We had what you could call a dizzy moment on our final night in Siem Reap. We had arranged to go and see some traditional Cambodian dancing called Apsara dancing, which is mostly ran through the expensive hotels in the town.
Our hotel of choice was the Grand Angkor hotel and the ticket also threw in a buffet to boot.
We have kind of developed a mini tradition on our final nights in places where we go and splash out in a nice bar or restaurant so this was our final splurge in Cambodia. Splashing out actually means paying about $4 for a drink instead of the usual $1.
Anyway, we spotted the glasses of champagne on the menu and ordered a glass each. In our excitement we did not realise that we were actually ordering champage from the contents page of the menu. So when we thought we were paying $4 a glass the menu was actually referencing page 4 of the menu. We had 4 glasses of champage in total and a $39 bottle of wine. Not too bad you might think, well it was! We nearly fainted when we saw the final bill of $122! The 4 glasses of champagne on page 4 of the menu were $15 a pop! Our drinks bill was the same price as our weeks accommodation in Siem Reap.
We have still not got over the price or our stupidity but we are trying to forget it............................
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Siem Reap - Poi Pet
We paid $12 each to get us from Cambodia across the border to Thailand and on to Bangkok. Usually such a cheap price for travel around South East Asia would not concern me but yesterday we really did get what we paid for.
A 40 seater rickety bus picked us up from our guesthouse. The bus was already full when we got on but we managed to get 2 seats together and the driver stashed our backpacks at the back. We thought we were about to start our onward journey but no! We went to pick up a further 15 people. The bus really could not accommodate an extra 15 travellers with their very large backpacks but this did not seem to concern the driver who continued to pack the bus with their baggage through the back windows of the bus. Everyone was getting slightly tense, stressed, cross but we assummed everything would work out ok. What happened next was this...........the driver got his hands on a number of plastic garden chairs and squeezed them into the spaces where the luggage had not been placed. Those who didn't have a seat had to sit on the garden chairs for the next 4.5 hours to the border crossing. It's also worth pointing out then once you reach the edge of Siem Reap the road disappears and becomes a dirt track. The rest of the baggage was placed in between the driver and the exit from the bus. Not an inch of space remained on the bus. It was a hot, bumpy and tiring journey and something I do not wish to repeat in a hurry.
Thankfully, after the border crossing we boarded a coach with more room and air con that worked sporadically.
A 40 seater rickety bus picked us up from our guesthouse. The bus was already full when we got on but we managed to get 2 seats together and the driver stashed our backpacks at the back. We thought we were about to start our onward journey but no! We went to pick up a further 15 people. The bus really could not accommodate an extra 15 travellers with their very large backpacks but this did not seem to concern the driver who continued to pack the bus with their baggage through the back windows of the bus. Everyone was getting slightly tense, stressed, cross but we assummed everything would work out ok. What happened next was this...........the driver got his hands on a number of plastic garden chairs and squeezed them into the spaces where the luggage had not been placed. Those who didn't have a seat had to sit on the garden chairs for the next 4.5 hours to the border crossing. It's also worth pointing out then once you reach the edge of Siem Reap the road disappears and becomes a dirt track. The rest of the baggage was placed in between the driver and the exit from the bus. Not an inch of space remained on the bus. It was a hot, bumpy and tiring journey and something I do not wish to repeat in a hurry.
Thankfully, after the border crossing we boarded a coach with more room and air con that worked sporadically.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Cambodia so far................
Its been a while again and in that time we've been to Sihanoukville.....chilled on the beach for 7 days, back to Phnom Penh and on to Siem Reap for temple overload.
Sihanoukville
This place really encapsulates what is happening to Cambodia. Development, development development on a mass scale with little regulation or monitoring. What was said to us by a Cambodian guide was 'the rich are getting richer and the poor much, much poorer''.
Foreign investment is coming in and soon-to-be-resorts are slowly sprouting up all along the amazing coast [nothing moves fast in Cambodia]. There are a lot of people getting on with it and making dollars from the tourists but there are as many that are being left out this new Cambodia and they are the poorest in the country. And the poorest in Sihanoukville are the beach hawkers, who on the whole are kids trying to selling everything to anyone, from fruit to scarves to postcards. They ask for your empty pop cans, plastic bottles and your left over food. Like all places with tourists with cash, ''tourists'' can buy whatever you want and in the very recent past that was so true. Things are slowly changing and there seems a much better awareness by everyone on issues around trafficking and all types of exploitation.
Phnom Penh
It has taken me a while to warm to Phnom Penh. We visited the National Museum, getting an introduction to the Angkor experience and the Royal Palace/Silver Pagoda. Amazing, amazing, amazing ..................... We also did another cookery class and spent some cash with NGOs working with the city kids. The markets are great, full of every label - copied of course, as well as snacks from things that you would continually eat [all sorts of Amoks] to things that you don't [deep fried crispy spiders [we have the cook book!!!]]. Restaurants Friends and Romdeng, the great FCC bar and our breakfast place of choice The Shop.
Siem Reap
Its difficult to descibe Siem Reap. This town has the majority of tourists coming through it because of Angkor Wat and the other temples. These temples date from the early 9th to 12th century, built by god-kings along with cities and palaces. These were abandoned and the jungle grew around until Europeans came and '"rediscovered"' them. They are amazing structures - architecture and art of a Khmer civilisation that included part of Thailand and south Viet Nam. The Lara Croft movie and Tome Raider 3 [I think] computer game partly was shot here. So the clique are is huge stone faces in the middle of the jungle - and its true!!! Pictures do not do the place any favours. Its like having all the best UK religious buildings in a 10 mile square in the middle of the jungle with frogs and screaming crickets all adding atmosphere. I have truly seen nothing like it before.
Saturday we leaving for Bangkok and then to the northern jungles for trekking around 25th December. I can't remember but something else is happening then too............................
