Deliverygirlnz's travelogues

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2009-11-17T11:46:00.005+13:00

FINAL DAY

2009-11-17T11:21:00.006+13:00

Dont know what day it is cos it keeps changing!! Caught our next flight, Korea- Auckland and flew through the night again. Hoped for a sleep this time and loaded with a small sleeping pill.......Nothing !#?!#! Haha too excited or something to drop off at all! But we just closed our eyes and relaxed.

But it was the most turbulent flight we have ever experienced, probably only 1 hour in 12 that was smooth. A bit freaky when they suddenly turned all the lights on full bore and told everyone (for about the 10th time) to put their seatbelts on and we are like broken biscuits being tossed around- look outside and there is lightening all round us!! Happened twice- a wee bit scary, so best not to think about it I decided!

Got back to NZ well fed and excited at 8.30am. The airport has been radically upgraded so found there were no massive queues at the 2 immigration stops you have- was great. Out into arrivals wearing our viking hats lmao- should have seen Danni's face (confusion, followed by 'shrink out' but then smiles won through!!)

Back home and the house looks so good and airy after europes hotels. Managed to stay up for 36 hours today- is feeling like my midwifery days with long labours! We eventually couldnt hold our eyes open at 8pm so crashed!

Less jet lag for sure coming home even tho we had so little sleep this time. But went and picked up our animals at the kennels to find Shylah our very loved 13 year old shepherd was not right at all and she very quickly deteriorated and couldnt stand or walk and her eyes were continuously flicking round so she is really disorientated.
Trip to the vet and it is a wait and see thing, as something has happened in her brain or inner ear and treatment is only supportive. So we are totally focused on keeping her comfortable as possible.

Its rather weird that we had brought our flights forward two days and the day we return this happens to her. So glad though it happened this way so we can care for her.

DAY 59-60 MADRID-SEOUL VIA AMSTERDAM

2009-11-12T23:47:00.007+13:00

WEDNESDAY 11/11 & THURSDAY 12/11

We had a nice easy day this morning, completely re-packing our suitcases from scratch. Our ticket says it is only 20kg luggage each but doesn’t sound right for bus. class so we will test the theory it is wrong! We have carried about 4-5 kgs in our hand luggage on all the internal Europe flights to keep our bags at 20kgs, but its too much when you have 27 hours of flying and 3 stops on the way home, so we will see.

The hotels top floor is a dedicated lounge, so we went up there for an hour and a half once we left our room at 12pm- no smokers in there today so that was nice and we could sit around and read papers. Pity we didn’t have an earlier flight than 5.20pm but all the ones to the States are around the same time too out of Madrid, so maybe that’s the norm here?

Caught the hotel shuttle to the airport which is cheap, as it was only an hour earlier than we needed to check in and saved us getting a €35 taxi. Checked in quick as, not many there and then went through to Madrid’s version of Koru club- were looking forward to this after all the economy flights in hot smokey terminals. But haha joke was on us! Look at the photo of the mini fridge today, that was it- some small savouries and if you asked you could have a ham sandwich and a packet of chips- could not believe it, was quite comical!!! But… the couches were very comfy so all was not lost and drinks were far more plentiful.

Killed 3 hours then onto the plane and we are the only europeans in this section! Korean is up-grading its planes and should have finished I think?? However it is still the older style seats and entertainment systems on all the 4 flights bar one. Was thinking that the toss up for this airline is that economy on the legs we have been on, have been more than half empty, so odds are you would get plenty of seats to lay on (if the arms come up- think so?) but there are no personal tvs, just screens at the front so it would depend on what is important to a passenger as to if they were a better buy than other airlines?

Malaysia airlines was certainly more flash but these guys aren’t bad either. We had a 2 hour flight Madrid to Amsterdam to pick up more passengers (can see why it was so empty in Madrid)- this had been added to the 12 hour flight about six months after we bought the tickets! Then an hour and a half in the transit lounge.
Those of you who I know have done longer transits- Mum and Dad, Gary and Claire and Maree- were you sent to a small glassed in lounge that you had to stay in?? Graeme said he couldn’t have sat in here for 3 or 4 hours, as you cant lie down and its so small??

We are off again in an hour, I think it is 11 hours? To Seoul Korea where we are staying overnight, was just too long a trip to keep going. (Dad, my eyes are like boiled sweets on sticks already hahaha!!!) Nah not really a hardship but you should hear European’s reactions when they ask us how long it takes to get to NZ!

There is no time difference between Madrid and Amsterdam, but we go forward 8 hours when we land in Korea as its only a 4 hour difference with NZ.

Later- flight was fine really, landed in Seoul 40 mins early and to the Hyatt for an overnight stop. Korean own this hotel and put you up in transit, give you dinner, breakfast and lunch- with a 3pm check out- cannot complain. They also have an Olympic sized indoor pool here so we swam quite a few lengths to stretch muscles out and wake up after 2 hours sleep last night. Will crash tonight!

They have a female pool attendant who lurks in the changing room, where you have to wear special slippers and shower before a swim- all very proper except there were naked women walking around everywhere openly in there- most surprising as Asian women are so shy?!
We are back to the airport to fly overnight to NZ- home around 8.30am Saturday.

STARTING THE TRIP HOME

2009-11-11T23:13:00.003+13:00

THINGS WE HAVE SEEN AND DONE-

We have flown on 12 flights
Sat in airport lounges for 30 hours before those flights !
Flown 46,200 kms
Flown on 8 different airlines
Spent 63 hours in the air

We have seen

The Sahara desert
The temple of Lindos, Greece
Loch Ness (she was asleep)
The high Atlas Mountains
The Ring of Kerry (fog)
The sun set on Stromboli
The Scottish Highlands
The Grand Masters Palace in Rhodes
Oasis in the middle of Morocco
Al Fama in Lisbon
The Todra Gorge
Monkeys on the Rock of Gibraltor
Killarney National Park
The Temple Bar area in Dublin along with the Guiness factory

And those are just the Big things we saw

Kinda blows you away really!............

DAY 57 LAST DAY- IN MADRID, SPAIN

2009-11-11T06:36:00.012+13:00

Saw lots of different sorts today in our walking, from the very well dressed, classy older women who are out shopping arm in arm with other women, to the beggars everywhere- and why do so many of them have no legs??!I lay in bed last night thinking about a guy we saw yesterday, living in a cardboard box on the street. Many of the 'beggars' dont look poor at all but this guy looked so worried, worn out and tired with life- that I worried a bit about him, as while it is manys choice to live on the street, he had obviously fallen in a hole somewhere in life and looked like he just needed a break really.

Then this evening we saw all the young hookers in one street, with fat leering guys walking past openly looking them over- wanted to chop parts of their anatomy off!!! Had to include a pic of a guy walking in front of us in in his orange jeans and red top- fashion here is very individual with lots of clashing colours and girls with really heave severe fringes??!! All very interesting.

This place just comes alive after about 5pm, people out strolling everywhere.

We both prefer it to Barcelona, but they offer different things- Barcelona is very touristy, modern architecture and for young people- while Madrid feels older and more settled where everyone is dressed beautifully.

There are lots of things going on like an asian man with a stuffed bull (that looked like it had a bears head!) pretending to bullfight- and 'headless' mimes!
We walked for hours, did some shopping and finished all the gift buying. Then we went back to the tapas bar and had a couple of beers and tapas for late lunch/dinner and finished it off with a pistachio gelato, before walking for another hour or so.

Hotel Atlantico is in a perfect location, you can walk everywhere and we can see why they consistently rate number one on trip advisor. They have been really helpful and speak excellent English, I appreciate anyone who is bi-lingual since we aren’t!

See if you can work out where Graeme is in in the photo with all the glass boxes too by the way related to the hotel!

Tomorrow we fly out on the first long leg, 15 hours Madrid-Amsterdam-Korea, then a night there before flying on 12 hours to NZ

DAY 56 - BARCELONA- MADRID

2009-11-10T04:35:00.012+13:00

We are off the cruise- and should have earned degree's for managing it!! Dont know what the story was but geez Louise, every staff member told you a different story at every turn- to get your passport, no you couldnt get your passport, the deck to disembark, the Correct deck to disembark, that you could get off, No that you couldnt get off, go up, go down ....you get the drift. Could have severely smudged the massive offliner off one of them- BUT....having had 10 flights, 2 cruises and 2 coach tours you learn if nothing else- to hang loose!!

We did manage in the end to get off the frickin ship in Barcelona at 8am, in a taxi by 8.10am. Knowing we had the option IF we got to the airport early enough, to change our flight to an earlier one, we got the slowest taxi driver in Spain! Again, relax and if its going to happen it will happen. We got to the airport and I found the Vueling sales desk and changed our flight from 11.40am to the 9.30am one with 10 mins to spare. They didnt charge us the fee we thought they would to change, then put us through the last minute check out- We LOVE Vueling- they are our new most favourite airline!! And all because they had a really well laid out website that had all the FAQ's and then some- offering to change flights up to 1 hour prior etc.

To top it off, the lady had given us a spare seat in the plane And the exit row seats to boot!! The flight was only 50 mins instead of the projected 1 hour 15 mins. Our luck was changing.

Hit the tarmac at a quiet trot as we had 15 mins to get through customs and get our bags for the hotel shuttle. We rang them at the bag carousel to ask them to wait a few mins as the baggage was s.l.o.w to come then Yay- can we believe it- ours came out first! The shuttle took ages to turn up, but meant that we could catch that instead of a taxi way into the city- a good day all in all!

Back to Hotel Atlantico and they gave us our old room back- the corner room on the 8th floor- I called "we're home" as we went back in"! There is a pic included of the hotel- our room is the rounded one with the balcony- 2nd from the top on the left.

We wandered around in town for a few hours as we are right in the thick of it and last time had that awful day with cancelled flights so never got to see Madrid. This time we found clothes (its cold here), listened to a classical quartet in the street who almost made me cry playing Ava Maria, Carpe Diem? (National bank music) and another really famous Beethoven one. I didnt want to go, they must have been with the Philimonic orchestra or similar, out practising - their busking was moving. We have it on movie if you enjoy that stuff too.

Then bought Graeme a big thick jersey that was very him and he made me buy a sparkly lambskin (I doubt) coat, that isnt bad apart from the sparkles!

Then after one false start in a spanish only speaking tapas bar, we stumbled across a Spaniard , who is my new best friend- he spoke excellent english and was happy to explain tapas to us on the menu. If it wasnt for him we would have left Spain having never tried them cos you cant read the menus- so many Spaniards speak no English. He was funny though, he told me mine was "children-baby squid in aoili"!!! The kids were yummy though, along with a couple of local beers- cheap too!

Back to relax tonight before making the best of our last full day tomorrow.

2009-11-09T08:59:00.001+13:00

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DAY 55- MARSEILLE FRANCE

2009-11-09T08:40:00.007+13:00

Woke late after getting to sleep late, but were pleased to see a fine day outside. We were docked in Marseille now and the cruise line put on a shuttle to the town for 10euros each. Only pity was they didn’t anyone that being Sunday, all the shops are shut!!

We walked along the big promenade where all the boats are moored, it is pretty along the seafront but the wind was freezing, freezing cold! Tried to stay in the sunlight for warmth, and found a fort ruin then a beautiful old cathedral that you could go into. The stained class and statues in these churches are something else.

Later we walked back to the promenade and went on the “petit train” that took you around the steets surrounding the seafront. Then walked back to the bus and then onto the ship for lunch and to thaw out!

Mucked around having showers, reading and sorting out our disembarkation tomorrow in Barcelona. Tonight we had dinner with the Irish couple Mairead and Shane in one of the optional restaurants- Tex Mex for some Mexican, now our stomachs can handle it! It was the best meal we have had the whole trip and they are real crack ups and enjoy a laugh or three like us- really nice couple and a nice way to end our cruise in a more relaxed atmosphere.

DAYS 53- ROME & DAY 54- GENOA ITALY

2009-11-08T05:48:00.007+13:00

Had a fairly quiet day yesterday in Rome as we stayed on the ship. The port is 1 ½ hours away from the city each way and since we had already been last time here we decided to have an easy day. Plus msc were charging $300pp for excursion which is ridiculous!
We had planned to spend the day in the sun on the ship but the weather had other ideas and the sky got blacker and blacker, then it rained- so a day with another book was spent reading!

Overate cos we didn’t do any exercise, then ate some more before reading some more. I said to Graeme it is the first time we have ever spent pretty much the best part of a day reading! I got a new Dean Koontz novel about a man who needs a heart transplant and ends up getting one through an Asian meat market type racquet for millionaires- so very weird!

Day 54 we docked at Genoa Italy which is where we got on for the first cruise. The weather was wet again but we decided to venture out anyway and walked the charming little streets just exploring. There are lots of statues on buildings and fantastic architecture here, along with flower stalls, fish shops, and bakeries.

Went back to the ship after a couple of hours and with very wet feet to warm up- think the sunbathing isn’t going to materialize from now on as the temp has really dropped.
We have the standard life jacket drill soon- so spanky in our titanic lifejackets- albeit in dazzling orange. I wanted to wag and hide out in the room but Graeme said he will tell on me (he can Never do anything remotely illegal!!) sigh…………

DAY 52 MESSINA, SICILY

2009-11-06T21:56:00.005+13:00

Went to “Uncle Pauli’s “ home land today in Sicily! Woke and pulled the curtains to find we were tied up, docked opposite peoples homes!! The ship docked at 7 am and we got off at 9am and walked the city. It was easy as it is so close to the port. We walked for 2 hours all round and up the top of the hill to a beautiful domed church. Must look like tourists as we were walking to it, as an Italian man took one look at us and pointed to the left when we were going to walk past the road to the church- and we didn’t have maps or anything to identify us we thought as tourists lol!! The car parking here is as crazy as in Paris- they park a.n.y.w.h.e.r.e! Included a pic for you Mum today, Graeme said it reminded him of you lmao!!!!

Strolled around the very expensive designer shops and noticed a lot of the younger Italians would stare at our jandals for some reason- don’t they have No 1 shoe warehouse haha!! They are all dressed very chic- the guys in tight faded jeans, aviator sunnies, leather jackets and white dress shirts. Graeme was in a NZ t -shirt and a pair of denim short jeans and jandals- not too different???!!!! He has lived in the “Choice” NZ shirt that Sam designed for him as part of her degree.

Went back to the ship and had lunch and then went up in the sun for a bit but it clouded over so we went back to our cabin as with the balcony and large glass doors you can enjoy the sunshine And lie on the bed! Graeme slept which he needed to and then the captain announced that we were coming alongside the island of Stromboli, which would also see the sunset- it was gorgeous and got some great photos. The island has a village at its foot and then we saw black smoke and flames coming out on the other side- its an active volcano!! Not my idea of safe thanks!! The sunset though almost rivaled that of the Sahara desert- now that is somewhere I would like to do what my friend Sue has done and slept under the stars there- that would be memorable!

We cleaned up in suit and evening dress for the ‘gala’ night and had a lovely dinner of lobster tails, seared prawns and ravioli, while Graeme had rare beef in a mushroom sauce. Then they did a big parade and bought out many baked Alaska’s all lit up!

They have a big midnight feast tonight that is supposed to be something to see and if Danni was with us, she would probably make us set the alarm to go up to it!! But think we will no doubt be in the land of nod!
Later- funny I couldn’t sleep after our lay down this afternoon, so I got up about midnight and sat outside in the dark on our balcony. Thought I would just enjoy the waves at night since this isn’t something you get to do every day and I was treated to a pretty spectacular lightening storm on the horizon. Because there was no land to interrupt the show, I could see the sky suddenly light up then a few times there was a neon funnel of lightening striking as well- looked pretty sensational but not something I could of caught on camera probably- even if I could have found it in the cabin without waking Graeme! It was just one of those things like the day I was looking at the sea right where a dolphin leaped out then swam just under the surface on the other cruise!

DAY 51 – MALTA

2009-11-06T21:53:00.005+13:00

We had a smooth sailing overnight, this ship seems far more smooth engine wise than its sister ship, although there is only 2 years between them, so shouldn’t be?? But you cant tell often when Splendidas engines are going and you are moving before you realise!

We got to La Valetta in Malta at 10.30am and found out that you can get the local bus to and from the port for 1 euro- choice bro! Did just that, was easy and drove around the small island of the old city- it is walled and very similar in its look and feel to Rhodes in Greece. The same group- the order of St John were given the land by the pope after being be-seiged by some mean arab guy in the dark times, and were pushed off Rhodes. They built the city at La Valetta and you see the maltese cross everywhere- a shape I really like.

We walked down the basically one main street and strolled around for a couple of hours then caught the bus back to the port. Bought Clive Cusslers latest book there as I have read the other one from the library!

We lay outside in the sun in one of those fantastic huge day beds on the top decks- you don’t get burnt here at all like home and because it is heading into autumn proper now, the sun isn’t burning hot anyway.

Went to dinner- nice people there, I could listen to the Irish girl all day. She is funny- likes to drink, smoke and sing karaoke a lot and consequently is a bit of a hard shot. She doesn’t eat any veges, just chips with her dinners and likes to spend lots of money. I swear her new hubby must be an accountant as he is in a perpetual state of trying to save it as she spends it!

Took it easy after dinner as Graemes stomach sent him back to the loo repeatedly again tonight- didn’t take his diastop regularly enough I guess and not a lot more we can do unfortunately- need a doctor to discuss it with! He decided to start the anti-biotics we have as its been 7 days now, now sure they will do the job but are broad spectrum, so heres hoping. In between these bouts he is ok though, just feeling weary of it by now.

