Sunday, August 29, 2004
The Last Post..
..from me anyway. Louise is supposed to be adding one more too.
Well we've been home a few days now, and still not given details on our Vegas visit. I must admit, I loved New Zealand so much, I wasn't really looking forward to a USA trip, having been there a few times before. However, Vegas really is somewhere quite unique. For a start off, we were back to summer and hot weather. After the peace of New Zealand, the busy bustling streets of Las Vegas were quite a culture shock! The natural beauty of Queenstown is a huge contrast to the totally artificial oppulence of the Vegas hotels. On the other hand, it was a good idea to have a total contrast I think, two very different places.
We arrived on Saturday 21st - an extremely long day that included lunch in a gorgous Queenstown lakeside cafe, flights to Auckland, then Los Angeles and then Las Vegas(crossing the international date line) checking into our hotel before hitting the Strip, and seeing the amazing Bellagio fountains. We decided to go in and see Vegas' poshest hotel - and very nice it was too. We tried out their buffet (and about 11pm) and gambled til about 2am before collapsing into bed. I think the day lasted about 40 hours for us!
We did a helicopter tour to the Grand Canyon on the Monday, and it was a great way to see this natural wonder - although I was a little disappointed in a way. We really didn't see THAT much of the Grand Canyon. Basically, we flew there, landed for 20 mins or so, then flew back. OK, so it is over 200 miles long and you can't see everything, but I didn't really feel I saw enough of it. On the other hand, you really did get some idea of the scale of the thing when you flew down and down into the canyon in a chopper! It was huge, but I'd just liked to have seen it for more than 20 minutes.
One of the nicest things about Vegas was meeing up with Louise's relatives Tony, Cath, Mark and Catherine. They were staying at the Luxor - a hotel I thought was gorgeous, and my favourite casino too. We spent lots of time with them - Louise and Tony really getting into roulette. Louise is addicted I think!
However, Vegas is a pig of a place if you get separated! Our mobile phones didn't work there, only Mark's did and trying to find people in those massive casinos is a nightmare! On the last day I went off to find some DVD shops, planning on ringing Mark's mobile to arrange to meet up later in the day. However, he must have been somewhere with no phone coverage, as I kept getting his voicemail! I eventually tracked them down in the New York, New York casino at about 11.30pm after a lot of wandering around.
Our last day was pretty memorable too. We got a limo to the airport(well, it was only $5 more than a cab) and checked our bags, then headed to the Luxor to see if Louise's relatives were there. They had gone off to a shopping mall, and Louise rang and chatted to them to say goodbye. We went to have lunch, and they all turned upto surprise us with a bottle of champagne singing happy birthday to Louise (a couple of days early, but what the hell.) It was really sweet, and gave Lou a chance to have one more successful spell at the roulette table.
Anyway, we went off in a taxi to get our plane, but as we walked through the doors of the airport, I realisd I had left my bag in the back of the cab - with my tickets and passport in!! It was a total nightmare as we had to race around to the taxi rank where hundreds of taxis were. And of course, we couldn't remember the number or even the proper colour of the cab!
I have to say what total sweethearts Las Vegas cabbies are. So many of the drivers were just lovely trying to help us. They rang up their companies for us and tried to pass the word around. Then, with 30mins to go before we were due to fly, our driver turned up waving my bag. I think I could have kissed him! Such relief! What an idiot I am (no, don't agree too much!)
The journey home was long a tedious. Four hour wait in LA, and the bumpiest flight I have ever been on! 100mph tail winds meant our plane was an hour ahead of schedule, but also meant we were bumped around big time! We also had a girl with THE most annoying laugh sitting right behind us. I was ready to slap her after the first 30 minutes! I think journeys home are always horrible. You are tired, and just want to get there. We had just done our 14th flight (15 of you include the skydive plane and 16 for Louise who flew her hang glider too!)
It was nice to be home, but it still feels wierd. Living out of a suitcase for almost 6 weeks and being on the go pretty much non stop got to feel quite normal for us I think.
