Worcester Park
I just had breakfast

Watch this space

Although Dan is the only one who can probably see this - please be patient as I pull my finger out and try and get booted ticking along again.

Please be patient whilst Booted looks for a new host

29th March

Waster's second arrived last Tuesday... baby Hal was 8lbs, all doing well. Still temping in Plymouth.. all v steady stuff but first wages arrived so having a touch of wedge in the pocket is a bonus.

11th March

For those of you i havent caught up with yet... and i know this is hard to believe but Ricky Slim is now a dad. Lisa gave birth to Abigail Mary at 3.30pm yesterday - mother and baby doing well... dont think its sunk in on dad yet.

PLYMOUTH, 6th March

Yes your eyes arent deceiving you, there has been a update posted on Booted. As we are into March, it seems ages since I last posted.. one look at the dates and its true. To be honest, there hasnt been a lot to report. Writing applications and heading off to interviews is keeping me busy but as no job has yet arrived I really havent felt like sticking stuff on the site.
Saying that, I have started to get office work through the council temp agency which starts next week, and after 2 months of being very quiet on the job front I have now written 6 or so applications this week so I hope things are looking up. Writing applications isnt fun and takes ages.
No travels plans at the mo, although I hope to spend a weekend with a Parisian matey I met in Sydney and I must make it back up to London again soon. With any luck I might be able to wangle a Cardiff ticket if Arsenal can take it all the way again... but then again the last text message I got from Sweaty was that he was in Amsterdam - heard nothing since so I hope he came back unmolested and in one peice.

PLYMOUTH 2nd January

Trust everyone enjoyed their's New Years Eve. Weather was awful down here but we made the most of it. We went on the ferry from Plymouth over to Torpoint, dressed - due to the inspiration of BJ & Kate - as 70's joggers, shorts over tracky b's, 'uge afro wigs with headbands, walkman head phones, bum bags etc. Met up with several others and the outifits worked quite well - with impromtu warming up sessions taking place inbetween pubs. Dartmouth last year had about 70% of people dressed up, Torpoint had 98% odd all making the effort to look stupid to see the new year in... nice.
Pretty well steamin up towards midnight, we saw the new year in with hundreds of others on the ferry causeway, trying to do auld lang syne (sp) in heavy drizzle and rain... not pretty but at that point who cares? Back to another pub till 2 odd and we took a ferry back to Plymouth and had a lovely walk back (via another pub) in the drizzle.
Needless to say yesterday (1st) I wasnt feelin to clever and from the text messages I've got back from others, I'm not alone.
Still, only had one cigarette all night so that isnt bad, but NY resolutons has to be job/money/lottery... in any order, lottery first would be nice.

PLYMOUTH, nearly Christmas

Spent last week in London and Kent catching up with a few people. It being so close to Christmas and a few down with a touch of the cold/flu going around meant I couldnt meet up with everyone but it was a good night in SoHo for Paul's b'day drinks. Managed to meet a few ex-colleagues at a bar on the strand, everyone looking well there. De Hems was an expensive bar (Belgian bar) but to be fair the beers are pretty special. Headed down to Kent to help out with friend working on his house, managed to reach the hundred's in the amount of cups of tea made. Came back to southwest on Friday night with awful driving conditions through fog and rain, ain't the UK special?

PLYMOUTH

Just back after a short break in Cyprus to celebrate Mum's 60th... Fantastic place and is recommended for fairly cheap sun and beer. Winter sun was just right for us (a just a wee hotter might've been okay though) and we all had a great time. Managed to get 2 dives in at a wreck called Zenobia, one of the worlds top 10 wreck dives. Sunk 20 years ago, its a car ferry at 20-40m that still has 108 articluated lorries in it. Nice a deep and real good dive site. Hung around the pool and beach for the others days, nice to relax eh? ;)
Went with Mum to Cairo for a day and what a place. Traffic was mental, armed security on the tour bus, hawkers and scammer everwhere. Great stuff. Saw the pyramids (I managed to crawl inside to have a look around along with hundreds of other sweaty tourists), the Sphynx, papyrus shop, Musuem of Cairo, boat cruise on the Nile and finally the mad mad souke or bazaar in downtown Cairo. Nearly got lost and had a laff bargaining, a hectic city.
Got bacj the other day to reality, didn't get the reserachers position I had an interview for the other... still looking for a job.

PLYMOUTH

Back in Plymouth now for nearly 3 weeks. Being honest its been nice not to do much, but its quiet down here... understandable, given that everyone else is working hard. Been getting to know my new little nephew, who I will be a godfather too in November (*kiss my ring*), and popped back up to London for a matey's stag do up in Oxford last Saturday. Stag (Dan) remained standing which I've yet to figure out but there you go. Good laugh had by all and yours truly took away the prize for the racing in the afternoon on the quads and pilots.
Waster's new house has had its kitchen ripped out and a wall taken down so me and his old man have been busy on that one.
Another touch has been the car I've been offered by Waster. So I have wheels now and I am in a better position to hit the road and visit people... if I can afford the petrol of course. Bye for now.
(This post sort of spell checked by the Sista Sarah!)

PLYMOUTH, um UK

Sadly this trip at least has drawn to an end. Flew to Gatwick Thursday to surprising sunshine. Ice hockey game was very good, just a pre-season friendly but still staduim was nearly full. Vancouver Canucks lost 4-2 to the Edmonton Oilers. All the jangly organ playing (!) and everything, even the odd mexican wave... and once the rules were explained... v good. Wednesday was a day of packing up and shopping, and was great being driven round by me mate Pat. Fli8ght istelf was 11hrs odd with a stop in Calgary, and in these bucket seats which meant sleep had no chance.

Great to see everyone out in the Slug in Clapham Junction Thursday night, I wasn't the dribbling mess I thought I'd be... but not far off it. Ctaching the train home was a doddle and being met by family and new nephew (+plus ballons) was a sight on Plymouth station.

So there we go. Mass of photos which I now have a chance to go through so keep em peeled for more photos to go up. Will have a think about the site, maybe put this page into a sub-link and create a new message board on the front page. Might take a few days as I've a shedload to sort out. Strange being back but if anyone wants to help it become less strange the mobile is on! Plus got my first job last night... breaking up cupboards and taking up the lino at Waster's new house... nice.

