Nullarbor – Cocklebiddy – Esperance

Completing the Nullarbor Links hole at the back of the roadhouse the next morning, an easy way to walk off a hangover. I am quite sure Belinda and I couldn't have done this with anyone other than the two blokes on our roadtrip, who clearly knew what they were doing out on the course. They would send their ball flying from the tee, and then patiently and encouragingly walk with us alone the fairways as we grubbed our balls all the way up to the green. Course, it was much easier to find ours, just meters every time, rather than the longer search for theirs. Ha! This course is a great idea, to ensure the drive across the country is broken up.


Ducking back after the hole was complete, on the highway from Nullarbor, to the Head of the Bight - that's the Great Australian Bight, we took in the awesome Bunda Cliffs from the viewing platforms. Along the road some several hundred kms later, we found a cliff side spot for lunch, before making it to the Border Villages. Here, alongside the Big Kangaroo, we played another hole of golf, interrupted by a group of emus on the green. No kidding!

Crossing over from South Australia to Western Australia, we stopped at Eucla to check out the Telegraph Station, now engulfed by the sand dunes. The Roadhouse here led us to another golf hole, named after the tale of the Nullarbor Nymph.

Two more golf holes, and the completion of our front Nine of the course, we stopped for the night at the Cocklebiddy roadhouse, for an ordinary feed, and a hotel room that we had probably expected all the way across.

Back on the road the next morning, we covered the 90 mile Longest Straight Stretch of road in Australia, before making it to Norseman and turning left. Our long day of driving ended at Esperance, checking into the Motor Hotel, and then getting stuck into some hard earned beers, and more port for Dillo.

We had talked about having a big Saturday night here, and we certainly attempted it at the 2 main pubs in town. Both having karaoke, we were treated to the locals belting out all sorts of old tunes and unrecognisable tunes! Ha, ha. A great night for us, though.

Streaky Bay – Nullarbor Links – Nullarbor

Having heard about the West Coast Whopper through a DVD of Dillo's mates', who had done the Nullarbor roadtrip last Ashes series, we put in an order the night before for the biggest burger in the world to be our breakfast/brunch the next day, as we prepared to head out of Streaky Bay. Getting to the Clearwater Cafe in Streaky Bay, they were just in the last stages of construction of this mammoth meal. Carl originally claimed he could eat 2, but upon seeing the size of the buns alone, the 4 of us ordered 1 between us, and then found a seaside spot to make the eating attempt.

Leaving all but scraps, the 4 of us completed our quarter each, before we climbed back into our Sportswagon to continue on our way.

Getting to Ceduna, we found the Tourist Information to gain details and a playing card to start the Nullarbor Links golf course. Hiring clubs here also, we got to the Ceduna Golf Course, and played the two holes (being 1 and 18 of the actual Course), to start our game. Finding black greens at the course, and fairly green fairways, Belinda and I found out that perhaps golf wasn't our olympic sport - but we'd have loads of fun figuring this out in the next few days!

Finishing the two holes, we returned the clubs, and stopped at the Big Oyster on the way our of town, and back onto the Highway. Two more holes for the Links, at Pedong and Nundroo, some 150kms apart, we then reached the Nullarbor Plain.

Pulling into the Nullarbor Roadhouse for the night, the family room turned out to be one half of what can only be described as a shipping container. We parked, and played a bit of Nullarbor carpark cricket to get the legs working again. Here we met several campervans full of Poms, also making the trip from one test to the other.

With nothing in view all the way around us, we watched the sunset, before we made it to the bar in the Roadhouse, for beers, mingling with the Poms and the locals, Ginger Wine, pool...and what turned into a very big night. Too much fun!

Adelaide – Clare – Streaky Bay

At the end of our pub lunch, after the Radelaide test, Belinda, Dillo, Carl and I climbed into the car that would take us across the Nullarbor to the next Ashes test, and farewelled the rest of the crew. Stopping on the outskirts of Adelaide to get some supplies for the start of the trip, like a cricket set and an esky with beer, we set off for our first stop.

