Sydney, Australia
Hey Folks,
Sorry for the lack of posting. As has somehow become my routine, I took it pretty easy when I rolled into Australia. Spent about a week in a hostel room that could possibly be one of the messiest ones that I've stayed in since returning to the 'first world'. Hostel was called Sydney Downtown Backpackers in something Cross. The dorm room had people who basically lived at the hostel for the past 4 months, and the room hadn't actually been cleaned since they moved in. It is amazing how comfortable I am in that environment though. Reminded me of living in residence at school.
Anyway, I did manage to get out and see some sights in Sydney. It is a pretty spectacular city. It also doesn't hurt that it has a couple amazing beaches. Got to hit Bondi beach for a couple of days and also managed to make it to Manley beach, which I think had an even cooler vibe to it. Both of them are huge beaches that get absolutely jammed on the weekends. The weather here in Oz has been amazing since I got here. Have had a couple of days in the low 30's, but generally, it has been in the high 20's with a nice little breeze. Water is a little colder than I expected, but I guess it is good for cooling off.
The animals here in Oz are crazy. Everything here is just so extreme. I got used to camping in NZ where there is absolutely nothing there to harm you. Here, it is a whole different story. As most of you know, I am not a real big fan of spiders. Thankfully I haven't had any traumatic experiences yet, but I have been hearing tons of horrific stories. There are also tons of lizards and snakes here, that you just kind of find in random places. On my 2nd night here, I decided to take a walk through the botanical gardens here and to go check out downtown. My little peaceful walk quickly became pretty eventful when I kept seeing these birds swooping down across the path in front of me. After hearing some strange noises, I finally realized that those little flocks of birds were actually hoards of giant bats that were scattered everywhere. The little walk then turned into me ducking and dodging my way through the trees trying to make it out of the park. Turned out to be an eventful outing. I went back the next day and got pics of the bats sleeping in the trees.
Anyway, I have since been camping up the coast and the 'Little Tent That Could' has been holding up quite nicely. It looks good in there with all those 'dome' tents.
I'll be sure to try to keep things up to date better. Here are some pics from Sydney.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=8ab2nqp.5y5q7eo5&x=1&y=-dfr2o5
Sorry for the lack of posting. As has somehow become my routine, I took it pretty easy when I rolled into Australia. Spent about a week in a hostel room that could possibly be one of the messiest ones that I've stayed in since returning to the 'first world'. Hostel was called Sydney Downtown Backpackers in something Cross. The dorm room had people who basically lived at the hostel for the past 4 months, and the room hadn't actually been cleaned since they moved in. It is amazing how comfortable I am in that environment though. Reminded me of living in residence at school.
Anyway, I did manage to get out and see some sights in Sydney. It is a pretty spectacular city. It also doesn't hurt that it has a couple amazing beaches. Got to hit Bondi beach for a couple of days and also managed to make it to Manley beach, which I think had an even cooler vibe to it. Both of them are huge beaches that get absolutely jammed on the weekends. The weather here in Oz has been amazing since I got here. Have had a couple of days in the low 30's, but generally, it has been in the high 20's with a nice little breeze. Water is a little colder than I expected, but I guess it is good for cooling off.
The animals here in Oz are crazy. Everything here is just so extreme. I got used to camping in NZ where there is absolutely nothing there to harm you. Here, it is a whole different story. As most of you know, I am not a real big fan of spiders. Thankfully I haven't had any traumatic experiences yet, but I have been hearing tons of horrific stories. There are also tons of lizards and snakes here, that you just kind of find in random places. On my 2nd night here, I decided to take a walk through the botanical gardens here and to go check out downtown. My little peaceful walk quickly became pretty eventful when I kept seeing these birds swooping down across the path in front of me. After hearing some strange noises, I finally realized that those little flocks of birds were actually hoards of giant bats that were scattered everywhere. The little walk then turned into me ducking and dodging my way through the trees trying to make it out of the park. Turned out to be an eventful outing. I went back the next day and got pics of the bats sleeping in the trees.
Anyway, I have since been camping up the coast and the 'Little Tent That Could' has been holding up quite nicely. It looks good in there with all those 'dome' tents.
I'll be sure to try to keep things up to date better. Here are some pics from Sydney.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=8ab2nqp.5y5q7eo5&x=1&y=-dfr2o5
posted by Ryan D. MacIntyre | 9:39 PM
6 Comments:
A tour guide you are not..."The Bridge", "some walkway", "the Tower", "the bats", "random scenery"...but I guess we are seeing it through your eyes and that has its own special insight.
BTW, you have really nice feet for a very tall man...and I hate feet so that means a lot coming from me. Call me crazy, but seeing you on the beach makes me want to quit my job, sell my car and house, cash in my RRSPs and take off for a year...LOL. But seriously, they say that this week is the most depressing week of the year and I even felt it and I am not depressed. So be glad you were in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
One question that I have been dying to know the answer to..."Do they give you clean sheets when you go to these places?"
hey ry;
have you ever seen the movie Fear and Loathing in las vegas? Specifically the scene where Johnny Depp was imagining (hallucinating) bats? yah; thats what i pictured when i was reading your story!
did you ever wonder what the bats were swooping down to pick up off the ground in front of you.....you were all worried about what was gonna hit you in the head....son, i'd be worried about whats gonna bite you in the ass!!
my jealousy has consumed me. I have built a makeshift beach next to the shower and in front of the toilet. If you put Ice in the toilet it makes a great beer cooler. Not much of a tan developing though.
lata
S
I gotta side with Slyman on the jealousy tip, Ryno. This is getting to be a little much - as an homage, I wore a thong to the office this morning. Kinda embarassing considering it's minus 15 or something here... anyway, I'm thinking of you as I don my sunglasses and prepare to tan in my cubicle (with no window)... oh - gotta go, apparently I have a meeting with HR about my work attire.
Keep 'em comin!
Stinch
So you are in OZ eh? Met Dorothy yet? Are you the scarecrow, lion, or the tin man? Click your heels together and fly the hell back here to Canada before the bats eat you alive.
Glad to hear the "little tent that could" is still going strong - but you know it has a completely different meaning now!
Just got back from St. John's, Newfoundland where I was stormed in one day with a blizzard. After that I was pleased to see your beach pictures - took my winter blues away - not! Come on - you must miss this miserable cold & snow?
Your Dad popped into the office the other day. He's looking fit & trim. He talked alot about Tara - never mentioned you at all. You know what they say about wayward sons - out of sight, out of mind. You soon better get back to work to stay in papa's good graces.
"Stay Calm, Be Brave, Wait For The Signs"
Mac...
Sorry I've been delinquent about visiting/writing the Ryan Files. Been studying super hard for this acting workshop I just came home from (Sat. & Sun. from 8:30-8:30 each day). Exhilarated. Did a decent job of my scene with my partner (tho always more to learn). Meeting a great group of people too--definitely part of my tribe.
So the "beach flotsam" looks amazing...lol...but are they as friendly as those S.A. chicas????
Still shake my head every time I see your tent...I think you were had, my man, and that puppy is an antique from the '50s!
What's on the Aussie list of things to do before you die? Perhaps catching a scorpion between your teeth? I hear there's a vacancy in the croc hunter department...
Big hug.....Yorga
People should read this.
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