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VANCOUVER, Canada

Bit strange to be back in civilisation after being out on the islands for what seemed like ages. Fiji was fantastic.
Off the aeroplane and met up with people heading out to the islands who were staying at the same place. Few beers in the bar and a Auzzie bloke working in Nadi recommended some Fijian fish dish then said why don't you lot come and see some more of the town. So it was off to the uber Sheraton hotel to see a jazz band then to some Fijian night club called After Dark. The fijian place was amazing, the fijian fellas are massive... and the ladies aren't far behind too. Music was a kind of happy-happy easy calypso, ideal for the place and was nice being the only whiteys there... not when they get pissed up and try to sting you for dollars. Still good laugh.
Up early next day and it was down to the big yellow ferry to take everyone out to the Yasawas islands, past the Tom Hanks Castaway island, past Treasure island, past Bounty island... fantastic eh?
4hrs later we were met by the fellas from the Sunrise Resort on Nanuya LaiLai island. You'd all laugh as we stepped off the boat to rain and wind. Yup despite being warm and humid, Fiji threw rain at us for the first 3 or 4 days. The place itself wasn't a resort... more like a fijian village. Initially wasn't sure about the place but everyone there was so friendly we all quickly got into and had a laugh desipte the weather. Round the other side of the island was the Blue Lagoon, where the 80's version (with lovely Brooke Shields) was filmed. Cracking snorkelling. Getting a cold on my first day blew my diving plans away (can't dive with a cold... dangerous dunchuknow).
Blimey, I was even swimming in the rain then going for runs up and down the beach... I mean what's all that about! We all made the most of it and started to really enjoy the place. A couple of us went to church last sunday with Moses (local fella), taking a boat over to the bigger island. The Fijian's are religous but were happy to welcome us. Mostly in Fijian, the catholic service was fine, but it was the singing that set it off... no instruments just the men and women producing this amazing harmonious sound. Afterwards we had a huge meal with the rest of the congreation and joined in on a full-on cava ceremony. Cava is a drink made from the ground root of a tree, a kind of hallucigenic all fijian get into. All very good.
After 5 or 6 days at Sunrise we got the ferry back down to another island - Naviti - and stayed at the Korovovo resort. The weather was now amazing and the place was a bit more 'resorty'. Sunbathing, more snorkelling and more cava... fantastic few days, and again the people were so friendly. Highlight on this island had to be the snorkelling with the manta rays... 'uge big graceful rays... unforgettable. The photos should be superb.
Yesterday (I think) was a looong day. Ferry picked us up at 2.30pm before heading back to Nadi for a nice meal then off to the airport. There were a few of us on the flight and after being searched 3 times we headed across the pacific. Not a bad flight at all, only 10hrs and we were all pretty knacked after the last couple of weeks.
A two hour stopover in LA (was long enough!) and waiting in visa/passport queues and getting searched again, managed to head over to Alaskan Airlines and catch the 2hr30 flight to Vancouver. Met up with another girl heading into town and we pulled into a backpackers last night before hitting the beers and finding a cracking burger spot... food in Fiji was good but basic... damn that burger last night was good. Beer not too bad either... yet another country being discovered through its beer. Now to see what Vancouver is all about... after I do a mountain of laundry....

Pictures from Borneo uploaded...(we didn't lose your photos Hew)

AUCKLAND (again), New Zealand

Good couple of days and managed to see a fair bit of the north island in my relatively short time here. The white water rafting was fantastic. 6 of us did the trip over 3 waterfalls, the biggest (and most famous of which) being the 7m waterfall - the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world. Had pictures of the trip put onto a CD and is being sent home and should come out well. Awesome trip to get the blood pumping and was well put together, covering the local Maori understanding and history of the river and surrounding areas. Water damn freezing but we didn't flip the raft on the 'fall.
The evening was spent at a reconstructed Maori village about 20mins outside of Rotorua. Far from being a horrible tacky tourist spot, a lot of time and effort has been put in to this place and it showed. We walked in and around the village before having a performance of history song and dance followed by a hangi.. a traditional way of cooking a feast. Fantastic food. Few beers later on and it was a great day, not even pissed up English later on in the backpacker bar could spoil it... and it wasn't even me.
Got up early next day to get the bus to Waitomo. Did the tuma tuma toobing cave trip. Again freezing water but far from the gentle underwater trip to see the gloworms in the cave, it was a pretty full on caving trip lasting about 2hrs. Again, a good time.. a thing New Zealand is very good at providing. Gotta come back to this place.

Easy trip back to Auckland last night and met up with Katie and Michael again before they head to Buenos Aires this afternoon. I have Fiji tomorrow and its likely that I will be out of contact for the next 10days. (Horrors... not updates). Camera will be working overtime so hopefully some snaps can be put up fairly quickly on my return. bye for now.

ROTORUA, New Zealand

Diving the day before yesterday was very good. Weather did well, bright and sunny and calm seas meant the visibility behaved as well. Headed out to flat rock reef first of all to get deep... a bit too deep and too long according to the charts (and some other divers didn't get on with it too well) but all good though not much sealife. Still, good to have a look around at that depth and get used to the coldness of the water. Quick snorkel in the afternoon and we headed over to the Rainbow Warrior site. Good long dive and able to penetrate the wreck a few times, spotting 'uge crayfish and some cracking small coral on the wreck itself. 2hr journey back followed by numerous beers and was a good day.

Yesterday was spent on buses getting back down to Auckland then straight onto to Rotorua. The town is in a hotpool area and just stepping off the coach you are hit by the strong smell of sulfur. We headed out for roast dinner at a top eating spot here in town before wandering back to go for a swim in the hotpool warm swimming pool at the backpackers... tough eh? Followed by beers in the bar with a few local fellas and it was a fair end to a dull travelling day.
Bright but not too warm today. Only here for one day so have managed to make the most of it. Off white water rafting today on a grade 5 trip (um, thats not gentle) which sounds good before then heading over to a Maori village for a guided tour and a hangi (traditional Maori way of cooking food underground). Sounds like a tourist trap but been told its the best one around and even the local Maori fellas in the bar said that when this village does the haka... you will know it. Full on fire in their eyes to turn my weak English blood to water... should be good. Was told last night that the haka starts off by saying "we will kill you, we will not die, we will eat you when we kill you". Or words to that effect. And back in the day they surely did... plus I didn't realise that there are a number of different hakas. Nice.

PAIHIA, Northern New Zealand

Arrived this morning after an easy 4hrs on the coach up. Finally seeing some sun in New Zealand. Actually back to waering a t-shirt which makes a nice change. Had a few beers and a nice Thai meal in Auckland last night but I am real glad I am out of the city and near the sea again!
Arrived at 1 and by 2 o'clock was on the Excitor, a powerboat taking a long trip round the Bay of Islands here. Gorgeous scenery and the trip took in a huge natural hole 17miles out to sea on an outlying island... very nice.

Diving the Rainbow Warrior tomorrow morning which should be good.. visibility meant to be great at the mo... plus a reef dive in the afternoon. Should be fantastic. In the process of booking up my stay in Fiji... which I've cut a little bit short as everything is a bit expensive and I don't have the money to stay for my original 15 odd days... not down to 10... tough I know. Means I'll be in Vancouver a bit earlier and back to the UK a week or so earlier too... about the 27th Sept I think. Bye for now.

AUCKLAND, New Zealand

Landed yesterday after a pretty easy 2.30hr flight from Sydney. Went out for a few beers on the last night and they went down very well. Met up with Ollie and Lisa together with maties Cyril and Paul from the backpackers. All a bit more restrained than Friday night but still a good night.

Auckland about the same temp than Sydney but really overcast. Few beers in the bar last night again went down well, Tui seems the beer of choice at the mo. And Australia probably had to be Tooheys Extra Dry or Tooheys New or Carlton Cold or Calton Draught. You get the picture.
Managed to sort out the next few days in my all too short time in New Zealand. Heading to Paiha tomorrow morning for a couple of days... few things to do up there like crusing the Bay of Islands and a few walks. They are diving the Rainbow Warrior wreck which sounds fantastic but as usual I've come at a place in the wrong time so the visibility will not be good. As I am diving in Fiji then it shouldn't be too bad a thing to miss, especially if I am lucky enough to come out next year. 'Oo Knows.
After Paiha then its back down to Rotorua for a couple of days to see whats about before do some caving, walking and swimming the Waitomo caves on a 'uge rubber ring. Laugh. Will then be back to Auckland before heading to the sun. :). Nice

SYDNEY

Final message from Sydney. Ah I'll miss Kings Cross (backpacker/red light area of Sydney by the way)... knocking up an e-mail yesterday and having a stab victim shout his way up to the police station at the top of the road. Colourful place this Kings Cross.

