New Years Eve in NZ

Were in Oamaru for NY which is by the beach on the South Island of NZ were celebrating in true kiwi style by going to watch the Hobbit at the local cinema!

It's a nice 25oC but very windy!!

Arrived in Hobbit Land (New Zealand)

We arrived in New Zealand at 5am on Sunday. After a couple of hours sleep we spent half a day seeing what's left of Christchurch. First food tasted in New Zealand a lamb sausage role with Apple and parsley .....

Ashes..... Day 2

Probably the best day for a Brit to go and watch the cricket on day 2 at the MCG with 13 wickets being taken and most of them Aussie players photos to follow.....

Xmas in Oz

People keep asking what Xmas is like in Oz. Christmas day was spent at one of Kath's relatives eating outside. Lunch consisted of lamb, turkey and ham with various hot and cold salads. It was a nice 34oC, we ate outside with umbrella cover to stop us all burning. This was followed by the kids (and adults) having a water fight - none of the aussies could believe we do this in the UK as well. The day didn't go fully to plan as I ended in hospital and requiring stitches. Photos of the day will follow. Due to this Boxing Day has been spent watching the cricket and the start of the Sydney - Hobart boat race on TV!

The Long Way Round

We thought we are doing a big trip, these guys travelled by road all the way from Germany!

New Drinking Companion

Not quite Norm from cheers, this guys was our drinking companion for a night

More Sailing Pictures..........

Campervan Exploits

We hired a campervan for the first weekend in Queensland. Here is a picture, we also managed to drive through a bush fire didn't have chance to take a picture though..... I put a picture of the fire danger rating to give this post a bit more drama......

Beers of the World #6 Extended Edition

Just back from two weeks in Queensland. Managed to find the only fosters sign in Australia.

 

We are sailing....

Actually we've finished sailing and are relaxing in Mooloolaba. Thanks to the great people at Sunshine Sailing Australia, J  is now the proud owner of a day skipper certificate and I am officially Competent Crew.

Week 2 in Australia

Week 2 in Australia has seen us head to Queensland for 30oC + weather. We arrived on Tuesday morning and headed straight to Brisbane to explore the city. After that we spent a couple of days in the national parks - tamborine mountain and Lemington national park. Now we are spending a couple of days on the coast before we drop the camper van back and head off sailing for a week.

We can't post pictures as we have very limited access to the internet.

First Week in Australia

The first week in Oz has involved having a great time meeting up with family and friends and then heading off to the Grampians in Victoria for a couple of days. The temperatures have ranged from 12oC through to 30+ since we have been here. Here are a couple of pictures showing us using the BBQ and then putting the radiator on the next day. Plus there is a video at the end with the noise of the crickets in the Grampians turn your speakers up as high as they go and you will have an idea what it is like!

Beers of the world #5 Real Ale Special

Our first Australian Pale Ale of the trip and was awarded 4 / 5 for content.

Unfortunately for presentation this was awarded 1 / 5 due to the lack of a pint glass. Mobile phone is used a size comparison.  The one was awarded as the glass was cold.

Beers of the world #4

I found an Australian, other than Paul Hogan, who drinks XXXX. The beer in the microwave is a joke about English warm beer courtesy of the XXXX drinker.

Its nearly summer in Australia.........

Day 2 in Oz: Pies, Pies, Pies

Day 2 in Australia and we were straight to the best pie shop in Melbourne "Dinkum Pies" followed by a trip to the Vic market.

Greetings from Australia

We made it flying into Melbourne this morning. Relaxing in the back garden now at 25oC and planning the next part of the trip.

Lounge time again!

Do it yourself noodles and a Californian red.

Goodbye Vietnam

Its our final day in Vietnam were flying from the island of Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Min city and then straight to Melbourne on an overnight flight. From a nice 30oC to a cooler 20oC. This was our place in Phu Quoc.

G&Ts at the Rex Hotel

Friday night was a trip to the Rex hotel cocktail bar for a G&T. This was the place where the journalists uses to drink during the Vietnam war.

Beers of the world #3

Goodbye Intrepid, Hello Phu Quoc

After spending the last week with our intrepid group we said goodbye last night. We had a great time with Intrepid and made some fantastic friends. Our guide Phuoc was great guiding us round vietnam and acted as a one man encyclopedia for the "number 1", "five star" bars and restaurants.

This morning (Sunday) led to an early start number three in a row to get to the island of phu quoc - Vietnam's answer to the Caribbean. More pictures will follow this is the view from the restaurant......

Mekong Delta

Today (Saturday) has been a trip to the Mekong Delta. This involved about four different boats and tuk tuk racing. Here's some pictures...

Ci Chu Tunnels

Friday was a trip to the City Chu Tunnels. An amazing complex of tunnels used during the vietnam war. Its an hour out of Ho Chi Min city. Some of the pictures show the tunnels and some of the traps the Vietcong used on the americans.

Masterchef Hoi An style

Thursday night was cooking school night with our group off to the Gioan cooking school in Hoi An. Five courses were made:

Sweet & Sour chicken soup
Fried spring rolls
Green papaya salad
Salmon in banana leaf
Aubergine in a clay pot

Have a look at some of the pictures below to see the action.....

We didnt totally miss the rainy season then!

Happy House

The tourist toilets in Vietnam are called happy house......

Beers of the World #2

Dirty Donner Kebab Hanoi Style

Halong Bay

The first day of our Intrepid tour started with a 4 hour drive (over very rough and bumpy roads) to Halong Bay in the north of Vietnam. Given the approaching typhoon we were very lucky to have good weather for this boat trip. On the bay were lots of boats, seemingly all heading to the same spot. We had a lovely 5 course lunch and then sat on the deck and got to know our fellow travellers.

We then got off the boat and visited some caves. These were very big which was lucky because they were also very crowded.

Back on the boat then and we watched the sunset whilst enjoying a cold beer.

We had another 6 courses for tea, mainly local seafood.

We slept on the boat, at least until the engine started at 5am. (We had to return to port early due to the impending typhoon).