Travel Journal

Skydiving with NZONE at Queenstown

liam_omalley — Sat, 6 Jun 2009 11:08:00 GMT

Wow! what a rush!

On the 27th May I decided that walking past the Skydiving shop in Queenstown without going in had gone on to long so I decided to face my fear and jump out of a plane.

Considering that the three things I like the least are Flying, Heights and Falling from said heights, you may think this was a strange decision, but I just ignored that and did it anyway.

After watching a video of how the Jump works and filling out the forms we where taken by bus to the Private Airfield, which was litterally a field the planes use to take off. As we arrived (I'm sure they time it to perfection) three parashutes appeared over head as the last group landed. We where then introduced to our Tandem partners, Mine was Chris from California who Has been skydiving for 7 years, and does about 3000 jumps each year. Finally we where told there would be about a 45min wait until our jump.

Each flight fits 9 people on board, so ususally they take 3 or 4 "passengers" on each flight. If you have photo's taken then you also have to pay for the cameraman to join you on the plane. Each flight by the plane takes about 20 minutes, 15 minutes to circle up to 12000ft then it takes 5 mins to get back down, the same amount of time it takes to freefall and parachute.

After watching 3 further groups jump, it was our turn to get into our gear, Jumpsuits, harnesses, hats, gloves and goggles. We then had a briefing and we where quickly led accross to the plane. I was going to be the last out of the plane so I was first in. Squashed in a little plane, attached to Chris's harness with Marius our Camera Guy next to us.

The plane climbed quickly clicling over the Remarkables Ski fields until the little red light at the back of the plane turned green and the door slid open.

Before I knew it the first guy had gone and His new wife was next to the door and off she went too. Now it was our turn, shuffling to the door, Marius had already climbed out and was hanging out of the plane, Ready set Go...

The only way I can explain the next 3 secconds was AHHHHHH Oh... Wow

You go from OMG what am I doing, to This is amazing in a fractio of a second. All of a sudden your flying, you can't comprehend that your actually falling at 120mph, everything is so far away it just feels like your hovering and is one of the most exhilarating feelings ever.

All the time your falling your camera guy circles round filming and taking photographs before whumph, the parachute opens and whips you upwards.

Then the roller coaster ride begins, Chris skillfully spiralling you down towards the ground, swooping a diving, just as exciting as the freefall. You then have a great 5 minute parachute flight back to where you started, circling in over the next bus thats just arriving!

The ground quickly whizzes up to meet you, and in my own typical style, when asked how that was all I could say was Great!

Over all a fantastic experience the best of the trip so far!

You can find my pictures from the Skydive on Flickr at

http://www.flickr.com/photos/liam_omalley/sets/72157618904477580/

Liam

Gallery: New Zealand

liam_omalley — Mon, 1 Jun 2009 11:32:00 GMT

Photos from New Zealand

Green Island and Tunnel Beach

liam_omalley — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:40:00 GMT

Green Island with the Family

I have spent most of the last week in and around Green Island, Dunedin with the family. Around the house we have been busy chopping down trees for use as firewood next winter (it has to spend a year drying out before it can be used)

We have also had two Horses spending a couple of days in the paddocks cutting the grass.

On Saturday I decided to go for a walk down to tunnel beach, from the main road you walk down a steep winding path down to the cliffs, the views of the coast are spectacular especially the stone archway stretching out into the waves.

You then go down a tunnel cut into the rock that leads down to the large sandy beach surrounded by high cliffs.

Yet another memorable location.

Liam

Mt Cook & Queenstown

liam_omalley — Tue, 7 Apr 2009 19:54:00 GMT

Today we set off up along the east coast and stopped for lunch at Fleurs Place, Moaraki before heading inland and into the mountains.

The further we went the more dramatic the scenery became, as we neared the mountains we passed some dams and canals filled with bright blue water, brighter than any I have ever seen. Its colour comes from the glaciers further up in the mountains.

We stopped briefly at lake Pukaki, where tourists usually take pictures with Mt Cook in the background but unfortunately it was raining and we couldn't see the mountain.

We then drove up into Mt Cook Village, at the base of the mountain where we spent the night in a YHA.

The next morning the clouds parted and beautiful blue skies surrounded the mountain. Snow had fallen in the night and the mountains looked beautiful.

