Madame Tussauds and gigantic crowds...

Yesterday was part two of our exploring. We went to Madame Tussauds. Getting there was a bit of an adventure. Our original bus tour tickets were for 24 hours, so we had to get onto the bus before 10.30am to use it again. By the time we had showers, had breakfast and got our tickets it was already 10.15am. We thought we would make the bus to Piccadilly Circus, but then our bus tickets would be expired and we would have to catch a train to Marylebone. So we decided it would be easier to just walk up to Euston street and catch a train the whole way.

The guy at the contiki basement who sold us our tickets said that its currently school holidays, which explains why everything is so ridiculously busy. I would love that job. Its basically what I do now, except your selling tours and info to young cute backpackers, not families. It seems like its all aussies that work there! I asked if he thought Madame Tussauds was worth a look, and he said it was good, but we better get there early or else it will get really busy. More about that later.

Once we go to the train station, we realised there was track work going on and it would take us about 3 stations to reach where we wanted!!! The trains here are so good though. Even though it was still 3 stations its so quick and easy to find your way around. The platforms all connect well so once you get off one line its so easy to jump on another. Everyone told me that the tube was really hard and that Sydney is nothing compared, but I find the tube a lot easier than Sydney so far. Plus using an Oyster card to pay is so easy! You just load money onto it and then swipe it every time you enter and leave a station. Much easier than tickets. Now I just need to master the Red Buses and I might as well be a local! lol.

We got to Madame Tussauds and the line was huge!! Because we had pre booked tickets we jumped to a smaller queue which was good. It moved quite quick too. As soon as we got in we realised just how busy the guy at the basement meant. There were so many people!!! It was hard to get to all of the statues as some of them even had lines to have your pic taken. There was a few who I waited for, like Robert Pattinson (did that for you Aleta!!). It was good, but I wouldnt go back again this time of year.
There was this part in the Chamber of Horror where they had all the serial killers, where you enter this room and have to find your way out, and theres all these people in there who jump out and scare you. It was crazy, I was screaming so much!

All of the attractions seem to have 4D things, or rooms like that. Like the one at the London Dungeon which was 5D. You sit on this seat and there are screens all around where things are jumping out at you, you get sprayed with water, and you get a laser gun to shoot the things that jump out. That was really fun.

By the last few sections of Madame Tussauds we just wanted to get out. The crowds were too much and it was getting really claustrophobic. We needed to get to a pub!!
We caught a train back to Piccadilly Circus and found a pub (which was harder than I thought, theres 1000 theatres but no pubs!!).

After one beer we decided to play a game called pick a street. We would each take turns in picking which street to take. We went into this Newsagency to see if they had an Aussie paper, and we didnt find a paper, but we did find Smirnoff Cans for 2 pounds, AT A NEWSAGENT!! Needless to say, me and Laura bought one. We walked up to Soho Square park and thought we would sit in the sun and enjoy our drinks, because you can DRINK IN PUBLIC!!!!!

I love London. I asked the guy at the Newsagent about drinking, and he said its fine to drink in public, as long as you cover the drink. He seemed a bit dodgy so we were still unsure, but when we got to Soho square, there were people drinking everywhere.
It was so nice sitting there and the sun was so warm. I could have stayed there all day. Only two problems, I needed a toilet, and the fact that every person in the park apart from me and Laura were gay. lol. Good for Dono, not so good for us... We decided today we shall try to find a park that has both of 'our people'.

We came back to the hotel around 3pm and went down to the pub for a few drinks. We met a few people who were doing contiki trips, but none of them were doing ours. We had some dinner, then went to tescos to get more drinks and go back to the room. I was getting so tired by then, we had our drinks up in the room then the other two went back to the pub while I had a little nap.

That brings me here, sitting in the hotel lobby at 5am because I couldnt possibly sleep any longer!! haha. There is a trip leaving at the moment, and there are so many people!! Im so excited for ours now.

Day 1 in London :)

What a huge day!! Today was our first day on our own properly in the big city. And to be honest, it really wasnt that hard. Finding a way to get from one place to another in Cairns is more difficult than it is here.

I was wide awake this morning. Our no jet-lag plan worked and we have just slipped right into London time. (apart from the fact its still daylight at 8.30pm...)

We had breakfast, then went down to the contiki basement to plan our tours and adventures for the day ahead. We decided to break it into 2 days, one day for Buckingham Palace, the Eye and the London Dungeon and then tomorrow we plan to see Madame Tusauds and just look around.

