Traveling around Asia
In and around World
After spending a year teaching English in South Korea I came back to Scotland for a couple of months. I thought I had plenty of time to get everything prepared but the time has flown by and I now have a week left until I head off around Asia. The first stop is India.
I'm going with my sister Lynne, Kathryn (who I went to Korea with) and her brother who is also called Stuart
Route taken and entries by Real Traveler stuartsfraser
-
1
Golspie to London
As is typical for me I was up late organising things on my last night at home. Everything went quite smoothly the next day however and Lynne and... Continue reading » -
2
India: Mumbai
Well that is the end of our first day in India. We arrived at 11:30 am local time and walked straight through immigration with no trouble and no qu... Continue reading »
-
3
India: Mumbai- Rags and Riches
We had our taxi tour today and despite some previous misgivings about being overcharged we thought it was worthwhile. Our driver took us all over t... Continue reading »
-
4
India: Mumbai> Neral> Matheran- Hill Station
Mumbai's description in the guide book sounded to be big, busy and not very interesting so we planned to move on as quickly as possible. Lynne... Continue reading »
-
5
India: Matheran- It's a jungle out there
By the time we got cleaned up and ready to leave it was 10 am. The horse riding guides, touts and porters were out in force looking for work. Becau... Continue reading »
-
6
India: Matheran> Mumbai
Our plans for an early start were abandoned due to a lack of sleep. We walked the 2.5 km to the car park and took a taxi to the train station in Neral... Continue reading » -
7
India: Mumbai> Arrungabad
We took a boat out to Elephant Island today. I agreed to pay R10 to a woman so I could take a picture of her carrying a large pot on her head. As I... Continue reading »
-
8
India: Aurangabad
We were swamped by touts as soon as we arrived at Aurangabad even though it was only 6:40 am. We checked into the Tourist Home Hotel. We got a 4 be... Continue reading »
-
9
India: Aurangabad
This was a well earned rest day. Lots of sleep and washing but not much else other than a trip to an internet cafe. Continue reading » -
10
India: Aurangabad> Ajanta> Jalgaon
We took a local bus to Ajanta. we thought we would have to put our bags on the roof but no one asked us to. Instead we squeezed our way to the back... Continue reading »
-
11
India: Jalgaon- Confined to quarters
Last night stuart K and I both had Tandoori chicken for dinner. Lynne also tried a bit of mine. Stuart K and I have both been suffering ever since.... Continue reading »
-
12
India: Jalgaon- Forced to move
Last night I felt even worse. I was cold and shivery, even with a blanket and down jacket over me. I also had stomach cramps which kept me awake. T... Continue reading »
-
13
India: Jalgoan> Katni> Agra- A very long journey
It is just as well that the sleeper trains are comfortable. Last night at 10:45 pm we got on a train at Jalgaon. Our reservation was from the next... Continue reading »
-
14
India: Agra- Here at last!
We arrived in Agra last night at 3 am. That means that the train we expected to take 14 hours actually took 28 hours. We got to our hotel at 3:30 a... Continue reading »
-
15
India: Agra> Jaipur
Having seen the main sites the day before we took things easy today. We went and had a look at a market but it was too hot to shop for anyone but L... Continue reading »
-
16
India: Jaipur
Despite our initial frustration with our hotel it actually turned out to be one of the nicest places we had stayed. We took a walk around town toda... Continue reading »
-
17
India: Jaipur
We took a local bus out to the amber fort today (a lot cheaper than rickshaws). I hired myself a guide for R100 knowing that the others wouldn't be... Continue reading »
-
18
India: Jaipur
I wasn't feeling too great today so I sat in the hotel using the internet for most of the day. I started taking some antibiotics that Lynne had. I... Continue reading »
-
19
India: Delih
We arrived an hour late in Delhi around 8 am. I was glad of the extra hours sleep. We got off the train at the Old Delhi station and had to negotia... Continue reading »
-
20
India: Delhi
Another bad nights sleep and I'm still feeling lousy. We went for a wander around town but after a few hours I was feeling rotten and went back to... Continue reading »
-
21
India: Delhi> Gorakhpur
This was our last day in Delhi and we wanted to see some of the sights. I was going to go to the Red Fort but no one else was interested so I... Continue reading »
