Dear readers,
Well, the results from the latest poll are in. You might recall I asked your advice as to where I should live. The results were a little surprising but overall made a kind of sense. Strangely no support for Thailand. Some support for Taiwan. More support for Australia, Japan, Korea. Even more support for China. But the overall winner was the UK - and so, on your advice, I believe that is where I shall go.
My next question is how should I go there? Well, by plane obviously (though coming home I might opt for an overland route to Asia). But what I mean is where shall I stop en route to London? I've narrowed down the options to: Canada, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand. Well, it will be interesting to see the results.
Thanks in advance for your votes!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Yoni plays host!
Living home alone is all very well, but this past weekend, for a bit of a change, I thought I'd invite 4 girls down to stay with me. It turns out that this was a jolly good idea. Girls are so great. They make for very pleasant company, they are friendly and they know how to cook and clean. Perhaps there are exceptions, but these particular girls (friends of mine from Brisbane) were all those things, and I felt very spoiled. They took care of breakfast, lunch and dinner, all I had to do was make friendly conversation and show them the local sites - beach, mountains and shops. It was a lot of fun, and every minute was thoroughly documented with photographs, of which a small sample are attached below. ^^
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Ocean views
Both my parents are now back in Papua New Guinea, leaving me home alone on the Gold Coast. This suits me fine. It's been fantastic to see my family again, and I look forward to seeing them again soon. But for now, space and time to myself is very welcome—I've a lot to ponder!
I've been 'home alone' since Sunday, and already I've established a kind of daily routine. I wake at 11am, make lunch, fill some time, head to the beach at around half past four, I stroll there for about two hours, I then make some dinner, which I also quite enjoy, then I sit and eat in front of the tennis or a Western, after this I spend some time on the internet, take a shower, then go to sleep at about 3-4am. Ah, the holiday life... appreciating it while it lasts.
Anyway, the beach stroll is the highlight of each day, and I usually take my camera. Attaching below some photos I've taken of the past few days on my daily strolls...
I've been 'home alone' since Sunday, and already I've established a kind of daily routine. I wake at 11am, make lunch, fill some time, head to the beach at around half past four, I stroll there for about two hours, I then make some dinner, which I also quite enjoy, then I sit and eat in front of the tennis or a Western, after this I spend some time on the internet, take a shower, then go to sleep at about 3-4am. Ah, the holiday life... appreciating it while it lasts.
Anyway, the beach stroll is the highlight of each day, and I usually take my camera. Attaching below some photos I've taken of the past few days on my daily strolls...
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Brisbane connection
Yoni comes to Brisbane
Well, yesterday it was back to Brisbane with me. I was lucky to enjoy for dinner the company of a friend of a girl I met on a train. Strolled around Brisbane's 'South Bank' a bit. It was most pleasant! I later crashed the night at a uni friend's place.
Brisbane comes to Yoni
Today my awesome uni friend and I drove back down to the Gold Coast. What a terrible day we had. What with having to cope with glaring sunlight with our fish and chips at stunning Currumbin Beach, and with driving through the endless bends leading to leafy, lofty Springbrook National Park - my friend's car (Honda S2000) didn't even have a roof! Gutted by such a drag of a day, we decided to take out our frustrations on local wildlife which included things called paddymelons, kookaburras and lorikeets. We took some pictures, which I attach below, to prove how terrible it was. ;p
Well, yesterday it was back to Brisbane with me. I was lucky to enjoy for dinner the company of a friend of a girl I met on a train. Strolled around Brisbane's 'South Bank' a bit. It was most pleasant! I later crashed the night at a uni friend's place.
Brisbane comes to Yoni
Today my awesome uni friend and I drove back down to the Gold Coast. What a terrible day we had. What with having to cope with glaring sunlight with our fish and chips at stunning Currumbin Beach, and with driving through the endless bends leading to leafy, lofty Springbrook National Park - my friend's car (Honda S2000) didn't even have a roof! Gutted by such a drag of a day, we decided to take out our frustrations on local wildlife which included things called paddymelons, kookaburras and lorikeets. We took some pictures, which I attach below, to prove how terrible it was. ;p
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Passing time...
Haven't been up to much. Daily highlight is usually a walk along the beach... Time to reflect on things, on life, on beauty - it's really a very nice spot. These photos were taken today...
Our local beach: Burleigh
Beach heading up to Surfer's Paradise
The only trick on my daily pondering-stroll is not to get stung. Below is a 'blue bottle' - jelly-fish type thing - which, apparently, hurts a whole bit if you touch it.
[PS. In other news... After countless distractions, at last I've read and thoroughly enjoyed this article. Good night, dear readers!]
Friday, January 11, 2008
Company and Contemplation on the Gold Coast
Visitors from Brisbane
Today I enjoyed the company of a very good friend from university, her boyfriend and his guide-dog. They made the short drive down from Brisbane to my parent's place on the Gold Coast. I played host and took them to the rather attractive Burleigh Heads, Burleigh Beach and to a viewing spot just above my house. We walked along the beach for over an hour, much of the beach had been eroded due to recent and prolonged severe weather - in some places by at least 2 metres - quite phenomenal.
