tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75074082011-04-22T05:22:27.058ZShe quit her job, farewelled her folks and took the first plane to Tokyo. From there, she went on to see the world...Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.comBlogger701100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-58057338596099446812009-01-28T03:59:00.003Z2009-01-28T04:13:01.639Z

Instead of kicking and screaming, little Oliver John tumbled out looking like a stunned smurf, all blue and wide-eyed.He spent the next 3 hours taking it all in, hardly crying and gradully turned a healthy shade of pink. Weisie's 30 hour labour was an incredible feat and I am so proud of her!A week on and Oliver is filling out and giving his Mum and Dad so much joy!

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-57814209488212544992009-01-28T03:46:00.003Z2009-01-28T03:59:18.099Z

2007Got married (Canberra, unforgettable, thanks to all who helped and participated) - Honeymooned in Borneo & Brunei (wow).2008Returned to Melbourne to live and work - Travelled through China with Karen (Beijing to Xian to Guilin to Hong Kong) - Travelled to Nepal with Karen (Kathmandu to Lukla to Gokyo to Everest Base Camp (nearly)) - Returning from Nepal hooked up with Eny (Weisie's mum) in

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1163375870365849582006-11-12T23:51:00.000Z2006-11-14T17:07:02.213Z

There have been no updates to this site for many-a-month, five months or so in fact. In that time, we have travelled North and South America. We returned to Australia at the end of September 2006 for Sarah and Kris' wedding and to prepare for our own, which will happen this Saturday! After the honeymoon, when I have a moment, I will add the last chapters to our Big Trip and conclude this blog.

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1151438459343576842006-06-27T18:02:00.000Z2006-07-14T14:13:34.343Z

It was more like two weeks. I mean, who has enough going on in their lives to blog about what happened in just one. Come on!Week oneAnyway, on the Monday we went to see Billy Elliot, the musical, with Jacqui, Steve, Des & Shirley. Great fun but little Billy, bless, was lucky not to get up-ended by his cross-dressing mate in the final act! To top the night off, Weisie bumped into Goldie Hawn

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1148747017701220432006-05-27T16:23:00.000Z2006-06-24T20:57:54.373Z

Weisie’s folks stayed on a few days in Tourbes whilst we returned to London for a week. Then they drove to Paris, where we met up for one last weekend together before they headed home.We arrived by Eurostar late on a Friday night just after Luke who flew instead. Our hotel was a stone’s throw from where Weisie and I stayed two months earlier. We were feeling a little peckish so had deliciously

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1146724258834274322006-05-04T06:27:00.000Z2006-08-13T12:28:21.636Z

Weisie arranged an apartment for us whilst we were on the road to Barcelona. Our accommodation was perfect – its terraced roof had a panoramic vista that included many of the city’s most famous landmarks and overlooked a square (an old monastic quadrangle), now called Plaça Reial (pictured in the following image). We spent a fair bit of time in the apartment, enjoying glasses of chilled cava, the

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1146333905799123672006-04-29T17:54:00.000Z2006-05-04T06:27:09.806Z

We were delirious when we landed in our seventh country in as many days. It was remarkable, though, how we had become accustomed to lack of sleep and the total loss of a sense of time. It was in this state that we arrived in Montpellier, almost unaware of where we were, to be greeted by three happy and healthy looking people: Tony, Eny and Luke.Good friends of Weisie’s parents had kindly allowed

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1146333239932327932006-04-29T17:52:00.000Z2006-05-03T16:06:46.800Z

This is a brief entry to thank my folks, and especially Jamie for running around with us when we were in Sydney. It was also wonderful to see Marnie, John and the fast growing Samson who we look forward to seeing more of when we eventually return to Melbourne. Here is another one of Samson with his dad late one night.Although it was a sad occasion, and we will both miss Joan very much, it was a

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1146333141041738362006-04-29T17:32:00.000Z2006-05-03T16:07:22.783Z