-
22
India: Gorakhpur> Katmandu
Stepping out into the heat and noise of Gorakhpur was a bit of a shock. We fended off the touts and made our way to the bus station and got straigh... Continue reading »
-
23
Nepal: Kathmandu
We arrived at 6 am at the bus station. A tout offered us a free ride to a hotel. If we didn't want to stay there then we would have to pay for the... Continue reading »
-
24
Nepal: Kathmandu
We had another easy day of wandering the streets today. My appetite is back again and I'm completely recovered from all my previous problems. I'm lovi... Continue reading » -
25
Nepal: Kathmandu
We tried, for the second time, today to get to Durbar square. Both times we have wandered for so long there was no point going as we were too late in... Continue reading » -
26
Nepal: Kathmandu> Syabrubesi
We had an early start and a taxi ride to the bus station. There is no tourist bus to Syabrubesi so we were traveling in the same kind of bus as we... Continue reading »
-
27
Nepal: Syabrubesi> Bamboo Lodge
We were up at 6, had some breakfast and were walking by 8. It was already warm as we walked through the village. A very cute wee girl asked me if I... Continue reading »
-
28
Nepal: Langtang: Bamboo Lodge> Ghora Tabela
I didn't get much sleep last night. I got wakened by a noise that sounded like my Malaria bottle being rattled. I fumbled around for my torch and g... Continue reading »
-
29
Nepal: Langtang: Ghora Tabela> Langtang
We have settled into a routine of going to bed by 8pm, getting up around 6am and setting off at around 8am. We were a bit late to get moving today... Continue reading »
-
30
Nepal: Langtang: Langtang> Kyanjin Gompa
This was another short and easy day. We had previously been recommended the Lovely Lodge in Kyanjin by two separate groups so had decided to stay t... Continue reading »
-
31
Nepal: Langtang: Kyanjin Gompa- Yala Kharka
Kathryn, Lynne and I decided to try to climb Tserog Ri (4984m) today. We crossed the stream East of Ganjin and climbed the ridge above to a group o... Continue reading »
-
32
Nepal: Langtang: Kyanjin Gompa> Langshisha
Kyanjin has the last lodges in the valley but we had struggled up the hill with tents, stoves and food so that we could keep going. We planned to... Continue reading »
-
33
Nepal: Langtang: Langshisha> Kyanjin Gompa
I was wakened up in the middle of the night by the sound of Lynne throwing up. She continued to throw up for most of the night. I didn't think at t... Continue reading »
-
34
Nepal: Langtang: Kyanjin Gompa> Ghunama (Woodland Lodge)
Lynne was a bit better today but still not back to normal. She was still dehydrated after lots of vomiting and she hadn't eaten much since. She spl... Continue reading »
-
35
Nepal: Langtang: Ghunama> Syabrubesi
When I got up in the morning I felt fine. I ordered an omelette but as it arrived I started to feel very nauseous. I opened the window to get some... Continue reading »
-
36
-
37
-
38
-
39
-
40
Nepal: Kathmandu
We didn't do much today. Breakfast is the Northfield then 4 hours on the internet trying to get this blog up to date. We went for another Korean meal... Continue reading » -
41
Nepal: Kathmandu
Yet another excellent breakfast in the Northfield and another afternoon on the internet. Everyone else has been out shopping and organising permits, b... Continue reading » -
42
Nepal: Kathmandu
Today we stocked up on supplies for our trek and got ourselves organised. On the Langtang trek my hands got badly sun burnt so I hunted trough more... Continue reading »
-
43
Nepal: Kathmandu> Dumre> Besisahar (820m)
After our horrendous journey to Langtang we decided to take a tourist bus to Dumre, then a local bus onwards from there. We took a greenline bus an... Continue reading »
-
44
Nepal: Besisahar> BhuleBhule (840m)- Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary
Feeling a bit queasy after drinking a single beer the night before I started my trek around Annapurna. The first part of the trek follows the road... Continue reading »
-
45
Nepal: Bhulebhule> Ghermu- Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary (2)
We have struggled to get out of our beds in the mornings and by the time we get going it is already hot and sunny. This was despite being wakened e... Continue reading »
-
46
Nepal: Ghermu> Tal (1700m)- Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary (3)