Sihanoukville
This place really encapsulates what is happening to Cambodia. Development, development development on a mass scale with little regulation or monitoring. What was said to us by a Cambodian guide was 'the rich are getting richer and the poor much, much poorer''.
Foreign investment is coming in and soon-to-be-resorts are slowly sprouting up all along the amazing coast [nothing moves fast in Cambodia]. There are a lot of people getting on with it and making dollars from the tourists but there are as many that are being left out this new Cambodia and they are the poorest in the country. And the poorest in Sihanoukville are the beach hawkers, who on the whole are kids trying to selling everything to anyone, from fruit to scarves to postcards. They ask for your empty pop cans, plastic bottles and your left over food. Like all places with tourists with cash, ''tourists'' can buy whatever you want and in the very recent past that was so true. Things are slowly changing and there seems a much better awareness by everyone on issues around trafficking and all types of exploitation.
We have great photos and experiences of Sihanoukville - blue seas, beaches, BBQs and a real beach riviera feel every night. The skies are huge and the sunset is beautiful, lighting up is amazing colours. We didn't experience this area as fully as we probably should have done but unfortunately Emma got sick for a few days. We missed out on the amazing islands in the Sea of Thailand and the Ream National Park.
Phnom Penh
It has taken me a while to warm to Phnom Penh. We visited the National Museum, getting an introduction to the Angkor experience and the Royal Palace/Silver Pagoda. Amazing, amazing, amazing ..................... We also did another cookery class and spent some cash with NGOs working with the city kids. The markets are great, full of every label - copied of course, as well as snacks from things that you would continually eat [all sorts of Amoks] to things that you don't [deep fried crispy spiders [we have the cook book!!!]]. Restaurants Friends and Romdeng, the great FCC bar and our breakfast place of choice The Shop.
Siem Reap
Its difficult to descibe Siem Reap. This town has the majority of tourists coming through it because of Angkor Wat and the other temples. These temples date from the early 9th to 12th century, built by god-kings along with cities and palaces. These were abandoned and the jungle grew around until Europeans came and '"rediscovered"' them. They are amazing structures - architecture and art of a Khmer civilisation that included part of Thailand and south Viet Nam. The Lara Croft movie and Tome Raider 3 [I think] computer game partly was shot here. So the clique are is huge stone faces in the middle of the jungle - and its true!!! Pictures do not do the place any favours. Its like having all the best UK religious buildings in a 10 mile square in the middle of the jungle with frogs and screaming crickets all adding atmosphere. I have truly seen nothing like it before.
Saturday we leaving for Bangkok and then to the northern jungles for trekking around 25th December. I can't remember but something else is happening then too............................
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Viet Nam - Cambodia
Sorry its been a while. Believe it life does get very busy and internet connections are sometime too slow to deal with.
We are currently in Sihanoukville in Cambodia. A great seaside place, small but on the verge of becoming a town with millions of modern resorts. We have beautiful beaches and seas, weather around 32C, lots of beach bars & BBQs and islands to hand for great snorkeling and swimming. We have decided to stay until 10th to stop and relax. Yes, relax because life does get busy when traveling and moving through cities that you don't know.
What happened in Viet Nam - it rained for about 1.5 weeks which really put a dampener on everything and everything we had got wet. We moved from Da Nang to Nha Thrang [Viet Nam's beach resort with lots of American's looking for the sun] and then an overnight train to Ho Chi Minh City [Saigon]. We booked ourselves onto a trip into the Mekong Delta and the Mekong across the border to Cambodia - Phnom Penh. We did a homestay on the edges of the Mekong river which was fun before Cambodia.
Central and South Viet Nam has such a history with the US during their occupation and we did a couple of visits that will stay with us forever -My Lai site, Agent Orange and the War Remanents Museum in Saigon. Believe us, the government used these places as propaganda but the human tragedy is indescribable.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Lai_massacre
Although the weather sorted itself out we only stayed in Saigon for a couple days. It is a great city - the traffic is mad worse than Han Oi and much much more. It is very French - wide boulevards and colonial architecture everywhere. Its does get more seedier with a number of western tourists there looking for obvious and of course its there if you have the wallet.
The Mekong Delta trip was disappointing. Its a region that is difficult to travel by yourselves so a trip was the easiest particular with the journey onto Cambodia.
Our arrival in Phomh Penh Cambodia was a real culture shock. It is so different to Viet Nam in terms of the people, culture and landscape. Cambodia is a developing country - it has poviety that we find extremely difficult to deal with because its on the streets in front of you.
Like all developing counties around the world it also has a huge number of wealthy and the travelers bring a lot of money into the country. Phnom Penh has a huge number of french expats and they are building an amazing playground for themselves. Reading the Whats On mags I would be pleased if a percentage of activity was happening in West Brom - BLOODY good restaurants, museums, bars, things to do.
We have been in Cambodia for 5 days and I still find it difficult to understand and explain what I have experienced here. The main shock'' was visiting the genocide museum Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields. What we experienced that day will remain with us forever as something that has changed us.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuol_Sleng_Genocide_Museum
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Killing_Fields
We always planned to move onto Sihanoukville straight away and stop for a while. We are heading back next week and then onto Angkor Wat and other Wats in that region.
I hope its not too a depressing post after such a long gap because we are having a good time, this country is beautiful and the people are really generous and have a good sense of humor.
We are currently in Sihanoukville in Cambodia. A great seaside place, small but on the verge of becoming a town with millions of modern resorts. We have beautiful beaches and seas, weather around 32C, lots of beach bars & BBQs and islands to hand for great snorkeling and swimming. We have decided to stay until 10th to stop and relax. Yes, relax because life does get busy when traveling and moving through cities that you don't know.
What happened in Viet Nam - it rained for about 1.5 weeks which really put a dampener on everything and everything we had got wet. We moved from Da Nang to Nha Thrang [Viet Nam's beach resort with lots of American's looking for the sun] and then an overnight train to Ho Chi Minh City [Saigon]. We booked ourselves onto a trip into the Mekong Delta and the Mekong across the border to Cambodia - Phnom Penh. We did a homestay on the edges of the Mekong river which was fun before Cambodia.
