New Years Fireworks

New Years Footage
Didn't take many picture because lets face it, it would of been a waste of time. Here is the footage of the fireworks. Much better then any video or photo i could have taken. Happy New Year everyone :) x

Day 60 - New Years Eve

New Year eve! Was planning on going to the Botanical gardens early to watch the fireworks. I thought leaving at 6:00pm would be enough time. Luckily my friends who were also going, and invited me to tag along, said that you would have to leave at 7:00am to get a good seat. They were right. Woke up early and looked out my window to see a line from the gardens to the other side of the park, spiralling around the grass in front my hostel. We ran down, me nearly forgetting my camera, and joined the back of the line. Luckily over the course of the hour the line behind us doubled. The botanical gardens is free and can hold only 20'000 people. We were in the first 2000. We got in 4 hours later and found an okay spot and then sat and waited the remaining 10 hours for the first firework display.

I hate waiting, i hate crowds of people, and i hate certain individuals within the crowds. Easy to say worst 10 hours of my life. Played cards but got bored of that after an hour. Listened to my iPod but that died after 2 hours. Nothing to do. Was horrible.

They had a plane flying over Sydney and it wrote: "r u going 2 heaven" "how?" "Trust in Christ" fucking religious nut jobs thinking the world is going to end. I swear Christianity isn't even related to the Mayan Calender. I not bothered about the end of the world bullshit. I think the Mayans just got bored and decided to stop the calender.

The fireworks were good tho. But when it started our nice view of the Harbour bridge was ruined by people standing in front of us and holding there cameras in front of my face. Some people live the whole life through there camera lens. I took a few pictures (they came out shit) and then just watched the display. Had to wait 3 more hours. This time standing because leaving your spot would mean 3 other people would fill it in a second. Stood and waited the full 3 hours then the main firework display started. Incredible. From what i saw of it. Could see the fireworks in the sky very clear the ones on the bridge tho i could only see the top ones. Was amazing though. However i can say Ive done it now. Spent new years in Sydney. I will never ever do it again. Too much hassle for what it is. Next year id happily just spend new years at home.

Got back to my hostel, didn't even bother going clubbing after. Passed out on my bed at 1:30. Looking forward to this year. Will be amazing!

Day 59

Went to the museum of Natural history. Its not free entry but i knew it would kill a few hours. Was very interesting actually. I really liked the gem stone and mineral exhibition. I'm always amazed at the vast range of colours and shapes they come in. Was considering buying a book on the subject but Ive already got a book I'm not reading at the moment.

Played poker again in the evening. This time not so lucky. Lost maybe 2 dollars. No biggie. Can always win it back.

Haven't had Internet for the past few days so I'm having to update a few days of my blog from memory and i cant really remember what i did each day. Will have to make notes in future for when i get Internet...

Day 58

Met up with someone from my tour. Was nice to see them again and hear what they got up to. Showed them around the Botanical Gardens and the art museum i went to the other day. Ive done too much walking these past few days. Might invest in a scooter.

I was invited out to a thing called Tranny Bingo with a bunch of people from my Hostel. For those of you who don't know what Tranny Bingo is, Its basically normal Bingo with Tranny hosts/hostesses. Tbh i really didn't want to go but it was actually the funniest most surreal thing Ive ever been too in Australia. We played pool before the bingo and the beers were really cheap. $3 a pint is a bargain! Didn't win anything on the bingo but the Trannies often broke off into stories or songs which were just parodies of well known songs. My favourite was the adaptation of 'Im A Believer'. "Then she sat on my face, but i couldn't eat her" yeah of course it was going to be crude and inappropriate. The Christmas medley was the worst. Even funnier was her name was Penny Tration.

Went to a club afterwards. One of my friends new the bouncer so we got in for free and got a free drink. Not bad. Club was packed. Never seen so many beautiful women in one spot. Music was good as well. Stayed there till 1:00am and then went to MacDonald's.

There is another Josh in our group, and as he was there first I'm called Josh 2. They decided that to avoid confusion they would give me the nickname Turtle. I like the nickname. Even tho it was taken from the TV show Entourage. Better then Josh 2...

