India to Australia, Perth, Canberra, Tasmania and Melbourne
13/02/06
Arrived in Koltata at 01.30 to find that there are no hotel buses but lots of people waiting. I did what everyone advises you not to and took the first offer of a 'taxi'. I did sort out a price beforehand and we set off. Luckily I arrived at the hotel safely and I found at a cheaper rate than the hotel car which I took back to the airport when I left. After a few hours sleep I set off to explore. Most of the sights were within easy walking distance but I had plenty of stares from people as I was the only European person walking. Life is lived on the streets with street sellers, barbers, shoe cleaners.
People wash themselves and their laundry using the taps which are placed at strategic positions or in the river. All the cars and buses toot continuously so it was very noisy and crossing the road was an adventure. I just followed the locals. The first hitch came when I wanted to go into the Victoria memorial - a lovely monument in beautiful gardens.
Kolkata has banned the use of plastic bags at most sites and I was using one to carry my water and camera.
Luckily the cathedral which was around the corner did not have the same restriction so I popped in there. That was the first site of my homecoming as I was christened there. I wandered around the streets looking for a bag shop to carry my things to no avail. I returned to the hotel for lunch (I had been warned not to eat at the street stalls) to find a cloth bag hanging in the wardrobe which I could have used. At lunch, I was joined by a woman who had been working as a volunteer with a charity. She had been teaching disabled children and was supposed to be doing this for 3 months. After a month with no communication other than work and no days off, working 12 hours a day and basic accomodation, she had had enough and was going home. My volunteer experience should seem easy by comparison. Barbara and I teamed up and took a car and driver around the sites the next day.
I visited the house where I lived for 18 months. Unfortunately no one was living there and it was locked up so I couldn't see inside.
Took photos of the original HSBC building where my father worked but could not find the nursing home. Our driver was very apologetic as if it was his fault it had been knocked down and rebuilt. On to the other tourist sites - botanical gardens was a little disappointing - very unkempt and nothing other that the largest banyan tree in the world.
Visited Mother Theresa's convent. Quite small and very peaceful. I was given a token of Our Lady to add to my bag of travel charms. My detour to India was successful and I would certainly return to see more of it.
The onward trip was a little stressful. The plane was delayed leaving as there was fog at Delhi and no planes had left that morning. My two hour wait at Delhi reduced to a half hour 'dash' from the domestic terminal to the international all in very slow moving traffic. The transit bus would have been too late for my flight so I had to get a pre paid taxi. Luckily I had kept some rupees for emergencies. I arrived at the international terminal to find that the check in had closed but the flight had arrived late so there was still time to board. A very efficient ground staff made sure I made the plane. No time also in Hongkong, I got off one plane and on to another for the last 7 1/2 hours to Perth. I arrived at 7.30am having been travelling for 24 hours to be met by Anne and Rod. It was great to unpack fully at last and remember what I had actually packed a couple of months ago. Now having a chill out day, catching up with e mails and researching some trips around Perth. Have taken a walk in Kings Park, overlooking the city. Beautiful views. Went out in Rod's boat yesterday on the Swan river and saw a dolphin and lots of pelicans. Felt very luxurious, sipping champagne. We swam from the boat amongst jellyfish (the non stinging variety). I managed not to get sunburnt or fall off the boat. However, as we were waiting to get back in the car at end of the afternoon, I was bitten by an inchman ant. They give one hell of a sting which lasts a time but no ill effects. The day ended with a barbecue and more champagne. Bliss. Oh yes, the tempature for those of you in the UK. It was 33 degrees yesterday and 36 today. Cooling down this week to 27.
16/04/06
The best bits of Perth were of course sightseeing and squidding on Rod’s boat. I was lucky enough to catch the first squid of the day after about an hour. Rod caught the next and last one after about 2 hours. The dolphins kept us amused in between. I learnt how to clean squid and Anne took photos of the pelicans waiting for the entrails. Definitely taste the best caught fresh from the sea. I took the usual tours to the Pinnacles and Wave Rock with lots of photos taken. The best tour was 2 days down to Albany and Denmark on the coast. Very scenic.
Saphie liked to think she was going out in Rod's boat but as Anne told her she was too young to cross the road so Saphie made do with just sitting.
Canberra was the next stop. Lots of culture here. I visited the art gallery three times. There were a couple of very good exhibitions including one on Constable. An enjoyable time was had on the camping trip to Pretty Beach where we were joined by kangaroos, wallabies, possums, kookaburras and a lace monitor lizard. Sally and Peter and Carolyn and Grahame ensured I had a very good time despite the fact that Sally and Carolyn were recovering from operations.
