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Amelia Wilkinson
Amelia Wilkinson

Amelia Wilkinson

Travelling for the fun times and plot lines. Here till the money isnt. Read more🇬🇧Brighton
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  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Painted rocks

    May 19, 2023 in Australia

    Today was my day off so I hit the town. So to speak.

    I decided to finally walk around the coastline to the beach. I've been focusing in the town trying to find somewhere to work and havent got so far yet.

    The walk begins where we went for drinks my first night here at the 'painted rocks'. These rocks extend along the shoreline from the main area right to the beach. All unique and painted for a reason. Some are commemorations of people or events. Some are messages, prayers or love notes. And some are paintings or recreations of something.

    They cover the coast in so many colours, lighting it up. Something a little different.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler
    2

    Walks to Koalas

    May 18, 2023 in Australia

    After work today we decided to do something with our afternoon. Olivia, Camila and I walked through town to the Koala hospital.

    Our first stop was the bats. In the middle of the city is a little strip of greenery full to the brim with bats. It was the most unnerving thing. Extremely loud, kinda creepy and massive. They hung above our heads, probably thousands of them. We did not enjoy the walk through, far too creepy.

    After the bats we reached the Koala hospital. It is a nice idea but I was expecting a bit more. Not to be rude, but it was just a handful of cages with Koalas in. There wasnt much info on them and there wasnt that many so I was just expecting more. But I guess it's good there arent many sick Koalas.

    We walked back to the hostel and decided to go out tonight. One of the bars does a backpacker night meaning that the beer is cheaper than a coke. I wasnt best please but there we go. They also do cheaper food and I got the vegan nachos. Now they were good. Breaded cauliflower nuggets, melted cheese and enough salsa to drown a person. Top tier.

    They also had a big fire and the workers gave us some free marshmallows to cook over the flames. We all felt like little kids gone camping.

    Me and Femke decided to dip around 8pm. It was super cold and the guy we had been gossiping about had just arrived so we felt a bit awkward. The others arrived back a little while after us as the bar closes at 8,30 anyways. Why it closes so early I'm not sure, but probably cause the place was empty except for our backpacker group.

    Back at the hostel I played Femke at pool, she won. Then we did some articulate, a very strange game, but I did win. Then the others decided to go out out and I went to bed.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Interview

    May 16, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    I woke up pretty early today. I'm liking having a couple hours before work in the morning. I'm not used to working at the start of the day so it's a little strange but I like it.

    I made a fun breakfast. I'm trying to eat a mix of different things. Anything that's colourful and not bland.

    Work was super easy, not surprising from the last few days. Making beds and cleaning bathrooms is hardly taxing, it is just time consuming. But even then it's only 2 hours a day. Anyone can do that.

    I had lunch with Berber, a girl in my room who is also volunteering. Then got changed and headed to an interview. It went well until I said I worked between 10am and 12pm at the hostel. Unfortunately that put a downer on the interview.

    Back at the hostel I was kind of annoyed. I really want to get a job and the way the interview ended wasnt great. Surprisingly the company called me a few hours later in the afternoon and offered me a different job. I was very relieved and now just need to wait for word from them over the paper work and hours involved.

    Didnt do much in the rest of the evening. Just hung around the hostel with the girls and chilled.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Job hunting

    May 15, 2023 in Australia

    I decided to head out after my shift housekeeping to try and find a job.

    Places seem to be hiring but not sure how much success I will have. Its entering winter so less job possibilities here.

    I also went to get groceries. Woolies is a bit of a walk but I looked around for job possibilities around there. There is a big shopping mall so I might be able to get a job there.

    Today was just pretty chill. Getting used to the town, where stuff is and settling in. Everyone here is really nice as well which helps.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    First Day

    May 14, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    I woke up early after not sleeping. When reception opened I went and introduced myself. Everyone is super friendly and I agreed to do a shift today. I didnt really want too because I had barely slept but it's good to start of on the right foot.

    The work is basic housekeeping and this is hardly my first rodeo so it was pretty chill. It was also only 2hrs so cannot go wrong with that.

    I also moved into my new home for the next 4 weeks. It's a dorm room but only 4 of us so that's nice. I got a single bed right next to the window so I'm glad.

