bungy - no way!! Mike and Victoria, what wonderful photos you have taken of this fantastic country. My dad was going to emigrate here when I was little but my mum's career prevented us - am I sorry now!! I cannot imagine anyone wanting to live in UK after having lived in NZ!! Shotover Canyon sounds fantastic and I spotted both of you in the pic but it was not a 'where's wally' moment was it? Plummeting to near death by rubber band is not my idea of fun so no way!! Parrots with balls, what next? Harwoods Hole looked eerie and no sign of Gollum or the hobbits. The seagulls have the ring didn't you know or is it the albatross who drops it in to Mt Doom, I can never remember the alternative ending!! Glad you enjoyed NZ. Lots of love, see you soon!! XXX
Dunes Dunes wonderful Dunes How fantastic. I would love to surf down that 90 mile sand dune. Dad did that in Wales as a child but I bet it was nothing like that one. Superb!! I would never be off it but then I have been running regularly and not on a bad diet! Loved your first campsite especially the loo. How awful, worse than some in France which were also very basic. Very uncivilised!! The skydiving pics you sent earlier before we skyped were fantastic. Well Done. Where's the pic of Mt Doom ( or should I say Mt Ngauruhoe). Love to have seen it but can guess it even without the hobbits. Love to you both xxx
Love the titles and so apt When I read the NZ blogs when first published I thought the names were so apt, obviously a LOTR reader and viewer. The photos are awesome and yes it was a perfect country for the film. When I mentioned this part of your trip to a colleague she said she hired a camper for a month in NZ and it was the best holiday ever. Mind you her camper was a luxury mercedes one with all the facilities. No roughing it for her but then you are a lot younger. She said she would definitely do it again. I would love to do this but certainly for a month and in comfort!!! Yes Loulou is as pathetic as a seal. Love and kisses from all.xxxxxx
Who loves ya baby? Mike, I just had to say that I hope that you, Victoria and Pluto will be very happy. That photo reminded me of Dad and Pooh who seemed to love him so much. Not forgetting Ollie with Tigger!!
Bad start but excellent finish. Sometimes the customs people are a little over zealous in the US. Jt lag did not help. See you both soon. Love and kisses xxxxxxxx
Danger is my middle name!! Hi you two, not long now until we see you both on Saturday, cannot wait. Loved this blog as I have all the others but this one reminded me of Eddie Izzard (danger is his middle name), especially the cable cars towards the waters edge and Alcatraz. The cell block pictures reminded me of Prison Break as they seem very similar in the photos. GG Bridge looked fantastic as it did on the post card. Is there a Chinatown everywhere then? I would love to see Alcatraz and it does look eerie. Love to you both. xxx
Awesome Australia Reading this through again and I am still struck by your photos. The Sydney Harbour bridge is a beautiful bridge and certainly is from a different era but they do say the old ones are the best. to be honest I would have declined walking across the bridge as well but I think you were both brave to climb the pylons. I will do most things but heights are not my forte in any circumstance. I loved that place name too!! How cute. Woolly cow toilet?
Lost in Las Vegas? Unsure about this even after your fantastic blog and reading it twice. I suspect it is one of those places that needs to be seen! I would love to see the lions and I would not mind straddling the policeman's bike but the gambling - I could take it or leave it unless of course DC is there then I might enter the casinos. Glad you enjoyed the decadence of LAs Vegas. Some of the sights did sound fantastic. See you soon. xxx
What a fantastic trip! Love the pictures Michael especially you climbing on a boulder and what a size it was!! Was that the USS Nimitz in your photo? We have photos of it next to the Ark Royal (which Dad was on) and it is huge compared to our carriers. I think both the Australian zoos and San Diego zoo sound fantastic and the photos of the polar bears and pandas are gorgeous. Where are the cats??? That must have been amazing seeing the dolphins like that . Dad saw a similar thing when on the AR. It is a spectacular sight. Loved the pictures of the Redwoods - knew they would be spectacular. I liked the one of you in the tree. Fantastic blog again.