Central and South Viet Nam has such a history with the US during their occupation and we did a couple of visits that will stay with us forever -My Lai site, Agent Orange and the War Remanents Museum in Saigon. Believe us, the government used these places as propaganda but the human tragedy is indescribable.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Lai_massacre
Although the weather sorted itself out we only stayed in Saigon for a couple days. It is a great city - the traffic is mad worse than Han Oi and much much more. It is very French - wide boulevards and colonial architecture everywhere. Its does get more seedier with a number of western tourists there looking for obvious and of course its there if you have the wallet.
The Mekong Delta trip was disappointing. Its a region that is difficult to travel by yourselves so a trip was the easiest particular with the journey onto Cambodia.
Our arrival in Phomh Penh Cambodia was a real culture shock. It is so different to Viet Nam in terms of the people, culture and landscape. Cambodia is a developing country - it has poviety that we find extremely difficult to deal with because its on the streets in front of you.
Like all developing counties around the world it also has a huge number of wealthy and the travelers bring a lot of money into the country. Phnom Penh has a huge number of french expats and they are building an amazing playground for themselves. Reading the Whats On mags I would be pleased if a percentage of activity was happening in West Brom - BLOODY good restaurants, museums, bars, things to do.
We have been in Cambodia for 5 days and I still find it difficult to understand and explain what I have experienced here. The main shock'' was visiting the genocide museum Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields. What we experienced that day will remain with us forever as something that has changed us.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuol_Sleng_Genocide_Museum
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Killing_Fields
We always planned to move onto Sihanoukville straight away and stop for a while. We are heading back next week and then onto Angkor Wat and other Wats in that region.
I hope its not too a depressing post after such a long gap because we are having a good time, this country is beautiful and the people are really generous and have a good sense of humor.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Tropical Storms!!
We have spent the last few days travelling further south in the hope that we might catch up with the sunshine. Unfortunately not! So in between seeing lovely Hue then learning to play Shithead in a surf shack on China Beach and wandering the even more lovely Hoi An we have been getting soaked through to our undies.
We really like Hoi An. It's a world heritage site filled with beautiful old merchant houses that now sell every colour of silk you can possibly imagine. It's currently flooded due to the river bursting it's banks from the torrential rain but that hasn't stopped the locals from trying to make money from the inconvenience. The boat that usually takes you along the river can now be taken through the flooded streets......another perfect example of the Vietnamese strong spirit.
It doesn't look like the weather is going to let up so with waterproofs on we are going further south on Sunday to Nha Trang and then Da Lat.
We really like Hoi An. It's a world heritage site filled with beautiful old merchant houses that now sell every colour of silk you can possibly imagine. It's currently flooded due to the river bursting it's banks from the torrential rain but that hasn't stopped the locals from trying to make money from the inconvenience. The boat that usually takes you along the river can now be taken through the flooded streets......another perfect example of the Vietnamese strong spirit.
It doesn't look like the weather is going to let up so with waterproofs on we are going further south on Sunday to Nha Trang and then Da Lat.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Born to be Wild
We hired a motorbike today (a Honda 1.25cc for Adams interest) and took ourselves out of the dusty city that is Ninh Binh to Kim Soc 30km away. May I add we looked pretty foxy in our pink and blue helmets.
Our aim was to reach Kim Soc, to visit an old Phat Diem Cathedral, in one piece and take some nice photos. This we did, although we did have 2 near death experiences along the way - not our fault.
Phat Diem is a catholic cathedral and sits in the middle of a region that I can only describe as having (bizarrely) a very english feel. We passed through various villages, all with churches and respective church spires and also white, thatched cottages. Strange but beautiful.
A great day but we are both suffering from the non tarmaced roads - sore bottoms!
Our aim was to reach Kim Soc, to visit an old Phat Diem Cathedral, in one piece and take some nice photos. This we did, although we did have 2 near death experiences along the way - not our fault.
Phat Diem is a catholic cathedral and sits in the middle of a region that I can only describe as having (bizarrely) a very english feel. We passed through various villages, all with churches and respective church spires and also white, thatched cottages. Strange but beautiful.
A great day but we are both suffering from the non tarmaced roads - sore bottoms!
Western Giant Vs Diminutive Vietnamese
Since our arrival in South East Asia we have noticed a significant difference in our size to the locals. So much so that clothes shop owners have actually laughed at us when we have seen something we liked and asked if it came in our size. Consequently I am travelling around Vietnam feeling like a giantess.
Bearing this in mind, Andrews keenness to interact with the locals landed us in trouble yesterday. A group of local men and boys were playing their version of volleyball (using a football) when their ball went astray. Andrew desperately wanting to help went running after the football and chose kicking the ball as a means of getting the ball back to them. The first kick, with his giant like feet, went flying into one of the teams motorbikes making it shudder in fright. Not to be put off by his first miscalculation he used his giant, weighty feet to kick a second time. This time the ball went wooshing into one of the players heads, knocking his motorbike helment from his head and sending the poor guy a greater shade of red.
As the onlooker I saw all of this happen in slow motion and could all but put my hands to my mouth in horror as the events unfolded. I imagine a similar thing happened to Andrew because as soon as the football struck the mans head he went running over to him to console him and profusely apologise. Luckily the guy that Andrew attacked was a nice soul and let it go. I, in the meantime, had to leave the incident because I was wetting myself and feared I would lose my tasty icecream in the heat.
Bearing this in mind, Andrews keenness to interact with the locals landed us in trouble yesterday. A group of local men and boys were playing their version of volleyball (using a football) when their ball went astray. Andrew desperately wanting to help went running after the football and chose kicking the ball as a means of getting the ball back to them. The first kick, with his giant like feet, went flying into one of the teams motorbikes making it shudder in fright. Not to be put off by his first miscalculation he used his giant, weighty feet to kick a second time. This time the ball went wooshing into one of the players heads, knocking his motorbike helment from his head and sending the poor guy a greater shade of red.
