Tom Hingley
Right then. Here's the plan....hingus2000
We fly out to Bangkok, from there we head north - sampling Laos and its charms. Then its back down south for the partying and paradise of the Thai islands. Once we are all beached-out we continue south to Malaysia, and then onto Singapore - where we will sip cocktails in Raffles hotel. Next it is Australia's turn to encounter us, as we work our way around the East of the colony from Cairns to Adelaide before jetting to New Zealand. Once we have tasted the wet, wild and windy delights of NZ it is time to move onto South America. Chile is our first port of call, from which we will work (or fly if funds/frequent flyer points allow) our way north, to Peru and Bolivia, where we live like Inca's, doing as they do - such as mountain biking the world's most dangerous road near La Paz. Back down to Argentina, where the sophistication of Buenos Aires will match perfectly our suave demeanour. Its then north into Brazil, enjoying the magnificent efficiency of Curitiba, the industrial wonders of Sao Paolo, before samba-ing our way into Rio - in which we live like kings (or gutter children depending on funds) before the final flight back home.
No doubt the entire trip will go exactly to plan. I mean, two 18 year old lads, limited funds and lack of local knowledge should be the perfect recipe for a hitch-free trip!
This blog will keep you all up to date with what we are up to, as well as having the best pictures.
For the entire collection of pictures, head over to: www.flickr.com/photos/hingus2000
I'll also be looking in on Facebook as well. The rest is up to you, leave as many messages as you like to remind us with what is going on back home!
Sit back, relax, lets go....
Travel Blog Posts
June 27th 2008
Sorry long time no post! The blog is not dead, just what with all the travelling it has been impossible to keep it typed up on here. But rest assured that I am still writing about every single place, and will do my upmost to at least get one or two more up before we return home. Once home, I will upload them all. It will be a mammoth task, but I don't like starting something and not finishing! Thanks.... read more
April 19th 2008
Brisbane, Queenslands capital, has worked hard to shed its image as a sleepy city, languishing in the shadows of its bigger brothers Sydney and Melbourne. Having visitied, it´s hard to say whether it has been truly successful. On the one hand, it´s hard avoid the vibrant city center, prosperous shopping malls, high profile galleries, and throngs of business-people. Yet on the other hand, there is a definate relaxed atmosphere about the city. A sense that it is its own place, and doesn´t necessarily have to live up to the hedonism of Sydney and Melbourne. That said, Brisbane is still not short of fun and good times, as we found out! After a comfortable flight, the sort you would expect on a Qantas scheduled service, we arrived at Brisbane airport mid-afternoon. Being the first Australian destination we ... read more
April 15th 2008
So now its Australia then! Out of the Asian frying-pan and into the preverbial barby! Lets kick off with a few facts - Australia could fit the entire landmass of the UK into itself over 21 times, yet has 3 times less people residing in it. To successfully make it out of Adelaide in 7 weeks, we will have to travel far more miles than we ever travelled in Asia in considerably less time. But you know what? I have a sneaky feeling we might just make it! For those of you aware of our current location, and following the blogs as I publish them, you might be able to spot that I have the power of hindsight to make that last statement! But while I catch up, in the interest of keeping things nicely chronological, ... read more
Singapore: If You Don't Buy a Ticket, You Can't Win the Raffles!
Published: May 26th 2008Asia » Singapore
April 8th 2008
Wow, a blog entry. Sorry for the delay folks, I'm still doing my best to catch up. Enjoy. Firstly, no, neither Paul nor myself have a raffle or anything similar. I just thought that as so much in Singapore is named after its founder, Sir Stamford Raffles, it would be rude not to include his name in the title. Being able to do so in such a (if I do say so myself) witty turn of phrase only sweetened the deal! Singapore is perfect, just perfect. It's hard to pick faults with a place where there is no litter, barely any crime, and public transport so efficient that even gets the Swiss jealous. It houses the finest zoo in the world, acts as the business and financial hub for much of Asia, and if money was ... read more
Kuala Lumpur: No Kualas, just yet....
