Just a quick note to say I arrived safe and sound. Met some very helpful people along the way, had an incident with an automatic tap, and observed some very interesting conversations.
Am currently in Melbourne at Dee's house desperately trying to stay awake past 8:30pm so jet lag isn't too much of a problem. Have already tasted Kangaroo and encountered my first spider (genus unknown) so things are looking exciting!
Managed to get out of Hong Kong airport for a quick trip into the city - photos to follow.
More tomorrow!
Saturday, 17 July 2010
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
A Whitsunday Quandry
I manged to find the underwater housing for my digital camera on eBay - whoop! For about £50 cheaper than anywhere I could have got it over here, so that's one thing of the list.
One of the last activities I'm trying to sort out is what to do on my full day in the Whitsundays.
I am torn bwtween these 2:
Whitehaven Express - $140
Cruise to Island with walk to see lookout point onto Whitehaven Beach
Cruise to Whitehaven beach. Spend time there and have BBQ
Cruise to bay for snorkelling
Possibly some whale watching.
OR
EcoJet Safari - $299 (or possibly less if I meet up with 2 others/they have a space on a ski)
3 hour Jet ski tour around Northern bay (not near Whitehaven)
Chances to see secluded beaches, rivers, jungly stuff and ski through them.
Only 15 people tour with stops for snorkelling etc
Lunch back at the resort
Whitehaven seems to be the place to go and definitley something you want to see, however some of the reviews for other tours say stuff about rough sea and bad weather - which wouldn't really affect the jet ski but wouldn't be much fun on the boat!
Apparently the BBQ is good stuff and you definitely get to the beach.
The Jet ski is expensive too - although if I do manage to share a ski that would be better - but maybe then I wouldn't get to drive it.
I really like the idea of the excitement and adventure of the jet ski, getting closer to the nature, and seeing places people usually don't see.
Hmmmmm......
One of the last activities I'm trying to sort out is what to do on my full day in the Whitsundays.
I am torn bwtween these 2:
Whitehaven Express - $140
Cruise to Island with walk to see lookout point onto Whitehaven Beach
Cruise to Whitehaven beach. Spend time there and have BBQ
Cruise to bay for snorkelling
Possibly some whale watching.
OR
EcoJet Safari - $299 (or possibly less if I meet up with 2 others/they have a space on a ski)
3 hour Jet ski tour around Northern bay (not near Whitehaven)
Chances to see secluded beaches, rivers, jungly stuff and ski through them.
Only 15 people tour with stops for snorkelling etc
Lunch back at the resort
Whitehaven seems to be the place to go and definitley something you want to see, however some of the reviews for other tours say stuff about rough sea and bad weather - which wouldn't really affect the jet ski but wouldn't be much fun on the boat!
Apparently the BBQ is good stuff and you definitely get to the beach.
The Jet ski is expensive too - although if I do manage to share a ski that would be better - but maybe then I wouldn't get to drive it.
I really like the idea of the excitement and adventure of the jet ski, getting closer to the nature, and seeing places people usually don't see.
Hmmmmm......
Friday, 4 June 2010
2 Flights booked...1 to go
Have managed to book my flight form Alice Springs to Cairns. One of the most important to do early as there are only about 3 flights a day doing that route directly and REALLY need to fly that afternoon or it mucks up the scuba etc. Booked with Qantas.
Went to book the flight I found from Hamilton Island (out of the Whitsundays) to Sydney and found a cheaper one operated by Jetstar than the one I found previously by Virgin Blue. Quite a bit cheaper even with the extra AUS$10 so I can have luggage so feeling pretty smug. it also leaves 5mins later than the the other one and gets in earlier...loving the logic.....
All this thanks to the great website "I want that flight"
Salty Sea Dogs Kayaking finally replied to my email and it turns out their website is out of date. They now do tours everyday so am all booked up for the morning before I leave - and they assure me ll have no trouble catching the ferry to get to the island on time. Fingers crossed :)
Monday, 3 May 2010
Scuba sorted
Next on the "big money" list has been sorted - I'm booked onto my 3day/2night Ocean Referral Course in Cairns, whoop!
I looked around at a few courses but one of the few that did the PADI referral (instead of their own version) were these guys - Pro Dive. The Referral course means that you can do all your class and pool work in one location and then complete your actual dives somewhere else. I did consider taking longer for the course in Cairns but it would have taken up almost a week of travelling so thought it would be better to do it this way.
