tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22732745870091774612024-03-14T08:32:45.765+00:00James and Pamela's travel blog- Hong Kong - Thailand - Malaysia - Singapore - Australia - New Zealand - Cook Islands - LA - Toronto -Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2273274587009177461.post-84586213421134864252011-03-26T14:45:00.003+00:002011-03-28T17:14:27.770+01:00Toronto<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing Bocce on the PlayStation 3 </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yonge Street</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div>From Los Angeles, we flew to Boston, slept in the airport (at least Pam managed to) then caught a flight to Toronto, where our friends Rob and Danielle, who have been living there for the last two years, greeted us with open arms. It was so good to see them and catch up over several beers!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tucking into an Indian take away on our first night together</td></tr>
</tbody></table>They were great hosts, striking a perfect balance between sightseeing and stress-free relaxation. On our first day, we quickly realised that shorts and t-shirts were not going to suit the freezing temperatures. We went to Kensington market and frantically searched for some warmer clothes. Browsing the shops was fun, especially trying on the craziest looking clothes we could find in a vintage clothing shop.<br />
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Toronto's skyline is famous for the 550 metre CN Tower. Doing the tourist thing, Pam, Rob and I went up to the viewing platform and realised just how sprawling Toronto is. Watching Pam nervously tip-toe across the glass floor was hilarious.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotdog stall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>During our travels, we have sampled some unusual local specialities, but the classic street stall hotdog is up there with the best. Rob was very efficient at directing us to the best stalls - they were so good, we made several more visits!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Steam Whistle brewery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Another memorable moment was our trip to the Steam Whistle brewery. This restored brick building situated in the heart of downtown seemed like a really cool place to work and our suspicions were confirmed when we learned that the workers are entitled to three free bottles from a special beer dispenser - wow! Luckily for us, they extended their policy to customers and we were handed out free beer like there was no tomorrow. Now, that's what I call a good brewery tour!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downtown Toronto</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Toronto is a city which stands out for us on our travels. Walking around it, we saw so much diversity in its surroundings, from the high class shopping district of Yorkville to the bright lights of Dundas Square, Toronto's version of Times Square, and a remarkably safe feeling downtown.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way to Hooters - we were both rather excited...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Our fun-filled nights with Rob, Danielle and, of course, Martini (their cat) were filled with games, chat, movie nights and lots of good food and drink. Rob and I also enjoyed extending our nights into the early hours with some quality boy time. Just like when we were at school together, we would take every chance to play ultra-competitive games on the PlayStation 3. The game Move (which uses motion-sensor controls, like the Nintendo Wii) was a favourite for couples matches of Bocce (like French bowls) that usually led to the guys blaming the girls for defeats!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgLX_Lqlnj3kszPhZu4o8f1YIqszW3HneOXMgBYdPw1Jw8cwORxRK1o21quSACL2ytE7qmts99KVv1H4ByNoaAALI_m7Rq79xPtBzPyn8Ta34FwK7q_YcF7iKzKWmM1PDxZOiS8yydzBR/s1600/DSCF7074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgLX_Lqlnj3kszPhZu4o8f1YIqszW3HneOXMgBYdPw1Jw8cwORxRK1o21quSACL2ytE7qmts99KVv1H4ByNoaAALI_m7Rq79xPtBzPyn8Ta34FwK7q_YcF7iKzKWmM1PDxZOiS8yydzBR/s200/DSCF7074.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master chef Danielle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We continued our boy time one afternoon by squeezing in a sneaky lunchtime visit to Hooters. We were like two giggling schoolboys, as we were served sub-standard food by rather pretty waitresses (I'm pretty sure that's the way it's supposed to be, anyway).<br />
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Unfortunately, Pam had to cut her time in Toronto a little short after hearing news from home that Maisie, her gran, had passed away. She was our number one blog fan and we loved calling home during our trip to share all our travelling stories with her. She was very much loved by Pam and her family and will be dearly missed.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Falls on the Canadian side of the border </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Flights were altered and plans rearranged, but I was under strict instruction from Miss Lawn (who insisted I didn't mess with her on this one) to enjoy the last few days until I was to follow her route back home to Scotland.<br />
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It would be strange to come all this way to Toronto and not make the short journey to see the famous Niagara Falls. So, on my final weekend, the three of us took a road trip there and were blown away by the natural beauty and the sheer scale of the two wateralls (one is in America, which we could see across the river, the other is on the Canadian side of the border).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Niagara Falls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The town of Niagara Falls, however, is as tacky and over-the-top as the waterfalls are beautiful. It felt like being in a bizarre version of Disneyland and was definitely not what I was expecting. The town's fudge shop was a highlight and we parted with a small fortune there.<br />
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A stop at Five Guys Burgers and Fries had been carefully planned by Rob weeks ago, following a recommendation from a friend. The old-school burger joint was packed out, and after trying the bacon cheese burger, it was easy to see why.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the beer market</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In Australia, Pam encouraged me to go on a wine tasting tour. In Toronto, Rob and Danielle's suggestion was the beer market. It was so much fun getting the generous samplers and using the guidebook to help pick out traces of flavours. My favourite was the Leffe Blond Ale.<br />
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And so ends our round-the-world trip! We hope you've enjoyed following our stories on the blog.<br />
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<div style="color: #999999;"><i>James & Pam</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toronto's CN Tower</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2273274587009177461.post-61730173774681652752011-03-10T06:21:00.004+00:002011-03-28T17:17:10.809+01:00Los Angeles<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The famous Hollywood sign</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We reluctantly said goodbye to the Cook Islands, and moved from summer to winter in a day as we entered the US of A.<br />
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When we arrived at the airport, we were like two little lost sheep, but somehow managed to find a bus to take us to Beverly Boulevard where we were staying.<br />
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Los Angeles has been far from our favourite stop (it is just not Rarotonga) and we were underwhelmed by the lack of glitz and glamour Hollywood is said to possess. Hollywood Boulevard and the Walk of Fame is full of tacky tourists shops and countless weird and wonderful street entertainers eager to woo you into a photo shot with them. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Terminator!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Hollywood's saving grace is the beautiful <span id="search">Grauman's Chinese Theatre a</span>nd the famous hand and footprints of various A-list celebrities. The square featured many icons from the 1920s till the present day. We almost phoned my gran to find out all about the stars (she is an expert in this field) but I decided she might not have appreciated a call at 5am!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Qx7Lr9F2b_tfTB1JmvohU7Sh82B_aDVr8OhRH95z2A05y8qz-BgcFuoVmT5I2nQsdFJucklQ11A1GErAUtEWoajs4NCq9h-t0YV6aeQkJD3Bvf7nQJf5PA1ae5GhBgUzrhgUN5GBR6va/s1600/DSCF6821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Qx7Lr9F2b_tfTB1JmvohU7Sh82B_aDVr8OhRH95z2A05y8qz-BgcFuoVmT5I2nQsdFJucklQ11A1GErAUtEWoajs4NCq9h-t0YV6aeQkJD3Bvf7nQJf5PA1ae5GhBgUzrhgUN5GBR6va/s200/DSCF6821.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home of the rich and famous</td></tr>
</tbody></table>With only a few days to enjoy on the West Coast, we chose to skip the many surrounding theme parks (although we were tempted) and explore this concrete jungle. Without a car, it is nearly impossible to get around the city, so we jumped on a tour bus and saw many of the sights including Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive and Sunset Boulevard.<br />
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We stopped at The Grove for a hot chocolate (I hadn't quite adjusted to the cold weather) and a wander... then James found Abercrombie & Fitch and Gap. The flip-flops and t-shirts were ditched to make way for jumpers and jeans ahead of our stay in the sub-zero temperatures of Toronto and Boston.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBqwmhR6s331IPzSV9HnXowzSogu-STKxa8tImOCRD0JVzO6O4NtdXsvbnqg39rQ-FUPSWZ9XtyiWV_UJSp6jatFUjbRmDFoE40CXFfRUMezmhHMcL21iU6yYRK5Msc_eUpUNQefh29Es/s1600/IMG_8001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBqwmhR6s331IPzSV9HnXowzSogu-STKxa8tImOCRD0JVzO6O4NtdXsvbnqg39rQ-FUPSWZ9XtyiWV_UJSp6jatFUjbRmDFoE40CXFfRUMezmhHMcL21iU6yYRK5Msc_eUpUNQefh29Es/s320/IMG_8001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Grove: a shopper's paradise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We spent the rest of our time exploring the Downtown area. The sky-scrapers and palm-tree lined roads felt like the real L.A. and we enjoyed spending time in Pershing Square where we sampled some delicious strawberries and sugar-coated almonds at the market. <br />
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Luckily, we stumbled upon a great little area called Alameda. The charming streets pulled in the crowds with Mexican food stalls galore and numerous craft shops. The nearby Chinatown was also a great little spot for meandering in the afternoon sun. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowt3rtfRWD7Vf26Dc2Pd48dEJnEaOETvFwJderfclfRUkr6Dcuh6cyz3t_PZGlkwRSudJiZHnBxR1_LB0GiE3ix6lMVIzGxSQyL-5Piii3pYW1Vcj8u0I7ipWp4kBw6PikRuPX_tS3d_P/s1600/IMG_8062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowt3rtfRWD7Vf26Dc2Pd48dEJnEaOETvFwJderfclfRUkr6Dcuh6cyz3t_PZGlkwRSudJiZHnBxR1_LB0GiE3ix6lMVIzGxSQyL-5Piii3pYW1Vcj8u0I7ipWp4kBw6PikRuPX_tS3d_P/s200/IMG_8062.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downtown</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Our hostel was situated in Korea Town so we tried eating like the locals at a barbecue restaurant on our first night. This didn't go very well! As soon as we sat down, we were brought an abundance of dishes (many of which we didn't recognise) then pointed towards the hot plate in the middle of the table. We battled with the chop sticks and worried over the wok but we somehow managed to cook some of it and, although I am sure it did not taste as it was supposed to, we enjoyed it all the same.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Pm11ygnQ0hHYaYhQGyua1oJiHZqUGpPbfsfUlhHpOdM7esE0zfr_Wff791xiVD2Kj1LmrqQkA46fDc6KARr3KMiHnNwvHJeq8exvbZZ658pf1yR1OGIUcIa6rc9wr0sQCzY5-cih1e1h/s1600/DSCF6893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Pm11ygnQ0hHYaYhQGyua1oJiHZqUGpPbfsfUlhHpOdM7esE0zfr_Wff791xiVD2Kj1LmrqQkA46fDc6KARr3KMiHnNwvHJeq8exvbZZ658pf1yR1OGIUcIa6rc9wr0sQCzY5-cih1e1h/s200/DSCF6893.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinatown</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The following day, we decided to try something a little easier. Alan and I always used to request a Taco Bell stop on our family holidays to America, so I decided it was time James was introduced to this American institution! I think it's safe to say he's joined the fan club!<br />
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<i>Pam</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2273274587009177461.post-62746602587756635482011-03-07T00:06:00.007+00:002011-03-28T17:19:12.768+01:00The Cook Islands<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EWtpGznellf2g0_-h5ykaIDnKHuJujhJvhx70XyOYhonjQlPpi6IQWs0q9VfFFB9tJGyizjoxZBT7CAnkX3Z54gkPkl0xzGziLiAuHF2ruYlIpEpq2cO6OoyrICf6jIKjTWYq9OVGFjK/s1600/DSCF6412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EWtpGznellf2g0_-h5ykaIDnKHuJujhJvhx70XyOYhonjQlPpi6IQWs0q9VfFFB9tJGyizjoxZBT7CAnkX3Z54gkPkl0xzGziLiAuHF2ruYlIpEpq2cO6OoyrICf6jIKjTWYq9OVGFjK/s640/DSCF6412.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rarotonga's Black Rock</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Kia orana! Our week on the laid-back island of Rarotonga has been perhaps the best we've ever had, so brace yourself for a rather lengthy blog post!<br />
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The Cook Islanders are renowned for their love of music, so we began our week with a church service to sample the traditional acapella hymns. Of the Cook Island's 13,000 population, 90% are Christian, so 'island time', which is relaxed on any given day, slows right down on a Sunday. The singing was incredible - our ears were ringing after each song because the locals sing so passionately and with beautiful harmonies.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJqfrE-9V3x_snNJ_qcN-D2NjLggLWgcMhknJh5O1IOJQnSPebk_torUcn32-ivUx3kiUaaSPM8AUz_c9lGY2_KPLQijXjPvQ0I2oTmq3P1v4KF5rSCHDL5UELUaVvruIWleh1UYmIEGu/s1600/IMG_7915.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJqfrE-9V3x_snNJ_qcN-D2NjLggLWgcMhknJh5O1IOJQnSPebk_torUcn32-ivUx3kiUaaSPM8AUz_c9lGY2_KPLQijXjPvQ0I2oTmq3P1v4KF5rSCHDL5UELUaVvruIWleh1UYmIEGu/s200/IMG_7915.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the scooter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After enjoying a lunch provided by the church for its visitors, Pam and I waded across the shallow, blue lagoon of Muri Beach to Koromiri - one of the four palm-tree covered islets set before the reef - and I decided to do what every guy should do at least once in their lifetime: open a coconut on a rock. The process took ages, and I'd like to say it was worth it, however, the warm coconut milk left a lot to be desired!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFoe0QUVQDRi-nAC0ZAxsVIyHkzUXPNvgoS9m2AEM9S5fHJnXMhZV7_-IAWgawv0eGqQkQOE2gSsnS5qD5r5B2ghAe1jQoQukj9JC0YvkkxabW8sP_KLoGMeA7KcjNIjVaOYXniGhPY_9o/s1600/IMG_7664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFoe0QUVQDRi-nAC0ZAxsVIyHkzUXPNvgoS9m2AEM9S5fHJnXMhZV7_-IAWgawv0eGqQkQOE2gSsnS5qD5r5B2ghAe1jQoQukj9JC0YvkkxabW8sP_KLoGMeA7KcjNIjVaOYXniGhPY_9o/s320/IMG_7664.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snorkeling in the lagoon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Rarotonga is so small that the bus service runs either clockwise or anti-clockwise. Virtually all the locals travel instead by scooter, so we decided to follow suit. To hire one, we had to do a practical test (literally drive up and down the street) and obtain a Cook Islands driving licence from the police station (which, I think, is more a souvenir than anything else).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNymoq2SURD_xr8dv8Hf6EPpyUZHDpSfOf5JQFiWG3bQs96ahkKzNb3ivIoYWlAQdRfLQzwakmU5z3EO6IUDEDzp8137rtbgchdeLMrfLoppOTE8IxSsEcnKUJJ1vjQp38t8KeR56URkt1/s1600/IMG_7604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNymoq2SURD_xr8dv8Hf6EPpyUZHDpSfOf5JQFiWG3bQs96ahkKzNb3ivIoYWlAQdRfLQzwakmU5z3EO6IUDEDzp8137rtbgchdeLMrfLoppOTE8IxSsEcnKUJJ1vjQp38t8KeR56URkt1/s200/IMG_7604.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the local rowing team</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The person beside us on the flight had told us about the local rowing club meeting at 5pm most evenings to practise in the Muri Beach lagoon. We went down to watch them one evening, where we met the same guy from our flight. The coach asked if we would like to join in and, of course, we jumped at the chance. However, by the end of the second race, I was happy to jump out of the boat and give my muscles a rest!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YFsih8-I6A5uS4pEVrZqK-KpHBti7efD-UzgqJb6fudi1fsN3rrx22nvfLJVrXOC-jPuhN-iAQnDArtKPLjK8m_ePmm71iAwsMwb_wcR29efMbbL5Ew2UebAkAmfi8AmoeKCkxUpqUzI/s1600/DSCF6628.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YFsih8-I6A5uS4pEVrZqK-KpHBti7efD-UzgqJb6fudi1fsN3rrx22nvfLJVrXOC-jPuhN-iAQnDArtKPLjK8m_ePmm71iAwsMwb_wcR29efMbbL5Ew2UebAkAmfi8AmoeKCkxUpqUzI/s200/DSCF6628.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy ate the pawpaw in our garden!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>At night, a kind Frenchman working in Rarotonga for six months, who also took part in the rowing session, invited us to dinner. We were treated to tasty French cuisine and wine, whilst also being shown how to open a coconut with a machete (it's a lot easier than on a rock).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOFMyx7HaBKlKOuZgDZxqyBzxMw2FRHh5TbQC4r4VRehzq31xWlTUCKEmiVRJMH2YaF3-51RCHQFljww5N3FYfmwO8W8ajEumSykAZXQHvGnoCL_7BtkLlvOjtEu5rFA-o0AqrB0NkEE5/s1600/DSCF6724.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOFMyx7HaBKlKOuZgDZxqyBzxMw2FRHh5TbQC4r4VRehzq31xWlTUCKEmiVRJMH2YaF3-51RCHQFljww5N3FYfmwO8W8ajEumSykAZXQHvGnoCL_7BtkLlvOjtEu5rFA-o0AqrB0NkEE5/s200/DSCF6724.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The massive Boogie Burger</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The following day, we hopped on the scooter and went to Black Rock on the West coast of the island, where we paddled among the brightly coloured fish. Afterwards, it was time to act on another tip we were given on our first night and try the island's famous boogie burger - it definitely lived up to the hype (we went back for another a few days later!)<br />
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On the drive back to Aremango Guesthouse, our home for the week, we stopped at an outdoor island dance class. Such is the hospitality of the locals (or their desire for a cheap laugh?) that they practically begged us to join in. We did, and it was good fun dancing to the pounding drums, but really difficult to keep up with their super-quick moves.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemk3jQcTysgBll2bLvt777Wh2wiN2s_Fva_O697pM-_-Rjobg9yGNlNUGS5S_h88oxn6rDv0zcxtDVUV-aWU-BZ5dvSqcehl7MZQdotuMWC08P7FwEmlNAmWwPg8Y3zSNBSWPO4_IrS1-/s1600/IMG_7727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemk3jQcTysgBll2bLvt777Wh2wiN2s_Fva_O697pM-_-Rjobg9yGNlNUGS5S_h88oxn6rDv0zcxtDVUV-aWU-BZ5dvSqcehl7MZQdotuMWC08P7FwEmlNAmWwPg8Y3zSNBSWPO4_IrS1-/s320/IMG_7727.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bashing open a coconut</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Just five minutes from Aremango Guesthouse is the island's best snorkeling spot: the Fruits of Rarotonga. We snorkeled in the lagoon, amazed at just how many fish were in there with us! The zebra fish, in particular, were happy to swim right up to us (we were happy that the larger fish kept to themselves).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqhoQ82g4AugulZjQ_8TtrEH51uIdAwx6BRcsXKVK7OReN6TMKT5aa94nHzqrvKphLBsZts5qSS954RBSZmbw3utMnaMf2ubc3VjUWjJBs2ZZjLiIigWt8V1P1iScK8FnJbrfFLpFjlsH/s1600/DSCF6556.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqhoQ82g4AugulZjQ_8TtrEH51uIdAwx6BRcsXKVK7OReN6TMKT5aa94nHzqrvKphLBsZts5qSS954RBSZmbw3utMnaMf2ubc3VjUWjJBs2ZZjLiIigWt8V1P1iScK8FnJbrfFLpFjlsH/s200/DSCF6556.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the cross-island trek</td></tr>
</tbody> </table>The tiny brewery of the island's local beer (Matutu) was conveniently located nearby the lagoon, so we stopped in for a tour and a tasting. Later that afternoon, we decided to get the blood pumping and hired a double kayak and rowed to the reef then to the volcanic islet of Taakoka.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3qufN200PoAVCHXMei3cdd9hQBoIDGpX_-gwBq8IptflAuEcUZUQVpJIE4Y5C7bstreeT5N-dtlZJpoS3sr5F-pVy0AXeGdMUH70RlfXhZemmao5DnDgxjYQWrB0U9kJOD9x9T1glpM7/s1600/DSCF6602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3qufN200PoAVCHXMei3cdd9hQBoIDGpX_-gwBq8IptflAuEcUZUQVpJIE4Y5C7bstreeT5N-dtlZJpoS3sr5F-pVy0AXeGdMUH70RlfXhZemmao5DnDgxjYQWrB0U9kJOD9x9T1glpM7/s200/DSCF6602.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Wigmore's Waterfall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Our final energetic activity of the week was the mountainous cross-island trek. Using our arms as well as our legs, we climbed steeply up towards the 413 metre Te Rua Manga (also known as 'The Needle') using the tangled tree roots as much a possible. When we stood under the huge rock at the top, we had a great view of the North and South of the island. Heading back down, the thin trees either side of the slippery track saved us several times from spectacular falls! We were tired and muddy by the time we reached Wigmore's Waterfall, but the swarming mosquitos hurried us into the cool water, which was exactly what we needed after the four-hour trek.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNOgmq2kbI7ION6mzCZ5AfdS__RZDnmDvwJm6ltcC4cMpL1T4Xx-0-Ux2p1e5akIA1jmC8GbFufKVtI5l3Nb64V_q2NrxCisYgLUVN5YdAL7x_opKZyZD6E0Ru2oBgQJGztvwNP1-14Hu/s1600/IMG_7852.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNOgmq2kbI7ION6mzCZ5AfdS__RZDnmDvwJm6ltcC4cMpL1T4Xx-0-Ux2p1e5akIA1jmC8GbFufKVtI5l3Nb64V_q2NrxCisYgLUVN5YdAL7x_opKZyZD6E0Ru2oBgQJGztvwNP1-14Hu/s320/IMG_7852.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My facial expression didn't change for hours after this was taken</td></tr>
