:) So i was googling coke and stumbled upon an image that said something to the effect of this is how to drink a coke, caught my attention, so I clicked on it. As I began to read about your incredible adventure I just felt I needed to say how awesome it sounded and how glad I am that someone out there has the bravory to do it. I would be scared as crap, so Props to you Sam and Helen. Oh I also must add that your blog of ya'll, yes ya'll, in america cracked me up. Its so true I stop and randomly talk to ppl with weird shirts and well I guess I randomly send someone I don't know from far away a comment but after all your travels and dedicated blogs I just felt I had to... Have a great life....
BIG Pizzas! Well, I think even I couldn't manage a pizza that big! A great final blog, Sam, and thank you for filling in the final bit. It's all been brilliant. I too am glad we didn't know how scarey it was!!!!! I wonder where your next blog will come from? Or ours................................................. Love Mum
Wish I had been there! Beautiful photos, Sam. It all looks sooooooooooooooo fantastic. Love the headgear Helly. Now we look forward to the America blog and hearing first hand about your adventures! You've been back 2 months and we are still waiting!!!! :-)
That shirt.... Loud shirt Sam. I used to have some curtains in material like that. I guess that the sunglasses toned it down a bit though.
All the same if someone would pay for me to go to Raratonga even I might agree to wear such a sartorial headache.
Love from Dad 2.
Wow! What a Country! Well, Sam, you've done it again. Well done for another great blog! Even Rebekah and Chris enjoyed looking at it yesterday and they are only 5 and 6 years old! Great photos, good narrative. But you'd better start taking the tablets now for the American Football! As for showing the world Adam's wet bum and making fun of him leaving home..................I don't know. He will get his revenge one day! What were you three up to??? As usual it makes enjoyable reading for us all (Sam Pritchard enjoyed reading it and is looking forward to the USA blog) and we can't wait to hear all the detail of your adventures. Love, Mum xxxxxxxxxxx
Lies Can I just remind 'Your Highness'.... that this is coming from the guy that, on the same trip, thought the song 'I got a woman' was originally written and performed by Jamie Foxx and that Ray Charles did a cover version of it - from the dead!!! Helen and I may not be Michael Palin or Judith Charmers but we know our popular culture.... your just not down with the kids anymore old man!!
P.S This blog was very average... try harder next time.
A new job for helen! well, now we know she can dance she'll nver be unemployed!!! What about you SAM? You could become a double act and appear on Strictly Com Dancing!
Good to see such wonderful pictures of you both, you look to be having such a lot of fun. Can't wait to see you.
My daughter drunk!?!?!?!?!!? Helen Alton!!! Sam Alton!!!!!!! Just what are you two up to!?!?!?!? Another super blog Sam. Really good fotos and so pleased to see what you did in NZ. Lovely snow fotos and it all looks SOOOOOOOOOOOO clean. Too cold for me though. Give me the heat any time. We do appreciate getting these updates and lots of lovely fotos. Have fun in Australia!!!!! Love, Mum. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Now we know what it must have been like for you! Well Sam, that's another great blog. Love the photos. You are really getting into travel journalism now. Well done! You have encapsulated your thoughts re your experiences very well and it makes great reading. Having just come back from Sri Lanka we understand better what you two have been up to in SE Asia. Dad says India next for us, but we'll have to save our pennies first! We too could do a blog but it would take too long! As usual we look forward to the next one you write. Happy Days! Love from Mummy xx
New Blog Great new Blog. Well done Sam, you surpass yourself each time. By the way, the elephant I drove was bigger than yours! We had to feed it bananas as we went so that it would keep moving.
Message for MICHEAL: If you send me your email address by clicking on the "CONTACT SAMBO AND HELLY" then i can write back to you directly and let you know all the details. The cost was $50 dollars a day per guide/bike and yes i can give you their contact details. Hopefully you will read this and i can email you direct. The "contact Sambo and Helly" is a private message board and i can email you back from that. Sam
Really enoyed your entry. My daughter and I are going in a few weeks. I spent a year and a half in Vietnam during the war...1966/67 where I actually lived with the Vietnamese. I too want to get off the beaten track and visit the small villages and attempt to find old friends. I'm curious...how much did it cost you to hire the two guides and their bikes. Also is it possible and suggested to rent one without the guides. It would be great to have an english speaking guide as I've forgotten nearly all the vietnamese I had learned. On a long shot....would it be possible for me to contact the same two guides? Thanks for any help you can provide.
