Alice Springs to Perth
I met up with Joe, Tom, Daryl and Darren at the Airport. Some meteorologists were launching weather balloons, which I haven't seen before. I think we all questioned if an airport is really the best place to do that?
We flew on a BAE 146/Avro RJ. While we were taxiing round to the runway, a woman's voice came on the tannoy as it does, and I had a quick glance around the plane to have a look at where the exits etc. were. Then I realised the voice was talking about flight times and altitudes rather than sick bags and putting your head between your legs.
I started thinking why I'd assumed it was the cabin crew rather than the Captain talking. Am I subconsciously so shallow and sexist (I'd hope not, I used to work with female engineers who were much better than I was) or is it that I'm just used to the conventions of flying in that, when a man talks, its the Captain, when a woman talks, its the head stewardess? Which got me thinking that if a cockpit has a female Pilot and Co-Pilot, does it become a fanny-pit? I put it down familiarity with airline stereotypes and figured I really shouldn't worry too much. Last I heard, you don't have to reverse park aeroplanes.
Ooh, We flew over Uluru...
...and the Olgars.
This made me laugh. Someone somewhere is probably very rich for combining 2 similar ideas...
"Didn't vomit on the plane? - Great! Congratulate yourself by getting a great deal when developing your photos!"
DAY 1 - PERTH Monday 17/3/3
We landed at about 1100. We were at the 'Underground Backpackers' hostel in Northbridge by about 1230, then were in the pub by 1400. Hey it was St Patrick's Day, what else could we do? Northbridge is the 'party' suburb of Perth.
We started off in another Elephant and Wheelbarrow where they had some Irish Dancing and an Irish band playing. Then we got a cab out to J.B O'Reilly's, an Irish Pub with a big covered beer garden. After queuing for about 20 mins, everyone started to get a bit restless. I looked at my watch, then realised it was 8.30am in the UK, on a Monday morning. Queuing didn't seem so bad after that.
The rest of the day/evening/night involved spending all my money on booze. We got back to the Elephant and Wheelbarrow at some point that evening to meet up with all the tarts, um... people who were tired and had gone to bed for the afternoon. By about 10pm I was a wreck. I was finding it increasingly difficult to place my hand on the table to steady myself, as the bloody table kept moving in bigger and bigger circles. Realising I'd blown all my money and wasn't really good for that much else. I felt it best to retire for the night.
DAY 2 - PERTH Tuesday 18/3/3
Decided to take it easy for a few days. What with the trip and the flight (and drinking on St Paddy's and in Alice) it'd already been an expensive month. They've got a really fancy TV room and huge selection of Videos and DVDs here so I figured I'd lay low for a few days. The weekend would be here soon enough anyway.
DAY 3 - PERTH Wednesday 19/3/3
I Wandered round the city. Went and had a medical done so I can SCUBA dive. Then got whipped in the pool competition in the hostel. A bad omen. The weather was nice and sunny, it just wasn't today when I took this pic.
DAY 4 - PERTH Thursday 20/3/3
Went for a swim in the pool at the hostel with Tony. Started doing lengths (its only a small pool) to try and get fit for my diving in a couple of weeks. I knew I was unfit but even I was surprised at how bad I felt after. I went back to bed for a couple of hours with an earache. Went to bed early while everyone else went out.
DAY 5 - PERTH Friday 21/3/3
Felt worse the next day. Sore throat too.
DAY 6 - PERTH Saturday 22/3/3
Felt really crappy, started getting headaches. Made a couple of runs to the chemist for Nurofen and Strepsils. Everyone went out again.
DAY 7 - PERTH Sunday 23/3/3
Migraine, sore throat, earache, Nurofen and Strepsils didn't seem to be doing anything.
DAY 8 PERTH Monday 24/3/3
Went to the Medical Centre and was diagnosed with Tonsillitis. Great. That day, I suffered the worst headaches Ive ever had. They were there the whole time but made me want to pass out through dizziness whenever I moved. I couldn't understand why my throat problem seemed to be transferring itself so enthusiastically to my head. I've since spoken to Dad who said he used to get the same thing as a kid so I guess it must just be in the genes.
DAY 9 PERTH Tuesday 25/3/3
Started feeling better. I love anti-biotics. Tom said half the gang has decided to go on a roadtrip tomorrow down the southwest coast for a few days. I said I'll come along as it'll be nice to get out of the hostel for the first time in a week!
DAY 10 PERTH Wednesday 26/3/3
Feeling almost back to normal. The Realisation kicked in that I'm only three days into my anti-biotics so I still can't drink for another 7 days... I hate anti-biotics.