Friday, 17 November 2006
Thursday, 16 November 2006
Monday, 13 November 2006
howdy doo!
Hey again brothers n sisters,
Its been a while i know but i do know just how much you all love the extra long emails to read so ive saved it all until now!!not really i'll wrap it all up in a nutshell (as if!;)as im a tad hungover n i've had to strap myself to the chair as not to slide off it due to excessive sweat that seems to be bleeding my poor little withered body dry!worth it though as we painted the local pub red last night and made our mark on this lovely little town where we now reside!there was an open mike night in the local irish pub so ross took his harmonica,me with my djembe drum n the rest is a hazey memory of funky musical delight!playing with an aboriginal band was a great experience as they rocked and ross,as he does did what he does best and sung a few numbers with a little added guitar/harmonica and a good night was had by all!what a warm,vibrant town we now find ourselves in!and being pushed home in a shopping trolley by a random but seriously funny german guy topped the night off!(its been a few years!hey dave!: )oh,then ross being told to leave the backpackers today by the nightwatchman (aka robocop) for dipping in the pool after hours!naughty boy!yes yes,we have arrived!
Ok. not sure where i left off...coral bay maybe?!.....hmmmm...anyway so..ross and i are still on the west coast of australia...still with our faithfull companion,ernie and thankfully still alive and well so its all good!after coral bay we headed north but inland for a bit of a change of scenery to a national park named "karijini" which i must say was spectacular with waterfalls,clear blue rock pools and 100 metre deep gorges that take the breath away!some of the most amazing water i have ever had the pleasure of swimming in and as its all natural rock filtered spring water its great to drink too and if it gets a little cold for you when the sun has passed over the deep gorge you can just stand under the water that cascades out of the rocks appearing from knowwhere that gets heated by the rock as it flows through which is almost like a warm shower which is nice as nice can be i tell thee!man im not explaining this very well but it was cool!: ) basically a back drop of aussie bush,with clear blue sky,deep red rock gorges and ravines with the most unbelievable water!there!i'll try n find some pics to attach!at this point we are still travelling with the cool english couple,before mentioned in the last email!
Seeing my first dingo was great but it didnt hang around to make friends which was a shame but we left a little treat for him anyway!bless him!on packing up camp for the next leg of the journey there was a little shock in store for me as i'd pretty much packed everything in to ernie (chairs,tables,auning etc) already and whilst folding up the last camping chair to pack for some reason i decide to give it a shake and "thud" the biggest,scariest n down right hairiest,not to mention dangerous wolf spider hit the ground and started running around like a loonatic with its four front legs waving in the air and trying literally to jump up into the camper!(ernie:)man it was incensed!then it decided to hide in my shoe which was just great!it took a while to shake the stubborn little critter but eventually we managed to evict him from my shoe and whilst keeping a very close eye on him we managed to pack up and get the hell out of dodge!phew!now,considering we both sleep in ernie and the van is not the biggest accomodation in the world the chances of us having close encounters with the hairy beast were great so lucky for us!: )
Next stop karratha,a small mining town that had been recomended to us for well paid work!half way there we noticed (by pure chance)that one of ernies tyres was a little worse for wear and dangerously close to blowing out so we then stopped overnight in port hedland to get some new tyres then only to find that everywhere was totally booked up for a week so onward once again with a dangerously bulging tyre!all fun and games here!ok so we decide to stick the spare on to get us the remaining 200 or so k's to karratha.sweet!only,not so sweet!about 80k's down the road and booooooooom,screech,my first blowout wooooohooooo yeeehaaaaa the bloody spare had blown out!marvellous!after a little snaking over the road and a very contolled emergency stop : ) we found the entire tread of the tyre had stripped right off and was lying in the middle of the road,but only after taking out the back brake lights along the way!nice!the spare tyre turned out to be worse than the amazingly bulged but still inflated tyre we'd replaced!so,on goes the dodgy tyre once again,and by this time,im thinking of getting a job changing tyres with all the experience i have by this time!gritting our teeth the whole way we made it to our destination of karratha unscathed!