So many amazing highlights for me during this trip. I think the skydive is probably my number one moment. New Zealand was fabulous and is the place I loved the most. But I also really enjoyed Hong Kong. Then there was the natural beauty of Ayres Rock - amazing, and the camel rise was such a laugh. I am addicted to Maori cultural concerts! Four just wasn't enough (although I did buy a tape at the airport so I can listen at home!) Then there was the thrill of visiting those Xena filming location, so exciting for me. The glitz of Vegas was a great experience. Hong Kong harbour at night is stunning - and the view from The Peak was amazing. Driving through the South Island of New Zealand with snow capped mountains and blue skies was like being in paradise (a cold and mountainous one though.) NZ really is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. Meeting up with Ambra and Sarah in Australia, Ann and Gary in New Zealand, Cath, Tony, Mark and Catherine in Las Vegas was also really nice. I think Louise and I would have murdered each other if it had been just us for 38 days!
An amazing trip just jam packed with memories. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Click here for more photos (coming soon!)
Well we've been home a few days now, and still not given details on our Vegas visit. I must admit, I loved New Zealand so much, I wasn't really looking forward to a USA trip, having been there a few times before. However, Vegas really is somewhere quite unique. For a start off, we were back to summer and hot weather. After the peace of New Zealand, the busy bustling streets of Las Vegas were quite a culture shock! The natural beauty of Queenstown is a huge contrast to the totally artificial oppulence of the Vegas hotels. On the other hand, it was a good idea to have a total contrast I think, two very different places.
We arrived on Saturday 21st - an extremely long day that included lunch in a gorgous Queenstown lakeside cafe, flights to Auckland, then Los Angeles and then Las Vegas(crossing the international date line) checking into our hotel before hitting the Strip, and seeing the amazing Bellagio fountains. We decided to go in and see Vegas' poshest hotel - and very nice it was too. We tried out their buffet (and about 11pm) and gambled til about 2am before collapsing into bed. I think the day lasted about 40 hours for us!
We did a helicopter tour to the Grand Canyon on the Monday, and it was a great way to see this natural wonder - although I was a little disappointed in a way. We really didn't see THAT much of the Grand Canyon. Basically, we flew there, landed for 20 mins or so, then flew back. OK, so it is over 200 miles long and you can't see everything, but I didn't really feel I saw enough of it. On the other hand, you really did get some idea of the scale of the thing when you flew down and down into the canyon in a chopper! It was huge, but I'd just liked to have seen it for more than 20 minutes.
One of the nicest things about Vegas was meeing up with Louise's relatives Tony, Cath, Mark and Catherine. They were staying at the Luxor - a hotel I thought was gorgeous, and my favourite casino too. We spent lots of time with them - Louise and Tony really getting into roulette. Louise is addicted I think!
However, Vegas is a pig of a place if you get separated! Our mobile phones didn't work there, only Mark's did and trying to find people in those massive casinos is a nightmare! On the last day I went off to find some DVD shops, planning on ringing Mark's mobile to arrange to meet up later in the day. However, he must have been somewhere with no phone coverage, as I kept getting his voicemail! I eventually tracked them down in the New York, New York casino at about 11.30pm after a lot of wandering around.
Our last day was pretty memorable too. We got a limo to the airport(well, it was only $5 more than a cab) and checked our bags, then headed to the Luxor to see if Louise's relatives were there. They had gone off to a shopping mall, and Louise rang and chatted to them to say goodbye. We went to have lunch, and they all turned upto surprise us with a bottle of champagne singing happy birthday to Louise (a couple of days early, but what the hell.) It was really sweet, and gave Lou a chance to have one more successful spell at the roulette table.
Anyway, we went off in a taxi to get our plane, but as we walked through the doors of the airport, I realisd I had left my bag in the back of the cab - with my tickets and passport in!! It was a total nightmare as we had to race around to the taxi rank where hundreds of taxis were. And of course, we couldn't remember the number or even the proper colour of the cab!
