Hello from Melbourne. What a nice city - although it has been a bit chilly today. Had to wear a jacket for the first time. It was still sunny though - bit like a crisp autumn day in the UK. We had a great day today with Darren and Lauren - one very old friend and one new one! they took us around their Home town of Melbourne and we saw much, much more of it than we would have on our own. Had a lovely lunch in Chinatown - Dim Sum, then went to a fabulous cafe for afternoon tea - what amazing cakes!! Luckily, we did plenty of walking so I don't feel too guilty about the cakes.... Did a river cruise and drove down to St Kilda, which is a lovely place. Tomorrow ... read more

Hi all - or as all as are reading this! Thanks for the comments guys - glad to know some people are actually reading it! I am just writing a couple of lines while I'm waiting for my washing to finish - even us globe trotters have to succumb to the mundane things in life.... (lol) Will pop back later possibly while it's drying! Anyway, we went to the Blue Mountains and it was another lovely, sunny day. I fed some wallabies and some kangaroos; stroked a Koala, then took a glass-bottomed cable car across the top of the rainforest and down into the forest. Took a fab walk around the rainforest, then up again on a train (the steepest hillside train apparently!) Was a bit scary looking down at a 55 degree angle! Better go ... read more

Well - still unable to upload any photos! But I will ramble on for a little bit instead - what a treat! Went to Lantau Island today on the Ferry, then by bus to see the gian Buddha and the Po Lin Monastery. What a fab day we had - the best so far. It was very hot and sunny and I am slightly pink... in fact I did what all the locals do and bought a brolly! The Buddhist Monastery was lovely - so peaceful. The monks were chanting while we were there and I lit some incense for lost loved ones. Very good feeling though in that lovely place. Then we had a vegetarian lunch in the Monastery cafe - 3 courses for 5 quid. The soup was a bit like washing up water, ... read more

So here we are in Hong Kong. First 2 flights of 11 done. the flight over was great - some fab views at takeoff and landing and sunrise/sunset from the air. It never actually got dark as we followed the sun round. Had a good afternoon in HK exploring - just off to rooftop pool to see if I can get some good pics from the 28th floor! Can't upload photos into this machine :( but will try some in a couple of days. Barbara... read more