the town for some drinks and a bit of karaoke. I stayed relatively sober as I had to get up early to catch a bus north to Byron Bay, I packed my bags then went to bed.

Wednesday 17th November
Coffs Harbour - Byron Bay
I had to get the bus at 6.30am so was up by 5. A guy from the hostel dropped a few of us off at the coach station and I boarded the coach to Byron Bay. When I arrived at the new hostel around 11 I couldn't check in so I put my bags in store and went for a look around. Whilst I was picking up some bruch from subway I bumped into a group of guys who I had met in the hostel at sydney. They are two canadians called Trevor and Kenny, an irishman called Michael and a spanish girl called Suzannah. They were heading for the lighthouse at the end of the bay which is the most easterly point of mainland Australia so I joined them on their walk. We saw some dolphins just off the headland and the scenery there is beautiful.

I managed to check in around 3, did some well overdue washing, chatted to a few people in the dorm then picked up some dinner and headed over to the hostel where the guys were staying down the road. I had a few drinks with them there then we went out around 10 and saw some of the local nightspots. I got home about 1am and went to bed.

Thursday 18th November
Byron Bay
I woke up on Thursday morning feeling tired, hungover and a little sorry for myself. When I eventually pulled myself out of bed I headed down to the beach and sat there thinking for a bit, I was having my first pangs of homesickness! The weather still wasn't great and I went back to the hostel for a bit before getting some food supplies from the supermarket and making myself an early dinner.

I had booked four nights in Byron but the others were travelling up to Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast the next day so I decided to go with them - I was getting a little tired of travelling alone. After sorting out our plans with them I went back to the hostel again, cancelled my second two nights, read up a bit on where to go in the area and then went to bed feeling a bit better about things!

Friday 19th November
Byron Bay - Surfers Paradise
I checked out and headed over to the bus station to pick up the coach at 10am to Surfers. I met the others there and we got on board.

The weather was wet again so we couldn't hit the beach on arrival. We said bye to suzanah who was going to spend some time with a friend who lived locally then we checked in to the hostel, had a bit of food and then had a look round the town. Surfers was much as I had expected, a long sandy beach with enormous apartment buildings fronting it. The town itself is the centre of the gold coast sprawl and is extremely touristy, its also a bit tacky for my taste. Although it has a lot of high rise buildings its actually quite small and easy to get around on foot.

We had a few drinks in a bar in town then went back to the hostel and relaxed for a bit before going out again to meet up with suzanah and her friend briefly. Then we returned to the hostel again where they persuaded us to join them on an arranged trip to a nightclub. I didn't stay the duration and came back about 1.

Saturday 20th November
Surfers Paradise

We went down to the beach in the morning even though it was a bit windy and overcast. We had a bit of a splash around in the sea which was quite rough but warm then some very dark clouds started moving over so we headed back after picking up some food supplies.

I made everyone chile con carne for lunch then we spent the rainy afternoon doing not much at all. The others had a few beers but I didn't feel like it and in the evening I went for a bit of a walk then went to bed early.