</tbody></table>At night, we went to Te Vara Nui Village for a traditional meal and cultural dancing. The food was delicious, especially the baked fish in coconut marinade and the chicken cooked in an umu (an underground oven). The show itself was fantastic. The women danced in very fluid movements, while the men stomped across the stage. The live band looked like they were having so much fun as they played their drums and ukuleles and the fire-jugglers were simply mind-boggling!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DepFTAhCYbmcp0vJwcX9gGCzkNtrz_NSGzPQSGs6sYB-nMoW0XR9nq7TBdhin_5jaeoJ-RUaZlyHatxjls0uqit_YTxetzlWG3tKv5IWMar6tK0yxwyjLBl13yeuZXlfrVAu8UoWFUB4/s1600/DSCF6688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DepFTAhCYbmcp0vJwcX9gGCzkNtrz_NSGzPQSGs6sYB-nMoW0XR9nq7TBdhin_5jaeoJ-RUaZlyHatxjls0uqit_YTxetzlWG3tKv5IWMar6tK0yxwyjLBl13yeuZXlfrVAu8UoWFUB4/s200/DSCF6688.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ta Vara Nui Village</td></tr>
</tbody></table>On our final full day in Rarotonga, Pam and I cooked dinner for our fellow travellers before taking the bus into Avarua to sample the local nightlife at a beach hut bar and club.<br />
<br />
After very little sleep, we drove to the Saturday morning market, which was a highlight of our week. It is a major event on the island and we loved hearing the live music, browsing the stalls and trying the delicious fresh fruit on offer.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZqzXzVSsg25VheJkUNlX9P6mGCgrpAg-ywue6CiCtKgC7kslGTGmWXz_ZUlBe_K3Ot8UxmRFs0L9SF5Exy3uNliTk8IxLnNloyJlJYr7flMoM9kWY-Y6OmdYQxSb4v4fw7i9fk85bKEM/s1600/IMG_7879.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZqzXzVSsg25VheJkUNlX9P6mGCgrpAg-ywue6CiCtKgC7kslGTGmWXz_ZUlBe_K3Ot8UxmRFs0L9SF5Exy3uNliTk8IxLnNloyJlJYr7flMoM9kWY-Y6OmdYQxSb4v4fw7i9fk85bKEM/s200/IMG_7879.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Partying in Avarua</td></tr>
</tbody></table>You'll have noticed that this blog entry is much longer than normal - that's because we've loved our time in the Cook Islands so much! The memories of our time here will definitely stay with us forever.<br />
<br />
Next stop: Los Angeles!<br />
<br />
<i style="color: #999999;">James</i><br />
<i style="color: #999999;"> </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2273274587009177461.post-41891333876616695602011-02-25T09:53:00.007+00:002011-03-28T17:20:15.199+01:00Bay of Islands & Auckland<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyc1aOomW1sxeh-6khc0-c_6a1KPbhBn141gKq4DzcMl_WZ3AH1qNAgobxFn5fcQvH0rOtl-KYOvekEcTy4xCjqmfv7fvR-zHNvs1htxlyZrhGis37sXe9Ek1o-qXPSatiDRfAyuujLqsE/s1600/IMG_7328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyc1aOomW1sxeh-6khc0-c_6a1KPbhBn141gKq4DzcMl_WZ3AH1qNAgobxFn5fcQvH0rOtl-KYOvekEcTy4xCjqmfv7fvR-zHNvs1htxlyZrhGis37sXe9Ek1o-qXPSatiDRfAyuujLqsE/s200/IMG_7328.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Haruru Falls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Our last two stops in New Zealand could hardly have been more different. The Bay of Islands, close to the northern tip of the North Island, was relaxed and scenic - a far cry from the hustle and bustle of the country's largest city.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHBUumt749-1IMzTnUozQGaN8YmomM7rRkPxjPQrBVm5NTtZWt1_zxxZbiFU5fImONx-oHKNSHgHDQ1B05rJOv-nNf3iRPSsz5sNlje4A5NiDhJloXZEK0ZpfI76ezqJTPTe6ggwNTZVp/s1600/DSCF6230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHBUumt749-1IMzTnUozQGaN8YmomM7rRkPxjPQrBVm5NTtZWt1_zxxZbiFU5fImONx-oHKNSHgHDQ1B05rJOv-nNf3iRPSsz5sNlje4A5NiDhJloXZEK0ZpfI76ezqJTPTe6ggwNTZVp/s200/DSCF6230.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haruru Falls from our campsite</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Bay of Islands was also Barney's last stop before we returned him to his Jucy campervan clan (which we're both still quite emotional about!) We stayed in a gorgeous campsite in Paihia overlooking the Haruru Falls which, we were told, had been completely submerged in water from a cyclone three weeks previously.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhen53i02M6xeLmOeTWxJZGse5oVv3857tTgB530oOgZiRoqJM2E2jspO__4v8De7LjgJAGVdgcbhbqYK7G4Uci8ZYR8nRjmZXAHfP2cOXfrscjxaY6AjfinrwbB3sja3ah-l1MWDHDFF4l/s1600/DSCF6257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhen53i02M6xeLmOeTWxJZGse5oVv3857tTgB530oOgZiRoqJM2E2jspO__4v8De7LjgJAGVdgcbhbqYK7G4Uci8ZYR8nRjmZXAHfP2cOXfrscjxaY6AjfinrwbB3sja3ah-l1MWDHDFF4l/s320/DSCF6257.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bottle-nosed dolphins swimming by the boat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Of course, the main attraction of the Bay of Islands is exactly that - the islands (144 of them, to be exact) - so, from the numerous different ways of getting out onto the water to see them, we decided on the most energy efficient option and took a cruise.<br />
<br />
After passing several of the beautiful little islands, we were fortunate enough to come across a school of bottle-nosed dolphins who were happy to swim and play alongside the boat. Within minutes, they were performing in front of several boats. <br />
<br />
From there, we went to Piercy Island, more often called The Hole in the Rock, before stopping off at Urupukapuka Island for lunch.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQxs_3chg9PbBowjiLo82ObkwgtgBLadftECV__Obg8-xJ5JACWriW1FyrpQNhfBzinSwLLIoM4MK-C-FY9MOQHnygX2_L2Wgzy0NqbrdbJVnsDr8yYJdXkMpGiTByAxatGitikHTsSiA/s1600/DSCF6302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQxs_3chg9PbBowjiLo82ObkwgtgBLadftECV__Obg8-xJ5JACWriW1FyrpQNhfBzinSwLLIoM4MK-C-FY9MOQHnygX2_L2Wgzy0NqbrdbJVnsDr8yYJdXkMpGiTByAxatGitikHTsSiA/s200/DSCF6302.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hole in the Rock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>When we returned to Paihia, we saw that all the cafes and bars were showing news programmes and learned of the earthquake in Christchurch. Having been there only six weeks ago, and the fact that people around us were trying to phone friends and relatives to see if they were alive, certainly impacted on us.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjael0hO832SVpFViyziYdDO2GSUK6l2w5BqHtxBrKRz8gryuzPB-wxv53TdOzrRk8QsI_SpzJP8AZKyirbEwHEqHEwRPAwUOz3KkMLSGmJ2KeEepqOBIPU5Ioijd5349Pbf52KJuGwEwQ7/s1600/DSCF6337.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjael0hO832SVpFViyziYdDO2GSUK6l2w5BqHtxBrKRz8gryuzPB-wxv53TdOzrRk8QsI_SpzJP8AZKyirbEwHEqHEwRPAwUOz3KkMLSGmJ2KeEepqOBIPU5Ioijd5349Pbf52KJuGwEwQ7/s200/DSCF6337.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friendly graffiti</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Our last night in the campervan was spent just outside Auckland in Long Bay Regional Park - a gorgeous place next to a huge flat stretch of sand only half an hour from the city centre. When we woke up the following morning, we felt a strange mix of relief and sadness. Barney had been our comfortable home-on-wheels for nearly seven weeks, but we were looking forward to being able to get dressed standing up and sleeping on a real bed!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNCcFt-QLmHlXfH4vMf9Pokf6fGD3Ab-x2xXIFz6lBQzBluhKX01jU1niK6ynxtgZXMi3i3H5htbHMtmUr3Jqvr6jp-3VkCoWA_TC13HrBXu1-6GVtOSKP4aOeFoPUcNRoaYynBRk5Ro8/s1600/DSCF6352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNCcFt-QLmHlXfH4vMf9Pokf6fGD3Ab-x2xXIFz6lBQzBluhKX01jU1niK6ynxtgZXMi3i3H5htbHMtmUr3Jqvr6jp-3VkCoWA_TC13HrBXu1-6GVtOSKP4aOeFoPUcNRoaYynBRk5Ro8/s320/DSCF6352.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Auckland skyline</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After an emotional parting of ways, we wandered aimlessly around the city, taking in the sites before deciding to chill out in the hostel. Other travellers we had spoken to had been pretty negative about Auckland, and I can kind of see where they were coming from - there's not a great deal on offer for backpackers. However, we enjoyed our two days here, particularly having plug points in our room, a kitchen to cook in (as opposed to one gas stove!) and some good wine to get us in the mood for our next stop: the Cook Islands!<br />
<br />
<i style="color: #999999;">James</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2273274587009177461.post-82628814737258230202011-02-20T22:30:00.007+00:002011-03-28T17:23:12.335+01:00Rotorua & Coromandel<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdmWhyphenhyphend7TBsxytdgPISiVo7XQNbb1gA_9U1rz43iMD4hYSHjcyL0BH-fATWfh4SaJZUHWXkpU3B1IHPD-LcbpRHS3fUYohewAOMa84Vz3XL-2BWHOAOkR66vVQx50TMLrGtaqCWk4uq6O/s1600/DSCF6072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdmWhyphenhyphend7TBsxytdgPISiVo7XQNbb1gA_9U1rz43iMD4hYSHjcyL0BH-fATWfh4SaJZUHWXkpU3B1IHPD-LcbpRHS3fUYohewAOMa84Vz3XL-2BWHOAOkR66vVQx50TMLrGtaqCWk4uq6O/s640/DSCF6072.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kuirau Park thermal springs in Rotorua - too hot for swimming!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"></div><br />
After a relaxing spell in Taupo, and a dose of the cold for the two of us, we began our journey north to Rotorua. This place is a major draw for tourists because of its unusual volcanic activity. I had been given a warning from Doctor Faye that the mud baths were smelly and unhygienic, so we decided to give them a miss, however, we did go and look at the thermal pools and bubbling mud of Kuirau Park. There were a lot of volcanic attractions on offer but having seen the craters and the mud pools, we thought it would be more appealing to spend our time elsewhere - at the luge circuit!<br />
<div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YmbUCwJRTWKnupgmyfeEDDUPcpsYvSiD018_FHkDdIw5ze2kNF05-545heKlA_9hl6bjkgG_2iQNQUxoC7m0PN76fA_MVMrnRemXtAt-qvjE7jRl3DhxWkXaDjSjQNuFdBl_kCtlEJKv/s1600/DSCF6113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YmbUCwJRTWKnupgmyfeEDDUPcpsYvSiD018_FHkDdIw5ze2kNF05-545heKlA_9hl6bjkgG_2iQNQUxoC7m0PN76fA_MVMrnRemXtAt-qvjE7jRl3DhxWkXaDjSjQNuFdBl_kCtlEJKv/s320/DSCF6113.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the luge circuit - so much fun!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After a refill at Fat Dogs Cafe and a much-needed ice cream (it was just one of those days), we set off for the race of our lives. The luge, which is like Cool Runnings without the snow, was so much fun. After my appalling attempts at video games and golf buggy driving as a child, my family have been naturally worried about my driving abilities ever since. On the luge, though, I didn't crash once and even managed to overtake a couple of boy racers!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"></div>We continued our games day with a game of Yahtzee (which is still a sensitive subject for James) at our campsite, then it was onwards and upwards as we set off for a stop I had been really looking forward to - the Coromandel Region.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPcCSZH1YswvKg9Qnu7xCdTSz5oEztlwMXuMAm9sPvto0_KD71qfTGE1MYO-4lk8KPdvDe00iM0QPceYJJqNXCJXpUIez5w7Zlofj2Eswl7SVHcIn4lRbLJnpQY4ulJk75NgWXLWSQ_pF5/s1600/IMG_7134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPcCSZH1YswvKg9Qnu7xCdTSz5oEztlwMXuMAm9sPvto0_KD71qfTGE1MYO-4lk8KPdvDe00iM0QPceYJJqNXCJXpUIez5w7Zlofj2Eswl7SVHcIn4lRbLJnpQY4ulJk75NgWXLWSQ_pF5/s320/IMG_7134.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James could have stayed here all day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Just picture clear blue sea and white sand beaches and that pretty much sums up the majority of the region. Every corner we drove around provided another reason to stop and absorb the beautiful views.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8uKByQMUzVuA-Ikiadlsxm8l599iAjcxUOs81bcklZ_60i-0DcBn6qyjxnSFOK9v0y9mAKMBYGZdT0ST4Ixra-fUI9ASP1XI3ewCT0MVwIiIVI9X_0CZwkK1Kboen-KFaDbJwlsyk5w1/s1600/DSCF6186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8uKByQMUzVuA-Ikiadlsxm8l599iAjcxUOs81bcklZ_60i-0DcBn6qyjxnSFOK9v0y9mAKMBYGZdT0ST4Ixra-fUI9ASP1XI3ewCT0MVwIiIVI9X_0CZwkK1Kboen-KFaDbJwlsyk5w1/s200/DSCF6186.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard at work!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Our first night was spent in the Kauaeranga Valley on the outskirts of Thames (where our van was invaded with sand flies, as James' legs can now testify). Our road trip continued up to Whitianga and Hahei for the Coromandel's ultimate attraction - Hot Water Beach.<br />
The area is a major geothermal tourist attraction or as James said when he looked down on the beach - a 'rugby scrum'! Hot springs filter up through the sand two hours either side of low tide and the water can be as hot as 64 degrees Celsius!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtI48wFW7AV9NI0-t_UV6Bsi4CS9tgs7w1LGph8jDlzo_j3t88v-Lbi0KXAx0L8f9-Sd-3nGS30tpo6CH3tVRRtz1TPGGt1vJtMhGuZ5feWNJzMq9hCrExBz3qYK0L_3zpWUA9f3E9Wi3x/s1600/DSCF6181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtI48wFW7AV9NI0-t_UV6Bsi4CS9tgs7w1LGph8jDlzo_j3t88v-Lbi0KXAx0L8f9-Sd-3nGS30tpo6CH3tVRRtz1TPGGt1vJtMhGuZ5feWNJzMq9hCrExBz3qYK0L_3zpWUA9f3E9Wi3x/s400/DSCF6181.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot Water Beach: a Coromandel tourist hotspot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We hired our spade (as you do) and followed the crowds to the steaming sand. The masses were densely populated around two areas with a free spot the middle. Thinking I had found the perfect place for our man-made jacuzzi, I instinctively walked towards the empty patch of sand and reacted by flapping my hands and jumping up and down in search of some cool water as I darted across the 64 degree Celcius sand, oops! The pain subsided quickly and I have to admit that I took a little pleasure in watching others make the same mistake!<br />
<br />
After embarrassing myself with my Scottish squeals, we set about - or rather James set about - digging the (and I quote) 'best sand hole on the entire beach'. No, we couldn't settle for a small, shallow area in which to relax and enjoy the bubbling water, don't be silly! This was a mission not to be messed with! The digging began. I stood and took in the views, but before long a task had been set - to protect the fort... I suspect there is some history of competitive sand-castle making in the Tulloch household, am I right? Dutifully, I set about my task, and as the beads of sweat began to pour off James's face in his quest for success, our sand jacuzzi began to take shape. It was quite simply a work of art and something we finally got to relax in!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLM41RjgtD-hBpoW0y6tEYdg4HqNN7YWle4BmOxAu4GhN72c72Ff24PhgbWtJxNFYzCgtbQ-YgKbNant-2OoAnz67reM3kOXiRlvW05OeI0C7ggNfd6dp85-xhp_VmxdW91WKdYeel5YG/s1600/DSCF6192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLM41RjgtD-hBpoW0y6tEYdg4HqNN7YWle4BmOxAu4GhN72c72Ff24PhgbWtJxNFYzCgtbQ-YgKbNant-2OoAnz67reM3kOXiRlvW05OeI0C7ggNfd6dp85-xhp_VmxdW91WKdYeel5YG/s200/DSCF6192.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In our homemade jacuzzi!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We now have just one week left in our campervan with only two stops left to conquer - the Bay of Islands and Auckland. We'll be sad to leave Barney, but we're both very excited about staying in the relative luxury of a hostel!<br />
<br />
<i style="color: #999999;">Pam</i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2273274587009177461.post-62775610341147628172011-02-15T08:46:00.007+00:002011-03-26T13:51:15.754+00:00Tongariro National Park & Taupo<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZ-VCQf-QSoRMzjBKM6vhLyQfbHod5NOvRzpuQb6e0Ic-o39wjjcmeBp5m-Pw-HC1g55rZUSF7DZ70FGEG5NyN2f085Vpp7G3xb4LvnXWrgi0xO7rdRBQ-Cqsqyrc3u8RK-AaYXjpO6dq/s1600/IMG_6946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZ-VCQf-QSoRMzjBKM6vhLyQfbHod5NOvRzpuQb6e0Ic-o39wjjcmeBp5m-Pw-HC1g55rZUSF7DZ70FGEG5NyN2f085Vpp7G3xb4LvnXWrgi0xO7rdRBQ-Cqsqyrc3u8RK-AaYXjpO6dq/s640/IMG_6946.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the highest part of the Tongariro Crossing (the Blue Lake in the background)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUuZUtBPchEIUybExc5Uj9ChyphenhyphenO3eheLcO_ZlM4qcG8Fhw61tKOCsbXKfCrmEnFbQVRdOEFRTqDMfH1B30LGobO-9eLqwmyAprT5Q2eBI0VfzTwGObscs30MeONlB5PjIcqn0V5Xtr9-9c/s1600/IMG_6942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUuZUtBPchEIUybExc5Uj9ChyphenhyphenO3eheLcO_ZlM4qcG8Fhw61tKOCsbXKfCrmEnFbQVRdOEFRTqDMfH1B30LGobO-9eLqwmyAprT5Q2eBI0VfzTwGObscs30MeONlB5PjIcqn0V5Xtr9-9c/s200/IMG_6942.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Red Crater</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Often described as the best one-day walk in New Zealand, we couldn't pass up the chance to walk the Tongariro Crossing, especially when we found out that the unpronounceable Mount Ngauruhoe was used as the setting for Mount Doom in Lord Of The Rings.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdWiCVNpzFwzeEs3VNz7xmvfxcmuedPLzxuqHpYN1CgKH7VM9Avhonw04trY0zAPHD8BvbC90VYd3ip_Y2X_irWs6bABDrC8ZHRBjLwUJpDcLTB0uuWYQSr6ofI2S6sLOuztXyjTgnKbT/s1600/IMG_6984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdWiCVNpzFwzeEs3VNz7xmvfxcmuedPLzxuqHpYN1CgKH7VM9Avhonw04trY0zAPHD8BvbC90VYd3ip_Y2X_irWs6bABDrC8ZHRBjLwUJpDcLTB0uuWYQSr6ofI2S6sLOuztXyjTgnKbT/s320/IMG_6984.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Emerald Lakes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The first few kilometres of the walk were a gradual climb by the side of a little stream that opened out to the Soda Springs waterfall. After that, the track became extremely steep and we had to take rest stops every five minutes. The climb was made even more difficult because of the loose rocks underfoot (in winter it is covered in snow and apparently easier to walk on) but we carried on, despite a couple of moments where turning back felt more preferable.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"></div>We kept on inching our way up the mountain, until - thank goodness - we reached a plateau and realised we were standing close to the South Crater underneath the summit of 'Mount Doom' (whose seven-note motif from Lord Of The Rings was hummed most of the way up). Staring up at the conical volcano - which is still active - I was relieved there were no imminent eruptions expected!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZzhBsEICz0AP5sL40TngYIBfJFX0-snqpSthON2Xtg5ftM33J9XMA2kLNY1B5R9D3jqLLZncYRPeYsjYQYYul1g93tAMN4c0i8G5Rx3Vj_QEbWg2nNGI6OAtCTbSi2u1_xZ_0ACElNPue/s1600/IMG_6927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZzhBsEICz0AP5sL40TngYIBfJFX0-snqpSthON2Xtg5ftM33J9XMA2kLNY1B5R9D3jqLLZncYRPeYsjYQYYul1g93tAMN4c0i8G5Rx3Vj_QEbWg2nNGI6OAtCTbSi2u1_xZ_0ACElNPue/s200/IMG_6927.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mount Ngauruhoe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Although we were feeling physically drained at this point, we knew it would be foolish to turn back when we were just one more steep climb away from seeing the Red Crater and the Emerald Lakes, so we carried on over the exposed ridge (thankful for the lack of wind).<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3NZwan_H7qiQ_6K54ntgjZOVsLMwzJ8Fv1zZdTg5qJ9H1bTBEqzi4Uei9INln8SCFKntZWJnYhfl46oPsgf2-vwmIjL8fpGK5oTR3Ir2vj4l4NBHLLWeFt0Q5e8bbp8n9fASVI1ttHfh/s1600/DSCF6038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3NZwan_H7qiQ_6K54ntgjZOVsLMwzJ8Fv1zZdTg5qJ9H1bTBEqzi4Uei9INln8SCFKntZWJnYhfl46oPsgf2-vwmIjL8fpGK5oTR3Ir2vj4l4NBHLLWeFt0Q5e8bbp8n9fASVI1ttHfh/s200/DSCF6038.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bargain at just $1380 (£650)!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>When we finally made it to the top, what we saw blew us away. Below us were the three Emerald Lakes which appeared almost fluorescent green. The contrast of the dusty Red Crater nearby and the serene Blue Lake in the distance completed an unforgettable view.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhbVt-uJHgxhzkQ8KjXgE7n20hBVdxc5cIgrj5qHtmkBGuD_gJFI_tWwhXv4Fpd-9p_krMBuKOf772Cko7_D26Qz2ebQw9xi3oVC6mPjtAljKMoCc7rnAXcusdOc-MS1co7D77oj7rn8d/s1600/DSCF6026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhbVt-uJHgxhzkQ8KjXgE7n20hBVdxc5cIgrj5qHtmkBGuD_gJFI_tWwhXv4Fpd-9p_krMBuKOf772Cko7_D26Qz2ebQw9xi3oVC6mPjtAljKMoCc7rnAXcusdOc-MS1co7D77oj7rn8d/s200/DSCF6026.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Honey Hive</td></tr>
</tbody></table>By the time we had walked back to the campervan, we had been on our feet for seven hours, walked over nine miles (mostly uphill) and had sunburnt faces to prove it!<br />
<br />
The next day, we headed towards New Zealand's largest lake and relaxed at a holiday park in Taupo, where we recharged our gadgets as well as our weary bodies!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIoKAsVnhAS710b5rzHv5u562beDmfX9RFwZQrCPKYOTjH-qiEd4Q4CBnniu4FO4fMXPCYtSCGYuqs3D9U9y49kE0R8y5mr1DfShvREnalWZq2m2bCX4TXtbjd_yBNuAGIN5uwRty-IkUT/s1600/DSCF6052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIoKAsVnhAS710b5rzHv5u562beDmfX9RFwZQrCPKYOTjH-qiEd4Q4CBnniu4FO4fMXPCYtSCGYuqs3D9U9y49kE0R8y5mr1DfShvREnalWZq2m2bCX4TXtbjd_yBNuAGIN5uwRty-IkUT/s320/DSCF6052.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not quite a hole-in-one but pretty close - honestly!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>On our second day, we saw the roaring Huka Falls and stopped in at Honey Hive, where we tasted and tested loads of honey products. We also went to New Zealand's largest underground wine cellar and walked past the expensive bottles with great care.<br />
