Hi, great blog. Just want to say that I also read the book Hotel Kerobokan about the Bali Jail, and found it a fascinating read, and terrifying to think that you can end up in that place for years for one ecstasy pill. anyone thinking of travelling to bali, would no doubt find it compelling reading. also there is a great website, www.hotelkerobokan.com
Hey Can't believe your still away! It looks like soooo much fun,
thanks for keeping up with the blogs, it's great to see what your up to...even if it does make me extreemly jelous!!! take care x x x
Really Doing It!!! I can't believe you stopped at $2500, you were on a roll, it was ready to pay out BIG TIME!!!
Are you going to the Rocky Mountians? I went there once, wasn't as rocky as I thought (that John Denver is full of shit).
The Mustang looked AWESOME!
Hope Texas is more 'City Slickers' than 'Brokeback Mountain!
I hate goodbyes...
LA here we come Hi guys,
Thanks for an amazing block again. It all sounds so interesting and I am so excited reading your stories. Can't wait to see you and you can tell us more. Jerry's company is having their sales conference in Vegas in October and we were thinking for me to fly over for a couple of days to check out the city. Now we will definitely be doing this as it sounds magical.
What a cool car as well. I am so jealous!!!! You are officially the coolest travellers ;o).
Take care and make lots of pics from Texas.
Love you lots.
Sandra
P.S Amsterdam housewarming party is on 9th October, hope you can come and visit us in this amazing city.
Hellooooooo! Hi guys, hope you are both well? Loving the Whale pics and can't believe how lucky you were in Vegas! Wheeler of Fortune - Brilliant! Looking forward to seeing you next week xx
Funny Hello my Travellers
Kate well done for an amazing travel update. I was laughing my head off, especially about number 11!
We are in Croatia at the moment and we hired a sailing boat for 1 week, it was awsome. Now we are back on main land till Tuesday before we head back to Amsterdam on tuesday. You both would love sailing, especially Matt as it is a fab healing for sea sickness.
Enjoy the US and keep us posted. Our house warming will be in October and we hope you will be able to make it. We haven't set a date yet, so if the is any date that works better for you let us know.
Love and kisses
Sandra x
Hi from Yallingup, Western Australia Dear Kate and Matt,
Is a beautiful freeeezing morning and I am having a cup of tea on my deck watching the sunrise peek over the hill and through the gum trees overlooking my wonderful lake vista.
Have been reading your N.Z. blogg, just have not had time to chat. Must have been an amazing sea change going from snow to sand!
It sounded wonderful, I would love to visit Fiji one day.
Have been really busy (really?) I have just completed a tourism accreditation, which is essentially a major business analysis from A-Z (may as well have been a university thesis!!). And...a day or two from submitting our entry into the W.A. tourism awards, very exciting, tiring and nerve wracking.
Kate, thought you would be proud to know we kept your motto, 'Be Brilliant', yes you left your mark Down South and will have your five minutes of fame as your motto is firmly entrenched in the Yallingup Maze Motto and the tourism awards! Well done!
However, relaxation is on the horizon...I am off to Bali on Friday with my best friend from school for 10 days. Yay, sun, massages, yoga, read, relax mmmmmmm.
Bob is very proud of himself, sold his kangaroo dented, fire wood carter, Mercedes and bought a new wiz bang Volvo sedan daaaarling, he is hilarious when he is in his 'tree planting' (his new project) work clobber with Nana's sheet on the plush cream leather seats. Of course none of us are allowed to take a drive in the new car!
Ian wanted to know Matt, what was the best avenue you used whilst here to sell your back packers van? He may very well soon do his inurgaral trip to the Nullabour then sell Bruno's van (-: hence why he is not coming to Bali. That was an interesting choice for me, mmmmm driving in a van for hours across the red dirt vs sun, pool, shopping, massages! What a choice!
OK my two favourite English people, we all miss your brilliant happy precence. Must sign off now and lose myself....
Have fun in America!
Lots of Love, Amanda xx
Well done guys, you have successfully helped me pass ten minutes in my friday afternoon in the office!
We too did crab racing in the Maldives. Everyone goes crazy like there life depends on it! The thrill! We lost though so clearly we dont have the same eye for it as you guys. Well done on your win!
xxx
This one really made me laugh! Hey guys,
I think this post is my fav, sooooo funny! sounds like you have really enjoyed NZ. Will message you on FB as have some questions!
Lots of love Miranda
awesome Loving the pictures, and the blog. Can't wait to see you guys for a catch up.
Your pictures bring back memories of my trip a few years back - amazing to see how many similar ones I have - haha.
