Groundhog Day!

We flew to Rarotonga yesterday and arrived the day before we set off, how cool is that?!! So now instead of being 13 hours ahead of London we're 10 hours behind you - it takes some getting your head around doesn't it? But please God I don't end up waking up where I was this morning. It said it was a 'boutique' hotel but was actually more like a Youth Hostel - nightmare! Especially at 10pm + when everything was closed. At least there was fizz in the fridge and even though we had drunk more than enough on the plane we opened that to drown our sorrows.
BUT if I wake up everyday where I am now...I will be a happy girl. They say that Aitutaki is the best place in the world and you think yeah yeah that's tourist talk but actually flying in and you see the lagoon all around the island and then arrive here it really is paradise.
I was hoping to post a photo but am having to use the computer at the hotel - hopefully tomorrow. We have swum in the lagoon and Robert has snorkelled and seen lots of fish including an electric blue starfish. I am a wimp and don't like anything over my face (!) but even I can see everything if I wear my goggles and breathe in!
It's worth checking out the Pacific Resort Aitutaki on Google just to see the lagoon

Goodbye New Zealand!

Well we are leaving New Zealand this morning and heading for the Cook Islands for a chill before we freeload with Richard and Jenine in Carlsbad and we are SO looking forward to seeing them again.
We have really loved Queenstown, it's buzzy withour being too cool for its own good. It feels like a ski resort surrounded as it is by mountains and a huge lake, and of course it IS a ski resort in winter when apparently it is party town. And I can believe that.
Yesterday we did a quick tour taking in the sight of the first bungy jump. We did see 2 jumpers but weren't tempted ourselves. Then on to see the place where a scene from 'Lord of the Rings' was filmed before a wine tasting - yummy!
Hope you are all well and happy. Looking forward to seeing you all again, and it won't be too long now.

Flying High!

We're now in Queenstown and have just had a MAJOR thrill! We went to Milford Sound this morning, early start, long coach journey. The scenery is spectacular lots of mountains, lots of waterfalls. The journey on the Sound itself is great too, and we got soaked - the photo was taken before that (just to prove I am where I say I am and not shirking Ian!) Anyway we were due to fly back on a small plane but due to the weather it wasn't going to be able to take off. There was no way we were going to suffer another 4 hours on the coach so we took the alternative - a helicopter! Now I don't know about you but whenever I think of helicopters I think of big metal things (preferably with soldiers leaping out of them) and then we saw this one....it was a bubble with blades, held 4 passengers and the pilot, and guess who was sitting up front?? It was FANTASTIC! We soared and dived through the mountains and looked as though we were heading straight for them then up up and suddenly the whole of the valley was below us. And then we landed on a glacier - hence the photo. It was the thrill of the holiday for me. Awesome.
Apologies for 2 photos at once, there will probably be no more of me - honest!

Whale of a time!

We flew down to Christchurch on...let me see, where are we now? Oh yes it must have been Thursday (the days are blurring into one a little bit now.)We had been told that Christchucrh is very 'English' and it is: the River Avon meandering its way through the city, quaint little houses, a crappy department store and youths running amok in the evening. Although quite frankly I'm not surprised about the last bit, you should see the school uniform the boys have to wear: shorts, LONG SOCKS and blazers! And when you see strappng 6ft boys walking around like that, well it's just wrong.
Yesterday we went on a coach to go whalewatching. I don't 'do' coaches as a rule as it means making nice with strangers, but actually they were all very nice. The coach driver was great and had the palest blue eyes I have ever seen. He also had a nice line in understatement: 'there's a bit of grief up ahead' = a lorry's just gone over the cliff!
Anyway after lovely fine days we had a day of fog and rain so couldn't see much on the drive up. (Apart from sheep - lovely big fat healthy sheep I'm glad to say.) The boat was very fast and Robert and I thought very smooth but lots of people were going green about the gills before we saw our whale. A magnificent 18m long one spouting out and lying on the surface as sperm whales do before they dive. And then there was his tail fluke as he went. If you're not an animal lover then you won't understand but seeing that brought tears to my eyes and shivers to the spine. It was the only whale we saw but it was a thrill. Not so much on the way back when people were vomiting prolifically and you all know how I feel about that!
A wine-tasting on the way home was fun and then back to The George for a chill.
The day is cold again today. Just going for a wander around Christchurch and we'll try not to get mugged!(I'm only joking it's not really bad. In the daytime.)
I've had to wear jeans and cargo pants for the last 2 days Jules, it's not good!!!

