9.4. The lively and autumn Queenstown

«««Oceania» New Zealand» South Iceland» Queenstown
April 13th, 2011 by Wuff75, New Zealand
When you get up the cows have gemuht still, but more so, because they are driven in a different enclosure. And the Ranger today moves to no longer on a horse, but on a quad. One has however not changed: still the Sheepdog, which drives the cows there, where they and sollen? doing the real work
We have taken our breakfast with view of Lake Wakatipu at its northern end is the goal of our today's stage: Queenstown. Alone the drive along lakeside was gorgeously beautiful as is because the mountain landscape combines with the bright blue of the Lake. Shortly before Queenstown, we have seen even the Golf Club - beautifully located here. And for the first time, the air was something autumn and the leaves of the trees were some golden-yellow and reddish.
In Queenstown, our first road in the city centre was, however, we have parked but 10 minutes because it here - they are not so great Yes - everywhere are short stay parking zones in the cities. And in the city centre, we went and how practically always first to the i-site - so to the visitor center. There, we get the information for the current location and for the following stations. And the next road led me to McDonalds, to look on the Internet, how it my account geht…
The good news of the day: when a. j. Hackett Bungy Centre they have accepted my Diners Club card. So, my first bungee jump for the next day was secured after a short deliberation. And the consideration referred to it, whether I should jump. Only that which jump I do. The choice was between the first bungy which has been made at all (43 m), the Canyon swing, where it is first down and then transition to a Bartók or the highest bungee in Asia and Oceania. I signed up for the male variant entschieden?
Then we have made on the way and the Queenstown Hill climbed. And I must say since went one and a half hours very nice steeply up. For this we were rewarded with great views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu above. A very own mood is also up there: total quiet in contrast to the very lively Queenstown. The city is indeed the action area of the South Island, you can feel even now quite well that in off season.
And even we have rewarded us then even more: we have enjoyed our first dinner in a restaurant. And a very good pizza at Winnie's?
Then, we are walking towards the Lake, where despite the cold in a pub, even more people in the open air are told. Brrrr! In a business, I have then chatted with a Japanese employee was totally excited when I told her of the Bungy. It is already for a few months in Queenstown, has not dared to but still. I have it then promised that I vorbeischau tomorrow after the jump on her and her exactly tell how it war?
At the end of the evening we tried a second recommendation of Lonely Planet to Winnie's: the "Bardeaux". And also this was a complete success. A cocktail bar with a three-metre-wide fireplace facing the sofas. Rather low light, therefore totally comfortable. The cocktails quite expensive - around the $15 - for but extremely good. In particular Ingrid has to separate difficult by the cosy fireplace. Still to do this where we knew, that we will spend the night in the cold car. But for which there's sleeping bag, socks and Haube… for?
Part of the trip: New Zealand

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Enter Khajuraho Amritsar Delhi India in the Punjab hugging

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Bear hugged in the Punjab - Khajuraho, Varanasi, Amritsar, & Delhi India

Hey guys, have I I have seats and I in Aqaba, Jordan not yet not written realized of my last two weeks in India, so I decided that I better would throw something together before I forget everything that happened. To get back up to date, so I thought I would share just a few small highlights and then wrap with a few comments on India in General.

Kama Sutra Temple - Khajuraho

For those of you who like to search through my images, you will notice that the first set of photos is just a little bit outrageous. (Also known as the temples of Kama Sutra), the images are from the temples at Khajuraho. These temples are some of the best (and certainly the risque) sculpture work in very India. Now, I'm still not sure, why they have such sharp focus on passionate love and sex, but my best guess is, that it will go their way across to the Church young adolescents excited!

Varanasi

I have definitely for them - the travel guide Lonely Planet credit grant

Varanasi did a great job, as describes a "in your face" kind of the city. It is really just a special kind of shock, if you to down the river walk and (there are no images, so don't worry) suddenly come across a burning body! Now, for those who don't know about it, Varanasi and the Ganges River, which flows through you is one of the most sacred sites in India. Who dies there have their body is bathed in the River most at stake in some places along the river of Creamed Spinach - this is to ensure an escape from the cycle of rebirth. Also you can still see the living, bathing in the river and their sins for those.

Bear hugged in the Punjab - Amritsar

Okay, I have a new "Friendliest people / place" for the trip, and it is Sikhs from Amritsar and Punjab. I hang around the Golden Temple - the most sacred place for Sikhs - spent three days and community it is just incredible. Each visit to the temple (Sikhs and tourists alike) are provided with free meals, if they want to, and they are equipped with blankets

and a dry place to sleep (usually outside under an awning). The place was I actually had a dormitory where tourists could stay for free! This general mood of giving and quality visitors are just the Sikh amazingly outgoing and friendly. They all stopped to me regarding, where I am from and if it all they could do to help me. And more than often not, if I went that shake hand and say goodbye, I would get embrace moved in a surprise bear. Heck, there was even a few times where one older gentleman would only random walk and say welcome and embrace me. It was a surprisingly inviting room!

