my run in with the legendary Mr. Cheng.. My friend and I took the bus up to yellow mountain, and instead of being dropped off at the bus station, were shown the door at Mr. Cheng's restaurant; being able to speak Chinese we asked many times if it was the right place to get off for the mountain, and were dutifully told yes. After the bus had closed the door on us and quickly driven away, we noticed we weren't in quite the right place - however, Mr. Cheng's restaurant staff informed us that Mr. Cheng would be showing up soon, and that he spoke English (which wasn't that important, as we both spoke Chinese). Things were beginning to look a bit fishy.. Not hungry, and mostly just wanting to get to the mountain, my friend and I proceeded walking in the direction of the bus station. Mr. Cheng showed up a minute later on motorbike, "helpfully" informing us that we were going in the wrong direction, having taken the wrong bus, and that he, the "top dog," whom we could look up on google, could help us out. After walking back to his restaurant and wasting 20 minutes of our lives, we finally proceeded to just ignore him, walked the "wrong direction" straight to the bus station, and recaptured out lives.
Thanks Mell Another complaint, we forced ourselves to have a beautiful walk and ease our bellies to Moeraki beach then witness a sunset! It’s sometimes a tough life!
Just AWESOME! Hi guys,
read your travel story in one go! You guys are just awesome! Nice story with a meaning and thanks for the beautiful photos... :)
if you have a chance pls send me some nice photos of those jumping blue eyed guys! :)
Wish you both all the best...
Long live untouched world - AOTEAROA
I like the sound of your Colin You have met some amazing people, I wonder If they realize they become apart of your brilliant blog (Yes I know, I'm biased) but it is pretty exceptional. I hope Colin did not leave you with a Glasgow Kiss? Kirstin, what a wonderful place to celebrate your birthday I'm so glad you done something special as next year it might only be a bag crisp at the local pub - But as you said to me "It is who you spend it with that makes it perfect. I hope you have many perfect Birthdays. sweeeeeet. Not long now; ordering the fatted calf for your return. As you are in NZ could you bring one home.
Love you lots - Can't wait.
looks like you are making your own version of "happy feet", only a week to go, i shall miss all the photo's as there are places that i know i will never get to see myself. safe journey onwards. Bev x
Sounds like my Sunday Lunch All luck and Patience, but I do a smashing steamed sponge with syrup, it will be on the menu when you both come home. Just giving you something to look forward to as you are leaving a lot behind. Syrup Pud I can do - Penguins Naaa. As usual the pics of your travels are wonderful and I know you are making the most of every minute.
Love you much - keep safe
Mummy Jean
Starstruck Hey Rob and Kirsten,
Well, just wanted you to both know that I have become totally addicted to your blog... In fact it is saved as one my favourite's on Scott's pc and I even check it for updates before facebook!! Blimey what will I do for entertainment when you come home? Is there any chance of a daily diary from whitstable complete with piccies of the corner shop where we used to get our pic n mix or the good old caravan site, which is actually a quarter of the size I remember it being!!!! Once the KIRO blogs stops God forbid I might actual have to communicate to you with real words........ Oh my God I'm start struck, can I have your autographs?????????
Anyway, take good care of yourselves for this last little bit of your journey. I really look forward to seeing you soon Rob - If I can locate you under the mass of face fuzz. Soooo looking forward to meeting you at long last Kirstin - not long now guys!!
Much love Laura xxxx
TICK, TOCK It's getting closer to coming home; from your photos and the way you describe NZ, I can tell you love it, the more you see the more there is to miss, it's going to be hard to leave it all behind. On the up side when you get back we can walk along Margate Beach, watch the sun set on the boarded up Woolworths come back and play a few Vinalys, Buddy Holly, Seekers, and that lovely old favourite Bing Cosby's Christmas Hits - There you go; wont that be nice. I can feel your excitement building up already. Stay safe, love you lots
Mummy Jean
not long to go before it all comes to end, but at least you both something else to look forward to. we all mock mum with her travelling kettle, but lets face it we would never turn the coffee down and is in fact very practical, it is only a matter of time until you turn into your parents.
the views still look wonderful and i'm sure the weather doesnt get in the way. see you very soon. Bev
go on i've been nz 2 years ago.i'm jealous.i hope i come back soon to see what i missed.keep going and share with us everything you can.thanks from greece.
