Well, the journey is over now. But is this the end of the blog too?
The problem is, that, with the end of the round the world trip, the main topic of this blog has gone. So we would need a new issue that can be discussed or presented. Maybe some kind of trash-talk ... but there is enough of that in real life. Or a "real" blog - a diary - where I write some funny things which happen to or around me.
Some communication platform with all the nice people I met during the journey would also be very likeable. I'd love to keep in touch with Singapore, Nepal and Australia! Of course that's possible via email but I'm thinking about a forum where we could tell stories about scouting and other stuff.
Feel free to give me some ideas in the comments or by email.
Showing posts with label australia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label australia. Show all posts
Friday, 17 August 2007
Thursday, 21 June 2007
Uluru Tour Photos
--> here <--
Yesterday night we arrived in Mission Beach. Again we heard people saying things like this: "Usually the weather is very nice at this time of the year." Well, usually :) They told us that we are lucky that it is - as an exception compared to the last two weeks - not raining today. However, the season should be dry right now.
As a result of the rough sea the ships and boats do not leave the harbor. So we do not know if we can do a Great Barrier Reef tour. To heck with it!* Meanwhile we will try to get some crocodile meat or kill an emu ourselves for dinner.
*[Afraid to say the h-e-double hockeystick word? - Lektor]
As a result of the rough sea the ships and boats do not leave the harbor. So we do not know if we can do a Great Barrier Reef tour. To heck with it!* Meanwhile we will try to get some crocodile meat or kill an emu ourselves for dinner.
*[Afraid to say the h-e-double hockeystick word? - Lektor]
Tuesday, 19 June 2007
A F---ing Big Country
That's the way the typical Outback-Australian would say it. And it's true: Australia is even larger than whole Europe. To get from the middle of the country (Alice Springs) to the east coast (Mission Beach) it takes us more than 24 hours with the bus - breaks excluded!
What we did the last few days:
Since we arrived in Alice Springs on June 13th, we stayed at the Scout Hall until yesterday. We got a lot more than we expected: a heater, a TV set (Australians call it "telly"), a kitchen with a stove. And the best was that it was free! Thanks again to the Outbackscouts and also thanks again to our host family in Sydney - the McBurneys - who lend us sleeping bags and a tent. This will save us a lot of money!
Alice Springs is a small city with about 28,000 inhabitants but also the largest city in central Australia (wiki). There is a hill from the top of which you have a nice view of the whole city. We were advised not to climb any of the other hills because most of the drunk people gather there, especially during the night.
Yesterday we finished the 3 day Uluru tour (link -> Photo Gallery -> 16th June 2007). It was expensive, but GREAT! Our tourguide Nat was - in my point of view - THE typically Outback-Australian. A three-day beard, very nice, very tall and, of course, very vulgar :)
He told us a lot about the Aboriginal culture, how they used to live before the white men came and which problems they have to face since they settled here. With this knowledge our group decided not to climb the Uluru, because Aboriginals do not like that.
We spent the nights in so called "swags" - some kind of sleeping bag cover - around the campfire with millions of stars above us. And some beer, of course! It was just the perfect combination of sight seeing, walking and having be.. uhm fun! ;)
However, my journey draws to a close. On the 27th of June I will leave Johannes in the most dangerous country and head for Honolulu, where I arrive on June 26th.
- Time to think -
The answer: date line (wiki). That was the reason why we decided to go east, and not west. You get an "additional" day, yeeehaw!
I will spend 5 days on the islands where ladies hide their breasts with coconuts. Then, finally, I depart on the 3rd of July and arrive on the 4th in Vienna! But until then I hope my image of the dancing coconut ladies isn't just a cliche.
What we did the last few days:
Since we arrived in Alice Springs on June 13th, we stayed at the Scout Hall until yesterday. We got a lot more than we expected: a heater, a TV set (Australians call it "telly"), a kitchen with a stove. And the best was that it was free! Thanks again to the Outbackscouts and also thanks again to our host family in Sydney - the McBurneys - who lend us sleeping bags and a tent. This will save us a lot of money!
Alice Springs is a small city with about 28,000 inhabitants but also the largest city in central Australia (wiki). There is a hill from the top of which you have a nice view of the whole city. We were advised not to climb any of the other hills because most of the drunk people gather there, especially during the night.
