Dee's RTW Adventure

Thai Cookery...MMMM

2007-06-06T03:37:00.000-07:00

So got up at the craic of dawn this morning and off we went on our merry way to learn how to cook thai food! Out little teacher collected us in a taxi and off we went to the market to get all our ingredients. Market stank so had to hold nose for about half an hour! Picked up some lovely thai veggies that I've never seen before or heard of before which kinda defeats the purpose as we are supposed to learning this cookery so we can cook thai food at home. I guess I' ll get replacement veggies! Anyhoo we made fried rice which was yummy, then we made prawn spring rolls, red chicken curry with noodles and some sort of salad, sweet chilli sauce and best of all......deep fat fried bannanas in cocunut batter!!

T'was all really nice except for the salad which was so spicy it actually seared by throat closed for about 10 minutes!

This will be my last blog entry from my holiday cause SURPRISE!!!! I'm coming home a few days early and will be home on Friday! So this is a test to see who's reading this!! If you are then you won't be surprised to see me and if you're not paying any attention to my blog then boo you and you'll be surprised to see me!!

Mekong Delta

2007-06-04T20:37:00.000-07:00

Rice Crispies!!--->

We decided to make out way back to Cambodia on the Mekong River...me thinkgs it's one of the biggest if not the biggest river in Vietnam/Cambodia. We went on a 2 day tour where they basically transport you as much of possible on the river (some of it has to be done by road) from Vietnam back into Cambodia. Along the way they make stops at local villages, markets, cottage industries where the locals make stuff to sell at the markets etc. We went to see where they make Coconut Candy and also where they make rice crispies!! That was kinda cool! Vietnam is the second biggest rice producer in the world so a lot of the little idustry factories we went to see revolved around rice...rice crispies..rice crispie squares.....rice paper.......rice liquer..you get the idea!

On the second day we took a little row boat which is rowed by the women of the village to make some extra money. Many of them had their kids in the boat with us and they were soooo cute. The kid in our boat was absolutely gorgeous and kept holding my hand and running after us...she only liked me for the chocolate biscuits in my bag..I feel so used!! She was also amazed or should I say disgusted by my freckles!!! She was only 5 and every time I showed her my arm with the freckles on it she put on this face!!!

My new friend from the boat!

Afraid of my freckles!!

After the morning rowing we got to the Vietnam/Cambodia border which is where the day went slowly downhill! Our guide told us we would only have to wait about an hour at the border crossing which later turned into 3 hours. That wasn't so bad cause we made friends with some more local kids who kept wanting to play rock/paper/scissors and hand slapping games! They loved playing but aftera while all our hands were burning..they kept fighting over who would get to play with us next! Suppose we were a novelty for the afternoon!

No running water in villages so they wash in the Mekong river

After 3 hours we were told we could clear immigration and customs to leave Vietnam..we then spent about 40 minutes on no mans land waiting for another boat to arrive to take us down the river about 1km so we could enter Cambodia. It was suppposed to be a fast speed boat type thing but after 40 mins we were told that it had broken! We then had to get a little tug boat down the river..clear Cambodian immigration (another hour wait) and eventually get on our way. After immigration it was only supposed to be another hour by boat and hour by bus to get to Pnom Phen the capital and our finish boat. Unfortunately for us cause the speed boat was broken our little tug boat (hard wooden benches and floors) took 3 hours on the river. Whilst on the river we had a monsoon rain storm which forced us to stop for a while....we all got soaked on the boat as the roof was leaking! Eventually made it to the little port where we had to climb up the extremely muddy banks of the river to get our bus. It had been raining for 3 hours so the banks were very muddy..one of the girls slipped and was filthy. Then spent another 2 hours on a rattly mini bus on the bad Cambodian roads in the rain and mud! We were supposed to reach Pnom Phen at 5 but it was 10 when we eventually made it to our guest house..tired..wet..smelly and filthy!

T'was a great two days though..not so much for the activities and things we were brought to see but more so for the things we saw when we were just cruising down the river. All the local river village kids would run along the banks after us screaming and waving hello...these people have to be happiest people in the world!

Relaxing Day in Saigon!

2007-05-31T05:30:00.000-07:00

So forgot to mention that on the way to those tunnels yesterday we stopped by a handicrafts factory which was also pretty cool..they make really nice lacquered plaques using egg shells and mother of pearl to make out the picture, outlines and colours...very good!!

So today I decided to get the aul hair cut and my god was it an experience..none of this in, out and that will be 40 Euro stuff! It took about 45 minutes in total and all I was getting was a trim and I was the only person in the salon...

So first they bring you over to this massage like table which leans over a normal hairdressers basin for washing your hair. She wets it and puts in Shampoo and for the next 10 minutes proceeds to massage my scalp, drag her nails (really long like a witch) through my hair and on my scalp. She then rinses and does the whole thing again except it actually hurt this time cause she was seriously scratching those nails along my head!! She then give me her idea of a face massage which was basically holding the shower hose 2 inches from my face. I never really understood about Chinese water torture until now...for about a minute the shower hose is in my face. Then she puts some sort of foam on my face, scratches my face with those nails again...then the shower hose is back in my face again...eyes killing me at this stage as is head!! After that she decides my hair needs conditioner so we are back with the scratching....Eventually after about 40 minutes I'm ready for the haircut!!!! which takes all of 5 minutes!!! Interesting!! And all for only $6!!! Do you think I should suggest this to Peter Mark when I get back!!

