Sydney, Australia: Circular Quay

Circular Quay, pronounced "Key" is one of Sydney's most well-known attractions. Home to the Opera House, Sydney Harbor & Harbor Bridge, this is the area most people envision when they think about Sydney- at least I know I did. I pictured the iconic Opera House, as I had seen it in so many magazines. I didn't understand the structure then, and I still don't- maybe that's part of the intrigue.


Before leaving Sydney I wined and dined in the area, treating myself to a few Pure Blondes & some fancy-schmancy scallops at a local restaurant. If you're a budget traveler, prepare yourself for a night out at Circular Quay because even appetizers start at 40$ +. Nevertheless its a great experience to do just once, and you're almost guaranteed to enjoy yourself. The view is fabulous, and you'll be in good company as the Quay draws a mature "dinner and drinks" crowd.  Beside the massive Opera House is the Opera Bar among other high-class restaurants and bars lining the beautiful harbor-side, a great place for a celebration or a date-night.


During my visit to the Quay, it was August (Australia's winter) but it was a warm night so everyone was out enjoying the weather. Along the length of the harbor-side is a long, stone bench that stretches continuously from the Wharf's to the Opera House. I imagine when there are fireworks in the harbor this bench manages to fit a lot of people! I sat on the bench, facing the harbor, staring at the Harbor Bridge lit up like a tree at Christmas. The sea looked black in the distance as the lights danced on the water.  

I took a moment to take it all in, realizing where I was and all the hard work it took to get me there. To my right- the magnificent and strange structure, to my left, a sea of high-rise buildings on the edge of a continent.
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"Imagination Is Everything"

"Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions."-Albert Einstein
I made a friend on the train one day, leaving Sydney heading towards the Blue Mountains. I was carrying my fully-loaded backpack adorned with patches from Japan, Thailand and Canada, in addition to my guitar, a few books and snacks. After a long afternoon of catching several trains and lugging around all my goods, I was nearly exhausted. I found a seat and plopped myself down with my backpack.

The train momentarily paused and some little school boys, around 9 or 10 years old got on board. They were wearing school uniforms; light blue dress shirts with matching dark blue vests and shorts. One intriguing and especially sweet little boy with blonde hair, blue eyes, and freckles ran ahead of his classmates and chose the seat across from mine. He plopped himself down with his backpack. 

He kept glancing my way, his eyes nervously fleeting from mine. After a few moments, my gaze caught his. Finally he spoke out in his adorable Aussie accent. 
"Youre quite the tourist, now arent you?" 
"Yes, something like that.", I replied smiling and laughing. His class mate, "secretly" and shyly watching from around the corner near the door of the train, protectively called out, "What are you doing!?". Im sure they were aware they shouldnt talk to strangers. He defiantly answered, "IM TALKING." His classmate eventually buggered off. 

He asked a few more questions about where we were going and where we were from, afterwards apologizing for initially assuming my Canadian accent was American. Then he noticed the patches on my bag, he paused, studying them in a curious wonder. Then, out of nowhere, the way children do, he went on to amaze me with his beautiful innocence, saying one day he would travel like me. 

"Thats why I love the wind so much.." he said,"..because it can take you anywhere you please, ..with a little imagination of course."

The train stopped and our conversation was forced to a halt, nevertheless the little man wished me a great trip and waved me off at my station- What a gentlemen!

Although I only spent a few brief moments with him, he has crossed my mind many times since then. Ive played his words over in my mind, thinking about the relationship between the children we were and the people we are today. As a child, we use wind and our imagination to take us places. As adults, travelling takes a little more than the wind but it still requires that child-like imagination to create a new way of life. 

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Sydney, Australia, Hostel Review: 790 on George

Overall Experience: NEGATIVE         Stayed: August 16th-17th, 2012

I can say from personal experience that my stay here was very short since I was catching a train out of town the very next day. However, if I was not leaving town I would have left immediately the next day anyways, because of the hygienic conditions, (or lack there of) at this hostel. I would not recommend staying here if you plan on staying for an extended period or if you will be spending a lot of time indoors. There are several other clean and safe backpacker hostels in the area, such as Bounce Sydney.

