The One with Adventure Cooking

I decide to cut my losses and head "up Norf" to Chiang Mai to see Sam before he heads off on his journey. It'll be good to chill out with a friendly face for a bit.

This involves a really funky night train, where I get a really decent night's sleep in a top bunk. So I arrive refreshed and excited about seeing a different part of Thailand.

Sam's been here for a few days already, and is settled in a really laid back guest house called Julie's . We chill and catch up and then head around the Wat's of Chiang mai... of which there are many. The main one, Wat Bupharim, was slightly unusual.... do you see anyone familiar other than Buddha?!

That night we check out the large Night Bazaar for some more cheap shopping.

The next day and we're up early to go on our cooking course. Our chef, perm, takes us around the market, teaching us about the thai ingredients, what we can use at home, and how to choose the best things. It's great to finally ahve a name for all the weird and wonderful things that i've been seeing in the markets.

Back at Perm's house, come large kitchen we begin our days cooking. Which goes a bit like, cook, eat cook, eat some more, cook, force some more fod in the spaces in between.... you get the idea! Sam and I choose different things to cook so we get to try twice as much food, but I cook Tom Yam Soup with prawns, Sweet and Sour Vegetables, Thai Green Curry, and Drunker Noodles. We also learn how to make spring rolls, make a rose out of mango skin, and make sticky rice and mango. Needless to say we need to be rolled out of there at the end of the day (and that I will be boring you all at home with thai food for the next millenia!)

At one point Perm offers to teach us "adventure cooking". the type of cooking that at home would bring the fire brigade with it, but here in a semi open air kitchen, the fire ball is quite exciting. That said, we were not insured for it, so I was the only one to wimp out. This did not stop me getting almost singed eyebrows courtesy of Sam and Hannah either side of me... and to be honest from the photos, the look on my face suggests that they may be trying to set me alight!

Next day, we head out to yet another temple. Wat Doi Suthep is sat on top of a hill which overlooks Chiang Mai. To reach it, however, you need to walk up over 300 steps (and this time there are no monkeys to keep you entertained as you gasp for breath!)

Despite the amount of wats we are visiting, each one is different, although all do contain rather a lot of gold....

But we had even more exciting things in store... a trip to the cinema to watch the new Harry Potter film. This in itself was a cultural experience. The Thai national anthem is played before the film witha a video promoting the natural wonders of this fabulous country.

To be honest the cinema in Chiang Mai puts Vue in Watford to shame. You don't stick to the floor, the seats recline, are large and comfy, and the tickets are the equivalent of one pound. But... best of all... if you feel like

splurging you can pay a whopping fiver, and get the Emperor seat. Like a lazyboy chair with waitress service!!! In perspective though that is about 4 -5 nights accommodation!

Another evening venture sees us go to "Monk Chat" - an opportunity for the Thai monks to improve their english and for us to understand a bit about Buddhism. It's a little strange to walk into a room full of tables with 2-3 monks sat at each, chatting to foreigners, and laughter filling the air.

It was fascinating... our monk was a novice, and will become a full monk when he's 19. This did mean, however, that we did not always get answers that we understood, and in regards to all the string that is tied up in each temple... we got a vague answer of "holy string" which, from the furtive glances to his mate, I think may have been a "I'm sure these farangs will buy that, as I don't know the answer". That said, it has certainly made me want to find out more, so that I understand what I am seeing in the Wats, and some of the questions have already been cleared up.

After just a couple of days I feel totally relaxed, and unable to make decisions, just going with the flow.... and you know what... I really like it!

The One in with the Tuk Tuks

Feeling invigorated after my week in Phuket, I fly to Bangkok, feeling more positive about spending quality time with myself.

I manage to get from the airport to the travellers mecca of Khao San Road, and after several recommendations, get settled in at a really nice place, which is also very cheap, just around the corner.