I was slow getting organised this morning so told everyone else to set off without me. It was another hot sunny morning but I was enjoying walking... Continue reading »
-
47
Nepal: Tal> Bagarchap (2160m)- Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary (4)
Leaving Tal we continued heading North to Karte where we stopped at the Dorchester for tea. It was fine but didn't really live up to it's name. We car... Continue reading » -
48
Nepal: Bagarchap> Chame (2670m)- Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary (5)
The others left before me again and I caught up with them at Danagu. The lower trail from here is said to be dangerous due to landslides so we took... Continue reading »
-
49
Nepal: Chame> Upper Pisang (3300m)- Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary (6)
I finally managed to waken up at 6am and get everyone else up so we were able to leave by 8. We stopped at Bhratang for a snack and then continued... Continue reading »
-
50
Nepal: Upper Pisang (3300m)- Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary (7)
I was up early again today but was disappointed when I looked out the window and saw the mountains covered in thick cloud. Every other morning we have... Continue reading » -
51
Nepal: Upper Pisang> Braga (3450m)- Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary (8)
I wakened up at 5:30 am and opened the shutter in my room to get a fantastic crisp, clear view of Annapurna II. The sun was glistening off the snow... Continue reading »
-
52
Nepal: Braga (Ice Lake 4600m)- Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary (9)
The great accommodation and food encouraged us to stay another night. We decided to make an acclimatization trip to the Ice Lake at 4600m. We walke... Continue reading »
-
53
Nepal: Braga> Manang (3540m)- Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary (10)
This was our shortest and easiest day of trekking in the entire trip. Braga to Manang is only 30 minutes and in hindsight we would have been better... Continue reading »
-
54
Nepal: Manang> Gunsang (3900m)- Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary (11)
This was another very short day and we were at Gunsang by 12 am even though we were very late leaving Manang. It seemed daft to stop walking so early... Continue reading » -
55
Nepal: Gunsang> Letter (4200m) - Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary (12)
Today was slightly longer than yesterday but still a very short day. We stopped in Yak Kharka at the Gangapurna Hotel where we had a great lunch of... Continue reading »
-
56
Nepal: Letdar> Thorung Phedi (4450m) - Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary (13)
I was glad to leave Letdar in the morning. We had more great views as we walked. Our guide book said that the trail had been moved to the East bank... Continue reading »
-
57
Nepal: Thorung Phedi (4450m)> Thorung La (5416m)> Rainipauwa (3700m) - Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary (14)
When I wakened up at 5am I looked outside to see two inches of fresh snow. The cloud was thick and low and I wondered if we would be able to make i... Continue reading »
-
58
Nepal: Rainipauwa> Kagbeni (2800m) - Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary (15)
We had a very slow and leisurely start to the day. We ate breakfast in the sun, sat around for half an hour and then ordered a second round. We had... Continue reading »
-
59
Nepal: Kagbeni> Marph (2670m) - Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary (16)
As we got ready to leave this morning the woman who ran our lodge tied a cream (Kata?) scarf around each of our necks. I think it's like wishing go... Continue reading »
-
60
Nepal: Marph> Khobang (2560m) - Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary (17)
We had a really late start today and didn't get of Marpha until 10:40 am. We had intended to visit the horticultural research station and the disti... Continue reading »
-
61
Nepal: Khobang> Ghasa (2010m) - Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary (18)
Another late start and then a walk through Larjung. We crossed the Ghatte Khola on a bridge made from two tree trunks. When we reached the suspensi... Continue reading »
-
62
Nepal: Ghasa> Tatopani (1190m) - Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary (19)
After the rain of the previous afternoon the morning started bright and cloudless for the first time in days. Unfortunately we were so deep in the val... Continue reading » -
63
Nepal: Tatopani> Ghorepani (2750m) - Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary (20)