Yesterday we finished the 3 day Uluru tour (link -> Photo Gallery -> 16th June 2007). It was expensive, but GREAT! Our tourguide Nat was - in my point of view - THE typically Outback-Australian. A three-day beard, very nice, very tall and, of course, very vulgar :)
He told us a lot about the Aboriginal culture, how they used to live before the white men came and which problems they have to face since they settled here. With this knowledge our group decided not to climb the Uluru, because Aboriginals do not like that.
We spent the nights in so called "swags" - some kind of sleeping bag cover - around the campfire with millions of stars above us. And some beer, of course! It was just the perfect combination of sight seeing, walking and having be.. uhm fun! ;)
However, my journey draws to a close. On the 27th of June I will leave Johannes in the most dangerous country and head for Honolulu, where I arrive on June 26th.
- Time to think -
The answer: date line (wiki). That was the reason why we decided to go east, and not west. You get an "additional" day, yeeehaw!
I will spend 5 days on the islands where ladies hide their breasts with coconuts. Then, finally, I depart on the 3rd of July and arrive on the 4th in Vienna! But until then I hope my image of the dancing coconut ladies isn't just a cliche.
Friday, 15 June 2007
Thursday, 14 June 2007
Photo Update
in the following Albums:
Singapore
A Fine City
And new Album "Australia - Sydney" - temporary incomplete
Singapore
A Fine City
And new Album "Australia - Sydney" - temporary incomplete
Saturday, 9 June 2007
Cold, Windy and Rainy
You know what I am talking about? - Exactly: Sydney, Australia - the driest continent in the world!
Since we arrived here 2 days ago, we have seen overthrown trees, loads of rain and clouds - but not even a small part of the sun. And we have not experienced that much rain in all the "rainy season" countries we have been before!
Unfortunately, the Scout Camp this weekend was canceled because of the weather.
We are now staying at the home of a very, very nice family where every member is also a Scout. Their house is in the northwestern suburbs of Sydney.
A financial story: When we were waiting at the "Customs Counter" at the airport, a women spoke to us. After a while she said that she thinks she has probably a little bit too much money with her, but she does not want to declare it. At first we could not believe it, then we said that we can not take it. Eventually we took the 100 AUD she gave both of us. Thank you, Ex-Austrian lady from Switzerland !
There is also news from Singapore: They put our "Boom Chicka Boom" performance (wacht it!) and also some snapshots of the whole camp (watch it too!) on YouTube.
Since we arrived here 2 days ago, we have seen overthrown trees, loads of rain and clouds - but not even a small part of the sun. And we have not experienced that much rain in all the "rainy season" countries we have been before!
Unfortunately, the Scout Camp this weekend was canceled because of the weather.
We are now staying at the home of a very, very nice family where every member is also a Scout. Their house is in the northwestern suburbs of Sydney.
A financial story: When we were waiting at the "Customs Counter" at the airport, a women spoke to us. After a while she said that she thinks she has probably a little bit too much money with her, but she does not want to declare it. At first we could not believe it, then we said that we can not take it. Eventually we took the 100 AUD she gave both of us. Thank you, Ex-Austrian lady from Switzerland !
There is also news from Singapore: They put our "Boom Chicka Boom" performance (wacht it!) and also some snapshots of the whole camp (watch it too!) on YouTube.
Friday, 6 April 2007
Air Ticket Booked!
Now the journey is absolutely fixed: We bought the air tickets! The 2500 Euro hit me hard but not unexpected. Except the first flight (to Kathmandu) I left all dates open. I will reserve them via e-mail. I hope that this will work...
Keyword hope: The visa to Australia is a very interesting thing. It is called ETA (electronic travel authority). It works approximately like this: You type in your credit card number, name, passport number, etc. When you have finished, the site tells you "Your payment has been authorised and your application for an ETA has been approved." and a lot of blah and you get a "reference number" - and that's it! The site also tells you that "You do not need a visa label in your passport." On the page you can also "Check Your ETA". When I do this it says that I am allowed to enter Australia. I hope that's true...
Rucksack status:
The first time I tried to pack my rucksack - and it worked! I took all the things I am going to take with me (packing list) and put them into my 50 + 10 liter rucksack. When I finished, it was not overflowing!