    After my shift the sun was shining beautifully so I joined some of the girls sun bathing by the pool. Unfortunately the pool was ice cold. And not the 'it's fine once youre in' cold, the 'this is a plunging ice pool' kind of cold.

    In the afternoon, I put my laundry on and went to woolies to get food. Unfortunately I put everything in the wash because it all needed cleaning, but this means I have no clothes left which isnt so great.

    In the evening we went out for a drink. I got a passion fruit mocktail. The bar was right on the water front and as the fun set some dolphins swam through the harbour. I had no clue Port Macquarie had anything like that. We are also entering whale season so I a few weeks we should be able to see some of them.

    I was exhausted by this point and just wanted to go to bed but the girls put on a movie so I joined them. I'm spending the next few weeks with them, itll be good if I can make friends with them quickly.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Final travel day!

    May 13, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 18 °C

    The day is finally here. Tomorrow I start in Port Macquarie, so today is my final travel day.

    My train down to Sydney was at 2,30 so I had quite a while to wait. I had breakfast and relaxed in the hostel. Then went out to walk around the town. I got a coffee and biscuit from a cafe. The coffee was surprisingly good and spent a bit of time reading my book.

    When it was time I got my train down to Sydney and waited in central station for my bus. My bus to Port Macquarie was at 6pm, but thankfully the city wasnt too cold so I was happy to wait in the station.

    My bus was far from enjoyable. I was seated next to a guy who would not shut up. Unfortunately he was also getting of at Port and seemed to think we would be best friends. I was far from pleased.

    Completely exhausted, pissed off and cold I arrived in Port at midnight. A quick walk up a hill to my hostel and i could sleep. Well sort of. One of the guys in my room snored like a freight train all night. But i still got more sleep than on the bus so that was something.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Fairfax Heritage Track

    May 12, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    My cliff top walk finished in a closed lookout. I was a little disappointed as it was supposed to be one of the better lookouts across the valley.

    The route back to the main area was either a road or a different walk. I had an hour or so before the next bus so I decided to take the long way.

    This was a paved path that cut through the forest of gum trees. A different landscape to the one I was just going through.

    At the end was a visitor centre with an art gallery. The photography displayed was quite astonishing.

    Back at the hostel I packed my bag and hid in my nice warm room. A lot of people had been doing the run today so it was fairly quite in the hostel.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Barrow Lookout

    May 12, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    This seemed like a perfect place to stop for something to eat.

    I had been walking for about 1 hour at this point. The sun was shining very strongly and my next step was to begin climbing again.

    The path led out of the trees and turned around the edge of the cliff creating another lookout.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Cliff Top walk

    May 12, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    I decided to do another cliff top walk today. I left with the intention of doing the Grand Canyon Walk but I was reading he description and realised I really didn't want too. It was using words like 'steep steps' and 'traverse gorges'. At one point it said may be closed due the flooding. Reading it made me realised I have little interest in doing that sort of walk. It was also an steep down followed by a steeper up.

    So I chose to do the cliff walk along the top of the valley. Was I chickening out, maybe. But I am on holiday, I dont have to if I dont want too. So I didnt.

    The cliff walk was similar to yesterday but had an even better view of the valley and mountains beyond. It felt wilder than the one yesterday, less reversed.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Evans Lookout

    May 12, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    So I woke up nice and early today and found out the bus doesn't run very often. In fact, it runs at 8,30am and 11,45am. So I woke up for no reason and had to wait for ages.

    I headed down to the shops while I waited. I am beyond cold in the evenings and wanted to find something a bit warmer. Picked up some joggers and a long sleeved top which should help for now.

    Got the bus, despite it seeming as though it wasnt going to arrive and headed down to the 'Grand Canyon Walk'. Unfortunately the bus drops you down at the end of the road, which is a 30 minute walk away from the beginning of the walk.

    By the time I arrived at the end of the road it was 12,30 and the sun was shining brightly. Evan's Lookout is a lot wider than Echo Point and extends a lot further.

    It is also a stepping off point for multiple different walks around this area. The Grand Canyon walk goes down to the right, another walk does straight down into the valley and the one I chose goes left.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Leura Cascades

    May 11, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    The final part of the walk was unfortunately up hill but that was because I was climbing alongside a waterfall.

    The Leura Cascades were again completely empty and beautiful. Despite the fact it hasn't rained in days, they were flowing with an impressive amount of power. I can only imagine how astonishing they can be when it had rained. But that is why the roads are often blocked due to flooding and paths are closed with no notice.

