Sunday, December 24, 2006
Anne's first dive ... on the Great Barrier Reef
Check it out ... we finally got the water proof camera developed - although a lot of the shots weren't great - this picture shows Anne on her first ever scuba dive. This was taken whilst we were at Reefworld on the outer Great Barrier Reef.
There are a couple of other pictures in the set on Flickr too ... just click this one to see them all.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Thursday, December 21, 2006
The Great Barrier Reef -- Heart Reef
Check it out ... the famous Heart Reef, part of the Great Barrier Reef, taken from our orbiting sea plane.
We took a day flying trip, which took us over Hamilton Island, out to the outer reef before landing just off Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsunday Islands; where we were treated to a champagne picnic and snorkelling. Then back to Hamilton to enjoy the resort before finally flying back to the mainland in the later afternoon.
Brilliant!!
Merry Christmas ... HO HO HO
Hi all,
Just a quick note from us to say how excited we were to meet Santa in Singapore ... the big fella does get around, and the resemblance to Dom is uncanny.
We are currently relaxing in Surfers Paradise, and preparing to fly out to Melbourne tomorrow afternoon. We will be there for a week, enjoying a bar-b-q'd Christmas dinner with Arch & Hels, and then a day at the cricket on Boxing Day. Might have a drink or two as well *;-)
The 27th is Hels' birthday, so we will be forced to go out and celebrate (shame) .... plus we hope to do the Ramsey Street tour, and hopefully meet Toadfish or Joe Mangel!!
I am sure you will all be delighted to know that the weather here is wonderful ... nice and warm & sunny. There's some good surf on the beach, and no fog.
We should have more photos online soon too, so keep checking up.
Have a brazilliant Christmas all, and we will write again before New Year.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Barrier Reef
Just a quick update - only 5 mins on the internet counter left - we are currently in Noosa Heads, just north of Brisbane and have linked up with Arch & Hels. All four of us are staying in an apartment until Sunday when we head off together to Byron Bay for three days and then on to Surfers Paradise for Anne's birthday.
Since we last posted, we have done loads and loads of stuff ... we stayed in Airlie Beach and spent one day at Reefworld snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef, and Anne did her first scuba dive. The next day we took a sea plane over the reef and into the Whitsunday Islands; landing on Whitehaven Beach. Loads of photos to follow.
We then moved on to Rainbow Beach and did a 4x4 day trip to Fraser Island. Continuing our animal spotting exercises ... a Dingo, and Anne got close to a sleeping python!!
Must go now, but more soon and more photos when we get a chance.
Since we last posted, we have done loads and loads of stuff ... we stayed in Airlie Beach and spent one day at Reefworld snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef, and Anne did her first scuba dive. The next day we took a sea plane over the reef and into the Whitsunday Islands; landing on Whitehaven Beach. Loads of photos to follow.
We then moved on to Rainbow Beach and did a 4x4 day trip to Fraser Island. Continuing our animal spotting exercises ... a Dingo, and Anne got close to a sleeping python!!
Must go now, but more soon and more photos when we get a chance.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Cuddly Koala
Here's the picture (and link to some others on Flickr) as promised.
These fellas are sooo cute!
These fellas are sooo cute!
Cuddling Koala's!
Hi all,
We are now in Brisbane - arrived about 7am on Sunday; having flown overnight from Singapore.
Sleep on the plane was helped by a long visit to the Quantas Business Lounge bar before take-off (thank god for the BA Silver Card!!).
We are staying at a backpackers hostel in central Brisbane, beside Roma Street Station. We spent yesterday going to South Brisbane for breakfast .... which was a fantastic full Aussie fry-up - our first in several weeks; and then headed into central Brisbane and did some window shopping. An England Cricket shirt beckons for both of us!!
Today we got up at dawn's crack, and took the first train back to the airport to pick up our hire car for the next 2 1/2 weeks. A friend of a friend happens to work for one of the hire companies, and sorted us out with a great deal *but* she only works nights hence the early start - 5.00am!!!!!