It was more than a year ago that we drove around Scotland with Weisie’s folks. It did not seem that long though. The comfy closeness of our hire car was very familiar (in fact, it was the same make and model). There was, however, a little more room this time as Paul was not with us but somehow Weisie ended up in the boot again.During the previous week, Tony and Eny stayed with us in London. Our

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1146250579348615272006-04-28T18:55:00.000Z2006-04-29T18:16:58.456Z

March 2006. Paris was all aflame, burning with passion - and Molotov cocktails. We were in the City of Love for three days to visit our recently wed friends, Rupert & Jacky and Trev & Ros. This happened to coincide with general strikes and protests ending in riots and significant property damage.Prior to our friends' arrival, Weisie and I undertook reconnaissance of the bar and restaurant scene

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1141905460559909362006-03-09T11:55:00.001Z2006-05-27T16:37:53.233Z

[Note: you can click on any of the photos on this site for a better image.]We arrived in Kenya early in the morning when mist still covered the ground. Leaving the airport we immediately saw savannah and flat-topped acacias, school children and eclectically attired workers making their way across fields and highways into the city on foot. Weisie possible saw a zebra (could have been a plastic bag

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1141905327165005712006-03-09T11:55:00.000Z2006-03-29T02:50:45.966Z

Each country had perceptibly different scenery and people: in the case of Uganda, it was greener than Kenya and Tanzania, and the children waved with two hands instead of one. After a long drive to cross the border, we eventually pulled into the red dirt, riverside town of Jinja.Our first night in Jinja was hot, showerless and plagued by insects. We arrived in the dark and departed early next day

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1141905224928578192006-03-09T11:53:00.000Z2006-03-09T11:53:44.933Z

Rwanda literally is the land of a thousand hills, with numerous lakes and rivers surrounded by volcanoes covered in lush, green forest. Although it was the most beautiful of the countries we visited, Rwanda truly looked in parts like the most populace place on earth. Outside the national parks, nearly every portion of land, even steep hillsides, was heavily cultivated. The roads were challenging

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1141905190512600132006-03-09T11:52:00.000Z2006-03-09T11:53:10.520Z

Tanzania was a like a good curry in reverse: we had sore bottoms from the long ride getting there but finished with the wonderful taste of the Spice Islands in our mouths!It was a quiet day for some following our night out in Nairobi. We made our way to Arusha with some new travellers on board. We camped at a snake park whose residents included a man-eating python, a two-metre long black mamba

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1141895571427001772006-03-09T09:12:00.000Z2006-03-23T22:05:30.346Z

We were lucky to have so many interesting and easy-going travellers on Wiley. Having been back in the UK now for nearly a month, it is hard to imagine some of them are still on the road!It is always hard to mention names and we do not want to offend anyone we fail to write about (you were all wonderful). However, there are a few people who we want to acknowledge.Sarah and Tom, who sat beside us

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1136964447045220602006-01-11T07:27:00.000Z2006-01-11T10:12:26.430Z

Just in case anyone who attended Kel's NYE party in Parsons Green had forgotten:Oh-oh-oh-oh [x4]Everybody was kung-fu fightingThose cats were fast as lightningIn fact it was a little bit frighteningBut they fought with expert timing...[Repeat in head incessantly]Great food, great crowd, great night - and thanks for my little Miyagi drum (I can now spend hours at home pretending to be Daniel San).

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1136567844720526402006-01-06T17:01:00.000Z2006-01-11T10:51:11.906Z

Slovenia (1)Kate, Rob, Sal, Tim, Mel, Kel, Kaz and Josh met Weisie and me at Stansted, where we were doing some last minute shopping. The ten of us then hoicked it over to Slovenia, picked up hire cars and drove to Lake Bled. Josh, fearsome in control of any vehicle (car, bicycle, shopping trolley, etc), revealed his secretly cautious side by conveying the car we were in (Car 1) safely to our

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1134738301011849352005-12-16T12:51:00.000Z2005-12-20T21:38:41.016Z

