Capital Punishment

"Make a list of things you need. Leave it empty.

01 - War, what is it good for?

I haven't flown off to some island yet. Instead, I threw away one pair of shoes and got a 2 day trip back down to Adelaide to see three of the girls from the 10 day tour.

ANZAC day was celebrated while I was there and, despite the large number of people getting obscenely drunk and getting in to fights in tribute to the people who have died in war to protect this great nation, it turned out to be one of those absolutely perfect days, hanging out with Sarah (she revelaed she had been a witch, burned at the stake in her past life). One of those days where you become aware that all these things have been running parallel to your own life, and suddenly they all converge in to one point at the right moments. Perfect.

02 - One of many war memorials

The next day Lyndsey and I rented a car and blazed a trail across to Canberra, where I have been the last few days.

Canberra has to be one of the most overlooked places in the world. Everyone hates it, it's hilarious. There weren't even signposts directing us to it until we got about 100 kilometres away (compare this to the sign indicating Sydney was 1900kms).

While I've been traveling around Oz the last year I've asked people what Canberra is like and everyone says it's pretty crap. One person said, "A day is too long in Canberra." Very harsh.

Still, I think it's quite nice really. The actual city is pretty beautiful and everyone's nice. We did a lot of sightseeing the last few days including the very impressive War Memorial, the Australian Institute of Sport (it's brochure lists highlights including "An ATM"...wow), Parliament House, and a lovely day cycling around the main lake here. All good.

03 - My favourite ex-prime minister painting

In the bus station now, about to head back to Sydney. Really not looking forward to it. But Brian and Ciara are being so kind as to put me up, and I have a few things to do before I leave the country.

Got here early, allowing me to use the internet, because some nice Canberrian girl stopped and gave me a lift, saying she "didn't want to subject the Canberra bus system on a backpacker."

Everybody hates Canberra.