The Aussie hospitality continued into Tasmania where Rona and Murray kindly put me up for a few days. I had landed with the rest of Australia and some 2000 motorbikers who were doing some sort of rally. Accomodation was at a premium. I managed though to book about 5 days ahead and did not have to resort to sleeping in the car. Tasmania is definitely Australia’s best kept secret. I met another English traveller and he had also raved about it on his update. I was taken to the ski resort near Hobart.
Check the 'cable car' to the top!! You hook yourself to the rope - and I thought the poma lift was hard!
A few pictures of some inspiring quotes I found from a mountain lookout and at the edge of the Southern Ocean.
I was lucky to have 3 weeks of sunshine but two days after I climbed Cradle Mountain, the snow arrived. By then I was on the north west coast and missed the snow but the autumn had definitely started. I spent just under a month travelling around by car and it was not enough. I will just have to return.
I did not get a picture of the legendary Tasmanian Tiger but found these white Wallabys on Bruny Island. They can only be found on the island though there is one in Richmond zoo.
I was bitten three times by March flies and both my arm and wrist blew up like balloons in reaction. The English anti histimines seemed useless. All okay now but I was very wary of large flies. They nip in quickly before you even see them though.
I sailed into Melbourne on ’The Spirit of Tasmania’. Spent a day walking around this very easy city, then went on a 3 day tour of the Grampians and the Gt Ocean Rd.
Most of the Grampians were burnt out in January but already the new growth was sprouting and the trees were recovering.
Saw koalas in the wild for the first time Unfortunately, my luck with the weather came to an end and it was cold and wet for most of the trip. . It is a small world. On the trip were a German couple. The woman had worked in Guildford for a year and lived in Goldsworth Park near where I used to live. One of the English women I met, lived in Peterborough and knew Angela Hankins, the Peterborough PPA project manager.
Flew into Townsville yesterday. Townsville is usually dry but they have been having lots of rain since the cyclone. My idea of chilling out by the pool in the sun with a gin and tonic will have to wait until the rain stops.
Some of the wildlife in Townsville
Anna
Pierre (the one with fair hair playing the sax for Anzac Day)
Ady with dogs Maisie and Sally (the smaller one)
Jose's Desert Rose
Arrived in Koltata at 01.30 to find that there are no hotel buses but lots of people waiting. I did what everyone advises you not to and took the first offer of a 'taxi'. I did sort out a price beforehand and we set off. Luckily I arrived at the hotel safely and I found at a cheaper rate than the hotel car which I took back to the airport when I left. After a few hours sleep I set off to explore. Most of the sights were within easy walking distance but I had plenty of stares from people as I was the only European person walking. Life is lived on the streets with street sellers, barbers, shoe cleaners.
People wash themselves and their laundry using the taps which are placed at strategic positions or in the river. All the cars and buses toot continuously so it was very noisy and crossing the road was an adventure. I just followed the locals. The first hitch came when I wanted to go into the Victoria memorial - a lovely monument in beautiful gardens.
Kolkata has banned the use of plastic bags at most sites and I was using one to carry my water and camera.
Luckily the cathedral which was around the corner did not have the same restriction so I popped in there. That was the first site of my homecoming as I was christened there. I wandered around the streets looking for a bag shop to carry my things to no avail. I returned to the hotel for lunch (I had been warned not to eat at the street stalls) to find a cloth bag hanging in the wardrobe which I could have used. At lunch, I was joined by a woman who had been working as a volunteer with a charity. She had been teaching disabled children and was supposed to be doing this for 3 months. After a month with no communication other than work and no days off, working 12 hours a day and basic accomodation, she had had enough and was going home. My volunteer experience should seem easy by comparison. Barbara and I teamed up and took a car and driver around the sites the next day.
I visited the house where I lived for 18 months. Unfortunately no one was living there and it was locked up so I couldn't see inside.
Took photos of the original HSBC building where my father worked but could not find the nursing home. Our driver was very apologetic as if it was his fault it had been knocked down and rebuilt. On to the other tourist sites - botanical gardens was a little disappointing - very unkempt and nothing other that the largest banyan tree in the world.
Visited Mother Theresa's convent. Quite small and very peaceful. I was given a token of Our Lady to add to my bag of travel charms. My detour to India was successful and I would certainly return to see more of it.
