tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9893280981404111462024-03-12T21:03:19.233-07:002016 hoursIt's my travel blog, big whoop wanna fight about it?chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901172875626232337noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989328098140411146.post-79219851301294834592010-05-07T00:49:00.001-07:002010-05-07T00:49:50.081-07:00Mahalo Hawai'i<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1iL3or3RJn4&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1iL3or3RJn4&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901172875626232337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989328098140411146.post-45886166849568306842010-05-03T14:50:00.001-07:002010-05-03T14:50:36.452-07:00Hmm HawaiiWell we went out for food lastnight, and as it wasnt raining it was a pleasant evening.<br />
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A stroll around the more pricey area was nicer. High end fashion stores, Fendi, Prada, Louis etc so i guess a nicer crowd. The streets were lit beautifully with fairy lights in the palms and fire torches outside hotels and restaurants. The market was quaint and all the street sellers and statue people were cool, if not a bit old hat. So Hawaii has redeemed itself here a little bit for me (bar someone lying in a pool of blood outside our restaurant!?)<br />
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The restaurant was odd. I think its american service maybe? But it can only be described as being like a Franky & Bennys or TGI Fridays we have in the uk but trying to be nicer. There was an underlying conflict for me here. Like how the waiter pleasantly went into a lot of animated detail about the workings of the menu, but this was redundant for me as all i could see was a list of burgers, chips and pizzas?!<br />
<br />
Why be so formal when we get limp paper napkins for coasters and mcdonald style straws in paper packets for our drinks?<br />
<br />
But then again maybe im just not used to decent waiting staff when im ordering a bbq burger or pizza? So possibley its shame on you UK branches of american diners, take not of the yanks...even KFC's Colonel Sanders wears a suit.chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901172875626232337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989328098140411146.post-66503125675179681222010-05-03T14:50:00.000-07:002010-05-03T14:50:24.392-07:00Aloha HawaiiOk, so i have come to the conclusion that i dont like arriving in new places. You dont know where anything is, you dont understand anyone and you dont know how much anything costs even if you could get there. Oh and theres that whole rigmarole of customs and queueing when all you want to do is crash out in a nice bed as soon as possible.<br />
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Leaving places is better in a weird way; youve had a good time and are taking some reat experiences away with you and theres an excited trepidation about your new destination and of course, flying on planes is fun :-)<br />
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What makes arriving even worse? Rain. I hate rain, especially when youre expecting a sunny hot paradise! This is what we got in Fiji and this is what we have in Hawaii. Its not a glaring hot paradise like Lost or the usual american films with smiley 'Alohas', grass skirts and sunbathing on long sandy beaches. Its a dreary, raining throwback to 70's high rise holidays with miserable people.<br />
We waited 5 hours in the crappy communal area at the hostel to be checked in to out bed bug riddled room; which you had to get to by walking through someone elses room first!<br />
No wonder they have the biggest crystal meth problem, theres nothing else to do apart from surf and get so shit faced you dont realise youre not actually in the 70's anymore (and in actual fact youre an old man with a dirty pony tail and shit floral shirt....get a job you bum) <br />
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Suffice to say I havent been impressed so far! But we have a tour booked today and have checked into a nicer place instead so im holding out before i completely give up on Hawaii...chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901172875626232337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989328098140411146.post-79663764392757439492010-05-03T14:49:00.000-07:002010-05-03T14:49:56.699-07:00Come on Kava!We took part in a 'traditional' Kava ceremony. I say 'traditional' because im sure it could have been more authentic but the whole thing is obviously a lot less formal usually and is probably more of a regular, diluted, recreational activity for Fijians.<br />
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Kava is a root that is dried and crushed. The resulting powder is mixed with fresh water in a bowl that is then drunk.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://health.camony.com/files/2009/05/kava.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://health.camony.com/files/2009/05/kava.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
A definition of what Kava does lists these effects:<br />
• Relaxes muscles<br />
• Calms nerves<br />
• Creates a general feeling of well-being<br />
• Induces a feeling of peace, relaxation and contentment<br />
• Enhances mental alertness and concentration<br />
• Has historical use as an herbal aphrodisiac<br />
• Reduces inhibitions and makes people more sociable<br />
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I took the drink in my stride and to be honest didnt get the hype. I wasnt so pahsed by the numbin effect and was maybe a little dissapointed i didnt get as grand effects as i was expecting, but it was enjoyable none the less.<br />
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Traditionally they do the ceremony then tell Fijian stories and enjoy songs; a real taste of culture huh. Our guys got wasted, told us a dirty joke then we all sang Old Mcdonald Had a Farm.<br />
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Id like to try Kava again or maybe i can just drink everyone under the table when it comes to Kava ;-)Word did get back to us, actually, from a girl we met that wasnt at the ceremony that she had heard the next morning of 'an englishman who managed to drink loads of Kava' ;-)chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901172875626232337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989328098140411146.post-28594136390141263482010-05-03T14:19:00.000-07:002010-05-03T14:19:50.808-07:00Water Baby*news flash*<br />
