Welcome to Coogee

Ok, ok, I know. It's been a while. A few weeks in fact... but! Cut me a break. I was busy doing things to tell you about. So here goes;
Both tc and myself have employment! Wahey! TC is working in a shopping centre in Bondi Junction, and within 3 days has managed to climb the (shoe) ladder to assistant manager. I have gone from no job panic to having 2 jobs - not too shabby if I say so myself! The first job is a 2 month contract job in Sydney city. Yes, in an office, and yes, requires commuting. However, until that starts (on 1st April...I'm wondering does the job exist?!) I am working in a bakery for a few weeks. Yes that's right kids, I am spending my long day surrounded by cakes that just squeal 'eat me please' all day long! It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it. Actually, it is a tough job but have met some very interesting characters along the way. More on that one later...
After a few midly panicked weeks we have found ourselves a lovely apartment in Coogee beach, one of the Eastern suburbs of Sydney. We are due to move in next week, and although our hostel is fine I'm really looking forward to having our own place to relax and unpack for a while. I didn't realise just how much not having a home can affect your mood/experience/people skills. Coogee is a lovely place that has already started to feel like home. It's right beside the beach, and yet half an hour on the bus to the centre of Sydney. Poifect. While the alarm clock still rings the sunny view helps lift my arse out of the bed quicker than a grey Irish sky. Although- got caught in TORRENTIAL rain last Monday three times. Surely it doesn't rain in Oz?!
Hitting the town again next Saturday to check out the Sydney nightlife. After a few weeks of working hard and keeping the heads down, I know tc and myself are looking forward to having a dance and letting off some steam. Trying to find a place to live/work had sucked the fun out of the past few weeks so it's time to get that back, Sydney stylee.
P.S Update on the tan? Still white. With freckles. White chocolate chip cookie?
xx

Good Morning Sydney!

We landed in Sydney last Wednesday morning and so far, I have to say, loving it. The city has such a fantastic vibe and while I havn't seen that much of it yet, it really seems like my kind of place.
We are staying about 3 hours outside of Sydney in a place called Buttaba with my relatives. It made such a nice change to have someone meet you at the airport and direct you where to go (thanks Liam!) rather than trying to get your fuzzy, jetlagged brain to work. It instantly felt both like home (western, English speaking, left hand drive) and exotic (watching out for suicidal wallabies to leap in front of your car...). Having the space to chill out and get your bearing is a real treat too.
A few days into our Sydney experience and we have decided the general area we want to try and live and work. While I like the city, tc and myself felt that we could have an office job at home so wanted to try something a little bit different. We are aiming to get out on the beach and really work on those tans which, I am sad to say, are still fairly dismal! So the job and accommodation hunt starts this week. It feels very daunting actually! Breezily mentioning "oh yes we hope to get any oul job in Australia" now has to be fine tuned to actually getting one. It's been a loooong time since I have beamed at a shop assistant/waitress/unsuspecting bystander while shoving a CV under their nose and proclaiming to be invaluable member of their team. Hire me. Please. We have been assured that we should have no problem so when I update you next week I hope to come to you employed. *Cough*
In the meantime? Apartment-sitting in Coogee beach next weekend, and the Sydney Mardi Gras on Saturday. See you the other side...X

One Night In Thailand

So we are back in Bangkok for our final night in Thailand. It feels like a long time since we were last here, and also strangely enough it felt like we were coming home. To the madness of the Koh San Road!
We went to the lovely island of Koh Tao first where tc was learning to get her Scuba license. It is a really chilled out place, one that I will think of with fond memories. The beaches are paradise, and had just the right amount of bronzed bodies to make it feel private, yet with a good atmosphere. I say bronzed, I do not include yours truly here who reflected the sun like a freshly polished mirror. Sigh!
We moved on then to Koh Phangan, for the full moon party. I was a bit worried that the island would be filled with people that you will soon see on 'Thailand Uncovvvvvered', and while there ws no shortage of them, we had a great time at the party. We had made friends with a lovely group of Welsh people and just danced our lil socks (flip flops) off. The next day however we paid for it getting back to Bangkok on planes, trains and automobiles. With sore heads. Worth it though! While in Koh Phangan, we also went to see a marine national park - this included seing the Lagoon that inspired the film 'The Beach' and we also went kayacking around the Gulf. A highlight, and one that comes highly recommended.
So on my final night in this weird and wonderful place I leave you with a short (but unfinished!) list of things I have learned about Thailand;

