Thursday 6th June
Well after the massive journey that took me from Central America to South America past New Zealand I have arrived into a very mild winter in Sydney. The length of the transit stop of over an hour in NZ was entirely unexpected and it gave me a chance to do a little bit of shopping in the duty free area, meaning that I am now the proud new owner of about six CDs - and a CD player!
The last day in Guatemala was really nice, I had a look at the five star hotel Santa Domingo, a complex built in some ruins that has brightly coloured parrots roaming around some pretty gardens and also wandered to a nearby town, Jochtenango where my attempts to have a look at some museums there were foiled by early closing times. I also went to a local book trading shop where I managed to pay a whole $US 2.00 for the three book collection of Lord of the Rings which has subsequently kept me sane through the huge amounts of sitting in buses and planes that I have been doing over the past few days.
Sydney has been having some really mild clear winter days, and I have managed to get out and have a look around despite a small amount of jet-lag. The marvellous views of the Opera House and the Harbour bridge at night have a very relaxing effect and although it also feels great to be back in an English speaking country again, I'm sure I will be ready to hit the road again next week.
Today I am visiting the Australian Institue of Sport in Canberra, where my brother Nat works. Despite the bizarrely pastel colours of the buildings it looks like a fantastic facility, although it is so cold in Canberra compared with Sydney its surprising that any of the atheletes can get up and function in the morning. Later this morning Im going to have a bit more of a look around Australia's capital before heading back to the warmer climes of Sydney. My impressions of Canberra so far are of a quiet place with dark streets and bright tunnels. Also there are lots of Kangaroos.
Sunday 9th June
Well, I have survived the hustle and bustle of Canberra (ha ha!). The AIS is possibly the most interesting part of that place, although I did have a look at the war memorial on ANZAC Avenue that commemerates all the members of all Australian armed forces and the Parliment buildings before quickly getting on my bus back to Sydney.
Since then I have been busy catching up with friends and family and helping my mate Mel move house. All the partying has finally caught up with me, so tonight I have decided to have an early one before getting back on it tomorrow. I have managed to visit all the usual tourist haunts of Bondi, Darling Harbour, Circular Quay and the Rocks so only have a few admin things to finish before I head to Thailand in a couple of days. The weakening pound has meant that this part of my trip is proving a little more expensive than I had expected, but it has definitely been worth it.
Tuesday 11th June
The last week has rushed by at an incredible speed and its time for me to leave Australia. I do so with a sense of excitement of the next couple of months in Asia and Russia, but also with heavy heart and a very bruised arm. I am also feeling particularly revitalised, particularly after being asked for ID at the pub on Saturday night (yes the legal age for drinking is 18!), and am no longer replacing "yes", "thankyou" and "hello" with their Spanish equivalents.
Somehow my backpack has been putting on weight during my stay here, and have now cracked the 20kg barrier. I have also been indulging a little since returning down under and have loved the opportunity to devour fish and chips, pies and burger rings among the many other cullinary delights that Australia has to offer.
Click here for the continuation of my trip to Thailand
Feel free to send any messages to me at ryananglem@hotmail.com