We then drove round to a glacial lake that can only be viewed from the top of a hill, the water, filled with little ice bergs, was a chocolate grey, you can kayak in it, but we didn't have the time.

Our next destination was Queenstown via the Clay Cliffs, an amazing formation of clay and stones that runs along a cliff face, the clay cliffs rise up into the air like giant stalagmites.

We carried on southwards through even more impressive scenery winding through mountains before descending into the ski resort of Queenstown where we stayed the night.

The next morning, me and Deirdre needed to get back to Dunedin so we set off early only stopping to watch the Bungy Jumpers at Bungy bridge, the original bridge where they invented Bungy Jumping.

Liam

Down even further Under!

liam_omalley — Mon, 6 Apr 2009 19:47:00 GMT

Well my time in Australia came to an end last Monday, 6th April, and I am now in Dunedin New Zealand.

I flew out from Sydney at 9am and arrived 3 hours later in Dunedin International Airport, not exactly the biggest airport I have ever flown into but big enough. Unfortunately I must have looked suspicious (Maybe it was the Pink network hoody?) as I had to go through every security check, including having my bags searched, my boots cleaned and my bags swabbed for drugs! I ended up being the last person out of customs from my flight!

Ah well, I then travelled with my Dad, Pat and my Cousin Rauri up to my Aunty Deirdres house in Green Island, Dunedin.

The View up the coast is specacular as they live on a hill overlooking the southern coast.

Tomorrow we are travelling inland to Mt Cook.

Liam

Colin the Corolla

liam_omalley — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 21:09:00 GMT

Driving North

Well yesterday I picked up my Hire car, Colin the Corolla and off we drove up to Newcastle. Not too far yesterday just 190km but fantastic scenary along the way. Took me a while to get used to driving an automatic as I haven't driven one before but hey ho!

This morning I got up and started driving again at 9.30, have had such an amazing time, driving through mountains, Forests, round lakes and along the coast. Even stopped in on Stroud and Gloucester along the way.

Total drive today way 600km, bout the same as driving to Glasgow from London.

Tomorrow is a 400km drive up to Surfers paradise just outside Brisbane!

Righto time for sum shut eye as Its been rather a tiring drive!

See you later.

Liam

The Mystic Blue Mountains

liam_omalley — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 21:19:00 GMT

Today we took to the road again and headed inland to the imposing Blue Mountains, so called because the blue gum evaporating from the Eucalyptus forests creates a blue mist giving the mountains a blue tint.

When the colonies first started in Sydney, the blue mountains where a barrier that no one could cross, eventually once they had found a way through it opened up the large agricultural land beyond.

Two hours out of Sydney, we started at Katoomba where you can look out at the Three Sisters rock formation, we then walked round the cliff path and down to the "first sister".

We climbed back up the path and drove further inland to Govets Leap, a lookout over the Eastern Valleys. Here we took another cliff path down to a beautiful waterfall that runs over a sheer cliff face and into the valley floor. There is also a very narrow staircase cut into the rock that leads all the way down the cliffs, some 300 meters.

At the top of the waterfall we could see far in the valley below 3 people starting the long climb up the steps, when we set off back to Govets leap they where half way up the stairs and managed to reach the top at the same time as us.

Once again the views where fantastic and as the valleys are virtually uninhabited when you look out you see virtually the same sight that those first expeditions saw nearly 200 years ago, and according to one inscription even Charles Darwin visited Govets Leap in 1863.

An absolutely awe inspiring day!

Liam

Into the Countryside

liam_omalley — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 09:12:00 GMT

Well after the excitement of the Bridge Climb (every day I wake up, see the bridge and think, I climbed that!) I decided to have a couple of relaxed days, and had some time off from the city.

On Friday however, Peter offered to drive down the coast towards Wollongong, one of the smaller coastal cities. We stopped at a place called Sublime Point, and no other word except possibly Wow point would have justified the view. Absolutely spectacular! We where very high up and from our vantage point on the cliff top you could see up the coast to Sydney and down the coast past wollongong. The sea was crystal clear blue with only one tiny sailing boat in the visable horizon.

We made our way back through the Royal National Park, passing underneath enourmous Eucalyptus forests, this was the trip that really hammers home your in another world.