As I sit chatting to some people at dinner, I manage to invite myself out with them, adn we head to the seedy heights of Patpong... the home of a night market full of fakes, and certain less savoury things, which i will not go into but describe simply as "eye opening"

The next morning, and it's off to do business with the British Consulate. As I have extended my trip, I need a new passport (mine is running out). The disappointing news is that it will take 2 weeks which means that my plans of meeting up with my mate Sam (that i met in NZ) are well and truly scuppered.

Chin up Kate, and deal with it.

So, I head to Jim Thompsons House - an ex CIA guy who did great work for the thai silk trade,a dn who mysteriously disappeared in the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia.

Next up, a trip down the river on a boat, and a visit to the temple of Wat Arun. The temple is beautiful, and decorated with broken donated pottery.

Over the river I head to Wat Po, home of the fantastic reclining Gold Buddha. It's so big you can hardly get it all in a picture. It's feet are inlaid with mother of pearl, and it's just breathtaking.


With enough culture for one night, I wander down the neon lit Khao San Road and do a bit of cheap shopping - fake crocs for two pounds... you can't go wrong (although sadly you can, as it turns out my feet are allergic to them!!)

The next day, and I head off to the Grand Palace - home of the Emerald Buddha. This is simply breathtaking, and covered in gold, with huge statues of monster looking men guarding the doorways. What I can't seem to understand is that if Buddhism is about peace, and living serenely and simple lives with few possessions, then why are the temples so ornate???

I set off in the rain, to find the Golden Mount, and turn down several tuk tuks en route, arriving drenched. But it did mean I passed a wonderful scene of monks in their saffron robes escaping the rain and standing having a chat in an alley all holding umbrellas! One for the memory bank.

What stands out for me most about Bangkok, however, are the tuk tuks.

These are like motorbike tricycles and they all drive like nutters. They're also a fairly cheap way of getting about, but this does involve haggling, and remembering to specify that you don't, under any circumstances, want to go to their brothers sisters aunts shop. At one point this involved me being fobbed off into 4 tuk tuks before one agreed to take me where I actually wanted to go.

To be honest. Driving in a tuk tuk is exhilarting, but I must say that I did fear for my life on more than one occasion!!!

The One in Phuket

I make it safely into Thailand, and befriend some 19 year olds who keep me company to Krabi, adn the next day i'm picked up by Tony (aka Mr K) who takes me back to Phuket.

Tony had said he'd pick me up, as it's "not far"... it's over 2 hours... the equivalent of picking someone up from Cardiff and taking them back to Watford, and yet out here, distances seem different. It really isn't far at all!

Tony and his wife Liisa kindly put me up, and encouraging me to stay I find that I'm there for almost a week! It's pure bliss. My first night, I chill out in a local bar, and listen to Tony play with his band.... a far cry from langkawi that's for sure!

But it's not all pure laziness... I go back to school and try and remember a bit of physics and maths in order to complete my PADI - Open Water Certificate - ie qualify as a scuba diver.

I do struggle a bit with the physics... but lucky Tony was a physics teacher!

As usual... I also manage to make a fool of myself in the pool a bit. Trying to inflate my BCD on a button... and rolling over backwards every time I try and hover in the water. But as luck would have it it's only me and Chris my teacher in the pool, so I don't have any other students to embarrass myself in front of.

On day 2 of the course I have my first trip out to sea! We go to an island called Racha Yai and do 3 dives off it's coast.

The world underneath the water is AMAZING. It's such an honour and priveledge to be able to get so close to so many fish, and on my first dive I even see an Octopus, which drains of colour as we go nearer.

I see Moray eels, pufferfish, porcupine fish, Moorish idols, boxfish, and to be honest too many to mention. I come to the surface exhilarated, adn I still ahve 2 more dives today. I don't think i'll ever go to an aquarium again. Diving looks like it's going to be a very addictive hobby!

Day 3 and I'm back in the classroom, pass my exam (whoop!) and finish my training. I am now theoretically a diver, and just 2 open water dives stand between me and qualification.

