Summer 2009

Gallery: Auckland

claroby1 — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:41:00 GMT

Gallery: Sydney cont.

claroby1 — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:31:00 GMT

Gallery: Blue Mountains

claroby1 — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 00:04:00 GMT

Gallery: Sydney

claroby1 — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 23:42:00 GMT

Sydney

claroby1 — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 23:06:00 GMT

Finally arrived in Sydney on the 20th July after Air China cancelled our flight from Beijing. Apparently there was a cyclone affecting Shanghai making it impossible to land there. Luckily, after very little customer service at the airport, we got put up in a 4 star hotel. All 3 flights of us!

First impressions of Sydney are fantastic. The weather is brilliant. Warm enough for short sleeves but great for walking about. Temperature is in the early 20s. The city has a great buzz and looks amazing from most angles. So far we've done a fair bit of walking about, Darlington Harbour to the Harbour Bridge and opera House. We also went to Palm Beach (Summer Bay) and Manly. Today we visited the Blue Mountains via the Olympic Stadium. It was a brilliant day, perfect weather and a lot of walking. We also took a ride on the steepest train in the world(for 4 minutes)!

Gallery: Beijing

claroby1 — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:50:00 GMT

Gallery: Ao nang

claroby1 — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:41:00 GMT

Beijing

claroby1 — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:13:00 GMT

So I arrived in Beijing with relative ease but almost no sleep. Flew up with SriLankan Airways on a plane that was more than half empty. Brilliant flight. We landed in Beijing and, as as we were waiting to disembark, these people flew down the aisle pointing a 'gun' at everyone's forehead. Apparently this is their full proof test for swine flu. Anyway, I got through passport control easily, no queues or hassle. Also, very little help from anyone. No one speaks English and if they can't understand you they 'shoo' you away. This had been done to me about 5 times before I finally made it to the hostel. Also got royally ripped off by a 'taxi driver' who dumped me in the middle of nowhere but at least it was only 30 quid he got.I won't be making the same mistake again.

I arranged to meet Tim for dinner once it had finally stopped raining. We found what looked like a 'Westernish' restaurant (It had a few European people in it). We could only hope by pointing at the picutres and saying chicken that they would know what we were talking about. Luckily their english was good enough to let us know what picture was dog. In the end we went with chicken, very bony chicken and what we hoped was pork and off we went to Suzy Wong's, a bar to wash down our meal with a few cocktails!

Day 2

Woke up late to day, finally catching up on some sleep. Thought I'd woken up in Scotland - it was absolutely p***ing down. It has been a long time since I've seen rain like that. Just chilled out in Traveller's Cafe(below hostel) today - very busy with backpackers.

Day 3

Got up and had breakfast in the hostel - good food. Decided to go to The Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square today. Both are amazing to see, particularly The Forbidden City. It is absolutely massive - a lot of walking to do. Luckily they provide automatic guides to help you understand what is what. It is 60 RMB to get in, 40 for the guide and the another 100 deposit for the guide. It was absolutely mobbed with tourists, most of whom appear to be Chinese. Walked back through less busy streets to look at some of the hutongs - hard to believe people live in these tiny streets. The people do tend to look you up in down. Apparently they don't mean to be rude but I did get hissed at by one old women and motioned to by another. Met Timn for dinner tonight and had Peking Duck. Lovely meal. If ever come to China, have to try it. Spent the rest of the evening talking to a Swedish couple over a few beers in one of the many street cafes on Wangfujing street.

Day 3

Spent the day strolling up and down Wangfujing Street. Went into the market off the main street. The delicacies thay have there! Seahorses, Scorpions (some of which are still alive even though they've been skewered), silk worms. You name it, they have it. Have to say, there is no way I'm brave enough to try any of that.

Laura arrived this afternoon. The 3 of us went to find some Chinese comedy club when turned out to be cancelled for a private party so instead Laura and I drank 3 bottles of red wine - it wasn't pretty! Great night tho!

Day 4

OMG! Went for massage and think they have crippled me. Have a lot of back pain. Laura thinks they have re - aligned me whatever that means. Surely the would have asked if that was ok first?

First experience of subway today to go to The Bird's Nest (Olympic Stadium). It is an impressive structure. Paid to have a look inside and spent a lot of the time being chased round the stadium by Chinese people(tourists) wanting a photograph with us. They were particularly keen on time. I guess being a lanky 6'5" englishman is a tourist attraction.

Had an amazing meal tonight in a local restaurant (The Yard I think). Food was amazing.