We caught the Original Tour bus which took us right into the city and it showed us all around. We went to Buckingham Palace and MY GOD... seriously, if its peak season dont bother. It was cool, but there were thousands of people and it was impossible to really see anything.

It was around this stage we realised our tickets for the Eye and Dungeon had been left in our room. So we caught the bus back to Trafalgar Square planning on getting another bus back to the hotel, but couldnt find the stop. After walking around for half an hour, we realised we had almost crossed the entire city and were only 2 blocks from our hotel.

After collecting our tickets we got back on the bus and went back towards the Dungeon. We passed so many awesome little sights and landmarks along the way. Took heaps of photos. Its kind of surreal seeing all of that stuff in real life.

We had fast track tickets so almost got straight into the Dungeon. But it was still a bit of waiting around for everything to start. The Dungeon was good, scary at times. Lucky I dont get anxious!! lol. There was lots of little stories about the history of london, and a few rides and things which were good.

We then got the river cruise from the tower of london back to Westminster Abbey for the London Eye. That gave us good views all over where we had just been, it would have been nice to do it at night though.

We really filled in the entire day, and by the end of it we werent getting lost or anything. We are naturals at this now :)

London is such a nice city. I love it here. The crowds are bad, but this is as busy as it gets, so I think I can handle it. The transport is so easy!! Once you know what your doing... lol.

Anyway, im quite tired, and not sure if this is making much sense, just wanted to get it online before I forgot. If I get up early enough tomorrow I can write more details :)

Were in London!!!

My god, what a trip!!! The flight from Taipei to London was possibly the longest, most painful experience of my life... haha. But so worth it!!! Were here and I love it!!!

On the flight we had a horribly rude french lady and her two obnoxious children in front of us, and when they werent abusing the flight crew they had their seats so far reclined back we probably could have looked down at them on our laps... Made it a Loooonnnnnggggggg 14 hours. The last 6 hours seemed to drag so bad. We all felt sick (maybe from the lady beside us sneezing the whole way. We all had sore throats and runny noses by the time we landed. And numb butts!!! I think for the trip home I need to find me a butt pillow. haha.

Once we landed we realised the flight crew never gave us our landing card, so by the time we filled that out 2 more flights got ahead of us in Border security and it no joke took us an hour and a half to get through. I was worried someone had stolen our bags or something, but we found them beside the carousel waiting patiently :)

Then we were on our own. We found the tube, caught the train and got to our hotel. Even though I was knackered I was still getting excited and pointing out every little thing like the buses, the phone boxes, the awesome taxis and the fact that all these boys have UK ACCENTS!!! Im in heaven.

Our hotel room is compact but were are right in the city. Almost next to train station and plenty of shops and things close by.

We went and got dinner, then after I almost fell asleep in my pasta we decided to call it a night. I argued with Laura because I just wanted to sleep but thankfully shes such a good little sister and made me get into pjs and take off my make up :)

As theres no fridge in the rooms, we bought bottles of water in reception vending machines and mine and lauras were fine, but when dono put 10 pounds in, of course the machine froze!! Woops, the people on reception said the cafe own the machines so when they open this morning hopefully he gets it back.

Its so hard trying to decide if things are cheap or not. Im pretty good so far at converting it in my head. But im also using the currency exchange program on my phone (using wifi, no data roaming!!).

Today were off to explore. I was too excited to sleep so im going to wake the others now :)

Miss you all.

Sydney to Taipei.

Leg one of the trip is complete!! The 9 and a half hour flight from Sydney to Taipei is done and dusted. Wanted to share a few of my highlights :)

So from the beginning, while checking in my luggage, my brand new suitcase broke! I went to lift it off the trolley and the handle came off. It has nothing to do with the weight either!! haha. Actually the guy at check in said we packed light!!

My carry on bag is also falling apart, but that is mainly due to the weight. I have so many activities hiddin in there!! Dono and Laura dont stand a chance sleeping on the plane.

After we boarded the plane, the lights go out and we started watching movies, then around midnight, all the lights came on and we got lasagna!!! Although im not sure if it was actually real food or not. But it felt like all we did for 9 hours was eat!!

I then had to cut about three laps of the plane to find the toilets, cutting through business class and the kitchen. Would have been nice to stay up front, they got slippers!!!

The rest of the flight was fairly uneventful. I swear our pilot was drunk coming into Taipei cos it felt more like a ride on the wipeout than a proper landing. It was real nice flying in at sunrise though. We had a catch a little monorail round to the next terminal which was packed and took off faster than the tower of terror which was hilarious when I was falling into everyone, (sorry).