    At the end of the trail I sat down to eat something. It was so silent there.

    Once done I walked back through the town of Leura and caught the bus back to Katoomba. I'd been out for almost 6hrs, not my intention but worth it.

    I went put with two girls from Brisbane I met in the hostel. We got a bunch of pizzas to share, all veggie and very nice. And this non alcoholic cider was surprisingly good. Not too sweet which I liked.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Prince Henry cliff walk

    May 11, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    The cliff walk was exactly what I wanted and needed.

    I was alone practically the entire time. The path was easy to follow and was little more than slopes so easy to traverse. Whenever there was a second path to a lookout I took it and was rewarded for my efforts.

    The view over the valley below and to the next moutains is stunning. Impossible to describe accurately.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Echo Point and hot chocolate

    May 11, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Despite my nausea I decided to keep walking once I had explored town and headed to the edge of the world.

    At the bottom of town is Echo Point. A massive overlook of the valley below and the three sisters rock formation. It is as though a massive hand cut the earth in two, leaving a massive chasm in between it is quite a view.

    From Echo Point, a path leads along the cliff top to the next two over. I decided once I was there that I may as well do that walk. I was feeling a little better and had really been looking forward to walking around the Blue Mountains. However I did take a detour first via a chocolate shop.

    This shop had also been recommended. They sever 'real' hot chocolate where you melt the chocolate in the hot milk over a lite candle.

    Sitting outside, in the bright sunlight and beautiful backdrop was magical. The area is so calm and forces you to relax. I was in heaven.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Art Trail

    May 11, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    After a bit of searching I managed to find Katoomba's art street. Like Melbourne, Katoomba has a street dedicated to street art.

    Personally I preferred this street to the one in Melbourne. Melbourne's is extremely popular and famous so full of great art but also a large number of tags and meaningless symbols. This street had very little of that and the art work was beautiful.Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler
    26

    Katoomba

    May 11, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    Today, I woke up feeling like absolute death. I am nauseous, fatigued, dizzy and sometimes the world blurs a bit on the edges. But I am also, an idiot. So I dragged my butt out into the cold and wandered around town.

    I left with the intention of finding the books stores and the art street that had been recommend to me. However as I was walking I changed my mind and simple went in anywhere that was interesting.

    I walked up to a fancy looking hotel, went in a hippy shop, found the book store I wanted to see and entered the church which was hosting a crafts market. Overall the town is really adorable.

    It reminds me of a little old town in England. Lots of unique shops, cafes everywhere and it felt open. I dont quite know how to explain that last part. The air was fresh and crisp but in a good calming way.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Travelling again

    May 10, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    Today I went from Canberra to Sydney, then to the Blue Mountains.

    Canberra to Sydney was probably the most boring 3.5hr bus ride of my life. Dont know why but I could not settle the entire way.

    We arrived into Sydney about 5 minutes after the train to the Blue Moutains. So I had to wait for the next one. I decided I needed something to eat. I wasnt hungry but I was so done I wanted something to make me feel better. The blueberry muffin did not do that. Barely any blueberries and a bit stodgy.

    My bad mood persisted throughout the 2hr train journey to Katoomba and only alleviated when I arrived at my hostel. The room is tiny but the common area had a wood burning fire going. The owner made us all pasta for dinner, its wasnt great but it was free. I ended up playing chess all evening with some of the people in the hostel. Turns out if I'm watching I'm pretty good, soon as I play I loose.

    I'm going to take it easy tomorrow. I need to get my energy back up before I start in Port M this weekend.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    The colours of Autumn

    May 9, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    As I spent over 8hrs out and about in the city today I managed to see practically every colour under the sun. And of course, I had to photo graph it.

    Being in 'summer' for literally 6 months, I had forgotten how beautiful autumn is. Throughly done with the heat, being out today was a welcome change.

    This city was designed to be a city. Nothing was here before it, and so they could make this a city right from the offset. It is walkable, outdoor oriented, beautiful and busy. I very much enjoyed walking around today.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    War Memorial

    May 9, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    The Canberra War Memorial is a testament to this countries fallen.

    In england we commemorate our fallen soldiers but the focus is on WW1/2. In Australia they focus on all soldiers in all wars.

