Blue Mountains

Before coming to Sydney I had never heard of the Blue Mountains so it was never on my 'Must See List'. But I thought, while I was here I might as well check it out and see what it's all about.

We booked a tour, got given the wrong tour and ended up trailing about the Blue Mountains with a big group of people from Honduras who were loud, old and over weight which meant that our 40 minute hike literally took an hour and a half. I'm not sure who was more annoyed by this, us or our tour guide but nonetheless the mountains were beautiful. We saw 2 water falls during our hikes and managed to each ruin our shoes (we were not warned to wear appropriate footwear but thought we'd be clever anyway and wear trainers...there's no saving them now!).

As well as seeing the stunning views we also got to walk through the forest which was lovely and learnt a bit about the Mountains themselves. All I can really remember now is that they are called the Blue Mountains because most of the trees are Eucalyptus tress which give off an oil. The sun then reflects off the oils and therefore give a blue hue around the Mountains. I was slightly disappointed that the actual trees weren't blue themselves but can confirm that the sight was just absolutely beautiful and I couldv'e spent a very long time just standing there taking it all in had in not been freezing cold winds. It was the type of view that they would put in a movie with thought provoking music in the background while someone contemplated the meaning of life. 

The camera really doesn't do justice to how beautiful it was there but hopefully they'll give a hint of the views and maybe even tempt some more people to add it to their 'Must See List'. 

You can also watch some clips over on my YoutTube channel by following this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOLXIHl1uT4

Iona x

The Three Sisters

Lucky Number 148

Having been in Sydney for around 3 months now I have managed to apply for 149 jobs. That's right, I read through over 149 jobs, completed 149 job applications and got rejected 148 times. I got a call last Sunday from job application number 148 and got invited in for a 'face-to-face' chat in which they offered me a trial and said if I liked it I'll be put on the rota. 

I was extremely happy to be offered a job as you can imagine how little money I have after a few months of no income. A couple of weeks ago I took a look at my bank accounts, glanced into my purse and found out I had less than $5 to my name. Times were extremely tough for a while and motivation was lacking having received such little feedback from previous applications. However, through not going up luck finally came round and I have my trail at a dog cafe tomorrow. 

Not only does this mean I can stop eating 63cents (about 35p) noodles all the time but it also means that I might be able to make it to New Zealand after all. I was starting to give up on the hope of being able to travel there and I was very disappointed in myself that I'd allowed that to happen. I'd always planned to go there during my year in Australia but as my year is quickly coming to the end and money being extremely low I was starting to give up on the dream of visiting New Zealand but hopefully, through careful saving, I might still be able to make it to the land of the Hobits!

Iona x

Sydney Botanic Gardens

So Sydney has now gone into Winter. This meant I was routing through my suitcase trying to find my thickest and warmest of clothes, forgetting that Winter in Scotland is very different to Winter in Australia. Back home you do your best not to leave the house during Winter but when you have to you spend a good 5 minutes trying to navigate a way to wear as many clothes as possible and even then you lose feeling in your toes as soon as you leave your house. However, here Winter is very different. It's much closer to a Summers day back home. The sun has been out and its been above 20C many days. 

On one of these "Winter" days we headed into the city to hand out more resumes in an attempt to find work. After running out of resumes we thought there would be nothing better than to grab a sandwich and go for a little picnic in the Botanic Gardens. This was never on my 'must see' list of Sydney but it was so lovely and I'm so glad we went. We lay on the grass for over an hour and just enjoyed being by the water and in the sun. We took a wee stroll around (when I needed the toilet) and found it was full of beautiful trees and flowers to see. I'm not one who marvels of nature like this but it really was just such a pleasant place to be so would definitely recommend it if anyone every needs a quiet place to go or just wants to hide away from the city.

Iona x

You can see the Opera House and Bridge over the water

Hidden away in the middle of the city

Our First Huntsman

"Iona...don't move!!!" are not words you wish to hear in Australia, even if you're in the comfort of your own home. As I slowly creep forward I turn around to discover a giant huntsman spider on the wall above my head. I have to say I have never known fear like that, and I know fear...I'm scared of everything!

