Just thought id write a bit to update you on the latest...which isnt much to be honest!!
Ive spent the last couple of days relaxing before my next tour starts tomorrow. Wanted to do another diving day but the weather has been bad and that = sea sickness!! Yesterday it was still really warm but raining so i took myself off to the shopping mall (whoops!).
Today is much the same so i am going to be boring and pack etc for tomorrow.
Ill update you when i have some more news!
Thursday, 30 July 2009
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
Hello from Cairns!!
I'm loving it here so far. Spent yesterday relaxing at the lagoon which was a nice break and gave me time to recover. Went to some backpacker bars last night to get a quick sample of the nightlife and learned some of the local Aussie expressions from another English traveler!
I got up early this morning to do my trip to The Great Barrier Reef. Although the weather started off really promising, it soon changed while out at sea. This didn't matter while diving but made an interesting ride home....!
I did my first dive! Nervous at first but was comforted by a German and two Irish travelers who were a bit worried too. We got in the water and from that moment on it was amazing. We saw corals with lots of tropical fish and even saw Nemo and his friend!!
I loved it and couldn't believe 25 minutes had passed when we came back up. We then snorkeled for a bit but the sea was so choppy which made it hard work on the legs!
After the first dive we had a buffet lunch which looked really nice but with the boat rocking, I couldn't eat. We then made a trip to the 2nd reef and I snapped up the opportunity to do a second dive. This one was even better as we were no longer linking arms with our buddies but were free!! I swam with two American guys and an instructor far out to the reef and dived much deeper. We saw a turtle, 3 stingrays and loads of fish and coral. It really is a very beautiful and peaceful world underwater and I wasn't ever worried about sharks or whales!
I'm so pleased i've dived here as it must be one of my longest ambitions to dive on the Great Barrier Reef. The feeling of achievement is great and I want to do it all again!!
The trip back home was terrible as the winds had really picked up. The sea sickness must have been bad as I turned down homemade chocolate cake....so unlike me!!
Some of us made our way to the top outside deck to help with the sickness but as the rain and freezing winds came it was a choice between this or staying inside and almost certainly being really ill. I opted to stay out and although freezing, I thankfully managed not to get too ill (although i still feel like im going up and down- 4 hours later in an internet cafe!)
This was a trip high and I loved (almost) every minute!!
Sunday, 26 July 2009
Saturday, 25 July 2009
Absolutely loved Singapore after spending four nights there. Went to Sentosa, the beachy island- this place is great and is so well planned. You have to travel there by monorail or cable car (we went for monorail). It was so fast and easy to get to but you feel like you could be anywhere in the world as the island is so tropical with sandy beaches and palm trees!
We also spent time window shopping in all the many malls. Every time you use the MRT (underground tube) you seem to end up trapped inside yet another shopping centre!
We also happened to be in the centre to see the Liverpool FC press conference. It was so funny to hear the football songs being sung by Asian fans with funny accents!! We saw four players (although we didn't know who they were!) answer questions and talk about the match this weekend. Simon you'll have to help me out and tell me who they are!
We spent our last night in Singapore re-visiting Raffles Hotel and walking by the riverside admiring all the lights and views. We had pina coladas at 'The Penny Black' English style pub on the river before heading back to bed.
The next morning Lucy left for Vietnam and I spent the day cooling off in some more shopping malls before leaving for the airport.
Today I have arrived in a cool and rainy Cairns, North East Australia. This will be my home for the next 6 nights so I hope the weather clears up soon. Im tired after travelling through the night. The flight left Singapore at around 8:30 pm last night and we landed in Darwin at about 2 am. I then slept for a couple of hours in the airport before re-boarding the plane to head for Cairns. I arrived at the hostel at 9am this morning. My hostel- Bohemia Central is good and has a pool and is clean etc. I am however on high spider alert as ive heard many horror stories!!
Im now sat in an internet cafe uploading pictures which seems to be taking ages!
We also spent time window shopping in all the many malls. Every time you use the MRT (underground tube) you seem to end up trapped inside yet another shopping centre!
We also happened to be in the centre to see the Liverpool FC press conference. It was so funny to hear the football songs being sung by Asian fans with funny accents!! We saw four players (although we didn't know who they were!) answer questions and talk about the match this weekend. Simon you'll have to help me out and tell me who they are!