The early start did however mean that we were first visitors to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary this morning ... and were able to cuddle some Koala's and feed the Kangaroos. Aaaaaaaahhhh ;-)
Off out tonight for a couple of shandies with Adam, as he is Brisbane working for a few days; then tomorrow we will head off up the coast. Probably stopping at Noosa / Tin Can Bay first ... and then who knows!?!
See next posts for some piccies to make you go AAAAHHHH!!
We are now in Brisbane - arrived about 7am on Sunday; having flown overnight from Singapore.
Sleep on the plane was helped by a long visit to the Quantas Business Lounge bar before take-off (thank god for the BA Silver Card!!).
We are staying at a backpackers hostel in central Brisbane, beside Roma Street Station. We spent yesterday going to South Brisbane for breakfast .... which was a fantastic full Aussie fry-up - our first in several weeks; and then headed into central Brisbane and did some window shopping. An England Cricket shirt beckons for both of us!!
Today we got up at dawn's crack, and took the first train back to the airport to pick up our hire car for the next 2 1/2 weeks. A friend of a friend happens to work for one of the hire companies, and sorted us out with a great deal *but* she only works nights hence the early start - 5.00am!!!!!
The early start did however mean that we were first visitors to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary this morning ... and were able to cuddle some Koala's and feed the Kangaroos. Aaaaaaaahhhh ;-)
Off out tonight for a couple of shandies with Adam, as he is Brisbane working for a few days; then tomorrow we will head off up the coast. Probably stopping at Noosa / Tin Can Bay first ... and then who knows!?!
See next posts for some piccies to make you go AAAAHHHH!!
Friday, December 01, 2006
Bangkok Dragon Fight
We just happened to catch this battle of the dragons procession which is an annual ceremony in the area ... excuse the dodgy cameramanship when you need to look sideways!
Bangkok, Thailand - 9th to 11th Nov
Although I don't think either of us really took to Bangkok (way too many rats with growths on their faces) there were some amazing things to see. (Arch we are not referring to the some of the less salubrious places you visited!) I think we were quite "golded-out" by the time we had seen various Wats, Palaces and Buddhas! Just a small selection of photos ....
Eating Japanese stylee
These are being posted a little late but here are some photos of our 2nd and 3rd day in Tokyo ... bit of a random mix but shows how diverse Tokyo is!! Enjoy ....
Four Monkeys!
We had a fab morning / afternoon at Singapore Zoo ... starting off with breakfast with orang-utans and a python. It is a brilliant place ... guess it did bring out the child in us a little!
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Still alive ... and heading out of Thailand
Apologies once again for the large break between blogs! Once we headed off to Phi Phi island the iternet access has been somewhat sporadic ... combination of broken computers and and the frequency of the power cuts! Nothing quite like having to take a torch with you at night so you can find your way back along the beach to your rooms ... somehow we struggled through though!!
Phi Phi was gorgeous although obviously still recovering from the Tsunami in Dec 2004 ... lots of coral still washing up on the beaches each day and trees ripped in half near to the shore. It is still a stunning place though and the electric storms that you get with the almost nightly storms (hence the power being knocked out frequently) are v. impressive. Did think that we weren't going to make it onto the island at one point as we had to transfer from the ferry onto little wooden longtail boats and then scramble through the water onto the beach as the water was too shallow ... Dom was not impressed at all to start off with that he had to wear his shoes around his neck and roll his shorts up to wade onto the beach. Luckily within 24 hours he had found the whole process funny!! Just as well considering the process the other way was certainly trickier having to climb from the little boat being buffeted around in the sea on to the ferry ... all good fun though!
After Phi Phi we had a comedy experience at Nai Yang Beach which is within a nature reserve ... the beach was stunning and we had the most amazing food ... but the whole area behing the beach (including by our hut) was a building site, so we left early and went to Bang Tao beach having picked up a cheeky deal on expedia. It was gorgeous and we enjoyed our last few days in Thailand there.
Right ... we are just off to jump on the plane to Singapore now so will blog in the next few days (fingers crossed!!)
