Moodys Blog on RealTravel

Rotorua journal: Really good show and amazing roast

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 04:11:02 GMT

Los Angeles journal: LA, City of Angels

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 04:09:03 GMT

In our first proper day in LA managed to rise after a lie in. I went and got the free breakfast which consisted of chocolate doughnuts and tea or coffee. You can have as much as you like but after a couple of sickly doughnuts you cant eat any more and you dont want a cup of american tea that comes with powdered cream - yum. Jill managed to find a 24/7 free adult channel going full pelt at 9.30 in the morning. Not really a hotel for the family. We got a day ticket for the underground and headed to downtown LA where the city was first founded. After seeing Union station, which is really ...

Melbourne journal: Melbourne - Everyone knows good neighbours

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 02:33:27 GMT

blah blah went to melbourne

ace city

saw the sites, commonwealth

saw neigbours, trekked north

Bay of Islands journal: A quick ride across a beautiful bay

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 02:27:27 GMT

Adelaide journal: Adelaide - Brief Stop

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 02:14:59 GMT

blah blah blah

quick stop over, lots to do

then get on train for a

day ride to melbourne

Niagara Falls journal: Niagra Falls - no water shortage then

Wed, 20 Sep 2006 09:41:29 GMT

We finally had the chance of lie in, so didnt do much on the morning. Met up with my cousin Karen and she offered to drive us about to areas we otherwise wouldnt be able to get to. We headed off to Fort Erie, which the locals call Fort Dreary, and it was pretty boring. The only good thing was that some geezer there was able to tell us about Canada's history and how the country was formed with the american indians and how that the French and English hate each other, nothing changed there then. Next was a nice drive along the Niagara river (before the falls) seeing some gorgous countryside ...

Toronto journal: Toronto

Wed, 20 Sep 2006 07:27:01 GMT

Left NYC with a dodgy taxi driver and went by 5th Av near Central park early enough to see the Today show being filmed live (american version of GMTV). When we touched down we eventually arrived at our hostel around midday, but shocker couldnt check into our room until 4. We had to dump our bags and treck round the northern bit of the city center stinking and in the pouring rain. First we grabbed a sandwich and the people running it were really helpful, not only with the food, but sat down with us and told us where to go and what to see. And to never turn left out of our hostel, as ...

Toronto journal: Pancakes with Maple syrup in the afternoon

Wed, 20 Sep 2006 06:47:14 GMT

Toronto journal: Has to be done, amazing views!

Wed, 20 Sep 2006 04:30:37 GMT

New York journal: Up in NYC

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 09:40:00 GMT

Leaving our flight from Washington (DC as the yanks call it) i manged to get some photos of the capitol building, the pentagon and the big needle thing. When we were flying into LaGuadia we were also very lucky and managed to see Manhatten from the air, amazing, not sure if i got photos of it though.

We arrived into the Big Apple (iv heard 3 completely different reasons why its called the big apple, all as stupid as the other) jumped in a yellow cab and it took about 30 mins when we finally pulled into this dodgy looking street, thankfully our hostel was quite a bit down on the corner ...

Rotorua journal: Really cosy and had a 24/7 heated pool

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 13:53:41 GMT

Rotorua journal: Hot pools and eggy smells

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 13:53:38 GMT

Left the corremandal at 730 in the morning and had a long day ahead of us. We did some backtracking and eventually headed onto the new road towards Rototua. The weather was aweful and it constantly rained, but the moutains looked really good as the mist came down off them in the rain, i think i have a picture of them. We stopped off in a town called Matamata, which since Lord Of The Rings has largely been known as Hobbiton. This is because a massive (over 10 acres) farm on the outskirts of the town was used to film the Shire. Unfortunately the bus didnt stop long enough for us to go on a ...

Whitianga journal: Whitianga & Cathedral Cove

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 07:54:43 GMT

We left Auckland early and headed off to the Corremandal, which is a beautiful area to the east of Auckland over a huge mountain range. The drive is just unbelievable. One minute we were going through these dairy cow ranges where the land was just like holland, totally flat all the way to the horizion, then all of a sudden up a mountain range into Tropical Rainforest. Its the first time iv seen a cow graze next to a palm tree thats for sure. Before we set off into the mountain we stopped at a town called Thames where i grabbed another pie. If were not walking 10 miles a day i think im ...

