http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/I'm going to try and keep a diary of my travels so you can follow my journey!!en-EUMokoFeed10http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/0e/d93591ef5c29e7e99f4d7000cb266b_160x200.jpghttp://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/03/21/hollywood_or_bust~663497/tag:helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk,2006-03-21:/2006/03/21/hollywood_or_bust~663497/Tue, 21 Mar 2006 12:32:40 +0100 <p>Well I got to Los Angeles and was absolutely knackered so we got a chinese and just went to sleep ready for a full day of shopping the next day.</p> <p>We wandered up the road to find ourselves in Venice Beach which was amazing. Also known as Muscle Beach we walked along the Ocean Path past many a shop selling tacky souvenirs and millions of T-Shirts - Which I hasten to add Rich bought most of! We then headed to the shopping mall for a last major hit on the credit cards.</p> <p>So I left my purse at home and just took my credit card and debit card - shopping here I come and I was in my element. The shoe shops were amazing - and I confess to purchasing about 4 pairs today - however, I did throw a wobbler when I was nicely told that without ID no where in the mall would accept my credit card as LA is the capital for Credit card fraud. Did I shout? Yes and even threw my card on the floor!! But then calmed down and realised that all was not lost and I could get money out on my credit card - so problem solved and shopping I did!! A few hundred pounds later and we collapsed back at the hotel. </p> <p>That evening we wandered down the road to the Pasta Factory where we enjoyed home made pasta which was beautiful but we were perhaps a little too tired to fully appreciate it.</p> <p>So Thursday dawned and we hopped on the bus to start our tour of LA. It was fantastic. A great city but not one I would revisit. Once you've walked along the hall of fame and seen all the footprints in the concrete, visited Rodeo Drive and pretended to be Pretty Woman, and stuffed your face it's kind of over!! Don't get me wrong it was a fantastic way to end my trip but Friday came and I was ready to fly home.</p> <p>So yes I am home, and have been for a week. It's bloody freezing here but it's back to reality and work tomorrow which bizarrely I'm really looking forward to.</p> <p>To conclude, I would just add that I met some fantastic people while I was away, some of whom will be in my life for a long time I hope. You are all very special and whilst I had a great time, home is where the heart is. If you get the chance to do what I did, grab it with both hands and run. I had an amazing time and will treasure my memories forever.</p> <p>Hels Bels<br> xxxx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/03/21/hollywood_or_bust~663497/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/03/21/hollywood_or_bust~663497/#commentshttp://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/03/07/dear_john~619672/tag:helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk,2006-03-07:/2006/03/07/dear_john~619672/Tue, 07 Mar 2006 08:59:58 +0100 <p>I'm dedicating this to John, a man who was there for me when I needed someone to give me a kick up the backside, or make me laugh, someone who could always motivate you to get your next temp out working and pour a glass of wine down your neck when you hadn't. John was thrilled for me when I announced my plans to come away and sent me packing, with the promise that I would be missed and would not be allowed a day off when I returned as he would have me back at my desk straight away! He rang me on New Years Day and again a few weeks later to check I was having a good time and to ask me to come back to work!! Ever the hopeful was John, but I kept saying no. I promised him I'd be back in March once I had achieved what I had set out to do and he accepted this. I know John would be proud of me for everything I have done and achieved, and no doubt a little jealous, but I'll bet one thing he doesn't know is how much he'll be missed by me, and everyone that knew him. John was a fantastic man, with a heart of gold. Sure he had his bad points, but don't we all? So, after getting the sad news of his death I made sure that I did everything I wanted to do, after all life is too short not to.</p> <p>So after visiting Pearl Harbour and purchasing my beautiful Diamonds and Pearls Ring (yes - ever the true Prince fan I am!) Rich and I headed back to Waikiki and went to the beach. At last the sun was shining which believe me was a treat. That evening we headed out for dinner, and then headed back.</p> <p>Saturday we were booked onto an afternoons trip out on a boat, however, as we were well used to the rain was falling and given that we had only paid a deposit and I was stricken with a bit of a cold and the worst sore throat ever we decided to bin it off. So we went to Denny's for lunch (we had seen this place on the first day and then couldn't find it for love nor money - until a taxi driver showed us where it was - RIGHT OPPOSITE THE HOTEL!!) and as we sat there eating our Eggs Over Medium (whatever that is) the sun started to shine. So we fed our faces as quickly as possible and hit the beach, where we found a friend. Along came Carl....</p> <p>Carl is this short little black man from Arizona who is working in Waikiki and was on his day off and told us how he is king!! He even got a crown from Burger King and wore it on the beach. Every female that moved he was onto, despite the fact that he was old enough to be their grandfather, and then persuaded me to go ask a little Japanese girl if we could borrow her surf board for a photo - one photo. Oh no, 10 photos later and he was the Surf God of Waikiki!! He insisted on taking my email address, and bought us a beer (which is always good although incurred a telling off from an official about drinking on the beach!) and then inviting us to a barbeque the next day. Unfortunately we were busy!!!!!!!!!!!!</p> <p>So after a bit of a baking in the sun we headed back to get ready to go eat at The Cheesecake Factory. So many people have told me about this place and how fantastic the food is, and the desserts are wicked and now it's my turn. It's FAB, go there if you're near one, the food is great and well I've never seen so many different varieties of cheesecake - right now there are 2 pieces sat next to the computer screen waiting to be scoffed - so I won't be much longer - either that or the keyboard will get very messy!</p> <p>Sunday and again the sun was shining so we hit the beach again, after breakfast at Dennys - now we'd found it we were going to go there every bloody day!! Roll on Sunday night though - this one's for me and Lyndy. Remember those days when we used to sit and watch Grease 2 and them all bopping at the Luau - well we went to the Paradise Cove Luau on Sunday night Lyndy!! You would have loved it. It was a fantastic night and we had front row seats for everything. I made a lei for my arm and we were given fresh lei's when we arrived. I have photos to prove my following statement. We arrived and had to have our photos taken with a polynesian girl and guy and the guy - wow!! Think John, the Gardener from Desperate Housewives - oh yes girlies - he was gorgeous!!! He asked if we wanted a photo together and I replied that I would rather keep him for myself but nevertheless we had one anyway. </p> <p>So the show started and they were throwing fire, dancing with coconut bras, and generally wearing not a lot. The band was great, the food was excellent and the atmosphere was just electric. Towards the end they invited people onto the stage and the people were selected by the dancers. So being me I kept my head down (I did I promise!) and just drank my drink and checked the photos I had taken earlier, when all of a sudden I'm tapped on the shoulder by John, the Gardener from DH - aka FIT BLOKE IN VERY LITTLE - and taken away from the table. As I walked away from the table I was vaguely aware that most people were already on the stage, yet we were headed around the back where it was dark - "I can handle this" I thought, until we get backstage and he puts a couple of shaker things in my hands and shows me what he wants me to do. He told me to just keep facing him, hold the shakers above my head and shake them whilst girating my hips in his direction. I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me, and just kept laughing. When asked if I'd been drinking I replied yes, to which he said "just let the drink kick in baby"!! So we head on stage, and I'm ok thinking I'll be one of a few people on the stage, and he turns to me and says "by the way, I forgot to tell you it's just going to be you and me on the stage"!!!!!!!! Oh My God!!! </p> <p>So in true Helen form, I let the exhibitionist side of me come through and shook my thang on stage in front of some 500 people, with this gorgeous man who made it soooo easy!! I received a certificate to say I had passed an Accelerated course in Hula and a kiss from J, G from DH!! Photos to prove it girlies!!</p> <p>All to quickly the evening ended and we left with our souvenir glasses acquired on the sly by our lovely lovely waiter for us as the real souvenirs were plastic and not great. We then got out the front and I had my photo taken with J, G from DH and he gave me his lei - which I'm assured means he's going to call me!!!!!!!! </p> <p>Today, once again, the sun was shining so we hit the beach for a bit more baking before heading back to get ready for the show that all our mums would love. Yes we went to see Elvis in Blue Hawaii!!!!! It was hideously tacky but loads of fun, and he was actually quite good. Very tall, but very good. And I got to sit on Elvis' lap!! So exciting!!!!!!!!</p> <p>So you see John, I'm doing everything I can for you. I fly to Los Angeles tomorrow morning where I will be to say goodbye to you. I tried to fly home but the timings were so tight it would have been a nightmare, and I figure that I can say goodbye to you wherever I am, and you can enjoy some of the fun with me. My heart goes out to all of you who will be attending Johns funeral, and I am going to be there in spirit too. </p> <p>So for now, I say Aloha to you all, including John, and will promise to make sure that the last few days of my trip in LA are just as fab and worthwhile as the rest. </p> <p>Thinking of you<br> Hels Bels<br> xxxx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/03/07/dear_john~619672/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/03/07/dear_john~619672/#commentshttp://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/03/04/aloha_hawaii~611086/tag:helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk,2006-03-04:/2006/03/04/aloha_hawaii~611086/Sat, 04 Mar 2006 01:56:45 +0100 <p>So we flew at midnight on Tuesday 28th February ok??? 7 hour flight ok?? So we land on Wednesday at 11am yes..........</p> <p>No.........We arrived at 11am on Tuesday 28th February?????? Totally plays with your head but there you have it - we crossed the international date line and found ourselves in Groundhog day - although a better location with more civilisation. Didn't really sink in that I had arrived in Hawaii - yes there are palm trees everywhere and yes everyone is wearing hideous hawaiian shirts but STILL the sun is not shining!!!! I feel like I'm chasing something that is non existant!!</p> <p>SO we relived Tuesday, had a sleep and then went for a walk around Waikiki trying to orientate ourselves. Found Macys which is great as some of you will know and then grabbed ourselves some totally american fast food in the form of Taco Bell (Mexican fast food??). Wednesday and still no sun, but a shopping trip in town was on the cards and I dragged Rich around the shops but relented after about an hour and we just mooched. That evening we went for dinner on the Top of Waikiki which is a revolving restaurant which overlooks the whole of Waikiki - it was beautiful, the food was fab and the company was ok!!</p> <p>Yesterday I went shopping at the Ala Moana Centre and managed to kill 5 hours having a great time!! Only managed to buy a pair of jeans, 2 tops and a holiday outfit - still looking for my trainers and some Levis - but I did purchase a beautiful pair of Guess shoes - I know more shoes but it's my thing!! Dinner was a quiet affair in a gorgeous chinese restaurant - it is billed as the Most Beautiful Chinese Restaurant in the World, and it is. What isn't quite SO beautiful is the way the staff hover over you, serve your main course before you've almost started your Entree and then stare at you. Granted we were the last people in the restaurant but it was ONLY 9.30pm. So very naughtily we accidentally you understand spilt some sauce on the table, knocked some rice on the glass and counted out the bill to the exact penny. Fab food, fab surroundings, again the company was ok, but shocking service!</p> <p>Today we headed out to Pearl Harbour. Very naively I didn't realise that Pearl Harbour was in Hawaii - I thought it was in Japan which gave Richard a few laughs at my expense. However, I am educated now and am glad I went. It was very though provoking and kind of made you really sad, but it was as I say, an education. I must head up to the bathroom and check my forehead in a minute as I think I have sucker written on it. For on the way back to the shuttle bus I was given a ticket for a free spin in a tombola - FREE - you know me, I was there!! So I span and got a voucher for 60% off my very own pearl which I could harvest. So I did, and it was beautiful. So I am now the proud owner of a gorgeous Pearl and diamond ring from Pearl Harbour, Hawaii, and need to start work asap to pay it off!!!!!</p> <p>Anyway, off to a Luau and the Blue Hawaii Elvis show at some point and then fly onto LA on Tuesday. Will try and update with my elvis and luau stories.</p> <p>Love to everyone and stay safe<br> Hels Bels<br> xxx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/03/04/aloha_hawaii~611086/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/03/04/aloha_hawaii~611086/#commentshttp://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/03/04/bula_fiji~611070/tag:helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk,2006-03-04:/2006/03/04/bula_fiji~611070/Sat, 04 Mar 2006 01:42:16 +0100 <p>Ok, ok, ok I know. I'm sorry. I did try to update my website whilst in Fiji but you have to appreciate that in these beautiful places, with white sandy beaches, gorgeous sunshine, and fab cocktails that internet access is not a high priority for the Fijians!! But I'm here now! So here goes.</p> <p>Landed in Fiji and made my way to the Feejee Experience office where I was given my shell 'Lei' and advised to take a seat whilst the other people arrived and we got chauffeur driven in the Feejee Experience Stretch Limo to the hotel!! So got chatting to Amanda who was also starting the FE the next day, staying in the same hotel and was from Horsham and round about the same age as me. So we chatted and soon made friends. Upon sight of the Limo we both laughed. The Limo was Green, with Feejee Experience graffiti'd down the side of it and to say it was slightly battered would be an understatement! But it all added to the 'Experience!'</p> <p>We arrived at the Nadi Bay Hotel where we checked into the dorm room. Well, I thought I had had my worst experience in a dorm that I could have but I was proved wrong. And I'm sure you'll understand why Manda and I very quickly made a pact to share the cost of twin rooms all the way after this first night. We managed to bag ourselves bottom bunks only to have this huge fat australia lard arse grab the bed next to us. He was fat, rude and not the nicest man I ever met. He watched us sort our stuff out and get changed. We went to bed and he spent the whole night coughing spluttering and generally sounding like he was throwing his guts up. I was awoken at 3am to him couching something into his sheet and then screwing it up and watching me. So I made a great show of huffing and puffing and turning my back to him. Little did I realise in my half asleep state that Manda was doing exactly the same thing!! In the morning he woke, got up and stretched his arms up high, and let one rip!! A big one!! Manda and I packed our stuff and I think it's fair to say that the experience was the start of a great friendship!!</p> <p>So we got on the coach and met Bola our guide and William the driver who told us we were going to the local beach for our briefing. Great - beach already! Except that we drove to the beach which was covered in litter and sat on the coach and looked out the window whilst Bola told us what we were going to be doing today! We headed into Nadi town to buy Sulus (sarongs to you and me - and yes I had 2 with me and Yes I bought another!) and anything else in general. We picked up a waif and stray who had overslept who joined the intrepid bus for the trip. There was myself and Manda, 3 lads from Halifax (Oli, Mark & Andy), Gemma from Plymouth, Jaime the air steward from Liverpool and the waif by the name of Richard also from up norf!!</p> <p>From Nadi we headed to Natadola Beach which according to the Lonely Planet guide is 'probably the most beautiful beach on the mainland'. All I can say is that Manda and I were worried. THe diggers at the end of the beach didn't help and the clouds blocking the sun weren't too great either - other than that great! We all chipped in for a barbeque which Bola and William put together for us and generally started to get to know each other. </p> <p>From the beach (and the boys poor effort at a game of footie!) we headed to Malo-Malo which is a real Fijian village. The way these guys live out here is amazing and truly makes you grateful for everything that we take for granted in our daily lives. The kids were gorgeous and everyone just waves at you. Everyone had to cover their shoulders and wear their sulus - which made an interesting sight believe me!!