Stuff of Dreams

Monday, 17 November 2008

Location: Burnt Pines, Norfolk

Just to let you know we are safe and well after our first week at sea on Norfolk Island. This is a former convict island and where the occupants of Pitcairn moved to when they outgrew their island.

Its hard work at times, but were having a great time.

D+A xx

Friday, 07 November 2008

Location: Northland, New Zealand

Our visit to NZ wouldn't be complete without a visit to Northland.

Allison took a bus up to Cape Reianga, the northern most point where the Tasman sea meets the Pacific ocean and 90 mile beach, where the beach is the highway.

Here's a question for Chris and Kevin, guess where we stayed in Russell? go on have a guess. you do know it - yes The Duke of Marlborough! They had a spring special on 95 dollars! And it is just as beautiful as when we first visited, we really saved the best til last. Allison has even said I can get a job here!

On Saturday we move onto New Caledonia ready for our tall ship challenge, how difficult can it be!!

Monday, 27 October 2008

Location: Back to the North Island, New Zealand

It was with very heavy hearts we said goodbye to the South Island and returned to Wellington.

After all our action we opted for a few days r+r in the nations capital. This involved visiting a Cricket Museum at Basin Reserve and watching the final of the Air New Zealand provincial rugby cup final between Wellington and Canterbury. Even Allison found the museum interesting, although she was watching clips of Ian Botham! Did you know that Sir Don Bradmans batting average against South Africa is 201? I like to bore you with useless information! The rugby wasn't much better. It was marred by infrequent bouts of entertainment, like the captain of the All Blacks dropping the ball on his own 22 and getting trampled on by the opposition! It was great to be there and part of the occasion.

We moved up to National Parks, where you may emember we skied earlier on. Mt Ngauruhoe looked amazing in the late afternoon sun, but it was bloody cold!

Monday saw us in Waitomo (wai meaning water and tomo meaning big hole!) We had to get into wet suits and with the aid of rubber rings floated through an underground labyrinth. The water was bloody freezing, but it was great fun. We went over waterfalls and saw Glow worms (really glow maggots with shiny arses). I managed to upset the guide by implying she had a large backside, so during the trip she managed to up end me twice! Showers and hot soup were ready for us at the end.

Friday, 24 October 2008

Location: Nelson and Abel Tasman, New Zealand

Our last stop on the South island is Nelson and Abel Tasman.

We decided to visit Nelson winerys rather than Marlborough and, as Allison put in "I didn't taste one I didn't like all day!" Our favourite was Rimu Grove, a very passionate American who has a small winery. So small that this year he only produced 45 cases of Reisling. Needless to say we purchased this one and it was outstanding. but then so was the Pinot Noir 2005. Please visit his website www.rimugrove.co.nz I know Kevin will.

Next up was something Allison and I had wanted to do since 2005 when we cam here with Kevin and Chris. To kayak the Abel Tasman. Three days and two nights, no hot water, no showers and very hard ground, not quite your five star! It was though great fun. We started at Onetahuti Marine reserve where we paddled(!) to an Island where seals hangout and they even joined us in the water. Our first night was bark bay where Chris and Kevin you should remember thats where we srated our walk from in 05. and remember the swing bridge? well thats called Falls river in Sandfly bay and we paddled up the river too. The first two days the weather was glorious, but the third day it poured all day as we paddled to Split Apple Rock to capture illusive photos of the Rock. We've never been so cold or wet and the shower that was waiting for us couldn't come soon enough!

Next stop back to Wellington and with a bit of luck the Rugby cup final between Wellington and Cantebury!

Friday, 17 October 2008

Location: Fox Glacier, New Zealand

We opted for the all day walk at Fox and we neither saw a fox or a bear! It was a long day though, first walking through a rain forest and then five hours walking around a glacier, we were both well and truly knackered by the end!

But it is an awesome experience and as Allison says the most frightening thing she has ever done. (apart from white water rafting....). Did you know that ice is blue? Also Fox glacier is expanding and has grown 1.5km in 10 years.