Transcend boundaries Bangra party Atari / Amritsar

While in Amritsar, I participated in an afternoon and went to town Atari on the India Pakistan border to participate in closing ceremony. And it was completely nuts! For starters, every country has installed permanent grandstand for observers. It is definitely not an exaggeration to say, that it 5000 + was in the stands on the Indian side, and they were nearly full one hour before the border procedure close started. Leading for the hour

up to the actual ceremony, there were children run up and down the street of waving large Indian flags, and the street with a heavy dance party populated. Both sides had annoyed even MC, the amount to get! A journey in any case it was different!

Indian wrap-up some thoughts General

Okay, while I was a great time in India, I now have to admit that it now will be nice in Jordan. I really needed a breather after six weeks on the subcontinent. There's something about India, which holds only you on your toes 24 / 7, and you never really get a chance where I was, relax (at least in parts). Every time, if you think that you have found things (buses, trains, hotels, etc.) something unforeseen happens, and you must try to re-calibrate your thinking. For example, as a tourist, you will get used by rickshaw driver harassed, and get very accustomed you to say no or ignored. So one day I was walking around Delhi, and I went from four rickshaws in a row (all right beside each other). She gave me the same game questions

If I needed a ride and there are pretty annoying, because she heard them all and others knew clearly that I do not need a trip to I with the first guy said, but then me asked anyway. And then, once I have all of them, a random guy on a motorcycle after rights, pulled up and asked if I wanted for free only a lift; He wanted to be just nice and help. So you get this amazing gestures goodness in the trouble, and it makes you almost a little bipolar. In General, I however say that Indians are at the top on the list, which mean "nice mete" for the trip.

Human bumper cars

Traffic in India is even crazier than you are likely led to believe, and because sidewalks in general too full motor cycles, cows and street vendors, pedestrians are usually on the road are forced to play the local version of cars. So I was hit in my 6 weeks it actually by two cars and a bicycle rickshaw! Fortunately, they were all just small love taps (around 5 km/h or less). One of the cars in secured

geflügelten me while another my funny bone with its side view mirror. The bicycle rickshaw one was the funniest because the guy somehow managed in the pedals come in the back of my leg, although I was a foot in a number of people. I know really not, as he managed to do it, but still he decided you give me a stare as it was my fault. 65 Photo (s): 21 displayed: additional photos: «back 1 2 3 4 next» 65 photo (s): 21 displayed: additional photos: «back 1 2 3 4 next»
Part of the journey: around the world in 299 days

El Calafate Argentina of the Perito Moreno glacier

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The five-hour bus ride from Puerto Natales El Calafate was getting surprisingly watchable despite none of us good sleep last night. After the dinner and beers last night 4 of us in the back of an affable local car bundled and were escorted to the local 80's disco, wonderful! We enjoyed it a fair amount of the local BREW in a fabulous bar but already had seemed just the right thing to do at the time. After payment of the registration fee of $5US, we made our in how looked a Church Hall. The Bourbon and cokes were poured into the plastic Coke cups with religious enthusiasm. At this stage we didn't {t even against Wade our way in the men's facility could our good mood.} At 5 pm, the lights came up and we were mixed again on the streets of Puerto Natales. It was time to pack and make ready for the next adventure, Argentina.

With completed Chilean exit formalities and the passport photo ignore induced laughter of the 2 of flirting Argentine immigration agents, we arrived at El Calafate, Argentina. We are here for one reason only. To see the famous blue hued

Perito Moreno glacier in Los Glaciares National Park. After a nights we rest a coach Glaciares National Park back on board this time for the short bus ride from El Calafate, Los. Shortly after 9 am, we were awarded our first view of the glacier Monster. We then on board a boat on Lake Argentina and nice touch were then equipped with crampons for a short tour ended on the glacier with a whiskey and ice on the glacier itself.

This glacier is a dynamic, it is 60 m and moaning with great intensity to crack high walls often and constantly fall Chuncks ice face cause huge splashes and large bouncing icebergs. Intercepting this camera is another thing, turn away for a moment and listen to the rifle inevitably crack an other great 'calving'. The great cause mini waves even convince approaching boats helping way from the coast as a precautionary measure. A further cross of the Lake, this time close to the glacier wall gave us fantastic photo opportunities. The last station on the balconies, where the breaks most occur together, gave us our final views and left the neck

Hair as the ice explosions tingling continued. This was sure that go to the Perito Moreno glacier an outstanding trip, if you ever make the world in this part of you! 29 Photo (s): 21 displayed: additional photos: «previous 1 2 next» 29 photo (s): 21 displayed: additional photos: «previous 1 2 next»
Part of the journey: a quick tour in South America

Day 4 Crims Clims cocktail and a Ruddy great game of chess

««Oceania and Australia» Australia» New South Wales
20 April 2011 by follow YellowBrickRoad, follow the yellow brick road!

