Hello from Bangkok

Here we are on the last stage of our holiday.... Bangkok is mad.... so much traffic, so many people and it is very polluted. Why are we worrying about our carbon footprint!!!!!! Anyway - we have only been here for 36 hours and we have bought made to measure silk clothes and jewellery ... very good bargains ........ but did we really want them? Sorry Sue we really have been SKIING!!!!! Been to the Grand Palace today, incredible, so much gold, this is the Happy Buddah so we had a few words with him!!! We have travelled on the Tuk Tuks - they really are mad! Our hotel is right on the river side and is fabulous - we are going to try to go to the floating markets tomorrow, travelling by boat hopefully... the river is less congested than the roads ... but only just. The adventure continues for 3 more days... then...........???????Home!

Sydney and about.

Machine won't let me show photos---
Imagine the grand canyon but with trees growing all over it except for some steep cliff sides, these are the Blue Mountains. Imagine the Tyne Bridge but much longer and much bigger with a nice picky of me and Hils in the foreground and this is the SHBridge........................isn't blogging wonderful!!!!!

Weather is beaut and we're having an X time visiting the touristy places and having fun.

Wish I could show you the photos. Isn't blogging wonderful !! and then you find an Internet Cafe and voila !!!

The journey goes on. In a couple of days we're off to Bang Kok, see you there!

Phil and Hils SO NOW WE HAVE THE IMAGES !!!

Did we or didn't we????

Did we do the bungee jump or not?????? Left Queenstown yesterday, didn't manage a flight to Milford Sound as the weather was against us - even though it was beautiful sunshine in Queenstown!! Hey ho we'll have to make a return trip. We are now in Dunedin - it's been the coldest place yet - it's modelled on Edinburgh - it's cold and windy and that's where the similarity stops!!! We have been to the Otago Peninsula today and seen Albatross, Shags and lots of other wildlife - beautiful. We leave tomorrow for Christchurch, one night there and then its back to Australia/Sydney for 5 nights. The adventure is still continuing.........

Hi from Queenstown

Arrived in Queenstown on Wednesday, it's a beautiful place surrounded by mountains. We have been trying to get a flight to Milford Sound since we arrived but unfortunately the weather in Milford has been too cloudy and the plane would be unable to land - we are hopeful that we can do it tomorrow before we leave for Dunedin. There is lots to do here and we have been making the most of our time. Been on the Skyline Gondola above Queenstown and the views are fantastic, had our evening meal up at the top last night. Went to Glenorchy yesterday which is at the head of the lake - superb. Took an old steamboat across the lake to a farm, fed the sheep and deer and watched sheep shearing amongst other things. New Zealand continues to be stunning and our adventure continues.............

Still in Franz Josef

Hi, been to Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier for a good walk around - it's amazing as you can get really close up and almost touch them - they are around 300 metre deep in parts and travel 1 - 3 metres per day. Today we have been to Okarito which is a lagoon on the West coast - amazing colours and wildlife. Tomorrow we have a 400 km + journey to Queenstown through the mountains - estimated driving time 7 hours+, should be fun. The adventure certainly continues.........

Flying around in Franz Josef

Arrived earlier today at Franz Josef, after spending two lovely days by the ocean in Hokitika. The scenery is amazing - all we keep saying is 'WOW'. Just been on a helicopter trip to Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier - Phil has just about qualified for his pilot's licence!!! We had 10 minutes to frolic in the snow!!! We are here for another two days and intend to do some more exploring of the glaciers and other scenic wonders in this area. Tomorrow after all of our activity we are probably going to spend some time in the Glacier Hot Pools - the adventure is definitely continuing............

Travelling in South Island

We stayed 2 nights in a place just outside Nelson, called Monaco - very smart accommodation - we had our own little cottage with it's own washing machine!!!! Went to Abel Tasman National Park - stunning - beautiful colours and sights, even managed to have a little sunbathe on a beach. We are now in Hokitika which is on the West coast, famous for it's Jade - perhaps I'll have to do some shopping!!!! We are here for two days before moving further south again towards the mountains and glaciers. The adventure continues - we are even passing places where Lord of the Rings was filmed - STUNNING.