As the onlooker I saw all of this happen in slow motion and could all but put my hands to my mouth in horror as the events unfolded. I imagine a similar thing happened to Andrew because as soon as the football struck the mans head he went running over to him to console him and profusely apologise. Luckily the guy that Andrew attacked was a nice soul and let it go. I, in the meantime, had to leave the incident because I was wetting myself and feared I would lose my tasty icecream in the heat.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Down South
We sadly left Hanoi, heading south, on the Reunification Express. The Reunification Express is a rattling old train that travels north to south and visa versa picking up what feels like the whole of Vietnam on the way. Despite it's age it has a very posh new tv that shows musical asian soap operas for the entire journey........very loudly!
We are now in a lovely, clean hotel in Ninh Binh after checking out what is locally known as the Inland Halong Bay. Essentially limestone outcrops set amongst waterways that you can sail upon in a sampon. We hired bicycles to check out other local sights such as temples and caves that exist on the waterways along the way. A great day apart from having to navigate Highway 1, which is the backbone motorway of Vietnam. Everything and everyone travels on it and at great speed, honking as they go along at anything that it happens to be passing. Let's say it was a stressful experience but very peaceful once we were off Highway 1.
One thing to mention is Ninh Binh Water, a local liquor, that can only be described as paint stripper. Apparently Vietnamese woman consume it by the bottle.
Tomorrow we get a sleeper coach to Hue, the Imperial City of Vietnam and hopefully after that we will laze on a beach for a few days. As we're pooped!
We are now in a lovely, clean hotel in Ninh Binh after checking out what is locally known as the Inland Halong Bay. Essentially limestone outcrops set amongst waterways that you can sail upon in a sampon. We hired bicycles to check out other local sights such as temples and caves that exist on the waterways along the way. A great day apart from having to navigate Highway 1, which is the backbone motorway of Vietnam. Everything and everyone travels on it and at great speed, honking as they go along at anything that it happens to be passing. Let's say it was a stressful experience but very peaceful once we were off Highway 1.
One thing to mention is Ninh Binh Water, a local liquor, that can only be described as paint stripper. Apparently Vietnamese woman consume it by the bottle.
Tomorrow we get a sleeper coach to Hue, the Imperial City of Vietnam and hopefully after that we will laze on a beach for a few days. As we're pooped!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
Hanoi- 1st Impressions
It's amazing!!!!! Everyone needs to come and experience it. At this point I think it beats New Zealand after this 1st day.
We are staying in the old quarter of the city and its very chaotic with people selling and walking everywhere as well as scooters and cars driving all directions, at the same time. But the city is fantastic and people are really friendly. Emma says it reminds her of the Montmartre area of Paris. Yesterday we hungout in Old Quarter, visiting a temple on Hoan Kiem Lake and going to the Water Puppet Theatre. We found an excellent modern/traditional properganda poster shop called Dogma and I got a cool T-Shirt.
We went to a great restaurant for lunch, Highway 4, where Emma had soft shell crab. In the UK we get them imported and usually found in chinese supermarkets. Here they were freshwater crabs and looking like mini versions of our brown crabs. They had been boiled and stir fried in chilli and garlic. A very strange experience putting them into your mouth. You can feel their legs and crawls when you bite down. They also had dog, turtle, horse and sparrow on the menu but one step at a time. No adverse stomach problems yet!!!
Today we did Highway 4's traditional cookery course - soft shell crab soup, special fried rice and catfish spring rolls-mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!! It also involved a market visit to buy the ingredients to cook with which is located just outside of our hotel. We then took a cyclo to one of their restaurants where the head chief demostrated what we were going to do before we got on and cooked the dishes which we then ate. mmmmmmmmmmmmm
http://www.highway4.com/
It was great. Afterwards we had their Son Tinh liquor, straight its not great but in cocktails quite nice [so Emma says].
We are exploring the city for the rest of today and tomorrow and then we are off to Ha Long bay and Cat Ba island. I think tonight will be beers and street entertainment.
We are staying in the old quarter of the city and its very chaotic with people selling and walking everywhere as well as scooters and cars driving all directions, at the same time. But the city is fantastic and people are really friendly. Emma says it reminds her of the Montmartre area of Paris. Yesterday we hungout in Old Quarter, visiting a temple on Hoan Kiem Lake and going to the Water Puppet Theatre. We found an excellent modern/traditional properganda poster shop called Dogma and I got a cool T-Shirt.
We went to a great restaurant for lunch, Highway 4, where Emma had soft shell crab. In the UK we get them imported and usually found in chinese supermarkets. Here they were freshwater crabs and looking like mini versions of our brown crabs. They had been boiled and stir fried in chilli and garlic. A very strange experience putting them into your mouth. You can feel their legs and crawls when you bite down. They also had dog, turtle, horse and sparrow on the menu but one step at a time. No adverse stomach problems yet!!!
Today we did Highway 4's traditional cookery course - soft shell crab soup, special fried rice and catfish spring rolls-mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!! It also involved a market visit to buy the ingredients to cook with which is located just outside of our hotel. We then took a cyclo to one of their restaurants where the head chief demostrated what we were going to do before we got on and cooked the dishes which we then ate. mmmmmmmmmmmmm
http://www.highway4.com/
It was great. Afterwards we had their Son Tinh liquor, straight its not great but in cocktails quite nice [so Emma says].
We are exploring the city for the rest of today and tomorrow and then we are off to Ha Long bay and Cat Ba island. I think tonight will be beers and street entertainment.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Oh, things I liked about Christchurch
Christchurch is dull. Not enough people and not enough going on, although it does have a beautiful botanical garden and the art gallery isn't bad either.