Today I decided to continue with my dip in Aussie culture and planned to visit scattered about the place a few museums and art galleries. For the second day in a row I was 1st in a Q to get b4 in something, when it opened.(In the start, such as a German tourist attack the sun loungers b4 everyone else feel up's!)
One thing that I had researched was Hyde Park Barracks Museum. This was the place where the 1st convict came boats from England. Although it well I was slightly disappointed l when comparing IV had been Alcartaz (San Fran) or Ellis Iceland (NY) both b4. Although the tour guides have managed to dress me in convicts uniform - convince it was coz she heard, I was of Ireland? BTW convicts were typical of my size so you would apply 6 ft tall FREAKS!
Next step was the Sydney sky to tour at the tower. This is State essentially a tower in Auckland or Empire similar to. I was lucky it was so clear days a good view of Sydney got stretched out, although Unfort the Opera House has been hampered by a skyscraper.
After lunch I decided to visit the Gallery on the recommendation of we met some of which had on Monday evening. In the not in general one massive fan art galleries as I don't like the portraits of the last century and more are some of the other stuff Pretentcious. A paragraph that describes that as the artist shows raw emotions etc to something that looks like my nephew could do a scribble. However, I was all Aborginal interested in art. It had surprised the lack of Aborgianl to Sydney some influence apart from the tacky tourist shops.
Good girls all I can say is, if the subscription men as well as be suspended, as all their works of art would suggest, then we all should pack our bags and move continents.
The Gallery is in the domain / biological reasons, the beautiful green area is less than 1/2 mile from the CBD. On the way, I stopped back in Hyde Park, a game of giant chess played is to see. If u can the scene image there was a group of about 8 80 yr olds with white hair. It very much reminded me of scenes u would see in old war movies, play with groups of French men Putang (sic - shells).
I along with a group of about 20 other observed dude watching the match in silence for about 1 hour, curse each other a movement where they took too long. 3 Eruption almost as 1 ALT Duffer tried to help his team-mates!
After work I Christine met rotating bar 47 floors for cocktails in one up. Many people go through stay for drinks not homeward wud changed to get. Probably coz of the over long distances.
And btw it was the most beautiful cocktail to that which I have ever eaten!

Part of the journey: follow the yellow brick road!
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Day 4 Texel

Is it worrying that I previously tried lay in bed, from which day it was work? It took about 5 minutes to em come finally to the firm conclusion that it was Wednesday (this had been without an electrical device that immediately tell me in the position would be.)

Anyway I decided today that I would go to the real reason that I came in the first place on this island. A nature reserve and beach on the West Coast. Off the map, I thought that she saw about 3-4 km from the hostel. This proved a pretty wrong. I have the nature reserve pretty hot and tired. I saw a sign, when I got there, show how I came back and say the Castle 6 km. On the same sign it said de Koog (where the beach is) 2 km. So all in all, I cycled 16 km today, when I thought that I would be cycling tops by 8. Not that it bothered me

The nature reserve was not anyway, what I was expected, it was more of a sea life centre/bird and seal sanctuary/dune reserve. The sea life centre was relatively interesting in a kind of all previously seen way. The seals were nice, unfortunately they renovation work were subjected to what they don't have designed their full compliment of gaskets and, in the containers, which meant that visitors see Ould under water so filter still works was not, so that the water was really cloudy, means that you could not see inside. I went for a nice 4 km walk through the dunes while out there had seals in time for their feeding, then lunch. All very interesting.

I then cycled the 2 km on the road to the beach. Reading decided for an hour or so, in the Sun are then, that completely stupid, but idea for a refreshing swim in the sea would be a fun. From this experience, I have derived two important facts.
Number 1: The sea in April is cooooooold
Number 2: I'm an idiot, even if you a moment, there is a that would be a good idea.

Ah well, no permanent damage.

Tonight is my last night on Texel. Tomorrow I go before back to Amsterdam being Delft for the day and then coach catch the overnight to Berlin.

Civilization

«««Oceania» New Caledonia» province of Sud» Noumea
21 April 2011 by dji

Noumea life...
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Right in the Dusseldorf

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I know, I know, it's not south east Asia, but it's still foreign!