I have to say what total sweethearts Las Vegas cabbies are. So many of the drivers were just lovely trying to help us. They rang up their companies for us and tried to pass the word around. Then, with 30mins to go before we were due to fly, our driver turned up waving my bag. I think I could have kissed him! Such relief! What an idiot I am (no, don't agree too much!)
The journey home was long a tedious. Four hour wait in LA, and the bumpiest flight I have ever been on! 100mph tail winds meant our plane was an hour ahead of schedule, but also meant we were bumped around big time! We also had a girl with THE most annoying laugh sitting right behind us. I was ready to slap her after the first 30 minutes! I think journeys home are always horrible. You are tired, and just want to get there. We had just done our 14th flight (15 of you include the skydive plane and 16 for Louise who flew her hang glider too!)
It was nice to be home, but it still feels wierd. Living out of a suitcase for almost 6 weeks and being on the go pretty much non stop got to feel quite normal for us I think.
So many amazing highlights for me during this trip. I think the skydive is probably my number one moment. New Zealand was fabulous and is the place I loved the most. But I also really enjoyed Hong Kong. Then there was the natural beauty of Ayres Rock - amazing, and the camel rise was such a laugh. I am addicted to Maori cultural concerts! Four just wasn't enough (although I did buy a tape at the airport so I can listen at home!) Then there was the thrill of visiting those Xena filming location, so exciting for me. The glitz of Vegas was a great experience. Hong Kong harbour at night is stunning - and the view from The Peak was amazing. Driving through the South Island of New Zealand with snow capped mountains and blue skies was like being in paradise (a cold and mountainous one though.) NZ really is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. Meeting up with Ambra and Sarah in Australia, Ann and Gary in New Zealand, Cath, Tony, Mark and Catherine in Las Vegas was also really nice. I think Louise and I would have murdered each other if it had been just us for 38 days!
An amazing trip just jam packed with memories. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Click here for more photos (coming soon!)
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
The End of the Road...(nearly)
Well we have checked out of our last hotel, and are about to head home.
Louise and her Uncle Tony have been hitting it big on the roulette wheel, so drinks are on her!! See you all soon - do check back for more on Vegas, I only have 60sec left on this pay as you go internet thi...........
Louise and her Uncle Tony have been hitting it big on the roulette wheel, so drinks are on her!! See you all soon - do check back for more on Vegas, I only have 60sec left on this pay as you go internet thi...........
Monday, August 23, 2004
Viva Las Vegas!!
Well, what else would be the subject!!
Yes, we're here and we are not broke - YET! Those casinos certainly are fun and we are gettting to be video poker experts now.
I went to the Star Trek Exhibition at the Las Vegas Hilton today, while Louise met up with Cath, Tony, Catherine and Mark. They are at the luxor (the huge pyramid-y one!) and we sampled the buffet there tonight.
Ann, we saw the Bellagio fountains and we loved them too. We did the gourmet buffet there last night (and a bit of gambling...)
Tomorrow is our helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon. Should be fun.
See you all soon - much too soon! It's nearly over now (sob!)
Yes, we're here and we are not broke - YET! Those casinos certainly are fun and we are gettting to be video poker experts now.
I went to the Star Trek Exhibition at the Las Vegas Hilton today, while Louise met up with Cath, Tony, Catherine and Mark. They are at the luxor (the huge pyramid-y one!) and we sampled the buffet there tonight.
Ann, we saw the Bellagio fountains and we loved them too. We did the gourmet buffet there last night (and a bit of gambling...)
Tomorrow is our helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon. Should be fun.
See you all soon - much too soon! It's nearly over now (sob!)
Friday, August 20, 2004
Adrenaline Junkies?
Hi all
I'm still buzzed from that tandem skydive. Yes, the urge to fly has been with me for years - ever since seeing John Noakes do a skydive on Blue Peter when I was about 8! We got the photos and videos yesterday, and the very nice girl in the shop let us sit in their video room and watch it. Be prepared to be bored by us showing it when we get home. Me, Louise and a guy called Dave were the jumpers on our plane, and we each had our own camera-person. The video features all three of us - I bet Dave will be delighted with video footage of two girls he doesn't know! I know Lou was terrified, so she did really well to smile for the camera (or was it a grimace??) while I waved my arms around and whoooped like an idiot for the whole time! Just a brilliant experience, and the video is great.