<br />
I also tried my hand at the Lake Taupo Hole-In-One Challenge. I had a few near-misses and unfortunately didn't manage to get my hands on the $10,000 prize. If it had been free to play, I would have been there for days on end!<br />
<br />
<i style="color: #999999;">James</i><br />
<i style="color: #999999;"> </i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2273274587009177461.post-41945315752104111832011-02-12T04:36:00.005+00:002011-03-28T17:32:22.454+01:00Wellington & Napier<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBBckiuvWYgHzofBQAqnDHV7NsGPWarq_xvWkOPPwbItAYRGyFE27e3dWDFaHWq8BbY1Fzf1PZNRfpZpqFIgG8TAop79MUaEDN3-EZM-KFN39M99y1MHPvm0zTRDufPPiZhUV_-l8hjfh/s1600/DSCF5785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBBckiuvWYgHzofBQAqnDHV7NsGPWarq_xvWkOPPwbItAYRGyFE27e3dWDFaHWq8BbY1Fzf1PZNRfpZpqFIgG8TAop79MUaEDN3-EZM-KFN39M99y1MHPvm0zTRDufPPiZhUV_-l8hjfh/s320/DSCF5785.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of New Zealand's capital from Mount Victoria lookout</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Our North Island stint started when we sailed into windy Wellington.<br />
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Our first port of call was the Mount Victoria lookout to get a bird's eye view of New Zealand's capital city (and felt really guilty as we drove past a rugby team running up the steep hill).<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOpOSmkjJ0tgslXdOi5vfYO0bevvhLML2ntxYG4k_79XxzvBnITN82NjuaQOo8skt6akgmAiy36xDnW7r7I3rLGezIH0jaC2HEalre7mHjKRpoi643DIOsAOGdJMMBBy9tIt0eZb5c2H6I/s1600/DSCF5812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOpOSmkjJ0tgslXdOi5vfYO0bevvhLML2ntxYG4k_79XxzvBnITN82NjuaQOo8skt6akgmAiy36xDnW7r7I3rLGezIH0jaC2HEalre7mHjKRpoi643DIOsAOGdJMMBBy9tIt0eZb5c2H6I/s200/DSCF5812.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the futuristic Te Papa museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After spending five weeks driving on the South Island's desolate country roads, my driver took a while adjusting to the sudden boom of city traffic. After ending up in the middle of rush hour, getting lost several times and a little temper tantrum (said driver had not eaten breakfast yet), we gave a sigh of relief after dumping Barney for the day in a multi-storey car park, showering and tucking into some poached eggs on toast... then our day could really begin!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqbjPngg5bk6ZNZt9GXTKdS_CMG2MVGYEtoqDjCCNvY8P3LdVVqmVOSrefNMsBgpgXPLfW2vmfiofNu3qwesUb1H0LLWWNhh6veZAVlbdGe24XYqA-mlLCG-NkEO7aeqjzpHbYlxW0As8/s1600/DSCF5829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqbjPngg5bk6ZNZt9GXTKdS_CMG2MVGYEtoqDjCCNvY8P3LdVVqmVOSrefNMsBgpgXPLfW2vmfiofNu3qwesUb1H0LLWWNhh6veZAVlbdGe24XYqA-mlLCG-NkEO7aeqjzpHbYlxW0As8/s320/DSCF5829.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wellington's famous cable car</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Te Papa Museum was first on the hit list; a place we ended up spending hours wandering around as we got a taste of New Zealand's heritage. We particularly enjoyed the exhibition of Brian Brake photo journalism.<br />
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Having spent the previous summer in the North Island, Faye was our tour guide<i></i> extraordinaire. With two recommended eateries from her stay in Wellington, we decided it would be rude not to check them out! Sweet Mother's Kitchen caught our attention, partly because it was full to the brim with people sitting in the afternoon sun, but mostly because of the delicious smell wafting out onto the street - Faye's first tip got the thumbs up. We then tackled Tulsi the following day, enjoying the delicious Indian cuisine as we watched the Cuba Street crowds go by.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1s_U1WuiOpSg-0OsRKSMhB7c2pqP36uhZ7oqXf83r6GtCWeMnc8sau-e9gDPFHJG1ZG5ssndBuQ7_AaerkogaciG-DF6sVHgzxVvKUehYiMVlLnUGloNIM1lyOjbvs1ED3GhkPqEMn4G7/s1600/DSCF5874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1s_U1WuiOpSg-0OsRKSMhB7c2pqP36uhZ7oqXf83r6GtCWeMnc8sau-e9gDPFHJG1ZG5ssndBuQ7_AaerkogaciG-DF6sVHgzxVvKUehYiMVlLnUGloNIM1lyOjbvs1ED3GhkPqEMn4G7/s200/DSCF5874.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing mini-golf in Napier</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Our first North Island faux pas was on the Wellington cable car. The train was built in 1902 to make better use of the city's hilly landscape and attracts lots of tourists who make their way up to the botanic gardens. I thought it was a circular route, until the carriage started reversing back towards the station - oops! Luckily, the driver was in a good mood and allowed us a second shot!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2DhNl3HlVI54AHI3cL5slqByRtWaJ4M6oLtKz6_mejbu_0esK3s-It48MLPHG45vH9rN9J6i9zi2QIWMY5uY9NfW69XMF5fAE3XnFbn-DD39zWtZejt1EFA2GhCRY-VFHmXFFq2KtFDfy/s1600/DSCF5862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2DhNl3HlVI54AHI3cL5slqByRtWaJ4M6oLtKz6_mejbu_0esK3s-It48MLPHG45vH9rN9J6i9zi2QIWMY5uY9NfW69XMF5fAE3XnFbn-DD39zWtZejt1EFA2GhCRY-VFHmXFFq2KtFDfy/s320/DSCF5862.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The colourful Clive Square in Napier</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Following our stay in Wellington, we went a little off the well-travelled backpacker route and drove east to the city of Napier. Faye spent most of her summer here, so she was well equipped with some recommendations. The town was booming with people when we arrived and we soon realised why - Sting was in town for the annual Mission Winery concert. Unfortunately, we were a year too late to buy a ticket, however, we did enjoy the lively atmosphere of this idyllic Art Deco city. We stayed in our first ever Top 10 Holiday Park (the Disneyland of camp sites) where we were kitted out with a swimming pool, bar, Sky TV room and a big kitchen.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-Uf9rUWoM5VlQrYwquks0oWjB60jBDp6k9PZA13oy_n3HFNOr8xKhDL_BJ0axdSwGt6iskdDAXYzaaQf6OBgZcBIHiy411VcL2q_-63y-RDYuSPgQHjEkyu0poGLClN8vxdtTM7OFpNH/s1600/IMG_6789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-Uf9rUWoM5VlQrYwquks0oWjB60jBDp6k9PZA13oy_n3HFNOr8xKhDL_BJ0axdSwGt6iskdDAXYzaaQf6OBgZcBIHiy411VcL2q_-63y-RDYuSPgQHjEkyu0poGLClN8vxdtTM7OFpNH/s320/IMG_6789.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The disgruntled runner-up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Although we weren't quite brave enough to ask the children for a shot on the holiday park's jumping pillow, we did manage to squeeze in a very competitive game of mini-golf. James likes to insist on giving me a handicap of 12 shots to 'even things up'. I agreed, then made a mental note to try really hard to beat him. You will need to trust me that seeing his face as he counted the half time scores and realised I was only a couple of shots behind him (without the handicap, that is) was priceless! Ice-lollies were on James afterwards! Tee hee!<br />
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<i style="color: #999999;">Pam</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2273274587009177461.post-80035742684511217852011-02-07T02:00:00.004+00:002011-02-22T21:31:46.457+00:00Nelson & Abel Tasman National Park<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSsqJkZhR5kqTCBgOg97-t7L73akTFjcsEvKwKND5gSa2Ux6g2Yz2G8wIkPq2MJ0cgUQh4rnyLtpJq7JkWjlEbH4izTYojMbT1P-pQzERpYs3d551771oURrnMlsEgANSqavWwZnLsZ0h/s1600/DSCF5667.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSsqJkZhR5kqTCBgOg97-t7L73akTFjcsEvKwKND5gSa2Ux6g2Yz2G8wIkPq2MJ0cgUQh4rnyLtpJq7JkWjlEbH4izTYojMbT1P-pQzERpYs3d551771oURrnMlsEgANSqavWwZnLsZ0h/s640/DSCF5667.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nelson's Tahunanui Beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
En route to Nelson - our last visit to a South Island city - we made an obligatory stop at one of the hundreds of vineyards. Pam enjoyed the tasting so much, she stumped up for a bottle of the Sauvignon Blanc (even I liked so it must be good!)<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYITL5nmRCAb3dFK0BqNLbOUuvBIjDUmp8uGrqSVurPji5te-CjfhB9adBDcsfQTteMLPGPjdvuYwLGn0obzKHLKEKlzNNd1xmMCPASm8O8jDGKEMWAwKrJsePGmh6ZIyfIYc-oCZs58OJ/s1600/DSCF5646.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYITL5nmRCAb3dFK0BqNLbOUuvBIjDUmp8uGrqSVurPji5te-CjfhB9adBDcsfQTteMLPGPjdvuYwLGn0obzKHLKEKlzNNd1xmMCPASm8O8jDGKEMWAwKrJsePGmh6ZIyfIYc-oCZs58OJ/s200/DSCF5646.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tasting Marlborough's finest!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Our first evening in the city was a strange one. We walked around the streets and saw barely anyone else or an open restaurant or shop; it was like a ghost town. With nothing much to do, we went to the cinema and watched the disappointing True Grit, which I was surprised to learn has been nominated for 10 Oscars.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2WJD9lKauF8Zibg_rMYDc7Ci91Y9k9x-vqXCJqQ97y-Kyrbaty6mxNl52IegMRlw4otKJwvakEK40GV6JHG9g0uqKNJH0LuClXLI2KVNVY2Yb4kEqHDpyFW1Abm_PjZakwX_N_nbUpor/s1600/DSCF5663.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2WJD9lKauF8Zibg_rMYDc7Ci91Y9k9x-vqXCJqQ97y-Kyrbaty6mxNl52IegMRlw4otKJwvakEK40GV6JHG9g0uqKNJH0LuClXLI2KVNVY2Yb4kEqHDpyFW1Abm_PjZakwX_N_nbUpor/s320/DSCF5663.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neslon's Tahunanui Beach (Abel Tasman in the background)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Our next day was much more fun. With the temperatures soaring, we went straight to Tahunanui Beach, a huge expanse of sand with calm, shallow water and a backdrop of mountains.<br />
<br />
We also ate our way around the brilliant Saturday market. Fresh cherries, cloudy lemonade, spring rolls, stir-fry chicken and sugar roasted almonds (possibly my favourite thing ever) were all devoured with aplomb.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjchrm016NYN9o5fms4kmVjhUAlhwV3gUdHbUs1chJv9Z-AIzgYGI8Fj8zqIQ5UxLLOxCN9B4UcvMQsrgt5AtmZSd9Dsrx4sXB_P3O9w4iKFGp6U7okE1tIf2wYIjlQ6iTP3UhgIw1yk-/s1600/DSCF5677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjchrm016NYN9o5fms4kmVjhUAlhwV3gUdHbUs1chJv9Z-AIzgYGI8Fj8zqIQ5UxLLOxCN9B4UcvMQsrgt5AtmZSd9Dsrx4sXB_P3O9w4iKFGp6U7okE1tIf2wYIjlQ6iTP3UhgIw1yk-/s200/DSCF5677.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching street performers in Nelson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In truth, Nelson was far from our favourite stop in New Zealand, however, it is the gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park (the country's smallest but busiest). We decided to go 'tramping', as the Kiwis call it, and arranged for a water taxi to take us to a place called Torrent Bay where we could walk the 16 kilometres back to our campsite. However, those plans were to change...<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNubHRorKmbjh0eHEY53Wurr0cNtvY7NNiCe7-Oy3q3O4i0L-CCSic_d5qeeiBkkLolPS7UOPu1l72u2sF3lEnso7Fw2ansAAPn8CRAgw2XcRzCdrPfmCGTXVnlZfAznlPINUS3IH0kWzO/s1600/DSCF5762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNubHRorKmbjh0eHEY53Wurr0cNtvY7NNiCe7-Oy3q3O4i0L-CCSic_d5qeeiBkkLolPS7UOPu1l72u2sF3lEnso7Fw2ansAAPn8CRAgw2XcRzCdrPfmCGTXVnlZfAznlPINUS3IH0kWzO/s320/DSCF5762.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cleopatra's Pool in the Abel Tasman National Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The journey on the water taxi was so much fun! Sitting on the back of the speedboat, we got whizzed around a few of the sights by the skipper before we arrived at Torrent Bay under blue skies as the temperature edged closer and closer to the 30 degree Celcius mark.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wPUz7PClAFI3T6EMN1Q_6Aowjj-JgQCk6F30N-gxL0pgc083clzhxVHor33ro62uvH348ho3YIe3Glp488bHGpYVdqKyvVUQlakE4q_SZNO2sEq_VviTvhN6WZ47qFo6SQhDrapYx4Nu/s1600/DSCF5763.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wPUz7PClAFI3T6EMN1Q_6Aowjj-JgQCk6F30N-gxL0pgc083clzhxVHor33ro62uvH348ho3YIe3Glp488bHGpYVdqKyvVUQlakE4q_SZNO2sEq_VviTvhN6WZ47qFo6SQhDrapYx4Nu/s200/DSCF5763.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a rest!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After a tough 45 minute walk, we arrived at a stunning little place called Cleopatra's Pool. Clear water flowed between large rocks and there was even a natural waterslide. As we were desperate to cool down, we dropped everything (well, not quite everything) and went for a refreshing dip.<br />
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<div style="text-align: right;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOz-kGPWKvzj_bZAv9iXsJBLP3aJrIuxIXMW2qewwnj3AdrJw3J5KYAMkxJMpJ9BwTI4K9qx39lkDkyp7f4TvoSE0ONqjK-TAzoItek0mSRK7Hi-GA75iR814x-kVVU-W8DKrYx0U8MKgz/s1600/IMG_6618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOz-kGPWKvzj_bZAv9iXsJBLP3aJrIuxIXMW2qewwnj3AdrJw3J5KYAMkxJMpJ9BwTI4K9qx39lkDkyp7f4TvoSE0ONqjK-TAzoItek0mSRK7Hi-GA75iR814x-kVVU-W8DKrYx0U8MKgz/s200/IMG_6618.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anchorage (finally!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>From there, we continued on our way back to the campsite, though after a while, our 'tramp' had become more of a trudge. The sun was scorching and the heat was beginning to get unbearable. At Anchorage - the last place from where we could book a water taxi home - we did just that. We booked the last two available seats and learned that the north of the island was experiencing a heat wave and that the temperature was close to 40 degrees Celcius!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEr1wVFDWcnTBhPI7DHJ4wUWGZIyxAE7JFeTZuR0bUekgzjdcESTxSxStDgYluz4p2VVlvrz4g1hGukBE_x5rBHQf-qxbrjhd3ROFtoDFCXO0dYe0a2PdZLLpO8G-L1hRtPkoSK7lKBpY3/s1600/IMG_6628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEr1wVFDWcnTBhPI7DHJ4wUWGZIyxAE7JFeTZuR0bUekgzjdcESTxSxStDgYluz4p2VVlvrz4g1hGukBE_x5rBHQf-qxbrjhd3ROFtoDFCXO0dYe0a2PdZLLpO8G-L1hRtPkoSK7lKBpY3/s320/IMG_6628.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stunning Anchorage Beach at the Abel Tasman National Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The heat also proved too much for poor Barney, who decided he didn't want to start properly the following morning. Thankfully, the AA were able to give him the proper treatment he needed and he's back as good as new, which is just as well, as we're now heading to the North Island.<br />
<br />
Next stop: Wellington!<br />
<br />
<i style="color: #999999;">James</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2273274587009177461.post-47186157013105532372011-02-05T00:38:00.004+00:002011-02-22T21:30:56.991+00:00Hokitika & Kaikoura<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJw8DBfPdUfwqZLBN7-G2CmQxDeq4jeQ3r62FmsRn-VHMJHAsDRYATLBKodeftMbdl9RSgl0Cu_UgkfEVNMbXsmxAYZqjB45Vx14h7y_G47M7tWtgt8yfBNTfxrCzXqRtL1c5ufcWiCVD/s1600/DSCF5548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJw8DBfPdUfwqZLBN7-G2CmQxDeq4jeQ3r62FmsRn-VHMJHAsDRYATLBKodeftMbdl9RSgl0Cu_UgkfEVNMbXsmxAYZqjB45Vx14h7y_G47M7tWtgt8yfBNTfxrCzXqRtL1c5ufcWiCVD/s320/DSCF5548.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driftwood sculpture on Hokitika Beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We ended our stint on the West coast in Hokitika, a quiet seaside town with a rugged shoreline much like you would find on the West coast of Scotland. Dubbed as the Jade captial of New Zealand, we wasted no time in wandering around all of the craft shops, watching the carvers at work and resisted the temptation to spend all our pennies! <br />
<br />
<div style="border: medium none;">The Australian Open final had been meticulously scheduled into our plan by James who had scouted out the perfect pub to enjoy the match. However, what we did not bank on was that the sleepy town comes to a stand still on a Sunday night at around 10.30pm - only half way through the first set! Back-up plans were being formed, but luckily the friendly bartender took pity on us and let us sit in the hotel's television lounge to watch the end of the match... Unfortunately, though, Andy Murray was easily beaten in straight sets, oh well! </div> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKL8FQC-1aC7LNfC8BwplAZ1FYtEG5hwVM9u51pNXG7TyrPme85dS_SzR32xsmr6R3qFpLJVs-MJIAVgzHTu9HDonKKOjyu7NPTbbdDJ2t7_U8sR3hVew8eNCTyVxm6eLw89FgFsORLG5/s1600/DSCF5564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKL8FQC-1aC7LNfC8BwplAZ1FYtEG5hwVM9u51pNXG7TyrPme85dS_SzR32xsmr6R3qFpLJVs-MJIAVgzHTu9HDonKKOjyu7NPTbbdDJ2t7_U8sR3hVew8eNCTyVxm6eLw89FgFsORLG5/s320/DSCF5564.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jade carver at work</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Driving from West to East, we had an overnight stop in the stunning Arthur's Pass where the native Kea bird rules the roost. One 'friendly' Kea started chewing our van's wing mirrors when we stopped at one of the lookouts. Lets just say that I was glad to be on the other side of the glass!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5-tK29-3GS_4qcAJigz2k5Juy-c45qVIcF_j5NdJCuH4q_R9i-XQRG0L_1TPmW3aDgvthWKv4tswyExCdwaatspUJOVaBlEXYUU1Y67xUhO2lFsAbVyRZnHsIl5_ZJosllDqme_A5yaU/s1600/DSCF5585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5-tK29-3GS_4qcAJigz2k5Juy-c45qVIcF_j5NdJCuH4q_R9i-XQRG0L_1TPmW3aDgvthWKv4tswyExCdwaatspUJOVaBlEXYUU1Y67xUhO2lFsAbVyRZnHsIl5_ZJosllDqme_A5yaU/s200/DSCF5585.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Kea can be vicious!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Kaikoura was our next stop, a place we were both really excited to see, after Laura and Emma's high praise. We booked on the Dolphin Encounter tour but the tour was put on hold following forecasted strong winds but we got the go-ahead from the crew and, after squeezing into our wet suits, departed for the boat. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DZge9_9M__PIL0wLOM_RfMdxJAjSLcbKF8xOvtaVTiHoQOr1JNrrJUb8glz_quts0ESVix6HUv3yRTTLxe38m5emOZ1XssJB4Ch6fA7xtzIzluReDTo545HLirnSBL2rPzV8YtWDg3RA/s1600/IMG_6318.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DZge9_9M__PIL0wLOM_RfMdxJAjSLcbKF8xOvtaVTiHoQOr1JNrrJUb8glz_quts0ESVix6HUv3yRTTLxe38m5emOZ1XssJB4Ch6fA7xtzIzluReDTo545HLirnSBL2rPzV8YtWDg3RA/s200/IMG_6318.JPG" width="200" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful scenery on the drive to Kaikoura</td></tr>
</tbody></table> The sun was shining and the boat ride out to sea was beautiful. We even spotted a few albatrosses flying alongside us. About 20 minutes in, the boat stopped and we were told to look down at the water and there they all were - a school of dolphins playfully swimming alongside the boat!<br />
<div style="border: medium none;"><br />
</div>The company does not entice the dusky dolphins by using sound or food and it is not guaranteed that the dolphins will come freely, so we were delighted when we were told to jump in the water and go snorkelling alongside them. As soon as we were in the water, the dolphins were swimming up to us; some of them scooting past so quickly and closely that I thought they were going to swim into me! It was amazing to see, especially when they circled around, keeping eye-contact. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="border: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ji_ITmnyRT7srqJnZuhQps_uuGkpw-TDns26qag_GaFQEoHQa6_jWhJBQVP0VOz3y63JLyJ04oFBvaYENmskmgPWZXrH5yUrlhZP3s3pXUHUbgACYA1_RMEncImxWlvhs4bSvpIOZ4m8/s1600/DSCF5627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ji_ITmnyRT7srqJnZuhQps_uuGkpw-TDns26qag_GaFQEoHQa6_jWhJBQVP0VOz3y63JLyJ04oFBvaYENmskmgPWZXrH5yUrlhZP3s3pXUHUbgACYA1_RMEncImxWlvhs4bSvpIOZ4m8/s320/DSCF5627.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dolphins swimming ahead of the boat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We had about half an hour in the water before the predicted winds arrived. The sea became a lot more difficult to swim in and the water from the waves kept coming into our snorkels. The guides sounded the horn and we returned to the boat which was now rocking back and forth wildly. <br />
<div style="border: medium none;"> <br />
<div style="border: medium none;">We had to leave the friendly dolphins behind in search of calmer seas but the waves kept on coming and consequently, so did the necessary buckets for all the poorly customers! About a third of the passengers disagreed with the motions of the waves (myself included). Despite the shortened trip and the choppy boat ride, it was worth every minute to see the cute dusky dolphins - a real highlight of our trip!</div></div><div style="border: medium none;"><br />
</div><span style="color: #999999;"><i>Pam</i></span><br />
<i><span style="color: #999999;"> </span></i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2273274587009177461.post-44376230384615051322011-01-30T00:36:00.008+00:002011-03-28T17:35:47.698+01:00Wanaka & Franz Josef Glacier<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1JpjUks0wFlRRq7NBPOPosqrDDwBQV90tUOTVRuftedp11gkG89fBCpReeK4bef9TBF_z1VwOw2N6Z5KZOplqpMCd07x2xBKO7JLIYeMPrsenTgtWytCJM9_E1D86736gBdxS0WFAKLs/s1600/DSCF5514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfSHOV-1TnOtck50sY-UV3222EbiJhe88MkPa9CMjW5zrJl9M5SXTmGcSVMroti3030Pz16VvKShmDXniTPD53TWFQ-s3j6-jUVeJTZ14gP_rXuk26hoQheVCyZ4eXE8YYuhlW8B2_stR/s1600/DSCF5346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfSHOV-1TnOtck50sY-UV3222EbiJhe88MkPa9CMjW5zrJl9M5SXTmGcSVMroti3030Pz16VvKShmDXniTPD53TWFQ-s3j6-jUVeJTZ14gP_rXuk26hoQheVCyZ4eXE8YYuhlW8B2_stR/s320/DSCF5346.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Wanaka</td></tr>