DAY 50 BARCELONA- TUNISIA

2009-11-04T21:53:00.005+13:00

Had a really good sleep last night, we note that we sleep way longer on the cruise ships. Must be the motion of the sea when you’re lying down that lulls you back off to sleep!

You can get a small continental breakfast in your cabin if you want, so with our stomachs and not wanting to eat too much we did that and very nice it was too! We weren’t getting into the port at the capital of Tunis until 2.15pm, so tidied up then took it easy and rested our tummies! I had got “the notebook’ by Nicholas Sparks out of the ships library and polished it off in the one day- I remember it is one of Sams favourite movies, one of those sad romantic stories though.

Because of the country’s rules, you can only leave the ship under their umbrella visa on an excursion for the day, so we booked the historical and cultural tour. Apparently there were very strong winds, so docking was delayed, then delayed again and we got the word to go about an hour later. Unfortunately, this excursion turned into a fiasco as it made the tour to places like the museum- 10 mins long right before they closed at 5pm instead of an hour and the same at some ruins because we were running so late.
We were practically running, then the tour guides were told to keep us out for the full 4 hours, so he had to drop us in a tiny town right as the sun set, to walk around in the freezing wind in the dark for 1 ¾ hours. It was such a waste of time we should have just thrown our 50 euro each out the ship window and stayed on board

A Swedish tour director we were sitting behind on the bus said that MSC keep you out for the expected time no matter what so they don’t have to give a refund! In hindsight, after Morocco, Tunisia was a poor cousin.

Anyhow, we got back to the ship and raced to get changed as we were all late for dinner, but were so glad to see we have English speaking people at our table for 8. An Irish couple on their honeymoon, a Puerto Rican couple on their anniversary and a French/English speaking couple from Canada. Two of them have English as their 2nd language but it is more comfortable than last time where everyone bar 1 man spoke different languages to each other!

Had a small dinner, but room for dessert of course- tiramisu and crème brulee! Then had a wander round before bed.

DAY 49 BARCELONA- CRUISE SHIP SPLENDIDA

2009-11-04T21:50:00.007+13:00

We woke after a sounds night sleep, albeit me with weird dreams! Seem to have Graemes tummy now after the paella last night, strange as it is really just a risotto and rice should have calmed things down a bit! We packed up again then went out for a wander and to find a supermarket type store. Found a big one just down in the square and spent the next half hour deciphering hair gel, moisturizer, toothpaste and conditioner – all in Spanish. Things are pretty expensive in this area, a tube of toothpaste costing nzd $6 for a normal size one!

Went back and caught a taxi down to the port and onto the brand new ‘Splendida’ the newest of the MSC line and boy is she flash. Easy check in and we are familiar with the process, so through the gates quickly. Went for a wander around and it has a dedicated adult area with really flash loungers and day beds! Plus it has a formula one simulator which Graeme was surprised to find is an actual F1 body with a big screen. Its on a hydraulic system which moves the car all over the place as you drive. Think Graeme will be having a go at some point on the cruise for sure!

The Swarovski crystal staircases we had read about that cost $2.8 million, were glittering enough to make a epileptic have a seizure! They have obviously taken what works in the other msc ships and upped the anti again to develop a even more beautiful ship. The cabin is bigger too but creaks non stop in the bigger seas, query because it is brand new??

Neither of us felt up to a 6 course dinner with our stomachs/ loo stops! so got a pizza to take back to the cabin and have an early night.

DAY 48 BARCELONA

2009-11-02T07:13:00.017+13:00

Had a great sleep last night- didnt hear all the noisy people coming down the hallway that Graeme heard, Love my earplugs!
Had a nice easy day, we walked down Las Ramblas this morning at a leisurely pace- it is a long road with a wide pedestrian path down the middle. There are mimes, acrobats, people being statues and stalls dotted along the road. We walked for about an hour then headed back all tired again at 12pm! Stopped and bought subway- SO nice to have salad again after Morocco! Also bought a couple of cans of burweiser beer from subway too- weird!

It is interesting people watching, there are so many different styles here- Graeme is observing all the boots, we have re-named it 'Barcelona the Boot capital'! Its funny, there are some people that overdo it though- the woman sitting behind Graeme on the plane yesterday he called "deep fried woman" She was so over -brown she was dried out like leather. Dont think being a heavy smoker helped, but she was a little scary looking!!

We went back to the hotel and the internet was working now after needing to be re-booted- couldnt use it last night. So caught up on here then we went up on the roof terrace where there is a pool and had our beers in the sun while the maid cleaned our room.

Then we headed back down Las Ramblas at 4pm and walked about half an hour down to the port area where we were told was the best place to get Paella. Found a nice outdoor restaurant that wasnt too expensive and enjoyed a seafood paella after the waiter moved us, cos men were smoking these Huge cigars next to us. Didnt want to make a fuss but also didnt want to sit in that disgusting strong smell while we ate!

After dinner we wandered back to the hotel and now a bath and bed before heading to the port again for our cruise tomorrow. A nice relaxing day today.

DAY 47 CASABLANCA - BARCELONA SPAIN

2009-11-02T01:12:00.014+13:00

Woke today and tidied up before going to breakfast to say goodbye to most of the group. We were thinking there has not really been any illness to speak of colds wise spread around- apart from one man who coughed on me all yesterday morning in the bus without covering his mouth and I have woken with a really sore throat :-( But no-one at all stunk the bus out this tour either which was great, makes you realise just how disgusting that man on the Britain tour was- all day every day!

Anyhow, we walked around the city for a bit today with the others, wish weight and space wasnt an issue, cos we could buy some amazing stuff here in the way of brass teapots, carpets and large wooden carved wall hangings that have doors which open to show a mirror inside- sigh....

One thing I will not miss is the way the Moroccan men so openly stare at your boobs or legs if there is ANY inch showing, they even do it right in front of Graeme whether they are close up or far away!!! Guess they dont see any with the modesty of the muslim women, but its a little over the top when you scratch your side and catch them gorking with their eyeballs hanging out!!!

Left the Sheraton for the last time (the metal detector in the lobby madly going off all the time and no-one doing anything??!!) and caught a taxi to Mohammed V airport. As you drive along it is amazing to see the mix of old and new, people pulling carts or with donkeys, alongside mercedes and high rise buildings!

At the airport it was hot and chaotic this time on the departures side. It has huge security, akin to NZ and Oz and everything is done very slowly at each of the 6 checkponts they had. Was glad we had left a bit early so could go with the flow. Inside it is like a huge glasshouse but after a bit of sweating we found a much cooler area out the back to wait for our plane. Graeme still isnt really eating but isnt unhappy with it so we just bought a cheese sandwich as still no veges, salad or tap water allowed.

We were lucky for the first time to have a spare seat next to us on the plane and we were in the front row, which was a real plus with no-one in business class it made it quick to get off. I have clicked to ask for seats at the front each flight as Graeme finds it a lot quieter in front of the engines. A 2 hour flight and we are in Barcelona- it really isnt far to anywhere in europe compared to NZ.

We caught the aerobus from the airport to the famous Las Ramblas area where we are staying this time. The driver was an absolute moron and wouldnt speak to us about the stop we needed then stopped the bus at a square and said that was the end of the line, but we knew we were in the right area.

Have to be careful as the city is reknown for its pickpocket and people hassling you when you have luggage etc. A group of young negro guys did watch us crossing the road and walking, but we just walked faster and looked like we knew where we were going with all our bags in the dark! Stopped and asked a nice couple of ladies, ome of whom spoke english and they pointed us the right way. Only 5 mins to our hotel which is very contemporary and nice.

DAY 46 MARRAKESH- CASABLANCA

2009-10-31T22:52:00.006+13:00

We had a later start today, on the bus at 9am for the trip to Casablanca which was only 4 hours or so. An easy trip which we all enjoyed as it is our last full day together.

Graemes tummy is feeling a little better although he isnt really eating much but at least the fever is gone. Pretty much everyone has had at least an upset stomach for much of the trip, but I think that is par for the course in Morocco and while it makes you very sanitary conscious, it isnt enough to put us off.

We went to the medina at 3pm when it all re-opened so we could get some of that much talked about shopping done. Had a good time haggling and feel like I got slightly ripped off once, but got a reallly great buy on an outfit that has the tradidional long embroided top and pants for § 20 nz: Graeme got several jallaba- the long Moroccan robes and wore one to dinner. We are going to hang them on the wall at home. Cannot imagine what these would cost at home but we paid §40 and §30 so very cheap here!

Then back to our hotel- the sheraton where lots of princely looking people are staying! for a rest before dinner. Had our farewell meal and said goodbye to Abdul and Razak our driver- they have both been so excellent, the best we have ever had on a tour. Then a group of us sat in the bar and talked, listening to 2 ladies sing abba and 70s country songs.
We have really enjoyed the people on this tour, a fairly quiet but very civilised group of people. We especially enjoyed the company of Rick amd Adrienne from Canada, who have really changed our experience of Canadians. They would do anything for you and we enjoyed a few laughs!

On a whole in Morocco-most people speak arab, french and english here so it hasnt been that hard to communicate which is great. Our impressions of this countrye is that it is one that is seeing huge growth at a time where there is worldwide economic recession. It is awash with smells and filth but also has an enchantment to it. Certainly wouldnt want a life with fruit and veges though where the risk of stomach upsets is an everyday thing to foreigners. But it also has the most mind blowing cultural sights and natural wonders like the Atlas mountains and the Sahara desert. Eight days but just about right for a visit too I think.

Tomorrow Abdul has arranged for us to keep our room until 1pm as we dont leave until 1.30pm, which is great. Rick and Adrienne dont leave until late either so we will go for a last walk around Casablanca together before heading to the airport.

Note the motorbike pics today- the one of the family, we have seen Mum, Dad and 2 kids on a bike also! I see that Dad is the only one wearing a helmet- guess whose life he values the most?

The other pic of the 2 men on the scooter- that is the police!! It is very rare to see any of the public wearing helmets and since the road rules are largely (and totally) ignored, it is amazing we only saw one accident in Morocco!

DAY 45 MARRAKESH

2009-10-30T09:19:00.006+13:00

A quiet day today as we didnt do the optional first thing this morning, so just had to be at the bus at 9.45am to go to the medina. But Graeme wasnt feeling too hot with his tummy and was breaking out in sweats so we went back to the hotel rather than shop in the souk today.

He crashed out in bed and I later went to the pool and had a swim, then a very quiet afternoon. Tomorrow we go back to Casablanca for our last full day on tour. Abdul our tour director has been so great- by far the best we have ever had, he cares so much for everyone, looks after you like a mother hen and wants you to love his country as much as he does!

DAY 44 OUARZAZATE – MARRAKESH

2009-10-29T22:12:00.015+13:00

We reluctantly left the gorgeous hotel this morning but were in for a more comfortable day on the bus as, moving back by the rotation we got to the section where you have a ridiculous amount of leg room- after 2 days of no more room than on the Trafalgar buses. It seems stupid that the seats on the left had side of the bus have such different amounts of room when they are all on sliders that look like they can be moved if you had the right tools!

We had a very windy trip today with amazing views right through the high atlas mountains and OMG they were high! That took about 4 hours along the only road that takes you to Marrakesh. In winter the snow here is about 5 foot deep and there are red and yellow markers lining the road to mark where it is- hard to believe only 3 months before when we are all hot as, outside!

Abdul is still telling everyone to eat just cooked food as another of the group is sick, an older lady was vomiting today, felt sorry for her having to endure the winding road when she was feeling so ill. Lots of people have had diarrhoea but think it is more from the different food rather than a bug, as people mainly have jippy tummies rather than an obvious food poisoning or bacteria caused.

Arrived at the hotel- another really nice one, and after lunch we were back on the bus to souk where the markets are. It is oppressively hot and sticky here and got to 36C on our way back. We decided to walk to the hotel with another couple rather than wait while they took as us to the obligatory silver shop that wasn’t very cheap. Then into the pool to cool off.

Abdul then took us to the medina by night- where it comes alive with sights and sounds and smells- it was overwhelming really there was so much going on and so many people who come out every night to socialise! Snake charmers, musicians and poor monkeys on leads, there for you to pay for a picture with them. The men want money for everything. Then on to the optional meal at a flash place where we had all the different dishes and watched the entertainment of a fire eater, acrobat- who did amazing things with his body! And belly dancers. Yes Graeme ended up again!

When we were leaving all these black Mercedes arrived with drivers and police and we were like hmmmm whats happening? It turned out to be a international delegation for something or other, coming to the show we had just had. Graeme tried to tell us all that it was Gaddafi!

Then all into bed- are feeling a bit tired now!

DAY 43 ERFOUD – OUARZAZATE

2009-10-28T09:21:00.003+13:00

Up and at ‘em at 6.15am today, feeling a little worse for wear after yesterdays long day and rough drive but ok once everyone was up and going!
We hit the road and drove for a couple of hours to the Todra gorge, which has towering rocks in a long skinny canyon with a clean river running through. The scenery outside is still eye popping at times, then stretches of flat rocky ground as far as you can see.

But today we saw lots of Kasbah’s (“Rock the Kasbah, rock the Kasbah”) which are fortified castles/ houses- originally built to protect its inhabitants. This is called the road of a thousand Kasbahs as many have just been deserted and left standing after hundreds of years of its communities living there. They apparently move on and build a new one when the old one begins to crumble, so they line the roadsides like ghost towns (with satellite dishes??!!)

Stopped at a fantastic hotel for another included lunch, sitting next to the pool that tortured you as it was hot and we didnt have time (or togs) to swim in! We were also taken into a traditional tent for a mint tea ceremony, which is the national drink here- very strong! Then back on the bus until we reached the final destination – of which it is impossible to pronounce and involves a lot of phlegmy sounds!!

Abdul took us into another Kasbah that is inhabited and we looked around and tried a bit of the tortilla like bread the woman made for us. Felt a bit like we were invading their homes but know they need the money, therefore let us in??

Down the road to the hotel Le Berbere Palace- SO flash! The pool area looks like a 5 star resort, with day beds and rattan furniture and a humongous pool. Bummer we come in late and move on early so cant partake, but nice to look at.

Same routine – dinner, internet and bed-still really enjoying it though. This crowd are pretty good, less Australians than previously, and some really nice Canadians and Americans. Of course we have several moaners with loud voices- female this time but we just give them a name like “Fog Horn Alice (Springs)! But the slightly younger age has been good too, no old old biddies really- a few single older women but at least they aren’t too doddery (how do you spell that?)
Sat and had heaps of laughs today with Maureen a Writer and Nurse from New York- we have the exact same sense of humour, so spent an hour or so having quite a few laughs about the personalities you meet on tour.

DAY 42 FES – ERFOUD

2009-10-28T09:14:00.007+13:00

Up early, early today as we needed to be in the Sahara for sunset and it’s a wee way- left by 6.15am!! Drove for 9 hours with a nice stop for an included lunch in a hotel and a few “pee pee” stops as Abdula calls them- he is so funny!

Drove through the Atlas mountains where the temp went down to 8 C, it had huge plateaus and equally huge mountain ranges- some barren and rocky others in an oasis, all lush and green. Its pretty amazing to the eye. We ended up taking over 400 photos today so there was plenty to see!

We stopped on the way in a little shanty town, where they were cooking food in taugenes, but also goats and cows with their throats cut, hanging up in the halal way- eeuu, they look better when they are skinned and just meat!!! There were flies for Africa and we certainly would never eat anything there but a cool experience to see

There is an excited fervour in the air as we neared Erfoud as the Moroccans beloved King Mohammed was about half an hour behind us. All the men were dressed in their best, wearing their fez’s and children lined the streets with flags. It was so funny when I waved out of the bus window and all the kids started cheering and waving madly back- then I thought geez I hope they don’t think we are part of the official entourage as they knew he was due!!!!

We arrived at the hotel at 3pm and straight out to the 4 x 4 wheel jeeps. Of course we managed to get the “suicide driver’! who wanted to beat all the others and veered off the road and took off through the desert alone. One word for him- m.a.n.i.a.c.! We were like corks bobbing around as he hit ruts and bumps, then he would swerve it left and right at 100kms. Anyhow we got there in one piece and out to the camels. You had the choice to ride solo or together, so got one together and we were off with a handler with our beautiful gray camel with long, long eyelashes

Up the dunes and it was gorgeous watching the desert as the light changed and all the tracks in the sand looked freaky. When we got to the top, we dismounted and sat on the top of a ridge and watched the sun go down. Really great in the still and quiet. One of the handlers, a teenage boy came along and put the traditional dress on us and wound the scarves in the way they wear them. It actually cooled me down strangely- since it was covering your whole head. He obviously loved technology as he asked for our camera and video and took heaps of pics of us, then went and found a scarab beetle and showed us- reminded me of the ones in the movie ‘The Mummy” thank goodness these ones don’t eat you like those!

All the different shades and hues of the desert sky changed to an orange glow as the sun went down and after- it was quite eerie and surreal…… So this is one big tick off Graeme’s bucket list and he is well happy with the experience he came here for.

We travelled back in the 4x4’s albeit more slowly this time as Abdul had a word in the grumpy drivers ear, and back to the hotel. Had to go straight in for dinner, then showers to get all the dust off from the dessert. Funny, everyones showers are badly designed – the tile surround on the bath is lower than the bathtub so when the shower is on- it pours like a water fun park around the tiles and all over the floor, flooding the room. There was water running out of the front doors of some of the rooms! The hotel being made out of mud and straw like american style adobe- don’t think they should leave it or all the rooms will rot!!!!