Phi Phi was gorgeous although obviously still recovering from the Tsunami in Dec 2004 ... lots of coral still washing up on the beaches each day and trees ripped in half near to the shore. It is still a stunning place though and the electric storms that you get with the almost nightly storms (hence the power being knocked out frequently) are v. impressive. Did think that we weren't going to make it onto the island at one point as we had to transfer from the ferry onto little wooden longtail boats and then scramble through the water onto the beach as the water was too shallow ... Dom was not impressed at all to start off with that he had to wear his shoes around his neck and roll his shorts up to wade onto the beach. Luckily within 24 hours he had found the whole process funny!! Just as well considering the process the other way was certainly trickier having to climb from the little boat being buffeted around in the sea on to the ferry ... all good fun though!
After Phi Phi we had a comedy experience at Nai Yang Beach which is within a nature reserve ... the beach was stunning and we had the most amazing food ... but the whole area behing the beach (including by our hut) was a building site, so we left early and went to Bang Tao beach having picked up a cheeky deal on expedia. It was gorgeous and we enjoyed our last few days in Thailand there.
Right ... we are just off to jump on the plane to Singapore now so will blog in the next few days (fingers crossed!!)
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Finally ... a beach!
Right then, its been a busy week for us so apologies for the lack of updates.
We are now in Phuket (specifically Karon / Kata Beach area) and looking forward to nothing more than lying on the beach, swimming in the sea and getting a Thai massage right there on the beach!
We have been from Tokyo to Hong Kong, where we met up with Tamsin and developed our overseas hangover skills! No great surprise there. We did also do some proper tourist sight seeing and took a few (hundred!) pictures of Hong Kong by day & night. The views from Kowloon over to Hong Kong island at night are stunning; as is the view from the Peak on Hong Kong island itself.
From Hong Kong we moved on to Bangkok (waving Tamsin off to meet up with Claire and Nick, and continue their tour back into China) - where we spent four days getting hot, smelly and bugged by people trying to scam us! We also zoomed around in a tuk-tuk and saw some fantastic temples, statues and the Grand Palace - plus we were lucky enough to witness an annual parade featuring fighting dragons, banging drums, tumbling acrobats, superb costumes and a lot of flippin' loud fire crackers. [I have some video footage which I will upload to YouTube when I can and link to from here - Dom]
We have taken literarly hundreds of photos, but are not yet in a position to upload them to Flikr -- as soon as we get a chance they will be uploaded and linked from here.
Right, time for a few drinkies so signing off now. Greetings to all from sunny Phuket!!
We are now in Phuket (specifically Karon / Kata Beach area) and looking forward to nothing more than lying on the beach, swimming in the sea and getting a Thai massage right there on the beach!
We have been from Tokyo to Hong Kong, where we met up with Tamsin and developed our overseas hangover skills! No great surprise there. We did also do some proper tourist sight seeing and took a few (hundred!) pictures of Hong Kong by day & night. The views from Kowloon over to Hong Kong island at night are stunning; as is the view from the Peak on Hong Kong island itself.
From Hong Kong we moved on to Bangkok (waving Tamsin off to meet up with Claire and Nick, and continue their tour back into China) - where we spent four days getting hot, smelly and bugged by people trying to scam us! We also zoomed around in a tuk-tuk and saw some fantastic temples, statues and the Grand Palace - plus we were lucky enough to witness an annual parade featuring fighting dragons, banging drums, tumbling acrobats, superb costumes and a lot of flippin' loud fire crackers. [I have some video footage which I will upload to YouTube when I can and link to from here - Dom]
We have taken literarly hundreds of photos, but are not yet in a position to upload them to Flikr -- as soon as we get a chance they will be uploaded and linked from here.
Right, time for a few drinkies so signing off now. Greetings to all from sunny Phuket!!
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Konichiwa Tokyo!
The first stop on our world tour -- Tokyo. This picture is one of many shots taken over four days in the Japanese capital ... it's a cityscape shot from our hotel window on the first of our three nights there.
It really is a fab place and I think that some of my (A) favourite memories will be:
1) the completely space age toilet seats where you could get them to deoderise / bidet / play the flush at different sound levels / warm up and more ... brazilliant!
2) The number of women wearing kimonos in every day life
3) The traffic police who had light sabres ... spent a long time trying to get photos of them at night without getting arrested in the process
I never thought that I would be eating conga eel twice in one day ... nette you would be proud of me!!