    I thought at first that 2hrs in the memorial would be an insanely long time. How wrong I was. The main areas are dedicated to the world wars. The centre for all the recipients of the Victoria Cross, then WW1 on the right and WW2 on the left. The Korean, Vietnaman and Malay wars are also highlighted behind these main exhibits.

    Now, I think I know a fair amount about the world wars. I studied WW1 from a literary view point and WW2 from a political and German view point. But I was astonished how little I knew about Australias aid. I knew that the Japanese sided with the Germans, but I knew nothing more. The amount of blood shed around Asia between the Japanese and Australians is astonishing. I was reading about WW2 and the war on this side of the world and I was floored. If I'm being honest, I thought of the wars as a very European central affair. Of course they were, but I had no clue who much I didnt know.

    I could have spent many more hours here just looking through everything. But it was late in the day when I arrived and I the memorial oses at 4pm unless you stay for the old post.

    The old post is a commemoration done every evening. Both civilians and military personal come down and lay a wreath at the base of the reflecting pond to remeber someone. Around the pond is the names of every Australian soldier who died in a war since the start of WW1.

    At the end of the memorial is the tomb of the unknown solider. Outside the tomb is a plaque with their eulogy printed. Members of the public can purchase a poppy by donating to the memorial and can place that poppy anywhere within the memorial. The gaps between the plaques on the walls are full of these poppies, lighting up the black metal and creating a starting contrast.

    Along the parade between the memorial and the lake is a collection of statues for each war or group. I did not get a photo of every one, but they were beautiful.

    I do not think I will return to Canberra as there is little else to do beyond what I have done today but I would return simply to visit the memorial again. I only got to do less than half of it so would happily go back to do more.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Flag Parade and Art Gallery

    May 9, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    My next stops were down to the water front.

    Along the edge of the lake stand numerous flags of the countries aligned with Australia. I had heard it is quite a beautiful sight, adding some much needed colour to the grey concrete background. But I found as they were so high up, you couldn't see much of anything so far away.

    I made my way along the waterfront and through the sculpture garden. As always, I didnt really get the sculptures but there was one part full of smoke machines that made me very happy. For a moment I could pretend I was in a fantasy novel and the evil was spreading across the earth. Only I could save everyone. It was great.

    The art gallery was another disappointment. I am still struggling with art and understand it all for the most part. Not to say anything about the art, I just didn't get it. I think it would have also been more impressive if the gallery were fully open. It seemed that 2/3rds of the galleries exhibits were being changed around meaning not much of the gallery was actually open.

    Back outside I made decided I wanted to eat something. Unfortunately due to my location in the city there were no grocery stores around so I went instead to a cafe. More expensive but I do not care at the moment. I am sick of watching money leave to planes and busses, a good hot coffee in spinach pastry are much better investments.

    I took a seat out on the decking so I could watch the water and have the sun shining on me. In the shade, it felt like 15° but in the sun it was far more bearable.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Old House of Parliament

    May 9, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    My next stop was the Old House of Parliament opposite. This building was created as the original house of Parliament when the first world war broke out, crippling any development plans for the city and its parliament.

    Now this massive building is used as a museum. Split into parts, each of the old offices and rooms is used to showcase something different. Some are still as they were originally used, redone to educate on how the senators and politicians spent their days. While others showcased different ideas.

    My favourite room was one of letter writing. A collection of old type writers were placed around the room and on the walls various prompts were placed. My favourite was a bunch of little cubby holes with different prompts, inside were a bunch of envelopes answering those prompts. Everyhting from advice to book recommendations and the one I did, a pep talk.

    The rest the exhibits were interesting if a little put of my league. There were many rooms discussing politics and the Australian government neither of which I have much knowledge or interest in so I skipped through these. Plus some rooms on journalism vs freedom of speech and all that. Not exactly a topic I like to debate as most people wouldn't agree with me.

    Overall I was impressed with the old Parliament building and can see how they out grew it.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Parliament House

    May 9, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C

    Because I only scheduled one day in Canberra, I wanted to get the most out of the day. So I dragged my exhausted butt out of bed around 8am and set out at half past. I had managed to get a good 11hrs sleep but after only getting about 3 the night before and the added stress, I needed more.

    I decided my first stop of the day to be Parliament House. The furthest geographically from my hostel and the fact it opened an hour before others, made it a good option to start with.