Yoni's soul: the Verdict
In other news, faithful readers, you will recall I recently asked you to *rate my soul* in a poll. Well, the results are now in. According to the poll, first and fore-most I am a bastard. I also happen to be very much a fool - and can I say, I very much agree. A tiny percentage had the idea that I was 'most excellent' - but statistically this was negligible, so much so that I can only be led to assume that these votes were mistaken attempts to call me a bastard. If anyone sincerely felt I was most excellent, then please accept my humble and heartfelt thanks - I also think you're most excellent.
Poll #2: Where to for Yoni?
Well, Yoni's life plans were never particularly concrete... but recent events have left him heartbroken and even more confused... So! Dear readers! Now is the time to help a Yoni in need. Please, readers, in your wisdom and knowledge of Yoni affairs, make a recommendation about where Yoni best ought to live (for a while or more)... I've narrowed down the options to: Australia, UK, Thailand, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea. You can places your vote/s in the panel on the right. Thanking you in advance!
Today I enjoyed the company of a very good friend from university, her boyfriend and his guide-dog. They made the short drive down from Brisbane to my parent's place on the Gold Coast. I played host and took them to the rather attractive Burleigh Heads, Burleigh Beach and to a viewing spot just above my house. We walked along the beach for over an hour, much of the beach had been eroded due to recent and prolonged severe weather - in some places by at least 2 metres - quite phenomenal.
Yoni's soul: the Verdict
In other news, faithful readers, you will recall I recently asked you to *rate my soul* in a poll. Well, the results are now in. According to the poll, first and fore-most I am a bastard. I also happen to be very much a fool - and can I say, I very much agree. A tiny percentage had the idea that I was 'most excellent' - but statistically this was negligible, so much so that I can only be led to assume that these votes were mistaken attempts to call me a bastard. If anyone sincerely felt I was most excellent, then please accept my humble and heartfelt thanks - I also think you're most excellent.
Poll #2: Where to for Yoni?
Well, Yoni's life plans were never particularly concrete... but recent events have left him heartbroken and even more confused... So! Dear readers! Now is the time to help a Yoni in need. Please, readers, in your wisdom and knowledge of Yoni affairs, make a recommendation about where Yoni best ought to live (for a while or more)... I've narrowed down the options to: Australia, UK, Thailand, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea. You can places your vote/s in the panel on the right. Thanking you in advance!
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
An outing to Brisbane...
Yesterday decide to take my camera to the official Casio repair centre in Brisbane. They've taken my camera and a postal address, so all going to plan they'll fix the camera and post it back to me *soon*.
After the visit to the industrial estate to drop off my camera meet with a Korean friend who I met on New Year's Eve through my friend from the airport train. It happened to be her birthday and I happened to be welcome to join her and her other Korean friends for the celebrations. Well, I learned that Brisbane is full of Koreans, and that it's quite possible to have a totally foreign experience right here in Australia. In fact, I think I already wrote a blog-post to that effect.
Dinner was at a Korean restaurant. Oddly enough, the food was Korean, as were the entire staff and every diner but for myself and some other chap at another table. Food consisted of some kim-chi flavoured meat & octopus in soup with rice and endless side-dishes. This really was no different from being in Korea. Dinner was followed by Korean karaoke. All the staff, clientele, machines and music was Korean. I don't sing, ever, in Karaoke, but this time I had an excuse that I didn't know the songs. I smiled awkwardly, stared at the ceiling a bit, and played the tambourine.
After this pleasant evening, crashed at a good uni friend's place. In the morning I went for a stroll through some of Brisbane's inner suburbs. I noticed a lot of very pleasant architecture - just people's homes or pub houses. The architecture, was it Victorian, 'Federation' or 'Queenslander' I don't know, but it stood out for it's beauty and is quite unlike anything I'd seen over the past year in Asia. Much of it was humble, but always ornate and pretty.
Train took me home to the Gold Coast. Went for a walk with my mum on the beach at Burleigh before sunset. Very pleasant. Overcast, with strong winds, but I forgot my camera, so here is a photo I prepared earlier:
After the visit to the industrial estate to drop off my camera meet with a Korean friend who I met on New Year's Eve through my friend from the airport train. It happened to be her birthday and I happened to be welcome to join her and her other Korean friends for the celebrations. Well, I learned that Brisbane is full of Koreans, and that it's quite possible to have a totally foreign experience right here in Australia. In fact, I think I already wrote a blog-post to that effect.
Dinner was at a Korean restaurant. Oddly enough, the food was Korean, as were the entire staff and every diner but for myself and some other chap at another table. Food consisted of some kim-chi flavoured meat & octopus in soup with rice and endless side-dishes. This really was no different from being in Korea. Dinner was followed by Korean karaoke. All the staff, clientele, machines and music was Korean. I don't sing, ever, in Karaoke, but this time I had an excuse that I didn't know the songs. I smiled awkwardly, stared at the ceiling a bit, and played the tambourine.
