Oct1

Laura & Mark - 1 October 1999

Good morning? well, o.k. morning. at least we managed to get out of bed, and the jet-lag still seemed to be escaping us. We had to get up early in fact as we didn't know if we could stay in the same room tonight due to the bookings mix-up.
Mark volunteered to go and ask while Laura groaned quietly and rolled over. By the time we'd enjoyed our breakfast we knew we could keep the room so it was off to the Traveller's Contact Point to get some info.
Saskia was very friendly and very Dutch and she told us what we needed to know. We got our tickets for the Sydney harbor cruise and we were told where to go to open a bank account and get our tax file number. So that's what we went to do. Once all was sorted we boarded the boat for the Sydney Harbor Explorer and sailed serenely past the Opera House (shaped we were told like shells) and the Botanical gardens (with lots of palm trees) and the Harbor Bridge (which for $100 we could walk up, but we're not stupid. We did however film the people who were busy being stupid on the top).
We got off at Watson's Bay, where we ignored the map completely and set off along the beach (in the wrong direction). We discovered a very quiet and secluded beach where we bought a drink and headed off again in search of a phone box. The phone box was back at the harbor where we got off the boat - and so was the map which we'd ignored the first time, and now told us that the pretty little beach we'd found, was in fact a nudist beach (well never mind, a bit too chilly for nudists today anyway). We then walked up to The Gap, a breathtaking little inlet, where the oceans waves crash onto the rocks. From here we could see miles out to sea.
Later, we ate some healthy chips and boarded the boat again.
We dismounted this time at Darling Harbor by the Aquarium and Cinema (the biggest screen in the World) where temptation was a little too much for us this time. We bought tickets to the 3D Experience and watched the huge thunder storm with cracks of lightning that filled the entire sky above the harbor and thunder louder than bombs and rain that turned the streets to rivers in seconds, and then still kept pouring.
Another small MacDonalds and we went to the AMP tower. This rises over 80 stories high and used to be the tallest building in the world. We took the fast elevator up and enjoyed the view of the lights of the city, it's buildings and traffic. We could just about see our Youth Hostel and we could get a very good view of the buildings, which boasted a swimming pool on they're roofs.
Then back to the cinema on the Monorail, avoiding the loud Fiesta on the edge of Darling Harbor.
The 3D experience was truly an experience and we thoroughly enjoyed having trains driven towards our heads and plates thrown at our skulls and being pierced by the giant legs of giant metal spiders from outer space.
It did however drain our energy, so it was time for bed again.
Sydney is a truly amazing place: it always surprises you in it's details, like the mime acts; and the sword swallower down by the harbor; and the men in suits who were singing outside the cinema; and the dragon outside the restaurant in China Town who was doing a dance; and a group of rangers who are having training by the harbor, and are busy sheltering from the rain - and the fact that just when you really want a sandwich, a 60 Second Sandwich Bar appears as if from nowhere, with an astounding choice of sandwiches and salads. A place to visit and be open to surprises in.

Laura & Mark - 2 October 1999

Where shall we go today? Where shall we sleep tonight? How shall we get there? Will there be space?
These are all the questions that still needed to be answered as we got up and packed our bags early in the morning. By 14.00 it was decided and we caught a train westwards, inland to the randomly selected Katoomba, high in the Blue Mountains. Only to find out when we get there that it's a long weekend, and a school holiday, and the world is staying in Katoomba. We didn't quite get a laugh though from the woman in the Youth Hostel when we asked if she had space, but it was obvious that there wasn't any at all. Thankfully she fixed us up with a room at a guesthouse in Medlow Bath, the next station on from Katoomba so after a little rest and some shopping and lots of walking with our heavy backpacks we caught the train to Medlow Bath.
Finding the "Chalet" was made even more difficult by the mist, the cold, and the heavy backpacks; but we made it and went pretty much straight to sleep. Only to get up briefly later for a quick sandwich.
By 00.30 we were fast asleep.

Laura & Mark - 3 October 1999

08.30 buzz buzz buzz. Laura: "Shall we get up now?"
Mark: "One more hour"
09.30 buzz buzz buzz. Laura: "Do you want to get up?"
Mark: "Not just yet"
13.45 Laura: "groan"
Mark: "yawn"

13.50 We finally got up! Jet lag? Not any more!

14.45 We left to catch the train to Katoomba to try to sort out what we are doing on Tuesday, when we are no longer staying at the "Chalet". With a little luck we will be on the "Fruit Bowl" bus which will take us eventually to Adelaide (although we may leave it early to visit Broken Hill) and will help us to arrange work along the way. It looks as though we'll be pulling up asparagus, picking oranges and enjoying the real Australian culture. By tomorrow we should know if there's space on the bus so this evening and tomorrow is really holiday and we may splash out on a little more than chips for dinner!
So far everything is going our way, ad it's all very exciting, and although it's been raining today, we know it won't be by the time we're in Adelaide by the beach.