- A hotel room does not neccessarily means it comes with a toilet
- A toilet does not neccessarily mean anything other than a hole in the ground
- The people here try to rip you off at every available opportunity
- The people here are really gracious, spiritual and friendly at the same time
- There is no sweat like Thai sweatin'
- The beaches are truely paradise on earth
- Worth it.

Next stop, Oz. Watch out Sydney...

Bangkok. Is. Mental!

I write to you from a very florescent internet cafe in Bangkok through a haze of jetlag so apologies if it makes very little sense. Fluent Thai - obviously!
Laaaandaaaan town was brilliant. Thanks to our gracious host and company (you know who you are!) we had a jam packed fun weekend. Saw a lot of sights and good atmosphere as London was celebrating Chinese New Year. Due to TC's slight obsession with Michael Jackson we went to see Thriller on the West End. It was...interesting. Ahem. Also saw Tower of London on Monday - anyone who has even the slightest interest in history should go, as well as those people who can appreciate proper bling bling when they see it as it also is home to the Crown Jewels. Have decided I want a crown...which is very possible in Bangkok!
We arrived to Bangkok after a 12 hour flight and the jetlag shows no signs of disappearing. Not sure if it's that or just the chaos of Bangkok that has me disorientated. No idea of time or days or what's what, just going with the flow. The extremely cheap flow I might add! A shoppers haven, which I have so far managed to avoid. We shall see!
Next stop are the Thai Gulf Islands for some beach bummin'. Chat to you from there folks (if at all possible. I'm sort of hoping not...if ya know whadd I mean) xx

Just one more sleep!

T'was the night before leaving, and all through the gaff
Filled with chaos and noise and having a laugh,
Caitriona put out her suitcase with care in hopes that the morning soon would be there...

My last full day at home for a while - and what a day! In case I was thinking of getting cold feet (yeeeeaaah) Ireland has kindly obliged with manky weather to help shove myself and TC (travelling companion) onto that plane. Hopefully Aer Lingus will do the same! Today is the day of packing. Someone do it for me? Please? Also trying to squeeze in the last few goodbyes. Yerrrra lads I'll be home soon.

Nerves are gone, pure excitement has replaced it. Let the adventure begin!

Tropical Medical Wha'?

Second trip to the Tropical Medical Bureau. Lady in tmb decided to give me a parting gift of SEVEN vaccinations in both arms. Lady in tmb told me I may feel unwell for the remainder of my time in Ireland. Lady in tmb said all this while smiling. Lady in tmb is, plainly, jealous. I donsh fleel wooshy at all...

What's all the fuss about anyway?

So. 2011 is the year of The Gallivant. Have decided, at 25, I'm far too old to drop everything and travel for 12 months...doing it anyway. My notice is handed in to work (what?! She's leaving a job?!), tickets booked, vague plan made out, the countdown is on. I have just over a month to prepare for London, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. How much preparation can there be? Um...

Christmas and New Years were surprisingly emotional - every rollercoaster range was felt (inwardly of course, I am Irish after all!!) but am feeling ready for this adventure. It's time to leave this town for a little bit and get re-energised. In Fiji. Little Miss Independent has to admit she is a little bit scared - of coming back. And I haven't  even left! Scared of living out of a suitcase? Bitten by a spider/rabied monkey? Running out of money? No. Scared of coming back to find nothing has changed? Terrified! Determined to discover what all the fuss is about!

Now, onto more practical matters. Is bringing a suitcase rather than a rucksack naive? How much is too much suncream? And whhhhhhhhy did I leave buying a bikini until the post Christmas binge? Ans; (a) probably, (b) 3 bottles and (c) because I leave everything to last minute. See? Travelling. Piss of piece...      xx