I went to a shop this morning, which sells Ikelite underwater dive equipment, to ask if they could replace my broken charger, only to find out that it was working after all! I felt like a complete buffoon, bearing in mind that my dive equipment had been in hibernation for the last three years. The yellow light kept flashing on the charger when it was charging the battery and the instruction booklet said that when this happens, there is something wrong with the charger and/or the battery. I thought that the charger might have been damaged in transit, as one of the metal prongs was missing. Anyway, apparently that is how they are designed and the instruction booklet should have said that intermittent flashing means the battery is fully charged - doh! Partly not my fault though, as my model has been upgraded, as has the instruction booklet, so maybe other people made the same mistake as me.
I had lunch at a burger and grill place earlier and in the toilet they had a novelty toilet seat with a couple of redback spiders. Ok, so I know that it wasn't real, but I couldn't bring myself to park my bottom there. Whilst on the dunny (that's Australian for loo, isn't it?), I suddenly jumped up to check there were no spiders lurking under the toilet. I had forgotten about them - must be more careful in future, as I can't afford to be bitten on the bum this early on in the trip. Mind you, Julie did my tarot cards before I left home and saw no period of hospitalisation over the next few months, so fingers crossed she is right!
I have been informed by the Aussie guru (Anne) that a bug is a Moreton Bay Bug, which is a type of lobster and apparently very delicious. I may try it next week provided my seafood allergy has gone.
Cairns is growing on me a bit and I feel much better than yesterday, even though I woke up today with my head full of cold and a blocked nose, which was not a good sign. I've been to the pharmacist to get cough mixture, cold tablets, echinaea and vitamin c to dose up today before diving tomorrow. I am in a bit of a drug induced haze at the moment. To cheer myself up because I can't shake off this horrible bug, I did a spot of shopping and bought some clothes to replace what feels like my rather depleted wardrobe. That will add another 2 kilos to the excess baggage charges!!
I am now sitting by the pool at the hotel to wait for my pick up for the liveaboard. The Hotel Cairns is nice and laid back, although when I ask some of the staff things, they look at me as if I am from Planet Zod. Also, isn't technology great, being able to type this on my laptop using the hotel's wireless internet connection. Another not so great reason for being a technology junkie is that I have a plastic bag full of various chargers and leads for my computer, IPOD, two cameras, dive battery etc etc. You name it, I have it. I also keep thinking I have left various things in the hotel room which I have forgotton to pick up, but they must be in the depths of all my stuff somewhere.
I also remember reading that the TAKA liveaboard has wireless internet access onboard but I daren't ask in case I come across as a bit of an idiot. Anyway, if you don't hear from me for a few days, it is because I am stuck out at sea.
Tarah for now.
xx
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Hello from Cairns!
I am typing this from an internet cafe in Cairns, as I can't really face finding a McDonalds to see if they have wireless access and I felt the need to be with my fellow backpackers. The flight from Singapore to Melbourne was pretty uneventful. I keep falling asleep watching the movies and for some reason the Emirates planes from Dubai onwards are really old, so that you can't watch movies on demand, unless the stewardess gives you a cassette to load into your seat. All a bit too much of a hassle for me, so that I think I have watched different parts of Transformers three times!
The guy sitting next to me was returning from Iran (where he works) to Melbourne for Xmas and New Year. He helped me to fill in the customs declaration form. Ok, not that it was difficult or anything, but some of the questions were ambigious. You need to declare food (fresh, dried or preserved) but is chocolate a food? Anne (who is from Melbourne) told me to declare everything if in doubt and I guess it was also the lawyer in me reading too much into the questions. If there was a box for carrying deadly bactewria, I would have ticket that, as with all the long flights, my smelly dirty washing could have walked off the plane itself and contaminated the clean air for miles! Three flights in less than a week - I dread to think what my carbon footprint is so far.
Everyone at Melbourne airport was really friendly - it only took me 30 minutes to go through immigration, collect my bags and get checked at customs. Ok, so it was 2am in the morning, but you also don't get the aggressive "Why are you coming to America" spiel as you do in the States. I don't really get that attitude, especially as people would rather live in Australia (sorry for anyone from the US reading this, but it's true!).
