A place to recommend: Cafe Fratelli

Just back from dinner. Yes, I know. Supposedly a backpacker and my third night eating out. But this place I recommend as it's reasonable, the food is great, as is the service. It is but a 10 minute walk from Urban Central hostel, towards St Kilda. The name: Cafe Fratelli (opposite Flight Centre on Claredon Rd). It is a little futher than the restuarants of Crown Plaza, but definately more affordable. Today I had Cabornara and fruit salad, accompanied with a glass of (house) white wine for the bargin price of $19. Yesterday, the Cabornara I had was $16 alone!

Speaking with the staff they have only been open a couple of months, so depending on the number of people eating at the establishment, it is open until 6-7pm, to extend when the cafe/restaurant becomes more popular. So if you're ever in Melbourne, check the place out. You can also catch the 112 Tram to St. Kilda and get off at stop 130a!

I took a walk down to Albert Park before dinner. Unfetted back stage access to the up and coming F1 grand prix. Granted, they are still in the process of setting things up so there wasn't that much to see. A few bridgestone sings, tyres etc. the usual.

Change of plan (not that there was a plan)

This weekend sees Mardi Gras descend on Sydney in all its camp out-there glory, with the parade happening on Saturday afternoon. No sooner do two Queens depart several thousands take their place ;p I hadn't intended to go hence my being in Melbourne with plans to travel on to Adelaide, but I met two girls (twins no less) at the hostel. They were staying in my dorm and yesterday we went to Melbourne Zoo (which was pointless...cost $22 for 1.5 hours of not a lot - but i have a few photos of kangaroos and sleeping koala's). Anyway, they are headed up to Sydney this morning for 4 nights before heading on to Cairns. I've also received many messages saying I'd be a fool to miss out on the party atmosphere, which is quite heavily family orientated too, so I am taking 3 days out to return to Sydney before travelling on to Adelaide probably Monday (Mum/Dad...I paid for the flight on Visa...deduct from one of my accounts as appropriate pleeease. thank you).







Detour aside, I went for dinner yesterday evening with one of the twins (the other was tired and apparently is a fussy eater so it was just the two of us - sounds like my sister on holidays :p). The bill came to $70 for the two, not bad given we had 3 glasses of wine each in that (might as well have bought the bottle hehe). Emma (the twin I had dinner with) is travelling for 4 months of so, including NZ, so there is a possibility that we might meet up along the way. Her sister, Julie, is only here for 2 weeks before returning to the dreary UK - just as well as she is not partial to hostel living and 'exotic' cuisine - which apparently includes pasta dishes lol. Never mind.

What else have I done? I've not done any swimming since being here. I don't know where there is a pool near by. Took a walk to the QVB market yesterday morning before going to the Zoo (afforementioned) and. The day before I spent 2 hours walking around the National Gallery of Victoria. I find myself visiting all these galleries (I did in Sevilla, Paris and Sydney) but find myself wandering aimlessly, never knowing how long to pause at any one painting/photograph long enough to appreciate its qualities. Not being a huge art fan my visits of art galleries turn out to be more like supert-market dashes. I have some photos of a picasso and I think Rothko...although I may be wrong on the latter. I just wish I could find a place to upload these photos (but Gill, you will be disappointed. I am no more bronzed than before).







This is all for now. I will see if I can upload some photo's when I am back in Sydney - I know a place where it is possible...and free.

More of Melbourne

The most conincidental thing happened when I was waiting to check in to the hostel Saturday afternoon. Someone came and sat next to me and when I turned to look it was Sula, one of the German people I met at Big in Sydney. They are staying at the same hostel!! I've also seen another from Big here. So Saturday night we went out to a Kareoke bar. I have photos but no means to transfer them from my camera. I will keep looking. And Internet is expensive here. I am currently at the hostel where they charge $4/hour or $7 for 2 hours. I guess it's expensive as some of the profits used to provide the free milk and pasta all day, as well as the breakfast in the morning.

Melbourne itself I am not all that impressed with. Took a stroll around the CBD yesterday taking in Flinders street station and Federation Square. Today I think I'll do the botanical gardens and then figure out how to get on a tram to St. Kilda.