As the end of our overseas experience draws nigh, we naturally started to think about the places and things we are yet to see and do. Our ambition was - and still is - to visit as many countries as we can (without sacrificing the “experience” part of the exercise). So it was that we booked two train tickets for a quiet weekend in Wales - or so we thought. It was neither quiet, nor Wales for that

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1130609603101235022005-10-29T18:13:00.000Z2005-11-29T10:26:41.903Z

Having sacrificed a significant part of our former social lives in order to avail ourselves of overtime opportunities at work, a spate of cultural encounters in the past week demands a post to this otherwise dedicated travel-blog.Mid week, our discreetly enlightened friend, Kate Goodwin, kindly invited us to attend a private viewing at an exhibition held by the Royal Academy of Arts of works

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1127052682670156552005-09-18T14:11:00.000Z2005-10-22T11:48:54.126Z

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1127245765985920412005-09-17T18:32:00.000Z2005-09-20T20:35:34.166Z

The last thing you want to hear at 6 am from a hostel receptionist after arriving in a new country on a sleepless coach trip is: “Sorry, 4 o’clock check-in”. On the up side, we were finally, after considerable outlay and red tape, in St Petersburg.We tried to wait it out in the communal kitchen but, realising sleep was beyond us, we opted to wander around town bleary-eyed. That day, we

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1126855556780491742005-09-16T07:25:00.000Z2005-09-19T13:46:35.196Z

We were up before 3 am to take a taxi then a bus to Stansted Airport - when you add up the actual cost of so-called "cheap flights" (out-of-hours travel) and the opportunity cost (lost sleep), you begin to wonder whether paying a few extra squids next time is not such a bad idea. Still, we can not complain, particularly when we get to see so many wonderful places. The capital of Estonia, Tallinn,

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1126854324880187722005-09-16T07:05:00.002Z2005-09-20T20:32:50.466Z

We were well rested after KL and keen to move on. Weisie had been to Vienna before but this was my first time, and we both felt that we needed a lot more time (and money) to experience all that the capital of Austria had to offer. I suppose that means we will be going back...Vienna is a beautiful, historic city with many opulent buildings. It is famed for its late, local musical talent (Mozart

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1124180886923929142005-08-16T08:28:00.003Z2005-09-16T10:05:17.046Z

After a breakfast of fresh birthday scones we said farewell to Marnie & Samson. Jacky Mac took Jamie, Weisie and me to the airport. We made our goodbyes and took the next plane to Malaysia.Kuala Lumpur was moist, noisy, smelly and tasty: much like every other city we have visited in South-East Asia, really, but a bit more modern. The locals sell fake DVDs, software and perfume by the cart-load

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1124180823721433432005-08-16T08:27:00.005Z2005-08-18T09:09:21.503Z

We deplaned in Sydney and the first thing we saw was (you guessed it): Krispy Kremes! We bought up big because we knew Jamie, our host, would REALLY appreciate them, and in the end he did get one. Jamie — my big bro — put us up for a few nights, both times we were in Sydney. We had some nostalgic moments including: watching The Goonies and Gremlins back-to-back, eating home-made Sheppard’s Pie,

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1121989152892497892005-07-21T23:36:00.000Z2005-08-16T08:43:53.096Z

We have a temporary mobile number whilst in Australia. 0415 261 765. We are in Canberra until Wednesday, 27 July 2005, after which we will be in Melbourne for a few days.

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1121678754757479072005-07-18T09:25:00.000Z2005-07-18T09:55:18.823Z

The flight from London was, well, fragrant. The previous night, Weisie and I cooked a meal for the kids at Hestercombe Avenue and we reeked of pungent Indian spices. Thank you once more for having us!On arrival in Miami, we scored an obtuse immigration officer who seemed to send every other person off for further interrogation. On seeing that we had recently toured Syria, I was asked whether I

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1121677537433507442005-07-18T09:05:00.000Z2005-07-18T09:19:58.000Z

During our first stint in London, we caught up with a number of friends from Aus, some of who were passing through and others who were firmly entrenched in the antipodean ex-pat community. In order: Tim & Mel, Lisa, Leanne and Ness.