</p> <p>After a good look around we headed to the sand dunes where Amanda and I took a back seat and watched all the nutters caning it down the dunes on boogie boards. Bola actually came down standing up - totally mad! Anyway it all looked like lots of fun but my back wasn't going to be liking it too much so I gave it a miss.</p> <p>From here we stayed at Mango Bay Resort on the Coral Coast which has only been open a couple of months. The accommodation was fantastic - well, mine and Mandas was anyway. We opted for a Safari Tent which had all mod cons including en-suite bathroom - lovely, thank you very much. We couldn't resist taking a look at the dorms we were missing out on and I think chicken coup is probably a better term but still nice I'm sure!!! We went for dinner and the evenings entertainment started. The band began playing, the singers began singing and then the dancing began. Good fun, but boy do some of the Fijians smell!! After dinner we decided to have an early night as we were tired and had to prepare for the Rainforest trek the next day. By all accounts we missed a good night - naked volleyball and swimming - hmmmm!!</p> <p>So the next morning we headed off for the rainforest and started the trek. The weather by this time is awful - the rain keeps on coming and the trek is getting muddier and muddier. To be honest it was probably preferable to blazing hot sunshine though up to a point....</p> <p>The trek was amazing though - we walked through the streams/rivers which were supposedly only supposed to come just above your ankle - yeah right! Being the short arse that I am at points it was half way up my thighs - all good fun though and totally soaking wet from the rain you tend not to care anyway. We eventually made it to the end where we sat and ate our lunch in the pouring rain and then got given our tubes to ride down the river in, over the rapids and back to the long boat for the journey back to the coach, via the waterfall. The tubing was great fun, just a little bit cold, but the waterfall was fab. It looked gorgeous and of course some people jumped in. Having been told that someone drowned the week before Manda and I declined - see Mum I can be sensible sometimes!! All the lads went in and of course Gemma. Did I mention Gemma? Lovely girl, very young with a lot to learn but I feel sure that by the end of her travels she will have learnt a lot. Hopefully how to shut her mouth at the appropriate time!!!</p> <p>The long boat ride back to the coach was long, cold and kind of put a dampener on things (sorry!) but all in all a fantastic day - a real experience.</p> <p>So from there we headed up to Suva the capital city where we stayed at the Raintree Forest. Again a twin room thank you very much and we jumped straight in the shower - probably before the others had even finished checking in!! Hot water - very very welcome. We changed and got our stuff ready for the next day before heading down to the bar where we were all meeting to go out for dinner in Suva and then on to a club - a little dubious about this but never the less we were up for a good night out. We were all taken to a restaurant where the general fayre seemed to be pizza or pasta and just started drinking. We were lucky enough to have Gemma at our end of the table so entertainment was guaranteed (if a little non-stop!) and then headed next door to O'Reileys where we were treated to Richard pole dancing and some very interesting dancing from a couple of americans who came to join us!! Sadly Gemma made an early departure but I feel sure that Amanda & I shocked a few people in the group who had probably decided that we were the older two who were sensible and let's face it once you're over 30 you forget how to have fun - NOT!! We danced and drank all night and had a great time.</p> <p>The next day we headed off to Voli Voli on the north of the island which has the island of Nananu-I-Ra just off it's coast where I was to be staying after my Feejee experience (more about that later!) We were visiting a village and a school en-route so Bola announced in the morning that our Chief for the Kava ceremony would be Richard and his Spokesman would be Oli - so with looks of fear and trepidation on their faces they led us into this Fijian village for a welcoming ceremony. THis was a fantastic experience and the Kava is different let's put it that way. Basically it's a root that they grind up and mix with water and then drink - it is rude to decline it and it is VERY strong. It is said that in enough quantity it gives you double vision and numbness - I'm glad to report that I experienced both - no only joking I did feel my lips go numb briefly though! Very glad I'm female too. We got out of drinking copious amounts by learning to weave!! </p> <p>After the ceremony we then learnt how to scrape a coconut and had a little competition - can't actually remember which team won but it was good fun any way. After that the boys sat around and discussed how to choose a good wife in Fiji and the girls learnt to weave. I actually made myself a bracelet - not bad either - one of those things that will sit around a collect dust so I might nominate a new owner for it - who knows!</p> <p>From here we stopped at the local school which was brilliant. Knowing how much I love kids you'll appreciate how much I loved this experience. The children all sang for us and danced and generally made us really welcome. One little girl was the star of the show putting her all into her singing and dancing - gorgeous she was!!Amanda and I had bought the children lollys so you can imagine how popular that made us and watching their faces when you showed them photos on the digital cameras was just perfect! We gave our donations of stationary to the head mistress who will use them as prizes for the good behaviour and good work - a totally different way of life. </p> <p>From here we headed to Voli Voli, another hostel that has only been open a couple of months. Mand and I had our own dorm to ourselves and a bathroom each - heaven. The meal was interesting and having ordered our food first, we ate last - Fiji time!! After dinner we played games organised by the hostel and then everyone had an early night. OVernight the heavens opened and the rain was unlike any I have ever seen before. Evidently it was tthe tail end of a hurricane that Fiji was experiencing - still we were waiting for the sunshine - we were beginning to think that it is only a myth that the sun shines in Fiji!! </p> <p>Anyway from here it was back to Nandi, stopping at a village for lunch (a curry where Bola was really excited about telling us all about indians - doesn't get the whole curry being one of the most popular meals in the UK thing!!) and then on the mud pools. Oh my god. That was hard. I hate getting dirty as most of you know - and deliberately stepping into mud pools and covering myself in mud goes against the grain. However, I overcame the issues and eventually covered my skin in the mud and got out and rinsed off in the hot pools. A great experience to end a totally awesome experience in Fiji - even if the sun didn't shine. So back to Nadi for the night.</p> <p>I was supposed to be going to Beachcomber island the next day however, on arrival in Nadi we all headed to Ed's bar where the drinks started flowing a little too quickly. Being told I'm a soft southerner who can't drink combined with the fact that I'm a stubborn cow who won't be put down didn't really help the situation. After downing a vodka I looked at Mand and confessed to it not having been the best idea I had had!! NEver mind - we continued anyway and at the end of the evening it was a REALLY GOOD IDEA to buy a bottle of vodka to take back and drink by the pool..........</p> <p>At 6am we headed to bed with only 2 hours before being picked up to go to Beachcomber, a tearful goodbye ahead when I left cos Manda was flying off to LA and you can guess what happened. No I didn't miss my coach pickup cos we discovered there was another bus at 11am however, I was feeling worse than I have felt in years and made the decision not to go as the weather was still awful and spend the day with Manda and Richard as it was her last day. So we headed into town and shopped until all the bites that we had acquired sitting outside until 6am started to make themselves known - boy did they hurt. My legs and feet looked diseased - it really wasn't funny - although all in a good cause - it had been a great night.</p> <p>So Manda left me and flew to LA. She is fantastic and we will keep in touch. She helped make my time in Fiji fab so thanks honey. As for Richard well - ask me when I'm home!!</p> <p>So that was Saturday and then Sunday came and went and I spent most of the time at the bar with Richard drinking as the sun was still being elusive. We decided to book a trip for the next day and booked to go to Bounty Island and South Sea Island. Bounty island is where they filmed Celebrity Love Island and that's about all there is to say for it - except that the sand is really yuk and the rocks getting in the sea kill!!</p> <p>From there we headed to SOuth Sea Island which was gorgeous. This truly is my idea of heaven - exactly how I had pictured Fiji - and guess what, the sun came out for us. We actually had a day of sunbathing in Fiji - although as the boat headed for the mainland the rain began to fall again!!</p> <p>Tuesday came and instead of heading up to Nananu I changed my flights and decided to hit Hawaii with Rich. Poor man - I bet he can't wait to get rid of me!! So we spent Tuesday trying to waste time before the midnight flight. It's totally psychological on leaving day - if we were staying we would just have sunbathed and drunk and had a great day but because we knew we flying that night we just kept clock watching.</p> <p>And thank god that I was with Rich and flying to Hawaii and not on my own in Nananu. Sadly I had a phonecall from home to say that a good friend had died at the weekend, so I will be home sooner that you expected as I don't want to miss his funeral. I can assure you that I raised a few glasses to him that night, and was so grateful for not being on my own. What I do know is that he would have been really angry with me if I had cut my trip short totally and flown home then and there (which I considered) so I decided to continue with the plans to come to Hawaii and have fun. </p> <p>So the long and the short of it was that Fiji is great, wouldn't come back again unless to visit the islands and I made some fantastic friends for life. </p> <p>So Vinaka Vaka Levu Fiji (Thank you very much!) and Aloha Hawaii!!!!</p> <p>xxx</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/03/04/bula_fiji~611070/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/03/04/bula_fiji~611070/#commentshttp://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/02/20/rotorua_bay_of_islands_aamp_auckland~576042/tag:helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk,2006-02-19:/2006/02/20/rotorua_bay_of_islands_aamp_auckland~576042/Mon, 20 Feb 2006 00:14:42 +0100 <p>Well, after my adrenaline rush in Taupo I was really in shock. It was a fantastic thing to do but I think I actually scared myself witless - hey ho!! We left Taupo and Paul drove us to Rotorua (I was in no fit state to drive!!) which is the home of all the geothermal activity, geysers, mud pools etc etc.</p> <p>Strangely, half an hour after leaving Taupo I started sneezing like you wouldn't believe. I kept asking Paul if it was possible to catch a cold whilst free falling - he assured me he had never heard of it before!! Anyway so I sneezed my way into the hostel and had a lay down. However, one of my sneezes caught my back and I was again in a lot of pain. I can jump out of a plane from 15000ft but I can't handle sneezing!! Bizarre. So Paul asked what I wanted to do. So we decided to go for something to eat and went down the road to the Indian Palace and had a gorgeous curry. We then went from there to the Polynesian spa in the hope of getting me a massage to ease my back - however the health spa was closed so we just went and used the hot baths. </p> <p>It is like stepping back in time. They remind you to remove all silver jewellery before getting in so I duly removed my rings, watch and necklace. Unfortunately, I have got so used to my toe ring I forgot to take it off and then panicked once in the water about my belly button. So we called it a night and got out. My toe ring was black but strangely my belly button was fine. Very strange (except not when you actually realise that they pierce you with surgical steel, not silver!!).</p> <p>So to bed, and the plan to phone the spa at 8am to see if I could get a massage. I set my alarm confident that I would ring and then have no joy and be able to get back to sleep!! Oh No!! They could see me at 8.30 and I wasn't even packed. Paul was still asleep so we hurriedly checked out and made it there with 2 minutes to spare. I relaxed in the pools that are heated up to various temperatures the hottest being 42 degrees - how lovely was that - I've had colder baths!! And then my massage. Heaven!! She brushed me all over and then applied the magical mud to my back and left me there whilst giving me a head massage. Then she washed off the mud and started on my back - the pain was unbelievable - my back was (and probably is again by now!) so knotted from carrying my backpack that she detected it straight away. I was actually bruised after my massage but well worth every penny - pretty fab way to start Valentines day!!</p> <p>So we left the spa and drove over to Te Puia which is a Maori Cultural Centre and also home to the Pohutu Geyser and a fantastic Maori concert. It was a brilliant couple of hours and the geyser was unbelievable - a real sight to see. The concert was excellent and prior to it you take part in a proper Maori tribal ritual which is very interesting. They performed the Haka which I videoed - and many more Maori songs. It was brilliant - highly recommended to anyone.</p> <p>From there we drove to Auckland. All this time I had been sneezing like you wouldn't believe. It was like I had flu but without any other symptons. Strangely, half an hour out of Rotorua and it stopped. I think with hindsight that I am actually allergic to the Sulphur that pervades everywhere in Rotorua - it comes from all the hot pools and mud!! So my nose was very glad to leave although the rest of me was kind of sad to say goodbye.</p> <p>Overnighted in Auckland purely to break the journey up to Paihia in the Bay of Islands. Nothing to tell about that bit as yet although a very amusing chinese meal was had on Valentines evening - amongst lots of loving couples there's me and Paul messing around and totally confusing people!!</p> <p>Paihia - Wow! It is the most beautiful place I have been to in ages, purely cos it was HOT and had a BEACH! 2 things which I realise are pretty important to me in a holiday destination!! So we checked into the Pickled Parrot which is a fab backpackers just out of town that has no tv and is just great. We wandered down to the beach and sunbathed for a couple of hours. Needless to say, Paul got burnt. The milkbottle was becoming strawberry milkshake!! But it was heaven. We went for dinner at 35 degrees south which was a fab restaurant overlooking the jetty and the beach - gorgeous food and a warm evening for a change!! </p> <p>And so to swimming with dolphins. We booked onto a boat trip for the next day to take us swimming with dolphins, up to the hole in the rock and then to a deserted island for lunch and back with another opportunity to swim with the dolphins. It is brilliant. You jump off the side of the boat kitted up with your snorkel and mask and flippers and swim as hard and fast as you can with the dolphins. Some people got really close but I didn't - still, just to be in the open waters with them was amazing. We met a great couple on the trip, Naomi & Jake who we ended up having dinner with that evening at the Swiss Cafe. A great evening to end a fantastic day.</p> <p>And so to a 6am departure time in order to drive to Auckland and get the car back for 10am. Which we did, even if we did take it into town as we requested to do to find that we were supposed to deliver it to the airport - hey ho!! And then we went exploring. Checked into the ACB which is a fab hostel right in the centre of town and wandered down to the wharf. Sat and had coffee and watched the world go past. Then after a while we hopped on the free bus round town and went up to the Sky Tower, where Paul proceeded to do the Sky Jump where you basically do a guided Base Jump off it!! The nutter - one jump on my trip was enough for me!! Paul loved it which is good - totally different rush to sky diving evidently - I'll take his word for it!!