At this rate it looks like I'll be leaving for Adelaide Saturday.

Arrived in Melbourne

Twelve and a half hours later. Yes, that's right. TWELVE AND A HALF HOURS LATER, one stiff neck, arched back, cramped legs, a bus driver less a few screws later (not that I'm sure he had them before), I have arrived in Melbourne courtesy of the overnight service provided by Grey Hound, from Sydney.

First impressions...well, for a start it rained this morning so things are a little damp (that is not to say I got wet, but the ground is). The sky is alive with threatening clouds with whispers of blue being strangled as it fights to break through. I'm staying at the Urban Central hostel for 7 nights. The Grand Prix comes to Melbourne in 3 weeks or so, so I'll be looking to leave before then, Adelaide being the most likely destination. I may or may not drive the Great Ocean Road, it depends on the cost of hiring a car and leaving it in Adelaide. I seem well placed to price car rental where my hostel is based. Right now I am just killing time until I can check-in at 2pm. I have left my backpack in the hostel storage whilst I wile away the hours exploring the streets. Found an internet cafe where you can organise Neighbours tours, with internet access costing $4/hour....in Sydney I was paying between $1.80/hour and $2.50/hour. To think I thought Melbourne would be cheaper. Think I need to shop around some more...I could have sworn at the hostel I heard someone say it was $8/hour, but that could have been them enquiring for two people?

Melbourne

It's official. I leave for Melbourne tomorrow evening. I have booked myself in for 7 nights at a hostel near St Kilda. Looking forward to the 12 hour bus journey via Canberra lol. Hopefully I can get some sleep on the bus before I arrive.

I should reveal where I have been staying for the last five weeks of my life in sydney. It is a hostel called Big just 2 minutes walk from Central station, neatly placed to explore the CBD and the city's main attractions (30mins walk to the Opera House). It's clean, quiet and the staff are friendly and helpful. They provide a free continental breakfast each morning and organise the odd BYO BBQ on the roof terrace. Would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Sydney.

It had to happen eventually

On three occassions I have left my keys in my room whilst I have used the facilities in an ajoining room, and three times I was fortunate there was someone in the room to let me back in. But this afternoon, finally, it happened. I got in the shower then realised I'd left my bloody keys on my bed. I hoped that someone would have been back at the room by the time I had finished with the 3S's alas it wasn't to be. Towel clad and toiletries in hand I had to go to reception to get a spare key. As I walked to the lift I was hoping it would be empty. Not to be. There was a guy there looking somewhat suprised by my attaire (or lack of). I said jokingly I was on my way to a beach party (it was advertised in the lift) before admitting to locking myself out. If that wasn't bad enough...when I reached the ground floor there were half a dozen or so people waiting to get in. One girl turned to another and asked if I had just got out of the shower? Very observant of her I must say. I then had to walk through the common room (passed more wandering eyes) to reception upon where I was greeted with "locked yourself out?". I was so embarrassed I wasn't quick enough with a come back so just said yes, asked for the key and sheepishly made my way back through the common room, avoiding the lift this time and used the stairs...to be greeted by some bloke asking if I was going to the beach party!! Doh

QE2/QM & last few days

Another quiet few days here in Sydney. Just reinforces my need to move on really. I am waiting until the end of today (wednesday) to hear from the agency that contacted me towards the end of last week. If I hear nothing then I will book the greyhound to Melbourne for Friday night.

I've not been up to much really. Yet more walking around the city. Here are some photos I took along the way









Yesterday saw the QE2 and Queen Mary in Sydney for the first time in 65 years. I had planned to be around for the fireworks, but I was 36 miles inland (penrith) having dinner with friends, not returning to the city until 10:30pm, missing the firework extravaganza to mark the occassion. I managed to take a couple of photos of the QE2 docked in Circular Quay, along side the Harbour Bridge, but the QM left dock not long after the fireworks (which I wasn't aware of so my walk to the naval dock this morning bore no photos of the QM).





