Me & My Travels!

Well I got to Los Angeles and was absolutely knackered so we got a chinese and just went to sleep ready for a full day of shopping the next day.

We wandered up the road to find ourselves in Venice Beach which was amazing. Also known as Muscle Beach we walked along the Ocean Path past many a shop selling tacky souvenirs and millions of T-Shirts - Which I hasten to add Rich bought most of! We then headed to the shopping mall for a last major hit on the credit cards.

So I left my purse at home and just took my credit card and debit card - shopping here I come and I was in my element. The shoe shops were amazing - and I confess to purchasing about 4 pairs today - however, I did throw a wobbler when I was nicely told that without ID no where in the mall would accept my credit card as LA is the capital for Credit card fraud. Did I shout? Yes and even threw my card on the floor!! But then calmed down and realised that all was not lost and I could get money out on my credit card - so problem solved and shopping I did!! A few hundred pounds later and we collapsed back at the hotel.

That evening we wandered down the road to the Pasta Factory where we enjoyed home made pasta which was beautiful but we were perhaps a little too tired to fully appreciate it.

So Thursday dawned and we hopped on the bus to start our tour of LA. It was fantastic. A great city but not one I would revisit. Once you've walked along the hall of fame and seen all the footprints in the concrete, visited Rodeo Drive and pretended to be Pretty Woman, and stuffed your face it's kind of over!! Don't get me wrong it was a fantastic way to end my trip but Friday came and I was ready to fly home.

So yes I am home, and have been for a week. It's bloody freezing here but it's back to reality and work tomorrow which bizarrely I'm really looking forward to.

To conclude, I would just add that I met some fantastic people while I was away, some of whom will be in my life for a long time I hope. You are all very special and whilst I had a great time, home is where the heart is. If you get the chance to do what I did, grab it with both hands and run. I had an amazing time and will treasure my memories forever.

Hels Bels
xxxx

I'm dedicating this to John, a man who was there for me when I needed someone to give me a kick up the backside, or make me laugh, someone who could always motivate you to get your next temp out working and pour a glass of wine down your neck when you hadn't. John was thrilled for me when I announced my plans to come away and sent me packing, with the promise that I would be missed and would not be allowed a day off when I returned as he would have me back at my desk straight away! He rang me on New Years Day and again a few weeks later to check I was having a good time and to ask me to come back to work!! Ever the hopeful was John, but I kept saying no. I promised him I'd be back in March once I had achieved what I had set out to do and he accepted this. I know John would be proud of me for everything I have done and achieved, and no doubt a little jealous, but I'll bet one thing he doesn't know is how much he'll be missed by me, and everyone that knew him. John was a fantastic man, with a heart of gold. Sure he had his bad points, but don't we all? So, after getting the sad news of his death I made sure that I did everything I wanted to do, after all life is too short not to.

So after visiting Pearl Harbour and purchasing my beautiful Diamonds and Pearls Ring (yes - ever the true Prince fan I am!) Rich and I headed back to Waikiki and went to the beach. At last the sun was shining which believe me was a treat. That evening we headed out for dinner, and then headed back.

Saturday we were booked onto an afternoons trip out on a boat, however, as we were well used to the rain was falling and given that we had only paid a deposit and I was stricken with a bit of a cold and the worst sore throat ever we decided to bin it off. So we went to Denny's for lunch (we had seen this place on the first day and then couldn't find it for love nor money - until a taxi driver showed us where it was - RIGHT OPPOSITE THE HOTEL!!) and as we sat there eating our Eggs Over Medium (whatever that is) the sun started to shine. So we fed our faces as quickly as possible and hit the beach, where we found a friend. Along came Carl....

Carl is this short little black man from Arizona who is working in Waikiki and was on his day off and told us how he is king!! He even got a crown from Burger King and wore it on the beach. Every female that moved he was onto, despite the fact that he was old enough to be their grandfather, and then persuaded me to go ask a little Japanese girl if we could borrow her surf board for a photo - one photo. Oh no, 10 photos later and he was the Surf God of Waikiki!! He insisted on taking my email address, and bought us a beer (which is always good although incurred a telling off from an official about drinking on the beach!) and then inviting us to a barbeque the next day. Unfortunately we were busy!!!!!!!!!!!!

So after a bit of a baking in the sun we headed back to get ready to go eat at The Cheesecake Factory. So many people have told me about this place and how fantastic the food is, and the desserts are wicked and now it's my turn. It's FAB, go there if you're near one, the food is great and well I've never seen so many different varieties of cheesecake - right now there are 2 pieces sat next to the computer screen waiting to be scoffed - so I won't be much longer - either that or the keyboard will get very messy!

Sunday and again the sun was shining so we hit the beach again, after breakfast at Dennys - now we'd found it we were going to go there every bloody day!! Roll on Sunday night though - this one's for me and Lyndy. Remember those days when we used to sit and watch Grease 2 and them all bopping at the Luau - well we went to the Paradise Cove Luau on Sunday night Lyndy!! You would have loved it. It was a fantastic night and we had front row seats for everything. I made a lei for my arm and we were given fresh lei's when we arrived. I have photos to prove my following statement. We arrived and had to have our photos taken with a polynesian girl and guy and the guy - wow!! Think John, the Gardener from Desperate Housewives - oh yes girlies - he was gorgeous!!! He asked if we wanted a photo together and I replied that I would rather keep him for myself but nevertheless we had one anyway.