So, how to top that? Well we started the day with a trip up the Gondola for more fabulous views of Queenstown. Apart from one rainy/snowy day in Christchurch, we have been so lucky. Queenstown could hardly be more beautiful - snow-capped mountains, blue skies...
The Skyline Gondola also had those fab luges that I loved so much in Rotorua, so we had to get Ann on one. The luges aren't quite as good here in Queenstown - the runs are much shorter, but we still had fun.
For the afternoon, Lou and I decided to go Jet Boating. The Shotover Jet Boats zoom up and down this spectacular river canyon, doing 360 degree turns and swerving towards rocks etc. It was fun - although as Louise was by the side of the boat, she got a bit wet! If you click on that link to the jet boats and click on "Daily Photos" on the top right, you might be able to see photos of us on their web site. Choose August 19th. They said the pics would be up about lunchtime today - I'm too early to see them. There will probably be loads of pictures, but we went about 2.30pm if that helps at all, and were in the back row.
Went out for a nice meal last night, then to Pog Mahones (!) for a drink or three. Must have had a bit too much as we agreed to let Louise paint our nails! My fingernails are now a rather alarming shade of metallic purple, while Ann's red toenails should shock the dogs when she gets home!
Today is our last full day in Queenstown, and New Zealand! We are all doing our own things. I'm feeding my addiction for Maori cultural concerts by going to my 4th this afternoon, Louise has booked up for Tandem Hang Gliding - what a daredevil she is!!
I have really loved our time in New Zealand, it's a fabulous place, and the south island really is gorgeous. I'm definintely coming back here one day.
Thanks so much to all the people commenting or trying to comment. By the way, you can catch up on our adventures by clicking on "Archives" on the left and see all the entries for July or August etc. Don't forget to click on any of the links to find out more.
Emma, have a great day on Saturday! Sharon, happy birthday.
I'm still buzzed from that tandem skydive. Yes, the urge to fly has been with me for years - ever since seeing John Noakes do a skydive on Blue Peter when I was about 8! We got the photos and videos yesterday, and the very nice girl in the shop let us sit in their video room and watch it. Be prepared to be bored by us showing it when we get home. Me, Louise and a guy called Dave were the jumpers on our plane, and we each had our own camera-person. The video features all three of us - I bet Dave will be delighted with video footage of two girls he doesn't know! I know Lou was terrified, so she did really well to smile for the camera (or was it a grimace??) while I waved my arms around and whoooped like an idiot for the whole time! Just a brilliant experience, and the video is great.
So, how to top that? Well we started the day with a trip up the Gondola for more fabulous views of Queenstown. Apart from one rainy/snowy day in Christchurch, we have been so lucky. Queenstown could hardly be more beautiful - snow-capped mountains, blue skies...
The Skyline Gondola also had those fab luges that I loved so much in Rotorua, so we had to get Ann on one. The luges aren't quite as good here in Queenstown - the runs are much shorter, but we still had fun.
For the afternoon, Lou and I decided to go Jet Boating. The Shotover Jet Boats zoom up and down this spectacular river canyon, doing 360 degree turns and swerving towards rocks etc. It was fun - although as Louise was by the side of the boat, she got a bit wet! If you click on that link to the jet boats and click on "Daily Photos" on the top right, you might be able to see photos of us on their web site. Choose August 19th. They said the pics would be up about lunchtime today - I'm too early to see them. There will probably be loads of pictures, but we went about 2.30pm if that helps at all, and were in the back row.
Went out for a nice meal last night, then to Pog Mahones (!) for a drink or three. Must have had a bit too much as we agreed to let Louise paint our nails! My fingernails are now a rather alarming shade of metallic purple, while Ann's red toenails should shock the dogs when she gets home!
