Australian Outback Adventure Itinerary

Happy Friday Peeps! :-)

It's been a busy week, trying to get my visa for the UK sorted out. It dawned on us that we would have to plan our overseas travels in blocks of 3 months because the Schengen Visa only allows Australians to travel through the majority of the European countries for 90 days, then you can't return for another 90 days. Basically 90/180 days you can travel within the Schengen region freely. So what were we going to do for 3 months at a time? The solution was to get a UK Youth Mobility Visa (working holiday visa) and work in the UK to save some money for the next 3 months, or travel to other non-Schengen countries like Egypt, Russia, Ireland, Morocco, Turkey... or even USA! So I filled in the online application, went to the British Consulate to have my fingerprints taken, got some ugly passport photos taken, and then sent off my passport and forms to get processed. I also had to prove that I had 1600GBP to my name. How does one expect to live in UK for 2 years on 1600GBP? God only knows, but that's the amount you need to be eligible for the visa.

Introducing GAFFA

Who is Gaffa? He's the Pommy that entered into my life back in 2008 and my life has never been the same since! He is also going to be a co-writer with me on this blog. Since we're heading off together on 6 June 2011 for our world travels, we'll be using this platform as a way of people keeping up with what we're doing, and also a way of documenting our exciting journey, so maybe one day we can look back and laugh at all the fond memories we shared...

To learn more about Gaffa, have a look at the About Gaffa page.

To learn more about the Gaffa and Win story (or WinGaz as we like to call ourselves), read below:

Kazbah Breakfast Banquet

If you haven't been to Kazbah, you're missing out. This place has to be one of the most blogged about restaurants in Sydney, and their breakfast banquet being the main star attraction.

A Moroccan, Middle Eastern theme, the breakfast banquet is available to groups of 8 or more. Their first location on Darling St. in Balmain was such a hit that they recently opened up at Top Ryde City in January and then in February in Darling Harbour.

We're really not this pale, I swear! 

It was my birthday weekend and the only thing I wanted to do was EAT! So I invited a bunch of my diving buddies, some family and family friends along to have breakfast with me to celebrate my quarter century milestone.

Happy Birthday to ME!

this is actually a cake I baked for my mum for her birthday last year

Howdy Peeps! Yes today is my 25th Birthday. Horrah horrah! I've been celebrating all weekend!!

Firstly with a nice relaxing night dive on Friday night. Then on Saturday morning, a HUGE breakfast banquet with my close diving buddies and some family & family friends. Then some more eating with Gaffa Saturday night. Then Sunday, a 10km walk from the Spit Bridge to Manly. The kayaking got cancelled because of the weather, so we went to see a movie instead - and the nice lady gave us the tickets for free! =) Then a 4 course Thai dinner to finish the night off. I was so tired that I fell alseep in the car during the drive home, and it was only 9.30pm. (not surprising since people that know me will know that I call fall asleep anywhere, mostly while watching movies...)

Today, I'm at work. I finally got the courage to resign. And it didn't go too well. But it's done. In 8 weeks Gaffa and I will be waiting at the airport to get on a plane to London, woop woop! Tonight I'll be going to yoga of course - wouldn't be a birthday without a date with myself hehehe.

Happy Monday! The sun is shining bright - go out and SMILE! =)  

Dae Jang Kum Korean BBQ Restaurant

This restaurant was discovered purely by accident. Gaffa and I were wanting to dine at Mamak one night, but as usual there was a long line - and we were hungry! So we ventured away from Mamak and noticed this Korean Restaurant. We thought, 'what the heck', lets try it.

Nom, nom, nom, I'm glad we did because it's been a life saver at times when it's late and there's nothing else open - this place shuts at 4am Mon-Thur, at 6am Fr-Sat, and 2am on Sun. It's also great for a cheap bibimbab/bibimbap - which every way you like to say/spell it.

Jurassic Lounge

Where does one go to see dinosaurs, drink alcohol, and dance at a silent disco? Jurassic Lounge of course! At the Australian Museum every Tuesday night (until 19th April) they open up their doors at night, and let adults only in. There are live bands, DJs, reptiles, competitions, a tattoo artist and a magician plus you are free to roam around the museum without any security guards telling you off!

I'd seen this event on a couple of other blogs, and when Gaffa's friend from the UK suggested we go as well, I was excited as I hadn't been to the museum since those good old primary school excursion days. Tickets are $15 and include entry and a free drink. They can be purchased online here or at the door. Doors open at 5.30pm and the event finishes at 9.30pm.

Rescue Diver Course

The PADI Rescue Diver Course is one of the most rewarding courses you could ever do as a diver. Ask any recreational diver which course they enjoyed the most, and the majority with say it was Rescue. PADI call the Rescue Diver Course: SERIOUS FUN. And it is just that, it is a serious topic and you do learn some serious and challenging stuff, but it is loads of fun.

Lululemon - Early Birthday Presents

Woop woop! Yesterday when I arrived home, there was a parcel waiting for me - my Lululemon order! Shipping from USA was quick, only taking 5 working days to get here. I was rushing to get to yoga, so had to wait until after class to open my package. I was so excited, like a little kid on Christmas morning, waiting to open their presents under the tree!! You couldn't wipe the smile off my face when I left the house for yoga. I even said to Gaffa, "Hurry, the faster we get to yoga the faster the class will finish and then I get to open my Lululemon stuff!" Obsessed much? After yoga I sat on my bed like the little kid ready to open my present. It was a an early birthday present to myself for my 25th birthday on this coming Monday. Every item was wrapped nicely in plastic and smelt so brand new!!

Ayam Goreng 99 & Pappa Roti

One place where you can always expect a decent meal at a great price, every single time: no it's not McDonald's, but Ayam Goreng 99. There's no wonder that whenever you go past this place along Anzac Parade in Kingsford, there are people lining up outside to get a table. You always know a restaurant is good when it's full or when there's people lining up outside.

I was introduced to this place by my bro Rave and his girlfriend Ms. Tjark (who is Indonesian) who dine here atleast once a week. You know it's a good Indo restaurant when Indo's themselves eat there! On our first visit we ordered the same as them, and ever since, we always order the same thing - why change when you know it's good? Plus, I always have bad luck when choosing things outside my norm, it always ends badly so I try to avoid it whenever I can. 

Lyne Park Cafe

What do you do when you get to meet the inspiration of your inspiration? Well, in the world of Eat.Travel.Dive, we go for breakfast! Saturday was a very important day for Gaffa. His mentor in scuba, and long time friend from the UK came to Australia for a few hours (on a stop-over en route from New Zealand to England). They were holidaying in New Zealand, and for Jen to do an 85km run! In true ETD style we took Steve and his partner Jen to breakfast and on an express tour of Sydney.