Stan and Sheila woolley
We both travelled and worked in Spain, which is where we first met, back in 1972. Things back then were quite different, no plastic card banking or internet to smooth the way.Still Crazy
Our travels were put on hold for a few years whilst we brought up our two children. They now spend large chunks of their life exploring the world.
Now in our mid to late 50's we decided it was time we took up travelling again and this time write our own travel blog. Hope it can compete with the younger generations.
We chose the nickname 'still crazy' because I guess that's what we are, still crazy. We completed three six week long stints backpacking around S.E. Asia and several 2 week holidays. In November 2010, however, we took the huge step of packing in our jobs to go and travel for 4 months meaning we would completely miss most of the British winter.
At the moment S.E.Asia is still right at the top of our list of favourite places to visit but we plan to do much more exploring around the world as soon as we can.
Travel Blog Posts
Swimathons and Ruby Wedding Celebrations.
Published: May 22nd 2012Asia » Malaysia » Terengganu » Pulau Kapas
April 30th 2012
Our time on this beautiful island was rapidly coming to an end. We have had many adventures and met many fantastic people, some new friends, some from our time here in past years. Sunday 29th April was our next to last day and a very special one. Firstly there was a swimathon arranged from the island to the mainland, a distance of 6.5 kms. Due to the currents it’s not for the faint hearted The normally quiet sleepy island was suddenly overrun with visitors. Every bed available was taken and several tents erected too to accommodate everyone. We were up bright and early to watch the start of the race and cheer the KBC crew on. At 7.30am a whistle blew and three hundred competitors jumped into the sea, all wearing red swimming caps. Kayan was ... read more
April 28th 2012
We got talking to an Australian couple, Moi and Dave, in the restaurant one night and soon realised we had a lot in common and ended up going for dinner most nights together. A few nights later, over a beer, the four of us made the decision to get up bright and early next day and do the jungle trek over to the other side of the island before the temperature rose too high. Next day after drenching ourselves in mosquito repellent and equipping ourselves with huge bottles of water, we set off. The trail was not so difficult to begin with, dry and not too steep but we quickly came to the jungle proper, fortunately the path was well marked with a rope that came in very useful when we got to the steep paths. ... read more
April 26th 2012
As I’m writing this blog we’re sat on the decking under the shade of a huge tree. In front of us is a beautiful white sand beach and a calm blue ocean beyond. Sam Cooke in gently playing ‘Summertime and the Living is Easy’ on Kyam’s sound system. So appropriate! We have returned to one of our favourite islands of the east coast of Malaysia. I’m pleased to say that not much has changed, it’s still a sleepy place with beautiful unspoilt beaches. Apart from when the weekenders come, you can almost guarantee having the whole beach to yourself. As the sun rises higher in the sky and the shade on the beach disappears we retreat to the shade of this tree and while away the afternoon. Evenings too can be spent under this tree sipping ... read more
April 18th 2012
We left the island of Pandan at 1pm, Dominique, the owner of the island assured us we would have no problem getting a bus back to San Jose for our flight, there was one every hour and Holy week was over so there would be loads of empty seats.. When we got to the bus station, however at 1.20pm expecting to get the 2pm bus we were told that the next bus was 3pm. We jumped back on the tricycle and asked him to take us to the other bus station. Once there the news was the same- next bus 3pm! How stupid to have two buses going at the same time. We had no option but to sit it out, the sun was beating down hard and there was barely any shade. 3pm came and ... read more
Pandan Island, A Turtle Heaven.