We run out the house to pop to the shops for some food but dreaded coming back into the house in fear it was still there or worse...not there and possible somewhere else in the house! Upon arriving home it took us a minute to gather up the courage to open the door. When we did we slowly creaked it open to discover the spider was indeed still there. After standing outside for 10 minutes trying to work out what to do while also trying to stop ourselves from fainting we've eventually managed to make our way upstairs to our bedroom where we plan to stay until one of our housemates comes home who's brave enough to do something about it!

This sounds very pathetic but for those of you who also don't like spiders...you'll understand! Just thought I'd share my experience on here hoping it'd be some sort of therapy but not sure it's work, still don't think there's any colour in my face. However, I have used the excuse of "I'm in shock" to consume plenty of sweeties.

Iona x

Taken from the front door with the zoom

Birthday Time!

As you may be able to guess it was indeed my birthday! I am no longer in my early twenties...I am now the grand old age of 24!

Usually back home I'd either be working on my birthday or would have exams the next day so it's been a good few years since I've actually celebrated my birthday so this year it genuinely was one of my best birthdays ever. The girls made sure I enjoyed myself and I had a great day.

It started by being woken up to a coffee and card which Carla had bought me. I then showered and when I came out I was presented with red velvet cupcakes and a candle! Once we were up and dressed Michelle and I headed to our local crepe cafe and had some brunch. I've been wanting to go to this cafe since we moved to Newtown and it was SO good! My crepe had ham, cheese, spring onion, oregano and lemon- beautiful! We then headed into the city so I could pick up a parcel which my parents had sent me full of unexpected pressies. After dropping off the gifts back at the house we then all headed to Darling Harbour where we enjoyed a few cheeky glasses of sparkling wine (during a much loved happy hour). After happy hour had ended we headed to a wee Irish pub where we discovered it was Drag Queen karaoke night. After enjoying this new experience we then headed up to Kings Cross (where the hostel we stayed in is) and met up with some friends at a new bar/club.

All in all it was a fully packed day, on a budget and was bloomin' fantastic!! Maybe being 24 won't be so bad after all...

Iona x

Goodbye...My Friend!

*Title must be sung to the Spice Girls song*

So it's happened. Kirsty has up and left me. She has moved on in her travels and has left Sydney to head up East on a 5 week trip and I am SO jealous. Her trip looked amazing! She's visiting places such as Byron Bay, Surfers Paradise, Brisbane, Cairns, Fraser Island and other places which I can't remember since there's so many!

Since leaving Scotland last September she has been my only constant throughout the trip. We left together and we'd planned to arrive back home together a year later but as with most things this year- plans change. Kirsty received some brilliant family news which now means she has chosen to head home at the end of July, cutting her year short. So naturally she has to go off and see all the sights before going back home. Why didn't Michelle and I go join her? Purely due to the fact we can't afford it at the moment. We're staying in Sydney, getting jobs (hopefully soon- it's been a struggle yet again!) and will save some money to travel up East too.

The plan is the three of us will go to New Zealand together as a final 'hurrah' before Kirsty goes home but everything is dependable on money. 

I can honestly say that my trip so far would not be nearly as good if Kirsty hadn't come with me and although I miss her a lot (we still talk every day more than once) I know it's something she has to do and is having an amazing time. Thankfully I still have Michelle to keep me in check.

I love you Kirsty! See ya in New Zealand :)

Iona x

Sydney: First Impressions

So we have now been in Sydney for around 3 weeks and I feel I can now report back on my thoughts and feelings on Sydney so far.

As soon as we arrived there was such a different atmosphere to Melbourne. Sydney just screams character and really makes you want to investigate more. There's so many suburbs in Sydney (I was told it was 52ish but don't quote me on that!) and each has such a different personality. Everything also seems a lot more compact and closer together- we're now able to walk into the city centre where in Melbourne it would take a tram ride from more areas unless you lived in the actual city centre. 

With so much to explore we decided to go on a free walking tour and found that although there isn't nearly as much history as there is back home, there's still so many stories to hear about. 

All in all, I LOVE Sydney already. There's such a great atmosphere and so much to see. Obviously there is the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge but there's so much more to see in Sydney which just hasn't had a look in. We plan to be here for around 2/3 months and I can't wait to explore more and report back on my favourites places/things to see.

Iona x