Dodgy Geyser!

It's been a day of firsts and pleasant surprises. As we're in the area of so much geothermal activity we went to Wai-O-Tapu to see what it was all about. First up was the geyser above - Lady Knox Geyser - which erupts at 10.15am precisely, thanks to some added soap! After man's intervention on that front we could be forgiven for a certain amount of scepticism for the sights to come, but in reality they were amazing. Now my knowledge of geology is virtually non-existent so it's over to Stan and Edward for a quick lesson on our return. What I do know is that the landscape created by so much underground activity is nature in the raw. Like a prehistoric film set in technicolour. And there was a Champagne Pool bubbling away too!
However the best thing for us was the mud pool which wasn't part of the area but which mesemerised me so much we stayed for ages. You could hear the mud bubbling, gurgling and plopping before you saw it. And then little mounds in a trembling lake suddenly erupted spurting out great grey plumes. It made me laugh and it was entrancing.
Just as we had to see kangaroos and koalas in Oz so we had to track down the Kiwi in NZ. Sadly it is now endangered so we went to a native wildlife place to see one. Now I'm a bit scared of birds but this one is very cute: fluffy and big and unable to fly, snuffling around in the dark with its long beak. I'm glad we saw one.
On returning to Rotorua we had a stroll around the lake and what a surprise that was. Away from the town it was a real haven of wildlife. I've never seen so many swans before, black ones too.
It's been a real day of contrasting landscapes. A good day. We head off for Christchurch tomorrow. It's been a week since we last went on a plane - and that's a long time for us!

Coming up smelling of sulphur!

These are 2 pics from yesterday - Hot Water Beach and a beach which sums up New Zealand so far - blue sea, white sands and empty!
Drove to Rotorua today - more twisty roads, more forests etc. A couple of things struck us though: since we've been in NZ we've seen a lot more cows than sheep, strange when you never hear about New Zealand Beef. I love cows so I'm always happy to see them but some look terribly bony, that makes me very sad. Also at some picnic areas there were lots of hens running about. Where did they come from? Very odd.
Rotorua is one of the busiest places we've been to yet and a bit of a mish-mash - a long street of shops, bars and restaurants and then a huge lakefront with nothing. That's the best bit because it's nice and quiet.And my God the smell - a waft of sulphur hits you as you drive in and never seems to leave. It's the area of lots of underground activity - geysers, mud pools and the like, that's why everyone comes here I guess.
I had intended to have a run in the gym but felt a bit knackered so went for a swim instead, then we tried one of the private geothermal baths. Now that WAS an experience. It looks like a deep murky pool but actually the water is clear it just has millions of bits of ash floating about in it. And you should have smelt us when we go out! Now I'm not sure what effect the water is supposed to have but sadly I look just the same as I did when I went in. I don't think I'll ever smell the same again though!

