Discover decades of travel across the globe with real stories, tips, and diaries. Explore Holiday 1995-2024. DECADES OF TRAVEL DECADES OF TRAVEL DECADES OF TRAVEL DECADES OF TRAVEL Three Decades of Long‑Haul & Motorhome Adventures Real travel diaries from 1995 to Today across Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, Europe, Asia, Pacific Islands and a whole lot more Content being continuously added by KeefH Web Designs New? Start here Explore More The Journeys Route Plans Join Us Best Travel Blog On Desktop view at 80% Make Your Own Choices Select via Tag Decade for Travel The 90s The 00s The 10s The 20s Region for Travel Australasia North America Pacific Islands Asia Travel Style Motorhoming Cruises Family Travel with Friends About Us WHAT & WHY! 3 Decades of Travel Blogs This site is dedicated to showing all the travels we Hellinger's (i.e. Keef & Annie) have had between 1995 & 2024 and beyond, mostly in a motorhome but not exclusively, and is both a merge and an upgrade in style and currency in website design terms over our 4 existing "Travel Diary" blog websites created at the time , they have been recreated here in one merged website by KeefH Web Designs. Featuring travel across the 90s, Noughties, 10s & 20s, so come with us and discover photos, dairies, hints and tips across North America, The Pacifics, Oceania and Asia. Dig deeper & enjoy Learn More WHO! KeefH (KHWD) As the designer and developer I have had great fun bringing my 4 older style websites up into the mid 20s style, they feel fresher and more relevant whilst retaining some of the look and feel of the old sites via background colours, based on Australian , Canadian, Malaysian and generic site colours. All the textual data and videos are migrated , see what you think! Our Long Haul Journeys Explore Now EXPLORE MORE About Journeys Our motorhome travel blogs celebrate the joy of life on the road, blending practical touring advice with warm, first‑hand storytelling. They chart scenic routes, campsite discoveries, and real‑world tips for navigating long haul destinations around the world in a home on wheels and more. Holiday 1995 Australian Travels in NSW, ACT, Victoria & Queensland Initially staying with Annie's brother in Sydney, then hiring a car, travelling to Canberra, and then along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, flying up to Cairns and hiring a 6 berth motorhome to see the Atherton tablelands and beyond Holiday 1997 Disney 25th Celebrations Travels in Florida, USA Mostly centered around Orlando, staying in Kissimmee, with trips to theme parks for the boys, but travel across state to Clearwater, St Pete's, West Palm beach, Naples, Cocoa beach, Cape Canaveral, Boca Rotan, Key West, Melbourne beach as well as the Everglades , Disney's 25th Celebrations. Holiday 1999 The Rockies Travels in the Western Provinces of Canada Hiring an All Drive Classic 3000 to travel both British Columbia and some of Alberta to visit friends who live in Edmonton, we saw amongst others the Rockies, the Inside Passage, Prince Rupert. Started with car hire in Vancouver across to Vancouver Island Holiday 2007-8 Long Haul Travels down under in 2007-8, lots in a motorhome Follow a year‑long 2007–8 gap‑year adventure across the USA, Australasia, and Asia, with travel stories, photos, videos, and tips from KeefH Web Designs. Highlights were New Zealand and travel on the Ghan, but there were many more, dive in why don't you? Holiday 2010 Canadian & USA Travels across most Provinces of Canada Explore our 2010 motorhome journey across Canada and into the USA in a brand new hired motorhome (scary) with diaries, photos, videos, and province‑by‑province highlights from a 92‑day coast‑to‑coast adventure. Combined with our 1999 trip we have now been all the way across Canada in a motorhome Holiday 2013 Long Haul Travels with a Round The World Ticket Follow our 2013 adventure across Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia and Singapore, featuring wedding celebrations, motorhome travels, photo galleries, diaries and immersive travel stories, hopefully to inspire you , maybe even create a bucket list for retirement, it is what happened for us Holiday 2014 French Travels including Monaco, Switzerland and San Remo Italy We journied through France on an unforgettable three‑month motorhome adventure. Explore scenic routes, charming villages, stunning coastlines, and real on‑the‑road stories from 4,611 miles of travel. Perfect inspiration for anyone dreaming of freedom, discovery, and life lived one breathtaking stop at a time. Holiday 2016 Motorhome Guide Scandinavia Plan your perfect European and Scandinavian motorhome adventure with real‑world tips, border advice, fuel insights, route ideas and practical guidance from months on the road. A traveler's guide packed with experience, helping you navigate Europe and Scandinavia with confidence, ease and unforgettable freedom. Holiday 2017 Friendship Travel Diary for 2017, The Big Trip with pals We can thoroughly recommend travelling with friends, double the motorhome experiences. Discover our 2017 ‘Big Trip’ across Singapore, Australia, the Cook Islands, New Zealand and Malaysia, with friends, motorhome adventures, travel diaries, galleries and immersive photography Holiday 2018 Motorhoming around Ireland Explore Eire through our 2018 motorhome adventure—scenic coastal drives, hidden bays, campsite reviews, practical tips and real on‑the‑road experiences. Discover wild Atlantic views, historic towns and the best stopovers for a smooth, memorable journey across Eire’s stunning landscapes. Perfect inspiration for planning your own Irish road trip Holiday 2019 Discovering the delights of the Faroe Islands & Iceland Journey through the Faroe Islands and Iceland in our 2019 motorhome adventure—rugged cliffs, fjords, volcanoes, remote campsites and dramatic coastal roads. From ferry crossings to geothermal wonders, this guide captures two wild Nordic worlds and offers inspiring, practical insight for anyone dreaming of an unforgettable northern road trip Holiday 2022 Family Travel Stories , returning for Disney's 50th Celebrations. Returning to Florida again we stayed in my little sister's timeshare in Davenport. We had a great time with our son and his family and sharing Disney through the eye's of our grandchildren was magical. It also showed us that we have definitely altered our energy levels since our trip in 1999. #haha Holiday 2024 Combined Cruise & Road Trip , Alaska and Canada Combining a fabulous cruise to Alaska, which we had planned to do in our hey day but was too expensive, for my 70th with my sister and hubby, and then time on Vancouver Island with friends from Edmonton, and then driving across British Columbia into the prairies to meet up with Annie's cuz in Stettler. Holiday 2025 Our latest long haul trip to Scottish Islands Less haul , more road miles really! Discover our 2025 campervan adventure through Scotland, Shetland and Orkney—remote islands, rugged coastlines, ferries, wildlife, quirky campsites and unforgettable northern scenery. A fun, practical guide packed with real experiences, mishaps and highlights to inspire your own wild and windswept UK island road trip. KHWD Other Motorhome Travel Blogs More Motorhome travels ,over 200 travel blogs with Hints & Tips Although the travel diaries featured here on this website mostly are précised in our motorhome travels blog site there are many more of our trips featured there especially 3 months around Scandinavia, 2 months in France and 2 months on the Faroe Islands and Iceland, amongst others, enjoy! KHWD Travel Video Blog site Decades of Adventure Captured on Film This is our totally responsive version of this website created by KHWD using WIX studio. A heartfelt archive of 30 years on the road, this travel video blog captures the joy, wonder and nostalgia of exploring the world. Each film feels like opening an old diary—full of colour, memory and meaning—inviting you to relive adventures and spark new ones of your own. Route Planning - These are overall help but each travel year has it's own suggested travel route Ofte stilte spørsmål Travel Inspiration Travel Stories Travel Diaries Motorhome Adventures Long-Haul Travel Family Trips Maps & More Where can you find inspiration for your next trip? Explore our curated travel stories, photos, and guides to spark ideas for your upcoming adventures. Are the travel blogs useful for planning my own trip? Does the site include family travel content? How do you travel long‑term in retirement? Just coming........................................... The live "Travel Video Blog" by KHWD "History of Travel" lectures which influenced Lonely Planet Books 50 years ago, The Hippie Trail was a huge influence.... Tony Wheeler is a bit of a hero of mine +44 7843962729 KeefHWebDesigns@outlook.com Decades of Travel Images Decades of Travel Videos Travel Video Blog by KHWD 143 Longmoor Lane, Sandiacre, Nottingham, NG10 5LT England, UK Privacy Policy Accessibility Statement Cookies Adventures of a Lifetime, Holidays 1995-2024 Long Haul Travel Blogs Original Travel Archives Join our mailing list Email* Subscribe I want to subscribe to your mailing list.

needs to be created by KHWD once the 2017 new zealand page has been created NEW ZEALAND - Kiwi Adventures 9th April - 30th May 2017 INTRODUCTION & DIARY NORTH ISLAND We landed in Auckland back from the Cook Isles and picked up our motorhomes and headed north to Cape Reinga, (don't mention the tyre). Love Northlands. We also visited Orewa & Whangerei together before C&A principally did the west coast and us the east pulling in Coromandel, Port Jackson, Papamoa beach, Gentle Annie pass, Hastings before making our way south to Wellington where we met up before catching the Interisland ferry to south island. We also met up at Whakapapa village en route. SOUTH ISLAND We landed at Picton and visited the fabulous Queen Charlotte sound before taking in such places as Nelson (WOW museum of wearable art and classic cars) , Abel Tasman NP , Kaikoura , Christchurch (although sadly still devastated by the 2010 quake), Dunedin & the Otago peninsular, Akaroa, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Te Anau and a whole lot more before returning to Christchurch and a last Lone star meal before flying back via Sydney to Hong Kong & Singapore respectively. April 17 Diary May 17 Diary Sheep Street , Dunedin, World's steepest "North & South Island by Interisland Ferry, Wellington to Picton" Prior to our Tandem Bungee Jump NOT!, Queenstown, South Island Te Mata from the Top, Hastings, East Coast, North Island Drive slowly, usual clever Kiwi road sign 2017 New Zealand with Pals Click to enlarge and scroll thru slideshows gallery images created by KeefH Web Designs for this Travel Photography site with care and love 1/13 gallery images created by KeefH Web Designs for this Travel Photography site with care and love 1/62 gallery images created by KeefH Web Designs for this Travel Photography site with care and love 1/48 NORTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND 9th-10th April then 18th 30th April - 11th May 2017 INTRODUCTION & DIARY NORTH ISLAND This is a verbal summary Arrived (1st time) in Auckland from Sydney, Overnight then Cook Isles, Walk, Wait, Agapanthus, Arrived (2nd time) from Rarotonga, Cook Isles. 3 days central area, harbour, wharves, ferries,coast to coast walk (for C&A) , Maritime museum, murals, tepid baths,Britomart, Queens wharf, Quay st, Federal St, Churches, slopes,Hobson west marina, Masters games, Wynyard quarter, amazing architecture,Fish market, Heritage landing, North Wharf, Sarah, Pier 4, Rangitoto, Volcanic explorer tour,Summit views, Motutapu, Lava, Sunshine, Day out in Devonport, The Arcade, Esplanade Hotel,Victoria Road, King & Queens parade, various reserves, Mount Victoria, Clarys, Haircut, Hauraki gulf, Auckland art gallery, Maoiri paintings,The body laid bare exhibition, Joseph at the Civic, Collecting vans at Richard Pearce drive, Mangere, Auckland, Extra hidden costs, Orewa, Beach, Man with tourettes, Orewa beach,Countdown/Pac-N-Save/New World,shells, historic Puhoi, Twin coast highway, Mangawhai heads, Ruakaka beach, Whangerai, Hatea river, Town basin, glassblowing, canopy bridge, Tutikaka, Matapouri, Kawakawa, Ohua, Okiato, Russell, Hundertwasser, Hangi,Clapham clocks, Waterfall , Manawoara, Rawhiti, wetlands, marae, Waimarama bay, Bay of Islands, Historic Russell, pier, boat ramps, ferries, sunshine, exotic sub tropical plants, Tapeka point, Rocky bay reserve, Weka, Paihai, Water taxis, Waitangi, Whangaroa, marlin, wharfs & jetties, Volcanic plus, 90 mile beach, Twilight beach, Tapotupotu bay, DOC, Tyres R Us, Kevin the AAman, Cape Reinga, Lighthouse, Te Paki reserve, Old Kahina tree, Views to die for, Te Paki sand dunes, Broadwood, Kohukohu, Hokianga ferry, Twin coast highway, Rawene, Opononi, Aria-te-aru reserve, South heads, historic Dargaville, meeting up with C&A again in countdown car park, Donelly crossing, loggers, fab kiwi trees, Kaiwaka, farm stay, outside loo with a view, C&A visited lake Kai Iwi on the way to Dargaville, we did east coast, they did west coast, remet Whakapapa village then Wellington, Kaipara coast sculpture park, Helensville, Ginger crunch railway cafe, flat whites, Railways, Thames, Coromandel peninsular & Forest park, Wharf, Ferry, Shelly beach, Colville, Horse, Wahine, Music festival, Buddist retreat, Port Jackson, gravel road,Top of coro, Mercury bay, Tairua, freedom camping, waves, rain (lots),fishing off rocks, Waihi beach, Katikati, murals, Mount Manganui, Pilot bay, Marine parade, Motuotou & Moturiki islands, boysenberry icecream, Papamoa beach, beach street, strelitzia,Maori sculpture, bluebiyou restuarant, chalets, sunshine, relaxing, fun, chatting to guy from england , Pikowai, Pacific coast highway, Te Puke, Thornton, Whakatane, 2 islands, Smokin' volcano, Edgecumbe floods, Mt Edgecombe, Galatea road, sickly horse, Lunch at lake Aniwhenua, autumn colours, Hydro electric dam, Kopuriki, Road only just opened due to floods, Murupara, Maori funeral, Forests, Lake Taupo, Reids Carving, Breweries, Fooderies, Outrigger boats, Tourist info, icecream, Lake lookout, DOC site, Free, Tongariro views, sunsets, fishing boats, great sleep, cold at night - getting so, 5 mile bay site, Motuoapa bay, licorice (spelling haha!) cafe, flat whites, black swans, novelty VW cabins, Desert road, Turangi,National Park, Restuarant (not this time), Tranz Alpine station, Whakapapa village, rain, meeting up with C&A again at the dump station, Visitors centre, Cafe coffee, snow, Chateau Tongariro, Taihape, Gumboots, Spooner hill road, sheep, cows, Gentle annie pass, Moawhango, views to die for, Rangitikei river, Silverdale historic bridge, Valleys, Mountains, Hastings , 1930s architecture,Queens & Railway St, Westermans, Clock tower, Te Mata peak, Ocean beach, Waimarama, Blue cod, Fish & chips St Aubyn st, Surfers, Havelock north, Duart house and gardens, Murals, Wineries, Tukituki river, Kairakau beach, reflections, Paua shells, ice creams at waipawa, Waipukurau, Lake Hatuma, Wanstead, Wallingford bridge, sheep (again), Porangahau, Never finding the beach down the gravel road (cooks tooth), Longest name of place in the world (no don't ask me to spell it ;) ) ,Pacific Ocean, Cape Turnagain, Our hero Capt Cook, Herbertville, Wimbeldon, Route 52, Pongaroa, Eketahuna, Pagans, Hippies, Sacrificing virgins (ok maybe not!), Electricity, Late at night, Kiwi country, Herberts store, Steak & Cheese Pies, Museum, Masterton, Wool shed, Joseph Masters, Queen Elizabeth park, Aratoi, Maori ripoff, Tinui, Anzac church & cross, Castlepoint, Deliverance cove, Riversdale beach, Wairarapa wine region, late night into Martinborough, Memorial square, Pain & Kershaw, lake Ferry, Lake Okone and spit, old motorhomes, Cape Palliser, Paua shells, Palliser bay, Ngawi, Tractors, Rock lobster, Road slips,Putangirua pinnacles , Wellington Top10 campsite (so changed), Harbour from Pencarrow head to Lyall bay, shells, ferries, Ward island, Wellesley college, Eastbourne, Day bay,Wahine disaster,Moa point, Middle earth, Trolley buses, Waterfront at night, Te Papa, Macs Brewery, Curry, up early for Interislander ferry, Traffic jams April 17 Diary May 17 Diary SEE THE FULL NORTH ISLAND EXPERIENCE, 1hr 55mins "North Island from Cape Reinga to Ferry at Wellington" Pals, as far north as you can go in New Zealand, Cape Reinga Our beloved Papamoa beach site, best in the world in our humble opinion Class eh? I'd say Australia has more naff icons but I could be wrong #smile Click to enlarge and scroll thru slideshows gallery images created by KeefH Web Designs for this Travel Photography site with care and love 1/62 North Island New Zealand — A Coherent Travel Story We first touched down in Auckland after the hop from Sydney, just long enough for an overnight pause before flying out again to the Cook Islands. When we returned a few days later from Rarotonga, Auckland became our base for a deeper wander. Three days exploring the central city gave us harbourside strolls, ferries, murals, the Maritime Museum, the Tepid Baths, Britomart, Queens Wharf, Quay Street, Federal Street, and those famously steep slopes. We drifted through Hobson West Marina, the Masters Games crowds, Wynyard Quarter, the fish market, Heritage Landing and North Wharf. Sunshine followed us out to Rangitoto for the Volcanic Explorer tour — lava fields, Motutapu views, and a summit panorama worth every step. Devonport gave us its arcades, the Esplanade Hotel, Victoria Road, reserves, Mount Victoria, and even a haircut at Clary’s. We dipped into the Auckland Art Gallery, admired Māori works, browsed The Body Laid Bare exhibition, and rounded it off with a night at Joseph at the Civic. Collecting vans at Richard Pearce Drive in Mangere came with the usual “extra hidden costs”, but soon we were rolling north toward Orewa — beach walks, shells, supermarkets, and a memorable encounter with a man with Tourette’s. Puhoi’s history led us onto the Twin Coast Highway, through Mangawhai Heads, Ruakaka Beach, and into Whangārei’s Hatea River precinct with its town basin, glassblowing studios, and canopy bridge. Tutukaka, Matapouri, Kawakawa and its Hundertwasser touches, Ohaeawai, Okiato and Russell followed — a swirl of subtropical plants, marae, wetlands, waterfalls, Waimarama Bay, and the Bay of Islands sunshine. Russell’s pier, boat ramps, ferries, and Tapeka Point gave us Weka sightings and rocky bays, while Paihia and Waitangi added water taxis, history, and harbour life. Whangaroa’s marlin stories and volcanic landscapes set the tone for the long drive north. Ninety Mile Beach, Twilight Beach, Tapotupotu Bay, and the Te Paki dunes were wild and unforgettable — though the tyres weren’t, thanks to Tyres R Us and Kevin the AA man. Cape Reinga’s lighthouse and the meeting of the seas were breathtaking. From there we looped through Broadwood, Kohukohu, the Hokianga ferry, Rawene, Opononi, and the Aria-te-aru Reserve. South Heads and Dargaville (where we reunited with C&A in a Countdown car park) led us through Donnelly’s Crossing, logging country, and forests of magnificent Kiwi trees. Kaiwaka brought a farm stay with an outside loo and a view. C&A detoured to Lake Kai Iwi while we took the east coast, meeting again later at Whakapapa Village and eventually Wellington. Before that, though, we wandered the Kaipara Coast Sculpture Park, Helensville, and the Ginger Crunch Railway Café — flat whites and railway nostalgia. Thames and the Coromandel Peninsula gave us wharves, ferries, Shelly Beach, Colville, horses, a Wahine, a music festival, a Buddhist retreat, and the gravel road to Port Jackson at the very top of the peninsula. Mercury Bay, Tairua, freedom camping, waves, rain (lots of it), fishing off rocks, Waihi Beach, and Katikati’s murals carried us east toward Mount Maunganui. Pilot Bay, Marine Parade, Motuotou and Moturiki Islands, boysenberry ice cream, Papamoa Beach, strelitzias, Māori sculpture, and dinner at Bluebiyou made that stretch a highlight. Further along the Pacific Coast Highway we passed Pikowai, Te Puke, Thornton, and Whakatāne with its offshore islands and smoking volcano. Edgecumbe’s flood scars and Mt Edgecumbe’s silhouette led us inland via Galatea Road — sickly horses, autumn colours, Lake Aniwhenua for lunch, hydro dams, Kopuriki, and roads only just reopened after storms. Murupara brought a Māori funeral procession, then forests opened out toward Lake Taupō. We visited the Reids carving, breweries, eateries, outrigger boats, the lookout, DOC sites, sunsets, fishing boats, and a very cold night’s sleep. Five Mile Bay, Motuoapa, the liquorice café, black swans, novelty VW cabins, and the Desert Road carried us south to Turangi, National Park, and Whakapapa Village — rain, snow, the Chateau Tongariro, and another rendezvous with C&A at the dump station. Taihape’s gumboots, Spooner Hill Road, sheep, cows, and the Gentle Annie Pass gave us sweeping views over the Rangitīkei River and the Silverdale historic bridge. Hastings welcomed us with 1930s architecture, Queens Street, Railway Street, Westermans, the clock tower, Te Mata Peak, Ocean Beach, Waimarama, blue cod, fish and chips on St Aubyn Street, surfers, Havelock North, Duart House, murals, wineries, and the Tukituki River. Kairakau Beach shimmered with reflections; Waipawa offered ice creams; Waipukurau, Lake Hatuma, Wanstead, Wallingford Bridge, and more sheep filled the road south. Porangahau teased us with a beach we never found down a gravel road, and the world’s longest place name (which we absolutely weren’t spelling). Cape Turnagain honoured Captain Cook, while Herbertville, Wimbledon, Route 52, Pongaroa, and Eketahuna added their own rural quirks — pagans, hippies, sacrificing virgins (or not), electricity outages, and late-night Kiwi country vibes. Herbert’s Store delivered steak and cheese pies, and a small museum stop rounded things out. Masterton brought the Wool Shed, Joseph Masters, Queen Elizabeth Park, Aratoi, and a Māori “ripoff” moment. Tinui’s ANZAC church and cross, Castlepoint’s lighthouse and Deliverance Cove, and Riversdale Beach led us into the Wairarapa wine region. We rolled into Martinborough late at night, circled Memorial Square, stocked up at Pain & Kershaw, and carried on to Lake Ferry, Lake Ōkore, the spit, old motorhomes, Cape Palliser, paua shells, Ngawi’s tractor fleet, rock lobster pots, road slips, and the Putangirua Pinnacles. Finally, Wellington — the Top 10 (much changed), the harbour from Pencarrow Head to Lyall Bay, shells, ferries, Ward Island, Wellesley College, Eastbourne, Day’s Bay, the Wahine disaster site, Moa Point, Middle‑earth filming spots, trolley buses, the waterfront at night, Te Papa, Mac’s Brewery, curry, and an early start for the Interislander ferry… plus the inevitable traffic jams. A long, winding, unforgettable North Island odyssey — full of beaches, bays, forests, ferries, food, friends, and the kind of moments that only happen when you let the road decide what comes next. SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND 11th - 30th May 2017 INTRODUCTION & DIARY SOUTH ISLAND This is a verbal summary Arrived in Picton from Wellington on the Interislander ferry, Early morning start, Very wet day (haha welcome to south island), Shakespeare bay, Queen Charlotte Sound, Queen Charlotte drive, Ngakuta bay,Havelock, Green Mussels (yummy), Read all about mussels opposite (please) its very informative, Lady from Auckland, Freshness, straight from the sea, Long windy wet drive to Nelson, Town centre camp site over a bridge with a stream, nice calming stream noises, WOW museum and classic cars, so many clever costumes (see the slideshows),Lippydeema, Lord Maharajah and the Star bride, Goodbye Versaille starring Mrs Du Barry's monkey, Ishmaelian wingflapper to name but a few... go on look, you wont be disappointed.... What's the line "WOW makes Lady Gaga look like a librarian", Amazing Bras, Cars were Minis , Locomobiles, Vauxhall Vivas, Shaguar and many more, Tahunanui beach reserve , Board walks, Lunch, Winery areas, Pears, Apples, Kaiteriteri, Beach front history, sunsets, Wilsons ferries, Beached Whale pub, Fire, Singing barman, Rugby - Christchurch Vs Wellington, Abel Tasman National Park, The man who emptied his loo in the water area and covered it with leaves (Yuk! Sick!), Abel tasman boat trip, Totaroa, Awaroa, Medlands, Tonga Quarry, Torrent Bay, Bark Bay, Picnic, Coffee, Wind & Sun, New Zealand fur seal, Adele island and many other islands, kayaking, Solar panels, Tides , Motueka river, Kahurangi National park, Low cloud, Hinetai hops, Tapawera,Railways, Old police stations, Wooden Cow, Eels, Lake Rotoiti, Mr Angry and his boat, St Arnaud, Lake Rotoroa, Wet feet, nature walk, Red toadstools, Trees, colourful leaves, Buller river, Murchison, Heritage area, Fuel fillup, Buller Gorge Swing bridge, Waterfalls, Earthquakes, Floods, 2010,1929,White creek peninsular circular walk, Wagtails, Wekas, Bushline walk, Araki waterfalls, Logging on the buller,Springs junction for a pie lunch, Lewis pass, Waiau river, Kaikoura range, Road to Kaikoura Highway 70 via Rotherham and Waiau as SH1 closed due to Kaikoura earthquake 2016, Kaikoura camp site, Fish & Chips in town at No2, the best one (Tiki Takeaways) was sadly closed, Fyffe Quay, Old House chimney remains, Mountains, Snow covering, Boardwalk, The Point, Seal colony, No fishing, Smells, Views, Seals asleep on boardwalk and rocks, Road back, Many roadslips, Woodchester, Monet autumn views, man with coffee, Rejoin empty SH2 via Waiau, Christchurch, Britz office, Extra bedding, C&As van fixed - brakes/ headlamp bulb, Ours for internal light only, School party and rain at Christchurch Top10 site, Blue route bus into Bus station, Ballantynes department store, Devestation, Sad, Cathedral, Customs House, Chalice sculpture, Vintage trams, New Regent Street, Murals, Container City, Quake museum, Kiwi humour in the face of adversity, Columbo street, Mexican restuarant, Workman everywhere, often playing, Rain, Loosing each other on ring road around the airport, Sheffield pies,West coast road, Lake Lyndon, Castle Hill, snow, mountains, roads, State Highway 73, Kumara Junction, Great alpine way, Grasmere, Lake Pearson, great farming flats, Cass laggon track, Otira gorge and viaduct, Jackson tavern, Arthurs pass, Arthurs pass national park, Waimakariri river, Railways,Tranz alpine, Bridal veil falls and lookout, Visitors centre, Cobb & co stagecoach, Devils punchbowl bridge,Kumara gold town, Theatre, Hokitika, Tasman sea, Old town, Signs and chairs, Glow worms, Rainbows (lots of them), Ross Gold mining town, gaol, Heritage walk, Gold panning, Chinese influence, Jones flats, Museum, De Bakker cottage, Philip Ross May (local hero & Historian),Autumn colours, Mine shaft, Catholic church, Mining Memorabilia, New ross gold mine, Hari Hari, Guy Menzies, 1st solo flight Oz to Nz, Southern cross junior, Lunch, Whataroa river, Glacier flights, Rain, Glacier highway, Franz Josef wet walk, receding glacier, pain in knees , Lake Ianthe, Fox Glacier, Blue lake, Moraine, Haast valley, Bruce Bay, Stones for messages, Lake Matheson walks and views, Cafe, Coffee, Snow cover peaks, Knights point lookout, Whale watching, Mother and calf, Fox Glacier ski village, Pollax point peaks, Haast village, Haast campsite, Sunset, Eeerie colours on the peaks, Having to move pitches as the power didn't work at Haast Top10, Haasy-Jackson Bay road, Oturu, Harbour, Fan tails, Oturu river, Whitebait, Lobsters, Bridges (many), Neils Beach, Shearwaters, Hannahs crossing, Jackson Bay, Wharf (dodgy), Visitors centre, Whalers chimney remains, Whale (sighted by Annie), Pioneers, Fishing community, Return to Haast, Fuel station out, haast pass, Cameron Flat, Lunch, Mt Brewster and others, more snow, Mount Aspiring, Lake Wanaka, The Neck, Lake Hawea, Boundary Creek, Makarora Jack, Albert Town, Hawea, Wanaka, Snow predicted -2 it didnt arrive (hooray), Cold at night, Wanaka shore line, Luggate, Old motor cars, Town hall, Luggate - Cromwell Road, Tannersley estate vineyard, Lake Dunstan, 45th parallel, Lowburn, Mountain reflections, Cool seed pods, The Remarkables,Cromwell town - both new and old, Printing presses, Horses, Cartwheels, Paua art,Fruit town, sunshine, Goldfields, Kawarau gorge, Roaring Meg, Hydro power, A J Hackett bungy jumping, Warm outdoor fires, kawarau bridge, Shotover gorge, Queenstown campsite, Lake Wakatipu, Rainbows, Snow, Lumsden junction, Kingston, Old railway bridge, Garston, Mossburn, Stock crossing, Te Anau, lake Te Anau, Picture drome, Library, Coffee, Float planes, Kelpler track, Layby with Kea, Naughty alpine parrots - Kea, Car stripping trims, Homer Tunnel, waterfalls, Road slips, Rain, Milford sound lodge and camping ground, Milford village, Cruise terminal, Milford Mariner (our nature cruise boat), Nature cruise, NZ fur seals, Heron, Milford Sound is one of the true modern wonders of the world, Sigh loved it and nice to do it with pals, Low clouds, Mitre peak, The footstool, Sindbad gully, Many cruise liners, Massive crowds, Fur seals, Coffee, Warmth, Winds and cold,Tutoko Historic Suspension Bridge , Valley and river, Hollyford river and lookout, The Chasm walk and Kea (again) , Homer tunnel return, Mirroe lakes, such reflections, Ta Anau again, pitch where we camped in a tent in 2008, still there by the roses, Mossburn deer capital of NZ, red tussock grass, Lumsden, Gore, Clock tower and art gallery, Balclutha for a fab fish & chip lunch, Southern scenic highway, Dunedin, Otago peninsular (right hand coast), Taiaroa head scenic reserve, Royal Albatross centre, Prince Charles, Pilots beach, Blue Penguins (see video part 4), Portobello, Company bay, Broad bay, Wycliffe bay, Hooper inlet, Sandfly bay, Cape Saunders, Pilot beach viewing platform, Waiwhakeheke bay, Lighthouse, Dick Road, Allan beach, Sheep branding, Flotsam & jetsam, Lovely beach flowers, Highcliff road (scary and roadslips but great views), Dunedin city, Signal Hill lookot and memorial, University Oval cricket ground Dunedin, Baldwin street (the steepest in the world and I have the t-shirt somewhere to prove it!), Dunedin station lit up, travelling back to Portobello around the peninsular at night spectacular lights, Dunedin Vogel street murals, Blueskin Road, 19 Fathoms Foul memorial, Robert Falcon Scott memorial, Blueskin bay, Quarentine and Rakiriri islands, Waikouaiti and river, Karitane, Seacliff lookout, Pies in Waikouati village, Bushy beach reserve, Hide, Yellow eyed penguins, Oamaru victorian precinct, Jetty, Friendly Bay,Farmers market, Grain stores, Brewery, Distillery, Station, Picture frame, Steam punk (lots of it - class),Fat controller and the steam railway,Rakaia - salmon capital and goal, Banks Peninsular, Hilltop views, Akaroa, French very french, Jetty, Cinema, Passport office, Monet, Bedroom with a view, Churches, Roses, cats, Barrys bay, Little river, Silo stays, Over the hills in the rain, Gebbies pass, Dyers pass,Sugar loaf scenic reserve, Riccarton, Apollo motel (room11), Lone star last supper, Early rise, nice family, Airport off to Singapore (us), Hong Kong (C&A), tears, coffee in Sydney airport airside, Great times May 17 Diary SEE THE FULL SOUTH ISLAND EXPERIENCE, 1 hr 57mins "South Island as far as the Albatross sanctuary in Dunedin" Mussel men at Havelock Pot Yummy, what a menu, want more To see the Dunedin Albatross live webcam, click here View More Milford Sound Lodge and Camping was where we stayed, so convenient , a simple walk to the jetty for Sound boats View More We love Hokitika, glow worms, cinema show with sofa and wine and all Cromwell Historic Precinct , Central Otago gallery images created by KeefH Web Designs for this Travel Photography site with care and love 1/48 Click to enlarge and scroll thru slideshows The wonderful Milford Sound South Island New Zealand — A Coherent Travel Story We arrived in Picton on the Interislander after an early, bleary start from Wellington — straight into a very wet South Island welcome. Shakespeare Bay and Queen Charlotte Sound were moody and misty, and the drive along Queen Charlotte Drive to Ngakuta Bay and Havelock was long, winding and dripping. Havelock’s famous green mussels warmed us up — fresh from the sea, explained enthusiastically by a lady from Auckland — and the museum opposite told us more about mussels than we ever expected to know. The rain followed us all the way to Nelson, where we camped in a town‑centre site over a little bridge with a calming stream. The WOW Museum was a revelation: classic cars, outrageous costumes, and creations with names like Lord Maharajah and the Star Bride, Goodbye Versailles, and the unforgettable Ishmaelian Wingflapper. As the saying goes, “WOW makes Lady Gaga look like a librarian.” The bras alone were a spectacle. The cars ranged from Minis and Locomobiles to Vauxhall Vivas and a Shaguar. The rain followed us all the way to Nelson, where we camped in a town‑centre site over a little bridge with a calming stream. The WOW Museum was a revelation: classic cars, outrageous costumes, and creations with names like Lord Maharajah and the Star Bride, Goodbye Versailles, and the unforgettable Ishmaelian Wingflapper. As the saying goes, “WOW makes Lady Gaga look like a librarian.” The bras alone were a spectacle. The cars ranged from Minis and Locomobiles to Vauxhall Vivas and a Shaguar. We wandered Tahunanui Beach Reserve, boardwalks, winery country, pear and apple orchards, then headed to Kaiteriteri for sunsets, Wilsons ferries, and a memorable evening at the Beached Whale pub — fire roaring, a singing barman, and rugby on TV (Christchurch vs Wellington). Abel Tasman National Park gave us golden beaches and turquoise water, though it also gave us the man who emptied his loo in the water area and covered it with leaves (still yuk). Our boat trip took us to Totaranui, Awaroa, Medlands, Tonga Quarry, Torrent Bay and Bark Bay — picnics, coffee, wind, sun, fur seals, Adele Island, kayakers, solar panels, and shifting tides. Motueka River and Kahurangi National Park brought low cloud, hop fields, Tapawera, old police stations, a wooden cow, and eels. Lake Rotoiti gave us Mr Angry and his boat, St Arnaud, Lake Rotoroa, wet feet, red toadstools, and autumn colours. We followed the Buller River through Murchison’s heritage area, filled up with fuel, crossed the Buller Gorge swing bridge, and walked through waterfalls, earthquake zones (1929 and 2010), and the White Creek peninsula. Wagtails, Wekas, bushline walks, Ariki Falls, and logging trucks filled the day. Springs Junction meant pie lunch, then Lewis Pass, the Waiau River, and the Kaikōura Ranges. With SH1 closed from the 2016 earthquake, we took Highway 70 via Rotherham and Waiau to Kaikōura. Our campsite sat under snow‑covered mountains. We had fish and chips in town — sadly not from the best shop (Tiki Takeaways) which was closed — then wandered Fyffe Quay, the old chimney remains, the boardwalk, The Point, and the seal colony. Seals slept on the rocks and even on the boardwalk. The smell was… memorable. The road back was lined with slips and detours. Woodchester gave us Monet‑like autumn views and a man with coffee. Eventually we rejoined SH2 and reached Christchurch. At the Britz office we sorted extra bedding and C&A had their van fixed (brakes and a headlamp). Ours needed only an internal light. The Christchurch Top 10 was full of school groups and rain. We took the blue route bus into town: Ballantynes, the devastation, the cathedral ruins, Customs House, the Chalice sculpture, vintage trams, New Regent Street, murals, Container City, the Quake Museum, and that unmistakable Kiwi humour in the face of adversity. Colombo Street, a Mexican restaurant, workmen everywhere, and more rain. We even managed to lose each other on the ring road around the airport. From there we headed west: Sheffield pies, Lake Lyndon, Castle Hill, snow, mountains, SH73, Kumara Junction, the Great Alpine Way, Grasmere, Lake Pearson, farming flats, Cass Lagoon Track, Otira Gorge, the viaduct, Jackson Tavern, Arthur’s Pass, the national park, the Waimakariri River, the TranzAlpine line, Bridal Veil Falls, the visitor centre, Cobb & Co stagecoach history, Devil’s Punchbowl Bridge, and Kumara gold town. Hokitika brought the Tasman Sea, old town charm, glow worms, and rainbows. Ross gave us gold‑mining history, a gaol, heritage walks, Chinese influence, Jones Flats, a museum, De Bakker Cottage, and the story of Philip Ross May. Autumn colours, mine shafts, a Catholic church, and mining memorabilia filled the day. Hari Hari celebrated Guy Menzies, the first solo flight from Australia to NZ. We lunched by the Whataroa River, passed glacier‑flight signs, and drove the Glacier Highway in the rain. Franz Josef was a wet walk to a receding glacier (knees complaining). Lake Ianthe, Fox Glacier, Blue Lake, moraine fields, and the Haast Valley followed. Bruce Bay offered stones for messages; Lake Matheson gave us reflections and coffee; Knights Point gave us whale sightings — a mother and calf. Fox Glacier village, Pollux Point peaks, Haast village, eerie sunset colours, and a power‑less pitch at the Haast Top 10 (we had to move). We drove the Haast–Jackson Bay road: Oturu, fan tails, whitebait, lobsters, bridges, Neils Beach, shearwaters, Hannahs Crossing, Jackson Bay’s dodgy wharf, the visitor centre, whalers’ chimney remains, and another whale sighting (Annie’s this time). The fishing community felt like the edge of the world. Back through Haast (fuel station out), over Haast Pass, Cameron Flat, lunch under snowy peaks, Mount Brewster, Mount Aspiring, Lake Wānaka, The Neck, Lake Hawea, Boundary Creek, Makarora, Albert Town, and Wānaka again — cold nights, shoreline walks, Luggate’s old cars and town hall, vineyards, Lake Dunstan, the 45th parallel, Lowburn, mountain reflections, seed pods, the Remarkables, Cromwell old town, printing presses, horses, paua art, fruit stalls, sunshine. Goldfields, Kawarau Gorge, Roaring Meg, hydro power, AJ Hackett’s bungy bridge, warm outdoor fires, Shotover Gorge, and Queenstown’s campsite by Lake Wakatipu — rainbows, snow, and mountain drama. South to Lumsden, Kingston’s old railway bridge, Garston, Mossburn, stock crossings, and Te Anau — the picture drome, library, coffee, float planes, the Kepler Track, and a layby full of naughty kea pulling at car trims. The Homer Tunnel led us through waterfalls and slips to Milford Sound — the lodge, the village, the cruise terminal, and our nature cruise on the Milford Mariner. Fur seals, herons, Mitre Peak, the Footstool, Sindbad Gully, low clouds, icy winds, and the sense of being in one of the world’s true wonders. We loved doing it with pals. The return gave us the Tutoko suspension bridge, the Hollyford River, The Chasm, more kea, and Mirror Lakes with perfect reflections. Back to Te Anau — past the pitch where we camped in 2008 — then Mossburn (deer capital), red tussock, Lumsden, Gore’s clock tower and gallery, and Balclutha for a superb fish‑and‑chip lunch. The Southern Scenic Highway carried us to Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula: Taiaroa Head, the Royal Albatross Centre, Prince Charles’ visit, Pilot’s Beach, blue penguins, Portobello, Company Bay, Broad Bay, Wycliffe Bay, Hooper Inlet, Sandfly Bay, Cape Saunders, Dick Road, Allan Beach, sheep branding, flotsam, flowers, and the dramatic Highcliff Road. Dunedin gave us Signal Hill, the university oval, Baldwin Street (steepest in the world — and yes, you have the T‑shirt), the station lit up at night, and a spectacular night drive back around the peninsula. Vogel Street murals, Blueskin Road, the 19 Fathoms Foul memorial, the Robert Falcon Scott memorial, Blueskin Bay, quarantine islands, Waikouaiti, Karitane, Seacliff lookout, pies in Waikouaiti, Bushy Beach’s yellow‑eyed penguins, and Oamaru’s Victorian precinct — jetty, Friendly Bay, farmers market, grain stores, brewery, distillery, station, picture frame, and glorious steampunk. Rakaia (salmon capital), Banks Peninsula, the Hilltop, and Akaroa — French charm, jetties, cinema, passport office, Monet vibes, roses, cats, Barry’s Bay, Little River, silo stays, rain over the hills, Gebbies Pass, Dyers Pass, Sugarloaf Reserve, Riccarton, and the Apollo Motel (Room 11). Our last supper at Lone Star, an early rise, a lovely family farewell, and then the airport: Singapore for us, Hong Kong for C&A. Tears, coffee at Sydney Airport, and the end of a magnificent South Island odyssey.A journey of mountains, seas, wildlife, weather, friends, mishaps, magic — and nearly two hours of video to prove it. Craft village by the sea, read more, enjoy

Follow our 2010 journey down the Maine coast to Bar Harbor—scenic drives, lighthouses, seafood stops, and classic New England charm on a relaxed summer road trip. 2010 USA Maine Travel Blog & Guide MAINE (USA) - HOLIDAY in 2010 A Travel Blog Experience DIARY During 2010 we have now been from one side of Canada to the other in a motorhome, British Columbia to Labrador, we loved it, it is a fabulous country and quite an achievement with memories we shall treasure forever. We dropped over the border twice once into upstate New York around Niagara Falls on Lake Ontario and once into Maine via the Vanceboro- St Croix border crossing over the St Croix River which separates Canada and America. The crossing is sometimes named McAdam. In the early 1900s, this crossing was located at the adjacent lock structure a short distance to the north. At some point in the distant past (at least prior to 1930), a bridge existed to the south of the railroad bridge, extending from Public Crossing Road on the Canadian side. Concrete footings for this bridge remain on the US side at this site. Some of the Maine visit highlights were Independence Day (4th) , bar harbor, Lincoln, st croix vanceboro bridge and border crossing if the truth be known we thought we had found a crossing that would be somewhat less officious after our experience coming into Upstate New York, it wasn’t quite so bad but still a huge number of checks and they came on the van to check we weren’t smuggling anyone across, still they were only doing their job and extremely good at doing it they were, we’d come over on highway 4 in NB then highway 6 in Maine from Lambert Lake thru Lee to Lincoln, then travelling the Interstate Highway 95 through to Bangor, then Edinburg & Argyle (notice anything Scottish here ha-ha) down to Bar Harbor, fish warehouses, 6 sailed yacht as sunset, the red sails blending in which we watched as the sun started to set just fabulous really, cedar clad buildings everywhere, lobster claus xmas humour, state flag, number plates, geddys down under aussie bar, lobster pots and floats, camping at both bar harbor and lubec, Quoddy Head State Park, heritage shops and historic buildings, yummy ice-cream, envy for airstream motorhomes and harley davidson motorbikes, , welcome to maine, the way life should be and who are we to disagree, memorial gardens, Sunkhaze Meadows, Holden, Elseworth, Trenton, also spednik lake, lubec town and its harbour and coastline, washington county, endless fish options, clam chowder, eden market, the cat bay ferry from yarmouth nova scotia which we also saw up in Yarmouth when visiting, west quoddy lighthouse which is the eastern most point in the whole of the United States, shopping for milk in Lincoln "near the guns, rifles and bullets, sir!", 4th july at campsite near bar harbor, flags, burgers and beers, plus crossing back to canada , Jonesboro, st croix river, blueberries growing wild, lobster rolls (yummy) from gas stations and even Maccy D's , probably the last time we went in one, tee-hee but the lobster rolls in Maine were just so tasty and fresh, mentally swapping back to miles not kilometres and cheap gas. We have now been from one side of Canada to the other and visited quite a few states in America. #tick Here is a bit of a write up on the whole area we visited in Maine, namely Washington County Washington County is sometimes referred to as the "Sunrise County" because it includes the eastern most point in the United States, and where many believe the sun first rises on the forty-eight contiguous states. Natural resources comprise a large portion of economic activity in the county. Blueberries play a major role; nearly 85% of the world's supply of wild blueberries comes from Washington County. Lobsters accounted for over $45 million dollars of economic activity in 2014. Washington County was established June 25, 1789, in conjunction with Hancock County. Originally Washington County stretched along the eastern border of New Brunswick all the way to the disputed northern boundary with Canada. Machias was established as the shire town. Named for George Washington, the county encompasses two cities, forty towns, three plantations and two Native American areas. It covers 3,258 square miles (2,563 square miles of land and 695 square miles of water, or 21%). The population is 32, 856 (2010) which works out to about 13 people per square mile. The population is located, for the most part, along the coast. This makes sense historically because water travel brought settlers to the area in the first place. Vast natural resources were the attraction and served to support the establishment of many communities. The more interior half of the county is considered Unorganized Territories and holds about 1200 people. What makes Washington County so special is a question of an entirely different sort and demands a different response. It takes four hours to drive from one end of the county to the other. During that drive the topography changes, reflecting the glacial scouring of 10,000 years ago. Left behind were rock formations, lakes and streams, and wide-open expanses to rival the plains. And in that landscape an independent sort live, work and raise their families. Washington County is a lot of things. It is the most gorgeous, has the deepest cargo port, the longest coastline including the Bold Coast, the highest tides, and produces the most lobster and clam landings. What Washington County does not have is lots of traffic lights (only three in the whole county), an interstate, a Red Lobster Restaurant, or poisonous snakes. Welcome to Washington County. We Liked Maine a lot, relaxed feel , fab sights and lobster so fresh it could almost walk up to your plate. Maine, USA, Travel Guide for Motorhomers front bar harbor floats 1/34 2010 3 Days in Maine USA 3rd-5th July including "Independence Day" 4th July INCLUDES 69 PHOTOS We visited amongst others bar harbor, Lincoln, st croix vanceboro bridge and border crossing, highway 4 in NB then highway 6 in Maine from Lambert Lake thru Lee to Lincoln, then travelling the Interstate Highway 95 through to Bangor, then Edinburg & Argyle (notice anything Scottish here ha-ha) down to Bar Harbor, fish warehouses, 6 sailed yacht as sunset, the red sails blending in, cedar clad buildings everywhere, lobster claus xmas humour, state flag, number plates, geddys down under aussie bar, lobster pots and floats, camping at both bar harbor and lubec, Quoddy Head State Park, heritage shops and historic buildings, yummy icecream, envy for airstream motorhomes and harley davidson motorbikes, , welcome to maine, the way life should be, memorial gardens, Sunkhaze Meadows, Holden, Elseworth, Trenton, also spednik lake, lubec town and its harbour and coastline, washington county, endless fish options, clam chowder, eden market, the cat bay ferry from yarmouth nova scotia, west quoddy lighthouse, shopping for milk in Lincoln "near the guns, rifles and bullets, sir!", 4th july at campsite near bar harbor, flags, burgers and beers, plus crossing back to canada , jonesboro, st croix river, blueberries growing wild, lobster rolls (yummy) from gas stations and even Maccy D's , probably the last time we went in one, tee-hee, mentally swapping back to miles not kilometres and cheap gas. We have now been from one side of Canada to the other and visited quite a few states in America. #tick 1/1

Explore New Brunswick’s French and English heritage, scenic bays, historic towns and coastal drives in this 2010 motorhome travel diary across Canada’s Maritime province. 2010 New Brunswick Travel Blog & Guide NEW BRUNSWICK - HOLIDAY in 2010 A Travel Blog Experience DIARY During 2010 we have now been from one side of Canada to the other in a motorhome, British Columbia to Labrador, we loved it, it is a fabulous country and quite an achievement with memories we shall treasure forever. For New Brunswick the following were some of the highlights, alma, campbellton, lighthouses, miscou island and our lovely walk along the peat bog boardwalk here across the bridge to the island, lots of waterlilies and wild flowers, lamere island, kouchibouguac national park, bay of fundy national park, the world beating tidal height changes in the Bay of Fundy, we watched it, it’s just amazing how far it drops down to the mud beds deep below the coastal edge, all New Brunswick’s provincial parcs as well as National ones, butland's lobster, beaver tails resaurants and Tim Horton coffee, art and art galleries, music, arcadians, Micmac’s a native Indian tribe whom the band we saw in France in 2014 took their name from, indeed we liked the band so much we bought their CD, McAdam station and tourist information and museum, cape jourmain, confederation bridge, sea dogs ice hockey, covered cedar bridge tunnels, hopewell rocks, grand anse, baseball, bog walks, board walks, plant life, harbors and now in English harbours ha-ha, sun and rain in equal measures, magnetic hill and taking the van to it and getting a feeling you were going backwards, magic village, Bathurst with its fabulous coastline and viewing platforms and lighthouses plus its fab village hill, val-comeau and its board walk, cap egmont, Moncton – which in fairness we were not that impressed with, sadly another big town / city that just didn’t do it for us, Saint john (as opposed to st johns in newfoundland) looking for Annie’s rellies as well as moving back from the edge of the precipice in its campsite to a somewhat safer pitch although in Keef’s humble opinion the view in the 1st pitch was fab,also we visited the home of the St John Sea Dogs ice hockey team, ice hockey is huge in Canada, witness mr Horton, we back in Nottingham have an English team called the Nottingham Panthers who aren’t bad either, petitcodiac river, possum in the road kill cafe, whose rather worrying catch phrase is “you kill ‘em, we grill ‘em”, keef bought one of their T-Shirts. Fredericton for Canada Day 1 July , it was Canada’s 143 birthday, and was just so nice , it was lucky we were able to get a slot at the campsite for Canada Day as it was incredibly busy and the main celebrations were on in town which was lovely, dogs dressed as Mounties and Anne of Green Gables, live music, food, drink, people with flags and all forms of Canada memorabilia from chairs to jackets and t-shirts, we joined in by waving, furiously, the provided mini Canada maple leaf flags, true patriots that we are. Also, very friendly people at the shindig. We spent a couple of days in Fredericton exploring the town and museums as well as celebrating Canada day. The old Town hall was very interesting. The other thing we remember is a crowd of Japanese tourists at the campsite asking if they could come and have a look inside our motorhome as it is not anything they had ever seen before, hilarious, reminds me of when Phoenix’s parents came to stay with us from China in the UK and asked a lot of questions about our Wendy House motorhome. We returned the second time to pass thru to Prince Edward Island as David & Cathy were on holiday there. Here are some words about the Confederation Bridge, an amazing feat of engineering, that we had the pleasure of traversing 4 times on our Canada holiday in 2010. The Confederation Bridge joins the eastern Canadian provinces of Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, making travel throughout the Maritimes easy and convenient. The curved, 12.9 kilometre (8 mile) long bridge is the longest in the world crossing ice-covered water and continues to endure as one of Canada’s top engineering achievements of the 20th century. The decision to replace the existing ferry service with a fixed link followed a heated debate throughout the 1980’s. Farmers, fishermen, tourism operators, and residents of Prince Edward Island had sharply contrasting opinions about how year-round access to the mainland would affect their way of life and livelihood. Eventually, it was decided that the debate would be settled at the polls. The federal department of Public Works and Government Services selected its favourite bridge design out of several proposals from the private sector, and on January 18, 1988, Premier Joseph Ghiz asked Prince Edward Islanders to make the final decision in a plebiscite. At the polls, 59.4% of Islanders voted “Yes” to a fixed link. After four years of construction using crews of more than five thousand local workers, the Confederation Bridge opened to traffic on May 31, 1997. Today, the Confederation Bridge is operated by Strait Crossing Bridge Limited, headquartered in the shadow of the bridge in Borden-Carleton, Prince Edward Island.. Ontario, Canada, Travel Guide for Motorhomers us in bathurst new brunswick arcadian grand anse 1/83 There are 131 of these historic wooden structures in Canada and 58 in New Brunswick – almost half the country’s total! 2010 14 Days in New Brunswick, Canada between 24th June & the 25th July, in 2 visits, 24th June-8th July & 21st July INCLUDES 78 PHOTOS We visited amongst others alma, Campbelltown, lighthouses, Miscou island, Lamare island, Kouchibouguac national park, bay of fundy national park, provincial parcs, bay of fundy's world leading tidal change in height, butland's lobster, beaver tails fast food and restaurants washed down by Tim Horton coffee, art and art galleries, music, arcadians, Micmac's, McAdam station, cape jourmain, confederation bridge, sea dogs ice hockey, covered cedar bridge tunnels, hopewell rocks and cape, grand anse, baseball, bog walks, plant life, harbors, sun and rain in equal measures, shippagan, magnetic hill, magic mountain village, bathurst, val-comeau, cap egmont, moncton, vanceboro st croix border crossing to Maine, st croix river, saint john (as opposed to st johns in newfie) looking for annie's rellies, petitcodiac river, possum in the road kill cafe, fredericton for canada day 1 july, note during Covid lockdown this is what happen on the corresponding day in 2021 and lots of places in between. We have been from one side of Canada to the other

Explore three decades of worldwide travel from 1995–2024. Choose your favourite adventures, get diaries, photos, guides & plan unforgettable future holidays by KHWD Your Choices Use the Tag selector to make your choices, Turn on or off as many as you wish and it will filter your choices for you, thanks for using! Filter by Tags 00s 10s 20s 90s ACT NSW NT NY state NZ PEI SA UK USA Victoria WA alaska alberta asia australia british columbia bruny island california campsite suggestions canada car cook islands cruise denmark disney eire europe family faroes ferry fiji finland florida france friends germany holland hong kong iceland ireland italy itinerary planning labrador longhaul maine malaysia manitoba monaco motorhome motorhome routes mull new brunswick newfoundland north island norway nova scotia ontario orkneys pacific islands practical driving tips quebec queensland samoa saskatchewan scandinavia scotland shetlands singapore south island stewart island sweden switzerland tasmania tonga vancouver island wales Close 1995 Australia ACT, NSW, Queensland, Victoria Relive a vibrant 1995 family adventure across Australia—restored photos, vivid memories, iconic landscapes, and a charming diary of discovery. A beautifully rebuilt time capsule celebrating travel, wonder, and togetherness. kuranda railway postcard UPD.jpg CBD and harbour bridge from the ferry.jpg leo on boat doyles watsons bay aug95.jpg kuranda railway postcard UPD.jpg 1/5 View More 1997 USA Florida Relive the 1997 Florida saga: giant hire car, endless theme parks, sunburn, alligators, Miss Piggy encounters, and 227 Kodak‑powered memories. A gloriously chaotic family epic—Disney, queues, chaos, perfection. apartmant view kissimee.jpg key west conch tour .jpg key west conch tour UPD aug97.jpg apartmant view kissimee.jpg 1/5 View More 1999 Canada British Columbia, Alberta Explore a 1999 Canada motorhome adventure across British Columbia and Alberta—Vancouver Island, Rockies, Inside Passage, wildlife, glaciers, and epic family memories—packed with photos, travel tips, and real on‑the‑road experiences. 99 main_inPixio.jpg family on the icefields_inPixio.jpg Murals _ Chemainus BC Aug99.jpg 99 main_inPixio.jpg 1/5 View More 2007 Oceania USA, Pacific Islands, NZ Two new backpackers, various hire cars, Tongan driving license, endless Pacific island miles, exploding budgets, wildlife staring contests, and sunburn as a lifestyle choice. 2007: the year “winging it” became a full‑time job. clam chowder at monterey.jpg boys fishing in savusavu town.jpg downtown nuku'alofa market.jpg clam chowder at monterey.jpg 1/5 View More 2008 Oceania NZ, Australia, Singapore, HK Discover 2008’s Australia adventures—Fraser Island, Whitsundays sailing, outback road trips, reef dives, wildlife encounters, and backpacker chaos—packed with photos, travel tips, and real gap‑year experiences across Darwin and beyond. ahhh cuddles.jpg us _ uluru _ sunset, strange colours.jpg maori village at rotarua.jpg ahhh cuddles.jpg 1/5 View More 2010 Canada & USA Alberta to Labrador, NY & Maine Relive unforgettable 2010 travel memories across Canada and the USA—road trips, national parks, wildlife, iconic cities, and family adventures—packed with photos, stories, and real holiday experiences for travel inspiration. sheep everywhere on highway 1.jpg camping just outside saskatoon, saskatchewan.jpg airstream on our site at lubec.jpg sheep everywhere on highway 1.jpg 1/5 View More 2013 Oceania & Asia Malaysia, NZ, Aus. & Singapore A personal 2013 travel blog documenting a three‑month journey through Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia and Singapore, featuring diaries, slideshows, motorhome adventures, family events, and detailed destination memories. truly wonderful.jpg 30th Jan 2013 Doug & Phoenix's wedding, Langkawi island on the beach.jpg who is winning the race.jpg truly wonderful.jpg 1/5 View More 2014 France Monaco, Switzerland, Italy Join our unforgettable three‑month motorhome journey across France, exploring 4,611 miles of scenic routes, charming villages, coastal drives, campsites, and memorable European moments captured throughout this 2014 travel adventure gorges du verdon, provence, france.jpg france 2014.JPG france_inPixio.jpg gorges du verdon, provence, france.jpg 1/5 View More 2016 Scandinavia Norway,Sweden,Denmark etc Discover essential tips for motorhoming across Europe and Scandinavia in 2016—routes, costs, campsites, border advice, fuel insights and practical guidance to plan smoother, smarter long‑distance adventures such a nice view i've included it twice.jpg kristiansund2sogndal via stryn (156).JPG class reflection.jpg such a nice view i've included it twice.jpg 1/5 View More 2017 Oceania & Asia Cook Islands, NZ,Singapore A vibrant 2017 travel blog capturing a five‑month adventure across Singapore, Australia, the Cook Islands and New Zealand with friends, featuring photography, stories, planning insights and memorable family moments holiday trip 2017 (1).jpg holiday trip 2017 (4).jpg holiday trip 2017 (3).jpg holiday trip 2017 (1).jpg 1/5 View More 2018 Ireland Eire in a motorhome Explore Ireland by motorhome with our 2018 guide—scenic routes, coastal drives, campsite reviews, hidden bays, practical tips and real‑world experiences for planning a smooth, memorable Irish road‑trip adventure Adare to Doolin (38).jpg Doolin to Clifden (114).jpg blog129 eire 2018.jpg Adare to Doolin (38).jpg 1/5 View More 2019 Faroes & Iceland Holland, Germany, Denmark Experience an extraordinary 2019 motorhome journey through the Faroes and Iceland—remote landscapes, ferries, campsites, costs, routes, wildlife, weather tips and real‑world guidance for planning unforgettable northern adventures siglufjordur harbour views (3).jpg iceland 2019.JPG annie in arctic circle above raufarhofn.jpg siglufjordur harbour views (3).jpg 1/5 View More 2022 USA Florida Celebrate Disney’s 50th with our unforgettable 2022 Florida adventure—three weeks of theme‑park magic, fireworks, family fun, resort living and milestone memories at Walt Disney World’s spectacular anniversary celebration. 2022 pix (12).jpg 2022 pix (6).jpg 2022 pix (11).jpg 2022 pix (12).jpg 1/5 View More 2024 USA & Canada Cruising Alaska, West Coast Experience our unforgettable 2024 adventure—spectacular Alaska cruising, breathtaking Canadian Rockies scenery and the iconic Rocky Mountaineer rail journey, captured through rich diaries, stunning landscapes and milestone travel memories. blog 204 canada best images (85).jpg us on the rocky mountaineer.jpg blog 204 canada best images (17).jpg blog 204 canada best images (85).jpg 1/5 View More 2025 Scotland Mull, Shetlands, Orkneys A thrilling 2025 island‑hopping adventure through Scotland, Shetland and Orkney—wild coastlines, ferries, wildlife, remote campsites and unforgettable campervan freedom across some of Britain’s most dramatic, soul‑stirring landscapes. orkney arrival (2).jpg the most northerly house in the UK on Unst.jpg river breamish NP.jpg orkney arrival (2).jpg 1/5 View More

Explore our 2018 motorhome travelling guide to Eire & Ireland—routes, tips, campsites, and scenic highlights for an unforgettable Irish road trip. 2018 Travel Blog & Guide - Eire / Ireland 🇮🇪 2018 Ireland Route Map (Motorhome Trip No. 34) 16 June – 6 July 2018 • 21 Days • 1,995 miles ROUTE (Chronological) Nottingham → Southerndown, Vale of Glamorgan (Wales) Southerndown → St Davids, Pembrokeshire St Davids → Fishguard Ferry Port Fishguard → Rosslare (Ferry) Rosslare → Ferrybank Caravan Park, Wexford Wexford → New Ross → Waterford → Cahir (The Apple Farm) Cahir → Tipperary → Limerick → Adare (Adare Camping & Caravan Park) Adare → Tarbert Ferry → Killimer → Kilrush → Doonbeg (Strand Camping) Doonbeg → Lahinch → Cliffs of Moher → Doolin (Nagles Campsite) Doolin (Aran Islands boat trip – Inis Mór) Doolin → Ballyvaughan → Galway (Galway City Caravan Park) Galway → Connemara → Clifden (Eco Beach Campsite) Clifden → Omey Island → Renvyle → Westport → Achill Island (Keel Sandybank) Achill Island loops → Keem Bay → Doohoma → Ballina (Belleek Caravan Park) Ballina → Enniscrone → Easkey → Strandhill (Strandhill Campsite) Strandhill → Sligo → Mullaghmore → Ballyshannon (Lakeside Caravan Park) Ballyshannon → Donegal Town → Killybegs → Slieve League → Dungloe Dungloe → Gweedore → Magheraroarty → Fanad Head → Ramelton → Ballyshannon Ballyshannon → Beleek (NI) → Garrison → Parkes Castle → Battlebridge (Leitrim) Battlebridge → Strokestown House → Roscommon → Athlone (Ballykeeran ACSI site) Athlone → Tullamore → Portlaoise → Bennettsbridge (Nore Valley Park) Bennettsbridge → Johnstown Castle Gardens → Rosslare Ferry Rosslare → Fishguard (Ferry) → Welshpool → Shrewsbury → Nottingham 18 Route Visuals Explore our 2018 motorhome travelling guide to Eire / Ireland—routes, tips, campsites, and scenic highlights for an unforgettable Irish road trip. Discover our detailed 2018 motorhome travelling guide to Eire & Ireland, packed with scenic routes, campsite reviews, coastal drives, practical tips, and real‑world experiences from life on the road. Explore hidden bays, historic towns, wild Atlantic views, and the best stopovers for a smooth, memorable Irish adventure. Perfect for planning your own motorhome journey across Ireland’s stunning landscapes. Camping outdoors in Eire The write up is coming......