</tbody></table>On our first day in Wanaka, it rained constantly. Not that we were too bothered; we spent the afternoon watching the Australian Open, cheering on Andy Murray in his quarter-final match.<br />
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At night, it was still raining, so we continued our lazy day and watched 'The Kids Are Alright' at Cinema Paradiso, Wanaka's art house cinema where you can watch the movie from a sofa and enjoy freshly baked (huge) cookies during the interval.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQuh046CxxyqoLAR9SpoK45VmWAqwuZ2GgetF57-CmKPLTZEZGE_edfAL7s7VbRD9XygLmhJaKxjgSBl-7WuqVrDWgXd01oRUmiSLV46o-FQZgZj4v-IE7zLuyVTOh2AdZGB2OHIpc0wRC/s1600/DSCF5297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQuh046CxxyqoLAR9SpoK45VmWAqwuZ2GgetF57-CmKPLTZEZGE_edfAL7s7VbRD9XygLmhJaKxjgSBl-7WuqVrDWgXd01oRUmiSLV46o-FQZgZj4v-IE7zLuyVTOh2AdZGB2OHIpc0wRC/s200/DSCF5297.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every cinema should serve these!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The following day, we went to a place called Puzzling World, where we were awed by holograms and various optical illusions, including a room where everything was slanted at an angle which messed with my head (and sense of balance!) After that, Pam and I attempted the Great Maze and, after getting completely lost several times, eventually completed it in a time of 65 minutes (the average time was supposedly between 30 and 60 minutes!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7TZEh6YeTMoVl3cm2YQBOkcYq95RsWcZoAsO1pnPLb7DhZ3Al8S4cF_HKzkAi6I2FEMn5tCUoYsJuUlRjMgz79ucDgZyrX-W9kR4TLF6VP0vVUGnWJMJlL9pA-C70TcLghP3vZvUih25p/s1600/IMG_5984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7TZEh6YeTMoVl3cm2YQBOkcYq95RsWcZoAsO1pnPLb7DhZ3Al8S4cF_HKzkAi6I2FEMn5tCUoYsJuUlRjMgz79ucDgZyrX-W9kR4TLF6VP0vVUGnWJMJlL9pA-C70TcLghP3vZvUih25p/s320/IMG_5984.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Wanaka Beerworks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>On the way back to the campsite, we stopped in at Wanaka Beerworks and enjoyed samples of their three finest products in hobbit-sized pitcher glasses!<br />
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Still on a high from doing the Nevis bungy jump in Queenstown, I decided to do my first skydive with a company in Wanaka. My efforts to persuade Pam to give it a go fell on deaf ears, but she agreed to come and watch. Luckily, the rain from the previous two days had cleared and the sun was shining.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33WMkYk2BJAa5zcuTCUM_wyOOqmv1hGJFpW-P74enqDRhrXtoR_tDfVm4vX3AVi86D6qK9OEO2vJ-cLw7Z43KKnnfME03IsRuTgely1Ovu-GVnBKKfIFGmvJFgiuRG_iqNkzocPsL6dNE/s1600/IMG_6049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33WMkYk2BJAa5zcuTCUM_wyOOqmv1hGJFpW-P74enqDRhrXtoR_tDfVm4vX3AVi86D6qK9OEO2vJ-cLw7Z43KKnnfME03IsRuTgely1Ovu-GVnBKKfIFGmvJFgiuRG_iqNkzocPsL6dNE/s200/IMG_6049.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The nervy wait before the jump...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Both Pam and I were much more relaxed in the build-up to the skydive than the bungy jump, but when I walked towards to plane - adorned in my rather fetching jump suit and harness - my nerves started to jangle!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLBPojfCiXo479-WvK7VGkZJlEAnRV_KBPH9Fzuzb3PZRSr0Cxse8BWJIk26EWm9JuWmuwa6uQKi5PfQC4H9aM4AIZd-zytEQbM5dS4X4P1yKkiiFciwUWHX0k1JKRDpZRCo8zQ0nETEV/s1600/IMG_6106.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLBPojfCiXo479-WvK7VGkZJlEAnRV_KBPH9Fzuzb3PZRSr0Cxse8BWJIk26EWm9JuWmuwa6uQKi5PfQC4H9aM4AIZd-zytEQbM5dS4X4P1yKkiiFciwUWHX0k1JKRDpZRCo8zQ0nETEV/s200/IMG_6106.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On my way back to solid ground!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The plane took off, and as it climbed, I could make out the peaks of Mount Aspiring and Mount Cook in the distance. Down below, I saw the bright blue Lake Wanaka and waited nervously until the plane reached a height of 15,000 feet.<br />
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When the plane was high enough that the fields below looked like match boxes, the door of the plane suddenly slid open (at this point, I really hoped the instructor who I was attached to hadn't forgotten the parachute). Before I knew it, I was hurtling through the air, woohooing my way back to the ground! With my arms held out wide, it felt like I was flying! I could feel the wind through my shoes and I had time during the 60 second free fall to look around and take in the spectacular scenery.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPOjyZlUuPoXj1tD5ZRs1DqA3R9m-cfQgrme6fQadLGjwroRjIr9nhi-FEdYsel1JtpBt2NK8IhbuV4l2Wb18R84ZES76A7N5v4ymGkei1d-7Kq5X-6foQfpYXaVyv45vSxBuEIiiGqxh/s1600/DSCF5480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPOjyZlUuPoXj1tD5ZRs1DqA3R9m-cfQgrme6fQadLGjwroRjIr9nhi-FEdYsel1JtpBt2NK8IhbuV4l2Wb18R84ZES76A7N5v4ymGkei1d-7Kq5X-6foQfpYXaVyv45vSxBuEIiiGqxh/s200/DSCF5480.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exploring the glacier</td></tr>
</tbody></table>When the parachute opened (which, to my disappointment, was bright pink), I breathed a huge sigh of relief! The instructor let me have a go of controlling our descent and before long, we were standing on the grass where Pam was gratefully waiting for me!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1JpjUks0wFlRRq7NBPOPosqrDDwBQV90tUOTVRuftedp11gkG89fBCpReeK4bef9TBF_z1VwOw2N6Z5KZOplqpMCd07x2xBKO7JLIYeMPrsenTgtWytCJM9_E1D86736gBdxS0WFAKLs/s1600/DSCF5514.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1JpjUks0wFlRRq7NBPOPosqrDDwBQV90tUOTVRuftedp11gkG89fBCpReeK4bef9TBF_z1VwOw2N6Z5KZOplqpMCd07x2xBKO7JLIYeMPrsenTgtWytCJM9_E1D86736gBdxS0WFAKLs/s320/DSCF5514.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In one of the deep crevices on Franz Josef Glacier</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Feeling a bit flushed after all the excitement, we foolishly decided to swim in Lake Wanaka, but quickly changed our minds after wading in belly button deep into the freezing water.<br />
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From Wanaka, we drove up the West coast to Franz Josef Glacier, where we had signed up for a full-day trek on the ice. Kitted out with our thermal jacket, walking boots, woolly hat and crampons, we definitely looked the part, though standing at the base of the glacier, we wondered if we would be able to keep up with our super-fit guide.<br />
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Thankfully, we did, and when we reached the glacier, it felt really strange to be able to walk on the ice without slipping around (though Pam still managed a couple of falls!) After a steep climb up the hard-packed ice, we explored the huge crevices. The biggest one we climbed in was called 'Blue Ice', where the walls of ice either side of us reached up to 40 metres high! Our guide told us it took a week to fill in the crevice and that chainsaws had to be used.<br />
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The day was a real highlight of our time in New Zealand, made all the better because our ticket included entry to the local hot pools where we could soothe our aching limbs!<br />
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<i><span style="color: #999999;">James</span></i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tGCFJh1_VXMEZGmrV6E9y0zjLgNcqQJV56vw3VGU5-V6hsT7UEajFZyrcYJ6FULFO1Aox4lQF1IQnYQAa_QQohDOHZvN5fq50AnGUIKfG7kRv0iEIDzVb0QnjRZbXI-iElkFXaPL7tTp/s1600/DSCF5423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tGCFJh1_VXMEZGmrV6E9y0zjLgNcqQJV56vw3VGU5-V6hsT7UEajFZyrcYJ6FULFO1Aox4lQF1IQnYQAa_QQohDOHZvN5fq50AnGUIKfG7kRv0iEIDzVb0QnjRZbXI-iElkFXaPL7tTp/s640/DSCF5423.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Franz Josef Glacier</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2273274587009177461.post-59929987430405287192011-01-24T00:24:00.111+00:002011-03-28T17:36:53.577+01:00Bungy, burgers and beauty: the wonderful Queenstown<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuOcsoxUez_SbIO0LmI7wTLOaHrvDeXcRyHZ87K56l2NSZccydLqeKfKDHAxW_fdchqTqQjd2zCaW7kZMSiiXY6iJtr6M-NuHQEWwweuCH98PjzCtIPGzZiz2_s0NUUOX2r3GapjEkn-C/s1600/IMG_5905.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuOcsoxUez_SbIO0LmI7wTLOaHrvDeXcRyHZ87K56l2NSZccydLqeKfKDHAxW_fdchqTqQjd2zCaW7kZMSiiXY6iJtr6M-NuHQEWwweuCH98PjzCtIPGzZiz2_s0NUUOX2r3GapjEkn-C/s320/IMG_5905.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On route to our campsite</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Ah Queenstown... I really can’t praise it enough, but I will have a go anyway! We arrived in the city of extreme sports on a sunny Thursday afternoon after a picturesque drive along Lake Wakatipu and are still here five days later - our longest stop by far in any one place on our road trip.<br />
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Being in Queenstown meant one thing to James - the chance to do something crazy! A sky dive was considered, as was a canyon swing but James being James decided that if he was going to do any of the extreme sports on offer, he may as well do the most famous and scariest one - Australasia’s highest bungy jump.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtch1OyZIt1ZbzRe5uWp-AC4Qi9PoT4XNJ3G4CQeTfKkPbPHr18DjZ0ZBaca-mBGQHFBl7qPoEZu6Nx_-AJmm-05zBdwyKdrHgu_S-odnwJJ38P3mA4HQhUUUI0U2XjMPgqLrelpIStSmM/s1600/AJHB_AJHN_2011_01_21_C1081_3677.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtch1OyZIt1ZbzRe5uWp-AC4Qi9PoT4XNJ3G4CQeTfKkPbPHr18DjZ0ZBaca-mBGQHFBl7qPoEZu6Nx_-AJmm-05zBdwyKdrHgu_S-odnwJJ38P3mA4HQhUUUI0U2XjMPgqLrelpIStSmM/s200/AJHB_AJHN_2011_01_21_C1081_3677.jpg" width="134" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The nervous wait...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We had a two-for-one voucher but after a brief attempt to persuade me, he realised he was not going to get anywhere - there was no way I was jumping off a platform 134 metres high! Rather than think it over, he went for the ‘book it straight away’ approach for the following day, giving himself no chance to back out!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9NqObzZTzImFN-yh9RPFxhc7Vr84iS5-ac2VJ8VF3klCoIyEFR5tg1TNbQtomBrZMC5_P2s7jiCBatf2whNiUpcnXm3UlEp2PTJzY1G2Ga2OnEHvbrw5w2JoH0TnYpcnuutlZRmDtfl3/s1600/DSCF5193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9NqObzZTzImFN-yh9RPFxhc7Vr84iS5-ac2VJ8VF3klCoIyEFR5tg1TNbQtomBrZMC5_P2s7jiCBatf2whNiUpcnXm3UlEp2PTJzY1G2Ga2OnEHvbrw5w2JoH0TnYpcnuutlZRmDtfl3/s320/DSCF5193.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the cable car to the jump pod (Pam's white knuckles just out of shot)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We were driven up in a 4x4 truck up a narrow cliff side track (I was already refusing to look down by this point) and when we reached the top of the summit, you could smell the fear in the bus as the small group prepared for their crazy jump.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdz0yehw7a4139HK4Lb0nQikCD25PSNiPB3oC7mc8sVsnygwKYjTdWAfr9OMmRnQ9igmoEiCfXWRFUb-PS7Rl51HCjIDYbD85_XyPBwhYOsGCawg1iKoVmCU61Pqbo9BDN0D0frRn9YeQY/s1600/AJHB_AJHN_2011_01_21_C2081_3681.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdz0yehw7a4139HK4Lb0nQikCD25PSNiPB3oC7mc8sVsnygwKYjTdWAfr9OMmRnQ9igmoEiCfXWRFUb-PS7Rl51HCjIDYbD85_XyPBwhYOsGCawg1iKoVmCU61Pqbo9BDN0D0frRn9YeQY/s200/AJHB_AJHN_2011_01_21_C2081_3681.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy man!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We were given harnesses and taken across to the bungy pod by cable car… and then it was time to jump. I was the most nervous person there (and the only one spectating). James was playing it cool, although I reckon he definitely had the fear factor in those long minutes prior to the jump. <br />
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As they called his number, he was taken through to the ledge where he was attached to the rope. I briefly peeped my head over and saw the drop towards the river below. My hands were shaking and I could feel the tears welling up, and yet when I looked across, there was James smiling at the camera and walking calmly towards the platform. And then he did it: three, two, one… and he was off!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz__aue9un8CQrFK4wVcc2DcQx39yHXTZRml_sDLnt4_9IzUaZ5UKUiugwUW3NiAHFo3vPQn-_TTe4GmFhlhQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
I watched the jump on the TV screen and was relieved when he flipped the right way around and began the ascent back to the pod… and he was still smiling!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJmNfvAkKrIDoqeknnpL_9hnSTTwTJWRgkFX_PcUvpwXG-VPZuLM2v3sZ8-T8rUwf-rv6lzok0hFwSi3Po98YPAhkPXYf8Q4wKG0gPSdNRaqQDjWBKTJzUowNYqbHSWsiQPu2E68EUrGG/s1600/DSCF5180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJmNfvAkKrIDoqeknnpL_9hnSTTwTJWRgkFX_PcUvpwXG-VPZuLM2v3sZ8-T8rUwf-rv6lzok0hFwSi3Po98YPAhkPXYf8Q4wKG0gPSdNRaqQDjWBKTJzUowNYqbHSWsiQPu2E68EUrGG/s200/DSCF5180.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of Queenstown's café-lined streets</td></tr>
</tbody></table> After the eventful afternoon, I put in a request for a large glass of wine and we enjoyed an hour in the sun beside the harbour absorbing the dramatic day!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3DMw_tgV0th_QbWc4H1VIdCFjtv9JWCUo7dWkdsao9Zk9YSG9dFycMqYtOpdvXIoeYgAm1aN2UI9RzaXF7hffcxd_OeEZnaMTsjgMGxK8kwa6W933VWI_6vMP-qBN9knkREnNrz6Fsnl/s1600/DSCF5234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3DMw_tgV0th_QbWc4H1VIdCFjtv9JWCUo7dWkdsao9Zk9YSG9dFycMqYtOpdvXIoeYgAm1aN2UI9RzaXF7hffcxd_OeEZnaMTsjgMGxK8kwa6W933VWI_6vMP-qBN9knkREnNrz6Fsnl/s320/DSCF5234.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the beautiful Botanic Gardens</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Aside from the bungy, our visit to Fergburger has to get a mention. As we wandered around the town, we couldn’t help but notice the ever-present crowd around the local burger bar. Before James took part in a Sunday afternoon’s backpacker football competition, we decided that a visit to this local icon just had to be done. Let’s just say that we weren’t disappointed! It was the best burger I have ever eaten in my life. Even James agrees which is really saying something, as he has certainly devoured a fair few thousand in his lifetime!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9Kin9sv9QEz30dq-1Xuc3_AueyTBx-lPwFtnxyEKzPK10NeG5RyrJKKBC5_Wv8xZtxNLzHC2TXECeVoADeF8dz2_dvXXD4dy_8xmo0_sAl8WNb0HqIrZ2hpy7WnSLAYgl_hp3c9NpZQP/s1600/DSCF5239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9Kin9sv9QEz30dq-1Xuc3_AueyTBx-lPwFtnxyEKzPK10NeG5RyrJKKBC5_Wv8xZtxNLzHC2TXECeVoADeF8dz2_dvXXD4dy_8xmo0_sAl8WNb0HqIrZ2hpy7WnSLAYgl_hp3c9NpZQP/s200/DSCF5239.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the holiday park: Barney sandwich!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>There always seemed to be something happening in Queenstown. In the Botanic Gardens one afternoon, there was local theatre in the park, and, just a five minute walk away, a skateboard competition was in full swing. Queenstown really is such a nice place, perhaps even our favourite place we've been to so far. It has the buzz of a big city but the beauty of a small town.<br />
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Our next stop is Wanaka, via Arrowtown and the Gibbston Valley, where James is already contemplating a skydive - here we go again!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i style="color: #999999;">Pam</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-6f2gJF9UX4_y5houG8WJlm46Svl2763uaDqBjVYfz4RmqsDcys4Zj3g1reQ0ttuqJfvEwGyvbN7njqlh8-G1aJBye8ZyT3x676Ix-LdxYM5o7K5FLL5GgxQF40HNUCedloaLpgxrK88/s1600/DSCF5241.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-6f2gJF9UX4_y5houG8WJlm46Svl2763uaDqBjVYfz4RmqsDcys4Zj3g1reQ0ttuqJfvEwGyvbN7njqlh8-G1aJBye8ZyT3x676Ix-LdxYM5o7K5FLL5GgxQF40HNUCedloaLpgxrK88/s640/DSCF5241.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At our spectacular (and slightly more spacious) campsite just outside Queenstown</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2273274587009177461.post-53493491619752757092011-01-20T07:55:00.017+00:002011-03-28T17:38:17.091+01:00Lake Te Anau & Milford Sound<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwOltetbYfNd43Z4YJ_So-gbu-Y6BzNjHyCYWxrr2M8TrhUXXJ1t4BraNtBYG7i6HCqOERefqSv_9_ajCVtSjHGG7B_lQcmOlrUxV8p4tgsVx0jG4EEUaSvy_pWOTPau6vEJdkMzNM-WL/s1600/DSCF4970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwOltetbYfNd43Z4YJ_So-gbu-Y6BzNjHyCYWxrr2M8TrhUXXJ1t4BraNtBYG7i6HCqOERefqSv_9_ajCVtSjHGG7B_lQcmOlrUxV8p4tgsVx0jG4EEUaSvy_pWOTPau6vEJdkMzNM-WL/s320/DSCF4970.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful Lake Te Anau</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After a night in the rainy Catlins (where the green rolling hills are very pretty but there's virtually nothing to do) we drove through Invercargill and arrived at Lake Te Anau. Although it lacked the immediate impact of the turquoise Lake Tekapo, it was very beautiful and the town reminded me of Banchory: quiet, friendly and picturesque.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3M8kqHmeTvf-LEpw4Uw2oFn4pmSgG8oY3jnBZkcvvRGCQAs3LTJZVF0emgoLEr0OQnnPuhGGMkwxb_qNXyxWgqbDk0OSNk9k2kPIMk4PqLXXYrtp_6P3JfvY944cvfoFsmjp93sleGqAy/s1600/DSCF4974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3M8kqHmeTvf-LEpw4Uw2oFn4pmSgG8oY3jnBZkcvvRGCQAs3LTJZVF0emgoLEr0OQnnPuhGGMkwxb_qNXyxWgqbDk0OSNk9k2kPIMk4PqLXXYrtp_6P3JfvY944cvfoFsmjp93sleGqAy/s200/DSCF4974.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miles Better Pies: yes, they are!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Following the advice of our trusty guidebook, we ate at Miles Better Pies, which certainly lived up to its name. I had a tasty pepper steak pie that could easily have fed two people. In fact, every place we've been in New Zealand, we've had massive food portions (and who am I to complain?!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVgPc1d0VqhSsO7D-YXb01ZDbj4BK5G6mtVe5UVFv840HTsjsZx_ZBvcktcrYWF17-VP4bTHLZkJDgNm5pPDmPKfcOa3oQAEhyphenhyphenvKE8_k82Rt_tgoEYzz57PVnxvNawKlfcnZ3VEP0f0vvT/s1600/DSCF5143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVgPc1d0VqhSsO7D-YXb01ZDbj4BK5G6mtVe5UVFv840HTsjsZx_ZBvcktcrYWF17-VP4bTHLZkJDgNm5pPDmPKfcOa3oQAEhyphenhyphenvKE8_k82Rt_tgoEYzz57PVnxvNawKlfcnZ3VEP0f0vvT/s200/DSCF5143.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many Milford Sound waterfalls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The next morning, we drove through the mountains on the famous 119km Milford Road. The scenery was just incredible and we stopped several times to take it all in. One place we stopped at was The Chasm: where a river runs through eroded rocks and falls down a narrow chute. Waterfalls either side of the winding road made it hard to focus on driving, as did the swooping parrot-like birds, which we later learned are called Keas.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71uiBuA0dtTIichM_YfFMnC76lgb_cxh04-yjVC8k2VDSy49XyA4eVOq-E1zMOTcZ5Eb2g3Rh1Hm4bMC2isakZ1p9BKHu-n8UfFmdoSY9-IA9jPvBpqDHbn4ZqvQA5A2fkJTS_Jj7WV8I/s1600/DSCF5069.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71uiBuA0dtTIichM_YfFMnC76lgb_cxh04-yjVC8k2VDSy49XyA4eVOq-E1zMOTcZ5Eb2g3Rh1Hm4bMC2isakZ1p9BKHu-n8UfFmdoSY9-IA9jPvBpqDHbn4ZqvQA5A2fkJTS_Jj7WV8I/s200/DSCF5069.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleepy sea lions</td></tr>
</tbody></table>As our luck would have it, as soon as we arrived at Milford Sound, the rain started lashing down. The area does get 6m of rain annually, so we weren't that surprised. Along with scores of other tourists, we were forced indoors, where we recharged all our gadgets and booked a trip down the famous Milford Sound for the following day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuiWFCPvEIxA1wGw_yP7hFwKDOmUUgnG4HHoYYGDCV6AH05wPK6ok_dHaUI7hYNJer8GzGkb8mu5ryeDTDiR9y_PzbAGswtmI0Y8soOv3HNb6owH-mvqyu6djdUU4r5mR5q45Lylz3f8e/s1600/DSCF5101.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuiWFCPvEIxA1wGw_yP7hFwKDOmUUgnG4HHoYYGDCV6AH05wPK6ok_dHaUI7hYNJer8GzGkb8mu5ryeDTDiR9y_PzbAGswtmI0Y8soOv3HNb6owH-mvqyu6djdUU4r5mR5q45Lylz3f8e/s200/DSCF5101.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Directly underneath the Stirling Falls!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Rudyard Kipling described Milford Sound as the eighth wonder of the world, and after we took a cruise along it, I can see where he was coming from; it really is stunning. Because of the previous day's rain, there were hundreds of temporary waterfalls streaming down the huge rock faces. Although Mitre Peak (one of the world's highest mountains that rise directly from water) was covered by cloud, we did see sea lions lazing on a rock and had a very close encounter with the 146 metre Stirling Falls. As Pam and I eagerly prepared to take a photo from directly underneath the waterfall, the boat moved closer into the spray, resulting in a brutal clash of heads and a good soaking! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQDDzohO2A66oEL8SgC2p4v2N-m0K4Gnvgm7Ahu6xhNB2BigTmpPF_7SCVOspQ2bMXFtGK96lk_sdRKJxwtATKKxR6PaF9Ct_Q-bzkA3CeyFOTNkArSr90do3BwDdRh-SFVR9yQh2wRVL/s1600/DSCF5115.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQDDzohO2A66oEL8SgC2p4v2N-m0K4Gnvgm7Ahu6xhNB2BigTmpPF_7SCVOspQ2bMXFtGK96lk_sdRKJxwtATKKxR6PaF9Ct_Q-bzkA3CeyFOTNkArSr90do3BwDdRh-SFVR9yQh2wRVL/s200/DSCF5115.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soaked through!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCvxRNVC9PRAF17RPFAbhLkKWf5l-NEiBAk2nRmGl5wVBhhIp9fCvJaaqFjxYPkcqCE8MHT6kHSiWlBAIKR7RqXBCUbdDFk_SoFJ8v4dKKLIAWkaZIDex2tFScVDvjYHRO2An3yAOp5WPY/s1600/DSCF5091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCvxRNVC9PRAF17RPFAbhLkKWf5l-NEiBAk2nRmGl5wVBhhIp9fCvJaaqFjxYPkcqCE8MHT6kHSiWlBAIKR7RqXBCUbdDFk_SoFJ8v4dKKLIAWkaZIDex2tFScVDvjYHRO2An3yAOp5WPY/s400/DSCF5091.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea lions and waterfalls in the stunning Milford Sound</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The ferocious Milford Sound sand flies were as annoying as Scottish midges, but they didn't detract from a really fun day, which was made all the better when, during a pit stop on the drive back to our campsite, I entered a pool competition at a pub in Te Anau... and won! The prize was a $50 bar tab, which we split with the friendly locals.<br />