Friday, 17 October 2008

Location: Fiordland, New Zealand

Ok, whats the difference between a Fiord and a Sound? answers on a postcard.
After Queenstown we travelled further south to Te Anau to be close to the Sounds. First up was Milford. They have 7m of rain a year in Fiordland, but as you can see from the photos we were blessed with a lovely sunny day. First we took a coach through the Edlinton valley, past beatiful lakes, rivers and mountains to the Homer tunnel. This is the only access by land and construction started in the 1930's but wasn't completed until the 50's. On the western side the valley is also known as the valley of waterfalls, because there are supposed to be over a thousand waterfalls, especially in spring as the snow begins to melt.
The Sound itself is majestic, haunting (Allisons word) and just how it was formed millions of years ago. It could be the most beautiful place in the world.
Next question - How did Doubtful Sound get its name? Use the same postcard.
To get to Doubtful, you need two coaches and a lake crossing, yes it is a bit remote. The journey is amazing though crossing NZ's second largest lake, Manapouri. Past the countries only Hydro electric power station. (recently survived a 7.1 earthquake!). Then you can travel up the Sound. The weather wasn't as good, but the mountains are covered in rainforest so they appear rounder but still as majestic. The water is different, its black from the vegetation. Its also a much larger Sound, Milford would fit it ten times.
xx

Saturday, 11 October 2008

Location: Queenstown, New Zealand

Queenstown is so stunning it deserves a page of its own! Just when you think NZ can't suprise you anymore up pops Queenstown. The scenery is amazing. The town sits at the foot of the Remarkables and is also surrounded by other snow capped mountains and lakes.

Its an outdoor activity centre where you can do almost anything, as long as it involves mountains and water.

First we tried white water rafting on the aptley named Shotover river. The river had been shut for two days because it was too fierce, so when we went it was 4+! Allison has never been so scared, but hey she did it, nearly drowned a couple of times but she lived to tell the tale. There are several rapids to go through on a 16km course and it is a bit scary.

Then I went for a Bungy jump, all 134m of it. First of all though, you have to ride out to the pod which hangs suspended on wires, stand on the edge and jump, easy! Adrenalin is brown you know!

Both were fantastic, easy to say after surviving.

We also went up in a gondola where we took many pictures of the amazing scenery which surrounds Quennstown and, visited a Kiwi sanctuary - they're big buggers, bigger than a chicken, but like me still very cute!

Today we head for Te Anau and the Sounds.

xx

Friday, 10 October 2008

Location: Ferry to South Island, New Zealand

We'd both lokked forward to this crossing since we last here three years ago, and we were not disapointed. It takes three hours + to cross, leaving Wellington, heading out into the Cook Straights before turning into the Queen Charlotte Sounds. Its an amazing trip, with views out into the pacific and channels so narrow we didn't think our ferry would fit through!

We landed in Picton, nothing like Hartlepool, its pretty and inviting and were booked into a backpackers called Tombstone where the guarentee you rest in peace!

xx

Friday, 10 October 2008

Location: Wellington, New Zealand

Wellington. capital of NZ, pop 375,000.

Its a very pretty city, built around a harbour with lovely walks, shops etc. We visited the Te Papa museum specifically to see a piece of art by Allisons friend Liz. The exhibition was about Scots who came to settle in NZ from the 1850's to the present.

We followed the Billy Connolly trail, if you remember from his series. There are poems written in tablets of stone along the harbour walk.

We also took the cable car up above the city for lovely views and walked back down through the botanical gardens. remembering of course, that its spring here and everything is starting to bloom.

After Wellington we head for the South Islands, Queen Charlotte Sounds and the Tranzs Coastal railway from Picton to Christchurch.