The next day Tony and Liisa join me on the Excaliber II and we head back to Racha Yai. The weather is not so good and the water is a bit choppy. My first dive is not so great. My bouancy is a bit skew whiff, adn when my tank gets lighter my legs float up to the surface.

That said... I did see a cuttlefish. Which was sooooooo cool. I am never having a budgie.

My last dive is infinately better, and to top is all off I see a Stone fish. I wish I could describe him, but take my word for it, they are fab!

And then, it's back to shore, and I sign the paperwork and join the club!


The next day, Tony and I do a tour of the island. We go up to the Big Buddha on the hill... it's still being finished, but will be immense when it's done. What's more, it'll be visible from all over the island (and probably space!)

Next up is Wat Chalong - a buddhist temple. In one of the shrines people knelt and shook a box of what looked like pick up sticks until one fell out. they look at the number on the stick and then go and get the corressponding bit of paper that tellsthem a fortune. Here they also stick gold leaf on some monk statues. Standing as an outsider looking into other religions is fascinating.

We pop to Tesco's (I kid you not), and then on to Phuket town, and a trip to the On On Hotel which was used in the film the Beach.

As we drive around Tony and I talk about the differences between home and Thailand. The utes that zip about with 15 or so people in the back, headscarves blowing in the wind. The mobile food sellers, who drive a motorbike with a cooking area attached (Stop me and Fry One), the fact that Coke in Thai looks like the word Ian, and the bottled gasoline lit up by the side of the road at night as the service stations have shut, and which look like bottles of white wine or Rose.... could be a nsaty mistake!

We head round the island, taking in the beaches of Kata, Karon and the rather more gourdy Patong - which looks a bit like the equivalent of Magaluf.

The next day, Tony and Liisa take me to see an elephant shrine. I'm not sure if it's buddhist or hindu but it was full of elephants. all around the circle of the shrine, people had left elephants. Dressed up ones like the one below, wooden ones, stone ones, trunks up or down. It was quite a sight!

Sadly, this also marked the end of my time in Phuket. at this time of year the water is a bit choppy to get from Phi Phi to "The Beach" beach, so that will have to wait until next time.... as, in the words of Arnie "i'll be back".

Tony and Liisa... thank you so much for having me, and for all the trouble you went to organising my Padi and ferrying me about. I had a wonderful time. Please stay in contact. x

The One "All by Myself!"

So, back in Kota Bharu with the beginnings of a cold, and Rod has just left to go home. For the first time in 9 months I find myself totally alone.... and it sucks.

I read, and dabble in the interent and even venture into town to potter around the market, returning to put on my kaftan as it's a very muslim area and I felt a bit uncomfortable with a vest top on. I even manage to eat dinner at the night market, and marking my first afternoon flying solo as a relative success, catch a taxi to the bus stop, and then join a bus over to the west coast.

It's a nine hour bus ride, and I even manage to sleep pretty well in the large comfortable seats, but it means I arrive at 6am in the morning, and still have to catch another taxi and a ferry before I arrive in my destination of Langkawi.

I arrive in Langkawi about 7.30am, and already feel a bit down. It's much bigger than I expected, and no where near as lovely as the Perhentian Kecil that I had left behind the previous day. I catch yet another taxi, for the 20 minute ride to the beach and then spend a dispiriting half hour trying to find accommodation that isn't really pricey.

It's not that it's particularly expensive, but whereas in Oz you pay for a bed, here you pay for a room, and I was now paying the same price that yesterday I was paying for 2!

I finally find a reasonably priced room, and bathroom, but it's only once I move in that I realise there is no sink... cue brushing my teeth over an open drain on the floor. mmmm!

I was that close to going straight back to the ferry and going straight to Thailand. I had limited ringots left, and did not want to get out more moeny only to have to change it tomorrow.Plus my recent words to Rod of " no, please take my driving license home, why would I possibly drive in Asia", come back to bite me in the bum, when I realise that Langkawi is too big to traverse by foot.

