final fotos from fremantle!!

freo

So, besides discovering the plague, I did have a bit of time to explore Fremantle while I was in Australia and I must say, that Freo is quite a charming little town.  The early 19th century architecture and pedestrian friendly city-layout gives this town a european feel while still preserving the laid-back beachy-thing that is so Australian.  

The first day that I arrived to Fremantle was a sunny Saturday, so I took the opportunity to go walkabout the town.  There were tons of people out and there seemed to be some sort of festival going on.  Part of the main street was blocked off and there were lots of booths selling all sorts of goodies, a mini-climbing wall for kids, and lots of artsy curiosities.  What really caught my eye, though, was as I continued to wander, I began to hear the faint sound of Irish rock music...

...tunes of bagpipes floating through the breeze...

and then, I saw where it was coming from.  I saw the throngs of bystanders gaping in awe.  And my jaw dropped too.  when I saw the flames.  A grown man, dressed in a leather skirt, standing in the middle of the street playing a flaming bagpipe.  The Badpiper.  Freo, you rock.

Dear Australia,

Seriously, WTF?  I tried to be nice and look where that has gotten me.  I have come to your shores, twice now, open-hearted and excited to explore an island continent yet unknown to me.  What with your furry eucalyptus-eating creatures, animals with baby-laden pockets, and unfailing economy, you appear to be so damn likable.  But, Australia, you have gotten the better of me.  Twice.

Yesterday, as I traveled the 20-million hours back home from Perth, on my birthday, I wondered, "Australia, what have I ever done to you?"  Why, yet again, did I find myself in a foreign doctor's office, coughing up god-know's what and meat pies?  Why were my dreams of snuggling with wombats put to sleep with five days of fever and far too much Nyquil?  Why, Australia, why?  ...I swear I was totally kidding about that whole steal a Koala idea...

Sincerely,
sick and grumpy traveler

fremantle first impressions

lots of pirates or at least
many unkept hooligans.
New Orleans meets Hawaii.
$200/ night for a hotel,
doesn't include internet.
them Aussies like ta partay

Cairns, Oz, Thoughts

So I kind of totally have mixed thoughts about Cairns and Australia in general.  I mean Cairns is a kind of cool, hippie dippy, little town that has some really awesome outdoor spaces.  It is tropical and beautiful and the promenade along the water front with public-use-barbeques is really cool .... but I also felt that it was kind of grungy.  There just seemed to be so many 19 year old backpacker- slacker types hell-bent on getting wasted everynight, trying to show one another up in terms of how extreme they are.  I might have once been a 19 year old backpacker, but I don't think wasting all your time and money inside a bar is really a way to experience a place.  Also, there just seemed to be a lot of poverty in Cairns.  Trash strewn about, sad drugged up homeless people, and really sad looking Aborigines.  There were, however, a LOT of cool ethnic food places to choose from, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, French, but unfortunately we were unable to find any sort of Mexican/ Latino joints.... sometimes you just really want a burrito :)

As to Australia in general, and here I really generalize considering I didn't see much of the country/ continent, the people were insanely friendly to the point where I was actually confused.  I was a bit weirded out actually when the Aussie girl next to me on the plane kept talking to me, and when the taxi guy struck up a real-heartfelt conversation (apparently I must see the movie Red Dog), and when random people would just go out of their way to be helpful.  This was really cool.  But on the other hand, being a ex-British colony and all, I kinda felt like I wasn't too surprised by much, most of the people look the same as in the US, the weather could be similar to Florida, and the traditional culture did not stand out.  Also, I did not run into ANY kangaroos or koalas... apparently you need to go to zoos to see those??  I most certainly want to return to Australia one day (and would REALLY like to do a massive road trip there), but overall, it is not a destination that I just am itching to find out more about.  Also... with that 26+ hour travel time, getting there and back is also a slight deterrent.

Cairns/ Australia, no doubt I am sure I will see you again, and I will be happy to do so, but in the mean time, its a great big world out there and I want to see more of it!!

all in one piece

Well everyone, I made it back "home" to Saudiland safe and sound after a grueling 26+ hours of travel (and my bags actually made it too!!).    I am now also feeling a lot better thanks to my awesome antibiotics and lots of sleep.  

Updates are coming of the Adventure Down Under... or little of it there was besides being sick!