I am feeling like a complete zombie and think an early night is in order. I only managed about 1 hours' sleep at the airport hotel. I don't know if it is because I was overtired or overexcited but my body has no idea what time zone it is in - the hours are chopping and changing at the drop of a hat. It didn't help this morning that I got completely stung by excess baggage charges with Virgin Blue. It cost me $100 (about 45 quid) because I was 20 kilos overweight - I was so concerned about the weight of my hand luggage that I put all my heavy things in my check in luggage. It is not a lot in the grand scheme of things, but the most annoying thing is that they have recently changed their charging policy, so that each extra bag was charged at the bargain price of $20 per bag. It is one of the reasons I booked Virgin Blue but then you do pay for what you get!
Cairns reminds me of Blackpool or some other dodgy seaside town back at home. Not sure I really like it and I am also not sure if there is much to do in the evenings apart from go to a bar and get drunk. You would think that the diving mecca of Australia would have dive shops galore stocked with every product a diver could want but not so in this place. I do feel a bit like I am in the back of beyond.
I went into a shop today which sold digeridoos (is that how it is spelt?!!!!). They had some really nice ones and the guy let me have a go. You have to wobble your lips, which is harder than it seems. Needless to say, notwithstanding my rubber, I was completely useless at it. I don't think Vernon would be too impressed if I sent one back for the house though.
I had dinner tonight at an Italian restaurant (see picture above) - the portions were huge, even by my standards. I am officially off seafood (well, temporarily anyway) - I have developed a minor rash on my face, and I think that it is a mild allergy to it (which I have had before). If I am not careful I will turn into a prawn and get eaten by some turtle whilst I am diving! One thing I did notice on the menu was "bugs" (ie, with pasta or potatoes or even seafood) What on earth are these - any ideas, Anne? If they are the critters themselves, then that sounds revolting.
Anyway, I can't seem to shake off this bug and I am concerned that my cold will stop me diving. I have also noticed that one of my bits of equipment is not working, which is great, considering I have and will continue to lug it halfway around the world. I am catching the liveaboard at 5pm to the Coral Sea tomorrow, which I am very excited about (first dive in 18 months!). Hopefully I will have some pictures to show you next time.
The guy sitting next to me was returning from Iran (where he works) to Melbourne for Xmas and New Year. He helped me to fill in the customs declaration form. Ok, not that it was difficult or anything, but some of the questions were ambigious. You need to declare food (fresh, dried or preserved) but is chocolate a food? Anne (who is from Melbourne) told me to declare everything if in doubt and I guess it was also the lawyer in me reading too much into the questions. If there was a box for carrying deadly bactewria, I would have ticket that, as with all the long flights, my smelly dirty washing could have walked off the plane itself and contaminated the clean air for miles! Three flights in less than a week - I dread to think what my carbon footprint is so far.
Everyone at Melbourne airport was really friendly - it only took me 30 minutes to go through immigration, collect my bags and get checked at customs. Ok, so it was 2am in the morning, but you also don't get the aggressive "Why are you coming to America" spiel as you do in the States. I don't really get that attitude, especially as people would rather live in Australia (sorry for anyone from the US reading this, but it's true!).
I am feeling like a complete zombie and think an early night is in order. I only managed about 1 hours' sleep at the airport hotel. I don't know if it is because I was overtired or overexcited but my body has no idea what time zone it is in - the hours are chopping and changing at the drop of a hat. It didn't help this morning that I got completely stung by excess baggage charges with Virgin Blue. It cost me $100 (about 45 quid) because I was 20 kilos overweight - I was so concerned about the weight of my hand luggage that I put all my heavy things in my check in luggage. It is not a lot in the grand scheme of things, but the most annoying thing is that they have recently changed their charging policy, so that each extra bag was charged at the bargain price of $20 per bag. It is one of the reasons I booked Virgin Blue but then you do pay for what you get!
Cairns reminds me of Blackpool or some other dodgy seaside town back at home. Not sure I really like it and I am also not sure if there is much to do in the evenings apart from go to a bar and get drunk. You would think that the diving mecca of Australia would have dive shops galore stocked with every product a diver could want but not so in this place. I do feel a bit like I am in the back of beyond.
I went into a shop today which sold digeridoos (is that how it is spelt?!!!!). They had some really nice ones and the guy let me have a go. You have to wobble your lips, which is harder than it seems. Needless to say, notwithstanding my rubber, I was completely useless at it. I don't think Vernon would be too impressed if I sent one back for the house though.
