Papa Murphs NZ Experience

Most of the Gold Coast lads(Coach, Haynes, AlDesira and myself) as well as Coltaire, Sergay and Conradical jumped on a super cheap flight to Christchurch. We hired a car and drove to Queenstown.

To see what we got up to that first night see the relevant Jim Bobs Bit

On the way there an eagle (bogged down by the animal it had in its talons) nearly crashed through the windscreen. At the last minute Murph swerved out of the way saving Haynesie from a Fabio-like bird in the face.

The drive there was really amazing. As tired and hung over as I was (from all the duty free grog consumed the night before) I just couldn’t close my eyes for the entire drive that’s how beautiful the scenery was.

Need more detail see what Coach SeZ on the matter.

Queenstown is fantastic. Adventure all day and party all night.

Click a photo to go to rest from that set or select it from my flickr map

The focus was definitely boarding. We went to the Remarkables twice and Coronet peak once.

Dont belive me? Lets see if this will be Murph Busted!




Video of StevieD boarding on the first day.
Video of Coltaire boarding on the first day.
Will post a video of Jimmy boarding on the first day here.

On the day off we went jet boating,



And caught a gondola to the top of this peak where there was road lugeing.

Here is a video of StevieD road luger (please note the awesome camera work by yours truly)

Here is a video of the road lugeoff between Conradical and Sergay.

Here is Papa Murph's version of events.

The morning before the planned drive back to Christchurch we snuck in a paraglide off Coronet Peak.

Keep checking Murphs Show and Tell for the detailed trip report as it becomes available. Ill endeavour to link to it from here also.

I really must go back for a longer session of snowboarding and perhaps a summertime NZ campervan trip with NYE in Queenstown. Top work Coach Murphy for working out all the details and getting such an awesome deal.

Almost forgot the obligatory "Tom with chick" photo courtesy of murph's collection:

Next trip Canada, X-Stream! *

*This catchphrase is said and acted out by Extreme Cameraman Wally Symons from the cult NZ TV series Back of the Y.

Lysterfield mountain biking

 
Took newbie Haynesie and veteran Petey to Lysterfield. Big thanks to dad for bailing us out when the weather turned sour. 40mm supposedely. 

Great Barrier Reef

Conquered my fear of scuba diving thanks to free introductory pool diving at Cairns Central Bakpackers. Big thankyou to Evan. Went on the reef magic cruise which since it goes to the marine world platform also helped with my apprehension to diving.

Young Endeavour MkII~Bumming around Cairns

Jess, Juz, Mick, Benny, Ana and I all booked into Cairns Central Backpackers. We dump our stuff and it was straight to the croc bar for a few before Tammi had to fly out. Mick and Andrew managed to double their money at the Cairns casino before Adam and Andrew had to fly out. That night Mick, Benny and I went in search of the staffies who were rumoured to be out and about. We began our search at the Cairns Yacht Club but this was really like an RSL on the water. After Mick had a beer with a big bearded fella who couldn’t get butter during the war we headed into town to continue the search. We found Phil, Hibbo and a slightly inebriated Horto at the Woolshed then proceeded to paint the town. We sang crabs and seashells on the stage in the centre of town followed by a game soccer down the main street.

The next day Juz and Jess had to fly out early. Spent the day chillin out at the lagoon then playing pool and having a beer at Shenanigans (Mick is a shark watch out here is a video of his rail shot) before Mick had to fly out. Bought a few Smirnoff Ices to have on the balcony of our new backpackers (we were kicked out of central because it was full) before Jesse and Benny flew out. Gilligan’s is possibly the best backpackers I’ve stayed in. The rooms were more hotel-like with private bathroom facilities and balconies. Awesome kitchen facilities and a few guest cinemas as well as a waterfall in the swimming pool.

At that point it was down to just Ana and I. Again we went in search of staffies. We saw Hector at Shenanigans and then subsequently lost him. We ended up jumping on a backpacker’s pub crawl, Ana and I fully embracing the "beach party" theme. We both wore blueys, sea shell hats and lei’s. I also wore a pink floatie, and Ana a hula skirt. Some of the highlights Ana betting on cane toad racing and me passing out in Mackas.

By Saturday night I must have been the last youth crew member still in Cairns(I was in no hurry to return to Melbourne weather). I found the staffies in Shenanigans then proceeded to paint the town navy again ending up at a Karaoke bar.

