Brilliant Blog I really enjoyed your writing skill of amusingly informing me of what we need to know. My husband and I are going to follow in your footsteps in October. His a Brit and I am a Mexican. Could I ask one small question? that is do you have a list of the clothing and other items that you took. We know we need to travel light but how light is light?? Any items you wish you had taken and any which were a total waste of space. I would really appreciate any advice you could offer.
Thanks for your help.
Lorena
Glad you enjoyed the blog... it's been a while now so having to trawl our memories for exactly what we took. The simple answer is to remember (unless you're hiring a porter) that you will have to physically carry every item you take every step of the way, so basically the less the better. We walked most days in shorts and a light-weight long-sleeved top, which we found we could wash-out overnight and be dry in the morning, but obviously just in case had a spare. Similarly for socks and underwear. We also had some thicker socks to wear at night, gloves and a woolly hat (you can buy all these very cheaply when you get there). We had one pair each of long trousers and also waterproof trousers to go over these when needed, and a fleece each. We also each had a down jacket which we hired and needed only on one day (but we DID need it then and were generally pretty lucky weatherwise!!!). We also saved considerable weight and bulk by not taking sleeping bags... we found every teahouse had plenty of thick duvets to give out as long as you got there early.
Using this method Debbie got the total weight of her small pack down to about 6kg, and got many an envious glance as she waltzed past those carrying full size bags of about 20 kilos! (don't forget that a big pack will weigh a few kilos itself, even when empty).On top of that you really need to carry a couple of litres of water each with you every day which adds more weight, and I had about another 6 kilos of camera gear I had to lug everywhere, but the pictures still look pretty so, while hard at the time I don't regret that now!
In summary, take as little as you think you can possibly get away with and just get out there and enjoy it... it really is fabulous!
castle just little amendment..the castle has a long history dating back to 11th century, it was nearly destroyed and left in ruins for a long period of time (1811 to 1953) but from 1957 it was reconstructed.
Publish ! Hi Andy, you hit the mark yet again, great short travel story and a very entertaining read. Why don't you put all your travel tales in a book, at the very least an online book and publish it with Amazon for Kindle. I read so many travel books (hung up my trainers, sandals & boots now ), even if it was in the 99p bracket you'd make a few quid, but most of all, you'd provide some great reading to people who don't know about your blog. Honest mate, there really is some crap travel books on Amazon, but your writings would make a brilliant compilation put together as a collection of short stories. The writing is great, the experiences are, what can I say ? varied, interesting, scary, comical, etc. Think about it. All the best.
Oi! Oi! My Mum and Dad still don't know I can ride a motorbike (a loose term seeing as I destroyed the one in the photo!) Good thing they're not on th'internet,they'd probably think blogging was a sexual act anyway.Bacon rind anyone?
Hmmm, hadn't occurred to me that I'm not sure my parents know either! Oh well, they do now!!! At least they can be reassured I've never ridden one quite as big and silly as that again... you've really got to have the long hair to be able to pull off the look!
What a delightful recounting of your visit to New Zealand... I wish you had spend longer there...enough for several blogs. It appears that you had great weather in early September, so we have even better weather, I hope, during the second half of October when we tour the South and then the North Islands after a couple days in middle aged Sydney. Anyway, I hope in your old age you finally collect your "journals" and perhaps some faded pictures and write your retrospective on life and its travels.
Your photos sucked me in, and there I was laughing aloud in my dorm room, reading your wry humor. Fortunately, I\'m alone in my dorm as it\'s low season in that other part of the southern hemisphere that likes to claim its superlatives--South America. And quite aside, as a mountain hiker, I love way-showing cairns--what a great name for a town; you chose well. Happy travels!
Great entry and some gorgeous photos! I'm always proud when I read entries from people who have left with a similar impression of the country as you did. Next time you're passing through let us know, and we'll round up some TBers for you :-)
Hmmm! Just back from Bulgaria.......... The above made me feel a bit of a wimp..... only took one small bed bug for Ken to persuade me that the five star Kempinski Grand Arena in Bansko was a better base for tackling the Pirin mountains than another budget hotel. Still I am a good deal older than you and after ten days of snorkelling and arguing with your nephews throughout Menorca (you probably heard us) I did need a break from blood suckers.
Though your photos are spectacular, it is the writing in this and your last blog that have thoroughly blown me over. I think Shakespeare might have agreed to toast a marshmallow with the two of you.
lovely underwater shots here :) it's fun reading your stories. palau is in my bucket list and you described it so beautifully, can't wait...actually i'd have to wait. someday, palau :) happy travels! x
Thanks for all the shampoo I LOVE this blog! So Aussie :)
I admit..im one of those people who just know other people will have shampoo...i cant help myself. Thanks for the blog.....and the shampoo :-)
Ah! I still remember my first view of Annapurna. Coming up in a truck from Raxaul. Jungle, jungle, jungle and then you come over a rise in the road and POW! the Himalaya are laid out before you in all their glory with Annapurna towering high and Everest in the distance. Breathtaking!
Hello fellow traveller Hello Andy and Debbie! I enjoyed reading your blog and fell in love with your pictures. I will definitely have to see this place someday with my own eyes! Thanks for sharing
Quotes from the Psalms I enjoy your style of writing. I understand how God became the theme of this blog, although in an irreverent sort of way. You quoted from Psalm 23. Here's another, Psalm 19:1 "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmaments showeth his handiwork." I always felt closer to God when skiing in fresh powder in the Swiss Alps.
Hilarious! I read your blog last night and cracked up laughing - thank you so much for a fantastic blog and letting us all enjoy your journey with god/debbie :)
They say your whole life flashes before your eyes just before you die.
But the big question is, will it be worth watching?
Andy & Debbie have been traversing the globe for twenty-odd years in search of the answers to Life, the Universe and Everything.
From all the signs so far it's unlikely to be 42, though in fairness, we've yet to come up with a better figure...
The views and opinions expressed in this blog are not endorsed by the publisher, it's affiliates, or even the author himself. Should you find any of the material offensive, you probably need to get out more.
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traveltalesofawoollymammoth
Jo Roberts
Brilliant.....
Simply Brilliant