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We are now heading to Queenstown, where I'm trying to work up the courage to do a bungee jump. Pam, on the other hand, is working up the courage to watch me do it!<br />
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<i style="color: #999999;">James</i><br />
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<i style="color: #999999;"> </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2273274587009177461.post-85853870825046458272011-01-15T03:17:00.004+00:002011-03-28T17:39:50.538+01:00Oamaru & Dunedin<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD5kMQ64DuZe7oCELXxESSfnvE8jfl4uMXO3FHLkqNOxMR5hIUF0BvrFt7TP8TXEDh1R8XtN0OrLOrSoPefjuoDxhE3OBVKtdumE-npldZ_Q6QPRto7TYwzsHuHouPM6GHNwExQyU-Gq_R/s1600/DSCF4860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD5kMQ64DuZe7oCELXxESSfnvE8jfl4uMXO3FHLkqNOxMR5hIUF0BvrFt7TP8TXEDh1R8XtN0OrLOrSoPefjuoDxhE3OBVKtdumE-npldZ_Q6QPRto7TYwzsHuHouPM6GHNwExQyU-Gq_R/s400/DSCF4860.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When climbing Baldwin Street, don't lean back!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Following our stay at the beautiful Mount Cook, we set off in Barney towards Oamaru, passing some of the country's fine landscape on our way to the coastal town.<br />
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We pulled in at the local information centre where we were told of the perfect spot to park up our van and advised on the area's best tourist attraction - watching the yellow-eyed penguins (the world's rarest breed) swim to shore.<br />
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Because of the approaching stormy night, we wrapped up and headed towards the beach. After about 45 minutes at the windy cliffside viewing point, we saw a group of people pointing towards a section of the beach where, sure enough, the tiny penguins were waddling along the beach back home for the night. It was a great sight, even though we were both blue with cold!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2RO7yjIT1tJaB_c0RJC46S3ZJojY1jQbBolFxZ-ESezZaOwpmEHuXJKKTMXMOXd_2rlEYIc7PbXVf4OTT8ibqB8f_trN2OzgP9o5kkeCd3pQ77dUTU03oVdrCGURG2VbVD5ekgE9igxA/s1600/IMG_5192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2RO7yjIT1tJaB_c0RJC46S3ZJojY1jQbBolFxZ-ESezZaOwpmEHuXJKKTMXMOXd_2rlEYIc7PbXVf4OTT8ibqB8f_trN2OzgP9o5kkeCd3pQ77dUTU03oVdrCGURG2VbVD5ekgE9igxA/s200/IMG_5192.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a break on the journey to the summit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>That night, we parked at another beach and watched the waves roll in as the sun set - this time from the warmth of the van!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEW1id96ogjGZvhIefOvnvV64ln6mk7BrR7TWQMhlnKQdlzycO0wEz25gl_FLR0i8_eVk55lvAKqZmFXmKQpzIzehgXd7MBkdXqfBQkenQaRYC4DNk3cA_kjrBAFxX3rfmrEmdiPWP_DqW/s1600/DSCF4876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEW1id96ogjGZvhIefOvnvV64ln6mk7BrR7TWQMhlnKQdlzycO0wEz25gl_FLR0i8_eVk55lvAKqZmFXmKQpzIzehgXd7MBkdXqfBQkenQaRYC4DNk3cA_kjrBAFxX3rfmrEmdiPWP_DqW/s200/DSCF4876.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This shows just how steep it is!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After Oamaru, we continued our journey south towards Dunedin (the Gaelic word for Edinburgh), a city soaked in Scottishness! James's Scotland football top was admired and people were able to understand and spell 'Tulloch' correctly for a change! We even learned a thing or two, as we were told all about the famous Kiwi racehorse of the same name.<br />
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We booked in at Dunedin Holiday Park for two days, to have a day break from driving. As soon as we parked Barney, James ran off, Snickers bar and apple in hand, towards the nearby golf course... worryingly, it reminded me of a certain family member!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEruJZSGsUs9Wo4r1bmLnmxi_rvU04FOrNWJsnFOTw_l2hfQk3hAXmMV6ThFO99wEEQi9J0U8IY_t-MqkFGr4m-hM4VHUTgPCEB1wB4A0wm_KqDZNZYKosZO1Xb2qBP9N4jt-kPi4L9YHy/s1600/IMG_5219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEruJZSGsUs9Wo4r1bmLnmxi_rvU04FOrNWJsnFOTw_l2hfQk3hAXmMV6ThFO99wEEQi9J0U8IY_t-MqkFGr4m-hM4VHUTgPCEB1wB4A0wm_KqDZNZYKosZO1Xb2qBP9N4jt-kPi4L9YHy/s200/IMG_5219.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James's caddy for the day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unfortunately, there was a golf tournament on, so his game was postponed until the next day; a blessing in disguise as we awoke to a beautiful blue sky. The links course was stunning, especially the views of the Pacific Ocean that presented themselves as we climbed up to the green on the 8th hole.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuwNvzXQL-PfuQS1NzuSjY8j79otlVkw7sar5A3vzeFaPFt17njQ5j-5rVgZ5B2qfBjz8kK-6dsFbk6NnAKLIUjRH83DmiWvgolB-_7xgv86so0oasR4IXk6JkwGIE4OInmMTcUnZMi9b/s1600/IMG_5255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuwNvzXQL-PfuQS1NzuSjY8j79otlVkw7sar5A3vzeFaPFt17njQ5j-5rVgZ5B2qfBjz8kK-6dsFbk6NnAKLIUjRH83DmiWvgolB-_7xgv86so0oasR4IXk6JkwGIE4OInmMTcUnZMi9b/s320/IMG_5255.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the 8th tee, with the Pacific Ocean in the background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Another interesting stop in Dunedin was Baldwin Street, the world's steepest. We decided not to attempt to drive up it for fear of failure, but took to it by foot and watched in awe as other cars struggled to the summit! Let's just say I am glad I don't live on a street like that! Our legs still hurt!<br />
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We are learning all the camping tricks, or more to the point, once we do it wrong, we know how to do it right! Like attempting to cook eggs for breakfast next to a windy beach or making up the bed only to discover that your toothbrush, book and shoes are in the drawer underneath... Oh well, we'll learn as we go!<br />
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<i><span style="color: #999999;">Pam</span></i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81-LJeEY8-eQDv1osqlTUo4FvotyGFMAJQqZoL37mYsudZYhPWzQgHqkfrgtd4dBp08MtmDTtAPhVMuH3_TsLkyTHS7HeUVfs8s_2F1UlUqMxSR9RHHsNZatQRmiavqQME8VlVn9f9-Vb/s1600/DSCF4903.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81-LJeEY8-eQDv1osqlTUo4FvotyGFMAJQqZoL37mYsudZYhPWzQgHqkfrgtd4dBp08MtmDTtAPhVMuH3_TsLkyTHS7HeUVfs8s_2F1UlUqMxSR9RHHsNZatQRmiavqQME8VlVn9f9-Vb/s400/DSCF4903.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robert Burns monument</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGRYmK1BLgE2ovGrvAlDF-72CHTEo9eLfTVn0PQV2Vq8lmG_ulR7jnEJJQ9Quo5DDMasUNmtwk2jKuGGhP0epzdMyHMfXsRSScaC7nL3ooJa09IV8SmqwQiVcioVKhd5W_DE_3Go5BQQi/s1600/DSCF4845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGRYmK1BLgE2ovGrvAlDF-72CHTEo9eLfTVn0PQV2Vq8lmG_ulR7jnEJJQ9Quo5DDMasUNmtwk2jKuGGhP0epzdMyHMfXsRSScaC7nL3ooJa09IV8SmqwQiVcioVKhd5W_DE_3Go5BQQi/s400/DSCF4845.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dunedin Railway Station: New Zealand's most photographed building</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2273274587009177461.post-41628397699310720722011-01-12T05:04:00.006+00:002011-03-28T17:42:06.649+01:00Lake Tekapo & Aoraki/Mount Cook<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvgUfSUzK_agZhji4sLt2bVghAiFWfxTK3kmZTeXZHj0JBXzC3G9ErHRasDBLGAWrXQl7LV6KjhT14LJzTbGQhMRGdYVpilocUQrL1vOcvvqZczUWZLJ3wiOHm0GYXDT7-xV5xB4yeHht/s1600/DSCF4731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvgUfSUzK_agZhji4sLt2bVghAiFWfxTK3kmZTeXZHj0JBXzC3G9ErHRasDBLGAWrXQl7LV6KjhT14LJzTbGQhMRGdYVpilocUQrL1vOcvvqZczUWZLJ3wiOHm0GYXDT7-xV5xB4yeHht/s320/DSCF4731.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our campervan!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Well, we now have a campervan! It's very small (I can just about perform a pencil roll in it) and is our home for the next seven weeks. Pam has nicknamed the van 'Barney' because he matches the colour scheme of the children's television character.<br />
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Before now, the furthest either of us have driven is between Banchory and East Kilbride, so the prospect of driving all around New Zealand is quite daunting, but one that, so far, we've loved.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTU7FMAVm7Gxl6DFBRELALXZtAfUo68pT_IdB9a229rs4FXEiwgnTjznc18aPesQrlyTILwybC8CHqC0Mp7E4XlPumpovZZNRTMW4rLVAY5iU44RPgFVxOvsBe7568KUpEmkBaddFeBNV/s1600/DSCF4638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTU7FMAVm7Gxl6DFBRELALXZtAfUo68pT_IdB9a229rs4FXEiwgnTjznc18aPesQrlyTILwybC8CHqC0Mp7E4XlPumpovZZNRTMW4rLVAY5iU44RPgFVxOvsBe7568KUpEmkBaddFeBNV/s200/DSCF4638.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful Lake Tekapo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After we picked up Barney in Christchurch, we spent ages trying to get out of the city (just to practise getting lost, obviously) and ended up staying at a campsite nearby to get unpacked and get a rough idea what route we were going to take. The next morning - after a very comfortable first night in our mobile home - we decided to head about 150 kilometres inland for Lake Tekapo.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwIiTubEbe5S8T9s9WS8xopOGLNZkICstk4kANjwt9_bPM-4TFRqnY1S1JKW5JICDSHXT-cEggCoJqYxLLpxDYqQ-_GCVRmNs4Bg8oewUx4oq-Un7dsqLpUq5zKJip2D4UQvR9Kj4xajR/s1600/DSCF4659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwIiTubEbe5S8T9s9WS8xopOGLNZkICstk4kANjwt9_bPM-4TFRqnY1S1JKW5JICDSHXT-cEggCoJqYxLLpxDYqQ-_GCVRmNs4Bg8oewUx4oq-Un7dsqLpUq5zKJip2D4UQvR9Kj4xajR/s200/DSCF4659.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Church of the Good Shepherd</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Following a well-timed recommendation, we stopped off at Geraldine where we paddled in the local swimming spots along the river and realised that New Zealand was fast becoming one of our favourite places on our trip. Everywhere we look is postcard-worthy!<br />
<br />
With Pam as navigator and I as chauffeur, we hit the road again and had a true 'wow' moment when Lake Tekapo came into view. The water is turquoise blue - the sort of colour you usually only see painted! It was like nothing I'd ever seen before. The campsite we stayed at would surely be the most scenic we'd come across?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcJHIwWK4TO2lnOsgyj9QKFamrAWDySGFJCkH-JpXe5TXmXjDlNLAFXey8tj3jXm9ft0dDbl8vMwHwzCWXMfB0zYrWYCJRRXeTy0YY-kSGnIdC1iyaQvX0DLBE4-KFA9yCofEFB7-IZ-D/s1600/DSCF4738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcJHIwWK4TO2lnOsgyj9QKFamrAWDySGFJCkH-JpXe5TXmXjDlNLAFXey8tj3jXm9ft0dDbl8vMwHwzCWXMfB0zYrWYCJRRXeTy0YY-kSGnIdC1iyaQvX0DLBE4-KFA9yCofEFB7-IZ-D/s320/DSCF4738.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our campsite at Aoraki/Mount Cook</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Actually, it wasn't. The following day, we drove to the campsite at Aoraki/Mount Cook, the highest mountain in Australasia. Well, it couldn't have been any more stunning with the clouds drifting around its snow-covered peak.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84f4pkXWMa_K3SQWQng2ZnmFMc-x0cRhKiMcO-iD8Tnh7bM-BCEUGEiXdzymkRHqP-byqFLBsFNyS9hn-LXPMOp7ZxSONWqJe7W6c3T7QE3hTUsc4AQ_xTPDNQoUQxnlVhJ69aKokCl5c/s1600/DSCF4767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84f4pkXWMa_K3SQWQng2ZnmFMc-x0cRhKiMcO-iD8Tnh7bM-BCEUGEiXdzymkRHqP-byqFLBsFNyS9hn-LXPMOp7ZxSONWqJe7W6c3T7QE3hTUsc4AQ_xTPDNQoUQxnlVhJ69aKokCl5c/s200/DSCF4767.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mount Cook and the Tasman River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>At around midnight, I had the misfortune of needing to go to the loo (a downside of our van is that it doesn't have one) meaning I had to make the walk in the dark to the public toilet. When I stepped out the van, I looked up and saw the darkest, clearest night sky I've ever seen. I woke Pam to come and see it and when she looked up, she immediately saw a huge shooting star... while I was looking elsewhere - typical!<br />
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<i><span style="color: #999999;">James </span></i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHh6ZCcQnxUkhSOV4en_O1IThZcvT53Z7JQGiAMemGc8B_i7LrgIIEjgk6kKCx2BsiYNKost_guXx9EiRU18JTD1lpZr2ItAOkj3TyzGrixkfBg51BAfh_x9aoF5ZY4zKp4gPWzbj1wuu9/s1600/IMG_4940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHh6ZCcQnxUkhSOV4en_O1IThZcvT53Z7JQGiAMemGc8B_i7LrgIIEjgk6kKCx2BsiYNKost_guXx9EiRU18JTD1lpZr2ItAOkj3TyzGrixkfBg51BAfh_x9aoF5ZY4zKp4gPWzbj1wuu9/s640/IMG_4940.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By the bright blue water of Lake Tekapo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2273274587009177461.post-67976598712435053272011-01-08T11:47:00.003+00:002011-03-28T17:43:34.924+01:00Christchurch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgh6HZVk_GbaKyffv6Rn7DZOXe6Jr28bYg5Iwo7Xd5EkYZEcox4PVG2TSF8_DcoZohK4s_bKC1ItnkaSoxD2lc_1g_gGBsUrQfJscH0bPIKZnSmOUOM7zicO5tmh5J9nLulLna4TfL1e7/s1600/IMG_4853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgh6HZVk_GbaKyffv6Rn7DZOXe6Jr28bYg5Iwo7Xd5EkYZEcox4PVG2TSF8_DcoZohK4s_bKC1ItnkaSoxD2lc_1g_gGBsUrQfJscH0bPIKZnSmOUOM7zicO5tmh5J9nLulLna4TfL1e7/s320/IMG_4853.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathedral Square</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Arriving in Christchurch, New Zealand brought a tinge of nostalgia as the British-like surroundings transported us back home. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcvBCt8jIn3700Gxg2mQVZmmOUkqJn0h03nnWddMMQg01Y5ZEH_RcWp_3SYcpOq8W89PfKlbQPoxMFfPSdotzMy1CstiUC86FvEamgCPeDWoTAr0gbfFxPMOc1wJFPrayjTX37A3xEmW7/s1600/DSCF4533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcvBCt8jIn3700Gxg2mQVZmmOUkqJn0h03nnWddMMQg01Y5ZEH_RcWp_3SYcpOq8W89PfKlbQPoxMFfPSdotzMy1CstiUC86FvEamgCPeDWoTAr0gbfFxPMOc1wJFPrayjTX37A3xEmW7/s200/DSCF4533.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful Botanic Gardens</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Our hostel was right in the middle of town, overlooking the beautiful Arts Centre and a stone's throw away from the Botanical Gardens. We had a relaxing four days in the South Island's most populated place - making us realise just how much of a contrast this country would be to its rival neighbour.<br />
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Christchurch is nicknamed 'the City of Gardens' and we certainly took full advantage of the nearby Botanical Gardens, escaping every night away from our south facing room (which had no air con or fan) for a cooler spot outside, only returning back once James's stomach made the cry for food!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJ_4zOHq56f7y9eoonY_jwo-F1n_qVChwvUYy4wIBQzDdUfVXJgYjWcFHaPGZGwm6DGHANnfdgsZmnUjr10jXi0HksvWT36UwVCa6OdtCMz_ofclOERxhT0lTEgBBDUeZvwJRL8e52cTF/s1600/IMG_4800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJ_4zOHq56f7y9eoonY_jwo-F1n_qVChwvUYy4wIBQzDdUfVXJgYjWcFHaPGZGwm6DGHANnfdgsZmnUjr10jXi0HksvWT36UwVCa6OdtCMz_ofclOERxhT0lTEgBBDUeZvwJRL8e52cTF/s320/IMG_4800.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's an oar, James, not a pummel stick!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We used our time in the Gardens to plan our South Island route, taking advice from friends, fellow travellers and the trusty Lonely Planet thrown in for good measure about where to go and what to see. <br />
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Although we are a little nervous about how to survive in our tiny campervan (which we pick up tomorrow and really is just a big car with a mattress), reminding ourselves that we'll have the freedom of being able to easily get to all the places we want to see puts us solidly back in the camping mood! I will get back to you on whether or not our optimism continues!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKkL2PM2uRIzEMlUqNa3cM8uOXFJZxYIedz1gVfXVCZqMUMXfC9P1HTKe-pXxpjjNGa_5opgu-KN_nt-7pa10s2OOmHiANGexWzhMR3XnytM9DowKYOjU4g4XXpWbjtw79-z8UOYNZIAX/s1600/DSCF4570.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKkL2PM2uRIzEMlUqNa3cM8uOXFJZxYIedz1gVfXVCZqMUMXfC9P1HTKe-pXxpjjNGa_5opgu-KN_nt-7pa10s2OOmHiANGexWzhMR3XnytM9DowKYOjU4g4XXpWbjtw79-z8UOYNZIAX/s200/DSCF4570.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby ducklings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>A highlight of our stay in Christchurch, apart from the perfect weather, was canoeing along the River Avon. It was good fun once we both managed to row in the same direction (completely not my fault) and was nice to take in the surroundings, especially all the baby ducklings swimming alongside us. <br />
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The next time we blog it will be from our teeny weeny (am I emphasising enough just how small it is?) green campervan, as our new toy - our internet dongle - will help keep us in touch with the world!<br />
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<i><span style="color: #999999;">Pam </span></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="background-color: #999999;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"></span></i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2273274587009177461.post-78461544607258991392011-01-04T10:39:00.003+00:002011-03-28T17:45:30.044+01:00Fireworks & Fog<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiyKLPI4bJcTlQzFP8EU4wFA0FOT9F0B0sa74vxVYSu0cckEP7cpL3IQOYYW2kzOEpMrkVsi6bxaD9PLwOihCa6nZWaJGxcH29g8eXA-POuncgP38ZO5O9ujpdlgwAaXlpsfbyzifnaN2/s1600/DSCF4421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiyKLPI4bJcTlQzFP8EU4wFA0FOT9F0B0sa74vxVYSu0cckEP7cpL3IQOYYW2kzOEpMrkVsi6bxaD9PLwOihCa6nZWaJGxcH29g8eXA-POuncgP38ZO5O9ujpdlgwAaXlpsfbyzifnaN2/s640/DSCF4421.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Year fireworks from Sydney Harbour Bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TTHWqpkMWrr7rrIrw8_s8I5S0T_tV4qPMM-GLCEOE-1qATtiJ4Ligd8qkjoWEnjluhHT3gDHsYy121IuIEw-Rz_8-WAYCsbwIS7CJq7usfL4G8LT4MCKXJn1Li1zC63zQKJWeVR9r6Sy/s1600/DSCF4398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TTHWqpkMWrr7rrIrw8_s8I5S0T_tV4qPMM-GLCEOE-1qATtiJ4Ligd8qkjoWEnjluhHT3gDHsYy121IuIEw-Rz_8-WAYCsbwIS7CJq7usfL4G8LT4MCKXJn1Li1zC63zQKJWeVR9r6Sy/s200/DSCF4398.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating the start of 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Our New Year's Eve flight from Melbourne to Sydney with Tiger Airways (Australia's equivalent of Ryanair) thankfully left on time, meaning we wouldn't have to spend our last night of 2010 stuck at the airport! After a quick journey on the underground, we hopped on the ferry to Manly, dumped our luggage at our hostel and then made a U-turn to catch the ferry back to the city for the famous fireworks display.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetuwI98Bg7HViEbpjNXfY9E4ya9u1T1Hfili8afYl58bqVW14x_KItRYLYpFWT_fwzXFcrg3ck_gCf1i2LfeErg8Q0lrUVrZZB-CY2sMHfNxgco7_mw5kK94mZy4sJ87zzKq_cFk1nu08/s1600/DSCF4435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetuwI98Bg7HViEbpjNXfY9E4ya9u1T1Hfili8afYl58bqVW14x_KItRYLYpFWT_fwzXFcrg3ck_gCf1i2LfeErg8Q0lrUVrZZB-CY2sMHfNxgco7_mw5kK94mZy4sJ87zzKq_cFk1nu08/s200/DSCF4435.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packed in like sardines in a tin!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We had been told by several people that in order to get a spot near the harbour for midnight, we would have to get there at midday to contend with the crowds. Well, they were right about one thing: the sheer number of people was overwhelming. However, after searching for about half an hour, we came across a great viewing area almost directly underneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge with a view of the Opera House and decided to set up camp!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy_LUnDy7iW0jznZWt-3eWeYkR7SOVX5yHoLDD6iP1AOwflMFJLFZNr1zh5y1SZwm-zv3wJuNAof4j3HRTVNA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
The family fireworks show at 9pm was brilliant in itself, but as the crowd grew in number it was clear the midnight show was going to be something special. As we all chanted the ten-second countdown to 2011, cameras were raised skywards - and with good reason. Right on midnight, fireworks from the bridge lit up the entire sky in bright colours. From where Pam and I stood, it felt like they were going to land on us, we were that close! The explosions were so loud, we had to shout to be heard. The show ended with sparks falling from the bridge and wild applause from everyone who had fought for their place in the crowd.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_k5fC3M9v-Nm4gMRnc5A2tSRBcRIbY5ioe4lrsCU1u5mysJOAZddI1Fm2t3J4e70U0ebi61OtRi57yQg_Jau5-Xs9foRfyxIjgFOJQeR0BG5I2VHpfD35OBX98pfn597Pobd1hY1EvuH/s1600/DSCF4472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_k5fC3M9v-Nm4gMRnc5A2tSRBcRIbY5ioe4lrsCU1u5mysJOAZddI1Fm2t3J4e70U0ebi61OtRi57yQg_Jau5-Xs9foRfyxIjgFOJQeR0BG5I2VHpfD35OBX98pfn597Pobd1hY1EvuH/s320/DSCF4472.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More people than grains of sand!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After the standard January 1st lie in, we did something we had never done before and went to the beach on the first day of the year! Unfortunately for us, it seemed that every other tourist in Sydney had the same idea! As we had done the night before, we claimed a space and relaxed in the sunshine: definitely not a typical New Year's Day!<br />
