NB. Lack of photos owing to the wonderfully frustrating temperamental antics of my new Sony camera. Sorry. ... I had intended a stay here of several weeks.. and now, only a week or so after my arrival in Oz, I am ready to leave, gladly packing my bags for departure tomorrow... So, the story goes: -- SYDNEY -- ...Having had no inclination to come to Australia, I now know why - every one of the high expectations I held of Sydney have been deflated like balloons at the end of a great party (the party being NZ)... Admittedly this may be [View Full Entry]

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-- NEW ZEALAND -- I'll update this blog as I travel around the North and South islands of the country. The story so far: -- MANUKAU, AUCKLAND -- ...seeing as I landed here in Auckland NZ on the 28th January, my recollection of events are blurred and incoherent though probably more consise. In any case, the fact that my intended three week stay in NZ has already extended to more than double that time, says much for itself... ... I departed Rarotonga ready. Ready to move on. In part because of my discomfort with the familiarity of the locals, partly [View Full Entry]

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... 17:55 Muri Beach, Rarotonga. I have been on the move now since 09:00 EST. Though the miles travelled, the time zones crossed and the jetlag accrued, nothing compares, nothing at all to the distance in emotion, and personal endeavour... ...The South Pacific Ocean. A seemingly endless stretch of turquoise blue - the sight and symbol of tranquility itself. And somewhere, just east of the international date line, rising up magestically through the clear waters is a volcanic island. Dense, deep...LUSH. Fringed and softened by a ribbon of white sands stands Rarotonga. The whitish colour sandw [View Full Entry]

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I'm not sure which is more challenging.. living the dream, or writing about it. I'll try: ...It reverses. As this huge powerhouse virgin atlantic boeing 747 prepares for lift off, so do I. And as I stare out of the window, with tear stained cheeks, I fly out of LHR with the utmost conviction that this journey holds more than I imagine possible... ...As the plane made it's descent through the clouds, I caught my first sight of the Atlantic ocean - a vast, dark and dangerous blue, carpeting the earth's surface.. and then.. land. The US of A. Landing at [View Full Entry]

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Okay, so perhaps not the most exotic of locations, but memories of the cool sea breeze sweeping off the sea front is sufficiently scrumptious for me to write a travel entry. .."sunshine through my window, that's what you are... my shining star" was an apt track to be playing in the car as we drove from London to Brighton. Although unfortunately for Anthony, it was my company and not Gabrielle's that had to be endured the length of the motorway! There was lots of traffic for a new year's eve, but, as ever, I had plenty to keep us entertained! So, [View Full Entry]

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As I stepped wearily off the 7009 Eurostar from London to Paris Gard du Nord, my eyebags looking and weighing like the luggage I struggled through the gates with, I had the distinct feeling that on this trip Paris would offer more than she ever had before. I was greeted by a familiar smile and a warm hug, and happily handed over my luggage to Aleem before we sped through the streets and Metro lines of Paris (or rather, he sped and hazily I followed) until we arrived at the hotel : Pavilion de Paris - a contemporary place, with a [View Full Entry]

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