I had dinner tonight at an Italian restaurant (see picture above) - the portions were huge, even by my standards. I am officially off seafood (well, temporarily anyway) - I have developed a minor rash on my face, and I think that it is a mild allergy to it (which I have had before). If I am not careful I will turn into a prawn and get eaten by some turtle whilst I am diving! One thing I did notice on the menu was "bugs" (ie, with pasta or potatoes or even seafood) What on earth are these - any ideas, Anne? If they are the critters themselves, then that sounds revolting.
Anyway, I can't seem to shake off this bug and I am concerned that my cold will stop me diving. I have also noticed that one of my bits of equipment is not working, which is great, considering I have and will continue to lug it halfway around the world. I am catching the liveaboard at 5pm to the Coral Sea tomorrow, which I am very excited about (first dive in 18 months!). Hopefully I will have some pictures to show you next time.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
On my way to Down Under
.JPG)
I arrived in Singapore on Sunday evening and noticed we had just missed a big downpour. I had thought that I manage to escape all the rain from back home, but then I have come in the rainy season and at least it is 30 degrees, so I am not complaining.
The only way to wile away the hours when flying is by watching lots of movies and pigging out on all the lovely food. I have been having appetizers with pre-dinner drinks, as well as a three course meal but even I can't manage the cheese trolley. If I am not careful, I will end up a real porker when I come back and you won't recognise me!
I also seem to be accumulating a large number of toiletry goodies courtesy of Emirates (lovely Bulgari). I wonder if my family in Australia know what they will be getting for Christmas!! That is not the only thing I have picked up, though - the dreaded lurgy! I woke up on Monday morning with a raging sore throat and then on Tuesday with a cough, cold and two huge ulcers. I am not surprised, though, as I was frantically trying to pack up at work and pack for my trip and I must have picked something up from someone on the plane. Not very pleasant but I seem to be fighting it off slowly. Fingers crossed that I won't have any problems diving on Saturday.
On Sunday after I arrived, I went to have the obligatory Singapore Sling in The Long Bar at The Raffles Hotel, which was directly opposite my hotel (I was staying in the Raffles Plaza). The drink was great (it should be at 8 quick a pop, which is not much by London standards but a lot her) but I was expecting the bar to be quite posh. It is like some old country style boozer with the floor covered in monkey nuts. I retired to my hotel after only one drink (not bad for me!) - my room was great - huge bed and great views over the city.
My mum's friend Sherlane, who has just moved back to Singapore from Dubai with her English boyfriend Hugh, showed me around Singapore on Monday. I bought myself a laptop (I am currently typing this in the Emirates business class lounge - hooray, civilisation at last!) but I kept out of the shops generally, as I didn't think she wanted to be dragged around them. We walked down the infamous Orchard Road, which is full of shopping malls. I thought Dubai was the king of shopping mall excesses, but nothing beats this. They even demolish old buildings and you guessed it - they build more shopping malls!
I then went to try foot reflexology for the first time, as I had read that it is a must when you come to Singapore. It is like a deep tissue massage on your feet - ie it hurts! The woman doing the massage was nice enough - I think she was from Malaysia. At one point I was grimacing with the pain (no pain no gain), but when the Butcher of Borneo realised she was about to break all the tiny bones in my feet, she eased up, and it started to get very pleasant indeed. So much so, that I fell asleep! Sherlane told me that it is supposed to get rid of all the toxins in your body and also prepared me for what might come out in the couple of days afterwards when you go to the toilet. I had a bit of a dodgy stomach before I had the treatment but afterwards, it had gone. I felt so relaxed, so we decided to go for a few beers in a beer garden. I don't think you are meant to drink alcohol - it kind of defeats the whole purpose of flushing all those nasty things out of your body. Nothing seems to have happened on the toilet front though.
My mum had warned me that Sherlane and Hugh could drink loads. How much more than what I and my friends are used to, can that be? She must be exaggerating. Needless to say, I was playing catch up, and that is saying something. Five beers and half a bottle of wine later, I managed to stumble back to the hotel. Not sure if it was the tiredness or whether I was truly drunk.
On Tuesday we went to Singapore Zoo. I can definitely see why it has been voted number 1/2 in the world for the best zoos (with San Diego Zoo). Every animal you can conceivably imagine is there and some of the exhibits are open, so that you can walk with the animals. We saw an elephant show, which was very good indeed. Those beats are so clever and can understand the Sri Lankan language! I paid $5 for the privilege of having my photo taken with those parrots (see above).
