Day 1
An early start today, the coach left Port Macqarie
at 5.50. But that’s nice, at least I don’t have to figure out what to do while
waiting for it. The coach was so full that a guy had to sit next to me, which
is fine, but then he started talking to me. I know I sound unreasonable, but I
don’t like it when people talk to me on the coach, or the plane... I don’t know
why, I just like that time to chill out with my own thoughts. And it’s not
because it was early because I don’t like it at any time of the day. And he
wasn’t really saying anything interesting either, just talking to talk.
Turns out Mr Chatterbox is staying at the same
hostel as me. We got to the hostel, Cambridge Hotel Backpackers, and all the
doors were locked! Again the door wasn’t properly marked. Another girl with us
had to ring them to get them to come down and open the door for us. The girl
that opened up for us did not know how to hold a door open properly. And when
we got inside we saw that we had to get up a flight of stairs! No lift. That’s
fun with a 20kg suitcase…
Usually when I’ve checked in at hostels they’ve
only needed to see my passport if anything, sometimes nothing, but this time
she needed BOTH my passport AND my credit card! I don’t like it. I can’t remember
if that’s how it usually is at hotels and stuff, but I didn’t like seeing her
type in my card number and security code… And it didn’t help that she’s not the
most smiley and happy person in the world.
The room is okay though, the bed creaks, so I hope
I’ll be able to sleep in it. There is only one other girl in the room and she’s
had it on her own for the last few days, it’s a 4bed dorm. Apparently there
isn’t many guests, maybe 6 or 7… The bathroom doesn’t look like they’ve had
anything done to them since the building was built, which is kind of charming,
but at the same time not… As long as the showers work it’s fine. And there is
only one toilet and two showers in the ladies, one of the showers has a bathtub
in it. So really it’s a good thing that there isn’t many people here. The
kitchen looks like a kitchen in a flat or small house, not the usual hostel
kitchen, but at least you get free cereal and milk. You also get 2hrs free
internet a day, but by the looks of it you have to spend it all at once. Because
when I tried to log back on after dinner it wouldn’t let me. And if you want to buy some it’s only $5 for
12 hours, which is the cheapest so far.
Anyway, I think my rant is over now.
The girl staying in my room is German, she is
really nice and we walked to Coles together and got some shopping done, Her, Mr
Chatterbox and I went out for dinner. $5 Pizzas at Pizza Hut, 2 vegetarian
options, yay!
Oh, and the TV here is a really big screen, but
it’s blue! And by that I mean the picture not the “frame” or whatever.
Day 2
Today The German Girl and I spent most of the day
walking around Darby Street. I really liked it, I would love to have a house or
apartment (and loads of money), just so I could fill it with items from that
street. They have loads of little shops with interesting items, you know the
kind that you don’t really need but looks really cool, or that you do need but
looks so cool it’s 5 times the price it would be in a normal shop if it looked
the usual way. Notebooks, pens, useless trinkets, useful trinkets, books… There
were also loads of interesting jewellery and clothes, and people wearing it. I
love those kind of shops, which I guess is why I love York and Carnaby street
and Camden in London. We didn’t buy anything, it’s a bit too expensive on a
backpacker’s budget, but it’s nice to just go in those shops and look.
After we had walked all of Darby street we headed
to the Cathedral. It’s a beautiful building. I’m not a religious person, but I
do like to see religious buildings and learning more about religions, their
history and things like that. I actually wear a St. Christopher necklace that
Nicky gave me all the time as he is supposed to keep travellers safe. We walked
around the Cathedral on our own first and then as we were going to leave one of
the guys working there asked if we had noticed the dog. Which we hadn’t, so he
showed us, and then also led us around the Cathedral again telling us the
history behind different things and very interesting facts. I like that he let
us walk around on our own first, that way we could do it at our own pace and
just look.
Day 3
The German Girl left this morning. I now have the
dorm all to myself. There are still some people at the hostel though, but I
think it’s only maybe 5 or 6 other people.
After saying goodbye to TGG I walked to the ocean baths
and from there walked along the beach to the obelisk. It would have been nice
if it was sunny, would have made a much better picture, but at least it didn’t
start raining until I was back at the hostel.
Although it was a rocky start at the hostel, it’s
been fine to stay at. The shower is actually one of the best ones so far as it
actually gets to a comfortable temperature and stays there. The kitchen is very
small and not really made for socialising like most hostel kitchens, but
apparently they’re working on another one that should be ready soon. So the
worst things about this place is that there is no lift, the TV doesn’t work
properly, there is hardly ever anyone at reception except for one hour at check-out time, the doonas were dirty and
the bathrooms are really small and old. But it’s fine, it works, I get free
internet, just 2 hours a day but that’s enough. I’m sure there are places that
are much worse.
By the way, does anybody know why there are
unicorns at random places all over Newcastle??
Next stop: Sydney!
3 comments:
Fantastic photos as always. Your eye is amazing. Can't wait for the next post.
Gorgeous!!!! I love these amazing tours.
I was so excited when I saw your heading. Newcastle? One of my blogger buddies is in Newcastle? Alas not my hometown of Newcastle Upon Tyne, England. Do let us know if you find out the connection with the unicorn, perhaps it makes up a city shield or something.
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