<br />
With only a few days until our flight to New Zealand, we decided to travel inland to see the Blue Mountains; so called because of a rising blue haze from the many eucalyptus trees on the mountains. Annoyingly, when we arrived there, there was a fog so thick that visibility was less than 100 metres! We contented ourselves with wandering around Katoomba, the town where we were staying, and hoped for better weather the following day.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFo2R7GjWeKCMDws-szQfOwK9IWHT8Zs3xxYUX_hyphenhyphen0DlqoMBhLUboy7GB_Ik3N_34tEHDa8G1R39GLsEt-jtYdSJoQfmX6l6x4AjKXtrGoHy1kKZYN3cc6sxBrRZql34vt8PmCsACkfle/s1600/DSCF4497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFo2R7GjWeKCMDws-szQfOwK9IWHT8Zs3xxYUX_hyphenhyphen0DlqoMBhLUboy7GB_Ik3N_34tEHDa8G1R39GLsEt-jtYdSJoQfmX6l6x4AjKXtrGoHy1kKZYN3cc6sxBrRZql34vt8PmCsACkfle/s320/DSCF4497.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The puddles were no match for Pam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>...It didn't. Not to be deterred, we set off on the Prince Henry Cliff Walk, dodging huge puddles in our flip-flops and enjoyed beautiful foggy views! Our choice of footwear left a lot to be desired, but we completed the trail, just in time for the fog to lift long enough to make out the Three Sisters rock formation from Echo's Point. It was pretty amazing watching the fog rolling up the mountain to reveal the spectacular sight.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow, we leave Australia and fly 'over the ditch' (as they say here) to Christchurch in New Zealand. We'll be in the country for seven weeks - six of which will be spent touring the North and South Islands in a Jucy campervan! Here's hoping Pam and I don't get cabin fever and are still talking to each other by the end of it!<br />
<br />
<i style="color: #999999;">James</i><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhMZJYwim2XujiyJrQ2wdyuCpNJUUO7o9BiMVaCIAlr9oPvMV1Ube68ClRCkx9Dux1G9OtsM1_nJzw8_R_hSw8iMMqRTmifYpLkO-PT6wkBZxnnaUrOo3kWwiw05rxNIOAHkIWEfK-SCt/s1600/DSCF4514.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhMZJYwim2XujiyJrQ2wdyuCpNJUUO7o9BiMVaCIAlr9oPvMV1Ube68ClRCkx9Dux1G9OtsM1_nJzw8_R_hSw8iMMqRTmifYpLkO-PT6wkBZxnnaUrOo3kWwiw05rxNIOAHkIWEfK-SCt/s200/DSCF4514.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fog, fog, go away...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmi_fSDipAA2JrdvTnwN_cEj4ftlFHhu7HbJPPV9OelryFc9TpP1qjosz5vgRS-Yv96mrXprTJKxl2NKEdNMFTp5slrKgqjhR-2C1EPGAii-qZd7v5-Pz7GKqbbkuvgzmR8dEND0Qr0m3/s1600/DSCF4486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmi_fSDipAA2JrdvTnwN_cEj4ftlFHhu7HbJPPV9OelryFc9TpP1qjosz5vgRS-Yv96mrXprTJKxl2NKEdNMFTp5slrKgqjhR-2C1EPGAii-qZd7v5-Pz7GKqbbkuvgzmR8dEND0Qr0m3/s200/DSCF4486.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the cloudy Blue Mountains</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BeNB_BlUNpQeG55xcleeR5dDO0abXW7f5-CYdh5QB706KDdE7QcrqzSiGN6IIA1geREsW1MoJNxio2ox7pAxv6nzsser3yCSJL20Rf4gWM0zQSqh3yWjiiropvn0AIbXPmyvP9ivwU5W/s1600/IMG_4731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BeNB_BlUNpQeG55xcleeR5dDO0abXW7f5-CYdh5QB706KDdE7QcrqzSiGN6IIA1geREsW1MoJNxio2ox7pAxv6nzsser3yCSJL20Rf4gWM0zQSqh3yWjiiropvn0AIbXPmyvP9ivwU5W/s200/IMG_4731.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horror movie, anyone?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfqTUZJhZqX2Lwebk0oe368TGorvzBgbAnN1_NwdoAfB1TY5FVmOu1zcnSeu6dsz8OKlbkWBZJIQ6W7fwHv4PfOop4DNnWXRnTxAdsU3LvhYXWm7pcjkjXOdA-g0p7epex763rftNquvr/s1600/IMG_4776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfqTUZJhZqX2Lwebk0oe368TGorvzBgbAnN1_NwdoAfB1TY5FVmOu1zcnSeu6dsz8OKlbkWBZJIQ6W7fwHv4PfOop4DNnWXRnTxAdsU3LvhYXWm7pcjkjXOdA-g0p7epex763rftNquvr/s640/IMG_4776.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patience rewarded! The Three Sisters!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2273274587009177461.post-41584637682922746792010-12-31T11:42:00.019+00:002011-03-28T17:34:06.037+01:00Christmas with Kylie!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKareQreO6vU31I-5db3jrr_x0Sz7ej-HcD8h65EcXr5LFGWcuPX3Qy6U0g6KSP_tvjek1fDO_eGOcYULjE-50dC0jk0TU-UGIifMhHeS3FZRvZ-aYe0dAPz5PAEwX1zQXC8ORBBUF-Gcm/s1600/blog+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKareQreO6vU31I-5db3jrr_x0Sz7ej-HcD8h65EcXr5LFGWcuPX3Qy6U0g6KSP_tvjek1fDO_eGOcYULjE-50dC0jk0TU-UGIifMhHeS3FZRvZ-aYe0dAPz5PAEwX1zQXC8ORBBUF-Gcm/s320/blog+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James trying out the farm quad bike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>From Sydney, we took our last journey on the Greyhound bus (hooray!) to Melbourne to see my U-Mass partner in crime Kylie! We broke up the journey with a brief visit of Canberra before starting a week of festive fun, Ozzie style!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJkik3v5vygEdAg9bMltYNFydox7ZlOX54U67AUWviJELPpoglx60DhahqqG14Y4ly7Zs7V-fPG_QpWUJcom6QzcXs37PXEktW4zvrCCWLfxvZuxgSJUqR5ADanQefKuy4XDVP6-t5XA_/s1600/DSCF3992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJkik3v5vygEdAg9bMltYNFydox7ZlOX54U67AUWviJELPpoglx60DhahqqG14Y4ly7Zs7V-fPG_QpWUJcom6QzcXs37PXEktW4zvrCCWLfxvZuxgSJUqR5ADanQefKuy4XDVP6-t5XA_/s200/DSCF3992.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moments before dropping it...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After a day exploring the city, we loaded up the car - surfboards and all - and headed out of the city towards a farm where we spent Christmas Eve with Kylie's dad Bryon, sampling some delicious fresh-from-the-farm lamb and a little vino!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDCBRHU6s5yykMUuHiENj9k9vAr2rSVRiygpynQtdGK3HzcOyzVu8rmU_rSsoYDGNm_tyeshr3Gk4_sKux3tC8C3ITQN9rQIuFySgrnnblFCaYWZWnywtw1jIyQpbO5aE5f_U419KWYUgv/s1600/DSCF3964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDCBRHU6s5yykMUuHiENj9k9vAr2rSVRiygpynQtdGK3HzcOyzVu8rmU_rSsoYDGNm_tyeshr3Gk4_sKux3tC8C3ITQN9rQIuFySgrnnblFCaYWZWnywtw1jIyQpbO5aE5f_U419KWYUgv/s200/DSCF3964.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious spread</td></tr>
</tbody></table>On Christmas morning, we reverted back to our childhood days of jumping out of bed at 6am, however, this time, it was not to check if Santa had filled our stockings but to feed hungry cows! James quickly fell in love with the farm quad bike (and became the self-appointed designated driver) while Kylie attended to a poorly calf. I, not being the best with animals, helped where I could then baked muffins while the other two finished things off!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCG3KFTPHpu5CuTjdl3aS1bnjA9nId9rWnBZwzv2octm7KQV3IwI1FeT8EP-SFweGIITLxcIW3kCf9UbKPdRYRA7i8YlXkgW5b2hvv2vvISqNsK4KdIwVeaVrOnoQwpy8Mta37wrJjRWT/s1600/blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCG3KFTPHpu5CuTjdl3aS1bnjA9nId9rWnBZwzv2octm7KQV3IwI1FeT8EP-SFweGIITLxcIW3kCf9UbKPdRYRA7i8YlXkgW5b2hvv2vvISqNsK4KdIwVeaVrOnoQwpy8Mta37wrJjRWT/s200/blog.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James and his new best friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table>James and I were welcomed into the Christmas celebration at Heyfield with open arms, being showered with gifts and an amazing spread of food with everything from turkey to king prawns! Our celebrations continued the next day in Seaspray with more delicious food and more delicious wine (can you see a pattern developing?) We also got the chance to spend some time with Kylie's five horses on the second family farm, although I think James took a bit of a liking to Blackie and Pita: the dogs who followed him devoutly after working out he would give them the most attention!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmEb9ZypZuiGBXYGIkhto8GLictxDZW02CF_EU37mLRIK-i9rdipQA0Ye0L0jtUM2MabylER7GdzasBbycwbdpgZH0Rilq7N-BE3m1Rtz5Fx62GwVWh0XCT8VHjnujASkgdjFZxfaQAUU/s1600/IMG_4331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmEb9ZypZuiGBXYGIkhto8GLictxDZW02CF_EU37mLRIK-i9rdipQA0Ye0L0jtUM2MabylER7GdzasBbycwbdpgZH0Rilq7N-BE3m1Rtz5Fx62GwVWh0XCT8VHjnujASkgdjFZxfaQAUU/s200/IMG_4331.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oz Christmas gifts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Our weekend of festive fun continued with an afternoon of champagne and a spa at Rose and Steve's house and a lovely meal cooked by Diane. Then, it was time for the highly anticipated trip to the Melbourne Cricket Ground to watch the third day of The Ashes Fourth Test courtesy of Kylie.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHApOMGx_abev6eTWvTY6TwrRpmDHEcYJ4k5_We89b7s7TSO-E02zMHnNAFJ1VtKG00QuuE8MauIVm8twtsnTAYaIm12iSR7D37ANyrkE4HaUw2SpVehizKN1TCWqwUMbtBt0cOTIcnB8/s1600/DSCF4217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHApOMGx_abev6eTWvTY6TwrRpmDHEcYJ4k5_We89b7s7TSO-E02zMHnNAFJ1VtKG00QuuE8MauIVm8twtsnTAYaIm12iSR7D37ANyrkE4HaUw2SpVehizKN1TCWqwUMbtBt0cOTIcnB8/s320/DSCF4217.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the MCG - what a day!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The 100,000 capacity stadium was incredible to see and with our near front row seats, there was nothing left to do but sit back in the sun and enjoy the game (after learning the rules, of course!) The match was virtually decisive in the series (or so I am told anyway) so it was a great atmosphere, which helped when James and I wandered amongst the Barmy Army to interview some fans for STV.<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvkCQmb9kmhN0fs_mYdhf2f8NHZH7gYVFHkKLV62l9i6UiyD-XfSLatUQIHIv8eRa_o-oOgbtjdu6xnWPoXKHScFeEVuQcLDJ0jW5FNdynDP_jvxasLi6Iz9zQtZ-xMUutxepChUMn6Xq6/s1600/blog+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvkCQmb9kmhN0fs_mYdhf2f8NHZH7gYVFHkKLV62l9i6UiyD-XfSLatUQIHIv8eRa_o-oOgbtjdu6xnWPoXKHScFeEVuQcLDJ0jW5FNdynDP_jvxasLi6Iz9zQtZ-xMUutxepChUMn6Xq6/s200/blog+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bryon and Kylie cheering on Oz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unfortunately, Kylie had to return to work the following day but this did not stop the three of us having a great time in the evenings, with lots of laughter, yummy food and a couple of films creating the perfect holiday atmosphere. Our last night in this cosmopolitan city crept up on us fast and we were both sad to say goodbye to our wonderful host and friend, but as if all the Christmas fun hadn't been enough, Miss Liburne had another trick up her sleeve, courtesy of Tennis Australia - opening night tickets to see Le Grand Cirque!<br />
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I was so excited when we arrived at the elegant Regent Theatre and gobsmacked when watching the spellbinding show although we were all gripping the edge of our seats when one performer on the final act stumbled while running around a spinning wheel while blindfolded. Luckily, he pulled it off, earning a roaring cheer!<br />
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On Hogmanay, we took a quick flight back to Sydney and followed the crowds into to the city to see in 2011 with the famous fireworks.<i style="color: #999999;"> </i><br />
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<i style="color: #999999;">Pam</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUvPF5JGL6sJfRKgNC3fCjiQlncxYRCq6pqdoaE5_e5a4saQmBbmjZ1BPr636Q2WClJRpv-v3knxZxakxYiyziQe6cJABF8F-df_9gF59JqMaQfgwrs2QPGe5eJj_Bl3h1LbT2Tlp6Ak4/s1600/IMG_4526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUvPF5JGL6sJfRKgNC3fCjiQlncxYRCq6pqdoaE5_e5a4saQmBbmjZ1BPr636Q2WClJRpv-v3knxZxakxYiyziQe6cJABF8F-df_9gF59JqMaQfgwrs2QPGe5eJj_Bl3h1LbT2Tlp6Ak4/s640/IMG_4526.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">U-Mass buddies at Melbourne's Regent Theatre</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><i style="color: #999999;"> </i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2273274587009177461.post-24767502702305474862010-12-21T23:30:00.004+00:002011-03-28T17:49:05.541+01:00Sydney<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHObjBGwYv13XrMer5cF1SCaJonsV1eN5ebFPTHi251LWSrUBPy4ubMZuhfiFZOQim0WT80CasSNnNL-5UCCWGZ82_sGdUnvErK3OSJL39dedEpS3g-hLhgfBx98ITPCS7DYR0D6kjn3aw/s1600/IMG_3801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHObjBGwYv13XrMer5cF1SCaJonsV1eN5ebFPTHi251LWSrUBPy4ubMZuhfiFZOQim0WT80CasSNnNL-5UCCWGZ82_sGdUnvErK3OSJL39dedEpS3g-hLhgfBx98ITPCS7DYR0D6kjn3aw/s640/IMG_3801.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brothers reunited!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0f4sNwpmvWEoIglUk6m0G_i-3XiWoG28-UMUYwlXgL1VIRkIg-5vmUFbNJQkLPqqMLKeH_npFUEs4v5PCH8vA5zKCW97pyy_ospnJ55qXUkrDRKodTsr844M0_tS11sO1lhJ8CamPSQcj/s1600/IMG_3783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0f4sNwpmvWEoIglUk6m0G_i-3XiWoG28-UMUYwlXgL1VIRkIg-5vmUFbNJQkLPqqMLKeH_npFUEs4v5PCH8vA5zKCW97pyy_ospnJ55qXUkrDRKodTsr844M0_tS11sO1lhJ8CamPSQcj/s200/IMG_3783.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Opera House </td></tr>
</tbody></table>After ten months apart from Andrew, I was delighted when checking in at Big Hostel to see him jump out from behind the desk! He has been travelling and working in Australia since February, so it was great to see him again, catch up with each other and hear about all the best places to see in Australia's biggest city. After giving us a fortune's worth of free tickets for weekend pub crawls and party boats, we set about planning our week together. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5ZArC8WJ27ucdEkPBQHR9lH2nUoYTPNdz_Xrh0zhk4Kpo7wjuboDQpIolSwY-PsgLcY-GvxBqXAzEvwd4CP-HJPhlvTcWWaRaRPg7nhiic985GvQbvScFZrfGpB0v_GlQ0cDy8TiEKhD/s1600/IMG_3826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5ZArC8WJ27ucdEkPBQHR9lH2nUoYTPNdz_Xrh0zhk4Kpo7wjuboDQpIolSwY-PsgLcY-GvxBqXAzEvwd4CP-HJPhlvTcWWaRaRPg7nhiic985GvQbvScFZrfGpB0v_GlQ0cDy8TiEKhD/s200/IMG_3826.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the top of the Sydney Tower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Pam and I were unashamed tourists on our first afternoon in Sydney. We made a beeline straight for Sydney's most iconic landmark: the Opera House. What we hadn't banked on, however, was the huge crowd of people trying to get into a show there by Oprah Winfrey. It was so busy, we could barely see the Opera House (or 'Oprah House' as the newspapers insisted it be called for the day) and so walked to the city's second most iconic landmark: the Sydney Harbour Bridge. From there, we had a great vantage point and took hundreds of photographs of the Opera House while people down below tried to catch a glimpse of the American chat show queen.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4hdhI3UDNms7_MXX-r9T6GTEj_f5dpJmxSQJQRfZ-_tXbxTgfDTgcF6HDTAMkqEkZvLGKLLbR2FOShIhwMMcfW1Epi14vsP2eardlPLngDo9HDYAUse3OLdDNycUVxJJO3Py0sBn0LYD/s1600/DSCF3718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4hdhI3UDNms7_MXX-r9T6GTEj_f5dpJmxSQJQRfZ-_tXbxTgfDTgcF6HDTAMkqEkZvLGKLLbR2FOShIhwMMcfW1Epi14vsP2eardlPLngDo9HDYAUse3OLdDNycUVxJJO3Py0sBn0LYD/s320/DSCF3718.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darling Harbour</td></tr>
</tbody></table>That night, Andrew treated us to a delicious Indian meal, a few beers and a trip to the cinema to see the Due Date - a hilarious comedy tailored to a male audience. Pam was out-voted for film choice.<br />
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The next day, though, she got her own back on me as I followed her around every clothes shop in the city. That evening, tired out from pounding the streets, we took a trip up the Sydney Tower which gave us incredible views of Sydney. It was only from such a height that I realised just how much water plays a part in its landscape.<br />
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That night, we met up again with Andrew at the plush Soho Bar, where his discount card came in very handy as we polished off a few cocktails and renewed old battles on the pool table.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBD1MJ3GOyIDU3cHf7dlyqJCIbJhqKFwFvsZBwDPDvNkYj0Nd8tXgcuhNUCHa0txdDYAv0CMKzTE3ccsbPeac4C3XRVslcFd5exdgA2mdRQK8u7h47cxRBpnTQNE4dl2CVEjlqMrvAe3U/s1600/DSCF3789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBD1MJ3GOyIDU3cHf7dlyqJCIbJhqKFwFvsZBwDPDvNkYj0Nd8tXgcuhNUCHa0txdDYAv0CMKzTE3ccsbPeac4C3XRVslcFd5exdgA2mdRQK8u7h47cxRBpnTQNE4dl2CVEjlqMrvAe3U/s200/DSCF3789.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spot the idiot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The most famous beach in Sydney is found in Bondi and it was there we decided to go the following day. With the weather turning a bit Scottish, we opted to do a trail walk along the cliffs of Bondi first, in the hope the sun would come out later. The views from the cliffs were spectacular and allowed for some great picture moments, though I couldn't condone Andrew's idiocy when he sat down on the edge of a cliff, about 100 feet above the swirling ocean. I hate to say it, but he's right, it did make for a pretty cool photo.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWHxpJ99PspokSoR1b4FcQx2wCib_rwXK72THOjVYMfdvNapyxzHmtHR_SLVA6T89xqiSETBchRGX1UBu-39FLNCs1ft2uvyw2KVe4kGisGI9J0KSanNzxIlwUpuVL0VL82OuFUPCySioN/s1600/IMG_4069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWHxpJ99PspokSoR1b4FcQx2wCib_rwXK72THOjVYMfdvNapyxzHmtHR_SLVA6T89xqiSETBchRGX1UBu-39FLNCs1ft2uvyw2KVe4kGisGI9J0KSanNzxIlwUpuVL0VL82OuFUPCySioN/s320/IMG_4069.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's nothing wrong with a post-lunch siesta!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After lunch, when the sun did eventually show itself, we were too tired for any strenuous activity and opted instead for sticking our heads inside our bags and falling asleep on the beach for an hour! Pam claims to have been kept awake by our synchronised snoring, but I think she's exaggerating...<br />
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Our week in Sydney was flying by and before we knew it, we were on Route 69's party bus pub crawl. It would be fair to say that Pam and I probably would not have chosen to go on this if it hadn't been for the free tickets Andrew had given us, but we were excited about it all the same. That was until we realised that every other person on our bus of around 40 people worked for a company and were celebrating their Christmas night out! We felt a bit out of place to begin with, but after the first couple of stops, we were welcomed in as honorary employees of the company for the night. Little did they know that upon entering each pub, Pam and I were being slipped double the amount of free drink tokens by our accommodating host!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRz26ltSAL0ry5uPtbWqt2c1sKytoUgUebMYivG8CnSZoMGUvKTWCbZkUTLrqxhA1tQAdjGd3uiGkDzE8oSLXMTus2Z2Gux_DjjdI8OxcyLRiWb7X7IYPyjkeKHGHW1pB5Sgv_joJTABfJ/s1600/IMG_4233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRz26ltSAL0ry5uPtbWqt2c1sKytoUgUebMYivG8CnSZoMGUvKTWCbZkUTLrqxhA1tQAdjGd3uiGkDzE8oSLXMTus2Z2Gux_DjjdI8OxcyLRiWb7X7IYPyjkeKHGHW1pB5Sgv_joJTABfJ/s200/IMG_4233.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Hawaiian sunset cruise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We awoke the next day after an award-worthy long lie and felt ready to keep the party going on Route 69's Hawaiian sunset cruise. As we boarded the party boat, we were given a lei and a bottle of Long Island Iced Tea cocktail, which was to be the subject of one of my more embarrassing faux pas.<br />
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With my drink in hand, I caught the eye of a guy on the boat who raised his bottle to me. I asked if he was enjoying his Long Island Iced Tea and told him I was nursing mine slowly as I didn't really like it. Andrew, who was beside me, said under his breath, "James, that's the owner." The owner of the boat, I asked. No, this guy owns the company that makes the drink you're speaking about. After a heartfelt apology that was graciously accepted, I hurried to the refuge of the bar and ordered a cider!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeFxv3y6_3OUorH_hiKu_ju5hyqfIJd6W85OY_rIn6iNy9fsLR0xIz-1tQUJUYqorkyJxCIXf92zeyIoNFw2dcWk5lXlxGXWi3FMha8wbWFRySCWwRFJklQWRonp7pnbsVFDYs9dMPs_U/s1600/IMG_4253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeFxv3y6_3OUorH_hiKu_ju5hyqfIJd6W85OY_rIn6iNy9fsLR0xIz-1tQUJUYqorkyJxCIXf92zeyIoNFw2dcWk5lXlxGXWi3FMha8wbWFRySCWwRFJklQWRonp7pnbsVFDYs9dMPs_U/s320/IMG_4253.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At dinner together on our last night</td></tr>
</tbody></table>On our last day in Sydney, Pam and I decided to escape the city and took the ferry across to Manly for a day at the beach. We met with Andrew in the evening for a last meal together, vowing to meet up again when we return for New Year. Now, though, we begin our journey to Melbourne where we're spending time with our friend Kylie and her family for Christmas!<br />
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<i style="color: #999999;">James</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2273274587009177461.post-40582635457528678282010-12-16T04:22:00.006+00:002011-03-28T17:50:22.497+01:00Newcastle & Hunter Valley<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiO-q1wlvH2Xhc6N6Ojd79reAsNnw6BVfuF8eIhG4EJJz1n4M_Zf9UBuavLVmZ0RNfEzMIuQMkbqtBvfE-Kjhx6mqMG00NFlJkp5Bf5KnjZ0voNUOIycnS50Cx2MozQy7fGZw8XRo0mz3/s1600/IMG_3647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiO-q1wlvH2Xhc6N6Ojd79reAsNnw6BVfuF8eIhG4EJJz1n4M_Zf9UBuavLVmZ0RNfEzMIuQMkbqtBvfE-Kjhx6mqMG00NFlJkp5Bf5KnjZ0voNUOIycnS50Cx2MozQy7fGZw8XRo0mz3/s320/IMG_3647.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful YHA hostel where we stayed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Our penultimate stop before the big smoke of Sydney was Newcastle. Coined as a sister town to Port Macquarie, we were pleasantly surprised with this quaint coastal town.<br />