Friday, 26 September 2008

Location: North Island, New Zealand

Coming back to NZ is like visiting an old friend and we both feel very comfortable here. We did actually see old friends too. We stayed with Brian and Jay in Auckland - the finest B+B in the world should anyone be visiting. Also, Allison met Liz whom she used to work with in Sunderland half a lifetime ago. It was lovely to meet her and her daughter Rhona.
Auckland was sunny but cool, just going into spring here, which is fab especially as you are going into winter! Liz showed us the sights of Auckland and we had a lovely couple of days before moving onto Waihi beach (site of NZ largerst goldmine), Pukehina Beach and then to Ohope beach. We visited White Island, NZ only active marine volcano where you can go through the crater - see photo of Allison geared up!
We then drove through the Waioeka Gorge to Gisborne, the most easterly city in the world, the first place in NZ to see the sun and where Captain Cook landed in 1769. So lots of Cook stuff here and also earthquakes, although Allison says she is yet to feel the earth move.
Napier is an art deco town, after being destroyed in the 1930's by an earthquake. More importantly, its a wine producing area and we did a winery tour on bikes - perfectly legal, apparently, but great fun. The tour includes The Mission which is the oldest winery in NZ.
We then had a bit of a departure and drove off to Mt Ruapehu, a place we visted previously in 2005 with Chris and Kevin. Only this time it was covered in snow! So we had a ski lesson, on the Happy Valley beginners slope! But it was great fun. Allison hurt her arm when I crashed into her exiting a ski lift and I fell over at least five times!
But not bad for oldies and we may even try again on the south island!
xxx

Friday, 19 September 2008

Location: Nadi, Fiji

Bula from Fiji!

After a ten hour flight from LA we finally arrived in Fiji - in the rain would you believe! Also, some numpty forgot about the international date line. So, although we left LA at 22.30 on 13 Sept, we arrived 5am on the 15 Sept! Didn't know that time travel was included. This was a pain, because we lost a day of a our short break in Fiji.
Anyway, the sun came out and we had a fabulous time. Our Hotel, Smugglers Cove was right on the beach with lots of young folk, so at least it was lively!
The Fijian people must be the friendliest we've ever met. Very genuine, smiling and happy. It was a delight to be amongst them.
We had a couple of trips. one to a private island called Malamala. Its owned by villages and takes 10 minutes to walk around. Its also a coral island so lots of snorkling and glass bottomed boats.
We also did an interior trip to a tribal village who all descend from the same englishman who went there in the nineteenth century. After surviving the cannibals, the chief gave him one of his daughters and the rest is history. They all have english names, like William and Margaret! The interior is very green and mountainous and we also had the opportunity to swim under a 50m waterfall! All in all a really lovely few days in the South Pacific.

Take care xx

Saturday, 13 September 2008

Location: Pan Handle, USA

Panama City FL to Orange Beach AL

We left St Augustine heading for Tallahassee, but bypassed it and went straight to the Pan Handle of Florida. After a few (cough, cough) navigational issues we reached Panama City. Miles and miles of white sands and blue seas. We even had dolphins swim by and a Black Tipped Shark! it was only 500mm long!
We dined at Sharkys on the beach, with a live music, a singer much like Shaun, but Allison says i can't say anything cheeky!
We then drove the Pan Handle passing through really pretty and expensive places like Seaside, Watercolor and Destin. We stayed at Pensacola the night before moving to Orange Beach Alabama.
Again lots of pristine white beaches and blue seas.
Hurricane Ike though was never far away and after advice from FEMA (US Fire and rescue) we stayed here several nights. The theory being that if people are evacuated from New Orleans they'll head for Pensacola! As the storm moved west towards Texas we decided to escape and caught an early flight to LA as were never going to be able to fly out of Houston.
Please spare a thought for all those caught up in Gustav, Hanna and Ike, we were lucky enough to miss all three. However at Pensacola, we were 200 miles from Galvaston and the waves were still 5m high. Heaven knows what it must be like to be caught up in it.
I should mention American TV - they advertise any and everything. For Twiz there's Stool softeners, "doesn't make you go, just makes you go more easily" ! or how about Viagra for Mr Nixon to the tune of Viva Las Vegas "Viva Viagra"! and finally for da ladies - go to www.vibratingtouch.com for hours of enjoyment.