Cleanliness        -Room was visibly clean, but restrooms were filthy
1/5                       -Hall ways reeked of stale cigarette smoke      

Staff                    -Staff were friendly, accommodating and helpful  

4.5/5

Location             -Centrally located, close to all amenities, short train/bus ride to several

4/5                        attractions, although relatively expensive area to dine and shop (Surrey Hills)

Security              -Large lockers equipped with an additional security box inside

2/5                       -Rooms requires a swipecard to enter, however anyone can freely enter foyer & hallways

Facilities            -Kitchen: did not see
2/5                       -Restrooms: Spacious, but dirty, 2 toilet stalls, 2 showers
                            -Laundry: did not use 
                             *Rating based on what I DID experience*

Environment     -Plenty of young adults and backpackers
2/5                      -Rooms are cramped and outdated

                           -Beds are comfortable, however sheets were stained
                               

Price                   -One private room split between 3 people cost 28$ each
4/5                       - Wifi is reasonably priced at 1$/hour 
                                               

                          A=790 On George Hostel, 790 George Street, Surry Hills, Sydney, NSW
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Sydney, Australia (MANLY): Not Quite Urban, Not Quite Rural

My time in Manly was limited to 4 days, but it was a fresh, clean, beautiful place, and Im glad I had the opportunity to see what all the fuss is about. Although I found it very touristy and expensive, there are good qualities about this suburban area of Sydney that make it a worth-while stop.

If youre big into surfing, sailing, shopping, wining and dining- this is the place for you. The Walking Street, which leads directly to the beach strip, is studded with a range of restaurants, funky bistros, souvenir shoppes and a few night clubs- although I was told by the locals that the night life is not too crazy (if youre looking to bar hop its best to take the ferry over to mainland Sydney). 

The famous Manly Beach was indeed gorgeous (clean, nice sand!) and has a great surf, and lots of trails surrounding for hiking day-trips. However beautiful the scenery though, it is evident you are still in a suburb. If youre not a city person and prefer to be in the quiet and private outdoors, it probably wont be your cup of tea after a few days.


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Manly Beach, Australia

 Down by the bay, Down by the bay..
Where the watermelons grow, Back to my home, I dare not go..

Manly Beach

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Waking in Manly, Australia

My second week in Australia I had the rare opportunity to stay in the village of Manly, the northern section of Sydney, (New South Wale's capital)- for free! It turned out that my friend had a distant cousin living there who invited our group to stay with her for 4 days. We jumped on the opportunity and took the ferry across the water from Sydney to the Manly wharf.

We arrived at night, long after the sun had gone down, our surroundings unknown. Waking up in Manly we were struck with this amazing panoramic view, Cockatoos and a Cookaburras! Then we watched in awe as a whale spouted water in the harbour- Hello Australia! Below is the green and yellow Sydney ferry arriving at the Manly Wharf. Particularly attractive to young travellers and surfers, Manly is home to one of the most popular Surf Schools and famous for it's penguins and fresh seafood. In the distance you can see the famous 3-towered Cardinal Cerretti Memorial Chapel where Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban were married. Pics of Manly Harbour, Manly Beach and Manly Walking Strip to come!

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A Spiritual, Self-Sustaining Community: Alternative Living

Living in a Sydney hostel while looking for a job in Australia turned out to be extremely expensive. For an interesting accomodation alternative for the weekend we looked up some contacts on Couchsurfing.org. Not only would it give us the opportunity to save some money, but we found a few interesting people who we thought we'd like to meet- Rowan Classen was one of them. He emailed us back almost immediately and told us to come visit for the weekend, he would send his girlfriend to pick us up from the train station.

We would have arrived at Rowans one hour after boarding a train from Central Station, however luck would have it that we boarded the right directional train, but the wrong train! Turns out the tracks split at Blacktown, so we had to take an additional train to back-track to Blacktown, and then an another train which took us to our destination: Mulgrave. 

We arrived in Mulgrave, a small rural town 50 km from Sydney 3 hours later! By this time some funky weather was mixing in the sky as the sun went down- which made for an amazing sunset as we drove to his home. As we arrived we were told about its history. We were standing in front of a 180 yr old slab house! Built simply of stone slabs, wood and a tin roof, it was miraculously still standing. With some minor restorations and a few fire places added, the house functioned properly, although it did get pretty cold at night!