    The building is beyond massive. In a crazy, sprawling show of new money and power. Covering many hectares and positioned at the point of the 'city triangle', it is quite a landmark.

    Practically the entire building is built as a mirror image of itself, making many aspects symmetrical and line up perfectly. As someone who loves symmetry in modern architecture, I was very pleased.

    The building is open to the public (for the most part) and has many facts and plaques by anything of significance which made my wandering around alone very simple. I could have done a tour but it was rather a lot of money so I chose not too.

    At the entrance of the building on the second floor is a balcony. If you stand directly central and look through the columns you can see directly down the main lawns straight to the Old Parliamentary building, then over the lake and to the war memorial and finally mount Ainslie frames the background.

    Also on this balcony is the larger than life statue of Queen Elizabeth 2. A statue she unveiled herself on the buildings opening in 1988. A very big day for Canberra and from all reports similar to the recent coronation. They were expecting more people, and may have spent a bit too much money.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Bus to Canberra

    May 8, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 10 °C

    The bud was quick an easy. I had a seat right behind the driver. The sun set as we were going making for a very pretty view. We arrived in Canberra around 5,45pm and the sun had already set which seemed very weird. The sun was setting around 7,30/8 in Darwin.

    I got off the bus and was cold. I have never been so happy to be cold. It was the brisk autumn cold that is bearable but still a shock.

    I walked to my hostel, a YHA that seems to be completely empty. It can hole a good few hundred people but there was probably less than 50 staying here. I dont mind, I'm not here long enough to make friends. Which is a good thing, because noone is really socialising here. Everyone seems to be working while staying here.

    I had my dinner and went straight to be around 7pm. I am too tired to do anything else.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    I love flying

    May 8, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 10 °C

    That is a lie.

    So my flight from Darwin leaves a few minutes late. That's no big deal, hardly the worst thing that could happen. I manage to sleep through almost the entire flight. I'm exhausted when we land wondering how I might stay awake. And then i got a text.

    My flight from Melbourne to Sydney was cancelled, i have been rescheduled to 5.30pm.

    The adrenaline that hit jolted me awake immediately. I literally run of the plane because at this point, I think it means 5,30am. And it is currently 5,25am. You can see why I was stressed and confused.

    I immediately find a uniformed person and she manages to spot the 'pm' I had missed. Relief turns into horror as I know that no busses leave Sydney for Canberra after 7pm, which is before my flight would arrive. Meaning I would be stuck in Sydney, and loose my bus fare and my accommodation for those two nights.

    I half run to another less busy desk and practically begged the attendant to help me in any way possible. Thankfully, she managed to find one at midday. Not ideal as I still loose my bus fare and have to buy a new one but at least I get to my accommodation for the night.

    Unfortunately, that flight meant I had to pick up my bag and recheck in. The service agents were highly confused why but thankfully called a guy in baggage. They told me he'd take 10/15 minutes, the dude took 2. I bloody love this man. I manage to check my bag back in and get through security in record time. Now I just have to wait for a few hours before boarding.

    The entire situation has forced me awake to the point where I am wired. So guess my 4hrs are going to have to be enough tonight. I'm really looking forward to being in one place for a bit. One more week of travel then I stop for 4 weeks.

    I got food in Melbourne. Today will end up being more expensive than I wanted but right now, do I care? No. I'm so tired and need a break. Also, when I said I wanted to be cold yesterday, I already regret it. It is 8° in Melbourne and after no sleep I am freezing.

    As I was waiting I watched them unload a couple puppies from the plan. There was one that looked so happy to be off of the plane and was hoping in its cage.

    I arrived in Sydney eventually and managed to get the coach an hour earlier than the one I had rebooked for which is good because I am so done now. I just want to lie in bed and cry about the money I have lost today cause of bloody flights.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Leaving Darwin

    May 7, 2023 in Australia

    As I'm sure you have noted from my tone, I haven't had a great time in Darwin. Unfortunately the city isnt really catered to budget backpackers. There is little to do unless you are willing to spend a couple hundred on a day trip out of the city. The city itself is rather dull.

    I spent today in the hostel and will be glad to leave this place. The music has left me with a perpetual headache the last few days. Loud and bass, it blasts from 2pm until 10pm. With 9am-2pm, and 10pm-2am, it only a little quiter.