We spent our last night in Singapore re-visiting Raffles Hotel and walking by the riverside admiring all the lights and views. We had pina coladas at 'The Penny Black' English style pub on the river before heading back to bed.
The next morning Lucy left for Vietnam and I spent the day cooling off in some more shopping malls before leaving for the airport.
Today I have arrived in a cool and rainy Cairns, North East Australia. This will be my home for the next 6 nights so I hope the weather clears up soon. Im tired after travelling through the night. The flight left Singapore at around 8:30 pm last night and we landed in Darwin at about 2 am. I then slept for a couple of hours in the airport before re-boarding the plane to head for Cairns. I arrived at the hostel at 9am this morning. My hostel- Bohemia Central is good and has a pool and is clean etc. I am however on high spider alert as ive heard many horror stories!!
Im now sat in an internet cafe uploading pictures which seems to be taking ages!
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Hello from Singapore!!
Enjoyed last few days, went to Melaka (Malaysia) after Kuala Lumpa. I really liked this town, its got so much charm and is very historical and traditional. I even turned down a trip to the waterpark to do some sightseeing (Dad you'd be proud!). We took a river cruise and had a ride in a rickshaw which was fun. They are brightly decorated with flowers and blast out loud music- we got lucky and listened to Michael Jackson!
After Malaka we crossed the boarder to our last stop on this tour- Singapore. This place is amazing and like everyone says- its so modern and clean!
We spent the first night doing the night safari which wasn't bad.
Our tour has now finished and we said our goodbyes to the people we've spent the last 2 weeks travelling with. Some people stayed for an extra night so last night we went with Anna's boyfriend (who's from Singapore) around the city. He showed us the best place to get chicken satay and bought us loads of traditional food to all try. After this he showed us the best night time sights and we went to an amazing bar on the 70th floor of a hotel for cocktails! The views were incredible- pics to follow soon.
We also went to the only 6* hotel in Singapore and decided to come back here next time- when we've saved around 4,000 pounds for each night!! We also had a Singapore Sling in Raffles Hotel.
Im now in my hostal for 3 nights and Lucy has decided to stay too so we're off to the southern beaches today. The hostal is great and better than most of the hotels we've been staying!
Speak soon
Enjoyed last few days, went to Melaka (Malaysia) after Kuala Lumpa. I really liked this town, its got so much charm and is very historical and traditional. I even turned down a trip to the waterpark to do some sightseeing (Dad you'd be proud!). We took a river cruise and had a ride in a rickshaw which was fun. They are brightly decorated with flowers and blast out loud music- we got lucky and listened to Michael Jackson!
After Malaka we crossed the boarder to our last stop on this tour- Singapore. This place is amazing and like everyone says- its so modern and clean!
We spent the first night doing the night safari which wasn't bad.
Our tour has now finished and we said our goodbyes to the people we've spent the last 2 weeks travelling with. Some people stayed for an extra night so last night we went with Anna's boyfriend (who's from Singapore) around the city. He showed us the best place to get chicken satay and bought us loads of traditional food to all try. After this he showed us the best night time sights and we went to an amazing bar on the 70th floor of a hotel for cocktails! The views were incredible- pics to follow soon.
We also went to the only 6* hotel in Singapore and decided to come back here next time- when we've saved around 4,000 pounds for each night!! We also had a Singapore Sling in Raffles Hotel.
Im now in my hostal for 3 nights and Lucy has decided to stay too so we're off to the southern beaches today. The hostal is great and better than most of the hotels we've been staying!
Speak soon
Sunday, 19 July 2009
Hello again!
Finally I have added some more pictures!!
The last few days have been spent in Malaysia: Penang, Cameron Highlands and now Kuala Lumpa.
The Cameron Highlands were beautiful and gave us a much needed break from the heat. We did a day tour and even jungle trekked. This was so much fun and we swam in a waterfall to cool off! We also went to the tea plantation and had 'proper' tea, scones and chocolate cake!
Kuala Lumpa is amazing, so western and modern compared to where we have been.
We have visited the twin towers, been up the KL tower at sunset and shopped till we dropped in the Chinatown night market. I'm now sat in the hotel wondering how I am going to pack my backpack tonight. It was a tight squeeze before all the shopping- Help!
We're off further south tomorrow so i'll up- date you again soon.
Finally I have added some more pictures!!