So the show started and they were throwing fire, dancing with coconut bras, and generally wearing not a lot. The band was great, the food was excellent and the atmosphere was just electric. Towards the end they invited people onto the stage and the people were selected by the dancers. So being me I kept my head down (I did I promise!) and just drank my drink and checked the photos I had taken earlier, when all of a sudden I'm tapped on the shoulder by John, the Gardener from DH - aka FIT BLOKE IN VERY LITTLE - and taken away from the table. As I walked away from the table I was vaguely aware that most people were already on the stage, yet we were headed around the back where it was dark - "I can handle this" I thought, until we get backstage and he puts a couple of shaker things in my hands and shows me what he wants me to do. He told me to just keep facing him, hold the shakers above my head and shake them whilst girating my hips in his direction. I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me, and just kept laughing. When asked if I'd been drinking I replied yes, to which he said "just let the drink kick in baby"!! So we head on stage, and I'm ok thinking I'll be one of a few people on the stage, and he turns to me and says "by the way, I forgot to tell you it's just going to be you and me on the stage"!!!!!!!! Oh My God!!!

So in true Helen form, I let the exhibitionist side of me come through and shook my thang on stage in front of some 500 people, with this gorgeous man who made it soooo easy!! I received a certificate to say I had passed an Accelerated course in Hula and a kiss from J, G from DH!! Photos to prove it girlies!!

All to quickly the evening ended and we left with our souvenir glasses acquired on the sly by our lovely lovely waiter for us as the real souvenirs were plastic and not great. We then got out the front and I had my photo taken with J, G from DH and he gave me his lei - which I'm assured means he's going to call me!!!!!!!!

Today, once again, the sun was shining so we hit the beach for a bit more baking before heading back to get ready for the show that all our mums would love. Yes we went to see Elvis in Blue Hawaii!!!!! It was hideously tacky but loads of fun, and he was actually quite good. Very tall, but very good. And I got to sit on Elvis' lap!! So exciting!!!!!!!!

So you see John, I'm doing everything I can for you. I fly to Los Angeles tomorrow morning where I will be to say goodbye to you. I tried to fly home but the timings were so tight it would have been a nightmare, and I figure that I can say goodbye to you wherever I am, and you can enjoy some of the fun with me. My heart goes out to all of you who will be attending Johns funeral, and I am going to be there in spirit too.

So for now, I say Aloha to you all, including John, and will promise to make sure that the last few days of my trip in LA are just as fab and worthwhile as the rest.

Thinking of you
Hels Bels
xxxx

So we flew at midnight on Tuesday 28th February ok??? 7 hour flight ok?? So we land on Wednesday at 11am yes..........

No.........We arrived at 11am on Tuesday 28th February?????? Totally plays with your head but there you have it - we crossed the international date line and found ourselves in Groundhog day - although a better location with more civilisation. Didn't really sink in that I had arrived in Hawaii - yes there are palm trees everywhere and yes everyone is wearing hideous hawaiian shirts but STILL the sun is not shining!!!! I feel like I'm chasing something that is non existant!!

SO we relived Tuesday, had a sleep and then went for a walk around Waikiki trying to orientate ourselves. Found Macys which is great as some of you will know and then grabbed ourselves some totally american fast food in the form of Taco Bell (Mexican fast food??). Wednesday and still no sun, but a shopping trip in town was on the cards and I dragged Rich around the shops but relented after about an hour and we just mooched. That evening we went for dinner on the Top of Waikiki which is a revolving restaurant which overlooks the whole of Waikiki - it was beautiful, the food was fab and the company was ok!!

Yesterday I went shopping at the Ala Moana Centre and managed to kill 5 hours having a great time!! Only managed to buy a pair of jeans, 2 tops and a holiday outfit - still looking for my trainers and some Levis - but I did purchase a beautiful pair of Guess shoes - I know more shoes but it's my thing!! Dinner was a quiet affair in a gorgeous chinese restaurant - it is billed as the Most Beautiful Chinese Restaurant in the World, and it is. What isn't quite SO beautiful is the way the staff hover over you, serve your main course before you've almost started your Entree and then stare at you. Granted we were the last people in the restaurant but it was ONLY 9.30pm. So very naughtily we accidentally you understand spilt some sauce on the table, knocked some rice on the glass and counted out the bill to the exact penny. Fab food, fab surroundings, again the company was ok, but shocking service!

Today we headed out to Pearl Harbour. Very naively I didn't realise that Pearl Harbour was in Hawaii - I thought it was in Japan which gave Richard a few laughs at my expense. However, I am educated now and am glad I went. It was very though provoking and kind of made you really sad, but it was as I say, an education. I must head up to the bathroom and check my forehead in a minute as I think I have sucker written on it. For on the way back to the shuttle bus I was given a ticket for a free spin in a tombola - FREE - you know me, I was there!! So I span and got a voucher for 60% off my very own pearl which I could harvest. So I did, and it was beautiful. So I am now the proud owner of a gorgeous Pearl and diamond ring from Pearl Harbour, Hawaii, and need to start work asap to pay it off!!!!!

Anyway, off to a Luau and the Blue Hawaii Elvis show at some point and then fly onto LA on Tuesday. Will try and update with my elvis and luau stories.

Love to everyone and stay safe
Hels Bels
xxx

Ok, ok, ok I know. I'm sorry. I did try to update my website whilst in Fiji but you have to appreciate that in these beautiful places, with white sandy beaches, gorgeous sunshine, and fab cocktails that internet access is not a high priority for the Fijians!! But I'm here now! So here goes.

Landed in Fiji and made my way to the Feejee Experience office where I was given my shell 'Lei' and advised to take a seat whilst the other people arrived and we got chauffeur driven in the Feejee Experience Stretch Limo to the hotel!! So got chatting to Amanda who was also starting the FE the next day, staying in the same hotel and was from Horsham and round about the same age as me. So we chatted and soon made friends. Upon sight of the Limo we both laughed. The Limo was Green, with Feejee Experience graffiti'd down the side of it and to say it was slightly battered would be an understatement! But it all added to the 'Experience!'