After that we went for the obligatory chilli crab, at a hawkers' market in the Newton area. As usual, we over ordered but the chilli crab and chilli squid was divine (Julie - you would be in food heaven!). I tried chilli stingray for the first time ever, but I must admit that I wasn't really taken with it. It had an acquired taste and I felt guilty eating something which I have dived with and am shortly to be diving with.
I had a bit of a lie in this morning to shake off this cold and true to style, managed to fit in a bit of last minute shopping. My bags are already quite full and I am worried when I fly from Melbourne to Cairns on Virgin Blue that I will have too much hand luggage. It weighed 11 kilos when I weighed it at Heathrow! I might have to smile sweetly or bribe someone.
Anyway, I am trying to finish this before I get on the plane to Melbourne. I really liked Singapore. It is so civilised, everyone is so friendly and the food is great. It is so cheap. They have loads of food courts and rather than the usual KFC or McDonalds garbage, they have a large selection of rice and noodles from Singapore, Malasia, Korea and Hong Kong. All at a snip at $3.80 (which is just over 1 pound (this computer does not have a pound sign on it!!!). Plus you can walk around here at night safe in the knowledge that you aren't going to get pestered by some weirdo in an anorak!
Getting to the airport was also a pleasant experience. I asked Emirates to pick me up earlier so that I could claim the tax back for my shopping and also do some duty free shopping. You get dropped off at the door, only to be met by Emirates (for business and first class customers only I think) and they take your luggage for you to the check in desk. 10 minutes later you are through customs. The airport is clean and reasonably quiet (Heathrow take note!). I was the first person in the business class lounge and they have a massage machine. I spent 45 minutes on it having a full body massage. Luxury!
Anyway, I am looking forward to going to Australia, so see you Down Under!!
The only way to wile away the hours when flying is by watching lots of movies and pigging out on all the lovely food. I have been having appetizers with pre-dinner drinks, as well as a three course meal but even I can't manage the cheese trolley. If I am not careful, I will end up a real porker when I come back and you won't recognise me!
I also seem to be accumulating a large number of toiletry goodies courtesy of Emirates (lovely Bulgari). I wonder if my family in Australia know what they will be getting for Christmas!! That is not the only thing I have picked up, though - the dreaded lurgy! I woke up on Monday morning with a raging sore throat and then on Tuesday with a cough, cold and two huge ulcers. I am not surprised, though, as I was frantically trying to pack up at work and pack for my trip and I must have picked something up from someone on the plane. Not very pleasant but I seem to be fighting it off slowly. Fingers crossed that I won't have any problems diving on Saturday.
On Sunday after I arrived, I went to have the obligatory Singapore Sling in The Long Bar at The Raffles Hotel, which was directly opposite my hotel (I was staying in the Raffles Plaza). The drink was great (it should be at 8 quick a pop, which is not much by London standards but a lot her) but I was expecting the bar to be quite posh. It is like some old country style boozer with the floor covered in monkey nuts. I retired to my hotel after only one drink (not bad for me!) - my room was great - huge bed and great views over the city.
My mum's friend Sherlane, who has just moved back to Singapore from Dubai with her English boyfriend Hugh, showed me around Singapore on Monday. I bought myself a laptop (I am currently typing this in the Emirates business class lounge - hooray, civilisation at last!) but I kept out of the shops generally, as I didn't think she wanted to be dragged around them. We walked down the infamous Orchard Road, which is full of shopping malls. I thought Dubai was the king of shopping mall excesses, but nothing beats this. They even demolish old buildings and you guessed it - they build more shopping malls!
I then went to try foot reflexology for the first time, as I had read that it is a must when you come to Singapore. It is like a deep tissue massage on your feet - ie it hurts! The woman doing the massage was nice enough - I think she was from Malaysia. At one point I was grimacing with the pain (no pain no gain), but when the Butcher of Borneo realised she was about to break all the tiny bones in my feet, she eased up, and it started to get very pleasant indeed. So much so, that I fell asleep! Sherlane told me that it is supposed to get rid of all the toxins in your body and also prepared me for what might come out in the couple of days afterwards when you go to the toilet. I had a bit of a dodgy stomach before I had the treatment but afterwards, it had gone. I felt so relaxed, so we decided to go for a few beers in a beer garden. I don't think you are meant to drink alcohol - it kind of defeats the whole purpose of flushing all those nasty things out of your body. Nothing seems to have happened on the toilet front though.
