kez & hay travels 06

So it's been a while since my last update, I know but I've been having a well deserved rest from lugging Meshell (backpack) around chez Patricia in Sydney. You'll be glad to hear that the back and shoulders are well and truely rested and ready to hit the road again but as for my liver.... well, you can imagine! We had alot of catching up to do!

 My first two weeks here were spent with all the other tourists - strolling across the Harbour Bridge, taking a tour of the Opera House, relaxing in the Botanic Gardens, hangin' out on the beach in Manly and partying hard in Kings Cross, no sorry that was for my whole duration in Sydney. Then I got a job as a receptionist..... mmmm fortunately that didn't last for too long, I got some extra dollars for it and the Aussie's got some free lessons in Derby slang though!  

With a bank holiday weekend ahead of us at the end of my fourth week, we headed for the Blue Mountains - Bushwalker's mecca. With Patricia at the wheel and me as co-pilot it took us a little longer than expected but we made it eventually and were met with spectacular scenery of rugged cliffs and a never ending valley touched by a eucalyptus haze - yes, the Blue Mountains do have a slight blue tinge to them. The most photographed spot is of the spectacular views of the Three Sister rock formations. According to Aboriginal legends the three sisters were turned into stone by a witch doctor because they had fallen in love with brothers from another tribe causing a tribal battle. We gave bushwalking a try but kept jumping into each others arms at the slightest rustle so headed for the nearest bar.

 Next destination was to see if I could spot Alf Stewart down the surf club at Summer Bay. No luck but plenty of lifeguards to check out and I could see why after being overhauled by a huge wave and nearly losing half of my bikini!

Then it was au revoir to Syndey after five weeks and onto Canberra, capital city of OZ. Canberra meaning "meeting place" in Aboriginal terms has only been around since 1913 and is full of diplomats, civil servantsand best of all ex-colleagues. So supprisingly I skanked accomodation and beers out of one - yes our chuck Michael and a meal out of another - Stuart and Ann-Christine. All of who were fortunate enough (ha ha) to be based in Canberra when a skin flint backpacker came to town and so it was great meeting up with them again.

Being in the political capital I had to take a trip to the Parliment House both new and old - yes they call it old!! and was able to actually sit in on question time, which the Prime Minister attended.  A huge artificial lake is the centrepiece of the city and everything is well spread out around it, so there was plenty of opportunity to see wild Kangaroos and exotic birds in the parks "No Hayley, that's not someone's escaped parrot".

Next stop Melbourne and to see if neighbours do really become good friends.......