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After trudging from the bus station with our heavy bags, our jaws dropped when we arrived at our YHA hostel. It could have passed for a grand hotel somewhere in the Scottish countryside. There was a big Christmas tree next to the grand wooden staircase which was set just off from the plush ballroom - the setting instantly made us feel more Christmassy.<br />
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This festive feeling didn't last long, though! As soon as we stepped out into the sun and set off for the beach, we time-warped straight back to that warm August feeling that we have been floating along in for the past three months!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNCRX3Z-3TDxjaOuzYfHBItyvx4mK5SXQ8IOAhBAWE56OzrIzdArxVEMhk7Va7Eaq0BMw7go9NpoPSJfJYoFuvrP30APjW7-4t0FBhVr1qeRT47py8IFZA60QBlcCl_Woe50x5B40avAA/s1600/DSCF3528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNCRX3Z-3TDxjaOuzYfHBItyvx4mK5SXQ8IOAhBAWE56OzrIzdArxVEMhk7Va7Eaq0BMw7go9NpoPSJfJYoFuvrP30APjW7-4t0FBhVr1qeRT47py8IFZA60QBlcCl_Woe50x5B40avAA/s200/DSCF3528.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nobby's Head in the distance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Our three days in beautiful Newcastle passed by in a flash. We soaked up some sun at the beach, attempted (and failed) to try surfing on our own and wandered around the weekend market, but the highlight had to be our day trip to the famous Hunter Valley wine region.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLBAlXEMLd1fJ36bDZ9YZfKgdg2NC1_9NADECHbupBX8HQj-U2R3-DZgMCNr0DSbrDTcWiHEkLVurQE_VRiptVVJUu3AMp2TYMlpJx1K5GxtknMElrY3lwHvtUio8Ev5o-_0ob8EBdCYuc/s1600/DSCF3436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLBAlXEMLd1fJ36bDZ9YZfKgdg2NC1_9NADECHbupBX8HQj-U2R3-DZgMCNr0DSbrDTcWiHEkLVurQE_VRiptVVJUu3AMp2TYMlpJx1K5GxtknMElrY3lwHvtUio8Ev5o-_0ob8EBdCYuc/s320/DSCF3436.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wine tasting in Hunter Valley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>As most of you will know, James doesn't particularly like the taste of wine so it was an unusual destination but he was up for the challenge! The weather was perfect for the trip: blue sky with wispy clouds - the perfect setting to enjoy wine and spirits - 25 different varieties to be exact!<br />
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<div style="text-align: right;"></div>Hunter Valley is a really beautiful part of Australia and it was a nice change to see mountainous landscape as we drove towards the famous valley that is home to hundreds of vineyards.<br />
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On our first stop, at the refreshing time of 11am, we learned how to 'properly' taste wine and then the drinking (I mean tasting) began! After two vineyards, at least a dozen different wines and a quick lunch stop, we were delighted to further line our stomachs with chocolate and cheese tastings before heading off to another winery for more samples.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdbkvzclxZM4Ml6X1ZGDX0r35hc9DSgM9FrTrbKwzURZi7kzoPx6EDqiTl_xZ_ehqSsyZ0rAAMF6AHZUqNv6qKeZvxsSjEkVCBlDTP2Hmn58gQxa1zHoTwPzqQhbkdX5bGiMkcAL7BSM7/s1600/DSCF3504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdbkvzclxZM4Ml6X1ZGDX0r35hc9DSgM9FrTrbKwzURZi7kzoPx6EDqiTl_xZ_ehqSsyZ0rAAMF6AHZUqNv6qKeZvxsSjEkVCBlDTP2Hmn58gQxa1zHoTwPzqQhbkdX5bGiMkcAL7BSM7/s320/DSCF3504.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who needs wine tasting when you have beer?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We both liked the Semillion, Hunter Valley's Pièce de résistance, although I can't say our taste buds were quite ready for the Dragon Breath chilli liqueur! Thankfully, this was not to be the last drink we tasted as we had one more stop to make - the brewery. Beer paddle in hand, James duly tried the six local beers before choosing his favourite for a full size version - a fine end to a fine trip!<br />
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Our next stop is to a city we are both excited about seeing - Sydney. James is looking forward to a full week of boy time with his brother... and I to some retail therapy! <br />
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<i style="color: #999999;">Pam</i><br />
<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;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2273274587009177461.post-80136220396368018512010-12-12T10:34:00.005+00:002011-03-28T17:51:06.908+01:00Port Macquarie<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7eJ-hOc1jMR2HUjr1U8m8786GI1w2SMZbgD61B4ABOlf_tOtN9XjIc5uoqanf7c__ORnnOh5foOyzybKPFXQh1CaYRb-T2owIWYCWUcHNNPPmYS13-O8qrrJ37ZBudIzgYdIRhqENMMkG/s1600/DSCF3330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7eJ-hOc1jMR2HUjr1U8m8786GI1w2SMZbgD61B4ABOlf_tOtN9XjIc5uoqanf7c__ORnnOh5foOyzybKPFXQh1CaYRb-T2owIWYCWUcHNNPPmYS13-O8qrrJ37ZBudIzgYdIRhqENMMkG/s640/DSCF3330.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A carefully selected photograph!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHziE1U2_c_bkldwPw3QDQ7XNhBBSRtySF5AdD7r96d7q1HabSg6m5lFSjzQs1AZy9BLIBNIccZVTP7NqwSDLR1tE0I1eCr72oCbuVn1Bf3tH-6hUTB4IrlG7jP-blNknao8Fmjfh1nHn1/s1600/DSCF3290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHziE1U2_c_bkldwPw3QDQ7XNhBBSRtySF5AdD7r96d7q1HabSg6m5lFSjzQs1AZy9BLIBNIccZVTP7NqwSDLR1tE0I1eCr72oCbuVn1Bf3tH-6hUTB4IrlG7jP-blNknao8Fmjfh1nHn1/s200/DSCF3290.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting a for a good wave</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After the weather had previously denied us a chance to learn how to surf, we took advantage of the glorious sunshine to take a lesson with Port Macquarie Surf School.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8I-PlnoOtFUW7gcNPLIzGo1LeI-fFnAIxLsTmdRld09GamvJl7pkIJfi6D0kn0idsvfcKBIlwfb-5HDkYvDIGyJWYrwe_1QwGhgJEXPBEOEb0ZSXmH1gahuCWWTxCxwuhldCOhEy9ZHe/s1600/DSCF3343.5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8I-PlnoOtFUW7gcNPLIzGo1LeI-fFnAIxLsTmdRld09GamvJl7pkIJfi6D0kn0idsvfcKBIlwfb-5HDkYvDIGyJWYrwe_1QwGhgJEXPBEOEb0ZSXmH1gahuCWWTxCxwuhldCOhEy9ZHe/s200/DSCF3343.5.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first surfing experience</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The lead instructor was a typical surfer dude (who I later learned had finished 4th in the Australian Surfing Championships) and, after finding out Pam and I were Scottish, decided to tease me about kilts (or 'skirts', as he put it). After we squeezed into our wetsuits, he explained the basics then told us to grab a board and give it a go. Needless to say, it was far from easy! After a while, we both managed to stand up on the board, though we spend a lot more time falling off it!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIshcPvbtG72j7VOg_3m5qMrOzF7bxZRi_ra6-sjGB9V5nyvj-Kb2T5syI81BWPWw8PVQjTIUaITf0_wGw2mJif1_C65xyctCzqVl9B_lfhKeJbLn9Zl2zwpy-dDOVPwicyxrkBKbEz9UA/s1600/DSCF3274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIshcPvbtG72j7VOg_3m5qMrOzF7bxZRi_ra6-sjGB9V5nyvj-Kb2T5syI81BWPWw8PVQjTIUaITf0_wGw2mJif1_C65xyctCzqVl9B_lfhKeJbLn9Zl2zwpy-dDOVPwicyxrkBKbEz9UA/s320/DSCF3274.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moments before a front flip - unfortunately, I missed the shot...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Port Macquarie is home to the only koala hospital in the world, so we decided to take a tour there one afternoon.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWw2KVmUzduMPd2O87OAOb9JF7Mp5nnbwap3I0xP0wKV6qi09xNPkiYW_WDSqBnfWB-Ru0lqBxwGc71t8hzgKEREf9C8U15fEPi4tOHjNqpbFF7KShyphenhyphenNwO95drzhMmPMV0vMaEnz2W_rlU/s1600/DSCF3319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWw2KVmUzduMPd2O87OAOb9JF7Mp5nnbwap3I0xP0wKV6qi09xNPkiYW_WDSqBnfWB-Ru0lqBxwGc71t8hzgKEREf9C8U15fEPi4tOHjNqpbFF7KShyphenhyphenNwO95drzhMmPMV0vMaEnz2W_rlU/s200/DSCF3319.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wipe out!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The hospital is run by volunteers who look after the cuddly creatures if they get knocked over by cars, attacked by other animals or just fall out of trees. It was really nice being shown around the grounds and being told the different stories about the koalas. My favourite was Bad Boy Barry; a male koala who, according to the tour guide, 'is very proud of his anatomy and has a liking for presenting it to females of all species'. <br />
<br />
Next stop: Newcastle. Why aye, man!<br />
<br />
<i style="color: #999999;">James</i> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QX-c5IssXE2hzaLs2Vi7KDVvlaJvN_gAhsyQEPf79omMC2woU0B_y2Ll-T3Cjxglu-z3d7X0VuyiPGhjyAID7dNaiv1hSmkrU8Df6FQb0JDRJy66CWdzDxqSo7twSqZYGzN0AGRFNAcG/s1600/DSCF3366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QX-c5IssXE2hzaLs2Vi7KDVvlaJvN_gAhsyQEPf79omMC2woU0B_y2Ll-T3Cjxglu-z3d7X0VuyiPGhjyAID7dNaiv1hSmkrU8Df6FQb0JDRJy66CWdzDxqSo7twSqZYGzN0AGRFNAcG/s640/DSCF3366.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeding Bad Boy Barry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2273274587009177461.post-17011092298962668462010-12-07T13:39:00.005+00:002011-03-28T17:52:27.751+01:00Coffs Harbour<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9g1Udf33Wpyf8xImazhZkeVCw-2cK7C3dFTZQEMnzPlRN9zr6rZCRfD-7vp21hYd5wilXlBOXx0bN6HeiIXHEmhCamn4ad-G8VwEWLIEPpEwEp2Jn2rsVOYsYEzXJum4TAJfB7KnpSZI/s1600/IMG_3430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9g1Udf33Wpyf8xImazhZkeVCw-2cK7C3dFTZQEMnzPlRN9zr6rZCRfD-7vp21hYd5wilXlBOXx0bN6HeiIXHEmhCamn4ad-G8VwEWLIEPpEwEp2Jn2rsVOYsYEzXJum4TAJfB7KnpSZI/s640/IMG_3430.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting a kiss from a dolphin at the amazing Pet Porpoise Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="color: #666666;">We arrived in Coffs Harbour expecting a small, coastal town, with not much going on (as our guidebook had suggested) and, while the former is true, we found that we loved it and would have happily stayed for longer than we did.</div><div style="color: #666666;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: #666666; float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvhseAdbSBZ2H-ubgxHz4L2G5tBbdjBnG3KGKaNQ2FDh8sGDj7-8mIZtimId_1CuJdWs9IqjWRNtq1RwOmraNT4qbY_Sv1eD4bv_236dEmbRdTGUPBimxEyCA8WhoxSBBgm-3IyDEp6GY/s1600/DSCF3149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvhseAdbSBZ2H-ubgxHz4L2G5tBbdjBnG3KGKaNQ2FDh8sGDj7-8mIZtimId_1CuJdWs9IqjWRNtq1RwOmraNT4qbY_Sv1eD4bv_236dEmbRdTGUPBimxEyCA8WhoxSBBgm-3IyDEp6GY/s200/DSCF3149.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The marina</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="color: #666666;">We stayed in Coffs Harbour YHA which was a lot nicer than the YHA we were housebound to in rainy Byron Bay.</div><div style="color: #666666;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;">Luckily for us, the sun remembered it was summer in Australia, meaning Pam and I could enjoy the beach, blue sky and a walk to the top of the nearby Muttonbird Island where we enjoyed a great view along the coast with the mountains visible behind the town.</div><div style="color: #666666;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: #666666; float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2_qQlBMoSChfMTxNczDtNtsMZu0D3f1-aiEbU86QXKSIKsXyAY7bixHYxYYnl7b1AXX_JvoFbUvae1JPlO-mGF8fSqlO_ItOc9TtMXSzC5wHUq_b3fh23cCfimu4ZZI5vq8POFMbIJZ7/s1600/IMG_3410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2_qQlBMoSChfMTxNczDtNtsMZu0D3f1-aiEbU86QXKSIKsXyAY7bixHYxYYnl7b1AXX_JvoFbUvae1JPlO-mGF8fSqlO_ItOc9TtMXSzC5wHUq_b3fh23cCfimu4ZZI5vq8POFMbIJZ7/s200/IMG_3410.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing catch with a dolphin</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="color: #666666;">For us, the highlight of our time in Coffs Harbour was definitely going to Pet Porpoise Pool. It's basically a much smaller, more interactive version of Sea World without the queues.</div><div style="color: #666666;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;"></div><div style="color: #666666;">As soon as we got there, we aimed straight for the dolphin pool and discovered there were only a handful of other people there, so we got to play catch with the friendly creatures for a nearly an hour. They seemed really happy to be stroked and would literally throw the ball to someone with their nose (or rostrum as I later learned it is called) if no-one had thrown the ball to them for a minute or so.</div><div style="color: #666666;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: #666666; float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoWRDLhXvhvfUMno0tSImTxAR9MqBlmkaQkMO8ZwF0g3ff2qFIqp15wNe8nXEhzstlLakLPlpxcqk19_thV8OK5jEvglYBe90XJTsAs_cYwUkU5pZpjU_t3pVufGhxwxA2CrHNexI_fAx/s1600/DSCF3246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoWRDLhXvhvfUMno0tSImTxAR9MqBlmkaQkMO8ZwF0g3ff2qFIqp15wNe8nXEhzstlLakLPlpxcqk19_thV8OK5jEvglYBe90XJTsAs_cYwUkU5pZpjU_t3pVufGhxwxA2CrHNexI_fAx/s200/DSCF3246.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Hurry up and feed me!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="color: #666666;">We were offered the chance to be kissed by a sea lion and a dolphin and were more than happy to oblige. The kiss/headbutt from the dolphin was ok, but the smooch from the whiskery, fishy-breathed sea lion was far from enjoyable!</div><div style="color: #666666;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: #666666; float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy2rRoVU485gAqB557KvwLl-tJwjCRJzCOjh_um-sA5u29BFAt0EjEs5ISOFv4EaOv4upUS6KLLcLSuC6Uv3k8QKbqt18qa5n6aOP3G6C6ZazS2EK_WLaSCFOjJlutw6eq3cCS3ae1bV4h/s1600/IMG_3492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy2rRoVU485gAqB557KvwLl-tJwjCRJzCOjh_um-sA5u29BFAt0EjEs5ISOFv4EaOv4upUS6KLLcLSuC6Uv3k8QKbqt18qa5n6aOP3G6C6ZazS2EK_WLaSCFOjJlutw6eq3cCS3ae1bV4h/s320/IMG_3492.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the underwater viewing area</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="color: #666666;">After a brilliant dolphin show, Pam and I got to feed a seal, a turtle and even baby penguins in between taking a million photographs!</div><div style="color: #666666;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;">Randomly, there was a huge peacock who strutted around the grounds of the park as though he owned the place. He even strolled into the shop, much to the confusion of the customers, but the staff didn't bat an eyelid.</div><div style="color: #666666;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: #666666; float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeiK5qS3JanCO1aaTtJad6cWYIB7dOMkg2Bjb73WlBABqMkLWQROC5MvSWkURjS_TktydDy_8idWNyJJY8i-0beO5sHJHfBtKSvBCdra_5WBtZFhsbeC5tyM953uywFgiQXBB48oaDnPjN/s1600/IMG_3387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeiK5qS3JanCO1aaTtJad6cWYIB7dOMkg2Bjb73WlBABqMkLWQROC5MvSWkURjS_TktydDy_8idWNyJJY8i-0beO5sHJHfBtKSvBCdra_5WBtZFhsbeC5tyM953uywFgiQXBB48oaDnPjN/s200/IMG_3387.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the top of Muttonbird Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The rest of the afternoon was spent lazing on the beach, which we felt a bit guilty about after learning about the snow chaos back home! </div><div style="color: #666666;"></div><div style="color: #666666;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;">So, Coffs Harbour, hardly endorsed by our guidebook, gets a glowing review from the two of us!</div><br />
<span style="color: black;"><i style="color: #999999;">James</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><i style="color: #999999;"> </i> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2273274587009177461.post-65415791591465624982010-12-06T12:18:00.007+00:002011-03-28T17:53:34.572+01:00Byron Bay<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpf-y3UAODhmZA1BxPq5efIw4zBi5W_vV0l_OagLVyeFuldKVNwmvE4zhvMXfkVXmdfknzdKWxatNU_dpxIU06_yEQUp5tYqxAPPnaczzWlGDmBpDC_FGxodxBHnZu6lxBPf1fp5x_jdUo/s1600/DSCF3127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpf-y3UAODhmZA1BxPq5efIw4zBi5W_vV0l_OagLVyeFuldKVNwmvE4zhvMXfkVXmdfknzdKWxatNU_dpxIU06_yEQUp5tYqxAPPnaczzWlGDmBpDC_FGxodxBHnZu6lxBPf1fp5x_jdUo/s320/DSCF3127.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Byron Bay lighthouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After a brief stop-over in Brisbane where we had time to catch the new (amazing) Harry Potter film, we left for the hippie town of Byron Bay.<br />
<br />
We both really liked this seaside town; it is touristy but has retained its charm and has a nice vibe about it with music performers playing on every street corner. Unfortunately for us, it was still raining... a lot!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14ppbqDLS0bG-4JB1PYIWZWcezbxPoifrPlxTaicryB5oXY4vBENPg33WgVPlC0aJ6AQTZG_kXq5woVvF8Hsrw-hWPaMGlE6k8kpnsf0_VXf_VrNQ2Sa9fssiE4ePY0DqLz7ftpP-3suv/s1600/DSCF3057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14ppbqDLS0bG-4JB1PYIWZWcezbxPoifrPlxTaicryB5oXY4vBENPg33WgVPlC0aJ6AQTZG_kXq5woVvF8Hsrw-hWPaMGlE6k8kpnsf0_VXf_VrNQ2Sa9fssiE4ePY0DqLz7ftpP-3suv/s200/DSCF3057.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An unusual market stall location!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After a stroll along two of Byron's seven beaches that stretch for miles, our first night was confined to our hostel as we listened to the rain battering against the windows. I downloaded Championship Manager 2011 on the iTouch for James thinking it would help pass the time... little did I realise it would dictate everything he wanted to do for the next 24 hours! He even wanted to play it while we were walking around the town... until he was sacked as Aberdeen manager in what he deemed 'very unfair circumstances'. He doesn't like the game so much any more!<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"></div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80SZtsmnKDGK2XTfvsB5bkvJPIxKGUnV_fK9Fi9lZOe9OLrmIKJ3iq_X-sAJewX2YQzesWPGHBIEO2kieu9OMHaoiFu-DnGKAgYa-1c78xSTZJoSgOu95t6_TSyOwEctA63MSfaajlw3-/s1600/DSCF3092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80SZtsmnKDGK2XTfvsB5bkvJPIxKGUnV_fK9Fi9lZOe9OLrmIKJ3iq_X-sAJewX2YQzesWPGHBIEO2kieu9OMHaoiFu-DnGKAgYa-1c78xSTZJoSgOu95t6_TSyOwEctA63MSfaajlw3-/s320/DSCF3092.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the lookout platform at The Point</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Our last two nights were spent at the Baystay Bed and Breakfast which was so homely compared to the nice but sterile YHA. We enjoyed two amazing breakfasts and were pointed in the direction of the local Sunday Market.<br />
<br />
The happy-go-lucky style of Byron Bay was on show for all to see at the market. There were singers, flamenco dancers and the most incredible mix of smells as we meandered around all the stalls.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2bF6hUey_s2UyRxxajLAglNVXnLmFLntegnFOW5lGjTBikOu-LNNgSISEHUl4_IYeKORtSkfUEPsReSlZBObPZLzrsi2byf1vJ8YK3QGeOAuHeNoL3nRNyhNYbiw_Aof_efofZmhX26o/s1600/DSCF3049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2bF6hUey_s2UyRxxajLAglNVXnLmFLntegnFOW5lGjTBikOu-LNNgSISEHUl4_IYeKORtSkfUEPsReSlZBObPZLzrsi2byf1vJ8YK3QGeOAuHeNoL3nRNyhNYbiw_Aof_efofZmhX26o/s200/DSCF3049.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooking up a storm! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>After some chocolate coated strawberries, we walked towards the lighthouse to see the most easterly point of the Australian mainland.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQlkXJLHRKW9LYTBtuIGWfuAHMWhCkFSTIa1HcMu10UPck8RDY720XIf0Y1UVzqFHR3-1axqmUdKnS_WWRRAhowyPhNxaz7jLBKVADJa0rnZGQIM1uDKxBwDMXyOhpo55gQBYqFIPVb-g/s1600/DSCF3027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQlkXJLHRKW9LYTBtuIGWfuAHMWhCkFSTIa1HcMu10UPck8RDY720XIf0Y1UVzqFHR3-1axqmUdKnS_WWRRAhowyPhNxaz7jLBKVADJa0rnZGQIM1uDKxBwDMXyOhpo55gQBYqFIPVb-g/s200/DSCF3027.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The busy Johnson Street</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We kept thinking, 'ah, it's just over that hill' but it turned out it was a lot further away than we thought! Hours later, we made it to the top, grabbed some cake to refuel our weary limbs and then enjoyed the wonderful views over the Pacific Ocean.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGc39acPl6GsoIkh1sCNepdJ0OxF3KHoUop2XFZ2IWfc-38F0lAgyjZlSmqxIpNhHCtLpdsVdPW9zkDQWwx_ELxbR9WhNb2uKRoSdeMYGmvUWFQWlDM4SBF8Zx9Z2jipUoTecgz6Jhzi9D/s1600/DSCF3067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGc39acPl6GsoIkh1sCNepdJ0OxF3KHoUop2XFZ2IWfc-38F0lAgyjZlSmqxIpNhHCtLpdsVdPW9zkDQWwx_ELxbR9WhNb2uKRoSdeMYGmvUWFQWlDM4SBF8Zx9Z2jipUoTecgz6Jhzi9D/s200/DSCF3067.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Byron Bay market</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Just when we thought we saw a glimmer of sunshine - you guessed it - the rain came back on! We took shelter in one of the backpacker travel agents and ended up walking out with a campervan booked for New Zealand thanks to James' out-of-the-blue amazing haggling techniques... however, it did come at a cost of adding to our country's reputation of tight-fistedness as the travel agent said to us, 'Oh, you two really are Scottish!'<br />
