Gettin Manly

There is nothing “Mystical” or “Magical” about Manly, NSW (New South Wales), but really I can’t imagine a better place for me to start my journey. I started the first night there as a seriously scared virgin traveler, and at the end of two weeks I had enough confidence and drive to go onward to my next destination. The place was great! I walked in on a busy Friday night at the hostel without another person to push me into a crowd or introduce me to some friends, and finished up with friends from all over the world. I spent most of my days going out to the beach with random people in the hostels (Aussies call them “Backpackers”) to go boogie boarding, walk around making our own little discoveries that would seem insignificant to anyone else, and picking up little pieces of the local flavor.  The rest of the time I spent going to my buddy Richard’s house to go fishing. Richard was the guy that I met on the plane from LAX to New Zealand. His family was amazing, and I was lucky enough to have a few home cooked dinners with them. No matter what there was something to do if you were willing to get out there and try something new. I fished, tried slack roping (sucked at that by the way), fished forty baskets and watched ferry penguins along with the rest of the wildlife there.  Queen’s cliff (Just a little quiet spot off the north side of the main beach in Manly) was a great place for me to soak up the new chill out, “no worries” attitude that I was lucky enough to pick up there. Just watching the waves crash into the rocks and watching the surf crabs was more than enough for me. Not that I didn’t have some killer international dance offs with my fellow backpackers at the local pubs J This was also a place that I unfortunately found out how freaking expensive EVERYTHING in Aus is, (you are lucky to get a six pack of crappy beer for $14) but that is where “Goon” came in handy (only $10AD for 4 liters of the crappies box wine you can imagine) but, of course, what you don’t pay in cash you pay for in the massive hangover. I spent 16 days in Manly and loved every minute of it, but it had to end at some point.   

I’m done writing for the day yo! So here is a digital “show and tell” to finish up this one.

First night in Australia. Didn't know where I was going to stay that first night but I was lucky enough to find a backpackers in Manly ( a suburb that is just a quick trip across Sydney Harbour).

I got in at 8:30, so I didn't get the view of The Opera House that I had hoped but cant say this is too bad either.

One of my friends out at Queens Cliff. Quannah, the 6'8 Canadian from Vancouver.

 This is one several tidal swimming pools that are off the beach in Manly. Every time at high tide the water is replaced. Coo huh?

 Massive iron bridge that spans Sydney Harbour.

 Queens Cliff

 With Richard, and Jeremy after a long day of fishing at 40 Baskets Beach.  Bacon rolls, Steak, and good company with a seaside-sunset view of Manly Harbour. Not a bad way to finish up a day.

 Quanna, Kim, Laura, and Pito out at Queens Cliff.

 This was the day I headed out of Manly. I took a bus to the far north side of town and tried to hitchhike to Newcastle (about an 1 1/2 hrs north of Sydney). After walking about 6 miles and having people laugh at me I met a then stranger Brian Mortan. I had sat on a corner, with my massive backpack and day pack at my side just off the side of the road on the Pacific Highway, with people laughing at me. After about two hours of sitting around with nobody even considering picking me up Brian walked by. I said "Am I just wasting my time? Or do you think anyone will pick me up?" He said "You know what...probably not here. Why don't you let me show you where the bus station is?" He was nice enough to point me in the right direction and we exchanged e-mails. I have still kept in contact with Brian. I'll try to get together with him when I come back through Sydney. That was a long day! I didn't get to Newcastle until 9:00 and I had no idea where I was going to stay. When I got into Newcastle it was a GHOST TOWN. I didn't have any clew where I was going to stay, all I had was an address to go off of. (701 Hunter Street, Cambridge Hotel Backpackers) I walked up a street and was lucky enough to stumble upon Hunter street and went right (again lucky enough to go the right way). I don't know exactly how far it was to the Backpackers but probably about 2miles or so. Anyway, got there to a locked door again just like in Manly. There was a number on the door for "after hours check-ins", so I went walking to find the nearest pay phone. I was so happy to find a bed that night, and I found out in the morning that I was the ONLY GUEST in the Backpackers. Like I said GHOST TOWN!

View of the ocean from Sydney National Park.

Is it a dream, or is this real?