Bay of Islands journal: Beautiful Bay Of Islands

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 07:16:12 GMT

On our last day in the Auckland region Gaz was kind enough to drive us up to the Bay Of Islands which was very nice of him, considering the drive up there was four hours. A little bit further away than i thought. Anyway, the drive up there was absolutely amazing, i suppose they could build a motorway all the way up there, but then it wouldnt be half as nice, id much rather it took that long, with everything you see, im just amazed at how quick the terrain changes. One minute its like english grassland, then thick european connifer and fern forrests, then all of a sudden its like tropical ...

New York journal: Best Burgers, Shakes & Jacket Potatoes ever! Bar none!

Sat, 16 Sep 2006 08:36:23 GMT

Kissimmee journal: Orlando - Villa

Sat, 19 Aug 2006 09:29:43 GMT

When we arrived, there wasn’t much to do apart from unpack our stuff, get settled in and do a bit of sunbathing before some eating. Because the Villa is in a quite area and we are without a car, it’s a good 30 min walk to any restaurants, supermarkets or bars. With this in mind we decided to get Chinese to eat in, Jill’s Lemon chicken was very nice, but again there was far too much, enough for me to have for lunch the next day as well.

Sunday the 13th revolved around two things, first getting enough food and drink to last us the week in the villa (cooking in on most nights will save us a ...

Kissimmee journal: Amazing Villa in Kissimee

Fri, 18 Aug 2006 13:39:42 GMT

Stayed in this villa in Kissimee.

Even though there was only two of us, it was an amazing four bedroom villa with pool. ONe of the best places iv ever stayed, very clean, and even had a games room for playing pool - Back of the net!

The website for the place is here:

http://www.floridavillas -sunsetlakes.com/

Orlando journal: Orlando - International Drive

Fri, 18 Aug 2006 12:46:29 GMT

Spent our first week around International Drive so we could see all of the theme parks. This is because we didn’t have a car and the hotel offered free shuttles to the theme parks, so we had to make the most of it while we could.

The first day we woke up at 6am, probably still on UK time so decided that we would get the early bus to Universal Studios. We had some free breakfast (muffins & pastries) at the hotel, then jumped on the bus and walked down city walk (an area of Universal studios resort dedicated, to eating, drinking and clubbing) before reaching the famous and original ...

Orlando journal: Very good for cheap price

Thu, 17 Aug 2006 09:59:20 GMT

Got this beacuse it was cheap and had free shuttles to most of the parks. Good for this aspect, but the location let it down (although walking distance to sea World) beacuse there are very few resturants nearby and no other nightlife. The iRide trollet stops outside to get you to better places along the center of international drive, but is to crowded at peak times and you may find yourself waiting up to an hour, you really need a car here in able to enjoy yourself on an evening.

Manchester journal: Departing For the Sun

Sun, 13 Aug 2006 19:40:21 GMT

Had to set off at 7am to make sure we were there for the 8:20 check-in.

Made it there no problems, had a breakfast in the airport, but it was rubbish!

Jills Mum & Dad saw us off and i had my last good cup of tea, for what could be four months.

Finally got on the plane, and it went by quite quickly, before getting into 'Philly' where weboth felt a bit ill, but it was probably just tiredness after a long day. Our Orlando flight was delayed 30 mins so we didnt get to our hotel until 8:30ish pm Orlando time (1:30 am UK time) after a $50 taxi ride.

A quick Flippers ...

Sheffield journal: Jills House

Sun, 13 Aug 2006 15:01:34 GMT

Spent a quick half day with Jill and her family, made sense really as it was her dad taking us to Manchester airport at 7am the next day.

Was starving when i arrived, but Pam never lets me down and filled me up with some nice ham and cheese sarnies. Felt ill for the rest of the afternoon though, dont know whether it was the ham or the nerves, probably the nerves. Cousin Kay came round to tell us about where to visit as she has been on a number of exciting trips and is very knowledgable about Oz and Nz. This was then followed by the rest of family to say goodbuy blah blah blah.

j ...