Went out for the day to the Blue Mountains and yeah they were pretty damn good. A cracking day helped by having a guide who thought he was the Aussie Billy Connolly, he spent the day taking the piss out of every nationality on the bus and drooling over the girls. Funny bloke, a true Aussie character I spose and he laid it on pretty thick but still, worth a laugh. Mountains are fantastic, blue because of the haze created by the eucalypt trees that are all over the place up there. Only an hour and a half or so out of Syndey so for this country... just on the doorstep.

Headed to the Maritime Museum here the other day and was pretty impressed. First proper musuem in Oz after hitting loads in SE Asia. Surfing exhitbition really impressive with wave vids with mad blokes surfing deadly 18m waves. Crazy foools. Day today spent in Manly mooching around with French matey Cyril, weather not too great but not bad for shopping and watching the (cold) surfers making the most of the waves. Another Oceanarium which was pretty impressive too.

Leaving for New Zealand tomorrow morning after meeting Ollie and Lisa for a few farewell bevvies tonight. Bye for now.

SYDNEY

On my final stretch home now and managed at last to change my ticket yesterday. So now I can stop boring people to death with the 'I not sure where I'm off to...' conversations. Anyways, ticket at the mo is set for ...
Sydney - Auckland flying on 5th Sept
Auckland - Fiji (Nadi) 12th Sept odd
Fiji - Vancouver (via Los Angeles) 28th Sept odd
Vancouver - Heathrow landing 5th Oct.
At last I actually know what I'm doing. Was planning to skip NZ and go for it next year... but I still hope to come out again but would've been mad to miss it as I can so easily fit it into the ticket. Paying for it is another thing.. Mr Visa loves me for sure.

With all this running around, um, drinking and seeing friends I've been in Sydney for 4 or 5 days and still not seen the bridge or the opera house. Haven't figgerd that one out yet. Been the acquarium (sp) which was impressive, especially the shark/ray walkthrough and had a good look around town. Managed to visit some family friends after last seeing them 23 odd years ago (they're both 87) and found them on fantastic form. If only I could have half their energy at that age.
Even saw a couple of 3D films at the big IMAX yesterday which was pretty damn good... but still no harbour (THE thing to see in Sydney). Leaving on Wednesday morning so I have tomorrow to head to Bondi beach or Manley (thereby seeing the harbour), Blue Mountains trip on Monday and Tuesday to do anything I've missed.
Met Ollie and Lisa last night in a Irish bar in town... a very messy affair... irish jigging, beer, dancing, beer... having Celtic football songs screamed into my ear by (Irish!) Ollie and um, some more beer. nice.

SYDNEY

Yeah bought some jeans yesterday after trying on loads... but that wasn't the excitement of the day... We went out with the itention of finding a club or something but didn't count on Sydney being so quiet on a Wednesday. So we went out for some food and a few bars and lo and behold, ended up standing right beside Alf from Home and Away! "Blimey!" I hear you say... (or "Who?") but anyway, I can now say I've seen and stood next to a real life Aussie soap star. No I didn't get his autograph, no I don't watch or like the soap but hey, something different whilst having a final few beers in deepest Sydney.

This is Alf...

SYDNEY

Arrived yesterday after a 3 and a half hour flight from Perth. No dramas. Weather is about same as Perth but its sunny and not raining which can only be a good. Staying in the heart of Kings Cross, a kind of Soho/bar/backpacker area, pretty colourful at night and central for wandering around. After a matter of an hour or so a few of us from the hostel headed out for food and the O'Malleys irish bar round the corner. Heavy night so my 'early start organising things' has gone for a burton.

Bit of shopping (jeans have fallen apart) and spot of sight seeing today then I'll try and sort my life out... or maybe the next day...
Bye for now

PERTH

Back in Perth after flying down yesterday. Took off without enough fuel (!!!) dunno what that was about but we made a refuelling stop at a mining town in the middle of nowhere. Hour late into Perth which was a pain but staying a night or two on the hospitality of Starky and his family again.

Off to Sydney tomorrow for a few days and to change the old ticket.

Its windy and been raining here today.... I want the beach, I want the sun, I want Exmouth and Cable Beach again. No sympathy from anyone? Didn't think so.

BROOME, NorthWest Australia

More photos now up, hit the Archives link above and visit the KL archive and the June archive. And if you are quick you can spot dan's spelling error (Thailaind) before he changes it... just can't get the staff these days can you?

Ah well, enough about illiterate IT Managers... (this site won't be up if I carry on too much about how he can't spoll antything). Broome in winter living up to its reputation for 30degree days, no wind and cracking sunsets. Tough here I know. Cable Beach probably the best beach I've ever seen... huge flat beach with warm water, miles of clean golden sand. Supposedly the 3rd best in the world. Real picture postcard stuff. Being out in the backpackers near the beach (6km out of town) its no surprise to hit town for a couple of hours then waste the day lying on the beach. Went to the open air cinema here in town the other night, longest running open air cinema in the world dunchuknow, before hitting the local pub round the corner from home. Packed bar of pissed up big Aussies, and the odd women can be pretty full on but the backpackers try and hold their own against them.

Flying down to Perth tomorrow then off to Sydney for a few days to change my ticket. Sad to leave Broome, and I'll miss the road sign to the Mangrove Hotel - advert saying "Broome with a view", and the car rental place - called "Broome Broome". Its the first night of the stairways to the moon here in Broome tonight so hopefully a few beach and full moon parties are on the cards too. The 'stairways' is when the full moon rises in the early evening in a fantastic bright golden colour... the light of which reflects on the mud flats/sand creating a 'stairway' effect up to the golden moon. Its the main reason I came to Broome and should be a cracking night.
Anyways, enough from me.

BROOME, NorthWest Australia

Journey wasn't too bad actually, I've mastered the "switch off and think of crap as the hours go by" approach to long distances. 4hrs in England going to be a doddle after a few of the past treks across the outback of Oz. Managed to find CableBeach BackPackers, a laid back busy place a few mins from one of the best beaches in Australia. The added bonus of which is that despite flying back to Perth on Sunday 25th, I can catch the first of the three days of the monthly 'Stairways to heaven' event. All going well and a nice clear night there will be a description and photos shortly. 'Tis the main reason I came to Oz.
Hope to get some more pictures up later this week, just need to spare 20mins to get them organised... so watch this space.
Also I would welcome any and all descriptions of the big event at the weekend - Spuggie and Clare's wedding... hope to get some info before I come back and get a chance to see the vids/piccies. Ta.

EXMOUTH, final post from here

Off tonight at 1am for the lovely 19hrs up to Broome. Managed to get into the Cable Beach Packbackers which is meant to be a cracking little spot for a few days before I fly to Perth on the 25th.

Organised a punch night last night which turned into a long one... several large bowls of nasty stuff went down well. Weather still very good but with the wind still hanging around. Snorkelling off Bundegi beach was good yesterday... all this damn exercise!
Night dive tonight before the bus so with any luck the hours will slip by.