I went for a long weekend (4 days) with my friend and flatmate (we don't have a single word for this in English, unlike in German when they just tack words together. This would no doubt be friendflatmate. In English we have to make do with spoonerisms. In this case "friendmate" doesn't work because that's tortology, and Bex wouldn't appreciate "flatfriend") Becka, to visit Ed Perugia (aka EJP), friend and former housemate, in his new residence in the stadt of Dusseldorf.

Day 1

The last time I went on a plane with Becka, on the way there she had a big freaking out session and we had to spend the whole trip with her asking, with panic in voice "why have the engines stopped" and "I want to get off the plane" (which wasn't really possible at 30 000 feet). But this time, I have to say, she was exemplary, made no fuss and you really couldn't tell her apart from a normal human being, so well done Becka!

So then, textbook flight there. What wasn't so textbook was our ability to get off the plane and onto a train to make a simple trip to central Dusseldorf. Once we found the station, we then realised we couldn't use our cards on the ticket machine and had to go and find a cashpoint. There began a half hour epic Frank Spencer-style search through the airport and - like a bad dream - no matter how many signs you followed to the "geldautomat" you always ended up in a car-park, foyer or zoo, before having to turn around and begin the search again (or fall into a trolley going down a hill, Betty). When we finally made it onto the train and arrived in Dusseldorf, we calculated that it had taken longer to get off the plane and make the 10 minute train ride to the centre of Dusseldorf than the entire flight. Well done us.

When we finally made it to Dusseldorf station and track down left luggage, Becka managed to bosh her bonce on a locker door, but not as bad as some other kid whose head started to gush with blood from a well aimed stand-up-while-the-door-above-you-is-open. We then had a choice of two exits to leave the station, wanting to get to the river for some waterside beerage. I chose which direction we should go based on how groovy it looked. Needless to say, I chose the wrong direction.

Not long after we walked we noticed an extraordinary phenomenon. Now if you or I, in London or any other UK city, are stuck at a "red man" signal but there is not a ruddy car in sight for 30 miles, do we not cross the road anyway? The answer to this rhetorical riddle is yes. Yes we do. In fact, we even cross when cars are definitely crossing. Not so in der Deutschland. Literally everyone obeys the rules - you'd get these hardened anarchist punks who had come from rioting in Berlin who would stand like Pavlov's dogs at the side of the road until the man turned green. Then they would cross the road and set fire to a Mcdonalds. But not before the green man showed.

Having come recently from Cambodia and Laos (where no one obeys rules simply because there aren't any), to Britain (where there are too many rules and so people tend to flout them where possible) to Germany (where there are a sensible number of rules and everyone obeys them) my head was all a-flutter about which one I prefer. I don't know, but it's not the English way. (I don't mean it's the English way not to know, I mean I like the English system least.)

Take drinking in public places, on the street or steps by the river. Now, I have no idea whether it's allowed in German law or not, but I reckon it is ok, and the reason I think that is that everyone does it there. In Britain though, if everyone was doing it I wouldn't make the same assumption. So anyway, look, the long and short of it is that we met EJP down by the river and had some beers. In the sunny weather everyone was in good spirits and there was a carnival atmosphere, even though nothing specific was being celebrated - gotta love that!

Ed's crazy French housemate Françoise turned up with a game of Boules and we had a good old session long into the evening with a delicious range of beers from Germany, Czeck and.... other countries.

Dinner. Me and Becka up since 4am. Bed

Day 2

We lurched our way out of bed and Eddy P had prepared a breakfast of proper style brotchen and about 22000 kinds of jam. Strawberry jam, blackberry jam, raspberry jam, cranberry jam, apricot jam, blueberry jam, plum jam... jam, jam, jam... and Marmite (our own contribution to add an element of English to the proceedings!) Coffee, OJ, all the trimmings - you know how it is.

A plan was hatched that there was a beach by the Rhine - hidden away where no one goes. Ed had drawn me a map - I could hear him yelling "the Beach - the f*cking Beach" through the mosquito net. Anyway, the plan was this: Becka and I were on beer detail, Ed was on food and getting a haircut, and Françoise was on the actual barbeque (not literally on it - that would have been cannibalism and besides, we had plenty of food, so it would be days before we'd need to actually cook him -although he undeniably had the most meat on him out of all of us, so if it had come to cannibalism I think he would have been the first on the spit). Fortunately it didn't come to cannibalism, and after about two hours of walking a 20 minute walk (Becka was in charge of the map ["learning through mistakes is the only way I'll learn" she said]) we found the Beach, we found Ed, Françoise, a barbeque, volleyball net and some beers.