Wow! I think you were blessed with that snow as the pictures look amazing with the snow, red rocks and blue blue sky! We had similar weather except it was more grey, grey,grey! Catching up on your blog before you get back on Saturday! So excited!! xxxx
mum dad and boys Michael - I felt like we were with you at the Great Barrier Reef, thanks to your well placed phone call. Thanks for that. The picture of you, however does not compare with Skippy who is gorgeous. The Steve Irwin zoo sounds absolutely fabulous especially the tigers and is definitely one to visit but I would expect it to be superior due to his background.. I want one - did you bring me one back to make Celeste jealous!!! Brilliant blog. You must both be really enjoying the culture change from Asia. Sounds like it.
Mum Dad Nates and Ollie This is fantastic. I would love to visit Singapore for a short holiday not just as a stopover as it usually is. What brilliant photos and how clean it looks. Very impressive. Seems expensive or was that because you were on a budget. I would certainly love to visit the Singapore Zoo and certainly take in the Night Safari. I would love to see the tigers (not enough tiger photos) and additionally would like to visit the Aquarium which sounds worthwhile and as you say better than Hastings Sea Life Centre. Singapore brought to life, brilliant.
Mum dad and boys Well LA sounds like it was worth a short visit. we missed you at Christmas and sorry to say but we had a usual fantastic family Christmas minus both of you which we would not want to repeat. I would love to visit Rodeo Drive in true pretty woman style ....well maybe not quite!! I would love to see the Kodak theatre and had not realised the original reason for the Hollywood sign. I bet you placed your hands and feet in HF spot. Didn't you?? I am glad you enjoyed Disneyland at Christmas time and knowing how knowledgeable Victoria is about Disneyland then I am sure she was right about things being different. She is usually spot on. Brilliant photos. Glad you both enjoyed it.
Mum Dad Nates Oliver: WOW What can I say? utterly amazing, definitely somewhere I want to visit. The scenery is spectacular even the very pretty Williams Town. So quaint. I have heard of cycling (death defying) treks in Death Valley. Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon - absolutely brilliant. I am flabbergasted at your brilliant photos - how much more amazing in real life - I must go!! I did know about Dead Horse Point but had not realised (obviously) the significance. Talking of 8 ins of snow - well join the club!!! You look like you enjoyed the SW states immensely. Great Stuff.
Mum, Dad and boys Am catching up with reading blogs for 2nd time today and comments as all trains into London are cancelled and nowhere to park if I drive in!!
Anyway, I am amazed at the difference between Brunei and Borneo considering the border locality. The obvious wealth has not reached out to the true poverty in the country which is usually the way it goes, as the wealth never goes where it is needed. Still it was still worth doing to see the Omar Ali Saifuddin mosque and those fountains looked impressive. It sounds to be too expensive for what you actually got and that is not a good thing - a bit like Bulgaria and I certainly would not go back. You are right as you probably saved lots by not drinking alcohol, expensive at the best of times. xxx
Mum, Dad and boys It was so good to see we were all on the same wavelength as we have teased LouLou about this since we knew you were going to Borneo. Borneo Lou Lou Borneo is definitely widely used in the Baker household. I have found Borneo amazing and not the jungle I expected. Bako National Park sounds amazing although I think I would have worn something other than sandals but I do take your point that you had nothing else after all you were travelling light. Sorry about this comment being late but I like to read blogs twice before commenting and have had no time to read the second time but ejoyed it all again even after all this time. Yes Michael i can imagine the 'eyebrow' grin.
Where is the castle?! Seriously....! Where is the extra large turret that should be there!?! Nevertheless, looks brilliant and really xmasy which is exactly what you need when you're away from home. Sorry to hear about the trouble at the airport - I can't wait to hear your tales about which country is the easiest and which is the most difficult to get into! Lot of love - see you soon xxxxxx
Kangaroos! I love the animal pictures! Especially the 'Skippy?!' one....I would have wanted to take him home!! Looks amazing albeit a little overcast on a few days?! Can't believe you're near the end of your amazing trip - its gone so quickly. Hope you're both having fun! xxxx
borders I'm glad you got sorted at the border eventually. And that bloke was nice to let you hop on the bus for free. Just goes to show how much more civilized the eastern part of the world is compared to somewhere like England, where the fact that you had missed your ride would not matter to a taxi or a bus driver.