Young Endeavour Mk II~ready to board

We caught up with the rest of the oldies for lunch at ants cafe on the marina. Some more newbies Ryan, Andrew, Adam, Chantelle, Rinny and Sasha. We finally board the boat. Continue the story at:
Young Endeavour V10/06
I decided to dedicate an entire blog to the adventures on board using a more old school theme.
Or for those more navigation inclined I have created a quikmap (an implementation of the googlemaps api) of the voyage: YE V10/06
You can go to each blog post by clicking the pins.You can play with a smaller version below (still working on a way of opening the selected blog post in a new window):

Young Endeavour Mk II: Bumming around Mackay

A truck driver arrived at the hostel today from Cairns. Last time we planned on getting from Cairns to Mackay and only made it half way. I'm taking the fact that he made it as a good omen for us completing it all the way this time. Mick joined our merry clan of returnees. We hired some old mountain bikes and rode to the beach. The tide goes out like a kilometer and you walk over the mud with hundreds of soldier crabs. (Mick has some cool photos of these will link to them when they go online). We had a few furious rounds of hacky sack: Mick doing a never to be seen again handstand flip kick and Anna perfecting the scissor stall. We then proceed to the pre-dinner beers with chips and gravy (the waiter being so smashed he was crashing into tables). Had Thai Banquet with Heather, Frankie, Jacqui and Kurt followed by post dinner beers which carry on into the night.

Young Endeavour Mk II: Melbourne~Brisbane~Mackay

Woke up then walked to the Skybus 1 hour before my scheduled flight(this only works if you live 1 block from Spencer Street). Arrive at the Virgin terminal to a baggage check-in queue over 100m long. Seems there was killer fog in Sydney no planes in or out. I touch down in rainy Brisbane carrying nothing but a sleeping bag to be greeted with the news that my connecting flight to Mackay will be delayed 5 hours. Immeadiately I call up Kerr-unit and jump on the Airport to CBD train. Thanks to Kerr-unit I had a lovely couple of hours seeing the sights with a local (photos shortly). Met 2 ex youth crew on my flight to Mackay: Voisey and Vanessa. Get to this weird backpacker house to be greeted by oldies Jesse and Anna and newbie Ben(AKA Bambi). That night we went to pizza hut the works (haven't done that since year 7). I crash exhausted from my second 4 AM start in a row.

Most successful Socceroos ever.

Caught the Roos vs the Cros outside Fedaralie square with Ayresie this morning. The atmosphere was amazing. I fully recommend people get out there to watch a match. As has been the case thus far it was a nailbiter but that just made the post match celebrations all the sweeter. Joining the rest of the Aussie fans spilling out onto Swanston street was possibly the best part. The mood carried over into the CDB that morning with heaps of people donning a socceroos scarf as part of work attire. Any semblence of Green and Gold was the only prerequesite required to start up conversations with complete strangers.  
  

Western Port Bay adventure and Jez's google maps word press photo gallery mashup.

Photo courtesy of Gez's collection
Had an awesomely serendipitous day of adventure on the high seas. We hired a boat from Yaringa and cruised around Western Port Bay. Ate burgers, saw seals, did the eagle rock and just plain had a great time. The crew of HMAS Tino performed wonderfully. Check out Gerards shots from the day and be sure to explore the rest of the photos on the gallery using his awesome google maps mashup. Top work bro.
Here's Gerards corroborating blog entry (with a few more details)

Jeff and Fraeuleines going away party

Pete & I + Fraeuleines
Originally uploaded by tommygunns.

So everybody is heading north for the winter. Had a send off at the European Bier Cafe. Getting there was half the fun with Tony Hawk air skateboarding and an appearance by Optimus Prime.

Haynesies Gold Coast Queen Bee Day Weekend

frolicking
 
  
toga party
 
 
 
  
very pretty and friendly ladies
 
 
 
  
more friendly and pretty ladies
 
 
 
  
even more friendly and pretty ladies
 
 
  
card drinking games
 
supermen
 
 
  
 
 

dream team on the gold coast



rock on?



GoldCoastBackPackers

movie quiz

movie quiz
Originally uploaded by tommygunns.

Stella Street
Originally uploaded by tommygunns.

Click the image then hover over an area to see my guesses.


Heres a link to the music quiz