Bayron Bay

Last weekend I went to Byron Bay. The beach was amazing, the water held a temperature of 20 degrees.
We also went to the eastern point on the Australian mainland, at the lighthouse. I saw whales and had a nice walk down to the eastern point of the Australian Mainland. We saw some people flying in hangliders, no more than a 40 meters above our heads.

 What can be said about Byron Bay? It's a tourist place and is very popular in the summer. It's not a big place, basically only one street and a long beach and the lighthouse. The place will be crawling with surfers and people going to the beach. The place still lingers with some of the "hippie" spirits with people beeing relaxed and easy going. You don't have any worries when in Byron. It's one of the places you just have to go, even if it's just for a day or two.

Brisbane adventures

It's Tuesday, and it's been some days since my last post.
The weekend has been quite eventful, with a visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. They had almost everything I was wanting to see of animals. With enything from Dingo, Kangaroo and a lot of Koalas. I was able to hold a Koala, Sea Eagle and a Olive Python Snake.

The wildlife park was amazing. Kym's parents took me to the Brisbane lookout point "Mt Coot-tha" before we traveled to the wildlife park. Pictures are uploaded to the Picasa Web Album.

I met friends of Kym's and a coffee "guru" named Jay (Pronounced "Jai") who is passionate about his coffee. I was served my best coffee to this day. Me and Kym also had a day in South Brisbane and went to Max Brennan (chocolate cafe/store). I also went to the wheel of Brisbane (60meters high).

As for this day I have arranged for my 18+ card, and I've also been able to play at the "Pat Rafter Arena" on the Center Court (Tennis), where the Brisbane International tournament is played every year in January.

Still looking for work and a place to live. Until next time!

Norwegian Church Abroad - Sjømannskirka i Sydney

Today the trip went to Marly, Sydney and with the intention to visit the Norwegian Church Abroad (Sea men's church). With the help of Margrethe, helping me with the address, I got the the church safely. I had a nice walk from Marly to the church. Although the weather today wasn't as good as it has been the last couple of days it was fair. Clouds, with almost no wind in the morning.

I had a nice chat with both employees and with Norwegians using the church as a meeting point. It was very nice and the people was very welcoming. Thank's alot!
I noticed they have some Norwegian food from back home. And they made waffles! Kudos!! =)

Check out the Norwegian Church Abroad

The trip back to Sydney from Marly was not the ideal one. The wind was getting stronger and I wasn't dressed for that kind of weather. I had just wore my shorts and t-shirt, bad idea when I look at it in a retrospect. Cold wind on the way back to the Marly Wharf. The trip is about 35 minutes, and it was raining by the time I got back to the Sydney Qy. Luckily I had taken the train from the Sydney Central and was returning there. Sydney Central is a 1 min walk from the hostel where I'm staying.

 

Tomorrow it's off to Brisbane!

Work and Travel

It's been a few days since my last post. So to keep you updated on how it's been so long, here it comes.
I've not seen any spider, snakes or box jelly fish. Wonder were they are!

I've used the weekend to look around Sydney in some of the more tourist places. Sydney Harbour, The Darling Harbour the Harbour Bridge. The other part of the weekend I have been trying to get adjusted to the time difference. It has not been a big problem adjusting, just needed an afternoon of sleep on Saturday to get my head straight.

Sunday I met with a former foreign exchange student who was in Volda, Veronica. She is now working for the Emirates flight company and was in Sydney for work. She had a day of, and we walk around Sydney taking some nice photos and she was also hunting Geo Cache's. Google it if you don't know what it is.

Yesterday I had my introduction in the Work and Travel experience. We got to know that we need to open a bank account, get our membership with the TAW (Travel and Work) to apply for jobs online and how to create our tax number. I met a danish guy, Andreas, and we went to the TAW and to the Commonwealth Bank together and got things fixed. I still have to apply for my MediCare and get my Tax file number, but I'll guess I'll get that sorted out this weekend.

I also might have to get a certificate, the RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) in order to get some work in bars or places that they serve alcohol. It's a 7hours course with an exam at the end.