Today is our last full day in Queenstown, and New Zealand! We are all doing our own things. I'm feeding my addiction for Maori cultural concerts by going to my 4th this afternoon, Louise has booked up for Tandem Hang Gliding - what a daredevil she is!!
I have really loved our time in New Zealand, it's a fabulous place, and the south island really is gorgeous. I'm definintely coming back here one day.
Thanks so much to all the people commenting or trying to comment. By the way, you can catch up on our adventures by clicking on "Archives" on the left and see all the entries for July or August etc. Don't forget to click on any of the links to find out more.
Emma, have a great day on Saturday! Sharon, happy birthday.
Friday, August 13, 2004
There She Blows...!!
OK, he rather than she...we went whale watching in Kaikoura today. It was just far too cold for swimming with dolphins, and actually, due to gale warnings, the dolphin boats didn't go out anyway.
Kaikoura is about two and a half hours from Christchurch so Ann lent us her car (a lovely brown Mitsubishi Banger - from the 1970s I think) and we headed up the coast. There is a fabulous backdrop of snowcapped mountains around the town, and the land slopes steeply down to the sea - continuing below the water, hence the presence of whales and dolphins so close to land. We were only 1km or so away from the shore today, yet we saw four sperm whales. The trench on the sea bed drops down pretty much like the Grand Canyon. All the sperm whales at Kaikoura are males - the ladies prefer warmer water. Right idea girls...
When we arrived yesterday, we went for a walk along the cliffs, starting from the seal colony, and when we came back, there were loads of them lounging around the car park. I even saw a little young one, but he took one look at me and scarpered! Baby seals sure can shift!
Louise continued her culinary tour by trying the local delicacy - crayfish. She even got instructions on the corrent way to eat it from the waitress. I stuck to the steak.
Also, last night was the best yet to see the Southern hemisphere stars. They were amazingly clear, although we didn't see too much shooting star activity - a couple of faint ones that could just have been our eyes swimming! Wish we had someone to tell us which constellation was which.
I went to get some Dramamine or other seasickness tablets from the local chemists yesterday, as I am prone to travel sickness. The young man gave me a local remedy that they developed themselves! Well it certainly did the trick. Despite very rough seas I felt perfectly fine. Unfortunately I was nodding off by 2pm ("May cause drowsiness"), and as I was driving at the time, Louise had to take over while I snoozed back to Christchurch.
Still, at least I wasn't sick...
Kaikoura is about two and a half hours from Christchurch so Ann lent us her car (a lovely brown Mitsubishi Banger - from the 1970s I think) and we headed up the coast. There is a fabulous backdrop of snowcapped mountains around the town, and the land slopes steeply down to the sea - continuing below the water, hence the presence of whales and dolphins so close to land. We were only 1km or so away from the shore today, yet we saw four sperm whales. The trench on the sea bed drops down pretty much like the Grand Canyon. All the sperm whales at Kaikoura are males - the ladies prefer warmer water. Right idea girls...
When we arrived yesterday, we went for a walk along the cliffs, starting from the seal colony, and when we came back, there were loads of them lounging around the car park. I even saw a little young one, but he took one look at me and scarpered! Baby seals sure can shift!
Louise continued her culinary tour by trying the local delicacy - crayfish. She even got instructions on the corrent way to eat it from the waitress. I stuck to the steak.
Also, last night was the best yet to see the Southern hemisphere stars. They were amazingly clear, although we didn't see too much shooting star activity - a couple of faint ones that could just have been our eyes swimming! Wish we had someone to tell us which constellation was which.
I went to get some Dramamine or other seasickness tablets from the local chemists yesterday, as I am prone to travel sickness. The young man gave me a local remedy that they developed themselves! Well it certainly did the trick. Despite very rough seas I felt perfectly fine. Unfortunately I was nodding off by 2pm ("May cause drowsiness"), and as I was driving at the time, Louise had to take over while I snoozed back to Christchurch.
Still, at least I wasn't sick...