</p> <p>And then dinner and a few drinks for Pauls last night and back to the hostel. So the next morning Paul left for his mammoth journey home and I met a girl called Jess outside the hostel. We ended up going for a coffee which was actually more like 4 beers but hey, it was sunny and we were telling our life stories!! Chilled out in the evening and got up on sunday to do my washing and get ready to pack and then go climb the Sky Tower. Yes I climbed up the sky tower. I have attached photos for you!! It was brilliant and well worth doing. I was the only person doing it which meant that it was just 1 on 1 with the instructor and she was great. </p> <p>Back to the hostel and packed all my stuff, met Jess for a drink and then met my new roommate for the night, Charlotte who is a month behind me on her trip and had just flown in. So we went for a walk got a chinese which was lovely and then went up the sky tower at night just to see how different it was. She is a real little sweetie who I am sure will have a fab time in Auckland. </p> <p>Anyway, so to bed and got up this morning to check out and update this and find a way to fill 2 hours before I fly to Fiji this afternoon. I'm booked on the Feejee experience to start on Tuesday and then spending 5 nights in a place called Nananu-i-ra which I am really looking forward to.</p> <p>So I will sign off here and update again in Fiji where I hope I will be able to log on.<a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=372074"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/074/372074_9f61860ddc_s.jpg" align="" alt="Rotorua" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=372075"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/075/372075_9b78cffb78_s.jpg" align="" alt="Hole in the Rock" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=372076"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/076/372076_d4225344bb_s.jpg" align="" alt="Swimming with Dolphins" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=372077"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/077/372077_c23d1afce3_s.jpg" align="" alt="Auckland" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=372079"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/079/372079_3cf454be20_s.jpg" align="" alt="Sky Tower" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/02/20/rotorua_bay_of_islands_aamp_auckland~576042/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/02/20/rotorua_bay_of_islands_aamp_auckland~576042/#commentshttp://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/02/13/tandem_in_taupo~558140/tag:helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk,2006-02-13:/2006/02/13/tandem_in_taupo~558140/Mon, 13 Feb 2006 03:45:41 +0100 <p>Oh My God!!!</p> <p>You know how I said we were going to find some way of filling our time in Taupo? Well, I kind of wasn't being all that honest with you, cos I knew that some of you would freak about what I was going to do (or have now done!!)</p> <p>Yes, I did a tandem sky dive jumping out of a plane at 15000ft and it was just awesome!! I was so nervous and felt pretty sick getting my jumpsuit on, but wanted to do this. Got on the plane with my tandem instructor Matt who was really cool and put me at ease (sort of!) and the plane took off. Paul jumped solo at 12000ft and we continued on up to the dizzy heights of 15000ft. Here he shuffled me to the door and we pushed off the side of the plane. This was the bit that I had been petrified about but it was fantastic. The worst bit was the 10000ft freefall, where I had to keep telling myself to smile for the camera!! Coming into land was brill and all I had to do was lift my feet up!!</p> <p>So there you go guys. Mum I'm sorry I didn't tell you but I promise you I'm in 1 piece and loved it. You'll be glad to hear that I didn't love it enough to go and throw myself out of another plane again but it was an amazing experience.</p> <p>Will try to attach a couple of photos for you to see.</p> <p>Love you all - and particularly love the solid ground that I am now stood on!!</p> <p>Hels Bels - the intrepid sky diver diva!!<br> xx<a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=358133"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/133/358133_248d4cb22d_s.bmp" align="" alt="Freefalling!" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=358134"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/134/358134_2cc25f595a_s.jpg" align="" alt="Freefalling2" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=358135"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/135/358135_93ff1fb755_s.jpg" align="" alt="Freefalling3" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=358136"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/136/358136_1c1c121ae1_s.jpg" align="" alt="Freefalling4" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/02/13/tandem_in_taupo~558140/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/02/13/tandem_in_taupo~558140/#commentshttp://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/02/12/foxes_glacier_mints~557880/tag:helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk,2006-02-12:/2006/02/12/foxes_glacier_mints~557880/Sun, 12 Feb 2006 23:25:34 +0100 <p>Hiya,</p> <p>Well we made it up and drove from Queenstown to the Fox Glacier all along the Haast Pass which was beautiful. Covered a fair amount of kms but well worth it. People had mentioned to us that Fox was pretty small and we would have no trouble finding the office where we had to go for our Heli-hike, but you never quite believe them.</p> <p>Believe them!! Fox is just one road and if you blink about five times in a row you would miss Fox!! It is a gorgeous place very remote and quiet, and surprisingly the warmest place we have been to in NZ - how does that work?! I actually managed to put my shorts on.... for about 2 hours! Still, it was nice to see the sun, and Paul in the space of 10 minutes actually managed to get burnt??!! So we had lunch at the Cafe Neve and then went back to the hostel and just chilled out. Then got ready and went to the Cook Saddle for dinner - yes the day did revolve around food!! And fab food it was too.</p> <p>The next day we had to be at the office for the Heli-hike at 12 noon. So we had something to eat at the Cafe Matheson which has a great view of the Glacier and then made our way to the office.</p> <p>So what is a Heli-hike? Well, basically you get a helicopter up to the higher part of the Glacier (where none of the other walkers go and the ice is just very clean and unaffected by humans) and you then get taken out all over the glacier for a hike with a guide for 2.5 hours. It was amazing. The ice was blue it was so clean and we found our way through some caves and looked down things called 'Moulins' (I think that's how you spell it) which can be small or large - and when I say large they have seen some that are large enough to swallow a bus??!! Anyway, we saw a Shammy on the Glacier (a goat to you and I but for some reason the guides called it a Shammy?!) and it made some very fast moves over the ice. Met a fab girl called Jane who now lives in Hong Kong with her hubby but is originally from Southport (Hiya honey if you're reading this!!) and generally had a fantastic time up on the ice. Did I mention that Jane and I got to sit in the front of the helicopter on both the flight up and down again? It has it's advantages being small!!</p> <p>Anyway, upon our return we made our way to the pub to warm up with a couple of vodkas - it was 4pm and strangely at 9pm I found my way back to the hostel!! It was a fantastic day, and an experience I won't ever forget.</p> <p>At 4am the next morning the alarm went off for our mammoth drive to Wellington (well, Picton and then ferry to Wellington). The drive was sooo sooo long but eventually we made it to Picton where we discovered that the ferry we were booked on was delayed by about 2.5 hours so we begged and succeeded in being moved onto the earlier ferry which was only 1/2 hour late!! So after a long day we arrived in Wellington at about 7.30pm and just collapsed in the Wildlife House Hostel. All I wanted to do was sleep, but the room overlooked the street where one of the bars was, and this bar was playing ALL my favourite music. If I hadn't been quite so tired I would have gone out cos it sounded great. But I refrained, and passed out.</p> <p>The next morning feeling a little refreshed but not much, we went for a walk around Wellington, found Mr Buns Cafe for brekkie and then made our way to Te Papa, which is the NZ museum and great fun. We could easily have spent a day there but limited ourselves to a couple of hours so we could make our way up to Lake Taupo.</p> <p>After an interesting drive across the middle of the North Island we arrived in Taupo and wow! It is really is beautiful. The Lake is huge and the town just so pretty. The motel we were booked into overlooked the lake - and the view was amazing.</p> <p>So today we are going to try and find something to do to amuse ourselves and then drive up to Rotorua where we stay tonight. I'll let you know asap what we find to do here..................</p> <p>xx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/02/12/foxes_glacier_mints~557880/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/02/12/foxes_glacier_mints~557880/#commentshttp://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/02/08/nutty_in_new_zealand~544859/tag:helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk,2006-02-08:/2006/02/08/nutty_in_new_zealand~544859/Wed, 08 Feb 2006 09:40:46 +0100 <p>Well, a big Kiwi hello to everyone! I'm now a week into my time in NZ and it's fab. Totally different to Oz but still just as great with some very new experiences to be had.....</p> <p>So on Thursday night, Elizabeth and I went exploring in Christchurch. First stop being somewhere that sold jumpers - how cold is it over here compared to Oz?!! I know that right now it is about 20 degrees warmer than it is for you guys, but man, it's cold!! So we mooched around the Cathedral Square, wandered through the shopping area (where all the shops were shut!) and then found ourselves perusing the tourist tack shops!! And yes, first purchase was an All Blacks fleece, followed by a 'Rugby Girl' sweat top!! We then made our way to a really nice Curry House which was recommended to us and proceeded to stuff our faces! Needless to say we couldn't eat it all - but in true NZ style we got a doggy bag for our leftovers - always important on a backpackers budget!! Dinner for tomorrow sorted!</p> <p>Friday morning and Elizabeth upped and left early to catch her bus to Wellington. So I stayed in bed for a few hours, before going off exploring myself. I jumped on the tram and went round the whole city loop to get my bearings before getting off back in the square. I decided that first stop should be the Cathedral and in I went. Just in time to watch a wedding!! It was lovely and full of grandeur - how about getting married in a Cathedral - nearly as good as a castle eh??!!!!!! </p> <p>I then hopped back on the tram down to the Arts Centre where I mooched around all the arty crafty shops and could've spent a fortune - spied a few gifts to purchase later and then back to the square where I watched a street performer - he was great - a guy called Rob from Newcastle, England!! You fly half way round the world to watch fellow English!!! How does that work?!</p> <p>Anyway, that evening I went for a mooch around the shops again and then went back to the hostel and chatted to my roommates before hitting the sack. Saturday tomorrow and that meant only 1 day to amuse myself before Paul flew in - yay!!!</p> <p>So Saturday I got up at lunchtime (to comments frommy roommates in broken English about not being very good in the mornings?! - I don't know what they meant!!) and took myself for a lovely coffee at the Daily Grind - recommended in the Lonely Planet - and rightly so! After that I went on my way around the Christchurch walk detailed in the aforementioned LP. It was great. Went to the Floral clock, which was lovely and then made my way to the Art Gallery - some fantastic works of art and some very strange things. Once again, I got asked to put my camera away!! It seems a common theme in my travels - some might say that I'm a little click happy - 400 photos in 3 months - I don't know what they might mean!!! Managed to get a shot of the Dame Louise Henderson Gallery though - just for you Lou!!</p> <p>Then made my way to the Market at the Arts Centre. Then on my way again, to see the sights. Eventually got back to the hostel, where I heated up my curry from Thursday and then read my magazines wishing that it was time to go to bed so Sunday came quicker!! A good nights sleep awaiting me I climbed into bed. How wrong can a girl be??!! At 1am Paul rings me from Singapore to tell me it's raining - thank you! Just don't bring it with you!! Then at 4am a call from Singi (one of the Scottish guys in Sydney) to tell me he's at the rugby and their winning - yippee!!! Now let me sleep!!</p> <p>Anyway, eventually Sunday came and I got myself packed up and all ready to check into a lovely hotel, the Rydges. Thank you Paul - heaven after the hostels!! So went for a beer and then made my way to the airport. Paul texts me to say he's in the arrivals hall and he'd see me soon. Hmmmmmmm!! Fatal last text!! Next thing I get a text saying he's the only person at the belt and he has no luggage!! It could only happen to him!! So we eventually made our way to the hotel, minus Pauls bag containing my much awaited trainers and fleece!! The trauma!! So we went for a beer and a general catch u p and then to the hotel to check in.</p> <p>At 6pm I let Paul have an hours sleep, only he looked so tired, that I actually let him have 15 hours sleep and woke him in the morning!! We got up still a bit bleary eyed, and went shopping to buy some clothes for Paul and trainers for me. Emirates were, let's say, a little vague on the subject of his lost luggage, so much so, that they wouldn't even call him!! We ended up calling mum to trace it but still had no joy - no one knew where it was. We were facing the prospect of travelling round NZ without Pauls bag - not good. Anyway, not letting it ruin our time, we went on the tram round the city, popped to the Arts Centre and purchased a few gifts and then to the Gondola for the incredible views. Well worth it and even a little trip to Lyttleton for added effect!! Back to the internet cafe for a mammoth task of booking our accommodation for our flying tour of NZ. The car was turning up at 10am tomorrow so we needed to confirm we could stay where we planned. So we got everything booked, except our 2nd night in Queenstown and Taupo...so we went and asked the lovely lady in the Adventure Centre if she could help. We left here with that task, and went off to dinner at Dux de Lux - wow! I might just add that in freshening up at the hotel, Paul found his long lost love awaiting his return - yes! His bag had been delivered to the room!! The smile it received was priceless!</p> <p>We had the most fantastic meal. Highly recommended in LP and highly recommended by me!! We ate and then ran back to the adventure centre to find that the lady had managed to find us accommodation and booked it for us - what a star!!</p> <p>So to bed, for a full day of driving was ahead of us. The car arrived at 10am and we made our way out of Christchurch towards Queenstown. Paul was driving and obviously didn't trust map reading skills, and got us lost within 10 minutes!! Humble pie he did eat!!</p> <p>So we got on the RIGHT road, and drove, and drove, and drove. 6 hours later, very hungry and tired, we arrived in Queenstown. We checked in and asked where to eat. We were pointed into town, and ended up in the World Bar - nice food, just very tired. We agreed to go back, have a quick sleep and then go out for a major drink as we had no driving to do the next day. Good idea in theory. Except that Paul fell asleep (I guess I have to let him off as he must still have been suffering with the jetlag) and so I then got into my bed and fell asleep. Next thing I know it's 8am and it's time to get up for an action packed day!!</p> <p>So Paul was hoping to Skydive today but the weather was awful - no jumping today. So instead, we headed into town for brekkie, and then up to the Gondola, for the views. And the Luge!! What's the luge I hear you ask? Well, it's like go-karting downhill! And it's great fun. Kept us occupied for an hour or so, before heading back into town for our first adrenaline pumping activity. Yes we booked to go White Water Rafting. And I loved it!! Paul had done it before but it is something I have always fancied doing but never done. Now I have. A bit scary but not as bad as I thought it would be. A great afternoon.</p> <p>We have just been for dinner at the Lone Star - and we ate way too much!! We both feel sick and have decided to bin the idea of going drinking as we are getting up early tomorrow to drive to the Fox Glacier where we are for 2 nights, and participating in a HeliHike.....</p> <p>And if you want to know what that is, you'll just have to watch this space over the next few days for an update!! Sorry!!</p> <p>Love to you all<br> Hels (and Paul, WITH his bag!!)</p> <p>xx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/02/08/nutty_in_new_zealand~544859/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/02/08/nutty_in_new_zealand~544859/#commentshttp://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/02/02/so_long_oz_hello_nz~527158/tag:helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk,2006-02-02:/2006/02/02/so_long_oz_hello_nz~527158/Thu, 02 Feb 2006 06:17:11 +0100 <p>Well I left you all upon my return to Sydney going for dinner with Tan & Lou - it was great to spend the evening with more friends - there's something great about going back to a place you know!</p> <p>So I made it up in time to catch my bus to the Blue Mountains - not so blue as misty and grey!! The whole place was shrouded in fog which was really disappointing. So we continued on our travels and got to Leura - a beautiful little village where there is an all round Xmas shop - it's so cool!! Had lunch there and then went to the Worlds steepest railway - Oh My God!! I was scared - it was virtually vertical - well, maybe a little exageration but hey - never mind. It was a fab experience - well worth doing. By this time the fog had lifted and we were able to get a view of the 3 Sisters - very nice - but would I go again? No!!