Belting rain for the next hour or so teased us, knowing that our tailend batsmen had just needed to hang in till lunch. Alas.

As the rain started to ease, we reached Clare Valley, and plotted a couple of cellar door visits, close to winery closing time. Annie's Lane was our first stop, for a full tasting selection, and then we were entertained by the presenter at Skillogalee, and impressed with their wines. The Cabernets my favourite.

Reaching the town of Clare, we found the pub where our first accommodation was planned, and made it to the front bar just in time for happy hour. A few rounds to mark the beginning our this trip, planned for months, before dinner in the restaurant of the pub.

An alarm interrupted sleep, we hit the road the next morning, with our sights on Kimba and the big Galah. Through Port Augusta , we popped into Iron Knob for the laugh, and considered the tour of the quarry there. Discovering a whole lot of nothing, we kept driving and then made it to Kimba, which claims to be the halfway point across Australia. Here we stopped for lunch, and our first game of cricket, roadside.

Further down the highway, we ducked back to the coast along Anxious Bay, through Venus Bay as our first sight of the sea, and then up to our next night stop, Streaky Bay. Fish and chips on the beach in front of our cabin at the caravan park, making friends or enemies with the pelicans, and then some beachside cricket, we then entertained ourselves with card games, lots of beer, and Dillo's next installment of port consumption.

Shanghai

Arriving at Beijing airport the next morning like contestants on The Amazing Race, we needed to figure out the best option to get to Shanghai, so that I could still make my flight home in a couple of days. Checking both terminals, and eventually settling on a flight direct to Shanghai, we made our way to meet Dom a little earlier than originally planned.

Greeted by Dom, with little Sabi baby, was so exciting, having not seen her since her wedding. Meeting the new addition to her family, possibly the cutest baby ever, and then getting a picture of her world here in China, was very special. It was also such a treat to stay with her, in her lovely home, after our big trip, and Belinda, Jess and I were delighted.

Dom took us out to one of her favourite spots for lunch, and then we wondered through the laneways of cute little shops, catching up. Popping back to the house, and picking up little lady Jazzy on the way, we then prepared to go out for the evening. Dom took us out for Teppanyaki, before we wondered along the Bund taking in the lights and sights of Shanghai.

The next day, the very last day of my big trip, the 4 of us went in to visit the Yuyuan Garden, and the surrounding bazaar. Such a little piece of peaceful, beautiful Chinese garden, in the middle of the bustling city.

Having to say goodbye to the girls, after such an amazing trip, as I prepared to get out to the airport to go home, and then to Dom, Jasmine and Sabien, marked the finale to this most amazing time away - starting in Paris, and covering such a large scope of the world.

I caught the Maglev out to the airport for my flight home, which travelled up to 300 km/hour, making the trip from right in the city of Shanghai to the airport fly by in about 8 minutes. Wow!

Beijing

Arriving in Beijing as our final stop of the Vodka Train, back in June, it was both exciting to be in this much dreamed about city, and sad to be near the end of this totally incredible trip. The 7 of us, Belinda, Jess, Jonesy, Mark, Karl, Harris and I, had had such an amazing and enriching trip....and had such fun doing it!

Taken to our hostel by our Honcho, we discussed and plotted our last couple of days, before going our for dinner and the most delicious Peking duck ever. That night we met another Vodka Train group, preparing to head back the way we had just come, and we all trekked out to the bars along Lake Hou Hai.

The next morning was our Great Wall of China experience, before continuing the day with a tired, but awe-struck walk through the Forbidden City and then Tienanmen Square. Climbing to the top of the temple at the north of the City, we took in the smoggy view of Beijing, and the vast City complex of palaces, before walking through it. Arriving at the front of the City, and the Square, we took in this much famed space in the middle of the bustling city.