Not so Pukka Puka

The QM2 thing proved to be fun, if a little long. The ship is massive and I suppose very impressive. It looks like a cuise ship should anyway. But I guess someone once said that about the Titanic! It was fun following in the flotilla as she left. Not quite so much when our captain seemed hell-bent on being on the last boat following her. At one stage we thought we would end up back in Sydney!
Yesterday we drove down to Panaunui to stay at the Puka Park Lodge. The drive was impressive as always: long mountainous twisty-windy roads. When we arrived at the hotel we were met by a film crew and staff so intent on having their 15 seconds (it was a short film) of fame that we guests were very much an irritant. I'm not sure who the manager is but I'm pretty sure he's tall, has a moustache and goes by the name of Basil.We were told that our room would be 10 minutes. Fine, chance to have a drink, catch up on my journal etc. So we messed around for 45 mins only to be told that the room would be another hour! And so it has gone on...and on...Don't get me started about the meal last night(because it's annoying isn't it Adrian?!) But I do think that Pietr the Porter(yes really) deserves a special mention because if I haven't punched him in his stupid face before we leave tomorrow it will be a miracle bigger than the wine and water thing.
I have to say that the setting of the hotel is superb and our chalet large and airy, but the whole thing was breaking point for me yesterday. It felt like we'd been away from home for a long LONG time.
However today is another day and we've had a great time. We went to Hot Water Beach when 2 hours either side of low tide you can dig a hole which fills with hot water from a volcanic spring below. It was a fun place and kind of unique. I'm pretty sure that kind of thing doesn't go on at Leigh-on Sea!
On our way home we stopped at a lookout on a mountain top which afforded a panorama of forests, clear blue seas and islands in the distance. It was just the kind of view that my dad would have loved.

Late Pics

We drove back from Bay of Islands this morning - lovely views, lovely relaxed drive, until we got to Auckland. What should have taken us 5 mninutes took us more than 45. And why was that? I hear you ask. Well a certain Queen Mary 2 is moored in the harbour. Now correct me if I'm wrong but should a cruise liner like that sail up the Thames I really don't imagine the whole of London would snarl up. Ok so it is her maiden round the world voyage, and there will be fireworks. And at this point I have a big confession to make. I know that I said that massive cruise liners are my idea of a nightmare and QM2 is the biggest of all nightmares, but this evening we are going out on a much smaller boat to view the aforementioned fireworks from the water then watch QM2 sail off into the distance. Cheesy? You bet it is. Could be a really bad 3 hours if the mix of people is wrong and of course there's no way yet of knowing what that mix will be. But you know what, a bit of cheese never did anyone any harm, we're never going to do it again, and besides, what else were we going to do in Auckland on a Saturdaay night?
Have a great weekend.

happy happy birthday Robert

Well happy birthday and hope you celebrated sufficiently and what a way to go to escape us all.Sounds fantastic trip -serenaded by dolphins and sunshine.Love the photos and details of your day to day adventures.Missing absolutely nothing here-so don't rush back.Have a great birthday and look forward to hearing the next installment.with love from Stan Susan Edward Fi

challenge new malden

hi, everytime I try and send note all crashes badly.Ed had 2 hour lecture on sedimentology so hopefully geothermic reactions are next.Sounds amazingly fantastic -very jealous of everything you have seen.Nothing quite like it here though.Enjoy the rest of your time away, and looking forward to the slide show.Love Stan Susan Ed Fi

Happy Birthday Bobby!

No photos I'm afraid as the Internet wouldn't work in our room so having to use Internet Cafe in Russell. A pity really as have some good ones today, guess you'll have to wait until tomorrow.
So, we drove from Auckland to Paihia yesterday and what a drive it was, like Scotland but with lots of tree ferns amongst the spruces. We didn't have high hopes for the place we're staying after a negative comment on the Internet (but don't believe everything you read on there Ian, isn't that right?!)But actually the Paihia Beach resort and Spa is great, right opposite the beach and with a great swimming pool, plus our suite has two bedrooms just in case we have a row!!
The morning started with a chorus of 'Happy Birthday' from Yorkshire which Robert was thrilled about, then it was off for a Dolphin Cruise. Now after our luck on the Great Barrier Reef and in the Blue Mountains, we weren't holding out much hope and an hour in we hadn't seen anything. Then we saw a Bottlenose called Popeye which was a thrill in itself, but better was to come. We suddenly found ourselves in the middle of literally hundreds of Common dolphins. It was incredible and really quite moving. They were leaping and swimming alongside the boat. And even better, we then spotted 2 Fin Whales. We'd never seen whales before so that was a major thrill.
Coming back, Robert lay on the bow and had dolphins inches from his face. He was totally exhilerated. Saved me a present!!!!