those who know me know that i dont swim. never have never will, i dont float - i sink and id rather fall off a bridge onto cold concrete than into warm water.<br />
But the other day i swam! i can only do breast stroke and back strooke but hey, atleast im moving through the water huh. Then the next thing i did was don some scuba gear and took a pool dive. Could have gone better if the guy hadnt put so much air on my jacket but was none the less.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs541.snc3/29646_389574125613_510990613_4429258_1742263_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs541.snc3/29646_389574125613_510990613_4429258_1742263_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And, just to keep that ball rolling, i went snorkelling for a few hours the next day (and several subsequent days too) - saw so many fish; shoals of them, so many blue star fish, maybe a crayfish or something, a pipe fish, possibly a lion fish though it could have been dead, cat fish and lots of other big colourful ones i have no clue about.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://hphotos-sjc1.fbcdn.net/hs521.snc3/29646_389574810613_510990613_4429293_8257880_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://hphotos-sjc1.fbcdn.net/hs521.snc3/29646_389574810613_510990613_4429293_8257880_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs501.ash1/29646_389574885613_510990613_4429297_356508_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs501.ash1/29646_389574885613_510990613_4429297_356508_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs501.ash1/29646_389572360613_510990613_4429122_5074086_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs501.ash1/29646_389572360613_510990613_4429122_5074086_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Im now pestering Amy to play with me in the pool and time how long i can pretend to be dead floating on the water, holding my breath. so far my personal best is holding it for 1minute 15 secs. il get to 2 mins soon!chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901172875626232337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989328098140411146.post-77709001091704730532010-05-03T14:08:00.000-07:002010-05-03T14:08:06.528-07:00Our First NightSo its been quite eventful here. On our first night we sat down for a quick one in the bar before dinner and took our places in the corner for a nice view of the sea and the bar for a bit of people watching. To see who we were stuck with for the week ;-)<br />
In another corner were two guys on guitars singing light acoustic songs in the background for the ambience of the room which was nice. As you'd expect they strummed out indescribeable fijian-esque songs and takes on western ballads. Until they broke into an interesting rendition of Inner Circles - <a href="http://www.ilike.com/artist/Inner+Circle/track/Girl+I%27m+Gonna+Make+You+Sweat">Girl im gonna make you sweat </a><br />
At one point they were joined by a girl who made her way over to them and sat, not a respectable audience member sort of distance but, right infront of them at their same table. She sat there, head down, eyes closed bobbing slowly enjoyin the music in that way that you see people do when maybe theyre too drunk to dance anymore or the way hippies sway entranced in old clips from 60's festivals.<br />
She then started tapping on the table lightly. We presumed her pseudo bongo playing was a sign that she was either with the band or an appreciative musician.<br />
We were wrong. She was just drunk. How did we know? They gave her a bongo and a shaker and she ruined their songs with retarded non sensical slapping and banging. Even a cheesey fijian acoustic cover of a western pop song can be raped with a single ill timed slap of a bongo.<br />
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Later we had to play games in the bar which included the good old passin of a tennis ball down a line only using your neck. One old guy got a good eyeful of boobage as he had to go retrieve his ball a few times. We also had to be blind folded and blindly identify our partners; thankfully both amy and myself got it right! that may have been awkward! Some good recollection of shoes was put to use here!chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901172875626232337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989328098140411146.post-42522517661111298202010-05-03T14:01:00.000-07:002010-05-03T14:01:45.350-07:00I Love FijiSorry, no audio here. (Its was <a href="http://hypem.com/#/track/1094565/Travie+McCoy+of+Gym+Class+Heroes++-+Billionaire+ft+Bruno+Mars+Explicit+">Travis McCoy & Bruno Mars - Billionaire</a>) But as you can see, we did enjoy Fiji in the end! After a relaxing and great time at <a href="http://www.amunuca.com/">Amunuca</a> Resort<br />
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<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tUlk4x_4MPo&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tUlk4x_4MPo&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901172875626232337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989328098140411146.post-117137584215182672010-05-03T13:59:00.000-07:002010-05-03T13:59:55.718-07:00I Hate FijiFiji and myself didnt get off to a good start. I was running low on funds as it is and with the prospect of going home soon it seemed almost pointless to be here. Whats in FIji anyway?? When we arrived it was dull and raining. Not what id expected. I thought at the very least i could just do nothing for a week and get my tan on. but without a single scrap of sky to be seen through a carpet of grey sky this wasnt looking good! Also, i wasnt feeling the fiji hospitality, the hotel/hostel we stayed at was far from jolly; maybe they were pissed at the rain too.<br />
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Also, call me ignorant, but what do Fijian people look like?? Im seeing people who i would mistake for Indian and others id confuse with african. Some women could just be denzel washinton masquerading in a hendrix wig.<br />