</p> <p>Then on the way home we went to the Olympic Park - well all I can say is that London has a lot of work to do for 2012! It is a vast place which is amazing - they had a stadium for everything and some great ideas - like everyone who volunteered to work there has their name on a column outside the Telstra Stadium!! THe fountain where the Olympic Torch was lit is lovely and the village where the athletes lived is huge. Come on London, pull your fingers out. Sydney completed all the construction 2 months ahead of schedule - will London manage the same? My money would be on................well, let's just see!!</p> <p>From there we continued down to Paramatta where we hopped on a ferry back to Circular Quay. Of course, I was a little disappointed, as this also meant I had to fork out for a ferry ticket back to Manly, but all in all, a good day. Not sure that it was worth the money I paid, but still a good day out. Absolutely knackered now though!!</p> <p>Got back to the house and went straight back out to get a chinese that my mouth had been watering for since leaving the Blue MOuntains!! A very relaxed evening with the pleasant thought of not having to get up in the morning for anything other than sunbathing if I wanted to!!</p> <p>Well, I made it up by lunchtime, did my washing, had lunch with Tan and then just pottered, wasting time, sunbathing and trying not to wish my time away in Oz - hard though when a night at the Sydney Opera House to see Madama Butterfly awaits you!!</p> <p>I started getting ready really early very excited - make up for the first time in ages and it felt soooo good!! And I felt brown!! Hopped on the Sea Cat over to the Quay and ran into Maccas - a quick Filet of Fish later and I was wandering up to the front steps of perhaps one of the most famous opera houses in the world for my final night in Australia. And what a night......</p> <p>Got my program and read the storyline so I had a rough idea what these Aussies were singing about in Italian!! And then settled back to take a snap of the inside. Oh no - I got shouted at! "No photography allowed inside miss" - whoops - well I got 1!! Inside it isn't plush - but just nice. It kind of has that feel about it - a very special feel. Maybe it was just cos it was my last night but it was brilliant. The opera started and I was impressed to see that Madama Butterfly was a thin beautiful lady and not some fat lady with a huge voice - although her voice was huge and fantastic!! A beautiful story and a wonderful end to my time in Oz.</p> <p>I can't believe that I was in Australia for 3 months. I have met some amazing people, and made some friends for life. Thank you to each and every one of them that helped me make some great memories that I will always treasure. I love Oz, and I feel certain that it is not Goodbye, just 'Au Revoir'. I have a feeling that I'll be back - after all, I still haven't done the Great Ocean Road, Cairns or Darwin - and now I have fab friends to visit too!! What is a girl supposed to do??!!</p> <p>So this morning I was picked up at some ungodly hour to catch my flight to New Zealand. I'm sat in an internet cafe just of Cathedral Square, booked into a nice backpackers which is more like a hotel, and I even have a friend for the night - a great girl called Elizabeth from Dublin!! So we're off for a drink and a bit of an explore!!</p> <p>Take care - talk to you soon, with news on my adventures in NZ!!</p> <p>Hels<br> xxx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/02/02/so_long_oz_hello_nz~527158/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/02/02/so_long_oz_hello_nz~527158/#commentshttp://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/01/30/vodka_in_newcastle_who_me~518294/tag:helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk,2006-01-30:/2006/01/30/vodka_in_newcastle_who_me~518294/Mon, 30 Jan 2006 07:41:58 +0100 <p>Well I thought I would just update you on the past week that I spent with Felicity and Erin in Newcastle. As I said I arrived with feet so swollen they were leaking water - it was gross!! So we agreed that until they went down it was feet up and just relax. Except that at about 8.30pm that evening Felicity got a call from MacDonalds where Erin worked to say that she had had a fall and they had called an ambulance...........</p> <p>So we drove over there to pick her up as she had refused to go with the ambulance. Unexpectedly I got to see Belmont Hospital where Felicity works!! Kindly they got me an ice pack for my feet and a stool to put them up on while we sorted Erin out. My early night became a late one, but never mind. The important thing is that Erin was ok - she has broken her wrist and may have fractured her ankle and is still using a crutch and in a bit of pain but getting back to herself!!</p> <p>So Tuesday and Wednesday (yes - it took 3 days for my feet to return to normal) I sat and watched TV and chilled. The vodka kind of helped too!!</p> <p>Thursday came and we took a drive out into the country to go and pick Felicity's friend Bren up and bring her down to Newcastle for Australia Day and more. Well, the evening proceeded and when we eventually arose the next day (just before 12!) we noted that a litre and a half of vodka had been consumed the night before!! But strangely none of us had hangovers - why can't it always be like that?!</p> <p>Friday we just went to the beach and sunbathed - a little too much maybe judging by the shade of red my body took on but hey, not long left in the sun now and I need to make sure I am still really brown when I return to the deep freeze that is the UK! Thursday night again we just relaxed. </p> <p>Saturday came and we went shopping where I bought 3 tops, a skirt and a pair of trousers - not the pair of shorts that I had restricted myself to but never mind - I'll need the trousers in NZ and the skirt is really pretty and the tops go with the skirt!!! There is always justification for a girls shopping expedition!!</p> <p>So Saturday night we went to the Beaches for dinner and then watched a band which were pretty good. Pretty cheap night all in all - nothing to do with the bottle of coke that we had emptied and filled with Vodka!! Just had to buy the mixer - Ripper!! Felicity's boyfriend came and picked us up and dropped us home. And that was when we fatally decided it would be a brilliant idea to go back out, so with Erin happy to stay home, Felicity and I went to the Exchange. Another brilliant band and great night. Unfortunately Fel went home early due to traumatic arguments with her boyfriend but I stayed and met some fab people - some strange too and some very strange propositions - details I won't go into until I'm back with you and that's only if you remember to ask!!!</p> <p>Home at about 3.30am and fell straight to sleep. Finally got my backside in the shower at 2.30pm on Sunday and came back to life. We then paid a visit to the beach before going home to get ready and go for dinner. We stopped at a restaurant just down from The Brewery and had some gorgeous pasta - me, Fel and Neil. A really nice evening to finish my week in Newcastle.</p> <p>So today I flew back to Sydney and have sunbathed (thankfully I have brought the sun back with me!) and then paid another and final visit to the chiropractor - she was great and really pleased with my progress - green light to have fun again, but I promise to all of you texting and emailing saying be careful, that I will be careful!!</p> <p>Tomorrow I'm off to the Blue Mountains and then my big night out on Wednesday before flying to New Zealand, but for now it's back to the house for dinner with Tanea and Lou - so nice to be home!!</p> <p>Love you all lots<br> Hels<br> xxx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/01/30/vodka_in_newcastle_who_me~518294/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/01/30/vodka_in_newcastle_who_me~518294/#commentshttp://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/01/23/mental_in_melbourne~497402/tag:helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk,2006-01-23:/2006/01/23/mental_in_melbourne~497402/Mon, 23 Jan 2006 08:10:02 +0100 <p>Hi everyone,</p> <p>Well I think I left you just before going to dinner with everyone from the outback trip. What a great night, we ate (some ate Kangaroo & Camel - not me!!) and drank and then got involved in some very silly drinking games!! I got home a lot later than planned, a lot later than planned, and a lot drunker than planned. Not so good with another early start in order to fly to Melbourne on my whistle stop tour!!</p> <p>So I got to Alice Springs airport and got talking to another girl checking in who is also called Helene, and comes from Enfield!! She had been on a similar trip to me and had also had a fantastic time. So we swapped stories over a cup of coffee and then found that they were calling the Final Call for our flight, so made a run for it!! We chatted on the flight down to Melbourne and became firm friends very quickly. Helene is starting a job as a solicitor when she gets home and I know she will be just brilliant - guess who'll be handling my legal matters in the future!!</p> <p>Anyway, we made it to Melbourne, bizarrely half way through the afternoon. I was a little crest fallen as I had so much that I wanted to see and so little time to do it in. Never mind. We arranged to meet later and go to St Kilda for dinner. I rushed to the hostel, had a quick shower and made my way back into town. In a strange kind of way, it was nice to see trams - kick me for saying this but kind of made me feel warm inside thinking of Croydon!! That is, warm on the inside but warmer on the outside. Everyone had said to me, 'it'll be cold in Melbourne'. Huh!! It was about 35 degrees and boy was I feeling it with the tiredness and hangover!! </p> <p>But it wasn't going to deter me from my mad mission. So I made my way to the Rialto Tower Observation Deck to get a good grounding of Melbourne and try to orientate myself. Fantastic views, I confess, and a great cheeeeesy promo film all about Melbourne with lines in the song such as 'Melbourne is just great, Melbourne is the place to be..' so on and so forth!!</p> <p>I met Helene outside the tower and we made our way to St Kilda via the tram. We chatted all the way and took very little notice of where we were going, to the point where we were sat there for 3 minutes or so and then realised the tram had stopped and noone else was on it - oops!! So this was St Kilda!</p> <p>We made our way to the beach and had a mooch around. The sunset was amazing and quickly diverted our attention away from 3 awful street performers who just don't seem to understand the concept that too much waffle just drives punters away!! Quite amusing though, with the highlight of the show being the streaker that ran straight through the middle of them!! Laugh? We were almost in tears!</p> <p>We then walked on and found a very nice Thai restaurant where we ordered our meal (a simple 2 starter, 2 main course meal) and a bottle of wine. The wine arrived and we proceeded to have a very civilised evening. We then realised that our food hadn't arrived yet, when the waiter brought out our main courses!! We sent them back and continued with the wine!! All in all, it was a great meal, the food (when it arrived) was lovely and great company. Before we knew it, it was time to grab the last tram home and prepare for Sunday.....Except that in the dark it all looks very different!! With a couple of minutes to spare we found the right tram and headed back into the city. Helene was staying in NOrth Melbourne and I was in South Yarra. South Yarra is great. 2 doors away from my guesthouse is Issey Miyake!! Imagine my glee and dismay at the time of discovery. Glee at having a fab designer shop so close, dismay at not having the money or space in my luggage to buy anything!! Never mind - to bed it was, eventually hitting the sack at about 1.30am!</p> <p>My alarm went off at 7am and I crawled out of bed, determined to cram as much into my day as possible. So I had breakfast (included in the cost of my stay!) and made my way into town to the Queen Victoria Market, one of the biggest markets in Melbourne..and it's great. Purchased a new watch following my stupidity on my arrival in Sydney, for the bargain price of $15!!! How long it lasts who knows, but at least I know what time it is now!! Again tempting to buy all sorts of things at market, but that little nagging voice in my head and my still aching back kept reminding of how I was going to carry the amount of luggage I already have so I didn't!!</p> <p>From the market I walked over to Melbourne Museum. Fascinating. The streets themselves are lovely, lined with great architecture and interesting road rules, like pull over to the left in order to turn right?? I know, I know, made no sense to me either!! Got to the museum and made my way to the Aboriginal Gallery which was brilliant, as was the Australian exhibition. At 12.30 I made my way back down to Flinders Street, and St Pauls Cathedral (yes there is another one!) for my next adventure.............</p> <p>Neighbours, everybody needs good neighbours, with a little understanding.............!!! Yes guys, I was heading to Ramsay Street!! So I got on the bus and we set off for Erinsborough!! On the way, we watched Charlene & Scotts Wedding, Madge & Harolds wedding and caught up on all the plot lines at the moment. We got to Erinsborough High and then made our way to Ramsay St. And it was fab!! No filming today sadly but still a must see for any pommie in Melbourne!!!</p> <p>So back to the city to get a text from Helene who to my great joy had managed to get us tickets for the Australian Open Tennis Tournament Evening matches that night. Fantastic. So I flew back to the hostel, packed my bag (sort of) and made my way to the Rod Laver Stadium for another very civilised evening of tennis and good company. We watched Sharapova beat Hantuchova and then Johansson being beaten by Ljubicic. 2 fantastic tennis matches and a great finale to my time in Melbourne.</p> <p>So I made my way back to the hostel and at 1am went to bed in order to get up at 5am for my flight to Newcastle. Nearly didn't make it up as turned my alarm off, but thankfully with Lynda texting me I woke up and scrambled my stuff together, got on the tram and made my way to the airport. </p> <p>All in all a fantastic time in a fantastic city which I would love to revisit with more time. I have tried to attach some photos for you but it wouldn't work so will try uploading them into an album online and will email the link to you all!</p> <p>I am now in Newcastle with Felicity and Erin and 2 very puffy feet which I'm hoping with a bit of R & R will deflate and I will feel human again.</p> <p>Love to you all<br> Me<br> xx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/01/23/mental_in_melbourne~497402/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/01/23/mental_in_melbourne~497402/#commentshttp://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/01/20/ooohh_uluru~488466/tag:helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk,2006-01-20:/2006/01/20/ooohh_uluru~488466/Fri, 20 Jan 2006 10:31:19 +0100 <p>Hi everyone,</p> <p>Well I'm writing from Alice Springs following my great adventure to the Outback - and I survived!!</p> <p>So Tuesday morning bright and early I left Manly and made my way to Sydney Airport for my flight to Alice Springs. It was pouring with rain and cold - well for me it was!! I got to the airport with plenty of time to spare and checked in nervously, not sure what to expect of the next 4 days.</p> <p>We arrived in Alice Springs, and I managed to embarrass myself as soon as I collected my luggage. I had to find the 'Toddys' stand which was the backpackers I was staying in. There were 3 different desks all next to each other and they all looked at me expectantly as I walked over. So I shook my head at the 2 girls and headed for the guy on the Toddys stand. He was right next to the girls and I proudly announced that "I'm staying at yours"!! He replied kindly that I was welcome but was I booked in at Toddys!! I just wanted to die!! Anyway, I made my way onto the coach and we proceeded to Alice Springs. THe hostel was/is very nice and I was pleasantly surprised to find there were only 2 of us in the dorm and we had our own shower!! So I unpacked and got ready for my early start and then went for a walk into Alice Springs town.</p> <p>What a shock. Nothing like anywhere else I've been except maybe West Croydon!! There is an Aboriginal Centre just down the road and they all sit out the front, with legs or arms bandaged and look mean. I am sure they are perfectly lovely people, but I was scared!! So I continued on, only to find an Aboriginal Mens Clinic - you can imagine my walkng pace is getting quicker and quicker!!</p> <p>So I made it into town and then walked back to the hostel. Notmuch to report - it was soo soo hot it was unbearable so I read my book had dinner and went to bed early in preparation for my 4.45am start!</p> <p>So Wednesday morning I am collected by Jason, the tour guide. I was the first one on the 4x4 so sat up the front. We collected 8 others, 4 Czechs, 2 Japanese, an Italian and a guy called 'Fred' from Sunderland 'Weye Eye Pet!'. We all chatted and got to know each other as we made our way into the desert for our adventure. We stopped off for breakfast at a Camel farm. THe camels all roam wild in the desert but here they are owned and offer camel rides - I declined - memories of the smell of the Koala came back to me and the thought of a confined space with strangers - it just wasn't going to happen!!