We arrived at the Nadi Bay Hotel where we checked into the dorm room. Well, I thought I had had my worst experience in a dorm that I could have but I was proved wrong. And I'm sure you'll understand why Manda and I very quickly made a pact to share the cost of twin rooms all the way after this first night. We managed to bag ourselves bottom bunks only to have this huge fat australia lard arse grab the bed next to us. He was fat, rude and not the nicest man I ever met. He watched us sort our stuff out and get changed. We went to bed and he spent the whole night coughing spluttering and generally sounding like he was throwing his guts up. I was awoken at 3am to him couching something into his sheet and then screwing it up and watching me. So I made a great show of huffing and puffing and turning my back to him. Little did I realise in my half asleep state that Manda was doing exactly the same thing!! In the morning he woke, got up and stretched his arms up high, and let one rip!! A big one!! Manda and I packed our stuff and I think it's fair to say that the experience was the start of a great friendship!!

So we got on the coach and met Bola our guide and William the driver who told us we were going to the local beach for our briefing. Great - beach already! Except that we drove to the beach which was covered in litter and sat on the coach and looked out the window whilst Bola told us what we were going to be doing today! We headed into Nadi town to buy Sulus (sarongs to you and me - and yes I had 2 with me and Yes I bought another!) and anything else in general. We picked up a waif and stray who had overslept who joined the intrepid bus for the trip. There was myself and Manda, 3 lads from Halifax (Oli, Mark & Andy), Gemma from Plymouth, Jaime the air steward from Liverpool and the waif by the name of Richard also from up norf!!

From Nadi we headed to Natadola Beach which according to the Lonely Planet guide is 'probably the most beautiful beach on the mainland'. All I can say is that Manda and I were worried. THe diggers at the end of the beach didn't help and the clouds blocking the sun weren't too great either - other than that great! We all chipped in for a barbeque which Bola and William put together for us and generally started to get to know each other.

From the beach (and the boys poor effort at a game of footie!) we headed to Malo-Malo which is a real Fijian village. The way these guys live out here is amazing and truly makes you grateful for everything that we take for granted in our daily lives. The kids were gorgeous and everyone just waves at you. Everyone had to cover their shoulders and wear their sulus - which made an interesting sight believe me!!

After a good look around we headed to the sand dunes where Amanda and I took a back seat and watched all the nutters caning it down the dunes on boogie boards. Bola actually came down standing up - totally mad! Anyway it all looked like lots of fun but my back wasn't going to be liking it too much so I gave it a miss.

From here we stayed at Mango Bay Resort on the Coral Coast which has only been open a couple of months. The accommodation was fantastic - well, mine and Mandas was anyway. We opted for a Safari Tent which had all mod cons including en-suite bathroom - lovely, thank you very much. We couldn't resist taking a look at the dorms we were missing out on and I think chicken coup is probably a better term but still nice I'm sure!!! We went for dinner and the evenings entertainment started. The band began playing, the singers began singing and then the dancing began. Good fun, but boy do some of the Fijians smell!! After dinner we decided to have an early night as we were tired and had to prepare for the Rainforest trek the next day. By all accounts we missed a good night - naked volleyball and swimming - hmmmm!!

So the next morning we headed off for the rainforest and started the trek. The weather by this time is awful - the rain keeps on coming and the trek is getting muddier and muddier. To be honest it was probably preferable to blazing hot sunshine though up to a point....

The trek was amazing though - we walked through the streams/rivers which were supposedly only supposed to come just above your ankle - yeah right! Being the short arse that I am at points it was half way up my thighs - all good fun though and totally soaking wet from the rain you tend not to care anyway. We eventually made it to the end where we sat and ate our lunch in the pouring rain and then got given our tubes to ride down the river in, over the rapids and back to the long boat for the journey back to the coach, via the waterfall. The tubing was great fun, just a little bit cold, but the waterfall was fab. It looked gorgeous and of course some people jumped in. Having been told that someone drowned the week before Manda and I declined - see Mum I can be sensible sometimes!! All the lads went in and of course Gemma. Did I mention Gemma? Lovely girl, very young with a lot to learn but I feel sure that by the end of her travels she will have learnt a lot. Hopefully how to shut her mouth at the appropriate time!!!

The long boat ride back to the coach was long, cold and kind of put a dampener on things (sorry!) but all in all a fantastic day - a real experience.

So from there we headed up to Suva the capital city where we stayed at the Raintree Forest. Again a twin room thank you very much and we jumped straight in the shower - probably before the others had even finished checking in!! Hot water - very very welcome. We changed and got our stuff ready for the next day before heading down to the bar where we were all meeting to go out for dinner in Suva and then on to a club - a little dubious about this but never the less we were up for a good night out. We were all taken to a restaurant where the general fayre seemed to be pizza or pasta and just started drinking. We were lucky enough to have Gemma at our end of the table so entertainment was guaranteed (if a little non-stop!) and then headed next door to O'Reileys where we were treated to Richard pole dancing and some very interesting dancing from a couple of americans who came to join us!! Sadly Gemma made an early departure but I feel sure that Amanda & I shocked a few people in the group who had probably decided that we were the older two who were sensible and let's face it once you're over 30 you forget how to have fun - NOT!! We danced and drank all night and had a great time.

The next day we headed off to Voli Voli on the north of the island which has the island of Nananu-I-Ra just off it's coast where I was to be staying after my Feejee experience (more about that later!) We were visiting a village and a school en-route so Bola announced in the morning that our Chief for the Kava ceremony would be Richard and his Spokesman would be Oli - so with looks of fear and trepidation on their faces they led us into this Fijian village for a welcoming ceremony. THis was a fantastic experience and the Kava is different let's put it that way. Basically it's a root that they grind up and mix with water and then drink - it is rude to decline it and it is VERY strong. It is said that in enough quantity it gives you double vision and numbness - I'm glad to report that I experienced both - no only joking I did feel my lips go numb briefly though! Very glad I'm female too. We got out of drinking copious amounts by learning to weave!!