Ho Chi Mhin/Saigon - Vietnam

2007-05-31T05:14:00.000-07:00

So we arrived in Saigon a couple of days ago and despite the Lonely Planet telling us it was the one place on our travels where they would rob the eye out of your head....we really like it here! We were really worried at first as the LP was full of warnings about thiefs boarding busses and riffling through baggage in the hold, pick pockets at markets, drive by scooter muggings of sunglasses off your head!!! So far the people here have been amazingly nice!!

<---Tunnel Entrance! American Tank left behind after anti tank mine ----->

Yesterday we spent the day on a history lesson expedition! We spend the first half of the day about 60 kms outside Saigon in the Cu Chi Tunnels. These are a set of underground tunnels about 200km in length which the Viet Cong (guerilla force which supported the North Vietnamese Communists during war) used as a base to launch attacks and hide out from the American bombs etc. The tunnels were built over three levels underground to store ammunition and weapons, as homes for VC fighters, kitchens, food store and as a means of getting around undetected. About 16,000 VC fighters used these tunnels during the war. They were built to be teeny tiny tunnels with even teenier entrances (entrance only about 30 cms wide) as the Vietnamese are pretty tiny and they knew that Americans were generally bigger so that if they did find the tunnells they wouldn't be able to get in or out..they'd get stuck!

<---- The tiny tunnels A plane??---->

Really interesting tour especially as our tour guide spoke certain words of English with an American accent..he kinda sounded like Adrian Krownour from 'Good Morning Vietnam'. Turns out he was an interpreter for the Americans during the war and was a Staff Sergeant in the South Vietnamese Army!

Huey the Helicopter

After visiting the tunnels we also went to see the War Museum which was also very interesting ..lots of US tanks, planes and Huey Helicopters left over from the war which were abandones when the US pulled out. Also had a great display of photos from various foreign war correspondents who died during war. The other interesting thing was an exhibition on all the people who were physically scarred from the use of various chemicals by the Americans during the war. They had photos of the people and of their children and sometimes their grandchildren all with various birth defects, scarring etc etc.

The famous photo of that little girl running away from bomb and her now --->

All in all a very interesting day.......really amazing places..My Dad (was possibly military historian in previous life!) would have loved it so took loads of pics for him!

Pnom Phen

2007-05-27T05:13:00.000-07:00

Arrived in Pnom Phen yesterday to a cool thunder and lightening storm..tis the wet season here doncha know and they get monsoons and stuff..it rained again today at the same time so I presume it's a daily occurence....brilliant thunder and lightening though!

Mad Cambodians everywhere on their little scooters..sometimes 4 to a scooter!!

So today we went to visit the Genocide Memorials at the Killing Fields (where 9,000 people where executed under the Khmer Rouge) and S-21 Torture Prison (where all intellectuals, teachers, professionals etc where held and tortured prior to being excecuted). It was a very sobering visit to think that this was all just 30 years ago. Anyone considered intellectual was tortured then killed and the definition of intelectual even included people who wore long hair or had glasses....even women, children and babies were tortured and killed. Made for very interesting visit despite being very depressing.

On a lighter note we both treated ourselves to a massage this evening which was carried out by blind people. Lots of bling massage parlours everywhere here because it's one of the ways they can survive. No social security or disability allowance here...it's even worse for the people who lose limbs from stepping on one of the 2 million land mines still left in this country..they have no prospects whatsoever..

Cambodia!!

2007-05-25T05:44:00.000-07:00

So here we are in Cambodia......and man is it hot and it's sweaty!!! So hot that it's nearly impossible to go out in the middle of the day......we've taken to retiring to our beds most afternoons for a couple of hours!! We've spent the past few days in Siem Reap in Northern Cambodia and as everyone has told us we have met the nicest people here! They are only too happy to help us especially in our guesthouse and are completely overjoyed when you give them a tip of even $1. Our guesthouse 'Bou Savvy' is really nice and the staff are great especially our Tuk Tuk driver.

Anyhoo spent the past day or so walking around the temples of Angkor Wat (Wiki it Paul!) and they are amazing....lots of temples in this one area and they are all different. This is also where parts of Tomb Raider were filmed for Angie buffs out there!

We head off to Pnom Phen in Southern Cambodia tomorrow wich is the capital and there we'll be getting a bit of Cambodian History....we're gonna visit the killing fields which is where thousands of Cambodians were excecuted in the 70's under Pol Pot dictatorship and the Khmer Rouge...

Kuala Lumpur Petronas Towers

2007-05-22T05:51:00.000-07:00

Forgot to mention that we met Reuben (old secondary buddy) in Singapore!! He's out in Malaysia for a couple of weeks on a training course for new job! He was only about half hour away so we just had to meet up!

Now, Petrona Towers by day and night

mad malaysian dancers!!

From skanky to luxury!!

2007-05-22T05:20:00.000-07:00

From this

To this!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHH

Oh man the luxury of staying in a proper hotel!!! Staying in the Renaissance Kuala Lumpur and it's gorgeous!!! 4* Hotel with proper matress and not just the foam mattresses we are used to, proper fluffly pillows, pool, mini bar, TV with no one else challenging for the remote, and best of all a bath!!!

Singapore

2007-05-17T07:30:00.000-07:00

SO arrived late last night in Singapore, The Lion City, (not sure why) and spent the evening eating noodles in our prison cell like room! Trying to get to grip with chop sticks in preperation for the next month! You will also all be interested to hear the momentus news that Deirdre has developed an addiction to a vegetable..those who know me will know that I have previously been averse to all things green and good for me! Tis all Dave's Aunt Maire's fault....she made me eat the sweetcorn!! and now I'm like addicted eating eat practicaly every day! anyhoo the point of this tangent was to say that they are none stop eating it here in their noodles ..yeah me!