</p> <p>We eventualy made it to our camping ground for the night. Well, I had to brace myself. No tents - oh no just swags on the ground and then your sleeping bag on top. So we familiarised ourselves with the camp and then drove out to Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) where we stopped to take a photo and then went on to the cultural centre of Uluru (Ayers Rock). This centre is designed to tell you the Aboriginal stories that go with Uluru and try to discourage you from climbing it. It was fascinating and the aboriginals really are an interesting race. However, it didn't discourage me from the thought of climbing - it really just depended on how my back felt the next morning after sleeping on the ground!! We then drove back to Kata Tjuta where we did a short beautiful walk. It was here that we encountered Mr Speedo or Fabio (the most beautiful man in the world - NOT!). He was doing the walk n speedos in order to maximise the tan or try to pull - one of the options was a no-go believe me!! Then back to camp where we tok our champagne up to a look out to watch the sunset over Uluru and Kata Tjuta - very pretty although not the breath-taking experience I had envisaged - still worth it though. Then back down to camp where Jason cooked dinner and we all chatted. However by 10pm everyone was pretty shattered so we got our swags out and went to bed. Except that it was so hot you couldn't sleep inside them which in turn made me so paranoid that things were crawling over me or watching me that I barely slept!!</p> <p>So an early start to catch the sunrise and disappointingly Fabio had short shorts on today- how we cried!! But he insisted on walking up and down the road 5 times to maximise pulling potential or for me comedy value!! The sun rose and it was again very nice but nothing mind blowing. We then headed round to the bottom of the climb and all 9 of us set off. The first part of the climb is so steep that you have a chain to pull yourself up on - and believe I used it. I was actually scared - I think more so thinking about going down again. But bless, my fellow Brit 'Fred' stayed by my side and carried my water for me all the way encouraging me and stopping whenever I wanted a break - he assures me that 4 times I swore that I was going to give up smoking!! Anyway, we climbed up and up and eventually got to the top - and oh my god what an amazing place. The sense of achievement was like nothing I have ever felt before, and the views were just stunning. I guess if there is anything you can climb in Oz, I'll climb it!!</p> <p>After a while resting and taking photos we made our way back down which was actually a lot less scary than expected. The scariest part was coming face to face with Fabio at one point where he shouted something in Italian (probably 'I love myself!') and then carried on up - very strange!! I actually found my self taking quite a pace - sometimes scaring myself but well aware that the bottom was getting closer and closer. When we got back down Jason had fresh fruit ready for us, which we munched hungrily and then went off to explore the caves round the base. All in all an absolutely fantastic morning. Back to camp for lunch and then we made our way on to Kings Canyon. </p> <p>We camped at Kings Creek, which was amazing. No rules, totally in the outback and we all sat round the camp fire, cooked 'damper' and generally relaxed. It had been a long hard hot day. And to bed - and this time I slept like a log - it was fantastic!!</p> <p>Today we got up early, although not as early as we were supposed to due to Jason oversleeping - funnily enough none of us complained!! We headed off to Kings Canyon to climb to the top of the rim and complete a 6km walk. THe views again were fantastic and well worth spending an extra night 'bush' to experience. Once back we then headed back to camp and then drove 'cross-bush' on a very unmade road, the 300kms back to Alice Springs. A fantastic 3 days which is being rounded off this evening as we are all meeting in 'Bojangles' for dinner and a few drinks, no doubt combined with a bit of email address swapping!</p> <p>So in short, I survived my camping bush-style experience, climbed the worlds biggest monolith, and came across Fabio!! Having been more than a little bit concerned about what I had let myself in for, I cannot recommend it highly enough. It has been a wicked time, and I am taking away with me some fantastic memories.</p> <p>Tomorrow I fly to Melbourne for a whistle stop tour and then onto Newcastle on Monday to spend the week with my fab Ozzie friends Felicity and Erin!!</p> <p>Hope you are all well and 2006 is still cool!! Love you all lots and see you soon - some sooner than others!! Oh and by the way the Coup is al off so Fiji is still on. Bring on the tan!!!!</p> <p>Hels Bels<br> xxxx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/01/20/ooohh_uluru~488466/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/01/20/ooohh_uluru~488466/#commentshttp://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/01/15/seeing_the_sights~474719/tag:helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk,2006-01-15:/2006/01/15/seeing_the_sights~474719/Sun, 15 Jan 2006 23:08:50 +0100 <p>Hi everyone,</p> <p>Well I left you on Tuesday very sad and lonely cos the boys had gone home. I spent most of Tuesday very subdued with Tanea and Lou.</p> <p>Wednesday I walked round to Shelly Beach and did a bit of sunbathing in agony. Why? I hear you ask. Well I have hurt my back. After trying to sit up and not being able to I decided to go and find some help so I found a chiropractor who could see me on Thursday so i went for a walk and went round to little Manly Cove and watched the kids playing and then made my way back.</p> <p>So Thursday I got up early and headed to the chiropractor who basically said that I have had too much fun!! After 16 years of dancing and then carrying my backpack so much and drinking so much and generally relaxing after the traumas of the last year my back has collapsed!! It can't take the strain anymore and the disc has gone completely. SO she cracked my back and nearly had me in tears again and basically told me to take it easy. Another appointment was booked for Friday.</p> <p>So the rest of the day I was in total agony and really didn't know what to do with myself so I just wandered around and went down to the beaches and kept moving. I iced it and then found I couldn't move. So a quiet alcohol free day it was.</p> <p>Friday and back to see Zoe the fantastic chiropractor, who was pleased with my progress but still concerned for me. So she cracked me again and again and made me promise to take it easy over the weekend - we both laughed saying that I was on holiday and to take it as easy as I could!!</p> <p>So Friday I headed into Sydney. The weather has been pretty crap this weekend so I took the opportunity to go and see the aquarium and go up Sydney Tower - which I have to say after doing the bridge climb I wasn't overly impressed with but never mind. I then wandered round to the Opera House and decided to treat myself to a fantastic last night in Oz. So guys, on the 1st Feb I will be watching Madame Butterfly at the Sydney Opera House - pretty amazing last night eh??!!</p> <p>So I got back from my sightseeing and just relaxed. We got pizza (we as in me and Tanea and Cas and the kids) and just lazed around. COnveniently Bridget was on telly - always a good girly evening!!</p> <p>Saturday and it was a sunny day - which seems to be pretty few and far between now! so we headed to the beach. It was lovely and very relaxing.</p> <p>Sunday and again another yuk day although not raining so I headed back into Sydney once I got motivated and went to the Market at The Rocks and went up to the Pylon Lookout over the bridge. Just mooched around and then headed back. When I got back to the guesthouse Paula had invited Tanea and me to a 007 night at the restaurant she works at. So we had to get dressed up - which was interesting when you only have backpacking clothes with you!! and we headed down there. </p> <p>OH MY GOD!! I drank too much, I danced too much and ended up sitting down with my back killing me. But it was a good night and I woke this morning a little worse for wear but with a back that is pretty loose considering what I put it through!! Been back to Chiro this morning and she's very pleased with me and have booked to see her again when I get back to Manly after my adventures!!</p> <p>So today it's raining so I will do my washing and pack ready to leave bright and early in the morning for my flight to ALice Springs. Rumour has it that there may be a Coup in Fiji and the Australian government are advising against travel there so with that in mind and my back I may well be home earlier than planned - so be prepared to sit through millions of photos and hear me banging on about the fantastic people I have met and the fun that I have had!!</p> <p>Take care everyone - take some joy in the fact that it's raining here even if I am still wearing shorts!!</p> <p>Love you all loads<br> Me<br> xx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/01/15/seeing_the_sights~474719/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/01/15/seeing_the_sights~474719/#commentshttp://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/01/10/sydney_harbour_bridge_climb~456939/tag:helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk,2006-01-10:/2006/01/10/sydney_harbour_bridge_climb~456939/Tue, 10 Jan 2006 05:50:07 +0100 <p>Well, I trust you are all back into the swing of work and things are going well for you all in 2006!! I'm still in Manly and have been staying at the guesthouse the whole time although tonight and tomorrow I have to stay at the hostel as there are no rooms at the hostel!! Not good - never mind.</p> <p>So since I last wrote I have drunk far too much with the Kiwis and Scottish lads and generally been having lots and lots of fun. Been to the beach, been to the pub, and been into Sydney with the lads where we managed to get lost and find a fab pub that did brilliant food - so of course we ate!! It would seem that Singi doesn't go anywhere without eating so it seemed only right!! We wandered around Sydney, went and had a few drinks in Darling Harbour and then made our way back to Manly. </p> <p>And that was the general itinerary for the whole week. Until yesterday!</p> <p>I met up with Dad and Eve and we went and had Pancakes on the Rocks, which was, as always, fab!! We then made our way to the bridge office in preparation for our climb. I was so nervous - it takes 3.5 hours to complete and I must have gone to the loo 3.5 times before we left to ensure that I wouldn't reach the summit and need to pee!! Dad just kept laughing at me - however, the laugh was soon on him.</p> <p>We donned our very sexy jumpsuits, and left all our possessions in the lockers and got our headsets and started the climb. There were 12 of us in the group and Annette the guide was lovely. She was soo informative - it must take hours to learn all that stuff. We climbed 1639 steps to the summit. The ladders going up were virtually vertical which was a bit scary especially as Sydneys busiest highway runs beneath you and the trains go next to you - aaaaaahhhhhhh!! So we climbed and climbed, and Dad made us laugh. He was 'scared'. I kept walking without holding on and he kept telling me to hold on. He wouldn't look down and was very funny to watch. I'm sure he will regale everyone with stories about his intrepid climb and how he wasn't scared at all - don't believe him!! We had photos taken along the way, and when I receive them from Dad I will post them on my website for you all to see. It really was a fantastic day and I would recommend it to anyone. I would even do it again - but at night next time - how amazing would that be.</p> <p>So I got back to Manly and went up to the guesthouse as it was Singi & Scottys last night so we had a bit of a party. It just won't be the same without them - they were (and are) just fantastic - and I know I will stay in touch with them. I feel a Scottish Hogmany coming on...!!</p> <p>Today we woke with huge hangovers, and waved the boys off. I am so sad today it's unbelievable - I really could just fly home today. I miss you all so much.</p> <p>However, I won't be cos I have now booked up the next 3 weeks of adventure. I am off to Alice Springs on 17th and then spend 3 days out in the Bush to see Ayers Rock, The Olgas and Kings Canyon which I'm looking forward to. Then back to Alice for a night before flying to Melbourne for a couple of nights and then onto Newcastle to stay with Felicity & Erin (my bestest Road Trip buddies!!) for a week where erin assures me she will teach me to surf - that'll be interesting!! From there it's back to Sydney before I fly to NZ. By then I really will feel like I'm on my way home. </p> <p>Anyway, love you all lots, some more than others even if they don't miss me.</p> <p>xxxx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/01/10/sydney_harbour_bridge_climb~456939/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/01/10/sydney_harbour_bridge_climb~456939/#commentshttp://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/01/03/happy_new_year~436140/tag:helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk,2006-01-03:/2006/01/03/happy_new_year~436140/Tue, 03 Jan 2006 11:37:51 +0100 <p>Well, welcome back to work everyone!! Hope you all had a fantastic time over xmas and that your New Year Festivities left you feeling as ill as I did! Anyway more about that later....</p> <p>So I've been in Manly for a few days now and I love it. I arrived here and checked into the guest house and then came out for a mammoth walk all round manly trying to find an internet cafe only to find that it was just up the road - talk about take the long way round!! So I updated my web and did some shopping and made my way up to the guest house.</p> <p>I was sat outside doing another Suduko (sad I know but addictive!)when a very nice Kiwi lady came outside and told me that noone sits outside her guesthouse without a drink and on their own. She then told me she is the housekeeper and proceeded to ply me with Sambuca on an empty stomach!!! Next thing I know a group of guys came back from the pub, 2 from Scotland (Singy & Scotty) and one from Oz, Tim. So we all sat around chatting and drinking and then made our way out to the barbeque area out back where Taneas partner then produced home made flans (not as good as mums cheese flan but pretty good!). We proceeded to get very drunk and they are all soo lovely and have really looked out for me.</p> <p>So then Friday I got up and went down the beach with the guys and came back to get ready to go to Wendy & Ians for a Bar-B-Q where I would see cousin Paul for the first time in 5 years. Bit daunting so Tanea fed me sambuca again before I left. All in all a fantastic evening although it took me 2.5 hours to get back! But bless Singy waited up for me to make sure I was ok!</p> <p>Saturday and it's New Years Eve!! So went for a walk into town and actually had my hair cut. It is now short at the back so that it can start growing into a bob - long hair again - oh my god!! Then I made my way into Sydney to meet Dad & Eve at McMahons Point for 3pm ready to 'cop a squat' to view the fireworks. McMahons Point is right in front of the harbour bridge which was the focus for the fireworks and the Opera House is behind that.. The view was amazing and although the wait was a little tedious (saved only by my bottle of water aka Smirnoff Ice!) it was well worth it. The theme for the night (and year) was Heart & Soul. So Dad bought Eve and I flashing red hearts which we wore proudly. At 9pm the first lot of fireworks went off and they were amazing. They are done for the kids and then the families tend to leave the party goers to it. At Midnight the show was like none other I have ever seen. It was beautiful and I just sat in awe hardly able to actually believe that I'm on the other side of the world and how fantastic it is. I am soo lucky and wish that you could all experience it too - hopefully this blog goes some way to helping you imagine!</p> <p>So I got back to Manly where I met the guys for a drink, except that I didn't cos they had shut the main corso in Manly due to fights earlier in the evening so I didn't get to the pub in time. Never mind - I think I had had enough by then!! I sent loads of texts and hope you all got them. </p> <p>New Years Day arrived and god did I feel ill. Not helped by the fact that Sydney experienced it's hottest day on record since 1939, hitting 45 degrees. It was too hot to go out so we just sat in the house and watched telly. Went to bed early and prepared for a day in the sun the next day.</p> <p>However, It then all changed. The winds picked up and the rain was acoming!! The temperature plummetted and by 7am it was only 19 degrees and cloudy. I actually had to wear my tracky top all day it was sooo cold!! Kind of good in a way as I had to move out and into a backpackers down the road - just can't afford the rent in the guest house although I'm gutted cos I've made some great friends. Anyway, the guys helped me take my stuff down and I was gutted - it is awful - so hard when you are used to the guesthouse with a room to yourself and your own fridge and telly!! Anyway, they took me back to the house where I went and had a quiet cry and then proceeded to get me very drunk. Tan took pity on me and I stayed there again last night - even though most of my stuff is at the backpackers and very soon I'm going up there again to spend the evening drinking!! Was going to go down the pub but they guys have just text saying the pub is dead!!!