Touchdown

Slap the Goon

I arrived in Cairns at 8ish in the morning, local time gleary eyed and suffereing from sleep deprevation. Took a while to get through customs, bit strick here in Oz... do i have any pebbles, bits of wood or small creatures in my bag....

Once I got to the Nomad hostal i dumped my bag in the storage room and began my 3 hour check until i could check into my dorm. The time of comfy hotel rooms was over. Seated on the decking, clutching at leafletts i desperately tried to beat the jet lag and stay awake. I finally checked in at 1!

That evening I met my bunk mate a cocky Londoner ;) We quickly got chatting with people at dinner and later hit the 'Goon' - A cheap, fowl local drink made from grapes that is only sold after 4pm. The dorm room slowly filled with people and we headed to town for a night of dancing on tables at the Wool Shed!

The sun rose to find me trying to make sense of all the leafletts i'd grabbed the day earlier. By word of advice from James - the cocky Londoner - I headed to Peter Pans to book some, transport, accomidation and adventures down the east coast. eagar to emurse myslef in the local culture i had a good mosey around the local hippie and surf shops before stumbling into a local gallary, where i lost myself for a good few hours in stories of life , death and beauty.

Anyone seen Watchmen? Loved it, even if it was a bit lengthy...

Deep Blue Something

The sea was rough on the way to Saxon reef, off of Cape Tribulation - North of Cairns and many passengers had to go on onto the top deck... I attempted the snorkeling again, but the ocean was rougher than when i had previously attempted snorkeling at the Phi Phi islands in south Thailand. Loosing patience and getting frustraited with the choppy water, which seemed insistant on filling my snokel I returned to the ship feeling defeated!

The scuba diving went loads better and was one of the most amazing experiences. I was "A natural". My partner was a guy called Ted from Poland. I followed the instuctors actions with deadly precision as i decended and lernt to entrust my life to my newly acquired skills and a tank of oxygen strapped to my back. The colours of the creatures and plants are so amazing and vivid that I had to remind myself to control my breathing more than once!

Thursdays Adventure was less physically demanding, but just as exhilarating! A 9am pick up took me to the base of mount Kuranda, near Cairns where i boarded my cable car which quickly ascended above the canopy of the sumptuous rain forest. It went over Barron falls waterfall, via a few stops where you get guided walks of the rain forest. At the top of the mountain at Kuranda village I get me an Ozzy burger and visited the Koala enclosure to see some local wildlife!

The traditional scenic railway took me back to Cairns in time for dinner by way of plenty of sugar cain fields and once again Barron Falls.

Friday I left Cairns bound for Mission Beach. Not much happens here! But I did get the chance to cook for the first time in well over a month with a few lads: Ken and Trule. Chicken stir fry was loved by all. After we hit the bar for the greatly anticipated happy hour.

Next was Magnetic Island. The place's name alone seemed to promise adventure!

Coasting in the Land Down Under

He Said I Come From the Land Down Under!

So Ive just booked an awesome trip down the East coast of Oz froom Cairns to Sydney with sailing, sight seeing, jungle cable caring, camping hiking diving and par-taying with a travel agents called Peter Pan! Woop woop! (If you're not jelious yet keep reading :cP)

Not as hot here as SE Asia. OZ is just coming out of its wet season, so all the jungles are a lush green and the weather is still 30 celcius ++

Cairns isn't great, just a city really! Night life is good tho and its a little cheaper here than cities further south.



Australia's Booked Itinerary!

Flight: Singapore to Cairns - 23/03/09

- 23/03/09 - Cairns

- 27/03/09 - Mission Beach

- 29/03/09 - Townsville

- 31/03/09 - Mackay - Whitsunday Island
Three day sailing cruise

- 02/04/09 - Rockhampton

- 05/04/09 - 1770

- 07/04/09 - Bundaberg - Fraser Island


- 11/04/09 - Rainbow Beach

- 13/04/09 - Nossa

- 15/04/09 - Brisbane

- 19/04/09 - Surfers Paradise

- 21/04/09 - Byron Bay

- 29/04/09 - Newcastle

- 25/04/09 - Sydney
Blue Mountains

New Zealand Flight: Sydney to Christchurch - 03/05/09

- 03/05/09 - Christchurch
- 03/06/09* - Auckland

Thanks to Martin, Leigh and all you who've helped me refine what top do in Oz!