The only thing I really wanted to do today was to go to the cable cars, and the price by taxi seemed a bit on the high side.

I decide to do something positive... and in a moment of maddness hired a bicycle.

Those of you who know me well, know that I am not a born cyclist. Worse than that... I'm not even a very good cyclist. Joggers have been known to overtake me, and the last time I got on a bike at home I ended up face first in a gorse bush. So I have no idea what possessed me to cycle, other than the fact that "it doesn't look far on the map"

I set off, and straight away feel fantastic. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and water buffalo wander aimlessly accross the rice paddy's, plus I'm getting the all over ready brek glow, that comes with doing something which is good for your body like exercise.

I soon come to the bend around the airport and reckon I must be about half way there, and then comes an amazing bridge over a laggoon, where I stop to take some pictures.

I press on, children are waving to me from their gardens, and cars and scooters beep me in acknowledgement as they rush past, but to be honest, the thought is dawning on me that it's strange to see a cyclist on these roads. A beetroot faced, sweaty cyclist at that, whereas the scooter riders look cool calm and collected.

Feeling a bit dispirited, I then see a sign that says there are 14km left to the Cable Cars.... and if matters aren't bad enough, now the road starts to go up hill.

I walk up and ride down a couple of hills, until I feel I can't possibly go any further, and then see a sign which means I have only gone 1km since the last one. No way... I can't possibly cycle 13km more to the wretched cable cars, but I've also come so far, that turning back may well kill me.

I push on, passing some monkeys at the side of the road, that I am way too hot to appreciate, and then finally find a cafe to have a drink.

The woman here says it should only be a 10 minute ride to the cable cars from here, and with sweat literally pouring off me, I just pray that she's right.

I set off and sure enough, and with a whoop of joy I reach the cable cars.

I am literally shattered. I am soaked front and back with sweat, and it is totally obviously to everyone else who gives me weird looks.... although, that may also be to do with the way I smell.

I get into a cable car and set off to the top of the mountain which is about 700 m above sea level. I thought I was over my fear of heights, but it turns out that when you're on your own, things seem a lot scarier. The wind howled around the cab, which swung like a pirate ship ride, and then the oncoming cab dropped something out of the window, which dropped in slow motion taking about 10 minutes to reach the tree canopy below. It was then that I grabbed on to whatever I could that seemed secure in the cab.

This photo pretty much sums up all the emotions I was feeling at that moment!

At the top, the view was wonderful, although I couldn't help but feel it would have been more wonderful if i'd taken a taxi, and had arrived cool calm and collected.

Back at the bottom, my bike and I take a taxi ride over the hilly part, and i cycle the rest of the way home (to save face!)

It turns out it's 22km THERE, so i had done at least 32km today, in the heat of the sun.

NEVER AGAIN!

The One with the Island Getaway

With a day of travelling through the Malaysian Jungle on the hottest and stickiest train in history, we arrived in Kota Bharu, before setting off the next day to the idyll that is Perhentian Kecil.

I had been told how w0nderful these islands were but to be honest, our first impression of Coral Beach was not good as it looked as though there was an oil rig in the bay... once on the white sands, however, we didn't look back, and as luck would have it we couldn't see the workers (who are actually building a new jetty) from our tree house style room.

Instead this is the view in the day:

And then as the sun starts to set:

We spend lazy days relaxing reading adn drinking M and M Milkshakes (and yes they are as good as they sound), but the highlight had to be our days snorkelling.

Rod and I set off, in our little motorised boat with our guide, and our first stop is Shark Point. Arfter a disappointing 20 minute swim we finally start to see lots of black tip reef sharks swimming below us. They are fab!

Next up was turtle point where Rod and I followed a Big turtle, waiting for him to come up for breath. We got a great close up view of him.