</p> <p>Today I got up and spent the day on the beach. It was a nice 30 degrees - deceivingly cool and I now have a little redness shall we say!! Never mind. So that has been my week so far.</p> <p>As I said before I really do hope that you all have a fantastic 2006 and it brings everything you wish for. I promise I WILL come home once my tan is dark enough - but it will take a bit more working on for the time being!!</p> <p>Enjoy work, and I'll have a drink for you all in Sydney!!</p> <p>Lots of love to you all<br> Me<br> xxx<a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/h/helsbelsonthedarkside/img/IMG_0434.JPG" title="Me on new Years Eve 2005"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/h/helsbelsonthedarkside/img/IMG_0434_small.jpg" border="0" alt="Me on new Years Eve 2005"></a><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/h/helsbelsonthedarkside/img/IMG_0463.JPG" title="The Fireworks"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/h/helsbelsonthedarkside/img/IMG_0463_small.jpg" border="0" alt="The Fireworks"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/01/03/happy_new_year~436140/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2006/01/03/happy_new_year~436140/#commentshttp://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/12/29/xmas_in_sydney~423557/tag:helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk,2005-12-29:/2005/12/29/xmas_in_sydney~423557/Thu, 29 Dec 2005 07:30:21 +0100 <p>So we got dropped off in Newport where Jons family live and where I stayed for a couple of nights. Lovely family, and Travers (the son) took us out in Sydney on the Friday night(funnily enough I drank too much again and suffered the next day!!).We met Dad and Eve for a drink before going to eat at some Thai DIY restaurant in Pyrmont (nice food - just not so hot on service!) and then went to some record launch in town. </p> <p>Saturday came and we headed down to the beach and then Dad & Eve came over to pick me up from Newport to go and stay with Ian and Wendy. Wendy is Eve's sister and just fab - the whole family were brilliant. That evening we just sat and chatted and got to know each other. At 6pm the boys wanted to go to bed cos Santa would come quicker but weren't allowed!!</p> <p>Xmas day arrived and I really didn't know what to expect but it was fab. Having been hideously homesick yesterday, xmas in the Sun is a total cure!!</p> <p>We started the day with the boys opening their pressies, and I even had a couple. I am now the proud owner of a Pink Passport Holder and Luggage Label, and an Australia Flag Umbrella - watch out Croydon!! Thanks to everyone who sent me a card out here - it made me feel really special (and not speshell!) and I loved them.</p> <p>We then filled a few lemonade bottles with Champagne and Guava juice and made up our canapes (smoked salmon and cream cheese on little mini breads!) and packed the Eski and headed down to North Curl Curl beach. Straight into the water for a swim at 10am on xmas day - it was beautiful and just a perfect start to xmas. We then sat and quaffed our champers and canapes - 'a blessed way to spend the day'! We then headed home to Wendy and Ian's and sat in the pool drinking more champers and generally enjoying the 'xmas spirit'! It was perfect and sorry if you got upset if I sent you that photos by the pool!!!</p> <p>Jacks and her hubby came round and brought the turkey and we did the roast potatoes and veg (well, Wendy did) and we had the best xmas roast ever - nothing like eating out under the stars in your bikini and a sarong!!! Definately a first - although I confess I felt a little underdressed!!</p> <p>The day progressed with games, humming games and more games, and was just totally an almost perfect xmas. Why only almost perfect? Cos I didn't have all my family and friends there, but there's always next year everyone!!??!!..........</p> <p>Boxing Day, Babbs, Lee, Jon, Dad, Ian and I all headed out on a boat into the harbour to watch the Sydney to Hobart Yacht race start. It was an all you could eat and drink boat and I did!! The yachts were amazing and we were amongst famous people like Billy Connolly - get me!! Not much else to say on that - probably cos it was just drinking, eating and boats.</p> <p>We ended the day back in Sydney and Babbs, Lee, Jon & I headed for Pancakes on the Rocks - Yummmmmmmmm!!! Just the best pancakes ever! We then went for a bottle of wine by central quay before heading home - and that was eventful in itself. My phone battery went dead and I didn't have Ian & wendys number, dads phone was switched off and the information line on public phones will only give a cab number if you know the name of the firm!! So after about half an hour thinking about what I was going to do I eventually mananaged to hassle a nice lady posting her letters and made it home.</p> <p>Tuesday I just spent the morning in the pool and then headed into Manly to meet Babbs, Lee, Jon & Kate for a meal and a few drinks. Kate very kindly invited me to stay so I didn't have to worry about getting back to Killara, and we went to BlueWater, the best restaurant in town!! Went for a drink in the Steyne, and then ate, and then headed back to Kates via the Boatshed!! A classic night which became a very drunken affair once back at Kates, with Me, Lee & Babbs debating the pros and cons of management etc etc. All in a fantastic night out, although my head the next morning said otherwise!!</p> <p>I headed back to the City where I met Dad & Eve and we walked all round the Opera House, and then through most of Sydney City and then met friends of Eve's for a drink and then dinner in a cheap and cheerful (not that cheerful) place in town before heading back for white port at Wendys!!</p> <p>And today I have come back to Manly and am now staying at a very nice guesthouse where I have my own room with TV and fridge and a whole double bed to myself - I can't wait to go to bed!!! I'm here for 4 nights and then have to find somewhere else but hopefully by then most of the backpackers will be flying home having recovered from New Years Eve in Sydney.</p> <p>So on that note I shall leave and make a solemn promise to update more often from now on. I'm going to be really busy from now on with loads to cram into my time left in Oz.</p> <p>Hope you all had a great xmas, are enjoying the snow, and I wish everyone a very Happy New Year. I know that 2006 totally has to be a year where things start going right for me, and I hope that it brings everything that you wish for - I love you all very much.</p> <p>Happy New Year!</p> <p>Hels Bels<br> xxxx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/12/29/xmas_in_sydney~423557/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/12/29/xmas_in_sydney~423557/#commentshttp://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/12/29/wine_tasting_in_hunter_valley~423544/tag:helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk,2005-12-29:/2005/12/29/wine_tasting_in_hunter_valley~423544/Thu, 29 Dec 2005 07:06:24 +0100 <p>Well we met Babbs and Lee and drove up to Hunter Valley after a bit of frantic searching for birthday cake and then trying to find them. Eventually they found us and we headed off. </p> <p>All credit to Sarah for finding a fantastic place to stay. We stayed at the Grapevines Boutique accommodation and it was just great. So clean, breakfast included - although somehow I got roped into cooking brekkie the first morning (Hmmmmm!) and amazing views from our veranda. </p> <p>So we unpacked and headed down to the local pub where they did a good deal on steak and you could cook it yourself. All sounded great so we had a few drinks having already had a couple of bottles beforehand. Then came dinner...</p> <p>Well, if you go there, don't, I repeat, don't do the cook your own option. It was disgusting. None of us had much good to say about it and decided that alcohol was most definately the best way to go. So the alcohol flowed, and then the pub closed. The walk back was interesting, we'd forgotten the torch and it was pitch black so it was eventful and probably not as funny as we all found it fuelled with drink but hey - we had fun!!</p> <p>So bedtime, and then up early for Babbsy's Birthday (hence the cake being mentioned earlier!). So I cooked brekkie for everyone (sorry if it was horrible) and we got ready to start the wine tasting. We were picked up at 10am and headed straight off. We went to 5 different wineries and managed to consume copious amounts of wine, port and spirits, yet still stay remarkably sober considering. Sobels was absolutely the best winery we visited, and Babbs and I spent lots of money on lots of wine, all of which I hasten to add has now gone!! We liked McGuigans winery although not as much as Sobels and again bought wine there. Verdelho white wine is just the best and will be my favourite wine from now on - please take note in case you come to dinner!! And if you want to finish a night off in style - white port - yum!!</p> <p>Anyway, enough of the wine, it's just making me thirsty. We got back, had a little nap to sleep off enough alcohol to be able to drive into town and buy provisions for the Birthday Barbeque!!</p> <p>Many, bangers, burgers, steaks and kebabs later we were all pretty drunk and virtually collapsing. Didn't even get to eat the gorgeous cheese we had bought at McGuigans. Never mind, it'll keep!!</p> <p>So we fell into bed and woke the next day early to check out and make our way down to Newport.</p> <p>Hunter Valley is an absolute must for anyone coming to Australia - take my word and I look forward to comparing notes!!</p> <p>Not long til xmas now - hope you aren't all too cold!</p> <p>xx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/12/29/wine_tasting_in_hunter_valley~423544/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/12/29/wine_tasting_in_hunter_valley~423544/#commentshttp://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/12/29/the_end_of_the_road_trip~423537/tag:helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk,2005-12-29:/2005/12/29/the_end_of_the_road_trip~423537/Thu, 29 Dec 2005 06:55:27 +0100 <p>Well firstly a big apology to you hungry bloggers that have been emailing frantically asking why I haven't updated my site since 16th Dec!! i'm so sorry everyone - I was having too much fun!!!!!</p> <p>So I left you while the heavens were open in Byron Bay - I really do think that I had jinxed the weather on the Gold Coast - never mind - it was only one day and let's face it, it wasn't SNOW!!!</p> <p>So we headed further down the coast to Bonny Hills which is a small residential area just up from Port Macquarie. Penny & Paul are Felicitys' friends and were just fab. They welcomed us like old friends, and it was great to be in the luxury of a beautiful home!! We had a barby that night and stayed up chating. The next day we all got up and hit the local xmas market. Somebody back home was lucky enough to have a pressie bought for them but I'm not saying who!!</p> <p>We got back and just relaxed and then Erin, Jon and I went down to the beach where I had my first ever experience on a Body Board!! It was sooo funny, but bloody hard work. But I did it - and the sense of achievement when you actually catch a wave all the way into shore is fantastic - I loved it. Looking forward to taking it a step further with Erin in Newcastle later in my trip!! Monday was pretty much the same thing, sunbathing, body boarding and generally just relaxing. Bonny Hills was just a lovely place to relax and have fun!</p> <p>Tuesday we headed down to Newcastle, where Felicity really did make my day. How? I hear you ask. Well, we got back to her house for a brief unpack and pack - yes Felicity has lent me her suitcase for my time in sydney so I don't keep having to disappear into the depths of my backpack - either that or unpack it totally - so now I have a case I can wheel around, and find things in - it's fab - Thanks Flick!! And Erin now has to look after the stuff I left there until I come back to haunt her in January!!!</p> <p>It was a sad moment when we got out to the place where we met Babbsy and Lee to head to the Hunter. No more road trip. I cannot express how grateful I am to Felicity and Erin for taking us on board and putting up with the cramped conditions in the car to accommodate us. I really did have just the best time, saw some fantastic places and made a couple of friends I know I will keep forever!! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/12/29/the_end_of_the_road_trip~423537/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/12/29/the_end_of_the_road_trip~423537/#commentshttp://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/12/16/road_trip_extension_byron_bay~390764/tag:helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk,2005-12-16:/2005/12/16/road_trip_extension_byron_bay~390764/Fri, 16 Dec 2005 10:01:52 +0100 <p>So, after the experience at Fraser Island we got back in the car the next morning with a huge hangover, and made our way down to Byron Bay. The journey went quickly, probably cos I slept!!</p> <p>We detoured on the way, to pay a visit to "Crikey, have a ripper day!" at Australia Zoo, Steve Irwins zoo (you know the crocodile man!!). It was a brilliant trip and well worth the detour. Saw all sorts of animals that were just amazing.</p> <p>We continued onto Byron and arrived last night to the YHA - where I joined Erin and Felicity in their room, whilst Jon went into a mixed dorm (for some strange reason there seems to be an attraction to sleeping in the same room as tanned women??!!). </p> <p>We went out for dinner, but strangely everywhere in Byron shuts the kitchen at 9pm so we ended up having a curry at a BYO restaurant - and it was lovely!!</p> <p>Today we woke and it was overcast and yuk, so the girls decided to do what they do best (which is easy in Byron) and go shopping. Jon went off and did his own thing. This afternoon the heavens opened and it poured - I seem to be jinxed on the Gold Coast!!</p> <p>We leave tomorrow, and Felicity's friend in Bonny Hills has very kindly invited us to stay, so we are going to extend our roadtrip a little more and go there, and then continue down to Newcastle, where we should hopefully be able to meet Babbsy and Lee to go to the Hunter Valley for a 24 hour drinking stint - should be good!!</p> <p>Hope you are all well - love you all lots</p> <p>xx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/12/16/road_trip_extension_byron_bay~390764/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/12/16/road_trip_extension_byron_bay~390764/#commentshttp://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/12/16/the_titanic_experience~390750/tag:helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk,2005-12-16:/2005/12/16/the_titanic_experience~390750/Fri, 16 Dec 2005 09:51:57 +0100 <p>So, Erin and I sat on the jetty waiting for the ferry back from Fraser Island to the mainland and watched the clouds roll in. As we boarded the ferry it started to rain. Now I don't know if I mentioned that when we were at the lake, Erin had refused to get in the lake - she didn't want to get wet - aaaaahhhhhhhh!! So it's raining but we decided to sit on the top deck in the open air and watch the storm behind us.</p> <p>So we sat and laughed and generally recounted our fantastic day and the highlights of the trip. As we did, the rain came on harder, and Erin, poor Erin!, started to get wet. In fact, wetter than she would have been if she had swum in the lake!! I was pretty wet too but had my back to the rain so at least my face was dry! </p> <p>It got harder and harder, and the then the thunder and lightening started. When we had sat down we vowed that no matter how wet we got we wouldn't move from the top deck! What a mistake! We were soaking wet by now and then the crew came and asked the remaining 20 or so passengers on the top deck to move to the front in the tiny protected covered bit. And I mean tiny. The boat was rocking from side to side and then it started......... </p> <p>What started I hear you say? The Hail! The rain and hail were just coming at us from all angles. The boat was rocking all over the place, pitching from front to back just hitting the waves - and they weren't just little waves either. By now the sky was pitch black and the lightening show was amazing - just a shame we were too petrified to watch.</p> <p>Picture the scariest ever Theme Park ride you have been on, and then imagine that, 3 times as bad and not being able to get off in a minute or so!! In fact, it was like there was no end to the terror. </p> <p>So Erin is sat down with some random persons towel around her (cos her towel was already drenched) and I was stood clinging on for dear life. A very nice couple gave me a towel to put round me which kind of helped a little bit. Fear set in and then stayed when the crew told us that we weren't able to go into the harbour because it was too dangerous so we would have to stay in the shipping channel until it calmed down. </p> <p>Oh My God - all I wanted to do was be on dry land. So we were out there in the storm for another half hour before we could go into the harbour. </p> <p>Eventually, when I was contemplating somehow trying to find my mobile and phone important people to tell them I loved them and say goodbye, the crew announced that we could finally attempt to go into harbour. The relief - I can't describe! </p> <p>So we stepped onto dry land and made our way onto the coach back to the hostel, where I proceeded to smoke and drink way too much!!