Day 5

The Great Wall and Ming Tombs. P***ing down all day which knida spoiled the view for The Wall. Didn't stop the tourists though - hundreds of us all scaling the wall - not a gentle walk. An impressive structure, well worth a visit. We also visited a jade factory - very expensive jewllery, The Ming Tombs - self explanatory. The Tea Room to try various types of tea, a silk factory and a chinese medical centre where we were given a foot massage and the doctors came in to give us a medical - ancient chinese medicine style.

Tonight is my last night and I am shattered. I fly to Sydney tomorrow. Have booked myself into Sydney Central YHA. It has an indoor pool - gonna treat myself for a couple of nights!

Ao nang

claroby1 — Thu, 9 Jul 2009 18:59:00 GMT

03/07/09

Last day in Bangkok. Travelling to Ao nang, Krabi by bus tonght. Its gonna be a long night!

04/07/09

Arrivedd in Ao nang about 1030am this morn. Got 2 hours sleep on bus last night. On the whole journey wasn't that bad. Had guy from Dublin sitting next to me keeping me entertained. Also met a brother and sister from Canada. Room wasn't ready so went for a little wander round. The place is a fair size but quite quiet due to low season. Weather seems good so far. Went back to Inn and basically passed out. Not an exciting first day.

05/07/09

Got up and went for a wander again and went for breakfast. Started to pour so sat in restaurant until it stopped. Decided to treat myself to a massage. Neck, back and shoulders which turned out to be a full body (not sure what you get if you ask for a full body - maybe next time!) and was persuaded to get a foot treatment. All for 250 THB (about a fiver). Booked myself on the Phi Phi Island tour for tomorrow and looked into the diving although ear been sore when I wake up the last couple of days. Chilled on the beach this afternoon, preparing myself for my first solo dinner in a proper restaurant!

06/07/09

Met a nice couple last night. Bit the bullet and had dinner for one then took myself off to a bar to watch the Men's Wimbledon Final, not that I particularly watch tennis. Phi Phi Island tour today. Weather was shocking this morning. It rained for bout 2 solid hours. It did not look good for a day out. Luckily it cleared up and was bright blue skies. Thought I was gonna be the only English speaker on the trip but luckily Janelle, the Canadian from the bus trip from Bangkok got on a a different stop. Had a really good day, it is amazing how much you get to see in a short space of time. Stopped at Bamboo Island, Maya Bay (The Beach), Viking Cave, a clear blue lagoon, Monkey Bay for some snorkelling/skin diving. The scenery her is absolutely stunning!

09/07/08

The last few days have been pretty chilled. Breakfast, a walk, and beach. Crispified myself yesterday while doing a bit of exploring. Randomly bumped into a rather large group of monkeys. Taking it easy today. Need break from sun after yest. Laundry (boring stuff still needs done). Finished my first book today. First one in bout a year. I travel back to Bangkok tomorrow. Leave for Beijing early on the 12th. Looking forward to having some company over the next week! Bit gutted didn't do any diving and know will prob regret it but not worth risk to ear me thinks esp. since I'm flying soon. Next time!

Gallery: Bangkok

claroby1 — Thu, 9 Jul 2009 18:22:00 GMT

Bangkok

claroby1 — Thu, 2 Jul 2009 23:32:00 GMT

After a stressful final day in Dubai, I finally arrived in Bangkok. Driving here is mental, even more so than Dubai if that is possible!

01/07/09

I arived at my accommodation around 1030am. It is small but very nice, tucked away in a wee lane. I spent most of the day wandering about Khao San Road and had a couple of cheap beers while I watched the world go by.

02/0709

Booked a trip for today -7am pickup. Saw loads of interesting stuff. Started off by driving out of Bangkok to the World War II Kanchanaburi War Cemetry. The prisoners of war who died contructing The Bridge over the River Kwai. We then went onto athe Jeath (Japan,England, Australia, Thailand, Holland) Musuem involving the history of Thailand and the construction of the bridge. We then went for a stroll over the bridge itself. Apparently that isn't the original name of the river. They had to change it to that name after the film for the sake of the tourists.

After that we went on the Thailand- Burma 'Death Railway'.Got some amazing pictures. This was a unique experience. Lunch on a riverboat followed by a sail down the river and then a transfer onto a bamboo raft - very relaxing. Not for long as we then had to cross the most rickety bridge I've ever seen. No warning, high up, big gaps, swinging, pouring and wearing flip flops that I could barely keep on my feet. I was terrified.

After calming down at the other side we headed to see elephants and go for a little trek - more heights. Finally we went to a waterfall at which point my camera ceased working (fixed now). I am now sitting in my hotel wondering where to eat? The choices!!