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But im takin it all back Fiji, i love you. Its been a perfect stay so far! the skys brightened to the point of not seeing a cloud in the sky - a complete turn around!<br />
We've lazed by the pool, lazed by the sea, lazed in the sea and lazed in our room. Its been great not do anything for once. No need to get up early and move on to our next destination or where we will get a shower next.<br />
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We're staying at Amunuca Resort which has been amazing; on requesting a booking we were upgraded from the basic studio we wanted to a garden deluxe and then a few days into our stay the manager has upgraded us again to a beach front Bure, so we now look out onto the sea with just a small step onto the beach.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aaUYCtgqdzCfVRAJPPvxZv9mK7LXkThxok36dKWeTrxrk-yyZM-f7kIc5DeCa23zoej8ivUTBmCqBetCrbDG2uQBIQI-66HuaqMzC7MtN9Ivi8bgkGlca4HbaUF7NpMpAXADsCnEKzDt/s1600/29646_389573400613_510990613_4429230_3179774_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aaUYCtgqdzCfVRAJPPvxZv9mK7LXkThxok36dKWeTrxrk-yyZM-f7kIc5DeCa23zoej8ivUTBmCqBetCrbDG2uQBIQI-66HuaqMzC7MtN9Ivi8bgkGlca4HbaUF7NpMpAXADsCnEKzDt/s320/29646_389573400613_510990613_4429230_3179774_n.jpg" /></a></div>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901172875626232337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989328098140411146.post-46628332896819584062010-04-23T00:29:00.000-07:002010-04-23T00:29:15.147-07:00New Zealand, Part 2Video of the south island. Doesnt include our skydive though but il make a separate oneas soon as i can :-)<br />
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next stop, fiji!....<br />
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<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7k-V6o9df2s&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7k-V6o9df2s&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901172875626232337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989328098140411146.post-36583323344726682482010-04-14T22:26:00.001-07:002010-04-14T22:28:20.782-07:00NEW ZEALAND SO FAR....<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oxCMIUcvsp4&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oxCMIUcvsp4&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901172875626232337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989328098140411146.post-10048369837595545662010-04-13T00:51:00.000-07:002010-04-14T22:14:25.816-07:00Kerosene Creek<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">If you can find it, Kerosene Creek is a must do and its FREE. Its a natural hot spring out in the bush; you cant get much more of a natural bath than this! We bypassed Hells Gate and other entry fee thermal baths and opted to go on the hunt for Kerosene Creek.</div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs502.snc3/26369_383840510613_510990613_4286794_3669596_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs502.snc3/26369_383840510613_510990613_4286794_3669596_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Its on the way from Rotorua to Taupo, about 26k ish from Rotorua. Once you pass the turn off on your left for Marapuru, slow down, keep going and you'll then notice a lake not too much further on your right which you pass and its the next and only left. A dirt road called Old Waitaupo, not <span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;">old Waikaremona Rd</span> as some guides have instructed! Go down this dirt road for 2k and you'll reach the 'car park'; its gated at one end and theres an old board with kerosene creek on it and a map down to the water.</div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Keep your valuables hidden in the car and enjoy the water! We stuck to the smaller pool earlier along the path with the little water falls but further down is a larger pool and brook feeding it.<br />
<a name='more'></a></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The water was so warm, a perfect temperature that you could lay in all day. Get there early like we did, before 10.30 as after that a lot of people turn up. Its much better when its all yours! Itd be great to do at night too i reckon. Theres not loads of room in the smaller pool that we were in, plus as its the first one you get to most people stop, have a look and then carry on past so you get it all to yourself whereas the larer pool is where everyone ends up and share it; with or without clothes! So the choice is yours ;-)</div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs482.snc3/26369_383840660613_510990613_4286803_8283905_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs482.snc3/26369_383840660613_510990613_4286803_8283905_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Although there was mention of lots of rubbish and crime in reviews id read, we didnt experience any of either. The only out of the ordinary thing was, as we were having lunch in the car after a bathe, a large dog came walkin out of the bush. It was all alone, sniffing around, with a big radio collar on with long antennae poking out of it - anyone reading this who has also seen the film 'Up' would have also half expected the dog to start talking as i did! The dog hung around for a while coming and going but wasnt in anyway a bother, nor were the other people there.</div>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901172875626232337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989328098140411146.post-34998597835691993752010-04-13T00:43:00.001-07:002010-04-13T00:43:26.083-07:00Jucy! Spaceship! BackPacker! Wicked!<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">A little game weve been playing to pass the time on our travels through Oz and New Zealand. Simply shout out the camper you spot to get a point. Wronly identify a camper and you lose a point. You cant spot the same camper otherwise you lose yet another point and you cant spot them if theyre in a campsite with you.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">I beat Amy in Australia 120 to 70 ish, and that was havin started around halfway alon our trip. So with her now warmed up and ready to take the game on again, we started from zero in New Zealand. As i write this the score currently stands at 149 to me with Amy on a paultry 57! Bad times. even Nikki who played for just a few hours nearly beat her! Maybe we need a new game....?! Suggestions?