Explore our 2007 Pacific Islands adventure through Fiji, Samoa and Tonga—vivid travel diaries, photos, culture, beaches, villages and unforgettable island life. 2007 Pacific Islands Travel Guide & Blog Fiji Western Samoa Tonga PACIFIC ISLANDS FIJI, WESTERN SAMOA & TONGA - HOLIDAY in 2007 A Travel Blog Experience PLAY The Pacific Islands section of this site, namely 2007–8 travels captures a vivid, month‑long journey through Fiji, Western Samoa, and Tonga. Blending travel diary entries with hundreds of photos, it documents island‑hopping adventures, small‑plane flights, tropical storms, coral reefs, village life, festivals, and encounters with local culture. Fiji’s Savusavu serves as a base for beach days, kava ceremonies, rainforest walks, and drives through sugar‑cane country. Samoa offers contrasting experiences—from chaotic Apia arrivals to serene beach fales on Savai’i, lava fields, blowholes, and visits to Robert Louis Stevenson’s home. Tonga adds traditional dancing, markets, royal landmarks, and dramatic natural sights. Throughout, the site mixes humour, practical notes, and personal reflections, creating a rich snapshot of South Pacific travel in 2007–8. It also highlights the creator’s later web‑design work, presenting the islands through curated images, slideshows, and storytelling. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when two sensible travellers are dropped into the South Pacific with a bi‑plane, a bowl of kava, and a surprising tolerance for tropical storms, this 2007 adventure answers it beautifully. Fiji, Samoa and Tonga weren’t just destinations — they were a full‑blown comedy trilogy with added humidity. The saga begins in Fiji, where the plane is so small you could practically reach out and adjust the propeller yourself. The views are spectacular, the banana cake is life‑changing, and Roy & Lisa — your hosts, guides, fruit suppliers and occasional kava dealers — ensure you’re never more than ten minutes away from a pineapple or a philosophical chat. You bravely tackle kava, described as “mind‑expanding,” which is polite code for “tastes like someone rinsed a muddy flip‑flop.” But you drink it anyway, because when in Fiji… CONTINUED-> Fiji Then comes Samoa, where Apia greets you with the kind of cheerful chaos that suggests the entire island runs on vibes rather than timetables. You master the art of the beach fale (basically a hut with ambitions), explore lava fields, and visit Robert Louis Stevenson’s house — presumably to thank him for writing something far less exhausting than your daily walk in the humidity. The blowholes impress, the tropical storms impress even more, and you learn that removing your hat before entering a village is essential unless you enjoy being cursed by elders. Finally, Tonga: land of royal palaces, traditional dancing, and the unforgettable moment you receive a Tongan driving licence issued by the King. Yes, the actual King. You also survive earthquakes, cyclones, and the discovery that Tonga is apparently the fifth most corrupt nation on Earth — though the locals seem far too friendly to pull off anything truly dodgy. You meet pigs, mongoose, musicians, and at least one dog who becomes your lifelong friend after being fed leftovers. By the end, you’ve conquered reefs, storms, kava, customs, coconuts, and more tropical fruit than a supermarket smoothie aisle. It’s sun, sweat, laughter, and pure Pacific magic — with just enough chaos to make it unforgettable. Western Samoa 2007 1st November - 10th December We visited Fiji, stayed at Roy & Lisa's, Western Samoa on Savaii and Robin's Fale in Tonga Our travel website design company is here to bring the beauty of the Pacific Islands to life. Specializing in creating engaging, visually stunning websites, we help you showcase the allure of Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga. Let us craft a digital presence that reflects your unique journey and captivates your audience. With our expertise, your travel stories will inspire and attract visitors from around the globe. Contact our travel website design company today to begin your adventure in web design! From our travels, Pacific Islands Overall, 1 Nov-10 Dec 2007,featuring Fiji, Western Samoa, Tonga, such fun, travel to many parts on numerous islands, including 250 images being a summary of the much larger individual islands video now broken into 5 parts in nov2020, , covering plus a whole lot more the following,Savaii, aggie grey, apia, savusavu, atata island, alofaaga blowholes, my tongan driving license issued by the king (smile), captain james cook, sewaka platform, airports, harbours, town, tropical flowers, markets, music, outriggers hotel, insel fehrman hotel, vatu the dog, buses, ferries, auala harbour, salealonga, bougainvillea, boxing, fishing, breadfruit, pelehake, tongatapu main tongan island, nadi, cocktails, coconuts, cruise ships, cyclone daman, earthquakes, Richter scale 8.2, fale shook, nuku’alofa, traditional dancing, museums, cannibalism, hibiscus, local beers, water salination stations, festivals, carnivals, hot springs, Houma, tonga 5th most corrupt nation on earth signs, international dateline hotel, jean-michel cousteaux resort,kaati-ni, vunu road, kava, halafuolafa beach, upolu, seabreezes resort,banyan trees, 3 sisters café, labasa, sugar cane, lorries, conflicts, rocks, princess tui (yuk!), vailima, Robert Louis Stevenson, lovo meals, taro, kings palaces, lava rocks, garlands, vanua levu, miss pacific islands competition, maota, mapu'a 'a vaea blowholes, mongoose, urata, sopu, ports, orchids, pinapples, mangoes, guava, banana bread, samosas (best in the world), paradise cove, cross island road, outriggers boats & hotel, motootua, Savaii lagoon beach resort, pigs, restaurants, Roy & Lisa, music, black rose, roseiloa, peter the keyboard player, royal sunset island resort, rugby, leper colonies (sad!),strelitzia, bird of paradise,princesses & kings 7 palaces,traditional dress, straw skirting, viaola,waterfalls, xmas greetings 2007, coral quays, reefs Tonga Fiji DIARY FIJI WORDS - Mostly Vanua Levu Bula, Bula UPDATE 13/11/2007 Now left the lovely Vanua Levu We took the bi-plane Sun Pacific flight FJ105/106 from the main island (Vito Levu) to Savusavu on the southern coast of the second island (Vanua Levu) where we stayed in Sekawa Beach Cottages for 12 days (2/11-13/11/2007) Excellent local Fijian beer and we had 2 sessions on the grog, 'mind expanding' local Kava.... Juicy in the Sky with Diamonds..with Roy & Lisa (our hosts)...comes from a pepper plant root which is poundered to a powder which is rinsed in a muslin bag with water into a trad wooden bowl with 3 legs . Although 'ceremony' is common to all South Pacific Islands the bowls are different Contact phone was 011-679-822-0460 and Anne's mobile worked only for Text 2 Wifi Internet cafes in Savasavu Hired car for 3 days Went to Labasa (capital....Very Indian) , Jean Michel Cousteau (JMC) Dive resort and part of the Hibiscus highway. Rained a fair bit but managed 3 swims. HIGHLIGHTS Roy & Lisa's company, Biplane flight (absolutely the best views ever), Tropical fruit, Trip to Vanda & Tukai's children's schools, Savusavu bay , Sugarcane Express, Banana cake and samosas at Nadi Airport LOWLIGHTS None although JMC a little overated even if it is in the 1000 places to see before you die My most vivid memories are of those clear blue skies, humidity, the rattle of thunder, greenery, fresh fruit delivered daily by Roy & Lisa, Fijian music especially Black Rose (Rosiloa) who we still listen to today and the lovely view from our balcony. FIJI DIARY Day 8 - Friday 2nd November 2007, Land in Nadi,Fiji then to Venua Levu Arrived fairly tired in Nadi, Viti Levu, Fiji at 6 am. We really didn’t sleep that well. Main meal served early was chicken frizzled (very dried up) but the breakfast of turkey/cheese croissant was most welcome. DePlaned and waited in the airport on some wonderful leather sofas after having some coffee/ tea (very oz.flat white, tall black etc etc) and cakes. FJD$1.50 (i.e 50p) for the most gianormous wonderful banana cake which they warm. Very very Humid.Had 2 showers today in freezing cold water. Checked in 10am. No boarding cards you just choose your seat. Sat about 18 half full. Great great journey across the mountains of the main island, then over the coast to Savusavu. Most memorable experience Oh just so much words fail me. The view from the De Haviland was SPECTACULAR. Clear skies, crystal blue seas and an abundance of coral reefs. Taxi driver from Paradise Cabs took us to the supermarket and Roy & Lisa (cottage owners) He is from Hawaii (Chinese origin) She is from California. They are most friendly Left a bowl of garden fruit for us.pineapple, guava, lime , bananas and chili peppers. Most kind.I cooked teriyaki lamb with onions/green peppers , rice and salad whilst listening to Sting and drinking well water, loved taking pix from the bi-plane flight from Nadi on Venito Levu (Main Island) to Savusavu, Venua Levu on the second largest island Day 9 - Saturday 3rd November 2007,2007,Sewaka Beach Cottage, Near Savusavu, Venua Levu, Fiji Got up about 6-ish having been to sleep (knackered) at about 10pm after cooking lamb & rice. Had a fine breakfast on the verandah - frosties & fresh local banana, papaya and lime (given by Roy from his garden) and local bread (whole meal with a hint of onion) topped off with local pineapple juice.Walked down track to Sewaka beach looking at the tropical vegetation and bananas growing (still green). Downhill there but hard walking uphill and very hot on the return. Cooled off in the Pacific and sat on beach for couple of hours. Sound of gentle waves on the shore was very relaxing and beach was deserted, although there were two Fijian women fishing. Had picnic lunch on beach and then returned to cottage for a siesta as very hot and humid. Woken by tropical downpour, including thunder and lightning, which lasted about an hour. The temperature reduced and the wind was very refreshing. Just as well the verandah had a deep roof overhang. In the early evening Roy and Lisa invited us to their home for a traditional kava ceremony and told us all about how it is made. It is a root from the pepper plant family that is ground into a fine powder and then mixed with water into a muddy looking liquid. It is drunk from small coconut shells. It has a mild sedative effect and is not alcoholic. On our return to our cottage we had dinner (chicken teryaki, rice and vegetables) and watched the DVD of Savusavu tourist board. Met Jeff, American from New Jersey who has lived on the beach here for 6 years. He and his wife, like Roy & Lisa do holiday cottage rentals and after purchasing the land built both their own house (on hardwood stilts – maybe bark shed coconut palm?). Jeff had just been stung by a hornet whilst gardening so was healing it with ice. He suggested that taxi may be better and cheaper than hiring a car. Also do not stop in villages without first being invited as it is not good karma and visitors must remove any headgear. Plus tried snorkeling but just too unclear to be of use. First tropical rainstorm, thunder and lightning. Woke us from our afternoon siesta. We fed Vatu their (R&L) dog on our left over scraps of last nights meal. He is now a friend for life, even if he barks at everyone else. Roy & Lisa are Jehovah’s Witnesses and going to an all dayer in Lebasa The main town which has a massive Indian influence. Saw a mongoose, alas a little too quick to photo Day 10 - Sunday 4th November 2007,Sewaka Beach Cottage, Near Savusavu, Venua Levu, Fiji Anne rose about 6.15am, Keef about 7.30. Alas K has developed a cold and sore throat from somewhere, maybe the plane with all those folks sneezing. Did various things on laptop, getting ready to email contact the boys tomorrow when we catch a taxi into Savusavu. In the afternoon we were so chilled we just relaxed and read our books, Chart Throb by Ben Elton is ace. So cooked fried chicken, mash & creamed sweetcorn for T and had one of the gardens fresh pineapples for pud, it was just so sweet (Yummy). In the morning we walked up the track to Roy & Lisa’s upper garden. Beautiful tropical plants, including hibiscus, orchids and a flame tree in bloom with big red flowers. On the top of the hill and flattened garden area there was a spectacular view of the bay and Pacific. They had built a wooden deck to sit on. Saw dragonfly but nothing else. Back on the cottage verandah Keef saw an orange dove flying among the trees. We could hear parrots squawking occasionally.Despite the thunder in the distance it did not rain but we had a sudden 10 minute power cut which Lisa said could happen at any time. Sometimes they may have a couple of power cuts a month and others can go for a couple of months without one. The water system does not work when there is a power cut but if it is long lasting then there is a back-up generator. Luckily we had already cooked our evening meal and washed up when the power went and were just admiring the sunset Day 11 - Monday 5th November 2007,Sewaka Beach Cottage, Near Savusavu, Venua Levu, Fiji Went in by Taxi to Savusavu town past one of the best named villages Jerusalem. Used the Wireless Internet from the Computer shop (FJD$4 per hour) as opposed to café Bule Re which is FJD$10 per hour and you end up sitting in the café anyhow using the internet. Tis a bit slow but not complaining. Updated website , read and responded to email. Savusavu is based alongside an inlet/ harbour with lots of yachts. Most relaxing sitting in café on the waters edge. Had lunch there as well Very good. I had beef kebab and Annie had chicken escalope. We were impressed by cooking and have booked there for Weds eve for the Lovo meal (cooked in ground pit in banana leaves, trad Fiji) Booked car for 3 days from 2moro from Tanda. She is gonna pick us up and drive us in to collect. Saw the town and waters edge. We met Tanda and Tuklea , german lady (from Munchen area) and her Fijian husband. Both very nice. They own Bula Re and he is the chef there, having recently returned from cooking at the South Pacific games in Samoa which he says is safer than Fiji.Interesting because we feel most welcome and safe in Fiji, everyone says Bula to you whether you are walking thru town or out in the country. These folk have 2 adopted Fijian children, very friendly. They are also Roy & Lisa’s closest neighbours at Sewaka. It was Guy Fawkes Night,not surprisingly not recognized here in Fiji but all supermarkets well stocked with fireworks which are for Diwali (this Friday 9/11) Day 12 - Tuesday 6th November 2007,Sewaka Beach Cottage, Near Savusavu, Venua Levu, Fiji Got up early and got picked up by Tanda and her husband and two children who took us into town. She dropped her two children off at school and then we picked up our hire car from outside her restaurant. Drove down some graveled roads and even some of the tarmacadam roads had lots of pot holes. Saw some tourist resorts, some of which were still being built, the ferry dock and went past the airport and saw some small planes land and take off. Saw a lot of coconut plantations along the coast. People waved at us and shouted ‘bula’ (hello). Saw the Hot Springs Hotel and then had lunch at the Copra Shed where the yachts are moored at the jetty. Did shopping in supermarket and then returned to cottage for siesta. No breeze at all. Went for cooling swim at Sewaka beach just before dusk and we were the only people there.They are the family who own the Fijian restaurant in Savusavu. We saw the school where the children were dropped off.It was extremely hot from 1pm onwards and swim at the beach was very refreshing.. Heard on Fijian radio in hire car that some people had been arrested for a plot to assassinate the interim Prime Minister of Fiji and were being charged, including inciting mutiny. Fiji Diary Continued Day 13 - Wednesday 7th November 2007,Car trip to Labasa Mostly rained today, so they do get bad weather in Fiji!!! Took our hire car to Labasa the main town of Vanua Levu, 30k residence and in the north of the island. About 75 miles from where we are staying. Much sugar cane production indeed we visited the factory on the outskirts of town and saw the hordes of farmers waiting to have their cane weighed / paid and processed, would love to know what they get paid for a cartload , bet its not much! Labasa itself has an amazing Indian influence, for me it could have been India. Very busy town with lots of Indian shops. Weather turned very hot and we were glad of air conditioning in car. Worth noting that was a good road with asphalt surface (although slightly destroyed in places with deep potholes) so journey took about 1 ½ hours. Much of this island at least is unmade roads. Went over some dodgy looking bridges over rivers. Lots of lorries traveling to Labasa loaded up with sugarcane. Saw pine forests, farms and sugar cane fields and very mountainous in distance. Saw a mongoose run across the road in front of our car. Later on we saw one foraging at the side of the road and Keef took a photo.Met Roy in Savusavu outside the pie shop (Hot Bread Shop) after we had returned from Labasa. Started raining and continued all afternoon. Village funeral of an elder. The whole village were out in force and we saw his/her grave adorned with flowers. As the procession wended its way back alas rather embarrassingly our car was caught in the procession. The village was Urata. In the eve we are going back into Bula Ra for a Lovo feast, although the rain still persists. Note we have car hired for 3 days which is enough, air conditioned Suzuki Jiminy, small but perfectly formed. Lovo meal was lovely – we had chicken, beef, mahi-mahi fish, pumpkin with prawns, tara leaves wrapped with creamed coconut filling, tara (bland vegetable), plantain for dessert with chocolate sauce. Keef had two tropical fruit drinks as he was driving and I had a maitai cocktail, plus coffees all for £9 each. Drive back to cottage after dinner was dark and misty (low cloud in mountains) but at least the rain had stopped. Difficult to see where the potholes were in the road in the dark.Took these memorable pix,Trip to Labasa and sugar cane photos. Also mongoose and photos of lovo meal. Labasa, route back from Labasa and Urata village with pig and mongoose And Lovo feast in the evening. Day 14 - Thursday 8th November 2007,Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort Nr Savusavu Vist to Jean-Michel Cousteau resort. Eventually went back into SS to use the Internet café and hand car back into Tanda and Tukea. Enjoyed the use of the car and the freedom it gave us but 3 days is probably enough @ FJD$92/day i.e 276 (i.e £96) went swimming for the 3rd time at our private beach, easy when you have the car, a hard climb in humidity otherwise. Not that impressed by JMC resort however the colour of fish off the jetty was immense. Big blue parrot fish, travaille and 2 huge blue fish (which I have no idea what they were called). Driving with 4 wheels for first time ever down very muddy track to JMC It was raining and very churned up, having slid there in the first place used the 4WD for return journey, very stable. Resort was very tiny with long jetty for dive boats, small swimming pool and grotty beach which was very rocky and unsuitable for swimming. Did not stay long and weather rainy. Went back into Savusavu and had drink at the Copra Shed by the jetty and looked at the boats. Saw cloud of steam and realized that this was where the hot springs came out of the ground. Found out that the Saturday South Pacific music festival starts at 7pm and is held at the Hot Springs Hotel. Went for swim at Sekawa beach. Torrential downpour pm. Decided to go back into Savusavu to internet café, hand back hire car and then got a taxi back to the cottage at dusk. Fijian lady (can’t remember her name) at Sekawa beach who was baby sitting the Czech couples baby. She had heard of Sherwood Forest and Robin Hood in history at school! Czech family are buying on beach front, wow, plus 4 Russians in Bula Re last night for Lovo feast. Us Northern hemisphere folk are taking over! Day 15 - Friday 9th November 2007,Sewaka Beach Cottage, Near Savusavu, Venua Levu, Fiji Nothing to report, day spent locally Day 16 - Saturday 10th November 2007,Sewaka Beach Cottage, Near Savusavu, Venua Levu, Fiji Relaxed in the cottage and then got a taxi at 4.30pm into Savusavu to the South Pacific Music Festival held at the Hot Springs Hotel. Noticed that the ferry from Vitu Levu was in dock (comes to Savusavu 3 times a week).. Arrived at the hotel just at the end of the talent contest where prizes were awarded for the best acts. The compere was either Oz or NZ and she was very patronizing and bossy towards the Fijians. Had some drinks and a meal of fish, chips and salad before the main music concert. We had been told it would start at 7pm but in fact it did not start until 8.20. The best act was a troupe of singers and dancers from the University of the South Pacific, Suva who had come over on the ferry. Their singing was very melodic and dancing was also very expressive and South Pacific. There were some other acts that were more pop group style and the Australian musicians were the worst. The concert was very amateurish and the PA system was also bad with feedback. We had booked a taxi back to the cottage at 10pm so had to leave before the concert ended. Day 17 - Sunday 11th November 2007,Sewaka Beach Cottage, Near Savusavu, Vanua Levu, Fiji A day of chillin. Did a few bits of video editing on laptop after last nights Music Festival at the Hot Springs Hotel and read the Fiji Times that Roy & Lisa loaned us. Anne did washing, not the greatest machine in the world and if the programme goes wrong it sucks all the water from the well dry. Oh dear! We then watched a whole stack of movies on DVD loaned by R&L who had once again left us with treats fruit (pineapple & bananas) and diwahli snacks (sweet not savoury). Watched Casablanca, Bourne Identity and About Smidt (3rd time but we love it!). MetVatu, R&L’s dog when I returned the paper. They are in Labasa all day today on a Jehovah’s Witness meet. Day 18 - Monday 12th November 2007,Sewaka Beach Cottage, Near Savusavu, Vanua Levu, Fiji Nice sunny day, got up around 7 -80 degrees plus humid but gentle breeze Had tea/ coffee and breakfast and read out on the verandah I am reading Uncle Toms Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe 1851 Wow devastatingly anti Slave book. Apparently Abe Lincoln claimed it started the Civil War Otherwise apart from reading and watching videos didn’t do a whole lot Had to pack late eve. Saw Capote DVD about Truman Capote and then Dances With Wolves.Managed to supposedly send first TXT messages on Anne’s phone to the boys, we will see. Also rang Parmgeet to ensure Paradise Taxis all set up for 2moro to go to the airport. Had a huge tropical storm at 1.30 with thunder and lightning. Roy and Lisa invited us for more kava and wine as a farewell in evening. They told us about a hurricane which they experienced in the cottage in 2001 where they had 10”of rain and also told us about clearing the rainforest to build the cottage. Said that quite a few Fijian villagers had died when trying to save their animals during the hurricane. There are no hurricane shelters on the island and no tidal wave warning sirens either. Luckily as they are 250 feet above sea level they would not be affected by a tsunami. Offered to copy some music from our laptop for them on their blank CDs which they were grateful for. Rang Mum at 1am, created DVD. Day 19 - Tuesday 13th November 2007,Leave Suvusavu and Fiji and journey onto Samoa Back to the Future or Ground Hog Day We had 2 days today one Leaving Fiji..One version of the 13/11, the other Arriving Samoa. See details under Samoa Summary: FIJI 12 days , Day 8-19, 2/11/2007-13/11/2007 Letter home from Fiji To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Western Samoa DIARY WESTERN SAMOA - Savai'i & Upolu NOTE all words in ITALICS were written on the trip. Talofa Lava Folks! Western Samoa not American Samoa for us....... UPDATE 28/11/2007 Now left Samoa Alas!!! Final pictures for Samoa posted We are sad to leave but 15 days of this heat 90+ at night and humid, boy humid...is taking its toll We stayed 1 night on Upolu in the 1848 (that old?) Princess Tui Inn in Apai (13th) We had booked 2 but it was bad so stayed 2nd day in Insel Fehrman hotel (note previous big German influence in people and architecture) where we had lunch (if only) with the Ms South Pacific pageant, then we hired a car for 15 days and went by ferry to Savaii where we stay in the Savaii Lagoon Resort, Beach fale (idyllic). This was a beachfront cottage with its own private beach lagoon with snorkelling on the doorstep plus swimming with turtles 15mins away. 10 nights in paradise and a chance to tick off two of the top1000 things to do before you die! (RLStevenson House on Upolu, (ace) , Hotel Safua Savaii (crap). Take a look at Savaii Lagoon resort to get an idea....Then we came back to the main Island of Upolu to the Outrigger hotel for another few days and saw the whole of that island. The hire car enabled us to travel around all of Savaii & Upolu, we have seen more of it than most Samoans now (alas...they can't afford to travel) Because of the international dateline on our travels we have had no 1/11, 2 13/11's and only a smidgen of the 28/11. Our 16.5 hour epic at Falealo International Airport (45 mins from the capital Apia pronounced 'R-PEA-A') was a delight in how to get no sleep The Samoans sure know how to treat a family members arrival at the airport as a party... HIGHLIGHTS Savaii Beach, Lava flow and blow holes, Ms Samoa, Villages and their gardens (fine if not immaculate) and Robert Louis Stevensons House LOWLIGHTS Long wait at Apia airport in the heat & humidity for a 1hr flight to Tonga Walking outside our beach fale for a private dip in the sea lives on as well as the pineapples growing there and the short hop to the restuarant next door for freshly caught fish with chips, yummy! oh and the taxi driver who ripped us off, git! can i say that, guess i just have, trying to drive us to the other side of the island to a hotel when insel fehrman apia was just down the road, oh and hot being able to close the window in our red jeep, luckily no tropical downpour at that time. Summary: SAMOA 16 days , Day 19-34, 13/11/2007-28/11/2007 Diary Day 19 - Tuesday 13th November 2007,Leave Suvusavu and Fiji and journey onto Samoa Back to the Future or Ground Hog Day We had 2 days today.Leaving Fiji..One version of the 13/11,Arriving Samoa.Is another.Got up at about 8 and had breakfast in Princess Tuipapaya, brown banana in sugar and toast, not bad.however Anne almost left me if we didn’t get out sharp.and agreed it was a S**T hole; the sheets don’t bare descriptionanyhow we got a taxi and went off in search of a hotel for day 2, Aggy Greys (£200/night) full luckily, then Herman took us on a magical mystery tour of various places then started driving to Aggy Grays beach resort (near airport) Keef caught him out and got him to turn back into Apia and a car hire place as well as Insel Hotel still he ripped us off at $WST80 (about £16) for only 25 mins taxi ride. If I’d had my wits about me I would have argued but we did get booked in and got our car (less than £24 / day) and essential on Samoa especially travelling to Savai’I as the 2 supposed car hires didn’t seem to exist when we drove thru Have to say our stay at Insel was ace (if a little expensive £85) but we swam, did lunch with the Ms South Pacific Pageant (see the pics lads!!!) and had an ace evening meal as well as air con and 2 double beds, v relaxing Also called in to checkout Outriggers that we are staying in after Savai’I , very good, pool, rooms, i/net etc.Chatted to young guy from California who was in transit at Nadi from Auckland where he had been studying wine production in NZ as part of a college course in USA. He said that a sparking white wine from kent had won the top wine prize in the world as being the best wine which surprised us. He recommended Raglan beach as an excellent long sandy beach where surfing also was good there. He said that South Auckland area was not a good area at night as young people got drunk and congregated in the main street area and had to be dispersed by the police in riot gear. He also said that Queenstown and Milford Sound and area were beautiful and told us that there are kea parrots in the glacier which tourists are warned will chew on your leather shoes if left outside. These are the largest parrots in NZ. Keef and the yank talked about music and he recommended a band called Tool who were similar to Pink Floyd. On Samoa met Dutch couple (who will pop up again later) that have been traveling RTW for 6 weeks in reverse direction to us plus a oz lady from Brisbane in the legal profession who had been on Vanuatu for 4 months. Sounds a v interesting place, the Happy isles. Said goodbye to our hosts in Savusavu, Roy and Lisa. Lisa gave us a guided tour of her garden and we saw pineapples, limes, lemon grass and papayas (also known as paw-paw) growing. Weather was really hot and humid – sweat was running down our foreheads. Got taxi to ‘airport’ early – just as well we did as the plane left 20 mins early with 8 passengers. Pilot told us that we would do a stop at Labasa to drop and pick up people. Then had 9 passengers on plane. Got good aerial view of mountains, rainforest and sugar cane fields and farms near Labasa. Quite cloudy at times and some turbulence in little biplane.when we went through a rainstorm and clouds. Then we saw a full rainbow from above which was spectacular. Good views of the coral reefs but some mist from clouds. Arriving at Apia, Samoa at 1.30pm and had lunch - banana cake, vegetable samosas and my first true Indian curry (vegetable). The banana cake was the best we have ever had and so were the samosas. We had to hang around the airport until our flight to Samoa at 10pm. As we had our heavy bags we did not go into Nadi town but read books at the airport. Keef posted his DVD to his mum cost about £1.Flight to Samoa was with Air Pacific which was a good airline. Captain was Scottish and his landing in Samoa was hardly felt. We had a snack meal on the plane and sparkling NZ and red wines. Flight took 1hr 50 mins and we landed at 12.17 at night still on the 13 November due to crossing the international dateline. By the time we got through customs, baggage claim etc we saw our name on a blackboard so we could be directed to our courtesy bus. Keef had got some Samoan money from Westpac bank at the airport and by then it was 1.30 and we were very tired. He also had to pay 12 Samoan Tala for a piece of paper to allow him to drive in Samoa as we said we wanted to hire a car.Anne was presented with a flower lei of yellow flowers. Very hot at night. was. international dateline thing again. So we seem to have had no Nov 1st on our journey but two Nov 13 days very strange!! First impressions of Samoa although late at night was of a modern airport, good roads – drive on the rhs of road, wild dogs roaming on roads, private houses looked quite well