upset and relieved It is with a sad heart that I write my latest comment on what has been up to now a most wonderful adventure. I am very angry that the van- hire company would even consider renting out such a death trap. I generally give all sides the benefit of any doubt,but just for once I am going to go against my impartial nature. These dodgy dealers could have been responsible for the loss of two people who are without a doubt very precious to me. I can go on, but dwelling on matters, would just upset me even more. I can only hope that plains, trains and reliable automobiles will be your watchword from now on. please take care and please, please, carry on enjoying yourselves. On another matter of a not unimportant nature, Joseph and I are having regular chats and it's all down to the effort you both went to to track him down. finally don't let my very sad entry detract from what is meant to be a once in a lifetime opportunity of the pleasures of life itself. with heartfel love Jimmyxxx
No more mishaps - understand!! Jeez - what are you two like? I didn't think there was going to be another NZ blog and then this goes and happens. Well glad to hear you're all well. Victim support counseling sounds good - do we have that over here?
really glad you met up with Joseph too.
Take care....
Karen xx
omigod! -again Thanks for sparing us the phone call about your motoring mishaps. Nevertheless, reading this entry involved several sharp intakes of breath. You have really had some extreme moments in NZ. Keep going and TAKE CARE!
blog-addicts cry for help It's been raining for a week, the TV is full of repeats, we're too tired to go out - we need more blogs!! Now - you layabouts. Get into the internet cafe and do some work!
honesty houseboat owner in kashmirt i am from thailand .i had been kashmir in april .i find good houseboat owner .i find this houseboat name in website of .thaitrekking.com
and the beatiful boat house located at river side no need to crossing like dal lake .i heartly recommand to traveler if u want go kashmir for staying in houseboat.u go houseboat shelter
the mail address.sheltertt@yahoo.com
the shelter group of hoiseboat
near s.p.s museum lal mandi road
srinagar
Hello! Hi, just found your blog. Good to see you both on our quickie tour of South Island. Glad you didn't injure yourself after jumping out of the plane - where are the piccies? Looking forward to hearing (and seeing) what you'll be up to next.
Holy sh**! thats one hell of a waterfall. Hello from everyone at Dave's old work, You guys have got some awesome photos in this blog...seriously cool stuff.
Take care
: ) Hi guys, great to see you two are having such an amazing time. Reading your blogs are a fantastic little bit of escapism from the hum drum of herts! All is well in Lectern Lane, thanks for our postcard : ) Enjoy the rest of your time in NZ! Take care, Love Liz x
Hey guys,
Its great to hear that you're enjoying some of the places thats I've been to too now! I did the whole blackwater rafting thing too, it was cool. You must visit wanaka in south island, and ohau was amazing too (more off the beaten track). If Louise can handle some hairy driving you can get some amazing views driving up to the ski resorts (Ohau rd v scary tho - prob not recommended!) Glenorchy really amazing too. But whatever you do in NZ it will be amazing - enjoy! xx
A new chapter Just for once I am going to be extremely selfish! What you have achieved on your travels will certainly have enriched you lives. My life has also been enriched from all the wonderful journals and photos you have sent to date. Much more important even, than all the above, is how you managed to find my long lost brother Joseph. What can I say? your just a fabulous couple. carry on enjoying yourselves, I'm sure you don't need any instruction on how to do that, what with caving, rafting,abseiling and partying you've got it just about right. by the way , 'Tell Laura I love her' xxxxx
Wicked camper van BTW !! Ha ha!! Loving Louise's face on the "whoo" photo - looks like its been superimposed!
So glad you found Joseph too. I remember that story - amazing. Sounds like it worked really well. Enjoy the rest of NZ. I did the Waitomo thing but much tamer! I spent longer on the South Island and really loved it I hope you have a lovely time there.
Karen xxx
Hello! Hi David and Louise!
Thank you for the cool postcard - that brought a smile to my face after a long day at work!
I've been catching up on where you've been and Australia looks fantastic, the pictures of Whitsunday Island particularly glorious. It certainly beats the grey skies over London at the moment.
So you're off to NZ. Make sure you check out the Maoris if you get the chance - I've always wanted to see the Haka (is that how you spell it?) in action. Hope you're both having an excellent time and managing to see all the sights!
