Sellout Steve

So just a little update.... Illness in Bangkok A week of feeling sorry for myself and coughing up nasty things from my lungs while not being able to take occasional sanctuary (read: air conditioning) in the big shopping malls in downtown/central Bangkok made for a low time. I had an interesting discussion with Amilie at Villa Cha Cha one night. She works for a Acrlyic sheet manufacturing company during the day (in import/export as her English is excellent) and then works in the restaurant/bar in the evening (8.30am to 11.00pm!). She did yawn once or twice! Asking me what I thought of Thailand, well I see the tourist Thailand it is hard to see or understand the Thailand she knows as home. We are insulated from much of the country and trying to understand the troubles ... read more

Choo Choo! So after things finally opened up after the Songkram festival I was able to book a train up to Chiang Mai - an overnight sleeper. So on the train i briefly spoke to Sally who happened to come from Brisbane (but like all girls that come from that region a bit nuts! But she was obviously not charmed and went off to sleep fairly shortly). I had the top bunk and with the train rolling around like a ship at sea I didn't think I'd get any sleep or would fall out shortly. Surprisingly enough I did get some sleep and it was actually quite a pleasant way to travel. Of course it worked on Thai time so we were an hour and a half late. We complain in the UK about being five ... read more

So I've come to my final entry for New Zealand and possible the highlight of my time here. After a couple of days mooching in Christchurch I was picked up by the motorcycle hire guys. Christchurch to Twizel url=http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=189+Ryans+Road,+Yaldhurst,+Christchurch,+NZ&daddr=Darfield+to:Bushside+to:High+Country+Holiday+Lodge+%26+Backpackers,+MacKenzie+Drive,+Twizel,+Canterbury+7901,+New+Zealand&hl=en&geocode=FY4baP0dm2pICilDVnKjqvUxbTGdYKKz40W31A%3B%3B%3B&mra=ls&sll=-43.882057,171.309814&sspn=0.904714,1.766052&ie=UTF8&z=8/ Christchurch to Twizel Map There it was, a BMW F650GS, freedom from buses at last. Jacket to large but who cares! I was off with a 300km ride down to Twizel. I had taken the inland, more scenic, route that ran along the edge Canterbury plain with the mountains to the west. The day was sunny, no cars around and... read more

Heading So Queenstown is the self proclaimed adventure capital of the New Zealand. I stayed at Bumbles backpacker that has a stunning view across the lake. So here you can throw yourself off any structure you can think of (Bungy), Swing over a Canyon, Skydive, Rock climb, basically anything designed to scare the crap out of you. One thing I found out rather quickly Queenstown is designed to suck money out of you; it is world class at that. My first full day here revealed three important things; one the key to Bumbles included a 2 for 1 drink deal at the Buffalo bar (every night of the week)...sighs! Secondly I was knackered and decided my first day was going to consist of being a vegetable. Thirdly it is a small world. I stood gob smacked ... read more

Nelson to Westport Down to Westport and a jetboat ride on the Buller river, a river that rises reguarly upto 8 metres and its flood level record is 16 metres - it passes the same volume of water as the amazon in the winter! A little jetboating ride with Eric (reminded me of the guy from Home Improvement - everything needed more power, 2xV8 with 820hp, yadda, yadda, yadda....!). His aim seemed to be to get us as wet as possible in our Ali G get ups!. Westport itself - pizza, beer and a doubles pool in the evening. Myself and Darren (England) versus Jos & A.N.other (Holland), 1-3 beers you get better, 4+ beers you get worse. Sorry 0-1 Holland. Well doen Jos. Grrr...Other than that don't bother with Westport. Westport to Lake Maniapua In ... read more