Happy Valentines Day

(Never sure whether there's supposed to be an apostophe there or not!)
It's easy to see why they call Auckland 'the city of sails' there are boats wherever you look, from very small yachts, through what they term 'super yachts' (stonking great things - definitely my idea of what a boat should be like) through to massive cruise liners which dwarf the surroundng buildings (my idea of what a nightmare boat looks like!) We sailed around the harbour this afternoon: I kind of like seeing what a city looks like from the water. It's a nice city but not one you could spend a week in. We did discover a nice district called Parnell this morning. It was a longish walk to get there, but worth it. Lots of lovely little boutiques, wine bars and restaurants down hidden little passages. It's a pity it's not nearer to our hotel because that's definitely where we'd be dining this evening. As it is we're maybe going to one of the restaurants on the harbour. The first sign of any red roses though and I'm out of there!
It's been great to hear from so many of you today - a phone call from Pam and Geoff was a nice surprise this morning, the posting from Serena and a very funny Blue Mountain card from Chris and Nigel. Thank you all. You've made Robert slightly older than he actually is because it's not his birthday until Friday, but he was thrilled anyway!
Moving on to Bay of Islands for a couple of nights tomorrow.
Hope you all have a lovely day.

Nearly halfterm

Dear Fiona and Robert

Glad to see you are having fun except for the mossies! We actually saw the sun today.. all sounds exciting where you are...

Three days to go, am ready for a well earned rest, nothing stunning to report except have finally bought a new car, Michael says its a bit 'girly', a Silver Pluriel C3 cabriolet....not recommended on Top Gear but then I like the open top bit and something I can park round Earlsfield.

We are down to Kent on Fri, back Sun then I take Mum and Dad to see Hamish and Liz in Brighton on Mon, my old car is going to be re-cycled down there. Hopefully measuring up for new hall carpet at flat on Tue before it rots completely.

Tim and Teri have come back from their cooking at Ric St in Padstow, seemingly thoroughly enjoyed it so more than likely I will be treated to a re- Acreation.

Unfortunately Jackie's dad has been in hospital with kidney failure but Vic appeared quite lucid last night, might be different when he receieves the electricity bill in 000000

Anyway hope you got your birthday text if not Happy Birthday from afar

love SERENAxxx

Kia Ora

No that's nothing to do with that dreadful stuff we used to drink at the cinema, it's a Maori greeting meaning 'be well' and I thought it fitting as we are now in New Zealand.
Our day started very early in a still foggy and damp Katoomba from where we had a 2 hour limo ride back to Sydney airport. We finally drove across the Harbour Bridge and had a last glimpse of the Opera House. Very sad.
You will be pleased to hear Jennie that I DID have a glass of champagne (and a bit) in the lounge just after 10-ish, then it was a lovely cosy flight on to Auckland. Now the city isn't as stylish as Sydney by any means but we're in a buzzy part of it right on the harbour and it feels like a good place to be.
We're staying in the Sebel Suites which we booked as I was having a panic about having to eat out every night and it has proved to be a good choice tonight as we were tired, not really hungry but just wanted to chill out with a few nibbles and a bottle of fizz (I know, I really must stop!) and that's exactly what we've done - sitting on our balcony watching everyone doing their thing below us. And that's where the photo is taken from.
I am going to sound extremely sad now but I am ridiculously excited that the suite has a washing machine and a dryer so I can get to grips with the laundry which is kind of building up. Anyway enough of that now, let me get back to my drink!
Have a good day. Missing you.

Hard to Bear!

I would love to tell you that the Blue Mountains are absolutely gorgeous but I wouldn't know because we haven't seen any. Literally. We left Sydney in sunshine yesterday and just before we arrived at Katoomba the fog came and has never left. And today it has poured down every single minute. It has been too heavy to set foot outside so we have been relaxing in the comfort of Lilianfels, our hotel. We feel as though we are somewhere in the Cotswolds - afternoon tea, restrained elegance and lots of Japanese people filming everything in sight! We did have a lovely long swim in the rather special pool which we had to ourselves and I discovered that my swimming attire is NOT suitable for backstroke (the maintenance man got more of an eyeful than he bargained for I fear!) On the note of swimming Robert would like me to tell you that we went to Bondi Beach before we left Sydney. It was a bit disappointing really, not the beautiful people we had expected and a bit seedy like any seaside town, but the surfing was very cool.
This is our last day in Australia and we're sad to be leaving. It's been fun but we're looking forward to the next part of our adventure in New Zealand.
Can I just give a general apology for any typos which may occur on the blog or in emails. I don't have spell check on either and although I do try to correct any mistakes I spot I do know that some are slipping through. SORRY!

