New Zealand (1) - Auckland (1) - Volcanoes, Mistaken Identity and sun burn...

Well after a 13 hour flight from San Francisco to Auckland, we finally arrived 5am local time. A shuttle service then took us to the hostel; the unfriendly hostel woman dismissed our requests to check in early (I am not the staffs greatest fan at this hostel). Luckily we were able to leave our back packs at the hostel; so we went on the hunt for food. After a snack we decided we might as well go up the Sky Tower. We looked at Auckland for a few hours (looking at the 22 dormant volcanoes around Auckland; there is 50+ in total). Sam had a little nap up on the Sky Tower (that must be a first). At 1 we were able to check into the hostel. After a shower, we slept to 11. Got up, had some food, then went back to sleep.

Yesterday (Sunday) we went up Rangitoto; the youngest volcano in the Auckland bay area. We got a ferry over to the island and then hiked up to the crater. The island has barely been touched and is under strict control to stop unwanted species entering the island. It was pleasant to hike with very few people around; but I think me and Sam failed to assess how hot and strong the sun was; sun burn Monday was the result. After hiking approximately 12 miles we came to a secluded beach and collapsed there for a few hours. A few little kids with their dads on a little dingy from a yacht in the bay turned up. Me and Sam were laying there; nearly asleep when I heard two of the kids wonder past me and said "shhh, you will wake Santa". Santa, other than the gut, the similiarities end. After this chill out we then hiked another 7 miles back to the ferry. Easy to say that when we got in at 6pm; i collapsed into bed and slept. Probably combination of sun stroke, jet lag and hiking fatigue. Today we are doing some washing, admin and eating; hopefully I will see past 7 tonight....party on. We are picking up the Kiwi Experience coach tomorrow and heading to Mercury Bay. I hope to update you all soon...

P
x

The day that never was...

Because we fly out this evening to head to New Zealand, we will not be having a Friday. This is because we cross the date time line moving us ahead a further 24 hours. Still can not get my head round it.

San Francisco (3) - Education, Education, Education

Bad news guys. Team 4 (Commonwealth) consisting of me, Sam and an Aussie guy came last in the overall competition; losing to another UK team in Beer Pong (throwing ping pong balls in to pint glasses); losing to an Australian team in the boat race (beer downing relay) and losing to a Swiss-American team in beer flip. Disappointing; but we came out of it learning some new games and made some new friends.

Today we went to the Explorium; which is an interactive science museum. Very interesting and a lot of fun; Sam even read some of the displays. We played with bubbles, did some sand scupluturing and made rockets out of toilet roll tubes. Good fun.

This might be my last post for a while as we fly out tomorrow and I am not sure how good the next hostel will be with internet/Wi-Fi connectivity.

P
x

San Francisco (2) - Tour de Bay Area and Cable Car Fun

To test how much our spin gym class has helped our fitness we rented a couple of bikes for the whole of Monday. Well, I don't think I have changed gears on a bike so much before. Got up quite early (still have not got used to the hours yet) had our complimentary fruit, bagels and coffee and went to bike rental center. Got two bikes and followed a route which would take us along the bay area and up across the Golden Gate Bridge. Started off fine, then we stumbled across hill one; a short but very steep climb. A nice warm up and we were rewarded with a long down hill path that took past the Marina and some meadows. We then came to the big climb; the climb from the base of the bridge to the toll booths of the bridge. Absolutely brutal, at one point I thought I would start to roll back down. But I did it, I made to the bridge. Had to wait for Sam, but she got there in the end. We rode over the bridge and saw porpoises swimming under the bridge. After the success of the crossing we thought we raise the game and head to the Golden Gate Park (Note: This is not near Golden Gate Bridge as many would think). We then rode along some lovely ocean roads and had a lot of space to pedal like mad. After another hour we became quite desperate for food so we made some changes to our route and started down some residential roads. I was flying over hills like Steve McQueen in Bullit. We finally found a hot dog stand where the vendor was slightly disturbed by Sam's "You are a sight for sore eyes" comment. After reloading we took loads of back roads and main roads to the rental center. Once we got back to the hostel, we were given free food and attempted to have a social night; we stayed up to 11pm (very late for me).

