Well before starting a new job I thought I'll do a little trip, since I've still have the momentum. Of all the places in Europe, why Rome? I was 9 years old the last time I was in Rome. I sure it must have left a impression on me. I have vague memories and images of Rome. Also, it was my first time in Europe, a stopover on our way to India. Having only spend time in Africa and India, Rome was obviously different. It must have also been a important time as it was translation from life in Libya to [View Full Entry]

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Las Vegas, my departure city. It felt I'm almost home, just one flight away now. We've seen the movies so not much to add about Vegas. Opulence, glitzy, grand, elegant. I felt this place is a world part from all the places I've been. Thinking back to the simplicity of the Pacific Islands. I must admit I felt out of place at first as a backpacker. After few hours it was enough. My highlight, Bellagio casino fountain show. The next day we were off to the road trip! Driving along the route 66 was great, just miles of empty road and [View Full Entry]

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After 4 weeks in Pacific islands, it was always going to take tiny bit of time to get use to civilization again. Actually, I didn't like it here on my first day. It is really big with 80+ cities, everything is far and without a car it's difficult to get anywhere. I was thinking where have I landed! Good to be using internet and making phone calls again :) It is very commercial here but what else did I expect? There is definitely star obsession here. It was sensible to take the city tour. Countless references to movies places here which [View Full Entry]

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I was missing Fiji, leaving it behind on the way to Rarotonga, the capital of Cook Islands. Arriving at the tiny airport was a new experience. It's like a bus terminal with all the shop closed. A nice thing about the pacific region is the welcome singing and ukulele! Looking out at the beach was nice but I didn't find it a paradise. After Fiji we have been really spoilt! The water is a different colour to Fiji. I found the island very touristy. There are resorts all over the island. Only 23 Km in circumference with one road which circles [View Full Entry]

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Bula! It's the Fiji word for "hello" and it's the first Fijian word you'll learn. Arriving at night I wasn't sure what to expect. A few bula here and there at the airport. I was rushing at the airport knowing that I had to visit two offices to sort out the tours I had booked before taking the taxi to the accommodation. I was thinking that the taxi must be waiting and the staff would look at my booking quickly and send me off. I am told there is no rush and the staff were very laid back. I am in [View Full Entry]

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We started travelling north to Napier and made a quick stop at a wildlife center. I haven't seen a real Kiwi and I couldn't leave NZ without seeing one. The bird is much bigger than I thought, really funny when it moves about and it doesn't fly! Napier was much bigger than I thought. It is the art deco city of NZ but after taking many tours and activites I didn't want to do much. Napier had some nice scenery. We were only there for a day and I'll remember Napier for the night out than the scenery. Taupo As soon [View Full Entry]

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Kaikoura Was the stop after Christchurch. It's popular for Whale watching so that's what we did! Whale watching, like any other animal watching requries some patience. Anyway, we did get a sight or two of the whale and the tail. I found the documentry on whales interesting, fascinating creatures, they can dive so deep. I found the Kaikoura to be beautiful with the mountains in the background. Shame it's not winter so there is no snow otherwise a lot of the places would look even more beautiful. I went for a coast walk in Kaikoura and it was the best one [View Full Entry]

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I am now back in Christchurch. The Garden City or the English City. In Queenstown and the most exciting activity I did was the Luge, down the mountain :) Still, great fun and very nice mountain scenery while going doing the track. I faniced a visit to the Ice Bar! Basically a bar where everything is made out of ice including the glass. Next stop after Queenstown - Dunedin. The Scottish city of the south and the name derived from "Edin"burgh. I went to the Cadbury chocolate factory tour, we also got some chocolates of course but nothing fresh out of [View Full Entry]

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First stop after Greymouth, Franz Joseph glacier. I took the half day glacier hike which was really cool. Never been on a glacier before and it was surprising that it wasn't too cold! So far I have been in small towns in the mountains. It's really quite and peaceful. Very good place to get away from the city and relax. The fire alarm system in these towns is interesting. To alert the fireman (who is in the town) a siren goes off so he can come to the fire station. Or that's what I have gathered. A siren went off 4 [View Full Entry]

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Chirstchurch I was staying at the Jailhouse... accommodation. This is the hostel in Christchurch and it has a lot of character. It's actually a real jail converted into a hostel. Taking the taxi from Christchurch to the hostel, it felt like I am back in England. The similar houses, the sound the cars passing by on the road, street names, cricket fields and even breathing the fresh chilled air! It was cold and what a change arriving from hot, sunny and humid Cairns! The next day I went to the city center. I knew NZ was a British Colony but didn't [View Full Entry]

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