Aussie Day 3 - Baywatch

11/09/05 Sunday
Today's plan was a drive up to Port Stephens, 200km north of Sydney. Our vehicle was a 1.8L Toyota Corolla (auto) which we rented for $60. ZX and Charles were the appointed drivers and we paid an additional $12 each since they were under 25. So the 2 of them took business class seats up front while YH, GF, Di and I tussled with limbs at the back.

The hardest part of getting to Port Stephens was getting out of the city. There was a marathon going on, so the Men in Blue were on duty closing off a couple of roads. Unfortunately, these were the roads that we wanted to use to cross Harbour Bridge. So we went past the Fish Market, up and down Harris Road twice, and by some freak accident, found the sign that led us to Harbour Bridge, out of sydney.
Once out, it was a straightforward 2 and a half hours drive up Highway 1, past Newcastle, and then east to Nelson Bay. ZX drove the first shift and hit 140 km/h on the highway.But since everyone's going so fast, you hardly feel the speed. DJ Charles was responsible for great music, and YH and I tried to get our bearings.

We arrived at Nelson Bay a little after Lunch time. There we noticed 3 things -

1. The Place was quiet as hell on the Sunday Afternoon.
2. There were many many Skin Cancer Clinics. It's like you confirm will kena Skin cancer at some point.
3. Our bladders were full but once again, no public restrooms.

Closer to the Bay we found a Pie Shop called Red Neds. The lady inside was kind enough to let us use the secret women's toilet that required access via a key. 6 empty bladders and 1 empty rectum later, we had our feast of exotic pies at Red Neds.

And by exotic, I mean pies with stuffing like Kangaroo and Crocodile. ZX also chatted up with the owner, who later gave GF complementary chips. Chips which I felt were saltier than the sea. We also discovered that the following week was the "National Pie week", kindda like National Day and Pie Week combined.

The bayfront was captivating with calm waters, blue skies, and fleet of docked yatches. We took some hurried pictures and tried to look for a dolphin watching cruise. We approached the booth at the dock, and yes, there was one final tour for the day, in just 5 minutes time. YH also tried to con the guys into selling Di the child ticket. The guy almost believed him until someone burst out laughing.

So we climbed aboard the Seabreeze

And went far out where dolphins made merri- ment under our yatch, occasionally popping their heads out of the water.

With the wind in our faces and the waves lapping up at our feet, we all had a great time out front. Well, almost all of us anyway.

Next stop was Anna bay, where we were promised great scenary by the lady in the pie shop. Whoever Anna was that the place was named after, she must have been damn chio ... Anna Kournikova maybe? Haha ... We arrived at Anna bay just before dusk.

The locals were friendly, and offered to help us take photographs. We insisted their dog join us.

Because really, we don't have dogs in Singapore ...

We watched pensively, filled with awe, as the crimson sphere extinguished it's glowing ambers into the horizon. What is it that makes the sunset any different from, say Sentosa? It's inexplicable, but it's different. Probably like making love versus having sex? I dunno.

And of course we clowned around ...

before Charles took us back to Sydney. We had Eagleboy's Pizza at Newcastle for dinner. Cheap, superb, and all in all memorable. Finding our way back, the mild panic the ensued when we thought we might be lost, the off-key singing of retro hits to the car stereo, moments like these were integral in making our road trip an indelible part of our memories.

Boozing at the balcony in the night.

Cheers, Mate!

(Warning - Alcohol causes cirrhosis which may lead to gynaecomastia. The author does not encourage nor condone the consumption of alcoholic beverages to get high. Drugs do a much better job.)