SJ's Grand Adventure

I've been pretty rubbish at updating. SE Asia went by soooo quick, was a whirlwind.
SE Asia was incredible, waaaayyy too many amazing places to pick a favourite. We travelled north from Bangkok up to Laos where we took a sloooooooowwwwwwwwwww boat (or the slow boat of doom) that took 2 days to Luang Prabang in Laos. I managed to pick up a spider bite on my ear in BK and then a pretty nasty infection in my wee toe in Laos which they treated by pulling the toe nail out with a pair of tweezers!

One of the best things we did on our trip was in Vang Vieng in Loas where we sat on tractor inner tubes on a river for 4 hours and stopped at make shift bars all the way down. They all had massive rope swings/zip lines too. Alcohol, massive jumps and a fast flowing river - health and safety at its best! Can't think of many better ways to spend a day!

We also saw the valley of the jars in Laos in Phonsovan. 2000 year old clay jars scattered all over the place and noone really knows why. It's difficult to excavate because of all the UXO (unexploded ordanances) Laos is the most heavily bombed country in the world, there are scary signs and posters warning not to stary from the paths everywhere. Despite this it's a beautiful country with extremely friendly people but very dodgy roads. Took us 24 hours to cross from Laos into Vietnam.

Border crossing involved 3 buses, a tuk-tuk, a motorbike, several chickens and a log. But we did make it to Hanoi in 1 piece. Vietnam was probably my least favourite of the Asian countries we visited, didn't find it as pretty as the other countries and the people definately weren't as friendly. Although I still really enjoyed travelling from Hanoi to Saigon and through to Cambodia. It was much easier to travel here too. The best bits of Vietnam were Halong Bay and Hoi An, a gorgeous wee town on the coast. Nha Trang was fun some of the best nightlife we've come across.

Cambodia was ace although it definately has 2 sides to it - the horrendous recent past of the Khmer Rouge and the stunning beauty of the place. Phnom Phen is a lovely place although it does have its darker side with S-21 and the Killing Fields. Gordon went to a shooting range there where you can shoot a cow with a rocket launcher for $200 or for $50 a chicken with an AK-47 (he didn't off course)

One of the best places I've ever been is Angkor just outside Siem Reap. Didn't realise the scale of the place, Angkor Wat is just one of many many temples.

The border crossing from Cambodia into Thailand really highlighted the difference in prosperity between the 2 countries. It took us 5 hours to travel 150km to the border then only 2 hours the other side to travel the same distance.

We ended our 4 months at the Full Moon Party on Kho Pha Ngan. Still can't think of a better way to finish a years worth of travelling. We didn't do anything other than sit on a beach and go out all night for 1 week, was perfect! Although Gordon did manage to end up with 11 stitches in his leg - you'll have to ask him how that happened!

There are LOADS more fantastic places and people and tonnes of stories but I'll save them to bore people with when I see them, now if that's not an incentive to come and see me in Edinburgh I don't know what is!!!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=32708&l=e09b8&id=542280642

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=34872&l=c4001&id=542280642

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=36986&l=97ad0&id=542280642

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=38619&l=79a20&id=542280642

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=43552&l=59882&id=542280642

I'm now back in Edinburgh cause I'm starting a MSc in Neuroscience (I can barely spell the word so studying it should be interesting!) Arrived back in the UK bout 2 weeks ago and have found a part-time bar job, my perfect job! and a flat in Newington so all ready for Freshers' week! Still getting used to the idea of being in one place for more than a week but quite looking forward to settling for a while (I'll see how long it lasts!)

Here's the adress for the rest of the piccies. Now I'm back in the UK hopefully I'll see those of you that live in the UK soon xxxxx

After a loooooong journey from NZ (I was on the same flight as the All Blacks so can't complain too much!) arrived safe and sound in BK. It's just a wee bit different to NZ and OZ!! It's a massive, crazzzy city.