EXMOUTH, 17th... Spuggie and Clare's Wedding.

Despite the warmth during the day the wind still being a prob. Surfing yesterday was good... but I wasn't. Rescheduled dives today got cancelled but we did at least get suited up and out i the boat. Waves were 'uuuge' and after nearly losing the boat we called it a day... or as the boatie said "nearly got flipped by a greenie". So, couple of quiet days I spose...

EXMOUTH, Western Australia

It being winter here (and still sunny and high twenties...nice) but it means that it can get windy and mess your planned days up. Had a couple of dives cancelled due to the wind but headed out yesterday for the famous pier dive here. 150 + odd species of fish in one dive is meant to be unique... visibility wasn't great, but a good dive anyways swimming in and out of the pier structure itself.
The dive safari has been cancelled because the organiser's bus blew up... would've thought the scuba gear would be more important but there you go. Have rescheduled dives lined up for the weekend before I push off to Broome on Tuesday morning at 1am.
Last couple of days have been fairly easy... surfing, BBQ's in evening and catching some sun by the pool here. Still, money getting low so plan is to catch plane down to Perth from Broome end of the month before heading over to Sydney to change my ticket before heading to New Zealand. All going well then fiji and vancouver will be last couple of stops before I head back to the UK (for a while at least). Hope all is well.

Just seen the photo... me making friends with Susi.

EXMOUTH, Western Australia

Staying in Exmouth for a little while as I've booked a marine safari for next Saturday (17th)... 5dives , kipping on the beach, catching your own dinner for the barbie... etc. Sounds great but means I'll be round here for a while... tough yep, but hey. Haven't taken my sunnies off yet.
Surfing is not easy... well not to me anyway. A few of us had 3 lessons over the last 3 days and we are starting to get there... kills your arms though. Second day we went to a 'proper' surf beach as the tamer one was flat... heavy stuff but I'm off again next week sometime so it might happen.
After the second lesson we went straight to a sailing boat and spent the next 8 hours crusing out to the islands with a bucket load of beers, gorge hot sun and some whales and snorkelling. Been a good couple of days though spending is way too easy here.
Bye for now.

This picture's just dying out for a caption competition...
Sorry, Hew. I couldn't resist. Bunch more photos arrived and be up v.soon

EXMOUTH, Western Australia

Quick update as I'm in the middle of nowhere on an expensive connection with a buggered keyboard.
The 19odd hours from Perth weren't too bad and we pulled up the other day to warmth and sunshine. Marina Beach place where I am staying is right on the beach about 3km from 'town' so its really nice liad back place.
Yesterday a couple of us hired a car and travelled round the peninsula here to the nigaloo reef. Stopping at yardie Creek (like a small canyon in a western) before heading up to Tourqiouse (sp) beach, where you walk up the beach swim over the reef and allow the current to sweep you down the length of that section of beach. Steamy hot and sunny, managed to see turtles, sharks and loads of fish... all starting from 5m off the beach. Hit a kangaroo driving around yesterday... only clipped him as he ran into the side of the car.. and nearly hit another as they suddenly fly out of the bush on either side of you.
Even managed to spot some humpbacks as we stopped at the lighthouse on the way back... a good day.
Out for a surfing lesson this afternoon and its looking a cracking day already. In haste, bye for now.

PERTH, again

Back after a trudging 4 odd hours drive back up from Albany this afternoon. Was real hard trying to sqeenze Albany into a day (and I hope to get back down there again), but I did it just. Spent this morning out in a boat around the Albany area, looking for whales. Bit breezy but after an hour we picked up a couple of humpbacks feeding on the far side of the bay. 'uge things though the photos will probably be of the back of someone's head but still great to see (the whales not the back of the head). Making our way back we came across two Southern Right Whales just off the beach... being curious they even came across and under the boat as we drifted near them. Just managed to drive and see the sea blowholes and natural coastal bridge (photos sometime I'm sure) before heading back up to Perth this evening.

ALBANY, South West Australia

Just arrived fairly late on in Albany after hours driving accros the south west. Seems such a short distance on the map but gives an idea how big Australia is. Still 4 hours odd driving through huge green pine trees and bush was hardly too bad... better than a freeway at least.
Dunsborough was a good stop and I spent 3 nights there, ending up with karaoke last night at the local pub. Bohemian Rhapsody... murdered. Anyway, Dunsborough is a good kicking off point to visit and wander round the upper Cape before visiting the caves, wineries, chocolate, cheese and ice cream factories in the area. Drove to a place called Augusta this morning, right down in the south west of australia and walked to the other cape in the area, Cape Leewin, where the Indian Ocean meets the Southern Ocean. Yep I took a few snaps to back it up. After that it was the looong drive over to Albany, where I hope to take a whale spotting tour tomorrow before heading back up to Perth.

DUNSBOROUGH, South West Australia

Aah, the open road. Glorious sunny day saw me cruise out of Perth with the added bonus of a cd player in me Mitsubishi 'something or other'. Headed to Bunbury first off, not much to see and do, but the lasagne and chips is recommended. Next pulled up in a place called Busselton, again bit limited for stuff to do. Did manage to wander the length of the longest jetty in the southern hemisphere, 2km's worth, which I suppose is something. Landed in Dunsborough early evening and have a dorm to myself in the YHA hostel here on the beach. Winery's, coast walks and beaches are around this area, scenery is top drawer so should be a good couple of days knocking abut down here.

PERTH, Sunday pm

Thursday was spent mostly in a bar (surprise) in Freemantle, meeting a mate called Starky, a friend of a mateys in London. Managed to see the world's closest MacDonalds to the beach (true) and cruise around old Fremantle (Freo) and visiting a few bars.
Back to Freo on Friday to visit the markets and avoid the rain. Met Starky again and stayed at his Mum's place on Friday and Saturday. Great to have a house to crash in, pool, barbie, dartboard...superb. Was made most welcome, and managed to visit a posh jazz bar in north perth that evening for someone's 30th. Interesting to see how 'the other half live' at this 30th, and they didn't seem to mind our jeans and t-shirts amongst the tux's and suits.

Saturday was sunshine again though temperature well chilly. Starky's mate Dan is a bit of a waterskier and we headed off to Broomby north of Perth for him to hack up this big lake on his ski. Before you knew it and he was surprised himself, 'James Bond' here had his first lesson and managed to do the training bar, short rope and long rope... all in the space of 30mins. Bit chilly but the certificate of 'Competent Doubles Skier' made up for it. :) Drank half of the murky water, but still here... just.
Afternoon spent relaxing before driving to the park for my fist aussie rules footie lesson... held me own with the kicking but its still a hectic game. Barbie in the evening despite the cold... 1.5c that night, but again nice to relax in a nice house after the constant 'on the go' in the hostel. Still that is a laugh too.
We spent today being kindly driven around north perth by Starky's mum. Hillary's marina, trigg beach, cottesloe beach... probably means nothing to everyone but there you go. Was was cold today, there wasn't a cloud in the sky so a great day with a few beers and fish and chips watching the sunset and surfers over Cottesloe beach... again, to quote Mr Hardcastle, superb.

Car has been booked for a week tomorrow morning so I'm heading south for a few days under my own steam (for a change from the buses, coaches, friends lifts etc).