We spent an idyllic afternoon on the mostly deserted beach, and it seems that for some reasons all Germans are bloody brilliant at volleyball. Must be because of all the beaches Germany has. Hmm. Anyway, after the Germans played a professional-looking 4 a side match (or was it 5?) with Françoise and his friend Jérémie representing "us", Ed Perugia got up and made a distinctly English effort. My excuse was my bad back and Becka's was being a girl (even though the German girl players were brilliant) and as a result, we really let Blighty down. On the other hand I had a beer and some delicious BBQ'd fish, and load of sunshine so could not have given two hoots, my friend. In fact, make that one hoot which I could not give.

That night we went out on the town. The plan was this: 1. Dinner/drinks. 2. Party of friends of Ed's. 3. Go out in Dusseldorf and - in Becka's words - "f*ck sh*t up". In the venue for 1. there was a blond waitress whom EJP had his grubby little eyes on, so Becka suggested writing his number on a beer coaster. Then Becka augmented this with a little doodle of Ed and the waitress walking down the road hand-in-hand, before innevitaly drawing a protrousion from Ed's groin region (the doodle of Ed, not the actual person) leading to the outstretched hand of the girl. Ed thought this might send out the wrong message, so Becka scrubbed out the lower half of the doodle and compromised it into a bed, labelling Ed with "me" and the waitress with "you". When we left, for some reason, Ed didn't want to give the dirty coaster to the waitress so when we got down the road Becka nabbed it off him and I ran back down the road to give it to the waitress. I gave the girl a wink and pointing to the picture of the two of them in bed with an "OK" gesture using my free right hand. I don't know if her phone broke or something, but, do you know, she never rang! Must have been a lesbian.

When we got to the party it took me right back to the international parties I used to go to with various foreign students who stayed with our family when I was younger. A load of people standing around copious amounts of booze, sipping delicately and waiting for some British yobs to come and - in the words of Becka again - f*ck sh*t up! Unfortunately 2 Japanese birds were leaving just as we came in, and we couldn't convince them to stay. Oh well, so a room of about 7 lads and Becka it was. Anyone who knows me knows that in this situation I try to get some drinking games on the go. Those people also know that I won't let it go until there are some drinking games. Was v good in the end - we played a game introduced by them (they were all called Marco, it seemed) and then the "what's the name of the fookin game" one, downing big dirty jugs of vodka and red bull, or dirty punch, along the way.

To the club! There was a novel but potentially dangerous system here where you get given a card on your way in, then you go and buy drinks and they mark it on your card. At the end of the night, you hand it in and pay your bill. There is severe room for bank-breakage with this system, I fear, especially if you're already inebriated from copious quantities of punch, vodka and fizzy Benylin. Increasingly drunk, I was increasingly amazed at how brilliant my German was on the locals, and the more I drank the better I got. I could tell that this was true objectively because more and more people were walking away after having spoken with me for a very short time. Therefore I must have communicated my message so accurately in German that no more needed to be said.

At some point in the night Becka's order of "f*ck sh*t up" penetrated the old noggin, so during a heavy song probably by Rage or someone, I gently started to introduce the idea of a mosh-pit to the crowd, which was picked up enthusiastically by others and reciprocated. Pretty soon bratwust-pumped German giants were pushing each other with vigour and gusto. Escaping the massacre to get a drink, I looked back over my shoulder and thought to myself: "oh my God. What have I done? If I live a hundred years I will never forget this moment." Meanwhile Ed and Becka had each found a pair of lips to tangle with, and I was so taken with the novelty of being able to smoke inside that what with the foreign students, vodka red bulls and inside smoking I thought I was 18 all over again. But I wasn't. In fact, in 2 days I would be 9 years older than that. But that's another story. Which I will tell.... now.

We finally left the club at something like 5 am, taking a cab back to Ed's on the calm back streets of the city that never sleeps. Except at bed time.

Day 3

Another classic breakfast. I challenged myself to try all available jams. No mean feat. Today we were up for going to Bonn, seeing Beethoven's house, then to Cologne for some odour cologne. Aka, dirty beer.

Excitingly enough, we got today the double-decker train (as a side note, trams are brilliant - between buses and trains they combine the best bits of both, and it's a shame we don't have 'em in London, although there's no chance of that happening these days, not that I care much, being a cyclist) which was lush on toast - we sat upstairs feeling like bloody kings (and queens in the case of Becka... and Ed, arf arf) until we rocked up to Bonn, where we were greated by lush weather. Lush on toast, it was. Lush on toast with 20000 types of jam.

