Chasing Carmen Sandiego

Gallery: Bluies

dhoffman — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:06:00 GMT

Blue Mountains (April 12 +13)

dhoffman — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 18:43:00 GMT

Off To the Bluies -

This trip started at Central Station where a huge coach picked up not a lot of people. On the way to the mountains we stopped at Featherdale Wildlife Park. Similar to the park I stopped at for the R and R trip but this place was a lot bigger and with heaps more animals. So many freaking kangaroos and they were all on the loose. So many koalas too. I saw a croc up close. This thing was half the size that full-growns get and I felt like the 2 barriers were not enough to stop that thing from destroying me. I could not imagine being in the water in the wild with that thing approaching. Also saw the deadliest snake in the world (Taipan). After that we took a hike through the woods led by an Aboriginal man, Evan. Did some face painting and made attempts to enter dreamtime (for me, 10 minutes of sitting uncomfortably on a rock). Checked into the youth hostel that night and watched Harry Potter before bed.

The next day was marked with excitement and dissapointment. This was due to our abseiling escursion (Abseiling meaning repelling). So we start off by an intro repel down a pathetic rock. Then we did two more which were really fun in preparation for the beast that stood 50 meters. I was getting scared on the 2nd tallest and that was well under half the size. However, my confidence was gaining and I was psyched for the big guy. We took a little walk to the next cliff and it was much more open and not in the woods allowing us to see the surrounding mountains. I would imagine that this would make it even scarier, but I was ready. The trouble was, looking left you could see rain dumping on the mountains and in a matter of 3 minutes it was pouring over us. Even though it didn't last long we had to cancel the 50 meter repel. Thourough dissapointment. After this we headed into the blue mountain canyon and saw the 3 sisters. The photos will describe this part of the trip better than I can.

Gallery: Reef + Rainforest

dhoffman — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 20:23:00 GMT

Reef + Rainforest

dhoffman — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 19:53:00 GMT

Here is what I did for Easter Break through Arcaida's Reef + Rainforest trip. I'm just going to list everything I did (maybe impossible) because I did so much and it was all really incredible.

Day 1 - Breakfast with the Birds (gourmet brunch in a bird sanctuary)
Tour of Wildlife sanctuary (pet roos, crocs, hold snake, pet koala, birds)
Beach in Port Douglas (opened a coconut that went sour - my hands reaked for days)
Water pool (unexpected strong current everybody was fighting)
Guided Aboriganal tour with Rosy (couldn't explain her if I tried)
Arrived in Camp Trib Hostel - intense Rumy 400 - end Day 1
Day 2 - Jungle Surf/Zipline
Hike to Cape Trib led by Stew
Hike thru muddy jungle to another fresh water hole (mini cliffs to jump)
Intense pictionary - End Day 2
Day 3 - Daintree River Cruise (no croc sightings)
Intense name game in bus with childhood theme
Arrive Mission Beach Retreat, Swim in pool/Barbecue
Intense billiards/darts - End Day 3
Day 4 - White water rafting on the Tully - fell out 3 (one on purpose)
Intense card games (hearts/bullshit/kemps)- End day 4
Day 5 - Arrive Airley Beach, swim the lagoon, all you can eat chili - End day 5
Day 6 - Board the Pegasus, Snorkel, SCUBA - End Day 6
Day 7 - Sail the Whitsundays, Snorkel, Whiteheaven Beach, South Molle Island - End Day 6
Day 8 - Dock with the Pegasus, 10 hour drive to Cairns, Out in Cairns - End Day 8
Day 9 - Out on the Great Barrier Reef, Dinner at the RSL (VFW average age 64 HAHA) - End Day 9
Day 10 - Waited for my flight home

Many stories to accompany each even...Such a good time. Good people, good locations, good activities...really great fun.

