libraries Archives - Splinter's Paradise

Day 109: Willow Park in Rosedale

April 14, 2014

I rose early at 6:30 am, anticipating a rather uneventful day, only to be rewarded with a stunning sunset later at Willow Park in Rosedale. However, upon waking, a hint of nausea urged me to hastily exit the car. After hydrating and a quick pit stop, a flurry of thoughts raced through my mind: ‘You’ve got to be kidding me; I can’t afford to get sick right now. Tomorrow, the real excitement begins!’ In the chilly morning, I layered up with my vest and even donned my winter jacket. Despite feeling an improvement, the cold persisted. Last night, the…

by Maarten

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Day 103: A short day in Canberra

April 8, 2014

I woke up at around 10 am, planning to visit Canberra, Australia’s capital, today. The rest area was deserted; although a few cars had stopped last night, they were only occupied by people making a quick stop. I was the sole occupant who had spent the night here. After rising, I retrieved some bread from the trunk and spread a slice with peanut butter for my breakfast. Twenty minutes later, I departed from Kirby VC Rest Area near Goulburn. I headed south towards Canberra, which was just 100 kilometers away from the rest area. En route, I couldn’t resist capturing…

by Maarten

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Day 102: The Three Sisters and the Giant Stairway

April 7, 2014

I woke up a bit late, around 9 am. The plan for the day was to visit The Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains. Feeling surprisingly refreshed from the comfortable hostel bed, I got dressed and promptly checked out. After retrieving my belongings from the refrigerator, I headed to the Blue Mountain National Park, conveniently just 1 kilometer away from the hostel. The Blue Mountains Backpackers Hostel offered excellent value for money, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to others. I parked my car near the lookout and attempted to pay at the parking meter, but it didn’t work despite putting…

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A blue fish tank atSEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

Australia

Day 98: SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

April 3, 2014

Today’s plan involved visiting SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium with Daniel. I woke up at around 10 am, once again the first one stirring in our dormitory. Still in the realm of dreams were Michele, Daniel, and the Italian couple. I attended to my morning routine, heading to the toilet and brushing my teeth, before making my way to the library. It was time to finally send an email to the insurance company. I took a snapshot of the statement from the sunglasses shop that I received a few days ago and forwarded it to the insurance company. While waiting, I…

by Maarten

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Day 92: Sydney’s Central Business District (CBD)

March 28, 2014

The plan for the day involved a significant amount of time exploring Sydney’s CBD. Rising at approximately 9 am, I found the room unoccupied. After a quick dental routine, I messaged Daniel, confirming he was awake, and we agreed to meet downstairs later. Seizing the opportunity, I snapped some pictures of our room and the view it offered. While in the room, I encountered an Italian guy named Andrea. Although I had heard about Hannah’s friend Jasmine, our paths did not cross; she had arrived late the previous night and left the dorm early for work. Subsequently, I accompanied Daniel…

by Maarten

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Day 91: A stopover at Newcastle and reaching Sydney

March 27, 2014

I woke up at 8 am and left the parking lot of the eery hotel. Today’s plan involved visiting Newcastle and finally reaching Sydney. As I headed south in the morning, I made my first stop for a toilet break after 10 minutes. Another 30 minutes later, I stopped again, this time for breakfast. Feeling incredibly tired, I decided to make another stop after 15 minutes to have a snack and a coke, hoping to inject some caffeine into my system. I couldn’t figure out why I was so exhausted. Despite earlier doubts about stopping in Newcastle, I was now…

by Maarten

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Day 90: Reaching Port Macquarie

March 26, 2014

I awoke at 7 am in the rest stop located 20 kilometers north of Woolgoolga. My goal for the day was to reach Port Macquarie, a town renowned for its beaches, wildlife, and historical penal colony. After getting up, I headed to the gas station for a quick stop and then made the decision to hit the road. However, ongoing road works caused a traffic jam, momentarily disrupting my journey. While road construction was a common sight on the route to Sydney, this particular delay proved to be especially inconvenient due to the resulting traffic congestion. After opting not to…

by Maarten

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Day 89: A day of rain and clouds in Woolgoolga

March 25, 2014

Today turned out to be quite dull, exceptionally uneventful. I passed the day in rainy Woolgoolga, with nothing particularly interesting unfolding. I woke up at the rest area in Byron Bay around 8:30 am. The previous night, a van had parked in front of my car, but thankfully, they moved away in time. After waking up, tending to my hair, I departed from the rest area. Although Tom and Lukas were still present, they were fast asleep. I hit the highway and headed south, making my initial stop about 15 minutes later for breakfast at the New Italia rest…

by Maarten

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Day 88: Reaching the easternmost point of Australia

March 24, 2014

Today’s destination: Cape Byron Lighthouse in Byron Bay, the easternmost point of Australia. This morning, I woke up at Sleepy Hollow rest stop, located approximately 40 kilometers south of Gold Coast. Despite its eerie nighttime ambiance, with only a toilet facility, it unnerved me a bit. A snake warning sign added to the suspense, and in the pitch darkness, the place took on an unsettling vibe. The toilets were far from inviting, making me contemplate the merits of sleeping in a place without them and opting for the simplicity of nature’s restroom, even if it meant peeing in the bushes…

by Maarten

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Day 86: Feeling blessed in Surfers Paradise

March 22, 2014

I awoke at 6 am, ready for a day of exploring Surfers Paradise, a charming seaside city on Australia’s Gold Coast. Around 4 am, Jeff was already up and about in the house, a fact Seul-ki had forewarned me about, so I took it in stride. Recognizing that this wasn’t my home, I made a point to respect and accommodate every routine and habit I came across. As I mentioned yesterday, Seul-ki has been staying at Jeff’s house recently. Now, at first glance, Jeff might seem like a bit of a serious, stern character, but trust me, looks can be…

by Maarten

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