We went to Beethoven's birthplace. I wonder when they turned it into a museum, who bought it and who converted it, but it was interesting anyway to walk around the old living place of the master and think- "wow! Where I'm standing, right here, in this very spot, is where Ludwig van Beethoven once took a dump." It was quite an experience, as was looking in the guest book and finding the entry of former visitor Nick Edmonds. If I remember correctly it read "NE and EJP were here RITC" [incidentally, RITC is an acronym for Right in the Cu*t, but it's not as rude as it sounds, and if you think cult is a rude word then that's your look-out, you purv]. If you ever go there to visit EJP or for another reason, look us up: 17/04/2011

There are places where beer comes in what seem to be test tubes from secondary school science. Consequently you can zip through a lot of it very quickly, as I kept finding out - like a kid who eats his ice-cream too quickly and then gets jealous of his siblings who all still have one, I looked with envy on EJP's half full tube, before remembering that I was now, in fact, an adult and could therefore simply order another, thus solving the quandary. Good to learn that.

To Cologne, and the mega-gothic cathedral towering above us. It was so gothic I thought Batman was going to jump out the top. But he didn't. Shame.

Becka had yet to have a Schnitzel, so we searched a while for a place that had the national dish and some Stealios-friendly grub. Not easy, it turns out! We eventually found a place that had the curtest waiter in the world. Imagine a German Basil Fawlty with much lower job satisfaction (although we managed to avoid mentioning the war, and goose stepping, unlike at school when I got into trouble for doing exactly that to some German exchange students - why was it al right for John Cleese to do it but not me?) and you get the picture. However, the grub was totalement top banana and after being very well fed we headed back to the 'dorf, it was 11:30pm or so by the time we got back, and so to tea and to bed - a second night of clubbing would have taken the "fu*k sh*t up" doctrine too far, methinks.

Day 4

"Bon Anniversaire to you, Bon Anniversaire to you, Bon Anniversaire to yooooooooou... Bon Anniversaire to you!" Such were the sounds that greeted me from my shower - Becka had prepared a birthday breakfast of a bread roll, flanked by Françoise, a birthday banner and a couple of tea tree lights. After this most ostentatious breakfast we headed out to get some cake, beer, fizzy vino and sit on the beach until it was time to meet young Teddy for lunch. Unfortunately Becka and I are renowned faffers and so by the time we got into town we had to make do with the steps by the Rhine. Bloody hell though - this cake was fookin' delicious! We had a sponge with raspberry stuff (jelly? coulis?) on top and a good old slice of applekucken - LECKER!!!!

With Teddy we went for a delicious (and massive) Japanese, Ted yet again picking up the bill, which he had a generous habit of insisting on! Thereafter he had to go back to teaching (it was a Monday after all - incidentally, before this trip neither Becka nor I had any idea of what Ed's job was, to our shame!) and so Becka and I went for drinks by the station, in preparation for our journey back to blighty! Half way through the beer Becka had bought me I noticed it tasted a bit.... thin... and only after a while did I realise that I was drinking non-alcoholic beer. At this point Noggers would call this the "vegetarian of beer".

My belief that German trains are always on time was shattered - the S11 to get to the airport was delayed by 30 minutes - that's UK standard, so we got a different one which took half the time and allowed us to go on a sky train - just like at the beginning of Alton Towers when you get it from the car park to the main bit - when you head for Nemesis immediately, if it's a school day and the queue is short. Don't get one of the 'Nemices' though - they're well sickly which is not good just before Britain's most famous rollarcoaster. Sorry, where are we? Oh yes, Dusseldorf.

It must be said, so I'll say it, that the bit when aeroplanes accelerate then take off must be one of the best feelings you can get. Maybe I'll buy a jet one day (yeah, one day).

Once again back to blighty, and I have a tip for you - if you arrive at Heathrow and want to go to Ealing, get the piccadilly line and get off at Northfields, then get the bus. Don't take the Heathrow connect. Don't ask me why, just trust me. I said don't ask. Shh.

All in all, a great birthday weekend.

Gutegeburtstagwochende

A grithend, if you will.

Lost in translation

«««Ubud Bali Indonesia Asia»»»
20 April 2011 , of Keontor

A few chuckles on the way out of Australia right in China... If you find them awkward sentences, some bad spellings, some joke and some... well, know me had some unfortunate!
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WHITBY3

© Michael Franz Whitby

Whitby!
The feasible experience
And in some locales one can stand and see forever ness
On a standing moment
Eternity ' perspectives of secular insight changes in vision

Visit to dared dream of which
Thank you to know, it pays to stay…
…Rather than never visit!
In particular, if for an extra long excursion
Much more can contain proper holiday is

Take a moment in Whitby'...

your own word-what would you say …in?
One could say that this pilgrimage have be repeated
How you stop and the fresh smell
Breeze blowing from distant shores
Feel and smell '
Power a visitor come to the final conclusion, there is no better place for a getaway
When a position achieved, the You…the each!