If you want to see more photos of the actual event then BBC News have some of their own (no doubt provided by getty) as well as from readers.

lone traveller...more like international film critic and general ranter

This is becoming less a travel log and more a personal views blog . God help if I get a job. Could you imagine the content? p

Saw another movie yesterday afternoon at the Dendy Cinema, Circular Quay (a whole $1.50 cheaper than greater union on Geroge street, at $14 a show). The film, Perfume: The story of a murderer, based on the novel of the same name by Patrik Suskind, follows the tale of a frenchman, Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, as he seeks to capture and preserve scent. Wikipedia has a fuller synopsis of the movie. Worth a watch, more so than Apocolypto (or what ever that other movie I saw was called).

Just back from another 8 lengths of the local pool. It's barely 2:24pm and already I am tired. All this swimming seems to do nothing for my stamina, and leaves me feeling a little worse than before I start. Remind me why people exercise again??

And to add to something I missed off my "what I miss" list.....my car!! I've only seen one Hyundai Coupe (Tiburon here). Is it being used? I expect at least 5k miles on the clock before I return (preferrably miles not driven by my dear sister, not that I'm saying she can't drive...she can...just not my car ;p) Names of cars lead me on to something else too. How much do car companies spend on rebranding bloody cars? Vauxhall here are known as Holden, and many of the other cars, manufacturer name aside, have different model names too. I'm sure there are cost savings in sticking to one name for a model globaly? No doubt they argue that some names can cause offence or do not market so well in some countries. You're losing money faster than you can sell units. Talk to the hand because I'm sick of listening to down beat profit warnings and boo ha about trading forecasts and losses, especially when there are obvious savings!

I have been thinking about purchasing a laptop here too. Found a great place near China town, at the upper end of George Street, by Capital Square. On the first floor there are around 10 shops or so that sell computers/laptops and all manner of hardware. They didn't have much that I liked but (as I'm more style than substance as many of you surely know) I have seen a laptop (dual core running Vista) in Sony Central for AUD$1300. Reasons on a postcard/via email as to why I ought not to buy it :p

Finally took some advice....

...hence the delay in updating my blog. Apparently reading about my swimming efforts was becoming rather dull, along with my detailing of the many breaks in cafes I take, so I took a break (not in a cafe....well, ok, perhaps one or two).

So the last few days. Not much to report really. Pretty much the same old. But everytime I convince myself to move on I get a phone call. Yesterday afternoon it-matters phoned to say they had seen my resume (not cv!) on seek.com.au. After a call back because neither of us could be heard over the traffic that roars between the streets and avenues, lined by multi-story buildings (I was shoppig), they asked of my availability and interest in working for a consultancy, initially working as a front-end developer (meaning lots of html/javascript/css etc - oh joy) but later some back-end development. Asked what my market rate was I confessed to not having one but that I believe the market rate to be around $30-40/hour initially, possibly increasing to $50 later on (I was close). This agency seemed pretty on the ball so I am hopefull they will pass on my resume and that an interview will come of this lead.

Work aside, went to see Apocalypto last night. Started off slow. I hadn't read any reviews so had no idea what the movie was about. Turns out it was not in English (subtitiled) and took place sometime during the Aztec/Mayan period, depicting the desecration of one tribe by another, and one man's efforts to save his family from the massacre that ensued. Gruesome in parts, so not really for the faint hearted.

Prior to the movie I went swimming for the first time in 3 whole days! (Yes, I know, I can't resist talking of my athletic efforts). Managed 14 lengths before succumbing to the tiredness of freestyle after a mere 30 meters or so, less so the strain of the arms, more to do with the breathing, or lack of. I just can't find the rhythmn.

What I miss....

I've been thinking recently what I miss about the UK. Besides the family (that goes without saying!), I miss the things I have come to take for granted.

For first world country that can be considered "western" there are several niggly things that to me make this place second rate to somewhere like the UK. Banks. There are tens of different banks dotted around the city yet you have to be careful which ATM you use else you'll be charged. How arcane is that having to pay to withdraw your own money!! I think I recall being told when I picked up my account stuff from the bank that they even charge to deposit money. I mean. They hold my money, which they themselves invest and loan out to make a profit, and then have the cheek to ask me to pay to use it!