However, there were 2 highlights for me. The first being the terrier that lived at our backpackers in Sumner. He had Lassie like qualities in that he liked to run away and have adventures in the big city. He is quite famous for this and given that Sumner is a 20 minute bus journey from Christchurch I think he's a plucky little fellow. Apparently whenever he is spotted by the backpacker guests his owners receive a call and the little adventurer is dragged kicking and barking back to normality. This amused me lots.
The second highlight (a bit of a weird one) was the bus exchange in the centre of town. It reminded me of so many American movies where transient and sinister goings on happen night and day........although probably not in Christchurch!
However, there were 2 highlights for me. The first being the terrier that lived at our backpackers in Sumner. He had Lassie like qualities in that he liked to run away and have adventures in the big city. He is quite famous for this and given that Sumner is a 20 minute bus journey from Christchurch I think he's a plucky little fellow. Apparently whenever he is spotted by the backpacker guests his owners receive a call and the little adventurer is dragged kicking and barking back to normality. This amused me lots.
The second highlight (a bit of a weird one) was the bus exchange in the centre of town. It reminded me of so many American movies where transient and sinister goings on happen night and day........although probably not in Christchurch!
Vietnam Crazy
The arrival here was somewhat stressful. After a white knuckle ride in the taxi along the highway surrounded by scooters literally coming in all directions we had arranged to stay at a hotel found on the internet, however, when we got there the rooms were not as depicted on the internet..........sparking electrics, smoking a/c and damp walls. My backpack has never moved so fast!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway, found a more suitable place to stay around the corner in The Old Quarter.
We hit the Bai Hoi's (drinking dens) for some Vietnamese beers, which cost around 10p per glass! At this point Andrew's jet lag kicked in and after 2 beers his eyes were spinning and began waffling absolute nonsense so time for bed.
This morning we woke early and took a walk around the food market at the bottom of the street. A myriad of weird and wonderful things were for sale.....live frogs (tied together in bunches), rabbits, snails, fish, fish heads oozing with blood and still moving, usual farmyard stuff and something that I was not entirely sure about..... a big tail that was still having the dark fur scraped off. Dog is a speciality here but Andrew thinks it was cow. I'm still pondering that one.
Anyway, found a more suitable place to stay around the corner in The Old Quarter.
We hit the Bai Hoi's (drinking dens) for some Vietnamese beers, which cost around 10p per glass! At this point Andrew's jet lag kicked in and after 2 beers his eyes were spinning and began waffling absolute nonsense so time for bed.
This morning we woke early and took a walk around the food market at the bottom of the street. A myriad of weird and wonderful things were for sale.....live frogs (tied together in bunches), rabbits, snails, fish, fish heads oozing with blood and still moving, usual farmyard stuff and something that I was not entirely sure about..... a big tail that was still having the dark fur scraped off. Dog is a speciality here but Andrew thinks it was cow. I'm still pondering that one.
Singapore briefly
Well it really was brief but enough to give us a taste of the city. We checked into a great homestay and essentially managed to sample some of the local cuisine, see the locals go about their daily chores and fit in a Singapore Sling in the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel. It's a very modern, affluent city and it's blooming humid!
Great to see but other places to be..........................................
Great to see but other places to be..........................................
Monday, November 3, 2008
The End of New Zealand
Well we have finally arrived in Christchurch. It's grey and cool and on first glance of the city centre I do not think anyway as nice as the other parts of the east coast of the south island.
We gave up the Wickered camper-car which was a blessed relief, 3.5 weeks in it, after doing over 1000km and only 4 nights in m/hotels to escape the rain and claustrophobia of it every night [photos to come].
We fly to Singapore tomorrow and then onto Vietnam. We are expecting a massive culture shock because New Zealand has so many references to the UK, from loads of TV programmes to 70's style tea shops/hotels/ to the music on the radio/in the shops. Everyone speaks English and its easy to get around and experience the islands. Its definitely worth visiting New Zealand as its a beautiful island with some breath taking landscapes. That said, I have found that it is full either old people, who are either tourists or whom live here, or working visa kids. That means the majority of the activities are aimed that them so you are always on it or go so slow you might fall asleep. If any one is thinking about visiting then you definately should but try and give yourselves as much time as possible and possibly concerntrate oneither the north or south island.
Anyway, I went cycling around Queenstown, a 50K ride to Arrowtown and nearly crippled myself. I was riding a new saddle, had new cycle shoes on and didn't have padded shorts on, ouch!!! really ouch!!!!! Afterwards I found it hard to sit down and I walked like John Wayne.
I will try and uploads some more photos before I leave - tandom wine tasting, glacier walking, absailing down100m!!!!
We gave up the Wickered camper-car which was a blessed relief, 3.5 weeks in it, after doing over 1000km and only 4 nights in m/hotels to escape the rain and claustrophobia of it every night [photos to come].
We fly to Singapore tomorrow and then onto Vietnam. We are expecting a massive culture shock because New Zealand has so many references to the UK, from loads of TV programmes to 70's style tea shops/hotels/ to the music on the radio/in the shops. Everyone speaks English and its easy to get around and experience the islands. Its definitely worth visiting New Zealand as its a beautiful island with some breath taking landscapes. That said, I have found that it is full either old people, who are either tourists or whom live here, or working visa kids. That means the majority of the activities are aimed that them so you are always on it or go so slow you might fall asleep. If any one is thinking about visiting then you definately should but try and give yourselves as much time as possible and possibly concerntrate oneither the north or south island.
Anyway, I went cycling around Queenstown, a 50K ride to Arrowtown and nearly crippled myself. I was riding a new saddle, had new cycle shoes on and didn't have padded shorts on, ouch!!! really ouch!!!!! Afterwards I found it hard to sit down and I walked like John Wayne.
I will try and uploads some more photos before I leave - tandom wine tasting, glacier walking, absailing down100m!!!!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
1 Month
1st November was our 1 month away mark. We ended up staying in Queenstown for Halloween but it turned out to be very disappointing because the hundreds of working visa 'teenagers' take over and get drunk. It made us feel old!!