We had a tough day planned for today with over 1560m of ascent. We had ordered breakfast the night before to save a little time but by the time we... Continue reading »
-
64
Nepal: Ghorepani> Chiule (2280m) - Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary (21)
I reluctantly dragged myself out of bed just after 5am. The others were even less keen to get out of their beds but we were supposed to be climbing... Continue reading »
-
65
Nepal: Chiule> Bamboo(2335m) - Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary (22)
Preordering breakfast ensured we managed to get up but the sky was even more full of cloud than it had been the night before. We were off before 8... Continue reading »
-
66
Nepal: Bamboo> MBC (3700m) - Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary (23)
It was a damp and cloudy start today and the climb was relatively gentle but we were still coated in sweat within 10 minutes. Stuart K took the lea... Continue reading »
-
67
Nepal: MBC (3700m)> ABC (4130m)> Bamboo (2335M) - Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary (24)
Our plan was to waken up at 4am and go straight up to ABC (Annapurna Base Camp) to ensure the best views. I wakened up at 4am , looked out the wind... Continue reading »
-
68
Nepal: Bamboo> Syauli Bazar (m) - Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary (25)
There was a big storm during the night but I managed to sleep right through it. The morning started clear but by the time I had reached the abandon... Continue reading »
-
69
Nepal: Syauli Bazar> Nayapul (1025m)> Pokhara (850m) - Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary (26)
The day started bright and clear and we had a short easy walk left to finish our trek. From Chimrong there was a road but no cars or bikes, only pe... Continue reading »
-
70
Nepal: Pokhara
We had a relaxed day today, taking things easy after our long trek. I stocked up on razors to remove my 26 day old beard. We hired a small boat with a... Continue reading » -
71
Nepal: Pokhara
We went to the International Mountaineering Museum today. It's a big place and takes a bit more than the two hours we had before closing to see it pro... Continue reading » -
72
Nepal: Pokhara
We were very sluggish today. It rained all day and we stayed inside reading and eating. Continue reading » -
73
Nepal: Pokhara> Kathmandu
We were back on a Greenline bus today on our way to Kathmandu. Coming from India to Thamel felt relaxing. Coming from Pokhara to Thamel and we really... Continue reading » -
74
Nepal: Kathmandu
Not much to say about today. We booked our trip to Chitwan National Park. We spent a lot of time trying to decide between spending $60 to stay outside... Continue reading » -
75
Nepal: Kathmandu> Chitwan National Park (Sauraha)
We took a regular tourist bus to Sauraha on the edge of Chitwan National Park. It wasn't a greenline bus so it wasn't A/c and a guy tried to claim... Continue reading »
-
76
Nepal: Chitwan National Park (Sauraha)
We had a very early start today. We were wakened at 5am for breakfast, thankfully it was porridge, and were off for our first activity of the... Continue reading »
-
77
Nepal: Chitwan National Park (Sauraha)
Another very early start today and straight out for an elephant safari. We had enjoyed the elephant washing the previous day but the elephant ridin... Continue reading »
-
78
Thailand: Bangkok
Lynne wasn't feeling great today so she stayed in her room. The rest of us wanted to go to one of the museums but as soon as we got onto the main s... Continue reading »
-
79
Thailand: Krabi> Hat Ton Sai
From the Krabi bus station we took a sawngthaew (a cross between a bus and a tuk-tuk) to Ao Nang where we had to wait for a couple of hours for eno... Continue reading »
-
80
Thailand: Hat Rai Leh East
Our accommodation at Hat Ton Sai was very cheap but basic. Most things seemed to have been shut down and were in different stages of been torn down or... Continue reading » -
81
Thailand: Ko Phi-Phi Don
After wading out a hell of a long way, and nearly dropping my bags in the water, to get onto a long tail boat on Rai Leh East, we were taken out... Continue reading » -
82
Thailand: Phuket Town
We had another comfortable ferry crossing from Phi-Phi Don, This time with no transfer by longtail boat inbetween. When we arrived at the ferry termin... Continue reading » -
83
Thailand: Khao Sok National Park
We managed to get a direct bus to the end of the road that leads to Southern park entrance. It rained most of the day and the bus seemed to make ha... Continue reading »