Then there are shops. Everywhere are signs stating you may be asked to have your bags searched before leaving the store - in some places you have to leave your bag behind a counter. There seems to be an assumption here that everyone is a thief. I guess we didn't export the UK criminal justice system here along with the convicts all those years ago. What happened to innocent until proven guilty? suspicion beyond a reasonal doubt?

One thing I don't miss is the weather! Except today. It was like being in the UK. I regret not packing my umbrella now. I have enough of them at home! Looks like I'll have to buy another. This morning I awoke to torential rain. Then it eased. Great, I thought, I'll go take a walk to China town. When I left the shopping centre it was throwing down again! Not happy. I sit here writing this a little on the damp side. Never mind. At least it's warm.

Finally, thanks Gill for the comments. I'd respond in person but I've forgotten the email address (which I thought I'd remembered). It would appear kelly is becoming an international vagabond too, but with a purpose....to study (with the exception of the skiing trip!). Good to hear the family are well.

Chinese New Year

Went out last night (got home around 3:15am) so Katoomba with my German friends didn't happen. Just as well really, as when I spoke to them this evening the weather was awful. They saw nothing of the three sisters, which is a shame.

Instead today saw china town come to life with a parade to mark the start of the Chinese New Year, the year of the pig. A colourful display of dancers, dragons and paper sculptures made up the parade which lasted for over an hour, interspersed with walkers and supporters of different organisations. I managed to take one photograph before my camera decided to hibernate, which was just as well as the heavens openned somewhat. I'll have to borrow get some photo's of someone else to display.

Said goodbye to some of the German friends I've made here this evening. In the morning they travel to Melbourne, so if I don't get a job here in the next 2 weeks then I shall probably follow them down for a day or two. One of them provided me with this photo:



Whilst we had a bottle opener people became impatient so the German's showed off some of their bottle opening skills. This photo show me trying to copy them by opening a bottle of beer with a stove lighter....and failing! How embarrassing.

Last few days

Yesterday I attended a registration afternoon with Geoffrey Nathan, not a recruitment agency as I thought, but a recruitment management company. That is to say they don't find jobs for candidates per se, rather forward resumes on to relevant recruitment agencies in Sydney. That said, they have some jobs we could put ourselves forward for so I did so for a job working for the department of transport in near by parramatta. We'll see what comes of this latest attempt to find a contract in Sydney.

Saw Pan's Labrinth yesterday evening at Great Union on George Street. It was an ok movie. I didn't quite follow it all the way through as it was in Spanish with English subtitles, and I struggle to concentrate at the cinema at the best of times. But from what I recall it was set during the Spanish civil war, during the reign of Franco, and the step daughter of some francophile captain embarked on a journey to reach her realm where she is a princess.

Have also kept up the swimming, although yesterday I only did 8 laps and today about 12. I tried freestyling it and managed about 25m before tiring rapidly. I don't remember it being that tiring? Thinking of going out this evening, although some German friends are off to Katoomba tomorrow and have asked if I'd like to join them. It is a tempting offer as I'm running out of things to do in the city, but its $90 and a very early start (around 7am). I would like to go, but perhaps not for the day. It would be good to spend the weekend exploring the blue mountains and participating in the many activities they offer, from organised walked to horse riding. We'll see how big a night tonight turns out to be.

Time roles on

Thanks for the comment Dee! I was thinking only this morning that I hadn't text for a while and that I ought to (since I said I would). But this is cheaper - glad you worked it out ;p

Went swimming again yesterday. Think I managed about 16 laps before succumbing to the few remnants of sun that were left in Sydney for a while. Yesterday it rained some followed by a light thunder storm. Apparently we have more forecast for the coming days..but at least its not snow! Perhaps my sister will get round to using her snowboard somewhere...perhaps a sleigh ride in the Breacon Beacons? :p For now, I'm happy with the sun. Everyone else can enjoy the snow on my behalf :p

Considered leaving Sydney a week today. I've paid up for another the next week, and reserved another beyond that. But today I got a phonecall from Geoffrey Nathan recruitment. I've arranged to go along tomorrow to register so I'll wait for a few more weeks to see what fruit it bares - if any. It seems to have a good hourly rate (circa $30/ph) so hopefully I'd be able to rent my own appartment should I get a position somewhere, one with a pool perhaps, then I won't have to pay to swim at the local acquatic centre. It would also be a good way to increase me daily number of lengths without the extra effort as im sure any pool in a condominium would not be 50m :D

PO Box and TFN

Signed up today to Travellers Contact Point for a mail holding/forwarding service for the rest of my stay in Australia. It gives me a single point of contact for companies and beaurucratic things whilst I am on the move in Australia. Not bad for a yearly fee of $50 [Mum/dad, paid by credit card so please feel free to settle the bill until my return - THANKS].