We left there and headed across to the east coast and for ended up in a beautiful fishing village called Moeraki.
http://www.moerakivillageholidaypark.co.nz/
The weather is beautiful and best of all it has a great restaurant called Fleurs.
http://www.fleursplace.com/
Fleur is a famous restaurateur in NZ and we had great food and wine there last night. I tried a local speciality - a Muttonbird, basically a seabird. Well its an acquired taste. Its meat it like puffin but it has a layer of fat just below the skin which is not nice, yak!!!! But I ate it and had juice all over the place as you have to eat it with your hands.
We have decided to stay for here tonight because the weather is so nice and go to see the penguins and Moeraki Boulders.
We left there and headed across to the east coast and for ended up in a beautiful fishing village called Moeraki.
http://www.moerakivillageholidaypark.co.nz/
The weather is beautiful and best of all it has a great restaurant called Fleurs.
http://www.fleursplace.com/
Fleur is a famous restaurateur in NZ and we had great food and wine there last night. I tried a local speciality - a Muttonbird, basically a seabird. Well its an acquired taste. Its meat it like puffin but it has a layer of fat just below the skin which is not nice, yak!!!! But I ate it and had juice all over the place as you have to eat it with your hands.
We have decided to stay for here tonight because the weather is so nice and go to see the penguins and Moeraki Boulders.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
So far
Well, we have been here 26 days and time is rushing past us. We have really only skimmed the surface of New Zealand. Although saying we are away for 5 months seems such a long time it reallyisn't. We have been driven so fast to get to the various places I do feel like I am missing out on so much and so many people. Being in the camper-car means we don't always speak with people so we have made a rule to get a new friend everyday. Lucky New Zealand!!!!!!!!
Mauritius in pictures
This was our 2nd day in Mauritius. We were knackered and took the local bus to Grand Baie, which is a nice beach but really only 5/10.
The Last Week
The last week, since Napier, has been a bit of a whirlwind. So much I'm starting to forget when we have done things and what we have seen. I guess this is what life on the road is like.
From Napier we headed south for Wellington stopping on the way as and when we wished. We found a little campsite near Dannevirke, near a coppermine and miles away from any form of civilisation. No street lighting, no cars, people, shops....nothing. The host was a Liverpudlian named George who lived in a caravan on the site and had lived there for 23 years in pretty much solitary conditions! The isolation slightly freaked me out. All sorts of spooky movies were going through my head as darkness approached but we made it through the very, very dark night, under glorious stars, alive! From there we headed to Wellington and got on a very late ferry with a bunch of truckers to the South Island.
The weather on the South Island during the first few days was absolutely appalling. Apparently they experience some of the wettest weather in the world. Much to our dismay....it was like being back at home. However, we soldiered on and headed for the Abel Tasman National Park for a spot of kayaking. Abel Tasman has been listed as having one of the top 10 beaches in the world.
The kayaking ended up being an expedition into pouring rain, although the coastline was beautiful all the same. Can't help feeling we missed it in it's glory though. After shooting our arms and shoulders to pieces from kayaking around 12km we checked into a backpackers place called The Barn.....amazing little place.
From there we headed down the west coast for the glaciers stopping at Tauranga Bay and the Pancake Rocks. Taurango Bay has some of the best surf I've ever seen and hosts a colony of seals, who I could've watched for hours lolling about on the sun soaked rocks.
The Pancake Rocks are rock formations that have formed over thousands of years and look like layer upon layer of rocks....hence the name. There are also supposed to be some pretty fantastic blowholes but because we are in a new moon the tide isn't as high as it should be so it was more a case of poofholes that blowholes. Either way, the west coast has some stunning, wild coastlines and a very angry sea. Amazing.
From Napier we headed south for Wellington stopping on the way as and when we wished. We found a little campsite near Dannevirke, near a coppermine and miles away from any form of civilisation. No street lighting, no cars, people, shops....nothing. The host was a Liverpudlian named George who lived in a caravan on the site and had lived there for 23 years in pretty much solitary conditions! The isolation slightly freaked me out. All sorts of spooky movies were going through my head as darkness approached but we made it through the very, very dark night, under glorious stars, alive! From there we headed to Wellington and got on a very late ferry with a bunch of truckers to the South Island.
The weather on the South Island during the first few days was absolutely appalling. Apparently they experience some of the wettest weather in the world. Much to our dismay....it was like being back at home. However, we soldiered on and headed for the Abel Tasman National Park for a spot of kayaking. Abel Tasman has been listed as having one of the top 10 beaches in the world.
The kayaking ended up being an expedition into pouring rain, although the coastline was beautiful all the same. Can't help feeling we missed it in it's glory though. After shooting our arms and shoulders to pieces from kayaking around 12km we checked into a backpackers place called The Barn.....amazing little place.
From there we headed down the west coast for the glaciers stopping at Tauranga Bay and the Pancake Rocks. Taurango Bay has some of the best surf I've ever seen and hosts a colony of seals, who I could've watched for hours lolling about on the sun soaked rocks.
The Pancake Rocks are rock formations that have formed over thousands of years and look like layer upon layer of rocks....hence the name. There are also supposed to be some pretty fantastic blowholes but because we are in a new moon the tide isn't as high as it should be so it was more a case of poofholes that blowholes. Either way, the west coast has some stunning, wild coastlines and a very angry sea. Amazing.
Family!!!!
Here is me and my dad at Sweetie's 30th birthday at a hotel in Port Louis.
Here is me and my grandfather at his place.
Sweetie and Shawn
Sweetie and Parveen
Family get together at Ragan's place.
Here is me and my aunty Betia.
Here is me with uncle Ragan.
We had loads of other pictures of auntys, uncles, cousins, dogs and cats but they are on the other camera.
Scary people!!!!!
Here is me and my grandfather at his place.