</p> <p>All in all, an absolutely fantastic day, with a real tale to recall and laugh about!!</p> <p>xx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/12/16/the_titanic_experience~390750/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/12/16/the_titanic_experience~390750/#commentshttp://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/12/14/fraser_island~387553/tag:helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk,2005-12-14:/2005/12/14/fraser_island~387553/Wed, 14 Dec 2005 23:30:32 +0100 <p>Well, we checked into the hostel at Hervey Bay and I researched all the different one day trips to Fraser and ended up booking me and Erin onto one for the day. So we woke early and got on the ferry over to the Island. The weather didn't look too great but it soon became a blazing hot day on the island. We were in a nice air conditioned 4x4 bus with 9 others and we set off. Well, all I can say is I'm glad I wasn't driving!! Certainly makes for an interesting trip with all the sand.</p> <p>So Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world and is just amazing. I sat up the front to start with and we drove over to 75 mile beach - wow! It's great fun driving along the beach - and get this - it's actually a designated highway!!</p> <p>So we stopped at Eli Creek which is a fresh water creek and had a few pints of water and then moved down to the Maheno Wreck - amazing again! Then to the Pinnacles which is all the coloured sands - you know there are only 3 rocks on the island and the rest is just sand - really can't process that!!</p> <p>When we got to the Pinnacles we were offered a 20 minute flight over the island in a little plane that looked like you had to start it with an elastic band!! So I figured that my back would prefer a flight and what better way to see everything. Erin and I climbed in and we took off along the beach. It was a little bit eratic but well worth the money. We flew down the beach and then over the island and some of the lakes - I would definately recommend it to anyone. We then landed back on the beach at Eurong Resort and had lunch - very nice too - possibly the best salad I've had over here! </p> <p>After lunch we went in land and walked through a creek and looked at the ferns and continued up to Basin lake. With an 800metre hike up hill in sweltering heat I thought I might pass out but I made it and it was fantastic. A fresh water lake in the dunes - we swam and saw the turtles swimming around there too!! After that we made our way back down to the 4x4 where we headed back to the ferry. And there's another story.....................</p> <p>xxx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/12/14/fraser_island~387553/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/12/14/fraser_island~387553/#commentshttp://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/12/14/road_trip~385803/tag:helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk,2005-12-14:/2005/12/14/road_trip~385803/Wed, 14 Dec 2005 14:01:09 +0100 <p>So, we left Airlie with the car packed full and made our way down to Great Keppel Island. We drove for 5 hours down to Rockhampton and then caught the ferry over to Great Keppel. Oh My God - this place is heaven. I have to mention that Erin and I had a mini adventure following the not getting wet thing parasailing (which I hope you have all got the photo of by now!). We were sooo cool with the M & M's and then we spilt them all over the car!! Not good!! </p> <p>Anyway we got the ferry and arrived on Paradise!! This island is just the best place - it is beautiful - the sunsets are something else. We booked in for a dorm for 2 nights and then decided we wanted the cabin with ensuite for 3 nights - so done!!</p> <p>We spent 3 days sunbathing and generally just relaxing. Went for a buffet on the 1 st night and managed to get our moneys worth - put it this way we got breakfast and lunch for the next day!!</p> <p>The days were filled with sunbathing, hand stand competitions and building nude female subbathers out of sand!! Erin bought a ball to play with in the sand which we named Wilson - however, Wilson didn't seem to like Keppel and made a swim for it one day - so poor Erin had to swim miles out to rescue Wilson - from that day he has been very well behaved!!</p> <p>We then caught the ferry back to the mainland on Tuesday morning - much to all our dismay - the perfect place if your with the man of your dreams - take note everyone!! We got back in the car and made our way down to Hervey Bay where I shared the driving and we arrived at the YHA. It's fab with its own pool. Lots of activities and Erin and I are booked onto a day trip to Fraser Island tomorrow for the day - looking forward to that!!</p> <p>Anyway so we're now in Hervey Bay and having a fantastic time. Road Trip good so far - including the interesting positions you can find to sleep in when your in a very well packed car!!!</p> <p>Love you all lots - and if you haven't got the photo let me know<br> xxxx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/12/14/road_trip~385803/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/12/14/road_trip~385803/#commentshttp://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/12/12/aaahhhhh_airlie~379618/tag:helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk,2005-12-12:/2005/12/12/aaahhhhh_airlie~379618/Mon, 12 Dec 2005 05:30:33 +0100 <p>Hi everyone,</p> <p>SO I left you on Monday night when we were going out for Daisys last night. Well Jon and I managed to last until about midnight and then left Daisy to it - we have it on good authority that she was good and got home at 4am!! Tuesday morning came and we waved our surrogate daughter off on her way home! We spent the rest of Tuesday and Wednesday sun bathing and just relaxing. </p> <p>Thursday came and we were booked onto the Ocean Rafting. This is a huge great inflatable raft that takes you round about 3 islands in the Whitsundays in a day - rather than spending 3 days on a boat without sea legs!! Not good!! So we got down to the jetty and there were 28 people on the raft which was really cool. We grabbed the front seats and off we went. We stopped off at Daydream island to pick up some other people - Daydream has just had $42,000,000 spent on it and it looked fantastic. Anyway, we went on our way over to Hook Island where we went on a bush walk up to an Aboriginal cave to see the paintings. That was pretty average and the hike was just awful!! But we got some great photos and then made our way back down to the raft. All I wanted to do was just jump in the water but you can't cos of the stingers unless you have a stinger suit on so I didn't! We then went on and went snorkelling in a couple of bays - it was pretty impressive although I have to say not as good as when I snorkelled in Dominican. Never mind - onwards to Whitehaven Beach which was just gorgeous but again I just wanted to go in the water but couldn't. We had lunch there and then got on the raft and went on our way back to Airlie. We met Erin and Felicity on the raft and met up for a drink later in Magnums where we were staying. </p> <p>During the conversation that evening, the subject of Fraser Island, my trip and their road trip came up. Felicity suggested us going with them down the East coast to Fraser Island. So we took her up on her offer and the next morning we took my backpack and Jons suitcase up to the car to see if all fitted. It did - result! Just a bit cosy that's all!! Erin and I had talked about doing a parasail last night, so we headed back down to the jetty to do a tandem parasail. </p> <p>So we got on the boat and got told what to do. We asked before we left if we would get wet - yes we were told so we took the waterproof camera up with us. Jon and Felicity stayed in the boat and we climbed up onto the back of the boat where we got clipped into the harness. </p> <p>Up up and away we went. It was gorgeous and we just sat and swung away on the harness. Erin nearly turned upside down - so funny!! You had to be there!! Anyway, they then slowed the boat ready to duck us in the water, but oh no, Erin and I were far too clever for that so we just lifted our legs up. Back up we went still dry!! But the boys in the boat had other ideas. We thought we were soooo clever, until they reeled us back in and took the cover off the motors and flipped it over and just soaked us with spray from the engines!! We weren't just wet, we were soaked!!</p> <p>Once back, we got the jet skis out. I went on the back with Jon which was a big mistake - I lasted 8 minutes!! I lost my bikini bottoms about 10 times and got absolutely soaking!! But it was good fun. I then sat and watched as Jon raced with Erin and Felicity on the other jet ski!!</p> <p>That night we just went for dinner and a few drinks in preparation for our big road trip the next day. So the first of Helen & Erin's Adventures had taken place!! We just kept laughing about it. I'm still waiting for my photo to be emailed to me - once I have it I will upload it onto here!!</p> <p>So tomorrow it's road trip!! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/12/12/aaahhhhh_airlie~379618/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/12/12/aaahhhhh_airlie~379618/#commentshttp://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/12/08/photos_for_you~370284/tag:helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk,2005-12-08:/2005/12/08/photos_for_you~370284/Thu, 08 Dec 2005 13:42:32 +0100 <p><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/h/helsbelsonthedarkside/img/IMG_0020.JPG" title="Me in Surfers!!"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/h/helsbelsonthedarkside/img/IMG_0020_small.jpg" border="0" alt="Me in Surfers!!"></a><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/h/helsbelsonthedarkside/img/IMG_0081.JPG" title="Dreamworld!"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/h/helsbelsonthedarkside/img/IMG_0081_small.jpg" border="0" alt="Dreamworld!"></a><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/h/helsbelsonthedarkside/img/IMG_0089.JPG" title="Aahhhh!!!!!!!!"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/h/helsbelsonthedarkside/img/IMG_0089_small.jpg" border="0" alt="Aahhhh!!!!!!!!"></a><a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/h/helsbelsonthedarkside/img/IMG_0093.JPG" title="Who saw the Roo?!"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/h/helsbelsonthedarkside/img/IMG_0093_small.jpg" border="0" alt="Who saw the Roo?!"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/12/08/photos_for_you~370284/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/12/08/photos_for_you~370284/#commentshttp://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/12/05/the_great_barrier_reef~361588/tag:helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk,2005-12-05:/2005/12/05/the_great_barrier_reef~361588/Mon, 05 Dec 2005 10:08:32 +0100 <p>Hi everyone, well I left you all a week ago when I was going to meet Lara the kiwi for lunch. We went into Surfers and went to the Surf Club for lunch. I guess the best way to describe the surf clubs is like our british legion clubs but for surfers. The food and drink is all a lot cheaper than everywhere else. We sat and chatted about life and ex husbands and generally put the world to rights! She is fab and we are going to keep in contact - in fact she's in Sydney for Xmas and New Year so will hopefully catch up with her there!</p> <p>Tuesday I just sunbathed. It was a nice day and then got ready to go see the GloWorms in the hinterland (countryside to you and me!!). So Rhonda dropped me into surfers to catch my coach. Was met by a lovely little Chinese rep who took me in his car with a chinese family to meet the coach. Was told that the coach I was going up on was a Cantonese coach but I would meet up with an english group when there. So I sat and listened to an hours worth of Cantonese which I am reassured translated into just 4 sentences!! The four stages of the gloworms life!! Got there and met with the English group - thank god you are thinking!! Well, the english group consisted of 8 people from Singapore who didn't speak Cantonese so they had to have the tour in English - when we say English what I mean is broken english - very hard going. The GloWorms however were fantastic. Absolutely amazing - and thank god for the technology from the japanese and chinese I got shown how to change my camera to take photos in the dark!! So some good came out of it! However, I have to say that I rang up and complained the next day and got half my money back!!</p> <p>Wednesday and Thursday came and went. Booked the flights up to Mackay to travel onwards up to Airlie Beach for me and Jon and just sunbathed. Friday I packed - a true accomplishment in itself - note to self - really must stop shopping!! Friday night Rhonda, Ian and I went out for dinner to Marios - a really nice Italian restaurant. Did it rain? It poured and poured like I have never seen before - it was amazing. But a very nice evening all in all - was in bed early as was being picked up at 4.45am on Saturday to go to Brisbane to meet Jon.</p> <p>So Saturday morning I made it up in time and got up to the airport where Jon was sat outside waiting for me! How good was it to see a friendly face from home? We weren't flying on until 2pm so we went into the city and got the ferry up and down Brisbane river - it was just like any other city I have to say. We eventually got on the flight feeling like it should have been about 7 in the evening not 2pm! A little nervous as a Virgin Blue plane had made an emergency landing earlier in the day at Brisbane airport!! In fact Jon and I may have even made it onto the national 9 news out here behind the reporter broadcasting outside the airport!! We were waving!!</p> <p>Got to Mackay and got ourselves onto the transfer coach to Airlie Beach. Got here at 6.30pm and found the backpackers hostel. Oh My God - what a shock for me. I have never stayed in a hostel before and we had booked a shared dorm - well it was me, Jon and 2 other guys from Scotland and Holland. Well I tried to make conversation feeling possibly the most uncomfortable I have ever felt - but to no avail - one word answers - ignorant men!! So I had a few tears outside with Jon and then we went into the main strip to get something to eat - I had a few drinks and phoned my turtle and my mum and cried and felt better. Amongst all my angst we came across a young girl walking the streets of Airlie Beach with her suitcase not looking very happy. So the rep and mum came out in me and we took her under our wing. We looked after her and Daisy (that's her!) sat and had something to eat with us. Eventually having spoken to her mum and reassured her she was with nice people ( I think I'm nice!) we took her back to the hostel with us and she had jons bed and joy of joys jon shared my single bed - didn't get a single wink of sleep - both far too uncomfortable but happy knowing that Daisy was a little bit happier with us. So we woke on Sunday and Daisy went off on a boat trip with her friend (a guy she had been staying with but fallen out with big time!) and Jon and I just spent the day sunbathing. We stayed again at the Backpackers by the Bay last night in the dorm and Daisy stayed in our dorm too officially this time!!<br> Today we moved to another backpackers called Magnums where we have a double room and I feel a whole lot better - and it's the same price - bargain!! We have been sunbathing by the lagoon today - no swimming in the sea due to Stingers. </p> <p>Tonight we are going out for a night out with Daisy as it's her last night. Generally all in all I have completely chilled out and relaxed into this whole trip. Rang Dad yesterday forgetting about the time difference and woke him at 6.30am so wasn't very popular but looking forward to seeing him at xmas.</p> <p>Will be booking some boat trips later this week to go round the islands which will be good. The tan is coming on which is good - slowly but surely so it should last a while!!</p> <p>Hope you are all ok and enjoying the cold - I promise I am thinking of you all.</p> <p>Lots of love<br> Hels Bels<br> xxxx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/12/05/the_great_barrier_reef~361588/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/12/05/the_great_barrier_reef~361588/#commentshttp://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/11/28/helen_s_harley_hadventures~342828/tag:helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk,2005-11-28:/2005/11/28/helen_s_harley_hadventures~342828/Mon, 28 Nov 2005 01:18:03 +0100 <p>OH MY GOD!! How much fun have I had this weekend. But let's go back a bit first. </p> <p>So, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday were all very wet. The storms here are unbelievable and I really am quite fed up of rain - of course, the one good thing is that it might be pouring outside but it's still hot!!