Jamespenn

Well, here it is, the last blog, the last day of the trip and I have a whole 10 weeks to get off my chest! Not sure where to start really. I have had a great time and seen both the best and worst of Australia and of other travellers! Add to this, my mixed emotions in leaving and it makes for a hard blog to construct! I had to take the enevitable 'group-trip' in the Northern territory, but thankfully it wasn't the 'get-a-long gang' chaos that some of them become! I have also travelled on my own which has been a refreshing change and allowed loads of impromptu stops! So here goes.... I spent a few days in Melbourne on my arrival in this ex-convict land, staying with friends that I used to work with ... read more

Another update already eh?! Well the truth is that in my advanced age state I forgot some other details which may be of interest.....or not! There was another activity in NZ, more tame than the flying but great fun. Jet-boating down a river which was 4cm deep around the old gold-rush area. The journey in was as interesting as the boating, following the original road that was constructed by the miners in the late 1800's. One very unexpected event was playing ice-hockey! There was a winter rink set up outside the hot springs on the south island. It was great to get back into the hockey, even if my skating was a little rusty. It was a simple pick-up game, and I had to keep myself in check to prevent becoming too 'involved'! The hire car......a ... read more

Well, after 7 months in Asia it finally came to an end. It was great to be able to have a steak and ale pie, a decent pint of cider and a conversation where everyone involved knew what each-other was saying. Back to the western civilisation that I know. Unfortunately this was rein-forced come the NZ bank holiday weekend - people running around like school kids stocking up on alcohol before the 'bottle shops' close, idiots staggering around the streets in a hammered state, vomitting over bins, lamp-posts, benches, shouting abuse and fighting. Obesity - everywhere! Many people living rough. It makes you think just how civilised we really are....?! The stay in the arrival city of Auckland was somewhat prolonged, due to the surreal experience of an on-line webcam interview for a job in Leeds! ... read more

I thought I would give you a brief synopsis of my Birthday and the outlandishly posh resort that I find myself in! We left the hostel in the morning of the 12th where the manageress had arranged a surprise cake and all the staff sang Happy Birthday! I'm not sure was more excited, the staff or me! Then off to the Sutera Pacific Harbour Resort..... Luckily through Simeon's friend over here, we managed to get a great deal and not only that but access to the exclusive club lounge with lots of additional benefits! We didn't check-in with the riff-raff but at the private lounge with dedicated staff! The room is on the 12th (top) floor with views out over the ocean and harbour. There are 4 swimming pools, 2 gyms, 2 spas, 7 restaurants, a ... read more

Well, Laos is over and it was a mixed bag really with the south proving more enjoyable and less touristy. We left Vientianne some time after New Year, with the only additional highlight being '7-balling' Steve at the local pool hall. It took him an age to carry out his gentlemanly duty and in the end I took pity on him and let him off his obligatory requirements! It was a short (4 hours) bus journey to the next town/village of Vang Vieng. It's a really beautiful place with huge karsts and dramatic scenery along the banks of the river, but it has completely sold out to tourism. The streets are lined with stoned toursits watching endless re-runs of Friends, Simpson's and other American shows that you know I love more than air! One of the ... read more

The waterpark was awesome! There were about 10 other people there and it lived up to the billing! The highlights would have to be the kamikaze (which reminded me of my 78(ish) year old grandad flying down them in Majorca!), and a 'bumble bee' ride which sent you skimming down a long straight section before throwing you into a centrifuge which you 'fell' out of, any which way! After 7 hours in there it was not that comfortable sitting on the bus to go home! The rest of Saigon was nice if completely hectic with literally hundreds of motorbikes going anywhere at any speed they wanted - crossing the road was a baptism of fire! Unfortunately the Barnsley lad was had! We met a very friendly local who explained that he was a teacher just on ... read more

Well it''s been quite some time since my last update but this new one means that I haven''t left the civilised world and crept into a hippie commune forever! Pai was the next destination after Chiang Mai and was really enjoyable after a very slow start! It is a small town with more tourists than locals but has developed a very laid back vibe and a reputation for some serious relaxation with backpackers. There are many organic cafes, and a wide range of nationalities running guesthouses and food stalls. I am slightly ashamed to say it was a welcome change from noodles and rice and I even enjoyed a very ''asian'' morning bagel with cream cheese! The slow start was in part down to the fact that all the sights were too far away to walk ... read more