After the ceremony we then learnt how to scrape a coconut and had a little competition - can't actually remember which team won but it was good fun any way. After that the boys sat around and discussed how to choose a good wife in Fiji and the girls learnt to weave. I actually made myself a bracelet - not bad either - one of those things that will sit around a collect dust so I might nominate a new owner for it - who knows!

From here we stopped at the local school which was brilliant. Knowing how much I love kids you'll appreciate how much I loved this experience. The children all sang for us and danced and generally made us really welcome. One little girl was the star of the show putting her all into her singing and dancing - gorgeous she was!!Amanda and I had bought the children lollys so you can imagine how popular that made us and watching their faces when you showed them photos on the digital cameras was just perfect! We gave our donations of stationary to the head mistress who will use them as prizes for the good behaviour and good work - a totally different way of life.

From here we headed to Voli Voli, another hostel that has only been open a couple of months. Mand and I had our own dorm to ourselves and a bathroom each - heaven. The meal was interesting and having ordered our food first, we ate last - Fiji time!! After dinner we played games organised by the hostel and then everyone had an early night. OVernight the heavens opened and the rain was unlike any I have ever seen before. Evidently it was tthe tail end of a hurricane that Fiji was experiencing - still we were waiting for the sunshine - we were beginning to think that it is only a myth that the sun shines in Fiji!!

Anyway from here it was back to Nandi, stopping at a village for lunch (a curry where Bola was really excited about telling us all about indians - doesn't get the whole curry being one of the most popular meals in the UK thing!!) and then on the mud pools. Oh my god. That was hard. I hate getting dirty as most of you know - and deliberately stepping into mud pools and covering myself in mud goes against the grain. However, I overcame the issues and eventually covered my skin in the mud and got out and rinsed off in the hot pools. A great experience to end a totally awesome experience in Fiji - even if the sun didn't shine. So back to Nadi for the night.

I was supposed to be going to Beachcomber island the next day however, on arrival in Nadi we all headed to Ed's bar where the drinks started flowing a little too quickly. Being told I'm a soft southerner who can't drink combined with the fact that I'm a stubborn cow who won't be put down didn't really help the situation. After downing a vodka I looked at Mand and confessed to it not having been the best idea I had had!! NEver mind - we continued anyway and at the end of the evening it was a REALLY GOOD IDEA to buy a bottle of vodka to take back and drink by the pool..........

At 6am we headed to bed with only 2 hours before being picked up to go to Beachcomber, a tearful goodbye ahead when I left cos Manda was flying off to LA and you can guess what happened. No I didn't miss my coach pickup cos we discovered there was another bus at 11am however, I was feeling worse than I have felt in years and made the decision not to go as the weather was still awful and spend the day with Manda and Richard as it was her last day. So we headed into town and shopped until all the bites that we had acquired sitting outside until 6am started to make themselves known - boy did they hurt. My legs and feet looked diseased - it really wasn't funny - although all in a good cause - it had been a great night.

So Manda left me and flew to LA. She is fantastic and we will keep in touch. She helped make my time in Fiji fab so thanks honey. As for Richard well - ask me when I'm home!!

So that was Saturday and then Sunday came and went and I spent most of the time at the bar with Richard drinking as the sun was still being elusive. We decided to book a trip for the next day and booked to go to Bounty Island and South Sea Island. Bounty island is where they filmed Celebrity Love Island and that's about all there is to say for it - except that the sand is really yuk and the rocks getting in the sea kill!!

From there we headed to SOuth Sea Island which was gorgeous. This truly is my idea of heaven - exactly how I had pictured Fiji - and guess what, the sun came out for us. We actually had a day of sunbathing in Fiji - although as the boat headed for the mainland the rain began to fall again!!

Tuesday came and instead of heading up to Nananu I changed my flights and decided to hit Hawaii with Rich. Poor man - I bet he can't wait to get rid of me!! So we spent Tuesday trying to waste time before the midnight flight. It's totally psychological on leaving day - if we were staying we would just have sunbathed and drunk and had a great day but because we knew we flying that night we just kept clock watching.

And thank god that I was with Rich and flying to Hawaii and not on my own in Nananu. Sadly I had a phonecall from home to say that a good friend had died at the weekend, so I will be home sooner that you expected as I don't want to miss his funeral. I can assure you that I raised a few glasses to him that night, and was so grateful for not being on my own. What I do know is that he would have been really angry with me if I had cut my trip short totally and flown home then and there (which I considered) so I decided to continue with the plans to come to Hawaii and have fun.

So the long and the short of it was that Fiji is great, wouldn't come back again unless to visit the islands and I made some fantastic friends for life.

So Vinaka Vaka Levu Fiji (Thank you very much!) and Aloha Hawaii!!!!

xxx

Well, after my adrenaline rush in Taupo I was really in shock. It was a fantastic thing to do but I think I actually scared myself witless - hey ho!! We left Taupo and Paul drove us to Rotorua (I was in no fit state to drive!!) which is the home of all the geothermal activity, geysers, mud pools etc etc.

Strangely, half an hour after leaving Taupo I started sneezing like you wouldn't believe. I kept asking Paul if it was possible to catch a cold whilst free falling - he assured me he had never heard of it before!! Anyway so I sneezed my way into the hostel and had a lay down. However, one of my sneezes caught my back and I was again in a lot of pain. I can jump out of a plane from 15000ft but I can't handle sneezing!! Bizarre. So Paul asked what I wanted to do. So we decided to go for something to eat and went down the road to the Indian Palace and had a gorgeous curry. We then went from there to the Polynesian spa in the hope of getting me a massage to ease my back - however the health spa was closed so we just went and used the hot baths.