built with cars and not shanty villages like Vanua Levu. Dropped off some other person at another hotel and then us, a Dutch couple and an Australian woman from Kiribati were dropped off at the Princess Tui after a long drive from the airport. We were given a coconut to drink and then shown to our room. It was dire – dirty, small and the shared washroom facilities were awful. Very disappointed as we had booked this place over the internet. By now it was 2.30am. Keef got to sleep but Anne was awake until 5am. Decided to leave this dump ASAP even though we had booked in for 2 nights. Worst place we had ever stayed in – campsites are cleaner than that place. Will give it bad feedback on internet to warn other travelers. Hope Ian Wright from Lonely Planet did not stay here. Oh and frightened lady in Insel office when Keef wanted to get i/net connectivity via their modem, alas they said no so rather frustratingly no i/net until we get back after Savai’i. Note Nadi is pronounced Nandi. Day 20 - Wednesday 14th November 2007,Upolu to Savai’I, Samoa Got up early-ish (7.15am) and had the Tropical buffet b’fast at the Insel. Ace cooked full English with eggy banana bread. Anne had pancakes with maple syrup plus a banana muffin. Then checked out with some degree of hassle, machine didn’t print our visa docket so a whole rig-ma-roll about no charge vs being charged twice. No worries from our side but Steve receptionist was stressed. I am sure it will be fine. Then drove the 45 mins from Apia to Ferry side. Called in at Aggy Gray beach resort to take some piccies as early for ferry. Then had to have car washed before queuing for ferry. Good journey by ferry (1 hour 15mins) although a little disappointing that you are not allowed up on deck to take pictures. Then same time was to drive up to resort. V hot as window wouldn’t go up, but sorted when we arrived.Excellent Samoan villages on the coast road on Upolu. Lots of smaller Samoan islands passed by the Ferry. Jumping fish in our Fagamalo beach, coral lagoon and breakers on the edge plus hints of what will be excellent sunsets later in our stay. Met Lady samoa 2 (the ferry) and Ini (35 year old mother of 7, and married to mr lazy 54 years old) who is one of our host at Savai’I Lagoon. PS the kiwis who own it didn’t seem to have let the Samoans who manage it know we were coming. Notable - Ambulance with number plate of NHS, fascinating. Samoans sleeping anywhere and everywhere on ferry crossing. It was 32 degrees today, hot and humid!!! Waiter in La Legota restaurant trying to rip us off for a cocktail, Keef caught him out. Maybe we are getting paranoid about being ripped off but it is beginning to feel like more than a coincidence However that said the Fish and Chips were great. Deep fried snapper in spiced batter, quite superb but v filling. Ps believe it or not Anne & I are losing weight Day 21 - Thursday 15th November 2007,Savai’I Lagoon Resort, Savai’I, W Samoa Met young woman who was a uni student from Houston in internet café who was using her own laptop. Her research was about an ant and its interaction with a specific plant and its affect on biodiversity. She said she was in Samoa for 8 months – nice place to study. Went to toilet at 3.45am and cockerel from next door Samoan family started crowing!! We thought it should go on the barbecue! Rain at breakfast time but then sun came out. Breakfast was delivered to our door at 7am – papaya, coconut, 2 bananas, bread, jam and butter and cereal. There was so much food that we saved some for lunch. Drove hire car to a village further along the bay and bought some food supplies from small shop and petrol for car – half a tank cost £5.50. Also we found internet café in village called Manase run by young German woman. They only do e-mails from their own computers so we could not use laptop to update website. Met American uni student in internet café. Returned to our resort and spent rest of morning in the sea and relaxing on the beach. We saw some small fish and keef did some snorkeling. Had lunch and then it was so hot that we had a sleep from 3pm until 4.30pm. Anne had a dicky stomach, first time on travels. Read our books until sunset. Keef took some good photos and we had a stroll along the beach. Day 22 - Friday 16th November 2007,Savaii Lagoon Resort, Fagamalo,Savaii,Samoa Not that much happened today. Anne very ill overnight with Samoan Stomachwe have guessed at what caused it but not really sure. Could be any number of causes. Started boiling the UV water since but as Keef fine and the whole village probably not that Keef went to Raci Beach internet café, 1 of only 2 on Savaii. Caught up on mail wrote to Craig/Doug/Brian/Linda & Jacky, plus put words on website. Sati (german lady who owns it with her husband) will now allow me to put pictures on from memory stick after virus check so although very slow via dial up should be able to get the website done on Monday. Sunday is a big religious day of rest here.Re-met Dutch couple Rolf & ? whom we traveled over on plane from Fiji with and up to Princess Tui in Apia. Great to see them again. Had a very long chat – they had been in 6 weeks NZ (North Island only), Cook Isles, Samoa, and were on to LAX and driving to San Francisco before KLM flight back into Amsterdam. He is some sort of pilot and they both disliked Princess Tui as much as we did plus Sati, been here for 3 years but she goes off for 4 months a year as finds Samoan way of life somewhat restrictive, but loves having travelers to talk to. Day 23 - Saturday 17th November 2007, Trip to the west of Savaii As the weather was very breezy and overcast skies we decided to tour round the north of Savaii. There were lots of villages near our resort along the coast but when the road went inland the habitation was rather sparse. Each village had its main fale meeting house and pigs and chickens wandered around and across the road. Some of the houses were like lean-to shacks and others looked more substantial. Many had lovely gardens with colourful shrubs and plants. Asua was an interesting village. As we left the coast we came across a vast area of an old lava flow from a volcano which Keef had read had erupted in 1911. The volcanic soil is very good for plants but some of the black volcanic rocks were huge. Because the weather was cooler and it was a Saturday we saw villagers walking along the road with machetes collecting bananas and breadfruit, mowing the grass, sweeping up fallen leaves from the overnight winds and the teenagers played volleyball in some villages. Keef stopped by a traditional fale where the wife was selling pineapples at the side of the road. He bought a huge ripe pineapple for 5 Tale (£1). The Samoan lady did not speak much English and her daughter was with her. Also as we were about to drive off for the day we met the New Zealand lady who owns the resort. She said that her and her family come over to Samoa about 3 or 4 times a year. After returning from our drive we had a late lunch and then sat on the beach as the breeze was very warm even though it was cloudy. The NZ family were doing a barbecue on the beach and they very kindly asked us to join them As we already had food for dinner we politely refused as it was a family barbecue. She then brought over some crisps for us and we had a chat about what we had done today. She said that she had asked some Samoans for plant cuttings from their gardens. Meeting Bruce & Margaret McCullen, from NZ. She was originally from Glasgow some 35 years ago. They are the owners of Savaii Lagoon resort despite their protestations that they have leased the land off the Samoans and handed it back to them they are the ones making the money, witness the 4 holidays a year to here . Lava gardens, and phenomenally good produce / growth i.e. the pineapple which will last for at least 5 meals Pictures of a day out west, some of lagoon resort and plants, others of coastal and inner land areas especially Auala on Asua bay with communal swimming /washing pools and lava gardens, plus fishing .Samoans with major tattoos, kids trying for breadfruit and the most bizarre church made of lava stone and painted white. Western Samoa Diary Continued Day 24 - Sunday 18th November 2007,Savaii Lagoon Resort, Samoa We had a relaxing day on the beach although it was very breezy and overcast, although the wind was very warm. We walked along the beach to the next resort and discovered that the sea water was deeper for swimming nearer the Le Lagota resort. We went to their restaurant for dinner in the evening and had yellow fin tuna and chips which was delicious. Then watched Miss South pacific on the TV in the evening. Miss Tonga won with Miss Cook islands runner up and Miss Australia & Torres Strait Islands in 3rd place. Interesting to see the traditional costumes of each country which featured exotic headdresses and shells and feathers everywhere. We also saw a fire dance as part of the show by Samoan men which was spectacular, Day 25 - Monday 19th November 2007, Trip south to Salelologa After breakfast it was very overcast again so we went to the internet café but unfortunately it was shut. Decided to go along the coast to Salelologa to visit the supermarket. Road goes through an old lava field where the now black lava had flowed towards the sea and went past a place where you can swim with turtles which we will investigate another day. Torrential rainstorm just as we went into supermarket. Choice of food was very limited but managed to buy some canned food, noodles and sausages. Driving through villages we had to avoid dogs and pigs wandering across the road. Lots of houses had very nice gardens but some were just shacks. Also lots of Samoans were asleep in the fales along the beach and in one village they were building a church.Retuned to our resort for late lunch and then went swimming and read our books on the beach. Weather was still cloudy and breezy but pleasantly warm and not humid like Fiji. Had G&T and R&C as the sun set!!! Ace. Met Staff in the Hotel Safua, one of the 1000 places to see before you die and the only one on Savaii. Actually it was probably one of the 1000 places to help you die, Annes words,excruciatingly aweful Day 26 - Tuesday 20th November 2007, Savaii Lagoon Resort, Samoa Nothing to report Day 27 - Wednesday 21st November 2007,Savaii Lagoon Resort, Samoa Beach day, as heading towards a full moon very low tide first thing and very high tide last thing. Spent the whole day, 8-7 on the beach topping up the tan and reading. Probably the best day weather wise since we have been in Samoa. Saw some tiny electric blue fish in some coral a few yards odd our beach plus a black and white striped fish. Keef saw an eel poking his head out of some coral – moray eel.Met an Indonesian girl who is studying in NZ who showed me the coral reef with the eel and brightly coloured fish. Took pictures of them but none really came out, Now discovered the UNDERWATER setting on the camera so gonna have another go on Friday. Day 28 - Thursday 22nd November 2007, Car trip all the way round Savaii, Clockwise Gorgeous blue Pacific which looked turquoise in the lagoons. Drove along the coastal road all round the island. On the south and western sides of Savaii there were breakers coming ashore in the sea and there were cliffs, lava flows and coconut plantations. Met Lonnie, his wife and baby both at the Alofaaga blowholes and at the beach BBQ fale. They had (coincidence) lived in London in Wimbledon in 2001 working initially for a Kiwi in a pub on the common. Its in their DNA. He works for Bruce and Margaret McCullum (owners?) as well as the Maori guy whom they call their adopted son. Had a good chat with them all things UK & NZ. Looking forward to arriving now, They live 1 hour north of Auckland and said don’t be put off by the airport and lack of public transport. For them to get to Samoa it is only a 3hr flight from Auckland.When we were chatting to the NZ people at Savaii Lagoon they told us that they had seen dolphins in the bay this morning but as we were driving round the island we missed them. Hope to see them tomorrow. Coastal road in south and west of island was very interesting and weather was hot and sunny in the morning when we set off at 09.15. The blowholes through holes in the lava were spectacular as the plume of spray went up 30ft in the air.. Drove down a long track to get there and paid 10 tala fee (£2 ) but the scenery was worth it. Took lots of photos and video of blowhole and waves breaking against lava rocks. Skies suddenly filled with storm clouds so walked quickly back to car. Had snack lunch in car whilst downpour took place. Got back to our resort at 3.15pm. Keef went swimming and Anne had a siesta then we had a cup of tea on the beach and chatted to the NZ crowd.58 pictures taken on our trip round, Savaii. The south side of the island has a spectacular coast line and the blowholes especially Day 29 - Friday 23rd November 2007,Savaii Lagoon Resort, Samoa Spent the day chillin on the beach, well at least in the morning. Had a rather broken nights sleep with torrential rain at about 3am which continued through until about 10am. Took A & I ages to return to sleep after closing (slightly) shutters to prevent rain coming in All Pacific windowry (if that’s what you call it) is fitted fly screen on the outside and louvred glass slats (in 2 shutter sections) on the inside, idea with fans is to keep you cool whilst keeping the pesky insects out.Went out at low tide to take pictures of coral and the bright blue fish, alas the eel wasn’t to be seen again. Met again Bruce/ Margaret/ Lonnie, wife & baby and Suvisuvi (Part Maori guy Margaret likes to call her son) All Kiwis , nice folk. Gave us their food leftovers Cheddar cheese/ chutney and pineapple, v kind. Bruce has good sense of humour a good sign for our Kiwi visit Plus he suggested I could go up the water tower to get better pictures, now that is a good sense of humour from a nation who are into their extreme sports. I.e NZ weather said a ‘great weekend for taking your granny skydiving’.Lots of rain plus we checkout (alas) of Savaii 2moro. We have both found it most relaxing. Day 30 - Saturday 24th November 2007,Ferry trip back from Savaii to Upolu, Salelologa Wharf to Mulifanua Wharf Waited in terminal building (if you can call it that) and got a passenger ticket for Annie. Lady on desk at outriggers who was v friendly. Ini gave Annie and I a frangipani etc garland as a leaving present (ah bless) car fine this time, no problems with windows not shutting. V hot on ferry. Took some video off the back of the boat. Nice to be back on main island, smooth run into Apia (about 45 mins) 3 cars overtook when they shouldn’t near the wharf. As Annie said they mooch around all day but once behind the wheel they drive amazing aggressively (Note Updated later; the Tongans don’t maybe that’s a difference between races) Day 31 - Sunday 25th November 2007, Outriggers Hotel, Apia, Upolu – Trip around Upolu Saw everything drove all the way round the island in about 7 hours See the photos There are lots, albatross island, the leper colony, beach fales you name it, delicious day.Briefly met a Samoan band at the Coconut Beach Resort (by 2013 now called Coconut Beach Club) at the south end of the island. Hot and sultry day. Ate (expensive) in the restaurant on the beach front. Classy Burger and then Anne had a chocolate truffle desert, yummy. At the end of today we have been away a whole month. The big thing for us was the way the Samoans treat Sundays. It may be a day of rest Mon-Sat but Sunday is for Church and Sunday best. Mostly full white clothing,shirts for the men, white lava-lave/sarong, full dresses for the ladies Day 32 - Monday 26th November 2007,Outriggers Hotel, Apia, Upolu Got up early and went to the Robert Louis Stevenson house in Apia. Excellent in every way. Guide good, info good well worth the visit .Visited soap factory(?), this samoan guys house. He was married to swiss lady and showed us around his garage and the process of making his handmade soaps from coconut oil, caustic soda (help!!! But OK) and a myriad of scents. Frangipani etc etc Lovely, Anne bought one of each and v cheap they were to $WST8 each about 80p.Kiwi backpackers who had been to Manolo and stayed with a samoan family in the village. No roads on that island. The guy reckoned he messed up big time on most of the village customs (seated when elders present, point toes away etc etc). Swims in the Outriggers pool to cool off and finally finishing Uncle Toms cabin, gr8 book used Wifi at CSL and had a shake and meal at MCD (bad eh) but we are on so much fruit at the mo we are definitely both losing weight Day 33 - Tuesday 27th November 2007,Outriggers Hotel, Apia, Upolu Last day in Outriggers Bit of a cockup on no of days stay (my fault) so had to pay and extra day so we used the room to store baggage and have some cold showers. Doesn’t really work in that humidity cos you are dripping again the moment you have finished drying yourself. Security guard helped us load bags in car (but only when it looked like Anne might collapse).Returned car at 3.30 full tank and joked with the lady (who I’d teased when we got the car) that it had seen more of Samoa than she had. She told me that she had never been to Savaii in her life. Caught taxi to airport arrived about 4.30 (in for the long haul16.5 hrs wait, 1.5 hrs flight to Tonga) Bizarre. Made sure this time I told taxi driver what the price was i.e $WST55 (about £11). Excerpt from letter to Brian & Gina that Anne put together and sent from our Lavaspot Wifi session in CSL (Computer Services Ltd) shop (air con) opposite McDonalds (also air con) .guess how we kept cool.96 deg .” Greetings from Samoa. Temperature here is a very hot 90F plus at night time and even hotter during the day. Craig e-mailed us to say there was snow in Nott’ham! We found the Samoans very friendly and when we tell them we’re from Nott’m they all mention Robin Hood! We have seen the contestants for the Miss South Pacific and now the Commonwealth & Oceana Games – Weightlifting is being held at the moment in Apia. We are looking forward to moving on to Tonga as hopefully it will be cooler there. Considering we are in the wet and cyclone season we are glad that the weather is not too bad.It seems strange to hear Xmas music & see decorations in the shops. Trust you are all well as we are (albeit very sweaty!) Day 34 - Wednesday 28th November 2007,Faleolo Airport Plus the day that didn’t exist (again) except up until 6.45 am (another International Dateline oddity). Spent waiting for our flight in the Samoan airport. No air con, no open shops, no water, no nuthin except parties , immense humidity (was over 95 degrees at night) and 2 flights to Auckland (one Air NZ, one Polynesian Blue) And heard.all night long the sound of cellotape being twined and ripped plus black bin liners being taped up round boxes of produce.coconuts, bananas, papaya, breadfruit, flowerswho knows what else.and you may ask why didn’t they prepare these in advanceand probably more importantly with NZs hot customs rules and foodstuffs and wood are not allowed, so dumb question how does that work, surely it will all be dumped on arrival in Aucklandoh and they have to pay excess baggage for it. Met 3 Tongan US marines, who had flown in from Pago Pago (US Samoa) who had to wait longer than us. Spoke to a few of them especially the big guy (linebacker with US passportwhose parents and child lived on Tonga) so they were getting a break from duty for home visit. Mark my words you wouldn’t cross him (although he was most pleasant with US accent) he was the size of the proverbial ‘brick s..house door and then some’.Went into main store (CHOWs) in Apia. I got flipflops and water, Anne some very nice material . The blue bit which is 3 yds long was only about £1.50 English Free almost.Various Uk & Kiwi med students doing ‘time’ in local Samoan hospitals and staying in Outriggers fales around the pool. Excerpt from standard letter sent to Friends and rellies on arrival in Tonga (29/11 due to IDL).We had the most amazing 16.5 hour wait in the Samoan airport last night before our short flight to Tonga, no open shops in airport i.e no water, so I had to get a taxi to take me to a village 'shop' where they had no water and didn’t understand me but i was able to buy 4 bottles of coke and sprite (with no top opener) to at least stop us expiring in the immense humidity that was Samoa....about 95 at night...met a load of Samoan US Marines from Pago Pago (US Samoa) who had been waiting longer than us...still each plane that arrives in Samoa is a huge 'event' wow at 3am truck loads of large families would arrive, to greet one of their extended family returning from NZ, party time, so no sleep all night. We both loved Samoa, very different from anything we have ever experienced before....whilst being almost 3rd world, they are great people and 'village' life will stay with us forever....pigs, cockerels, amazing gardens, getting up at 5am, church frying pan gong, mooching - a national pastime, and boy what views....still we are now in Tonga and have 24*7 i/net so intend catching up with a few folk. Alas Fiji & Samoa i/net is sparse and costly...so please write, we would love to hear from you. We are in our 'exec' fale (trad cottage) listening to Black Rose (our fave Fijian band at the mo) and thinking of family and friends....but not too hard.We have noticed throughout the South Pacific islands they are all extremely religious and very very family (extended and we mean extended) orientated. They all have loads of little kids and seem gobsmacked that we only have 2 children and this is the norm in Europe. 7-10 is not unusual here and village chief mentality rules. So as a big fella I’m applying for a ‘leadership’ roleAnne now calls me King (or elseshe has just told me to remove this bit) In most cases feudal rights rule and as education has to be paid for if you are poor you remain so and learning which we all know changes life and cultures /opportunities are just not available, many kids don’t go to school. Robina the Kiwi (Tongan/Japanese dad....Tongan/German mum) who owns this place is most friendly and interested in tourism (as such it is) in Samoa so she can implement stuff here in Tonga. Its early days but they seem to be a much more reserved race than the Fijians & Samoans and the climate is 10 degs less that those 2 and although this is unfair Anne & i remarked on arrival England with Coconut palms....there is a lot of green grass (cultivated) still more when we have to report....proud to say i now have a photo of the Rose Cottage Tshirt in all the places we have been....watch out for further additions to the website To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Tonga DIARY TONGA Nuku'alofa & Atata Island NOTE all words in ITALICS were written on the trip. The Friendly Isles - Malo e lelei UPDATE 10/12/2007 We have now left Tonga. Grim last day with cyclone and quake, plus we saw on the news from NZ some sort of coup/riot, we are investigating. Anyhow even though we enjoyed it pleased to have got out. Last day at 8.45pm house, tables and everything shook. seems to have been a quake nearby, deep underground , no tsunami warning, storms raging. Cyclone Daman. But apart from that things we did were,visted Atata , idyllic desert island, hired a car on the mainland (Tongatapu) for 3 days and leisurely went round everything over 2 days (i guess you could do it in a 1/2 day) and on the 3rd day went to the Cultural centre. Saw trad outrigger boat, Houma Blowholes (ace), National Holiday procession for King Tupou 1st on 4/12, village traditional dancing and a cultural dance eve at the International Dateline Hotel. Tonga is slightly different from Fiji and Samoa....All the ladies wear what appear to be mats over their skirts, and sometimes the chaps as well. Plus visible signs of protest against goverment in the streets. Great inequality , see some of our pictures! In Nuku'alofa town we saw the Kings Palace, had lunch in the 2 Sisters (often, its ace!) and Robinas Express cafe. She is half tongan/ quarter japanese and a quarter german and is gr8 (forceful business lady with 'high' connections) generally the town is not that inspiring but the market excellent HIGHLIGHTS Atata Island, Blowholes, 2 Sisters restuarant and village dancing LOWLIGHTS cockroach, rat, tongan tummy, dead sea krate (the worlds deadliest snake) on atata beach, cyclone daman & earthquake HISTORY Boy most of the reviews we have read of Tonga denegrade its infrastructure and believe it or not their people...bad stuff...we keep an open mind and are really looking forward to it....We will be staying at Nukuma'anu cottages Vuna Road Sopu (check it out on Google Maps below, near the Black Pearl appartments, it may well be closed 2020 but there is still an internet listing) on Tongatapu (the main southernmost group of islands) in the Executive fale cos guess what they have 24*7 internet....no water (joke)....now thats not bad for reports of a decaying infrastructure...more when we arrive. We are there 11 nights 29/11 to 10/12 ...have just found Nov is close of parliament and last year at this time there was civil unrest, fires and looting....Oh dear, let's hope no repeat this year.... Remember the Fale, Robina, Nuku'alofa market - coconut drinks, Black Rose (Rosiloa) album bought in market, New Eagles album downloaded, outsized washing,tonga's stonehenge,Captain Cook monument, cockroaches, earthquake & cyclone and getting out alive. Summary: TONGA 11 days , Day 35-45, 29/11/2007 - 10/12/2007 Diary Day 35 - Thursday 29th November 2007,Arrival in Tonga, Nukuma’anu Cottages, Nukualofa, Tongatapu Flight over quick and easy. Good NZ plane. Odd to see some 150+ people have to deplane in Samoa even though they were going on to Auckland, plus they would have to do the same in Tonga.Very little sleep. We had to have a 3 hour kip when we arrived to recover. Fale here at Nukama’anu is ace, Air con Inet 24/7, Sat TV etc.Met Silva, Margaret (PA) , Robina (owner) and handy man , who I had a chat to about Rugby and Hard Rock Cafes plus v friendly taxi driver who took us to 2 supermarkets and a stall for provisions and bananas.I drive a hard bargain and got a whole tree for $TOP4 (£1p) The currency is Pan’anga although for our benefit (I wish they wouldn’t) they call it a dollar.Plus lady in shop around the corner where we got bread, water and cheese (fondue style) who was having her kids talk to her ex in Stockton in California on a mobile, hoot or what! Most memorable: Christmas decs outside our cottage Day 36 - Friday 30th November 2007,Nukuma’anu Cottages, Nukualofa, Tongatapu Morning spent on laptop catching up, bank stuff with Craig (our hero) and sally jacks (Barclays), website redo, audible book download (savage garden) research on Tonga and associated islands. Both feeling a little jaded and oh I hope not but experiencing Tongan Tummy.Anne ankles bad and she is resting whilst I catch the daily diary up as haven’t done it since we returned from Savaii to Upolu.Just chillin will get a car for 3 days. Researched beaches and roads / places of interest. Very laid back here. Most ladies (married?) wear black and a mat skirt over their skirts. It is warm but not humid here and sea breeze and air con a big plus Lovely cottage Sat TV which we haven’t tried yet but will .Silva gave us 4 bananas (with mine we could overdose on them if we are not careful) plus returned our washing (along with her underwear) Very cheap $TOP10 (about £2.50) - the bananas not her underwear! Walk along beach to shop to get more water and bread. Coast is v interesting as inner coral reef but not advised to swim in. Taxi driver and Robina said they collect fish/ crabs/ all manner of marine life to eat from there. It was covered in folk at low tide doing exactly this. Plus kids all playing rugby by the side of the road. No posts , in Samoa each village at least had wooden tree stuff for posts Day 37 - Saturday 1st December 2007, Nukuma’anu Cottages, Nukualofa, Tongatapu Went by taxi into town and walked around. Saw market and bought tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, peppers and a small pineapple. Keith looked at cotton shirts but none his size. We saw taro, yams, kava root, ginger, garlic and other vegetables which we did not know the names. Very interesting. Internet café had a lot of NZ backpackers and Europeans. People were friendly and helpful in the shops. Bought a map & postcards. Some Tongans were in western clothing and others in sarongs with pandanus mats wrapped round their hips, both men & women. Saw local youth band singing & playing music in car park.Saw King of Tonga’s official residence (one of six) which was a colonial white clapboard building along the seafront. Town had a huge tree near the Westpac bank called a rain tree. Had lunch in restaurant, by then market was closing and traders were going home in pick-up trucks with unsold fruit & veg. Saw a pig in a wooden cage in back of truck being driven down main street. Weather was warm, sunny & cloudy & temp was 79F. Town looked very small considering it is the capital of Tonga – unremarkable buildings with colonial flavour – wooden with tin roofs but a small arcade with some modern shops and café. Got taxi back to our fale and then wrote postcards which we will send on Monday as the PO was shut. Watched ‘Around the bend’ on Sat Tv quirky family/road movie with Christopher Walken and Michael Caine (briefly before the cheque ran out!) – good (plus best quality picture since we started traveling) Tonga contribution to Broadcasting is a few local (hammy) adverts for beach resorts! Had interesting walk around market and town. Had lovely lunch in 2 sisters restaurant – chicken escalope in lime sauce with fried potatoes, garlic bread and side salad. For desert we had strawberry and chocolate gateau slices and nice coffee. Day 38 - Sunday 2nd December 2007,Nukuma’anu Cottages, Nukualofa, Tongatapu Chillin.alas Keef has Tongan Tummy so he is on water only all day, which should sort it. Reading, listening to music, researching facebook, laptop not much really. Waiting to get the hire car 2moro for 3 days so we can travel. Researched map also for islands worth visiting (Atata & Fala).Nuku is the uninhabited one where shipwrecked was filmed (teen reality show) Gentle walk left out of cottage along Hake Vunu (hake is road), our road.Robina and her 2 children dressed smart presumably for church. Note all ‘married’ Tongan women seem to be dressed from head to toe in black. She paid tribute to the Tongan customs of mat or belt mat with long ‘dangly’ bits by wearing an equivalent in silver. Met no one – Sunday is a very family/quiet day here in Tonga, Margaret and lady in 2 sisters said they slept as tired. Have to say as temperature is about 80, i.e 15degs less that Samoa folk here are far less ‘moochy’.Whilst writing our postcards we had a long chat with the Tongan gardener who was sweeping up leaves outside our fale. His name was Alex and he said he had been to France by cargo ship in 2000 and went via New Caledonia & Suez Canal which took over 2 months. Said he is going to visit his brother & family in NZ before Xmas for 3 months. Tonga Diary Continued Day 39 - Monday 3rd December 2007,Nukuma’anu Cottages, Nukualofa, Tongatapu Sent email to D&P-here is the extract which tells something of our day ,interesting one as first day of 3 with hire car***Hi Doug & Phoenix,Alas we didn’t get your text msg, both our phones don’t work here in Tonga and the only texts I have got are when i email phones and they respond...I’ll try l8r. Good stuff here in Tonga although i've got a rather bad dose of 'tongan tummy' at the mo, probably via water on salad but who knows, mum is ok. Got hire car 2day and saw LHS (left hand side) of the island, blowholes at Houma ace, plus saw surfing beach at Ha'atafu beach where we were talking to 4 ozzie surfers when a coconut that dropped narrowly missed all of us and the car (luckily). Gonna do the RHS 2moro. King died recently 84 and 33stone, fattest monarch in history, so being large (although we are both loosing weight a bit) is seen as good in Tonga. His main palace is just down the road from us, we saw his son (ex PM, King elect....its a bit / lot corrupt here I would suggest) drive past this a.m with police escort and blacked out bullet proof windows, public hols 2moro for his birthday and plaques everywhere celebrating what seems to be each of the previous kings 84 b'days (bizarre!) have to say not really enough to do here for 10 days, its very small We both preferred Samoa, still not complaining We will (if we can work out how) get to 1 or 2 of the surrounding Islands....Nuku is apparently where they shot the TV reality show Shipwrecked (never heard of it!) Still in answer to your quessies, bag 59 has dougs rucsac in it, i guess your tent is probably in that (unless we bought it over to you) ...no probs mum & i will get you a mattress and 2man tent when we get to NZ...not long now. Saw England result (did Beckham play?) , blimey that’s a heavy group, no I am not interested either....bet Craig’s mates who pre-booked tickets are pig sick bye love M&D/K&A.