PERTH

Woke up with yet another woolly head today. Must be something about the beer drunk last night. Hmmm. Anyone who's recently been to Perth will know the Mustang, The Deen, The Post Office and the lovely late bar called The Bog. I know them now too.... messy.
Within hours of arriving the first night it was out on the beer, crawling back in at some stupid time in the morning. Made Tuesday a complete wash out as I was good for nothing except aimlessly wandering around the city centre.
Yesterday day was more productive. Bank account has been set up and my tax number is being sent out in a few weeks. So I'm set up for work, but fancy seeing a bit more of Western Australia first. Yesterday night was another messy one but I've managed to get up in reasonable time to head to Freemantle to see a friend of a friend who lives here and is up for a beer or three.

As for plans, well maybe be around Perth/Freemantle this weekend before hiring a car and seeing the southwestern coast for a few days, then stay in Margaret River/Albany for a night or two. In a weeks time after my bank stuff arrives, I'm going to take a deep breath and jump on a bus for 20+odd hours and head to Exmouth for some diving.
Perth is way too much like the UK at the mo, weather included, and its been a culture shock after SE Asia. Wasn't expecting that! Anyway, that means to get out of Perth for a while and see the sights... despite it being winter and rainy. Hope all is well.

PERTH

The beers cold... its cheap... and there is plenty of it. Nice.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA

Bit chilly here... well it is winter so what do you expect. Saying that its only long-sleeved t-shirt weather, hardly the wet and windy 'joys' of the UK winter. Still, makes a huge change from the warmth of SE Asia. First impressions of Perth? Shops look a bit 80's... and its a change to see large number of grey-headed westerners (or rather caucasians) walking about. Funny to say but its been awhile.
Few beers at some interesting bars in Singapore last night set the flight over up well and helped being a bit knackered to let the 5 odd hours go by. Didn't help having the 18yr old sniffing champion of Singapore sitting next to me but what can u do? Still the flight over the western coast of Australia was impressive, added to which it's the country I hope to be driving through in a month or so's time.
Loads of backpackers around despite it being winter over here, already have a beer up and barbie at a local hotel to go to tonight...so we'll see what Oz is about already.

Booted has a new home (see below), hats off again to Dan working his magic. All going well, www.booted.net is home for good, so please change/delete/edit your Favourites or hotlinks accordingly. (yeah cos Booted is all in everyone's Favourite I'm sure!)

Technical note:
Booted has a new home - it's booted.net and you should be able to reach Hew by emailing hew@booted.net too. If you accidentally go to the old places, you should still end up here - alternatively Add Booted to your favourites (only works in Internet Explorer).

Dan
More photos arrived via Plymouth - be up soon


Hew is in the middle!

SINGAPORE

Got the flight ticket re-issued the other day so after 4 months odd I now have means to travel again. Bring on Perth. After the ticket I got the MRT (underground) and bus to the 'World Famous' Singapore Zoo yesterday. Not being a major fan of zoo's I
did want to see how one of the best was set up. Was quite surprised, loads of different animals (funny, it being a zoo and all) but no real cages (except for crocs and spiders), rather moats and ditches separating walkways to the animals. Crocs v impressive and hundred of primates. But I couldn't help but see lots of Jon Sweatman swinging from the branches though...
hmmm. Same expressions and everything. Ah well.

Friday night we headed out to the famous Zouke Bar... in actual fact 3 clubs in one. Very messy night, with DJ Pippi (from Pacha, Ibeefa dunchuknow) so music was good as was the jugs of g&t... had to be done to get the most of the hour long 2 for 1 deal... booze especially is v expensive here.

After trying to get over the (not small) hangover, we headed off to an island called Pulau Ubin, a small island very near the west coast off Singapore. After managing to fall into the river taxi (!) in front of 30 odd people, me, Andy and his mate Mark hired mountain bikes on the island for a couple hours. Bite of quality local food on the way back (after clearing the wooly heads cycling) and all that was left was to hit the pool at Andy's apartments. Tough life.

Shopping today as the fellas here are off to to do Mount Kinabalu in a coupel of weeks time so we went out and they are all kitted up in jackets and walking boots. Off out for a few beers tonight at a place called '4 Floors', before I fly to Perth early tomorrow morning. Next stop Oz. Bye for now.

SINGAPORE, in um... Singapore

Short update. Arrived last night from KL after 7 hours of dull bus... made interesting only by a tyre blowout and failing badly in understanding the reclining chairs. After a cab to Andy's, had a nice Chinese at a popular place called Fatties (apt) and a few beers. Singapore overcast and dull today but the quays and white-scrubbed local sights made for a good walk round. Picking up flight tickets tomorrow then maybe the zoo. We'll see.

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA

More photos are up thanks again to Dan. He's asked about the delay in getting the photos to him (only May's have gone up) but I can only point to my own laziness in sending them, plus the 'rounds' they have to do of the family down in the southwest. I'll try and turn the Borneo/orangutans photos around more quickly this time... I really hope they've come out well.

Well, nearing time to say 'ba' to SE Asia and I have to say its been superb and even if you are thinking of somewhere different for a holiday i.e. from Spain (Mr Sweaty-man!) get thee to Thailand, Malaysia... or whereever... you won't regret it for sure. For me, its been nearly 6 months (6 months!) on the road so far and thoughts are turning to Oz. Been a relaxing last couple of days, staying at a mate's house again here in KL - with the added luxury of showers, air-con and sofa's! Ah, the comfort.

Travelling down to Singapore by bus this afternoon to burden myself on mate Andy's floor before flying to Perth on Monday morning, can't wait. My eyes have been given the all clear by the doc and I can swim in about a weeks time, so bring on the beach and the sea! Even have new fins and mask which haven't been tried yet. However, reading about the amount of stuff that can bite/maime (sp?) or kill you in the Oz seas (or land for that matter), I'll have to keep my eyes open whatever. Arf. (*sigh*).

Couple more things. Firstly a final resting home for Booted is trying to be worked out by the technical genuis that is Dan, so keep half a eye on your e-mail boxes for that (exciting eh?). Also, if anyone has any mates knocking around OZ at the mo, drop them a line... it'd be good to meet up with more people on the way for a beer.. or two.. or more. Bye for now.

More photos uploaded... Hey - be warned we've only received films up to May...

These from May in Vietnam
Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi, Vietnam, one of the oldest in the country.

Me outside the infamous Hanoi Hilton where 'enemies of the people' were held and tortured. Interestingly the government makes a big deal about how well captured US pilots were treated here during the 'American War', but the images and reconstructions of the conditions the unfortunate Vietnamese were held in under the French rule were all too graphic (circa 1950's).

KHOTA KINABALU, BORNEO

Been a hectic few days so I'll fill u in. Flew over from KL a few days ago to Khota Kinabalu (KK), which - for those clutching their maps - is about three-quarters the way up Borneo Malaysia, in an area called Sabah. Found a nice little guesthouse with a friendly owner (Jimmy) and bumped into an English girl, Ellie, also thinking of doing the mountain. Didn't fancy heading straight off so Jimmy suggested a festival down the coast in an area called Khota Peyu. He was heading that way and thought more the merrier (didn't even want pertrol money.. v unusal, nice bloke). So an Austrian couple, a local girl working for him (Crissy), Ellie and myself drove a few hours to the festival. It was celebrating a palm tree that is used for virtually everything - building houses, weaving, making tools and extracting a food stuff to cook in hundred of different ways (called sago). Crazy stuff.