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1120963266364841502005-07-10T02:37:00.000Z2005-07-10T02:41:06.370Z

Just a quick post to let you all know that we are okay following the tragedy in London last week. We are in LA about to board a flight to Sydney. We spent the last 10 days bumming around Florida...We will update the blog with our most recent adventures in the next few days.

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1118214330820028482005-06-08T15:45:00.000Z2005-06-12T10:36:06.253Z

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1118214457799619722005-06-08T07:07:00.004Z2005-06-12T19:36:21.180Z

Turkey is quite different to the Middle East. You notice a change in scenery immediately; the roads are better, there is more colour, better buildings, solar power, etc. Our independent memories of a previous journey here encouraged an expectation that Turkey would be easy-going compared with where we had just been. In my opinion, Turkey is one of the best travel destinations I have so far

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1118092319368544952005-06-06T21:11:00.000Z2005-06-12T19:46:21.246Z

The old houses in Damascus were amazing. During both our stints in the capital, we stayed in a converted hostel called Al-Haramain, which had a traditional, tiled fountain in the atrium. It was noisy and had the world’s smallest toilet (you had to lift your knees to close the door – do not try to imagine it) but they served delicious halva for breakfast so all was forgiven.The streets of Damascus

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1117365135879429622005-05-29T11:12:00.003Z2005-06-17T11:58:33.806Z

After transiting a couple of nights in Damascus we took the early bus to Beirut. There was talk of the mountain pass being closed. The driver loaded snow-chains – a welcome omen if the road was to be icy. We passed cars with 30cm coats, and the odd vehicle-shaped snow-mound. All of this was lovely from the comfort of our coach, that is until I had to disembark at the Lebanese border and run

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1116690101128976812005-05-21T15:41:00.004Z2005-06-17T12:03:15.600Z

A screaming mob rattled the gates of immigration at Aqaba port on our arrival. Armed men held the crowds back threateningly. We were a little intimidated, but not so much as a lone Japanese boy who was being monstered by taxi drivers. Weisie and I saved him from an indeterminate fate, but in spite of friendly quizzing during the half-hour ride into town, we failed to raise him from a monosyllabic

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1116084682901162082005-05-14T15:29:00.000Z2005-05-14T15:34:48.346Z

It is official. We have a fan.-----Original Message-----From: tathagata dasgupta Sent: Sunday, 8 May 2005 8:33 PMTo: WeisieSubject: YOUR BLOG IS GREAT!!hi,you may never read this mail, but still i am writing this to you.your blog rocks!!!i absolutely love it!!actually i have always been keen on having a life like you,travelling as occupation that is so cool, amazing snaps too, and i also really

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1115571113468728122005-05-08T16:51:00.001Z2005-06-17T14:43:03.763Z

The aeroplane landed at quarter to three in the morning. We bought our visa stamps and took a deep breath before striding through customs and into the chaos of Cairo. We took the liberty in London of arranging a hotel transfer to avoid the tourist touts. Apparently, we won the race against other phantom drivers into the centre of Cairo when we pulled up outside our hotel (even the taxi driver was

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1111419981113672942005-03-21T15:34:00.000Z2005-06-17T14:44:37.470Z

It has been a long time coming (and I apologise to all of you who have regularly checked our blog only to be disappointed to see that absolutely NOTHING has been done to it since the start of the year) but you will have to wait a little longer…I have completed writing up half of our trip through the Middle East - what an adventure - complete with carefully selected photographs. However, my little

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1104840321205693222005-01-04T11:56:00.000Z2005-01-04T12:08:50.390Z

Happy New Year everyone! We spent NYE in London with Tim and Mel, et al, and apart from being chased by security guards along the Thames for setting off fire crackers we had a relatively hassle free night. Louise is presently putting the last of her things into her backpack as we are due to leave for Heathrow in half an hour. The next leg of our Big Trip takes us close to the cradle of

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1103968035981331762004-12-25T09:47:00.000Z2005-06-07T15:02:05.326Z