Spent the day on Sentosa Island which is an island off the coast of Singapore Island. Big military significance in WWII as it protected shipping in Singapore Harbour..large military base, guns etc on the island. When the Japanese took over Sentosa they established a POW camp there so t'was quite interesting to see all the museums, forts etc....Even got a pin for your flack jacket Dad!

Nowadays Sentosa is a touristy island with aquariums etc where you can pet pink dolphins..(yes they are pink)!!

15.05.07 - Day on the Great Barrier Reef!

2007-05-15T04:34:00.000-07:00

David Attenborough eat your heart out! Just had the most amazing trip out the reef today! Got up at 7am and back at 4.30 and spent so much time out snokelling and diving! Really amazing! The boat stops off at two reef locations and you are free to snorkel and dive as much as you want! Tried an introductary scuba dive and didn't like it so much...something to do with me getting copious ammounts of seawater in my mouth every time I took a breath which isn't technically supposed to happen! A lot happier withthe snorkelling thank you very much and say just as much!

Got some cool pics of Nemo, plus lots of coral, bluey fish thing and a cool sea turtle we have named Ellen!! (Make sure Ellie sees the pics Sue!!) ALternatively knowing how Ellie is..if she doesn't like being a sea turtle she can be the cool blue fish thing instead! Cannot stress enough how much I enjoyed this and it was probabley the longest I've ever been swimming ever! In total spent about 2 1/2 hours snorkelling around the two reefs and even then I didn't want to get out..Only had to cause my skin was wrinkling off!!

We rented an underwater camera for the day..when I say rented it was more like stole cause they forgot to charge us for it!! We figured we deserved something for free after our parking fine in Brisbane! Very difficult to get good shots underwater when you not used to it but got a few including the the sea turtle which Dave chased for a good 10 minutes! When you bring the camera back they burn all the images onto a cd for you together with some professionally taken shots! Sweet!

Fraser Island for the past three days!

2007-05-11T02:39:00.000-07:00

Just spent the past three days on Fraser Island off the coast of Queensland which is the world's largest sand island doncha know!!! The only way to get on to the island and travel around is to hire 4 wheel drive jeeps to drive along the beech and over the dunes etc. We headed out with a group of about 11 including on lunatic!! The one lunatic thought it was high-larious to go driving at 80 miles an hour over dunes, bumpy tracks etc and nearly ended up tipping the jeep on several occasions as well as sending some of us to hospital with back injuries from launching us into the air going over sand humps too fast!@! T'was good craic though and apart from the lunatic the group were really nice. Camping out on the beach was cool...though dodgy on the back sleeping on hard sand! Since it got dark every evening at 5 all there was left to do was drink for the rest of the night. For the group of 11 for 2 nights we brough 2oo beers, 2 bottles vodka, 2 bottles of tequila and 8 litres of wine with us! Good times!!

Our trusty jeep only let us down 3 times getting bogged in the sand!

Dee and Dave at a massive sand dune that is swallowing the lake behind!

Our group before we set off and then again later in the day on the beech at one of the lakes

Stanley at Lake Mackenzie and then the Sexy Boys at Lake Makenzie

Good times!!!

Noosa!

2007-05-06T02:59:00.000-07:00

After Brisbane we spent a nice day or two in Noosa which appears to be Oz's answer to Cannes!! Very swanky beach town with lovely shops, restaurants and cafe which were all beyond our budget so we did the sensible backpacker thing and availed of the free facilities...namely the beach barbeque's and the sunset..although we did live it up a little with a $10 bottle of wine and a steak! Everything tastes nicer in the sun...and to think this is their winter!

Brisbane

2007-05-06T02:39:00.000-07:00

Spent the last four days in Brisbane which is a really nice city about 1/3 of the way up on our way to Cairns...They have such a severe drought there that they are on Level 5 water restrictions. Can't remember the exact amount but they are only allowd a piddly amount of water per person per day or else the household gets fined. All that results in limited shower time, laundry time etc. When you consider that this is their Winter and it was 30 degrees ever day we were in Brisbane you can see how it's such a problem. Farmers just outside the city were told that unless it rains a hell of a lot in the next month there won't be any water available for agricultural irrigation next summer!!

Anyhoo..Brisbane was nice and whilst we were there there was a festival on in one of the city parks to celebrate the Bhuddas Birthday...queue lots of Asian type food, ceremonies and concerts which was a nice introduction for where we will be spending the next month!

As you can see Stanley also came out to meet a Bhudda..He has been somewhat neglected of late! Sorry Elle and Dad!!

Whilst in Brisbane we also went to see CRIKEY....Australia Zoo which is Steve Irwin's Place..Kinda weird walking around and seeing lots of pics of him everywhere. Even saw the Mammy/Wifey Irwin strolling around the place...saw lots of cool Ozzie animals like obviously more koalas, kangaroos but also possums and kookaburras!

Byron Bay, Coffs Harbour and Suefer's Paradise

2007-05-02T01:22:00.000-07:00

Spent a couple of days in Byron Bay and spent the day in Coffs Harbour on the way there. On the way out of town spent the day in Surfers Paradise before hitting Brisbane...All basically seaside town....all basically Bray with a lot more sunshine! Not very impressed with this part of the coast! Sorry Ozzies!!

Hunter Valley and Port Macquarie

2007-05-02T01:11:00.000-07:00

For a county with a serious drought problem it did nothing but rain for the few days we were in the Hunter Valley (wine region) and Port Maxquarie (seaside town).

