Saturday 31 March 2007

My Bag

Just to let you all know, I got my bag back the following day after arriving but it had been wrecked by the baggage handlers either in Sydney or Heathrow (more than likely Heathrow). Qantas replaced it though with a more expensive one, so I can't complain too much. The bag is ok except for the 2 million pockets it has!

Manly Ferry

We have moved on to Manly. Its a 30min ferry ride from the city.
Here are a couple of pics of the view from the ferry.


Mrs Macquaries Chair (hidden behind tree in the centre)


The city landscape.

We're staying in a small hostel which seems to be really quiet with strict rules! There are little signs everywhere saying stuff like: 'No alcohol', 'No cooking after 10pm', 'Keep the TV on low at night'. It seems that there is just one little eccentric guy who runs the place on his own and lives on site. But we think it's a nice enough place, especially as it's cheap!

Just a quick note about pedestrian crossings!! The first time we used one, we thought we'd landed in a sci-fi movie and had just been shot with a giant "laser". They make kind of a schumpf noise - so much more exciting than the British beepers!!

Was someone expecting us!











Resturant in Coogee. We were quite impressed by the name.













In our room at the Beachhouse in Coogee before we went out and got a wee bit drunk.
We meet some locals who took great pleasure in taking the piss out of us. Kate told one of them that Steve Irwin was a tosser but he just agreed (so we need a better insult for next time Leif).
Anyway they were lightweights and couldn't take their drink (typical aussies).

Tuesday 27 March 2007

Monkey's Diary Post 3

I've been a busy boy this week. Here's a few places i've been.


Opera House.


Royal Botanic Gardens.


Mrs Macquaries Point.


Meeting the rels at Taronga Zoo.

I've not been that busy really, i've mostly been staying in drinking goon and chatting up the female backpackers in the hostel.

Note from Jamie: Goon is a 3L carton of wine you can get in the supermarket.

Speak to you all later i'm off to shoot some pool at the pub.

Mr Monkey.

Southern Beaches

Since moving to Coogee beach we have been for a coastal walk between Bondi beach and Coogee beach. It's about a 2 hour walk non stop, but there are plenty of refreshment breaks along the way.



Bondi Beach


Jamie about to jump!





Me at Coogee Beach. Quite an unfortunate choice of photo this (cheers J!)

Taronga Zoo (21st)

We took the ferry to Taronga Zoo and spent most of the day there. Here are a few pics of the locals.


Tasmanian Devil


Koala (Aw cute!)


Joey and Big Ass Roo (Red Kangaroos)

We also met a Manchester local

Tim the Tapir (Only joking!!)

As far as zoos go this is one of the better ones we have visited. They try to recreate the animals' habitats and give them as much space as poss. Although it's built on the side of a hill be prepared to go up and down a lot of stairs.
View from the zoo.

Birds!!

We had a walk through the botanic gardens today (20th). We went from the Opera House to Mrs Macquaries point following the shore line.

Here are some of the birds we met on our way












We think Kath and Sue would like these two! On the second picture it was coming to attack Jamie. That bird knows what it's doing!





The bird life of the Royal Botanic Gardens



Cockatoo fighting with a leaf.

Mrs Macquaries Chair

At Mrs Macquaries Point is the chair which is cut out of an outcrop of rock. In the 1800s, the governor decided to have the chair made for his wife, who liked to sit at this spot and look out over the bay (so there's a bit of history for ya!). The chair faces away from the bridge so thats why there are no pictures from it.


Jamie looking anywhere but the camera.




The view from Mrs Macquaries Point (not the chair). And check out who has sneaked into the pic with Jamie!

Friday 23 March 2007

Fri 23rd March (happy birthday, Sue!!)

Just to let people know that there are more pictures on the way, we've just been struggling with crappy computers.

We've now moved on from Glebe to Coogee (you say it like cudgie), which is by the sea.

Sunday 18 March 2007

Monkey's Diary post 2


Hello its Mr Monkey here at the bridge birthday celebrations. I didn't do the walk across the bridge as I couldn't be arsed with all that walking cos i'm still a bit jet lagged.

Sydney Harbour Bridge.

75 years young!! Its birthday was on Sunday.
Sydney Opera House.
The past two days (Sat & Sun), we've wandered round Sydney Darling Harbour, The Rocks and The CBD checking out the obligatory tourist points! I think we have brought the cloudy skies of Manchester with us although its still warm! We've also been to The Rocks Market and Kate has bought some cool earrings.

Evidence that we are actually here and haven't pinched some pictures and posted them.

Monkey's Diary post 1


Here I am the VIP of the group chillin' at Manchester Airport!

Friday 16 March 2007

Fri 16 March - we've arrived!

Jamie's luggage has been left at Heathrow. Those goddamn donkeys - all that pissing about and they still make mistakes. So a huge thanks to the 'reliable' staff at Heathrow!!!

We've booked into our hostel in Glebe (Sydney). It's basic but looks alright. Can't believe how warm it is this evening (about 25 degrees) and poor Mr Jamie is stuck with a pair of jeans and a sweaty "Rock Dur" T shirt until tomorrow afternoon... shame that(!)

Thurs 15 March 07 - the flight

And so our Oz Adventure begins!

Current location: Qantas plane, waiting to leave Heathrow Airport.
Current state: Pretty knackered (had to check in at 6am!), but quite excited too.

Firstly, I'd like to introduce the team:- there's my partner in crime and hubby, Mr Jamie Sands; then there's myself, Kate Sands and lastly our glamourous mascot, Mr "Sydney" Monkey who (despite appearances) is so much more than a PG Tips' freebie!

So, right now, we're catching our last glimpses of England before we jet off to the land Down Under. Admittedly, it's not very exciting at the moment, as we're stuck at Heathrow waiting for the handlers to finish faffing with the luggage.

Looks like Jamie's asleep already. Think I'll check out what films I can watch - we have our own little screens and a hell of a lot of flight time ahead.