Well what an experience! I think you must have been really brave to venture into the favela but what an amazing experience. In spite of the disappointment of curtailing your travels it seems that Brazil was a real high point. Well Tom and Zo, I think you are in Miami at the moment, leaving in 2 days time, so this will probably be my last input. What an absolutely fantastic 6 months you've had, and thanks for letting us in on it. It's been so entertaining reading your blogs and has certainly made our depressing winter seem brighter. Enjoy the last couple of days of freedom and hedonism and we look forward to seeing you on your return to Blighty. Just one more thing - we will expect you to recite fluently that longest place name in NZ - see I haven't fogotten! Lots of Love Aunty Kathy and Uncle Lennie xxxx
Hey Tom and Zo,
We enjoyed reading your Brazil post. It reminded us of our time there. Our blog is looking for travel photos to post. If you have time, email us some at dirtyhippiesblog@gmail.com or check us out at dirty-hippies.blogspot.com
Continued fun on your travels,
Heather and Eric
Hello Zo & Tom I've just got back with Catherine, Vicky and Ellie - we've been to the bridesmaid's shop and chosen the dresses and we were talking about your hair. Auntie Jen has just shown me the picture of your big hair in this blog. I wonder if you will be getting it cut for the wedding?
Hope you have a lovely time in Brazil.
Lots of love from your cousin, Sophie xxxx PS Auntie Jen typed this!
What a relief! Yes what a relief you weren't caught up in the Chilean earthquake, and I suppose having to forego seeing Chile is a small price to pay. But Argentina seems very impresive, and the Iguazu Falls - Wow! ( a bit different to the Huka Falls eh?). It was great to see you both when you skyped Mum and Dad (and a relief all round), and you both looked wonderfully well and happy. Looking forward to the rest of the South American travels. Take care. Lots of love Aunty Kathy and Uncle Lennie xxxx
Fantastic I have always loved waterfalls but have obviously NEVER seen anything like these. I am sure your photos do them justice. I am so sorry you will not get to Chile a country I have always wanted to visit. But SO pleased you stayed longer in Argentina. I am sure you will still enjoy the other SA countries you visit. Your blogs bring the whole country/city alive. Thank you
Love
Liz
Hi Tom and Zoe
Thank God you changed your plans and you are safe and well!! It has been terrible watching the news.
It has been really wonderful following your journey and getting a taste of your fab experiences. Guess it won't be too long before you are back home -Croydon has a lot to live up to!!!!
Stay safe and happy. Luv Fuff xx
All sounds awesome guys, better than Hastings (you probably knew this especially with your crack on it a couple of entries ago!) You'll want to be sendin that South Bank photo with the imitation london eye into Danny Dyer's: I believe in UFO's tv show by the way.
Lookin forward to reading whats going on in South America. xx x
(can't think of one) Still having a great time I see! Waiting to see if you managed the Whitsundays. Hope you did. Last we heard was that the area was hit by a cyclone. What a gem you have in Zo - a travelling secretary on top of all her other qualities. I do think it was a bit inconsiderate of her though that you had to watch TV with the sound down for all that time! Looking forward to the next installment. Have fun. Lots of love Aunty Kathy and Uncle Lennie xxxx
Yes, what a life indeed! Well, sounds like you had a fantastic Christmas and New Year (and a great birthday Zo). Fancy spending Christmas in Croydon! It must have been great seeing Baz again. Seems like you're enjoying getting back on the road again after all those festivities. If you ever get fed up with all that heat, spare a thought for us here. It's really cold at the moment (we had some snow again this morning). In fact it's been a bloody cold Winter and we've still got half of it to go. Message from Uncle Len - did you hear that Crystal Palace has gone into administration, has been docked 10 points, and are now only just above relegation? Well, that must have brought you back to the real world! Have fun. Lots of love Aunty Kathy and Uncle Lennie xxxx
So pleased to read the next 2 episodes of your travels! We have had a long wait! But I can inderstand why!!!!! What a lot of partying. Happy New Year. Is Zo's birthday really the sane as Nigel's?
Enjoy your tour of the mountains. I look forward to the next chapter of your travels. Love Liz
Captain Chrimble Happy Christmas Tom and Zoe. Will be thinking of you both as we sit down to enjoy our turkey (suppose you'll be eating a little joey) despite the fact that our whole transport network has closed down once again because of the wrong kind of ice and snow. Stay warm (!). Stay bright. Stay safe. Love from all your relatives on the Costa.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS! Sorry, I haven't read the blog yet. Still no computer (should have taken your advice - am in Croydon's library at the moment and only have 3 minutes left. Just want to wish you both a wonderful Christmas in Melbourne and a great New Year in Sydney. Will miss you on Christmas Day but will be thinking of you both, Will catch up later with the blog. Lots of love Aunty Kathy and Uncle Len xxxxx
Looks like fun Hi Zoe, Hi Tom....Really sorry we haven't been in touch sooner , life is hectic back here in Blighty!! Looks like your travels have been fun and we're lovin the blogs, very professional !! Anyway, keep on going enjoy Xmas 2009 and have a great new year ....Lot of love from Garry , Tracey, Matthew and Emily !! PS : wouldn't of minded some of those Fajitas they sounded FAB!!!