Rowan, his mother, father and brother all live on the property, in separate houses which are spread through-out the land, which is actually a cut off section of the rainforest. The property lies on a river in between 2 national parks, and is surrounded by beautiful tropical flora, fauna and wildlife. Although it is just outside the city limits the area has a fantastic country feeling. The area is very quiet, rural, and at night the sky is so clear the constellations could be mistaken as a ceiling. The area is dotted with several farms, and Rowan himself has pet alpacas and ducks roaming the property. Down by the river is where I spotted my first kangaroo- it must have been nearly 7 ft. tall!

Over the two days we were guests of Rowans, we learned that he is very passionate about seeking the truth in all things. We talked for hours on end, but one of the things he said still repeats clearly in my mind today. He said,“When money comes first, everything else comes second, including the truth. “It is difficult to describe exactly what this may mean, because we discussed so many interesting subjects, but if you care to know you must meet him for yourself. Being very knowledgeable about ancient history, astrology, natural remedies, and sustainable development Im sure he could have interesting coversations with any open-minded individual. He is currently developing alternative energies to self-sustain during a time of need. We were given a tour of his property and shown the different technologies he is currently using. Since having city water brought to the property is extremely expensive and latent with flouride, (something he aggressively disagrees with) Rowan prefers to collect water in creative, alternative ways. He recycles and filters rain water for drinking and for showers. While I was there he was expanding his catchment system to be able to provide water for more people. He also uses dehumidifiers to extract clean drinking water from the air.

A natural, compost toilet which requires no water from the city is also one of his completed projects. He built it himself after attending a workshop at a festival called Confest. From what he explained to me it seems relatively simple and an environmentally friendly alternative to wasting fresh water and/or using lime to decompose waste in the typical out-house. Also, its almost stink-less! (The waste goes down into a catchment system which is virutally air tight. There is a fan at the bottom which removes methane- ideally the toilet lid should be closed after use, so when reopened a suction is created, pulling air down, pushing methane out. This reduces any foul smell while natural organisms decompose the waste.) Its ZEN too!

Rowan is in the process of developing a sustainable and spiritual community, which will be called White Gums Community, after the native tree that covers the rainforest. If you are an open-minded, spiritual individual, please visit to learn more!

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New South Wales to Victoria, Australia

Having been in the Sydney & Manly area for about 2 weeks, I am finding myself anxious to get out of the city & into the country. Sydney is a beautiful city, with lots to do- but it is a metropolis after all, and an expensive one at that! One of the travel pamphlets I picked up recently stated it is the 15th most expensive city in the world & my bank account is starting to feel it!

The country lifestyle is in my heart & I just cant wait to pitch a tent, feel the ground beneath my feet & watch the moon evolve as the days pass. In the city, even one as beautiful as Sydney, it is hard to notice the nature around us- its the stuff that makes life so beautiful. Nature is calling me. 

Myself & my two travel companions have landed an Orange picking job 30 minutes south of Mildura, Victoria. In a small country town called Iraak, we will be living in tents on the farm for 3-5 weeks.

We left Sydney yesterday and took a train/bus combo with CountryLink, transferring in Cootamundra. The total cost was $91 AUD. We survived the 17 hour trip, a severe rainstorm & a double rainbow! The trip down here was quite beautiful.

We showed up in Mildura lastnight around midnight to find the bus stop had little shelter from the insanely heavy downpour that was upon us. Luckily- so luckily, we had a ride to pick us up, a very friendly fellow from the hostel, " Mildura Stop Over". We spent today walking around Mildura, picking up supplies for the weeks to come, another tent, some thick insulated work gloves, etc. etc.

The farmer, whose name is also Jamie is picking us up to go to Iraak in only an hour, so I best be on my way, follow-up and more pics to come! Kickin off..

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Inspirations

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Aloe Vera in Australia

Inspirations

My First Aussie- Brew

My FIRST Australian Beer- ever. A Pure Blonde! 
Cheers Mate! Delicious..

Sydney, Australia Hostel Review: Bounce Sydney

Overall Experience: POSITIVE  Stayed: August 6-11, 2012

Cleanliness         -Rooms and restroom/showers were cleaned daily

4.5/5                    -Fresh sheets and pillow cases are provided at check-in

Staff                    -Staff were friendly, accomodating and helpful  

4.5/5

Location             -Centrally located, close to all amenities, short train/bus ride to several

4/5                        attractions, although relatively expensive area to dine and shop

Security              -Large lockers (with double shelves and outlets- extremely convenient if

5/5                        you want to charge your laptop/phone while you are out and about!)