It really is a fab place and I think that some of my (A) favourite memories will be:
1) the completely space age toilet seats where you could get them to deoderise / bidet / play the flush at different sound levels / warm up and more ... brazilliant!
2) The number of women wearing kimonos in every day life
3) The traffic police who had light sabres ... spent a long time trying to get photos of them at night without getting arrested in the process
I never thought that I would be eating conga eel twice in one day ... nette you would be proud of me!!
Monday, October 30, 2006
Skype Me!
Check out the top right hand corner of the blog for a Skype Me icon.
Just like the one above. Click on it to start a Skype call to us anytime ... if neither me or Anne are logged in then you can leave us a voicemail.
If you don't have Skype you can download it at www.skype.com - and start making free calls over the Internet.
Or, alternatively, just call us on our Skype-In number: 02071932012; which will connect you to us via Skype where ever we happen to be in the world (or to our voicemail if we're not logged in), and can be called from any landline or mobile.
Just like the one above. Click on it to start a Skype call to us anytime ... if neither me or Anne are logged in then you can leave us a voicemail.
If you don't have Skype you can download it at www.skype.com - and start making free calls over the Internet.
Or, alternatively, just call us on our Skype-In number: 02071932012; which will connect you to us via Skype where ever we happen to be in the world (or to our voicemail if we're not logged in), and can be called from any landline or mobile.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Gordon F'ing Wood
Woody demonstrates his amazing culinary skills once again ... apparently he often snacks on a nice pizza plus polystyrene base when Jo isn't around to look after him. Either that or raw lardons.
Jo was later quoted as saying: "Ah bless him, at least he tried."
Good party though, and nice to see a few people before the big off on Wednesday.
Borough Market & Fish! for Lunch
This was my rather pleasant main course choice - Barry the battered cod, with chips, mooooshy peas and bread & butter. Lovely.
Set of photos linked from this one show Borough Market packed to bursting on Saturday lunchtime; and then us plus parents having a farewell lunch at Fish! the restaurant also in Borough Market.
Not only did we eat Saturday lunch, we also purchased Sunday dinner ... which was very pleasant. The sticky toffee pudding cannot be recommended highly enough ... all that remains is to sample the cheddar from Neals Yard.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Living out of a bag!
This is my entire life for the next 5 months. In order to prove to myself that I would be able to take more that a pair of pants and a t-shirt I had a practice packing session yesterday - with Anne's careful guidance of course.
I am now more relaxed about the whole thing, as there was plenty of room for at least 3 pairs of boxers!!
Not sure about Anne's hair straighteners though.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Round the World!
Right then, Anne and I will soon be off round the world on our travelling adventure.
It's getting very exciting now - we have our basic plan: a short stop in Tokyo, and the same in Hong Kong. Then 3 weeks in Thailand, followed by another short stop in Singapore. Then into Brisbane & up the East Coast of Australia for a couple of weeks, before flying from Brisbane - where we will be celebrating Anne's birthday on 20th December - on to Melbourne for a week including Christmas and the 4th Ashes Test. Then on to Sydney for two and a half weeks including New Year's celebrations and the 5th Ashes Test. Then in to Christchurch & the South Island for about two and a half weeks, before flying to Wellington & the North Island for roughly three and a half weeks, and eventually leaving from Auckland, and flying into LA. We spend a few days in LA, and then drive up the Pacific Coast Highway to San Francisco, and spend a few days there. We will then probably go skiing in Lake Tahoe or similar, before heading down to Las Vegas for a couple of days. We then fly from Las Vegas on the 19th March to San Diego, where we spend four nights taking in the sights and chilling out. From San Diego we fly to New Orleans, where we spend two nights before flying on to Miami in Florida. We spend about ten nights in Florida before finally flying home to London from Miami, leaving on 6th April and arriving back on Saturday 7th April.
Click here for the detailed itinerary of flights.
Question: how will I live out of a bag for five months?