I been spending a lot of time recently on tripadvisor.co.uk (so much time in fact I have a link in my top tool bar) and there were some great things said, lots of photos and even a video on this website - it's written by a couple who are taking a break from their careers and having a year of adventure - well worth a look.
The diving is the single most expensive thing of my entire trip (apart from the flight!) but definitely up there on my top 5 list-of-things-to-do-ever so worth it I feel. I then followed that up by investigating a good place to do the classroom and pool work here and have found a place in Bristol (Subaquaholics) that runs the classes on Wednesday and Thursday nights. It'll take me 5 weeks to complete so will be starting that quite soon to allow for work/illness/car not starting and will keep you up to date with progress.
I've also been scouting round for accommodation in Cairns for the night before and the night after my trip. There are quite a few to choose from depending on what you're after. I basically want to avoid being in a huge studenty-party scene (I'm 29 people, I need sleep!) but still want chilled out & laid back.
Originally I was hoping to stay at Traveller's Oasis which came highly recommended by just about everyone (Lonely Planet make it their 'our pick') but who, sadly, cannot accommodate you unless you are staying for 2 nights consecutively. I used the booking system before they sent me a very nice email explaining it. It's their busiest time apparently so understandable.
My next choice was the Northern Greenhouse, one of the 'Greenhouse Backpacker' group. After my previous experience I emailed them first and got a very speedy response saying that it was fine to stay for the 2 separate nights so have booked in. The only problem is I do miss the airport transfers; however I've since discovered the airport is only 10-15mins outside of town so I can't see that being a huge problem (famous last words????).
Next things to sort are accommodation in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) and out how I'm getting from Melbourne to Adelaide. There's a couple of 3 day tours that look good but I'm not sure about the timings, Flying is the other option, which means I'll have to sort out some exploring of the G.O.R (Great Ocean Road) by myself. Fortunately I'm staying with my friend Dee when I'm in Melbourne and we're hopefully going to be able to do cool stuff together (her family have a beach house on Phillip Island - there's penguins!!!) as well as getting some ideas for other things. Although, obviously, the 'Neighbours' tour is still at the top of the list :)
I looked around at a few courses but one of the few that did the PADI referral (instead of their own version) were these guys - Pro Dive. The Referral course means that you can do all your class and pool work in one location and then complete your actual dives somewhere else. I did consider taking longer for the course in Cairns but it would have taken up almost a week of travelling so thought it would be better to do it this way.
I been spending a lot of time recently on tripadvisor.co.uk (so much time in fact I have a link in my top tool bar) and there were some great things said, lots of photos and even a video on this website - it's written by a couple who are taking a break from their careers and having a year of adventure - well worth a look.
The diving is the single most expensive thing of my entire trip (apart from the flight!) but definitely up there on my top 5 list-of-things-to-do-ever so worth it I feel. I then followed that up by investigating a good place to do the classroom and pool work here and have found a place in Bristol (Subaquaholics) that runs the classes on Wednesday and Thursday nights. It'll take me 5 weeks to complete so will be starting that quite soon to allow for work/illness/car not starting and will keep you up to date with progress.
I've also been scouting round for accommodation in Cairns for the night before and the night after my trip. There are quite a few to choose from depending on what you're after. I basically want to avoid being in a huge studenty-party scene (I'm 29 people, I need sleep!) but still want chilled out & laid back.
Originally I was hoping to stay at Traveller's Oasis which came highly recommended by just about everyone (Lonely Planet make it their 'our pick') but who, sadly, cannot accommodate you unless you are staying for 2 nights consecutively. I used the booking system before they sent me a very nice email explaining it. It's their busiest time apparently so understandable.
My next choice was the Northern Greenhouse, one of the 'Greenhouse Backpacker' group. After my previous experience I emailed them first and got a very speedy response saying that it was fine to stay for the 2 separate nights so have booked in. The only problem is I do miss the airport transfers; however I've since discovered the airport is only 10-15mins outside of town so I can't see that being a huge problem (famous last words????).