We booked ernie in for 4 new tyres at kmart and ourselves into a campsite and looked for work through an agency and after a week chilling out (i use the term loosely as the weather up here is arrid,dry and bloody hot!and its not even summer yet!) and found work pretty much straight away!my first experience working in this kind of heat (between 33 and 40 degrees!) was a task in itself but i was quite surprised how quickly we got used to it and from jumping into steelie boots,socks,trousers and a shirt from wearing pretty much a single pair of shorts beforehand it took a little getting used to but we acclimatised pretty well!it was ok so long as there was a breeze but if that dropped then man the sweat started to flow bigtime!we were situated right by the sea which was awesome at a gas mining supply base for the offshore rigs in dampier,about 20/30 km from karratha and our job was to wash and regrease the large steel drill casing to send offshore. the money wasn't too bad either ($25 per hour) but considering i was down to a $30 bank balance we had no choice but to work even if it was for $5 per hour!i have to say although at first we were stuck in holiday mode and very reluctant to work im so very glad we did as it was a great experience working here.the guys we worked with were awesome fun (hey murray!looks like rain today!see you on the eastside: )and it was actually a rare feeling when you go to bed of an evening and look forward to going to work in the morning!one of the highlights of my work experience was getting to hand feed a wild kangaroo!well a couple really but they all answered to the same name! (skippy!!: ) thats one thing that i hadn't predicted and they are sweet little things and seem to have a soft spot for a bread roll or two!
Its now coming into cyclone season here so if we are lucky (or unlucky who knows!; )we might just be here to see one you never know,i think it would be an experience hey!the storms have just started to roll in up north and the lightningis a spectacular sight! anyway,our time eventually came to an end in karratha and after some fond farewells (and alot of whiskey) we were once again three (me,ross n ernie) on our merry highway heading north!strange really as every other vehicle was travelling south due to the excessive heat in the north!after an 800km drive we arrived at our next destination which is broome.a beautiful,cool and vibrant little coastal town with a laid back hippy feel and cool people!also 50-60 % humidity!man,now we realise why people are heading south!phew,its hot!and i have to work in it tomorrow!hmmmmm mixing cement hmmmm maybe not!we are staying at a cool backpackers and have met so many great people already!this week i started (after a shameful attempt in bali) to learn to surf and with very positive results im pleased to announce this time!: ) the first day i managed to get up on my board 4 times and the second day i actually managed to stay on my board and rode my first waves which was an absolutely awesome feelin!my crazy french friend saw a shark in the wave as it broke on one occasion (not a big one,but still!) and i can't believe i actually stayed in the water!could i be overcoming my fear of sharks?!i have to say that i enjoyed myself so much out there on my board that i didn't want to get out!sweet! after that i found myself actually wanting to see one!very strange!
One thing i am finding it difficult is having to leave so many great new found friends behind and this is one thing i have to say is a downside to travelling but nevertheless inevitable and something you have to get used to but you end up so close to alot of people its a difficult thing and sad to to move on sometimes.i have made so many great friends over the past few months,everyone has something to share,to teach and to preach and im forever learning more which is awesome!so thankyou y'all!
So,after a weeks work here in broome,depending on the weather,we depart once more on yet more adventures.Dodging kangaroos,emu's and crocodiles we'll drive up through the kimberleys and down through the red centre,past alice springs,adelaide and along the great ocean road to our next destination...melbourne!there we have accomodation with a good friend we met along the way in bali and will work there for 2/3 months and spend our very first christmas in the sun!lets hope the weather is kind for us!the journey all in all will be approximately 5000+km so wish us luck! : )
Apologies once again for the long email but lack of computer access is my measly but feasable and very real excuse!honest!: )
hope you're all happy,healthy and loving life!(and still awake after this email!)