The food is certainly a little different and we are under strict instructions not to eat or drink the coffee, tea (the water) or salad and cut fruit or fish- So we are all getting thinner lol! Apparently his last tour, Abdul had 20 of the group come down with diarrhoea so he is being very careful with us. The most unusual food we have had was a filo like pie that was very hard to cut and had meat and savoury spices inside and icing sugar and cinnamon on top- odd flavours in the same mouthful but a good experience to try

DAY 41- FES

2009-10-26T05:52:00.019+13:00

Stayed in Fes again today (Its Fez for the hat and Fes ('Fess') for the city) and had a great day.

We started out by going to the Medina this morning, which literally translates to the Old City. People who live in these massive cities dont venture out and life is much as it was 1300 years ago when it was built. There are no cars only donkeys and carts.

We had local tour guides take us in in 2 smaller groups and just as well as it is so, so narrow compared to the grand bazaar in Istanbul. It is very skinny and even though the shops are really all shacks, you can only glimpse the sky. The smells are something else again. We started in the food market and OMG even me with a nurses stomach, felt squiffy as the pungent smells from everything you can imagine wafting through the alleyways! Saw live chickens stuffed into a cage on top of each other, some dying- didnt like that and got Graeme to delete the photo he took as it was awful to see.

Other than that you get your head around the donkeys being laden with supplies and they all have shoes on which at least is a plus. They yell "ballack ballack" as they come through meaning, 'attention,out of the way', as there is no room for people and donkeys at the same time. We were taken to the tannery to see the dyeing process of the leather- soaked in ammonia and urine (whose I do not know?!) and they gave us fresh mint leaves to sniff!

Then on to a carpet store and served fresh mint tea with sugar. Even though it was a tourist set up for sure, it was very interesting and of course we liked the traditional tribal antique carpets- woo- he, but at around $10,000 each, I think thats a no! But they were huge!

Then on to the caftans and olther muslims silks and cottons- gorgeous but too expensive and heavy to bring back so had to sit on our hands or we would have been walking home!

After 3 hours of the store owners being constantly in everyones face, it was good to go- although a great experience and Graeme got his Fez hat that he wanted from Fes! The guide bought it cheaper saying it was for himself then Graeme gave him the 5 euro for it! There were much dearer ones too I think....

Back to the hotel for lunch and then we did an optional to a small town where the Berber people still live in caves. The host - around 50 years old still lives in the cave he was born in. Amazing way of life and the older woman is his mother in law, who recently lost her husband but they all band together and care for each other.
She doesnt know how old she is and is always smiling. She let us take lots of photos which is great as some muslims wont let you- its a bit hit and miss.

A really amazing day of seeing things you will never see elsewhere! Lots of pics today cos there were so many amazing sights! Tomorrow we have to be up at 4.45am as we have a long day of travel and are riding the camels at sunset on the Sahara, so may not be able to post for a couple of days but will get some good photos Im sure!

DAY 40 CASABLANCA- RABAT- FES

2009-10-25T10:10:00.015+13:00

Had good sleeps and were up at 6am then down for breakfast at7am- on the road at 8am. Abdulawahab (Ab-Doo-lah-wah-harb) our tour director (he is Moroccan born and bred) has a very dry sense of humour which I like and think he will be great value.
We drove around Casablanca which he said is actually pronounced Cas-a-blonk-a (the French altered it to blank as in ‘white’) and went to a massive mosque built only in 1998. It took 5 years to build and was done all by hand. Apparently Morocco is very open and all religions are respected, Muslim, Jewish, Christian and he said you can wear whatever you like clothes wise too.

There are heaps of Muslim women in the streets wrapped up in the head scarf and wearing tracksuits and caps while out exercising!! 75% if the population is under the age of 35 which makes it a very young city overall (4 million people in Casablanca alone), but no anarchy to be seen. We drove past ‘Ricks Café” from the film Casablanca- nothing to be seen except a lunch bar on the corner of a dirty street though. Graeme cracked up as we drove along, there was a concrete letterbox like structure on the sidewalk that was a urinal- complete with Arab peeing in it!!

Then on the road to Rabat which is the capital of Morocco and they drive so slowly it is funny, but the police can take your license easily so I guess that’s why.
Had lunch in Mc Donalds as directed because Abdul said absolutely not to eat anything that isn’t cooked and No salad unless it is in your hotels. He said McD’s was the only really safe bet! SO no sandwiches this tour?? Now that would make you happy Danni!

On to an unfinished mosque, some of which was centuries old and another which was half way through building when the king Mohammed died and the end of this dynasty left the work forgotten. Inside were 2 marble coffins containing these rulers and always a muslim guard sitting with them to read the Karan. There were guards on arab horses standing out the front which looked fantastic too.
The mosaic tiling in this country is outstanding and many of the walls and floors are decorated in this manner.

Next we were taken to Meknes a city with the only mosque we can go into, it too had amazing tiling and the intricacy of the doors and minarets is fantastic to the eye.
Back on the road and the scenery changed constantly from barren and flat to big hills. There are really no fences, but in some places they have these huge spiky cacti that border the corners of the fields with stock or grapevines etc- very interesting to gaze at. This bus driver (who looks like the easter island rock carvings!) is such a fantastically smooth driver after our last tour with miserable Mike in Britain. He also drives very slowly so you get to see a lot more.

Now we are in Fez for 2 nights in the Ramada hotel- look at the pic of our bed and how wide it is- Gray couldnt even reach it from side to side! Abdul had been telling us that “oh the bed, it will be so teeny tiny”! lol

Funny for the day- Abdula as talking about buying a fez and how it has “testicles hanging down the back” then he realized what he had just said and it was meant to be ‘tassles’!! Ooops very funny.

We have an included dinner tonight with belly dancers, so should make all the guys happy!

Later- OMG! Abdul brought in a lady with the traditional muslim costumes and they pulled us out and dressed us up so that our honeymoon ‘would last forever’ (shrinking in my boots!) Then we were presented with music and the belly dancer to the crowd lol!

DAY 39 MADRID – CASABLANCA MOROCCO

2009-10-25T10:06:00.003+13:00

Our room has 2 small balconies you can see in the pics from last night and if you have the doors open the street noise is amazing, but shut them and its really quiet. So had the sleep of the dead but both woke up a bit shattered after yesterday’s fiasco.
Had a lovely breakfast at the hotel and then went to reception for our shuttle, but not before Graeme didn’t make it into the skinny lift in time on the 8th floor and I was on one side pushing buttons while he was doing the same on the other!! So he arrived about 5 mins later in reception lol.

Got the shuttle which is a lot less painful at 12 euros than 35 for the taxi! But the hotel has fixed times so you need to try and fit in. We arrived to the airport 2 ½ hours before our flight, bracing ourselves for what we experienced last time with easyjet- chaotic passengers queued Everywhere! But no…. This time- a dream, no queue at all and the guy that served us could speak a little bit of English. He said he is going to NZ next year and asked if it is true you can keep penguins in your house!!!!!!!!!! Someone is telling him porkies! He couldn’t believe it cos they smell so bad and how did we put up with it??!!

Got through the strict luggage weights ok cos we have had so many flights we know what we have to take out and carry in our hand luggage and we were exactly 20 kilos each so that was good. Waited round for an hour and a half then amazingly- considering there were hundreds of people, we and one other guy were the ONLY ones who had paid, what we think is a measly 17 euros for speedy boarding. Meaning you are first on board as easyjet don’t allocate seating, so we were able to go to the front of the queue- great as we are getting a tad tired of airports after 3 flights in 3 days with 3 different airlines! Haha.

The flight to Morocco was only 1 ½ hours – thank god as our noses were assailed by the Spaniard next to us had raging B.O and the baby behind us with a stinky nappy! Geez Louise we can pick ‘em! The BO was d.i.s.g.u.s.t.i.n.g as every time he moved, (he was a jiggler!) big wafts of acrid sweat hit us- Dad it might even have bet your Italian man with who reeked of garlic??!!

Anyhow, arrived no worries and back 2 hours timewise- we have been through so many time zones I would have no idea except that the laptop is still on NZ time which is helpful. We are now 11 hours behind NZ again!

Immigration was VERY serious, so thank god Graeme doesn’t get all hot and sweaty like he used to cos he always looked like he had done something, which attracts attention in airports (and never, Never say the B word)! B.o.m.b… in little words cos I’m whispering!

Found the tour director after a bit and am now sitting with Arabs in the arrivals hall for an hour or so till the last people arrive for the Insight transfer. His name is Abdullah Hula something or other I cant quite remember! But he seems very lovely- smiley (which you just don’t see a lot in Europe, more a cultural thing I think) and he touches your arm in a grandfatherly way when he talks- I like it! Then we are off to the Sheraton. Will be interesting if the hotels are a step up from Trafalgar as they are meant to be, and more central.

Getting a good vibe about Morocco and the tour/director etc which is good considering this is a ‘Stand by your man thing” for me as Morocco was on Grays bucket list rather than mine! But could be an enlightening experience all round?!

Later- had a welcome drink and meal last night- was good, mostly Australians again which is good, also British-4, Americans- ?4, Kiwis-4 and Irish-2, Canadians-4. There are a total of only 39 on Insight tours so 10 people less in a bus means a lot more legroom we hope! This group looks younger then most with a good amount of people our age or either side of us age wise.

The Sheraton is very nice- although wasn’t sure about having to walk through a metal detector in the lobby each time you come in??!! But we have been told Morocco is a very safe and liberal country.
We were promoted from the 9th to the 11th floor after finding we had been given single beds- no way says Graeme! So were changed no worries. The main languages here are French and Arabic, but all the hotel staff speak to you in French which they learn from 5 years old, then English is mandatory from 12 years old, which is great for us.

DAY 38- HMMM… NOT GOING SO WELL!

2009-10-23T09:07:00.008+13:00

Up at 5am this morning to catch our flight to Athens then Madrid. Caught a taxi and got to the airport at Rhodes and was sniffed enthusiastically by several dogs just wandering in and out. Thought they must have been sniffer dogs but no- just strays lol!!

We went to check in and then we told “oh your flight to Madrids been cancelled, go over to the ticket office to sort it” WHAT????
Go over and a very unhelpful braun Hilda greek woman tells us that Olympic airlines has been sold and is no longer a public company, it is private, but they will put us on an Iberian flight in 11 hours time @$#%!!!! (that’s swearing!) Then she suggested it was OUR fault?? Cant believe this? but then I asked her who we see to get food and sort this out, she tells us to go to the hotel desk at Olypmic airlines in Athens. If we hadnt of asked she wasn’t going to offer.

The 1 hour flight over was smooth as except we are feeling a big dazed by this sudden news. This airplane has been by far, the most leg room we have had since business class!

Land and go to the desk and luckily got a very nice lady who takes our new flight booking we were given and ends up in her office on the phone for 20 mins. It turns out she can see we were not notified by either the email or cell phone numbers I had supplied on booking and we are the ONLY passengers they didn’t notify when the company was sold and the flights cancelled! The airline stopped flying to Spain when it was sold 3 weeks ago. The lady said- had they told us we could have got a flight over from Rhodes at 2pm but the Rhodes office did nothing, so she got on the phone to their supervisor.

She ended up putting us up in a hotel with food for the day, way out in the boonies overlooking the sea, so that’s great (especially since they don’t usually do hotels) but still cannot do anything about the fact that we have lost our only day in Madrid and our shuttle etc. We will get there at 8.30pm instead of lunchtime and then fly out again to Casablanca tomorrow morning as there are no flights to Casablanca from Athens instead.

Had to be us huh?? Luckily we are assertive enough to go and ask to sort it out or we would have just sat in Athens airport for 9 hours and they wouldn’t have known we were there because the Rhodes staff said nothing to the Athens staff! Bizarrely, last night we watched a programme on when flights go wrong and what your rights are, how to get noticed etc. Must have cursed us as I thought we have been so lucky after watching that?

We will laugh about it sometime in the future! But we have flown them twice and had problems both times- last time with luggage and its not like they are a budget airline either!

Anyhow, we ended up enjoying the rest of the day at the hotel- you will think it is so flash from the pictures (2nd and thrid pics) and it was nice but very tired close up and everything was sticky, had flies and every piece of cutlery was slightly dirty. I think it had been a flash resort once and now felt like a club med! However, we later discovered there was a huge pool- argh! This is what happened to us last time in Kuala Lumpur when they checked our bags to the wrong place- No Togs!! Torture- went to the hotel boutique and it had just shut but walked up the road and found a little dairy that yay! Sold them.

Were able to get a pair each and go down and lay in the sun with all the dancing 20 somethings! Danni, you would have LOVED the pool, it was big but so so cold, it caused a pain in my head at first but was just what we needed.

Dried off and then had lunch in the restaurant they supplied- very nice and then back onto the bus- just for us! To Athens airport. Checked in to Iberian, sounds like a full plane – and we are now waiting to board to Madrid. Then to bed, up again and off with easyjet tomorrow- fingers crossed!

Later- OMG we are here in Madrid - frickin looooong day, 18 hours hotel to hotel and we are delirious- but the hotel Atlantico have put us up in the best corner room on the top floor as I requested so we love them- have 2 balconies out onto Gran Via- very busy!(last 2 pics)

Graeme is so tired he has gone crazy and is standing starkers on the balcony to see if anyone way below notices- haha, he will cause an accident!

I just had THE best shower- you have the choice of 2 shower heads, one gave me a water blasting, just what I needed!

DAY 37 LAST DAY IN RHODES

2009-10-22T03:32:00.012+13:00

Woke to the heralding of barking dogs at 4am this morning and unfortunately the yappy one in the street outside set all the neighbourhood dogs off for about 2 hours-wish we had had a rifle cos the loudest one would have had its cute fluffy head shot off!!

Never mind, had as usual a fantastic homemade breakfast of anything you want in the lovely courtyard. They serve you fresh squeezed orange juice, pastries with tomato or cheese or apple and walnut cake- all made the night before in the hotel kitchen. Then onto omelets or crepes with ham, cheese, or chocolate, whatever you want. SO nice! Sets you up for the day then you dont need lunch.

This morning there were 4 cruise ships in so lots of people which is good for the shop keepers who find it hard at the end of the season. There was also some sort of fashion shoot on, so apparently they closed off some of the streets in the old town. I saw one girl who looked like a leopard print clad hooker, who turned out to be one of the models! Shows you what I know!

Right outside our hotel is the palace of the Knights which is very famous, and the castle wall and stronghold go right around the old city- which we walked today in about 45 mins. Its amazing the work that must have gone into creating such a castle and keep, the moat is dry but then there is another outer castle wall.

Later in the afternoon we went back to the castle for the tour throughout its interior and they also had an exhibition on of ancient artefacts- note the lead coffin I managed to snap- small!

A quiet night and tidying up tonight then we are up at 4.30am for our flight to Athens, then another to Madrid for the night.

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2009-10-21T07:37:00.001+13:00

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Oops! Didnt realise until yesterday that when the counter goes from the front page to the one behind, it stops counting and doesnt automatically jump forward! So had to move it back

DAY 36 RHODES-LINDOS GREECE

2009-10-21T04:42:00.019+13:00

Today we both woke after not such good sleeps- again we ate late last night- finished after 10pm then pretty much to bed, and both of us had weird vivid dreams. Dont think we are made to eat late then sleep!!

We decided to go to the ruins of the acropolis in Lindos today- about an hour away from Rhodes old town. We caught the bus which was interesting. We arrived and walked down to the tiny town of Lindos with the great castle and ruins towering above - very picturesque especially with the beautiful blue sky! The site has seen a few temples built on it- the 2nd one being in the 9th century B.C. This later burnt down (how do they burn stone Graeme asks?) and another was built in 342B.C.

There are only ruins and a few columns left now but it is still something to see plus the outer castle on the perimeter is still in really good nick. Also note in the photo of the rock that there is a viking style ship carved into the rock!

Because it was so hot we decided to get donkeys up the hill and it was 5 euros each well spent, cos it was steep! Looked around at the top for an hour two then wandered down to the town again to look through the warren of shops you of course have to go through to get out!!

Got back to the bus stop to find that the half hour buses stopped at 1pm- it was 3 mins past!?!%! So it was another hour and a half for the next bus. Nothing for it but to sit in the open air taverna and have an ice cold beer. The Greek laws have not yet passed the same law we all have regarding smoking and the greeks do it everywhere, but these open air places are much better to manage all the smoke!

Then argy-bargy with all the germans back on the bus and a pleasant trip back to Rhodes- even had a go at mimicking the rolling dog head like you used to see in the back of cars in the 70's!! Nice sizz though (how do you spell that?!)

We then had baths when we got back as you get so hot and sweaty in this climate and then wandered to the plaka and found a takeway gyros joint- meat with pita bread, chips and greek yoghurt, to take back to the hotel for a quiet dinner tonight.

Our last day in Rhodes tomorrow before flying to Madrid for a night en-route to Morocco!

Hey Sam- there are cats everywhere here and saw a Paris look-alike sitting on a scooter so put in a pic for you (except this one meowed in Greek lmao!)

DAY 35 - RHODES OLD TOWN

2009-10-20T08:13:00.015+13:00

Woke today after an incredibly comfortable sleep on a bed that had a huge feather mattress on top- heaven!

Got up and had a first for brekky- a ham and cheese crepe, which I think is a common Greek meal as you can get them morning, noon and night, either sweet or savoury. Also homemake pastries and freshly squeezed orange juice.

Right outside our hotel is a mosque and a minaret as well as the street of the knights- you can just imagine bygone times and medieval soldiers marching through the streets. ( the photo of the minaret is one the steps of the hotel)

Also remember if you want to see the pics better, especially while we arent on expensive internet time and dont have to compress them- that you can click on each photo and it will blow it up- the minaret one has a couple of interesting things in the photo when you do this- find the knight in armour!

