Apologies for my Absence

As it seems, I went into 'cog nito' as they call it for a short period of time. Not to worry my lovable Londoners, I am back and with lots to report...

Firstly. 

Byron Bay - Staying at Nomads Backpackers, the accommodation was adequate. Sandy beaches, its more of a party town, with lots of people looking for a party, yet oddly enough, there aren't many high standard parties to attend to. More lower class adolescence's "Lets all get wasted and smoke weed" type ground. Not my type of thing. But if your into it? Then hey, I recommend the fabulous beach bar, located offside of the main beach featuring live bands and a fish tank bar. The name of the bar I admit could have included a lot more imagination, but the overall feel of the place, I guess would do, if you mistakenly put your self down for the more than a couple nights in Byron Bay. Oh. And do not bother going to Nimbin, complete waste of $55 day tour into a town full of hippy weed addicts just smoking their lives away, one brain cell at a time. Pathetic.

Secondly.

Surfers Paradise - One word. Paradise, I can't really explain how wonderful this place really is. A mixture of the city and sandy beaches, this place really has it all. Except Jobs. Despite the wonderful and affordable apartment, Surfers is unfortunately considered as 'A Holiday City' for Australians. And it is difficult to get a Job in the City once they know your a 'Backpacker. Yes I said it. Apparently when you explain the you are on a 1 year working holiday visa, you are labelled a 'Backpacker'. My suitcase has wheels and doesn't even go on my back! Surfers is in an area known as the 'Gold Coast.' Not as high end as Sydney's 'Darling Harbour' filled with a million dollar Yachts, yet still Classy and expensive.  

Thirdly.

Brisbane - Where I am currently living. Brings back all the reasons why I proudly declare myself a City Girl. 

Renting my own apartment in a town called Albion, I also worked in Telesales and had firmly landed on my feet! After a good 2 months, Me and my cousin had to fly back to the UK in aid of our unwell grandmother, and now that our three week break from our Australian life is up, I have grown to appreciate the wonderfulness that is Brisbane and that isn't London.

Being without my car, has opened my eyes to how rubbish our public transport system really is, as well as how lower class the country has become. Driving around and seeing young parents, without a hope in hell of tasting real life outside of their home towns. And the double recession really has hit everyone hard. It's ruined the foundations of what I considered London town... Relationships, Friendships, Trust and Business Alliance. It all comes crashing down and in my opinion sometimes its better for things to be pure black and white rather that true colours burning through. And people are so reliant on their TV's AND whilst your unemployed you really have no reason to be. I guess that's another consequence on the country being so money orientated. 

Enough of the cloudy greys... it turns out, that through great connections you can achieve your dreams, my flight is booked to take me straight back to paradise and the apartment is ready for us to move back into. If that wasn't enough, I e-mail a previous contact by the off chance, and it turns out the Photographer Job that I applied for is still available! 

HELLO! I start the Saturday of the week I fly back and my first event is Photographing the world famous R&B Artist SHAI at the club I work for. I love his songs! My favourite is "If I ever fall in love again." 

Hope you enjoyed the pictures of Surfers Paradise.

xo xo Navita in wonderland.

Dolphins on Port Side !

Before I start bogging about Port Maquarie, I would like to mention, this fab thai resteraunt that we had dinner at. It was right opposite wake up and the portions were great, the staff were friendly and the food was lovely. Surprisingly enough this turned out to be quite good value for money, which in Sydney happens once in a blue moon.

7 hours later, boarding the 7am Greyhound we arrive to Port Maquarie. Staying at Ozzy Pozzy Hostel… I know, I couldn’t actually believe the name myself, but well that’s what it’s called. So we arrived at the Hostel to be welcomed by colourful walls, and what reminded me of a youth centre for troubled teens. There was a ‘games room’ which had free pool , air hockey and foosball, along with a TV room, Ping Pong, Kitchen and BBQ Area. It was very difficult to not feel sort of patronised in this place.

I loved the open laid back attitude the staff had, it was kind of refreshing, and I also loved the aviary and random parrots sharing the accommodation. The pool area was nice, simple decking with a reasonably sized swimming area. I did not love however the strict 11:00pm curfew and the ‘no young people unless you are travelling’ policy that was apparently in place at Port Maquarie. Honestly the place was like an island for the retired, now I love little old people as much as the next person, and I guess if I missed my grandparents this would be a great place to go, but I always felt like I was intruding on a 24 hour checkers game! The beaches were lovely, but dead. The Parks were lovely but empty. The pubs were erm,,, I only saw one. Irish Tavern… This was a lovely pub and according to my cousins boyf the first time he has been served a full sized pint in Australia rather than a ‘scooner’ which I think is equivalent to half a pint. Bit pricey however and they only serve food from the hours of 12-2pm and from 6:30-9:00pm. Oh OH and you can only buy alcohol from licenced bottle stores, which again. Close at 9:00pm.

Adventures:

Day 1 – Took a stroll around the port to find out what there was to do and see, I was amazed to find a long trail of rocks painted in memory of lost relations, some of them were absolutely wonderful. Walking back looking over the ocean and a lovely old man tells us to stop and wait (admittedly this annoyed me a little as we were walking for ages) he bought our attention to the open sea where real life wild blue nose dolphin were swimming and jumping as nature intended. This made my walk worth it.

Me and my cousin sitting on the PORT MAQUARIE landmark

Day 2 – Visiting the Koala Hospital! This was great, it was kind of like the RSPCA for Koala’s. we got to see a range of Koala bears that were either rescued or in care from the wild. The animals are fascinating. Later on in the evening we were drinking with fellow backpackers and I learnt how to play a new German game named Mexler, apparently I was very good at it J

Day 3- SO Unlucky, we had to check out of our rooms by 10am and our coach wasn’t untul 1:45am, we were allowed to pack up our cases and store them away in an open outdoor shed for a small fee of $10. I changed into my bikin with the ONE intention to sunbath, unfortunately that wasn’t the case, as the sun was so scorching hot, I decided to dip my legs into the pool, fully clothed with bikini underneath, I then get bored and decide to take a stroll around the outside of the swimming pool, in the meantime I am telling the story of how a little boy referred to me as a ‘lady’ earlier on in the supermarket. Just as I was coming to the end of my tragic story, my foot slips and splash, I fall into the pool. Just as I was sobbing in my wet clothes I walked in what I thought was a graceful stride over to my sun lounge, when Noooo! The floor gives way?! And I am down a pool filter drain. Three Swedish men wetting themselves behind me confirmed the reality of my bad, bad luck! My leg is sore now.

Currently on the Coach to Byron Bay, staying in my last hostel as we have found an apartment to rent in Surfers Paradise for 10 days ! Wahoooo, ensuite bathrooms and my OWN bedroom, sounds like paradise if you ask me?

Anyway enough for now, only 23 million hours to go on this god dam coach.

Xo xo Navita