                            -Also each floor level and room requires a swipecard to enter. 24 hour

                             desk service secures the main level

Facilities             -Kitchen: large, modern, and fully stocked, multiple large fridges
3.5/5                     -Restrooms: Small but clean, 3 toilet stalls, 2 showers
                             -Laundry: Several energy efficient washers and dryers, 4$ each for wash&dry 
                             -Other: Computers available, but 2/5 computers on my level were  out of service
                              Rooftop terrace, barbeque and temporary luggage storage are all a bonus!

Environment      -Plenty of young adults and backpackers, some families
4/5                        -Suitable environment for all ages, although there are many young guests, it is

                              a quiet and peaceful hostel.    
                             -Rooms are brightly painted with modern decor, very comfortable
                             -Beds are very comfortable, but if youre tall be sure to take the top bunk!

Entertainment    -Computers located on each floor, one tv in lounge room on Level 4
3/5                        -Daily activities @ Hostel such as Mexican night & Trivia night
                               

Price                     -$35/night for single bed in 8 bed dorm. Pricey since no wifi/breakfast included
3/5 
                                               

Wifi                       -High signal wifi, but very expensive. 3$/ 1 hour, 7$/3 hours, 10$/5 hours

1/5                          *Note* To clairify, despite ad claims, WIFI @ Bounce Sydney is not free!

A=Bounce Sydney Boutique Hotel, 28 Chalmers Street, Surry Hills, Sydney, New South Wales

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Sydney, Australia: Experience Surry Hills

Surry Hills is the perfect first stop for backpackers and travellers reaching Sydney, Australia. It is a centrally located, and culturally diverse area, only one train ride away from the Sydney airport. Surry Hills is surrounded by several banks, government buildings, a wide variety of backpacker hostels, restaurants, shoppes and to top it all off, its only steps from the Central Train Station. Some of my favourite things about this area include Paddys Markets and China Town! Here you can get some great deals on produce and some tasty eats of all sorts!


Above: China Town, Central Station & Market City Plaza

My least favourite things were that free wifi was virtually impossible to find in the area, most places, including Starbucks charge 3$/hour! I luckily did find a place eventually, called Peter Pans, which is a Travel Adventure Company that also has job boards and free unlimited wifi, (phew!), ideal for someone job hunting in Sydney! Also, if you are a budget traveller like myself, beware of pricey restaurants in the area. If you are staying in a hostel it is a wise choice to pick up some fresh food at the markets and make some home-made feasts, instead of spending an Ozzie fortune at the thousands of bistros that spread across Surry Hills. Overall I really enjoyed my time exploring Surry Hills and I definitely think it is worth checking out before continuing on out of Sydney. 



Hostel Advice & Etiquette: Not Just For Backpackers!

Hostels are simpler and more affordable versions of hotel accomodation. Hostels sell private rooms for a fraction of hotel room prices, but their forte is to sell beds, rather than rooms. 4,6, or 8+ people may sleep together in one room, with their own single bed. This is particularly popular among young adults and backpackers, but I have even seen families and seniors stay in hostels. It is a great way to save money, while meeting other travellers who often become friends, share stories and advice with you. 

There are definitely some gem hostels out there but there can also be some pretty sketchy ones,so just be sure to do your research before booking. You cant always judge something by its price, but price often reflects quality, so dont jump at an extremely cheap room too quickly. Most hostels are very comfortable, clean and safe but if you are unsure, there are several websites which share reviews from previous guests. These references have helped me many times to make an informed decision. I recommend using Hostelworld, TripAdvisor, and checking  @RoamingBackpack, where I plan to share my experiences of hostels as I travel around the world.

