http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Kiro/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Kiro en-us Mon, 04 Jan 2010 05:13:02 +0000 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 05:13:02 +0000 Consider the finger pointing towards the moon...... don't watch the finger or you'll miss all that heavenly glory Bruce Lee And that's exactly what we were doing watching the finger and missing all the heavenly glory that surrounded us. Standing in the centre of some of the worlds most stunning scenery but we couldn't see it it's not because our eyes were shut they were open and looking but n http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Christchurch/blog-429888.html Not only is every day different but every moment no two sunrises we have witnessed have been the same just as no two crashing waves have been remotely similar each view from the same lookout on the same day just moments apart are different let alone the next day each tiny speck of difference should be marveled at for its individuality never will these exact same elements be in line ever again http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Christchurch/blog-428742.html Every Silver Lining Has A Dark CloudHalf the enjoyment and beauty we experience traveling is the journey to each of our destinations taking us passed or through places that we do not expect to go to or see these places can throw up a life long memory whether it is a little caf with the best carrot cake Cosy Nook a weathered old fishing village or Tuatapere the sausage capital of NZ where we http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Otago/Catlins/blog-427256.html The deafening sound of silence pierces Fiordland only bird song and the crackle of logs on the fire may break the code of silence the hush of Lake Te Anau lapping softly against the smooth pebbles of the inland beach and the wind whispers ldquoBy Eck It's Coldrdquo. The only element which didn't get the quiet memo was the rain ringing out in the night sky as it smashed down on our log cabin http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Fiordland-National-Park/Te-Anau/blog-426081.html What a Differences a Day MakesThe ice and snow had been cleared from the roads the previous day a beautiful blue cloudless day and a road sign ldquoNo Chains Requiredrdquo that was the only sign we needed to see as we wound our way along the narrow roads towards Arthur's Pass we were told that half the beauty of Arthur's Pass is the journey to Arthur's Pass Village and it didn't disappoint http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Te-Anau/blog-425234.html The rain oh the rain how hard must you fall What have we done to upset these gods of heavy rain is it when we mocked the deaf elderly We tried everything to gain favour Kirstin busted some phat moves in a sun dance stylie no joy Rob sang a power ballad with a lighter still no joy why do the rain gods torment us so In between all the power ballads and break dancing we arranged our new hi http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Greymouth/blog-422865.html Sacre BleustardWe start this blog going over old ground you already knew we were in Wellington you also knew we arrived in the dark staying in Plimmerton and you already knew we'd seen the All Blacks play the dirty French we Rob say dirty as one of the French players said he was beaten up by a gang of thugs after the game the whole country was outraged by such an appalling attack. Many p http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Wellington/blog-415703.html We arrived in Rotorua in the driving rain and left in the driving rain and with this driving rain there were more plan changes with two road closures there were even more changes. After doubling back a few times going inland when we wanted to be coastal we finally made it up to the Coromandel Peninsula underneath the clearing skies.One thing we feel we need to explain when in NZ you have to get http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Auckland/Mount-Eden/blog-410719.html Planning for today started the day we arrived in New Zealand the tickets for the All Black's upcoming test had just gone on sale and we were lucky enough to get hold of some. We were off to join the Kiwi's in an initiation into supporting the All Black's.After being outplayed in the first Test which they lost 2722 to France in Dunedin the All Blacks needed a winning margin of at least six poin http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Wellington/blog-410722.html Art Deco Capital of the WorldPoor old Napier was flattened by an earthquake in 1931 and rebuilt from scratch in the Art Deco style what is left is a grid system of streets with some beautiful pastel coloured deco buildings and a mish mash of everything else. Pulling into town you half expect to see chaps walking around in straw boaters talking very quickly and finishing every sentence with ldq http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Rotorua/blog-410316.html Rob just about had movement in his fingers after defrosting from his carbonite surf chamber now Rob knows how Han Solo felt before we left Raglan Kirstin made our cheese and chutney sandwiches filling plays an important part in enhancing our scenic viewing pleasure nicely cut in half across the middle not Rob's choice of cut he would cut corner to corner but Kirstin explained that for tr http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Turangi/blog-407988.html Swapping your Thongs for your UggsOur last walk around Manly Bay at sunrise before heading to the airport for New Zealand surprising how busy Manly is so early in the morning people catching their last wave before catching the first ferry to work runners walkers and swimmers all on the sea front to greet the new morning ready for another day but for us it was our last time maybe we will s http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Raglan/blog-405446.html Priscilla Queen of our HeartsThis blog is probably the hardest blog we have had to write. We always knew the closer we got to Sydney the closer we came to selling our beloved Priscilla Queen of our hearts. This is our dedication to our sturdy steed who took us places no other could take us.I ing hate these cars I normally charge 500 bucks just to pop the lid people die in these cars you kno http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Manly/blog-397431.html ldquoShould we stay or should we go nowrdquo as the late great Joe Strummer would of said if he was staying in Mackay with Michaela and TrevorWe had a nice warm cozy bed with airconditioning a shower and soft toilet paper only feet from our room not having to walk half way across a muddy campsite in the dark a fridge full of goodies including Trevor's homemade Anzac biscuits and Rum Ball http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Manly/blog-392635.html Also staring Jean Smith as Mummy Jean Mike Reed as Mike Wallop ReedYou know when you've been RedneckedWe headed straight into a garage at Batchelor to check Pris's leaky radiator at her age she can't help dribbling bless her anyway we were welcomed into the garage with open arms and a broad smile. ldquobring her in and pop the lidrdquo said the happy go lucky Father Christmas looking ch http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Mackay/blog-384394.html And then we drove to........Let's Go Wildcats Let's GoArriving in Perth meant something different was happening in this city it was where Kirstin was to meet family friends that she had not seen for 26 years The arrangements had been made and the day had arrived and with it came the apprehension of not knowing if we would recognise each other even more worrying would we be able to pick up whe http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/Mission-Beach/blog-380154.html And then we went to............OK so where were we Oh yeah Alice Springs The Red Centre. After a quick tour around Alice a trip to the Old Telegraph Station learning how Alice Springs became Alice Springs information we will share with you a bit later Can't wait a second longer Alice Springs was originally named Stuart Town but later changed its name after the spring by the Old Telegrap http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Western-Australia/Perth/blog-371452.html drive in the all day sun so the saying goesThe road trip so far................as we said in the last blog due to the warmish weather topping 45.7 degrees sightseeing around Adelaide was reduced to the campsite pool and shopping for trip necessities. Sleeping in the tent for those few degrees lower rather than sleeping in Pris the slightly less than hot breeze that flowed every hour or so hi http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Alice-Springs/blog-368904.html The Trip so far...................the holiday is over Pris back from the garage with a clean bill of health time on the beach soaking up the rays is done for another day it's back to the traveling and planning the rest of our trip around and through AustraliaWe have the wheels all we need now is the map. We bought the map now we are readyLaying the map of Australia down which covers half th http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/South-Australia/Adelaide/North-Adelaide/blog-368633.html What you don't see is us laughing like school kids when trying to come up with titles for the blog It keeps us amused New Years Eve can often be one of those evenings that has a big build up only to turn out to be a bit of a disappointment. The pressure was on for a great New Years Eve particularly given that the plans to be in Sydney for New Year were made six months ago. New Year's Eve and http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Sydney/blog-359501.html