Wine tasting was great..Picture if of Dave, a vineyard and our new motor which we have decided to call José Maria cause we is so much smoother, slicker and sleeker than Bertha was!

Port Macquarie was even nice even though it rained..we went to see a koala hospital where the koalas go when they are sick with wet bottom!! or get run over by a car!

The Blue Mountains

2007-05-02T00:45:00.000-07:00

So after Sydney we took a well earned break up in the Blue Mountains and stayed with Dave's Aunt and cousins for a couple of days. Was so nice just to relax and kick back and even got in a few baking lessons from Aunty Maire!! Only trouble is we got so used to home comforts that we are now a bit homesick!!

Blue Mountains from what we could see of them (very misty and rainy) were gorgeous!

2007-04-29T04:17:00.001-07:00

Met Sarah and Super 14 Game

2007-04-22T05:05:00.000-07:00

Met up with Sarah Barry old seconday school mate who is finishing PHD in Sydney!! Also caught a Super 14 game between Warratah (local Sydney team) and the Highlanders from NZ.....guy sitting right behind us at the game asked his girlfriend to marry him on the big screen!! Camera started zooming in on our section and I started getting worried!!!!!!!!

Sydney!!!

2007-04-22T04:55:00.000-07:00

So we headed to Sydney on Wednesday and did the whole touristy thing....we were like Japanese tourists ....we took a million and one pics of the opera house and harbour bridge..Also headed out to Bondi Beach to see the surf dudes with attitudes!!!

Great Ocean Road - Victoria!

2007-04-22T04:41:00.000-07:00

After a couple of days in Melbourne we headed off to the Great Ocean Road just outside the city. Basically the road does exactly what it says on the tin and follows the coast ...with some spectacular scenery!

On the drive on the Great Ocean Road we also got to take in some local wildlife!!! Cool or wha!!

Melbourne!!

2007-04-15T03:45:00.000-07:00

Landed in Oz land and first stop Melbourne! Really nice city, really nice weather ..refreshing after the humidity of Fiji! Of course after traveling a couple of thousand miles to get here one of the first things I had to do was go to see Ramsay Street and bonus..got to meet the legend that is Dr Karl Kennedy!! and for those real Neighbours nerds out there also got to meet Conor the Irish guy who used to be in it!!

I know I'm sad what can I say!!

Fiji

2007-04-10T16:45:00.000-07:00

Us on the plane with Stanley on the way to Fiji and then various pics of us snorkelling (how attractive) and flouncing around with flowers in out hair!! Dave looks great doncha think

Fiji

2007-04-10T16:33:00.000-07:00

The next day headed to the airport and FIJI here we come..spent the week on two different islands..Bounty Island (where Celebrity Love Island was filmed donchaknow) and Nacula Island..Pics speak for themselves really

Dinner with Claire in Auckland

2007-04-10T16:21:00.000-07:00

After a couple of days in the Bay of Islands and really crappy weather..torrential rain and flooded roads!! we headed back down to Auckland and met up with a buddy of Mick's my brother. Mick met Claire whilst on the J1 visa in Michigan and she stayed with us in Dublin whilst visiting Ireland...Dropped in on her and she very kindly made us dinner..First home cooked meal in over 2 months!! Had really nice evening despite the rainy weather.....

For those of you reading this from my old workplace Horwath ..look what I found in Auckland..there's just no escaping them!!

Northland and the Bay of Islands

2007-04-10T16:03:00.000-07:00

After a few days at the Coromandel Peninsula we headed up north of Auckland to the Bay of Islands and Waitangi...which (for those of you ignorant of NZ History) is where the British Gov signed a treaty with the Maoiri tribes in 1840 giving them rites and independence within British Rule...tis the founding document of NZ and their National Holiday is Waitangi Day..went to the Maoir tribal house where the treaty was signed by all the various tribes....t'was interesting..Stanley of course came along for the ride!

Lack contact

2007-04-08T15:39:00.000-07:00

Due to unforseen circumstances...ie....we are too busy lying on a beach in the sun beside a palm tree...this blog will be out of commission until we get to OZ!!! on Thurs 12th April..Fijians don't seem to be too hot on the whole technology front so won't be able to put up pics till Thurs and then I will make you all jealous with pics of white sand and clear blue waters!!

Coromandel Peninsula and Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach!

2007-03-24T21:55:00.000-07:00

After Rotorua drove to Whitangi on the Coromandel Peninsula for a couple of nights..beaches were amazing and weather was great so we even braved the sea!

Went on a walk to see Cathedral Cove..seastacks etc and then went on to see Hot Water Beach..two hours either side of low tide people show up on the beach to dig holes in the sand to create your own natural and private spa pool....boiling hot thermal waters flow under the sand from the surrounding hills so once you dig the hole you can soak for a while until the tide comes in! Cool of wha!

Postcard pics! what beaches!

Luge-ing it in Rotorua..followed by Jeep Safari!

2007-03-24T21:30:00.000-07:00

Man were we busy in Rotorua..after introducing Sue and Stanley to the joys of luging...(brilliant) we decided we would go on a 4 wheel drive jeep safari! Excellent..particularly the part where they make you drive the jeep over a 7 metre vertical drop without the breaks!! Cool!

4 wheel drive was cool

Maoiri Cultural Evening!

2007-03-22T15:57:00.000-07:00

Check out the pictures..went to see a Maoiri Cultural evening where the perform and cook your food for you in a traditional way in the ground! Best meal we've had since leaving home!

Great evening and have some videos of them performing the Haka! just can't upload them..brillinant night full of song and dance and they explained all about their culture, their tatoos, food etc etc.