If you happen to that writing be soul
Then events that occurs during it
You may find their way into logs of your confidential
But that should be part of ones largest adventure
All things in good spirits
Simple or complex as a wants…

…Immerse yourself in Whitby…

…Comes without any hesitation…
…more special grounds ' for a visit!

Remember all the big names with an original launched
Currently they are three recognized locations on the planet Earth
Select one for your visitation:

Whitby, England
Whitby, Canada
Whitby, New Zealand

Canporjam
Forward reverse, future is history

We are grandparents

«««North America» United States» Nevada» Boulder City
21 April 2011 on the way

Some of you already have received this message. A baby girl had Neil and Suzanne at 7:33 am on 19 April. The due date was April 29, so she came over a week early. Sophia rose entered the world on 7 # 11 ounces and 19 1/2 inch. What a beauty! We spent the night in the hospital. Suzanne's laboratory advanced very quickly for a first baby, but baby would not have simply in the position so they decided after three hours of pressure, a c section do. MOM, dad and baby are all doing well Grandma and Grandpa Estactic are!
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Day 3 step aside Captin Cook n Columbus it a new Explorer is in the city

««Oceania and Australia» Australia» New South Wales
19 April 2011 by follow YellowBrickRoad, follow the yellow brick road!

To I have decided most of my time here, get up at the same time as Christine and travel with her in the city. So I found ferry on the 8 loving (Unluctantly) me on the manly through to Circular Quay.
If you are white, Show map Barclay who go commuters on Telly where at the moment this daily commute an extension for the work in the most unusual ways that. Total total breathtaking. The fast ferry takes about 18 minutes past come in downtown Sydney as what only b is described as the most breathtaking views of the Opera on the bridge left and can port to the right. It is the most, see the view of Sydney.
After a ' flat white skinny decaf "or a white coffee with skim milk for you and I, I decided that I would have an overview of the city with the hop on/off-sightseeing-tour." (for all to know me not good - I love my HOP-ON/OFF buses!) In the not sure why we last time I do there, maybe was because it was summer and we more interested in lawn - who knows!
What was surprised me, how much is the English influence to Sydney. I knew that street names such as Oxford St, Kings cross, Liverpool Street, but know, how much is Georgian and Victorian housing on the site.
Here is another thing that surprised me as important reminder day (ANZAC day). It actually falls while in the still here and is seen as the national day with massive should be so good!
How again on my bus tour. When I say hop on / off was it more like a "hop on and you stay on tour ' for me." I decided, on the whole loop once sit and go again makes some stations. Although from about travel 4, I was a bit sick the tour leads voice and little jokes and confidently, I say Cud Cud problems are a tour guide for them. How did u Paul Hogan once Croc Dundee worked to find fame as a painter on the Harbour Bridge b4? And I wud DEF efforts better than his 'Orish' accent outside scruffy Murphy's Pub. (it go ya peeps every day is a day school with "Cairns tours")

A station that I get off at was in Kings cross. This is the Equilavent of the red light district with loads of round bars. Clubs etc. But b4 of a u ur eyebrows boost was the character of the "free Internet access" that attracted as I already said a text from o2 that I had already used me $20 had the oops - data-roaming charges!
I then swopped over the Bondi tour. It is hard to believe that it was 9 years ago, that I it for Christmas. Its true what they say, that although faces can change, are unchanged. Bondi is really a breathtaking Beach - crashing waves, beautiful yellow sand completely I can see why its a Mecca for so many.
Somehow I felt on over 4 pm I had consumed enough culture n history for the day, so my way back to Dee way. Christine lived in the city such as her and Lincoln (her fiance of Quantos pilot, in the city in the morning) had ordered some networking event. Say, that I was sorta quite satisfied, despite my earlier crows about his on the Jet lag hadnt the night b4 good sleep and felt, Quesy and Lathergic all day around the apartment Potter.

Part of the journey: follow the yellow brick road!
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Day 29 Easton Zion National Park

Despite the fact that we were leaving the ranch at 10 A.m., I woke up to 6.30 am. No one else was our group, so I headed for a shower. On my return, Todd went over and seemed OK. At this moment, I was not sure whether I now was in order, or even a little sour.

A little later and it was now 8 o'clock and only SUMI was even awake. Mark was almost, but not sure on someone else, and I didn't really care right now. As I already packed and was ready to go, I sat on the couch, I slept in last night and my eyes with my cowboy hat covered. I acknowledge those who told me that morning or even apologized for last night, but that was it. At that time, I had even a 10-minutes Kip. Zoe and Kylie tries to talk, but I will not say or do nothing with me so that they finally give up.

