Blogs from Oceania - page 7430

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Oceania » Cook Islands » Rarotonga January 28th 2006

The Cook Islands are about 13 degrees east of the international date line. They are some of the last places on Earth to see the dawn of the new day, being 10 hours behind GMT. They are only four hours ahead of east coast Australia, though there it's tomorrow. We find it's best not to think about that too much - it frys our fun-sized brains. It seems appropriate that these islands should be out here at the end of time. We sensed the isolation when we flew in from Easter Island, through Tahiti. For hour upon hour there is nothing - not even a slither of land. The Cooks are tiny specs in the vast Pacific. However, the islands are connected to the rest of the world, having a few international airports, some satellite internet ... read more
Not enjoying it here, oh no
Avarua market, Rarotonga
One foot island

Oceania » Australia » New South Wales » Sydney January 28th 2006

Recreation required. I start early toward Rushcutters Bay, the location of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia. This takes me through Darlinghurst. Had a tremendous response. Ended up in the park at Rushcutters Bay. More interest. I walked the docks briefly and got a ride on a racer. We go out. The race starts. We head for the back of the fleet. All tolled we fouled four boats and ripped the asymetrical spinnaker. Sharp learning curve required. Not to worry. A few jugs at the club and she'll be right next week. The walk back looms. Further sticker takers. Then a guy hails me from across the street. He says he saw me on the Channel 7 morning show. Confirmation of national coverage!!!!! Great. Almost back to hotel when I encounter my next door neighbor. Sancho ... read more

Oceania » Australia » New South Wales » Sydney » Bondi Beach January 28th 2006

It's another 'bobby-dazzler' down here (bright, sunny, day in Oz-Speak). We already hit the beach this morning before the crowds descended. I suppose that's one of the advantages to the early morning routine that a toddler demands. We don't get to sleep in, but we do get to hang out at the beach nice and early. So a few bits of fun news from our camp. First, The Beverly Citizen, a local newspaper from our hometown back in the U.S., has started running a series of columns that I'm writing about life down here. Of course they are mostly just shortened versions of my favorite blog entries - - let me know which ones you've liked the best so far and which ones I should, under no circumstances, consider reusing! The bigger, more exciting announcement this ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Lake Tekapo January 28th 2006

Rangitata Gorge River rafting Life doesnt' get much better. I caught the Rangitata bus to the Rangitata lodge. We loaded my bike trailer and baggage into the bus. The bike got the front seat. I decided to bypass the trip out of town because drivers in Christchurch are nuts. I'm glad I did because it was 2 hours of flat boring landscape with lots of traffic. Anyway we arrived at a beautiful lodge perched on a hillside with lush green forest surrounding it. They fed us lunch so we'd have energy to paddle hard. Then we took a bus to the put in. A wide open river plane with mountains in the backdrop up stream. Stunning. I ended up in a boat with an Israeli couple and a couple from the UK. Both very friendly. It ... read more

Oceania » Australia » New South Wales » Wollongong January 28th 2006

Hurts to move. Every move I make hurts with searing pain. Everytime I look in the mirror I can hear the Australian devil laughing..... ... read more
b-b-b-beach
Home sweet home

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Glaciers January 28th 2006

Well we been moving around a lot and are now staying in fox glacier ..Moving to Queenstown tomorrow.. Cannot get any pics on here as no card readers... Mega hot today ...we goin to Milford sound from Queenstown then on the jet boat ride.. Time goin quick now and not lookin forward to flight home ...Goin to try and book our seats online get a bit more space ....Speak soon...... read more

Oceania » Australia » Queensland » Noosa January 28th 2006

Well hello there! Since I've last written, Kristen and I have ended our stay in Byron, moved onto Surfer's Paradise, then Brisbane, and are currently in Noosa. Byron so far has been the most fun. Once the rain finally let up it was a good party. We ended up switching hostels to get out of the tippee and away from all the mosquitoes. But we ended up always going back to Arts Factory at night to meet up with friends that we had met there. Before going out to a bar/club a group of us including Katie from Texas (awesome girl!), Moritz from Germany, some Canadian gals, and some Aussie guys, would sit around a table and drink from a Goon! That's right a goon. It's what they call a box of wine. And it is ... read more

Oceania » Australia » Queensland » Cairns January 27th 2006

Jumped on an early tram by the skin of our teeth and made our way through the city to the the airport via the Skybus. No dramas checking in, although we both got randomly tested for traces of explosives! Must look dodgy.. Our hostel in Cairns was called Gilligans, and was a huge place calling itself a Backpackers resort hotel, and had a lovely pool and out door bar, a huge indoor bar/club area with pool tables, giant screens (handy for the tennis) and well equipped rooms with balconys. A bit of a luxury really but still only 10 pounds a night. We immediately booked up a trip out to the Barrier Reef to go scuba diving with TUSA Dive. It was a fantastic day and I really enjoyed the dive itself, which was good as ... read more
Cape trib night walk
Mission Beach YHA
Magnetic Island

Oceania » Australia » New South Wales » Sydney » Manly January 27th 2006

Hello! When we arrived in Manly we booked into the backpackers lodge for a week so we could all settle down a little and try and organise some things!! I think i may have left it out last time but a few of us went to the Sydney Aquarium which was pretty interesting. It includes all sorts of australian sealife including crocodiles and big old sharks! I managed to get some photos but due to the reflection of the glass i didnt manage to get any great ones! When we got to manly, to our surprise we met up with another 5 or so people that everyone already knew back in essex so we are currently a group of about 15 strong! The week has been interesting to say the least! The hostel is basic but ... read more
Sydney Aqaurium Penguins
Sydney Aqaurium
Sydney Aqaurium Shark

Oceania » Australia » New South Wales » Sydney January 27th 2006

I'll be leaving for the Philippines on the 13th of March 2006 and staying 7 weeks. One of my first tasks is to setup my travel blog so my family and friends can read about my trip. I've still got a few things to work out but I have got a draft itiniary, places I'll be visiting include: Manila Daet Mayon Volcano Cataduanes Marinduque San Fabian Laoag Tagaytay And possibly: Borocay Davao Zambales I'll be traveling alone for 2 or 3 weeks and will be with my wife, kids, inlaws and outlaws for the rest of my stay. I'm hoping to find internet cafes so I can update my travel blog on a regular basis. I plan to some surfing if I find suitable conditions in Daet, Cataduanes, Laoag and Zambales, as I haven't ridden a ... read more




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