</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></span></div>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901172875626232337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989328098140411146.post-24748139869570307422010-04-13T00:42:00.001-07:002010-04-14T22:12:32.610-07:00How Do My Calves Look?<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Everyone who knows me knows im not one to exert myself; i spend most of my time sittin down whether it be at work, on the way to work or at home. Im in fear of developing a ledge of an arse like that fat kid off that documentary had where his backside had moulded into the shape of the settee because he sat so much. So with that in mind you can understand my smugness, no, lets say proudness, of having done the Tongariro Crossing. A walk that amy described as just that - a walk. But which turned out to be a well warned of alpine trek of 19km up a couple of volcanoes and their craters. The same area where a lot of Lord of the Rings was filmed.</div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs482.ash1/26369_383841970613_510990613_4286869_4579734_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs482.ash1/26369_383841970613_510990613_4286869_4579734_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We did around 10 miles / 16 or 17km as we trekked to the summit then back the way we came rather than keep going down the other side along the full crossing as our car was at the one end and we werent going to pay $30 each for the bus back to it from the end of the crossing!</div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><a name='more'></a></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We climbed rocks and up steep muddy paths but the real killer was the stairs they had put in every now and again. I think the repetetiveness of them really wore your legs out. Or atleast they did mine! It was at these points Amy trudged on ahead and on the rocky less defined climbs that i pushed on in front. Oh and we only got lost once and that was on the way back. Where we also saw, what amy thought was a bussing bee's nest but turned out to be, flies swarming around the biggest brown snake you have ever seen in your life. And not the animal kind but the kind that occurs when someones come down a mountain that has only one toilet on it and they cant wait to reach it! My god, it was like a calypo. Needless to say we swiftly moved on from there!</div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs502.snc3/26369_383842500613_510990613_4286904_3255506_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs502.snc3/26369_383842500613_510990613_4286904_3255506_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">All in all, we were both really happy with ourselves for doing such a long hike, startin off at 9.45 and getting to the summit by 1ish and back again by 5ish. Amy suffered some blisters and i was afflicted with a sun burnt face! But it was worth it and i reckon my moobs have shrunk you know!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></span></div>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901172875626232337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989328098140411146.post-6387748318991812522010-04-13T00:36:00.003-07:002010-04-13T00:36:39.474-07:00Shitting Sand For A Week<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">...is how i felt i would be after going sand boarding! A great time though and rather than pay the $105 - $139 for a tour to do it we drove there, taking in the views on the way, and hired boards for $15. What a saving! even if we didnt have a car it would have beencheaper to hire one between the three of us and hire boards than it would have been to each pay for a tour and go by bus!</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">We had a few slides down the beginners dune, eatin sand on the way down. But the biggest dune was where you really picked up some dust, flying down fast and getting covered head to toe in sand. It was such a struggle gettin up the big dune, every 3 steps only took you up as far as a single step and youd start sliding back down anyway so myself and Nikki only slid down from around half way or maybe a bit higher but amy managed to get to the top to take in the views and really gather some speed. Though he long sledge down didnt compare to my epic fail of sitting on the board, going against the advice of the board lady, and taking a big tumble down the dune somersaulting over and wacking my head on the sand as i rolled the rest of the way down. My neck Still feels a bit funny since then you know! And i was rubbing sand out of my hair, eyebrows, ears and every other crevice for the next day or 2 before we got to a site with showers! I was even leavin piles of sand wherever i sat that had collected in my pockets.</div>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901172875626232337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989328098140411146.post-35498025827502777322010-04-13T00:36:00.001-07:002010-04-13T00:36:15.185-07:00Did someone Say Sheep?<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">So, we are now in New Zealand. In a spaceship.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Initial impressions are that its not much cheaper than Oz, so still quite expensive unfortunately for us, the people are friendly and that they dont seem so obsessed with sheep as the aussies make out. To be honest i think ive sen more cows. Though we did pass 'Sheep World' with their dyed pink sheep out front! Not really a typical sight you see everyday, bright pink sheep grazing!</div>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901172875626232337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989328098140411146.post-90525055504846114372010-04-01T23:14:00.000-07:002010-04-01T23:26:27.947-07:00Unattended Luggage...So, this is the moment we have all been prepped for and warned about. I am sitting opposite in an airport, opposite unattended luggage!<br />