Once I had this address I set about registering for my TFN (Tax File Number, Australia's equivalent of National Insurance). Apparently it will take 28 days to process but I have an application number to give employers in the meantime (if i ever find one) so hopefully I will not hit the 47% tax bracket from the outset.

After some lunch (I made a healthy pan fried beef salad at the hostel) I read a little (on my 3rd book already - Lee Child's 'One shot' is my current read) I took a stroll through town and headed for the pool. Managed to do 14 laps today before feeling the need to work on my tan some more on the sun deck. I proceeded to undo the good work of 14 laps with a packet of crisps and a bounty, at an astonishing cost of $4.20!!.

Alex flew to Adalaide this morning so now it's Amarone and myself in our dorm who communicate (the rest say hi but that's about it) and a German guy who had been in our dorm but switched rooms, 'The girl' (his girlfriend, but he always refers to her that way) and his other German friends. Perhaps we'll go out somewhere tonight, who knows. Guess I'll find out when I head back to the hostel. Will perhaps meet up with Alex in Adalaide if I make it there before he returns to study in Sweden.

Athleticism

Enquired at two retail stores for casual work today, but both want resumes sent in and experience of working in a retail environment. I have neither, but I think I'll drop my resume (thanks for the tip david!) in...what have I to lose (apart from 30c per resume I print. I also signed up to another agency and applied for a .NET dev role in the finance industy. I won't hold my breath but another agency should increase my chances of finding a contract, I hope. After that little foray in to the job world I went swimming for an hour or so. Managed 10 lengths of a 50m pool before deciding to take a dip in the hydrotherapy pool (read toddlers pool since they always seem to be in there - so much for relaxation) before completing a further 2 laps. Not a lot, I know, but more than when I first got in the pool 2 weeks ago.

Alex leaves for Adelaide tomorrow so he, Amarone and I went to see "The Last King of Scotland". This is the second time I've seen the movie as I'd watched most of it on the flight over (as well as "Departed" and "The Queen" - it was a long flight, and had the entertainment system not crashed im sure I could have fitted a 4th in lol). It's quite a good film, although I am not sure how accurate it is in its portrayal. Was Dr Carrigan real or just a figment of some writers imagination just so he could demonstrate the lengths Amin was prepared to go through by hanging him up by his flesh? Some research should I ever get too bored here in Sydney :p

Quiet Few Days

The last few days have been pretty quiet. Yesterday Alex and I walked to Centennial park and the along the so called "oxford mile" of boutiques and clubs along oxford street, which stretches from the city to Bondi Junction before going for a swim in the afternoon (after those pictures below I think I need to work on my physique as well as my tan!). In the evening I went to Parramatta for dinner before returning to the hostel.

Today has been pretty lazy. I've not heard from any of the three agencies I have signed up with. Despondant? Yes, a little. This evening picked up a little with Alex, Amarone, and myself having a BBQ on the roof terrace of the hostel. We later joined by our German room mate and his friends. I was supposed to join them for a night out, alas I have the remnanats of a cold, thanks in part, I'm sure, to the air con in our dorm.

Providing my coughing has returned to normal limits I think I will go enquire about a retail job I saw advertised for yd.. They'll probably say no, so I'll give it two more weeks in Sydney before I consider moving on. Sydney is a great place, but I'm running out of free things to do. I don't want to end up paying to walk the city (which I've done countless times) or sit in the hostel and read. At least I have company for the next few days before my Student friends move on to study.

Plan on returning to Manly tomorrow. Hopefully a good dose of sun will rid this irritating niggly cough :p