Kalgoorlie

I'm sorry - I've been useless at keeping in touch the past month or so, sorry mum, sorry dad! I am still very much alive, and still in western australia...
In yet another gold mining town; called Kalgoorlie (or 'Kal' as its known locally), working as a barmaid and waitress in a much nicer establishment than that of mount magnet.
Kal is actually classed as a country city, though how a city can be classed as the county also I don't know... It is home to one of the biggest open cast mines in the world - you can even see the 'Super Pit' from space.
We are still out in the desert here so its starting to get very hot but its a nice dry heat rather than the humidity they suffer further north in the country.
Been enjoying lots of ozzie bbqs and ice cold beers - just what you want to know back home in the uk as the winter starts to draw in, haha!
Had a few days down on the coast in a little seaside town called Esperance last week. The beaches there are amazing, the softest whitest sand I've even seen, and there were hardly and other people there, perfect! Shall have to get some photos up soon so you can see what I mean.
Promise I shall update you all sooner this time...
Jen xx

Back to the big city lights!

Arrived back in Perth yesterday after spending just over 7 weeks in Mount Magnet. I had a good time there (not sure my liver did though - living in a pub is not good!) and saved up a bit of cash, but was so ready to get back to a big more civilisation. Just have to decide where to go next now - north, south, east...I really can't decide, so watch this space!

Goldfields of Mt Magnet

Hello, sorry I've not written much lately but been working extremely long hours and internet here is ridicuously expensive! Don't worry mum; I am still alive, no horror stories in this part of the outback as yet (though I would avoid watchin a horror movie called Wolf Creek that was filmed not far from here, until I'm home!).
Been working in a bar in the goldmining towm of Mt Magnet, in the outback of western australia for about 3 weeks now. The time is just flying - working 10-12 hour shifts everyday as we are short staffed. Its a very sleepy little town with not much to do other than drink in the 3 pubs, so most nights are fairly busy for us when all the miners finish work. Seen around a few of the mines and hoping to find myself a little gold nugget as a souvenier! Everyone is very friendly and I'm enjoying my time here. Think I will be more than ready to escape and get back on the road again in another month though!

Perth and beyond...

Been in Perth, Australia for 2 days now but off into the outback tomorrow!
Checked my finances and realised I need to earn a bit of cash so got a job as a barmaid in a country hotel/pub. Its in a mining town called Mt. Magnet, about 600km north and east a bit from Perth - ie. middle of nowhere! Idea is that I won't spend what I earn on anything as there's nothing to do, so I can save up to continue my travels. Thought of trying to get a bit of locum vet work but decided I want a job where I don't really have to think for a while! Apparentely the bar is usually full of rowdy contract mine workers so could be interesting...
Enjoyed my few days in Perth; its a nice little laid-back city, have spent my time wandering along the riverside and visiting the museum.

New Zealand

Been in New Zealand for 5 days now and leave for Oz tomorrow...
Was extremely jet lagged when arrived so spent a couple of days in Auckland recovering an doing the cultural thing - art galleries, museums, etc.
Then had a couple of days up in the Bay of Islands; one of the parts of the country I didn't make it to when I was here 5 years ago. Had fantastic sunny weather there and met some great girls on the bus who I went on a crazy moonlight walk with when we arrived. We climbed a hill behind the hostel to watch the sunset, saw some glow worms too. Then we cooked up a feast for dinner back at the hostel. I spent the next day walking along the beach in the sunshine before catching the bus back to Auckland.

Last of S.America

Last day in South America today, sob!
Had a fantastic days skiing yesterday, lovely fresh powdery snow, bit of a bizarre thing to be doing in July though!
Fly to Auckland tonight - but arrive on 21st so have no 20th July due to the time difference! Bring on the jet lag...

Some photos