These photos were taken shortly after the snow began to fall on Christmas Day, 2004, and posted to this blog within an hour for you all to enjoy.Weisie's brother, Luke (below), was staying with us during the festive season (you may remember him from earlier blogs, such as There and back again and one of my other favourites Edinburgh. This is Jacqui and Steve on the Stray…… and this is my first

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1119474612502902022004-12-13T21:10:00.000Z2005-06-24T15:52:59.840Z

Weisie took me to Portugal for my birthday.After a painless flight into the Algarve, we took a bus from Faro to Albufeira where Weisie had arranged an awesome apartment-style hotel room. We had a living room, dining room, kitchen and bedroom and spent four wonderful nights drinking local wine and making home-cooked food.Albufeira was "Little Liverpool"; every drinking establishment (of which

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1101819789274404872004-11-30T11:01:00.000Z2005-06-07T18:15:56.686Z

We stayed with Martin, Sophie and Moritz in London (thank you) for a couple of days and snuck out early on 9 November to catch a flight from Gatwick. We called Jamie from the airport for his birthday and it was great speaking with him, but it reminded me of how much I miss hanging with him in Sydney.The flight was good but the in-flight movie was cut short due to our early arrival. We dropped

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1099932396646090882004-10-23T16:46:00.000Z2004-11-08T17:11:32.776Z

The rain started to fall again as we left the Isle of Skye and made the long journey to the far north. We reached lands end at the aptly named town of Scrabster. Sadly, we missed the last ferry to the Orkney Islands, which was a mixed blessing for two reasons: firstly, we would have bitten off more than we could chew in the time we had in Scotland, and secondly, we now have a reason to go back.

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1099932606322251192004-10-20T16:50:00.000Z2004-11-08T17:25:42.173Z

It was bucketing with rain as we crossed the bridge onto the Isle of Skye. Water was cascading down the mossy rocks. We stopped in Portree and took a room in the hostel. In spite of the close quarters (we all shared bunks in the one room) the hostel was memorable. We drank whisky from the Oban distillery and played cards late into the early evening in the humid, industrious kitchen. We decided

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1099933923156619222004-10-18T17:12:00.000Z2004-11-24T09:54:56.116Z

We stayed at the Willy Wallace hostel in Stirling. The castle at Stirling was fantastic, probably the best presented one I have seen, with its newly restored Great Hall, moody music and lively kitchen diorama. After Stirling we made for the town of Luss by the voluminous Loch Lomond. This picture was taken by the shores of the loch (below). We made it to Oban, home of the famous distillery,

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1099934304098793382004-10-17T17:18:00.000Z2004-11-08T17:52:52.820Z

Tony, Eny, Luke and Paul stayed with us in Harrogate for the night. Jacqui and Steve took us out for a sumptuous Italian meal and much merriment was had by all. After breakfast the next day, we took in most of the sites around town and then made the midday train to Edinburgh, via Leeds. The train was a mad house and our reserved seats were taken due to a cancelled earlier service (what a surprise

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1096738520169551862004-10-02T17:35:00.001Z2004-10-02T18:09:07.320Z

And now the final entries for this leg of the Big Trip. We had a great night at the local vino in Primosten, where we drank and ate like the locals. A litre of wine, some fried squid and baitfish, with a side of octopus salad cost next to nothing (probably because I was not paying). The wine was fantastic we all had too much to drink. Everyone was drunk, even the vino owner. It was great. The

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1096735068552403042004-10-02T16:37:00.001Z2004-10-11T20:41:12.520Z

After saying farewell to Karen (who waited in Split by herself for 10 hours due to a cancelled ferry), we boarded the Jumper, a left-side-drive, 9 seater Citroën van and headed for Dubrovnik. The cliff top roads were daunting and exhausting (as the driver). But, thankfully, we made it no small thanks to my co-pilot the ever mindful Weisie! Old Dubrovnik is exactly what you would expect.