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
Photos
Well either you're all having trouble getting to the comments page, or have all got bored with this blog! Anyway, we are having a nice time with Ann and Gary in Christchurch. We did the Antarctic Centre yesterday, and had a look round the city centre. (We even went to a service at the cathedral - Anglican!) We were planning a trip to Arthur's Pass today, but the weather turned nasty.
Also got some photos put onto CD, so I can post a few here.
Ayres Rock
Cleland Wildlife Park, Adelaide 1
Cleland Wildlife Park, Adelaide 2
The Streets of Auckland
Horse Riding at Rotorua
Us at the Antarctic (Centre)
Also got some photos put onto CD, so I can post a few here.
Ayres Rock
Cleland Wildlife Park, Adelaide 1
Cleland Wildlife Park, Adelaide 2
The Streets of Auckland
Horse Riding at Rotorua
Us at the Antarctic (Centre)
Friday, August 06, 2004
Cathy:Warrior Princess!
Non-Xena fans, apologies now as today was my Xena day in NZ. First we went to Mission Bay, the suburb where Lucy Lawless is supposed to live. A pal told me what road she lives on, but we didn't spot any obvious candidates for her place. (No houses with leather, horses, swords or anything!)
The sun was out and despite a few heavy showers, it was a gorgeous day. Ambled along the golden sandy beach at Mission Bay, and we decided that Auckland DOES have some nice bits. No Lucy though....
After lunch we headed up to the west coast, and along Sturges Rd where the studios were where Xena was filmed. We found Xena Way and Hercules Cres - surely built since the filming location was established. We then headed for Bethells Beach, and Lake Wainamu (think I have the name right)
Forgot to mention, we picked up the car - a quite nice Citroen C3. Louise drove today so I could ooh and aah over the scenery. I take the wheel tomorrow. I was grateful she did drive, as the winding roads leading down to Bethells were pretty hair raising. Coming back in the dark was even worse!
Anyway, for me - and any of the Xena fans reading - it was such a thrill to be walking by the stream where Callisto killed Perdicas, and on the beach where Xena was crucified once or twice! I really felt like I was in a Xena episode standing in the spot where Gabrielle fell in the lake in "Fins, Femmes and Gems." The area is absolutely beautiful - I think even Louise enjoyed it.
We also popped along to Piha beach (where we blagged our way into a function at the Bowls club because we were desperate for the loo! No toilets at Bethells Beach!) Piha has been used for filming movies like Whale Rider and The Piano, and was another fabulous place. The sunshine really helped, but this is a very attractive part of the world. Photo to follow!
Tomorrow we head for Rotorua. Auckland was not an especially beautiful city, but I did enjoy today's Xena pilgrimages...
The sun was out and despite a few heavy showers, it was a gorgeous day. Ambled along the golden sandy beach at Mission Bay, and we decided that Auckland DOES have some nice bits. No Lucy though....
After lunch we headed up to the west coast, and along Sturges Rd where the studios were where Xena was filmed. We found Xena Way and Hercules Cres - surely built since the filming location was established. We then headed for Bethells Beach, and Lake Wainamu (think I have the name right)
Forgot to mention, we picked up the car - a quite nice Citroen C3. Louise drove today so I could ooh and aah over the scenery. I take the wheel tomorrow. I was grateful she did drive, as the winding roads leading down to Bethells were pretty hair raising. Coming back in the dark was even worse!
Anyway, for me - and any of the Xena fans reading - it was such a thrill to be walking by the stream where Callisto killed Perdicas, and on the beach where Xena was crucified once or twice! I really felt like I was in a Xena episode standing in the spot where Gabrielle fell in the lake in "Fins, Femmes and Gems." The area is absolutely beautiful - I think even Louise enjoyed it.
We also popped along to Piha beach (where we blagged our way into a function at the Bowls club because we were desperate for the loo! No toilets at Bethells Beach!) Piha has been used for filming movies like Whale Rider and The Piano, and was another fabulous place. The sunshine really helped, but this is a very attractive part of the world. Photo to follow!