Laura & Mark - October 4th 1999

Fruitbowl tour? Not until November, perhaps a little too long to spend waiting in Katoomba.
So what is plan B?
Just go, do the route on our own, and see what happens. There must be work somewhere.
So our last day in Katoomba, and we should make the most of it. What is famous about the Blue Mountains: the wonderful views and rock formations.
So with a $5 all day pass for the Trolley Tours which would take us to various viewpoints and sites of interest we set off in anticipation of the day to come. Our first stop was the most spectacular viewpoint of the entire region: Echo Point. This overlooked the best known rock formation: The Three Sisters. These three great monoliths stand out from the edge of a cliff, which plunges down into a beautifull tree-filled valley. Well, that's what it said on the sign by the lookout point, and that's what they showed on the postcards. What did it look like to us? A great white rock against a white background, with white skies and white valleys: CLOUDS!
Clouds, clouds and a few more clouds, all day long. We didn't even trouble ourselves to go on the "not-very-scenic-today" skyway, but we did do lots of walking.
We set out from Echo Point, towards hopefully some better views, and failing that, the waterfalls were meant to be spectacular, we'd had enough rain for it!
So half an hour later, after trekking through beautiful forest, feasting underway on bread, cheese and water; and prety much ignoring their beautiful lookout points, we reached the drop down into the valley which would take us too Katoomba Cascades. These were a series of beautiful waterfalls, not all too high up, but spread into several layers, and across different channels in the rock. We stood on the handy stepping stones which crossed the pool at the bottom in order to take the necessary photos and film.
We walked on in the direction which promised us Katoomba Falls but the hard rain, and the lack of good signs, except for those advertising more useless lookout points forced us to head back to the road.
Here we passed one of the handy BBQ areas, but unfortunately all we had was cheese, so we pushed on until we found a bus stop. This involved walking up a hill which would prove tough to even the professional mountain climber, but never mind, at least it was raining too.
Our next stop was at the site of the Scenic Mountain railway and skyway. We laughed in the faces of those who payed good money to travel through clouds in cable cars, and opted for the railway. Not before first buying a few souveneers and watching the local birds feed. None of the boring brown sparrows, or blackbirds that you may expect. No these were well and truly colourful: cockatoos and some type of parrots, all very friendly and tame.
Back to the scenic railway: this plunges steeply into the valley below, and is in the Guiness Book of Records for being the steepest railway in the world. It is 450m long, and goes down 250m. That's pretty steep! It goes through a natural tunnel in the rock which opens up into the heart of the dense forest. From the bottom of the railway we attempted once more to reach the Katoomba Falls, which were also mightily impressive after the recent rains. Unfortunately for us these useful rains were still raining so we headed back.
All the way back to Medlow bath this time after a quick shoping stop, and a chance for Mark to phone and wish his sister Happy Birthday. Back at the Chalet, we slept a little more, had another feast on bread and cheese and then watched our first bit of Australian TV. A comedy series not unlike Britains own "Have I got news for you" (also available in Holland). Then a cup of tea and to bed as it would be an early rise tommorrow.

Laura & Mark - 5th October 1999

Today is not a very interesting day. After picking a town out of a hat it was decided that we would move on to Bathurst, so we did.
By 8 o'clock we were ready to leave the Chalet. All that was left was to pay our debts and say our thanks. So Mark courageously rang the bell as there didn't seem to be anyone up serving breakfast this morning. A few minutes later, a frowning lady of the house came out in her dressing gown and took out the entire world's problems on us. "I would have appreciated it if you'd paid me last night" (but they were in bed early the night before, so that was tricky) "I would have appreciated it if you'd paid me in cash" (why didn't you tell us earlier) "For low rates I don't accept credit card" (don't you trust us) "Haven't you got any cash?" (are you avoiding taxes or something my dear lady) After taking the last $10 we had, she moped off with the credit card to charge the rest to it. When she returned she mumbeled: "I've rounded it up $5 for interest" (interest? Excuse me but you don't get five dollars interest in ONE day) Unfortunately we were already about to miss the train, so we paid the miserable moo and left.
After a healthy morning's run with our backpacks to the station we just caught the train to Katoomba. From here we caught the train to Bathurst with no troubles at all and laid back to enjoy the comfortable seats, the fresh air and the general pleasantness of the journey: Goodbye Medlow Bath.
Arriving in Bathurst we decided to book a ticket on for the next day to go as far as Young and try to find work there. With this done, we checked into a lovely pub which had rooms above it at a very reasonable rate ($35 per double room per night) and set off to explore the town. We dropped in to an employment agency to see how the work situation was in Young, and she didn't think it was the right season yet. She said that Griffith (a little further on) had more hope: "anyone who isn't employed in Griffith doesn't want to be".
So we changed our ticket, enjoyed a lovely pub meal where we were staying (Victoria Hotel), had a drink and went to bed.