Then there was the fish. At one stage I was totally surrounded. Literally every time you tried to swim you were touching fish they were that close (H - more than at that last snorkelling site on Whitsundays!)

We also stopped further out at sea to see some beautiful coral, and then headed to the Romantic Beach where I saw the most Nemo's I have ever seen on one Anemone! Well over 20 of various sizes on one small purple anemone!

Perhentian Kecil was a paradise, but sadly it also marked the end of the holiday with Rod... and from now on, I'm on my own...

The One with the Blow Pipe

The Cameron Highlands are wonderful. Green and luscious, and much cooler than KL - so much that I even need a jumper in the evenings.

We book a tour for our first day and are joined by an American girl called Autumn, who is very good company.

Our first stop is the BOH (Best of Highlands) Tea Plantations. I am really glad I don't have to pick the tea. The women have to climb those hills with up to 20kg of leaves on their backs (the equivalent of my rucksack), and believe me, those hills are steep.

Our guide tells us that the leaves are used for all sorts of tea, and the flavour simply depends on how long they processed/ dried for!

We head up the hill to the highest point of the highlands which is shrouded in mist, and then go for a walk in the"jungle". We saw pitcher plants (right), and Rhod tried to climb a big vine.

Next stop was the BOH tea factory, where we saw the tea being processed, and more importantly got to try a cup! mmm.... lovely cuppa

Our last stop before lunch was the insect "farm"/zoo... where we held a rhinoceros beetle, cats eye gecko, and I held a scorpion. The photos have my head cut off.... Rhod was just desperate for me to put it down! The guide there was a nutter, stepping lightly on the scorpions claws to show it's tail flex to show you "what not to do" in the jungle!

Autumn is only doing the half day tour, so Rhod and I head off in the afternoon with our guide. We head down the hill to the wooden stilt houses we had seen the previous day on the bus ride up.

We're met by a guy in traditioanl costume -loin cloth, and a woven basket, carrying a mean looking knife and a blow pipe. His name was Ali. We follow Ali down the road to a waterfall, where he proceeds to pose for photos with his blow pipe and to shoot it at trees.

Back at the hosue we get to look inside. They have two monkeys chained outside (really sad). As I bend down to take a photo of one he jumps on me! This little boy was playing with the nice monkey for ages (the other had an attitude problem as well you might if you were chained up). This monkey then proceeded to groom the boys hair - it was very sweet.



We then got the chance to try the blowpipe. Randomly - I'm a natural at it and hit the middle of the board on my first shot. Rhod has a few goes first before he hits it. He also almost hits a rooster en route!

That evening we met up with Autumn and had a steamboat. It's like a fondue but with a soup instead of chocolate. You're given loads of fresh fish, meat veg and noodles and add it to the soup to boil and cook. There were prawns, Jellyfish, Stingray, Jellyfish, and Fish balls to name a few. We had to ask what to do when we were presented with all this food. Much to the amusement of the locals! Dinner took ages but was really good.

The next day we just took advantage of the sun and chilled. They're quite keen on their Cream Teas up here too so it would have been rude not to partake!

The One with the Bus Journey

Bus journey's in themselves don't often get a mention but our trip to the Cameron Highlands, was certainly eventfully enough to warrant a blog entry.

We were a little dubious as the woman with the walky talky started hassling us in the bus station but followed her, and had a ticket to the highlands in our hand moments later. Another unsuspecting tourist was also herded to her booth, and the three of us crossed the road, had our tickets stamped and boarded the bus which thankfully had all its wheels and had large comfortable chairs and air conditioning. We gave ourselves a pat on the back for our good fortune and settled back to enjoy the journey.

As we set out, I was at first engrossed in my book, and only later became aware that out top speed was a whopping 40 kmph - on the motorway, and that the driver felt the need to spend the whole journey in the hard shoulder.