J
WOW-True Happieness Hello my lovelies, Kate well done for keeping up with the very entertaining blog. Absolutely loved your stories. I'm sure Sue can tell many more of your amazing adventures and you guys feeling poorly. I can't believe you are already away for 9months, your memory must be so full of amazing pictures. I loved the Ikea picture. Kate keep manifestering this image! It's a shame that you could not do the whale watching but your safety is priority! I went whale watching SA and the ocean was so ruff that everyone wished the would not have gone... I would love to do it again, maybe your or our next adventure will give us an opportunity to see it together. Have a fabulous time and enjoy your adventures. X
Blogtastic Cracking blog wheelie!! Nice to see you have taken over the reins and kept the standard so high. Pictures are amazing, everyone in my office agrees. Keep up the fun and enjoy the US. xxxx
it all sounds AMAZING!! so pleased you're having such a great time, and you are doing such amazing things (very proud of you both, dont think i could of gone through with the cave trip!!) looks so scary!
was really lovely to speak to you earlier, enjoy the whale watching (or the snooze in the van matt if you cant face the boat journey!!)
great blog this week matty, at least 9/10!!
love to B+C too!
all my love char xxxxx
Another wonderful account of your travels! I'm really impressed with your caving experience and the skydive, it all sounds amazing, great photos too. Looking forward to the next one! Take care, love to you all L and A xx
Hi from Amanda Hi Kate and Matt
Great to see the pics of NZ. Wish we were there again, it was this time two years ago that we were in
Queenstown and went to Wanaka to see puzzling world, the maze inception! Hoping I will get a hol, maybe to Bali in late July / early August for a well deserved break. Is really quiet at work now so spending more time working on the business. Love the blogs and you both look great, as usual. Will keep in touch. Love Amanda
I'm reading Hello, I am avidly reading, this one is my fav! Hilarious!! We have had some Scorchio weather the last few days, so has been lovely, Ryan and I went to Windsor for the weekend, it was great fun and was nice to spend more than 5 mins together (we are both sooooo busy at work!) Cherish your time together guys, it is very precious. Ryan is out at a rehearsal for a play he is in, in August, so will get him to mail soon. xxxx p.s. we had our choir concert last week, I will forward you the youtube link, although there isnt one of either mine or Ryan's solo's! (I know, who knew he could sing!!)
Another very amusing account of your Bali experience, i remember trying to barter there and it wasnt easy, we ended up with a huge amount of tee shirts that we didnt want, but Ben and Zoe went off and bought me a beautiful Balanese mask, not bad at 11 and 8 years old. Andy doesnt have good memories, (he wasnt very well), anyway it sounds as if you had a good time, we hope that you all have a great time in New Zealand, looking forward to the next Blog,keep warm xx
Keep writting! Hiya,
keep up the bloggs! It's a welcome escape for me and takes me back to my days of adventure! I love reading about your shananigans and offered a little bit of sunshine these dark winter months, I am even considering round 2 myself!
Take care
Kate's EDF friend, Craig
Hey Blog Fan! Hey Elisa, thanks for being a blog fan!! Your messages always make us smile! Yeah crazy stuff about Shapelle, I met this one guy in Bali who was Australian and he seemed to think she was guilty, I know no-one can say 100% except her, but I go with innocent and feel for her so much and it made me really sad to hear someone say this. We were tempted to go and see her, but its scary stuff and you never know what could happen so we didn't. Anyway take care you and keep us updated with how things are going with you and the current project! lots of love xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Two tone Matt!! Yes Matt currently comes in two tone legs!! Shortly to be white, white, white with all the cold weather in NZ!! I love that picture of Matt is makes me laugh until I cry!! xx
HHHeeeeeyyyyyyyy Glad to hear its not much longer for Sam in plaster, bet he has been driving you wild!! ha ha It must be great planning the wedding and thinking soon you will be Mrs Dakin!! Ah how scary!! Dont worry Vicky we'll still love you!! ha ha Glad we provide some entertainment for you whilst you are being paid at work - its all good!! Love to you and the cheeky chappy xxxxxxxx
Hello Folks,
We have decided to write a travel blog whilst we are away to keep all you lot (friends and family) up to date with our 12 month RTW adventure:
I (Matt) have been given the task (by Kate) of keeping this travel blog up to date whilst we are away. I will say that this website has not got spell check and therefore most words will be spelt incorrectly, however i'm sure Kate will not be short of words and will want to add/check it over/check my spelling mistakes before every blog entry.
So far I have handed my notice in at work and Kate has had a career break agreed, we've ... full info
martin
non-member comment
Hi, great blog. Just want to say that I also read the book Hotel Kerobokan about the Bali Jail, and found it a fascinating read, and terrifying to think that you can end up in that place for years for one ecstasy pill. anyone thinking of travelling to bali, would no doubt find it compelling reading. also there is a great website, www.hotelkerobokan.com