If I could offer only a few tips of advice and tips for hostel etiquette, I would say:

1. Be respectful of other people and their belongings, and usually things will go smoothly. For example: if you are an early riser, try to be as quiet as possible since others may still be sleeping. Be sure to be tidy and keep to your own bed area.
2. Be friendly and smile. Sharing a room with 4, 6, or 8 + people is certainly less awkward once you know a bit about someone, plus, it is a great place to make new friends! You may only be staying one night, but take advantage of this great opportunity, and make an attempt to get to know people. Many times I have left hostels with new found friendships and new travel companions.
3. Lock up your valuables. Keep in mind hostels will not take responsibility for lost or damaged items so put your things away at all times!
4. Try to stay healthy. (This is specifically for long-term hostel guests )Sometimes travellers may stay at a particular hostel for weeks on end. If this is true in your case, try to keep healthy for yourself and other guests, by sleeping and eating properly. Not to sound condescending, (because it happens to all of us), but it is best to avoid guests who are ill. If you are in a room with someone who has the flu or a cold, politely ask to be moved to another room or bunk. The last thing you want is to be sick while travelling, its already exhausting enough! 
5. Bring ear plugs, because there is always one snorer! I have learned this through my own personal experience and sometimes ear plugs were the best thing I brought along in the entire trip!

Good luck and Happy Hostelling!


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Touching Down in Sydney Town!

Flying Over Fiji

Vegemites Virgin

The Island of Fiji

For the average Canadian like myself, Fiji is not the typical travel destination. Most people choose something closer in proximity and more familiar, like Cuba or Jamaica. The closest most of us get to Fiji is when some pharmaceutical-paradise commercial interrupts our favourite show.
On my recent flight to Australia (which was extremely cheap) I had a 4-hour layover in Nadi, Fiji, and amazingly, in these 4 short hours the country left a real impression on me. I was disappointed that I was restricted to airport boundaries for my stay, but thought it was a much sweeter opportunity then flying direct to Oz. Whats one more trip through customs? I told myself "Who knows, maybe you will experience something cool."



We left L.A. On August 4^th and boarded a Pacific Air flight (soon to return to its original name, “Fiji Airways”). Even in the cabin of a 747, the“island feeling” was there. The flight attendants were all native Fijians. I caught myself staring in awe of their beautiful and distinct native features. We were greeted with "Bula" , hello, in Fijian, as island music played overhead. Wearing colorful island shirts of red and blue and adorned with Masiratu flowers in their hair (the official flower of Fiji). I could not stop my admiration of the native island beauty that is so foreign to me. Arriving at the Nadi airport, 3 Fijian men welcomed us with upbeat songs as they strummed on a guitar and ukuleles.

The customs x-ray area was no more then 10 feet long and the inspectors were laughing with passengers and smiling all the way. It was a nice feeling after leaving some of the largest North American airports. I can see that when one arrives you have this feeling like , "Ahhhh...Im back in Fiji now.." After being sent through to our departures terminal we went looking for some eats- morning was approaching and we were getting hungry! We were shocked and to see the cost of food among other basics. I have a hitch that outside of Nadi, the cost of living is much more reasonable, but prices for everything were ASTRONOMICAL, and to my surprise the Queen of England was on the face of each bill. Up until now I had little knowledge about Fiji at all, so it was a learning experience for me to realize that ,yes, Fiji was colonized by the British. Still, the currency is the Fijian Dollar.

Approaching the dining area in the airport, we glanced at an extremely expensive breakfast menu.Unwilling to pay $16.50 Fijian dollars for one omelette with toast, me and my travel companion decided to go splits on breakfast! We still had a few hours of time to waste afterwards, so we made our own fun and goofed around in the airport for awhile. Watching my travel friend try Vegemite for the first time was especially hilarious.

 For only spending 4 hours in Fiji I was actually sad to leave, and hope to one day visit again. It seems like a really interesting place with beautiful and very friendly people, lots of flavour and culture! Just be sure to bring enough cash!

Ready for Down Under

Getting ready for another trip to the other side of the world was ofcourse, as always a challenge. Theres prioritizing to be done, soul-searching, thinking, and money to be made. Then theres everyones favourite; the paperwork. Then the long lines at the bank, checking your mailbox 3 times a day, the packing, and the re-packing and then the long awaited good-byes and see ya laters. The anxiety, the excitement, its all part of the fun.  Ofcourse all of the challenges have their rewards.

                                                            Buy the ticket, take the ride!

Pic 5: I had just received my letter of reference for the Australian Government
Pic 6: Right before take off, some Whiskey and Coronas to take the edge off!
Pic 7: Cant leave home without my Canadian Moose Bottle opener!
Pic 8: The last Tim Hortons I will have for over a year!