Gallery: Sydney Night Photos

dhoffman — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:12:00 GMT

Downtown Day & Night

dhoffman — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 20:47:00 GMT

I feel like I should now discuss my experiences downtown in Sydney. My first trip in was on a Sunday. You don't realize the buildup you have received for an-in-the-flesh sighting of the 2 landmarks (Opera House and the Bridge) until you actually see them. By this I mean that (at least from my perspective) when you finally see the Opera House or the Bridge you are shocked that it is the real thing and not just the photo you have seen over and over because they are soooo impressive. Seeing them for the first time is an incredible experience. My experience went like this: I took the 389 to Circular Quay and in front of me was a lineup of Wharfs where the Sydney ferries depart. I headed left with my buddy Mark. When we came to the end of the docks there stood the bridge. With background music of an aboriginal playing the didgeridoo with a techno backtrack (I actually bought a 18 track CD from a similar street perform for $10, not bad) it was awesome to finally see the bridge. I had been in Bondi for a week before I was finally able to get in the city and see the sights. A little further and we ran into the Opera House. Wow. Hard to explain how just a building can be this incredible to see for the first time. Either way, I felt it. Walking to the end of that platform, with plenty of pictures along the way, we turned back to head and see the Opera House up close and personal. This was so much fun. The Circular Quay are is really nice and has plenty of due but I was content just freelancing it. We strolled through the Royal Botanical Gardens, which was also great fun. This place, if you find the right spot, offers the best views that combine both the bridge and the Opera House. After some delicious Fish and Chips in the area operation: "Damn Dan, Get In and See Sydney" was complete. My next experience was on a 3 hour harbour cruise that let me see the skyline and the landmarks at night and at different angles. Again, they were incredible. I was also considerably frustrated by the difficulty of getting a good photo because of the darkness and the sway and was often obsessing over this. Well I saw it...which is kind of all that matters. Sorry.

Gallery: Some Snapshots of Bondi Beach

dhoffman — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:58:00 GMT

Gallery: Our Inaugral Barbie

dhoffman — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:55:00 GMT

69 Glenayr

dhoffman — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:36:00 GMT

So my house is pretty incredible. We have a really nice, big place that is an approximate 6 minute walk to Bondi Beach. The house has a fantastic kitchen and the housemates just joined financial forces to buy an amazing grill. I was lucky enough to strike a single bedroom. The backyard is what is impressive, though. In addition to the grill is a patio and a pool (both small but they count). Our house, if all goes to plan, will be the Barbecue capital of Sydney. We've been hearing that this place, if up for sale, would require some serious dough. Bondi has plenty to offer. It's got huge waves and small waves (depending on the day), nice sand, hot weather, plenty of people-watching, gorgeous rocky cliffs surrounding it, shops, food, drink, souveniers, and always offers the chance to be on Bondi Rescue. School is an incovenient 2 buses and 35-45 mins away but all is good on 69 Glenayr. Glenayr itself in my opinion is a nice strip of cafes, bars, take-out, and the always Friendly Grocer (where I buy my Vegemite...not). The main shopping area is in Bondi Junction which is really nice. You can pick up on the seriosuly European driven Aussie fashion here with an enormous 5 story mall that crosses streets and seems to never end once inside (makes Providence Place look like a flea market). The campus resembles a stark contrast from Bryant. Kids everywhere, lectures that fill theatres, but somehow I manage to run into everyone I know there. Strange. Sydney is a 30 min bus or 15 and most certaintly has plenty to offer, but Bondi is enough to take on for today.

Gallery: The Sights of Sydney

dhoffman — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 11:20:00 GMT

Melbourne

dhoffman — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:38:00 GMT

So fist stop Melbourne... We got off the plane met our orientation leaders (Cam and Em - Aussies avoid at all costs using full names). We got into a bus that shipped us off to St. Kilda a nice beachside community just outside the city. Bought a lunch that I didn't touch because of a sore stomach from the aeroplane. We then went to a lookout over the bay and then to a kangaroo sanctuary with hundreds of roos running wild. We then headed to our home for 2 days in Sorrento, a rich summer community of Victoria. At orientation we had lots of lectures but also lots of free meals. We walked the beach right next to our hotel which was beautiful with impressive rock formations. We also went a cruise where we spotted some dolphins having a good time. The next day we headed into the city. We walked around but the more impressive part was driving seeing the buildings that were all modern and artistic. The city also had a cool river flowing through it. The hotel was equally as impressive. Our time in the city was limited but struck me as awe-some.

Gallery: Melbourne

dhoffman — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:03:00 GMT

St. Kilda, Kangaroo Reservation, Sorrento