***saw 3 beach resorts(?) that you would really question, 2 ripoff taxi merchants and 1 resort ripoff, but apart from that a fairly good day!!! Houma Blowholes (ace), King elect Tupou V.Alex bought us 5 more bananas, we could open a shop, pity no blender cos banana milkshake is gr8. we did find out that 2moros public holiday is to celebrate King Tupou ,we more or less followed this route by car over our 3 days Day 40 - Tuesday 4th December 2007,Nukuma’anu Cottages, Nukualofa, Tongatapu National Holiday in Tonga to celebrate birthday of King George Tupou 1st – he died in 1893 having reigned for some 48 years and was single handed credited with reforming Tonga,needs an update now from new King George Tupou 5th. Went round the right hand side of the island in the hire car (see pictures for details) Reasonably overcast day and about 79degs. The island isn’t that large , guess about 20*10 miles. After a few false starts getting out of Nuku’alofa down backstreets to avoid the town procession (after we had seen it) all roads from which seemed to lead to Queen Charlotte’s wharf we finally got out on our way, spend about 4 hours slowly traveling around. Memorable was Village dancing, protest banners against corruption, strip light (in our fale which was on the blink). Loved float procession thru Nuku’alofa , Captain Cooks monument, Paepe ‘o Tele’a (300 year old burial mound, started like pyramid (well 2 layers) – most UNIMPRESSIVE, Tonga’s Stonehenge (Ha’amonga’a Maui) , Lots of coconut/banana plantations, appalling roads, airport , Tongan boys college (red including mat uniform), dancing in village in SW Tongatapu,amused by Robina who said that the Princess regent came to her restaurant for a worship breakfast at 5.30 am (and she had to be up at 3.30 to prep for it) plus the father of her youngest child (boy) who has been visiting is returning to Oz 2moro. Day 41 - Wednesday 5th December 2007, Nukuma’anu Cottages, Nukualofa, Tongatapu Last day of the hire car so went to the Cultural Centre ($TOP3 each) which was very interesting, lunch @ café express then market to buy Rosilea by Black Rose and then chilled (reading / laptop/ music) whilst the builders removed the stones outside our door and put up ‘police tape’.talk about holidaying by a building site, I will ask for a rebate, and Keef did some DIY to try and fix the light tube/ starter motor.Visited cultural centre, had tapa, saw outrigger boat, andsome great old tongan photos, especially those of the royal family. Called into International dateline hotel on vunu rd opposite wharf (empty) to see about the cultural show, it is tonight so we are gonna go. 9 pm UPDATE it was ace and cost us zip, mixture of tongan, hawaian and moari dances and a great band. See videos and pictures. The Tongans seem better at this than the Samoans (or maybe we just happened to be in the right place at the right time here). Met Ozzies on Queen Charlotte wharf who were waiting for their ferry to Fafa. They had just flown in to Tonga and were in transfer. We asked about ferries as it is so unclear and we want to go to Pangaimotu 2moro 10/11 trips out and 4/5 return, Robina reckons $TOP15 that you pay on arrival at island but as always its not clear. Will consider! Had to move the car parked in the shade outside the cultural center when some tongan guys shinned up the coconut tree and started machetteing off the fronds and nuts One almost landed on the roof (and that would have cost us) Went to Café Express (Robina’s) in Western Union Funds Mgt building for lunch. Chicken and pineapple toasty for me (my first food for 2 days and touch wood I seem to be over Tongan Tummy), Chicken and lots of things panini for Anne, plus 2 chocolate milkshakes (best so far on trip) and banana cake/ coffee cheesecake. Day 42 - Thursday 6th December 2007,Trip to Atata Island Took our hire car back this morning. Took boat to Atata, a small island north of Tongatapu at 10 am where there was a resort called Royal Sunset. Boat was very small with 7 tourist day trippers and open sea was very choppy due to wind. On arrival at 10.25 we were greeted by a Tongan lady on the jetty who gave us all an orange juice. Our day boat trip included lunch. We walked through some paths past some of the tourist fales and came upon a small village, then walked back to the resort along the lovely sandy beach. Some village children were sitting on the beach & greeted us and there were quite a few fishing boats and nets along the beach. Was very hot. Sat down for a rest on the decking in the resort and then got changed to go for a cool off in the water. Sea was only knee deep in the sandy bit but stiff offshore breeze. Keef still had Tongan tummy.One of the American ladies told us that she had seen a sea snake which put us off going swimming. There was an option to go out in a boat snorkeling but Keef did not go. Had lunch (Keef had mahi-mahi fish with sweet potato chips and salad and Anne had a burger). Relaxed and read our books and sunbathed. By now there was a pleasant sea breeze. Noted that the resort swim pool was very dirty and had never been cleaned so we did not risk going in. Also more dogs and puppies wandering around as well as hens, even in the restaurant bit. We were the only tourists on the island as even though there were 26 fales, they were empty. Lady who had greeted us asked us if we wanted to stay on the island in a fale but we said no. Would not like to spend more than a day on the island. Had a brief dip in the sea again and then walked a bit further along the other side of the island but saw a dead sea snake on the beach .aargh! Did not get too close to investigate but it was as thick as Anne’s arm and black and green.. Anne ran away. Tongan lady confirmed that it was a sea snake. Got boat back at 4pm and trip back was just as choppy – small boat was like a roller coaster at times and lots of sea spray over us. When we arrived back at the pier we got a taxi back to our fale.Boat trip to small island Atata. Saw dead sea snake. Saw unusual coloured circle round sun and took photo. Day 43 - Friday 7th December 2007, Nukuma’anu Cottages, Nukualofa, Tongatapu Chillin..got up about 8 had breakfast (slowly) Peanut butter on toast, fruit juice and T Did stuff on laptop whilst listening to music Avoided taking ITunes and Ipod software updates. Will wait until NZ and faster line. Just too slow here and would maybe based on fragility of s/ware mean we ended up with no music. Did DVD for Mum of Samoa/Tonga. Sent lots of e-xmas cards and e-birthday cards to Doug & Nikki. Not much, some sun whilst we sunbathed. 84 degs.Met Margaret to pay the bill. $TOP1200 for remaining 8 days.Chatted to a young couple from the UK who were waiting for a boat to another island where they were staying. They were traveling round the Pacific, NZ, Vietnam, Thailand and India. On our boat trip to Atata island we met 5 sisters who were all born in Tonga but now live in Alaska, Sydney & NZ & all sounded very American. One even gave me her business card. 2 bits of lovely chocolate birthday cake courtesy of Suki, Robina’s 8 year old daughter. Sent lots of Xmas Greets email card from Tonga Day 44 - Saturday 8th December 2007,Nukuma’anu Cottages, Nukualofa, Tongatapu Caught taxi into town. Went to Friendly Islands bookshop to get envelope for DVD for Mum. Alas post office closed (or never open) before 11 so will have to take with and post in NZ. Hope it gets there for Xmas. Had coffee in Friends café, walked around looking for tropical shirt for K, none his size however. Lunch at 2 sisters (we seem to be their only customers) They even send the chef out to say thanks for eating there. Then argument with taxi driver who tried to charge us $TOP7 (its only 4) we let him know in no uncertain terms he was trying to rip us off!!! Then back to sunbathe and do I/net research for NZ. Overnight real storm, maybe something to do with cat3 currently hitting Fiji.Bit of sun during sun bathing. Lady in trad costume in town. 102 Dalmatians (film with Glenn Close on kids TV channel) FOX News TV (crap-US).Tongan married to US guy (Stockton,CA) in shop where I went to get water and bread. Plus Corinne (previous Ms Tonga) in 2 sisters restaurant and her sister Andrea who chatted to us for a while as she was keen to try out her English and told us she had never been outside Tonga. Chicken escalope in lime sauce , herb pots and salad (again). Our fave Tongan food at 2 sisters restaurant followed by spaghetti ice-cream (Anne) and strawberry cake (kef) yummy. Alas Keef still had Tongan tummy, which is tricky to shift Day 45 - Sunday 9th December 2007,Nukuma’anu Cottages, Nukualofa, Tongatapu Last day on Tonga before traveling to NZ. Not much really. I/net catch up, backups, reading, scrabble, listening to music. Pack. Thought not much happening and then bang, Cyclone Daman and a quake. The quake off Raoul island some 355miles SSW of Tonga was 7.8 on the Richter scale (8.40pm) but luckily some 93 miles below ground under the sea so no real risk of a Tsunami. Tonga is so flat if it got hit you would definitely be a ‘gonna’. Cyclone had narrowly missed Vanua Levu (Fiji) but was arriving at pace on Tonga. Big winds/storms. Filled in visitors book for Robina.Felt Cyclone Daman.Alex and Robina called to mention the Sunday eve bread run to get fresh hot bread and cakes. A little too stormy for us outside so gave it a miss and watched Lethal Weapon 1 with Mel Gibson instead. Then they kindly bought us back a loaf, 2 cream buns and 3 choc donuts Had a real feast that eve as had pasta and fresh pineapple planned anyhow. Left a bit of food for them as you cannot take it out of the country.Pack, pleased to leave Tonga now. 10 days on reflection was probably too long. It is not big enough. Main town only really has as many shops as Sandiacre PLUS quake Was sitting on sofa which started to move. Bizarre, didn’t last long but it was big. I thought the walls of the fale had moved and jumped up to grab hold of them. To glasses on table at 45degs and liquids came out. Anne thought she was ‘having a turn’ in kitchen but then realized the clothes cabinet in bedroom was swaying. Amazed that the tiles on the floor didn’t split. Bit panicky after that especially with the howling gales outside so packed immediately and placed stuff reasonably high up. This happened at 8.45 pm. By midnight although it was still stormy it was a little calmer. Checked on Inet for quakes (recorded) and Daman, which it said had dropped to Cat2 tropical storm and cyclone warning for Tonga removed as it had veered off to the south west (thank god) After Jamaica and Ivan we vowed we wouldn’t get involved again . To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Explore online holiday diary ideas and immerse yourself in our 2007–8 gap year journey through stunning destinations. Start today! Discover Inspiring Online Holiday Diary Ideas from Our 2007–8 Gap Year Adventure Explore and create your own online holiday diary ideas with inspiration from our 2007–8 gap year journey. Travel through picturesque locations like California, Fiji, and New Zealand, and let our tips and resources guide your storytelling. Begin your adventure today and craft memories to treasure forever! Step into our journey and explore unique online holiday diary ideas. Discover unforgettable experiences, tips, and resources to document your travels. Start your adventure today with our online holiday diary ideas! 🌍 2007 Travel Route Map (Up to 31 Dec 2007) USA → Fiji → Samoa → Tonga → New Zealand (North Island) 1) USA – California (26 Oct – 1 Nov 2007) Route sequence Los Angeles (arrival) San Jose (Delta 7772 to SJC) Morgan Hill (base) Monterey Carmel Big Sur (Highway 1) Santa Monica County Park Henry W. Coe State Park Leroy Anderson Lake Quicksilver Mercury Mine Cannery Row Rocky Creek Bridge San Francisco (Candlestick Park etc.) Return to LAX → onward flight to Fiji 🌴 2) Fiji – Viti Levu & Vanua Levu (2–13 Nov 2007) Route sequence Nadi (arrival on Viti Levu) Flight to Savusavu (Vanua Levu) Sewaka Beach Cottage (base) Savusavu town Hibiscus Highway Labasa (north Vanua Levu) Hot Springs Hotel (Savusavu) Jean‑Michel Cousteau Resort Urata Village Return to Savusavu Airport Flight Savusavu → Labasa → Nadi → Samoa 3) Western Samoa – Upolu & Savai’i (13–28 Nov 2007) Route sequence Upolu Apia (Princess Tui Inn → Insel Fehrman Hotel) Aggie Grey’s Hotel Apia town & harbour Ferry terminal (Mulifanua) Savai’i Ferry Upolu → Savai’i Savai’i Lagoon Resort (base) Alofaaga Blowholes Lava Fields Swimming with turtles Villages along the north & south coasts Return ferry Savai’i → Upolu Back on Upolu Outrigger Hotel Robert Louis Stevenson House Cross‑Island Road Beaches & coastal villages Faleolo Airport → flight to Tonga 4) Tonga – Tongatapu & Atata Island (28 Nov – 10 Dec 2007) Route sequence Nuku’alofa (arrival) International Dateline Hotel Tongatapu Island loop Houma Blowholes Atata Island Local villages, markets, harbours Royal Palace area Return to Nuku’alofa Airport → flight to Auckland 5) New Zealand – North Island (10–31 Dec 2007) (Covers only up to 31/12/2007 as requested) Auckland Region (10–16 Dec) Auckland (Remuera base) Newmarket Parnell Downtown Auckland Harbour Bridge Glenfield Sylvia Park Auckland Botanic Gardens Mission Bay / St Heliers / Kohimarama Devonport (via ferry) Herne Bay Sky Tower Ice Bar (Lenin’s) North of Auckland (16–25 Dec) Orewa Warkworth Snells Beach Sandspit Puhoi Dargaville Baylys Beach Waipoua Forest (giant kauri) Rawene → Kohukohu ferry Mangonui Coopers Beach Doubtless Bay Paihia Haruru Falls Waipu Cove Central North Island (27–31 Dec) Base: Golden Springs (between Rotorua & Taupo) Rotorua Wai‑O‑Tapu Thermal Wonderland Polynesian Spa Huka Falls Jet Prawn Park Lake Taupo Taupo town Turangi Tongariro National Park (volcanoes, Chateau Tongariro) Ends 31/12/2007 Taupo (New Year’s Eve at Finn McCoull’s) Return to Golden Springs 7 Route Visuals SUMMARY Los Angeles San Jose Morgan Hill Fiji (Nadi) Fiji (Robinson Crusoe Island) Fiji (Nadi return) Samoa (Apia) Samoa (Savai’i) Samoa (Apia return) Tonga (Nuku’alofa) Tonga (Fafa Island) Tonga (Nuku’alofa return) New Zealand — Auckland New Zealand — Whangarei New Zealand — Paihia New Zealand — Kerikeri New Zealand — Waipoua Forest New Zealand — Dargaville New Zealand — Hamilton New Zealand — Waitomo New Zealand — Rotorua New Zealand — Taupō New Zealand — Tongariro National Park 🌍 Travel Route for 2008 (Starting 1 January 2008) New Zealand → Australia → Singapore → Hong Kong → UK & Home New Zealand (North & South Islands) 1 Jan 2008 → mid‑Feb 2008 Auckland Coromandel Peninsula Whitianga Hot Water Beach Hahei Rotorua Taupō Napier Wellington Picton Nelson Abel Tasman National Park Greymouth Hokitika Franz Josef Glacier Fox Glacier Haast Wanaka Queenstown Te Anau Milford Sound Dunedin Oamaru Timaru Christchurch Kaikōura Blenheim Picton (return) Wellington (return) Auckland (return for onward flight) Australia mid‑Feb 2008 → March 2008 Sydney Manly Bondi Blue Mountains Katoomba Cairns Great Barrier Reef (cruise/reef trips) Kuranda Brisbane Gold Coast Surfers Paradise Byron Bay Coffs Harbour Port Macquarie Newcastle Sydney (return for onward flight) Singapore March 2008 Note in fairness in 2008 we were just passing thru Changi en route but all the following we have been to on our many trips to Singapore Orchard Road Clarke Quay Boat Quay Singapore River Chinatown Little India Sentosa Island Mount Faber Singapore Zoo / Night Safari Raffles Hotel Marina Bay (early development era) Hong Kong Late March 2008 → trip end Kowloon Tsim Sha Tsui Nathan Road Mong Kok Hong Kong Island Central District Victoria Peak Aberdeen Stanley Repulse Bay Lantau Island Po Lin Monastery Big Buddha Star Ferry Temple Street Night Market 8 Route Visuals SUMMARY Auckland Coromandel Whitianga Hot Water Beach Hahei Rotorua Taupō Napier Wellington Picton Nelson Abel Tasman Greymouth Hokitika Franz Josef Fox Glacier Haast Wanaka Queenstown Te Anau Milford Sound Dunedin Oamaru Timaru Christchurch Kaikōura Blenheim Wellington Auckland Sydney Blue Mountains Cairns Great Barrier Reef Brisbane Gold Coast Byron Bay Coffs Harbour Port Macquarie Newcastle Sydney Singapore Hong Kong Pre Trip Planning 01. 01. 01. 01. INTRO Words from our 2007-8 gap year trip were written before we left home , we constructed the old photo website, which we used on our travels to let people back home know what we were doing or possibly more importantly that we were still alive. A few pictures and details were added pre-travel to show what we expected and had planned to do. The reality as always was probably slightly different but the big picture in the plan we fundamentally achieved and we are very proud of that fact! (Note our original words written on our travels are in ITALICS ;) ) You will see them at the start of each page. They were culled from our old Graphicorps website. NOTES it was Polish railway workers who rented our house not as suggested by Belvoir! Austrians. Whilst we were away on our 2007-8 trip , we paid A$31 each for a 6 month Australian Visa. Post being there, Samoa has since swapped to the other side of the international date line, which makes travelling from Fiji to Samoa to Tonga, which we did a whole lot easier. “where did we lose that day?” Also whilst there our rip-off Samoan taxi driver told us they were looking at changing the side of the road they drive on, which would be a huge expense for a poor Pacific Island country, not sure they ever did! 02. 02. 02. 02. WORDS We leave on the 26/10/2007!!!! for our HOLIDAY 2007-8 trip, yippee! A few things as we prepare for our GREAT ADVENTURE. It has been interesting packing, getting lodgers (we now have a bunch of Austrian engineers) and generally booking the trip. In between we have been visiting / saying our goodbyes to various friends and relatives (you may be in the rogues gallery here!!!) we will miss you all but remember a year isn't that long and technology (one of Keef's favourite words) will keep us in touch. It just ain't like Vasco De Gama's day these days....Bon Voyage, and hopefully enjoy the site All overall feedback on this site should be directed to keefhwebdesigns@outlook.com and should cover only HOLIDAY 2007-8 Note: You can leave ratings against any photo, we would love to see them UPDATE in 2020 Sadly you can no longer do this technically for site HOLIDAY 2007-8, apologies 03. 03. 03. 03. To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Our Outdoor Travel Blog for 2007 & 2008 GAP YEAR Travel Blog | HOLIDAY 2007-8 | KeefH Web Designs On the 31st July 2007, I had the opportunity to take early retirement and a redundancy package from my then employer, which afforded us the chance to travel and realize a lifelong dream of returning to Australia, the place of both our youths. We named this experience HOLIDAY 2007-8. While planning that HOLIDAY 2007-8 opportunity and packing up our property (we let it through an agency to Polish railway workers, which helped provide additional funding for our HOLIDAY 2007-8 adventures), I also focused on ensuring our website reflected the best travel website design standards to share our journey effectively. We decided to include stops in California, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and several Pacific islands, drawing inspiration from my love of rugby, especially the Fijian 7s rugby. Annie took early retirement too, and together we embarked on the first big adventure of a lifetime. Created for customer by KeefH Web Designs, a travel blog website that covers the holiday 2007-8. This site covers a gap year long holiday to America, California, the pacific islands, Fiji (both main islands), Western Samoa (both main islands, savaii and upolu), tonga (and 1 island , daydream resort), Australia, New Zealand (all 3 islands, north, south and stewart) and a break touchdown at changi airport, singapore. That is Holiday 2007-8 in a nutshell. Read on, see more of our exploits from our Holiday 2007-8. annie, close up, cable beach reflections of watsons bay 1/66 postcard to mum 180508 from broome postcard to mum 060508 from kalgoolie airmail letter from savusavu fiji page2 091107 postcard to mum 180508 from broome 1/18 near san jose california usa California USA keef at the sewaka platform Venua Levu, Fiji's second island Visit family, east coast australia 1995 Trip to Australia near san jose california usa California USA 1/20 oct 2007 calendar nov 2007 sept 2008 oct 2007 calendar 1/12 2007 and 2008 A Gap Year "Down Under" We visited California, USA, Pacific Islands...Fiji, Western Samoa & Tonga, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore & Hong Kong Family-Friendly Activities for Holidaying in 2007 and 2008 Creating Cherished Memories for Everyone When it comes to planning a family holiday, finding activities that cater to everyone's interests and create lasting memories can be a challenge. Thankfully, Holiday2007-8.co.uk offers a wide range of family-friendly activities that are sure to delight both children and adults alike. With a focus on creating cherished memories, this website is a go-to resource for families looking to make the most of their vacation. One of the highlights of Holiday2007-8.co.uk is its extensive selection of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for thrilling adventures or more relaxed outings, there is something for everyone. From hiking and biking trails to water sports and fishing, the website provides a comprehensive list of options to suit every family's preferences. With picturesque locations and breathtaking scenery, these activities offer the perfect backdrop for creating unforgettable memories. For families who prefer indoor entertainment, Holiday2007-8.co.uk has got you covered as well. The website features a wide range of family-friendly attractions, including zoos, museums, and amusement parks. With interactive exhibits and exciting rides, these venues provide endless fun for children while ensuring that parents can also enjoy their time. Whether it's learning about wildlife, exploring historical artifacts, or enjoying thrilling roller coasters, families are guaranteed an unforgettable experience. In addition to activities, Holiday2007-8.co.uk also offers valuable information on family-friendly accommodations and dining options. The website provides an extensive list of hotels, holiday cottages, and resorts that are known for their excellent facilities and services for families. From spacious rooms to on-site recreational activities, these accommodations go the extra mile to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay for all. Furthermore, the website also offers recommendations for family-friendly restaurants, ensuring that delicious meals are always within reach. What sets Holiday2007-8.co.uk apart is its emphasis on creating cherished memories. The website goes beyond providing a list of activities and attractions by suggesting ways to make the most of these experiences. It offers tips on capturing special moments through photography, journaling, and even creating personalized keepsakes. By encouraging families to document and reflect on their holiday adventures, the website helps create a treasure trove of memories that can be cherished for a lifetime. In conclusion, if you're seeking a family holiday filled with fun and memorable experiences, look no further than Holiday2007-8.co.uk. With its multitude of family-friendly activities, accommodations, and dining options, this website provides all the necessary resources for a successful vacation. From outdoor adventures to indoor entertainment, there is something for every member of the family to enjoy. So, why wait? Visit https://www.holiday2007-8.co.uk/ and start planning your next vacation, where unforgettable memories are waiting to be made. For more information contact us anytime via the KeefH Web Designs website GAP YEAR TRANSPORTATION : Below is the detailed summary of our round the world travels in 2007-8, where we travelled on trains, boats and planes and a whole lot more for 10½ months through America, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore & Hong Kong - starting and ending at Heathrow interestingly our Round The World (RTW) ticket said we started and arrived at Heathrow Terminal 1,but by the time we returned Heathrow had been reorganised and we came back to the now infamous Terminal 3 (T3 Tears as it is known in our family) PLAY To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. FULL TRIP DIARY The first 160 days Motorhome Travels Blog 162 Part 1 & the next 169 days Motorhome Travels Blog 162 Part 2 PART1 PART 2 2008 Diary

Discover Quebec at its most breathtaking in this immersive 2010 motorhome road‑trip diary. From vibrant Montréal to historic Québec City, whale‑watching coasts, fjords, and unforgettable campsites, follow a scenic journey across one of Canada’s most beautiful provinces. Authentic stories, vivid photos, and real travel moments bring this classic adventure to life. 2010 Quebec Scenic Road Trip QUEBEC - HOLIDAY in 2010 A Travel Blog Experience DIARY During 2010 we have now been from one side of Canada to the other in a motorhome, British Columbia to Labrador, we loved it, it is a fabulous country and quite an achievement with memories we shall treasure forever. For Quebec the following were some of the highlights, montreal and its surrounding areas, we had quite a walk through the central areas, I remember the world cup was blearing out on city centre TV’s and I think this was the year France won it if memory serves me right, I’m wrong it was held in Africa for the 1st time, south Africa and Spain beat Holland 1-0, we watched it in th campsite bar on 11th July, we were in nova scotia on the way to newfoundland when we watched it probably at Antigonish I certainly remember having a meal with wine at the outside bar/ restaurant whilst it was on, quebec city, fort quebec, queens governor’s residence and sitting on the wall with fab views out over Quebec city, The Fairmont Chateau Frontenac and its pure French chateau presence in the landscape and walking the boardwalk in front of it, this is the Fairmont one rather than that in Paris , saguenay fjord, tadoussac, trois pistoles and the lovely sunset as the ferry crossed the st Lawrence, just magical, gaspe and its peninsular a spectacular coastline with views to die for, bike race through Quebec city and all the spectators out to see it on a very warm day in the old capital, the citadel, st lawrence river, lac timiscaming, les escoumins, bardville, ferry, grande grave, campsite juneau, cap de rosier, forillon national park, camping baie de gaspe, riviere au renard, basilica notre dame du quebec, rocking chairs, kayaks, l’heritage 1, light houses, boardwalks, musicians, rooftops, skyscrapers, robbie burns in montreal, maison maillou, point a la recommee, grande grave is amazing, see it as the image on the audio diary, dolphins, possibly whales, sunsets, provisional and national parcs, more of the trans-canada highway or as we say in quebquoise "Route Transcanadienne" & all ports in between. All very French "trois service sil vous plais" We have been from one side of Canada to the other, oh you know that by now... think I've mentioned it ha-ha. All very French it was so weird as we crossed the bridge near Ottawa into Quebec province, all of a sudden it was totally French, other things we remember well were wild roses, buffalo bill’s travelling show memorabilia, the old Victoria esplanade in front of the chateau hotel Frontenac, museums, history, Wolfe and his battles (probably better not to mention in Quebec) ha-ha, number plates displaying “Je Me Souviens” or I remember Quebec, maillou house history, hotel Jardin ste anne, surrealist art work in Quebec city, St Roch, Benjo buses, sunsets on the St Lawrence and just enjoying the slightly different cultural feel of being in Quebec province, we will both miss and remember. Quebec, Canada, Travel Guide for Motorhomers gaspe views to die for annie guarding the citadel, quebec city 1/89 2010 11 Days in Quebec, Canada between 10th June and 13th July, split in 3 visits June i) 10-12 ii)18-24 iii) 13 July INCLUDES 178 PHOTOS Visiting amongst others Montreal, FIFA world cup 2010, Quebec city, fort Quebec, queens governors residence, the Fairmont Chateau Frontenac, Saguenay fjord provincial park, L'Anse st john, st Simeon, baie st paul, camping juneau, st augustin, cove fields, tadoussac, trois-pistoles, gaspe peninsular, bike race, the citadel, st lawrence river, lac timiscaming, cross point station, pointe-a-la-croix, les escoumins, bardville, j c van horne bridge, ferry, grande grave, cap de rosier ,forillon national park, camping baie de gaspe, riviere au renard, basilica notre dame du quebec, rocking chairs, kayaks, l’heritage 1, light houses, boardwalks, musicians, rooftops, skyscrapers, robbie burns in montreal, maison maillou, point a la recommee, dolphins, possibly whales, sunsets, provisional and national parcs, more of the trans canada highway or as we say in quebecois "Route Transcanadienne" & all ports in between. All very french "trois service sil vous plais" We have been from one side of Canada to the other, oh you know that by now... think I've mentioned it ha-ha.