love,love and love
damo xx ; )
p.s. pics are from karijini national park
Its been a while i know but i do know just how much you all love the extra long emails to read so ive saved it all until now!!not really i'll wrap it all up in a nutshell (as if!;)as im a tad hungover n i've had to strap myself to the chair as not to slide off it due to excessive sweat that seems to be bleeding my poor little withered body dry!worth it though as we painted the local pub red last night and made our mark on this lovely little town where we now reside!there was an open mike night in the local irish pub so ross took his harmonica,me with my djembe drum n the rest is a hazey memory of funky musical delight!playing with an aboriginal band was a great experience as they rocked and ross,as he does did what he does best and sung a few numbers with a little added guitar/harmonica and a good night was had by all!what a warm,vibrant town we now find ourselves in!and being pushed home in a shopping trolley by a random but seriously funny german guy topped the night off!(its been a few years!hey dave!: )oh,then ross being told to leave the backpackers today by the nightwatchman (aka robocop) for dipping in the pool after hours!naughty boy!yes yes,we have arrived!
Ok. not sure where i left off...coral bay maybe?!.....hmmmm...anyway so..ross and i are still on the west coast of australia...still with our faithfull companion,ernie and thankfully still alive and well so its all good!after coral bay we headed north but inland for a bit of a change of scenery to a national park named "karijini" which i must say was spectacular with waterfalls,clear blue rock pools and 100 metre deep gorges that take the breath away!some of the most amazing water i have ever had the pleasure of swimming in and as its all natural rock filtered spring water its great to drink too and if it gets a little cold for you when the sun has passed over the deep gorge you can just stand under the water that cascades out of the rocks appearing from knowwhere that gets heated by the rock as it flows through which is almost like a warm shower which is nice as nice can be i tell thee!man im not explaining this very well but it was cool!: ) basically a back drop of aussie bush,with clear blue sky,deep red rock gorges and ravines with the most unbelievable water!there!i'll try n find some pics to attach!at this point we are still travelling with the cool english couple,before mentioned in the last email!
Seeing my first dingo was great but it didnt hang around to make friends which was a shame but we left a little treat for him anyway!bless him!on packing up camp for the next leg of the journey there was a little shock in store for me as i'd pretty much packed everything in to ernie (chairs,tables,auning etc) already and whilst folding up the last camping chair to pack for some reason i decide to give it a shake and "thud" the biggest,scariest n down right hairiest,not to mention dangerous wolf spider hit the ground and started running around like a loonatic with its four front legs waving in the air and trying literally to jump up into the camper!(ernie:)man it was incensed!then it decided to hide in my shoe which was just great!it took a while to shake the stubborn little critter but eventually we managed to evict him from my shoe and whilst keeping a very close eye on him we managed to pack up and get the hell out of dodge!phew!now,considering we both sleep in ernie and the van is not the biggest accomodation in the world the chances of us having close encounters with the hairy beast were great so lucky for us!: )
Next stop karratha,a small mining town that had been recomended to us for well paid work!half way there we noticed (by pure chance)that one of ernies tyres was a little worse for wear and dangerously close to blowing out so we then stopped overnight in port hedland to get some new tyres then only to find that everywhere was totally booked up for a week so onward once again with a dangerously bulging tyre!all fun and games here!ok so we decide to stick the spare on to get us the remaining 200 or so k's to karratha.sweet!only,not so sweet!about 80k's down the road and booooooooom,screech,my first blowout wooooohooooo yeeehaaaaa the bloody spare had blown out!marvellous!after a little snaking over the road and a very contolled emergency stop : ) we found the entire tread of the tyre had stripped right off and was lying in the middle of the road,but only after taking out the back brake lights along the way!nice!the spare tyre turned out to be worse than the amazingly bulged but still inflated tyre we'd replaced!so,on goes the dodgy tyre once again,and by this time,im thinking of getting a job changing tyres with all the experience i have by this time!gritting our teeth the whole way we made it to our destination of karratha unscathed!