Belated birthday wishes Hello Rob and Kirstin,
Well we both hope that the two of you are continuing to have a fabulous trip, by the looks of your blogs and the stunning pictures we can guess that you are.
Appologies for our emails being so few and far between as we are having to wait for Laura to email on our behalf and she keeps forgetting!!!! So unlike Laura - hmmmm.
Anyway, the reason for this mail is to wish Robert a wonderful birthday - FOR YESTERDAY!! Have a wonderful rest of trip - we are thinking of you both.
All our love Margaret and Bob xox
Moana Greetings Hey you 2, this is Alex and Trish from the MoanaLodge in Plimmerton. Finally after 2 weeks of no surf at all and a little cold, I made it back to LyallBay and to the surfshop to buy the Fin. So now I can tell you that I owe you 10 bucks, cause it costs $40 (just 1 Fin!). Looks like you need to return to WindyWelli to pick up the 10 bucks ;D
Congratulations to your blog, it's very nice and I really love the pictures! But I couldn't find a picture of the MoanaLodge?!
OK, have fun in the South and enjoy evey minute!
No matter what the weather is like it still looks so beautiful, no wonder you had to make a long hard decision to continue or come back to England. The weather here is a mixture of sunshine and showers but still reasonable warm unlike the freezing temperatures you are having. Going to mum’s the weekend and stopping off at Whitstable to see Pete and Maureen so will have a look at the caravan rental for you along with any other properties in the area, although I hear beach huts are quite a popular choice these days! Loopy has not been well for the past week, can rabbits get swine flu? She has not been eating and generally sleeps all day, but I refuse to pay vet bills when she only cost £20. Hope you have a great birthday old boy, and look forward to going out very soon. xx
sebastien chabal i had to look twice i thought it was you, but then i realised he had more hair (sorry) glad to see you are taking in a bit of culture, would have like to have seen pictures of the streaker this sounds like the highlight of the game.
love Bev
Hi Darlings No matter which way you cut it, it's still a cheese sandwich, are you sure you are eating proper as thoes sandwiches seemed to last a week. As always the photos are stunning, I dont want to panic you both but I would really love to come to NZ now. I love you both - keep safe
Mummy Jean
Hi Guys it was lovely to speak to you again. Looking at the photos of NZ the place looks absolutely stunning, really a bit like Epping green if you close one eye and squint! You both must be getting bored or old as the main reference to your latest blog was your cheese and chutney sandwich, which after reading did make my mouth water and really fancied one. I agree no other sandwich filling would have done the viewing justice. Let us know when you get into contact with Jamies friends, please try and scrub up Rob don’t want them thinking that I may have a resemblance to you and your body hair (although I do if I don’t shave often) keep well and safe. Miss you both loads. Bev xxxxxx
Peter
non-member comment
my run in with the legendary Mr. Cheng..
My friend and I took the bus up to yellow mountain, and instead of being dropped off at the bus station, were shown the door at Mr. Cheng's restaurant; being able to speak Chinese we asked many times if it was the right place to get off for the mountain, and were dutifully told yes. After the bus had closed the door on us and quickly driven away, we noticed we weren't in quite the right place - however, Mr. Cheng's restaurant staff informed us that Mr. Cheng would be showing up soon, and that he spoke English (which wasn't that important, as we both spoke Chinese). Things were beginning to look a bit fishy.. Not hungry, and mostly just wanting to get to the mountain, my friend and I proceeded walking in the direction of the bus station. Mr. Cheng showed up a minute later on motorbike, "helpfully" informing us that we were going in the wrong direction, having taken the wrong bus, and that he, the "top dog," whom we could look up on google, could help us out. After walking back to his restaurant and wasting 20 minutes of our lives, we finally proceeded to just ignore him, walked the "wrong direction" straight to the bus station, and recaptured out lives.