The last few days have been spent in Malaysia: Penang, Cameron Highlands and now Kuala Lumpa.
The Cameron Highlands were beautiful and gave us a much needed break from the heat. We did a day tour and even jungle trekked. This was so much fun and we swam in a waterfall to cool off! We also went to the tea plantation and had 'proper' tea, scones and chocolate cake!
Kuala Lumpa is amazing, so western and modern compared to where we have been.
We have visited the twin towers, been up the KL tower at sunset and shopped till we dropped in the Chinatown night market. I'm now sat in the hotel wondering how I am going to pack my backpack tonight. It was a tight squeeze before all the shopping- Help!
We're off further south tomorrow so i'll up- date you again soon.
Friday, 17 July 2009
Hello!
Im in Malaysia now, currently in the Cameron Highlands. Its really cool here and the temp is similar to England- very refreshing! Today we did a day trekking in the jungle, this was amazing and totally different. We had a bumpy time getting into the jungle and traveled off road in a land rover. We even got to swim in a waterfall!
After this we visited a traditional aberigional village and saw some gorgeous children playing with a tiny kitten- very cute!
Before here we were on Penang Island, we did a city tour and ended up on a relaxing sandy beach. Everyone had a go at jet skiing which cost just 50 R (about eight pounds!).
Off for dinner now so will up- date you again soon.
Im in Malaysia now, currently in the Cameron Highlands. Its really cool here and the temp is similar to England- very refreshing! Today we did a day trekking in the jungle, this was amazing and totally different. We had a bumpy time getting into the jungle and traveled off road in a land rover. We even got to swim in a waterfall!
After this we visited a traditional aberigional village and saw some gorgeous children playing with a tiny kitten- very cute!
Before here we were on Penang Island, we did a city tour and ended up on a relaxing sandy beach. Everyone had a go at jet skiing which cost just 50 R (about eight pounds!).
Off for dinner now so will up- date you again soon.
Sunday, 12 July 2009
This is almost everyone- a great group of people!! The girl on the far right is Nan our tour leader.
We were drinking in a bar in Ao- Nang. Happy hour meant lots of 80 Baht (one pound twenty) Mojitos!
After this we headed to the beach for a late night swim- alot of fun!!
We decided to go Elephant Trekking today, not the best idea ive had. It turned out to be one of the worst experiences ever. Being sat on a huge elephant trekking through mud, rain, rivers and down steep slopes was not my idea of a good day out. It was dreadful- on many occasions I thought we were going to fall down steep banks and our elephant kept climbing places it shouldn't. It seemed a little out of control even for the handler!! When offered the chance to ride bare- back, we did of course decline.
It has rained all day but maybe we can visit the islands tomorrow before we move on.
We were drinking in a bar in Ao- Nang. Happy hour meant lots of 80 Baht (one pound twenty) Mojitos!
After this we headed to the beach for a late night swim- alot of fun!!
We decided to go Elephant Trekking today, not the best idea ive had. It turned out to be one of the worst experiences ever. Being sat on a huge elephant trekking through mud, rain, rivers and down steep slopes was not my idea of a good day out. It was dreadful- on many occasions I thought we were going to fall down steep banks and our elephant kept climbing places it shouldn't. It seemed a little out of control even for the handler!! When offered the chance to ride bare- back, we did of course decline.
It has rained all day but maybe we can visit the islands tomorrow before we move on.
Saturday, 11 July 2009
Ao- Nang
Arrived in Ao- Nang, South Thailand this morning after long but fun night on sleeper train...(no sleep tho!)
This place is beautiful and surrounded by hills and beaches. Hoping to visit the island from 'The Beach' tomorrow- weather permitting.
Had another massage today, only a foot one this time. It cost less than two pounds and was a great way to relax for half an hour.
Tonight we are heading out for some Thai food and drinks- a little more traditional than the pizza I had for lunch!
I will hopefully upload some pics in a while, speak soon.
This place is beautiful and surrounded by hills and beaches. Hoping to visit the island from 'The Beach' tomorrow- weather permitting.
Had another massage today, only a foot one this time. It cost less than two pounds and was a great way to relax for half an hour.
Tonight we are heading out for some Thai food and drinks- a little more traditional than the pizza I had for lunch!
I will hopefully upload some pics in a while, speak soon.
Thursday, 9 July 2009
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