My plan for today was to go to the Norwegian Seaman's Church in Sydney (Sjømannskirka i Manly, Sydney) however the church wasn't open. I might try again this Thursday. I'm currently sitting in the Sydney State Library  (Free WiFi), with two new friends from Germany. Marco and Marius, the Germans.

As for my traveling plans, I've got a flight this Friday @ 2 PM to Brisbane. Figured I'd go there ASAP because Sydney is really expensive!!
MANA BAR NEXT!

The Voyage and Sydney day 1

The stay in Abu Dhabi was prolonged by different events. Our flight was not on time, this caused us about an hour delay. In addition there was a medical situation causing more delays. So around 2 and a half hour late, we set off for Sydney. I arrived in Sydney a couple of hours 

Day 1 in Sydney: Went for a City walk around Sydney, with a guided tour. We saw China Town, the Sydney Harbour, The Opera house and the Royal Botanical Garden.

I haven't been having Internet until this morning. I still haven't gotten my phone number, this is on the list of things to take care of today. And also see if i'm heading over to the zoo. There is also the largest IMAX cinema in the World located in Sydney. Might have a look at that during this weekend.

Here are some pictures to enjoy. You can check out the entire album here or click on a picture from the "On the go" in the bottom right on this page.

 

The Forgotten songs, a street with lots of bird cages over the street.

Birds looking for food by the harbor.

The all famous Opera house.

Random bird in the Royal Botanical Garden.

The voyage "Down Under" - part 1

My flight started as you might have read earlier, in Oslo. From Oslo the first leg was Tegel, Berlin. This leg went as expected, though I thought it would be Ethiad Airways that would have their own flight for this trip. Instead the flight was operated by Air Berlin. Here I was hoping for the luxury that is Ethiad Airways, and didn’t get it. I then noticed on my ticket that the flight from Berlin was also operated by Air Berlin, to my slight disappointment.

The travel to Berlin was fast and, well, it isn’t the most comfortable seats on such short flight (an hour and a half). Then I found out my flight from Berlin to Abu Dhabi was slightly delayed. I later, on the flight, found out that the aircraft had been changed a few days ago, to a smaller one, the Airbus A321. The change of aircraft meant that we would get an extra stop, this would be in Rumania. The schedule stop was to refuel the aircraft before heading to Abu Dhabi. What was supposed to take around 6 hours turned out to be more! We had the schedule stop, and it lasted for 1hour and 15 minutes. Then comes the delay from the scheduled departure time. So we now will arrive around 1-2 hours behind schedule.

I had a 4 hour wait at Abu Dhabi, before my connecting flight to Sydney, so you would think that since the air travel took so much time I don’t have to spend that long waiting on the airport. To be honest, I would rather wait a couple of hours in an airport, than stuck in an aircraft. In the airport you are free to move as you like, we were confined to the airplane.

At least the temperature in Abu Dhabi is reported to be around 30 degrees Celsius.

Can happily report that I'm in Abu Dhabi and are on my way to sydney in around three hours.

Just before I go

It's Tuesday, and a little less than 36 hours until my flight from Oslo. The first leg is an hour an a half, and goes to Berlin. In Berlin I have one hour of layover time, before my next flight takes me away further from home. The second leg, of around 6 hours, has destination Abu Dhabi written on it.

As I'm sitting in downtown Oslo, I'm starting to get slightly nervous about going away for a year, though not to worried. :)

This morning I've tested Skype with my father, and it's working perfectly. So I'm available on Skype from time to time, if anyone want to reach me. I'm getting an Australian phone number, this means that after the 5th of September I won't be available on my regular cell phone number (for you who have this). If you need my Australian phone number, please send me a mail with your number, so I can forward it to you when i get the Australian number. :)

More updates to come during my travel, stay tuned!

Off I go!

I'm now on my way to Ålesund to visit a friend, before I'm on my way to Oslo tomorrow and then to Sydney on Wednesday. I've rented my flat out to some nice students in Volda, and I stand without a place to live. I have removed my plates on my car, so no car either. I'm also on "leave of absence" from work, and therefore I have no work. Is this what they call a "hobo"?