It is like stepping back in time. They remind you to remove all silver jewellery before getting in so I duly removed my rings, watch and necklace. Unfortunately, I have got so used to my toe ring I forgot to take it off and then panicked once in the water about my belly button. So we called it a night and got out. My toe ring was black but strangely my belly button was fine. Very strange (except not when you actually realise that they pierce you with surgical steel, not silver!!).

So to bed, and the plan to phone the spa at 8am to see if I could get a massage. I set my alarm confident that I would ring and then have no joy and be able to get back to sleep!! Oh No!! They could see me at 8.30 and I wasn't even packed. Paul was still asleep so we hurriedly checked out and made it there with 2 minutes to spare. I relaxed in the pools that are heated up to various temperatures the hottest being 42 degrees - how lovely was that - I've had colder baths!! And then my massage. Heaven!! She brushed me all over and then applied the magical mud to my back and left me there whilst giving me a head massage. Then she washed off the mud and started on my back - the pain was unbelievable - my back was (and probably is again by now!) so knotted from carrying my backpack that she detected it straight away. I was actually bruised after my massage but well worth every penny - pretty fab way to start Valentines day!!

So we left the spa and drove over to Te Puia which is a Maori Cultural Centre and also home to the Pohutu Geyser and a fantastic Maori concert. It was a brilliant couple of hours and the geyser was unbelievable - a real sight to see. The concert was excellent and prior to it you take part in a proper Maori tribal ritual which is very interesting. They performed the Haka which I videoed - and many more Maori songs. It was brilliant - highly recommended to anyone.

From there we drove to Auckland. All this time I had been sneezing like you wouldn't believe. It was like I had flu but without any other symptons. Strangely, half an hour out of Rotorua and it stopped. I think with hindsight that I am actually allergic to the Sulphur that pervades everywhere in Rotorua - it comes from all the hot pools and mud!! So my nose was very glad to leave although the rest of me was kind of sad to say goodbye.

Overnighted in Auckland purely to break the journey up to Paihia in the Bay of Islands. Nothing to tell about that bit as yet although a very amusing chinese meal was had on Valentines evening - amongst lots of loving couples there's me and Paul messing around and totally confusing people!!

Paihia - Wow! It is the most beautiful place I have been to in ages, purely cos it was HOT and had a BEACH! 2 things which I realise are pretty important to me in a holiday destination!! So we checked into the Pickled Parrot which is a fab backpackers just out of town that has no tv and is just great. We wandered down to the beach and sunbathed for a couple of hours. Needless to say, Paul got burnt. The milkbottle was becoming strawberry milkshake!! But it was heaven. We went for dinner at 35 degrees south which was a fab restaurant overlooking the jetty and the beach - gorgeous food and a warm evening for a change!!

And so to swimming with dolphins. We booked onto a boat trip for the next day to take us swimming with dolphins, up to the hole in the rock and then to a deserted island for lunch and back with another opportunity to swim with the dolphins. It is brilliant. You jump off the side of the boat kitted up with your snorkel and mask and flippers and swim as hard and fast as you can with the dolphins. Some people got really close but I didn't - still, just to be in the open waters with them was amazing. We met a great couple on the trip, Naomi & Jake who we ended up having dinner with that evening at the Swiss Cafe. A great evening to end a fantastic day.

And so to a 6am departure time in order to drive to Auckland and get the car back for 10am. Which we did, even if we did take it into town as we requested to do to find that we were supposed to deliver it to the airport - hey ho!! And then we went exploring. Checked into the ACB which is a fab hostel right in the centre of town and wandered down to the wharf. Sat and had coffee and watched the world go past. Then after a while we hopped on the free bus round town and went up to the Sky Tower, where Paul proceeded to do the Sky Jump where you basically do a guided Base Jump off it!! The nutter - one jump on my trip was enough for me!! Paul loved it which is good - totally different rush to sky diving evidently - I'll take his word for it!!

And then dinner and a few drinks for Pauls last night and back to the hostel. So the next morning Paul left for his mammoth journey home and I met a girl called Jess outside the hostel. We ended up going for a coffee which was actually more like 4 beers but hey, it was sunny and we were telling our life stories!! Chilled out in the evening and got up on sunday to do my washing and get ready to pack and then go climb the Sky Tower. Yes I climbed up the sky tower. I have attached photos for you!! It was brilliant and well worth doing. I was the only person doing it which meant that it was just 1 on 1 with the instructor and she was great.

Back to the hostel and packed all my stuff, met Jess for a drink and then met my new roommate for the night, Charlotte who is a month behind me on her trip and had just flown in. So we went for a walk got a chinese which was lovely and then went up the sky tower at night just to see how different it was. She is a real little sweetie who I am sure will have a fab time in Auckland.

Anyway, so to bed and got up this morning to check out and update this and find a way to fill 2 hours before I fly to Fiji this afternoon. I'm booked on the Feejee experience to start on Tuesday and then spending 5 nights in a place called Nananu-i-ra which I am really looking forward to.

So I will sign off here and update again in Fiji where I hope I will be able to log on.

Oh My God!!!

You know how I said we were going to find some way of filling our time in Taupo? Well, I kind of wasn't being all that honest with you, cos I knew that some of you would freak about what I was going to do (or have now done!!)

Yes, I did a tandem sky dive jumping out of a plane at 15000ft and it was just awesome!! I was so nervous and felt pretty sick getting my jumpsuit on, but wanted to do this. Got on the plane with my tandem instructor Matt who was really cool and put me at ease (sort of!) and the plane took off. Paul jumped solo at 12000ft and we continued on up to the dizzy heights of 15000ft. Here he shuffled me to the door and we pushed off the side of the plane. This was the bit that I had been petrified about but it was fantastic. The worst bit was the 10000ft freefall, where I had to keep telling myself to smile for the camera!! Coming into land was brill and all I had to do was lift my feet up!!