The onward trip was a little stressful. The plane was delayed leaving as there was fog at Delhi and no planes had left that morning. My two hour wait at Delhi reduced to a half hour 'dash' from the domestic terminal to the international all in very slow moving traffic. The transit bus would have been too late for my flight so I had to get a pre paid taxi. Luckily I had kept some rupees for emergencies. I arrived at the international terminal to find that the check in had closed but the flight had arrived late so there was still time to board. A very efficient ground staff made sure I made the plane. No time also in Hongkong, I got off one plane and on to another for the last 7 1/2 hours to Perth. I arrived at 7.30am having been travelling for 24 hours to be met by Anne and Rod. It was great to unpack fully at last and remember what I had actually packed a couple of months ago. Now having a chill out day, catching up with e mails and researching some trips around Perth. Have taken a walk in Kings Park, overlooking the city. Beautiful views. Went out in Rod's boat yesterday on the Swan river and saw a dolphin and lots of pelicans. Felt very luxurious, sipping champagne. We swam from the boat amongst jellyfish (the non stinging variety). I managed not to get sunburnt or fall off the boat. However, as we were waiting to get back in the car at end of the afternoon, I was bitten by an inchman ant. They give one hell of a sting which lasts a time but no ill effects. The day ended with a barbecue and more champagne. Bliss. Oh yes, the tempature for those of you in the UK. It was 33 degrees yesterday and 36 today. Cooling down this week to 27.
16/04/06
The best bits of Perth were of course sightseeing and squidding on Rod’s boat. I was lucky enough to catch the first squid of the day after about an hour. Rod caught the next and last one after about 2 hours. The dolphins kept us amused in between. I learnt how to clean squid and Anne took photos of the pelicans waiting for the entrails. Definitely taste the best caught fresh from the sea. I took the usual tours to the Pinnacles and Wave Rock with lots of photos taken. The best tour was 2 days down to Albany and Denmark on the coast. Very scenic.
Saphie liked to think she was going out in Rod's boat but as Anne told her she was too young to cross the road so Saphie made do with just sitting.
Canberra was the next stop. Lots of culture here. I visited the art gallery three times. There were a couple of very good exhibitions including one on Constable. An enjoyable time was had on the camping trip to Pretty Beach where we were joined by kangaroos, wallabies, possums, kookaburras and a lace monitor lizard. Sally and Peter and Carolyn and Grahame ensured I had a very good time despite the fact that Sally and Carolyn were recovering from operations.
The Aussie hospitality continued into Tasmania where Rona and Murray kindly put me up for a few days. I had landed with the rest of Australia and some 2000 motorbikers who were doing some sort of rally. Accomodation was at a premium. I managed though to book about 5 days ahead and did not have to resort to sleeping in the car. Tasmania is definitely Australia’s best kept secret. I met another English traveller and he had also raved about it on his update. I was taken to the ski resort near Hobart.
Check the 'cable car' to the top!! You hook yourself to the rope - and I thought the poma lift was hard!
A few pictures of some inspiring quotes I found from a mountain lookout and at the edge of the Southern Ocean.
I was lucky to have 3 weeks of sunshine but two days after I climbed Cradle Mountain, the snow arrived. By then I was on the north west coast and missed the snow but the autumn had definitely started. I spent just under a month travelling around by car and it was not enough. I will just have to return.
I did not get a picture of the legendary Tasmanian Tiger but found these white Wallabys on Bruny Island. They can only be found on the island though there is one in Richmond zoo.
I was bitten three times by March flies and both my arm and wrist blew up like balloons in reaction. The English anti histimines seemed useless. All okay now but I was very wary of large flies. They nip in quickly before you even see them though.
I sailed into Melbourne on ’The Spirit of Tasmania’. Spent a day walking around this very easy city, then went on a 3 day tour of the Grampians and the Gt Ocean Rd.
Most of the Grampians were burnt out in January but already the new growth was sprouting and the trees were recovering.
Saw koalas in the wild for the first time Unfortunately, my luck with the weather came to an end and it was cold and wet for most of the trip. . It is a small world. On the trip were a German couple. The woman had worked in Guildford for a year and lived in Goldsworth Park near where I used to live. One of the English women I met, lived in Peterborough and knew Angela Hankins, the Peterborough PPA project manager.
Flew into Townsville yesterday. Townsville is usually dry but they have been having lots of rain since the cyclone. My idea of chilling out by the pool in the sun with a gin and tonic will have to wait until the rain stops.
Some of the wildlife in Townsville
Anna
Pierre (the one with fair hair playing the sax for Anzac Day)
Ady with dogs Maisie and Sally (the smaller one)
Jose's Desert Rose
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