Me and Sue then went of a nice relaxing massage in the local spa! Ah the rough and tough backpacking lifestyle was taking its toll...well that was my excuse..not sure what Sue's was

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland..

2007-03-22T15:30:00.000-07:00

Headed of to the Thermal Wonderland to see the Lady Knox Geyser which errupts at 10.15am every day......lots of sulpherous gases etc etc which turns the soil and surrounding rocks weird colours!!! Very smelly and toxic but cool!!

After a wander around the park taking in all the toxic gasses we could we came across a natural hot springs so headed in for a dip......and the best part was it was all for free!!!!!!

Rotorua!! Smell Eggy City!!

2007-03-19T01:24:00.000-07:00

Man this place stinks of smelly eggs!! Tis actually sulpher doncha know!! Lots of the aul thermal activity happening here!

Stanley got a few outings to see the smelly thermal pools!

Dave and Sue and a smelly cloud!

Mick more penguins!!!

2007-03-18T02:13:00.000-07:00

More penguins in Auckland..these Kiwi people are almost as obsesses as Mick with the things!

We also say a sting ray....ugly things!! so are crayfish..attacking Stanley!

The morning after the night before

2007-03-18T02:07:00.000-07:00

We forgot to bring Stanley out with us on Paddy's Day so we just made him get up early the following day with us!!!!

St Paddy's Day Auckland

2007-03-18T01:56:00.000-07:00

Us and all our greenery on St. Paddy's Day in NZ!! Watched the match too.....boo hoo...with the last minute tries!!

Errors and Corrections

2007-03-16T03:20:00.000-07:00

Dee blog wold like to correct an error made when referring to the Penguins in a previous post. I mistakingly referred to Boulie as an Irish speaking penguin. It has since been pointed out my Etain (who obviously has little to be doing) that Boulie was in fact the Irish snow man....(fear sneachta ban...hata ar a ceann..you remember) an that perhaps the Irish speaking penguin I am thinking of was in fact Pingu! Oops sorry!

Sue made it!!

2007-03-15T22:55:00.000-07:00

So we collected Sue from the airport today and she made it!!! Here is a pic of use and our Flat Stanley's collouring courtesy of Ray!!!

This is also a pic of me with the chocolate and Lucan Newsletters to thoughtfully provided by LOU!!! She knows me soooo well!! Mick make sure Lou reads this!!

Napier to Taupo...but we'll be back!

2007-03-14T22:33:00.000-07:00

Off to Taupo this morning.....only a 3 hour drive from Napier! Lovely secenery on way and once we arrived got went for walk around Lake Taupo! Caught someone doing a bungee jump..MADNESS! We continue the drive tomorrow up to Auckland but we'll be back in Taupo with Sue next week! Tune in then from more instalments!

Lake Taupo and mad bungees!!

On the Interislander Ferry from South Island to North Island

2007-03-14T22:20:00.000-07:00

Some lovelrly shots of the Marlborough Sounds (Fjords) taken from the ferry on Wednesday 14th...

What followed was a 6 hour drive to Napier through what can only be described as monsoon weather! Only 2 metres from our hostel when we had a fender bender! Girl on front slammed on and then we slammed on...unfortunately cause ground was wet we skidded into her! Only minor damage to front of car..will get repaired tomorrow when in Auckland to meet Sue!

2007-03-12T14:56:00.000-07:00

Wine Tasting in the Marlborough region of the South Island..Got sozzled for free whilst trying to sound intelligent and listen to speeches about fruity aromoas...aged oak barrells...sweet floral bouquet tastes!! Great craic alltogether!

Kaikoura Whale Watching!

2007-03-10T19:46:00.000-08:00

Went on a whale watching boat thingy!! Check out the pictures of the Sperm Whale..(no jokes please)

Akaroa French Colony - East of Christchurch

2007-03-10T19:32:00.000-08:00

The seagulls from 'Finding Nemo'!!

My attempt at a postcard shot! and I think it's my favourite-est picture of the entire trip so far!

BEAUTIFUL! it's the only word to describe this tiny coastal village out on a peninsula to the east of Christchurch. It was the first French Colony when the French settled in NZ and so it still retains all it's French-y-ness with the street names, shop names etc. Gorgeous hostel (Bon Accord), gorgeous view, gorgeous town and gorgeous sunset.

also went to see some dolphins!

Mick look ...Penguins!

2007-03-07T22:35:00.000-08:00

We are in Dunedin at the moment which is on the Otago Penninsula...famous for wildlife..penguins....fur seals...and some slightly confused sheep we caught grazing on the beach!!?????

Confused sheep on the left...

normal sheep on right!

Now for the penguins and seals!

Dave kept trying to speak Irish to the penguins...C'mon folks you remember Boulie the Irish Penguin!

Oh Oh....Puncture!

2007-03-07T22:29:00.000-08:00

Had to happen at some stage! Dave changing our blown out tyre which set us back $80....no food for a week now..am I getting any sympathy..donations can be made to Permanent TSB Bank Acc..!

Milford Sound!

2007-03-07T21:58:00.000-08:00

Took a drive down to Fjordland and went on a cruise on Milford Sound which surprisingly enough is a Fjord doncha know!! Amazing cascading waterfalls falling from walls of rock! Brilliant even though it was the worst day we've had so far!

Queenstown

2007-03-04T15:14:00.000-08:00

Arrived in Queenstown yesterday....beautiful lake.....beautiful town....went racing down the side of a hill!! and we're off today to go on a speed boat!!! Speed demons that we are!

highly attractive helmets don't you think

Couldn't resist taking a picture of Dave at the intersection of Camp and Man Streets in Queenstown!!!