-
84
Thailand: Surat Thani
We got a free lift from our hotel owners to the road side and then took a bus to Surat Thani. I wanted to take a bus from there to Bangkok but Lynn... Continue reading »
-
85
Laos: Vientiane
As we already had our visas we were able to take a direct bus from the centre of Nong Khai to Vientiane for only 55 Bhat. Getting through Thai and... Continue reading »
-
86
Laos: Vang Vieng
We took a tourist bus from Vientiane to Vang Vieng. It cost us $6 and took around four or five hours. It was fairly comfortable and the scenery was... Continue reading »
-
87
Laos: Luang Prabang
We arrived in Luang Prabang at around 5pm after a 7 hour journey. The bus had air conditioning but the driver kept on turning it off every so often... Continue reading »
-
88
Laos: Luang Namtha
We set off on a public bus at 9am from Luang Prabang and eventually reached Luang Namtha at 6:30pm. It was quite bumpy at times but nowhere near as... Continue reading »
-
89
Laos: Nong Khiaw
We took a bus from Luang Namtha to Pak Mong. We had a jolly, friendly bus driver who did usefully things like holding up a sign saying 30 min when... Continue reading »
-
90
Laos: Muang Vieng Kham
When we reached Vieng Kham we had a look around to see how we could continue our journey. The French/Spanish couple found someone willing to drive... Continue reading »
-
91
Laos: Sam Neua
It was a long journey but we finally made it into Sam Neua at 3pm. The town doesn't seem to see a lot of tourists. The are quite a few choices... Continue reading »
-
92
Laos: Vieng Xai- The Hidden City
Vieng Xai was once known as the hidden city. During the Vietnam-America war of the 1960's The Pathet Lao became a target for American bombers and r... Continue reading »
-
93
Laos: Sam Neua> Na Maew Border Crossing
I was up at 4:40 and we left the hotel by 6am. We took a tuk-tuk up to the station and it really struggled to climb the hill to the bus station. Th... Continue reading »
-
94
Vietnam: Nam Xoi> Thanh Hoa
After leaving Laos immigration we walked down the few hundred meters to a bridge and across to the Vietnamese side. We were expecting a difficult t... Continue reading »
-
95
Vietnam: Hanoi
We arrived at the southern bus station and took a very expensive taxi ride into town. As we wandered around looking for a hotel we were constantly... Continue reading »
-
96
Vietnam: Halong Bay
It took a long time to find a tour that suited us. We must have been to at least a dozen different tour companies and were given quotes from around... Continue reading »
-
97
Vietnam: Hanoi
After picking up our bags we headed down to Hanoi Backpackers Hostel where we had booked dorm beds. The Bamboo Hotel where we had stayed before was... Continue reading »
-
98
Vietnam: Sapa
We caught the 10pm train from Hanoi to Lao Cai. We were traveling in hard sleeper class. It's air conditioned with 6 beds per compartment. It... Continue reading »
-
99
Vietnam: Dien Bien Phu
The border crossing from Laos to Vietnam at Dien Bien Phu has only just opened. If I had know before then I would have liked to come in there. Inst... Continue reading »
-
100
-
101
Vietnam: Hue
After lots of flooding canceled every train for days we were eventually forced to take the bus from Hanoi to Hue. We got picked up from our hotel a... Continue reading »
-
102
Vietnam: Hoi An
Vietnam is turning out to be very diverse. Hoi An is a lot different from the other places we have been to. The centre of town has traffic restriction... Continue reading » -
103
Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)
Our flight to Saigon was delayed by about an hour. I was really hungry and the flight crew didn't have any sandwiches left. They had also taken so... Continue reading »
-
104
Cambodia: Phnom Penh
We took a direct bus from Saigon to Phnom Penh for $10 and I reckon it's pretty good value. I think we went with Brother's Cafe. We were in a half... Continue reading »
-
105
Cambodia: Siem Reap
Our bus ride was quicker than expected. We left late and arrived early. It only took about 5 hours. The bus had tonnes of leg room but the A/C wasn... Continue reading »
-
106
Thailand: Bangkok
We took the bus from Siem Reap Which broke down after an hour. Fortunately the engine didn't seem to be affected so the A/C still worked. After and... Continue reading »
-
107
Indonesia: Jakarta Airport
To get the cheapest flights to Darwin we ended up taking a really awkward group of flights. We picked up our bags from the hostel at 11pm and headed o... Continue reading » -