It's getting very exciting now - we have our basic plan: a short stop in Tokyo, and the same in Hong Kong. Then 3 weeks in Thailand, followed by another short stop in Singapore. Then into Brisbane & up the East Coast of Australia for a couple of weeks, before flying from Brisbane - where we will be celebrating Anne's birthday on 20th December - on to Melbourne for a week including Christmas and the 4th Ashes Test. Then on to Sydney for two and a half weeks including New Year's celebrations and the 5th Ashes Test. Then in to Christchurch & the South Island for about two and a half weeks, before flying to Wellington & the North Island for roughly three and a half weeks, and eventually leaving from Auckland, and flying into LA. We spend a few days in LA, and then drive up the Pacific Coast Highway to San Francisco, and spend a few days there. We will then probably go skiing in Lake Tahoe or similar, before heading down to Las Vegas for a couple of days. We then fly from Las Vegas on the 19th March to San Diego, where we spend four nights taking in the sights and chilling out. From San Diego we fly to New Orleans, where we spend two nights before flying on to Miami in Florida. We spend about ten nights in Florida before finally flying home to London from Miami, leaving on 6th April and arriving back on Saturday 7th April.
Click here for the detailed itinerary of flights.
Question: how will I live out of a bag for five months?
Kiwis in Richmond
So, straight from cookery school off I went to meet Anne, Megan, Katy and Graham for a few drinks and dinner.
We scooted off to the White Horse in Richmond - where we proceeded to demolish a large chunk of the New Zealand wine mountain; and Katy demonstrated how to play a very large guitar.
Click the photo to go to the full set on Flickr
We scooted off to the White Horse in Richmond - where we proceeded to demolish a large chunk of the New Zealand wine mountain; and Katy demonstrated how to play a very large guitar.
Click the photo to go to the full set on Flickr
Learning to cook Fish
Best birthday present ever - learning to buy and cook fish properly.
Anne bought me a day at FishWorks in Richmond, attending their classic seafood cookery course. Which was excellent - myself and three others (there were four no-shows - thanks for that, mean't there was much more wine for the rest of us!) spent the day with Olly the chef.
We spent the first 30-40 mins in the fishmongers (every FishWorks has a fishmonger, and they are supplied by FishWorks' own supplier from Brixham) learning how to choose good fish of various different types. I particularly enjoyed sniffing a lot of fish gills.
The rest of the day was spent in the cookery school kitchen; only the Richmond FishWorks has a dedicated cookery school kitchen - at the other restaurants they use the actual restaurant kitchens for the school on the day the restaurant is otherwise closed. Which is typically a Monday.
Olly showed us how to cook Mussels in white wine & garlic, Taramasalata, Clam & Mussel Chowder, Salt Baked Sea Bream, Pan Fried Skate, Monk Fish Skewers, Tempura Prawns, Classic Crab and many more. Most importantly he kept us fully lubricated with some excellent Spanish white wines throughout the day.
Anne bought me a day at FishWorks in Richmond, attending their classic seafood cookery course. Which was excellent - myself and three others (there were four no-shows - thanks for that, mean't there was much more wine for the rest of us!) spent the day with Olly the chef.
We spent the first 30-40 mins in the fishmongers (every FishWorks has a fishmonger, and they are supplied by FishWorks' own supplier from Brixham) learning how to choose good fish of various different types. I particularly enjoyed sniffing a lot of fish gills.
The rest of the day was spent in the cookery school kitchen; only the Richmond FishWorks has a dedicated cookery school kitchen - at the other restaurants they use the actual restaurant kitchens for the school on the day the restaurant is otherwise closed. Which is typically a Monday.
Olly showed us how to cook Mussels in white wine & garlic, Taramasalata, Clam & Mussel Chowder, Salt Baked Sea Bream, Pan Fried Skate, Monk Fish Skewers, Tempura Prawns, Classic Crab and many more. Most importantly he kept us fully lubricated with some excellent Spanish white wines throughout the day.
House of Parliament, by night
There we were wandering along beside the Thames, on an unseasonbly warm October evening, when I decided to snap a few shots of the House of Parliament, the Palace of Westminster and Westminster Bridge.
Pretty iconic views, its just a shame Anne jumped in front of the camera at the last second!