Liam

Gallery: Sydney

liam_omalley — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:30:00 GMT

Photos From my visit to Sydney

Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge

liam_omalley — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:02:00 GMT

Has to be the best thing I've done so far during my trip!

Got up early to catch the ferry into the city this morning before making my way through "The Rocks" (an area of the city not actual rocks) to the Bridge Climb Centre.

Once there you have put on a silly Grey and Blue Jump Suit and harness. Next you go through a climb simulator, which is basically a small section of the gang ways indoors so you can get used to the way your attached to the static line on the bridge.

Once thats complete, you get given your climb radio, which very cleverly works by vibrating through your skull rather than normal earphones in your ears.

Then we where off, the first obstacle, walking through the streets in silly jumpsuits without getting laughed at by the general public!

Once inside again we quickly attached ourselves to the static line and the climb could begin. We made our way underneath the main bridge approach which gave very good views of the buildings surrounding the bridge and the construction of the approaches. This took us to the pylons, the large concrete and granite posts at the ends of the bridge that are actually just there for show, they don't take any of the weight.

Once out of the other side of the pylons you suddenly walk out onto effectively a wire mesh gang way that leads under the first section of the bridge with the cars about a foot over your head. This is the only scary part of the climb as you can see right through the mesh to the ground below.

Next we turned the corner to the ladders that lead up to the main arch, once at the top you can see the main arch stretching away ahead of you with the city behind you. The arch itself is quite wide and slowly slopes its way over the bridge so its not too dificult to climb. Its amazing how quickly you climb though, with every stop giving even more spectacular views of the city and beyond. Its incredible to think that the men who built the bridge did so without any harness or safety gear at all, often running and jumping over the structure as they built it. Even so, in 8 years of construction 16 men lost their lives, 2 of whom died by falling from the bridge itself.

The climb to the summit is quite slow and steady but once at the top the views are spectacular, and I still can't really believe i walked over it.

One last treat though is to cross over the centre of the bridge to the other side, this crosses a much narrower gang way and enables you too see just how far up above the road you are.

Then we traced our wak back down the other side of the arch to return to the climb centre.

Overall it was a fantastic experience, not cheap but worth every penny, even if you do look a prat in the costume they make you wear!

Liam

Gallery: Taronga Zoo

liam_omalley — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 10:12:00 GMT

Pictures from my trip to the Zoo

Taronga, Fantastic Hillside Zoo

liam_omalley — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 09:47:00 GMT

Yesterday I decided to take the Ferry into the city, which has to be the most impressive way of entering the harbour.

The ferries opporate very regularly from two streets away at a nice little wharf, and then run directly into Circular quay in the city centre. As you approach you sail underneath the harbour bridge before turnning and passing the Opera House.

You then change to the Zoo Ferry which takes you back out right across the harbour to the far side, approaching the Zoo, hidden in the trees on the hillside.

The zoo itself is spectacular, nothing like the zoos in the UK. It blends into the hillside with fantastic views of the harbour and the city as a backdrop. The animals themselves are wide and varied and all have large living spaces, with regular talks and shows around the zoo. The highlight of these has to be the Birds in Flight display where a range of birds, swoop down to the handler in the middle of an auditorium with the harbour providing a backdrop.

Add to that the fact that I found out that Liverpool won 4-1 and it made for a great day, in my opinion the best yet.

Blog again soon!

Liam

Family Trees and BBQ's

liam_omalley — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 09:38:00 GMT

Righto, after a couple of days in the city, Peter Organised a open house on Saturday for some of the family to meet up at his house for a BBQ, I will now try to show how we all fit together-

I'm Liam, My Parents are Elaine and Dara, Dara's Mother is Marie, who was the only Daughter of May O'Mara and Jim Christie. Jim was one of 10 siblings whose father was John Christie.

Jim's Brother Cliff is now 97 and I met him on Saturday, Peter is Cliff's son, as is Michael, I met him and two of his three children, Machaela and Darragh.

Finally I also met up with Carmel, she is the daughter of Connie Smith, who was the daughter or Mayne Christie, Eldest Sister of Jim and Cliff.

John Christie, who is our common ancestor, emmigrated from Roscommon in Ireland during the 1800's.