Sweetie and ShawnSweetie and Parveen
Family get together at Ragan's place.
Here is me and my aunty Betia.
Here is me with uncle Ragan.We had loads of other pictures of auntys, uncles, cousins, dogs and cats but they are on the other camera.
Scary people!!!!!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Auckland and onwards
After spending a few days in New Zealand absolutely shattered, experiencing the Skytower (not for those with vertiginous issues), we picked up a campervan and headed to Waitomo on the west of the North Island.
Waitomo is the place to go caving. A suitably placed campsite was found and so we picked the type of caving we wanted to do.
The Lost World
We arranged a caving trip with a local company that takes you to the Lost World. The Lost World is an underground hole and a series of caves discovered by a group of men undertaking a railway survey back in the early 1900's. They named it the Lost World because that's exactly what it looks like. It's sort of a cross between Jurassic Park and The Descent.
We abseiled into the 100m deep hole, incredibly difficult to do for someone like me who suffers from vertigo but once the abseil began I was fine. In fact, it was great. I loved every second of it.
Once we got to the bottom of the hole we embarked on our expedition into the caves. This involved climbing through tight squeezes created by fallen rocks, navigating up a very fast flowing stream, swimming through large, deep pools, grabbing onto sharp rocks to pull you against the current, dodging spiders (admittedly they were small but vile all the same), clambering from one side of the cave to the other using whatever means possible to avoid dropping into the water, sitting under waterfalls and climbing ladders to get you to higher levels of the caves. All of this was done wearing a wetsuit and a pair of white gum boots that filled with water. The entire outfit, after 4 hours of such activity, was incredibly heavy.
We saw amazing rock formations and glowworms, which are beautiful but when I learnt more about them made my skin crawl. I'm not great with insects.
As you can imagine we were physically exhausted by the end of it. It took 5 hours to go 1.8km through the caves. My imagination had gone into overdrive by this point and in my head I was referencing the film The Descent. I decided that should I ever get caught in a series of caves where I was trying to outrun a bone crunching monster I would, in the end, give in. It would be too tiring to fight against such a thing. 4 hours of fight is about all I could muster.
Anyway, we left Waitomo and we are now in Napier.....wine tasting country!
We hired a tandem, yes a tandem, today and cycled around a few vineyards, a chocolate factory and a beer and cider makers sampling the local offerings. By the end of it we were a bit squiffy and had acquired 4 good bottles of wine and a few chocolates to keep us going on the rest of our adventure around New Zealand.
Tomorrow......on to Wellington.
Waitomo is the place to go caving. A suitably placed campsite was found and so we picked the type of caving we wanted to do.
The Lost World
We arranged a caving trip with a local company that takes you to the Lost World. The Lost World is an underground hole and a series of caves discovered by a group of men undertaking a railway survey back in the early 1900's. They named it the Lost World because that's exactly what it looks like. It's sort of a cross between Jurassic Park and The Descent.
We abseiled into the 100m deep hole, incredibly difficult to do for someone like me who suffers from vertigo but once the abseil began I was fine. In fact, it was great. I loved every second of it.
Once we got to the bottom of the hole we embarked on our expedition into the caves. This involved climbing through tight squeezes created by fallen rocks, navigating up a very fast flowing stream, swimming through large, deep pools, grabbing onto sharp rocks to pull you against the current, dodging spiders (admittedly they were small but vile all the same), clambering from one side of the cave to the other using whatever means possible to avoid dropping into the water, sitting under waterfalls and climbing ladders to get you to higher levels of the caves. All of this was done wearing a wetsuit and a pair of white gum boots that filled with water. The entire outfit, after 4 hours of such activity, was incredibly heavy.
We saw amazing rock formations and glowworms, which are beautiful but when I learnt more about them made my skin crawl. I'm not great with insects.
As you can imagine we were physically exhausted by the end of it. It took 5 hours to go 1.8km through the caves. My imagination had gone into overdrive by this point and in my head I was referencing the film The Descent. I decided that should I ever get caught in a series of caves where I was trying to outrun a bone crunching monster I would, in the end, give in. It would be too tiring to fight against such a thing. 4 hours of fight is about all I could muster.
Anyway, we left Waitomo and we are now in Napier.....wine tasting country!
We hired a tandem, yes a tandem, today and cycled around a few vineyards, a chocolate factory and a beer and cider makers sampling the local offerings. By the end of it we were a bit squiffy and had acquired 4 good bottles of wine and a few chocolates to keep us going on the rest of our adventure around New Zealand.
Tomorrow......on to Wellington.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Leaving Mauritius
My last day of Mauritius was a tearful one, saying goodbye to my grandfather always ends up difficult. For a man whom I have only met 3 times in my life I have an amazingly strong bond with him. I have promised to head back in 2010 and I am also planning to do the Mauritius 100K bike race. The family have agreed to be my roadside support and the support vehicle.
We both got presents and a lot of love from all the family on the last day. Everyone was very kind to us both.
Andrew
We both got presents and a lot of love from all the family on the last day. Everyone was very kind to us both.
Andrew
Arrived twice
We are bloody pooped. We are now in Auckland after only a 23 hour stay in Jo'Burg. We stayed in amazing guest house in Melville, a cool district that reminded me of San Francisco. The weather was really hot and we went to a great contemporary and traditional designer market at Rosebank, well worth a visit. From what we briefly saw South Africa and Jo'burg are amazing places and we definitely want to head back.
The flight from SA was a long one, 10.5 hours to Sydney, a 2 hour wait then a 2.5 hour flight to Auckland. We landed at midnight and fell into bed at the guest house.
Yesterday we were very dazed and confused, slowly wandered around the restaurants, galleries and cafe bars of Parnell, a slightly poncy area of Auckland. After a rubbish nights sleep we are in Auckland today to do what you do in these type of places - up the Sky Tower to do a walk or jump very high up.