The breakfast had set us up for a day of walking and shopping for gifts- yay. Greece is again, the most reasonably priced country to shop in- on a par with NZ. We walked through all the old alleys and visited the merchants shops.

The temperature got up today, very sticky and requiring several stops for beers and more food as you can see lol~!

After about 3 hours of shopping we went back to our lovely cool room for a siesta as the locals do- dropped off for an hour or so then up to have a chat with one of the americans who are staying here- he was playing a guitar out in the courtyard, so we sat on our wide window sill a storey above him and listened while enjoying an ouzo and coke (ouzo is so cheap here- 5 euros for 5oomls and thats the flash brand!)

Then out for a wander again through the new town this time- I dont like it really as its all flash shops and doesnt seem right in such an old place- plus there are cars and streets in this part, rather than all pedestrian in the old city.

Had dinner at the same restaurant as last night as we couldnt find another one in the warren of streets! Then back to Nikos Taxis hotel for a nightcap.

DAY 34 SPAIN-ATHENS GREECE-RHODES

2009-10-19T07:25:00.012+13:00

Well we are here in Rhodes Greece!! Hvae pretty much spent all day 9am-6pm getting here but no stresses at all really. Gray decided we would get a taxi to the airport this morning in Barcelona as the metro looked a bit tricky with suitcases/xray machines and with all the warnings about pickpockets, he preferred the ease of a taxi (just dont think about what it costs in terms of NZD! Yes I know, dont convert!)

So taxied to Barcelona airport then found we were meant to be miles away at another terminal for Aegean air, so got the shuttle bus over to it. Met a very nice guy Frank from Walkworth sitting right across from us! Poor guy was flying home and the airline had lost his bag on his first flight and the long leg to Singapore was due to fly out in 50 mins by the time he got it back. Saw the plane go later, hope he got on and there were no big queues tohold him up- poor guy.

We had quite a big queue as there were only 2 check in desks open, but with Graeme far more relaxed (for him in an airport!) it was fine. Flight was 2 3/4 hours to Athens, very hot inside the plane like on Korean air, but that was the only gripe, other than the flight seemed interminally long to both of us for some reason??!!

Landed in Athens airport- they have these "camel" stations (as in the ciggies) where people could stand - inside, and smoke!! We had to go and check back in as even though our bags were checked on to Rhodes, we couldnt be for some reason? No worries though and had an 1 3/4 hours, so no rush.

Next flight was only an hour and we were in a pencil aircraft with the wings on top. Coming in to land was sh*t your pants material (sorry Danni!) as we were buffeted around by strong winds sideways in a rolling motion- even Gray started to worry for a bit. But when we got out on the tarmac we felt the wind and the skies were black with lightening flashes- so no wonder we were chucked around like a rag doll!

Got a taxi with a really decent (but shady looking!) greek guy who charged us less than we were told it would be and carried a 22kg suitcases up the stairs on his shoulder! He also had a dvd screen on each side of the seats for you to watch- very courteous man :-)He took us to another of my internet picks for hotels- I am SO outdoing myself at the moment!! This boutique is small and right next to the grand masters palace in the old town of Rodos. We wanted old and authentic this time rather than modern as it seemed to fit our memory of this town.
The vosporos suite is groovy and the staff are extremely friendly- it is so so good to be back here in Rhodes again, being small and safe feeling after the huge cities it is great.

The hotel only has about 7 rooms/suites I think and there are americans and dutch here at them mo. An amercian guest stopped us on the way back from the reception desk and asked us if we were kiwi's cos she hadnt heard the terms "no worries" and we had "heaps of fun" since she visitied there. She raved about NZers and how friendly and casual we are, and said she has never met any nation in the world with people as friendly (she hasnt been to south Auckland at night then hey??!!)

Then we walked down the street of the grand masters- blows you away how old it is and down to the plaka for a meal of delicious shrimp cooked in rice, white wine, herbs and creme fraiche- Y.U.M.M.Y and so cheap for a change! Heaven! There are cats everywhere begging for scraps- they look healthy but Graeme told me off for feeding one!

Only pain is people smoke everywhere and one grotty older english sat and smoked a massive stinky cigar right next to everyone eating- his wifes cigarette was nothing. It riles Gray up as even as smokers we would never smoke while others were dining- he was going to back up to their table and break wind loudly and then when they complained at him, he was going to say "well you shouldnt smoke while people eat" hmmm...... be calm I say!

Wandered through the old town city streets and the massive outer wall back to our hotel- hitting the shops tomorrow!!!

Have also discovered they have free wi-fi here which makes me SO happy as I can contact my beloved family and friends, then I dont get homesick! This is truly the secret to managing it Mum, I have found.

See the pic of the pipe thingee in our room that you can smoke flavoured tobacco with- not sure if it is used though?!

Barcelona- from our hotel!

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Note Gaudis odd shaped double point museum in the distance straight out the window!

We had probably the best restaurant meal we have ever had last night. It was a selection of tastes, the appertiser for example was seared prawn with almond and garlic puree, accompanied with pear ice cream. Sounds so odd but was the most amazing explosion of subtle flavours!

DAY 33 END OF THE CRUISE-BARCELONA

2009-10-18T04:25:00.018+13:00

We had our final dinner last night with our lovely waiter Andy, then went and tried Martini's as they had a special on in one of the bars. I had a chocolate martini and Graeme had a classic dry one- rocket fuel!

We all were up and out of our cabins by 7.30am this morning, so they could get them ready for the next passengers. They put us all in the smokers lounge to wait for disembarkation for an hour and a half- what was with that?? (Ex- smokers!)

Off to the port no worries and we all got taxi's, there were literally hundreds of us and the taxi's just kept coming! We had met a couple from Florida on the Gibraltor excursion- Alex and Blanca, and they are also fluent in Spanish being originally from Cuba. Since it was too far to go to the metro to get to the hotel, Blanca spoke to our taxi driver who only spoke spanishm, for us!

To the hotel where I had booked a suite on the 21st floor as a surprise for Graeme- SO FLASH! wow wee views for ever. The high up photos today are out our hotel rooms.

They let us in to our room at 9am which was fantastic and then Alex and Blanca came to the hotel so we could all do the hop-on, hop-off tour together.

Had a most enjoyable day with them doing the different bus routes, they looked after us so well, speaking to the spanish people for us and translating, then bought us lunch in town. What lovely people. Many of the shop workers here do speak english as a second language, but apparently not so much in Madrid? Lisbon was definitely the easiest to communicate, but having Alex and Blanca today has spoiled us- love listening to their Spanish!

The architeture in Barcelona is amazing, many different styles, some looking quite french actually. Then there is the Gaudi style Barcelona is famous- he was so ahead of his time!

Came back to the hotel and had a bath- yay, SO nice to lay in a hot tub abnd have a soak after so many rooms with just showers. Tonight we are going to the hotel restaurant on the 23rd floor to look at more views, dont opem till 8pm here though! Then we are off to the airport tomorrow morning to fly Barcelona-Athens, Athens - Rhodes, wont land till late, so will see what the internet is like there the day after. We are back to Barcelona after our tour of Morocco so will know the layout a bit better by then.

We have purchased 24hours of internet here today for 10 euros, which is cheap as after the cruise ship, so will add a few photos here and there we didnt have time to over the past week- and answer a few more of the comments on the pages you posted them on!

DAY 32 – ALICANTE

2009-10-17T02:40:00.005+13:00

We had to set the alarm today- harsh!!! Because the sun doesn’t rise here until at least 8.30am, it changes your sleeping patterns.

Went to a disembarkation meeting this morning and were talking to some Americans who got on 1 port before us. They said the huge group of germans that got on with us at Genoa completely changed the atmosphere. Everyone other than the germans finds them very rude and pushy- they never wait in the lines, just barge through in front of others, are very loud and I notice they do not acknowledge any of the waiter/cleaning staff who serve them. (remind me not to go to Germany!).
Strangely, it is the older ones who you think would have been raised with manners and courtesy?? But the younger germans we have met in NZ are all very polite. It has put a lot of people off here.
It will be interesting on our next cruise if they aren’t in attendance what it is like, although I cant say it worries me too much, but it annoys Graeme, so he just gives it back to them.

The weather turned yuck today and not sure what happened as we were meant to be in port at 10.30am but didn’t dock until 1pm and there were no announcements. Sat with another American couple we met yesterday, for lunch and they are pretty unimpressed. I can understand though, as she is an insulin dependant diabetic and the Italian crew refused to swap them to the earlier dinner- and since there has been an empty table behind us the whole, that is pretty unfair.
All in all, I have revised my thoughts on an american cruise line sometime as at least they are very fair and wait patiently etc!

We got off the ship at Alicante and the port put on free shuttles up the road towards town, then we walked- trying not to slip on the wet tiles! To town, It was really wet as you can see by our fantastic blue poncho’s! Walked around a bit, had a beer in an Irish pub?! Then walked back to the ship as couldn’t seem to find much. Of course a lot of the Spanish shut their shops from about 1-5pm anyway.

Back for a warm shower and to pack or gear, ready for disembarkation tomorrow. We are meeting George and Loris again for a drink tonight, then need to be out of our cabin at 7am tomorrow, ready to hop off in Barcelona. Will post when we can again soon.

DAY 31- THE ROCK OF GIBRALTOR

2009-10-16T09:13:00.015+13:00

Woke today at an unbelievable 8.40am!! We have been putting our clocks back and forth an hour for the different time zones and its getting a bit confusing!

Mucked around in the morning as we weren’t arriving in Gibraltor till 1.30pm. Had a great lunch (for breakfast) and then sat outside as the sun came out of the clouds. It warmed to 25C!
We were on an organized tour today for the first time as we wanted to get the cable car to the top of the rock and there were monkeys included! Also meant that we got to speak to other English speakers as they break it up into language tour groups. Was really good to talk to some Australians. We are I think, the only kiwis on board but Aussies are fine this far away from home!

Our tour guide “fast Eddie” was a really funny guy and had been doing these tours for 25 years. He took us along the narrow one way streets in the small bus to the cable car stop. Up to the top in 5 mins and what a view at the top.
For me though, the focus was the fantastic monkeys. They were cared for by the British Army until they pulled out in 2003, but they are running free – you cant touch them as they don’t like it but we were warned that they would try and pinch your bags if they thought there was food in them. Got some great shots of them sitting on the edge of these walls so high up.

Then up the rock with Eddie, where he told us that it is full of tunnels that were dug out in the 1700’s through to the WWII. There were iron rings all the way up every 25 yards that were used to pull the guns up to the top in pieces. The barrels alone weighed 27 tonne each and once assembled, the shells could fire 27 miles across to Africa, so no german ships entered the med. We were also able to go into some of those tunnels at the top- hard to believe they were hand dug.

Then we stopped at the monkeys den where they live free and Eddie said if we wanted any monkeys to sit on our shoulders we could as they all trusted him and let him handle them. So Eddie pulled out some nuts and one was up on my head, then put his paw down my top – It was a dream that Danni would have loved and pretty exciting for me too ( seeing the monkey not its paw down my top!)!

They are very gentle and never scratched me. There was a young girl I heard about 10 or 11 there with her family, who desperately wanted one to sit on her too but she wasn’t with the tour group, so I asked Eddie if he could do the same for her which he did. Probably something she will never forget and just lucky she was there when a guide who the monkeys loved, was there!
Note in the pic of the airport runway that there is a road going across it at one end- with traffic lights!!
All in all a great day and something new again! We could also see Morocco across the sea as we went down back to town and onto the ship.

Had a great tea (our lovely waiter Andy always gives us the 2nd dessert of ice cream with whatever else we order!) then met George and Lorris a couple from Melbourne we met today for a drink- was a most enjoyable day!

DAY 30- LISBON, PORTUGAL

2009-10-15T08:26:00.008+13:00

Into Lisbon or Lisboa as the natives call it this morning. It had been raining when we woke earlier in the night but it turned into another most perfect sunny day again- so appreciate it after Britain.

We got the MSC buses from the port and although expensive at 18 euros, it really was too far to walk and they make it so easy for you. They dropped us in the shopping district which had a fantastic huge arched entrance from the seafront- with statues in great stride everywhere.

What a fantastic day it was- started off by the fact that we found almost all Portugese speak English, felt like hugging them! Makes it SO much easier. Also the prices here are like NZ or cheaper – a real contrast to all the other countries we have visited so far. There were shoe and watch stores everywhere.

The mosaic tiles in the roads are a work of art and in the old part of the city- Alfama, the buildings date from pre-1755 when an earthquake destroyed most of Lisbon. This was the only part to survive and it is amazing.
You walk along the sea front then start inland- there are no roads, just winding little alleyways that twist and turn all the way up the hills. Then we somehow came out to a stunning view point over the sea, with a kiosk selling ice cold beer next to it- nectar of the gods!

Then we walked up to the old castle at the top and found our Portugese mailbox photo- people think we are so strange haha! Oh well……. Its been really interesting to take note of all the colours of the mailboxes in all the different countries. Then wandered down a more main road and came across a very old Catholic church with massive studded doors.

All in all our favourite day today- Lisbon has many wide open spaces which gives it a majestic feel. Really want to come back again.

We got the bus back and onto the sun decks for a sunbathe and swim. After only 3 hours lying in the sun the past 3 days, we have tog lines- YAY Danni, hear that, Mum has tan marks!! (sorry private joke!)

Had a delicious dinner tonight- I am going to photograph the menu and make you all read it tomorrow cos its so impressive. Graeme decided to demonstrate how most of the Germans were eating/chewing tonight around us. It’s like their teeth are all stuck together with chewing gum and they chew very intensely. A bit like their manners- so so pushy and forthright.

Oh that reminds me – we were standing in a queue this morning to get our bus tickets and a woman in front was talking and I said “Oh an English speaking person”. Got into a conversation with her and ….Oh Dear, She was from Greymouth and now lives in Oz. Gavin and Sharleen - Greymouth is better off now….. She was missing most of her top teeth, clutching her fags like they were a long lost love, and telling us very loudly with lots of expletives how she was also put onto the 2nd dinner sitting on arrival, but got on the 1st sitting by telling them that they would be so p*ssed by the 9pm one if they didn’t change them!!
Maybe it’s good to be quiet sometimes..!!!

DAY 29 CADIZ

2009-10-14T08:04:00.008+13:00

Have meant to say Mum- we have had absolutely NO motion or sea sickness since we boarded this ship. It is the first one that has been so incredibly stable that you can watch the waves outside AND eat dinner without getting even the tiniest bit motion sick!

Today we visited the oldest port in Europe. Cadiz is on a spit which goes out to the atlantic ocean. A fantastically sunny blue day again today- is so great after Britain. Amazing that they are only a 3 hour flight apart yet worlds apart in weather!

We were able to get off in the port and walk across the road and we were there. Wandered the streets again, were looking for the museum but it was an absolute rabbit warren of streets that didn’t match the map we had, so we just walked. You really notice the work that goes into the public gardens and tree’s – and there are statues everywhere in honour of the Spanish forebears.

Not a lot of English spoken anywhere, but you can get by with a word or two and sign language as you need it. After trying to find sunscreen in Malaga yesterday (“Hola, solais” while rubbing your arms etc!) and eventually finding it at $50 a small bottle we decided to wait till today and found it for $10 in a small deli like shop- they are everywhere in Cadiz. So that’s good, as although it doesn’t burn like home, I couldn’t find the sunscreen I bought at home.

We came back after a few hours and had a lovely lunch on the ship at 2pm then lay in the sun at the back of the ship by the big tv screen. Went to a show before dinner called midnight in Paris- they did the can-can with amazing dexterity and a lovely array of very nice looking bums in g-strings (the girls that is!)

Enjoyed the laughter with our waiter at dinner tonight, Andy Mohammed Ismail- a lovely man from Indonesia. He has a giggle like Billy Connellys, only quieter! And was telling us he is on board for 10 months of every 12 and has been doing it for 20 years. Must work for the wife and family !!

PS. Danni you are clever about suggesting writing the blog in word then cutting and pasting it- that is exactly what we do and we also have a programme to compress the photos so they load quicker, that means we can pit more on as we know they make it much more interesting than just writing.

DAY 28- MALAGA, SPAIN

2009-10-13T04:09:00.008+13:00

We arrived in the port of Malaga at 10.30am today to beautiful, perfect, crystal blue sunny skies. 22C, but didn’t get too hot later in the day either as we are past their summer height in August. Caught the shuttle to the historical centre no worries and walked to the Alcazaba castle which had a fortress as well- but bummer- it is closed on Sundays we are told! Saved us climbing up a ruddy great mountain to get to it though I guess.

We wandered through the city- there are so many little alleyways, narrow and cool with tiny shops in them. Malaga also has many ancient looking cathedrals and buildings with old iron hinged doors. Then we came across the central part with all the shops, many were closed today but it was lovely to walk through and there has been a lot of thought put in to the planting of huge palm trees everywhere, so you can always be shaded if you want. A very clean city, although there is a strong smell of horse pee everywhere in the streets as they have lots of horses and carriages for the tourists- these horses are well cared for and some even had their hooves oiled Danni! Just as well you aren’t here actually I just thought, it would have cost us an absolute fortune having the rides all over Europe!!!

Note we found another 'patriotic' letter box today, this time yellow for Spain!

We wandered around for about 3 hours then had a local beer (half the price of on board beers) before heading back to port and the bus to the ship. Came back on and had some lunch- again fantastic array of food and you have to use some decent will power not to over indulge all the time!

Then out to lay around the pool in the most perfect weather- no wonder people move to Spain. A quiet evening I think, although there is an ABBA game tonight in the bar we might have a look at. Depends on the language it is run as to if you can understand it, or they go through 5 languages for everything they say!