Glad you're both having a fab time, and just to let you know I'm loving reading your blog! Keep up the good work and stay safe both of you!
Jade x
Wonderful views and photos Penang, Explorers, Chinatown,Temples, KL, Hawker Centre, oddly run transport systems, Melaka, - so much information and all so interesting and well researched. Well Done.
The Petronas Towers did not disappoint and that was only by looking at your photographs. They must be far more amazing in real life! Wonderful views too by the sounds of it.
And yes I did remember Saint Francis Xaviers name but just could not remember fully why!!!
Sorry my other comments were late on the past two blogs but am making up for it this time. Have read others but will read againat weekend to digest as they are so well researched. Wonderful. You have both done so much but at the same time taken it in so well and made each blog sound so refreshing.
Anyway, all our love and kisses. Missing you both. Take care and keep enjoying. XXXXXXXXXXXX
Long hair! Hiya, been reading all your recent blogs but it was only on this one, that I noticed and felt compelled to say Victoria, that your hair is looking really really long! Shows you how long you've been gone for! Hope you're both well xxxxxx
Blissful to say the least Hi darling and hope that you are both well. You both looked very well last time on skype. Very relaxed which is good to see even with your busy schedule. Nice to see the comments on facebook about my 8 mile run (again with another good time) - cheeky comments eh?? Missing the bike rides eh? Will book you for L to B.
The beaches in Thailand look absolutely wonderful and so tranquil with lots of space for a change which never seems to happen at the time of year we go away (school hols). I did not realise that the famous Bridge over the River Kwai was still a working bridge either. True Indiana Jones statement but he certainly would not have held one!!! With me it would be 'spiders, why does it have to be spiders'.
I have heard of the Full Moon Party before and how wild it can be and fun off course however I think you were wise not to collapse on the beach where you stood. Lammai beach looks idyllic. Well Done on undertaking your PADI and qualifying as an Open Water diver. You will certainly have every opportunity to enjoy that in Aussie land. Can't wait to read your other blogs soon. All our love and take care. Miss you both. Love and kissesxxxxxxxxx
Ab fab Hi to both of you and all our love. You have packed so much into your time in Hong Kong. ALthough Michelle and Gareth had part of their honeymoon there, they did not do quite as much as you both have done, although as Michelle so rightly says it has brought back some memories for them both as I am sure the Thailand Islands will as that was also part of their honeymoon. It is not somewhere I would have chosen to go but after your extremely informative blog I would now definitely think about it. I much prefer active holidays to lazy ones as you know as I can never stay still. The blog was superb and so were the photos and all were full of interesting facts and info, even the bit about the batman film. Now that was something we could all relate to. I am glad you got the camera of your dreams and it sounds the perfect place for electronics. You and dad will need to compare cameras when you return home. Bet you cannot wait. Sorry I took so long to comment but have been incredibly busy. I like to read the blogs a few times to digest them before I comment. Anyway speak to you soon on skype and keep the pics and comments coming on facebook. Love alwaysxxxxx
ouch!! Another fab blogg guys. Have looked at all the Thailand pics on facebook and they are absolutly amazing,def some to be framed there. Sorry Victoria but i lol'd when i read the bit about the flagpole and your head,its the way Mike writes it. Love and miss you both, Mum xxxxxxxxxxx
I 'heart' HK This blog has brought back lots of memories of our time there in March 08. Looks like you really enjoyed it and fitted in lots. Fantastic photos, especially of the night shots - is that your new camera?
julie of paris
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magnifique !magnifique! magnifique! :)
awesome!! i love photos and i looove thailand !!!! thks you merci beaucoups !