</p> <p>Friday night Ian and I joined Rhonda at the Kelly Services Gold Coast, Temp Xmas Party!! Talk about feeling like it was home from home!! I will say their temps are a lot nicer than any that have ever worked for me!! They are all so friendly, and I just spent the evening drinking free champagne and mingling with the Kelly Workforce!! </p> <p>So then it's Saturday. My trip out on the Harley Davidson!! Well I met Kevin at the local footie club and we took off - was I scared? Is the pope catholic?! I was petrified. This bike was huge but Kev was soo soo lovely and just made me feel really relaxed. He tried to tell me that by the time we got on the highway I would have my hands just resting on my knees and be enjoying it - not a chance I thought!! But as he had said, I did relax into it - and it just has to be the BEST way to travel in the sun. Jeans, And a little top, shades and a helmet cruising down the east coast towards Byron Bay!! We went via Tweed Coast which was just amazing and covered in very tanned and talented surfers (Male & Female I hasten to add!!), and then continued down the highway to Byron. The views are amazing and I have some fab photos - will upload them when I get a chance!! So we chilled out, sat opposite the sea at this fab pub where a band were playing and then went swimming and then had more to drink and in the end decided that we should just stay so I could experience Byron by Night!! Well, it was just the epitomy of Australia - it really did live up to the image I had in my head before I came away - true Ozzie fun!! So Sunday came and I'm glad I wasn't driving!! We came back via Nimbin - hmmmmmm, Nimbin. It is the Dope capital of Oz. They all sit around the streets just smoking the stuff - no one batts an eyelid - even the police don't care - they seem to view it with the opinion that if you keep it all in one place then it's better than being everywhere!! They sell hash cakes - of which we were offered but declined!! Does nothing for me and certainly didn't fancy falling off the Harley on the motorway!! Anyway, we continued heading north through all the mountains - it was just amazing. I had a very numb bum - we must have covered some serious Kms but it was worth every penny. Definately the best weekend so far in my travels!!</p> <p>So today, I am just going to sunbathe and then I am meeting up with Lara who is a temp for Kelly - she is a Kiwi and is fab!! We going to have lunch and then just chill!! Can't wait!! </p> <p>So I'll update you more in a few days time - hope you're all ok.</p> <p>Lots of Love<br> Hels<br> xxx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/11/28/helen_s_harley_hadventures~342828/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/11/28/helen_s_harley_hadventures~342828/#commentshttp://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/11/22/out_of_this_world_and_into~327624/tag:helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk,2005-11-22:/2005/11/22/out_of_this_world_and_into~327624/Tue, 22 Nov 2005 06:14:44 +0100 <p>Hi everyone, sorry it's been so long since I updated my blog, but wanted to make sure I had something interesting to tell you all - after all how do you top the madness of my belly button??!!</p> <p>So, I left you on Monday still a bit dazed from getting it done. I reiterate it looks really pretty and seems to be healing pretty well although I have been assured that it will probably take about 3 months. I went home and Rhonda was out for the evening - she and some of the girls from work were having their photo taken for a 'Calendar Girls' style calendar. Yes they were stripping off and using strategically placed laptops and briefcases to hide the naughty bits!! So whilst she was off getting a bit drunk (dutch courage you understand) Ian and I had dinner. I couldn't really sit down all evening which proved interesting as my belly hurt if I wasn't standing straight!!</p> <p>So Tuesday came, and I felt as though I had done about 200 sit-ups - my stomach was so painful. If only it had looked like I had done 200 sit-ups!! I got up and came into Surfers and met the guys from Brighton again. We went for a drink (or three) and then played pool and sat on the beach for a while although it was bloody cold. Went home for dinner and then went back into Surfers to meet them and go to Melba's. It's a really good club in Surfers, although we didn't stay all that late - I think I was home by 2am! Said goodbye to the boys as they are off to Cairns tomorrow. So once again I'm on my own <img src="/img/smilies/icon_surprised.gif" alt=":o" class="middle" border="0">(</p> <p>Wednesday and Thursday I just stayed by the pool. Don't get me wrong it's hot here but the sun doesn't seem to like coming out to play much. Friday it was so miserable I thought I'd do what I do best - SHOP!! So I jumped in a cab (to later discover from Ian I could have got a bus from the end of the road!) and went to Pacific Fair. It's like Bluewater so you can imagine me!! However, I have to say, it's amazing what a tight budget does for your shopping skills. I bought cotton buds and moisturiser!!!!!!!!!!! Whoopeeeeeeee!!</p> <p>Friday night I took Rhonda and Ian out for dinner at Howl at the Moon again. It wasn't as good this time, and after Ian whimped out on us and went home Rhonda and I decided to pay a visit to Conrad Jupiters Casino....</p> <p>WOW! This place is unbelievable. I have never seen so many slot machines, and people of all walks of life playing on the various tables. Rhonda and I drank cocktails and generally walked around. And then it happened... I felt really sick and hot and told Rhonda I was going to the loo, only I didn't make it to the loo. I got as far as the customer services desk where I collapsed on the floor. I came too to find myself surrounded by security and health and safety attendants!! I went to get up but couldn't so they helped me up and called for a wheelchair - HOW EMBARRASSING!!! I wanted to go to the loo but they wouldn't let me go on my own. I got taken to the first aid room and they took down all my details for their records. Imagine fainting in the middle of this fantastic high class casino!! Only me!! In this process (which I thought was about 10 mins but turned out to be about half an hour!) I lost Rhonda. I eventually put myself in a cab and went home!! One way to get my name down in the visitors book I suppose!!!</p> <p>Saturday came and I woke with a bit of a headache - I always do if I fainted the day before. Yet we had decided to go to Seaworld, and Seaworld we did!!</p> <p>It was just the most amazing day and we saw the dolphins, and sharks, polar bears, and many more marine life. They did have 1 turtle there but that was it - better keep swimming! We went on some brilliant rides and got some excellent photos. When we got home we were shattered. </p> <p>Sunday we did the boring things like shopping and then just lazed around. Rhondas nephew arrived this afternoon for Schoolies - so him and all his family stayed for dinner. </p> <p>Monday came and Rhonda took the day off work and we went to Dreamworld. Another fantastic day where we saw some beautiful tigers and I went on the Tower of Terror. Oh My God!! There is nothing else to say!!</p> <p>Today I have done my washing so now have clothes to wear again!! Looks like Jon IS still coming up which is fantastic news and I think I will really start to enjoy myself then.</p> <p>One last little plea - none of you (except Carole - thanks honey) have put any comments on my blog for ages. It's as much for me to read as for you so please make me smile. The emails are great but don't forget my blog will be a record forever of my time travelling - so please help it be the best possible reminder.</p> <p>Love you all lots<br> Hels Bels<br> xxx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/11/22/out_of_this_world_and_into~327624/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/11/22/out_of_this_world_and_into~327624/#commentshttp://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/11/14/pink_piercings~306197/tag:helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk,2005-11-14:/2005/11/14/pink_piercings~306197/Mon, 14 Nov 2005 08:41:52 +0100 <p>Hi Everyone,</p> <p>Well it's still beautiful and sunny out here, definately getting used to the heat now!!</p> <p>So Thursday I was full of cold, didn't really do much just strolled into Surfers and then went home and had Roast Pork for dinner cooked by Ian!! Went to bed early!</p> <p>Friday was gorgeous. The sun was out all day. So I spent the morning by the pool just relaxing, and then walked into Surfers to book onto the Party Cruise!! In the evening I just got pizza in and chilled!</p> <p>So Saturday came and I woke with major butterflies. Needed a certain persons net but he just wasn't there <img src="/img/smilies/icon_surprised.gif" alt=":o" class="middle" border="0">(<br> Went to Australia Fair which is a shopping centre the size of the Whitgift centre, and spent $150 which works out about 75 english! Bought a bag, and some trousers and some straighteners (should have brought mine out but hey they were only 10 pounds out here!). Rhonda went and had her hair done ready for her dinner with the Australian Prime Minister John Howard!! Yes Rhonda and Ian went to dinner with the prime minister on Saturday night in Brisbane - how mad is that!!!</p> <p>I chilled for a couple of hours and then got ready to go on the party cruise. At 5pm I called a cab feeling majorly sick about going on such a thing on my own. Got to the Beer Garden and met a few people - never done anything so brave in my life! Met a guy from Sydney who asked me if I was up for Schoolies!! Means nothing to you guys, but last week was the end of the school term over here (just like we end each year at the beginning of summer so do they) and all the 17 year olds who have finished school, converge on Surfers for 'Schoolies'. It all goes a bit mental but everyone knows that Schoolies are 17/18 years old. So I just laughed at him and told him it was the worst pick up line ever. I might not look my age but I no way pass for 17!!! We then wandered down to the boat at 7pm. I had still only drunk lemonade - didn't want to get hammered on my own - didn't feel too comfortable! On the boat I met some fantastic kids. A little girl (18years old!) called Bonnie and her 2 friends (2 mad guys can't remember their names!) who were lovely and said hey hang out with us so I did. We had a really good time - there was party games downstairs and a live band on the top deck. It was a gorgeous night out just a little windy! Sat down for a while and happened to sit next to 2 guys who live, wait for it......... in Brighton!!! Colin and Mark and they were great. Spent the rest of the evening with them, and Bonnie and her mates. We got off the boat about 11pm and then went to the Bourbon bar which was ok - but how many fat girls in Surfers!!! And they ALL targeted me to fall into!!!! Then went on Cocktails and Dreams - much better if a little young, but we just got drunk and danced lots. Got home about 4.30am and made a phonecall - you know who you are!!!x</p> <p>Sunday was a quiet day. I got up mid morning and just lay by the pool. Rhonda and Ian got back from Brisbane and we started drinking at about 2pm!! Ians friend Yannus (might have mentioned him on Howl at the Moon?) and his wife came over and we just got drunk!! To the point where Ian cooked Lasagne and we just left it!!! Ended up having a chinese takeaway in the end!!</p> <p>Today I have been in Surfers with Colin and Mark and guess what I had done!!! Yes girlies (particularly the girls at work) I finally after a year of talking about it, got my belly button pierced!! It hurt like hell but it looks so pretty, and OF COURSE it has a pink stone in it!! I was so proud of myself!! Had to have a couple of vodkas beforehand and after but it's done now!! Spent the rest of the afternoon playing pool and going to make my way home in a minute.</p> <p>So there you go - I've done it!!</p> <p>Hope you are all ok and having fun! Missing you all heaps - keep the emails coming.</p> <p>Lots of love<br> Hels Bels (with a pierced belly button!!)<br> xxxx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/11/14/pink_piercings~306197/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/11/14/pink_piercings~306197/#commentshttp://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/11/10/shogun~296569/tag:helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk,2005-11-10:/2005/11/10/shogun~296569/Thu, 10 Nov 2005 05:19:28 +0100 <p>Hi everyone,</p> <p>I think I left you all on Monday? Well, Monday night was very uneventful so nothing to report there.</p> <p>Tuesday was a pretty nothing day too - the weather was nice and I walked absolutely miles today. Across the Isle of Capri into Surfers and then back over Chevron Island. I was soo sooo hot when i got home i just had to jump in the pool (which I have to myself!)</p> <p>Tuesday night Rhonda and I went to a charity Fashion show. It's National Fashion Month out here and the designer had some pretty cool stuff - not sure where you'd where it but hey! I'm reliably informed that it is what is called 'Gold Coast Chic!' Anyway, imagine all these size 6 models some of which were just stunning, then put a fat hamster on stage with them - have you got that picture in your head? Well the Gold Coasts newest resident is Mimi Macpherson - yes Elle's sister. Except that the name is the only thing they have in common. She's hideous and evidently is known more for having starred in a Porn film, where she had sex with a dog??!~! But she thinks she's gorgeous and that's her little world!</p> <p>Wednesday was awful. I have a cold (how when it's as hot as it is but true!) and the sun has disappeared. I sat in and watched telly, read a bit and generally slobbed. It's Ians birthday today so we went to Shogun which is a Japanese restaurant up the road from them. I have never eaten Japanese food before but it was gorgeous. They cook it all in front of you and put on this big show throwing knives and seasonings and generally being flash!! All the staff are in traditional Japanese dress - it was just a fantastic place to go. Definately something I'll remember. 2 bottles of wine later and I'm not sure how much I'll remember but I'm on holidays!!</p> <p>Woke up this morning feeling absolutely dreadful. My head is so full of cold it's just not funny. So i decided to come into surfers (got a cab cos feel so yuk!) and get some cold tablets and tissues and change some money and generally mooch. Can't stand another day of doing nothing. I'm going to try and sort out a trip out to Ayers Rock at some point too - not sure where to start on that one but where there's a will there's a way.</p> <p>Thanks everyone for posting comments on my blog - it makes me chuckle reading them and thinking of you all. Was over the moon to hear about Jacky and Pete having the baby - congrats guys - lots of love from Oz.</p> <p>Take care everyone<br> Hels<br> xx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/11/10/shogun~296569/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/11/10/shogun~296569/#commentshttp://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/11/07/howl_at_the_moon~288435/tag:helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk,2005-11-07:/2005/11/07/howl_at_the_moon~288435/Mon, 07 Nov 2005 02:45:27 +0100 <p>Well, Saturday afternoon after the whirlwind tour of Surfers, I went to bed for an hour - my head was all over the place & I really couldn't get my head round the whole time difference thing! We then got showered and dressed and went for a really nice italian meal in Broadbeach. Ian was pretty hammered which was funny - Rhonda and I whizzed through a bottle of wine. We then went to McGintys which is an irish bar where we met Ian's mate Yannus and his mates Mick and Matt. Yannus works for Billabong which is cool cos I've been promised a shopping spree with 60% off!! </p> <p>So we had a few drinks in there and then went onto Howl at the Moon. It's a really cool bar where they have 2 pianos opposite each other and a drum kit. They then play all sorts of music with a singer and basically have a duelling competition of pianos. The atmosphere is just brilliant and everyone is dancing and drinking. God knows how many vodkas I had. Rhonda and Ian left at about 12.30am but I was having such a great time I stayed back with Yannus and his mates. At about 3am we left and started to make our way home, except that it wasn't that simple! I ended up in a shopping trolley with a girl called Rachel, with Matt pushing us along. It was pouring with rain and we were drenched but it was soo funny. Picture it, rachel in the front, me stood (yes stood!) behind and matt running along pushing us. All was find until we came to a road where the kerb was a little bit higher - we stacked it with me basically doing a somersault over rachel (leaving my shoes hooked inthe shoppping trolley)and rachel just crying with laughter. Except that the trolley was still in the road and she was attached to it by her belt!! Laugh? I nearly cried laughing. We eventually managed to get a cab and I got home at 4am having had a brilliant first night out in Surfers/Oz!!</p> <p>Sunday came and went in a bit of a daze - very very hungover. Went shopping with RHonda to just the best shopping centre ever - will definately have to go back there before I leave, and then came home. RHonda and Ian went to a christening in the afternoon which I was invited to but lounging on the sofa was a lot more appealing. Very uneventful just had dinner and then went to bed early last night absolutely shattered!</p> <p>Awoke this morning at about 6am which is still a bit early for me but I'm sure I'll get used to it!! And now I'm sat in the email centre in Surfers. Going to go shopping and find some postcards to send you all and go have a beer while I write them!</p> <p>Next installment soon - when there's something exciting to tell - maybe my surfing lessons stories, or the aqua bus story, or possibly (and only possibly) the belly button piercing story!!</p> <p>Who knows, but I know I miss you all loads, but love the sun and love Oz and will persist in my quest for the best tan ever!!</p> <p>Hels<br> xx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/11/07/howl_at_the_moon~288435/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://helsbelsonthedarkside.blog.co.uk/2005/11/07/howl_at_the_moon~288435/#comments