Its now an annual event.. it had friut, vegetable, rooster, bird and cat competions... the lot. We tasted nearly every type of fruit and foodstuff - sweets, biscuits, savory jelly stuff etc etc. As we left there we enjoyed the beauty competition... to find Miss Sago 2002!

 

We then went to Jimmy's friend's place (The Captain), a retired malaysian airline pilot and jungle survivalist trainer (!) who now owns and runs a succesful fruit selling business. His orchards were beautiful and set just off a glorious (and empty) stretch of beach further up the coast from the festival. Even had time to visit Crissy's house, again along the coast and again along a gorgeous beach, and watched the sun set. Great day, albeit it, um.. different.


Next day was up early to go to the mountain park. Mount Kinabalu is the highest peak in SE Asia at a hefty 4,101m. It look huge when we arrived... and we still couldn't see the actual summit. After organising a guide (Garrik), we set off at about 10.30pm for the climb to 11,000 feet where we had dorm accomdation sorted. 6km uphill, and I mean uphill. Legs screaming, altitude hitting you... I can't believe I made it.

Talk about knackered. Arrrived about 3ish and ate some food before relaxing in the sun on the balcony of the hillstation. Yup, got burnt (but not too badly). The views were (as you'd expect) phenomenal.. I hope the photos come out well, the sunset at that hieght was amazing.

Up at 2am (!!!!!), for the final 2.5km walk to the summit. We left at 3am odd and walked to a hut where we stayed 30mins to time it right for the the sunrise at the top. Despite being steeper (and more dangerous) it was eaiser in the dark and cold when u just had to put one foot in front of the other. 2 t-shirts, sweatshirt, fleece, rain jacket, gloves and a balaclava and it was still bitingly cold. Anyway, we made it to the top and it was all worth it.

Sunrise and 4000m, and if I lose that film there will be lots of tears! Landscape like something out of Star Wars at the top... phenomenal.
 
Headed down that morning and it was nice to feel the warmth again. A great trip. Headed next to a little town called Ranau, then getting a taxi to a place called Poring Hot Springs. A small nature resort type place built around the natural hot sulfur water that bubbles up there. Took a relaxing hot bath, before jumping in the cold water of the swimming pool... nice.

I stayed only one night and came back to KK this afternoon, Ellie stuck around to camp at the site. Managed to get to the tropical park they had there this moring... a retained rain forest environment they look after and have walks around. Amazing place, and just as you'd imagine a true 'jungle' to be. They have two orphan orangutans there, Wari (5yrs) and Susi (3yrs), who are looked after by the rangers before they are returned to the jungle. The older orang is distant and doesn't like humans now she's older (a good thing to be learning). She spotted me in the avairy and tracked me across it (she was on top of the 30ft netting). Nearly gave up seeing the younger one but as I returned to the gate a ranger arrived with a French couple and Susi came down from the trees. She was great, so intelligent and still happy to have human contact. I got some amazing photos. You sit next to her and she grabs your arm, and before you know it you are givng her a quick back massage/scratch. Hard to describe but really made the trip.

Thats about all from the last 3 days. Going to a talk on the mountains of Borneo tonight (as you do) then flying back to KL tomorrow morning to have my final check at the eye doc's. Borneo is great and a pity I have seen so little (desipte covering a fair amount in my limited time). Sipadan is meant to be an amazing dive spot... I can't wait to return. Bye for now.

     

From left to right (click on the image to zoom in)...
Vin Moc tunnels, DMZ (Demilitarised zone), Vietnam. This is the entrance to the tunnels used to live in for years during the fighing.
Um, modern art found along the river in Hue, Vietnam... bizarre.
The 'mad monk' artist in Dalat, central Highlands in Vietnam, with the picture I bought.
Outside main church in Hanio, complete with my battered Ho Chi Minh soldier's hat.

KUALA LUMPUR

Still in KL for a day or so. Haven't done much in the last few days except visit a few more malls and squeeze another game of golf in despite the humidity. I have done one significant thing. After fixing an appointment and pondering for a day or so, yesterday I had laser treatment on both eyes. Wasn't too bad actually, the process is fairly straight forward without too much discomfort ... but I will save you the gory details (which are available upon e-mail request). After the topical anaesthetic wore off this afternoon, I had tears running down my face and my poor dry eyes were not feeling too clever. However, after a couple of hours kip I am feeling a lot better and am looking forward to wandering round tomorrow speccy less. But although the need for glasses has now gone, no doubt I'll still be a 4-eyed gimp to everyone... but there you go (ha beat you to it Slim).

Anyways, it does mean that I can't swim/dive for at least 3weeks-1month to prevent infection (when they lasered my eye open... yum) so no diving which is a real shame. Instead my plans are to climb a mountain and hopefully visit an orangutan rehab place.(?) There's a huge peak on Malaysian Borneo called Khota Kintabalu which I've heard good things about... plus it'll give me a chance to really test my new eyes. Bye for now.


Click to zoom in

Addenendendum (sp)

The header photo inserted by Dan is from a sort of tacky resort cum fishing port place on an island called Cat-Ba in northern Vietnam... about 20km from China. Photo taken in the morning when the locals come in from their floating houses to buy stock/trade goods etc.

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA

Fired out a few e-mails backing up Dan's note below, please amend links to direct to www.surveylab.co.uk/booted - my e-mail tag has also been changed accordingly.



More photos on their way...

More photos have arrived in the UK so if I can take more of Dan's time, keep an eye out for them. Currently still taking it easy in KL, managed to visit the Petronas Tower (tallest office building in the world) and the KL Tower (revolving restaurant, observation tower) today. Seems when the Malay's pull their fingers out they got for their construction big time.

What they don't do is service and it hasn't been too easy trying to sort a trip either to Borneo (east) Malaysia or the east coast of the Malaysian Peninsula. (Malaysia bascially consists of two main land masses, Borneo part and the Penisula part which is below Thailand). Anyways, hopefully visiting a dive island called the Tioman Islands about 4 hours out of KL off the east coast this Friday. Have a fair bit of time on my hands till I shoot off and visit a friend in Singapore before then flying to Perth. Bali, the Gili Islands and the far eastern side of Malaysia is too damn expensive to do outside of my flight ticket so they will have to be shelved till I can next (afford to!) visit.

Have managed to play some golf, courtesy of my host here and I hear that cheap golf could be had in Oz and New Zealand. Although the way its going, I'll be eating roadside dirt for sustenance in a month or so. Laff tho. If anyone has any info or spots on Oz they have visited, please fire them away to me. I haven't really read anything about the country yet but have a growing understanding given the other travellers I've bumped into on the way. All going well here, drop me a line with any news, more photos soon.

Technical note...
er, sorry, would you all mind pointing your browser to: www.surveylab.co.uk/booted/index.html
There's a couple of background technical problems (expiry dates and cached web servers) but this site will at least guarantee you can keep up with Hew (it's faster too).

Thanks a lot
Dan (dan @ surveylab.co.uk)

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA

>

Arrived last night after a cock up with the train timetables. The jungle train now doesn't run an express during the day so in order to head down the country yesterday I caught an amazingly cheap flight into KL. Staying at a friend house with his family - kids aged 10, 9 and 3 is some change of environment after travelling around for months. Still I am being spoilt with food, air-con and enough games to keep me and the kids quiet for months.
Went to a couple of ex-pat leaving do's last night at some amazing houses, life for the ex-pats out here seems very good! Again, a hell of a change from beach huts and sweaty buses.