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Admittedly the terror scares and hype arent as rife nowadays but still there is an air of concern with unattended luggage. Mostly because it may be a bomb. Im pretty sure when i was younger if we came across a bag with no apparent owner then the age old law of 'finders keepers, losers weepers' came into play and that bag would come under new ownership. Thats if it was worth keeping. But now if you find a bag you lighten your step in fear of setting it off and blowing your face off.<br />
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This bag in front of me was attended by a man who seemingly just walked off and left it, whether he was aware of it or not it seems odd that so long has passed now and he hasnt come back. Hmmm, he did have a beard....that unmistakable feature of the terrorist. They save all their razor blades for putting inside bombs and torturing captured western infidels. Not actually proven but that is fact ;-)<br />
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Here is a photo of said bag...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs450.snc3/25788_381419610613_510990613_4224296_6228606_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs450.snc3/25788_381419610613_510990613_4224296_6228606_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
If it does blow then im quite happy dying knowing that my photo will be on every newspaper from here to LA and surely would make some top place in a list of significant photos of 2010. But then again my laptop may not survive the blast! Maybe i should move further away...<br />
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<b>Update</b>: the man has returned. In a way its a shame. Everyone loves a drama.<br />
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But now i am thinking, as he had a slightly confused and concerned look on his face, that he may have left the bag there on purpose? Sure he has a beard but its more casual looking now rather than terrorizing. Not that facial hair can terrorize per say; barbers would have a nightmare of a job. But coupled with shorts, trainers and tshirt his overall scruffy appearance seems to thought out to be casually casual. As if he works here in the airport or for some authority and as he is young looking they told him to dress casual and play the part of a forgetful traveller - so he just didnt bother shaving and put on what he wears to the gym. If it was left there as an excersise to test whether the public would heed the tannoys warnings and report the unattended luggage then lets hope theyre not filming this, as no one took any notice apart from a young man and his laptop who only reacted by leaning forward and taking a photo of it!chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901172875626232337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989328098140411146.post-23177241577437379042010-04-01T05:53:00.001-07:002010-04-01T05:53:13.817-07:00Australia Part 2...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; white-space: pre;"><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z19P0cabX-w&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z19P0cabX-w&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></span>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901172875626232337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989328098140411146.post-86094364217024592542010-04-01T05:23:00.000-07:002010-04-01T05:24:00.908-07:00Must Do's in Oz<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Some free things and some not so free but well worth it things to do in Oz...</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Tin Can Bay Dolphins</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk85Y-BDUwuuVX0c19sso6oekXC7QgGpHPyyaO3ZdzD3Fbn0LKo3szRAXz_HKPqCCvR45YUS5pKbX8J5RLDyP6UCWA2c_GtSyjtju35yMMtynEpJ2-77wqnFCZmzHsuKwVFJNXcO9lZ4b4/s1600/DSCF7268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk85Y-BDUwuuVX0c19sso6oekXC7QgGpHPyyaO3ZdzD3Fbn0LKo3szRAXz_HKPqCCvR45YUS5pKbX8J5RLDyP6UCWA2c_GtSyjtju35yMMtynEpJ2-77wqnFCZmzHsuKwVFJNXcO9lZ4b4/s320/DSCF7268.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Not mentioned in the Lonely Planet guide, the dolphins at Tin Can Bay are a definite must-do....because its free!</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">ok, you have to pay for the fish - $5 for a bucket of 2 fish but thats a steal compared to dolphin watching tours.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">If youre heading north up the east coast, Tin Can Bay is near Gympie on the way to Hervey Bay. You'll see the signs and just head to the Barnacle Cafe at the boat ramp for 7am and park up for free. the dolphins turn up any time between 7.30 and 10am</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><a name='more'></a><br />
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</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Queens Beach, Sydney</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNOemqhBtxje3mIbdnEIRSnm4em-4A1kjhmA5OEaFr-U2JgGSNbOoveDFsF65CtXhoyrg6gHtw6IAaVY_IXJxwQDQdfpw3NkNY3pLnrIHDa89Vp-aVHnDd0AEnBbH9PbIlsOha64ZJhFW/s1600/DSCF6408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNOemqhBtxje3mIbdnEIRSnm4em-4A1kjhmA5OEaFr-U2JgGSNbOoveDFsF65CtXhoyrg6gHtw6IAaVY_IXJxwQDQdfpw3NkNY3pLnrIHDa89Vp-aVHnDd0AEnBbH9PbIlsOha64ZJhFW/s320/DSCF6408.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">The only beach you can see Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House all on one horizon whilst you swim. Its a tiny beach along a nice walk that leads to other small private beaches. See if you can find this lovely spot ;-)</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>The Waterfall Circuit</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7BpcJp1Etmg8GXJAnFxJB_TWpBVPU_8hDtkjvm2N647yXsmV2lyfuyrzRO5et0Daz7xJAw6suiRRPZKoZ2soySST0iGvK-UVHymRWo9O0Ia9UBF8KEDheag4q6ZFEu8cRMoet124OyqE/s1600/DSCF7930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7BpcJp1Etmg8GXJAnFxJB_TWpBVPU_8hDtkjvm2N647yXsmV2lyfuyrzRO5et0Daz7xJAw6suiRRPZKoZ2soySST0iGvK-UVHymRWo9O0Ia9UBF8KEDheag4q6ZFEu8cRMoet124OyqE/s320/DSCF7930.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Included in a lot of pricey tours, but if you have a camper or a vehicle of your own just drive it yourself and see 3 great falls in a row for free! Some have free rest areas for camping too. </div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Find it on route from Innisfail to Herberton.