Day 57

Walked around Sydney in the morning. To the shops and the park. Sat in the park and read my book. Went to the Art museum. Only in Australia can they have no regard for health and safety as in one of the exhibits they had a flame welder burning. I can only assume they leave it on from opening to closing time. Very Dangerous, you wouldn't see that in London unless it was surrounded by glass or at least a rope. You could literally touch the flame if you wanted to. The art work wasn't even that good. They had an Anthony Gormely and Gilbert and George. brought back memories from my Art A-level. They had a few pieces i liked. Like a video from London was good. I'm not such a big fan of contemporary art tho. Almost all of it is just shit.

Played poker again with 3 guys from the hostel. I started off with about $8 in change. Left with $19. I'm apparently good at poker. Had a few big wins. Might have to play it more often. Although i think i have an addictive personality, so it would be best not to get addicted to gambling...

Day 56

Left for Sydney about noon after packing all my stuff. trekked from the Station to my hostel. I had a huge backpack and a suitcase which i now find necessary to bring with me, because i can hold my laptop, chargers and shoes in there. Also a day backpack. Its comes in handy. The hostel was all the way across town in a place called Woolloomooloo (Aboriginal name I'm assuming) The location is good. I right next to the botanical gardens.

The reception was closed when i got there even tho its said the reception was 24hrs. So I'm waiting in reception with my luggage for about an hour. Then when i get to check in they give me a key card even tho my room is the only room in the hostel that requires a good old fashion key. I walk back down the stairs, 3 flights i might add, get my key swapped (there excuse "its been a busy morning") Then get into my room. The people I'm staying with are really nice. 2 couples travelling together from Manchester and a Asian guy. We played War - a card game and then poker with 5 cents pieces. I won about $2. Went for a walk around the area. Not far from Sydney's shopping district. Went back to the hostel and suddenly felt incredibly tired. So i thought id shut my eyes for an hour and woke up 4 hours later. Now it was about 9:00pm. I went for a walk and found a few good clubs. Thought id check out whats good so i can find somewhere to go new years. Headed back and went to bed, again...

Day 55

so boxing day was uneventful. I did a load of washing as I'm leaving tomorrow. Played Call of Duty. Went for a run, which Ive noticed I'm getting better at. Can now run further and can recover faster than i used to be able to. Progress is progress. At least I'm not getting worse. Went running through a park and there was a bunch of families enjoying there vacation. There was a grossly overweight child who looked like she had eaten two other children. I don't know how a child can be that overweight. You would think the child protection would put a stop to parents who let there child get like that. Needless to say it gave me an extra boost of energy to run another yard or so.

Heading into Sydney tomorrow to stay in a hostel i booked. Gonna stay there to watch the fireworks then try and get a train to Perth. All the trains are booked, as usual. If your backpacking and you decide to get up and leave last minute it is so annoying. I'm gonna have to plan my entire trip from Perth to Darwin to the exact date. Including accommodation etc. Ah well once i get to Darwin i can relax and maybe find a job. Might just fly to Cairns and find work along the east coast...

Day 54 - Christmas Day

Went to a buffet for lunch with the family I'm staying with. Wasn't that great. The food was pretty bad. But it was all you could eat, so i ate all that i could eat. There was another family there and I'm pretty sure there son had ADD. He was about 16. I kept telling there parents to get him checked. They thought i was joking and then lovingly looked at there son eating a flower which had been put on the table for decoration.

Went to the beach in the evening. Was really hot so just sat and sunbathed. Unfortunately it was also really windy and after about 5 minutes i had to clear the sand that had accumulated in my nose, ears and eye sockets. Moved to a more sheltered area and then went swimming. The current wasn't strong so just swam about. Also read my book. Was a nice relaxing evening. Kids annoy me at the beach. They either scream and run about or they walk really close to where your sitting like they have no perception of those around them. I think this is true of all children. They are just wrapped up in there own little world. They scream over people who are trying to relax and they wonder through areas that families are sunbathing in. Its strange. I don't like children. I never understood the phrase 'children should be seen but not heard' but now i think this is very true. Although in some cases children should also not be seen.

Got back and played MW3 with Jamie. Wasn't impressed with the Canary Wharf mission. Basically they just fabricated an area and placed the Canary Wharf tower in the back and labelled it London. The tube map was all wrong. Big Ben looked alright i guess. Still not that impressed. Good game tho...

Day 53

Booked a hostel in central Sydney for new year. It cost me $400 which is 2 time the amount id normally spend. At least i can rest knowing i have a place to stay after new year that is close to the harbour.