Seriously? I get to go to the other side of the world??? That was the first and only thing on my mind as I finished up packing my 85 liter pack. Can't say I really knew what I was doing, but I guess I shouldn't be expected to when I have never been in a situation where I have to pack my entire world in a bag that is going to be hung from my shoulders for the next year or so, at least. Odds and ends, like a little rope and carabineers sounded good so I threw in a couple of those too. Two extra sticks of deodorant and a little soap to top of the man cosmetic bag and called it good.

Left home about 14:30 (for those of you counting on your fingers that is 2:30pm) with Mom, Dad, and Sandy to head out to DIA and get my 17:30 plane to LAX. I waited till the last min to say last "see ya in a year" and "love ya's" (and to take a mild tranquilizer that Sandy gave me for the long flights). I then got the first class treatment from my DPD Uncle as I was taken to the front of security. Then I sat at gate B42 in anticipation, and fear, for the year of travels to come. Flight from DIA to LAX was nice and short thanks to the tranq. Now only a short 13 hr flight to Auckland and I'm almost there! 

After finishing my 4hr layover in LA I met some guy that was headed to Auckland for some business trip, some computer business or something. We chatted for a min as I finished a few of my snacks I'd put in my day pack for the long trip and we boarded the plane. On the plane I sat next to my first Aussie (Richard). We chatted for the majority of the flight and he told me stories of the past 6 months that he had traveled through Canada and some parts of the US. Great first impression of the Aussies! We exchanged info just before getting of the plane as it turned out that he lives in Manly (my first stop). Had a 9hr layover in Auckland NZ. So I took the chance to to put my first stamp in my passport and caught a ride on the SkyBus into the city for a little tour. Went to the coffee shop and contacted the fam from the other side of the pond. 9hrs didn't really leave enough time to do that much but at least I got a little taste of my first Kiwi city. 


After watching the colorful safety video starring Richard Simmons (Awesome!), had the short 3hr flight to Sydney. I arrived at 18:50 so the light was pretty low :( I was looking forward to the view of Sydney Opera house that everyone had told me about, but I guess that will have to wait for the departure flight.


 Had no clue where I was going to stay that first night but I saw a place that looked pretty cool online called "Manly Backpackers". Took the ferry across the harbor and went searching for the first place to crash. After asking a few peeps and getting pointed in several different directions, I landed on the doorstep of a LOCKED backpackers...But lucky for me Laura of Ireland came out to save me and tell the manager that a new greasy backpacker was at the door. After dragging  my backpack and day pack upstairs to room 104. You can imagine how overwhelmed I was walking out into the common area and found, for the first time in my life 25-30 people for all parts of the world. Of course I had to get there on a Friday night when everyone was all chummed up. After walking around like a ghost for a couple of mins just waiting for someone to say "Hey" or "Sit down" I finally mustered up the balls to break into the conversation. I sat down next to the first friendly face I saw and asked where the nearest liquor store was. After a successful beer run I purchased my first $15 six pack of MAXX Dry (Damn that's expensive!). 3 beers later and I had already met my first English, Italian, Irish, and French backpackers. This is gonna be fun...  

As I look onward to the first of many adventures to come...

So Im headed to the first of hopefully many adventures! My life will take a big change as I take the plunge to the "Outback" I want to take you: my friends and family (and other people that find it worth while) with me to other parts of the world. As I look forward to my adventure to see the new world I am excited to see new parts of the world, and sad to leave all that I know behind. I will be leaving my home that I have been so fond of, to see what else the wold has to offer. I am leaving to Australia in 54 days and I have LITERALLY no idea what I am in for. Though this may be a drunken entry I feel that it may hold more honesty in my current emotional state. I talk with my parents and they are "excited and sad to see me go" and I hold the same sentiment as them. I have LITERALLY never known what it is to be without them and my friends (except for a couple of hours away by car or plane) and I will now be half a world away from them. :( As I plan for the year ahead I feel overwhelmed, excited, nervous. Some say "I will have the time of my life" others, "you will be back" but no matter what they say it will ultimately come down to me. This is the first of many random ramblings that I will enter on this blog but hopefully you will find it something worth while as I Travis Hollis of the suburban city of Lakewood heads out to parts unknown to myself and far too many people.