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Not far from here, on the way to Mareeba, is the Gallo cheese and chocolate shop. Free to get in there and just hang around the cheese counter and the lady will offer you cheeses to taste :-) a free snack!</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Three Sisters, Blue Mountains</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/2a/8d/0f/three-sisters-from-echo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/2a/8d/0f/three-sisters-from-echo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">You can drive and park at the centre here where the Sky rail departs and view the 3 rocks for free and if you fancy a walk you can take the route down and touch the first sister.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">When we went it was too misty to see anything but still a good vie down the hillside into the mist. Best viewed when lit at night or later in the afternoon when its clearer.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><i>Not free but cheap or atleast well worth it things to do...</i></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Mon Repos turtles</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9x6jy1QWUs2fAFpwjAQB46sDNHp3S26mecHWha1_MTZrDYtcSRU-XwwXRJ1Vg1Fg43eBd-KR3Zix3nMF4mZPHjiRD4md5q5iCejSFWrb2CHVh3z8pjb9GJWbadORGIgJvM9LbcpTcdKxd/s1600/DSCF7333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9x6jy1QWUs2fAFpwjAQB46sDNHp3S26mecHWha1_MTZrDYtcSRU-XwwXRJ1Vg1Fg43eBd-KR3Zix3nMF4mZPHjiRD4md5q5iCejSFWrb2CHVh3z8pjb9GJWbadORGIgJvM9LbcpTcdKxd/s320/DSCF7333.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">A Turtle rookary famous for their logerhead turtles laying eggs on their beach.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Between Nov/Dec to the end of March you can see either big turtles come ashore and lay their egs at night or see those nests hatch and the little baby turtles run to the sea. Areat experience for just $9 plus as its late you can sometimes stay free in their carpark with your camper.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Shark and Ray centre, Nelson Bay</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWo-TVG7NeMPByg_oS8jULumNBhwtUjqvi6A8CPEiyQT-jtLF1ZmZZSk16IcTXJn6L_OF1q1eKPhcHAAz9Pzl-pnmwuMz-Ksn5HW7f52dGe0kyIcnMgXyoJ7rK3c3lCBzsYPsrgYzfKFrA/s1600/CIMG3956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWo-TVG7NeMPByg_oS8jULumNBhwtUjqvi6A8CPEiyQT-jtLF1ZmZZSk16IcTXJn6L_OF1q1eKPhcHAAz9Pzl-pnmwuMz-Ksn5HW7f52dGe0kyIcnMgXyoJ7rK3c3lCBzsYPsrgYzfKFrA/s320/CIMG3956.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">For around $40 you can don some waders, grab a bucket of prawns and squid and get into a tank of sharks and sting rays! Or you can put on a wetsuit and do some snorkelling in the same tank!</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">A brilliant experience, with so many rays and fish around you beging for the food like dogs. they enjoy being fed and you can stroke them. </div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">A bit pricey but you can pay less to stay out of the water and feed from the edge. The rays come to the waters edge for the food so you dont miss out too much. Keep an eye out for the signs on the way to Nelsons Bay.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>National Parks</b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">If youre in a camper, staying in Nation Park sites guarantee lots of wildlife to spot. We got cornered outside the toilets but an angry possum and her baby. We also got to take part in a free night walk around the park at Lane Cove Park.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Billabong Sanctuary, Townsville</b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Watch the animal feeding shows, especially the croc shows and get to touch Koalas, Kangaroos, Snakes, Wombats, Wallabies and more! Buy some food at reception and hand feed the wallabies and 'roos around the park. About $28 entry but discounted if you have a student traveller card or similar.</div>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901172875626232337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989328098140411146.post-46644437130498904002010-03-30T21:27:00.001-07:002010-03-30T21:27:03.226-07:00Australia So Far...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; white-space: pre;"><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7BLHvi-rMDs&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7BLHvi-rMDs&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></span>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901172875626232337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989328098140411146.post-51434090275028103532010-03-28T06:03:00.000-07:002010-03-30T21:28:10.677-07:00Lady Gaga killers of Redland BaySo far we've stayed at campsites near the sea, in national parks and, of course, the handy and free rest areas along the way on our travels up the east coast. But every now and again we hit a bit of a wall and cant find anywhere to stay where we want to be. Up until last night we've found somewhere last minute, be it a rest area miles out of the way; a bit of a waste of petrol, or a campsite thats over priced.<br />
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So yesterday we've pulled into a park. It has all the amenities of a rest area and lots of room to park. Theres some lighting on a nearby field which filters our way a bit, a lake on one side of us and some residential houses the other side across the field.<br />
There arent any of the usual signs saying not to camp so the 4 of us happily check it out. Me and Sam in one van and the girls in the other.<br />
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Sam asks some blokes parked up if its ok to stay here the night. Maybe not such a good idea letting them know we'd be here for the whole night, what with their slightly inbred looks, mullets and jokes about the film Wolf Creek and how we should tell the girls thats what its like here so they should stay with them tonight! But regardless of all that they seemed harmless enough, smoking and having a few beers by a lake after work we presumed, and actualy pretty helpful (or overly keen??) with letting us know its ok to stay here the night.<br />