So there you go guys. Mum I'm sorry I didn't tell you but I promise you I'm in 1 piece and loved it. You'll be glad to hear that I didn't love it enough to go and throw myself out of another plane again but it was an amazing experience.

Will try to attach a couple of photos for you to see.

Love you all - and particularly love the solid ground that I am now stood on!!

Hels Bels - the intrepid sky diver diva!!
xx

Hiya,

Well we made it up and drove from Queenstown to the Fox Glacier all along the Haast Pass which was beautiful. Covered a fair amount of kms but well worth it. People had mentioned to us that Fox was pretty small and we would have no trouble finding the office where we had to go for our Heli-hike, but you never quite believe them.

Believe them!! Fox is just one road and if you blink about five times in a row you would miss Fox!! It is a gorgeous place very remote and quiet, and surprisingly the warmest place we have been to in NZ - how does that work?! I actually managed to put my shorts on.... for about 2 hours! Still, it was nice to see the sun, and Paul in the space of 10 minutes actually managed to get burnt??!! So we had lunch at the Cafe Neve and then went back to the hostel and just chilled out. Then got ready and went to the Cook Saddle for dinner - yes the day did revolve around food!! And fab food it was too.

The next day we had to be at the office for the Heli-hike at 12 noon. So we had something to eat at the Cafe Matheson which has a great view of the Glacier and then made our way to the office.

So what is a Heli-hike? Well, basically you get a helicopter up to the higher part of the Glacier (where none of the other walkers go and the ice is just very clean and unaffected by humans) and you then get taken out all over the glacier for a hike with a guide for 2.5 hours. It was amazing. The ice was blue it was so clean and we found our way through some caves and looked down things called 'Moulins' (I think that's how you spell it) which can be small or large - and when I say large they have seen some that are large enough to swallow a bus??!! Anyway, we saw a Shammy on the Glacier (a goat to you and I but for some reason the guides called it a Shammy?!) and it made some very fast moves over the ice. Met a fab girl called Jane who now lives in Hong Kong with her hubby but is originally from Southport (Hiya honey if you're reading this!!) and generally had a fantastic time up on the ice. Did I mention that Jane and I got to sit in the front of the helicopter on both the flight up and down again? It has it's advantages being small!!

Anyway, upon our return we made our way to the pub to warm up with a couple of vodkas - it was 4pm and strangely at 9pm I found my way back to the hostel!! It was a fantastic day, and an experience I won't ever forget.

At 4am the next morning the alarm went off for our mammoth drive to Wellington (well, Picton and then ferry to Wellington). The drive was sooo sooo long but eventually we made it to Picton where we discovered that the ferry we were booked on was delayed by about 2.5 hours so we begged and succeeded in being moved onto the earlier ferry which was only 1/2 hour late!! So after a long day we arrived in Wellington at about 7.30pm and just collapsed in the Wildlife House Hostel. All I wanted to do was sleep, but the room overlooked the street where one of the bars was, and this bar was playing ALL my favourite music. If I hadn't been quite so tired I would have gone out cos it sounded great. But I refrained, and passed out.

The next morning feeling a little refreshed but not much, we went for a walk around Wellington, found Mr Buns Cafe for brekkie and then made our way to Te Papa, which is the NZ museum and great fun. We could easily have spent a day there but limited ourselves to a couple of hours so we could make our way up to Lake Taupo.

After an interesting drive across the middle of the North Island we arrived in Taupo and wow! It is really is beautiful. The Lake is huge and the town just so pretty. The motel we were booked into overlooked the lake - and the view was amazing.

So today we are going to try and find something to do to amuse ourselves and then drive up to Rotorua where we stay tonight. I'll let you know asap what we find to do here..................

xx

Well, a big Kiwi hello to everyone! I'm now a week into my time in NZ and it's fab. Totally different to Oz but still just as great with some very new experiences to be had.....

So on Thursday night, Elizabeth and I went exploring in Christchurch. First stop being somewhere that sold jumpers - how cold is it over here compared to Oz?!! I know that right now it is about 20 degrees warmer than it is for you guys, but man, it's cold!! So we mooched around the Cathedral Square, wandered through the shopping area (where all the shops were shut!) and then found ourselves perusing the tourist tack shops!! And yes, first purchase was an All Blacks fleece, followed by a 'Rugby Girl' sweat top!! We then made our way to a really nice Curry House which was recommended to us and proceeded to stuff our faces! Needless to say we couldn't eat it all - but in true NZ style we got a doggy bag for our leftovers - always important on a backpackers budget!! Dinner for tomorrow sorted!

Friday morning and Elizabeth upped and left early to catch her bus to Wellington. So I stayed in bed for a few hours, before going off exploring myself. I jumped on the tram and went round the whole city loop to get my bearings before getting off back in the square. I decided that first stop should be the Cathedral and in I went. Just in time to watch a wedding!! It was lovely and full of grandeur - how about getting married in a Cathedral - nearly as good as a castle eh??!!!!!!

I then hopped back on the tram down to the Arts Centre where I mooched around all the arty crafty shops and could've spent a fortune - spied a few gifts to purchase later and then back to the square where I watched a street performer - he was great - a guy called Rob from Newcastle, England!! You fly half way round the world to watch fellow English!!! How does that work?!

Anyway, that evening I went for a mooch around the shops again and then went back to the hostel and chatted to my roommates before hitting the sack. Saturday tomorrow and that meant only 1 day to amuse myself before Paul flew in - yay!!!