Published: April 25th 2008Asia » Malaysia » Wilayah Persekutuan » Kuala Lumpur
April 4th 2008
The journey from Kuala Besut to Kuala Lumpur (KL) was great. It was really comfortable, we slept well, and despite it being 5am we were looking forward to seeing the sights KL had to offer. Looking forward so much in fact that I decided picking up my phone from the seat pocket would be far too much of a delay to the days itinerary - so didn't bother. For those of you oblivious to the sarcasm in that last sentence, yes, I have lost my phone. I don't want to turn this into an obituary, but my chunky N93 will be sorely missed! Its loss is the reason I'll probably be at university by the time this, and all future entries get published. This writing by hand gimmick is taking some getting used to - I'm ... read more
Perhentian Kecil: I Think we Have a Winner!
Published: April 16th 2008Asia » Malaysia » Terengganu » Perhentian Kecil
April 2nd 2008
Paul and I had already visited many beautiful beaches and islands. However the moment the boat arrived at the Perhentian islands, it was clear they would trump all those we had visited previously, and also set a benchmark so high I doubt anywhere else we are visiting (or even places we are not!) could beat. The journey from Penang was relatively painless, although we did need to spend a night in th town of Kuala Besut - the main port to the Perhentian islands. The population on the east coast of Malaysia was notably more Islamic than anywhere we had been so far, but that didn't (nor that it should) seem to affect the friendliness of the people. Short on cash andwith no ATM in Kuala Besut we would've been stuck had it not been for ... read more
March 30th 2008
If Penang is our first bite into the meal that is Malaysia, then so far, dinner has started nicely! A little bit sweet, a little bit spicy, and overall tasting great! Ok, enough of the food analogy. I think my brain has formulated that one because as I write we are currently hungrily anticipating a bite to eat in a beach cafe on the beautiful Perhentian Kecil. Who knows when this entry will get published, we will probably be in Cairns by then! (Stop press: actually I am typing this up in Brisbane!). Apologies for that, I have been a little (a lot!) behind over the last few weeks, but rest assured everything is being documented as we go along. Paul and I had a most enjoyable 3 night stint in Penang, Georgetown to be precise. ... read more
March 28th 2008
Thailand is an absolutely stunning country. The cities, the landscapes, and the people - all amazing. It is with great sadness that we have to leave. However, it appears it doesn't want us to go! We were up at the crack of dawn this morning as our minibus to the Thai border town of Sungai Kolok was due to pick us up at 6.45am. Even accounting for the relaxed nature of Thai timekeeping it was apparant by 8am that it wasn't going to show up. A couple of hurried phone calls later results in us being transferred onto a bus to Penang - save hanging around for another 24 hours. Alternatively we could have taken the later bus to Sungai Kolok, however that would mean us not arriving until after the border closes. As the deep ... read more
Krabi, Ao Nang & Phi Phi: Beach Hopping, Funds Dropping!
Published: April 4th 2008Asia » Thailand » South-West Thailand » Ao Nang
March 27th 2008
After the moderate expense of Koh Pha Ngan last week, we have haemorraged funds considerably more over the past several days. Part of that is because we have been swiftly hopping from place to place, this incurring travel costs, and also, it is just a fact that southern Thailand, especially the Andaman Sea side, is just expensive. By no means however have the extra funds spent in exploring these parts been a waste. We bought a ferry and bus ticket from Koh Pha Ngan to Krabi, the town that acts as the coastal hub on ther other side of the thin, Thai peninsular. The plan was to then connect to one of the beach resorts which are served by Krabi, either Ao Nang or Railey. Krabi itself is several miles inland, so while pleasant enough, isn't ... read more
Koh Pha Ngan: More Than Just the World's Best Party!
Published: March 29th 2008Asia » Thailand » South-West Thailand » Ko Pha-Ngan
March 21st 2008
Firstly, apologies for the time it has taken to get this published. We have been slightly nomadic over the last week or so, so finding somewhere (and the time) to get this typed and uploaded has been hard. Its dated as if it was written on the night of the Full Moon Party, which, I can assure you, it was most definately not! I'd like to express our time on Koh Pha Ngan in words, but to be honest I am going to struggle. The fact that some 4 days since we have left I still can't get the place out of my head, despite being on one of the World's finest islands at the moment (Phi Phi) really says it all. Obviously there is the Full Moon Party, and all the nights leading up to ... read more
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