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<i style="color: #999999;">Pam</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zU2CyRDHlamIb_3QgXn8M6BRHcLQIRfFC2w0Y5B-rGZ9SLfck2xYwNlT7bD5TB5z7KrOwwVIaQierBl1HcuhSQbzLkAy8DnW-eRPp4_IPWH-MB9YmB3MI5Qso7iHkddBB5F-Tq1Kg21k/s1600/DSCF3095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zU2CyRDHlamIb_3QgXn8M6BRHcLQIRfFC2w0Y5B-rGZ9SLfck2xYwNlT7bD5TB5z7KrOwwVIaQierBl1HcuhSQbzLkAy8DnW-eRPp4_IPWH-MB9YmB3MI5Qso7iHkddBB5F-Tq1Kg21k/s640/DSCF3095.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spectacular view on the walk to Byron Bay lighthouse<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2273274587009177461.post-2488356147815557162010-11-30T14:41:00.008+00:002011-03-26T14:05:03.425+00:00Hervey Bay & Fraser Island<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UUbT-6WWmbjZO4UJaB3BvTn74EsYV__8BWiw86HnVBdrjZs4qLpPHJpKR4plzKogZoPGJK0AO1ZhkZfZhh0Piyak_v1L62yz1feBa6hl0J5JEcj88ZGdVUtRp_ETbGKL3LdkohaH1nWT/s1600/DSCF2813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UUbT-6WWmbjZO4UJaB3BvTn74EsYV__8BWiw86HnVBdrjZs4qLpPHJpKR4plzKogZoPGJK0AO1ZhkZfZhh0Piyak_v1L62yz1feBa6hl0J5JEcj88ZGdVUtRp_ETbGKL3LdkohaH1nWT/s320/DSCF2813.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooling off in the sea at Hervey Bay</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span lang="EN">The Friendly Hostel was where we stayed during our time here and it definitely lived up to its name. The building was split into different apartments that shared a kitchen, a bathroom and a living room, meaning that it felt like we were living in university halls again! Getting to hear other travellers' stories was great and we became friendly with an English couple who, by chance, had booked on the same day tour of Fraser Island as Pam and I.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwB36H4nNSGqvarWKvFKqg4VAN3Ps9Gi3129n5Qu-fuFw7o_S23CJd4fnX8hPYBnmSkUHUkEEjjD_Gi2kCnjJ1hajhPE0LK_JtQ529YtKDIZ6ehNhGfKH83I_IZ3Guj7-kfkJWNCGGNp_/s1600/DSCF2852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwB36H4nNSGqvarWKvFKqg4VAN3Ps9Gi3129n5Qu-fuFw7o_S23CJd4fnX8hPYBnmSkUHUkEEjjD_Gi2kCnjJ1hajhPE0LK_JtQ529YtKDIZ6ehNhGfKH83I_IZ3Guj7-kfkJWNCGGNp_/s200/DSCF2852.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Lake McKenzie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The beach at Hervey Bay was where we spent most of our time.<span lang="EN"> </span><span lang="EN">As it is protected by Fraser Island,</span><span lang="EN"> it was lacking the giant waves of Mooloolaba but it was clean and the water was clear and cool. That said, what Hervey Bay had to offer was not a patch on the natural beauty of Fraser Island.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yA6UCppAm3bhoCHMYqhFOvk5GtEJKLXQoJPoZgpNRGmPO7yPFqf7dpjjqtEfNFDMT4YoFn2C-GT_VCQRxs-EljqVOciZ97Jizn1jIovvdeMSf8AaM5u7Wagv48SGeGl6viIBrsQ6Lw7x/s1600/DSCF2900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yA6UCppAm3bhoCHMYqhFOvk5GtEJKLXQoJPoZgpNRGmPO7yPFqf7dpjjqtEfNFDMT4YoFn2C-GT_VCQRxs-EljqVOciZ97Jizn1jIovvdeMSf8AaM5u7Wagv48SGeGl6viIBrsQ6Lw7x/s200/DSCF2900.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the rainforest</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span lang="EN">We started our day tour with a bus leaving our accommodation at 7:15am, before boarding a ferry for the half an hour ride to the island. Once we arrived, we jumped into a massive eighteen ton truck that was driven by our tour guide (who reminded me of Steve Irwin). It was a really bumpy ride as Fraser Island has no tarmac roads. It is a sand island, so all vehicles on the island have to have four wheel drive to handle the terrain.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJms8TxqfNCkgBRWXiGm2Ji7ft0zgKrwxcpx8ltuGVAE-kLSWuoX2C2tzD_uC3EbmiCt74lEeij3R_Ls_6oYy-rpTobmZNir_yg1F25a404FnAej9ZjZElH5V85Uc_0L7ZrPVl2onFLcB/s1600/DSCF2919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJms8TxqfNCkgBRWXiGm2Ji7ft0zgKrwxcpx8ltuGVAE-kLSWuoX2C2tzD_uC3EbmiCt74lEeij3R_Ls_6oYy-rpTobmZNir_yg1F25a404FnAej9ZjZElH5V85Uc_0L7ZrPVl2onFLcB/s320/DSCF2919.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rusted Maheno shipwreck on 75 Mile Beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span lang="EN">Our first stop was the stunning Lake McKenzie - a perched rainwater lake with white, powdery sand. It looked like something from James Bond film! After taking loads of photos, we went for a dip in the crystal clear water.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">From there, we went into the rainforest to see Wanggoolba Creek, as our guide told us about the history of the island and its unique geography. The fact that there is much vegetation on the island is astounding considering it is made up of sand and not soil.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEBz7DdmiFhvatMntzKP98qsNz_qBfTHMfDRHy3MR8Y8w0tyP9d3eaey1gEK9PWtj4Y7pRAqBDFLZacMSSGCxDRmb7TKXjCorsiKEZXAlCu-JiPpOwtRDTLZXhPp_vt4woE167kmVORnB/s1600/DSCF2947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEBz7DdmiFhvatMntzKP98qsNz_qBfTHMfDRHy3MR8Y8w0tyP9d3eaey1gEK9PWtj4Y7pRAqBDFLZacMSSGCxDRmb7TKXjCorsiKEZXAlCu-JiPpOwtRDTLZXhPp_vt4woE167kmVORnB/s200/DSCF2947.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharing Eli Creek with eels!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span lang="EN">After a delicious buffet lunch, we were driven up 75 Mile Beach (not all of it, thankfully) with the mammoth waves of the Pacific Ocean crashing down just a few metres from the right side of the truck! All the while we were in the vehicle (being thrown about!) the tour guide was talking over the intercom, giving information about what we were seeing.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgK3hWnaELbChzau6wBKBhm30HQkz5tmkZcTh6eb_VRggcjPcJR7KieuR1lxSSK_ytp4R-JbeuMm38pmBB2MKWzl8Bv5WtuthXOo5IO2seJLHbb_Wl4I5lAEhC6sCNP27ShLTI6EqV6GN/s1600/DSCF2977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span id="goog_899409976"></span><span id="goog_899409977"></span><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgK3hWnaELbChzau6wBKBhm30HQkz5tmkZcTh6eb_VRggcjPcJR7KieuR1lxSSK_ytp4R-JbeuMm38pmBB2MKWzl8Bv5WtuthXOo5IO2seJLHbb_Wl4I5lAEhC6sCNP27ShLTI6EqV6GN/s320/DSCF2977.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the ferry to Fraser Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: right;"></div><span lang="EN">We stopped at the Maheno shipwreck before checking out the Coloured Sands - bright yellows and oranges rather than the talcum powder white we were getting used to!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyHaXOshhOo-Y6JopmYpxfsb2RdhSvZC2niF0GlfN41_osz24IHffA9M6xqhHQc6RyyI6z9vSzKxEtACubxN10oaix7M5zavSX9nalviPk9xgjzup9U-4k8WWWfvvHzSv2orjnNGMQxCh/s1600/DSCF2790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyHaXOshhOo-Y6JopmYpxfsb2RdhSvZC2niF0GlfN41_osz24IHffA9M6xqhHQc6RyyI6z9vSzKxEtACubxN10oaix7M5zavSX9nalviPk9xgjzup9U-4k8WWWfvvHzSv2orjnNGMQxCh/s200/DSCF2790.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I thought bats only came out at night!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Our final stop was the gorgeous Eli Creek where Pam and I waded, relaxing to the sounds of the birds in the trees and the feel of the sun on our skin - until Pam spotted an eel swimming towards her! Thankfully, we never found out if it was electric, though I highly doubt it was; after all, we were advised to go in the creek!<span lang="EN"></span></div> <br />
<span lang="EN">After that, we headed back to our hostel. Our nights there were really fun. On the three of the four we stayed there, we watched DVDs (Fred Claus, The Mask and Elf) and on our final night, had a little drinking session! Needless to say, we did Scotland proud!</span><br />
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<span lang="EN"><i style="color: #999999;">James</i></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><i style="color: #999999;"><br />
</i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhW6GrFrFwmw4DQF3lgw-lhugWGhjBjn1OjB0A8tfxYUo_f3ELJ0ZYL_B4A8KGTDEhlol0W8RpIrWreMsTkAXK-f2LhpYsCySQZvlP0zmro7nMC6Bql88d1mU_Jk1Y4LnwQk9DUSU_-DC/s1600/IMG_3004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhW6GrFrFwmw4DQF3lgw-lhugWGhjBjn1OjB0A8tfxYUo_f3ELJ0ZYL_B4A8KGTDEhlol0W8RpIrWreMsTkAXK-f2LhpYsCySQZvlP0zmro7nMC6Bql88d1mU_Jk1Y4LnwQk9DUSU_-DC/s640/IMG_3004.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the stunning Lake McKenzie (a rare photo of the two of us together!)<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2273274587009177461.post-28447674060009234062010-11-26T03:53:00.014+00:002011-03-26T14:05:37.617+00:00Agnes Water & Seventeen Seventy<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HqwiERKP6-hyrSkM21P_nIpF26jmL4hkWzfV6OKvW9_pmYHrj_ZYenz32ca161wT9kSD3TZuaTExZIB9eSRSfDZXaFbKuADRKB0w3rb526rTr4_qUeM3GI2PdoniUcnMLU7YlnF9610s/s1600/IMG_2786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HqwiERKP6-hyrSkM21P_nIpF26jmL4hkWzfV6OKvW9_pmYHrj_ZYenz32ca161wT9kSD3TZuaTExZIB9eSRSfDZXaFbKuADRKB0w3rb526rTr4_qUeM3GI2PdoniUcnMLU7YlnF9610s/s200/IMG_2786.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunshine at last!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span lang="EN">After a journey on the night bus in wet clothes (Airlie Beach gave us a send off storm as we walked to the bus stop), it was nice to arrive in sunshine at Agnes Water and check into 1770 Beachside Backpackers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGCZQST_q9sUAmeGjtf-i6xFEd138nwKT-aPEXmt7KQY1OveYRBWaggh14NWjNY1Hlah5_mOVQZwIHodOeRd08hzQ-HVSv6QPw3n0g6YtyXEOVIIUhbAZ2l8SmQCfaGM4MxDtx8ANQSdUC/s1600/DSCF2728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGCZQST_q9sUAmeGjtf-i6xFEd138nwKT-aPEXmt7KQY1OveYRBWaggh14NWjNY1Hlah5_mOVQZwIHodOeRd08hzQ-HVSv6QPw3n0g6YtyXEOVIIUhbAZ2l8SmQCfaGM4MxDtx8ANQSdUC/s320/DSCF2728.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cycling to Seventeen Seventy</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span lang="EN">We had a good room with a small shared kitchen, so we stocked up at the shops and made some nice home-made grub.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8kmXlxwGbJe5xIJ4-U7QrPDPmD7gmikq_fDi417wYwAa122Z1E8x3xse2sw6lzYXSMqg9sBNYSt8pnarXHyMWOGFinfyCgyVYy9bhHyyH8FQjtNzfvFgPo6KtUOvfPeV2PYbYhyphenhyphenXKdMG/s1600/IMG_2852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8kmXlxwGbJe5xIJ4-U7QrPDPmD7gmikq_fDi417wYwAa122Z1E8x3xse2sw6lzYXSMqg9sBNYSt8pnarXHyMWOGFinfyCgyVYy9bhHyyH8FQjtNzfvFgPo6KtUOvfPeV2PYbYhyphenhyphenXKdMG/s200/IMG_2852.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous sunset in Seventeen Seventy</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span lang="EN"><br />
After nearly a week of rain, we were delighted when the sun finally revealed itself. Abandoning all rain-related activities, we headed straight to the beach!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">There, we watched the local surf school. It was a relief to see the beginners looking exactly as I imagined I would: not actually standing on the surfboard! I decided I would give it a go, so James and I signed up for the following morning's class.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Feeling energised by the sun, we hired bikes and cycled to Agnes Water's twin town of Seventeen Seventy. After taking in some gorgeous views over the sea, an unusual caravan park wedding and a sunset (which meant we had to cycle the last forty minutes in pitch black), </span><span lang="EN">we enjoyed a relaxing night after the eight mile cycle began to take its toll!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtKuwZG6oPqe3bZf-RigG0qJMlrIeBJxdrFV2tMWzsj0nZpwU279wnRCOd81WblZ_jnWPJJy2XsV4lbBU8APLK6xmbOw3a_tK51pCFajdeEY63OwPyJbrwdfLS4S5WZRkzn-FBm0bHq2b/s1600/IMG_2779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtKuwZG6oPqe3bZf-RigG0qJMlrIeBJxdrFV2tMWzsj0nZpwU279wnRCOd81WblZ_jnWPJJy2XsV4lbBU8APLK6xmbOw3a_tK51pCFajdeEY63OwPyJbrwdfLS4S5WZRkzn-FBm0bHq2b/s320/IMG_2779.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A broken man after his crushing 21-15 defeat</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span lang="EN">The next day, we decided to keep our sporting mood going with a table tennis challenge. I hammered James in the first game (his tale of events is of course different) so, infuriated by his defeat, he demanded a re-match. I have never seen him take anything so seriously; he was not prepared to be beaten (again) by a girl. After an intense match, James evened the score - leaving us with the prospect of a decider. We set a time for the re-match, however, when we arrived later in the day,</span><span lang="EN"> the table tennis table had been taken away!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsMKMGRHI8CzMnvwYaoO00wHkYTu3hgqnGz33L6EsYUzDhi6eZ02uKWS5iP1fRKFCDdFfqlGs7iotRQUv-nvQCYP_EV2S-mFyz5ZhZtxzm6g3QkosIQb63lhvcVUC9R5kJ8WhV9B006F_/s1600/IMG_2828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsMKMGRHI8CzMnvwYaoO00wHkYTu3hgqnGz33L6EsYUzDhi6eZ02uKWS5iP1fRKFCDdFfqlGs7iotRQUv-nvQCYP_EV2S-mFyz5ZhZtxzm6g3QkosIQb63lhvcVUC9R5kJ8WhV9B006F_/s200/IMG_2828.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The windy view point</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span lang="EN">Our final day in Agnes was surfing day. We slapped on the sun lotion and ready to go. When we got to the surf shop, though, we were gutted to find out that the day's lesson had been cancelled due to a swell in the sea. I could tell James was disappointed (surfing was more his thing than mine, anyway) so there was only thing for it... a trip to the local pub 'The Tavern'. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"></span><br />
<span lang="EN"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">After sitting down with his first pint, the smile began to reappear on his 'I just wanted to surf today' face: we realised he had smashed Dad's 11:41am holiday beer record by clocking in at an impressive 10:10am!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLobhkSlS-yymiv9m613_4mAj_wOV-1OaAnRfbUaVlgkXeZlQNJGPOw4fyk33TvDdD26QTTuB5ksghV8ddz9utXmcTy3OwGjjro-UIkiyTytsJQRpQ99w_fQNwjjNHze4a2vjiu064ETB/s1600/IMG_2875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLobhkSlS-yymiv9m613_4mAj_wOV-1OaAnRfbUaVlgkXeZlQNJGPOw4fyk33TvDdD26QTTuB5ksghV8ddz9utXmcTy3OwGjjro-UIkiyTytsJQRpQ99w_fQNwjjNHze4a2vjiu064ETB/s320/IMG_2875.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caught in a downpour!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span lang="EN">Determined to get a little bit of outdoors for the remainder of the day, I persuaded James to come for an afternoon walk along the beach. It was just our luck when, halfway through our walk, the heavens opened and we got absolutely drenched - oops! James was not very happy! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Despite a few minor hiccups, we left Agnes Water on a high after our three days here. We caught a reasonable o'clock bus and were excited about arriving in our next destination - Hervey Bay and the highly recommended Fraser Island!</span><br />
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<div style="color: #999999;"><i><span lang="EN">Pam</span></i></div><span lang="EN"> </span><br />
<span lang="EN"> </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2273274587009177461.post-21051412135313287122010-11-22T00:26:00.004+00:002011-03-28T17:57:38.715+01:00Magnetic Island & Airlie Beach<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdvPmDKMj4lLc79yyhWmAXtZherdp8lu8SWke3Asml0VyLuAZp1J7s7ssEg8N11jaXHf2bgndA9g_ZhNgGXeoXS4su_gOakdx70rl6l4NIxB_6yDPNhW46gHCga3bp6bLlbCJ8PiDEJHo/s1600/DSCF2534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdvPmDKMj4lLc79yyhWmAXtZherdp8lu8SWke3Asml0VyLuAZp1J7s7ssEg8N11jaXHf2bgndA9g_ZhNgGXeoXS4su_gOakdx70rl6l4NIxB_6yDPNhW46gHCga3bp6bLlbCJ8PiDEJHo/s200/DSCF2534.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our tent!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After our stay in Port Douglas, we headed south to the mysteriously titled Magnetic Island (I'll explain the name later). After a long bus journey, we took the late night ferry across to the island then hopped aboard a bus that dropped us off at our accommodation: a nice change to the protocol in Asia where taxi drivers bombarded tourists at the ferry ports to offer rip-off prices. <br />
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The island, which measures only 52 square kilometres, had just experienced a power cut, so it was with some trepidation that we checked into our guesthouse and were led to where we would be sleeping: a tent in the middle of the resort's tropical grounds.</div></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwrRRXtDb0vnKLz3OUAg5nwjW1LBdzbeAz5FtqZ_U96-_T_8IvoLqAnkUPcMUtJm8Gw1IzPbuQLHEiFHTeyqULCYNg_GIeldZ8tWAIWN9paAiKdzMOC_KUj3YG15s7VDoUaUzW3SUavyp/s1600/DSCF2540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwrRRXtDb0vnKLz3OUAg5nwjW1LBdzbeAz5FtqZ_U96-_T_8IvoLqAnkUPcMUtJm8Gw1IzPbuQLHEiFHTeyqULCYNg_GIeldZ8tWAIWN9paAiKdzMOC_KUj3YG15s7VDoUaUzW3SUavyp/s320/DSCF2540.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back on the golf course at last!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Let's just say that sleeping that night was quite difficult, surrounded by squawking birds, croaking toads, noisy lizards... and snakes. The owner assured us they were harmless - and happily pointed one out that was perched in the rafters of the lounge area!</div> <br />
<div style="border: medium none;">I had read that former world number 1 golfer Greg Norman used to play the golf course on the island and decided, after a stretch of over ten golfless weeks, to give it a go myself while Pam had an afternoon at the beach.</div><br />
<div></div>The course was short, tight and difficult and it would be fair to say that I played terribly, but it felt great to swing a golf club again!<br />
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<div></div>We took the bus to Horseshoe Bay - the busiest area of this tiny, quiet island - where we chilled on the beach before we set off on the Forts Walk to see koalas in the wild. We saw two on the walk to the top of the hill, and one even climbed down a tree to greet us!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxR3kDk_QhfKGNxHioYreNLoXJpgs9FHCQ8zH_LHVYeJcj2mgDkkhGrqlQxaVZV0Iz98hpJtjzJqT2C9o3LwL2icjfVFX4uHhK-KiDwgkFiwlrtGqiIIAJCQJfyCPbTdkaAHuGXFcbnD5/s1600/DSCF2600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxR3kDk_QhfKGNxHioYreNLoXJpgs9FHCQ8zH_LHVYeJcj2mgDkkhGrqlQxaVZV0Iz98hpJtjzJqT2C9o3LwL2icjfVFX4uHhK-KiDwgkFiwlrtGqiIIAJCQJfyCPbTdkaAHuGXFcbnD5/s320/DSCF2600.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working the camera</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border: medium none;">The sleepy Magnetic Island was not one of our favourite places we have been to on our travels, so it was with renewed hope that we left for Airlie Beach in the Whitsundays. However, we hadn't planned for weather typical of a rainy April in Scotland!</div><br />
<div></div>With just a few shops, restaurants and internet cafes, the rain left us with little to do. So, instead of sailing in the Whitsundays or enjoying some time at the lagoon, we ended up booking our hostels and bus journeys for the next two weeks. I had a hair cut at the local barber shop and was (surprisingly) permitted to take scissors to Pam's hair. I maintain I did a good job, though you'd have to ask Pam what she thinks!<br />
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<div></div><i><span style="color: #999999;">James</span></i><br />
<br />
<div></div><div style="border: medium none;"><div style="border: medium none;">PS: If you wanted to know why it's called Magnetic Island, it's because when Captain Cook sailed past it, his compass behaved strangely. Although there is no scientific basis for why this happened, the name stuck. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmsx7RhRuZGCBYHMrSNBEOsDwvJHnC4PpE5tsV1PR1E9pIQRJedDX70rAN6YWKax0uqf0SY6R75luUPgITZgffzMehAQhcfu_T3L5KUfGAIL-iCKuWHqdWJexiMZ4WAgve1cMRi9x15FF/s1600/DSCF2670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmsx7RhRuZGCBYHMrSNBEOsDwvJHnC4PpE5tsV1PR1E9pIQRJedDX70rAN6YWKax0uqf0SY6R75luUPgITZgffzMehAQhcfu_T3L5KUfGAIL-iCKuWHqdWJexiMZ4WAgve1cMRi9x15FF/s640/DSCF2670.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sun came finally decided to come out just hours before we were due to leave! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BU3rzOv-0cwDSOrtKIib8lxcsq1_oDM3bwt0MDNv91x3NwBy2hyYn-FhDm_RiD2QuBRiiRgwl1oLm8fUhUn2gpDnD7MZLQvWbIRi1LlPSlXVI2SMLIcvlMBY0ztF486vhajYOCFCcLnF/s1600/DSCF2631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BU3rzOv-0cwDSOrtKIib8lxcsq1_oDM3bwt0MDNv91x3NwBy2hyYn-FhDm_RiD2QuBRiiRgwl1oLm8fUhUn2gpDnD7MZLQvWbIRi1LlPSlXVI2SMLIcvlMBY0ztF486vhajYOCFCcLnF/s200/DSCF2631.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rain, rain, go away...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="border: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNTXRSGItrrPyURnLCHIE7GKT7QC3EaauKT3ZLtHYzpGWzpoIJPioxg3-8ZbLG0HylsqnevqZXv_Kk2QtEH2DyljL748jnULeZ40YfVT_7JLqsD_78c-BmKyFsjkA5ebx9DElJL2-_wYc/s1600/DSCF2645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNTXRSGItrrPyURnLCHIE7GKT7QC3EaauKT3ZLtHYzpGWzpoIJPioxg3-8ZbLG0HylsqnevqZXv_Kk2QtEH2DyljL748jnULeZ40YfVT_7JLqsD_78c-BmKyFsjkA5ebx9DElJL2-_wYc/s200/DSCF2645.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border: medium none; text-align: center;">Dweebing in an internet cafe </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYieOkKrHGxaTmN_HY57B1D-U-VAHf5HGnSJLiavKLdUSBoJUM9AOd7u-HpZtwAPMoa2TRoyVKqyOaFwrxuQgmYOq9LFJXnHIJVe2RPyTEqUbCjTADVj7Gf_IkrRS94FwgUDFwF_Vhugs/s1600/DSCF2634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYieOkKrHGxaTmN_HY57B1D-U-VAHf5HGnSJLiavKLdUSBoJUM9AOd7u-HpZtwAPMoa2TRoyVKqyOaFwrxuQgmYOq9LFJXnHIJVe2RPyTEqUbCjTADVj7Gf_IkrRS94FwgUDFwF_Vhugs/s200/DSCF2634.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pam's new hairdresser: The Butcher</td></tr>
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<span id="goog_968075617"></span><span id="goog_968075618"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3