So Saturday I got up at lunchtime (to comments frommy roommates in broken English about not being very good in the mornings?! - I don't know what they meant!!) and took myself for a lovely coffee at the Daily Grind - recommended in the Lonely Planet - and rightly so! After that I went on my way around the Christchurch walk detailed in the aforementioned LP. It was great. Went to the Floral clock, which was lovely and then made my way to the Art Gallery - some fantastic works of art and some very strange things. Once again, I got asked to put my camera away!! It seems a common theme in my travels - some might say that I'm a little click happy - 400 photos in 3 months - I don't know what they might mean!!! Managed to get a shot of the Dame Louise Henderson Gallery though - just for you Lou!!

Then made my way to the Market at the Arts Centre. Then on my way again, to see the sights. Eventually got back to the hostel, where I heated up my curry from Thursday and then read my magazines wishing that it was time to go to bed so Sunday came quicker!! A good nights sleep awaiting me I climbed into bed. How wrong can a girl be??!! At 1am Paul rings me from Singapore to tell me it's raining - thank you! Just don't bring it with you!! Then at 4am a call from Singi (one of the Scottish guys in Sydney) to tell me he's at the rugby and their winning - yippee!!! Now let me sleep!!

Anyway, eventually Sunday came and I got myself packed up and all ready to check into a lovely hotel, the Rydges. Thank you Paul - heaven after the hostels!! So went for a beer and then made my way to the airport. Paul texts me to say he's in the arrivals hall and he'd see me soon. Hmmmmmmm!! Fatal last text!! Next thing I get a text saying he's the only person at the belt and he has no luggage!! It could only happen to him!! So we eventually made our way to the hotel, minus Pauls bag containing my much awaited trainers and fleece!! The trauma!! So we went for a beer and a general catch u p and then to the hotel to check in.

At 6pm I let Paul have an hours sleep, only he looked so tired, that I actually let him have 15 hours sleep and woke him in the morning!! We got up still a bit bleary eyed, and went shopping to buy some clothes for Paul and trainers for me. Emirates were, let's say, a little vague on the subject of his lost luggage, so much so, that they wouldn't even call him!! We ended up calling mum to trace it but still had no joy - no one knew where it was. We were facing the prospect of travelling round NZ without Pauls bag - not good. Anyway, not letting it ruin our time, we went on the tram round the city, popped to the Arts Centre and purchased a few gifts and then to the Gondola for the incredible views. Well worth it and even a little trip to Lyttleton for added effect!! Back to the internet cafe for a mammoth task of booking our accommodation for our flying tour of NZ. The car was turning up at 10am tomorrow so we needed to confirm we could stay where we planned. So we got everything booked, except our 2nd night in Queenstown and Taupo...so we went and asked the lovely lady in the Adventure Centre if she could help. We left here with that task, and went off to dinner at Dux de Lux - wow! I might just add that in freshening up at the hotel, Paul found his long lost love awaiting his return - yes! His bag had been delivered to the room!! The smile it received was priceless!

We had the most fantastic meal. Highly recommended in LP and highly recommended by me!! We ate and then ran back to the adventure centre to find that the lady had managed to find us accommodation and booked it for us - what a star!!

So to bed, for a full day of driving was ahead of us. The car arrived at 10am and we made our way out of Christchurch towards Queenstown. Paul was driving and obviously didn't trust map reading skills, and got us lost within 10 minutes!! Humble pie he did eat!!

So we got on the RIGHT road, and drove, and drove, and drove. 6 hours later, very hungry and tired, we arrived in Queenstown. We checked in and asked where to eat. We were pointed into town, and ended up in the World Bar - nice food, just very tired. We agreed to go back, have a quick sleep and then go out for a major drink as we had no driving to do the next day. Good idea in theory. Except that Paul fell asleep (I guess I have to let him off as he must still have been suffering with the jetlag) and so I then got into my bed and fell asleep. Next thing I know it's 8am and it's time to get up for an action packed day!!

So Paul was hoping to Skydive today but the weather was awful - no jumping today. So instead, we headed into town for brekkie, and then up to the Gondola, for the views. And the Luge!! What's the luge I hear you ask? Well, it's like go-karting downhill! And it's great fun. Kept us occupied for an hour or so, before heading back into town for our first adrenaline pumping activity. Yes we booked to go White Water Rafting. And I loved it!! Paul had done it before but it is something I have always fancied doing but never done. Now I have. A bit scary but not as bad as I thought it would be. A great afternoon.

We have just been for dinner at the Lone Star - and we ate way too much!! We both feel sick and have decided to bin the idea of going drinking as we are getting up early tomorrow to drive to the Fox Glacier where we are for 2 nights, and participating in a HeliHike.....

And if you want to know what that is, you'll just have to watch this space over the next few days for an update!! Sorry!!

Love to you all
Hels (and Paul, WITH his bag!!)

xx

Well I left you all upon my return to Sydney going for dinner with Tan & Lou - it was great to spend the evening with more friends - there's something great about going back to a place you know!

So I made it up in time to catch my bus to the Blue Mountains - not so blue as misty and grey!! The whole place was shrouded in fog which was really disappointing. So we continued on our travels and got to Leura - a beautiful little village where there is an all round Xmas shop - it's so cool!! Had lunch there and then went to the Worlds steepest railway - Oh My God!! I was scared - it was virtually vertical - well, maybe a little exageration but hey - never mind. It was a fab experience - well worth doing. By this time the fog had lifted and we were able to get a view of the 3 Sisters - very nice - but would I go again? No!!

Then on the way home we went to the Olympic Park - well all I can say is that London has a lot of work to do for 2012! It is a vast place which is amazing - they had a stadium for everything and some great ideas - like everyone who volunteered to work there has their name on a column outside the Telstra Stadium!! THe fountain where the Olympic Torch was lit is lovely and the village where the athletes lived is huge. Come on London, pull your fingers out. Sydney completed all the construction 2 months ahead of schedule - will London manage the same? My money would be on................well, let's just see!!