Tomorrow we head for Rotorua. Auckland was not an especially beautiful city, but I did enjoy today's Xena pilgrimages...
Tuesday, August 03, 2004
It's Raining Wine!
No, it's not really, it's just been raining...a LOT! So yesterday's trip to some wineries was a good idea. All indoors.
Drove down to Normanville, a beautiful drive even with the heavy grey clouds, However, two minutes on the beach and almost being blown away saw us head to a nice pub for lunch before hitting the wineries. Sarah was driving, but me, Louise ans Ambra tried out a few cheeky reds, crisp whites, intriguing ports and audacious little sparkling wines. (Actually, Sarah tried a few of those too..!)
We even bought one or two - I think it was the influence of the wine. I know you are supposed to spit them out if you are a proper wine taster, but we didn't want to be rude! I've never done wine tasting before, so it was fun. Definitely felt a bit woozy after winery number two, and by number three we were very happy! We even learnt "If You're Happy and You Know It" in Indonesian from Sarah on the way home (couldn't quite get the lyrics so I hummed..)
The rain barely stopped all day, so we got a taxi to go out for dinner. Sarah and Ambra got Louise to try Sushi. (Not for me thanks...) Louise will have to give her gastronomic views of Adelaide soon...!
Then we went to a Chinese restaurant for dinner, where Lou and Ambra struggled with the spiciness of the hot & spicy soup, and ended the evening with a drink at the pub (and me and Lous beating Am and Sarah at pool!)
Also, THINK I have managed to upload Sarah's picture of us with Erik Thomson. Try it, it MIGHT work...
Photo with Erik Thomson
[Louise]
Hi all, fantastic food!!! The oysters Kilpatrick are divine, the smoked oysters are lovely too. Haven't tried them in their raw state yet.... Sushi was fab - I love to try new scrummy foods. Wine tasting was great - you all know how it affects me - I was rather tipsy after tasting the first six. Had to spend a little time in the fresh air with Ambra in an attempt to sober up! Bought some cool goodies in the arts and crafts shops along the way. As usual, the flow of alcohol loosened the strings on the old purse. The port was absolutely delicious!
As for 'the guy in the pub', he was just some bloke having a drink. When he asked, "what have you seen me in?" I felt like saying, "Nothing, who are you?" Kept that one to myself though.
Not got long left here. Having a great time - Ambra and Sarah have been brilliant hostesses with the mostesses. But, New Zealand is the next stop for a bit of Xena spotting (groan..... they made me watch it!!!!).
Drove down to Normanville, a beautiful drive even with the heavy grey clouds, However, two minutes on the beach and almost being blown away saw us head to a nice pub for lunch before hitting the wineries. Sarah was driving, but me, Louise ans Ambra tried out a few cheeky reds, crisp whites, intriguing ports and audacious little sparkling wines. (Actually, Sarah tried a few of those too..!)
We even bought one or two - I think it was the influence of the wine. I know you are supposed to spit them out if you are a proper wine taster, but we didn't want to be rude! I've never done wine tasting before, so it was fun. Definitely felt a bit woozy after winery number two, and by number three we were very happy! We even learnt "If You're Happy and You Know It" in Indonesian from Sarah on the way home (couldn't quite get the lyrics so I hummed..)
The rain barely stopped all day, so we got a taxi to go out for dinner. Sarah and Ambra got Louise to try Sushi. (Not for me thanks...) Louise will have to give her gastronomic views of Adelaide soon...!
Then we went to a Chinese restaurant for dinner, where Lou and Ambra struggled with the spiciness of the hot & spicy soup, and ended the evening with a drink at the pub (and me and Lous beating Am and Sarah at pool!)
Also, THINK I have managed to upload Sarah's picture of us with Erik Thomson. Try it, it MIGHT work...
Photo with Erik Thomson
[Louise]
Hi all, fantastic food!!! The oysters Kilpatrick are divine, the smoked oysters are lovely too. Haven't tried them in their raw state yet.... Sushi was fab - I love to try new scrummy foods. Wine tasting was great - you all know how it affects me - I was rather tipsy after tasting the first six. Had to spend a little time in the fresh air with Ambra in an attempt to sober up! Bought some cool goodies in the arts and crafts shops along the way. As usual, the flow of alcohol loosened the strings on the old purse. The port was absolutely delicious!