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1096645208243775632004-10-01T15:55:00.000Z2004-10-02T16:36:19.256Z

Rather than bore our expanding fan base that religiously check this blog for updates and leave comments, I will not detail every island and town we visited whilst with the Pasha II. However, I will briefly recount our trip to Modra Spilja (the Blue Grotto) near the island of Vis. The cave was guarded by a dishevelled, smoking woman in a small boat with 3 dogs. The boat was tied across the

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1096644671124785632004-10-01T15:51:00.000Z2004-10-01T15:40:46.746Z

Tim and I climbed up a spidery, rocky ravine to take this shot of our yacht moored in a little bay. We were standing on top of one of the many caves that over looked the area. Whilst we were climbing, Louise and Dave were on their own adventure climbing the rocks near the yacht. They found another cave which turned out to be an old munitions cache and battlement aimed conspicuously in the

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1096643554530220452004-10-01T15:50:00.000Z2004-10-01T15:21:59.323Z

Zjelko, our skipper, is a good sailor, a great teacher, and a very generous person. By the end of our week with Zjelko (not pronounced "Velcro", Dave) we had all got to know him very well. So well in fact that he and his partner, Duda, and her daughter, Lana, put us up in Zagreb for a couple of nights, which I will never forget. The dinner conversation on the first night was hilarious, spiced up

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1096641189603471992004-10-01T15:33:00.000Z2004-10-01T14:39:20.443Z

We left for Ancona from Stansted airport (the previous night had been spent celebrating Karen's birthday at a Chinese restaurant). To start the day, Weisie, Karen and I caught the Stansted Express (just) and buried our faces in breakfast from Burger King. We each ordered something different but somehow ended up with the same thing: two all lips'n'butt patties, special sauce (lard, lipid and

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1096557866710326742004-09-30T15:24:00.000Z2004-09-30T15:31:39.506Z

The view from the bath tub is certainly something to write home about. And if you do not have a home, it is something to blog about...

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1096556805206707652004-09-30T15:06:00.000Z2004-10-04T17:22:00.663Z

After Amsterdam, we retreated to Steve & Jacquis' place for some R&R - and to watch the Olympics. We were told to expect simple accommodation but were more than a little happy to see where we were going to be put up. Our bedroom is a newly renovated attic with en suite bathroom and robe room. I quickly tweaked the home entertainment system, added an Xbox and broadband to make it a little more

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1096553578751898942004-09-29T15:12:00.000Z2004-10-04T17:24:36.940Z

Sad but true: the only local cuisine we thought we would try whilst in the Netherlands this time around was Häagen-Dazs ice-cream - and it is not even Dutch (proof)! Nevertheless, it was sickeningly delicious. This photo was taken just before we departed Amsterdam leaving Les (centre) to finish the last leg of his mammoth tour of every dance venue in Europe with Reggie (below). We first met

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1096552559436543632004-09-29T08:55:00.000Z2004-10-04T17:26:17.123Z

Here is Karen and Reggie at the infamous "grilled leg of lamb" restaurant. Reggie and Les ate here nearly every night. You were served a medieval portion of lamb that required both hands to tear strips off in your teeth. For my part, I thought it tasted particularly good, and firmly believe that the secret recipe included some fantastic fungi! After just one serve, washed down with tankards of

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1094299064372560692004-09-04T11:56:00.000Z2004-09-06T14:45:40.790Z

I am not sure how excited Louise was leading up to DV2004, but it was certainly somewhere in the 9 to 10s. OMG. I must admit that I had a few hairs standing on end and spine tingles when we saw the recipe for the event: Start with 50,000 punters. Mix it up on 18 stages with over 200 performers. Sprinkle confetti from helicopters and bake slowly in the sun for 12 hours. The photos do not do it

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1094298710436316092004-09-04T11:51:00.000Z2004-09-30T15:31:10.910Z

We spent most of our time at this arena (photo taken from the stage). There were pyrotechnics and all when the sun went down. This was the far end of the Valley and by far the best arena (some would disagree).

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1094298624978375062004-09-04T11:50:00.000Z2004-09-30T15:36:18.643Z

Looking towards the entrance of Dance Valley. The big smiley face was the Eurodance arena...