My mum had warned me that Sherlane and Hugh could drink loads. How much more than what I and my friends are used to, can that be? She must be exaggerating. Needless to say, I was playing catch up, and that is saying something. Five beers and half a bottle of wine later, I managed to stumble back to the hotel. Not sure if it was the tiredness or whether I was truly drunk.
On Tuesday we went to Singapore Zoo. I can definitely see why it has been voted number 1/2 in the world for the best zoos (with San Diego Zoo). Every animal you can conceivably imagine is there and some of the exhibits are open, so that you can walk with the animals. We saw an elephant show, which was very good indeed. Those beats are so clever and can understand the Sri Lankan language! I paid $5 for the privilege of having my photo taken with those parrots (see above).
After that we went for the obligatory chilli crab, at a hawkers' market in the Newton area. As usual, we over ordered but the chilli crab and chilli squid was divine (Julie - you would be in food heaven!). I tried chilli stingray for the first time ever, but I must admit that I wasn't really taken with it. It had an acquired taste and I felt guilty eating something which I have dived with and am shortly to be diving with.
I had a bit of a lie in this morning to shake off this cold and true to style, managed to fit in a bit of last minute shopping. My bags are already quite full and I am worried when I fly from Melbourne to Cairns on Virgin Blue that I will have too much hand luggage. It weighed 11 kilos when I weighed it at Heathrow! I might have to smile sweetly or bribe someone.
Anyway, I am trying to finish this before I get on the plane to Melbourne. I really liked Singapore. It is so civilised, everyone is so friendly and the food is great. It is so cheap. They have loads of food courts and rather than the usual KFC or McDonalds garbage, they have a large selection of rice and noodles from Singapore, Malasia, Korea and Hong Kong. All at a snip at $3.80 (which is just over 1 pound (this computer does not have a pound sign on it!!!). Plus you can walk around here at night safe in the knowledge that you aren't going to get pestered by some weirdo in an anorak!
Getting to the airport was also a pleasant experience. I asked Emirates to pick me up earlier so that I could claim the tax back for my shopping and also do some duty free shopping. You get dropped off at the door, only to be met by Emirates (for business and first class customers only I think) and they take your luggage for you to the check in desk. 10 minutes later you are through customs. The airport is clean and reasonably quiet (Heathrow take note!). I was the first person in the business class lounge and they have a massage machine. I spent 45 minutes on it having a full body massage. Luxury!
Anyway, I am looking forward to going to Australia, so see you Down Under!!
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Chaos in Dubai
"I'm in heaven, sweet heaven baby, on the wings of love" as Take That once sang. This business class virgin is loving it! I think I may have overindulged a bit - well on the food front anyway. I'm not sure what the bloke next to me thought about gorging my way to foodie heaven. People don't seem to eat in business class, or maybe I'm just a greedy guts!
Organised chaos is what greeted me at 7.30am this morning at Dubai airport but onwards and upwards to Singapore.
I like this blogging lark!
Organised chaos is what greeted me at 7.30am this morning at Dubai airport but onwards and upwards to Singapore.
I like this blogging lark!
Packed up and off in style!
Finally, after being on the go non-stop for the last few weeks, I have made it to the airport in one piece, bags all packed (thanks Christine for telling me what not to take, but I snuck in a couple more pairs of underwear just in case!). I am currently supping a bucket full of champagne courtesy of the Emirates' lounge. Business class is definitely the way forward - express check-in and fast track through security means that the process at Heathrow was pretty painless. No more goat class for me!
I eventually packed up my boxes at work yesterday. It wasn't until I left the office when I felt quite sad and it dawned on me that I am leaving London. I am looking forward to my new life up North with Vernon and let's hope that Manchester lives up to its reputation. First and foremost, though I have a great trip coming up and I am starting to fill really excited. For those of you who haven't yet been bored to death of my itinerary, I'm now off to Singapore (via Dubai), where the shops await!
I am signing off now before the screen starts to get blurred - that champagne is really good...and I haven't even boarded the plane yet!
I eventually packed up my boxes at work yesterday. It wasn't until I left the office when I felt quite sad and it dawned on me that I am leaving London. I am looking forward to my new life up North with Vernon and let's hope that Manchester lives up to its reputation. First and foremost, though I have a great trip coming up and I am starting to fill really excited. For those of you who haven't yet been bored to death of my itinerary, I'm now off to Singapore (via Dubai), where the shops await!
I am signing off now before the screen starts to get blurred - that champagne is really good...and I haven't even boarded the plane yet!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)