Home again, Home again, Jiggity Jig.

You have withdrawal symptoms from my blog? Wondering what happens next? I've tossed around some names....

http://www.stayinginmysistersfrontroom.blogspot..com/- doesn't account for my bil's contribution.
http://www.unemployedandhomeless.blogspot..com/- very close, but slight exaggeration.


So, after much (well, at least 30 seconds) deliberation here's the link to my new blog: http://kathrynjayneinmelbourne.blogspot.com/


I started writing the below about three weeks ago, shortly after I landed on terra firma Australis..... and soon realised that the excitement of writing my travel blog was discarded out the window of a Qantas 747 somewhere over the Gulf of Thailand. As it turns out, I've ended up not that far from where I started over six months ago. Sitting at a desk (I did forget how to write while I was away it seems, as I'm not terribly skilled with a pen anymore), in 222 Exhibition St, looking over the City of Melbourne, but now with great memories. I managed to escape Geelongismisation......

I have cooked 11 roasts since I returned to Australia. The last one was fabulous, but Sarah was heard to comment that another one might be pushing it a little... I've since expanded my repertoire......

So where to next? Oh yeah. Guess I should find a job. A permanent one. And, oh yeah. I guess I should find somewhere (permanent) to live.


Some images from back in the young, free, rejoicing, girt-by-sea Australia.....

The Pink concert:

Sydney. My refamiliarisation program. Our currency looked strange, I'd forgotten BBQ Shapes existed, I merrily flushed toilet paper and drank tap water, and thanked God for good coffee (never thought I'd say that about Sydney's coffee, but nonetheless).

Hangin' out with the fam:

Up to No Good with Shelley:

And Wow, did all the babies get big in my absence!!

Ciao....... for now.

Wandering around Phi Phi.....

The Isthmus from the Viewpoint - Tonsai Bay on the left and Loh Dahlum Bay on the right side and it's pretty obvious looking at this how the tsunami was so devastating on Phi Phi. A 3m wave from Tonsai and 6m wave on the other bay met in the middle.... and there wasn't much left.

The island is stunning however, mostly it has been rebuilt but there are still some construction sites, and a few piles of debris here and there....this is Loh Dalhum Bay:

Again from the Viewpoint:

Ton Sai Bay.....

Phi Phi Lay from Ton Sai Bay....

Cool photos....

Well, it appears my nephew hasn't forgotten me. They had creche photos during the week and not only was he hip-and-shouldering other children out of the way so he could be front-and-centre (he's not used to anyone else around him being photographed), but he was calling the photographer "Aunty". That's my boy!! (I am of course worried that I've scarred him for life).

Anyway, my trip has also been an exercise in intimacy with my camera, and I've kept boring camera talk out of this - but I think the time has come....These guys are barking mad pyromanics (I kept a wide berth - never trust anyone who has burnt their fingerprints off) and this kind of thing doesn't entertain me. But I have to admit they were good, and the photo opp. was irresistable.... I could bang on about how each of these was done, but if you want to know you'll have to ask so I don't bore the masses.........

Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Lay....

I was really lucky to meet some great people pretty much as soon as I got here - and they've been a lot of fun to hang out with.... we've had some great meals beachside, and while their place is a bush bash to get to, or a reckless journey clinging to slippery rocks, it's worth the trip.

Sebastian is from Germany (I sprechen'ed some Deutsch with him but sadly, I think I left my 15 week intensive German course in Germany) and Mark from Canada....

It's taken me days to get these chicks straight - Michelle I believe is Steph's friend, visiting from Canada, but Steph, Mark and Calyna are all doing Post Grads in Australia.... and there are permutations and combinations of who knew who from Primary School and who from Australia, but they're all Canadian....

Finally! Today was calm enough to hit the sea in a boat.... I now know why they didn't let us go yesterday. Even today it was rough - and I was Thrilled (Not) to discover one of these was the "Boat". Equivalent to Dad's tinny being driven by Calvin through the bar and out to Montague Island.... Mother. Of. God. I taught the French on board some new words in English.... ones that I hope they don't repeat in polite company.

Mark, Michelle, Renee, Steph, Calyna...

Phi Phi island!

Monkey bay, aptly named because....

of these guys.... These are for Wills. Who loves monkeys.....

"Yes that's it. You should be feeling the stretch on your inner thigh...."

Mum, Dad and the kids.....

I've learnt MANY things on my trip. One of which is all of our literature regarding wildlife is censored. Animal genitals are UGLY and I only just realised having been so close to them, that they are either photoshopped off or patient photographers wait until said wildlife poses modestly - which I'm telling you, these monkeys have not an ounce of modesty...... and these are the "good shots". Good lord, the things I've learnt.....

Holidays really seem to suit me. Not sure how I'll go back home, but let's hope for a safe and smooth reentry..... Oh and I hadn't been swimming yet - this is how wet we got just from the waves....

Everyone liked my pic so much, they had to have one too.....

We swam at "the Beach" from the movie, but it was a rocky swim, a rock climb, a rope climb and a hike to get to... Needless to say it wasn't photographed but it was close by.....

In all a fabulous day.