MISTAKES We should have gone at a different time of the year when we could have missed much of the rainy season. Ten days on New Zealand South Island was not enough. Thirty five days in Fiji was too long. HIGHLIGHTS Inevitably we will be asked what was the highlight of our trip. Well, they were: Hong Kong - Hot, humid, dirty, loud, but we loved it. Australia - Best beaches and the people we stayed with. New Zealand - South Island knocked us out. Seeing Milford Sound and the helicopter ride over the glaciers we will remember all our lives. [View Full Entry]

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Our first shock on arrival in Los Angeles was changing money, as the exchange rate was $1.21 to the pound, far less than when we were here last and far less then we had budgeted for. We only had two days in Los Angeles but luckily we spent it wisely. We arranged a full day sightseeing bus tour which took us round all the sights and we had them described by an excellent tour guide who entertained us with his comments as only Americans can do. We moved on to Las Vegas which has grown immensely since Terry was last here [View Full Entry]

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Rarotonga is probably the most idyllic place we have ever been. The whole island, except the north, has a continuous glorious beach and beautiful lagoon. The lagoon is great for swimming, although snorkelling was a disappointment. Much of the coral is dead and ,therefore, there is not the amount, nor variation, of fish that can be seen on other islands. The best snorkelling we found was on the south coast by the Fruits of Rarotonga cafe. Rarotonga is without the litter and general poverty seen on many tropical islands - no hassle and no beggars. Grass verges are cut and gardens [View Full Entry]

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Since our last blog regarding the Cross Island Trek, two Americans have been lost whilst doing the crossing. A 30 strong mountain rescue team were called out and the Americans were found huddled together at 8.00 am the next day. Next door to us we have had a Czeckoslovak couple, Jerry and Daniela. Jerry is a civil engineer and Daniela an aneesth aneasph - a doctor who puts you to sleep. They have lived in California for about 8 years. They are both always happy and Jerry always loud. Last Sunday they decided to renew their marriage vows at a local [View Full Entry]

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Wednesday was very hot and we went looking for a good place to snorkel. We stopped for a while at one beach, then drove around and into town for some shopping. Terry, who considers himself a world expert on putting sunscreen on had forgotten his lips and the bottom of his nose. The result was that he had blisters all over and he had trouble eating and drinking. Next morning the weather was cloudy so we decided to walk the Cross Island Track. It said in Lonely Planet that it was 'hard but possible' without a guide. It takes over 4 [View Full Entry]

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Happy New Year to everyone. We are sorry if anyone sent us a text, but the Cook Islands does not have ANY mobile coverage for modern mobiles. At Auckland airport we bit the bullet and paid 100 pounds for a small Nikon camera. We decided that in the whole scheme of things 100 pounds was not a large amount and we should have better photos, even under water ones. We came through customs in Rarotonga at 3.00 am Wednesday morning, strange, as we left Auckland Wednesday night!!! We were met by our taxi driver who put garlands of white hibiscus flowers [View Full Entry]

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We enjoyed and will never forget Fiji. The locals were so friendly and this appeared to rub of on our fellow travellers who were by far the friendliest we have met and we found many who we now call friends. On the Yasawa Islands there were beautiful beaches, super snorkling and fab food. However we were there too long. All the resorts include compulsary food packages (anyway there are no shops), so we paid the same as people (like our sort of friend David) who eat double what we do.! Also we were obliged to pay the resort's prices for drinks. [View Full Entry]

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Coming back to the main island and Nadi was like returning home. Shops, buses and restaurants. We had not seen any of these for nearly 4 weeks. Next day we had decided to catch the bus into town to try to get the camera repaired. Whilst waiting at the bus stop a girl came running up waving, It wass Anja who we mentioned in our last blog. This was the 3rd time we had met each other on 3 different islands. We arranged to eat together that evening. We were warned on the radio that "every man and his dog was [View Full Entry]

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We dedicate this blog entry to our good friends, Mick & Di, who were peacefully travelling around India, happened to be in Mumbai at the wrong time and received bad injuries, which means as we write this Mick is still in hospital. Mick & Di, from our friends and travellers everywhere, we hope you both recover well. The Yasawa Flyer (island hopper boat) is not particlarly cheap, but well organised. Each day it winds its way up the islands and then down again radioing each resort with their ETA. As you embark your luggage is placed in order for each destination. [View Full Entry]

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Arriving at Octopus is like a different world after the indifferent Otto & Fanny's and the nice Manatary, this was luxury. Our bure had a wardrobe, chairs and a large ensuite. We have not paid the extra for a beach bure, so again we were 10 metres from the beach. A choice of 10 meals at dinner (lunch) and evening at more at tea (dinner), a swimming pool, film nights, beautiful beach and more mature guests. The only downfall was the internet access at 4 pounds for 30 mins and only emails allowed. Hence our last blog was late. There is [View Full Entry]

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