This is pretty much one of my favourite views in London. It will be nice to see this online whilst we are treking around the world for the next few months.
Pretty iconic views, its just a shame Anne jumped in front of the camera at the last second!
This is pretty much one of my favourite views in London. It will be nice to see this online whilst we are treking around the world for the next few months.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Looks like ....
Ruairi and Me disguised as Russian coppers ....
Uncanny, et tres amusant.
Thanks to Fisher for this find.
Just goes to show what you can discover on Geoffnet when you should really be working.
Uncanny, et tres amusant.
Thanks to Fisher for this find.
Just goes to show what you can discover on Geoffnet when you should really be working.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Picture ... looks like Prague to me
This picture was used on the front page of the HP UK website ....
I am sure it's the inside of the tower in the Old Town square in Prague.
-Dom
I am sure it's the inside of the tower in the Old Town square in Prague.
-Dom
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
The Wedding Present, Prague - Photos
Click HERE to see his Gedgeliness.
These pictures were taken using my mobile phone camera at the gig - Abaton, Prague on 12th May 2006.
Totally uplifting. Best gig I have been to in a long long time.
Wallop.
These pictures were taken using my mobile phone camera at the gig - Abaton, Prague on 12th May 2006.
Totally uplifting. Best gig I have been to in a long long time.
Wallop.
Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Prague, 14th June 2006 - Photos
Chillis played Sazka Arena in Prague on 14th June.
Click HERE for the photo album.
Warning: mobile phone cam pictures, so not the best quality.
Click HERE for the photo album.
Warning: mobile phone cam pictures, so not the best quality.
England vs Sweden - World Cup 2006 - photos
Photos taken before, during and after the England v. Sweden game in Cologne on 20th June 2006.
Click HERE for the photo album.
Brilliant two days.
Celeb spots: Noel Gallagher (in the ground) & Ray Winstone (at the motorway services)
Click HERE for the photo album.
Brilliant two days.
Celeb spots: Noel Gallagher (in the ground) & Ray Winstone (at the motorway services)
Thursday, June 22, 2006
England vs. Sweden - World Cup 2006 - Video
Brilliant night, fantastic atmosphere ...
Wallop!
Looks like Brazil vs. Ghana on the 27th for me next!
Wallop!
Looks like Brazil vs. Ghana on the 27th for me next!
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Motorized Pool Lounger: When Dog Paddling Just Isn't Enough - Gizmodo
Motorized Pool Lounger: When Dog Paddling Just Isn't Enough - Gizmodo
I want one of these for the summer!
Wow! All it needs is for the cup-holder to include a chiller to keep your beer warm.
I want one of these for the summer!
Wow! All it needs is for the cup-holder to include a chiller to keep your beer warm.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
The Wedding Present to play Prague
Massive music news ... The Weddoes are playing in Prague.
Here's the ticketpro.cz ::link::
Venue is Abaton, in Prague 8 ::website::
Wallop.
Here's the ticketpro.cz ::link::
Venue is Abaton, in Prague 8 ::website::
Wallop.
Czech Republic snowed under - 13-03-2006 - Radio Prague
And I thought winter was nearly over!
Czech Republic snowed under - 13-03-2006 - Radio Prague
Definitely the most snow, in a single fall, I have seen in my time here in Prague.
Czech Republic snowed under - 13-03-2006 - Radio Prague
Definitely the most snow, in a single fall, I have seen in my time here in Prague.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Skiing - not as easy it looks!
Being slow and roobish this is my first entry for ages, and about a holiday which we finished last month!
Anyway, despite the slowness of the post I can safely say that we had a fantastic time in Austria. A week skiing in excellent conditions - great snow, lovely weather (but cold!) and not too many people. Perfect.
Destination Kaprun by the way.
Click here for the first picture evidence -- Franz Klammer he is not. Many more pictures to follow soon ...
Anyway, despite the slowness of the post I can safely say that we had a fantastic time in Austria. A week skiing in excellent conditions - great snow, lovely weather (but cold!) and not too many people. Perfect.
Destination Kaprun by the way.
Click here for the first picture evidence -- Franz Klammer he is not. Many more pictures to follow soon ...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)