Today we finished off some other tourist things. We walked up to Coit Tower which over looks the whole city and Bay Area; it was one hell of a walk. That got the heart pumping. Then made our way to Fishermans Wharf, had some lunch and then got a cable car to the Westfield shopping center! As you can tell by the effort in this post; I am pretty tired. Got a big night ahead of us tonight, we are representing Great Britain in the hostels beer-olympics! Should be good!

P
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San Francisco (1) - Welcome to the Rock...

So guys, this is my first post abroad. So far, so good. The flight went relatively well; left some teary relatives at the airport security, got on the plane, took off, and then proceeded to liberate alcohol from the stewardess. We landed 30mins ahead of schedule, but it still took nearly an hour to get through security. My officer was pretty quick and helpful; Sam's gave her some questions to probe in to her life. Went to bed quite early local time last night (around 8) but that was around 4am GMT, so sleep was needed. Got up early this morning and helped ourselves to the complimentary bagels and coffee for breakfast. The hostel is brilliant, good recommendation Martin. Today we spent the day looking at Alcatraz and Pier 39 (Shopping area); had lunch at Bubba Gump (as in made up company in Forrest Gump the film), that was a lot of fun. Stuffed on shrimp, shrimp, shrimp and more shrimp....

Alcatraz was well organised and I could see a lot of links and similarities to it and parts of Shawshank Redemption. A very good trip, and a must see in San Fran.

The weather has been nice, may be slightly tanned/burnt (I am ginger after all).

Next couple days looks likely to consist of cycling, museums and some drinking.

Love
P&S

All our bags are packed...

The night before the morning after. Well, I have been packed for a few days now, loads of clothes, pills, deodorant and towels. All stuffed in the back pack.

Sam has had the fight of her life between me and her mum. Every item of clothing and cosmetic was scrutinised, with Sam having to offer a valid case for each item. The end result: the hair dryer is staying, some clothes are back in the wardrobe and my back pack seems to have gained some bits. She did manage to keep the baby wipes (minus the baby). But hey, we are ready to roll.

Our flight is at 11am tomorrow (Saturday 22nd) with Virgin Atlantic. All that is needed now is a good night sleep and to choose the right films and music for the iPod... any recommendations?

P

End of an era...

Woke up this morning with a huge hangover; result of fosters, bishops finger, tequila and jager bombs (though starting to drink from 12 was not my finest decision). Just wanted to say a massive thank you to the ECGD gang for coming out last night. It was fantastic to see so many faces and it meant a lot to me. There is a theory that:

If at a party you don't know who the most drunk person is; the chance is it is you.

I am sure that applied to me last night. Luckily Sam was with me last night to shepherd me on to the train, force feed me a Cornish pasty and water, and then beat me off the train when I would not wake up. Got to do it all again tonight for Sam's leaving do... shame!

The dollars you gave me are stored safely with all the other pieces of currencies we have from friends (including the 300,000 Vietnamese Dong). The pictures have found there way on to my bedroom shelf so I no longer wake up next to Matt Vale's victorious grin; every time I look at them they make me smile and remind of the great 18 (32) months I had at ECGD.

Anyway, only 4 hours more work for you guys.

Love P

The Visa Saga

So 2 weeks before we go we decide to apply for our Indian visa. Went to the high commission it just got more and more complicated. Firstly, they wanted proof that I was not a spy or up to no good as I work for a government department. So that's a letter from work. Secondly, they were not going to let us go to Nepal and then come back into the country so Sam had to hand write a letter to the Visa Officer to explain our itinerary. Then they were saying that we can only get a six month visa starting from January; this would be out of date before we even got to India. So we have had to apply for a year visa; this was also backed up by a letter from Sam. I have to say Sam's handwriting is appalling and looks like a 5 year old has written on it; which may play to our advantage, they may have sympathy on us! Our application is now at their discretion; so going to India is a maybe at the moment. If not, longer in Nepal!

Advice for people going to India, keep it simple and just go to India (no where else). Oh and don't work for the Civil Service.

Happy new year everyone.

Paul