View from the sky lift of the lake at Queenstown where we will be speedboating this afternoon!!

Wanaka

2007-03-04T15:01:00.000-08:00

Spent Friday and Saturday here relaxing by the Lake and eating the best cookies in the world ever!! Giant big chocolate chip cookies that I am still dreaming about now!

Lovely Lake Matheson!

2007-03-04T14:48:00.000-08:00

On the drive from Franz Josef to Wanaka we passed lovely Lake Matheson which is a lovely lake where Mount Cook can be seen reflected in the water! Check out my postcard shot!!

More Glacier pics

2007-03-01T13:32:00.000-08:00

Me in an ice cave...Dave tried to abandon me there...After about 2 hours on the glacier I felt a bit like an Antartic explorer and started naming things after myself as I discovered them! This is Moran Ice Cave..should have brought an Irish flag with me to claim it for the nation!!

Thursday 1st March

2007-03-01T13:24:00.000-08:00

Climbed a glacier!! Was the best thing we have done so far..absolutely amazing..Me thinks the pictures speak for themselves..

Arthur's Pass National Park

2007-02-28T15:13:00.000-08:00

Nice walk in the Southern Alps...Yes Deirdre actually did get some excercise!!

Road Trip Starts!!

2007-02-28T15:02:00.000-08:00

So got our hire car a 1991 Toyota Corolla which we named Bertha!! She's a real beauty!! Started our road trip from Christchurch and crossed the Southern Alps which was great.....stayed in a town called Arthur's Pass which was halfway through the mountains......went on a couple of walks in the national park and it was really beautiful..check out the pics!!!

Christchurch Sat 24th to Tues 27th

2007-02-25T23:00:00.000-08:00

Watching Ireland trouce England at 06.30 is a great way to start the day!!

Arrived in English speaking lands again...Thank God cause my head was turning to mush with Spanish Translations for the past month....Tis also great to be able to get English speaking newspapers and magazines again.....Christchurch is really beautiful..they say it is the most reflective cities the way they were when the English settled here...really nice river, parks, gardens and squares...After a bad day on Saturday when we arrived the weather has been great since..Here are some pics

What happened to Friday 23.02.07

2007-02-23T19:42:00.000-08:00

Hopped on a plane in Santiago on Thursday and ended up in Christchurch on Saturday..ah the wonders of the International Date Line..although I am still slightly confused about the whole thing....Some pictures of checking in...inside the most uncomfortable long haul flight ever..(no leg room for 13 hours never fly with LAN) and the plane that took us to Christchurch at 8am this morning!

Santiago de Chile!

2007-02-21T13:54:00.000-08:00

So have spent the last few days chilling in the capital of Chile....(sad I know). Went off to the main park in Santiago today and took some cable cars to the top of this hill where they have an outdoor church..Weird! Some views of Santiago from the top of the hill with the start of the Andes Mountains in the background..

Valparaiso and Viña del Mar

2007-02-20T09:06:00.000-08:00

Stopped off in these coastal towns on the way down to Santiago! Very nice and the weather was excellent as well! Got some beach action in and for once we didn´t get sun burned Fiona will be glad to hear..she keeps giving me lectures about Factor 50 sun block!!

Viña del Mar is the rich Chilean Holiday destination with really nice holiday homes, restaurants, shops etc. It´s only two hours from Santiago so it´s a weekend destination as well. We were there on Sunday the last day before the schools and universities go back after summer so the place was packed.

Dave decided to sprawl out on the beach with a beer!!!!

Went for a bit of a swim but those waves were killer! Huge!!

Thursday 15.02.07

2007-02-16T07:54:00.000-08:00

Went of on a tour of a wine and pisco (national drink in Chile) agricultural region yesterday and visited loads of distilleries and got drunk on alcoholic vapours!! The make pisco by boiling white wine ..then condensing the vapours..(ethanol) the ethanol is then mixed with water and matured for 2 years and hey presto you have pisco..Not a very nice drink but still!! La Serena is really nice little town on the coast and really liking it here..Off to Valparaiso later today which is on the coast west of Santiago!!

Valentine`s Day and Dad`s Birthday in La Serena

2007-02-14T14:40:00.000-08:00

Got into La Serena at 12 noon today after a 14 hour bus journey from Antofagasta.....several travel sickness tablets later I managed to get an alright night`s sleep..not sure about Dave though who spent the entire afternoon asleep in the hostel room...we have managed to see a bit of the town so far including some really gorgeous Japanese Gardens! The bus journey from Antofagasta and in fact any of the bus journeys in Chile so far have been beyond boring as there is no landscape to look at..Chile (from what I understand) is sandwhiched between the Andes and the Pacific so there is very littly interesting landscapes and much of Northern Chile..north of Santiago..is desert..(see picture)

So far La Serena looks good and tomorrow we are off to get a tour of the local distilleries! They make a drink here called Pisco..think its a type of whyskey but will know more tomorrow unless Paul McEvoy wants to Wiki it (go on Paul).

Just phoned home and am hearing great stories of what all my Dad`s Roadstone ladies did for his birthday! Nice to know someone is looking after him when I`m gone cause you know I`m the only one who really does..Michael and Gerard just don`t care!! Keep it up!!

Other pic is of Japanese Gardens in La Serena and the giant Koi (just for Dad)

Monday 12.02.07

2007-02-14T14:34:00.000-08:00

Arrived in Antofagasta a major city on the Chilean coast on Monday...arrived late a night so just went for something to eat in this seriously dodgy "Eddie Rockets" wannabe restaurant called Bingos...guess we really should have known from the name of the place......asked for a burger and chips and got a kinda meat thing with green bits in it..no burger bun and deep fat fried thinner than McDonalds chips that I don`t think count as chips!