Published: April 23rd 2012Asia » Philippines » Mindoro » Pandan Island
April 15th 2012
After a good night’s sleep we woke refreshed and ready to start our laid back island life . Picture this if you can: A small island out in the South China Sea. No towns or villages or roads or even pathways. A collection of 15 bungalows constructed with raffia walls and thatched rooves, no glass in the windows and no locks on the flimsy doors. A restaurant and bar to serve the temporary residents of the bungalows, most of who visit for a few days to a few weeks, flowing in and out like the tide. A white sand beach, sprinkled with remnants of sun bleached white coral, shelves gently into a pale blue ocean that changes to a deeper blue where the coral reef begins. Days can be spent relaxing in a shady spot ... read more
April 15th 2012
We left El Nido on the 9.30am mini bus after a big drama when the mini van drove off with our small packs on board before we could stop it. All our documents money cards and passports were in them. Very worrying! The man at the bus station assured us that it would return in a few minutes. It did finally returned 15 minutes later packed with a group of tourists they’d picked up on the roadside also wanting to go to Puerto Princessa only returning to the bus station to pick up a ‘spare wheel!’ Us??? Fortunately our bags had been dumped in the back and after retrieving them we had the job of squeezing ourselves onto the remaining seats. So much for getting to the bus station early to get a good seat! Once ... read more
March 31st 2012
El Nido blog We have been in the Philippines now for just over a week, we spent a night in Puerto Princessa on Palawan before taking a mini bus up to El Nido in the north. This whole area is renowned for it’s spectacular scenery and marine life. The town of El Nido it’sself is little town mostly set along the seashore and surrounded by towering limestone cliffs. During the daytime the shore is lined with boats coming and going taking visitors to the many offshore islands and local children splashing around in the sea, climbing in and out of the boats and swinging on their outriggers. In the evening the beach comes alive with restaurants set on the narrow strip of sand and live bands entertai... read more
March 25th 2012
We have been in Hue for 3 days now, it’s midway between Saigon our starting place and Hanoi out last destination. Hue’s main attraction is the Citadel, the imperial city on the northern bank of the Song Huong River. The Emperor’s official functions were carried out in the imperial enclosure. Within the enclosure is the ‘ Forbidden Purple City which was reserved for the private life of the Emperor, the only servants that were allowed in were eunuchs who posed no threat to the royal concubines.Nowadays visitors are welcome. As well as visiting the Citadel we have visited yet more pagodas and temples around the city. The river has attractive banks with ‘Dragon Boats’ taking tourist on a cruise to yet more tombs and temples. We declined the boat touts and strolled along the riverbank instead, ... read more
My Son Holy City and Marble Mountain
Published: March 22nd 2012Asia » Vietnam » South Central Coast » My Son
March 18th 2012
During our time in Hoi An as well as exploring the sites around Hoi An itself we took several day trips. First to the Holy City of My Son. The ancient Cham city of My Son is another Unesco world heritage site is tne of the most stunning sites in the area. The ruins are nestled in a lush valley surrounded by hills and the massive Hon Quap (Cat’s tooth mountain.) My Son became a religious centre in the late fourth century and was occupied until the 13th Century. The longest period of development of any city in the Mekong region. The ruins are about 35 kilometres from Hoi An. The ruins were interesting but I guess we’ve been spoilt as they pale into insignificance after the Angkor Wat ruins in Cambodia that we visited ... read more
March 17th 2012
We arrived in Hoi An just after dawn after taking the sleeping bus from Na Trang. Fortunately there was a man complete with mini bus touting his hotel, as the bus station was a kilometre out of town we took him up on his offer thinking we could always move the next day. As it turned out it's one of the best value ones in town and right at the heart of everything so we're staying put. The main attraction here in Hoi An is the ancient town, it's aUnesco world heritage centre. A river runs through the centre and it's banks are lined with really old traditional wooden houses, restaurants, bars and shops. The Japanese bridge is a 16th century bridge that has become the official landmark of Hoi An.The bridge used to connect what ... read more
Still Crazy
| Joined | August 9th 2006 | Trips | 10 |
| Last Login | May 25th 2012 | Followers | 3 |
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Trips
Sharon and Scott's Wedding.
August 16th 2005 -» September 10th 2005
Time to go Down Under
February 10th 2006 -» February 25th 2006
Christmas/ New year 2006
December 20th 2006 -» January 9th 2007
Temples and Beaches
July 21st 2007 -» September 1st 2007
Two Weeks in Paradise!
February 4th 2008 -» February 15th 2008
In Search of Dragons and Tigers
July 23rd 2008 -» August 30th 2008
Christmas/ New Year 2008
December 19th 2008 -» January 6th 2009
Island Hopping in S.E. Asia
July 15th 2009 -» August 31st 2009
Follow the Dream!
November 2nd 2010 -» March 2nd 2011
The Summer of 2011
August 1st 2011 -» September 23rd 2011
August 16th 2005 -» September 10th 2005
Time to go Down Under
February 10th 2006 -» February 25th 2006
Christmas/ New year 2006
December 20th 2006 -» January 9th 2007
Temples and Beaches
July 21st 2007 -» September 1st 2007
Two Weeks in Paradise!
February 4th 2008 -» February 15th 2008
In Search of Dragons and Tigers
July 23rd 2008 -» August 30th 2008
Christmas/ New Year 2008
December 19th 2008 -» January 6th 2009
Island Hopping in S.E. Asia
July 15th 2009 -» August 31st 2009
Follow the Dream!
November 2nd 2010 -» March 2nd 2011
The Summer of 2011
August 1st 2011 -» September 23rd 2011
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