Its Christmas eve and it is absolutely baking. Its so hot today. The sun has come out full force. Haven't felt Christmas at all. And normally i don't feel Christmas anyway, its the British TV which lets me know ti's the season. Like crappy Doctor who or the Christmas movies they have on. Not here tho. Its just normal TV up until Christmas day and no one in the street has made an effort to dress up there house in lights or ornaments. Well at least they know how to do new year, i hope. Looking forward to the celebration. Fireworks and the light show should be incredible. You can probably watch it on the News. You can watch it knowing I'm watching it in real life. Make you feel that little bit closer to me. Even tho in actuality I'm still 10'000 miles away...

Day 52

You know that awkward moment when you assume you can stay for Christmas and New years and it turns out you were only supposed to stay for Christmas. Looks like I'm gonna have to start travelling sooner than expected. Its not like I'm being kicked out. I just don't wanna overstay my welcome. Think i will go Perth for new year. Leaving after Christmas. Not that bothered tbh. I like travelling. Its just expensive. Gives me incentive to get a job. Also considering heading from Darwin to Cairns and taking the Gold coast down to Sydney stopping off everywhere. Don't know yet. Gonna sort it all tomorrow.

Bought Bill Bryson's book 'Down Under'. its all about Australia. Its really funny and full of cool facts. For example:

• in 1967 Prime Minister, Harold Holt plunged into the surf and vanished never to be seen again. I mean how can you lose a Prime Minister?
• the worlds first non-governmental nuclear bomb was set off in Australia by a group of amateur enthusiasts and no one knew until 4 years later. Just shows how big the outback is.
• only continent that's also an island
• home of the largest living thing on earth, the great barrier reef
• of the worlds 10 most poisonous snakes, all are Australian.
• 5 of its creatures-the funnel web spider, box jellyfish, blue ringed octopus, paralysis tick and stone fish- are the most lethal of there kind in the world

Basically nearly anything can kill you. But if its not the listed above its probably a Shark or a crocodile, or if your a baby, a dingo. Ive heard they have seashells which will actually come after you to kill you. Scary. The ironic thing is the biggest killer in Australia is melanoma. At least i think that's ironic? It might just be funny...

Day 51

So far sleeping in a dorm hasn't bothered me. I normally sleep very well. However i always sleep better in the spare room here. Its just privacy i guess. Also I'm not woken up by people getting up early. Ive been eating loads since Ive got back. Finished all the cereal. Gonna pay for that. Finished all the banana's. Gonna pay for that. The instant noodles. Have to pay for that too. I'm running on smoothies and noodles. Also peanut butter and jam sandwiches.

Starting to plan the next leg of my journey. I'm gonna be travelling for roughly a month this time. I thought id visit Perth, Alice springs, Katherine and Darwin in a circuit. I really cant be bothered to head all the way to Perth. Not sure whats the point of going either. Whats Perth got that the rest of Australia hasn't? Also its 3 days by train and after a few days id have to go back towards Sydney to take the train up to Alice Springs. It just sounds like a chore. Much rather go to Alice Springs, Katherine and Darwin. Fly back to Sydney. Probably be cheaper as well. Anyway i have 3 day tour in Alice Springs and crocodile jumping in Darwin. Crocodile jumping you say? yeah its not actually jumping crocodiles like Tarzan. Its watching crocodiles jump for food. Still should be pretty cool...

Day 50

Heading back to Sydney. Packed up and left. I like travelling by train. Its very relaxing. Especially the train through the blue mountains. You get some great views. Took me roughly 2 hours to get back. Hadn't eaten much all day so went on a fridge raid. Nice to be back. Just chilled for the rest of the day. Not much else happened....

Day 49

Took a walk to Katoomba Falls. It was very foggy. Very refreshing. The walk was about 2-3 hours long. Didn't take any pictures but if you've seen the Blue mountains from one angle you've seen it from every angle. Its more amazing when your here. Ive started i walking with my headphones in and then when i reach my destination i take them out and just listen to the waterfalls or animals. Its actually a very a relaxing and uplifting experience.Could easily spend a few hours just looking out over the valley. It kind of shrinks away from you if you look at it too long.