DAY 27 AT SEA. ITALY-SPAIN

2009-10-13T04:06:00.006+13:00

We woke to lots of noisy waves and judderbar like vibrations at 3am today. Got up to look outside and it was pretty impressive!! Took video footage as the noise of the sea and wind was so loud. Back to sleep about 4am and because we had amazing blackout curtains we didn’t wake till 8.30am!!

We decided not to have breakfast since it was so late and we hadn’t finished dinner last night until 10.30pm! We both found it horrible to eat that late and then go straight to bed, but as yet haven’t heard anything about being changed back to the earlier sitting. We had a nice couple to sit with tho last night, plus an older couple from Switzerland. Luckily one of the men spoke both French for the Swiss couple and English for us- so we could have a 3 way conversation! He is married to an Italian woman so lives in San Marino, but is originally from Morocco, so had a really interesting discussion.

Later this morning I was sitting on our balcony looking at the sea and had my Polaroid sun glasses on, when I saw what I thought was a large tuna jump out of the water, but then realized it was one of those gray and white small dolphins that bow jump in front of ships!! Was so cool and I could see it under the water for a bit before it was gone- lucky!

Went up and walked many stairs again today= great exercise! There was some sort of ompah lompah german singing sensations by the pools and all the germans (huge contingency of them in a group on board) were clapping out of time and waving banners lol!! We haven’t met any English speakers as yet, heard one or two in passing but you cant run up and accost them just because you are craving an English conversation!! Altho if I heard an Aussie or Kiwi accent, I think I would.

Unlike our duty free ships, everything you buy here is very expensive, internet 20 euros an hour, excursions - usually at least 50 euros pp, drinks- a coffee is 5.70 euros and a massage is 99 euros for 45 mins!.
You also have to pay for water and beers- Heineken are 4 euros each! The man at dinner last night said the cruise lines milk you for all they can!! He said the excursions especially are a real rip off. We looked into our Malaga stop tomorrow as Gray prefers to just wander and discover on our own, so we googled Malaga on Wikipedia and saved it off line to read -clever. We asked at reception and they said you can get shuttles to town for a one off cost of 5 euros pp, so we will do that.

Then up to lie in the sun – 26 lovely degrees and sunny but with a 17 knot wind! They have warnings about sunburn but they havent lived in NZ! All the Europeans are SO brown that we look SO white L. But I also like the way the women all wear bikinis, no matter what their age or size and the guys wear a lot of budgie smugglers (not always so nice!)- but at least they are all very comfortable about themselves.

Went on to chase up the earlier dinner seating and finally won out after being told there were No tables to give- there turned out to be several- hard to fathom their ethics on honesty, however all sorted now and we have a romantic table for 2 from now on. It was formal night tonight so played dress ups!

SO good to eat at a normal time, especially when you are trying to fit in 6 courses ( sorry had to drop that in!). Their dining is incredible, like much of the ship in general. There language thing is a bit of an issue but we discussed it and your only other option is to cruise on the princess lines which are full of Americans- just don’t think we could handle it! The Italians are loud, but in a different way.
After dinner we went to the theatre and watched a circ-de-soliel type act, blows your mind what they can do acrobatically.

DAY 26- HORLEY- GENOA, ITALY

2009-10-11T06:42:00.005+13:00

Had a lovely comfy bed last night and we were beat by 7.30pm, so crashed at 8pm. Graeme woke feeling refreshed and ready to go, until he found out it was only 10pm haha! He woke me at midnight again, so had an hour or so before dropping off again,

Up at 6am and down to breakfast at 7am as the owner had told us to do before a departure at 8am. No-one in the dining room, lights out???? Had to go back to our room and ring the reception to find the cook was missing?! Turned out she had taken someone to the airport as she is also the taxi driver- weird!

Anyhow, she got back and we had a lovely cooked English breakfast, then she took us to Gatwick. Pretty much all automated check in’s. What a busy airport. Sat there thinking it would have been nice to have Danni here like last time to kill the time with!

On to the british airways flight and only 1 ½ hours and we were in Genoa, Italy. We have found the information desks at the airports are great if you need to find out how to get from A to B and that you don’t always have to pre-book expensive transfers. Had decided to wing it a bit so we caught the ‘volabus’ for €4pp that took us right to the main terminus, not far from the port- much cheaper than €30 for a taxi. Walked 10 mins and we were at the port. The huge ships there looked magnifique!

A bit of back and forth to get checked in but we followed the Italians (they speak So loudly)! Our cabin is great- a balcony double room at the very front of the ship- couldn’t have got better as we have no-one next to us on one side and can see off the bow. What a massive ship- about 3,000 passengers speaking about 5 languages!

Was so funny- we had to go to the emergency drill wearing our titanic orange life jackets- I was going to try to get away with not wearing mine until I HAD to- but NO, they are waiting in the corridors for you haha! Wish I had taken a photo, looked very comical!!

Unfortunately we have to wait till the late sitting for dinner at 9pm as they put us on this one due to lots of people on the early one, despite the early request- eek! We are used to eating at 5-6 pm!! I told the Maitre d’ that I have low blood sugars so we could get on the waiting list for the 6.30pm dinner – will wait and see what happens.
We have walked many sets of stairs tonight exploring, and a day at sea tomorrow which is great so we can get our bearings.

They have wi fi here on the ship which we are using in our room but it is 20 euro's an hour!!

DAY 25- LONDON-HORLEY, GATWICK

2009-10-11T06:37:00.007+13:00

We were able to sleep until we woke today- SO NICE! Even though we woke early still, we could lay there and doze. Its funny when we came to this hotel room 2 weeks ago, the bed was a typical cheapish sproingy hotel bed and we didn’t find it that comfy- two weeks and 13 hotel beds later, we came back to this one and think it is heaven. I so love the way we sleep when we travel and have long days- lay down and …..gone!

Decided not to have breakfast today as we feel we have overeaten with all the food put on, on the tour. Tidied up and left our suitcases with Patel then off to the post office to post back some clothes and gifts- £82 and a big queue later! But paying for over- weight suitcases through 7 odd airlines would cost more.

Then we went to a barber that Patel told us about, the Turkish guy did a great job freehand! No freak outs like the Italian hairdresser 2 years ago!

Then we went to a prêt-a-manger café, they are everywhere over here and very popular- for a prawn and avocado salad and a club sandwich. You get the internet for free which is great, so caught up with the blog – Collis’ – Where are all your comments??!!!

Then on to Victoria station and caught our train to Horley, Gatwick no worries really. Only took 35 mins and then the B & B owner picked us up. The Lawn house B & B is quite famous as it has been a school of some repute etc and they are very proud of it.- very helpful people.

We decided to take advantage of it being early afternoon so walked just down the road to the town of Horley to the launderette where Bett the lady who works there showed us how to work it. I never thought I would appreciate clean clothes SO much! We have been washing with soap and water and it makes the clothes a bit stiff. It only cost us ₤5 to wash and dry all our clothes.

Then shopped a little before walking down the other end of town to a real 1000 year old pub! Had a really fantastic time in the low ceiling, great atmospheric place with a pint or two and a great meal.

Rolled home with big smiles on our faces through the misty rain- was lovely. Having a nice night washing hair and packing for Italy. We leave at 8am for the airport.

DAY 24 PLMOUTH-SALISBURY-LONDON

2009-10-09T23:36:00.004+13:00

All up at 6.15again and down to dissect the appalling meal dished up for our farewell dinner last night (as you do when you have no other worries!) On to the road to Stonehenge, which we got to in 2 ½ hours.

Seemed a very long time though as the master farter struck terribly after the cabbage last night- it was described as both feral and vile by people at both the front and back of the bus. Pete and Graeme talked to the tour director who gave them a can of air freshener, which was sprayed liberally around at the tea stop. Thank god he stopped it after that as I had to hold Graeme down so he wouldn’t say something (very frankly!) in front of everyone.
It is hard to understand how any decent human being can sit in a bus of 49 people for 2 weeks and continuously do that – his loud wife never said a peep about it either??

Our last day- and a beautiful sunny, still day so nice to end the tour with. Stonehenge was good to see again, although I’m sure the ropes keeping you back seem to be moving further and further away from the stones.
Apparently it was described as a disgrace in the English parliament this year and there are plans to improve it, taking away the road running alongside and putting a train ride in to the stones.

We went on to the town of Salisbury after this, the cathedral Graeme wanted to see was covered in scaffolding and apparently this church charges you £ 5pp to go in! So no-one did and we all wandered off to town. Went to an old pub for lunch and sat outside in the sunshine and had a beer and lunch- very nice.

Back on the bus at 1.45pm and on to London. They started dropping people off from Earls court through to Victoria so got to see some areas we hadn’t seen before. It was funny we went back to the hotel we had found previously from walking the pavements and when we walked in Patel the funny Indian manager goes “Helllllloooo New Zealand!! ” I said “Patel we’re Home”! It was a crack up! He gave us the ‘honeymoon suite’ again we had last time (believe me it isn’t but it is very clean!),

We went out at 7pm to meet Pete and Sharon, and Gaye and Jennie for ‘the last supper’ in the great Dim Sum restaurant we went to when we first arrived, It was packed with locals so obviously has a good name. Had a great meal and a mulling over of the tour- well enjoyed overall and of course meeting like minded people made it.

Got Gaye and Jen on the bus back to Earls Court and Pete and Sharon caught a cab after all our farewells, then we wandered through Victoria Station and sorted our train ticket to Horley, Gatwick for tomorrow then back to the hotel- many people are wandering around London at all hours and it feels quite safe. So many of them with suitcases – the wheels going ‘car-doc car-doc’ on the cobbled footpaths!!

Tomorrow we are sorting out posting some stuff home and getting Graeme’s hair cut before heading to Gatwick to a B & B for the night.

FAREWELL DINNER

2009-10-08T18:44:00.004+13:00

The dinner- well......

Unfortunatately not like any other farewell evenings we have had before. There was a dinner in the hotel restaurant of cabbage (old) and swede (lumpy) and yucky dry meat. No entertainment or ,music of any kind this time meant we had to make our own! hahaWe all did our hat photo - 18 out of 49 had one to wear for it.

Between Graemes maori Billy T James take offs and Petes Frank Spencer ones, it was a funny evening.

DAY 23 PLYMOUTH – CORNWALL, ST IVES

2009-10-08T05:53:00.007+13:00

Had a really decent sleep last night which was great and went to sleep with the sounds of the church bells ringing over and over in the dark- was very nice.

Up early and down to the harbour for a cruise round Plymouth harbour, including past the naval base. Really interesting and the threatening rain held off so we could go up top in the open air even though it was freezing cold!

Then we drove towards Penzance and through the Cornish countryside to St Ives. Unfortunately it teemed down the rest of the day and we all spent a very soggy couple of hours there, but can imagine that in the sun it would be a lovely little place to visit.
We all had Cornish pasties, cos it would have been rude not too! They are full of onions and a bit of minced beef, quite nice on a wet cold day, washed down with a beer.

Then back to the bus and a few hours back to Plymouth, everyone with very wet shoes and damp pants, so we steamed the windows up a bit !

We have our farewell dinner tonight and the 6 of us started the hat thing so tonight will be the official “Tour Hat Photo” – anyone with a hat, serious or otherwise is invited to be in it- the tour director thought it was a great idea!!

Tomorrow is our final day of the tour we have renamed the “Cacophony of Coughers” people have hacked and sneezed pretty much non stop the whole 16 days, meaning many then got the bugs halfway through and around it went again. Not that nice to be in to be honest as we are all in such close proximity and everyone is pretty tired as you are out for 8 or 9 hours each day. But we have seen and done heaps even though we have only had a couple of nice sunny days.

Back to London after Stonehenge tomorrow, finishing about 5pm I think, then a night in London before we go out for a night at Gatwick. After that its onto a plane for Genoa, Italy to pick up our cruise.

Not quite sure when we can get online again, but will post as soon as poss- bon voyage!

PS/ Mum you were right it was the bowls NZ cap I was wearing yesterday!. I will wear it somewhere significant and make sure you can read it properly, then you can put it in your newsletter as putting NZ bowls out there over here!!!!!

Also, that is so funny Danni played on the same dancing game for her birthday as Graeme is, in the ferry pics ! It was hilarious and a bit raucous. I bet Danni was a bit tamer than her Dad was hahaha!!

CARDIFF-BATH-GLASTONBURY-PLYMOUTH

2009-10-07T05:36:00.010+13:00

On the road at 8am to Bath this morning, it was funny to see it in the wet as it gave a completely different slant than when we visited there in 2007 with Matt and Michelle on a sunny hot day!

Went through the old baths- very interesting to go through, the water there is contaminated so cant touch it tho- there are swimming baths down the road.

Then on to Glastonbury to see the amazing ruins of the abby there where King Arthur is meant to be buried. It is in good nick for a ruin and it was really interesting to walk through. The abbotts kitchen had sun light pouring in through the lead light windows and the staff in traditional dress gave it a very authentic feeling.

We walked around the streets after and boy are there some freaky alternative lifestylers living there- see the girls in pink in the photo today- and they were the mild ones. Bet they all smoke a bit of hooch at the Glastonebury festival when its on!

Then we drove to somewhere?? for a stop to have devonshire teas and scones with cream and jam- was yummy! Back on the bus and its pouring again!
Into Plymouth the naval port to our hotel and its a 2 night stay which is great. We had a yucky interconnecting room right in front of all the lifts so decided this time to go and ask to be moved if a room was free- the staff were lovely and moved us from the 3rd to the top- 8th floor and on a hallway of our own, facing the port this time- great. So well looked after- especially when you are on your honeymoon after 23 years!!!!

We arent doing the optinal dinner tonight as need to catch up with things at home and will have a quiet night.

Hey Mum- l0ok at my cap today, I wore it in your honour- Gray laughed so I smacked him!

DAY 21 WATERFORD- CARDIFF, WALES

2009-10-07T05:14:00.011+13:00

Well it was an early start today, and we were up at 5.15am!! Got some stuff sorted then out the door and on the road by 7am as we had to get the ferry from Rosslare in Ireland to Cardiff. It was a 4 hour crossing this time and even though the water looked calm we were all staggering around a bit, trying to walk in a straight line as the swell was pretty good and we were on a smaller ferry.

Everyone was tired so a more subdued bunch today! However, we did manage to be rather raucous when Gray and I had a go at this game where you jump on lit pads to follow music and dance moves- have some VERY funny video g Graeme- who of course dances to his own tune!!

Docked in Wales at 1pm and on to the road again to drive from one side of Wales to the other. Actually only took a couple of hours or so, then those of us not going through Cardiff castle went for a walk round town. Mainly young people- teenage girls with tonnes of make up and lots of overtly gay guys- was very interesting people watching!

Went back to get ready for our welsh banquet to find that Graemes suitcase was full of very wet clothes!! All the top of his case was saturated and it turned out another 4 cases had mysteriously got wet too, although not as bad as Grays. What a pain as all his dress shirts and tops were really wet with water from goodness knows where?? The black from the outside of the suitcase then ran on his best dress shirt and stained it?! Not such a good day today lol!

Anyhow, our room looked like a Chinese laundry- and what a weird room it was. It only had an internal window that looked back into the open lobby and over the top of the reception desk! Have to make sure we had the curtains closed! In the pic it of the lobby with the white girders, our room was the one just to the right of the central post where the light shades are hanging above reception! I woke disorientated in the night and felt my way to the curtains and pulled them to see where I was- thank god no-one was watching!!!

Anyhow, off to the banquet in Cardiff castle with song and dance and yes- you guessed it, Viking Chief Graeme gets pulled up yet AGAIN- this time with a twist, he was dressed as a welsh woman haha!! It was very funny to say the least but lace just doesn’t do it for guys! A good night was had by all with some beautiful classically trained voices (not Graemes!)

DAY 20 - KILLARNEY- BLARNEY-WATERFORD

2009-10-05T05:48:00.012+13:00

We were able to sleep in till 7.15am today which was great. The Killarney Avenue hotel is by far the best so far, it has tonnes of olde worlde charm and is so central plus they go all out with those little touches for you.

We went for our pony and trap ride at 9am through the national park with "Robert" the horse pulling us- poor bugger as there are 8 people on board and he had steam coming off him by the time we got back. But it was a lovely ride with some spectacular views of lakes, castles and swans everywhere.

Then back to the hotel and off at 10am to Blarney Castle just ouf of Cork, where we met us with Karl and Grace. We have been internet friends for 12 years but this was the first time we had met. Found them no worries and had a really great couple of hours with them looking around the castle and grounds. Of course had to climb to the top- kiss the blarney stone and get the picture, so we are now full of the gift of the gab!

Had a fab time catching up and listening to their true blue Irish accents although I think Karl you must have been throwing in some gaelic here and there, just to trick me!!!! We all had lunch together then said our goodbyes, Karl armed with a "Kia Ora Bro" t-shirt and us with a wooden carving Karl had made himself. Such a neat couple and we look forward to a bit more laughter when we get back to Ireland another time.

On to Waterford where we looked round their showroom, although the company has bascially gone bust and there is a recovery package in place, with the production now moving to the Czech replublic which is a pity. Very elaborate pieces which made you scared to sneeze hard!

We are now in our hotel for the night in Waterford then a very early start tomorrow as we have a ferry crossing first thing back to Wales.

DAY 19 - LIMERICK- RING OF KERRY-KILLARNEY

2009-10-04T04:47:00.010+13:00

Funny our tour director asked us how our room was last night as he asked for the honeymon room/suite for us, with a view - we were put in the 3rd floor and the view was all the air cond. units for that floor and it was in the smokers wing!!! Richard just shook his head and said he doesnt know ab0ut hotel staff! It was a huge room tho and nice enough.

