robsta
rob fernandes Joined: January 27th 2007
Logged in: April 22nd 2010
Logged in: April 22nd 2010
Travel Blog Posts
getting a bit of Maori culture
The ferry crossing was supposed to be another spectacle of beauty. Unfortunately, Carmen and I both fell asleep, so we can’t really tell you much about the crossing. We got off the ferry at wellington, and booked into the campsite. As it was, it happened to be the final of the rugby league world cup. NZ Vs Australia. What a game to watch. We were all packed in to watch the game. Even the receptionist brought in his dog, and we watched a highly entertaining game, which NZ actually won, against all odds!!! Its nice to see the Aussies get it up them again!!! They even lost the cricket test to India!!! Hahaha!!!! Wellington is a nice little city. However, its bloody windy here, and the weather changes more time than I eat (which is a ... read more
welcome to NZ
New Zealand promised to be a lot of things. Breathtaking scenery, adrenalin-fuelled adventures, fun loving people, but we had not accounted for sooo much rain!!! Our first days in NZ were spent in a backpackers in Christchurch. Its nice here, but really, really English (I feel like I’m home again). It rains all day, and we have to keep ducking into shops to get out of it. Its FREEZING COLD!!!! Its supposed to be spring!!! Spring in QLD is hot!!! We came here for what??? We pick up our campervan (which is smaller tan expected, but will do), and head up north to Kaikoura. It’s where we can see sperm whales (3rd largest in world). We go out in the evening, but only see 2 (kinda, they are eating so are gone for 30-40 minutes at ... read more
the team
Now it’s not often that I want to digress from my travel blog, and devote time to writing all about a specific company. Infact, the only time I have done this was in the beginning (read warning for travelers), and that was a bad digression. This time, it’s all good!!! Carmen wanted to do a health retreat for some time now, and we only just missed out in Thailand. Since then, there has been no stopping her, and she has trailed the internet, looking for another retreat. Along came this couple, who have set up a wellness retreat in Nelson, NZ. I have to say, I was very skeptical about all this, and saw it as 5 days of torture. I had not done any research into it myself, leaving it all to Carmen to sort ... read more
wineglass bay
We arrived in Hobart, Tasmania, having left Sydney for the last time. It was lovely to see Zoe, Larry and Lily again, and amazing that Lily has grown so much in 1 ½ years!!! The last time we saw her, she could hardly sit up, and now she is running around like a Duracell rabbit!!! The immediate thought on exiting the plane was “shit this is cold!!!” We had endured temperatures of 30C and now we were down to about 10C!!!! Still, we were eager to get into our campervan, so started looking for the Apollo rental office. We looked around and ……well, it wasn’t there!!! We asked at the office…..and no one knew!!!!! So we rang them, and the manager said “yeah mate, you have to get a taxi to us!!” Now, having spent around ... read more
arriving in the sunshine state
We crossed the border from NT to Queensland, knowing that this was the final border in an epic journey around the biggest country we have ever travelled. It was a moment of realization that it was soon all to end, and that brought some sadness. However, we were also aware that this was where we were going to have the most fun, and Queensland has promised a whole load of fun . It was another long straight road, and we were fast becoming fed up of these. It really does take a whole load of concentration, and after many days of traveling 500-700Kms, and endless problems with the car, we were ready to throw the car in the gutter and get a plane to our final destination. If we had done that, however, we would have ... read more
Katerine Gorge
We cross the border after Kununarra, Infact we barely realized that we did pass the border. Our first stop is Katherine. By now we have hooked up with a French guy called Olivier. Whilst he headed off for a few days, we explored Katherine. The first thing that really hits you about the NT is the numerous signs warning you of salt water crocodiles (salties). These are the most fearsome creatures on this planet, but it’s almost like you can’t go swimming anywhere, such is the danger. Katherine gorge is beautiful, spectacular. We had an aboriginal guide, who explained how the gorges were formed, and the frightening levels that they can reach during the wet season. The pictures, I am sure you will agree, are fabulous, and its worth the visit every time. This is also ... read more
standing in the desert
Sorry again for the late blog entries. We've been too busy having fun. But anyway...here it goes again. So we arrived back in Oz, and after 2 weeks of sorting out papers and car, we hit the road again. Our first stop is not that far away. Cervantes is a small town, made famous fors its proximity to the Pinnicals. Thes are limestone rocks that, for some unknown reason, jut out of the land, and have formed a huge plain of these mysterious objects. However, what is more easily noticable is the amount of flies that plague you. We had experienced some when crossing the nullabor, but this was something we had not counted on. Infact they make the whole experience unenjoyable. Our next stop is Geraldton, and the fly problem is getting worse. However, Geraldton ... read more
a new driver for the williams team
Singapore was always about meeting my cousin Ula, and her husband, whom i had never met before. Infact i had not seen Ula for some 14 years (it seems that part of this adventure is catching up with relatives that i have not seen in many many years!!). It was great to see her again, and introduce her to Carmen for the first time. It was also great to see Vincent. They were kind enough to let us stay with them for a few days, and we were well cared for. Singapore was much like Malaysia, except that its richer and more developed. KL was pretty developed and rich in stature, but I think singapore took it. It really is amazing to see people from all ethnic origins, getting on together, living together, with no signs ... read more
another day another border crossing
We entered Malaysia on a boat trip from Satun in Thailand to the beautiful island of Langkawi. We stayed at the Palms guesthouse, run by Sue and her husband. It’s a very nice, if a little basic chalet but, your right near the beach and you have everything you need within walking distance. The beach is the best bit. Ok the water is not as clear as in Thailand, but the sand is far better. Its that perfect white, powdery feel, and you can laze away for many a day. What is quite amusing, is to see the Malay guys, pretending to be taking a leisurely stroll on the beach, whilst all the time they are ogling the pretty young girls who have decided to strip bear (arguably for their pleasure). What is also almost immediately ... read more
the beginning
We flew from Luang Prabang to Chang Mai on Lao airlines. We had read some pretty bad things about this airline, but it turned out to be not too bad. The airport in Luang Prabang is small, but it works. We arrive in Chang Mai, and book into the Top North Guest house. WHAT A SHITHOLE!!!!! We are not that fussy when it comes to places to sleep, given that we generally donl't spend that much time in the rooms. But you only really pay for the swimmingpool. The rooms are dingy, the mattress is crap, and it has an old school feel about the place. The staff aren't that helpful (the ladyboy attendant was rude), and we moved straight out the next day to the All in 1 guesthouse, just next door. This is a ... read more