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Now what made these guys grow ever more creepy, apart from the frequent glances and stares over at us, was that they were 4 grown men hanging around a park and kids play area in the late afternoon. Plus they were blasting out, not quite your typical aussie bloke music, tune after tune of pop and RnB songs. Then they pretty much played the whole Lady Gaga album but always skipping back to her popular, and now creepy sounding, Poker Face.<br />
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Over and over again we heard that song and, if you've ever seen the cheesey horror film Jeepers Creepers, we culdnt help but think that this was maybe their song they played to their victims. Maybe we were unaware that the song was covering the sounds of them dressing up in drag as Lady Gaga herself whilst they sharpened their meat hooks and knives. Or maybe we'd wake in the middle of the night to the sounds of 'p-p-p-poker face, p-p-p-poker face...' as a burly, mulleted bloke in a glittery dress, heels and extravagant head piece presses his face against our mosquito net....! But they left and the park was quiet without them until families arrived and flooded the park with cars and kids for footy practice. See, this is a nice area :)<br />
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It must have been 2 or 3am, we were awake at the sound of every car that may pull in to the park, and some did but they parked safely away from us and quietly. Then we heard the rattling of a pick up truck trundling down the road towards us and the loud pop songs blasting as it pulled up in front of us! Of course you think you can hear footsteps around the van and breathing at the window. But i think the closest anyone came was someone i peeked through the curtains at who was standing in front of Nik and Sams van having a smoke. We spent a good while silently peering out looking to see what they might be doing. Well i say silently, personally when im bricking it and dont want someone to notice me ill stay as silent as possible where as, amy seemed to find every reason to say something, whisperig not too quietly mind either! Asking what im doing, whos out there, where they are, do i have the keys near me, are they near her, could i get into the front of the vehicle and start the camper quickly?? If we were in danger i dont think it was the right time to discuss evacuation routes. If this was a horror film we'd be the ones getting killed because theyd here her constantly chattering away! Either that or she'd make me drive the van away in a mad dash for safety leavin Nik and Sam stuck in their van to be killed as they cant climb from the back into the drivers cabin as theres a mesh in the way.<br />
I told her they uys were far away, looks like they may just be meeting friends or nothing more sinister than being local small time dealers but this didnt stop her wanting to get changed. This was no time to start picking out outfits or comapring what youre wearing to your friend as she told me Nik was ok because she had shorts on?!. Even if you do feel slightly naked and with the fear of rape in the air an extra layer of clothing wont be your saviour. I cant imagine anyone got a lucky escape because the rapist had trouble with button flys.<br />
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But for anyone reading this and worrying...we're fine. The people left and we all slept fine and safely. Nikki actually slept through the whole thing!chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901172875626232337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989328098140411146.post-27570219223161409592010-03-17T01:27:00.001-07:002010-03-17T01:27:33.437-07:00Last Video From Thailand...Our last video from Thailand; we visit the Bridge over River Kwai, the floating market and the Tiger Temple...<br />
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<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QwzMw6yMq7A&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QwzMw6yMq7A&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901172875626232337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989328098140411146.post-8137623151820691542010-03-08T01:29:00.000-08:002010-03-08T01:29:32.923-08:00Leaving AsiaNot a reference to one of the only decent <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113627/">Nicholas Cage films – Leaving Las Vegas</a> but we are, in fact, saying goodbye to the noodle and rice lovers as its been over a month now and its time to head to Oz. As much as im going to miss it; the colourful taxis of Bangkok, the haggling and so on, its kind of a relief to be somewhere totally new. Especially somewhere where everyone speaks english! Saying that though - the taxi driver didnt speak very good english; in fact none of them have so far here in Australia!<br />
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Ive had a great time in Asia; enjoyed the thai food and the odd insect in Cambodia; cricket, spider and ants in fact! Notice Amy in the photo really enjoying her cricket! Its funny how you dont eat food youre dubious of in the same way as you would anything else; you deliberately take these big exaggerated chews like a baby munching banana for the first time.<br />
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I'll definitely miss being the tallest bloke in the room here, and i wasnt gifted in the height department! It was just the other day i noticed i could see all the tops of everyones heads and was quite pleased with myself. Though when i say tallest bloke, it was a room of just women and when i say 'in the room, we were just in a small lift.<br />
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Ill also miss how cheap everything is here and if it isnt cheap you can haggle until it is or atleast til youre blue in the face.chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901172875626232337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989328098140411146.post-22208745399179512112010-03-02T03:22:00.000-08:002010-03-02T03:22:09.533-08:00Visa adviceBefore we left for our trip we had a panic over our Vietnamese Visa's. We didnt have them sorted and with only a couple of days before we left our only option seemed to be to make our way to London to visit the Vietnamese Embassy which in turn could take several days to process or be very costly to push for an express service.<br />
