AND NOW THE END IS NEAR... So I'm sitting in Singapore airport about to fly back to London exactly 9 months after I left and I cant get 'My Way' by Frank Sinatra out my head - I think those lyrics are the closest to summing up the last 9 months. But I'm happy to be going home, I wish this trip would last forever but thats not realistic. The last week of my trip was a bit up and down. It would be a lie to say that Thailand has been my favourite place I've travelled to, but I have [View Full Entry]

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BANGKOK AND NORTHERN THAILAND Arriving in Bangkok, no matter how much it is expected, the humidity hits you straight away. This was late at night as well! My first day in Thailand it was 35°C at it has remained in the high 30s most days. They say when you first arrive to take it easy and adjust to the heat. I didn't follow this advise! In my first week in Thailand I walked endlessly around both Bangkok and Chang Mai, trekked in the national parks of Taksin Maharat and through the jungle-like forests surrounding Chang Mai, and cycled around the ancient [View Full Entry]

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VICTORIA - THE PLACE TO BE I almost didnt make it down to Victoria. This was thanks to an airport bus that decided not to bother running in the evening in Brissie. Luckily a formula-one-like taxi driver raced me round so I didnt miss my flight! It was probably one of the worst flights I have been on though as I was so hungover due to Jesse's 21st the night (and day) before... After crashing in my hostel at a late hour following the flight, I took a walk around Melbourne on a nice clear day - once again the sun [View Full Entry]

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Sydney-East Coast Oz Michael Sneddon ISLAND PARADISE(S) They say that Australia is paradise and this week I discovered why. I left Sydney having jumped on a cheap flight up to a place called Airlie Beach, which is gateway to a group of 74 islands called the Whitsundays up on the north(ish) east coast. No trip to Australia would be complete without visiting the Great Barrier Reef and this was my plan. The Great Barrier Reef is of course a natural wonder of the world and the largest living thing on the planet. However, it is [View Full Entry]

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Christchurch-Sydney Michael Sneddon SYDNEY - PART 1 (Once again, not had chance to post blogs so playing catch up!) My first impression of Sydney (and thus Australia) wasnt great. Sure, the flight was good - flying over NZ's southern alps (was a bit cloudy though), across the Tasman and into the green lush lands surrounding Sydney, circling the city for a great view before landing. I was excited. I rushed down to the bar bright eyed and ready for my first taste of Australian culture. Instead I was greeted by a wall of smok [View Full Entry]

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Queenstown-Christchurch Michael Sneddon QUEENSTOWN TO CHRISTCHURCH My time in New Zealand is over, but the last week or so has been the best time while I have been here - and there is one place in particular responsible for this: Queenstown. That place is just the best place to be, it has everything in one place - which is surprising as the local population is only around 15,000. It is the adventure capital of New Zealand and I do not think there is anywhere with more adventure opportunities in the world - but there is also s [View Full Entry]

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Picton to Queenstown Michael Sneddon[url='/Videos/3765.html' onclick='dialog("/Videos/3765.html?popped=1","tbvideo",600,600);return false;'] A 'scenic flight' TALES OF THE WEST COAST As I mentioned on my last blog, the 3 and a half hour ferry ride from Wellington to Picton was absolutely stunning. Navigating through the peaks and foresty views of the Marlborough Sounds meant it was an extremely quick journey. Picton is a beautiful little harbour town, but we didnt spend long there as I hooked up with the Magic Bus headi [View Full Entry]

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Auckland-Wellington Michael Sneddon HEADING NORTH-WEST TO THE SOUTH ISLAND I'm on the ferry just now, on the way to the south island. Since the north island actually dips below the south island, you are actually travelling north-west from Wellington to Picton! Didnt end up spending as long on the north island as I thought, just means more time to spend visiting the many more lakes, mountains and scenes of the south island... Picking up where I left off, after 2 attempts I finally made it (back) down to Rotorua. Matt's mate [View Full Entry]

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HIT THE ROAD JACK! DISCLAIMER: The following travel blog contains no 'tourist' stories or activities but rather a whole lot of fun, new experiences and new friends in a different country! (Wrote this a bit ago but not had a chance to post it...) Not for the first time on my trip a random song has jumped into my head based upon what I'm doing or where I am - hence the title of this blog. I'm writing this a bit earlier than I expected to, my last week in Auckland has been eventful - and fun. However, I'm back [View Full Entry]

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Down The East Coast Michael Sneddon KIWI EXPERIENCES - PIES AND ADVENTURES DOWN THE EAST COAST! I finished my last blog with promises of banter on pies, money and tennents - never fear I shan't let you down! It’s been an interesting few weeks, working very hard actually (just down to the 1 job though… although there was a hint of a new job - read on!), coupled with a bout of illness, so not been that great - but I’m about to hit the road again! Oh I spotted something interesting the other day. I was look [View Full Entry]

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