When I was in the van, I took the place behind Todd, and went to sleep again. I thought if I was still pissed, that this the best solution with regard to was not

explode on someone. It was a long trip and tensions run high in a packed van was not the best thing to have. I managed to have a sleep, although we take a shortcut 40 miles on a dirt were. At some point we had finished, because the van and trailer get up the Hill could, so we had the it on foot, while Todd van and drove.

When I finally woke, I stared out the window, only, or ignore all. Lunch come from, got each burger and chips in Bryce food, the National Park, but I a quick sandwich made from the back of the trailer. Kylie and Zoe, said that I looked scary and angry. I was. Todd was even wondering again what happened and why I was so pissed.

After the others down led their takeaways, mark, Neal, SUMI, and I for a hike and secure a wonderful part of Bryce NP together. There were hundreds and thousands of sand buttes in the Valley, we went the in made, and from above the large view we had these columns and the mountains far

on the horizon, it made a special place. Somewhere, a column is the somehow his way in as Queen Victoria has found. The similarity was uncanny. A little further we received word that there is a snake in the vicinity of the way so we had to be careful. This was mark, Neal and even SUMI want to hang out and watch out for it. On the other hand I did not and so quickly went through the area and waiting for them.
Then the long tedious climb back there at the beginning, but we made it. I suppose after the Grand Canyon, which was nothing compared.

After the hike, and perhaps of the main culprits I realized that maybe I really should not be so angry and pissed in the morning and that I more when I should. I was pissed in the morning, but mainly due to the lack of sleep.
Our website was just outside of the other national parks, Zion. The site would be on a slight drop, but not enough to a problem. Mark decided for a table on sleep and I took the other.

Wanted to another big day tomorrow.
By the end of the day I spoke more and seemed it have put behind me.

Time long time no blog foreign Hey.

Hello to all!

It is sorry, as I have blogged about, as long I just finished mid semester examinations and assessments. Last week, I've written 2 essays, 1 report, a presentation and taken a test. It's been a rough week, but now I'm on mid semester break! I leave today tonight for a trip of Heron Iceland on the great barrier reef with the marine biology class in I. I'll on the island for 5 days and then I'll to Cairns for 5 days. So tuned, I promise I'll write stay for this post, after I get from my travels again!

The last time I wrote, I took a trip to Moreton Bay on Stradbroke Iceland. The trip was a different excursion with the marine biology class I and it was a great experience. There are a number of marine life on the coast and we stayed in the research station near the coast. It was a lot of fun with people who fish and plants life tell about everything, that you saw instead of only to say "see it's a pretty looking fish!" (although I still said that quite a few times).

We were there for 2 nights and 3 days and we had a research project, while we were there, were white so that my group and I crab studied to look for movement to protect super exciting I. It was an interesting journey, because the class only for foreign students is offered, there were many Americans and Canadians, as well as some German and French people. The research station was interesting and they eat us so so much. Every day we have breakfast, morning-tea, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. On the last day after we presented our projects, we went to a beautiful walk along the cliffs and ocean shores. Unfortunately, my camera ran out of batteries (I am my charger definitely packaging this time) so that I don't get all images of the last day. Then we to beach and it went to spend a few hours. It was a beautiful journey and I am sure that the Heron Iceland journey will be also nice!

Sorry, this is not the eventful a blog post, but I promise to say about the GREAT BARRIER REEF and the CAIRNS post in the next few weeks! YAY! Feel free to email/Facebook me and say hello, I miss you all!

Part of the journey: Australia

10 Weeks to go

In order to approximately 10 weeks I go...

I am so excited that I could not even near to put how much in words. I feel nervous about some things (flying in my own and my health because I am such a wuss) but I think the nerves and the risks make it even more exciting!

Really look forward to getting out there and Africa experience, meet the Lions and the team in Livingstone and contributes to the conservation of African lions.

I am almost all now organized, only need to pay off the trip lol and get a few more bits. The most important things done are such as flights, insurance, etc.

I have the first batch of vaccinations this week. The second batch coming in may - ouch! My arm is still hurting lol... not welcome us to the dreaded malaria tablets, hope their reputation is worse than they are.

I seats in the Office, look over at my Lonely Planet Guide to Zambia resting ontop of my desk think... wowI will be there soon!

I have almost finished to read it. The Guide has helped so much with my planning and only general information about the country: very good birthday present. Done well, the author of the Lonely Planet...It would have been out so all information is available much harder without you!

I thought I would create this blog so that my love (especially my mother, father and Lee) would know how I'm always on and what I been up to. To know me, I forget, charge my phone, or lose it.

Hope that you have to read about my adventure. I will miss you!

Much love,
RJ. X