Ate my leftover pasta when i got back. Still good. Relaxed as later i was going to go out for a few drinks with some guy named Lucas who's staying in my dorm. Hes 20 from Berlin. Hes cool tho. I ordered a pizza from dominoes (couldn't be bothered to cook two days in a row) I had a pizza with 800kcal per slice. It was called the Bacon Double cheese burger. I regret it now as i think about what that did to my insides. It was so good tho. Cant always be healthy i guess and they had a discount day where all pizzas where half price. Got it for $8.

I have always been impressed with the cleanliness of the hostels and the people in them. They all take care of the bathrooms which is important i think. I need a clean toilet and shower. I mean i have come across the odd skidmark or pube on the toilet seat but it doesn't bother me that much. Rarely i will find a little floater, a remnant of a shit well needed. However i went into the bathroom and found to my disgust that someone had apparently left a huge turd in the bowl. I fact i think they also left there sphincter and half there intestinal tract in the toilet as well. Obviously so impressed by there accomplishment they made no effort even try to flush it. Now that i think about it they didn't even try to wipe as there was no toilet paper in the bowl. Perhaps he didn't want to block its sheer beauty and left it there for people to view. He might as well have placed a plaque next to it. Easily the worst toilet experience Ive had so far...

Went out for a drink at the local pub. Played pool. I'm actually improving. We met some girl who at first talking to her anyone would think she was in drugs. She seemed to be in her own little world. Smiling away at the rest of the world. I had to get conformation from the rest of here friends and her that she wasn't on drugs, and that's "just how she is". Serious hippie. Never met one so was interesting. Apparently she had been living on her own since 14, just travelling. Ive met some really unique people on this trip but she was easily the most unique...

Ps. As I'm typing this I'm having to listen to these fucking kids in the hostel lobby. There parents just let them walk all over them. They scream and make stupid noises almost all the time. I really feel like bitch slapping one of them just to sort them out. The parents i mean, not the kids. Its not the kids fault there fucking idiots, is it?

My attempt at cooking

 Note the laptop next to me so i can check the recipe

Day 48

After being depressed all day i delt with it the way most people do. Drink. Not much tho. Don't want you to think i was absolutely shit faced. Just enough so i slept like a big inebriated baby. Was supposed to get up early and do a 7 hour hike. That didn't happen. Woke up late so just went on a short walk. Found a nice bench overlooking the Blue Mountains. Didn't want to be disturbed by the Asian tourists so i found an out of the way bench half way down the Giant Stairway. Was going to read my book but the onslaught of kamikaze flies bombarding my face made me give up on that notion. I just headed back up. It started to rain. The fog in the valley had swept in incredibly fast and soon i was drenched. It was refreshing tho. I didn't have anything that i couldn't afford to get soaked, so i just sat back and watched the Asian tourists clutching there cameras for dear life and running for there coaches. It reminded me of scenes from the news of the tsunami in Japan. Only the people had allot more fear in there eyes as there SD cards were on the line.

Got back and decided that, after my failed endeavour to buy groceries and cook for once, i would try one more time. Thought a carbonara wouldn't be too hard to make so bought the ingredients. I made the carbonara, all from scratch i might add. It was good. I did have a little help from my roommate. In fact he saved me from mistaking a bulb of garlic for a clove of garlic. That would have been bad. Other than that it was really good. Made enough for two and as i cooked he had to wash up. Got enough for tomorrow as well. All for the price of a take-away. Not bad at all.

They have a movie room downstairs so i watched American Psycho. Christian Bale makes a good psycho. Very good film. Good twist at the end as well. As its been raining all day there ain't been much more to do. Hopefully we will have a storm tonight...

Day 47

Crawled out of bed early because i had to get on Skype. I sound like it was a chore. It really wasn't. I really wanted to see all my friends, and Matt. Unfourtunatley i could only get an hour Internet and Athena took ages to set up on her end, so i only had like 15 minutes. Was great to see everyone. Didn't realise how much i missed people until i saw them. Felt really depressed after. I don't normally feel homesick. It goes from one extreme to another with me. Most days I'm fine, then some days i just crash.

Robin left today which was shit as well. Only guy in this hostel which wanted to drink and play cards. Everyone else is old and boring. He went hitchhiking to Canberra. Probably end up dead or something. Wouldn't mind trying hitchhiking. Would certainly be an experience.