Last night we planned the trip around the North Island, summed up by the following 'wine, caving, canoeing and Lord of the Rings sight seeing' !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We pick the campervan up tomorrow and although we have it 15 days it will be a real reduced visit because there is too much to see and do here. I am looking forward to it.
Andrew
The flight from SA was a long one, 10.5 hours to Sydney, a 2 hour wait then a 2.5 hour flight to Auckland. We landed at midnight and fell into bed at the guest house.
Yesterday we were very dazed and confused, slowly wandered around the restaurants, galleries and cafe bars of Parnell, a slightly poncy area of Auckland. After a rubbish nights sleep we are in Auckland today to do what you do in these type of places - up the Sky Tower to do a walk or jump very high up.
Last night we planned the trip around the North Island, summed up by the following 'wine, caving, canoeing and Lord of the Rings sight seeing' !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We pick the campervan up tomorrow and although we have it 15 days it will be a real reduced visit because there is too much to see and do here. I am looking forward to it.
Andrew
Friday, October 10, 2008
time spent
Apart from eating and drinking with family, we have been para-sailing around a small coastal island and splashing around at various beaches in the north of the island - Grand Baie, Perybere, Choisy. We went to Port Louis on Wednesday, amazing old port capital and ended up celebrating a cousin's birthday in a nice hotel overlooking lots of yatchs! We were meant to be snorkelling today but the weather is a bit wet although still around 25C! We are off to a Sega night tonight at a hotel in Grand Baie to dance to Mauritian music [god help everyone!!!].
We can't get photos off the camera at the moment but once we have they will be up here.
I am looking forward to New Zealand and not eating so much although its likely to be half the temperature.
Andrew
We can't get photos off the camera at the moment but once we have they will be up here.
I am looking forward to New Zealand and not eating so much although its likely to be half the temperature.
Andrew
Meal times in Mauritius
Meal times in Mauritius is a hefty affair. They may be more of an occassion for us as this is Andrew's first visit in 5 years but boy do Andrew's family lay on a spread!
We have been in Mauritius during a Hindu festival so many of Andrew's relatives have been fasting and eating only vegetables but that hasn't stopped them preparing tasty fare for us.
Evening meals start with the local brew, Phoenix beer, usually two. Then the Mauritian rum comes out (Green Island is my favourite) and it never stops flowing. Drinks are served with many, many deep fried snacks. Once you've polished off one serving, more snacks are served and drinks are topped up.
Then dinner.................veg biriyani, fish stews, tomato stews, delicious salads, home made roti's, veg curries. I am fit to burst as I type this. I don't think I have ever eaten so much in such a short space of time.
We will roll out of Mauritius.
Last day today, we are off to South Africa tomorrow for a whistle stop tour and then we fly to Auckland on Sunday night.
We have been in Mauritius during a Hindu festival so many of Andrew's relatives have been fasting and eating only vegetables but that hasn't stopped them preparing tasty fare for us.
Evening meals start with the local brew, Phoenix beer, usually two. Then the Mauritian rum comes out (Green Island is my favourite) and it never stops flowing. Drinks are served with many, many deep fried snacks. Once you've polished off one serving, more snacks are served and drinks are topped up.
Then dinner.................veg biriyani, fish stews, tomato stews, delicious salads, home made roti's, veg curries. I am fit to burst as I type this. I don't think I have ever eaten so much in such a short space of time.
We will roll out of Mauritius.
Last day today, we are off to South Africa tomorrow for a whistle stop tour and then we fly to Auckland on Sunday night.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Arrived in Mauritius
Well we arrived yesterday and Mauritius is hot, compared to the UK.
The flight was full and I didn't get a wink of sleep because I needed my seat to stretch out in!!!! Suprisingly BA's food was OK and T5 was seamless experience.
We arrived on the island at 7am and we were picked up from the airport by my uncle & cousin. We spent the day meeting family and sleeping. My dad's over here at the moment and we are staying in his flat. He is happy that we are here, particularly Emma, and staying with him. In the evening we had an amazing meal cooked by my Aunty and cousin. We also were forced to drink loads of rum. Start as you mean to go on.
This morning it was bloody hot, easily 26, so of course I decided to try and work off some of the food we have been eating over the last 4 days and went for a run in the morning heat. As I was slowly running on I was watching life around me and fell down a small hole in path!
Beach this afternoon. If I get the PC's to read our camera I will post some pics.
Andrew
The flight was full and I didn't get a wink of sleep because I needed my seat to stretch out in!!!! Suprisingly BA's food was OK and T5 was seamless experience.
We arrived on the island at 7am and we were picked up from the airport by my uncle & cousin. We spent the day meeting family and sleeping. My dad's over here at the moment and we are staying in his flat. He is happy that we are here, particularly Emma, and staying with him. In the evening we had an amazing meal cooked by my Aunty and cousin. We also were forced to drink loads of rum. Start as you mean to go on.
This morning it was bloody hot, easily 26, so of course I decided to try and work off some of the food we have been eating over the last 4 days and went for a run in the morning heat. As I was slowly running on I was watching life around me and fell down a small hole in path!
Beach this afternoon. If I get the PC's to read our camera I will post some pics.
Andrew
Monday, September 29, 2008
Our Big Adventure
Monday 29th September
After a fun packed 4 days of packing the removal van, driving it to the midlands and then putting it all into storage, with much help from Matthew and Gordon. We then saw friends and family in the midlands and Newcastle. Today we spent the morning finalising the trip. Back to London tomorrow for more farewells and then off.
Mauritius - South Africa - New Zealand - Vietnam - Cambodia - Thailand - India
After a fun packed 4 days of packing the removal van, driving it to the midlands and then putting it all into storage, with much help from Matthew and Gordon. We then saw friends and family in the midlands and Newcastle. Today we spent the morning finalising the trip. Back to London tomorrow for more farewells and then off.
Mauritius - South Africa - New Zealand - Vietnam - Cambodia - Thailand - India
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