http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Emma and Greg/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Emma and Greg en-us Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:10:47 UTC Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:10:47 UTC Home now Thought we would update just to complete the blogWe decided to book a couple of flights and make the most of our last week. First stop San Francisco. Accommodation was really in a great location next to Chinatown just a couple of blocks from Union Square. We found another chain restaurant to replenish our tired selves set out to look like a 50's diner with plenty of arteryclogging ch http://www.travelblog.org//North-America/United-States/California/blog-274929.html We are now back in the UK if this comes across a little confusing. Unfortunetly internet well computer access is quite hard to come by in the States. Seems laptops are one of travellers essentials nowAfter a short bus from Vancouver and much probing by customs much like a five year old 'why are you going there' 'why are they family' etc we finally got to Seattle. Interesting city if a http://www.travelblog.org//North-America/United-States/Oregon/blog-272362.html A little cooler than we have been use to Vancouver was still nice and sunny when we arrived but a reminder that we have now entered another season with all the views of snowcapped mountains surrounding the city.Our hotel was great backing onto stanley park and a short walk to the heart of downtown all for 25 quid a night We spend the day preparing for our five days skiing shopping for cold weat http://www.travelblog.org//North-America/Canada/British-Columbia/blog-272358.html Its been a while since we have had the chance to update some of you may know we left NZ a fair while agoSo the bad weather persisted although the crossing through the Strait from Picton to Wellington was quite smooth. One of the planned stops was Himatangi Beach for some kiting and even though the weather certainly was not going to allow any outside activity we needed a rest from the long jour http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/blog-268129.html Well comparerd to the other international flights we've endured Melbourne to Christchurch was a piece of cake so short it was great Though it was pretty cold when we got off the plane a far cry from the heatwave in Melbourne.Spent our first 2 days in Christchurch had a wander round the city botannic gardens the museum coffee see picture very culturalWe went to pick up the campervan http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/blog-259109.html We had an initial stressful day in Melbourne our only day may we add trying to sort out accomodation for the grand prix weekend we had booked with the Claremont Hotel in South Yarra but they lost our booking and wouldn't do anything for us yes that's the Claremont Hotel South Yarra we do not recommend them Such a shame after our great Oz Experience trip. As you can see in the picture http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/Victoria/Mornington-Peninsula/blog-255661.html After meeting up with Julie surprisingly easily at Singapore Airport considering there are 3 terminals we made our way to a quiet surprisingly warm Sydney. We couldn't have gotten more central with our hotel well done Greg it was great for walking everywhere which we certainly did plenty ofSo glad we didn't miss out on the grand final of the National Sausage Competition most amusing on Da http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Sydney/blog-253894.html The night previous to travelling to Palawan the group went on another bender in Boracay minus ourselves either we are boring or sensibleWe knew we had an eventful half day of boats jeepnees and planes ahead unbearable for some seeing the state they were inAll went pretty smooth apart from the having to unpack all our luggage on the runway due to our western body weights hitting the kg limit http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Philippines/Palawan/Busuanga/blog-251161.html Arriving at Manila airport a quick intro from the hotel and then a short transfer through the city. So nice to have everything arranged thanks Marrem just sit back and watch the madness The others were due to arrive from the UK that evening so we just enjoyed the cloudy but hot weather for the afternoon.The following evening we were all invited to the Claveria welcome party all treated like http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Philippines/Boracay/blog-250994.html Just a short entry as it was only a short stop in HK.After a long flight even longer for the people who were continuing onto Sydney of 12 hours we arrived in Hong Kong. Public transport's a lot better than Plymouth as well trains from the air port regular taxis and a really cheap tram system going up and down the centre all day.Got scared by really expensive designer shopping malls but then http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/Hong-Kong/Hong-Kong-Island/blog-246788.html After a stressful Saturday of packing and sorting out the house we finally set of for the long first leg trip to Wales. Stopping off in Cheltenham for a nice Sunday roast with Tom not a morsel left for Sid we carried on driving toward the amazing sunset.I hope we see more sunsets like this replacing the rolling Welsh hills with the deserted islands on the Philippines or the dramatic rising http://www.travelblog.org//Europe/United-Kingdom/Wales/Poppit-Sands/blog-245237.html