On the road at 8am today- weather is blustery and wet as we drive towards the ring of kerry. Stopped at the red fox tavern- complete with a scared looking stuffed red fox, where we got chicken sandwiches which were very chunky! Went and had a look at some of the little ponies they had at the back of the tavern- stroppy little beggars trying to show each other who was boss!

Then onto the windy roads to the ring of kerry- everyone who has been has said it is lovely but our photos today show you we missed it all in the rain and mist!!!!! SO so wet, it seemed like a waste to be there but still got some glimpses of the Scotland like landscape- very rugged and strewn with stone and rock (Gods rock salt Danni!!)

We have arrived in Killarney at 4.30pm and all travel weary- too many late nights I think! We are meeting with our group for dinner tonight and then we will get back to speak to Danni as it is her 13th birthday in NZ time.

Tomorrow if the weather is ok we are going on a 'jaunting buggy ride' with a horse and cart

around the national park before setting off to Blarney castle and meeting Karl our irish friends there.

Later- back from a fab meal of italian pizzas, beer and cheescake!! Have topped our previous high of paying $11 for a heineken, This was $19 for a 660ml bottle of beer- s.h.o.c.k.i.n.g! but when in Ireland, do as the irish do- and it was bloody nice beer!

This hotel in Killarney is so flash I cant believe trafalgar has us staying here! Richard the tour director obviously said we were on our honeymoon again cos even though we are the only ones with an inter connecting door (next to the frenchman who coughs and hoicks all the time!) we found hand made chocolates in our room, robes and slippers- which we were surprised to hear the others havent got. Very nice touches.

Talked to the family tonight and sang happy birthday to Danni on the other side of the world- had to laugh as Dan asked me if I could hear the parrot on the line which I couldnt- she said it was weird cos it was saying everything she did but in a funny voice- it was the sattelite echo of her own voice!!!! Love it Dan!

Video- Ireland at its best

2009-10-03T10:36:00.004+13:00

the fiddling is for Danni- to show you what you can achieve with LOTS of practice! And Sam- from here irish dancing days although not sure it ever looked like this video!! lol

DAY 18 BUNTRATTY CASTLE CEILIDH EPILOGUE

2009-10-03T10:07:00.006+13:00

Ok, its happened again or "the Chief" as they all call him now, was pulled up on stage AGAIN for a wee bit of irish dancing at the banquet evening! It made you laugh until your lips stuck to your teeth!

Gill the Irish in him came out well again (thank ye God for the jugs of red wine he said!)

He even made the host pronounmce "Ngaruawahia"- the host who as uncanninly like Rene out of the programme "'Ello "Ello!!

Very funny and Graeme is now world famous on the trafalgar bus?!! Then he led them all in a few favourite irish songs, ending with the Fred Dagg song "If it werent for your gumboots where would you be"! Oh dear................

DAY 18 DUBLIN -GALWAY- LIMERICK

2009-10-03T05:56:00.007+13:00

Up at 6.15am this morning after ok sleeps. All the rooms have interconncting doors and we had americans next door last night- gee they talk loudly, have their tvs on loudly, slam doors loudly! So as we left after breakfast, I switched our tv on - loudly- and left it! (Made me feel better anyway lol!)

On the road out of Dublin and stopped at an old whiskey distillery for a cup of tea/coffee, then on the road to Galway for lunch. We passed through Ballinasloe which apprently has its famous horse sale tomorrow. People come from all over to buy and sell the big beautiful clydesdale like horses they have here.

Lots of roadworks here, must be Irealand, we were held up for about 20 mins in a queue controlled by an un-manned stop sign, while the one road worker hacked at the bitumen with a pick axe???!!!! In the end our tour director got out of the bus and stood in the road directing traffic to get it going again!

We also have a new driver Gordon for these past 2 days- a young very irish, irishman! who speaks fluent gaelic. He is so lovely and funny compared to our miserable old Mike- someone asked Gordon to stay on today !! He jumps out and have a few quick puffs of his smoke at every chance, then back in and he is off again!

Stopped in Galway for lunch, zillions of teenagers everywhere I think due to the university but they were all really good, didnt hear yelling, swearing etc- really well behaved. Graeme chose another charm for my pandora bracelet as I have one from England that has a pattern like the english flag. This irish one has like a shamrock on it- will be good to get one from each of the bigger countries we visit.

On to Limerick and we are staying at the Radisson- very flash and I now sit at the desk in the room in the big leather office chair!

We are off to a Ceilidh ("kay-lee") tonight, think that is about storytelling?? and also a meal, so should be good.

We really notice how much like NZ, that the Irish countryside really is- you look out the window and could swear you are back home!

Who is reading??

2009-10-02T09:49:00.002+13:00

Just had a look at the site counter- 407 have read it, but only our loyal few are commenting! Very intruiging! Come on guys, leave us your cheek and names so we feel loved- haha!!

DAY17 - DUBLIN

2009-10-02T08:55:00.012+13:00

Had a sleep in today until 7.15am because we were staying in Dublin for the day today- just as well as was up till midnight getting the blog etc on last night after the show!

We had a lovely Irish lady come and take us for a tour around the city which was great- very interesting but slow as all the taxi drivers were blocking part of the roads, protesting about something. The guide told us that the Danish Vikings founded Dublon and built the churches etc, so Graeme felt very superior as our group all call him the 'Chief"!!

Had a good look around the city then we were dropped to look at the book of kells which is something very old to do with someone writing the 4 gospels??!! Anyhow we (6) went round the shops then over to the famous guiness factory as we had pre booked tickets to get in.

Really interesting and over 5 floors. It was very well laid out and showed you all the process and equipment. Then up to the top floor to the 360 degree 'gravity bar' for the free pint of guiness and a total view of Dublin city. Tried my first real guiness- the pic says it all- eg/ Gray got 2 pints~Spent an enjoyable hour or so after that in their restaurant, then down to the shop for a spot of light retail therapy.

When we came out there were big horses and buggy rides so we took this into town- it was great. The horse looked like a clydesdale but a little smaller and apparently this breed can be used even when they arent gelded- so we had a stallion! He was beautiful.

We passed a post box like in our other 'at arms length photo' already posted but being in Ireland, this one is green so of course had to get a shot (tourists!)

When we were dropped off in the temple bar area, we shopped a bit more and wandered aorund then Graeme, me and Jen (Gaye and Jen are mother and daughter from the gold coast) heard a guy singing and playing guitar in a pub we were passing, so went in for another guiness. This guy was great and played us all the rock songs- could have stayed there permanently.

Have him playing on video so I told him he will be world famous in NZ! Thats the stuff you cant plan and leaves a great memory about Dublin- they are so friendly there too.

Also went past the Clarence hotel which the band U2 own, it used to be run down but let them play there when they first started out and were trying t get a break, so they wanted to buy it when they became famous and could afford it! Its the building in the last photo.

Then we walked back to the hotel, cleaned up then to the hotel restaurant for an enjoyable meal.

Tomorrow we are off to somewhere else in Ireland- not sure where, hoping the master farter further up in the bus who stinks out the bus all day long- reins it in cos Pete bought us an air freshener which Graeme is going to stick above the sour old bugger if ihe does it for the 4th day in a row,

Oh and heres something Irish- everytime you give blood here you are given a pint of guiness, not a bikkie and a cup for tea- AND all Mums in the maternity wards are offered and given guiness after they have given birth!!!!!!!

DAY 16 LIVERPOOL – DUBLIN IRELAND

2009-10-01T10:49:00.008+13:00

We have all learned to lay our heads down on the pillow at night and….gone! Even the poor sleepers are crashing within minutes.

Up at 6.15am and off at 8am this am. Heard that Samoa and the pacific had a tsunami warning after a big earthquake and that 100 people are dead?? in Samoa. Went on to the internet and it doesn’t look like it has caused problems in NZ though and the email from Dad today didnt mention it, so all must be well??

We drove to Chester and stopped in this very quaint town and had a walk around the river and streets. Then on to Wales and stopped for lunch in agreat little pub at a town that contains just a train station- but to put it on the map it hosts the longest place name in the world (apparently).
Pronounce this- “Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch”
Which translates to”the church of Mary in the hollow of the white hazel, near the fierce whirlpool and the church of tysilio by the red cave” gasp!!!

Back on to the coach and down the road to Hollyhead at the port and on to the huge ferry. 3 1/2 hours over to Dublin. We all just sat around and talked and watched the men trip over the step into the mens loo’s!

Arrived into Dublins rush hour at traffic at 5.30pm and crawled for over an hour straight to the dinner and cabaret optional, which was just about too much for many- we were fine though, but happy to get there. Wasn’t time to stop at the hotel so we were all in our travelling clothes- a little shabby bur not a lot we could do.

I notice that Dublin is full of street signs on all the power and light poles about political issues and voting about them, really noticable here they are pushing for different issues on the euro, political parties, doing away with democracy (?really) etc.

Had a great meal then the show which had some professional singers- the mle tenor was incredible. They also had Noel Mc Ginty who is probably in his 70’s and has been touring for over 30 years. Lots of one liners and very funny. The irish dancing was top notch in the country that invented it.

Back to the hotel and now 11pm- a long day but we all agree you do so much more on tour than if you were on your own.

Liverpool

2009-09-30T18:57:00.002+13:00

Meant to say yesterday- Graeme is now firmly in love with the city of Liverpool. He said it 5 times how neat a place it is which is a lot for him! It is lots of huge old warehouses that have mostly been converted and refurbished, while keeping the nautical theme of the old city. It is so well done as you can see from the pics yesterday.

There are beatles shops all over- apprently they are making more money now than when they were all alive and a band!

DAY 15 GLASGOW- LIVERPOOL

2009-09-30T05:51:00.014+13:00

Spent the night in the hotel with millions of but -but- but hindu indians as there is a guru here, starting a retreat in glasgow, and they have all come to help him set it up. Thats fine but they are so noisy and inconsiderate- talking loudly and constantly slamming doors???

Anyhow a good brekky then on the bus at 8am and off to Gretna Green where you can elope to get married and if you find a local, it is legal for any one of them to marry you, but the blacksmoth shop was the most popular place to do this. So we married off Pete and Sharon in front of the shop this morning- albeit the local jp was kiwi Graeme Collis- was very funny!

Then out of Scotland into the lake district in England- no big fanfare when you cross borders! We stopped in some little town while some went on a boat cruise- we group (6 of us) wandered around looking in shops.

Tried on some sporty wellys for Cath- Graeme made me do so, so he could take a photo for her and 2 english women also shopping there started loudly going on and on and on about it to each other- "we wouldnt do it but obviously they would" etc. Felt like telling them to find something really important to loudly whinge about!!!

Then back on to the bus for another couple of hours. We are finding it a bit tedious at the mo as not sure if trafalgar is cutting back but much fewer things happening on this tour, you just drive for hours without much to stop and look at, that would leave a lasting memory compared to our other tours- plus we are sandwiched in the back between two sick people - one of whom is a middle aged kiwi lady who has coughed and sneezed for 3 days without cover ing her mouth.

Wont be impressed to come half way around the world to be made sick by another kiwi~!! Had a really sore throat when she was sick but managed to stop that with immunofort but now a canadian lady in front of us is really hacking and sick and we are getting all blocked up- bugger!

Cant really do much about it though in a coach, but a lot of people have come onto the tour chesty and hacking which is a pain in such close quarters.

Other than that, it is all good and we move on Ireland tomorrow with a 2 night stop in Dublin (the home of mothers milk Graeme makes me write!) We will be meeting Karl our Irish friend there, which should be alot of fun!

Note the pic of MORE lollies or sweets as they call them, in a shop window for you Danni- will make your mouth water!

Hey where the smart comments??!

2009-09-29T08:32:00.002+13:00

Am disappointed- I expected lots of flack and comments about Graeme doing the gay gordon- WITH the proof in the pics lmao!!

Bring it on NZ!!

DAY 14- ISLE OF SKYE – GLASGOW

2009-09-29T08:23:00.007+13:00

Had a fairly ok sleep with a 3 foot spring in my ribs last night, the beds, water pressure and smell of cat pee in the rooms all added up to the fawlty towers name- even the sign outside apparently had one of the letter held on with sellotape!! All that for £120 p.n! We all reckoned our room stunk of cat pee cos the Gestapo last night made us a wait a couple of hours to get our room primarily because she was putting all the hotel cats in our room to pay us back for taking the mickey out of her?

All happy to leave- although it had given us all lots of ammo for jokes, and off into the Scottish highlands a bit more- towering craggy peaks and waterfalls, all looked great in the rain and cloud.

Travelled to a little town for a tea break bout 10.30am and the 6 of us that all joke around a lot all ended up in a pub quite accidentally at the same time for a cuppa and this elderly welsh man next to us, starts talking cos he likes the laughing “cos its better than crying!”

Then he tells us he is Welsh and starts telling us where to visit there, Then bizarrely he is in the middle of a sentence and half way thru ups the octave and screams out the last half of it???!!! (We ‘re all going “hurry up Sharon and get out of the loo so we can get out of here”!) then the man stands up and comes over to Pete, Sharons partner and places a big heavy mitt on his shoulder and asks him if he can sing us a welsh song- like he could leave if he wanted to??!!
The man proceeds to sing this lovely-ish song which gets louder and louder and louder and everyone is now looking- We got it on video which doesn’t do it justice.

Such a bizarre occurrence that you couldn’t have planned, but so funny (although as he is finishing the last cords we are all already standing to get our jackets on as he was also just a little odd & erratic and his poor wife was hitting him to shut up!)
Couldn’t work out if he was half cut from the night before or what??

So after this we all semi-run back to the bus haha! And on to another town where we stopped at a lunch stop that I thought was called the ‘green willy’ and I’m thinking “eeeuuu, that’s not very appetizing”. Turns out it is the ‘green welly’ ………..oops!!
We had the traditional lunch there called cullen skink- a smoked fish haddock soup with potatoes and onions- Very yummy and great in this type of wet weather.

Travelled another few hours and into Glasgow after some of the group had a boat cruise, which we waited for and had a nice walk in the gentle rain (see we are accustomed to Scottish weather already!)

Had a look round town in the bus but all pretty tired by then 6pm as we had been on the road since 8am. Takem to dinner and were perked up firstly by the vinegary wine supplied then by the better grade alcohol we purchased. Spent the meal planning a wedding for Sharon and Pete- technicalities like no JP or wedding outfits- not a problem!
Then back out to the bus- after stopping for a photo with a weird statue of no historical importance I feel. He was huge and rounded like the michelin man, apart from one timy appendage!!!

Up to the Jury inn hotel and after Graeme had a word with the tour director about having views of the back of a kitchen, the road and the carpark so far in the hotels! He arranged for us to be on the 11th floor with a view of the Clyde river- No-one else is at such a height- very giddying!!

Now finally at a hotel with wi-fi internet, cheap at £5 for an hour (!) cos we need to post after 3 days with none. Now Gray has just come out peeing himself laughing cos the whole shower head came off in his hand and the water shot across the 12 foot bathroom and hit the wall!!

DAY 13 LAGGAN – ISLE OF SKYE

2009-09-29T08:21:00.005+13:00

Woke to what they call “getting knocked up today” Literally the hotel owners walk down the corridor bashing the walls going “wake up call, wake up call”. After putting our hearts back in our chests, we were all up and downstairs for brekky.

On to the bus at 8am and we drove through Inverness to the battlefield of Culloden, which was very like Waiuoru (cant spell it?!) Very bleak with a freezing wind that lends to the atmosphere and bracken and boggy land. You could just imagine 1500 Scotsmen charging into battle, to be mowed down by grapeshot. The tour director also said an effective combat maneouvre the english were taught was to bayonet the Scot on their right not the man in front of them, to take advantage of the scotsmans swinging arm being exposed as he swung his broadsword. But it was one of the places you want to say you have visited and respected.

Then back on the bus and along the very winding road past loss ness (no “nessie” today) where we stopped beside a castle on its banks for lunch. Slight disaster for the tour director- he had rung ahead and booked us in to one of the few places that could cater for a bus load for lunch and then another Trafalgar tour guide brought his lot in just in front of us- and he hadn’t booked = a very long queue, but it was ok. Had leek and potato soup and home made bread for lunch £3.75 each which is really cheap compared to other days.

By now the weather had really closed in, you wouldn’t know it was the end of summer/early autumn here. It was far more fitting in these surroundings than a sunny bright day! Was really glad to get to the hotel though as our bus driver, who is grumpy and never speaks, was driving like he was just out of the starting gates through the hills then get jabbing on the brakes. We all reckon his tip is decreasing rapidly!!

6 of us who weren’t doing the 3 hour peninsula drive were dropped at the lobby (so glad we weren’t doing that long optional on those roads). Turned out it was a group we are becoming very comfortable with 4 aussies with lots of humour, so we were all really pleased to be free at 1pm for the afternoon. Since it was the middle of nowhere and it was raining, we had to sit in the bar for a few drinkies- of the stress of it all!!

The tour director told us prior that he had rung ahead and told the hotel who we all were, so they could get our rooms ready, but upon asking the very rude braun Hilda on reception informed us without any nice-ities that the rooms weren’t going to be ready until 3pm (none of them??)
She was then named “the gestapo’ by Gaye who is travelling with her daughter Jenny and off we went from there. Had a hilarious couple of hours at her expense and told lots of funnies in between!!! Pete and Sharon from Sydney are really lovely people and Pete can do accents like Graeme, so we had a ball !

Went back and freshened up, then back down to the bar at 5pm for a few more drinkies until a 7.30pm dinner which was lovely. We have decided that this hotel should be renamed fawlty towers as there are a lot of similarities, not the least that the bus boy who bought the bags up was also the cook and then the waiter at tea??!! Could be a scary thought!