Step into 2024 with KHWD Holidays — a year of real journeys, honest stories, and motorhome adventures across the UK and beyond. Explore fresh routes, hidden gems, campsite reviews, and photo‑rich travel diaries designed to inspire your next escape. Whether you’re planning, dreaming, or reliving the road, this is your gateway to a year packed with discovery. 2024 Alaska & The Rocky Mountaineer Travel Guide 🇺🇸🇨🇦 Alaska & West Canada 2024 – Full Travel Route Summary 1) Vancouver → Alaska Cruise (Celebrity Solstice) Inside Passage → Icy Strait Point → Skagway → Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier → Juneau → Ketchikan → Inside Passage → Vancouver Vancouver (Canada Place) – Boarding Inside Passage – Northbound Icy Strait Point (Hoonah) – Gondola to mountain top, forest tram Skagway (USA) – Yukon Suspension Bridge → Fraser → White Pass & Yukon Route Railway Endicott Arm – Narrow fjord Dawes Glacier – 360° ship turn among heavy ice Juneau – Capital; Goldbelt Tram to Mt Roberts Ketchikan – Very wet day; brief walk ashore Inside Passage – Southbound Vancouver – Disembarkation 2) Vancouver → Vancouver Island (Sidney, Cordova Bay, Victoria, Saanich) Tsawwassen → Swartz Bay → Sidney → Cordova Bay → Victoria → Saanich Vancouver → Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal BC Ferries: Tsawwassen → Swartz Bay Sidney – Meet David & Cathy Cordova Bay – AirBnB stay Victoria – Provincial Parliament lunch China Town & HOHO Bus Saanich – Observatory viewpoint Cordova Bay – Local exploring Swartz Bay → Tsawwassen – Return ferry 3) Vancouver → Kamloops → Canmore → Stettler → Banff (Car Hire Road Trip) Vancouver → Hope → Merritt → Kamloops → Canmore → Stettler → Banff Vancouver → Kamloops (Trans‑Canada Highway 1) Vancouver Fraser Valley Hope Coquihalla Highway Merritt Kamloops – Overnight Kamloops → Canmore → Stettler Kamloops Chase Salmon Arm Sicamous Revelstoke Glacier National Park Rogers Pass Golden – Time zone change Lake Louise Banff Canmore – Overpriced motels noted Kananaskis / Dead Man’s Flats Calgary NW (Stoney Trail) Airdrie → Olds → Red Deer Stettler – Meet Rob & Sandy Stettler → Banff (Return leg) Stettler Red Deer Airdrie Calgary Banff – Drop off hire car 4) Rocky Mountaineer (Banff → Kamloops → Vancouver) Banff → Spiral Tunnels → Continental Divide → Kamloops → Thompson River → Fraser Canyon → Vancouver Banff – Departure Spiral Tunnels Continental Divide Field Golden Glacier NP Rogers Pass Revelstoke Kamloops – Overnight Thompson River – Desert‑like scenery Fraser Canyon Hope Vancouver – Arrival & end of trip SUMMARY Vancouver Alaskan Cruise Icy Strait Point Skagway Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier Juneau Ketchikan Victoria Kamloops Banff Stettler Rocky Mountaineer (Banff to Kamloops to Vancouver) Vancouver USA 2024 ALASKA for my 70th Birthday celebrations on a Celebrity X Cruise. You can see the full write up on our motorhome-travels Blog 204 or continue to view here, thanks for looking DIARY SUNDAY 150924 FIRST DAY AT SEA ON THE SOLSTICE After a hearty breakfast at the Carey centre on Endowment land at UBC Oscar picked us up about 11.05 am and drove us to the cruise ship terminal at Canada place in downtown Vancouver, you know the one that looks a bit like Utzon's Sydney Opera house #justsayin Canadian friends. Getting there in downtown was a nightmare, unbelievable levels of traffic controlled by the cops, if you are in the wrong lane you are going around again, 1 hour maybe, luckily Oscar has been there before. Traffic levels so intense as 4 cruise ships all in together with passengers coming and going. Anyhow we did the customs checks etc. and then much to my surprise but sheer delight because of my walking stick Annie and I were fast-tracked through everything and onto the ship. We were supposed to board 1.30 pm, got on by 12 noon, poor Linda was supposed to be on at 11.30 am but spent almost 3 hours queueing and Ian's legs were killing him. Anyhow Annie and I did the emergency learning stuff and headed to the buffet for an early lunch. Nice it was too. We then discovered our cabin for the next 7 days and our luggage arrived a bit later on in the evening. All very smooth. Great weather so some fab views from our balcony as it left Vancouver. Take a look! MONDAY 160924 KEEF'S THREE SCORE & TEN BIRFDAY! What you can't be 70 I hear you all shout. Mentally I would totally agree, physically however I might have to start agreeing. I seem to be sticking it to the stick much more often these days and I've promised Annie and Linda I will start the knee replacement process. Anyhow enough of the gloom, it was a truly fabulous day. Cheeky Linda and Ian had decorated the outside of our cabin which obviously we didn't notice until coming out for breakfast. Very embarrassing but it meant I got to have a long chat with the Rhinestone cowboy who was celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary , we matched on the same ship’s cakes, but with a different legend. #haha The day was spent relaxing mostly on the balcony with the usual cruise interruption for a top up of food, what's the line , "come on as passenger, go off as cargo" #smile I had pre booked my birthday meal for Le Petit Chef experience and it was certainly memorable. The beef wellington element in terms of food was mouthwatering. See the videos especially those of the little chef in action, memorable and completely different. After the meal in the evening, we went to the theatre which although spectacular was a little confusing. Tired we retired a very very HAPPY and memorable 70th birthday, thanks to all for making it so much fun. And there is a clever video of Le Petit Chef at my Birthday meal, just so clever TUESDAY 17th SEPTEMBER, ICY STRAITS POINT We completed the inside passage and arrived at the Hoonah collective made cruise ship terminal at Icy Straits point, the 2nd highest location for our trip in Southern Alaska below Skagway however. Beautiful sunshine as we arrived c 1.30pm. After disembarkation and a nice walk across the bridge we exchanged our excursion passes for the red gondola ride to the top of the mountain and the forest excursion tram. We ascended to be afforded some wonderful views and a chat with 2 Americans whilst we waited for our forest ride. A local Klink-it (pronunciation not spelling which was Tsilingit band) elder did some tribal demoes around the fire, all very interesting. The forest tram ride was very informative and asking questions of the Kling-it driver it was totally clear that they would favour independence from the states, which my guess is will never happen, too much rich minerals and oil at stake. The driver also told me that they had started with 4 cruise ships day, they are now up to 260+ per months so a steady stream of profit for them. Anyhow have a look at the slideshows. WEDNESDAY 180924 SKAGWAY, YUKON SUSPENSION BRIDGE & WHITE PASS RAILWAY Arrived whilst it was still dark in Skagway. We had by now mastered the fine art of ordering breakfast and having it delivered to the door on our selected time in the next morning. Luxury, you just leave your order sheet pinned to the cabin door handle, and they deliver, I've tried it since we are home but sadly it didn't work #haha Anyhow as our trips in Skagway started early it was ideal. It was a full day but in our humble opinion the best day in Alaska, truly memorable, nice to share with Linda and Ian. Initially a coach trip up to the Yukon border meaning we crossed back from the States into Canada, initially visiting the Yukon Suspension bridge and as our driver, a resident of Skagway got us their early we had the place to ourselves, as we were leaving the tourist coaches were filling up. We even got our passport stamped; a touristy thing similar to the forgotten world highway in New Zealand. After that he collected us and took us to the Fraser border crossing to board the White Pass and Yukon train back into Skagway, one of the real great train journey, following the gold mining Klondike trail. Have a look at the slideshows, the second of which about 4 minutes in will give you a complete train journey. Hope you enjoy! The coach driver told us that by 20th October more than half the population of Skagway, himself included, would leave Skagway for the winter, no cruise ships, no employment and mostly stuck indoors. They all head off to Whitehorse and way beyond for the winter. 2024 7 Days Between 15th to 21st September ALASKA From Vancouver, in sequence we saw the Inside Passage, Icy Straits Point (Hoonah) , Skagway (amazing), Endicott Arm a long narrow fjord if you like leading to the Dawes Glacier, which the wonderful ship’s Southern Alaska, up to Skagway, is a region rich in natural beauty and history. Here's a quick summary: Geography Southeast Alaska, also known as the Alaskan Panhandle, is a narrow strip of land extending about 500 miles from Misty Fjords National Monument to the base of Mt. Fairweather. The region is characterized by its stunning Inside Passage, a network of waterways, fjords, and islands. Key Locations Juneau: The state capital, accessible only by boat or plane, known for its scenic views and outdoor activities. Ketchikan: Known as the "Salmon Capital of the World," it's famous for its totem poles and rich Native American culture. Skagway: A historic town that was a gateway to the Klondike Gold Rush, offering a glimpse into the past with its preserved buildings and museums. Activities Wildlife Viewing: Opportunities to see bears, whales, and eagles in their natural habitats. Hiking and Boating: Numerous trails and waterways for outdoor enthusiasts. Historic Tours: Explore the Gold Rush history in Skagway and other historic sites. Transportation Alaska Marine Highway: A ferry system that connects many communities along the Inside Passage. White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad: A scenic train ride from Skagway to the Yukon border, offering breathtaking views. captain got as close as he dared, he described it as the most icebergs he had ever seen there, it took a Titanic effort (geddit?) to avoid them #smile then we headed into Juneau , Alaska's capital, Ketchikan and returned to Vancouver on the inside passage past Vancouver Island. Here are the ships daily newspapers delivered each night to our cabin, with chocolates no less, luxury indeed for us Septuagenarians. The first video is the ship's log THURSDAY 190924 ENDICOTT ARM, DAWES GLACIER, JUNEAU Another early rise but just so worth it, initially dark when we entered the Endicott Arm, which is traditionally a fjord, not naturally associated with Alaska. Some fabulous views and then the first teeny icebergs came floating by, which got more and more intense as we approached the end of the fjord which is the Dawes glacier. The captain did a 360 degree turn as close as he dared to the glacier having already announced that this was the most ice he had ever seen, now was another ship and icebergs but the less said about that the better. Such spectacular views, waterfalls everywhere, some elements of Milford sound as a comparison. We were treated to Dr Ann's commentary to accompany the voyage up the fjord to the glacier which created some wonderful learning points. After the glacier we headed off to Alaska's capital. Linda and Ian did the Mildenhall glacier trip, we walked around, did a bit of tourist shopping, called in at the cultural centre, had a chat with an elder and admired many woven rugs and totem poles. Juneau is fairly cut off but there were still a surprising number of cars there. The road runs out in about 37 miles from downtown. Annie was a little tired so returned to the cabin. I decided to go up Mount Roberts via the Goldbelt Tram, the mist faded, and I got some fabulous views from the top. Sadly we were not allowed out, probably sensibly, because of the presents of a bear at the top a few days earlier. On descending I walked along the board walk past the brewery (no I didn't go in, honest) reading up on the Haida culture as I went. We all met up in the restaurant for evening meal before going to the show. Served ably by Kier who was great and his boss Miguel who was...less good and a little to pushy on "good feedback, I need score 10" FRIDAY 200924 KETCHIKAN, A VERY WET DAY We arrived in a very wet Ketchikan having had lunch with Linda and Ian. After their glacier tour yesterday Linda was feeling exhausted and didn't want to go on the crab fishing trip with Ian, we were asked but passed. Annie and I left the ship for literally 5 minutes, it never stopped pouring down. We had a chat with the ex-harbour master who offered us a free trip on his salmon boat, we declined far to choppy and wet. He told us they were down on visitors in Ketchikan today as 4 cruise ships had decided not to land. Anyhow we all met up for supper in the restaurant later, Ian had been at a crab feast (not their catch I'm afraid as not eco) so only joined us for puddings. SATURDAY 210924 LAST DAY AT SEA, INSIDE PASSAGE THEN DISEMBARKATION The last day was spent at sea, relaxing , watching the Inside Passage views, admiring both the British Columbian coastline as well as that of Vancouver island as we traversed between the two, eating, drinking, chatting and playing trivia games in the observation lounge (guess the Diva music - Hmm the modern ones we really didn't know but Tina etc. were easy) and at about 5am on the 22nd being docked in Canada place, downtown Vancouver. It has been a wonderful trip. 24 Alaskan Diary CANADA 2024 WESTERN CANADA for our combined 70th Birthday celebrations on the Rocky Mountaineer train Amongst other adventures i.e. Meeting up with pals David and Cathey in Cordova Bay / Victoria on Vancouver Island, Hiring a car and travelling across British Columbia and Alberta as far as Stettler and noticing just how much Canada has changed, Tsawwassen ferry so different, Vancouver / Raincouver so much more built up than it was back then, and the avelanche covers on the Trans-Canda Highway 1 so much more imroved and pronounced, we did this western end of Canada back in 1999 with Doug as a 15 year old, you can see that trip 25 years ago, you can also see the full write up on our motorhome-travels blog , blog 204 or continue to view here, thanks for looking. It was so nice coming back again University of British Columbia, Vancouver BRITISH COLUMBIA The home of Vancouver Island, we travelled through all of British Columbia (BC) west to east then east to west on this trip firstly by foot, ferry and car, then the Rocky Mountaineer back westward. The border with Alberta is between Field and Lake Louise although the time zone changed around about Golden in BC. Field was a fascinating place but the scenery through BC is spectacular. There is no point in me using words, just look at each individual day’s images. I also learnt a lot not least that Victoria on Vancouver Island is the provincial capital not Vancouver, its biggest city or Raincouver as we learnt to name it. Driving from Vancouver to Kamloops on the TransCanada Highway 1 is a scenic adventure through some of British Columbia's most beautiful landscapes Here's what you'll see along the way: Vancouver to Hope Fraser Valley: Start with the fertile farmlands and charming small towns of the Fraser Valley. Coastal Mountains: As you head east, you'll enter the lush, wet coastal mountains, with dense forests and rushing rivers. Hope to Lytton Coquihalla Highway: This section offers stunning views of the Coquihalla River and the surrounding mountains. Lytton: Known for its hot summers, Lytton is nestled in a narrow valley with the Thompson River running through it. Lytton to Kamloops Lytton Canyon: A dramatic landscape with steep cliffs and the Thompson River winding through1. Desert-Like Terrain: As you approach Kamloops, the scenery transitions to a more arid, desert-like landscape with rolling hills and sagebrush. Kamloops Welcome to Kamloops: A charming city surrounded by mountains and situated on the North Thompson River. This drive offers a mix of lush forests, dramatic canyons, and desert-like landscapes, making it a memorable journey through British Columbia's diverse natural beauty Vancouver Island, Mostly Victoria Alberta, Meeting Annie's Cuz in Stettler 2024 14 Days in Canada, 2 days Vancouver Uni Area arriving from Heathrow, 5 days Vancouver Island with friends (after Alaskan Cruise), 4 days across to Alberta to see Annie's cousin, 2 days Rocky Mountaineer (*what a trip!*) , 1 day back in Vancouver Uni before flying home CANADA This is our 3rd trip to Canada, once in 1999 when we travelled very similar the same path to this trip with Doug aged 15 and then again in 2010 which enabled us to say we have travelled from west to east coast of Canada in a hired motorhome. We say mile 0 of the Trans Canada Highway (TCH) on Vancouver island in the park and we have also been to North Sydney in Nova Scotia where it apparently officially ends but as you can see from the map we have even been further through Newfoundland and Labrador as far as Red Bay. So we have probably travelled most of the TCH's 7476 km's. This trip was basically Vancouver, Tsawwassen (in Delta), Vancouver Island featuring Swartz Bay, Sidney, Cordover Bay, Victoria, Saanich, Hope, Merritt, Kamloops, Chase, Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Revelstoke, Roger's Pass, Golden, Banff, Canmore, Dead Man's Flats (love that name), Stoney trail around Calgary, Airdrie, Olds, Red Deer, Stettler and back to Vancouver. What a privilege it was to travel on the Rocky Mountaineer. Rocky Mountaineer to Home ALBERTA After Field on the TCH we entered the Banff National Park and for us the start of our Alberta time. As we were not visiting David and Cathy in Edmonton this time as had a fab time meeting up in Victoria, we travelled around Calgary on the Stoney Trail on up through Airdrie Red Deer, the David Thompson highway , Summer River and into Stettler for 2 days principally to meet up with Annie's cuz Rob, but Stettler itself proved to be a very interesting Prairie town. Traveling from Canmore to Stettler via Red Deer, while bypassing Drumheller, presents a variety of scenic views and quaint towns. Here is what to expect along the route: Canmore to Calgary Bow Valley Parkway: Offers breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains, including the iconic Three Sisters peaks and the serene Bow River. Canmore: This picturesque town nestled among mountains is ideal for a brief stop to stretch and relax. Calgary to Red Deer Calgary: This vibrant city provides numerous amenities should you need to make a stop for supplies. Highway: Traveling eastward, you'll traverse the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor, characterized by its farmlands and small communities. Red Deer: This lively city boasts a blend of city conveniences and natural splendor, highlighted by the Red Deer River. Red Deer to Stettler. Open Prairies: Journeying through Central Alberta, you'll be greeted by expansive prairies, undulating hills, and pastoral farmland. Buffalo Lake: Located just south of Stettler, the lake features picturesque views, recreational day-use areas, beaches, and opportunities for activities such as fishing and boating. Stettler. Arriving in Stettler: This charming town boasts a deep agricultural heritage, set amidst scenic farmland. The drive offers a rich tapestry of experiences, from alpine panoramas to the vastness of the prairies, ensuring a memorable trip through the heart of Alberta's countryside. 2024 Canadian Diary FRIDAY 130924 HEATHROW TO VANCOUVER Left from home reasonably early just in case there were any further issues with the car, couldn't afford to miss the plane. Meet and greet at Heathrow terminal 2 was fairly painless once we had paid a fortune being in the lower levels which sign posted M&G, silly us, should have realised its actually on level 4, location row B. Note to self for next time at Heathrow "get it right" smile So, the Air Canada flight was OK, not like the return journey but that is another story. Watched the Amy Winehouse biopic "back to black" but as I had a window seat spent a lot of time enjoying initially the Faroes, then Iceland with a spectacular shot over Isafjordur, then Greenland which seemed to be totally ice, wonder why it was not called Whiteland ? Then it was Hudson Bay and some of those Eastern Canada / Nunavut / Yukon areas until we landed in Vancouver. It was raining hence Raincouver. The scheduled taxi was late but eventually we met Sunny a lovely man whom we grew fond of over the holiday. Sunny ferried us to the Carey Centre, we saw the Coyote in the grounds and eventually jet lagged out slept well. We were in North America keen for the days ahead! SATURDAY 140924 WET LOCAL WALK AROUND UBC PLUS JET LAG SNOOZE Slept somewhat erratically, not surprisingly as no idea which time zone we were in. Had lovely, included breakfast in University , such a lovely lady serving and then booked lunch and dinner at the uni, both of which were very good. Went out so a walk around the area, it rained consistently, and some kind ladies advised us not to go down to the beach as steep and slippy steps. Good advice. We did find a coast viewing spot but as Annie's knee was hurting we returned to the campus and read / drifted off to sleep in between meals. Good to catch up before our Alaskan adventure. We also learnt quite a bit about William Carey, the missionary after whom the Carey Centre is named, this area was big theology departments. The next 7 days are the ALASKA cruise SUNDAY 220924 FERRY, MEET UP WITH DAVID & CATHY, SIDNEY Sunny picked us up from the cruise ship terminal at Canada Place, well not quite. Our ship had arrived early, and they let us off really early and customs was a breeze, so I had texted Sunny to let him know the pickup time had been bought forward. He couldn't park where we had been dropped off by Oscar, so he asked us to make our way to the front of the Pan Pacific hotel just outside Canada place car park. He drove us through Richmond and Delta plus other areas to Tsawwassen, which was so much more built up than we remembered it for 1999. Quite a long limo journey, probably about 45 minutes. Then we got our ferry tickets, very cheap as foot passengers, weight our bags and sent them on as checked luggage, good stuff. Long queue to get on with lots of sports teams going back to the island, maybe they had been to Kamloops, he capital of mediocre tournaments on a Saturday, who knows. I texted David to say we were on the 10 am ferry, the journey is about 90 minutes. Amazed at the number of islands the ferry traverses around. David picked us up, Cathy was at church. So lovely to see them again. Travelled to Sidney, which I do remember from years back. David showed us a co habiting house set up they had looked at and explained what it was all about, sounds like their future. We then had a coffee and a lot of catch up, Cathy joining us. A stroll around the lovely Sidney and a fab fish restaurant on the sea front, bliss. After that we went to check in at the Air B&B in Cordova bay. Tee hee it was lovely but at the top of a steep hill and the key lock was bust so the front fell into the bushes . David kindly retrieved it #hero We then parted company to settle in, D&C house sitting just down the road. A fun day. Keef bought Annie some Canadian socks in one of the shops the ladies enticed us men to enter MONDAY 230924 70th LUNCH IN BC's VICTORIA PROVINCIAL PARLIAMENT After breakfast and sitting out on the balcony reading and admiring the coast , David and Cathy arrived, after a quick catch up we headed off into Victoria. Cathy dropped the 3 of us near the parliament building and went and parked somewhere she knew about. We went through security, were given BC badges having parted with driving licenses as security , waited for Cathy, it what seemed like the dungeon or prison wing of an old Victorian building, in fact the BC parliament building. The Harvey's had kindly booked us in for lunch. It was a lovely lunch even if our waitress was a bit brusque, maybe she had been a prison warder there in a previous life #smile After lunch we had a stroll along the front with a brilliant set of tour guides, D&C, must give great feedback on trip advisor. We saw all the boats, including the bath tubs to Fisherman's wharf plus the front of the Empress, minus it's Virginia creeper after all these years, spruced up by Fairmont hotels which it is now owed by (along with Banff Springs and Le Château Frontenac in Quebec city. We visited the tourist info, spent time in Cathy's favourite Rogers chocolates, saw the floral killer whale display and then had a good nose inside the Empress, to the point where Keef was told he was not a resident and was not allowed out on the roof top garden, shame! Some fab architecture, all exhausted after that we returned to Cordova bay for the evening. TUESDAY 240924 US IN VICTORIA WITH D&C, LINDA IN VANCOUVER David and Cathy picked us up early, wonderful sunny day, for breakfast at a Gluten Free (Cathy is) cafe in the Saanich area called Charlotte and the Quail, food to die for and pretty good coffee. The lady serving us what a little high pitched, but we soon got over that as the food arrived, it was totally yummy. After breakfast we had a good look around the attached formal gardens, manned mostly by volunteers and what a great job they had made of it. David bought a gardening book, and we all strolled around taking endless flower and tree photographs, and quite right too, a fab gardens. After that we drove up and up to the centre of the universe observatory, with spectacular views. You could see the Olympus mountains in Washington State. After this they took us on a fab drive along the truly tremendous coastal road, flash house and hotel viewing, gardens, traditional cemeteries, whale watching in the mist, until it cleared listening to the sound of ship's foghorns, then only the even more wonderful Fisherman's wharf with its quirky housing and residents to match. #superb We had beer , wine and fish (halibut or salmon) and chips on the sea harbour front until such time as the temperature dropped. It being quite late in the eve , about 7.30 pm if memory serves me right, we returned to Cordova Bay, all in all a fab, fun day with many laughs. WEDNESDAY 250924 A VERY WET DAY IN CORDOVA BAY PLUS BBQ Cathy's cousin and wife had returned late last night so they stayed there today, having to both catch up, pack and tidy up after spending a while in their house both house and cat sitting. Max (the cat) certainly matched his name. I joked that he was a skinny thing before the Harvey's arrived and over fed him #teehee We picked a good day to chill, relax and read, the rain was torrential nearly all day both Vancouver and Victoria get their fair share of "weather". Cathy had given me some halibut and salmon her cousin had caught the night before and they did some shopping kindly for us I did a fish and salad BBQ in the evening, David had bought an apple crumble for pud and Cathy had cheese and bikkies. This was our last night together, we will miss them, we had an extraordinarily good time together, thanks so much for your hospitality, David and Cathy. We stayed in contact via text whilst we each went our separate ways. THURSDAY 260924 HOP ON HOP OFF BUS VICTORIA & CHINATOWN After showers etc., and a cooked brekkie to keep us going, we noticed a cracked window in the bathroom which was either there before or not? Victoria had had a 4.1 earthquake over night. Anyhow we got an uber to the Empress in Victoria and caught the Hop On Hop off bus , doing a complete circuit first around, much of which we recognised from the Harvey's guided tour. All hugely interesting with commentary on the bus. We were glad we stayed on to take the bus to Chinatown as lots a cruise ships were in later and the bus and place were heaving. Chinatown is very interesting; we visited the free museum down Fan Pan alley (sometimes referred to as tin pan alley) We had a lovely coffee (the best in Canada or Alaska) at a coffee shop just outside Chinatown plus lovely cake and bought a pasty to take back to cottage. It was raining a lot so we called it a day at about 4pm and got a uber back to Cordova Bay. Nice tea, packing for early start tomorrow and earlyish to bed for our onward travels and new adventures. FRIDAY 270924 FERRY BACK TO VANCOUVER, PICK UP CAR, DRIVE TO KAMLOOPS Up early, it was still dark, rang for an uber which annoying always stopped one block away in the main road down the hill. Care when putting the key back in the cottage outside key safe, as pitch black i didn't want to drop it, especially as the battery in my phone was now regularly dying. Wheeled the suitcases to the top of the hill, in the dark. Keef went slowly down to the main road , found the uber guy, and got him to drive up the hill to collect Annie and the suitcase, good driver, took us to Swartz bay. Ferry back to Tsawwassen, Sunny was waiting for us and kindly took us to the Avis office at Vancouver airport in Richmond. Checked in, picked up the keys, loaded the cases and off we went. Bit nerve wracking initially in a very busy Vancouver but soon got used to it and we were on Highway 1 heading towards Hope. After Hope it was onto to Kamloops, we stopped for both refreshments, mediocre coffee and many photo opportunities. A good days travel. We arrived in Kamloops as it was getting dark, some lovely colours on the hills. Kamloops is semi-arid. Kamloops is known as the "Tournament City of Canada" basically because on Saturdays the hotels / motels are free from Rocky Mountaineer travellers, the train comes into Kamloops 6 days a week, 3 journeys in either direction and that was true when we arrived late on a Friday evening and surprisingly found everything initially was fully booked with parents and their young lads for a mini baseball league tournament. As one of the wags on our train journey said you are most likely to end up in conversation with a mediocre lacrosse player #haha We did eventually find accommodation at the Ramada which had a great breakfast included in the price, which was quite high at approx. £175 but nothing in comparison to the extortionate price charged in Canmore the next day at £235 and there was no breakfast AND THEN BACK HOME FRIDAY 041024 CAREY CENTRE THEN FLY BACK HOME Bit of a lie in as no rush today and we were ahead of the game. Lovely extended breakfast in the uni canteen. Checked our just before 11 and waited for Sunny to come and collect us. He took us to terminal 2 at Vancouver airport, we had a bit of time to kill before we could check in at 1.40 pm, but time went quickly. Once thru security we had a meal, the plane left on time, but this was definitely the worst of the flights. Folk were in our seats and had to be evicted , the charger didn't work, the movie wasn't great (a Kevin Costner Cowboy) and the food was even worse. Still, We got back to Heathrow, had to register the fact that they had lost our suitcase , picked up car easily and drive home, stopping for coffee and some minor provisions, tried to stay up as long as we could then crashed at about 8 pm. We were home. What a FAB holiday. 