As for 'the guy in the pub', he was just some bloke having a drink. When he asked, "what have you seen me in?" I felt like saying, "Nothing, who are you?" Kept that one to myself though.
Not got long left here. Having a great time - Ambra and Sarah have been brilliant hostesses with the mostesses. But, New Zealand is the next stop for a bit of Xena spotting (groan..... they made me watch it!!!!).
Sunday, August 01, 2004
Kangaroos, Koalas and Xena Actors!!
It's Sunday so this must be Adelaide.
While Louise is still asleep, thought I'd give a quick update, despite the fact hardly anyone has commented on the last entry!! We're staying with Sarah and Ambra here in Adelaide, and having a great time. Louise and I REALLY enjoyed Cleland Wildlife Park yesterday, where we got to feed kangaroos by hand, stroke a koala and see other little critters like dingoes, tasmanian devil, echidna and wombats. Kept our distance from the emus though. Rod Hull was right! Australia's marsupials are really fascinating, and those kangaroos and wallabies were adorable. (Just wait for the photos..)
Went to a nice pub for lunch - wooden booths, log fire - where Louise tried the oysters (yuk!)
Didn't pay too much attention when a handsome bloke walked in (well, Louise perked up) but then so did Sarah... "That's Erik Thomson" she whispered. "Who?" said Louise. "Really!!?" said me and Ambra.
For non-Xena fans, Erik played Hades, god of the underworld on Xena, and Sarah, being the avid Xena fan she is, recognised him straight away. (Or maybe cos she watched that soap opera he was in afterwards.)
She was despatched to say hi, make sure it was him, and arrange a photo, which Erik was more than happy to do. Lou played photographer while me, Sarah and Ambra tried to contain our cheesy "I'm in a photo with a Xena actor" grins! The Xena connections are working already. I expect Lucy Lawless will have put the kettle on for us by now! (White, no sugar for me please Lucy...)
It's grey and gloomy right now, and we're planning a nice lazy day, and getting some washing done. Tomorrow we're due to head to the wine region McLaren Vale south of here, and stay overnight. Should be fun. Wonder if they have nice comfortable bathroom floors?
While Louise is still asleep, thought I'd give a quick update, despite the fact hardly anyone has commented on the last entry!! We're staying with Sarah and Ambra here in Adelaide, and having a great time. Louise and I REALLY enjoyed Cleland Wildlife Park yesterday, where we got to feed kangaroos by hand, stroke a koala and see other little critters like dingoes, tasmanian devil, echidna and wombats. Kept our distance from the emus though. Rod Hull was right! Australia's marsupials are really fascinating, and those kangaroos and wallabies were adorable. (Just wait for the photos..)
Went to a nice pub for lunch - wooden booths, log fire - where Louise tried the oysters (yuk!)
Didn't pay too much attention when a handsome bloke walked in (well, Louise perked up) but then so did Sarah... "That's Erik Thomson" she whispered. "Who?" said Louise. "Really!!?" said me and Ambra.
For non-Xena fans, Erik played Hades, god of the underworld on Xena, and Sarah, being the avid Xena fan she is, recognised him straight away. (Or maybe cos she watched that soap opera he was in afterwards.)
She was despatched to say hi, make sure it was him, and arrange a photo, which Erik was more than happy to do. Lou played photographer while me, Sarah and Ambra tried to contain our cheesy "I'm in a photo with a Xena actor" grins! The Xena connections are working already. I expect Lucy Lawless will have put the kettle on for us by now! (White, no sugar for me please Lucy...)
It's grey and gloomy right now, and we're planning a nice lazy day, and getting some washing done. Tomorrow we're due to head to the wine region McLaren Vale south of here, and stay overnight. Should be fun. Wonder if they have nice comfortable bathroom floors?