    I have also realised I am sick of the heat. I have been hot for nearly 3 months and I'm done now. I'm looking forward to being in autumn/winter, just for a change. I'm sure I will regret saying so in a week or two, or once its properly cold, but I'm tired of shorts. I want to wear my hoodie and snuggle up in bed all warm and toasty. I dont want to sweat at 3am cause it's still 25°+.

    Anyways, I finished my book today. Kiss Me First, is slightly outdated as it is about technology and was written a decade ago but I loved it. Highly recommend as it has an unreliable unlikable narrator and is written like the MC is writing this all down on a word document. It was great.

    The second book not so much. It is a dystopian book when the characters go camping and come back to find that war has broken out. I think it could be great, but I literally just finished one where the characters go camping and a disease breaks out. That one was more on the technical survival skills side of things, plus questions around morality and law when the world is in anarchy. This one was set with all 16/17 year olds, and no leadership character and the writing just felt rather dull. So after reading it in the hostel, I decided to leave it there hene I left. I got a good 150pages in, but I didnt care enough to pack it.

    Anyways, my flight is a 00,35 which is less than ideal but there we go. The shuttle finished running at 6pm so I got the final shuttle to the airport and now get to sit and wait for my bag check in before I can go airside and wait there. This is another two flights, one to Melbourne then onto Sydney. Then its Sydney to canberra. Far from ideal but this is what happens with budget travel. You choose the cheapest options and sometimes once it's time to go you change your mind and go elsewhere.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler
    2

    Nature and royalty

    May 6, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C

    I finally found the source of the music, an amphitheatre connected to the city's botanical gardens. Having intended to visit the gardens today, I was glad of the coincidence. What was happening in the theater I couldn't tell you, guards gave me the look when I came to investigate so I left.

    The botanical gardens are small but nice. I had expected them to be better care for. There were many signs warning of things broken or even 'hazardous waste' at one point, which was not the best. I imagine, as with all gardens, spring is the time to visit. The gardens definitely looked like they were on the turn and the waterfall was far from impressive. It was supposed to be quite a draw but it was little more than a trickle being artificially fed and concrete forming a dirty pond beneath.

    After walking around it was midday and very warm so I sat for a while in the shade and read. I was there for quite a while, struggling to muster the energy to move again in the heat. Finay I succeeded and walked back. I had intended to visit the port but a quick google told me it was pointless and as it was 20 minutes out of my way, I chose to walk past the turning.

    Back in the hostel I enjoyed the aircon and talked with an american girl in my room. Then I headed to the common area to use the wifi and watched the coronation. It was playing on the tv in the comon area but I could not turn the subtitles on so soon got it open on my phone. BBC news app was struggling with the dreadful wifi but made it through the entire thing only crashing 6ish times.

    I was continuing my book for the first parts while everyone was arriving then switched to paying more attention when things started getting under way. Being 8.5hrs ahead, it was around 7pm things started getting interesting. It was fun watching the viewing stats as the morning when on. It peaked around 520,000 about 5 mins before he got the crown on his head.

    The American girl I spoke to earlier joined me to eat and then ended up staying to watch with me. She knew next to nothing about the royals and found all the pageantry interesting if a little excessive. A view point I think many share in one way or another. We finally retired when my phone died during the procession, by which point it was almost 10pm and the music had finally quieted down enough to try and sleep.    Read more

  • Amelia WilkinsonThis side of thingsTraveler

    Museum and art gallery

    May 6, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    Darwin is unusual in that the art gallery and museum is housed in the same building, it is the same thing. It made for a rather disjointed visit.

    The first gallery was a hallway on natural history. Then at the end was a collection of aboriginal art which led to an exhibition on cyclone Tracey that distorted Darwin completed on christmas day 1974. Then it was into another natural history exhibit on animals of all kinds, before finally on the progress aboriginal communities have made.

    It was a very odd experience. Every exhibit was so different and the space between just a doorway or short corridor. I did not spend very long here either. I've seen enough art these last few months and I've been to the British natural history museum which is far better. However I did spend a while in the cyclone Tracy section. This is history unique to Darwin and even today something that everyone talks about. Learning about it was interesting, with winds over 200kmh, it was destructive and took out most of the city. A key feature in its history.

    After the gallery I continued my route down the coast following the sounds of music as I went.    Read more

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