IanMcL

Day 13 Holiday is rapidly coming to a close and we are just starting to get into holiday mode. Today saw a hot and sweaty trek up Diamond Head (really a crater formed 300,000 years ago (or so…..) but tough enough for two ageing Aussies (and a few others I suspect judging by expressions). Anyway, well worth the 360 deg views from the top. We got to the trail head by public bus – which was late and overcrowded as it comes to pass that this particular route only has an hourly service. Coming home we decided not to wait and walked the 4-5 kms back to the hotel. Lunch then Chris did a bit of snorkelling (I chickened out as I didn’t want to infect my forehead with Monday’s op coming up). Tonight we booked ... read more

Much better today. Mastered the local bus system and with the help of Lonely Planet, found a nice hike to a waterfall and beyond through (at last) lush jungle foliage. It was great – and clearly surpassed anything that any of the tours to now has offered. Only danger was that after a fair bit of rain yesterday afternoon and evening, it was very slippery. Managed OK however. That said, the waterfall itself was a little bit disappointing – although the journey made it worthwhile. Perfect day weather wise – although the wind has stiffened tonight. The bus system seems to work very well and we forked out $25 each for a 4 day pass. At $2.50 a leg, that seems to represent pretty good value. Incidentally, we were befriended on the bus by a 50 ... read more

Well after a hectic couple of days in the middle of France in the Burgundy wine district, you find you correspondents winging our way back (by train) to Paris then straight through to Bruges in Belgium for the next two nights. Our two days with Debbie and Phil in Pommard and surrounds were fantastic – if a little hectic. They proved excellent hosts and nothing was too much trouble for them as they organised meals and Phil drove us around the district on the first day. The accommodation was first class as they have done a terriffic job in fitting out the apartment. It is most impressive. Yesterday, after we organised the balance of our holiday on the net, Chris and I took off on foot among the vineyards and into and around Beaune and back ... read more

Bon jour Hello again Day started off well with a swim. The Novotel is working out fine if you disregard the fact that they turn off the AC and turn on the heating. Its fine with the window open instead! Great day already today – and more to come! Then, across to the Gary Lyon station (a hairy experience – thanks Si) and organised our travel, entrance and audio guides for Versailles tomorrow – at about a third the going price. Gotta love the internet! That is tomorrow taken care of. As for today, arranged a day pass for all public transport today (RER and Metro (and buses but we will leave them alone)), and an entry ticket for the Louvre – saves queuing. Happy with that arrangement so we come back and celebrate with a ... read more

Hello all Your intrepid travellers are on the march again! The bargain basement trip from Qatar Airways - so far - so good. Flight was good - checkin a breeze, planes excellent, the changeover at Dohar too easy and landed ahead of schedule. The good is the comfort and layout of the planes. The bad - food. Ordinary, and each dish was tepid at best. But as I have often said, the definition of a GOOD flight is one that takes off and lands sucessfully. Everthing else is a nice-to-have. My high risk strtegy of taking a D and F seats for the long haul worked well as the E remained empty and Chris and I had 3 for 2 seats. Great for stretching out. We arrived in our hotel after 36 hours of travel (including ... read more