Stayed in a nice enough hostel again with cable tv...getting used to this now cable tv everywhere we go....

Yesterday Tuesday we got kicked out of the hostel at 12 noon and as our overnight bus wasn`t until 10pm that night we had a lot of time to kill...spent it sitting in the main square trying not to look suspicious as we moved from bench to bench every hour to get more shade! BURNT! and yes Fiona I am putting on sun cream I just keep missing bits so I now look like a patch work quilt with various squares and lines of red, slightly red, slightly brown, freckly and peeling! ATTRACTIVE!

11.02.07 Finally in Chile!

2007-02-12T05:52:00.000-08:00

And now we are at the sea!!! Yeah!! Oh I do like to be beside the seaside..oh I do like to be beside the sea!!!!

Puno Vs Arequipa

2007-02-12T05:46:00.000-08:00

So now you see why we were so glad to leave Puno and get to Arequipa...the floating islands was the only upside of Puno..Arequipa much nicer!!

Saturday 10.02.07

2007-02-11T08:37:00.000-08:00

Got out of Arica early enough ....nothing much to see there and headed to get a bus to Iquique where we arrived late last night...Seems like a really nice town right on the Pacific coast of Chile! Will update with pics soon enough.....

09.02.07

2007-02-11T08:30:00.000-08:00

Left Arequipa on Friday and caught another long but slightly less painful bus journey to Tacna which is in Peru right on the Chilean border....Once we arrived in Tacna the only way cross the border is by car or bus so the locals have set up a system where by they charge people without cars a fee... about ten quid..and they drive you up to the border, sort out the various forms for you and help you through any possible complications.... Never before have I felt like an illegal immigrant but I did on Friday squashed into a car with 5 other people all Peruvian trying to get their stories straight so they could get into the country...The Chilean economy is a lot stronger so they have a lot of problems with Peruvians entering illegally to get work....those that where in San Diego with us and went down to Tijuana with us a couple of times will know the set up...seedy cross border area...horrible immigration officials...rubbish everywhere..!

Three of the peole in our car got turned back....

Anyway eventually made it across the border to Arica where we spent the night...

07.02.07

2007-02-11T08:24:00.000-08:00

Ok so after leaving the floating people behind we hopped on a long and painful bus journey to Arequipa in Southern Peru...really nice city, hostel and people after the dive that was Puno .... really didnt like that town at all. Arequipa on the other hand was gorgeous and to top it all the hostel room had cable TV in it!! After a long 7 hour bus ride to Arequipa we decided ... being the cultural pair that we are.... to sit in, order pizza and watch English TV for the first time in 3 weeks!!! CSI, pizza, nice hostel room... all sure fire ways to alleviate a little culture shock!

Arequipa is a really nice city where all the main buildings around the main square are made out of white volcanic rock so they call it the white city..It is more like Spain than anywhere else in Peru..

The Floating People

2007-02-08T07:37:00.000-08:00

Cool or wha!

Sunday 04.02.07

2007-02-05T17:44:00.000-08:00

Next day got an 8 hour bus ride to Puno on Lake Titicaca..no laughing at the name please we are all mature adults! It´s the highest and largest naviagable lake in South America at 3800 metres above sea level! We are both suffering a little at the moment after a dodgy burger at the Maccu Pichu restaurant (commercialism at its best) so are taking it easy in Puno for the moment...We are going to see the floating islands tomorrow (islands made out of reeds where about 4-5 families live on each island, there are 5 islands). These people the Uros people live on these islands and just replace the reeds from the top when they start to rot...weird huh and a bit unbelieavable but I will prove it to you tomorrow once I take some pics...For the moment be content with a pic of me and Dave at the lake this afternoon...Not the best shot of Dee but sure!

03.02.07 - Made it eventually!

2007-02-05T17:29:00.000-08:00

We did however make it up to Maccu Pichu (or however you spell it) on Saturday to meet up with the same group....the same group that had just spent climbing the fricking mountain in the cold while Dee was in bed recovering from her nervous breakdown! Anyway here are a few pics of the wonderful Maccu Pichu...they don´t even do it justice.....tried to take so many but none of them captured what the site actually looks like...AMAZING!

31.01.07

2007-02-05T17:20:00.000-08:00

So here´s picture of me (the loser) who couldn´t do the Inca Trail! This is the group as we started out.......Unfortunately 12 kilometres and 5 hours after this picture was taken Deirdre unfortunately had a bit of a spazz attack and flamboyantly dropped out of the Inca Race!!

31.01.07

2007-02-01T13:18:00.000-08:00

Ok so I'm a loser and probably the only person that couldn't do the Inca Trail but it's not my fault!! Breathlessness and the altitude got the better of me....couldn't breath and had a minor panic attack after 12 kms and the thing is 45 kms long! Literally couldn't get enough air into my lungs...mild altitude sickness! Will still get to see Maccu Pichu though cause getting train up on Satuday to meet with the group we started with..which is cool..just won't be killing myself getting there!

Really dissappointed with myself but sure at least I still get to see it!

29.01.07 First full Day in Cusco

2007-01-30T12:32:00.000-08:00

First full day in Cusco which is where we are supposed to be aclimitising to the altitude.. and what do we see! How brill is this picture! Never mind that we had to pay her to pose!! It´s a real indigenous Peruvian town and the tourists are the only white people here. Really nice town only problem is that everything us uphill!!