Australian Working Holiday Visa

Working Holiday Visas(WHV)-what a beautiful thing! Perfect for people like me. You work, you make some money, travel more, see more, then work more, then travel more. How genius. I recently convinced another friend of mine to get a WHV also and to meet me in Australia. I am in OZ now and will meet her in Sydney tomorrow. What a great opportunity for us, Thank youuuu Australia!

In order to be eligible for a WHV in Australia I had to meet a few simple requirements. Depending what your Passport Issuing Country is, the requirements may vary. When researching details about the WHV I found the information online conflicting and confusing and it took
me awhile to get all of the details straight to figure out just what my first steps should be.

Passport Issuing Country-There are 11 countries in the world which are eligible for a WHV down under. Being a Canadian has proved to be a great advantage because not only are Canadians eligible for a 1 year WHV, but they are also eligible to reapply for a 2nd Working Holiday year! The Australian Government states that you must however, work for one employer for a minimum of 3 consecutive months before you are eligible to apply for your second year. There is an additional form in which your employer must sign to prove this.

Money, Money, Money-It is advisable to hold a minimum bank balance of $5000 AUD before entering the country. This gives the government security that you will be able to leave the country when your time is up, and that you will be able to support yourself throughout your stay. Through forum research online, I had discovered that some Australian Government officials will ask for proof of this bank balance upon arrival into the country. Wanting to avoid any unneccessary glitches or delays I had my bank in Canada write me a reference letter stating all of my bank details to confirm the $5000. In my experience, no officials asked for the proof. The cost of the WHV is $300 CAD.

Personal Records- There are several questions on the application about your medical issues/criminal records. If you have no problems here, you should have, well.. no problems!

Restrictions-It states on the WHV application that work can be accepted once in Australia, however there are some restrictions about the type of work you can accept, and the areas in which you can work. For example, it is restricted to work within the greater Sydney area. It is also restriced to use the WHV for working only. The WHV is intended to be used for tourists whose main goal is to travel, not work. Although you can work with this visa it should not be your primary reason. If your primary reason is to work, you are better off obtaining a Work Visa. This holds different requirements.

Tax File Number (TFN)- All persons working in Australia require a TFN. If you are a foreigner like me, you can only apply for a TFN when you are actually IN Australia. Some agencies offer to get the TFN for you before you get there, however they actually cannot get it for you any faster, and it costs you more in the end. Your TFN usually takes 10-28 days for you to receive after application, however many travellers do not have a mailing address. I have heard there are some agencies which will act as a PO Box for a small fee. I would advise you to apply for your TFN online to be environmentally friendly, and it also saves you on postage fees. During the 28 days in which you may be awaiting your TFN, you can still work. You just need to check the box " TFN pending". It is the employers responsibility to confirm your TFN, however you should supply it to them before the 28th day of work to avoid getting taxed the maximum amount.

Hope this amalgation of my research can help someone else! 

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Welcome & Thank you for Reading

Welcome, Bienvenue, and thank you for taking the time to view my latest Travel Blog,
My Roaming Backpack. This blog is intended to serve as a travel experience resource to anyone and everyone in the world, and it will be particularly useful to the travelling community; the seekers, the highway riders, the adventurers, the ramblers, roamers and riskers.

Here you can follow my life on the road and see the world through my eyes- one experience at a time. Whether you are a friend keeping up with my next adventure, you are another backpacker looking for advice, even if you are just curious about the rambling life or like to view my pictures- fabulous, please read on!

As some of you may know, I am also the author of the Travel Blog, Goats Do Roam (GoatsDoRoamAwayFromHome.Blogspot.com) Goats Do Roam focuses on travel within Canada and Thailand. This was my first blog, an experiment I guess you could say. I learned a lot doing it. As I began to write, (as a self-reference journal, really) I quickly gained a world-wide audience from over 30 countries! This shocked me.  I grew an awareness that there is a great need for these stories to be shared. I have watched my life be transformed by the simplest moments and I want to share them with anyone who is listening out there, even if it helps just one person.  So thank you to all my Goats Do Roam readers, you have helped inspire me to continue travelling and sharing!

All of my upcoming travels around the world will be documented here on My Roaming Backpack, so spread the word, sit back and enjoy the ride. If you wish you can also subscribe to receive each blog entry by e-mail.

Well, its time to ramble on...!