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On calling our tour company, Intrepid, the best advice they ave was to just take the day off work and go to the embassy or just miss out Vietnam and get a bus back! This wasnt helpful.<br />
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Yet on arrival, our Cambodian tour leader happily let us know he could sort out our Visa on the way! and its cheaper!<br />
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During our travels we have seen so many travel agents offering Visa runs allover Thailand and Cambodia, So i would advise anyone else travellin who hasnt had time to sort their Visas; dont panic! its cheap and easy to sort it out here! (Though if you dont want to risk your passport being left in the hands of someone else, then do sort beforehand.)<br />
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<a href="http://travelhappy.info/travel-tips/how-to-get-a-vietnam-visa-in-bangkok/">This little article</a> gave step by step advice on getting a Vietnamese Visa in Bangkok. Though check any national holidays beforehand as when we arrived it was closed because of the Vietnamese New Year!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://travelhappy.info/photos-400/Vietnam%20Embassy/vietnam-embassy-bangkok.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://travelhappy.info/photos-400/Vietnam%20Embassy/vietnam-embassy-bangkok.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901172875626232337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989328098140411146.post-9253770716648615932010-02-19T05:37:00.000-08:002010-02-20T09:11:11.775-08:00Safety in numbersIts funny how you change when youre abroad. Personally I do a lot of things i dont at home; use a hair dryer (just because theres one available), get excited about little shampoos and shower gels...and even more excited if there are cotton buds too! Mcdonalds becomes a credible place to get food, i'll wear a bathrobe, i become slightly panicked about my pockets in crowded areas, i become more posh; on a sliding scale of poshness depending on the star of hotel i am in and oddest of all my concern for safety goes out of the window.<br />
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At home if i were to be offered a lift on the back of a taxi bike without a helmet, or even be approached in the first place without me notifying them of my need for a taxi, I would instantly question their credentials. But since being in Thailand i have been on quad bikes, side carts, shallow long tail boats, swaying ferries and various other rickety modes of transport and not once did i feel the need to see their health and safety certificates.<br />
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The main strip, i say strip but it was more like a wide path, parallel to the beach on Koh Tao was a mixture of wandering pedestrians and beeping motorbikes. Throwing bikes, trikes, quads and people all onto one path would never ever happen back home, but it works fine here. I never saw anyone get run over, no bike was ever speeding and everyone moved along happily and constantly. Plus there is no road rage!<br />
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So, i have to wonder why it wouldnt work at home? I can only think that we place so much blame on other people, and responsibility on motorists, that we are dangerously unaware of whats around us. It works here because you know a motorbike could be coming up behind you at any moment or you expect an old couple to come wandering across your path when driving, so everyone is pretty much aware of what is going on and taking responsibility for their own safety. Which is how it should be. Why should i be responsible for someone else's negligence? If i am driving at home i must be aware that a dog or woman with a baby or a child or a woman with a baby dog child could jump out into the road at any moment. Now, im not saying that i want to shirk off all responsibilities and awareness but unless that woman and her freaky canine kid are on a zebra crossing or other pedestrian walk way why cant i hit them and sue them for the dent in my bonnet? I know thats a bit blunt to say the least but if I were to be walking down the road and should want to cross, i would think twice about it if i knew the cars coming in my direction arent going to stop for me and its not going to be their fault because i shouldnt be there.<br />
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And why do little long tail boats and rickety ferries make their way up and down rivers here happily with no life jackets, safety inspections, secure seating and anchorage? When this would never happen on the Thames? If a man in a boat floating no more than 3 inches from the top of the water came bobbin along offering to take me to the other side id tell him where to go, and expect him to sink on his way! But here il happily jump in and ride the waves with ease, even when we tip so close to the surface of the water it could fill up at any moment!<br />
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I dont believe Thailand is, or most other foreign countries to the UK are, utopian but it does highlight that we worry a lot about too much. Maybe we do live in a nanny state; with kids needing goggles to play conkers or having their pack lunches monitored. If we abide by everything that we are warned about on a day to day basis then we should leave healthy safe lives, and if we dont; we're goin to die. But Asians do the opposite, eat what they like, pollute the air, risk their lives and drive like mentalists.....and theres billions of them live and kicking!chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901172875626232337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989328098140411146.post-36524949856636633352010-02-19T02:57:00.001-08:002010-02-19T02:57:09.285-08:00Phi Phi<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; white-space: pre;"><object height="295" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8DP3vkZrCbY&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8DP3vkZrCbY&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object></span>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15901172875626232337noreply@blogger.com1