Every so often, the engine would make a disconcerting bang, the driver would stop, and pull open the cover to the engine (which was INSIDE the bus), poke a bit, put it all back and carry on once more.

It was becoming increasingly clear that only the power of prayer would make this bus reach the dizzying heights of the Cameron Highlands, and as if to prove it, we stopped once more.

This time it was the wheel. Not the tyre... the wheel. One of the rear left wheels had come off the bus in it's entirety!

We had no option than to wait for the next bus which came along an hour and a half later, and boarded this bus with anticipation... but it soon was noticeable that there weren't enough seats.

The three jolly foreigners were placed right at the back of the bus. There seemed to be what looked like a parcel shelf at the back of the bus, and we perched uncomfortably on here with our backs upright against the back windscreen, until such times as other passengers were randomly dropped off on the hard shoulder of the motorway and seats became available.

As we curved the continuous bends up to the highlands, I began to realise how doomed our first bus really was!! So thankful that we arrived in one piece... what an adventure!

The One in KL

As we get up H is already on her way to Japan, and Rod and I get an early morning taxi to the train station.

The train ride is non eventful. We get stamped out of Singapore, but randomly do not get stamped back into Malaysia... and before we know it the 7 hour train ride is over and we're in KL.

Our hotel is the old train station and looks very grand from the outside with it's minarets and towers. Inside it's a bit musty, and very antiquated but at least it has character!

We chill out, have some dinner, and then head off to see the Petronas Towers, which are even more spectacular in real life than in the pictures!

Next day we stumble through multiple methods of public transport and finally get to the Batu Caves just outside of KL.

These are a Hindu temple and have 270 odd steps to get up into it. The caves themselves and the shrines inside them were not that spectacular, but the wild monkeys that roamed the steps were!

It made the climb up about 3 times as long, as you had to negotiate monkeys, and not get too close (boy they're scary when they're angry!) On the way back down a guy started throwing out bananas and a monkey tidal wave (Pied Piper of Hamelin Esque) flew down the stairs! They're very cute!

Back in town we tried to get the monorail which led to walking around in big circles in the humidity (which i am having trouble dealing with) Eventually, we found the station, just in time for the thunder storm.

We headed up the Minara Tower, where we had a 360 degree view of the city (shrouded in cloud) but sat and admired the lightening.

The One with the Singapore Sling

So Singapore sees the end of my time with H, who heads of to Japan, and the beginning of my time alone in SE Asia. Rod has come out for 2 weeks so that should give me some company while I get used to a totally different culture.

It's nice to be somewhere warm again after the last few days freezing in Sydney, but despite the warmth we still haven't managed to ditch the rain.

We spend our first day getting our bearings and avoiding the rain in the shopping centres on Orchard Road. While going for a drink we stumble across this can of pop: Anything which boasts "Any taste for any thirst" This is too good to be true and curiosity of what "Anything" will taste like leads us to buying a can

This drink makes me laugh for many reasons. Firstly - the boredom of the marketing team who obviously came up with the ambiguous name and slogan. Secondly - the fact that now if anyone who can't make up their mind what they want to drink and say "oh... get me Anything" on your round, you can come back with just that. And thirdly - the slogan itself. Surely "Any taste for any thirst" implies that well... Anything doesn't taste of anything. To be honest the taste is both awful and yet not unpleasant at the same time, and while you try and catagorise it's flavour in your head, or liken it to something you've had before, you realise it really doesn't taste of anything, and yet paradoxically it must do (being called Anything!). Ironic or what?!

Anyway sorry for the ramble but it highly amused me!

We decide to get our bearings by doing the duck tour (recommended by Cil who now lives in Singapore), and we were not disappointed. That evening we did the Night Safari at the Zoo. It was great to see so many of the animals that you usually only see curled up asleep, running about and being highly active in the fake moonlight. The otters were a particular favourite - they sound like Gordon the Gopher! The show was also very entertaining, especially the 10foot snake that took 4 people to hold. Sadly the only problem with it being a Night Safari is that I was quite tired adn the tram ride round the enclosures saw me nodding off from time to time!! Oops. I must be getting old!