We got to the right terminal then spent the next hour looking for our gate. Turns out we were actually at the right gate from the start... idiots.

Once we knew where we were going we went to get some coffee. I shouted and had a giggle when I had to pay 99 bucks for 3 coffees!! lol.

Taipei does not seem to have change machines, there vending machines are ALL out of water and I had to buy a postcard to get change to buy a juice!

So far I think I need a bit more practice before I try out for the Amazing Race, but were getting there. Its all good fun and new adventures.

Off to finish my coloring in now :) Talk to you in London!

About to head to China!!

We have had an awesome time in Sydney, catching up with Morgan, Mase and Ariana! We played at the park, fed ducks, eels etc... Lol. Went to the club last night then had drinks (maybe one too many) then chilled out today before the flight tonight.

I learnt that snails have houses, and how to describe bear grylls to anyone who doesnt know of him!! (Will definitely come in handy on the trip).

So now just gotta repack my case an go through my carry on... Then were off to meet Dono at the airport for the first leg of the trip!!! Im so excited for everything thats to come.

Have already taken loads of pics, and there will be many more to come.

Speak to you from China!!! xo

We made it to Sydney!!

Well after a day that seemed to take an eternity, we made it to Sydney!!!

It was a fairly non eventful start to the trip. Lots of goodbyes and airport hugs with Dad, Aleta and Shane which was nice... We got the front row seats with loads of legroom!! Better not get too used to that!!!

The lovely man sat next to us started asking about our trip, and i started basically giving him all the details which was when Laura reminded me about the horror movies with kidnapped backpackers who get stolen by 'the nice man'.... Lol. Lucky i brought her along. The nice man did however give us some tips on what to see and where to go in London!

As we came in to land the attendant announced it was a lovely 12 degrees, although it feels more like 5 degrees!!!

So on that note, im now all rugged up and off to bed! Got a big day catching up with morgan and playing with the babies tomorrow!!! Love and miss u all already!!!! xo

Last night in Cairns.

Normally it feels like it takes forever when your waiting for something exciting, but its actually flown!!! Tonight is my last night in Cairns, and it will be a little more than 2 months until im back :)

This picture is to show you just how far ive gotten with my packing... lol. Still got a bit to go yet. Its hard ok!!!

Had the first glitch today. Got a call from Jetstar to say our flight had been cancelled and to call customer service for more information. At first I thought it was a prank, as its something ive joked about a lot leading up to this. But no, not a prank!! Our flight had been cancelled. Luckily after waiting on hold for a lifetime, we managed to get onto a different flight into Sydney tomorrow. Crisis over!!

So now ill leave you and go back to staring at my belongings trying to make my suitcase pack itself.

Speak to you next from Sydney!! xo

Last day of work tomorrow :)

It is with great sadness that I announce that tomorrow is my last day of work at Cairns Coconut Resort.

In a display of how truly upset I am about this, I did perform a bit of a song and dance at work to express my feelings. The song went along the lines of "last day of work, last day of work, OMG TOMORROW is my LAST DAY!!!". There was a bit of hip shaking, and twirling to accompany it. It was really some of my best artistic expression.

But in all seriousness, I am really going to miss all of my wonderful friends that ive made over the past year. Lucky for Rana, she gets to join me. (Even if it is only in the form of a doll). Even on the days where its stressful and flat out, its still always fun in the office with you lot.

Im going to make sure that everyone gets constant updates on my trip (even if I am having to force you all to join my blog). So when next school holidays come, and were fully booked with 100 check ins a day, think of me drinking my beer at Oktoberfest, or sipping my wine in France...

Love you all and cant wait to celebrate my last day together tomorrow :)

Here goes!!!

Welcome to my first blog!! :)

It is currently 14 days until I leave Cairns for Sydney and to start my big adventure. Ill be gone for a little over 2 months, and as I will be flat broke and busking to buy dinner, I thought it would be a good idea to start a blog to keep you all up to date rather than calling everyone. (As long as I get free wifi along the way!!)

So here goes!!

I have my passport, credit card, money belt (also known as bum bag) and pocket torch. Im set to go!! I have started packing. The last 2 weeks will go very quick, and the sooner I get organised, the more I can relax and enjoy spending my last few days with everyone.

Will keep you all up to date, and cant wait to start the trip :)

Kayla xo