Graeme has noticeably blossomed from the usual quiet guy everyone knows, to the life and soul of the bus- has definitely relaxed and morphed into a comedian- wearing his new tartan hat complete with horns and false hair, onto the bus which caused a meltdown of laughter to telling them that his Scottish workmate says (in a perfect scots accent) that “you are only gay if you push back” Oh dear..!!

But an excellent day overall and are getting to know some great people now that we are all loosening up!

DAY 12 – EDINBURGH – LAGGAN

2009-09-29T08:17:00.010+13:00

A hot night in the hotel last night- everyone has found it very stuffy and the air conditioning cant be altered. The one thing we have all noticed too is that there are no top sheets, so it’s a feather duvet or nothing. Has been the same in both England and Scotland funnily enough.

Have to say we both love Scotland. Whether that is to do with it being so like NZ (it is true) in its landscape, or if its cos our family roots are here, I’m not sure- but it is very comfortable for us.
We were able to look up the names of the fallen Scots in their war memorial official books at the Edinburgh castle and there were many Hislop’s Dad, noticeably in the first world war- less in WWII though.

Anyhow, we left Edinburgh today at 8am and on the road to St Andrews, which the golf nuts amongst us were excited about. For everyone else, it seemed as though a huge amount of money is spent there on; a game of golf 120 pounds and pastel coloured cashmere jumpers etc!!

We then travelled on to the smallest whiskey distillery in Scotland where we were taken on a tour, interesting as their equipment as the original used since the 1920’s and the last of its kind in the country. The bales of malt you can see int hepic with Graeme weigh 1500kgs! Had a taste of the single malt and the whiskey cream- very nice too Huck da Noo!!!!!!!!!!

We left there and travelled to Pitlochry, a fantastically busy little town, full of tourists. Had a bit of an upset tummy after out Kurdish dinner last night for some reason, so after lunch we went for a gentle walk down to a hydro dam, then walked out of town a bit and found a stretch of green grass to lie down on in the sun as it was a gorgeous day- not very Scottish at all!!
We also talked to a lady who had a big long haired shepherd like Shylah- had to have a pat and take a photo. She was lovely and wished us well on our travels- they must get a few NZers over here cos they are never surprised that we have come all that way (or I don’t think they are as I canny understand a word they say!)

Words for the day in scots pronunciation – a film is a “fill-em” a DVD is a
“dev-e-dev” and a worm is a “will-urm”!!!! Love it – AYE they teach us to say instead of yes!

After 3 hours there we went another 45 mins to the hotel at the start of the highlands which is literally in the middle of nowhere and the most charismatic hotel by far as its not a chain. A family run place facing the towering peaks (although as usual we have a room facing the back- what is it with that??!).

Had a lovely meal in their huge dining room that’s all glass fronted and then an earli-ish night at 10pm! No internet here so will post this later, but wonder as we move further into the highlands if we will be lucky to have any internet access??

DAY 11- EDINBURGH

2009-09-26T00:07:00.003+12:00

Well as you can see from the pics of last night, a good time was had!!! Graeme was teased all the way home by the jealous men (mostly aussies of course!) who didnt get to dance with the pretty scottish girls!!!

Have had lots of trouble trying to get onto the internet at the novatel- fantastic room but what a sham, with the staff- who strangely are all indians??!!. We were up till midnight trying to get onto their rather expensive wi-fi in the room as you couldnt use a hardrive on the pay one downstairs. Every staff member gave us different answers- end result, it wasnt working!! We were beginning to fret by this stage haha, so went downstairs and posted on your comments page back to everyone- hopefully you saw it??

Today we had a tour around town and then to the massive and imposing Edingburgh castle with a charasmatic scotsman, complete with kilt. He was very funny and told lots of stories as he took us round. Then he told us to move in closer so we could all hear him and it was very cold, so we crowded in and he said "oooh ye can get in closer lassies", so I did, then he said he always got close but no cuddles to the 49 strong group, and they all just stood there so I stepped in, in typical kiwi manners and gave him a big cuddle- was so funny.

Then even better- I dropped my umbrella quite innocently under his kilt- end result Uproar!! Anyway he took us round then we looked through the castle and all its buildings- so so old ("bloody old" Gray says again when I ask how old it was!!)

We were then set free and we decided to walk back as we wanted to shop. I bought a ladies kilt, very cool anmd will look good with boots (now just have to find them!!)

We are going to wander back now as are in a Mc Donalds which we dont usually eat, but found they had free wi-fi YAY! so are posting now as we wont be able to get on later. Not sure when next on but will as soon as we can. All is really good here- having lots of fun and meeting lots of people!

Meeting Michelle this evening for dinnmer which will be great. Now on to walk around and listen to more of those grrrrrrreat scottish accents!

DAY 10 – YORK – EDINBURGH

2009-09-26T00:00:00.010+12:00

Up at 6.15am today after a good sleep and we decided to go for a walk before brekky. Went down to the race course- Danni you would have loved it, very posh stables and massive!

Then breakfast- again full English if you wanted it - and yummy. Then off at 8am into the centre of York where we were set free for 2 hours. It is a beautiful city, so very old with a wall running around some of 9it which we were able to walk- like being on the rampart (?right word?) where they shot the arrows thru the slits during battle. The cathedral (s) was pretty amazing too and so many of them apart from the main one.

Back on the bus at 10am and off down the road. We stopped at a piece of Hadrians wall, but not the one I remember the photo of Mum holding it up when they went as our one today was very low due to people taking bits away! But the tour director said it is 75 miles long.

Then we walked up to the pub called the Swan at “Heddon-on-the Wall” which was very quaint for lunch of vege soup and sandwiches and of course an ale!!

On to Edinburgh- took about 3 hours- haven’t travelled as far but there are no motorways at all in the north and driving towards Scotland its all long narrowish roads that were like a rollercoaster, up and down!

We have contacted Michelle my cousin as the highlight dinner night has been changed to tonight so we are going to meet her tomorrow for dinner. We are going to a “true Scottish night” (for tourists though I bet!) where they have the ode to haggis and tasting before dinner and a cabaret show- not sure but will give it a go (the haggis) – will report back tomorrow!! The internet has been very expensive in the hotels, hence why no posting yesterday. It was 15 pounds!!!! Today in Edinburgh only 6 pounds for an hour – eek! But know the kids/especially are waiting for the blog and we feel as though our right arm has been cut off if we cant get on regularly!!

10.30pm- just back from the Scottish night- was excellent food, angus beef was melt in the mouth stuff! We had haggis so now we can say we have tried it!! Very strong and peppery. Graeme loved it- I was very allergic to the sausage meat as I thought I’d be, but it was worth a wee bit of an itch!

Then Gray was pulled up to dance the “Gay Gordon” Lmao ! wont let him forget that!! He was pulled up for all the dances- I say because he was at the front- he says it was because he is so good looking!A great night they put on anyway- thoroughly enjoyable- I loved the piper the most, cannot explain what the sound of a lone piper does to me inside…..

DAY 9- Start of Trafalgar Tour. LONDON-YORK

2009-09-25T23:55:00.006+12:00

We were up bright and early this morning, we are still waking early but now at 5am, so not too bad at all. The hotel were great and let us have breakfast before it officially started, then we walked over to the tour office ready for a 7.30am start. But they had 5 hotels to pick up from for those getting the transfer so we didn’t leave until 8.30am. But luck is on our side- the bus seats are allocated and we have to front seats, bodes well for the luck as I think even with the seat rotation we will end up back at the front at the end of the tour!

Getting through the London traffic was a bit slow, but we were soon off- passed a residence on the edge of London city where Margaret Thatcher lives and apparently she has 24 hours security for the rest of her life. Poor cops who do it- SO boring standing outside the gates.

A full bus of 49 – nationalities were 34 from Aussie, 4 Kiwis, 2 Americans and 9 Canadians. Our tour director Richard seems like a nice guy, very professional. He looks very much like Adam Clayton- the bass player from U2, even down to the smile!

We stopped in Stratford-upon-Avon at Anne Hathaway’s cottage for the tour group professional photo then on to Shakespeare’s birthplace at 12pm for lunch.

Had a 2 hour stop there and looked thru Shakespeare’s birthplace (house) and around town. Danni I looked everywhere down the streets for that giant teddy bear we took the photo of you with, I went into a travel agents and asked the man there and he said the shop it belonged to closed down L We consoled ourselves with some lovely fresh fruit on offer at the local shops!

Then back on the bus and to Coventry which has 2 amazing cathedrals- one old and just the outside shell from being bombed during the war- the roof was wood and burnt but the stone walls remain. Coventry was pretty much flattened during WW II as it housed an ammunition factory which made it a target.

There is also a big military funeral on today for a local soldier who died in Afghanistan, so there were lots of older soldiers- think they were the Lancashire` Fusiliers’ regiment with the tall red and white plume on their cap. (Dad was my great grandfather in this regiment?)

Three hours up to York as the traffic was slow- the bus is like riding on a silky cloud compared to the megabus and other public buses on offer !!! Get into the hotel- a holiday inn and lucky again- we have a room right at the end which is quieter! Nice room, standard hotel but the rack rate here is 184 pounds a night What?? Ridiculous!

Then down for a drink and welcome dinner at 7.30pm before hitting the hay- tired!PS/ The meal was fantastic, pork chops or salmon with lots of veges and cheesecakes for dessert- washed down with a few beers of co

DAY 8 Proper

2009-09-23T06:30:00.007+12:00

After all the too’ing and fro’ing of this morning finding another hotel (and meeting the lovely and very funny hotel manager Patel!) Graeme decided we were going to walk walk walk today- and boy did we. We were buoyed half way through by stopping for lunch (prawn and avocado salad for me and hot meatball tortilla for Gray) and stopping for a pint each in a pub (after 12pm

at least!) and walked for 6 hours today, around 20kms. It even looked impressive on the map.

We walked up to Hyde park and saw the NZ memorial, then up Park Lane (oh la la) to Oxford street (yes it is still Very long Danni!) then through all the back lanes which were delightful. Due to the oyster transport cards absolutely disappearing- no doubt to be found back in NZ we walked the whole way and it was great.

Walking back through St James park, which is beautiful we discovered our first squirrels- charismatic, cheeky little things with amazing fluffy tails and then later another first for dinner- we went to a Dim Sum restaurant. Not knowing what or how to do it, the food was great- and apart from needing a knife and fork for me, we did admirably. Dim sums are SO delicious. Definitely on the list to take the girls to when we get back as I think there is one in Hamilton.

So a surprisingly great day and a few firsts today- Graeme absolutely loved walking around all the back lanes and discovering what was down them, then people watching out the window of the pub.

Now packed up and ready for our tour, we are going to walk to the Trafalgar centre as we are 4 blocks closer now to it, so shouldn’t be too much of a problem with the suitcases. It is literally half the price of the other hotel and while not quite as finished, is really clean.

The reception area when we walked in this morning smelt just like it used to when we stayed up in Awanui at Grannies and they had soaked the oats for porridge and cooked toast! The other omen that it was the right place to stay was our room has the exact same photo as we have at home of all the steel workers back in the 1930’s, sitting miles up on a beam having their lunch!

Day 7 Birmingham-London & Day 8 London

2009-09-22T19:57:00.006+12:00

We had an easy morning this morning- Matt had to go to work poor guy, but we mooched around then Michelle took us into Worcester and we wandered around the shops for a bit.

Then across to Birmingham with our massive prawn and salad sandwiches for our lunch on the trip- thanks again Matt!! They were fanstastic!

The trip this time cost us the princely fee of 2 pounds in total for the 3 hour trip back to London- Megabus is like the Naked bus at home- cheap but more like travelling in a toyota than a BMW but absoulterly fine and very comfy! Cannot complain at that price!

We got back to London in 2 hours 45 mins thanks to our kamakazee driver (these guys should get stress money for fitting the buses through Londons narrow streets!) and got our next apartment back at the hotel- Huge in comparison to the loft flat last time but OMG - smelt like there were dead bodies under the floorboards- it was overpowering sewege/blocked drains smell. Being a basement aparment it is more prone I guess?

We went out and met Leanne and Jim from home and had a great meal and a catch up at an italian restaurant- so weird to be together here at the same time (they both work in the new born unit at Waikato hospital), then we all came back to our apartment but the smell was no better and you just couldnt breathe anywhere in it. We went back to reception and ended up moving to another hotel room for the night, then today they offered us another room as they are all booked up- but it has single beds- NO way we are on our honeymoon!!!

So we went out and walked around, stopped in a few hotels and found one with a very funny indian man who asked us to come back in 15 mins as they were fully booked but may have one come free- which it did- a great triple roon with large sash windows closer to where our tour starts and 40 pounds cheaper.

So we are now in the process of packing up again! Gray is not particularly happy to have to do all this but it is so much easier to just wander aorunmd when you are here and pick where you want to be. I quite enjoyed it!

A last day in London then we are meeting to start our England. Ireland, Scotland, Wales coach tour tomorrow at 7.30am, so might not be bale to post for a day or 2, but all is well!

Cya

Haha Danni you have just emailed us as I do this saying no blog today!!! be one tomorrow tho I think cos we will beon the bus all day. !

DAY 6- Worcester & The Cotswolds

2009-09-21T06:13:00.013+12:00

We all went to bed after 10pm last night- a Miracle to get past 8pm!!! We sat in the kitchen and talked and had drinkies and more drinkies, while Matt served up 3 fantastic courses throughout the evening - lovely!

This morning we all read the Sunday papers then headed to the Cotswolds to the town of Broadway- picture postcard perfect with olde worlde charm and a beautiful blue still, sunny day to boot.

We walked thru the fields on a walkway- past horses that Danni and I would love, they were Huge boys and obviously used in the hunts as there were huge fields with jumps & fences all leading off. Would love to have ridden today!!!

We aimed to walk up to a castle but feeling very anorexic we decided to wander through a lovely lane, looked in an old church dating back to the 1600's, then wander back to a pub and have traditional fish n chips, hot meat pie and of course a lovely ale each! Such hardship!

Walked around the town and looked in shops afterwards, note the pic of the couple who had threir dogs all on little deck chairs on the grass ?? for everyone to come and take photos??!!

Later, we drove up to the castle and looked at the fantastic views then back to Worcester for a lie down and watched tv (the same property development shows with Sarah Beeny that we have at home).

A lovely day overall, we are all tired after the drinks and late night last night so nice to just gel. It has been so nice to be here with Matt and Michelle again - and now the charasmatic and charming Jack! and we have been looked after beautifully again.

To be out of London's manic bustle is actually nice too. We think that next time we would travel around the many beautiful counties and towns that England has to offer, as this is our 2nd trip to London and feel we have 'been there done that' in the big city. The pace out of London is a lot slower and more relaxed.

Tomorrow we head back to Birmingham then on the bus back to London for 2 nights before our coach tour for 16 days.

DAY5 London -> Worcester

2009-09-20T07:09:00.002+12:00

We did our usual last night (crashed at 8 pm, party animals we are) and awake at 3am. What is it about that time?? The English girl who is doing her gap year at Southwell said she experienced the same thing when she arrived in NZ, waking at 3am every day- anyone know why that is??

We tidied up and had brekky in the hotel, then took our suitcases to their lock up room as we decided it was silly to lug two heavy suitcases to Worcester for 2 days. So much easier with just backpacks. Caught the ‘megabus’ bus for the princely sum of ₤ 5 in total up to Birmingham. Worth doing your research before you come.

We were laughing that it is so weird that I sat in Ngaruawahia and booked the bus seats we are now on for England- technology! We have seen lots of people showing the bus drivers their tickets on their i-phones as they do it all online on their phones.

We are an hour and a half into our 3 hour ride to Birmingham to see Matt and Michelle who we met in Fiji in 2006. Then back to Worcester where they live for a couple of nights. Will be so great to catch up.

And Leanne Baker who I did my nursing with and Jim her hubby have just txt’d to say they have arrived in London this morning after coming straight thru from NZ. Hats off to them- that is a wickedly long time to be up and travelling. We are all going to catch up for dinner on Monday as we are staying just a few minutes apart.

Later- had a good trip up to Birmingham- 3 hours. Satisfaction is riding along on the M1 listening to Dave Dobbyn. Matt and Jack picked us up and off to Birmingham- what a character Jack is at 17 months. A strong sense of humour shining thru straight away!

Picked up Michelle at home, then we went down to the river in Worcester and strolled along the riverbank- so like the Waikato river but nicer. Having an amazing cathedral added to the atmosphere, so we stopped for a pint in the sunshine then went thru the cathedral. Michelle said a part of Harry Potter was filmed here- can believe that no problems.

The pics today are of a wonky tudor building in Worcester on our walk and also one of a sweets shop- taken especially for Danni- looked far more yummy than the photo suggests!

Back to the house for a lovely sit in the kitchen with a few drinkies and sounds like an amazing dinner to follow- thai salmon I have been told- Matt is an amazing chef we remember from last time.

DAY 4- London

2009-09-19T05:19:00.012+12:00

Well we lasted until 8pm last night before eyelids kept falling down on their own like we had been anaesthetised ! (the 2 beers probably didnt help) so we crashed and woke once at the usual 3am, but a really good sleep last night overall. Check out the photo of the view out of our bedroom window at dawn this morning- the rows of chimney pots are great! (Broke out in a sweat twice in the night it was so warm too!)

We got up and walked around to the hotel for the lovely breakfast and had a call from Dad and Danni which was great- long gone are the days when there was a huge lag on the line between the countries, which would see you talking over each other- it sounded like they were just down the road! Dad, you sounded like you would be happy to be here right now and we know Danni would too!!