2024 21 Days in Canada and on our Alaskan Cruise with my Sister Linda & Hubby Ian SATURDAY 280924 KAMLOOPS TO CANMORE VIA BANFF After a hearty breakfast in the Ramada Kamloops, shared with a visiting 1st nations excursion group, we packed up checked out and hit the road with a lot of distance to travel today. We saw Salmon Arm (not great), 3 valleys gap, Revelstoke where we stopped for Pharmacy and Post office , Golden for Tim Horton's and lunch and clock change, as well as seeing lots en route. We thought we might stay in Banff for the night but as gridlock struck as we drove in we rapidly changed our minds. Saturday evening, Rocky Mountaineer train in, it was heaving and our budget didn't stretch to the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel. Interesting that Fairmont now own most of these classic Canadian railway hotels, Empress, Banff Springs, Frontenac etc. etc. So we went onto Canmore, filled with fuel and set about finding a place for the night. Wow Canmore is expensive.! See our slideshow. At the ski lodge we saw 2 guys kite surfing if that's the correct term, not something we would ever entertain at 70 Here is the Trip Advisor review I left for the rip-off Rocky Mountain Ski Lodge, we have never been so disappointed or overcharged. "A COMPLETE RIP-OFF! No price list on display when we arrived. Extortionate charges for a one bed queen / no breakfast. As pensioners we were even promised a discount, but I’ve checked my bank statement, and the full price was charged so that was a lie. $420 cad / £229. We could have stayed in a posh London hotel for less, indeed I told the receptionist this. She told us it was high season, and the price dropped when the snow fell , which must be rubbish as it’s a ski lodge and winter will be when they make their money. It feels like they just charge what they like to tourists. Surely a reputable business should have its price list on display. I am even more upset that I could have got the same via the UK if I had pre booked for £75. I will advise my family and friends in the UK and Canada to NEVER use “Rocky Mountain Ski Lodge” Even the car park was a waterlogged dirt track and as disabled we had to lug suitcases upstairs after they got dirty thru the mud bath car park. So, so ripped off and angry." SUNDAY 290924 CANMORE TO STETTLER We packed up at our hugely overpriced one bed in Canmore, it was pouring at the time so the muddy car park was awash with water and mud. I carefully carried each suitcase over the obstacle course to put each in the boot / trunk trying for as little mudslide as possible but slightly failing. We called in at reception to check out vowing never to return, at least to that establishment. We filled up with gas and had breakfast at one of the fast-food joints. Wendy's I think, perfectly adequate for our journey onto Stettler in the Prairies. Back on Trans-Canada Highway one we made our way around Calgary on the Stoney Trail, up through the outskirts of Red Deer and onto the David Thompson highway, where we stopped for the autumn colours at the Summer river before reaching Stettler where we had a subways for lunch before checking in at the Super 8 motel. One of the most amusing stories was when we arrived in Stettler at the Super8 (ok maybe not so super #smile more Adequate8) and checking in the lady asked us where we were from, we answered with our usual Nottingham, home of Robin Hood and Kevin Costner, and said we were there to meet Annie's cousin Rob Littlejohn, she laughed obviously not believing the coincidence , that was until I told her my real name was Will Scarlet . Driving from Canmore to Stettler via Red Deer, while avoiding Drumheller, offers a mix of scenic landscapes and charming towns. Here's what you'll see along the way: Canmore to Calgary Bow Valley Parkway: Enjoy stunning views of the Rocky Mountains, including the Three Sisters peaks and the Bow River. Canmore: A charming town surrounded by mountains, perfect for a quick stop to stretch your legs. Calgary to Red Deer Calgary: The bustling city offers plenty of amenities if you need to stop for supplies. Highway 2: As you head east, you'll pass through the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor, with farmlands and small towns. Red Deer: A vibrant city with a mix of urban amenities and natural beauty, including the Red Deer River. Red Deer to Stettler Open Prairies: The drive through the Central Alberta region offers wide-open prairies with rolling hills and farmland. Buffalo Lake: Just south of Stettler, this lake offers beautiful scenery, day-use areas, beaches, and opportunities for outdoor activities like fishing and boating. Stettler Welcome to Stettler: A quaint town with a rich agricultural history, surrounded by picturesque farmland. This route provides a diverse experience, from mountain vistas to prairie landscapes, making it a memorable journey through Alberta's beautiful countryside. MONDAY 300924 MEET UP WITH ROB AND SANDY IN STETTLER Up early we had a really good breakfast at the Super 8, chatting to the lovely receptionist who was amazingly friendly. It is worth noting that 2 nights at the Super 8 and breakfasts was still vastly cheaper than 1 night in Canmore, you can tell I don't like getting ripped off! Anyhow after brekkie we drove around to discover Stettler especially the grain stores on the outskirts and surrounding the main downtown. Stettler has a mini stampede to rial Calgary, well when I say rival I clearly don't mean it. We liked Stettler , it had a lovely feel to it, to call it a one-horse town is unfair, I saw 2 #smile We went shopping in Dollerama and Walmart then returned to our room and waited for Rob & Sandy to arrive, what nice people. Annie had not met her cousin before. We had coffee in the cafe (lots of it and various interruptions from an over attentive lady waitress) however I did earn something about CFL Canada's equivalent of gridiron. We then had some drinks and a meal, the afternoon was a delight hatting about just about everything under the sun, with a lot of humour chucked in for good measure. So glad we made the effort to meet up, too good an opportunity to miss. TUESDAY 011024 STETTLER TO BANFF We had breakfast with Rob and Sandy, got the receptionist to take some photos, said our goodbyes , packed our cases and set off back to Banff taking a slightly different route back to the Queen Elizabeth Highway, cross land as directed by the Jeep's satnav, sadly because there were lots of road works (or construction as it is know in Canada). One back on the main highway it was full steam ahead, past Airdrie, Stoney Trail around Calgary, back onto the TCH 1 and into Canmore having first pulled into various tourist spots on route for some Fuji moments. Filled up the car in Canmore as had to return it full of gas. In Banff it was still raining but we stopped in front of the mega Banff Springs hotel, then checked in at the Bow View Lodge hotel, our refuge for the night prior to our well awaited Rocky Mountaineer train ride tomorrow. With time to spare until 4 we called in at the Avis office who said not here, all very confusing for car returns #recommendation You have to drop off in the bottom 2 floors of the local car park, shame Avis did not mention that, oh well, sorted we walked back to the hotel in the rain, it was not very far. After 4 we went and did the Rocky Mountaineer guest formal check in in the local mall, they gave us both a pin badge and sadly a load of irrelevant drivel, but hey the trip was magnificent. So it was early to bed for pick up in the morning. Cases would go straight onto the Coast hotel in Kamloops by coach and we passengers would be ferried to the train. Nice views of the Bow river outside our window. In the eve we ate at splendid Italian Lupo Restaurant in Wolf Street, and it was good. WEDNESDAY 021024 ROCKY MOUNTAINEER DAY 1 - Banff to Kamloops Up early at the Bow View Lodge hotel. Suitcases packed and downstairs in the lobby with quite a few other folk waiting to be transported to the Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) line station at Banff. Now we knew the guy at check in last night had lied when we said we had booked that hotel because it was where the coach picked you up from. He promised if we had to walk around the corner their staff would wheel our suitcases , clearly that didn't happen, not great service from Rocky Mountaineer, but in fairness the luxury of being promoted from Silver leaf service to Gold leaf service for no extra cost was brilliant. We were now in an observation car and our luxury food and drinks was served directly at our seat for us #luxury There was even a light dusting of snow in the Rockies getting down to ground level at times, such a romantic journey, the Christmas tree effect with snow was spectacular. We passed over / alongside 5 rivers. Loved every moment of this trip. See the slideshows of images and the movies taken whilst the train was rolling! Due to numerous reasons, mostly the hold ups due to cargo which has priority on the CP lines our train was running very late, so the chef prepared an evening meal for us (normally taken in Kamloops) and very nice it was to. We arrived at the CP station in Kamloops (not the one the train would leave from tomorrow) and were coached to our Coast hotel, which after a fiasco with room keys meant we got to bed about 10pm, a very satisfying day. On the Rocky Mountaineer train journey from Banff to Kamloops, you'll cross several beautiful rivers1. Here are the five main rivers you'll see: Bow River: This iconic river flows through Banff and offers stunning views as you start your journey. Kicking Horse River: Known for its turquoise waters, this river is a highlight as you travel through the Canadian Rockies. Yoho River: As you pass through Yoho National Park, you'll see the Yoho River winding through the stunning mountain scenery. Columbia River: This river marks the border between British Columbia and Alberta, offering breathtaking views. North Thompson River: As you approach Kamloops, you'll cross the North Thompson River, which flows through Kamloops and is a key feature of the landscape. These rivers contribute to the breathtaking scenery and make the journey an unforgettable experience. THURSDAY 031024 ROCKY MOUNTAINEER DAY 2 - Kamloops to Vancouver Kamloops back to Vancouver Canadian National Railway (CN) station. We had been delivered to the Canadian Pacific (CP) station in Kamloops the night before, quite late, and after the key fiasco we were a little jaded in the morning, I had had bad cramp in the leg probably from sitting all day the day before, however we were LOVING the Rocky Mountaineer, one of the world's true great train journeys. Todays, scenery was spectacular but different from Day 1 in mostly in Alberta and the Rockies, more lakes that rivers today. Oh, and the food and drink was pretty premium as well, so glad we did this! See the slideshows and videos to get a true feel of the day. We also got to see the famous "last spike" We chatted a bit to our new Australian friends from Penrith. Once we had arrived in Vancouver, not the greatest views in that last hour, we caught a taxi to the Carey Centre, checked in , resorted the bags for flight home tomorrow and exhausted , early mornings on the train had been a bit boot camp. During the Rocky Mountaineer's voyage from Kamloops to Vancouver, you will encounter several magnificent lakes. The main ones include: Enderby Lake: Situated near the beginning of your trip, it provides scenic vistas as you travel westward. Shuswap Lake: This is one of British Columbia's largest lakes, renowned for its beautiful landscape and variety of recreational activities. Little Shuswap Lake: Adjacent to Shuswap Lake, it offers charming views during your journey. Nicola Lake: Further along, you will come across Nicola Lake, cradled in the Nicola Valley. Coquihalla Lake: Near the conclusion of your trip, this lake presents a stunning setting as you near Vancouver. These lakes enhance the spectacular scenery, rendering the journey truly memorable.

Cross the iconic Confederation Bridge and explore Prince Edward Island’s beaches, lighthouses, heritage towns and coastal beauty in this 2010 motorhome travel diary. 2010 Prince Edward Island Motorhome Touring Tips PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND (PEI) HOLIDAY in 2010 A Travel Blog Experience DIARY During 2010 we have now been from one side of Canada to the other in a motorhome, British Columbia to Labrador, we loved it, it is a fabulous country and quite an achievement with memories we shall treasure forever. For Prince Edward Island a true Canadian holiday resort or as some would rather unkindly call it “spud island” the following were some of the highlights, Crossing over the magnificent Confederation bridge we went to Summerside holiday village, it has a little lake , the statutory statue, if you will forgive the repetition, of island heroine, Anne, i.e. Anne of green gables house at cavendish in the wonderful PEI national park, we spent a good part of the day here and were fascinated to see how popular this book is with Japanese students, maybe it is a course text book, who knows, loved the capital Charlottetown, many heritage buildings, crossing the 8 miles of the fab confederation bridge arriving at Borden Carleton, meeting up with friends - the lovely Harvey’s, we made 2 visits here , so basically did 32 miles along the bridge and never luckily encountered any high winds, saw live music at the bridge folk club in the evening, fab fiddle and guitar stuff, visited the bottle house , Tignish at the top end, cape Egmont and its lighthouse keeping watch over the gulf of st Lawrence , north cape and park quite remote, Rollo bay, Souris where the cap aux meules island ferry in the gulf of st Lawrence leaves from, north point lighthouse, north Rustico, PEI's Malpeque bay which is almost an inland bay , Lennox island although we drove over to this so hardly an island nowadays as t has its own bridge, bridge construction in this area is a true marvel especially the length of the confederation bridge and its support against snow, ice and incredible winds, west point, jacque cartier provincial park, government house, shopping with pals in victoria, Georgetown, spud radio, lobsters, energy institute, queens wharf, Lucy Maud Montgomery authoress, prince Edward island national park, Charlottetown sand sculptures including a fab one of the bridge which you can see on our Maritime Provinces Talkies videos and cedar cladding on housing. We liked PEI its history and its relaxed atmosphere and our weather whilst here was quite good. Prince Edward Island, Canada, Travel Guide for Motorhomers the confederation bridge in sand spinnakers landing, summerside 1/46 2010 7 Days in Prince Edward Island (PEI) , Canada between 27th June and 25th July, split in 2 visits June i) 27-30 ii) 21-23 July INCLUDES 90 PHOTOS We visited amongst others on PEI a holiday resort or as some people unkindly refer to it "spud" island, Summerside holiday village, Anne of green gables house @ cavendish, Charlottetown, many heritage buildings, crossing the fab confederation bridge arriving at Borden Carleton, meeting up with friends - the lovely Harveys,we made 2 visits here ,saw live music, the bottle house , tiginish, cape egmont and lighthouse, north cape and park, rollo bay, souris, cap aux meules ferry in the gulf of st lawrence, north point lighthouse, north Rustico, PEI's Malpeque bay, Lennox island, west point, Jacque cartier provincial park, government house, victoria, georgetown, spud radio, lobsters, energy institute, queens wharf, lucy maud montgomery, prince edward island national park, Charlottetown sand sculptures and cedar cladding plus saw a lot of other places on the island. We have been from one side of Canada to the other

Step back into 1995 with Keef & Annie’s original travel diaries, photos, and memories from the early years of their long‑running holiday archive. Explore authentic stories, UK breaks, family adventures, and the beginnings of a journey that now spans nearly three decades. A nostalgic, well‑organised look at where the KHWD travel chronicles first began, blending personal insight with timeless travel moments. Our First Trip to Australia as Adults, 1995 Travel Blog Lived here in our Youth, Visited States NSW, Victoria, Queensland and Australian Capital Territory Here is the real 1995 route london heathrow->kuwait city->jakarta->denpasar->sydney->katoomba->goulburn->camberra->melbourne->great ocean road->melbourne-> fly to cairns->atherton tableland-> fly cairns->brisbane->sydney->heathrow-> nottingham 1995 Route Summary (3–25 August) Outbound & Long‑haul Travel Derby London Mum & Dad’s (London) Heathrow Airport Kuwait City, Kuwait Changi Airport, Singapore Denpasar Airport, Bali (stopover) Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport Sydney Base (West Balgowlah Heights) West Balgowlah Heights (30/1 New Street) Spit Bridge Manly Watsons Bay (Doyle’s) The Corso, Manly Blue Mountains Katoomba (Scenic Railway) Balgowlah Clontarf Sandy Bay Castle Rock Waratah Zoo Circular Quay Chinese Gardens (Darling Harbour) Macquarie Street Royal Botanic Gardens Bondi Beach Pittwater Palm Beach Sydney Tower Harborside Shopping Centre Hawkesbury River (day trip north) The Rocks Sydney Harbour Bridge Sydney Opera House Hard Rock Café (Sydney) Sydney Aquarium Fairlight North Head Sydney → Canberra → Melbourne Road Trip 16 August – Depart Sydney Liverpool Campbelltown Mittagong Marulan Goulburn Yass Murrumbateman Canberra (Lake Burley Griffin, Parliament House, Sky Tower) 18 August – Canberra → Melbourne Gundagai Wagga Wagga Albury (Murray River) Glenrowan Beechworth Seymour Melbourne (city centre) Melbourne & Surrounds Flinders Street Station Greek Precinct Lalor (Keef’s old house) Mornington Peninsula Elwood Pine Avenue Phillip Island Nobbies Point San Remo Ventnor Rhyll Cowes Ballarat & Victoria Touring Southern Cross Ballarat (Sovereign Hill) Darlington Ellerslie Hopkins Falls Warrnambool (Logan’s Beach – whales) Great Ocean Road The Grotto Loch Ard Gorge London Bridge Twelve Apostles Melba Gully (glow worms) Anne’s Cascades (Madsen’s Track) Johanna Glenaire Great Otway National Park Marengo Apollo Bay Lorne Moggs Creek Torquay (Surf Coast) Gippsland → Melbourne Airport South Gippsland Giant Earthworm Museum & Zoo Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) Flight to Queensland Cairns Airport Cairns (motel) Green Island (Great Barrier Reef) Motorhome Pickup & First Stops Cairns (motorhome depot) Gordonvale Fishery Falls (campsite) SUMMARY London → Heathrow → Kuwait City → Singapore → Denpasar → Sydney West Balgowlah Heights base with Brian & Anne Manly, Watsons Bay, Blue Mountains, Katoomba Railway Clontarf, Sandy Bay, Castle Rock, Waratah Zoo Chinese Gardens, Botanic Gardens, Bondi Beach, Pittwater, Palm Beach Sydney Tower, Circular Quay, The Rocks, Opera House, Harbour Bridge Hawkesbury River day trip Sydney Aquarium and Harbourside Depart Sydney → Goulburn → Yass → Canberra Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra Sky Tower, Parliament House Canberra → Gundagai → Wagga Wagga → Albury → Glenrowan → Beechworth Arrive Melbourne, Flinders Street, Lalor, Mornington Peninsula Phillip Island: Nobbies, San Remo, Ventnor, Rhyll, Cowes Ballarat and Sovereign Hill Warrnambool and Logan’s Beach whales Great Ocean Road: Grotto, Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge, Twelve Apostles Melba Gully glow worms and Anne’s Cascades Apollo Bay, Lorne, Moggs Creek, Torquay South Gippsland and Giant Earthworm Museum Fly Melbourne → Cairns Green Island, Great Barrier Reef Pick up Maui motorhome → Gordonvale → Fishery Falls 📍 Full Route (Sequential Waypoints), this was created by AI and is more akin to the 2007-8 Australia part of our long haul trip See above for our real 1995 route Sydney, NSW Katoomba – Blue Mountains, NSW Canberra, ACT Melbourne, VIC Torquay, VIC (Start of Great Ocean Road) Lorne, VIC Apollo Bay, VIC Port Campbell, VIC (Twelve Apostles / Loch Ard Gorge) Halls Gap – Grampians National Park, VIC Adelaide, SA Barossa Valley, SA Clare Valley, SA Port Augusta, SA Coober Pedy, SA Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park, NT Kings Canyon, NT Alice Springs, NT Tennant Creek, NT Daly Waters, NT Katherine, NT Kakadu National Park, NT Darwin, NT Cairns, QLD (flight) Great Barrier Reef (Cairns Reef Terminal) Kuranda, QLD Brisbane, QLD (flight) Gold Coast / Surfers Paradise, QLD Sydney, NSW (return flight) Total wonderment covering the highlights of our time in 1995 with our young family in Australia. KHWD has recreated this in 2026 using a lot more modern techniques on old photos to show the art of the possible! 1995 Diary 5 weeks in Australia with the Family Initially staying with family in Sydney but then other parts of New South Wales, Canberra the capital in Australian Capital Territory, Victoria before flying up to Queensland and hiring our mega 6 berth motorhome with antiquated double declutch gears and no power steering, our first experience in a motorhome and yet we continue to this day despite the battle to drive her, tee-hee. By way of a Summary, we spent 5 weeks in Australia and were away between 3/8/1995 - 5/9/1995, have a look at our calendar why don’t you, thanks for looking. Bit of nostalgia for you website browsers, on the old website photos were arranged in batches of 50 via the gallery to make it quicker to load them and easier to navigate through them. In 2020 we updated this so you can now use the slider feature under the 1995 images menu to run across them or click one and then just tab thru, up to you. All You Tube videos from that trip are available via the Playlist buttons above. Enjoy! This is a visual summary of our family trip to Australia in 1995. What lovely memories! We were supposed to have 2 stops on route, Kuwait City & Jakarta but in the end stopped at those and Changi airport, Singapore (where in fairness since 1995 we have been often as our family now live in Singapore, but that’s a different story) plus Denpasar airport , Bali, Indonesia, where we saw a lovely lady doing Batik and Keef filmed her for prosperity, just a fabulous skill and creation, note is also a mecca for Aussie surfers which would have given us and issue on the return journey if we hadn't arrived at Kingsford Smith early as unbeknown to us apparently they always overbook flights, we would worse case scenario have to get the next one and miss our connections, which is not fair plane by the airlines in our humble opinion #badnews. 