Thought i would make something to eat for a change. Went to the local shop. Was looking through the meat section. They sell Kangaroo sausages, mince, bacon, fillets and steaks. nom nom. Didn't trust it. I didn't want to cook chicken because i know if you do it wrong you can get salmonella poisoning or something. Steak was too expensive and fish was a no. I eventually gave up and bought a Domino's pizza. Stick with what you know. But on the other hand familiarity breeds contempt.

New guy in my dorm looks exactly like Zach Galifianakis from Hangover. He talks just like him as well. SO funny. Will see if i can get a picture of him because he is the spitting image. Also got another new guy in our dorm. Hes 20 so another person close to my age. He seems alright but he keeps perving on these two young girls in the hostel. I told him I'm pretty sure they are underage. He told me age is only a number. We will see if he still thinks that when hes getting sodomised in prison.

Oh and I was supposed to mention Annie's awesome hat. Although its not really Christmas themed. still cool tho. I have yet to buy an Australian cowboy hat with the corks :)

p.s Sorry Matt, i don't really mean it. Your alright, i guess...

Day 46

MY LEGS! killing me all day. Just woke up and read my book and watched films on my laptop. Chilled. Went out and bought some more food and stuff. Decided not go out again tonight and just stay in. Had good and played drinking games with some of the other people in my dorm. Stayed up till about 2:00am. gonna feel that tomorrow. I didn't drink that much but it was still fun. Tomorrow i suppose i will have to do something productive...

Day 45

Did the great stairs this morning. 900 steps. Killed me. I forgot how hard it was. The first time i didnt even go all the way to the bottom.

Got back and went on another walk with some guy named Robin. Good walk. Amazing waterfall at the end.

When we got back to the hostel we rested up as we and a few other people were going out. Had pre drinks. Goon. This time i didnt over do it. The bar in katoomba was terrible. I didnt expect much from it tho. It was an alright night. Tomorrow i will just rest. My legs are gonna be killing me...

Day 44

Left for the Blue Mountains (again). Took the train all the way there. Forgot how boring the town was. Plus side, one of my roommates is actually younger than me. Hes only a few months younger but he is doing the same thing as me. Trying to figure out what he wants to do in life. Everyone else in this hostel is German, or close to it. There are loads of families here as well. Its very different from the other hostels Ive stayed in. Its clean so that's good. No free breakfast, so tomorrow I'm gonna have to buy in some stuff.

I might stay here over Christmas. Sheree's said her and her family usually go away on a trip and she said i could come. Tbh i don't really want to. Just feel like id be a nuisance.

Not much to do in town. I don't mind going hiking and sight seeing in the day but at night it would be nice to go out for a drink or something. We asked around and apparently they only have one club/bar in the whole town. Its the place to be in Katoomba. The only place to be. Picks up Friday so probably gonna check it out tomorrow.

Spreading Irish snap around Australia. Its like normal snap only its more aggressive (hence the Irish part) also has more rules so a snap appears more often. Good fun. Used to play it in college and now I'm teaching to people in hostels. Its a good ice breaker...

Day 43

so after, what Ive worked out to be, a 22 hour train journey, i arrived in Sydney. I can cross off the South of Australia on my things to see list. Done. It was good. Next stop is probably Perth? Can go straight from Sydney to Perth in about 4 days. Non Stop. Train. Not fun. But why not? then i will head back to Adelaide and get the train to Alice Springs then onto Darwin. I will definitely get a flight back. I'm not going through Alice springs, Adelaide to Sydney again. Too long. Get a flight for about $100 and it will only take a few hours.

Had time to kill as nobody was at Sheree's house so i couldn't get in. Annoying tho because i had my huge backpack with me and obviously sitting on my arse for 22 hours hadn't done it any good, then suddenly getting up and carrying half my worldly possessions harnessed to my back, pulled a butt muscle. Only the right cheek tho. Limped around Sydney. Then headed back to Sheree's where i waited for 3 hours for Jamie to get back from school. I got a coffee then sat on there porch and read my book. I didn't mind too much. It was nice and sunny. But i really needed to pee and i think the neighbours would frown upon me relieving myself against a tree in a predominately family based area. So i think holding it in for 2 hours took about 10 years off my bladder control. Cant wait to see how that effects me later on in life. Who knows maybe they will perfect stylish adult diapers by that time...

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