Singapore Sling

Sweet Sorrow

On day 22 of the Intrepid trip - Thursday the 19th of March we arrived in Singapore, our final destination together :c( Singapore is a huge garden of a city. No chewing gum was allowed to be brought into the country. Very clean and stylish place.

Goodbyes were said to our ace Malaysian tour guide Mira and we arranged to meet as a group and go to the Singapore night safari zoo! But beer o'clock was first!

Most of the day was actually spent in a shopping mall sorting out and burning off all the photos from Dan's, Lisa's and my cameras (!) Had to resort to a burger king for food, but still i've not succumb to the evil of McDonald's, even after sitting in them more than once over the past few weeks - 4 years and counting on that!

The night safari was cool, loved the largest rodents - looked like huge hamsters! craaaaaazy.

http://people.uleth.ca/~holzmann/peru/2550_Charlie_the_capybara.jpg

We hit Chinatown heritage restaurant for food and drinks at about 10. Really nice part of Singapore this.

Friday we visited Sentosa island next to the main island. Was only S $3 to get there on the monorail. Was more like a theme park than anything and didn't seem that great until we found a 'Cafe Del Mar' Loved it. A Singapore sling cocktail was quickly ordered and a bed on the beach seccured.


Clark Quai

That night we all met up again and headed to Clark Quai, a waterfront area for some expencive bars!. The clinic was worth every penny! A bar with a hospital theme - Hospital beds, wheel chairs, cocktails in drips along with operating tables and lamps - Brilliant! An ace venue for one last group drinking sessions! Hugs all round and our two favourite canadian girls dissapeared into the crowd :c(

Made me realise the trip had actually ended.

Met with a few of Dan's mates from Sweden for another pint in a bar with a live band playing 'Bistro Live' type of music - Singapore style, before I ran for the tube.




The next morning I got chatting with a cool Beef farmer type dude from Sommerset in my hostal - Mike. We went and met the rest of the remaining members of my group and hit Orchard road for some highsteet browsing and Singapores largest book shop. We headed towards the Hard Rock Cafe at the end of the road. Thats Three I've done now in three different countries on this trip. Rawk! Orchard road was followed by the world famous Raffle's Hotel, photos and drinks! me and Mike had one last drink with Dan and Lisa in a german bar before they too dissapered into the crowd to find a taxi.

Me and Mike sort shelter for a few hours in an internet cafe as a huge tropical style storm made itself at home above the city! With three words via email from one of MIkes mates we were re-inspired and headed to the New Asia Bar - 70 floors up in the sky. This was maybe the most amazing sunset i have seen in the 24 years of my life...The sun went down as we supped beer (Well Mike had a half yard of Tiger beer so he glugged a bit too) and the all the nocternal lights of the sprawling city slowly came to life.... Not bad for my last night in Singapore i'd say!

http://www.swissotel.com/EN/Destinations/Singapore/Swissotel+The+Stamford/HOTEL+HOME/Gallery/Dining/New+Asia+Bar.htm

Sunday morning me, cool Max and Mike eventually found an Irish bar on Penang road and had the first roast dinner we'd had in over a month!!! Beef AND chicken for me!! (still not quite as good as mums tho:cP ) We had a roast, pool, football on tv.... If it was raining outside i would have sworn i was home.

I proceeded to the airport after and got my plane to the next leg of my adventure: Oz. Phoned home and had a good catchup chat with mum before getting on my 8 hour flight. Some how for that short 15 minutes 10900 Km didn't seem as far away.

Kimonos and Pool Parties

Port Dickson

Not a great deal to do in Port Dickson and even less to drink!! Drier than your dads jokes! The hotel told us they didn't sell any alcoholic beverages, but we bought our own the day before on advice from our knowledgeable tour leader Mira! SO drinking games, ceremonial beard shaving, kimono parties and midnight pool parties ensued! Woop woop. I didn't see any 'pool closed' sign, did you Dan? Took a few late night photos came out pretty good again, check em:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29685328@N05/3371673475/in/set-72157615621889772/


Melaka

Melaka was a little more enjoyable, with a bit of history and shopping malls for the girlies. This used to be the capital of Malaysia, which has had its fair share of invasions from the Dutch, Portuguese, British and Japanese (WWII). A few forts, ruins and cathedrals tell these tales of occupying forces and periods in history. It was only in the 1950's that the Malay President declared Independence from the commonwealth.

