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).

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!