Just Jessie: June 2005

Brisbane

-spend a night in Brisbane by staying in Brisbane YHA Backpacker
-walked around Brisbane city the next day before I headed to Gold Coast

Brisbane River

One of the fancy juicebar at Queen St Mall

A new Grand Arbour in Brisbane's Southbank

This is Pauls Breaka Beach, an artificial swimming beach located at South Bank Parklands

Another view of Pauls Breaka Beach

Gold Coast(Surfer Paradise)

I headed to Surfer Paradise right after Brisbane city tour.
Surfer Paradise is hard to ignore or not to go if you're in Gold Coast. It is an awesome beach with beautiful white and clean sand. There are lots of shops and building along the beach and huge number of cafes along the street. The lifestyle is just so relaxing in Surfer Paradise.
I was questioned by my friends whether I went to the popular theme parks or not in Gold Coast. I didnt go to all the theme parks. Partly because it's pretty boring too me and doesnt attract me at all. So I chose not to go.

This is Surfer Paradise Beach with the buildings along the beach. Took it during evening time around 5ish

Another photo of the beach. The weather was quite warm at that time.

These 2 hot chicks with gold colour bikinis are so called meter maids that feed the parking meters on the main strip. They are employed by local entreprenuer named Bernie Elsey. Cool huh?

Lismore, Ballina and Byron Bay

From Surfer Paradise I took a night bus to Lismore to meet up with my friend. It took me 3 hours to get to Lismore. I havent seen this good friend of mine for 3 years and putting up in his place for a few days. He took a day off and drove me to Ballina and Byron Bay. Ballina is just another resort town for vacation. Byron Bay is the most popular surfing spots on the east coast of Australia. Every traveller claimed that it is a must go beach. Anyway, for me it's just another beach which we can find in Malaysia. I dont find it fascinating.

This is one of the housing area in Lismore. I was standing on a very steep road when I took this photo.

Byron Bay

Sun bathing at Byron Bay

This man was playing didgeridoos in the Sunday Market of Lismore. Didgeridoos is one of the musical instrument of Australian Aborigines.

Sydney

After spending a few days in Lismore, I took a midnight bus leaving Lismore for Sydney. Guess what, I was the only passenger from Lismore in the bus that night. The bus stopped in few towns to pick up other passengers. Basically, there were only total of 5 passengers(including me) in the bus to Sydney. It took 12 hours to reach Sydney from Lismore. hah... that is why not many people want to travel by land.

The first place that I headed to when I reached Sydney was Kingcross. Kingcross is one of the Sydney inner-city suburb. It is known as prostitution area and flooded with criminal cases. Due to my curiosity, I decided to stay in Kingcross. Once I reached Kingcross, there were many complicated and weird people hanging around the street. Anyway, something happened to me that day. After I have checked in into a backpacker, I went to McD to have my lunch. As I started to eat my meal, 2 ladies walked into the restaurant. One of the lady walking towards me then she sat down facing me. Without hesistation and permission from me, she took all my chips and put into her mouth then started to cry. Gosh, I was really scared by her and thought that she might take out a knife and hurt me. Without delay, I quickily took my backpack and walked off from McD as fast as I could. As a result of that, I decided to stay in City Central Backpackers(located in city centre) the next day for 2 nights.

I spend one and the half day to walk around Sydney City Centre. I visited quite a number of places which include St Mary Cathedral, Hyde Park, Sydney Tower, Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Brigde, Circular Quay, The Rocks Market, Darling Habour, Queen Victoria Building, Sydney Oplimpic Park and Paddy Market as well as China Town.

On day 3 , I joined a tour to the west of the city - Blue Mountains. It has got the Three Sister. spectacular 300 metre cliffs and the world's steepest railway ride(this was fun and exciting).

On day 4, I spend a night at Bondi Beach by staying in Bondi YHA. Bondi is really really fascinating and fabulous. Heaps of travellers went there just for surfing and sun basking. Tell you what, I didnt do surfing but I kayak in the sea for almost 2 hours. I was extremely exhausted after kayaking. Afterall I enjoyed it so much.

St Mary's Cathedral

Hyde Park

Sydney Tower

Chifley Square, Sydney. Took it when I was on my way to Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House

Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Rocks Market is Sydney's premier weekend market.

Darling Harbour

China Town

Sydney Olimpic Stadium

Taken this photo in Sydney Olimpic Park as well.Standing among the interactive poles.

Queen Victoria Building

Blue Mountain

The 3 rocks beside me are so called "Three Sister"

Bondi Beach - I love it man!

Another view of Bondi Beach

Melbourne

After 5 days in Sydney, I took a night flight off to Melbourne. I stayed at my friend's(Irene) apartment which located at the city(Flinders Street). Melbourne is really a beautiful city and it is the second lasrgest city in Australia. I was fascinated by the arrangement and location of the streets in the city itself. It's so easy and convinient to go around in Melbourne city. The tram services are available in every corner or middle of the streets. Initially, I was quite blur on which tram to take to the street that I wanted to go. I got onto the wrong tram many times and always pretended nothing happen in front of other passengers and then went off from the tram as soon as possible. As if I am familiar with the traim's route. hehehe...I dont want to let people know that I took the wrong tram. That was pretty fun actually to hop in and hop off from the wrong tram. I took 2 days to walk around Melbourne city. Federation square is just opposite to Irene's appartment. Flinders street station is the main station for suburban train. Under the clock of the station is the famous meeting place. Beside these 2 popular places, I went to Melbourne's Parliement house, Queen Victoria Market(which has been running for more than 100 years), Yarra River, Crown Entertainment Complex as well as the awesome Fitzroy and Treasury Gardens during autuum time.
I was fortunate to watch the famous musical sketch Mamma Mia that was showing in Melbourne. I went with Irene. Anyway, I like Melbourne city compare to other cities that I went in Australia.

Federation Square

St Paul's Cathedral

The outside view of St Paul's Cathedral

The popular Flinders Street Station

Melbourne Parliament House

Queen Victoria Market

Yarra River- took it around 6pm, on our way to Crown.

Me and Irene, behind is Yarra River.

Advertising Mamma Mia's cd and booklet. hahaha..One must go and watch if it is in Malaysia.

Fitzroy Garden

Great Ocean Road

Great Ocean Road is known to be one of the world's most spectacular coastal drives. The tour guide drove us from Melbourne to Geelong, Torquay, Anglesea, Lorne, Apollo Bay, 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, Colac, Winchelsea then back to Melbourne. The journey was pretty long. Unfortunately the weather was bad that day. It started to rain around 4'o clock in the evening. Though I was all wet and freezing cold, I didnt miss to see all the beautiful scene along the Great Ocean Road especially the Loch Ard Gorge, London Brigde and the 12 Apostles. The trip was fun and met some new friends from Canada, Singapore and Korea.