Backpacking in Australia: First Impressions of Sydney

Sydney itself is the place most people end up in Australia at some point. Yes its big and great and yes it has some amazing things to see, but don’t get caught in the “rut” of Sydney. There’s more to Australia than the city of Sydney. Although for the benefits of this post, I’ll outline Read more about Backpacking in Australia: First Impressions of Sydney[…]

Thirsty Thursdays: Halloween Night in Sydney, Australia

Halloween in 2009 crept up very slowly and took us all by surprise, especially in this new land and new environment – life in Sydney. As a child Halloween had always been special. Living in Kilmaine in Bangor, Northern Ireland Halloween meant Church Services, Remembrance Day, Harvest, School Plays, Guy Fawkes Night and fun for Read more about Thirsty Thursdays: Halloween Night in Sydney, Australia[…]

Halloween party at Chilli Blue Hostel in Sydney with Jonny Blair a lifestyle of travel

Chilli Blue: The Best Backpackers Hostel in Sydney, Australia

It was all a bit unorganised getting to and arriving in Sydney. Just a few days before the flight from Kuala Lumpur to Sydney, I had to book a hostel, as I wanted to be sure where we would stay the first few nights. As it turned out, the pressure and randomness of booking the Read more about Chilli Blue: The Best Backpackers Hostel in Sydney, Australia[…]

Getting My RSA and RCG: Becoming a student for 2 days in Australia!

I have only lived in Australia for 6 weeks or so and already I have three qualifications to my name! (the two mentioned here, and a “publife” certificate) I didn’t expect that to happen! I thought my days of studying were well and truly behind me. Over the years I’ve spent too much time doing Read more about Getting My RSA and RCG: Becoming a student for 2 days in Australia![…]

“Its hardly Ballyholme, but it’ll do” – Bondi Beach, Australia

As a visitor to Sydney it was slightly obvious that in the first week we would go to the famous Bondi Beach. The weather wasn’t amazingly hot during the first 7 days however, but the night before the 8th day, we were led to believe that next day would be the ideal day to “do Read more about “Its hardly Ballyholme, but it’ll do” – Bondi Beach, Australia[…]

Backpacking in Australia: Watching Sydney FC v Brisbane Roar and Dwight Yorke and Terry McFlynn

I didn’t exactly expect to watch live football in my first 2 days in Australia, but as an added bonus I did! On arrival at Sydney Airport, I noticed a light blue Sydney FC kit being sold in one of the shops, and with it a fixture list for the local team, which revealed they Read more about Backpacking in Australia: Watching Sydney FC v Brisbane Roar and Dwight Yorke and Terry McFlynn[…]

Welcome to Sydney

Departure from Malaysia and Arrival in Australia

Without flinching an eyelid and just like any other day of your life, we arrived in Sydney, Australia. Equipped, Natalja and I with simply a passport, a one year visa and our possessions, we slipped casually past border control and into the realms of Australia. That was late October 2009. At the tender age of Read more about Departure from Malaysia and Arrival in Australia[…]