Free T-shirts Tommy, are you sure they didn't give you the t-shirt because they thought you were homeless with that hair??? Only joking. Enjoy the heat in Oz. 2 days in England for me so far and it has snowed and is below 0 degrees. Shock to the system!!
Piccys Just wanted to let you know that the piccys are brilliant guys, keep em coming. Tom have a beer for me mate. it must be nice and warm out there now. Its Bleedin freezin ere !!!!! Zoe your lookin well in the piccys hope your all ok now !!!! Steve xxx
What fantastic stuff! What amazing experiences you're having. The paragliding looks awesome. We remember the glacier climb at Franz Josef as being the best experience we had whilst in NZ and well worth the journey down the wet and woolly west coast. That blue ice is just something isn't it. There can't be much left for you to try, can there? You both look extremely well and happy in spite of all that rain. Just as well you're both so adaptable (and young - that helps!). Keep 'em coming. Lots of Love Aunty Kathy and Uncle Lennie xxxx
More amazing adventures! Michael Palin eat your heart out, the Zo and Tom grand tour is soooooo exciting. You guys certainly are doing masses of great stuff. I think an oldie like me would have struggled with the glacier climb- looks and sounds VERY tough. The para-gliding looks brill. Hope the landing wasn't too bad Zo (what about those women drivers, Tom. Hey ho.) I can get away with that this far away!!
Zo and animals, never a good mix. I dare say Kea pie would be tasty?
Jet boat sounds good.
All this AND Scrabble. You dare-devils.
Glad you saw the Barbars game. I bet they were well peed off in NZ! A good match.
Keep the blogs coming guys they are brill.
xxxxxxxxxxxDad
Can't keep up with you! Glad to hear you're handicap's improving in the quiz stakes. Yes, remember Greymouth being very aptly named - but once in a while you come across a bummer in this land of scenic gems. Next blog must be about the glaciers - can't wait! You're really getting into all the nooks and crannies and leaving nowhere unseen. Wonderful! Lots of Love Aunty Kathy and Uncle Lennie xxxx
Great stuff, Tom and Zo What a time you're having. You're right about the NZ Museum - loads to see. I would have been in there for days, but for Uncle Lennie! I'll try to get a postcard of Croydon to send you - just to deter any wistful feelings for Blighty you might have on the run up to Christmas. Lots of Love Aunty Kathy and Uncle Lennie xxxx
Love the Teletubby Impression Zo!! Hi guys
Good to see you survived the weirdo at the camp-site. Strange huh?!
Scenery as spectacular as I've heard. Looks brill.
Would love a go on the swing bridge. Did one in Wales once BUT not quite as high or as long.
Nice to see that you can still get the essential supplies.
Zo's impression of Po the Teletubby looks good. Good to see you're keeping up the family tradition of fancy dress!!
Zo does Po, then we get Tom does Pooh. Toilet humour literally guys!! Made us laugh.
Got your message today about the glacier hike. I hope it wasn't too cold or too tough to get photos.
More adventures. All sounds brill. Keep njoying. xxxxDad
Holidays!! Hey Tom and Zo, sounds like you are having fun despite the rain. As you say about NZ, the scenary is amazing... makes up for the lack of people (and late bars) in most places - make your way to Queenstown for a while!!
Was in Phu Quoc last week and saw the 2 resorts you stayed in. We hit a couple of resorts up here too... prettynice but not hot enough!! Only 25... :-(
Looks stunning. Quiet but stunning Love these blogs guys. Really detailed. Nothing wrong with Welsh Rugby by the way Tom. Mum is Welsh. Dad was English so I just support who is doing the best. I might have to learn Welsh though unless Martin J gets the lads knocked into shape!!
Hope the weather has picked up. You ain't missed much here on that score. Love the photos of the sunsets. Keep the blogs coming, great to see all these places and hear what you guys are up to. We're off to the seaside this weekend. I dare say sunsets won't be as good, but hey we will find some pubs that open late!! Njoy and take care xxxxxxxxDad.
Aunty Kathy
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Well what an experience!
I think you must have been really brave to venture into the favela but what an amazing experience. In spite of the disappointment of curtailing your travels it seems that Brazil was a real high point. Well Tom and Zo, I think you are in Miami at the moment, leaving in 2 days time, so this will probably be my last input. What an absolutely fantastic 6 months you've had, and thanks for letting us in on it. It's been so entertaining reading your blogs and has certainly made our depressing winter seem brighter. Enjoy the last couple of days of freedom and hedonism and we look forward to seeing you on your return to Blighty. Just one more thing - we will expect you to recite fluently that longest place name in NZ - see I haven't fogotten! Lots of Love Aunty Kathy and Uncle Lennie xxxx