Heading our for our final big night together as a group, we found a bar strip in Old Street, where we could watch the second of Australia's World Cup matches. Soon ditching the over-priced beers on the main strip, and seeing another loss, Harris found us a little club where our night really kicked off.



After farewelling the Irish lads, who flew home the next morning, Belinda, Jess and I trekked out to see the Summer Palace. Although given the state of us, we are each lucky for camera-memories captured! We were out in the outskirts of the city, and thus, got to see blue sky for the first time in a couple of days, and take things very easy wondering around these grounds.

Back into town, and a final glimpse of Tienanmen Square, we met up with Harris at the hostel, and walked down to take in the weird and wonderful smells and sights of the Night Market.




We had a final dinner with Harris, to include Peking duck, before Belinda, Jess and I had a thwarted attempt to get the train to visit the Terracotta Warriors. Alas, missing the train by 3 minutes, we encountered our only real hiccup of the trip - and as experienced travellers, coped with it exceptionally well!

Having an overnight train booked, and then a flight from Xian, with the missing link we needed to investigate the options - but finding no trains for the rest of the night, and the offer of a standing train the next day, we returned to our original hostel, to the shock of Harris, to figure it all out the next day.

Sydney New Years Eve Spectacular

This New Year's Eve was spent on the edge of the Sydney Harbour, for an indulgent but special night, with front row spots for the world renowned fireworks seeing in 2011. Being right there for the always-heralded aerial spectacular was very exciting, even for me, who is not usually enchanted by over-the-top expensive fire crackers!

Preparing for the evening, we then took the train into Circular Quay from Casa Wilson, which was all too easy, and made our way to The Rocks, and the entrance to the WaterFront for the evening. The Harbour was basking in sunshine, for a crisp, warm, gorgeous evening, with much of the people in the public areas staking our their spots since the morning.

Shown to our table for 4, located next to the dance floor, Melissa and Greg, Nick, and I found our places, each with a silly party hat at each placement. The Moet was soon flowing, as was the wine, and our menu selections from the amazing choices, were taken. Australia seafood sampler for entree, after our antipasto plate, followed by Beef Tenderloin and Lobster Tail, plus Chocolate treats for dessert - wow!

The 9pm fireworks above the Opera House were impressive enough, which happened between courses, and proved to us that we had the most impressive vantage point. The dance floor was also kicking by this stage, with much of the restaurant up dancing to the cute little cover band.

More Moet, and a random Brazilian dance display, we started preparing to be at the fence between restaurant patrons and the general public, for the big countdown and fireworks display. Penned as a $5 million effort this year, Melissa, Greg and I found our vantage point, bottle of bubbles at the ready. The anticipation in the Quay was electric.

The full
fireworks display got underway, and to be honest we were so engrossed, we didn't really notice a countdown. Colour and light from both sides of our view, being the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, were awe-inspiring, and such a great way to see out a cracker of a year...and see in the new, which has oh so much to live up to!

More dancing and Moet saw out the evening, being such an extravagant once-in-a-lifetime experience - so good! Happy New Year!

2010: What A Year It Has Been!

Borrowing a line from Alex Lloyd's track, What A Year, 2010 has to go down as one of the best for me.

Starting in Broome, and ending in Sydney - with loads and loads of travel in between! My most amazing trip, which I haven't finished blogging about, plus a roadtrip to close my coverage of Aussie travel (again, still to be blogged about!) - plus a visit to New Zealand. Not bad in a calender year!

So many awesome gigs, some great MIFF films...but most of all I managed to get to some great places, and meet some totally awesome new people. And of course, travel with some great mates.

My sports obsessions were fed with the pinnacle of getting to the French Open, but also footy including finals, and then the lap of the country for The Ashes.

I also started, and got through my first year, of the MSW, and impressed myself with my results, despite the hell it took to get it all done. Plus full time work, covering most of Victoria.....whoa!

Going to be hard to beat!