After this pleasant evening, crashed at a good uni friend's place. In the morning I went for a stroll through some of Brisbane's inner suburbs. I noticed a lot of very pleasant architecture - just people's homes or pub houses. The architecture, was it Victorian, 'Federation' or 'Queenslander' I don't know, but it stood out for it's beauty and is quite unlike anything I'd seen over the past year in Asia. Much of it was humble, but always ornate and pretty.
Train took me home to the Gold Coast. Went for a walk with my mum on the beach at Burleigh before sunset. Very pleasant. Overcast, with strong winds, but I forgot my camera, so here is a photo I prepared earlier:
Sunday, January 6, 2008
A very 'Australian' day
Well, my day today was, without too much scrutiny, an *average day in Australian suburbia*. I helped my dad with some house work, we listened to sports, while my mum did her thing in the house & cooked for us.
My dad woke me early to start work painting some new cupboards that we've just had built in our garage. We first applied a primer. After this my mum served us breakfast. Then the cricket started (Australia v India), so we had the radio on. We next applied the first coat of paint. Then my mum served us lunch. Then I had to cut the lawns. Next was the final coat of paint. Covered in paint, grass, sweat, grime and probably a lot more, I ended the day with a long bath.
Attaching pictures of today's highlights: painting the cupboards, cutting the grass, the cricket:
My dad woke me early to start work painting some new cupboards that we've just had built in our garage. We first applied a primer. After this my mum served us breakfast. Then the cricket started (Australia v India), so we had the radio on. We next applied the first coat of paint. Then my mum served us lunch. Then I had to cut the lawns. Next was the final coat of paint. Covered in paint, grass, sweat, grime and probably a lot more, I ended the day with a long bath.
Attaching pictures of today's highlights: painting the cupboards, cutting the grass, the cricket:
Friday, January 4, 2008
New Stuff
Exciting times! I have two new features on my site to entertain the 2 or so people who read my site:
1. Yoni's Travels Search Engine
For those not content to find Yoni action via the 'Blog Archive' tool, you can now search my site from the search box in a panel on the right. Minutes of fun! Or seconds, surely?
2. Yoni Poll
Introduced a new poll feature. As for the first poll question... well, Yoni's feeling a bit low. He's doing some soul searching... So, he's asking his readers to *rate his soul*! Take a vote! It's all anonymous. ;p
Thank you for your attention, faithful readers.
^^
1. Yoni's Travels Search Engine
For those not content to find Yoni action via the 'Blog Archive' tool, you can now search my site from the search box in a panel on the right. Minutes of fun! Or seconds, surely?
2. Yoni Poll
Introduced a new poll feature. As for the first poll question... well, Yoni's feeling a bit low. He's doing some soul searching... So, he's asking his readers to *rate his soul*! Take a vote! It's all anonymous. ;p
Thank you for your attention, faithful readers.
^^
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
2008
Well, Happy New Year to all. Wishing everyone a very pleasant 2008.
I'm in the Gold Coast and it's raining. In fact, it's rained almost everyday since I've been back in the country. It rained over Christmas, it rained over New Year, and it's been raining on all the days between.
My plan for New Year's Eve was to sit around at home on the Gold Coast, listening to the rain perhaps. As it transpired, my random train friends (who I mentioned in previous post) invited me to join them in Brisbane to see the fireworks. Fireworks went ahead despite a nearby cyclone-type thing which brought heavy winds and rain to the whole region. It was quite a special evening spent with pleasant company...
New Year's Day spent strolling around Brisbane & it's Botanic Garden with my awesome train friends. Was very pleasant. Now I'm back in the Gold Coast, starting to ponder my plans for 2008, which is currently a blank canvass. 2007 was incredible, I didn't work a day, I saw so many new places, met some wonderful people and made many new friends, and perhaps the highlight, I got together with a wonderful girl, though I did (and still do) suffer heartache after losing her by poor decisions... Well!! 2008 is a new start and although it necessarily involves work for me, should be a good one. I wish the best for my readers too!!! Happy New Year!
Oh, I also need to buy a new umbrella.
I'm in the Gold Coast and it's raining. In fact, it's rained almost everyday since I've been back in the country. It rained over Christmas, it rained over New Year, and it's been raining on all the days between.
My plan for New Year's Eve was to sit around at home on the Gold Coast, listening to the rain perhaps. As it transpired, my random train friends (who I mentioned in previous post) invited me to join them in Brisbane to see the fireworks. Fireworks went ahead despite a nearby cyclone-type thing which brought heavy winds and rain to the whole region. It was quite a special evening spent with pleasant company...
New Year's Day spent strolling around Brisbane & it's Botanic Garden with my awesome train friends. Was very pleasant. Now I'm back in the Gold Coast, starting to ponder my plans for 2008, which is currently a blank canvass. 2007 was incredible, I didn't work a day, I saw so many new places, met some wonderful people and made many new friends, and perhaps the highlight, I got together with a wonderful girl, though I did (and still do) suffer heartache after losing her by poor decisions... Well!! 2008 is a new start and although it necessarily involves work for me, should be a good one. I wish the best for my readers too!!! Happy New Year!
Oh, I also need to buy a new umbrella.
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