Will be hopefully swinging a golf club in a few days (ah, the ex-pat lifestyle) before heading over to the other main Malaysian isalnd to visit Sabu and maybe do some more diving before heading to Singapore around the 17th July and leaving for Perth on the 22nd. Got a great deal on a mask and fins in KL today so it'll be great to take advantage of cheap(ish) diving before the costs go up in Oz.

KHOTA BARU, MALAYSIA

'Lovely' Khota Baru... a little transit town near the Thai border used sa a kicking off place to the Prentian Islands and the jungle train through the country. Left the island yesterday down to my last 50cents. Slow boat didn't turn up so it was an extra 4hours on the beach witing for the next boat. Bit of a drag, but could've been worse, sitting on a gorgeous beach watching the world go by.

Completed my Advanced Diving course before I left the island... now really skint but it was really worth it. The night dive was superb, seeing moray eels and the phosphorence (sp) in the water wsa amazing. The deep dive was good too, going down into the colder water and seeing the life down there. Bouyancy was hard but all in all a great time diving. We had a full moon party couple of days before I left and managed to get hold of bottles of samsong and vodka to see it in. But wandering back 5.15am and having to dive the following afternoon wasn't clever. Not pretty.

Now have to decide whether I go straight to Kuala Lumpur or stop off in the national park. Anyway, hope all is well and that spirits are starting to recover after the Brazil defeat... just anyone but the Germans please... even the dirty Brazilians.

KECIL, PERENTIAN ISLANDS, MALAYSIA



More diving today after two fun dives yesterday. Dived to whats called Sugar Wreck this morning - a big containter ship that sunk nearby 3 years ago. Took the dive as part of the Advanced course, and I have a night dive tonight lined up. Tomorrow is the deep dive to mystery reef and then a peak bouyancy dive in the afternoon... both advanced too. Haven't really gone for the advanced... just seems to have happened. Only one more dive needed after that... the navigation dive.



Will head back to Khota Baru for a night after here before catching the jungle train as I head down the country... think I'll miss out Georgetown. Hope all is well. Bye for now.

PERENTIAN ISLANDS, MALAYSIA



Yes, I am still alive but on an island off the north coast of Malaysia with limited internet access so, (for a change) no updates.



Left fantastic Phi Phi five days odd ago and got the ferry back to Krabbi. A great place to watch football and muck about on the beach but it was time to move on after all the others left. In KRabbi, I jumped on an 'air-con' minibus for 6 odd hours heading south. After waking up in the middle of a city no knowing who where or what, I eventually changed minibus' and caught up with Lesley and Gerard from Phi Phi whom I was travelling down with. Hit the Malay border around 8pm odd and managed to get a taxi to Khota Baru and stayed the night there. Up early next day for another taxi to the fast ferry stop to get out to Kecil Island part of the Perentian Islands.



If Phi Phi was nice then this place puts it all in some perspective. Crystal waters, clean beaches, a really chilled atmosphere and scorching heat... lovely. I'm staying in a beach hut at the end of Long Beach. Lesley and I did the PADI Open Water course over 3 days, while Gerard did his Advanced. So I am now officially a qualified diver. Course was really well taught and the diving was fantastic... I definitely have the bug now. Jenkins whiprays, blue spotted stingrays, trigger fish... they are all in my log book now! Turtles and backtip shark soon too. Hope to stay around a few more days and do some fun dives, maybe even one or two advanced dives (i.e. wreck dives). Who knows. Damn hot in the evening and with virtually no electricity it takes some getting used to but this place is awesome.



Instructor and trainee divemaster

Will have to head back to the mainland sometime soon, maybe to take the 'jungle train' down through Malaysia to KL or Melaka. Other option is to head across to Penang and visit Georgetown. Next update might be a while...

KOH PHI PHI



Tim, Dunc and a few others all left yesterday for Puket/Bangkok or Rayleigh Beach. Wasn't a great day so I took the opportunity to try and get back to looking after the baht for a while (!). Weather turned for the better today so myself and Worthing friend's, Gerard and Lesley hired a long tailed taxi boat to travel across to Maya Beach (the so-called Beach beach). Seas were fairly rough which made the jounrey interesting and it is a pretty cove despite the poor visibility for an snorkelling. Then had the 'delight' for the weather to turn and start to rain. Still a good trip out.

More beach tomorrow, then the next BIG match. Once again the island's night spots are set to descend into (good humoured) British mayhem. Bye for now.

...

KOH PHI PHI

Still on Phi Phi, and getting a fair bit of colour (as he looks at the downpour outside). Had to cancel the first day's snorkelling trip due to the bad weather in the morning. Needless to say it then cleared and we had another scorcher. Isn't hard to bum around on the beach on the beach and thats all we've done. Did manage to do the snorkelling yesterday though. Again rough sea in the morning and the visibility wasn't great but a cracking day. Boat headed into big coves in islands, spotted some sea snakes and swimming around in a feeding frenzy of little tiger fish was an experience.

Day again turned into a scorcher but the knees escaped any sunburn. Can't say the same about Duncs back, those sunblisters ain't pretty. Did manage to go yet another doctors after I cut my big toe on some old coral at the final beach, so yet more antibotics. (Not a bad cut though). Didn't manage to get to the beach that The Beach was film due to the weather in the morning but from some people who have been, we went to more impressive places. Photos should be good.

Currently very jaded after a night on the samsong and red bull buckets of drink last night. Friend out here had his birthday (plus the French were knocked out) so it all went up the wall. Just seen the England qualify but after last night, its a quiet one... till this evening at least.

Will be here for a couple more days. Dunc and Tim are off to Pucket and then Bangkok tomorrow... I'll be across to Malaysia over the weekend. Katie and Michael who I travelled with in Laos/Vietnam turned up here which I wasn't expecting, so maybe a few more night on the beers. Been real expensive the last couple of weeks... not good on the bank account.

KOH PHI PHI

Availability of internet, is, as you'd expect in Thailand, no problem. Having the organisation to get off the beach, however, is. Third day on the island and it cracks up to everything people say about it. Weather has been iffy with afternoon sun giving way to some cloud but it takes nothing away from this place. Not worth banging on about it, hopefully some photos will help.

Sorted a bunglow for a few days but we are changing to a less expensive place tomorrow. Spent last two days on the beach, with most of the day recovering from beers the night before. Inbetween losing at volleyball to the ladyboy teams and not getting sunburnt (result), we've been drinking away nervously in preparation of THE MATCH last night. Watched it with 40 odd other English in a bar called Jordans here on Phi Phi. A monster of a game and the bar certainly didn't hold back. Cracking. Up to the Reggae Bar after and memories start geting vague. Needless to say the English on the island did us proud, with the only negative comments being that "the English supporters have too much passion". That was from from of the few Agentinian fans.... but then again he was surrouded by "passionate" English cheering the sight of a bloody Argie nose and booing their fouls. Didn't see much of him after halftime.
Bet England was less than productive on Friday afternoon after the game.