Me and the lads took a tour of the city in the local noval form of transport: Trishaw. Maybe the least manly form of transport known to the human race. Google it. Tho the ones with neon lights pumping out DnB music are even more of a sight!

Tour included a slanted cathedral and one final temple! A multi-faith Chinese temple that welcomes all. I liked this temple with more of an authentic feel. Unlike most of the others this one wasn't as touristy and wasn't reminiscent of an old woman who'd slapped on too much make-up in a vein effort to hide her age!

Slept in the most uncomfortable accommodation yet, just a fan for company - no AC here. 6am start for Singapore.

Dance With the Thunder and Lightening

"Life is a storm, my young friend. You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes. You must look into that storm and shout as you did in Rome. Do your worst, for I will do mine! Then the fates will know you as we know you: as Albert Mondego, the man!" - Count monte cristo.

Photo taken at Khao Sok National Park resort - Misty Mountain. the night we had a storm and then a power cut.

If You Catch Me at the Boarder I've Got Visas In My Name!

The trip and the dream seems to be sailing by at an alarming rate, moments and places come and disappear over the horizon before i can even blog them! (sorry peeps!) :c) Already A month has almost gone.


Taste of Paradise - Krabi

After Khao Sok National Park our Intrepid group was bundled into an air conditioned (AC) mini bus and taken to a place with the purest of blue skies (mostly), the clearest of turquoise waters (mostly) and whitest of sandy beaches...... (mostly). One thing is clearer than all those tho, and that is that the tourist industry is booming here, even out of high season. Three nights were spent in Krabi, and i could have spent a life time here - This was the place that put Thailand on the map. They love the Jack Johnson here. Actually Metallica seems to be a regular name on T-shirts too!

A daylong speed boat trip around the Phi Phi islands, snorkeling, food market and a kayaking activity made us feel like we had a good sample of what this area had to offer. Along with a decent night out for dinner and heavy drinking session... (which unavoidably ended with the legendary bucket of a spirit and mixer). We all manged to drag each other back to "Ben's House" (the hotel) safely. The sun sets here are awesome as well as the deep night skies.

Krabi vid to be inserted here!

If You Catch Me at the Boarder I've Got Visas In My Name!

The next stop was Penang, a few hours south across the boarder in Malaysia.

We walked across the boarder check point fine and everything was in order. However, we'd not been driving in the mini bus (which got across the boarder fine too) for more than 10 minutes before a police car pulled us over! The armed police man checked the drivers papers and questioned our trip leader - Mira - for a what seemed longer than two minutes! Turns out it was a bent copper with too much time under his mustache just trying to "get some coffee money" out of us... Pha!

The lush green foothills and snaking roads of Malaysia were bizarrely instantly noticeably different to landscape of south Thailand.

The next destination Penang was a British colonial town - the architecture gives this away, with a fort and the oldest Chinese temple in SE Asia! Alittle ashamed of the way the British and the East Indian Trading Company came along with all their arrogance and spread their religion, language and ways. The place seems quite quaint and dilapidated, while the older people seemed to have surrendered to the furious heat of the sun and tiredness.


KL - Kuala Lumpur

The capital of Malaysia is a clean, green city which has grown in its post modern style drastically in the past 10 years due to enjoying an economical boom. It had more than enough to keep us busy for the two days and two nights we were here. The highlights of which I'd say were The KL City Center Petronas Twin Towers, the 420 metre KL tower (which was excellent for viewing the Petrona towers... See Video below).

The first night (A Saturday night...) was spent in the Petronas twin towers and in a chilled reggae bar with the Liverpool vs. Man united match (4-1) HA! I say bar, but it was more like a shrine.. a place of worship for all lovers of the Bob Marley and all things reggae. The bar was followed by a club...meh. The next day me and Swedish Daniel spent being productive and doing a couple of attractions.