We spent a couple of days in BK mainly being shown around by my school pal KT's mate, Adisorn who's from Thailand. We got to see a completely different side to the city than we would have if we were on our own as 'farangs'. He also took us to Ayuthaya, just north of the city with his pal, Sky who drove us there in her a/c car!!

The temples 'wats' are amazing, especially in Sukhothai where we cycled round them all. It was very quiet and beautifully kept.

We're now in Chiang Mai which is much more touristy, heading of on a trek tomorrow and when we get back hopefully going to do a cookery course. Then it's of to Laos to meet up with friends from Doharrrrrrr, the time is flying by!

Check out the piccies....

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=30390&l=c6a14&id=542280642

We've had an AMAZING time in NZ, the time has absolutely flown. The south island is very different to the north and even more stunning.

We travelled for the month with Nina, a lovely German girrrrrl, who actually understands sarcasm! The scenery is breathtaking, seems like every corner you turn it gets even better - just check out the photos (the links should be below, or just get yourself on facebook, my name on it is SJ Rennie)

One of the best things we did was in Kaikoura on the south island where we swam with 200 wild dusky dolphins. You forgot how cold it was when the started playing with you, they loved to make you swim in circles, wonderful animals. We did a heli hike up to the Franz Joseph Glacier, I love helicopters!! Loads of gorgeous walks, particularly around Marlborough Sounds on the Queen Charlotte track at the north of the south island. The spectacular Fiord Land (yup the Kiwis spelt fjord wrong!) , very fun Queenstown and the tranquil Wanaka. It's grrrrreat how much we've managed to fit in, wish we had more time here....

Gordon even managed to do the Nevis bungy jump from a cable car - something I was not even remotely tempted to do.

Now we're back in Auckland, next stop Thailand........

heli hike piccies:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=27170&l=b4aec&id=542280642

Black water rafting:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=26039&l=40cd2&id=542280642

North island piccies:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=24650&l=3a626&id=542280642

South Island:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=27173&l=fcdef&id=542280642

Dolphins:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=28392&l=9a07e&id=542280642

I've managed to get the slowest computer in the world EVER, so amlacking the patience to write a looong entry, will try soon when I can find a computer that doesn't run on potatoes.

New Zealand is absolutely stunning and we've only seen the north island. We flew into Auckland and spent a few days there with Bindu. Managed to fit loads in and then hired a car for the next month to travel both islands. Managed to see most of the major sights, bay of islands, hot water beach where we were the only ones mad enough to watch the sunrise from a big holes dug in the sand while it was 10 degrees brrrrrrrrrrrrr but very warm in the hole!
Black water rafting in Waitomo which was amazing, abseilied in, saw loads of glow worms while serenely drifting through the cave on an inner tube then rock climbing back out.

Hmmmm what else...... Gordon sky dived... loads of walking (or tramping as they say here) especially the Tangariro crossing near Taupo which is of course gorgeous. Through volcanic craters, emerald green lakes all with stunning views.

The link for the photos.........
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=26039&l=40cd2&id=542280642

Can't believe how fast time has gone, we leave for NZ on Thurs. We've spent the last couple of weeks travelling down from Brisbane to Sydney, the Gold Coast. Loads of beautiful beaches and towns, Byron Bay, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Anna Bay......

We had surfing lessons in Byron Bay, I didn't take to it at all, get waaaay too frustrated but was fun. Gordon on the other hand absolutely loves it and has even started yoga!

We're in Sydney at the moment with Suzanne, a friend from Juniper Green doing all the touristy stuff. Had my b'day on Bondi Beach with cake and Passion Pop! It's her b'day today so we're of to Watsons Bay on the ferry. Sydney is a lovely city, didn't realise it had so many suburbs and beaches.

Will def be sad to leave OZ but on to the next stage in the journey....

Here's the link to see the most recent piccies....

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=20997&l=0b239&id=542280642