108
Indonesia: Bali- Airport
Another really short flight put us in Bali. We had a four hour wait before catching our flight to Darwin. We had coped fine with the long wait in J... Continue reading »
-
109
Australia: Darwin
Our flight landed at 6am but by the time we got into town it was nearly 7. We couldn't check in until 12 so we had a long wait until we could final... Continue reading »
-
110
Australia: Katherine
We took a greyhound bus down frown Darwin and it was fine. Lot's of room as it was half empty and it stopped every few hours for food and toilet. W... Continue reading »
-
111
Australia: Nitmiluk National Park- Katherine Gorge
We took the 8am shuttle bus out to Katherine Gorge and booked ourselves canoes for the next day and a slot to go on the Jatbula trail for the... Continue reading »
-
112
Australia: Alice Springs
We took the greyhound from Katherine to Alice and it was fine. We got into town around nine and checked into the YHA which turned out to be quite n... Continue reading »
-
113
Australia: Western Macdonels- Larapinta Trail Sections 11 and 12- Mount Saunder
We hired a car for $300 for 4 days from Hertz and Lynne drove us out to Glen Helen Campsite. We had some breakfast and arranged for a pick u... Continue reading »
-
114
Australia: Back in Alice
After having breakfast at Glen Helen we headed up to Ormiston Gorge. We were both feeling very lethargic and probably didn't make the most of... Continue reading »
-
115
Australia: Coober Pedy (Alice to Adelaide with Adventure Tours)
When we were trying to decide how to travel from Alice to Adelaide we found out that Adventure tours did a 2 day trip stopping in Coober Pedy for j... Continue reading »
-
116
Australia: Adelaide
After having a great tour down from Alice we arrived in Adelaide. Most of the group ended up staying in the YHA which is really nice and has great... Continue reading »
-
117
Australia: Flinders Range
Up in Alice we had spoken to a travel agent about visiting the Flinder's range. He told us about a company and recommended a tour that he thought w... Continue reading »
-
118
Australia: Adelaide
A brief return to Adelaide where we met up with Indy, James and Shenaide again. I left for Melbourne on the Tuesday while Lynne was going on a tour... Continue reading »
-
119
Australia: Naracoorte- Going South- Adelaide to Melbourne
I saw the brochure for the Going South tour and thought it looked quite good. It included adventure caving and it looked like there was at least a... Continue reading »
-
120
Australia: Warrnambool and the Great Ocean Road
After leaving the Grampian we drove down to Warrnambool where we stayed in a very nice hostel near the beach. It was another early start the next d... Continue reading »
-
121
Australia: Melbourne
I had liked Adelaide and felt there were things that I had left undone there. The tour I wanted to take to Melbourne only left on Thursdays and Mon... Continue reading »
-
122
Australia: Hobart
We didn't get into our hostel in Hobart until after midnight due to the daylight savings time difference. The following day we didn't manage to get... Continue reading »
-
123
Australia: Lake St Clair
The weather on our drive up from Hobart was great with clear blue skies but still a slight chill in the air. We stopped at a few places for food on... Continue reading »
-
124
Australia: Strahan
After getting down from Mount Ruffus Lynne drove us to Strahan. We passed through Queenstown on the way. I wouldn't believe Lonely Planet when it says... Continue reading » -
125
Australia: Devenport- Tasmania
We took a drive up to the North coast in not very great weather. It rained quite a bit and the wind was still strong. We stopped briefly in Burnie... Continue reading »
-
126
Australia: Deloraine- Tasmania
After coming down off Cradle Mountain we refused to stay in the YHA that had been so unhelpful the night before. Lynne drove us to Deloraine where... Continue reading »
-
127
Australia: Cradle Mountain- Tasmania
Since we spent the night before in Devenport Lynne had to drive us for an hour and a half to get to Cradle Mountain. The one advantage was that an... Continue reading »
-
128
Australian: Launceston- Tasmania
We drove straight from Deloraine to Launceston and went to the Backpackers Hostel. We couldn't check in until later in the day but we had a look ar... Continue reading »
-
129
Australia: Back in Hobart-Tasmania
