Auckland, New Zealand (the city of sails as it is also known) - home to 1.3million people and a strong presence of Maori, European, Polynesian and Asian cultures. It’s the gateway to New Zealand and probably the starting point for all who arrive. With the population being so low, its refreshingly easy to access all the city has to offer - the sky tower being an obvious choice amongst tourists and residents alike. As cities go, it’s in a pretty impressive location surrounded by more than 50 islands and shaped by 49 volcanoes. Our itinerary allowed us to be in the [View Full Entry]

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What could be said about Australia soon after arrival from another country? hot weather maybe?.....how about the flies? - they're particuarly rampant this year..........nope, its the cost of living. Australia has to be right up there in terms of how much things cost. Sure you can get fair dinkum deals on alot of things (that goes for most countries), but in general, especially Sydney, the cost of living is going through the roof. It scared the life out of us when we were told that for a 3 night stay in Kings cross (yes, thats the seedy, drug infested, hooker haven [View Full Entry]

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China was always going to be interesting in more ways than one. Our arrival into Beijing, however, could have been better timed. It was the first day of a week long national holiday which means all major attractions and methods of travel throughout the country are either fully booked or not worth paying for due to the crippling masses of Chinese people eager to make the most of their precious time away from their increasingly demanding jobs. The first thing we noted on arrival into the city from the airport was how rigid and military like the guards were. There's a [View Full Entry]

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From one hot country to the next. Our 2am arrival at Indira Gandhi airport in Delhi could be compared to a visit to the morgue. Painful 'supermarket' music could be heard in the background on a loop, and the only other noise breaking the eerie silence was the neglected un-oiled wheels of the trolleys provided. After a considerable wait for our bags, we were on the lookout for a guy holding a board with our names on. At this time of the morning, we wasn't expecting an overly enthusiastic driver, but we were made to feel as welcome as George Bush [View Full Entry]

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There are two words that come to mind when you first touch down in Hong Kong in August and that is HOT and HUMID. We arrived around 8am thinking we would get to our hostel before it started to heat up. We were of course very wrong and we had to endure a 30 degree heat with 88% humidity whilst carrying our backpacks. Every building and mode of transport has air con as standard so we were offered a temporary rest from this unforgiving heat by way of a bus trip. We were heading to Tsim sha tsui where we had [View Full Entry]

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So we have arrived in Johannasburg after an uncomfortable 19-hour journey from Cape Town. Our aim is to visit Kruger national park. This park is the size of Israel and is home to a multitude of animals including the 'BIG 5' - Buffalo, Elephants, Lions, Leopards and Rhino. Its a 500km drive from Jo'burg and as part of the tour, we visited some interesting spots along the way including 'gods window' (called so because of its endless landscape and uninterrupted views). Bourke’s luck potholes, which was once occupied at the height of the gold rush, (ironically, Bourke didn't discover [View Full Entry]

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Well its been a week for Lisa and I in South Africa now where we have been subject to 4 seasons of weather in just 7 days. We were prepared for bad weather as it's winter here, but we were really surprised at how random the days are. One day it could be clear blue sky and what we regard as beach weather (around 23 degree's), and the next it could be torrential rain and showing no sign of letting up. We arrived in the rain on the 28th July and at first glance, it was nothing short of where we [View Full Entry]

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Apologies for the late blog. Lisa and I have been indulging in the endless offerings that SA can give you. We thought it rude not to try some of the more traditional food they have here such as Boerewors, (a mildly spicy sausage). It was a thumbs up from me but lisa was already looking to see what else was on the menu..................ah yes, 'the menu' - it was one of those large brightly lit menu's that sits nicely above the counter, behind perspex, (kinda like the ones you get in the large fast food chains such as Mcdonalds). However, there [View Full Entry]

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