I am a Laydee...!

We've been in Sydney for 2 days now, so what have we been up to? Well, we've been on a harbour cruise, walked miles across the city (the only way to see anywhere), had fizz outside the Opera House and watched people braver than ourselves climbing Harbour Bridge, we had a fab meal with Jane and her family on her terrace with the city spread out beneath us. We've seen a koala at last, explored The Rocks and done some shopping (well it would be rude not to!)
I love it here because a) anything goes at any time - from the tiniest shorts to the full works with stilletoes (although I've told Robert 'no' to those) b) people commute on boats, how cool is that? c) it seems quite normal for people to be drinking at 10.30 in the morning although (and Nigel I'm talking to you here) I haven't done that myself and d) everyone really does say 'no worries' all the time - and means it.
I will be really really sad to leave here tomorrw. 3 nights hasn't been long enough.
So to the title. Well apparently U2 always stay here at the Park Hyatt whenever they are in town so as we were havng breakfast I said to Robert 'I wonder if there's anyone famous here at the moment' and literally 2 minutes later who should sit next to us but David Walliams and the very attractive actress in 'Neighbours' who used to be a nun (I think, I don't watch it). Now she WAS gorgeous, but...You see I'm not too much of a Laydee to dish the dirt!

Sydney Calling!

Just after I'd posted yesterday we had a blackout on Hayman caused by the adverse weather conditions, which was pretty scary at the time. Then when we returned the room we had notification of a 'cyclone warning' - the peak time estimated to be around 4 this afternoon. All night the wind raged and I was convinced that we wouldn't get away. We dutifully got up at 4.45am, were on the boat at 6.30 (I KNOW - I can get ready in 15 minutes I could have had an extra hour in bed!) the boat was choppy but after yesterday anything was OK then we landed to discover that our plane had been cancelled and the next one (if we were lucky) would leave at 14.30. Even Robert was saying he wanted to come home!
He did get us into the lounge on the strength of a RTW business ticket which made the wait bearable and finally at 15.30 we took off. I have never been so relieved for an aircraft to leave the ground before. But how perfect is Sydney for our next destination?! I love it here. I have seen photos of the Opera House so many times but it sill made me gasp to see it floodlit in reality. And the bridge. and the gorgeous buildings on the harbourside. And the cool bar with live salsa music. And the fact that I rang Jane who we met at Longtitue 131 and she was so thrilled to hear from us that she invited us over to share Friday evening with her friends and family. So after a really crappy day there is a massive silver lining. I like it here!

What a Wash-out!

The Great Barrier Reef - that means calm waters, clear-blue skies, fish nibbling your ankles right?! Well WRONG WRONG WRONG here today. Thank God we are good sailors in a having strong stomachs kind of a way, not fiddling about in the rigging. I have never been on such a rough sea crossing. It was like 'The Perfect Storm' all over again, only not so perfect for us. And 1 1/2 hours each way ...bit of a nightmare really. Poor Robert was all geared up to go snorkelling (well he hadn't quite got into his latex suit but you know what I'm saying here) and then they stopped anyone going out because it was so rough. I was quite relieved actually, because it looked pretty damn scary from where I was standing. Scuba diving looked like the best option, so Martin Groves you'd better pass on your expertise when we get home. You would have loved it here.
Sydney tomorrow. And guess what? They're forecasting storms - fan-bleeding-tastic!
Really really missing you all now.

Pictures at last!

Naked Traveller!