Next things to sort are accommodation in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) and out how I'm getting from Melbourne to Adelaide. There's a couple of 3 day tours that look good but I'm not sure about the timings, Flying is the other option, which means I'll have to sort out some exploring of the G.O.R (Great Ocean Road) by myself. Fortunately I'm staying with my friend Dee when I'm in Melbourne and we're hopefully going to be able to do cool stuff together (her family have a beach house on Phillip Island - there's penguins!!!) as well as getting some ideas for other things. Although, obviously, the 'Neighbours' tour is still at the top of the list :)
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
Back on track....so to speak
After some deep thought and weighing up the options I have finally decided on an East Coast plan - huzzah!
As I can't fly the day after I've finished diving (not until the afternoon anyway - and there are no flights then) and there was nothing in particular I wanted to do - except the night markets which I can do regardless - I decided that I might as well spend the day travelling to Airlie Beach (Whitsundays).
It's roughly an 11 hour journey - by train or bus but, for some unfathomable reason, nobody runs an overnight service of any variety. There's a gap in the market if ever I saw one. Still, I had the choice between train and coach and picked the train as it worked out about the same price but will hopefully be a pleasanter experience. Just hoping that the earlier journey to Alice Springs won't have put me off!
It gets me into Airlie (well Prosperine and then onto Airlie by coach (1hr)) at around 9:30pm, not much time to get my bearings but good enough to find my accommodation and sleep.
This has all meant a fun evening looking at the Day Tours I now actually have time to do. I have also decided to take the mid-afternoon flight to Sydney the next day to give me time to do something in the morning.
The 'something in the morning' is Sea Kayaking. When I was looking for day things that started late this cropped up as a possibility. It's run by Salty Sea Dog Kayaking and they do a half day tour which gets you back at 12:30. Which gives me time to pick up my bags and get the ferry to Hamilton Island for my flight to Sydney.
I'm trying to pick between a a few of the full day tours at the mo. Here's the three front runners:
Reefjet Whitehaven & Whitsundays
Big Fury Island Tour
Mantaray All in One Day
Going to do some scouting around for reviews etc before making a final decision. They all avoid visiting resorts which is good, and you get to see a lot of the islands, plus they all offer free accommodation transfer and I'll be back in time to enjoy a meal, a stroll and some of Airlie's night life to boot:)
I've had fun trying to find travel to and from this area. Some airlines fly out and not in. Some go from Hamilton Island (where there is a big resort - but most of the tours go from the mainland and require a 45min ferry ride) 1 flies into Airlie beach and the another flies into Whitsunday Coast - which is actually nowhere near the coast and is otherwise known as Prosperine (where the train arrives) confusing huh?
All this has means a night missed in Sydney so I'll be ringing STA/the hostel and telling them of my new arrival ASAP.
I feel a lot less stressed now. Which is a good thing as, above everything, I want this holiday to be relaxing and fun - I'm totally excited at the minute just planning it!
P.S I started my packing list....is that too early?????
As I can't fly the day after I've finished diving (not until the afternoon anyway - and there are no flights then) and there was nothing in particular I wanted to do - except the night markets which I can do regardless - I decided that I might as well spend the day travelling to Airlie Beach (Whitsundays).
It's roughly an 11 hour journey - by train or bus but, for some unfathomable reason, nobody runs an overnight service of any variety. There's a gap in the market if ever I saw one. Still, I had the choice between train and coach and picked the train as it worked out about the same price but will hopefully be a pleasanter experience. Just hoping that the earlier journey to Alice Springs won't have put me off!
It gets me into Airlie (well Prosperine and then onto Airlie by coach (1hr)) at around 9:30pm, not much time to get my bearings but good enough to find my accommodation and sleep.
This has all meant a fun evening looking at the Day Tours I now actually have time to do. I have also decided to take the mid-afternoon flight to Sydney the next day to give me time to do something in the morning.
The 'something in the morning' is Sea Kayaking. When I was looking for day things that started late this cropped up as a possibility. It's run by Salty Sea Dog Kayaking and they do a half day tour which gets you back at 12:30. Which gives me time to pick up my bags and get the ferry to Hamilton Island for my flight to Sydney.
I'm trying to pick between a a few of the full day tours at the mo. Here's the three front runners:
Reefjet Whitehaven & Whitsundays
Big Fury Island Tour
Mantaray All in One Day
Going to do some scouting around for reviews etc before making a final decision. They all avoid visiting resorts which is good, and you get to see a lot of the islands, plus they all offer free accommodation transfer and I'll be back in time to enjoy a meal, a stroll and some of Airlie's night life to boot:)
I've had fun trying to find travel to and from this area. Some airlines fly out and not in. Some go from Hamilton Island (where there is a big resort - but most of the tours go from the mainland and require a 45min ferry ride) 1 flies into Airlie beach and the another flies into Whitsunday Coast - which is actually nowhere near the coast and is otherwise known as Prosperine (where the train arrives) confusing huh?
