The adventures of Jules

"Sweet As"

jule5 — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 08:59:00 GMT

Allrightee then....have to give me a few minutes to recall all the mad stuff we've been up to this past week.

Arrived in Auckland last week, left on a Sunday and arrived Tuesday, lost a whole day and recovered at Base, downtown Auckland, the Big Smoke. Which is more like a really really subdued mini Oxford Street. It was lovely not having Christmas shoved down your throat from all angles. We caught the free Kiwi Experience bus around Auckland, first stop a walk across the bridge for Bungy, and "nope"..I didn't jump. Then walked up one of the many dormant volcanos for great views over the harbour.

Sarah and I signed up for the Whole Kit and Caboodle, with Kiwi Exp, a big green bus tour which takes you to everywhere you'd wanna go in NZ and experience as much as possible. Great crowd on the bus, and the drivers are brilliant. Accomodation is sorted and you get to lap up the gorgeous scenery. Trees, trees, ferns and more trees..I love it!!! It's SO green and lush, parts similar to blighty, but much more lumpy and bumpy. I thought "hmmm...Telly Tubbie land on speed" It's spring/summer here so there are baby animals everywhere...in one morning I saw baby calves, lambs, lamas, piglets and the best...baby donkeys...how cute???!!

The people are chilled and very friendly, the whole place is geared up for adventure and adrenalin, as much as you can absorb in the hours you have. It's also tranquil, quiet and serene. Walked through the great Redwood forests, hugged trees & visited waterfalls on route. One night went to the Hangi, and traditional dance and culture gig where they performed ritual greetings and of course the Haka - I love it, wicked.

Friends went Zorbing the afternoon, giant hamster balls basically, then I went luging. Involves riding the cable car up the side of a mountain and getting on a skateboard thing with handles and zooming down a course avoiding small japanese children in your path stratigically placed there to either kill you or them.

The funniest shock we had was enlisting for the Black Water Rafting. A leisurely stroll down through some caves, watching the gloworms above we thought. Bloody wrong there eh??!...you get in some heavy duty wet suits, white wellies and a hard hat, one black rubber ring and jump into caves 67 metres underground into freezing water, rivers and waterfalls. The only way down is to stick your bum through the tube, face backwards and launch your sorry self off the cliff into the dark swell. Was WICKED fun!!! and can safely say I've overcome my dislike for wet, cold, dark damp places - it was the white wellies that did it, I am an Essex girl afterall?

Straight after that, legged it up into the hills for some hardcore 350cc quad biking up and down terrain, for a second I was in Lord of the Rings and surrounded by sheep and bulls...but i'd prefer the Orks. With no time to stop we arrived in Lake Taupo for Xmas eve, and an awaiting Skydive. No messing here...I signed up for the 15,000ft jump...when in Rome and all that. Pictures on facebook, surprisingly we weren't nervous, just really excited. I'm glad Jammo convinced me to get the photo's and dvd to bore you all with when I get home.

Xmas day here, so I'm off up to the balcony and then go swimming up by the waterfalls here. Merry Xmas everyone, and Happy New Year if I don't get to speak with you x

On Rarotonga time

jule5 — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 13:02:00 GMT

Kia Orana, a little slack maybe, I've been busy and we're on Raro-time, which means a slower pace than you're used to. This place is like a picture postcard image of paradise. We landed early in the morning sometime last week, and the hostel was right on the golden beach. The standard attire is flip flops, bikini and a smile, along with the mozzie bites I seem to be allergic to - nice! Scenery is stunning, the lush green mountains in the middle of the island, I'm yet to go trekking up there. Last week we rode horses up to the waterfall and then along and through the sea on the beach, I even got up to a canter, turns out I'm bit of a natural. Coconuts galore, which you have to watch out for, these things can kill...almost hit a guy on the beach and a friends windscreen was also a victim the other day. It's bit of a mission getting at the buggers but if you smile sweetly enough a local will gladly help you out. We wear fragrant Frangipani flowers in our hair, all growing along the roads and an abundance of wild chickens just doing their thing.

The people are beautiful, very friendly and extremely proud of their heritage. We visited a cultural day and had luscious local food, traditional dancing with the cutest kiddie ever, lots of coconut of course and paw paws, so I'm getting my 5 a day quota. Our current accomodation and room is overlooking the beach at Muri, white powder sand and azure blue seas. The wind has been high, tail ends of cyclones but doesn't ruin the fun. Saying that - I haven't stopped. Up at 6.30am (yeah yeah..i know, not like me) to go diving. Today I'm proud to announce I am a fully qualified open water diver - yay for Jules :oD Conditions have been tough out at sea and the guys said we did really well coping. Went out on my first adventure dive this morning, although without my buddy who's leaving today. Trying to twist Tom's arm to come meet me in Thailand. The instruction has been brilliant and the guys have been soooo lovely. It's weird, the most simple thing on land is a hundred times more difficult under the water, but I think I'm hooked - excuse the pun. Contributions to the "keep Jules diving fund" will be advised shortly. Off to collect some pics, and will hopefully share some real soon.

What happens in Vegas..stays in Vegas

jule5 — Sun, 2 Dec 2007 13:35:00 GMT

So not technically in California, but hey. The Yosemite Bug was excellent fun, the friends we met were fantastic. Some of the lads took a Mustang down the coastline, jealous, but we were heading off to Vegas. Second day of Yosemite was absolutely stunning again, we trekked up through the parks high up to the waterfalls and mountains El Capitan and the half dome. Granted, the climbing nearly killed me!!...as well as being unfit, the altitude was a bugger. We had to stop further down as the nausea wasn't too pleasant. The afternoon was my favourite, we visited the Sequoia trees, similar to Redwoods. Truly a magical experience, these huge monstors, some over 3000 years old. Welcome relief to get back to the Bug where we were staying, we treated ourselves to the Spa both nights which was heaven. All of us piled in, except for Melanie who couldn't find a bikini. Think I may have converted a few to some acupunture too?