If you are wondering why I am writing in english: In a very intellectual moment I had the idea that I may get to know people in Singapore or Australia who do not speak German. So it would be very boring for them to read a blog that they do not understand. From then on I decidet to write the blog in english, even if my english is not eloquent and grammatical correct. But Leo, an Anglistics Studen, will hopefully help me :)
Keyword hope: The visa to Australia is a very interesting thing. It is called ETA (electronic travel authority). It works approximately like this: You type in your credit card number, name, passport number, etc. When you have finished, the site tells you "Your payment has been authorised and your application for an ETA has been approved." and a lot of blah and you get a "reference number" - and that's it! The site also tells you that "You do not need a visa label in your passport." On the page you can also "Check Your ETA". When I do this it says that I am allowed to enter Australia. I hope that's true...
Rucksack status:
The first time I tried to pack my rucksack - and it worked! I took all the things I am going to take with me (packing list) and put them into my 50 + 10 liter rucksack. When I finished, it was not overflowing!
If you are wondering why I am writing in english: In a very intellectual moment I had the idea that I may get to know people in Singapore or Australia who do not speak German. So it would be very boring for them to read a blog that they do not understand. From then on I decidet to write the blog in english, even if my english is not eloquent and grammatical correct. But Leo, an Anglistics Studen, will hopefully help me :)
Wednesday, 28 March 2007
Gut Pfad!
Nach mehreren Anfragen und ein bisschen Geduld gibt es nun die ersten, heftigen Erfolge:
Eine Pfadfindergruppe in Alice Springs, Australien (wiki) hat uns eine Unterkunft für 2 AUD (Australische Dollar, ca. 1€) pro Person und Nacht zugesagt. Inklusive: Bett, Duschen, WC. Wenn es hart auf hart kommt, kann die Nachttemperatur in Alice Springs auf -5°C sinken, tagsüber steigt sie dann meist wieder auf 20. Die Ängste der Australischen Pfadfinderleiter, es könnte uns in der Nacht dort kalt werden, habe ich mit einem beherzten "In Austria we sometimes have very cold winters (up to -10 or -15°C), so we are used to that." abgeschmettert :).
Ebenso gibt es aus Singapur (wiki) gute Nachrichten: 15 S$ (Singapur Dollar, rund 8€) pro Person und Nacht in den günstigsten Pfadfinderunterkünften. Außerdem wollen sie für uns ein Treffen mit "local Rovers" organisieren, die mit uns eine Tour durch die Stadt machen. Klingt absolut super!
In Nepal sind laut Bundesverband der Österreichischen Pfadfinder (link) die Pfadfinder eher mäßig gut organisiert und haben keine Homepage, in Vietnam gibt es offiziell keine. Von Insidern (te ha ix Jaki) weiß ich aber, dass die Hotels dort spottbillig sein sollen - also kein Problem
Eine Pfadfindergruppe in Alice Springs, Australien (wiki) hat uns eine Unterkunft für 2 AUD (Australische Dollar, ca. 1€) pro Person und Nacht zugesagt. Inklusive: Bett, Duschen, WC. Wenn es hart auf hart kommt, kann die Nachttemperatur in Alice Springs auf -5°C sinken, tagsüber steigt sie dann meist wieder auf 20. Die Ängste der Australischen Pfadfinderleiter, es könnte uns in der Nacht dort kalt werden, habe ich mit einem beherzten "In Austria we sometimes have very cold winters (up to -10 or -15°C), so we are used to that." abgeschmettert :).
Ebenso gibt es aus Singapur (wiki) gute Nachrichten: 15 S$ (Singapur Dollar, rund 8€) pro Person und Nacht in den günstigsten Pfadfinderunterkünften. Außerdem wollen sie für uns ein Treffen mit "local Rovers" organisieren, die mit uns eine Tour durch die Stadt machen. Klingt absolut super!
In Nepal sind laut Bundesverband der Österreichischen Pfadfinder (link) die Pfadfinder eher mäßig gut organisiert und haben keine Homepage, in Vietnam gibt es offiziell keine. Von Insidern (te ha ix Jaki) weiß ich aber, dass die Hotels dort spottbillig sein sollen - also kein Problem
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