Walked just up the road to Victoria coach station to suss it out for our bus ride to Birmingham tomorrow. Looks easy enough. It is really noticeable tho how many public service front people are either terribly disinterested or just plain rude- bus drivers, check out operators etc. Some seem very, very impatient with the general public and are quite arrogant to a lot of the customers- think they should change their jobs in this case- being in the hub of London with so many tourists!! Never mind, dont have to live with it.

We went to the imperial war museum this morning and decided to walk there. Doing this we have seen so much more of the back streets of London and we are happy to walk fairly long distances, just seeing the 'real London'. On the way we passed the Westminster Cathedral and went in. What a fantastic church it is- free to go into and at least on a par with St Pauls we both felt, which was about 20 pounds for us to enter. The cathedral reminded me of the huge ones in Istanbul, beautiful and elaborate. Managed to get photos again (no flash used!)

Spent a good couple of hours or more at the war museum after the cathedral, looking at displays on all the wars. Note the pic enclosed of Graeme standing next to a copy of the first atomic bomb 'little boy'- amazing something so small could cause such devastation.

Was a really good museum if not a stark reminder (we both left the halocaust display as the photos were so painful to look at). There was a lovely big park next door with huge old trees in it that we sat in afterwards in the sun.

We caught a bus back to Oxford St and wandered around with thousands of others, looking at the shops. Check out some of the shoes on sale in the pic today- wild!

Wanted the loo and after standing in a 15 min queue to get into a disgusting airless Mc Donalds one, I left and we went to a pub. Graeme felt he could buy a beer so I could use a clean loo (!) Such consideration lol!! But at the cost of $14 for a bottle of Sol, he said he will be getting whatever is on tap from now on!

We bused back to Victoria station as we were shattered again! still not quite over the jetlag/time change. Went to my beloved marks and spencers and bought a salad for me and 3 pizzas that came together for dinner-for him. Graeme has managed 1 1/2 of them on his own!! Not sure where he is putting it all??

A tidy up tonight and then off to stay with our friends Matt and Michelle in Worcester for a couple of days from tomorrow and to meet their new addition since our last visit- Jack, then back to London for a couple of nights.

DAY 3- London with a beer in hand!

2009-09-18T03:56:00.017+12:00

Our first day in London- we were so dead tired but could only sleep for 3 hours at a time last night, despite the most incredibly comfy bed. You are right Cath- the room is small but the one we are staying in when we come back to London next week is apparently the biggest of the 4 apartments. It is very quiet too being at the top
(4th floor)

We walked a couple of mins round the corner to the hotel part that has the rooms (not apartments) and the brekky is included- a full english breakfast that is truly full - y.u.m.m.y, thick bacon, sausages, mushrooms, eggs, tomato, toast, cereal and fruit- Good find!! Set us up for the day and now at 5pm we have only had a biscuit all day cos we were full!!

We decided to try and use the buses this time as much as possible since we used the underground all the time last trip- and this way you see more. Jumped on and off 5 buses today - their public tranport is superb as you can get off and on for 1 pound, which makes it easy even if the bus isnt a direct one- there are always more that can get you to where you want to go.
Went past buckingham palace for a lookee and wandered thru the park with the deck chairs in- lovely old oak trees and sycamores- texted Sam and Mum (are you getting our txts Mum?).

We followed a map that had tourist places on, and then realised when we got across town that we should have been looking at the blue route numbers, not the red and we were in the wrong place haha!! No stress tho to get over to St Pauls cathedral- is that where Princess di's funeral was?? It was really good and even tho there was no photography I managed to get lots of pics (Gray just couldnt being himself to take any cos he Cannot do anything illegal!! - I only got told off once too)!

We climbed over 750 steps to get to the top of the dome as far as you could go and man are our calves telling us! Got jelly legs, so had to go recover with a iced chocolate (me) and a beer corona (Graeme)!

Then wandered around London- Cath the pic of the wellies is for you, we thought of you straight away. There was also a faux fur wellington 'muff'! cover that went over the top of any gummies that you would have loved!!

Made our way over the british musuem and went thru there again- great exhibits, really love the egyptian and greek rooms- see the photo of the "bloody old" (Graeme ) claw handled glasses from 100 AD.

Feeling a bit numb, we went to a sainsburys and got indian and naan bread to heat up for our tea and 2 large bottles of heineken (for 3 pounds- at half price it said) then back to our apartment- soooore feet but a great day where we saw heaps.

Sitting here with a beer and lovely dinner, free wi-fi internet, its pretty good!!

PS. we are answering your posts on the day you posted them!!

PPS. forgot to add that the first familiar face I see this morning outside Victoria station is David Bain! Knew he was over here after the trial and thought about going up and saying hi, but decided that it was a naff idea cos it would be awful to have strangers approach you and act like they know you well!!

DAY 2- THE REST OF IT!!

2009-09-17T18:16:00.009+12:00

Phew- what a day and now we sit here on the other side of the world than all our nearest and dearest. Miss you all, family and friends already, but onwards and upwards!

We had a great, great flight this leg- modern updated plane with all the bells and whistles, so more comfy and we are in the zone so to speak now! The flight time flew and only watched 2 movies this time, "The proposal" with Sandra Bullock and "the Hangover", both very funny.

We both spent a few hours with eyes shut happily, if not sleeping then peeking out the window at Russia and Mongolia- vast vast plains of land. The secret too is not to look at your watch for as long as you can, I lasted 7 hours haha!

Funny for the day, Graeme opened his salad dressing for his salad and had a whoopsee and spilt it on his favourite F1 t-shirt- down the bottom right. So he squeezes into the miniscule toilet and takes it off and washes it best he can. He comes back out and I couldnt stop laughing (somewhat manically I notice, so maybe Im tired??) The water had run all over the top of the t shirt and he's now got it back on- look at the photo added- he was soaked!!!! Moral of the story- dont take your spare shirt out of your backpack lol!! I did offer him my spare t shirt that reads "define naughty"!

Having said all that, Graeme has discovered a new love- korean food, very spicy and lots of flavours. He had this stuff called bibimbab I think it was, lots of flavours with rice and chilli and seasame oil and some new veges we dont know!

We arrived at heathrow about 4 or 5 am NZ time and went thru the jungle of passages- thank god for the fast track express cards they gave us (become an E.U national and the line was even faster) then found the national express coach place where a fairly unhelpful lady and I got thru transport tickets- things have changed since 2007. Funny we were both speaking the same language but I could hardly understand her and vice versa!!

Anyhow got to the bus- really easy and the london one goes straight to victoria station for 5 pounds pp. Asked the driver if he would tell us where to get off and he cracked a big smile , hesitated and said "Yes of course madam" Duh, guess if did sound double ended!

45 mins to the station then spent the next half hour wandering around semi knowledably, Gray trying to get his bearings- be warned google maps arent always correct!! but it was just getting dark so wasnt too bad and we got there after walking in the complete wrong direction for a bit- asking a Bobby cop and then we finally got there- after being asked for directions by a polish man- blind leading the blind.

But no stress really. I dont know how we did it last time tho- new to it all and with a child and 3 suitcases?! Danni was obviously fantastic from memory.

The apartment is tiny by NZ standards, right up the top on the 4th floor (very steep stairs and no lift- was interesting to watch us lugging the bags I bet) but very clean and comtemporarily modern. Photos enclosed today- cya

DAY 2 - KOREA -> LONDON

2009-09-16T14:40:00.012+12:00

We got to bed about midnight NZ time last night- after checking for emails from home and posting the blog for family. Feel like I have had my breath denied if I cant get access haha!! Pity it costs about $13 an hour, but hey thats the price it is and actually last time if was often alot more than that, but with having our own laptop and one now that is so small and lightweight, it is so easy.

The Hyatt regency hotel was great, really clean.Take a look at the photo of their glassed wine cellar- it is huge. Graeme would have loved to have sat in there with a bottle or two!
Rooms were great too- Bed VERY hard but strangely not uncomfortable and we slept until 3am (6am NZ time) but went back to sleep. Was SO great to lie flat and have showers. Dont know how those that go straight through do it for 24 + hours. Both our heads feel like they want to explode (well not quite that bad) but getting off and into the fresh air is great, coupled with a break in between- then we land nice and fresh not shattered. Maybe our heads feel the pressure more cos we are so brainy??!! haha

We went out for a walk around the hotel- vast areas of nothing out by the airport, but we werent near Incheon city to be fair and there is a shopping mall but shut before 10am. Think the develpoment all came about after the world cup soccer and the olympics. Wasnt anywhere near as humid or muggy as Malaysia was either, which was good.

Now taking advantage of the free internet access in their prestige class lounge, while we can before boarding for London in 1 1/2 hours, then 12 hour flight, bus to Victoria station maybe 40 mins and a few mins walk to the hotel!

Day 1 -Incheon, Seoul Korea

2009-09-15T23:13:00.008+12:00

We are on a 777-200 plane on the first leg of our trip and had read a review last night on the Korean business class seats, where a guy on a long haul flight to Korea said that you got the old style bus. Seats and the only entertainment was a tv screen at the front of the cabin. Thought “hope not”!
Anyhow, get on board today and yes the seats are the old lazy-boy style but wethink that’s ok, they are softer than the newer lie flat ones, and OMG! There is only a miniscule tv screen at the front!**!!!*!!*!

Was thinking of having a little hyperventilation attack at the thought of 12 hours and no tv (What?? In business class we’re thinking?) but then discovered there were personal screens in the arms of our seats- phew! That reviewer must not have found his!!

Now relaxed and happy, we are fed a 5 course meal for lunch – how do people eat all that?? and watched the new star trek movie and night at the museum 2.
Korean definitely isn’t as up to date with technology like Malaysian airlines were in 2007 when we flew, but Im not complaining.
If you ask you get toothbrush/paste, comb, mouthwash, slippers, eye patches and my favourite- little cans of atomized water to spray on your face (just like in the movie ‘the castle’, where this amazed them on a trip to Bali!!) By the way, has anyone ever noticed how hairy your face looks under the lights in those airplane toilets??? Scary!

Walked down thru economy for a wander and see no personal tvs at all- bummer, but at least half the seats are empty so there’s heaps of room for people to spread out. Probably half the bus. class section is empty too I notice.
It was still daylight outside (12.30pm) but everyone is in the dark going to sleep. I gave Graeme fucidin cream to put up his nose (nurses will understand why!), so he gets me back by putting both his fingers up his nose at once- to at least the 2nd joints lol! Boys………

Landed 20 mins early at 8.50pm NZ time- loooong flight at the time, but kept reminding myself that Dad always soaks up the excitement of travel and never complains about the time spent in planes- so I wont either!

We were transferred to the Hyatt Regency hotel for the night (very nice) - given dinner, breakfast and lunch vouchers for tomorrow! We have gone back 3 hours here, so its 8pm Korean time but we are almost ready for bed!

First half of the plane long haul down! yay, the plane was SO hot in the cabin, you didnt have any air vents and in the end they turned it down to 22C ! No wonder we were feeling hot and headachy!! Tomorrow we are on a new style plane with the lie flat seats and movies we can control individually, games etc.

PS/ I open the internet in our room to post this blog and see that my favourite actor Patrick Swayze has lost his battle with pancreatic cancer- sob.....

We really are off now!

2009-09-15T08:17:00.002+12:00

Day 1 Auckland->Seoul Korea

Hi everyone,
well the day is here at last! Well actually it kind of crept up on us in a hurry and now we are off! Having been so busy with the organistion of Sammys 21st, we werent focused on this trip so much, so a nice surprise to hear the alarm at 4.30 AM !! (Thanks Korean for changing the flight to leave 2 hours earlier !?@#!)

We decided to walk down our driveway in the pitch dark to wait for the shuttle as he rang and was running 10 mins late.
We looked so funny-it really was pitch black and the suitcases didnt particularly like the gravel all the way down, and they were so eager to go that they almost pushed you over going down the hill! was funny. I have a photo of Graeme leading the way- will post it later when I can!

We were very lucky to have the whole big transit van shuttle to ourselves at a cost the driver tells us,is half the price of hiring it exclusively- so that was a nice start. Very chatty guy and a quick trip up to the airport.

We werent so spoiled this time to walk past a huge queue at check in like last time- the economy queue was tiny too!!

Now in the koru club and had a great breakfast- Gray had 4 croissants with his eggs!!
He is now chomping at the bit "boarding in 5 mins Wee's, finish up" Yes Dad- Im off then and will post somewhere in Seoul hopefully in about 12-15 hours!!

Cya :-)

We're off (Almost)!

2009-09-13T13:26:00.003+12:00

For those who we didnt have email addresses for:
please leave us comments anytime cos they are great to receive when you are so far away!!
Remember the blog works chronologically, so start from the bottom and work up- newest posts on the top.
Our itinerary is listed below.

To post a comment click on the blue "comments" icon under the days post.
Type your comments in the box provided then choose an identity.
If you dont have a google email account you can just click on 'anonymous' and remember to put your name at the end of the comment so we know who it is!

When we answer peoples posts, we will put it under the same days comments as you have posted on, so just click on 'comments' again to see any replies from us.

You can also click on the photos individually to blow them up (unless we end up condensing them if they take too long to upload overseas!).

Anyhow, Looking forward to hearing from everyone over the next 2 months- cya when we get back! Cya Denise & Graeme

The Europe Itinerary

2009-09-12T14:39:00.002+12:00

We fly out on the 15th sept to:

London via Seoul Korea
few days in London
To Worcester (where the sauce is made) to see friends
Back to London for 2 nights
Do a 16 day Trafalgar coach tour of England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales
Back to London for a night
Fly to Genoa Italy to start a MSC Cruise of Spain, Portugal, Gibraltor
End in Barcelona for a night
Fly to Rhodes, Greece for 4 nights
Fly to Madrid for 1 night en route to
Casablanca Morocco where we do a 9 day Morocco tour with Insight tours
Fly to Barcelona for 2 nights
Start a MCS Cruise of the Med- Tuniscia, Malta, Italy, France
Fly to Madrid for 4 nights
Fly Madrid/Amsterdam to Seoul Korea overnight
Fly Seoul- NZ arrive 16th Nov home again

Phew!

The last counter went wonky, so trying again!

2009-09-12T14:09:00.000+12:00

Free Counter

Butterflies

2009-08-09T19:05:00.007+12:00

A few changes! Have posted some photos of our trip to Butterfly Creek in Auckland today- some great coloured butterfly's!

Countdown to the big Europe trip!

2009-08-07T16:21:00.013+12:00

Hi everyone- Graeme thought it was time to start the countdown for our trip overseas! and we see now that it is only 38 days away! Eeeekkk. We are flat out getting our property all tidy and the outside ready for the party the week before we fly out. Wise or not?! (we will find out as the time comes close!)

We are having a "5 in 1" party to celebrate Sammys 21st, Graemes 46th, Danni's 13th birthdays plus a house warming and pre-europe party ALL rolled into one!

We will also send out an email just before we go overseas to remind people how to post on the blog once we hit the other side of the world- those comments last trip
2 1/2 years ago, came to be something we really looked forward to each day.

The itinerary for the trip is a bit manic- so much to see and you want to make the most of it! Even so it had to be pruned back country wise.
We fly out on the 15th sept to:

London via Seoul Korea
few days in London
To Worcester (where the sauce is made) to see friends
Back to London
Do a 16 day Trafalgar coach tour of England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales
Back to London for a night
Fly to Genoa Italy to start a MSC Cruise of Spain, Portugal, Gibraltor
End in Barcelona for a night
Fly to RHodes, Greece for 4 nights
Fly to Madrid for 1 night en route to
Casablanca Morocco where we do a 9 day Morocco tour with insight tours
Fly to Barcelona for 2 nights
Start a MCS Cruise of the Med- Tuniscia, Malta, Italy, France
Fly to Madrid for 4 nights
Fly Madrid/Amsterdam to Seoul Korea overnight
Fly Seoul- NZ arrive 16th Nov home again

Phew!

Around Home

2009-05-17T08:38:00.005+12:00

Yay we have finished the pool and the renovations of the master bedroom and are enjoying having such a big room!! Have also had solar tubes put in the hallway and toilet roofs which makes a huge difference to the light coming in.

The pool fence is now in the midst of going up, then the lawn and pool gardens are next- Getting there!

4 months till our trip to Europe- lots to organise and look forward too

our travel map- where we've been & where we're going

2009-05-02T18:22:00.001+12:00

Agia Pelagia, Greece

Crete, Greece

Yasawa Island, Fiji

Kusadasi, Turkey

Hinton, United Kingdom

Nice, France

Cassino, Italy

Chania, Greece

Lourdes, France

View my profile

Create your own travel map or travel blog

Travel Info at TripAdvisor

Lots to Do at the new property!

2009-01-01T18:46:00.011+13:00

We are getting there, in the 2 months since we moved in we have got the pool (mainly) in, the builder booked for Jan to alter the master bedroom, the gorse booked to be sprayed, a new tv, new bbq and new computer- (Graeme is a happy boy after waiting several years for all those!)
The animals have settled in well, Elvis (cat) is loving not having to be locked in every night to keep him away from neighbours avaries ?!@#!!! and Shylah, although 12 years old, half blind and more than half deaf now, is very happy here now she has stopped being disorientated and walking in to the windows!!

The trip to europe is all booked too-now later in the year due to me knee but YAY..... My knee is not what it was by a long shot after my accident in Vanuatu but at least it looks better healed so heres to a healthier and less stressful 2009!!!

Our new home is in a really good spot that is so perfect for entertaining friends and family and once we get the outside tidied up and landscaped it will be great!

We had a great new years with Gary and Claire over as well- a very relaxed and civilised 4 course meal affair- lots of laughs and great company to see in 2009!