Wednesday we were dropped off at Merced to catch the Greyhound to Vegas, while the others went back to San Fran. Our bus was late and the driver was something out of Corporal Punishment - he went mental if anyone spoke on the bus, and even told a lady to shut her kid up or he'd remove them!! We missed our connection and ended up back in LA and another bus to Vegas, so after a 14 hour trip through the desert on the bus the hotel room was a blessing. A real "Planes, trains and automobiles moment". Sarah & I walked up the Vegas strip, pretty to look at with the lights, but I wasn't too impressed with the overall feel of the place, it's grubby, seedy, dirty and all geared to remove the money from your wallet. Some people like it, but it doesn't float my boat.

Now,..the Grand Canyon. There's a story. We got up at 5am, and got lucky on an upgrade to the West side of the Canyon. The coach driver was an excellent guide, we drove through the Joshua Trees on the way. Weather was getting dull and by the time we reached the top the rain set in, and so did the fog. Apparently it only rains about 10 days a year, and we were in it!! So, after an interesting trip to get to Las Vegas, then a journey to the Canyon...we didn't see a thing really - hilarious!!! Although, we had a real laugh about it, and got to see the Hoover Dam which is impressive and the lifeblood to the region.

Today, we're back in Santa Monica another 6 hour bus ride here. It's our last day in the United States, it's been amazing, fun and met some wonderful people already. Rarotonga awaits....yipppeeee

Bear country

jule5 — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 15:01:00 GMT

After a great couple of days in San Francisco, it's a joy to be in the country. San Fran was good, got to fulfill an ambition to hang off the side of a cable car, walk the Golden Gate bridge, see Lombard St where the cars zig zag down, and yesterday had Sunday brunch in an American Diner.

Although today has really stepped up the pace. We got a minibus, and came up to the Yosemite Bug. A fantastic hostel place set in the side of the mountains. At a glance you could be right back in a scene from Dirty Dancing..."I carried a watermelon". Yosemite Dave, our guide had Johnny Cash playing in the van up here, past buffalo, cattle and hawks. As soon as we arrived, we geared up and took some bikes up the side of a mountain and raced the dirt track down, views are breathtaking, streams, sheer drops and trees everywhere. It's gorgeous and such a welcome relief from Downtown SF. Tomorrow, it's trekking! The bunch of guys were with are great fun, anyway...gotta go, playing cards and chatting around the fire to be getting on with.

London to LAX

jule5 — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 23:02:00 GMT

Before we start, just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who sent best wishes and made such an effort to say bon voyage.

Monday the 19th was crazy, as usual 'Last minute Jules' came into action. Spent all day racing around tidying up admin, eventually finished packing at 2am and hardly slept that night.

The flight was great, I love Virgin Atlantic. We took a shuttle from LAX to the hostel in Hollywood just round the corner from the famous Chinese Theatre. We had a 4 bed dorm to ourselves and thankfully got a well needed sleep. The following morning we ventured out early, the Hollywood sign in the distant hillside. Spent most of the day on the Boulevard and walked up to Hollyhock House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright - a founder of the Post Modernist movement in architecture. Introducing the concept of indoor/outdoor living spaces.

Thanksgiving, Thurs the 22nd we got the bus through Beverly Hills to Santa Monica and strolled up to Venice Beach, home of Muscle Beach. It was great, full of the bohemian vibe, nag champa in the air and people craving attention albeit banging drums, artwork or singing a tune.

Yesterday we had an 8 hour journey on the shuttle bus to San Francisco, the sunset over the hills was spectacular. The hostel is a crap hole, but friendly enough. Sarah was out early while I had a lie in. In the afternoon I fulfilled an ambition to ride the cable car up and down the hills. Stopped at Fishermans Wharf, with the view to Alcatraz, we're going there in the morning. Later we had a coffee and a childhood favourite, coconut bun at a cafe in Chinatown.

All booked for Yosemite on Monday, which will probably be a nice breath of fresh air after the hustle bustle of downtown San Francisco.

4 days and counting..

jule5 — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 23:48:00 GMT

Ok, I think we're pretty much ready for the off?...bags almost packed, jabs, gadgets (you know how I love my technology ;o) guides, tickets, passport and a few bucks..note to self, get some US dollars, 2 to the pound whahooo!!

Last of the final goodbye meals tomorrow, gosh I'm so lucky to have so many lovely friends. Dreading the idea of leaving you all, especially Pop & Nelson, but soooo excited about our adventures ahead. The destinations are places you dream about, so I'm following my dream, what lies ahead should be fantastic.

The basic outline of itinery is on the 20th we head out to California, LA and do the Hollywood thing before travelling up Route 1 along the coastline through Big Sur, San Francisco and on to Yosemite National Park. I've yet to convince Sarah of my plan, but sure she'll be up for it? Then probably Vegas and Grand Canyon before we get back to LAX.

Cook Islands, Rarotonga, where I want to learn to open water dive at the most gorgeous lagoons and beaches. New Zealand, Queenstown for Xmas, not sure about New Year yet but will work something out. We're in NZ for 2 months before our first taste of South East Asia, starting in Hong Kong, Singapore and then overland. Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos. Last port of call is Japan...way off in July.

Awaiting a call from Sarah, who mentioned she's not well at the moment. So maybe a little acupuncture is required?? ..anyone know a good practitioner? ;o)