Since I've had a lot of work the last couple of weeks, I haven't had the time to take in the fact that I'm leaving Norway for a whole year. I'm guessing the excitement and nervousness will come on Wednesday when I'm off for Australia.

I'm all packed, my bag was a total of 16,4kg after I was finished packing. I also almost forgot to bring a pair of sandals. Now all is ready for a great year "Down under"!

My backpack, weighing in at 16,4Kg. That's not much for a year.

No turning back!

Money has been transferred ticket has been paied for, now there is no turning back!

So I finally have booked my flight for Sidney, Australia. The plane leaves from Norway on September 5th, and it takes about 22hours (only airtravel time), 30 hours with traveling time, give or take delays and other unforeseen events. The trip takes me to Berlin and further on to Abu Dhabi before I reach my final destination; Sidney.
I'm starting to look forward to the trip, even though I'm not very excited about 22hours in air. The reason for this is that I'm having trouble sleeping in planes, cars, buses and trains. So no sleep for me on the flight down under.

I've used the Kilroy travel agency to book my flight and arrange for an introduction with the Work and Travel in Australia.

I have found some more things that I would like to do while away. I'm going to learn how to sail a sailboat.
And continue my gliders license, if possible. I've recently finished the aerodynamics exam and are missing a couple of more exams and flight hours.

Don't know what a glider is? (Check out www.nthf.no)
I'm currently flying in the NTHF club located in Trondheim/Oppdal, Norway. The website is http://www.nthf.no check it out!

VISA Granted, time to plan ahead.

After getting my new passport and applying for the Work and Travel VISA, it took around 16 hours from the application was sent till I received the notification that my VISA had been granted. That is effectiveness for you right there! What still remains is the ticket to Australia, and I hope that I can book it this weekend

In the meantime I have started to make a note of some of the things I would want to do while in Australia.
Some of them are probably standard when traveling to Australia.
The list is as follows;
- Snorkel at The Great Barrier Reef
- Learn or try to learn how to Surf
- Travel to New Zealand (in case I get homesick)
- Skydive
- Continue flying Gliders
- Travel The Great Ocean Road - Perhaps by bike
- Work at a ranch
- Holding a Koala

I guess the list will be longer as I come closer to travel, and as I get down there and learn what other things could be cool to do/see.

Prepearing for the trip - part2

So preparations are well on their way for this year of mine away "Down under."

So I got my leave of absence from work, and are due to hopefully travel to Australia sometime in September. There are still some things that need to be arranged before I can "calm down" and start to fully enjoy the fact that I'm going away to the other side of the earth.

So remaining things are;
- Get a new passport
- Apply for my VISA
- Book my flight to Sydney
- See if I can get some place to stay
- See if there are some work when I arrive, though that is not exactly priority number one.

Some useful links.
Australian Work and Travel VISA
Renting in Australia
Jobs in Australia

So I'm in the process of subletting my appartment, since I don't want to sell it. I would like to have it when I come back to Norway. My car on the other hand, guess that one has to go!

More to come...

Preparing for the trip

It's time for a change.

So I found out a little while ago that there is something called Work and Travel Visa to different countries. So I started the research and had a few options; Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

Canada is a paradise in the winter, however it's required with an interview before you travel to get a secure job on a resort for 4-6 months. I wanted a warmer climate and something more to explore than just skiing. I've heard that New Zealand is more like the Norwegian country, that is in scenery. So my choice ended up being Australia.

Why Australia?
I'm going away for a year, and there is much to explore in Australia. All the people I have talked to, that have been to Australia, recommend it and are very pleased that they have traveled there.
I can also visit other countries while in Australia, so visiting New Zealand shouldn't be a big problem.

Now I only need to get a leave of absence from work. That worked out very well.

Next thing to do is get my vaccination in order and apply for the Work and Travel VISA, I hope that will work out as well. When the VISA approved I just need to book a plane and head "Down under"

I'm both terrified and excited at the same time! I don't have a clue as to what to expect.