The day has arrived....the time has come.....the waiting is over....and indeed, quite possibly the occasion that you've been dreaming about but at times thought would never come.....yes ladies and gents the waiting IS finally over so pop the champagne corks as I give you......my final blog...... Heading back to Rio Prior to getting to Rio I had a cheeky stop over in Santiago which was pretty uneventful another than not being able to find a sushi bar at 11pm (strange cravings, but true) however I managed to notch up another Macds in yet another country, not that I was counting (Taylor hope you are tho, yeah?). Then an early flight to Rio followed in the morning. Back in Rio and I got lucky with my accommodation checking into Margarida's Poussada for what would be the longest ... read more

So where was I.....oh yeah leaving Brazil after a month of sun, sea, and (luckily) not getting robbed at gunpoint....Anyway with fond memories I bid farewell knowing that it wouldn't be long before I'd be back in Brazil (cheers Qantas). But in the interim came a brand spanking new country in the shape of Peru and something known only by locals in the know (and, er billions of Western tourists every year)....as The Inca Trail.... But before Peru, I managed another brief visit to BA (again...Qantas) and you've guessed it, I notched up my 12th South American footy game with another trip to El Monumental to watch yet another local derby, this time River vs Independiente. For those interested, River starte.....eh? you what? not interested?....oh Lima After an early flight during which I slept thro the ... read more

I know I know, as another blog trundles along the production line and drops onto your screen you were probably hoping it wouldn't come 'quite' so soon after the last one. Yeah sorry bout that....but as Freddie Mercury said (before he died): 'The Show Must Go On'....and he was right (about that bit anyway, not about Fat Bottomed Girls making the world go round, that's just plain sick in my book). Back to warmer climates Anyway back to the travel story (aka The Show)....and it was (in a Geordie voice) 'Day 236 on the Ginger world tour....and junk food cravings were getting to G as as it had been nearly 3.5 weeks with no Macd/BK/KFC...but luckily back in BA airport and he had the choice of 3...but only 20 mins before his shuttle bus arrived, what ... read more

Antarctica - Background So, Antarctica....the White Continent....the Seventh Continent (depending on which classification you use).....but more importantly (for me anyway) my home for the next 11 days. But what can I tell you about the place to kick things off? Well: -Over 99% of Antarctica is covered with ice, which equates to approx 90% of world's fresh water -It holds record for coldest (-89C) and windiest place (320km/hr) on earth (hopefully this record would still stand after my trip) -If it's ice sheets melted, the world's oceans would rise by 60-65 metres (not good folks) 'That is all very impressive' I hear you say 'but will you get to see penguins and polar bears?'...and what's that?...you want more facts?...seriously? ok... -Of all the Continents, it is the most isolated (no natives) and the highest average ... read more

So, back to Auckland and without a car it was tricky getting to the leafy suburbs of Mount Eden but manage it I did and there was even time to load up on some culture and take in the art gallery before my flight to Queenstown the following day. As there were no rooms at the (BBH) inns in Queenstown I rented a car and drove in awe at the amazing scenery as I headed thro a place called 'Paradise' on the way to Kinloch. The journey was made better as I only came across 3 cars during the 1.25 hrs that it took me. I checked into a cool hostel which was on a lake with an outdoor hot tub. You're thinking 'mint', and you are indeed correct... Te Anau Next up was the trip ... read more