Down under in South Island

Travelled from Wellington this morning to Picton in South Island - we are staying just outside of Nelson in a beautiful place called Monaco. We are going to drive to the Abel Tasman tomorrow for a little bit of relaxation on the beach and perhaps some watersports - sea kayaking or whatever. The weather has been superb - warm and sunny and the sea is the most beautiful colours imaginable. Unfortunatley the computer system will not allow photos - so you'll just have to take our word for it. We did buy a new memory card for the camera in Wellington as 1,000 photos is just not enough!!!!!

Wine Tasting in Hawkes Bay

Still having problems putting photos on - the computer systems in NZ have too much security on them. We are in Napier which is in the Hawkes Bay area for wines - Phil has been searching for the perfect Pinot Noir - he is still looking. I am enjoying the Sauvignon Blanc when I'm not driving of course!! We are staying across the road from the Pacific Ocean - it's absolutely fabulous - New Zealand is a really gorgeous country, there are so many sights to see. Moving onto Martinborough tomorrow, Wellington on Tuesday and then over to South Island on Wednesday. The adventure continues.............

Hi frpm Taupo.

Machine will now allow photos so..................
Travelled south from Rotorau today via another volcanic area called Wai Taupo full of colours, craters and hydrogen sulphide, its the sort of place someone with flatulence could live without having any conscience.
Have 2 days here beside a huge blue lake and lots of hot sunshine. Mountains in the south are snow covered! Just like home...................Hope to cruise the lake tomorrow and perhaps see the local waterfalls.
Bye for now, Phil & Hils

Hello from Rotorua

Having a brilliant time in Rotorua. Did a helicopter ride yesterday which went over an extinct volcano, then we landed in Hells Gate - the earth was bubbling at 112degC - and more it was smelly and quite scary but also fascinating. Today we visited the Buried Village which only happened 160 years ago when a huge volcano erupted. In our hotel room we have fire warnings and earthquake warnings as well. Leaving for Lake Taupo tomorrow.

Lazy days in the Bay of Islands

Having a brill time in this part of New Zealand - the scenery is stunning and there is lots of history in the area. The Treaty of Waitangi 1840 was signed, this established New Zealand as part of the British Empire and the Maoris agreed to it!!! Who got the best deal??? Tomorrow we move on again to the Corumendel area to a place called Whangamata. Weather is still gorgeous.

Hello from Bay of Islands

Picked up our hire car today and have travelled from Auckland to Pahia in the Bay of Islands - it's stunning. The drive was good, lots of twisty, windy roads and quite busy - it's summer holidays in the southern hemisphere of course!!! Just having a little explore to find our bearings, we are here for 3 days so it should be fun.
Having trouble with pictures again. We'll try later............

Hello from NZ

We arrived in Auckland earlier today - it's a really busy, bustly city with loads going on. We are here for 2 nights before we hire our car and then we really start to do our sight-seeing, heading up to Bay of Islands in the north first. Had a great time in Melbourne - would recommend it to anyone.
The weather has been great so far averaging about 25C - not bad for the beginning of January. Hoping to do a cruise around the bay tomorrow and perhaps a bungee jump off Sky City - only kidding - we're not that brave!!

Hello from Melbourne

We are having a great time in Melbourne, it's a fabulous city with lots to do and see. We went up to the top of Eureka which is the tallest building in the southern hemisphere - only 300 metres!! The views were fantastic, we also had a trip down the Yarra river. Yesterday we went up high again on the Southern Star - Melbournes answer to the London Eye.
Thank you for all the cards and messages I've received for my Birthday - it's certainly been different and actually it's not my Birthday yet because we are 11 hours behind UK!!
Sorry we can't put any photos on this time, for some reason the computer wont allow it - we'll try again when we get to New Zealand on Wednesday. The adventure continues............

Bye bye Perth and the family Harrison d'Oz.

This is the Harrison family on New Years Day. 3 weeks have flown by and now it's time for us to fly too. We catch the 13.35 Virginblue flight to Melbourne where we will spend 5 nights - the adventure continues.

Girra says Hi !

Thought that Sue, Patrick, Moosie and the Bunny Boys might like to meet the new addition to the family. Girra and child are doing well!

HOPPY NEW YEAR !!!