Back online!

Phew, over 2 weeks without the internet, that was a culture shock!!! First we had to order the line from BT (welcome back to the UK!) and then we had to wait for our belongings to come out of storage to get the router to connect us to the line! Thanks to our friend Marilyn we've been able to keep up with email but here is a belated entry for the BLOG!!!

The journey back was not too bad at all, an overnight flight to Hong Kong and we all managed to sleep for over 5 hours which is a first for us. Of course, we landed in China during the Olympics so there were mascots and flags everywhere - the equestrian events were in Hong Kong.

A special mention here for Hong Kong airport, it is spectacular. Three incredibly tall storeys underground, a subway train to take you between terminals, and all spotless and totally efficient. We stayed at the hotel at the airport and it literally is at the end of the runway, some amazing views from our window, first of the pool in the quadrangle, then the runway, then the harbour, and finally a volcano in the background... And the most awesome thing - we could watch the planes land right outside our window and there wasn't a sound - you could have heard a pin drop!

Hong Kong itself seems to be a city of two halves. The harbour area is glass and shiny and tall office blocks and air-conditioning. They even have air-conditioned tunnels between buildings so you don't ever have to go outside! After a wander around we got a taxi to the old town and had a delicious chinese meal. It's all hustle and bustle, noise, traffic and seemingly smooth-running chaos!

After our whistlestop tour (24 hours precisely) it was time to move on and complete our final journey back to the UK...

Farewell NZ!

Tonight we leave Auckland just before midnight and arrive in Hong Kong about 6.30am in the morning.

Preparing for our "That's All Folks" entry, we are busy compiling a best-of and worst-of our adventures and will publish as soon as it's finished!

For now, farewell as we begin our long return journey! Julie, Tim & Emma xxx

Reef Pictures

Not sure what the resolution of these pictures will be like as I've copied them from the internet, but here's a fabulous aerial picture of Lady Musgrave Island. Of course being at sea level we can only see the island itself which doesn't give any impression of how it sits in a coral reef lagooon. Remember this is an hour and a half out to sea, with no other land or islands in sight. And here's a picture of a turtle taken underwater so you can get a better idea of what we saw when we were snorkelling...underwater camera next time!!! :0)

Weekend Walk

On our final Sunday afternoon here in Auckland, the weather cleared and was beautifully sunny so we went on a 5km tramp around a peninsula called Shakespear Park near the seaside town of Orewa. A bit muddy underfoot (thanks to the pudding cows!) but the walk took us up and down dale through farming country, with terrific views of Auckland City and the Coromandel Peninsula; and the islands of Rangitoto, Tiri Tiri Matangi and Great Barrier Island. A stunning finale to our weekend, topped off with a delicious roast beef dinner! Thanks so much to our friends and hosts for making our last few days down-under warm and welcome as always...

Farewell Celebration!

Tonight we had a meal out with our lovely friends Xanthe, Greg, Jessica and Sophia at a Mongolian restaurant. Select your ingredients, sauces and oils and take it to a massive hotplate for the delightful chefs to cook before your eyes...kind of indoor barbeque! Great fun for everyone...

A Koala Ambition Fulfilled

One of the must-do's on our trip to eastern Australia was to visit a Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane called Lone Pine. Emma had an Adoption Certificate for Christmas for a 2 year old Koala girl called Crumpet, and it was our mission to go and meet her.

Here's a picture of Emma cuddling a Koala called Teresa, and a beautiful picture of Crumpet (she wasn't on cuddling duties today!) They have over 130 Koalas at Lone Pine and they work actively with the Australian Koala Association. They're based in a beautiful spot by the river in Brisbane.

From here we headed for the airport and headed back for a final weekend in Auckland...

Some time to chill...

Well, after a hectic few days, from rollercoasters to crocodiles to coral reefs, we decided a chill-out day was in order so we stayed for another night in Caloundra instead of heading for Brisbane. It's a quiet seaside town, weather glorious, seafood gorgeous! Last night we had Moreton Bay Bugs which are a bit like lobsters but look more like woodlice - didn't think about it too hard - they were delicious!! ;0)

Anyway, a lovely shot of the beach which overlooks Pelican Island and hey presto, a Pelican! He was mooching around waiting for the fishing people on the prom to gut their fish & throw the bits back in (nice)....and here's the apartment where we stayed, balcony overlooking the sea...(sigh)