We booked ernie in for 4 new tyres at kmart and ourselves into a campsite and looked for work through an agency and after a week chilling out (i use the term loosely as the weather up here is arrid,dry and bloody hot!and its not even summer yet!) and found work pretty much straight away!my first experience working in this kind of heat (between 33 and 40 degrees!) was a task in itself but i was quite surprised how quickly we got used to it and from jumping into steelie boots,socks,trousers and a shirt from wearing pretty much a single pair of shorts beforehand it took a little getting used to but we acclimatised pretty well!it was ok so long as there was a breeze but if that dropped then man the sweat started to flow bigtime!we were situated right by the sea which was awesome at a gas mining supply base for the offshore rigs in dampier,about 20/30 km from karratha and our job was to wash and regrease the large steel drill casing to send offshore. the money wasn't too bad either ($25 per hour) but considering i was down to a $30 bank balance we had no choice but to work even if it was for $5 per hour!i have to say although at first we were stuck in holiday mode and very reluctant to work im so very glad we did as it was a great experience working here.the guys we worked with were awesome fun (hey murray!looks like rain today!see you on the eastside: )and it was actually a rare feeling when you go to bed of an evening and look forward to going to work in the morning!one of the highlights of my work experience was getting to hand feed a wild kangaroo!well a couple really but they all answered to the same name! (skippy!!: ) thats one thing that i hadn't predicted and they are sweet little things and seem to have a soft spot for a bread roll or two!
Its now coming into cyclone season here so if we are lucky (or unlucky who knows!; )we might just be here to see one you never know,i think it would be an experience hey!the storms have just started to roll in up north and the lightningis a spectacular sight! anyway,our time eventually came to an end in karratha and after some fond farewells (and alot of whiskey) we were once again three (me,ross n ernie) on our merry highway heading north!strange really as every other vehicle was travelling south due to the excessive heat in the north!after an 800km drive we arrived at our next destination which is broome.a beautiful,cool and vibrant little coastal town with a laid back hippy feel and cool people!also 50-60 % humidity!man,now we realise why people are heading south!phew,its hot!and i have to work in it tomorrow!hmmmmm mixing cement hmmmm maybe not!we are staying at a cool backpackers and have met so many great people already!this week i started (after a shameful attempt in bali) to learn to surf and with very positive results im pleased to announce this time!: ) the first day i managed to get up on my board 4 times and the second day i actually managed to stay on my board and rode my first waves which was an absolutely awesome feelin!my crazy french friend saw a shark in the wave as it broke on one occasion (not a big one,but still!) and i can't believe i actually stayed in the water!could i be overcoming my fear of sharks?!i have to say that i enjoyed myself so much out there on my board that i didn't want to get out!sweet! after that i found myself actually wanting to see one!very strange!
One thing i am finding it difficult is having to leave so many great new found friends behind and this is one thing i have to say is a downside to travelling but nevertheless inevitable and something you have to get used to but you end up so close to alot of people its a difficult thing and sad to to move on sometimes.i have made so many great friends over the past few months,everyone has something to share,to teach and to preach and im forever learning more which is awesome!so thankyou y'all!
So,after a weeks work here in broome,depending on the weather,we depart once more on yet more adventures.Dodging kangaroos,emu's and crocodiles we'll drive up through the kimberleys and down through the red centre,past alice springs,adelaide and along the great ocean road to our next destination...melbourne!there we have accomodation with a good friend we met along the way in bali and will work there for 2/3 months and spend our very first christmas in the sun!lets hope the weather is kind for us!the journey all in all will be approximately 5000+km so wish us luck! : )
Apologies once again for the long email but lack of computer access is my measly but feasable and very real excuse!honest!: )
hope you're all happy,healthy and loving life!(and still awake after this email!)
love,love and love
damo xx ; )
p.s. pics are from karijini national park
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