We got up at the unearthly hour of 4am for our onward journey to Hayman Island and that has kind of been how the day has continued. At the airport we were told that our cases were too heavy as the plane was only small so we had to decant some stuff into awful little laundry-type bags and these would follow on the next plane - tomorrow. AND HURRY BECAUSE YOU DON"T HAVE MUCH TIME. So there we were dragging our clothes out for all the airport to see - knickers and bras flying everywhere, it wasn't good. She eventually let our cases go even though Robert's was still slightly heavy. We got to Hamilton Island boarded the very smart launch, had a reviving glass of Bucks Fizz (at 10am) and were then told that we only had 1 piece of luggage - all 4 others would arrive, all being well, weather permitting etc. etc. tomorrow. So poor Robert only has the clothes he arrived in and has had to buy a pair of Crocs as his mosquito bites were too itchy in his trainers. We're both bitten to death and look as though we have measles!
The Hayman Island resort is pretty flash - massive pools, the rooms are all spacious suites, and there are lots of restaurants (but none with any food I really want to eat). It is supposed to be the perfect place for honeymooners but all we seem to have seen so far are drunken Aussie blokes necking great goldfish bowls of cocktails.
It can only get better I guess.

The Rain it Raineth....

I must admit to having my first strop of the holiday this morning. You know it's alright people telling you that 'at least the rain is warm' but it's still wet isn't it? And from 7 this morning it was teeming down. Not fun. Not fun especially as we are leaving at 4.30 tomorrow morning and we were warned yesterday that if the rain gets too heavy the road floods and they have to get a boat out. Really not fun.
But after a grumpy breakfast we got a lift into Port Douglas. And the rain cleared up. As it's rainy season everywhere is very very quiet, which is good. Port Douglas was one street full of funky bars, clothes shops and 'bottle shops'. Great when it's quiet, not so great in the height of the season I would imagine. But we enjoyed it. had a drink overlooking the sea, then came back to Silky Oaks for a a swim in the saltwater pool which is sort of a free-flowing part of the rainforest and pretty cool.
The hotel is very quiet, there only seems to be about 10 of us staying this evening. A meal overlooking the river then an early night - with 'brekkie bags' in the room for us so we don't go hungry tomorrow morning!

Bad Hair Day!

Well it is POURING down here, but I guess you might just expect that in the rainforest - in rainy season!
I seem to be doomed to look crap on holidays. In Zambia I looked like a wreck every day and bloody hell you should see me now! Or maybe I'm glad that you can't. We've been on our rainforest walk which sounded all nice and lovely despite the rain, until we were told to spray ourselves with vinegar because leeches don't like it. EXCUSE ME? So with that, even if a tree kangaroo had fallen down on me I wouldn't have noticed because I was so worried about the blood-suckers. Fortunately we didn't encounter any but were eaten alive by mosquitoes as we were hand feeding some tame kangaroos! Bloody hell this is supposed to be a holiday! Actually it was worth it to see the kangaroos close up. Went on a river cruise and saw some crocs. so quite a good wildlife-spotting day all in all. Especially me looking like a gonk! No photographs I promise you.
Going to hit the gym now.
ps We're staying at Silky Oaks hence yesterday's title!

A Silky Stretch!

We flew from 40 and dry heat at Ayers Rock this morning to Cairns and 30 with 90% humidity this afternoon. Phew! A major surprise was that we were met by a stretch limo for the hour drive into the rainforest - I LOVED that despite myslelf. but no champagne, what's all that about then?! Our treehouse is bang in the rainforest but they assure us that there are no serious bugs around. Will keep this brief as there is only in computer in the resort. And it's dial-up! you may not hear from me for a while!

Going Walkabout!

The meal under the stars last night was wonderful and we met some lovely people. In fact we're hoping to meet up with a couple when we get to Sydney which is cool. The 4am start was actually a pleasure in our fab bedroom. At the start of our drive though I did question the wisdom of it when we spent almost an hour driving around Uluru to find that it looked like - a big rock! However when the sun came up and we started our 9km walk around the base it all made sense.
This afternoon we had another walk, learnt more aborigine tales and had champagne and canapes in a clearing - perfection! More lovely people too.
In all honesty 2 days at Ayers Rock is probably enough but at Longtitude 131....? Well that's another story!
Hope you're all well and happy and not too cold. Missing you.