Steve and Amanda

What a journey, we defintely dont want it to end, but before we get all solemn and depressed, what have we been up to since the last Dubai update? We have been shopping to Karama (a town full of shops with so much fake stuff its incredible) but we love it, and its the home of yummy shawarmas, a must have for anyone travelling to Dubai, just a posh chicken kebab with tahini , mmmm mmmm! It rained all day when we were there but didnt matter, we just shopped till we literally dropped. The rest of the time we have chilled and eaten lots, and more shopping at the Mall of the Emirates. Steve is impressed with me as I have only bought for others this holiday, whereas he has bought for himself and others ... read more

Its sooooo cold here! Same as you guys in Engalnd! What a place though, we knew no one would speak english here so we had prepared ourselves, but its not till you arrive and really experience it thats its real. You try talking to someone especially when trying to find your hotel, you get a blank expression and a response in Japanese, with both sides having no idea what the other said. Apart from that we had a brill time and got through the language with flying colours. Speaking with your hands and a bit of role play works wonders! After finallly finding the hotel and a 1 hour 30 mins train journey after a 8 hour flight, we arrived and checked in, only to find out check in was at 3.00pm, it was 8.00am in ... read more

The most recommended Island. Beautiful and so relaxing, clear blue sea and so warm to swim in! Steve snorkelled and I sunbathed of course, I mean once you have snorkelled the great barrier reef anything else seems pointless! Ha ha! Steve said it wasnt any good too, so I made the right decision. Phi Phi was very expensive due to the reminense of the Tsumami, seeing pictures of the devastation is horrible. You walk down streets then someeone will show you a picture of where you are walking and the disater that struck where you are standing. The way they have rebuilt things so quickly is amazing, would wouldnt know that such an awful thing had happaned. We also visisted where the Film The beach was filmed, was so beautiful, and it just so happened that ... read more

Yay we made it, no missed flights. What a culture shock! This place is buzzing. Within five minutes of being here we were being asked to get in a tuk tuk (small open taxis that make the sound tuk tuk tuk, hence the name) We paid 10 Baht for a half hour journey, which is about 20p! The drivers speak hardly any english but hey ho! We got taken to a suit shop as the drivers get petrol if they bring custom, and one suit later we were out, Steve had a suit made just for him..and its lovely! The hotel is just something, 5 star for only 10 pound a night! Internet job! fantasic! Amanda had a massage every day, an hour for about a fiver! The pool, food, and people were top notch, we ... read more

We finally made it to Melbourne! After missing a flight, yes you heard right! We missed our first flights, there were tears from Amanda considering we paid over what we should have for our tickets anyway due to the Melbourne Cup, all was not lost though, just had to wait a day at the airport and pay $50 each for the next flight, luckily we got on one and didnt have to fork out on accomodation and lose out on the accommadation we had pre paid in Melbourne. The guest house we stayed in was so hospitable and the staff were just excellent. The first day we did the tourist thing and went round the city, we were so suprised and loved Melbourne, its a small and lively, with such an amazing fast and efficient transport ... read more