Western Australia via New Zealand - November 2009

November started with a short trip to Christchurch, New Zealand to enable me onto a tourist visa for Australia. I spent the week with Teresa, Arts & Crafts director 2007.


On 6th November, I travelled to Perth to stay with the Dalton's, TAG Directors 2009 and their 5 children (who all also were at camp 2009). It was a couple of days before Flora came over from Sydney. The week and a half spent at the Dalton's was very eventful. We played lego, dolls, chase in the garden and many other childrens games. As adults we also engaged in a very quick game of cluedo, despite Jamie trying to follow the rules!! Our time spent at the Dalton's provided us with great food, great hospitality and of course, great company! It definitely served as a great beginning to our Great Australian Adventure!


While in Perth, we had a few nights in the city with friends from Sydney, and took in the sights of the city, Fremantle, and Fremantle Prison. We also caught up with Stef, Counselor, 2006-2007 on a few occasions.


On Monday 16th November at 6am our Western Xposure Perth to Broome tour began. We joined 8 others on a 3000km journey from city to beach, to national park and ending in a the small town of Broome. Along the way we made some great friends and took in some amazing scenery. Here are some of the events that took place along the way:

• Karijini National Park - We spent 3 nights sleeping in the great outdoors and making small treks to cool off in little scenic gorges. Our campsite was surrounded by bush fires during our stay, but thankfully did not effect us!


• Dolphins at Monkey Mia - early in the morning the dolphins come right up to the beach to visit humans and allow them to be fed. They came on 2 occasions while we were there and we could see them up close.


• Sandboarding - What great fun this was, after a few attempts we all became pros!!


• Pinacles - Strange rock formations in the desert was the first stop on our tour.


• Coral Bay - Snorkeling in the Ningaloo Reef. We saw spectacular Coral and lots of fish that swam with us. We took a trip on a glass bottom boat to get closer to the marine life.


• Turquoise Bay - The explanation is in its name, a beautiful beach with crystal clear water, a great place to relax and take in some rays!


• A few good nights! - After bars shut and the sun goes down, we headed out a few times to the beach to continue the party, we were fortunate to have some awesome people on our tour who made these nights very memorable.

We are currently in Darwin until 30/11 when our next tour to Alice Springs begins. Western Australia is now covered, we saw so much and enjoyed it all, but this is only just the beginning, keep posted for another update on the great Australian Adventure soon!

Photos

Perth life with the Dalton's

THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN ADVENTURE - Western Australia

October - The little one gets old!

This month draws a close to living in Sydney and working in Australia. The time around work has been filled well and there is lots to look forward to in the rest of 2009!

October Partying Adventures

What a month for partying! We have definitely put Sydney to the test.... and we can confirm, it doesn't have anything on London! Here are a few highlights!

Flora's 25th. We celebrated in style at Chinese Laundry. On Flora's actual birthday I cooked a lasagne and we spent the evening surrounded by balloons and wearing paty hats!

Trinity bar for drinks on a few occasions, one of which we participated in a quiz, not your average backpacker or even British quiz.... we didn't do very well!

With the return of Zoey from my first time in Sydney, we partied in Kings Cross, probably the busiest in Sydney. We visited a few drifferent bars this evening, none of which were much to report on!

MAMMA MIA. I know everybody will be wondering what this is doing on my blogg.... Well it is true, I did go and see the award winning stage show. I can confirm, I did not pay for a ticket, it was free from work so I thought I best make the most of the opportunity. I can't say I completely enjoyed the show, but it had its comical parts!

Our Sydney leaving do (my second Sydney leaving do). We started at the bowls club opposite my work and then headed to Nikki's house before finishing the night at Candy's in the early hours of the morning. A great send off!






The Great Australian Adventure

The past month has been spent comparing quotes, searching trips and tours and finalising the great australian adventure we will embark on in November. Below is the itinerary for the trip. If you haven't already received it via email, here it is. Now you know exactly where we are until the new year. Look out for the next post for how the adventure is going! I can't guarantee an update before we arrive in the Gold Coast on 23rd December, but I will try!


Work

After completing a whole month at Pinpoint, things were going well. I had taken on many new programs which meant lots more calls. The team in the office was a lot smaller than last time but there were a few familiar faces and some new ones that made it a lot of fun! When the start of the great australian adventure was decided, I have two weeks notice to work so they were aware. Of course, they let me go before, and they could again. I made it as far as the afternoon the day before my last day when I was advised I was not going to be needed the following day. I was so close to being the one who left willingly!

Pinpoint has given me a few months of work while in Australia and was a great place to work. This is mainly thanks to Andy, Robin and Cammille. What awesome people to work with!




Future Plans

If you want a copy of the full schedule then please email me on bensb85@aim.com and I will forward it to you. Here are a few highlights of what is planned:
10 Day Tour from Perth to Broome
6 Day Tour from Darwin to Alice Springs
Avatar Boat Trip on the Whitsunday's
Fraser Island Self Drive Trip

These plans are all confirmed and this is where we will be until January 5th. Once we fly to Auckland the uncertainty begins again as we begin a new adventure in New Zealand!


Photos

Halfway to 50!! Gutted Flora, Happy 25th!!
Leaving Sydney.... AGAIN!