Everyone!
Thursday, 25 December 2008
Christmas 2008
It was great to be home for Christmas, and even better since all families on Mum's side and all cousins were together for the first time in about ten years. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't up to much so we all had to pack inside. Bevan still managed to BBQ.
Everyone!
Everyone!
Saturday, 20 December 2008
Barry and Liz's wedding
The first duty upon arrival was to try and be Best Man for Ross Henry at his wedding to Elizabeth McManus in Invercargill. To be fair, I was a terrible best man and this was demonstrated with poor organisation of the stag party, however, we still had a great time with a bit of BYC and a night out in Invercargill, made better by Barry's blow up breasts and a badge saying "Helen Clark is a babe"
The big day ran smoothly, due to everyone elses excellent organisation and my speech even got a couple of laughs.
The chaps ready to go, looking dapper in their kilts, from left: Ross's Dad Alasdair, Ross, me, Angus, Warren (Burt)
For more photos, and everything wedding related, go to their website.
The big day ran smoothly, due to everyone elses excellent organisation and my speech even got a couple of laughs.
The chaps ready to go, looking dapper in their kilts, from left: Ross's Dad Alasdair, Ross, me, Angus, Warren (Burt)
For more photos, and everything wedding related, go to their website.
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
Busy days in LA
We were only there for 2 and a half days, but we packed a lot in. First of all, a full day a Disneyland which began with a hitch when our tickets, provided by the hotel, weren't valid. We bought our own which saved us money so worked well in the end.
Disneyland was great, it would have been even better if I was 5 or if the total number of visitors was not greater than 5, but we still managed to go on all the cool rides at least twice. The best ride for us was Space Mountain, but we were also fans of the Indiana Jones ride, going on it four times!
About to take the teacups for a spin
Space Mountain
Walt and Mickey
Small World
Merry-go-round. Fitting that there is a rather large lady in the background pushing a pram, there were numerous numbers of both around.
Splash mountain
Lights at night
Fireworks
The next day we had a full day at Universal Studios which was much less crowded. The best ride here was the new Simpsons ride, a very clever simulator, and very funny. Also worth mentioning was the haunted house, which was terrifying!
Studio tour - flash flood
Scene from War of the Worlds
Set for the very impressive Waterworld show
The real Terminator, check out how I own that bike!
Universal City
After Universal Studios, we went on a tour of Hollywood. We were very tired but it was still a god look around.
Hollywood Boulevard
Names in the stone outside the Chinese Theatre
Well, really, I'd just like to thank everyone who made it possible....
Our last day in the Northern Hemisphere was spent going for a stroll around Anaheim and a spot of Christmas shopping. Then it was off to the airport for a very pleasant flight home with Qantas in a new Airbus. A quick inspection of my tent was all that slowed us down in Auckland before I arrived home to a busy reception in Dunedin and was whisked off for a kilt fitting.
Disneyland was great, it would have been even better if I was 5 or if the total number of visitors was not greater than 5, but we still managed to go on all the cool rides at least twice. The best ride for us was Space Mountain, but we were also fans of the Indiana Jones ride, going on it four times!
About to take the teacups for a spin
Space Mountain
Walt and Mickey
Small World
Merry-go-round. Fitting that there is a rather large lady in the background pushing a pram, there were numerous numbers of both around.
Splash mountain
Lights at night
Fireworks
The next day we had a full day at Universal Studios which was much less crowded. The best ride here was the new Simpsons ride, a very clever simulator, and very funny. Also worth mentioning was the haunted house, which was terrifying!
Studio tour - flash flood
Scene from War of the Worlds
Set for the very impressive Waterworld show
The real Terminator, check out how I own that bike!
Universal City
After Universal Studios, we went on a tour of Hollywood. We were very tired but it was still a god look around.
Hollywood Boulevard
Names in the stone outside the Chinese Theatre
Well, really, I'd just like to thank everyone who made it possible....
Our last day in the Northern Hemisphere was spent going for a stroll around Anaheim and a spot of Christmas shopping. Then it was off to the airport for a very pleasant flight home with Qantas in a new Airbus. A quick inspection of my tent was all that slowed us down in Auckland before I arrived home to a busy reception in Dunedin and was whisked off for a kilt fitting.
Thursday, 11 December 2008
More ruins, waterfalls, crocs and Zapatistas
The trip to Mexico was relatively hassle free which was surprising as we'd heard a few horror stories. Our introduction to Mexico wasn't great when we were stopped by armed military and ordered out of the van for a quick search.
We managed to get out to El Panchen, just out of Palenque where we discovered that Mexico had hot water. We had one night there before embarking (in comparative luxury - a huge van with at least a seat each) on a day trip to the Palenque ruins, a couple of waterfalls, a transfer to a nice bus and on to San Cristobel.
Goods for sale at Palenque ruins
Largest temple at Palenque
Palenque ruins
Roof comb
Time out, checking the Lonely Planet
Misal - Ha falls, from the front..
..and from behind
Agau - Azul falls, very impressive
Close up views
A perfect spot for a quick dip before a long, winding bus ride to San Cristobel
We arrived late into San Cristobel but had met a couple on the bus who knew a good place to stay so we followed them. It was a nice, family run hotel and our time in San Cristobel was a real highlight of the trip. One night we went to a movie about the Zapatistas, an indigenous rebel group that shot to worldwide fame when they took over San Cristobel. It was very graphic and rather frightening when we realised they were still around!
We also did some shopping at the markets and went on really good trip down a canyon before going on to another city in the hope of going to a zoo but it was closed. Then we got lost but finally found a bus to take us back to San Cristobel.
