Festive Greetings from Down Under!
Trip Start
Sep 18, 2006
1
27
56
Trip End
Jun 12, 2007
Sydney, Australia
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
I'm still in employment and aside from the 40+ hour weeks i'm loving it. Although I enjoy what I do, i'm of the opinion its not what you do, but who you do it with...and these are a cracking bunch. I get on with practically everyone and for some reason I've accquired a variety of nicknames. From the bizarre; waldog, wilmister, and robin hood, to the less favourable and down-right contradictory; pomme bastard and tiny willie. My favourite however (without prompt), is wilster as it reminds me of my UK based homies!
Apart from working, the past weeks have brought several reunions with travelling buddies from Asia, including a reunion from the notorious full moon party! There have also been a few small national holidays
75th Anniversary & NY celebrations
. The first which could have come and gone without me noticing, was Christmas. There was little indication that it was coming, it wasn't cold, no decorations - blantanly the Aussies don't do xmas like the Brits! I'm not going to lie, it was the most difficult part of my journey so far. The lack of my family and friends was evident and I thought of what I would have been doing had I been at home. Nevertheless, I gave it a bloody good go, and when I would have been pub crawling in Breaston, I spent Christmas Eve bar hopping in Bondi and Coogee. And when I would have been tucking into a nice Christmas dinner, I was eating burger king on Bondi beach with all the other thousands of backpackers. I spent the big day with a group of mostly Irish guys from the hostel. This was actually the first time I felt 'christmassy' as in true Irish fashion we were drinking, playing Ludo, all with the Pogues on repeat! Then we headed out to Bondi beach and onto a house party, so I didn't have a bad day....it just wasn't the same!Boxing day, a personal milestone of my 100th day on the road, was exactly what I needed...and I didn't have to sit on a fat man wearing a red suit's lap to get it. A group of us had a fantastic day at Randwick Racecourse. They were holding international day, so with a flash of my British passport I got in for free. They got thier money back though, via the donkeys I backed! My only win came in the first race, so by the end I was many dollars down
Bondi at Christmas
. But I had a great time, and would willing do it again.The biggest event of my trip came on New Years Eve. Knowing it was going to be huge, I didn't want expectations to ruin it. So after checking out a few options, we settled on a small park near our hostel to watch the fireworks. This was a good choice, there was a nice mix of people, and after smuggling in alcohol at 6pm we were set for the night. With that and the unreal $4 million worth of bangers in view we had an awesome time...as it was the harbour bridge's 75th anniversary they made it particularly special (and not just because I was in town!). After the main event, a couple of us headed to James Squire to join all my friends from work to continue the festivities until the very early hours!!
I'm still enjoying myself here in Sydney, but I think by the next time I write, i'll talking of pastures new. Until then, best wishes to everyone for the new year!
