http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Celine-and-Scott/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Celine and Scott en-us Sat, 05 Dec 2009 22:56:24 +0000 Sat, 05 Dec 2009 22:56:24 +0000 Second week in Osaka and the heat has only mildly abated...After Nara we visited Yoshino with Michael Jessica and the girls and played in the river before launching fireworks... Sumiyoshi Taisha temple was also a welcome fresh break even if we didn't get out of the bustle of the city. Obviously plenty of aikido is being done and the bodies are slowly growing accustomed to it...Still no pictures http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Japan/Osaka/blog-199178.html We arrived in Japan on the 21st August it's so hotWe had a party at Michael and Jessica's where Celine met up with Aya now 2 and a halfWe went on our first excursion in Nara on Tuesday for Scott's birthday.We've been training everyday and the skin has dropped off Scott's feet as per usual... http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Japan/Osaka/blog-197281.html Hi guys this is the end of our little adventure so we can no longer gloat and soak in hot spa baths BUGGERWe ended the NZ odyssey in Auckland pretty well a full circle.We went to Rangitoto Island a marine volcanoe that sprung up 600 years ago just off the coast of Auckland. It's a weird place full of volcanic lava rock but also loads of flora which shouldn't be able to grow there Apparentl http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Auckland/blog-30609.html We left behind us snowy Maruia Springs and the pleasures of immersing yourself in hot hot hot water and left for Wakefield near Nelson to stay with Lesley's parents Ron and Joanne who showed us a good time great kiwi hospitality and gave us a good bed We went for a 4 day excursion to the Nelson Lakes National Park on a round circuit from St Arnaud up along Rotoiti Lake stayed at Lakehead Hut http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Nelson-Region/Nelson/blog-29268.html We left Christchurch and its comfort behind us and headed onto Hanmer with Tim and Les who dropped us there on their way to Nelson.We saw we walked we cycled we bathed the endWish you'd been here Celine and Scott http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Hanmer-Springs/blog-29266.html Hi folksyes we are still alive sorry for the radio silence but I'll blame it on having too good a time and capricious internet connections...Well last you heard of us we had just been dolphin swimming great but we have seen more of the great things NZ has We then left for Christchurch to meet up with our friends Tim and Les in their beautiful new house in Redcliffs on the hills off the Ba http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Christchurch/blog-29261.html We left Nelson yesterday after having been to the geographic centre of NZ. This involved scampering up a hill and watching lots of kids having their picture taken by a GlaswegianThen we left Nelson for Kaikoura arriving in the afternoon and pitching the tent.This morning we got up at silly Oclock 5am yes all you students it does existto go see some dolphins. We were not disappointed The http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Kaikoura/blog-26845.html Up at 8am to pack gear ready for 9am crossing of the estuary at low tide.Going from Awaroa to Whariwharangi on a teeny weeny 4 and a half hour trekPlus 30 minute sprint to Separation Point for the aiki idiot http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Abel-Tasman-National-Park/blog-26612.html From Bark Bay to Awaroa a mere 5 hours hike http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Abel-Tasman-National-Park/blog-26611.html This is the big one folks We slimmed down our backpacks as much as pos 'cos from here on in we would be carrying everything on our backs over 4 days As for the views what can I say..........Oh dear not another gorgeous paradise beach all to ourselves.............. http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Abel-Tasman-National-Park/blog-26607.html We dragged ourselves away from the creature comforts of Louise's accomodation and headed for the South Island via the ferry to Picton. We got the coach from there to Nelson and made plans for our epic journey along the Abel Tasman coastal track Great Walk. http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Nelson-Region/Nelson/blog-26606.html Hi GuysWe've been staying with Louise for 4 days and we're off early in the morning to catch the ferry to Picton on the South Island. Managed to arrange training every night so the gi's have been out of the bag Lisa has been here too so the gals have been my own private harem tee heeEnjoy the pics...... http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Wellington/blog-25903.html Hi allwe have nicely recovered from our epic crossing of the Tongariro pass on Saturday. We took it nice and easy on Sunday with just a hint of walking along the Tongariro river see first pictures.On Monday we made our way down south towards Wellington where we met up with Louise Gabe Pete and Lisa who's still visiting from the UK. We went for a wee excursion in Eastbourne yesterday across http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Tongariro-National-Park/blog-25655.html Hi allhere we are in Turangi chilling out after our epic journey across the Tongariro Crossing. It took us just under 7 hours and awesome views we had Pictures will tell you more than words EnjoyCeline and Scott http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Rotorua/blog-25194.html pictures from the tournament. http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Japan/Chiba/blog-24686.html Dear allsome more great time was had here in New Zealand especially since the weather has changed for the better. From the Bay of Islands and its gorgeous endless beaches impressive kauri trees and rain we moved to the Coromandel peninsula with more gorgeous beaches more kauri trees and sunny weather what more to ask forWe first headed through Thames and up the West side of the peninsula http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Bay-of-Plenty/Whakatane/blog-24684.html Woke up this morning in torrential rain which unrelented for the whole day not a great start...Had planned to go up 90 mile beach to Cape Reinga but in the rain all beaches look the same...So instead we walked through a rainforest of kauri trees the second biggest in the wold after sequoias and the only two things missing in this dark raindrenched jungle were pythons and crocodiles not t http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Bay-of-Islands/blog-23941.html Ahh holidays here we are in New Zealand for 7 weeks of intense relaxing and discovery...We started with Auckland where we landed on Wednesday 13th October. We stayed in a campsite by the beach for the first 2 days Takapuna in NorthShore with Rangitoto island volcano greeting us every morning across the waters of the Hauraki gulf. The sunshine also made an appearance for our walks along the http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Auckland/blog-23783.html