Laura & Mark - 6th October 1999

Bathurst to Cootamundra: roughly 3 hours, in theory
Unfortunately for us our bus driver didn't agree with the theory, and to prove it he smashed his bus into a poor unsuspecting car which contained a learner driver taking his driving test!
So 4 hours later we got to Cootamundra
Cootamundra to Griffith: leaving Cootamundra at 14.00, in theory
This time it was a train that decided to go against the theory by being 1 hour late. This was the train that all the coaches had to wait for, so yes, we left 1 hour late.
Arriving in Griffith an hour late and pretty tired (by now it was already early evening, and the sun was going to bed) we still had to find somewhere to stay.
After visiting the Youth Hostel, which we thought we would give a miss for now, we went in search of another cheap and friendly pub. This we found and we went in to ask for a room. Mysteriously (as the town seemed very quiet) they were already booked out but they recommended some cheap new accommodation a couple of streets further on so we set off once more to investigate.
We reached the recommended "Alberta Lodge" and were greeted by its concierge who told us it was only $120 a week and there was someone who might be able to provide us with work. This sounded reasonable so we waited while he inquired about the work. He came back and told us there was some fruit picking (oranges) which was quite well paid and he emphasized that we would always get paid in cash, thinking this was very useful. Then his mate came in to tell us some more (although he spoke more itallian than english). He again told us about the cash in hand and suggested that he would phone his boss and ask. Meanwhile we were shown to the room that we would have and were told that it was pretty safe there but to put this bar thing in front of our window: "you never know". Back with our foreign friend, he said we could go out with him in two days time and give it a try. We first had to come up with cash for the room so we made our escape. Once rounded the corner we stopped to consult eachother, and were both pleased to find that we agreed: Never in a million years do we want to stay there or have anything to do with them!
So we went back and made our excuses to leave, however just before we got away the concierge reinforced our suspicians: "if you have a passport you can always go to the Youth Hostel" and "If you get work through an employment agency, the pay is good but after a few weeks they'll ask to see your visa".
Goodbye Alberta Lodge.
Quite a while later, after wandering and wondering we decided that we didn't like Griffith much and that we'd go on and have a bit of a holiday before finding work later around Melbourne. We were too early to get work fruit picking anyway (except illegal work in Griffith of course). We slumped into a lovely motel after a dinner of Kentucky Fried Chicken (what, no bread and cheese?) and enjoyed the luxury of television. Home from home we felt as we watched the fly-on-the-wall (real TV) documentary about Heathrow airport, called "Airport", and then some australian documentary about women in jail in Australia.
For $68 dollars, we thought it was well worth it (the Acasia Motel, well recommended by us) and were reminded again of the rip-off of the Chalet even at cut-price rates ($65 a night for three nights, + $5 interest of course).
Time to sleep, as breakfast in bed was coming early the next morning (well we are on holiday).

Laura & Mark - 7th October 1999

So where shall we go today?
We decided on Broken Hill, while enjoying a delicious and well-deserved breakfast (Mark: Orange juice, bacon, eggs, toast and tomatoes; Laura: Orange juice, boiled eggs and toast).
The bus would not go until 02.15 (yes, that's am) so we had quite a lot of time to kill after we checked out at ten to ten (am).
First we went to book our ticket to Broken Hill, via Mildura. Followed by a visit to the tourist information centre to ask what we could do for the day, where a supermarket was, and if there was an internet cafe.
The internet access at the cafe was far too slow, so we settled for a visit to the supermarket and a trip up the hill to look at the bush and see if we could get a nice view of Griffith. Thanks to the very friendly woman at the Mobil station (where we booked our tickets) we were able to dump our heavy backpacks there for the day. And thanks to the trusty australian BBQs we were able to buy hamburgers to cook later for lunch.
But first: the walk up the hill. It seemed like a long way, but after a visit to the toilets in the bush, and an even longer walk to the actual lookout we realised how high we were. Not very high at all. We could hardly see over the treetops. So we very quickly managed to walk down again by a slightly more direct route, and we made our way to the BBQ spot.
Here we felt truly Australian. It was almost 30 degrees and we were out BBQ-ing. It was very yummy, which we think says enough.
Fully satisfied we lay in the sun for a while and got a giant ice-cream before retrieving our bags.
What to do with the remaining 9 hour wait?
We didn't really have any brainwaves so we went to the Mall, and sat there. By just after 8.00pm (roughly 2 hours later) we thought we'd better move on slowly. The Mall was very nice by the way, and we sat outside the supermarket and watched people do there shopping, all very relaxing.
Next, we went to MacDonalds where we ate slowly and spent a further hour discussing how we would be able to open a cafe or something together, or maybe a cinema. Anyway, that's all irrelivant, and we were kicked out at closing time: back on the streets again. These streets were meanwhile becoming incredibly hostile, as the entire population of Griffith took to driving up and down past the main shopping street (and us) revving their engines and looking meanly out of the window. It was all getting pretty strange, as the dark blue VW passed us for the 18th time, and one of the 14 identical white cars went round for another lap. We decided to move on and find a pub to sit in. The only pub in the whole town seemed to be worse than the streets themselves. Loud shouts from within and the ambulance outside managed to keep us away.
So back to the trusty Mobil station we went, where a few games of Yatzee later, we watched the coach leave in the other direction and continued our waiting. By this time it was midnight, only two hours left. They passed eventually, thankfully, slowly, and we were off again. In McCaffety's comfy (?) bus, which smoothly (?) and quietly (?) took us to our destination: Mildura.