As you can imagine, I was suitably unimpressed.
Next was another shiny new Air Asia Airbus 320 off to Bangkok. I had booked a room at the Thong Ta hotel & spa just past the end of the runway. On the transfer I got talking to Jeanie a London tour guide who had also been in Bali and was meeting her friend Liz at the hotel.
I was still checking in at reception when my new friends demanded to know what I was drinking so they could get one in for me. "Singha" I replied and followed the porter up to my room (5th floor, no lift!). I dump my stuff and head back down to the bar.
Take note, it is now 17:00... Jeanie , Liz and I proceeded to swap traveller's tales, drink beer, tell rude jokes, laugh at the top comedy toilet paper dispenser, drink more beer... I was mesmerized by their stories of guiding tourists around the UK over the years. There was a brief pause for dinner, shrimp pad thai and then there was no more beer, to our horror, the hotel bar had closed. "No problem" said Liz, "There's a 7-11 around the corner!" Before we could even consider protesting, she was gone. Upon her return we drank more beer, laughed hysterically had a few toilet near misses an just when we'd thought we'd had enough and were heading for bed, Liz would make like Mary Poppins and more beer would emerge from her bottomless bag!! Finally, I made it to bed at 03:00, I believe the room was spinning....
The following morning I had planned to visit the spa for a massage before my 9hr flight. Instead I used the money to pay for a late check out and stayed in my room until 15:00.
After another pad thai and a gallon of coke I was off to the airport, again. Took me a while to get my head around the fact I wasn't allowed to buy duty free alcohol, find Starbucks but they didn't have wifi and deal with my now road weary guts.
Thus I boarded my Emirates flight to Sydney clutching my Imodium supplies. I had hoped to sleep through it but the mentally challenged Scottish backpacker behind me kept punching her "touchscreen" entertainment system and wondering aloud why it wasn't working.
I watched Flight of the Concords and Heroes then settled for gazing out of the window as we chased the sunrise.
I arrived in Sydney feeling somewhat jaded but very happy to see my good friend Emma who moved out here 14 years ago. Emma took my on a whirlwind tour of downtown Sydney, crossing the harbour bridge and stopping in the seaside town of Manly for lunch.
The next day, Saturday, Emma hosted an Aussie BBQ in my honour. It was a fabulously sunny afternoon full of joke, burgers and wine, what more could you wish for?!
On Sunday, we and our hangovers headed to Coledale market, an eclectic mix of secondhand clothes, food, handmade jewellery and general bric-a-brac sold from stalls set on a school playground beside the beach.
Next stop was Baldhead famous jump off point for paragliders.
On Tuesday I hotfooted it into Sydney (90 minute train ride) for some well deserved though budget busting shopping. I was overjoyed at finally entering an American Apparel store (I've had to order online) and purchased a divine black dolman sleeve top. Then I got a slouchy knit dress from a funky boutique called Collective just of Oxford street.
All shopped out, I took a train up to Circular Quay to see the sights up close and personal (again, this is my third trip to Sydney).
Then it was time to take another train over to Bondi Junction to meet up with my friend Stephanie who worked with me in Madrid. Steph showed me around her seaside neighbourhood of Cogee, the scenery was stunning and the sea air quite refreshing.
We stopped for a pre dinner 10 minute neck & shoulder massage before heading to the bottle shop (a shop that sells alcohol) a lot of restaurants here allow you to bring your own and alcohol is not sold in supermarkets.
We opted for bustling yet peaceful Thai place and chowed down on seafood Penang curry and steamed salmon in black bean sauce. Estupendo!
The next day I headed back into town to catch up with Davinia of Shaz & Dave Corfu tour, fame! (If you don't know the story, ask me to tell you sometime!). Having not seen her for the best part of 8 years, we had a lot to catch up on! We talked and talked until it was time for her to head back to work looking every inch the powerful business woman.
I meandered back to Wollongong where that evening I was treated to a pub dinner at Oscar's. I chose Oscar's seafood basket and that's exactly what I got!
My last afternoon in Australia was spent visiting Nan Tien, the largest Buddhist temple in the southern hemisphere.
It was the perfect ending to a relaxed week which was just what I needed after my Asian jet setting.
Thank you Emma, Chloe and Steph for lending me a home and an ear and Vinny for remaining fabulous!
Next stop, Christchurch & Nelson, New Zealand.
- Posted from my iPhone
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