Now if you followed all that, give yourself a pat on the back

Bye for now.

Liam

Sydney, the Dr Who City

liam_omalley — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 09:11:00 GMT

I know the title of this entry is going to take a lot of explaining, but go with it for a minute!

My first day in Sydney was rather tiring, Jet lag got the better of me, and although I went into the city itself, I don't think my eyes where working enough to appreciate the sights at first.

I spent Thursday walking around Drummoyne, where I staying with Peter, I find it quite funny that I'm nearly 11 thousand miles from home but the next town along is Birken Head!

Now then, onto the title of this entry, Lets start with Doctor Who, basic premise is that he Dies and then regenerates, the new Doctor is nothing like the old one, yet at the same time hes also exactly the same. Thats how walking round sydney feels, its completely different from the UK in every way, and yet it also feels exactly like home.

The main difference is that all of the houses have been built individually, every one is different to the next. Some are ultra modern whilst others could be Victorian.

Anyway, I better be going.

Will add another entry after the weekend.

See Ya,

Liam

Bumpy Flight, Hong Kong and no Mc Donalds!

liam_omalley — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Well, I'm finally here, down in Australia, and so far its great!

Set off from Heathrow to Hong Kong last Monday Night, to say it was a bumpy flight would be a bit of an understatement, unfortunately it decided to be rather rough just at the point that the crew turned off the main lights so people could sleep. Stood no chance of sleeping at that point. Did eventually get some sleep however before we arrived in Hong Kong. Its quite a new airport built on reclaimed land so you swoop in over the sea on the approach.

I Just want to say to everyone who said I would just be easting Mc Donalds all the time that when I got to Hong Kong I did not eat at Mc Donalds! Fortunately there was a Burger King so I was fine ;-)

Once again the flight to sydney was rather bumpy although it was a brand new plane, you now get airbags on your seatbelt! fortunately didnt need to try them out this time.

I met Peter at the Airport who has very kindly let me stay with him in Sydney. Unfortunately he does not have unlimited broadband so I have to keep my entries short,

Will probably only post once or twice a week.

See you soon,

Liam

Boring Flights, Airports and Oz

liam_omalley — Mon, 9 Mar 2009 10:17:00 GMT

Righto, its the night before Christmas and all through the house....

Um sorry wrong starting line, um OK one night left before I head off down under. Just in case you where wondering here are my itinerary details:

Sometime before 4pm Monday 9th - Get up!
4pm Head off to Heathrow
6pm(ish) Check In at Heathrow
8.50pm Flight departs for Hong Kong
Arrive 9.10am(UK Time) in Hong Kong
Depart 1.25pm(UK Time) for Sydney
Arrive 10.40pm(UK Time) Arrive Sydney Airport

I'll blog next from Sydney at some point, see you later!

Gallery: Bath Abbey

liam_omalley — Sun, 8 Mar 2009 04:03:00 GMT

My Visit to Bath Abbey

Bath! The Roman City ... I Think

liam_omalley — Sun, 8 Mar 2009 03:41:00 GMT

Righto well, after a slightly teary Good Bye early yesterday morning I have now arrived in Melksham with my Dad.

I spent yesterday in Bath, had a very interesting trip up Bath Abbey tower, I'll upload some photo's of the view. Over 200 very narrow steps up to the tower via the ringing room, the clock face, and the Bell Chamber.

Fantastic views from the top I have to say, Dad could even watch the Rugby from their if he wanted. That of course is where he currently is, last time I checked Bath were beating Bristol 40 somthing to 8 so he should be happy!

Righto, next entry will probably be either in the airport or in Sydney.

L8rs

Nearly Ready for the Off!

liam_omalley — Wed, 4 Mar 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Hi Everyone,

Thought I should at least have an opening entry, righto nearly ready to get going, will be heading down to Bath on Friday Morning to stay with my Dad for the weekend which should be nice. Then off to Heathrow on Monday to fly out to Hong Kong, Unfortunately I wont be able to see much of the city as I'm only in the airport for a few hours but never mind.

Should arrive in Sydney at around 10am Australian time (1am UK time) Wednesday Morning where I'll be picked up by My great Uncle Peter Christie.

Righto, I'll right again next week.

L8rs