Michael
Jealous You have succeeded 100% in making me wish I was back travelling with you. It sounds AMAZING..I think you should publish your blog..travel writting could become your new job..how fun would that be! Sam you look fit, Helen you look gorgeous..and you both seem soo happy which is the main thing. NZ will be a bit of a shock..no paparoaches and you have to pay in real money..however it is a stunning place and I'm sure you're going to love it. Keep writing, looking forward to hearing more of your news soon xxxxxxxxxx
wow - great blog! Thanks for taking the time to put all that together - it's a great read and those photos are fantastic! I think the cardboard box idea could catch on - maybe it should be introduced for the creche at Glendale?!
Hope you are not too cold in NZ x
Great Blog We really enjoyed reading about your adventure in Asia and the photos are brilliant. You both look so well, especially Hunky Sam! Look forward to the next episode from N.Z.
Fascinating Journey... It seems you're having a ball :). I agree with you that the only way to see the REAL country is to experience it yourselves. Tourist thingy is nice but you'd only know what "they" want you to see.
When you know the real country is, you understand completely why the locals behave toward tourists... It's all about survival skill and the Vietnamese seem to have plenty of it. Some tourists feel offended but it but most don't.
--Larry
Best Blog yet ? Fantastic job Sam. Great Blog yet again. Asia has affected you both, which is great. Such an amazing place, how could it be otherwise. Knowing that life can exist beyond the Playstation is a real eye opener on it's own ! NZ is actually about a million miles from Asia I gather.
Love from here.
Love the Raincoats!! WOW!!! What an amazing blog! Really brilliant, well done, Sam. I was smiling all through reading it! So many thoughts entered my mind, like.........Tofu (that's not what we Wills call it! More like something that ryhmes with fogies!) What a silly little torch, Helly! You know what Dad will say..........there's a perectly good headtorch you left behind here in Newbury! Vegetarians............oh no! We've been there before............. for almost 10 years!! Plastic macs! So stylish.....we all want one! NATHAN!!!!!! Wait till I go upstairs and tell Fluppy! Tut, tut, tut. She will be SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO sad. Love you loads. Happy days in NZ. Mummy xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Vietnamese Pot-Bellied Pigs Are SOOO CUTE! If you eat too many banana pancakes you will get FAT!! I remember you had a school friend who kept 2 pigs as house pets! Do you? What cute little fellows they are. Just love the photos and the narrative on the blog, Sam. You've bought lots of bracelets and such, have you seen any unusual small musical instruments? Sam, what's that you say about shopping with Helen?!?!?!? :-) Freezing cold here and very wet indeed. Chelsea Flower Show this week and all the gardens are for the drought!! Have you seen any beautiful gardens on your travels? Love you loads. Mummy xxxx
Banana Pancakes! Hi Helen and Sam - lovely to hear and see what you are up to - will you ever be able to settle to life back into Englsih suburbia? Weather here unbelievably cold and wet - Glendale's cricket match was cancelled today. Still chucking it down at 17.30 p.m Doh! When we were in Malaysia we became addicted to their 'goreng pisang' - deep fried bananas in batter - out of this world and makes my mouth water just to think of them. May your journey continue to be interesting, exciting and exhilarating. Much love from us both - Ciao! Ian and Erica
WOW!! What amazing photos. I almost feel I'm there with you! (wish I was and not marking SATs papers!!!!).
I love the idea of Helen being a ventriloquests dummy! (I don't think so Sam!)
Can't wait for the next blog.
kat
non-member comment
:)
So i was googling coke and stumbled upon an image that said something to the effect of this is how to drink a coke, caught my attention, so I clicked on it. As I began to read about your incredible adventure I just felt I needed to say how awesome it sounded and how glad I am that someone out there has the bravory to do it. I would be scared as crap, so Props to you Sam and Helen. Oh I also must add that your blog of ya'll, yes ya'll, in america cracked me up. Its so true I stop and randomly talk to ppl with weird shirts and well I guess I randomly send someone I don't know from far away a comment but after all your travels and dedicated blogs I just felt I had to... Have a great life....