From there we continued down to Paramatta where we hopped on a ferry back to Circular Quay. Of course, I was a little disappointed, as this also meant I had to fork out for a ferry ticket back to Manly, but all in all, a good day. Not sure that it was worth the money I paid, but still a good day out. Absolutely knackered now though!!

Got back to the house and went straight back out to get a chinese that my mouth had been watering for since leaving the Blue MOuntains!! A very relaxed evening with the pleasant thought of not having to get up in the morning for anything other than sunbathing if I wanted to!!

Well, I made it up by lunchtime, did my washing, had lunch with Tan and then just pottered, wasting time, sunbathing and trying not to wish my time away in Oz - hard though when a night at the Sydney Opera House to see Madama Butterfly awaits you!!

I started getting ready really early very excited - make up for the first time in ages and it felt soooo good!! And I felt brown!! Hopped on the Sea Cat over to the Quay and ran into Maccas - a quick Filet of Fish later and I was wandering up to the front steps of perhaps one of the most famous opera houses in the world for my final night in Australia. And what a night......

Got my program and read the storyline so I had a rough idea what these Aussies were singing about in Italian!! And then settled back to take a snap of the inside. Oh no - I got shouted at! "No photography allowed inside miss" - whoops - well I got 1!! Inside it isn't plush - but just nice. It kind of has that feel about it - a very special feel. Maybe it was just cos it was my last night but it was brilliant. The opera started and I was impressed to see that Madama Butterfly was a thin beautiful lady and not some fat lady with a huge voice - although her voice was huge and fantastic!! A beautiful story and a wonderful end to my time in Oz.

I can't believe that I was in Australia for 3 months. I have met some amazing people, and made some friends for life. Thank you to each and every one of them that helped me make some great memories that I will always treasure. I love Oz, and I feel certain that it is not Goodbye, just 'Au Revoir'. I have a feeling that I'll be back - after all, I still haven't done the Great Ocean Road, Cairns or Darwin - and now I have fab friends to visit too!! What is a girl supposed to do??!!

So this morning I was picked up at some ungodly hour to catch my flight to New Zealand. I'm sat in an internet cafe just of Cathedral Square, booked into a nice backpackers which is more like a hotel, and I even have a friend for the night - a great girl called Elizabeth from Dublin!! So we're off for a drink and a bit of an explore!!

Take care - talk to you soon, with news on my adventures in NZ!!

Hels
xxx

Well I thought I would just update you on the past week that I spent with Felicity and Erin in Newcastle. As I said I arrived with feet so swollen they were leaking water - it was gross!! So we agreed that until they went down it was feet up and just relax. Except that at about 8.30pm that evening Felicity got a call from MacDonalds where Erin worked to say that she had had a fall and they had called an ambulance...........

So we drove over there to pick her up as she had refused to go with the ambulance. Unexpectedly I got to see Belmont Hospital where Felicity works!! Kindly they got me an ice pack for my feet and a stool to put them up on while we sorted Erin out. My early night became a late one, but never mind. The important thing is that Erin was ok - she has broken her wrist and may have fractured her ankle and is still using a crutch and in a bit of pain but getting back to herself!!

So Tuesday and Wednesday (yes - it took 3 days for my feet to return to normal) I sat and watched TV and chilled. The vodka kind of helped too!!

Thursday came and we took a drive out into the country to go and pick Felicity's friend Bren up and bring her down to Newcastle for Australia Day and more. Well, the evening proceeded and when we eventually arose the next day (just before 12!) we noted that a litre and a half of vodka had been consumed the night before!! But strangely none of us had hangovers - why can't it always be like that?!

Friday we just went to the beach and sunbathed - a little too much maybe judging by the shade of red my body took on but hey, not long left in the sun now and I need to make sure I am still really brown when I return to the deep freeze that is the UK! Thursday night again we just relaxed.

Saturday came and we went shopping where I bought 3 tops, a skirt and a pair of trousers - not the pair of shorts that I had restricted myself to but never mind - I'll need the trousers in NZ and the skirt is really pretty and the tops go with the skirt!!! There is always justification for a girls shopping expedition!!

So Saturday night we went to the Beaches for dinner and then watched a band which were pretty good. Pretty cheap night all in all - nothing to do with the bottle of coke that we had emptied and filled with Vodka!! Just had to buy the mixer - Ripper!! Felicity's boyfriend came and picked us up and dropped us home. And that was when we fatally decided it would be a brilliant idea to go back out, so with Erin happy to stay home, Felicity and I went to the Exchange. Another brilliant band and great night. Unfortunately Fel went home early due to traumatic arguments with her boyfriend but I stayed and met some fab people - some strange too and some very strange propositions - details I won't go into until I'm back with you and that's only if you remember to ask!!!

Home at about 3.30am and fell straight to sleep. Finally got my backside in the shower at 2.30pm on Sunday and came back to life. We then paid a visit to the beach before going home to get ready and go for dinner. We stopped at a restaurant just down from The Brewery and had some gorgeous pasta - me, Fel and Neil. A really nice evening to finish my week in Newcastle.

So today I flew back to Sydney and have sunbathed (thankfully I have brought the sun back with me!) and then paid another and final visit to the chiropractor - she was great and really pleased with my progress - green light to have fun again, but I promise to all of you texting and emailing saying be careful, that I will be careful!!

Tomorrow I'm off to the Blue Mountains and then my big night out on Wednesday before flying to New Zealand, but for now it's back to the house for dinner with Tanea and Lou - so nice to be home!!

Love you all lots
Hels
xxx