Looking down the canyon, it was very deep in places but hard to capture on a small camera!
This was bizare, strange moss like plants growing on the side of the canyon
Croc!
San Cristobel was alive with colour and sound. There were constant homemade rockets going off all day and many street processions. We later learnt that this was largely because the day of the Virgin was only a day or two away.
Viva la Virgin!
Church at one end of town
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Church in town, and more flags!
It was sad to leave San Cristobel as our Central America adventure was drawing to a close. After 13 hours on a bus, we arrived in sprawling, dirty and uninspiring Mexico City.
We had a day to fill in Mexico City, so we took an open top bus tour and went to the free zoo which was impressive but there were a lot of sad animals due to poor conditions. As always, the highlights were the big cats.
Sightseeing highlight of Mexico City....
Cacti in the botanic gardens
Puma
Panda
Tiger
Jaguar, a few of these throughout Central America
Black Panther
The time came to leave and we were ready to get out of Mexico City. We were at the airport with plenty of time to spare and quite excited about our next stop, LA.
We managed to get out to El Panchen, just out of Palenque where we discovered that Mexico had hot water. We had one night there before embarking (in comparative luxury - a huge van with at least a seat each) on a day trip to the Palenque ruins, a couple of waterfalls, a transfer to a nice bus and on to San Cristobel.
Goods for sale at Palenque ruins
Largest temple at Palenque
Palenque ruins
Roof comb
Time out, checking the Lonely Planet
Misal - Ha falls, from the front..
..and from behind
Agau - Azul falls, very impressive
Close up views
A perfect spot for a quick dip before a long, winding bus ride to San Cristobel
We arrived late into San Cristobel but had met a couple on the bus who knew a good place to stay so we followed them. It was a nice, family run hotel and our time in San Cristobel was a real highlight of the trip. One night we went to a movie about the Zapatistas, an indigenous rebel group that shot to worldwide fame when they took over San Cristobel. It was very graphic and rather frightening when we realised they were still around!
We also did some shopping at the markets and went on really good trip down a canyon before going on to another city in the hope of going to a zoo but it was closed. Then we got lost but finally found a bus to take us back to San Cristobel.
Looking down the canyon, it was very deep in places but hard to capture on a small camera!
This was bizare, strange moss like plants growing on the side of the canyon
Croc!
San Cristobel was alive with colour and sound. There were constant homemade rockets going off all day and many street processions. We later learnt that this was largely because the day of the Virgin was only a day or two away.
Viva la Virgin!
Church at one end of town
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Church in town, and more flags!
It was sad to leave San Cristobel as our Central America adventure was drawing to a close. After 13 hours on a bus, we arrived in sprawling, dirty and uninspiring Mexico City.
We had a day to fill in Mexico City, so we took an open top bus tour and went to the free zoo which was impressive but there were a lot of sad animals due to poor conditions. As always, the highlights were the big cats.
Sightseeing highlight of Mexico City....
Cacti in the botanic gardens
Puma
Panda
Tiger
Jaguar, a few of these throughout Central America
Black Panther
The time came to leave and we were ready to get out of Mexico City. We were at the airport with plenty of time to spare and quite excited about our next stop, LA.
Thursday, 4 December 2008
Tikal
We arrived at Tikal mid afternoon and pitched our tent at the camping ground. We were the only ones tenting as most people just visit on day trips. Tikal is in the middle of the jungle but there are a few lodges and eating establishments at the entrance.
We wandered in for a look around before dark but left it a bit late to get back. When we wandered past the exit sign on our way out, it didn't look like the way we came in and when a couple of friendly locals suggested it wasn't, we were inclined to believe them. Turns out, the locals had no idea either and we wandered around for hours in the dark which was not ideal. Fortunately, Kelley and I had head torches with us and after backtracking we eventually got ourselves out, much to every ones relief.
After a poor nights sleep due to hard ground and howler monkeys, we got up early and ventured in for a good look at the ruins.
Strange peacock like birds at the campsite
Ceiba tree
Temple 1 and the Gran Plaza
Temple 4 through the jungle and the mist
Howler monkey. Very hard to get a good photo of these dudes.
Gran plaza
Steep steps up Temple V, quite nerve wracking
Raccoon like creature, they were everywhere
Impressive Temple I again
Final shot of Guatemala - a chicken bus
From Tikal we bussed back to Flores for our last night in Guatemala, we were up and away early on another bus - boat - bus travel combo to Mexico the next day.
We wandered in for a look around before dark but left it a bit late to get back. When we wandered past the exit sign on our way out, it didn't look like the way we came in and when a couple of friendly locals suggested it wasn't, we were inclined to believe them. Turns out, the locals had no idea either and we wandered around for hours in the dark which was not ideal. Fortunately, Kelley and I had head torches with us and after backtracking we eventually got ourselves out, much to every ones relief.
After a poor nights sleep due to hard ground and howler monkeys, we got up early and ventured in for a good look at the ruins.
Strange peacock like birds at the campsite
Ceiba tree
Temple 1 and the Gran Plaza
Temple 4 through the jungle and the mist
Howler monkey. Very hard to get a good photo of these dudes.
Gran plaza
Steep steps up Temple V, quite nerve wracking
Raccoon like creature, they were everywhere
Impressive Temple I again
Final shot of Guatemala - a chicken bus
From Tikal we bussed back to Flores for our last night in Guatemala, we were up and away early on another bus - boat - bus travel combo to Mexico the next day.
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