We move on to, hopefully, the relative calm of Fiji.
Speak again soon xx

Friday, 05 September 2008

Location: St Augustine, USA

After a terrific few days in Miami, we moved 300 miles up the coast via Cocoa Bay to St Augustine. The oldest continously lived in city in USA. Its colonial, built by both the Spanish and English and is a rare treat in a country with little history.
The Spanish landed here in the 16c, 45 years before Jamestown and 55 years before the Pilgrim Fathers.
Its such a pretty little town too, with narrow streets, restaurants, quaint timber houses right next to the sea.
The Spanish and British fought over it, before we swapped it for Cuba!
We used little trolly buses to get about, hence the history books we swallowed! But it was great fun and anyone planning to go to Orlando should take time out to visit.

Tuesday, 02 September 2008

Location: Miami, USA

Hi guys

First of all, just to let you know were both safe. Great timing to get out of Cuba when we did as the area we visited had Gustav right overhead. We are currently tracking Hanna now which is due Thurs/Fri and as were in St Augustine, we are in the firing line again but our intention is to move onto Tallahassee on thursday.
Anyway, Miami. After the limitations of Cuba, we had the excesses of Miami. Anything you want and more, bigger, better, but just what we wanted after Havana.
We stayed in the art deco area of south beach, just 100m from the ocean and we had a fab time. The art deco buildings are amazing and we could have taken hundreds of photos. The beach was great with big waves. The women were even better! Long legs, big everything and very glamorous - we fitted in straight away!
The food is just, well american. lots of it, very tasty, lovely restaurants and cafes, almost a shame to leave, but all the weight we lost in Cuba we put straight back on.
Our intention is to move north, before we hope, moving onto New Orleans.
See Ya all xx

Friday, 29 August 2008

Location: Havana, Cuba

Havana is an enigma and it took both of us a few days to work it out. On the one hand you have startling architecture with public buildings, galleries, museums and hotels refurbished to the highest standard. but for every one, I'll show you twenty buildings in decay, derelict with the locals squatting. It can be seedy, dirty and intimidating but also lively and vibrant. To enjoy Havana, you have to accept it all and get on with it.
Linda, Martin - the music was amazing. the Bars are too small to dance (thats my excuse) but whichever Bar you go into the salsa rythems flow and we met great musicians and people through it.
We also met Omar, our night porter at our Casa - Hi Omar, if you've found a computer to log in! On our last night he gave us a tape of Cuban music and you can see his picture in the photo section.
The beaches and sea east of Havana were as you would expect from the Caribbean. White sands, turquoise seas and a blazing sun!
We visted Vinales about 160km west of Havana. A bright spark Spaniard thought he could grow grapes there hence the name. But its famous for limestone mountains second only to China. So we climbed through a cave and then took a short boat trip in an underground river - i think this was our favourite day.
I hate to disappoint you guys, but having visited a cigar factory I'm afraid cigars are not rolled on the thighs of virgins - they're certainly NOT virgins!!

Wednesday, 20 August 2008

Location: Cancun, Mexico

Cancun really grew on us. its purely a holiday destination with lots of hotels and restaurants. but as the week went by we´ve visted Tulum and Isle Mujeres and we ended up having a great time. Of course the weather was scorching hot (sorry) the sea turquoise (apparently) and the beaches white - what more could you want from a beach holiday?

Our guide told us that there was nothing here before Cancun was built. Apart from Jungle with jaguars, snakes, primates etc etc. Hence Cancun means "Snakes Nest". Nice to know they´ve turned it into a holiday resort!!

Tulum is the only Mayan City to be built on the coast. Its in a beautiful location with blue green seas below the cliffs, well worth a visit.

We move onto Cuba tomorrow, heaven knows what we´ll find there but we´ll enjoy the ride.

take care

D&A xx

Saturday, 16 August 2008

Location: Panama City, Panama

Panama City Day 11

What do you do with a 10hour stop over In Panama City? You find two english speaking Venezulan Preachers with american passports and the same problem! Bring on Geraldo and his blacked out 4x4 and you are ready for an awesome time in a truly amazing country. We visited the Panama Canal, the Old town and a modern mall. The people were friendly, honest and caring, not like in Prison Break at all!!

However, I did lose both my wallet and passport. The wallet turnrd up 15 minutes later in lost property with nothing missing. We were the five minutes from taking our bags off the plane when my passport was found - Allison had it! However,I cant thank the people at Panama airport enough for their help: It was a very strange day indeed!