All this has means a night missed in Sydney so I'll be ringing STA/the hostel and telling them of my new arrival ASAP.
I feel a lot less stressed now. Which is a good thing as, above everything, I want this holiday to be relaxing and fun - I'm totally excited at the minute just planning it!
P.S I started my packing list....is that too early?????
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
Brain ache
So after having a rethink of the scuba location - and doing some research - have decided that really its going to be better doing my course in Cairns. Because, despite the excellent looking h20 sportz there really isn't a lot of choice to do the referral course (in fact they were almost the only PADI certificated one I found!) which also include the extra dives etc.
Instead I've been looking at delaying my arrival in Sydney by a day and flying to the Whitsundays to spend a day exploring round the islands and spending some time on the amazing beaches.
I did look at Fraser Island for a while (STA recommended it, along with some other people) but, as I only really have a day I'd rather spend it out in the sun on the water than in a 4WD.Although there were some cool safari-type trips available exploring the flora & Fauna of Fraser, the Whitsundays has one out for sheer beauty and the timings of the trips (which will mean I can fly in early stay one night and fly out early the next day).
Am now I'm ploughing through the websites trying to find an ideal day trip - that leaves late enough for me to catch it if I fly. However trying to find an alternative to that - hopefully a bus goes overnight!
There are some fantastic looking trips for great prices, trying to go to some of the more out of the way places - like Hook or border island, as wells getting to walk along the amazing Whitehaven beach (98% silica you know!) I'll put some options up when I've sorted out the travel and narrowed down the choices....
Instead I've been looking at delaying my arrival in Sydney by a day and flying to the Whitsundays to spend a day exploring round the islands and spending some time on the amazing beaches.
I did look at Fraser Island for a while (STA recommended it, along with some other people) but, as I only really have a day I'd rather spend it out in the sun on the water than in a 4WD.Although there were some cool safari-type trips available exploring the flora & Fauna of Fraser, the Whitsundays has one out for sheer beauty and the timings of the trips (which will mean I can fly in early stay one night and fly out early the next day).
Am now I'm ploughing through the websites trying to find an ideal day trip - that leaves late enough for me to catch it if I fly. However trying to find an alternative to that - hopefully a bus goes overnight!
There are some fantastic looking trips for great prices, trying to go to some of the more out of the way places - like Hook or border island, as wells getting to walk along the amazing Whitehaven beach (98% silica you know!) I'll put some options up when I've sorted out the travel and narrowed down the choices....
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
Diving rethink
Ever since I started planning this trip I have been set on the idea of diving the Great Barrier Reef (or GBR to those in the know!) and Cairns seemed the ideal spot to do this. I've done all the research found the best referral course I can and all seems set to go as this is the month I've penciled in to pay for it.
However, I've spoken to quite a few folks recently and the general opinion seems to be that if you can't hang around for long then you're better off visiting the Whitsunday's rather than just cruising around the Northern part.
So I've decided to do some looking into diving further south, in particular, closer to Fraser island as this is one of my 'secondary' places I would like to visit - mostly to see what all the hype is about and see if I can spot a dingo...or a shark!
The other option I'm thinking about is changing my arrival date in Sydney and spending longer heading down the coast (at present have 5 nights booked in Sydney - 3 of which were included in my flight!) and then I can do a bit of both. Hmmm, tricky decisions that need to be made this week.
Right, back to the web and the lonely planet it is then.
However, I've spoken to quite a few folks recently and the general opinion seems to be that if you can't hang around for long then you're better off visiting the Whitsunday's rather than just cruising around the Northern part.
So I've decided to do some looking into diving further south, in particular, closer to Fraser island as this is one of my 'secondary' places I would like to visit - mostly to see what all the hype is about and see if I can spot a dingo...or a shark!
The other option I'm thinking about is changing my arrival date in Sydney and spending longer heading down the coast (at present have 5 nights booked in Sydney - 3 of which were included in my flight!) and then I can do a bit of both. Hmmm, tricky decisions that need to be made this week.
Right, back to the web and the lonely planet it is then.
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