Eindhoven journal: Could be the greatest day ever

Fri, 19 May 2006 05:43:52 GMT

As the train arrived into the City there were banners everywhere promoting the Uefa Cup final, there was even a giant stand promoting the event in the baggage hall at Schipol. The we saw the PSV Stadium, it looked massive, quite a bit bigger than the Riverside and almost as big as the Amsterdam Arena. To be honest it looked quite magnificent in the sun, as did the rest of the city before we pulled into the train station.

When we got off the train, we realised how many BORO fans there were, all the way from the trains to the first bars. There were the odd Sevilla fans, but ...

Manchester journal: Made it home for the abuse to start

Mon, 15 May 2006 10:33:08 GMT

On making it back to manchester, i had to get home as quick as possible to try and catch some sleep before going out for a meal on the night. After unexpectedly meeting a friend at the station and the speed of magic buses through Rusholme it never happened. Instead i returned home to the laughter, abuse and scorn of my housemates. Instead of supporting thier local teams, my housemates are either wannabe football fans that change teams on a seasonal basis or Man Utd fans who's excuse for supporting them is along the lines of the grandfathers mates brother once worked in Salford. ...

London journal: Breating Fresh Air after 12 hours

Mon, 15 May 2006 10:23:20 GMT

After touching down in Heathrow it was quite quick to get to immigration as we had no baggage, watsoever. Swainy walked straight through, but when it got to me, he asked me "Where have you flew into from today sir?" "Amsterdam" I replied. "Thankyou Sir" and he gave me my passport back. I mean im no physicological expert, but what a pointless question, what was he looking for some hessitation? "Err, Kabul, no Bagdad, I mean Amsterdam". Surely Amsterdam is a dodgy response considering the amount of drugs that gets smuggled from there every year. I wonder if it even mattered what ...

Amsterdam journal: A Night that lasted forever

Sun, 14 May 2006 09:11:39 GMT

Leaving the station, it was hard to talk. We got on one of 6 trains from Eindhoven to Amsterdam, with other boro fans talking about what went wrong and what could of been.

The thing about BORO fans is you know your going to get a laugh, no matter what the occasion. I couldnt help but smile when one fan said " im going to go to Amsterdam, pay a prostitute to wear a Sevilla shirt, and take my frustration out on her". As the train was only going to central Amsterdam and not the airport Swainy and myself were either looking at a taxi to the airport, or sleeping at the ...

Af ...

Amsterdam journal: Meeting El Tel starts the day

Sun, 14 May 2006 06:37:33 GMT

Once we arrived at the airport we could see the weather forcasts were right and we would be bathed in gorious sunshine for the day. Before we reached immigration we decided some liquid would be a good idea. I was just waiting in the queue when Swainy started talking to a small man. At first i thought it must of been one of his dads friends untill he turned around and i realised the small man buying a coffee was none other than the legend that is Terry Venables.

The guy was a true gentleman and a real pleasure to talk to. One asked whether he was going to the match, he replied ...

London journal: Drinks in Glorious Sunshine

Sun, 14 May 2006 06:12:37 GMT

Arrived in London and arranged to meet fellow BORO supporter Sandra for a few drinks and genral optimistic conversation about our chances the next night. We had a quick drink at the Firestation next to Warterloo station before heading off to Clapham where my friend Swainy lived.

We had a few drinks at the Railway in Clapham untill Swainy finished worked around 7ish. Still bathed in sunshine, Sandra headed home for her own food as i headed to swainys in North Clapham/Stockwell for some Pizza, Pasta and Potato salad. None of that spanish paella then!

Some genral drinking ...

Europe journal: Uefa Cup Final

Fri, 12 May 2006 09:44:00 GMT

With Middlesbrough in its first ever European cup final and the chance to win its 2nd trophy in the clubs entire history, i would of sold my sole to make the occasion.

Luckily enough my friends parents (long standing season ticket holders) could not make it due to work, so myself coming from Manchester and my friend coming from London jumped at the chance to get to Eindhoven.

The World journal: Matthew & Jill Around The World 04/08-09/12/06

Wed, 22 Mar 2006 15:30:26 GMT

Matthew & Jill to travel round the world and see as much as there is within the space of 4 months. Hopefuly with as much sun as possible.