Dave and Coz's Guestbook

I really enjoyed your Bolivia/Amazon post. It reminded me of my time there. My blog is looking for good travel photos to post. If you have the time send us some at dirtyhippiesblog@gmai.com or check us out at www.dirty-hippies.blogspot.com Continued fun on your travels, Heather

You. Get. Bolivia.
No wonder you love it. For all of the reasons you mentioned and more, Bolivia has become my favorite nation on earth. It's the breath-taking topography; it is the incredible range of micro-climates from jungle to some of the world's highest peaks; it is the variety of amazingly wonderful people who survive on almost nothing in all those niches, almost universally without complaint, and with incredibly hard work. For me, it is also the wide variety of different-yet-delicious foods (sopa de mani, etc. etc) and the fact that for the first time in 500 years, Bolivia has a leader looking out for the interests of her people, instead of themselves or non-Bolivian entities--be they governments or businesses. Also, having been born and raised in the USA, and having traveled more than a bit in the USA and abroad, Bolivia is the freest country I have ever been in--far more individually free than my own country. Oh,,,and double-bonus--Bolivia does not wage war on innocents around the world. I want to go back to live there, and will do so asap. Nice blogging, btw. You obviously 'get' Bolivia. Appreciatively,,,locoto

Chile
Thank god you missed the earthquake in Chile. Reading your blog about the 1960's earthquake and I guess you were writing it!!

phew
hi just read your blog, I'll be following in your footsteps, partly anyway. so glad you haven't been affected by earthquake. how about your house in Portugal, I hope it hasn't been affected by the storms on the Atlantic coast. I've just sent out an email to friends having finally managed to access my inbox but better give laptop back to Terry now... he's a very old friend who is kindly putting me up ... he's also a good friend of Kate who s arriving this eve lots of love darlings xxxx

like the mating story
Great to hear about new zealand but not sure how you saw dolphins mating and how you managed to time them...worrying! Giles

Its very nice and interesting to read your travel diary. Hope u guys have a nice, safe and enjoyable travel. Imran

G'day
Hiya Guys, Just reading your Aussie experiences - brings back happy memories for me. We found out Carla was pregnant when we were in Sydney, so my favourite city in the world!! (I suggested we called Ellie - Sydney - but Carla, quite rightly, was having none of it!!) The bus journey to and through the blue mountains was great too. The Manley beach was cool too. I was going to climb up Ayres rock until we were told it is a really holy thing for the Aboriginies and also the many placques naming people who had fell to their deaths capped it!! I get what you mean by Bondi Beach - it was an anti-climax for me, just felt ordinary. But the other beaches were great around sydney. I remember thinking about the BBQ's that were provided FOC. You both have a great Christmas and New Year x Justin

Australian bit
Ausie sounds as if nothing much has changed in the 30+ years since I was there, at least as far as the outdoor lifestyle is concerned. Do I detect an inclination to settle out there? If so, do it before Feb 2011, as Natalie is getting married in NZ, and it would be great to be able to call in en route!! You off to S. America now? Great blogs all the way round the world. Congratulations, and keep them coming. Have you thought about a carreer in journalism?

At the same time
At the same time this was happening I woke up in the dark morning, stumbled out of bed to the car. It was raining, again as it had done for the last 12 days, but this time winds of 80mph were making it feel much colder than the 7C showing in the car dashboard. On arriving on the M4 just past Newbury the motorway ground to a halt. No reason. I think it was because people cant drive in rain and spray. 45 minutes late for work my largest customer wanted to cancel its contract, my boss wanted more sales, one of my team had gone awol and my blood pressure rose to match the humidity of the surrounding atmosphere. Ariving home late i found my dinner with next door neighbours dog. Wanna swop ?

lost for words
Hi You too it is just so great reading your blogs. I showed the last one to my Australian friend Kim and she was mightily impressed. She has the house in Bali that I told you about. Well done Dave for spotting the Whales after 45 minutes - I think I would have gone all mesmerised and sleepy with very little chance of spotting anything at a mile's distance. Do you know where you'll be at Christmas? Do you have an address where I could send a little prezzie? I do hope you made contact with Kate, I know she'd love to hear from you. She lives in Bermagui, NSW. I'd be very keen to get details fo places you stayed in Lombok and Gilli Islands. Lots of love for now xxx

overwhelmed!
Hi darlings it's been wonderful following (in a stationary kind of way) your travels so far. I loved reading about Ubud, Lombok and the Gilli Islands. Would really appreciate names of guesthouses you liked in Lombok and other islands near Bali. I think I told you that Jayne and I will be renting a house in Ubud next April. It was so great reading of your adventures, knowing I'll be able to explore some of the same places. We've had torrential rain here all weekend though the sun shone through a bit this afternoon and I went for a walk in the woods with friends, following a Sunday roast! Hope the next stage of your journey is as interesting as it has been so far. What are you planning for Christmas??? lots of love for now xxxxx