Next day adn we go for a walk around Little India which is where our hostel is. We visited one of the Hindu temples, and checked out the flower garland shops, and the spice grinder. Then we headed over to Sentosa Island, a rather touristy area.

We immersed ourselves in the tourism nonetheless. Climbed the massive Merlion, visited the Images of Singapore museum which showed all the different cultures, religions and their ceremonies, which co exist in Singapore. I have to say that I love the fact that Singapore is such a melting pot of cultures and races. Next we did a tour of Fort Siloso for a bit of war history, and then a trip on the Cable Cars over to the mainland and back.

Our last full day in Singapore and we tackle China Town. We visited another Hindu Temple. Here, the decorative tower at the front of the temple is juxtaposed with the skyscrapers behind. Another symbol of the merging of cultures. We have lunch in a hawker stand. It's really hard to choose what to ahve as the names mean nothing to me. I looked at everyone elses dinners and started drooling but I had no way of knowing what anything was or where they had got it!!

We headed, then, to the CBD, said hello to the statue of Sir Stamford Raffles, and went to see the Merlion. And on the way back we had another random Singapore thing to try... ice cream wrapped in bread. I had Yam flavoured ice cream and the bread was marbled pink and green. Not exactly a taste sensation but another first at least!

We also heard about the Durian fruit. The locals think that the music halls downt eh front look like this popular Asian fruit. Westerners tastebuds apparantely don't like it (we didn't try it as the smell was bad enough) and the smell of them also stops them being carried on public transport as this sign shows!

Finally it was off to Raffles for our last night and a Singapore Sling. No one had told me how tasty they were!!!! We also ate the peanuts (very disappointing, they were Lionel!) and as tradition allows threw the shells on the floor. There is something very rewarding in doing that!

Our last stop was the Fountain of Wealth. Allegedly the largest fountain in the world. If you walk round it three times in a clockwork direction you are supposed to gain big fortune. We didn't understand that it was the tiny fountain in the middle you circled. A bit late for H who had powered 3 times round the large circumference in the hope of more pennies to prolong her trip!

And then, after nine months together, H and i said goodbye and went our seperate ways.... Miss you already dude!

The One with the Last Hurrah!

And so I find myself back where I started in the hostel in Sydney where H used to work.

We've spent our last couple of days here doing chores such as buying Malaria tablets, and sending home another box of stuff. My bag is such much lighter as a result.

The day we got here, we arrived at 5am, and couldn't get in the hostel until about 8am, and it was proper chilly. It feels like November, and I had 5 layers on and my woolly hat as a result. I don't think I'll cope this winter back home after a year in the sun!

The first night back we went out for dinner with Sue, Julie and Kevin at our favourite little restaurant Newtown Thai II. A great way to end our time in Oz, as we've spent several evenings here, and we're ending the trip in the company of the people we started it with. Thanks for taking us out guys, all your advice, and once again for taking the time to show us around when we got here!

Our last night in Oz was also well spent, in the company of Phil and Ray from Centrica. We had several cocktails and spent the evening catching up on all the gossip!

And so I'm off to Asia, and in just a few days will part company with H.

Australia has been fantastic. A country of complete diversity - deserts, tropics, reefs, and bush, and some of the strangest (and deadliest) animals on earth! Plus a land of opportunities. To think I've jumped from 14,000 feet, swam with sharks, and licked the bottom of a Green Ant.

I've also ticked off a few stereotypes - Played a didg, tried to Surf, and munched on kangaroo, and even a witchetty grub. And of course drunk a few cans of Beer!

Plus I've also picked up a few choice phrases: "No Worries, Mate" "She'll be Alright, mate", "Far out" and "Too Easy!"

I'm very fond of Oz now, but it's time to move on to the final chapter of the adventure.