Lewis Tyson fight tomorrow, then we'll actually do something productive and head off snorkelling round the islands. Fishing and kayaking maybe on the cards later this week. Next step would be when Tim and Dunc head back to Bangkok for a Ministry do, and I'll go back to Krabbi to travel to the Perentian (sp) Islands for do some diving. Bye for now.

KRABBI

Struggled through the 18hrs on a reasonably crap bus. Dodgy aircon bus, as we gave sad eyes to the big VIP buses that hurttled past us on the road down. Waiting around for the boat to take us the hr and a half to Koh Phi Phi. Have no clue about the availability of internet on the island... we'll see. Bye for now

BANGKOK

Well it had to happen, Hew is leaving Bangkok. Yup, about 2 weeks of doing nothing hasn't been bad at all but tonight we're heading by coach to Koh Phi Phi (aye, the Beach beach). Dunc and Tim are up for it, although being out here for two weeks odd they are intending to lord it up and have a good time which is fair enough. So we'vbe decided not to tell Tim how long the journey actually is till we are on the bus... his reaction is not going to be pretty.

BANGKOK

Recovery time after the England game I'm afraid. Eventually met up with mates out here from the UK after much running around. Saw the game in a busy Irish bar but nothing as hectic as the Londoners pub across the road. Absolutely rammed with ex-pats and travelling Brits. Still a good night was had by all.

BANGKOK (summary post)

Time flying around here, days are drawing ever closer to the start of the 'big' event. All very laid back here in Bangkok, filling the days with 'stuff' before I head south in June. Naff all really to report, have aquired the habit of drinking beer with ice in it (!), having to fight off tranny pickpockets as you walk back to the guesthouse, and the days are getting really hot and sticky.
Posts will be few and far between over the next fews days, till I actually move on from Bangkok. World Cup starts tomorrow and counting the beers I've sunk isn't the most riveting of updates, is it? bye for now

BANGERS (still)

Ticked off for not posting an update but to be honest, with a bit of 'downtime' they ain't going to be the most rivieting of posts.

Anyway, yesterday was a relaxing 'doing stuff' day... ie, post, internet, eating, drinking. Same Same. Saw the Mel Gibson war film in a local bar and sank a few beers at a street bar with a couple of peeps along the way.
Travelled to the weekend market in the north of Bangkok today. Massive place with thousands of retail spots. I could've bought 'Mince Pies: Receipes' book (hmmmm...tempting), lampshades, clothes, kitchen sink etc etc. Huuuge place and well worth a days mucking about. It doesn't help when its a scorcher but that just means more pit-stops, and a well earned 6 bottles of beer at the end of it.. jubbly. After selling off some stuff I don't wear/use I've now filled it with more clothes. Nice.

Tomorrow is sunday, and its a national holiday here on monday so nothing planned... but who knows? Not me.

Did I mention Arsenal did the double this year? ... I did? Ah well.

BANGKOK

Going to be stationed here for a few days it seems. Bangers is such a relaxing place, after being on the road for a few months with everything within spitting distance, literally.

Went to other main boxing arena here in Bangkok the other day. Luckily it was a big fight night and we could see the full local support in their betting prime. A good night and well worth the hassle with taxi drivers getting out there.

Yesterday I sauntered up to MBK, a hugggge shopping centre beside Siam Square... the main shopping area here. wandered around before seeing Star Wars II in the VIP cinema (big fat comfy seats.. nice). Unfortunately the film was less impressive but worth seeing all the same... Didn't make Pantpong (!) last night... hour long taxi rides in the mad traffic (though cheap) here eats up your day so we ended up at the VW van mobile cocktail bar for a few, before nipping to a small little bar of Khao San Road. Nice

BANGKOK

First night here was very messy... took me 20mins to try and type the message below. Ended up at 4 odd at closing time in this bar off Khao San Road (aka CowPat Road). Needless to say that I didn't get up at 7.30am to go to the Australian Embassy.
Got all the stuff needed to get my visa application and bought some stuff from the markets here, so its wasn't a complete washout. (Though Bangkok was yesterday with a 5hr morning downpour leaving the road outside our guesthouse 2ft in water).

Last night was more drinkiing I'm afraid. Bumped into Ollie and Lisa during the day and met in this street bar. Headed off to Nana Plaza later on (a kind of alternate to the infamous PatPong roads of bars and clubs). A good evening had by all, especially yours truly who was sitting at the end of the row of seats... haha.

Managed to get over to the Oz Embassy today and get my visa app in. Had to nip off to the local hospital to get a chest xray but it was all good. (Australia needs confirmation that you don't have TB or chest probs if you've been travelling in high risk areas for 3 months or more). Even managed to get to the Quantas office... blimey real productive.

More Thai boxing tonight (not me personally though.. arf) then perhaps a saunter along PatPong (or 'PatPong PingPong' to the taxi drivers). Heard the portraits 'done' with marker pens are quite impressive... um, a very specific skill I understand!

(Back in) BANGKOK... and its late



Taxi wasn't too bad. Mates Razi and Matt and girl we met called Siobian, all and very relaxed with RUN DMC on the stereo and the road wasn't oo bad. We changed cars after an hour or so and hit the 'new' road made by the army. Ton of rain didn't help and soon we were fishtailing it around the road, or rather... the mud. Few ferry breaks and a 4hr wait when the road was closed and we were off again. Didn't make the border before it closed and had to stay in Cheap Charlies (ran by Hanng!) in a place called Koh Khong in Cambodia nr the border. again all very laid back. Quick trip over this morning and we crossed back into Thailand.



Scorching as usual and we grabbed a minibus into Trat. KFC was calling and after scoffing down some crap chicken we said goodbye to Mike and Katie and the others and a few of us headed by air-con back to Bangers. Long old journey but nothing like to the trip back from Siem Riep to Phnom Penh.

Found Sawasdee Smile guesthouse just off the Khao San Road here in Bangkok and hitting the beers after two days on the road. Nice. Hence the forgotten detail about the 2 day trip... this is planned. Already had a baby elephant walk by, green curry been eaten and more beers on the way. Ah..... Bangkok. Place is still crazy.

SIHANOUKVILLE, South Coast of Cambodia

Off to the Thai border by taxi tomorrow, couple of changes and its back to Thailand. Beach again yesterday, all to easy to let the days slip by.. its tough I know.

Two weeks to the day that the first World Cup match starts. Meeting up with a mate Dunc and some friends for the World Cup in Bangkok before heading down to the islands. Never too late if anyone wants to come over to watch the games.
:)

SIHANOUKVILLE, South Coast of Cambodia



Trip down from Phnom Penh was a non-event really. Fairly comfortable bus, good road and crap kung fu movie on the old tv at the front. Found a nice guesthouse in the kind of backpacker area of Sihanoukville. Place itself is fairly small, spread between 4 beaches. All fairly nice and we've done nothing except spend 2 days so far drinking, beaching and mucking about in the sea... so nothing really to update anyone on.



Internet is real expensive here so probably won't be an update till I head back to Bangkok. Off the the beach this afternoon. Unfortunately I won't be in the sea agian as a burn on my leg I picked up getting of a motorbike took a turn for the worse and has needed some anti-botics and dressings from the Doctor here. Same thing happened in Hoi An, Vietnam where an insect bite I think I scratched became infected too. Nothing out here like a scratch lasts long here... blink a second and you have to visit the Doc's. You take the UK climate too much for granted. No problem though, just a bit of real life amongst the beach lounging. Bye for now