2007-01-30T12:30:00.000-08:00

One of the coolest brand names for a drink ever!! Inka Cola..Gotta love it! Just hopes it helps while climbing this flipping mountain tomorrow!

Also that´s me pointing out yet another insect bite! ATTRACTIVE!

Flying to Lima!

2007-01-30T12:27:00.000-08:00

Pics out of the window of plane from Buenos Aires to Lima are of the Amazon (although you prob can´t make it out)

Flying to Lima and Cusco in Peru! 28.01.07

2007-01-28T17:57:00.000-08:00

So early flight this morning at 06.30 straight to Lima in Peru. Had a three hour wait where we were harassed by members of the airline Lan Peru staff looking for a tip for showing us where to check in....eh isn't that his job! Flight to Peru was 4 hours and got some good shots out the window of the Amazon which was cool..will put them up when I get a chance.

Next was the flight from Lima to Cusco...Cusco is at a seriously HIGH ALTITUDE...wiki it Paul you know you want to ... and we had been warned of the effects of sorecho or alltitude sickness by everyone...includes shortness of breath, heart racing, nausea etc etc....You'll all be glad to know that so far so good touhch wood I am fine...Dave however is another story and has taken to bed with serious head aches and nausea...The only cure for this is to drink coca tea and chew on coca leaves so Dave is drinking away! I am taking revenge for the lack of sympathy I got from him regarding my mozzie bites!! PS two more to add to the collection today! Can people go into shock from too many bites? I'll let you know if it happens!

We'll just be taking it easy around Cusco until Wed when we start the Inca Trail if Dave is better. Cusco beautiful city at first glance....centre of the Inca Empire...will go explore tomorrow when the ginger tosser feels up to it! Will post some pics then.

Over and out

Buenos Aires 25.01.07 to 28.01.07

2007-01-28T17:47:00.000-08:00

So have just spent 4 days in Buenos Aires the capital of Argentina for those of lesser intelligence amongst you..I mean you Gerard!

Had wanted to see a couple of things whilst there including the palace where Juan and Eva Peron would have lived in their hey day..thats Evita to you and me no go see the film. Unfortunately for use everything we wanted to go and see was closed for restoration including the palace and the house of congress building. The only thing that we got to see was the Boca Juniors Football stadium. Man do those players have it rough..for the biggest club in Argentina the stadium and dressing rooms are no great shakes...we did get to see Maradonna's bench which was pretty cool.

Other memorable moment of BA was walking right into some Communist Left Wing demonstration where all the demonstrators were walking around carrying USSR and Che Guevera flags and banging drums..it wouldn't have been so bad had they not been wearing ski masks and shouting abuse at the locals!

All in all wasn't overly impressed with BA..didn't hate it but just didn't like it cause we couldn't see or do anything. Hightlight was the Tango Show which was brilliant and lowlight so far has been the serious ammount of mozzie bites I have attracted..15 and counting! They obviously like Moran skin better than Clayton skin!

In Buenos Aires

2007-01-28T15:51:00.000-08:00

Pics of the wonderful Argentine flag with a wonderful blue sky in the backround just to prove we were there! Also a pic of the cool tango night we went to!! Really wated to join in but Dave wouldn´t let me!!!!!

24.1.07 Mad travelling

2007-01-28T15:47:00.000-08:00

Us in the first hour of the flight from London to BA.....wasn´t as bad as I though it would be!

AAAH 15 Hour flight!!

2007-01-26T13:01:00.000-08:00

So lads..I made it alive just about! The flight wasnt as bad as I thought cause took several travel sickness tablets together with several vodkas and that knocked me out! Thats why they supply free booze on long flights isnt it??? Anyway the crappy computers in our hostel dont have usb ports so cant put up any pics as of yet...yeah cause they are just sooo interesting!

Weather is very hot and muggy with loads of thunder storms and then sunshine! More updates later I guess when we are up and running with the pictures..off to a tango show tonight so will chat to you all later!

2007-01-21T09:54:00.000-08:00

Some pics of me with the happy couple just to prove I was there!!

One final send off! Hurrah!

2007-01-21T09:47:00.000-08:00

Last send off was Mandi and Tom's wedding! Tom looked gorgeous.....the colour really suited him...I suppose Mandi wasn't half bad either! Only kidding .. couldn't be happier for the both of you

2007-01-21T04:40:00.000-08:00

Suppose I'll miss her....maybe!!!!! Fiona made me cry!! No Fair

Leaving Work!

2007-01-21T04:36:00.000-08:00

Yeah....Friday was the last day in work!!! I've been looking forward to saying that for ages! Had one last night out with the HBC buddies........aaahh I miss them already! Eimear and Anne will probs kill me for putting this up here!

Lucan Posse Thieves

2007-01-15T12:56:00.000-08:00

Emmmm did someone say brown sauce!!

One of a couple of send offs - Lucan Possee

2007-01-15T12:52:00.000-08:00

So organised a bit of a piss up with the school/college/Lucan buddies! Deirdre learnt something about herself that night.......she can no longer drink like a teenager and expect to get over it the next day! Had a great night and loved having all the buddies in one place!

Heavy!!!

2007-01-06T13:33:00.000-08:00

How the hell am I gonna carry this

2007-01-06T13:14:00.000-08:00

So......decided that I'd try fit all the stuff I want to bring into the backpack, the idea being that once I realised that I can't carry the kitchen sink around the world..it would help narrow down my packing list!! This is my attempt at carrying my pack for 30 seconds down the stairs....em....packing list has now been severly shortened!!!

Only 2 weeks to go!!

Hello

2006-12-31T08:27:00.000-08:00