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Published: February 6th 2009
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So much has happened since we last dropped you a line it is hard to remember everything. I guess first things first....
- Hope you all got what you wanted at Barclays
- Owen, Happy Birthday (it is soon), have a fantastic day and lots of cake.
- Bux, Jon, Chris, this is when the sleepless nights begin so good luck fellas. I am sure number 2 will be easier than number one (mind you i have no idea how hard number one was).
- Come on England, it is about time we took that 6 Nations back where it rightfully belongs and stopped letting these made up teams think they know what they are doing.
So, from the Dolphins of The Bay Of Plenty (sooo good) we travelled the short trip to Auckland where we arrived just in time for Auckland Anniversary celebrations (completely planned of course) and got to experience one of the best Fireworks displays ever. Sat on the end of the quay, with many others, we were blessed with a spectacular show, and I am not talking a few bangers and a wet Catherine Wheel. The whole harbour lit up with the display. It was a great experiance to behold.
That pretty much set the tone for the next few days. Some good seafood, trips across the harbour, just enjoying the whole culture of the place. We stayed in Parnell which was a great little area just outside the city center, and of course frequented the local irish bar. To be blunt we were far too scruffy and smelly (my sandals) to fit in anywhere else, but we tried our best.
Next stop was Easter Island via Santiago. Our worst bit of Jet lag yet from sitting on a plane for 12 hours and actually went back in time by 6 hours. Hence we were a little flat in Santiago and failed to really get a feel for the place. Not to mention that the Lonely Planet makes out that all the locals are hell bent on holding you up with a meat cleaver just for your empty rucksack. Needless to say we were happy to move on to Easter Island, or at least that was the plan at 6 in the morning when we were locked out of our hostal with no sign of our taxi......
Think the lord of taxis is trying to tell us to get the bus. Anyway, after roaming the streets of Santiago with only the cats for company (whom no doubt spoke better spanish than me) we managed to get ourselves sorted and flew to Isla de Pascua.
What a place, something everyone should see if they get the chance. 15m high statues littering the small island (600 in total). I had an expectation but it was a long way from the reality of the Moai statues, they are more impressive in real life. With my nose I actually felt at home.
Back to Santiago and this time we had got over the jet lag. Found a great little hostal and met quite a few other travellers. After swapping emails (and books, that wife of mine eats the damn things) we moved into a very nice apartment for the week. We are on the 16th floor so have a good view of the Andes from our bedroom window (a very nice way to wake up in the morning). There is a pool on the roof but have yet to try it. Santiago is massive, 8 million people (that is twice as many as the whole of New Zealand). After the solitude of the camper van this is quite a shock to the system.
So, a week of spanish school. So laid back it is practically horizontal. We start, maybe at 10, maybe not, who knows. I am enjoying the challenge, and guess I am learning something, however not too sure what yet. Thankfully Rach knows what she is doing so will be acting as my guide for the next 3 mths. I can ask for un Cerveca and los Banos, what more does a man need. The answer is quite a lot as I found out at the bus station.
Anyway, places to go and Pisco Sours to drink.....
What is going on with the UK interest rate! Lowest in 300yrs, has Gordon got snow in his ears or something!
Adios
Finally I get chance to say something, Richard does go on!! Hopefully his spelling has improved as he now gets me to check it due to the abuse he has received!
Michelle, Zoe and Neil - Hope everything is going ok at co-op (as well as it can be), take a leaf out of my book and go travelling!
Wendy - Hope you had a great time in ST Lucia
From watching BBC world news, it seems that I am never going to get a job back in England so heopefuuly my Spanish will have improved and i can get a job here teaching English! It is very bizarre learning Spanish by only using Spanish but with lots of body language we seem to get by. Pisco sours are very good here and very strong! We also got scoped out by two dodgy chilean guys who were following us for a bit but luckily managed to get across the road and lose them!! On the whole though, not as bad as everyone says.
Ciao (they use this to say Bye even thought it is Italian, very confusing!!)
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