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1094298526706154072004-09-04T11:48:00.000Z2004-09-30T15:38:42.936Z

Mel, Weisie, Ben, Karen and Tim. Weisie still has four sun tan lines across her chest from this day. It was very hot and someone forgot the suntan cream!

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1096558870865704592004-09-02T15:39:00.000Z2004-09-30T15:41:38.210Z

At this juncture, I would like to thank Tim, Mel, Trish and Em for kindly putting us up in their comfortable home in Fulham whilst we were in London this time around and earlier in the year (we popped over for NYE 2004). First thing we did was to drop off our bags and head for the Slug ‘n’ Lettuce in Parson’s Green to meet with our good friend Karen who moved to the UK six months earlier. Karen

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1093899607451758512004-08-30T21:00:00.000Z2004-09-30T15:44:35.750Z

Weisie enjoys a sausage at the Frankfurt Festival.

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1093899552105360062004-08-30T20:59:00.000Z2004-09-30T15:44:57.886Z

Ben enjoys a beer.

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1093899436317362352004-08-30T20:55:00.000Z2004-09-06T14:54:08.843Z

Our aeroplane was struck by lightning shortly after take off – a first for both of us. There was an almighty BANG, then a moment of dread. I looked to the overhead compartment for oxygen masks, but none fell. No flames and no crescendo of the engines as the plane spiralled into the sea. Notwithstanding this anticlimax, you would expect the captain to get straight on to the PA system and assure

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1093786570597540212004-08-29T13:36:00.000Z2004-09-30T15:45:19.570Z

Weisie at Owakundai, the stinky sulphur springs in Hakone. We were warned to keep our stay here to under 15 minutes otherwise we might die (which was a bit drastic I thought).

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1093786180372978972004-08-29T12:33:00.000Z2004-09-30T15:53:12.116Z

The day we travelled to Hakone was the best by far. Unfortunately, Mt Fuji eluded us entirely. We did not even catch a glimpse of her. Every map and brochure ensured us that the majestic volcano would loom over us as we sailed across Lake Ashino and rode the cable car up and over Mt Soun-zan. Nevertheless, we paused for a late lunch on the lakes edge and at the sulphur springs, which were at the

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1093780484875467522004-08-29T11:54:00.000Z2004-09-30T15:49:44.100Z

Louise and Jessica in front of the torii gates of Yoyogi-Koen in Harajuku. Inside the park, you half expected Ninja to drop from the enormous cyprus trees. At the heart of the park was Meiji-jingu, a fantastic Shinto shrine.

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1090816493654896212004-07-21T03:49:00.000Z2004-09-30T14:29:50.266Z

We have a few days left in Japan before flying to Germany. To round off our trip here we are taking the train to Hakone tomorrow to catch a glimpse (hopefully) of Fuji San. Jess's boyfriend, Ben, returned from his work trip the other day and since then we have had much more of the local beer and seen some interesting nightscapes. Ben is fluent in English, Japanese and American. Prior to Ben's

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1090378524965707372004-07-21T02:42:00.000Z2004-07-21T02:55:24.966Z

We are in Tokyo (Iogi actually) staying with our great friend Jessica Smith. It was blisteringly hot yesterday. We only managed to walk for 15 minutes to the train station before suffering from heat exhaustion and deciding it was too much effort to actually board a train. We took refuge in a supermarket instead where it was cool and browsed the isles looking at all the different types of local

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1089629681233559292004-07-12T10:54:00.001Z2004-09-30T15:55:53.816Z

Ben and Louise atop the Grand Canyon, USA, January 2004.

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507408.post-1088728021532503012004-07-02T00:10:00.000Z2004-09-30T15:55:28.456Z

There must be a beginning - and there must be an end. This is the order of things. Let me start at the start, skip ten billion years, and take you to the present day... Melbourne CBD, morning. 13 degrees and overcast. Level 10, recently renovated residential block annexed to the soaring green-topped IOOF Building. Apartment 1007 – our home for the past 18 months. Sitting at the dining room

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15739698802260024205noreply@blogger.com0