Speak soon,
Love from Chris
Found you! I found your blog! I had to go back to work today..really crappy! Hope you guys are enjoying yourselves..that was an awesome couple of days, we had much fun :) Its sugarmagik@hotmail.co.uk
hey hey sorry i took so long to email ive been rele busy wiv work n stuff, thanks for the post card twas a rele nice surprise when returning to our smelly house. uni is wicked been at the beach all of today and yesturday im soooo brown, got physio v nurses pub golf on tuesday which should be good! the course is gettin rele hard but its still ok in 5 weeks time i have my own patients!!!!!!!!!!! how scary is that neway australia looks amazing! hope your both having fun! speak to u soon lots of love george x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Hi Guys,
Thank you for the lovely postcard. We cant get enough of that feathery bird stuff as you know!
Its so great to read your blogs. What strikes me most is the memory of what it feels like to be able to do what you like when you like! Especially in a really beautiful place like Australia. It makes me miss being away. Things arent really the same anymore at home after being away! We have lost a fraction of enthusiasm for the mundane things like work, bills and even socialising in our local boozer. Even though its just a fraction it is noticable to us and one of the only things that gets us really excited is the thought of going away again! So lap it up while you can...you lucky people. P.s. I loved imagining David Battling with the Buffet...very Homer Simpson!
All my love Manda xxx
Cold weather coming I love that getting into your jeans is a news worthy event! I've been wearing mine like a uniform for months. you guys have just been spoiled! ;-)
A bit of home away from home Wow! thrilled to bits that Australia got of to a good start for you. I was particularly impressed with the meerkats all standing to attention awaiting your arrival, the Tyne Bridge was simply magnificent to see. oops! sorry,did I say the Tyne Bridge? Seriously David, when I saw you beside the Sydney Harbour bridge I could swear you were actually back in Newcastle, standing on 'the quayside'. When I saw Liouse further along 'the other' quayside! with The Sydney Opera House as a backdrop I knew then that you were trully down under. You both look smashing and I just Know, as I said in an earlier comment, '... things can only get better' and they are. You have been injured and sometimes abused and you have also collected many memories good and bad, just enjoy being around the other side of the world. Thanks for the postcard ( meerkats) Jimmyxxx
back to 'civilisation' as we know it... Relieved to have you safe in Australia and with some baked beans and spuds inside you, also some nourishing modern art for the soul!
Here are a few of our favourite reads; David: I am currently reading 'Down Under' by Bill Bryson; I also enjoyed 'Freakonomics' by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner; 'The best possible taste' by Sam O'Reilly; 'The Curious Incident of the dog in the night-time' by Mark Haddon and 'Second from last in the sack race' by David Nobbs.
Louise: 'The no 1 ladies detective agency' series by alexander McCall Smith; 'Lucky' and 'the lovely bones' by Alice Seabold; 'The kite runner' by Khaled Hosseini and 'Tuesdays with Morrie' by Mitch Albom.
Hello everyone! We stayed at the Reggae Bar in Tuk Tuk. Its next door to the Bamboo Bar which does some nice food and drinks. The boat from Parapet will drop you at the reggae bar directly if you ask. Ask the staff at the reggae bar for a traditional batak house overlooking the lake.
There were one or two cockroaches, but they don't hurt! (and some birds living in the roof!)
I like this blog as a Finale to all the amazing blogs from Indonesia. I feel like I know a little bit about the heart and soul of Indonesia.
Lots of love
Manda xxx
Jimmy
non-member comment
upset and relieved
It is with a sad heart that I write my latest comment on what has been up to now a most wonderful adventure. I am very angry that the van- hire company would even consider renting out such a death trap. I generally give all sides the benefit of any doubt,but just for once I am going to go against my impartial nature. These dodgy dealers could have been responsible for the loss of two people who are without a doubt very precious to me. I can go on, but dwelling on matters, would just upset me even more. I can only hope that plains, trains and reliable automobiles will be your watchword from now on. please take care and please, please, carry on enjoying yourselves. On another matter of a not unimportant nature, Joseph and I are having regular chats and it's all down to the effort you both went to to track him down. finally don't let my very sad entry detract from what is meant to be a once in a lifetime opportunity of the pleasures of life itself. with heartfel love Jimmyxxx