The Batu caves are a 30 minute drive out of KL. However being in Malaysia - Where many random tangents are taken - this 30 minute taxi drive turned into a 45 minute ride as we were conveniently heading in the direction of our drivers home and he seemed to think nothing of picking his wife up on the way so they could go for breakfast once he'd dropped us off! lol?!
The way the contrasting blue and warm light glowed in the cave and played with the water dripping in the cave made for some atmospheric snaps. next we zipped across town to get and elevator up the KL tower and play on the tilting monorail system between shopping malls. Inevitably me and Daniel bumped into the shop-o-holic half of the group. Shoes are tooooooooo cheap here! :cp

KL tower vid to be inserted here!

Your World Comes Crashing Around You...

I've had technical failures with every electronic device I have with me within the past three weeks...

My half decent Sony camera has been getting a little too warm in the Asian baking heat and sometimes has problems focusing... Also if i take the camera from a heavenly air conditioned hotel room outside, the camera quickly gets condensation forming on the lens and LCD! ha... A camera bag has helped to reduce these two probs...

Secondly my phone display stopped working randomly for a few days and i declared it dead.... even tho the alarm went off at 8 am every morning, obviously i had no way of turning it off because the of the screen! Eventually the battery died! Miraculously, a few days ago the phone screen decided to start working again!!!

Finally my Zen mp3 player crashed, so i rebooted it, however every time i turn it on now it has to re-build the music directory. This whole process takes about 10 minutes... It also seems to be unable to find all the mp3s..

Still i persist ;c)

I've been Waiting A Life Time....

Monkey Business



This morning went for rain a forest trek! Lots of wild life and plants to be seen. Got a bit sweaty, but was nice to have a dip in the clear water river. Geckos wandering around, lizards, camelions, flying lizards! And plenty of bugs.... and leeches urgh.

Yesterday went tubing! involves floating down a river in a truck tyre inner tube! Awesome! lazy days. Nice when the only thing u have to worry about is floating around a log or not getting beached!

Before that it was a relaxing but vigorous Thai massage - would recommend this to anyone and everyone!

Feeling Itchy with my Gecko tattoo i got, mozy bites and beard at the moment!

Until next time!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29685328@N05/


http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=222232&id=577885146&l=114bb



Rich

Took a Midnight Train...

Chang Mai

Friday the 27th I met my tour group and leader for heading north to trek through the lush jungles of Thailand. Nice small group of 5 of us got a sleeper train to Chang Mai, after an orientation walk around Bangkok... most of which I'd seen already, so think I've had my fill of Bangkok now...

Chang Mai is another hustling, bustling Thai city, with chaotic traffic, streets filled with market stalls and smiling people that make me feel quite tall... A big moat and red brick crumbling wall surrounds the city which was built about 700 years ago to defend against Burma forces invading the city. Our hotel is very nice, with an all important shower and comfy bed.

Saturday was our first day in Chang Mai and I attended an enjoyable simple Thai cooking class for a small fee. The evening saw our group take a night out along the road of bars to see some live Thai boxing, which i enjoyed alot more than i anticipated. Its a clean and frequently funny sport, with up to four boxers in the ring, sometimes all blind folded... LOL! The ref got it a few times. Me and MAC in the group attempted our second bucket.... A hole bottle of whisky in a bucket with some coke and ice thrown in for a bit of colour(!) Three occasions now I've had to take a Tuk Tuk home now after getting halfway through a second bucket once completing the first... why do I not learnnnnnnnn!

Thai boxing - Scenes of violence

Kicking up Dust!

Sunday saw the start of the three day trek, which involved sleeping at two Thai tribe villages deep in the jungle, playing football with the locals (after a four hour trek(!)), visiting an awesome waterfall, riding an elephant for over an hour (amazing mammals) and bamboo rafting for over 10km on the last day through rapids as well as picturesque surroundings before getting a ride back to Chang Mai. The local foods made by our guides (Mr. Chi and Mr. Wit) and the villages, they were nice, chili in everything here! The Portuguese introduced the Thai to chilies only 300 years ago... Still overly popular.

Elephant ride

A soft hotel bed and shower was very welcome. Yesterday evening we visited a night market with a food court and traditional eastern dancing. A lazy pressie shopping day today. Few things to post home now.

Back on the train going anywhere tonight for the next part of my Thai adventure! White sandy beaches...? Its nice to be leaving the city and to have seen the more rural aspect of Thailand. tho even the first village had a satellite dish to receive the latest football matches!

Go on leave me comment!!