A straight forward bus journey from Launceston back to Hobart and an afternoon repacking for the flight to Sydney.There was no one else in my dorm so... Continue reading » -
130
Australia: Sydney
I flew into Sydney this morning and checked into the YHA Railway Hostel. It's in a nice building but so are the other two hostels I have seen here-... Continue reading »
-
131
Australia: Katoomba- The Blue Mountains
I got one of the 3 day train and bus passes to take my up to Katoomba. It is really easy to get to as there are trains around once an hour and they... Continue reading »
-
132
Australia: Sydney again
As the evening and the train journey from Katoomba progressed the weather became better and better. I really should have checked the weather foreca... Continue reading »
-
133
New Zealand: Christchurch
I had a bit of a panic last night when the guy at the check in desk said that I wouldn't be allowed to enter NZ without an onward flight ticket.... Continue reading »
-
134
New Zealand: Blenheim- Bud Rubbing
I took the Naked Bus up from Christchurch and the bus driver very kindly dropped me off directly across from my hostel even though he was only suppose... Continue reading » -
135
New Zealand: Owaka
We drove down from Te Anau with a stop off at Gore for me to have a telephone interview for a job in Korea. We then headed down to Nugget Point wit... Continue reading »
-
136
New Zealand: Dunedin
It was raining on the afternoon we arrived so we were reluctant do very much, especially since our accommodation was so nice. We were staying in th... Continue reading »
-
137
New Zealand: Timaru
It was a damp start in Dunedin so we didn't hang around and drove straight out of town. We stopped and had lunch in the Last Stop. I can't remember... Continue reading »
-
138
New Zealand: Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook and Christchurch
The drive up to lake Tekapo was incredibly straight. I felt as if I was only turning the wheel every 5 minutes. The town of Lake Tekapo is small an... Continue reading »
-
139
New Zealand: Rees-Dart Track- Muddy Creek to Shelter Rock Hut
Our first day of walking was, as forecast, wet and cloudy. It had rained all night but it wasn't as bad out as I had feared. We were supposed to be... Continue reading »
-
140
New Zealand: Rees-Dart Track- Shelter Rock Hut to Dart Hut
We aimed at an early start to try to reach the next hut early enough to find a bed. Lynne and I aren't very good at early starts so most people lef... Continue reading »
-
141
New Zealand: Rees-Dart Track- Dart Hut to Cascade Saddle and back to Dart Hut
We managed to leave for our trip to cascade saddle at 8:30am. It was another beautiful day. We crossed back across the river and worked our way bri... Continue reading »
-
142
New Zealand: Rees-Dart Track- Dart Hut to Cascade Saddle and back to Dart Hut
We managed to leave for our trip to cascade saddle at 8:30am. It was another beautiful day. We crossed back across the river and worked our way briefl... Continue reading » -
143
New Zealand: Rees-Dart Track- Dart Hut to Cascade Saddle and back to Dart Hut
We managed to leave for our trip to cascade saddle at 8:30am. It was another beautiful day. We crossed back across the river and worked our way bri... Continue reading »
-
144
New Zealand: Rees-Dart Track- Dart Hut to Dailey's Hut
Lynne and I were lazy again and were the last people to leave the hut. It was another great day. The start of the walk was supposedly a walk down t... Continue reading »
-
145
New Zealand: Rees-Dart Track- Dailey's Hut to China-man's Flats
Yet another great weather day and a very short walk down to Chinaman's Flats for the bus at 2 Most of the walk was through forest and occasional gr... Continue reading »
-
146
New Zealand: Tongariro Northern Circuit
I was dropped off along with 150 other people on 3 buses at around 7:20am. I got myself ready as quickly as possible and rushed off to get ahead of th... Continue reading » -
147
-
148
New Zealand: Tauranga
I ended up coming to Tauranga purely because I could get here for $1 on Naked bus and it was on the way to Thames. It turned out to be very nice. The... Continue reading » -
149
New Zealand: Thames
It is a long way from the bus station to the Sunkist YHA in Thames. The gateway backpackers looked very tempting right across from the bus but Lynne h... Continue reading » -
150
New Zealand: Auckland
Arriving in Auckland I had a long walk with way to many bags to reach my hostel. Conveniently though my route took me past the main post office so... Continue reading »
Would you like to comment or ask a question?