griffsworld

I've had an amazing time in New Zealand. It's definitely been the best country I've visited on this trip so far, with such a wide variety of incredible scenery and excellent activities within a close distance (and all for a lot cheaper than a certain country not too far away from here...). There's something for everyone in NZ - beautiful nature, interesting cities, good nightlife. Travelling on the hop-on/hop-off Stray bus has been a great way to see the country, without the admin of driving or having to be awake in the morning. It also enabled me to meet lots of fantastic people along the way. It's not perfect (some obscure stops, other places missed out altogether and a rubbish booking system), but I'd recommend it for anyone aged 21-39, especially single travellers, as a cool ... read more

It's been a while since I last wrote anything, which must be bad news for the millions of avid readers of my blogs. However, it's been great for me, as I've been having a fantastic time over the last few weeks. The main thing that's been happening is that I've been getting wet. A lot. Now this isn't just the usual spilling beer over myself (although that might also have happened on occasion), this is many gallons of the stuff falling from the sky. You may notice from these photos that there has been one common factor to my time in Oz. I've only had 4 days without rain since 1st December. You will surely have seen the news about flooding in Queensland, but it's not just Queensland. It's everywhere I go. I've heard it said ... read more

It's taken me a while to get used to backpacking in Australia. The hostels are cleaner and better run than those in Asia, but seem much less fun to stay in. Pretty much everyone is working or planning to work over here, or is just visiting Oz for a couple of weeks - I've only met one person in 4 weeks who is actually travelling. The main consequence of this is that no-one has any desire to explore their surroundings. In Asia, everyone wanted to go out and investigate places where they were staying for a day or two - here, most people spend their time working or looking for jobs. Australia is also too much like being back home in the UK - lots of rules and regulations about what you can and can't do. ... read more

Ko Phangan is a world-famous magnet for travellers, who are attracted to Haad Rin like moths to a fire skipping rope. Compared to Ko Phi Phi, Haad Rin seemed less developed and busy. The roads are much more hilly and many of the paths are rough tracks. The rest of the island is apparently very beautiful, but how would I know?! Build-up The week before Full Moon was excellent, as Haad Rin is a great place to party all week, not just for one night. Nobody gets out of bed much before noon, then everyone heads to the beach to lie around and do nothing. From around 9pm until 4 or 5am, everyone drinks ridiculously strong buckets of unspecified alcohol and dances on tables. Games like Fire Limbo and Fire Skipping Rope help to keep the ... read more

Would you stay in a place like this? Accommodation - cramped dorms with outside toilets and showers, only cold water and no soap or toilet paper. They were permanently dark and filled with comically offensive graffiti, also without locks on the doors. Ants, mosquitoes and other wildlife in permanent residence. Weather - rain at the most inconvenient times of the day, which often led to the streets being filled with unspecified sewage and an unpleasant smell. Location - narrow streets filled with cats (better than dogs, I suppose) with a permanent danger of being run down by erratic cyclists (at least you can hear a motorbike coming). Nightlife - a few bars playing the same 20 songs on endless repeat. Watching bar brawls under the guise of 'Thai Boxing' in a Reggae Bar that didn't ever ... read more

I've just about survived the first 2 weeks of a very long trip. It's been brilliant meeting new people doing the same kind of travelling as me and I've had some great nights out so far. Got to visit Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai and Hua Hin, all very different from each other. A To Do list for the relevant authorities There are definitely a few aspects of Thailand, however, that I am completely unsuited to: - The weather is far too hot! (I know it's a standard British thing - complain it's too cold, then moan when it gets hot). I'm finding it difficult to drink enough water each day to stay cool, yet alone cancel out the previous evening's beers. Hence some serious heatstroke last week in Chiang Mai. - I don't subscribe to any ... read more

To start this blogging lark off, I will answer some of the questions that I have frequently been asked about my travel plans. Why am I doing this? Several reasons: 1) I need a break. A long break. 11 and a half years with the company, moving house and changing my job every couple of years, has taken its toll. I'm tired! 2) I've always wanted to travel, but never had the opportunity. Everything has fallen into place at the right time. People who have been travelling before me (Richard and Becci in particular) have really inspired me as to what is out there in the big wide world. Instead of dreaming about travelling and envying those who have done it, it's time for me to experience it for myself. 3) Because I said I would. ... read more