48 hours travel to save the cost of one child's flight. We would not do that again, far too tiring. Whilst in Oz we visited Sydney, Hunter Valley wine area, travelled the Pacific highway to Hawkesbury River , French's Forest and Annie's old haunts, Hard Rock Café Sydney (defunct for a bit but now reopened at Circular Quay), Used the now defunct Sydney Monorai l, visited Waratah Zoo, Botany Bay, Etamogah pubs so unique, ate at Doyle's Watson Bay (why wouldn't you?), Great Ocean Road , Loch Ard Gorge and the 12 Apostles , this was in the days when you could just park opposite them, no longer, now a huge tourist site, think it was better back then, Canberra, Lake Burley Griffin and Parliament house, Melbourne, Mornington peninsular, Keef's old haunts, Philip Island and Japanese tourist who just did not understand "no flash" please!, Ballarat gold panning at Sovereign Hill, Ned Kelly's at Beechworth, Glenrowan, Hopkins Falls near Warrnambool, Melba Gully Glowworms, Anne's Cascade Falls, South Gippsland's Earthworm experience and zoo, and Queensland especially Cairns, Fishery Falls campsite, Mossman Gorge, Gordonvale, Gillies Range, Crater Lakes National Park, Green Island, the Great Barrier Reef , the fab Kuranda Railway , Tapuki Aboriginal dance troop, Port Douglas, 7 mile beach, stinger stations, Daintree River croc and snake boat trip, Doug spotted a huge crocodile, Hartley's Creek Crocodile Farm (now closed but reopened as Hartley's Crocodile Adventures in 2001 ) , Wangetti, Cathedral Fig Tree , Danbulla , The Bruce Highway (highway 1) and the Atherton Tableland. By 2020 including living there as a child / teenager respectively we have been 5 times and still have rellies / friends living there, love the place! By 2017 we had in essence travelled from Caernarvon high up on the west coast all the way around up to Cooktown high on the east coast plus thru the red centre from Darwin to Adelaide including Alice Springs, plus Broome & Kunannarra both high up in Western Australia, oh and all the way around the island of Tasmania, and travelled on 2 of the great world railway experiences, The Ghan from Darwin to Alice Springs, and the Indian Pacific from Perth to Adelaide across the Nullarbor plain which we have also done in a motorhome in 2013. We would have lived in Sydney as a family way back in the late 80s if my company (Boots UK) had given me the job in the rocks area but in the end, they decided it was cheaper to give the job to an Aussie rather than pay for a whole British family to be shipped out there, shame, but travel & life is still fun. Indeed, my pal Peter and his family did do the job in the Rocks, he so loved it when Boots dragged him back to the UK he resigned and returned to Brisbane , where just outside in warner he and his family now live, we have visited them, snakes in the pool and all, ha-ha. PLAY Anyway, to the Diary detail. Thursday 3rd August 1995 Finish work, travel to London, stay overnight at Mum & Dad’s. We had booked all our flights via the Ilkeston Co-op and planned to snooze either at airports or on the plane, big mistake, we soon learnt that kipping on a plane is not easy with all the distractions around you. Friday 4th August 1995 Linda drives us to Heathrow, leave Mum & Dad’s at 8 a.m. Linda is having our car for the duration of our time away, I put her on the insurance. Got to Heathrow about 9.30 a.m., heavy traffic understandably. Our first flight was at 11.30 a.m. to Kuwait City in Kuwait. We got there about 22.30 p.m. It was amazingly hot. There gave us a voucher for a drink and sandwich in the transfer area. A guy told me it had been 52 degrees centigrade at lunch that day, the 45 at almost midnight was more than enough for all of us and the jet lag was already kicking in. We looked out of the big glass windows at the airport it was just sand everywhere, even the roads looked like sand crop circles if that makes sense. We left Kuwait City at about 23.30 p.m. Saturday 5th August 1995 We were on the Indonesian airline Garuda which at the time had the worst safety record in the world, which did play on your mind a bit, and tried to sleep on the plane, it landed at Changi Airport , Singapore for refuelling, I remember they woke me to ask if I wanted yet more food, I shooed them away and tried to sleep. Unsuccessfully I might add. The Garuda airline then touched down at its headquarters at 14.40 p.m. i.e., Denpasar airport, we were there for almost 5 hours at the airport, which meant we could stretch our legs, see all the wonderful palm trees and lady doing Batik, which Keef filmed. You will see that on the way back (2nd September) we finally got let out into Indonesia , what an interesting place, in Jakarta the capital of the island of Java. We finally left Denpasar at 19.30 p.m. local time and flew on to Sydney overnight using the then Australian Ansett Airlines (they folded in September 2001), well and truly jet lagged by now after our epic journey with far more stops than Ilkeston Co-op had booked us, I even remember trying to sleep on a bench at Denpasar airport, it just didn’t work, the kids however seemed quite happy. Sunday 6th August 1995 We arrived at Sydney Kingsford Smith International airport at 8.45 a.m. early morning Australian time, exhausted from travel but happy to be here. We waited for the sweet shop to open and bought a disgusting Australian chocolate honeycomb bar that was supposed to be the equivalent of a crunchy bar, it wasn’t. Anyhow the logic was to get some coins to ring Brian to say we had arrived and could he come at pick us up. After some lovely greeting he drove us back to their abode at x where we were greeted by Anne, Laura, and Leo, so nice to see them all again. Brian’s company (BT) provided both accommodation and a car for the family, they lived at 30/1 New Street, West Balgowlah Heights, Sydney, Australia, NSW 2093 just overlooking Spit Bridge if you went out the front of their house. As a family we tried staying awake to get into Australian time and went out for a meal with B&A down at the harbour’s edge. I remember seeing our 1st Kookaburra and me having fish curry for my meal which on reflection was not a wise move, and it paid me back for at least a couple of days in ways I don’t wish to write about, ha-ha. Monday 7th August 1995 Lazy day recovering from Jet Lag, spent it at B&A’s. Brian was at work in the city centre, a fab journey to work on the sea cat or ferry across to circular quay from the Spit, what more could you ask for? The boys played basketball with L&L and we all took a little stroll along the road outside to have a look at spit bridge and the harbour, nice. Tuesday 8th August 1995 Brian drove us to pick up our hire car, a white holden, which we will keep for 15-16 days and drop off at Melbourne airport before we fly up to Cairns and pick up our motorhome. The car in Sydney gave us the flexibility to go out exploring as a family independent of B&A but we also did stuff with them as well. In the evening we all went to Doyle’s at Watson Bay, our first encounter of many at this fine fish establishment, we also had a bit of a stroll around Manly and the Corso, so remember all those Norfolk pines. As Brian had the day off, we visited Laura and the Blue Mountains, quite an experience with views to die for, we had a snack in a café in Laura to calm our nerves after an eventful go on the funicular railway, the kids loved it. It was called the Katoomba railway. Wednesday 9th August 1995 Sydney and the surrounding area. We took our car into Balgowlah to get used to it and had another look around, on the 1st day we had used the bus from here to get around and Brian picked us up from the bus stop. In the evening we all went to Clontarf, Sandy Bay and Castle Rocks, great fun and oh so warm’ later met the Jones at Waratah Zoo to feast our eyes on all the wonderful Aussie animals and birds, especially the Koala’s a firm favourite forever. We also saw wombats, kangaroos and dingoes. It is worth noting that we used a combination of both open topped bus and our hire car to get around, car parking not being cheap or accessible often. Thursday 10th August 1995 Sydney and the surrounding area, used the Manly ferry today and kept the ticket as a souvenir, in the day we visited the Chinese Gardens, so tranquil, Keef dressed up in traditional costume for photos, boy it was hot in that garb, plus strolled to the Botanic gardens up Macquarie Street (the ex NSW governor way back when it was a colony) where we saw Ibis and a whole lot more, some fascinating tropical plants that were a feast for the eyes, and then we finally went to Bondi beach in the evening and had the obligatory ice cream along the promenade. We also got views of the fab Pittwater and visited the posh houses at Palm Beach, allegedly at the time Russell Crowe owned something there as well as Home & Away / Neighbours being filmed on the beach there, so glad Kylie took up singing instead ha-ha. Friday 11th August 1995 Sydney and the surrounding area, Manly ferry to Circular quay again, love this area, listening to the trad aboriginal playing didge (indeed the same guy was still there in many future years when we returned) and some street theatre under the high-level railway arches. We even used the monorail to get around, quite and experience and great views. It closed in June 2013. We went up the Sydney sky tower and got some great views and photos of the dense panorama, including out over the harbour, we both love Sydney. We also had a look around the Harbourside shopping mall but bought nothing bar ice-creams, some of the days Ann came out with us when she was feeling up to it, B&A’s kids were at school during the day, following the “slip-slop” mantra. Saturday 12th August 1995 Brian had hired a large people mover and we set off early north through New South Wales towards the Hawkesbury River which in 2017 when we were staying at Beacon Hill in our lovely apartment with pool, we travelled alongside on the train to visit Annie’s cousin Susan at Newcastle. Sadly, Brian picked up the obligatory speeding fine this time for too fast on the motorway out of Sydney i.e., the Pacific highway Sunday 13th August 1995 We went with Brian, Ann, and family into Sydney centre by ferry, saw the Rocks market, harbour bridge, Opera house and went to the then Hard Rock Café with its huge hanging American car, not surprisingly Keef bought the T-shirt. We also went of the Sydney aquarium and later in the week for a look around, when we went into Manly via Fairlight Ann took our boys into the one there near the wharf. We all had a good look around before returning late in the evening tired and happy to bed. Monday 14th August 1995 Sydney and the surrounding area. Redid some of the things we had already done in the city centre but we so love it, including using the Tourist hop on hop off bus to get around the sites, much easier than driving into a very busy Sydney centre, we are getting to know our way around now and well and truly over jet lag. Tuesday 15th August 1995 Sydney and the surrounding area. Went with Ann to the North Heads area. In the evening had a nice family meal as we are off on our travels from tomorrow. Wednesday 16th August 1995 Said our goodbyes, we will see them later in the month, and left Sydney heading out towards Goulburn on the Hume Highway (M31) through Liverpool, Campbelltown, Mittagong and Marulan (we did see these in more detail in 2017) which we didn’t stop at but saw as we drove through, we stopped after Goulburn at Yass for a rest. We travelled onto the Australian Capital Territory to our hotel in Canberra through Murrumbateman, an interesting place. Thursday 17th August 1995 We spent the whole day in Canberra visiting lake Burley Griffin and taking a boat trip out on the lake which gave us extensive views of the surrounds. Keef did quite a bit of videoing on his old fashioned (but at the time top tech) camcorder. We went up the Canberra sky tower and got some amazing views, most of which however was bush. We then visited the Australian parliament and did the tour which we adults found fascinating, less sure about the kids. Canberra in our humble opinion is quite a weird place, people seem to drive in for work and drive out in the evening, we had an evening meal out in what now seemed like a ghost town before returning to the motel and bed, a hugely interesting day, tick. Friday 18th August 1995 Set off quite early in the morning after breakfast to avoid some of the heat whilst travelling, even though the car had air conditioning. Visited Gundagai whose past inhabitant Horatio Wills is credited with inventing Aussie rules and the 1st aboriginal cricket team. Some fame. We then went thru Wagga Wagga, just because we love the name. Stopped at Albury to see the historic department store and the paddle steamer on the Murray, this being the NSW / Victoria border. The mighty Murray runs into Lake Hume nearby. We then went to Glenrowan and Beechworth to see some history on Ned Kelly. We finally arrived at Melbourne and our hotel quite late in the evening having seen Seymour and its station, we have returned there since in 2017. Saturday 19th August 1995 Today we went on a Keef Nostalgia tour after seeing the city centre cathedral. You must be so careful with trams when driving. You must stop alongside when they stop or get fined, a good safety idea. We parked in a central car park undercover and then caught the free trams around the sights of Melbourne. Flinders Street station, Greek area etc. We then took the car to Lalor to find Keef’s old house and then onto the Mornington peninsular, Elwood and Pine Avenue, another Hellinger haunt, and then onto Philip Island and Nobbies point to see the fairy penguins land on shore and hobble up the cliff side, just magical. We visited San Remo, Ventnor, Ryll and Cowes on Philip Island as well, how original eh? We returned to our motel late evening , a fun packed day. Sunday 20th August 1995 Today we went out through Southern Cross to Ballarat and spent the whole wonderful day at Sovereign Hill both seeing a re-enactment of a gold mining village and doing some gold panning ourselves, in the evening there was a show with lights and sounds, a fab day which I think the boys will remember forever. We stayed in a motel at Ballarat overnight. Monday 21st August 1995 We set off early in the morning for Warnambool passing through Darlington and Ellerslie. Stopping on route at Hopkins Falls and having a gave of footie as well as seeing the falls. Sadly it was renamed as Doug did have a fall and badly grazed himself. We called in at Warnambool hospital to have him patched up. He was in a bit of pain but we went to see if we could see any southern right whales nearby at Logan’s beech from the viewing platform, we saw a Mum and cub, wonderful. We stayed overnight in a motel here. Tuesday 22nd August 1995 Today we left Warnambool and started travelling along the absolutely world class Great Ocean Road coming off the Princes Highway where we could travel along the roads edging the Bass Straits and see some of the truly sublime scenery and sandstone rock stacks that edge this coast. We saw amongst others The Grotto, Loch Ard Gorge, where we and the boys descended much of the available staircases to the viewing platforms, great views, London Bridge ,which in fairness over the years we have visited “has fallen down” with a huge chunk eroding away into the sea, however in 1995 it was all in one piece and of course the truly magnificent 12 Apostles. In 1995 it was not so touristy, so we were able to pull the car up right near by and had the whole view to ourselves, truly magnificent. After the 12 apostles we went onto Melba Gully where we chose our guest house. The chap who ran it took us along with torches later in the evening into the rainforest gully nearby to see the glow worms, magical stuff, and something we all remember to this day. Wednesday 23rd August 1995 Packed up early from the guest house and said goodbye to the incredibly kind owner who had taken us down into the Gully last night to see the glow worms. We returned to the Gully and walked up to Anne’s Cascades along Madsen’s track, how appropriately named are those falls. It did feel like we were in a rainforest. It was only about an 8-minute walk, but you seriously thought you were on a different continent, maybe the Brazilian rain forests, not that we have been there. After that we travelled further along the Great Ocean Road through Johanna, Glenaire, the Great Otway National Park (we returned in 2017 to look for koala’s there) and Marengo before stopping at Apollo Bay briefly. Quite a touristy town but with a fab beach. From Otway to Torquay , the eastern end it is called the Surf coast. From Otway back to Warnambool , the western end, it is called the shipwreck coast. We saw Lorne and stopped at Moggs creek to see some of the amazing exclusive residences that were architect designed overlooking the Great Ocean Road and the Surf coast. We then went onto Torquay. In 2008 when we went onto Torquay and were lucky enough to see one of the car rally old vehicles just going under the Eastern wooden arch and Keef managed to snap it. It is also a monument to the soldiers who built the whole of the Great Ocean Road. At Torquay we went down to the beach to watch the surfers doing their thing in the sun. After Torquay we used the Princes Highway to travel on up to Gippsland , going around the outskirts of Melbourne, at South Gippsland we visited the Giant Earthworm Museum and zoo. Fascinating stuff. The boys petted a few kangaroos there as well as learning about Giant earth worms, not sure I would want to come across one of those. After Gippsland we returned to the Melbourne airport area and stayed in a motel there overnight. I think it was Sunbury but my memory is a little hazy on that. Thursday 24th August 1995 Up latish as no great rush this morning, had breakfast and packed the car up and headed off to the car rental company on the outskirts of Melbourne airport at Tullamarine. We handed back the car and then they transported us to the internal flights’ terminal. We flew Quantas internal which back in 1995 took 4 hours 40 minutes, nowadays (2022) the journey is only 3 hours 30 minutes on average. In Cairns we took a taxi to our motel which was fairly near the airport and had a bit of a look around the area we were in. We also used the long days to take a boat trip out to Green Island off the Great Barrier Reef, had BBQ supper on board, Doug & Keef saw a stingray and hared out of the water quick at it's sight, as a family we all did the submarine , glass bottom board excursion and saw masses of fish including the Trevally, a huge edible fish common in these waters. Friday 25th August 1995 Awoke in Cairns, Queensland on the Coral Coast, just so tropical and humid. A delight for the senses. We really liked Cairns and have returned since. Rumour has it that when my Dad was out in Australia as a single guy in the early 50s he was offered a strip of land on the coast in Queensland which he could easily have afforded but he turned it down not knowing where his future lay, what a shame that sort of real estate would be worth a fortune now, and what a fab coast line it is. Anyhow we got a taxi to the motorhome company in Cairns where we picked up our Country Club Maui 6 berth motorhome, the 1st we had ever hired. We drove out of Cairns learning to master this beast in terms of driving and looking forward to seeing all the sugar cane fields and coast had to offer, well excited. We stayed in our first campsite not far down the coast visiting Gordonvale on route and staying at fishery falls, a fabulous campsite with lovely tropical flowers that we have returned to on future trips. full calendar 1995 august full calendar 1995 september august 1995 calendar full calendar 1995 august 1/4 Our Route 1995 & Pix yass drive in bottle-o wooden bridge at gundagai 1/132 Saturday 26th August 1995 Today we had a look around the Fishery falls area and then drove onto Innisfail. After that we used highway 25 through the amazing Wooroonooran National Park to Millaa Millaa and then on through the Crater lakes National Park to camp at Dunbulla. Sunday 27th August 1995 Up early before it got too hot, we went to see the amazing Cathedral Fig tree nearby, it was truly amazing we used the board walk to get there and took lots of pictures. After this we visited Yungaburra which is about where the Atherton Tablelands start on the Gillies Range Road, the terrain was definitely getting steeper to the point where I had a queue a mile long behind the motorhome and in double-declutched lowest gear I really thought we weren’t going to get up the incline but with patience and time we did thank goodness, the Aussie behind were tooting supportively NOT! Ha-ha. We stopped at Atherton for a good look around the town with interesting trees , monuments, and shops. Bought some provisions and stayed at the campsite there. The campsite was quite modern and we had wallabies watching us which was fun. Monday 28th August 1995 Left the delightful site at Atherton and used the Bruce Highway, the Australian National Highway 1, to travel through Mareeba, with its lovely Jacaranda trees (and pods which we collected). We passed through Mount Molloy and the Mount Lewis National Park onto Mossman Gorge. We camped here but not before exploring the river , gorge, and rain forest. We went for a bit of a walk across the gorge swing bridge , seeing Boyd Tree frogs and a whole lot more wildlife and fauna, a magical place. The town of Mossman was quite sad with aboriginals drunk already outside the local taverns quite early in the day, in later years when we have returned to Mossman they had moved the whole aboriginal community into buildings on the outskirts of town, still drunk sadly, not sure they have integrated as a culture very well into modern western life, indeed for the most part I can safely say they haven’t , its just so sad across Australia and is still a very big issue to sort. The campsite at Mossman we liked a lot, especially the green tree frogs in the flap on the electric hook up posts. Oh and the magnificent tree palms everywhere. Tuesday 29th August 1995 Left the campsite at Mossman early and travelled up to Daintree Village where we did the Daintree River cruise , the river is a UNESCO world heritage site as it is a Wet Tropics example. Doug spotted a huge crocodile and we saw quite a few on the banks. The boat captain told us, we were the only ones in the boat, that sometimes the crocs pull cattle from the banks if they stray too close. Doug also spotted a tree snake sitting up high, what amazing eyesight he has. We then went onto Port Douglas and had a rally good look around, such a nice place, so nice we have returned later when the ferry across the Daintree to Cape tribulation was open. Whilst here went to the Flagstaff hill lighthouse and 7-mile beach where we saw the stations to help eradicate the pain of being stung by one of the stinger jellyfish that frequent that coastline. We had quite a nice walk on 7-mile beach, not the whole 7, however. We stayed at a campsite just outside Port Douglas. Wednesday 30th August 1995 We left our campsite at Port Douglas and used the Captain Cook Highway through the Thala beach nature reserve and the very interesting Macalister Range National Park down to Wangetti on the coast. We turned off there up to Harley’s creek where we spent much of the day at the Hartley’s creek crocodile farm, watching amongst others Bruce and his black snake devouring a live mouse (yuk!), numerous crocodile feeding shows, “he’s behind you”, and learning about exactly how many pounds pressure a crocs jaw can impose, not with this and their roll if you ever get caught by one I don’t envy your chances. Beside crocs and there were lots of them, there were other traditional Aussie animals, notably the very dangerous Cassowary. I remember going through the town of Cassowary on our way from Atherton to Port Douglas. We stayed almost until the park closed and then drove again on the Captain Cook highway along past numerous beaches to Yorkey’s Knob campsite, right on the beach and we got an end slot with fabulous views and were able to watch the sun go down. Thursday 31st August 1995 We left the wonderfully named Yorkey’s knob campsite and drove the short distance to the Freshwater railway station where we parked up the van and bought our tickets for the Kuranda Railway, an almost 2-hour journey with the lovely Simone as our guide and waitress up to the rainforest town of Kuranda. It stops for 10 minutes both ways at Barron falls , a majestic fast flowing and extremely high falls, vaguely reminds me of the Bridal Veil falls in New South Wales Blue Mountains. We had a few hours to both look at the historic station, tropical plants everywhere, stroll around town and see an aboriginal dance show (bit touristy) but with dreamtime stories presented by the troop known as Tapuki. We collected some of their marketing memorabilia which for many a year we displayed on the boy’s playroom wall. They were impressive especially the didge playing which I still haven’t mastered despite owning one. It was a wonderful day, we found a campsite in North Cairns to stay at overnight. Friday 1st September 1995 On the way back to the motorhome hire company near Cairns airport we briefly called in at the AJ Hackett sky park bungee jumping place to see and hear the mad fools jumping, you wouldn’t get me doing that. So, we then cleaned up the van packed our stuff away in our cases and checked the van back in leaving any leftover provisions at the office for other campers, this is a great gratuity we have taken advantage of over the years, it gets you started. We then got the free shuttle to the airport and flew back to Sydney via Brisbane, seeing the Brisbane River out of the window whilst we touched down to let travellers off briefly. The whole flight into Sydney only took 2 hours 50 minutes. We then got a taxi from Sydney airport back to Brian and Ann’s in Balgowlah. Lovely to see them all again. Saturday 2nd September 1995 We were all up early to say our fond farewells and thank them for all their kind hospitality but then it was off to Sydney airport. We got a taxi at 6.30 a.m. and arrived at the airport at 7 a.m. We left on time and flew to Jakarta, Java, Indonesia arriving at 14.10, K p.m. where we had a few hours checked out in the town. We caught a taxi for our excursion and sightseeing, after Keef had crossed off 3 trailing zeroes from the guys Rupiah quote (would have been a years salary for him, tee-hee) we saw a lot, I remember how busy it was, folk having to do press ups by the road side enforced by the police because they had been jay walking, people hanging off the back of very over crowded buses, buying our wooden fruit bowl in a department store, watching people doing wood carving in back streets with the blades shaving towards their bare feet, frightening but it is and was the way. All in all a very interesting visit. We then had to get back on the plane. Sunday 3rd September 1995 At 00.10 a.m. we finally flew out of Jakarta onto Kuwait City which we arrived at 8.15 in the morning local time. This was both a refueling and leg stretching stop, we were in the transfer lounge for about 3 hours finally flying on to the UK departing from Kuwait City at midday local time. We arrived back at Heathrow at 16.30 p.m. After getting through customs and border control we got a taxi back to Mum & Dads, had a brief catch up and all crashed out exhausted after all the time travel. Monday 4th September 1995 Caught up a little more with Mum & Dad, told them how we had visited all our old Australian homes in the Victoria area, thanked them for putting us up, said our fond farewells and having retrieved our car from Linda who popped round drove back home to Nottingham. We were still all jet lagged so went to bed. Tuesday 5th September 1995 Back to normal life, Keef to work but the boys had an extra day off to further recover, a great family holiday. Our Hired Motorhome Gold panning In Ballerat To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Practical tips for motorhoming across Europe and Scandinavia in 2016—routes, costs, campsites, planning advice and insights from months on the road. 2016 Travel Blog & Guide - Scandinavia 🗺️ SCANDINAVIA 2016 — MASTER ROUTE LIST Chronological - All locations extracted directly from Blog 100 motorhome travels 🇬🇧 UK → 🇳🇱 Netherlands 8 May – 11 May Harwich → Dovercourt (Green Acres) Harwich → Stena Britannica ferry → Hook of Holland (Europort) Zandvoort (De Branding campsite) – 2 nights Amsterdam (day trip) 11–13 May Zandvoort → Koudum (Vakantiepark De Kuilart) – 2 nights Koudum → Weidum (Wiedumerhout campsite) – 2 nights 🇳🇱 Netherlands → 🇩🇪 Germany 15–16 May Weidum → Wingst (Knaus Campingpark) Wingst → Wischhafen → Elbe ferry → Glückstadt Rendsburg → Sehestedt ferry → Schlei-Karschau (pitch 7) 🇩🇪 Germany → 🇩🇰 Denmark 17–19 May Schlei-Karschau → Flensburg → Mommark Marina Camping (pitch 63) – 2 nights Sonderby → Rømø → Havneby → Ribe → Esbjerg (2 nights) 21–23 May Esbjerg → Billund → Silkeborg → Viborg → Farsø Farsø → Limfjorden → Aalborg → Hirtshals → Skagen (pitch 76) 23–26 May Skagen → Randers → Aarhus → Jelling → Middelfart Middelfart → Odense → Svendborg → Tåsinge → Langeland (Emmerbølle Strand) – 2 nights Langeland → Sio → Tåsinge → Nyborg → Storebælt Bridge → Roskilde → Holbæk (2 nights) 28 May Holbæk → Helsingør → Kronborg → Fredensborg → Frederiksborg → Holbæk 🇩🇰 Denmark → 🇸🇪 Sweden 28–29 May Holbæk → Øresund Bridge → Malmö → Lund → Kristianstad → Åhus (campsite) 29–31 May Åhus → Karlshamn → Karlskrona → Kalmar → Öland Island Beijershamn Ottenby / Långe Jan lighthouse Mörbylånga (campsite) 30–31 May Mörbylånga → Borgholm → Solliden → Pataholm → Mönsterås (pitch 8) 31 May – 1 June Mönsterås → Oskarshamn → Västervik → Sandvik → Källvik → Valdemarsvik (fjord campsite) 1–2 June Valdemarsvik → Göta Canal (Norrköping) → Oxelösund (campsite) 🇸🇪 Sweden — Stockholm Region 2–5 June Oxelösund → Stockholm (Bredäng campsite) – 3 nights Gamla Stan Vasa Museum Harbour cruise ABBA Museum (outside) Hard Rock Café City sightseeing bus 5 June Stockholm → Kapellskär (campsite) 🇸🇪 Sweden → 🇫🇮 Finland (via Åland Islands) 6 June Kapellskär → Finnfellow ferry → Långnäs (Åland) → Naantali (Finland) Naantali campsite (sea views) 7–8 June Naantali → Hanko → Helsinki (Rastila campsite) – 2 nights Helsinki HOHO bus Market Square Cathedral Olympic Stadium Harbour Hard Rock Café 9–10 June Helsinki → Porvoo → Vaalimaa (Russian border) → Hamina (campsite) 10–11 June Hamina → Turku → Naantali (pitch 51) 11 June Naantali → Finneagle ferry → Kapellskär (pitch 16) 🇸🇪 Sweden — Northbound 12–14 June Kapellskär → Uppsala → Dragon Gate → Gävle → Rättvik → Mora → Orsa → Älvdalen (2 nights) 14 June Älvdalen → Nusnäs (Dala Horse factory) → Särna → Idre → Cross into Norway 🇳🇴 Norway — Fjords & Mountains 14–15 June Idre → Engerdal National Park → Hedmark (campsite) 15–16 June Hedmark → Hanestad → Tynset → Tolga → Os → Røros (UNESCO) 16–17 June Røros → Støren → Hell → Trondheim → Vikhammer → Flakk (campsite) 17–18 June Flakk → Halsa ferry → Kanestraum → Surnadal → Kristiansund (Byskogen campsite) 18–19 June Kristiansund → Molde → Vestnes → Stranda → Loen/Stryn (Lo-Vik campsite) 19–20 June Loen → Jostedalsbreen NP → Fjærland Glacier Centre → Sogndal (Kjørnes campsite) 20–21 June Sogndal → Mannheller ferry → Fodnes → Lærdal Tunnel → Aurlandsfjord → Nesbo Tunnel → Hovet (Hol) 21–22 June Hovet → Gol → Dokka → Lillehammer → Øyer → Hunderfossen (campsite) 22–24 June Hunderfossen → Oslo (Ekeberg campsite) – 2 nights Frogner Park Fram Museum Viking Ship Museum Royal Palace Harbour Karl Johans Gate 🇳🇴 Norway → 🇸🇪 Sweden → 🇩🇰 Denmark 24–25 June Oslo → Ski → Momarken → Ørje → Töcksfors → Årjäng (Midsummer festival) 25–26 June Årjäng → Trollhättan → Göta Canal → Stenungsund → Orust Island → Ellös (campsite) 26–27 June Ellös → Gothenburg → Varberg (campsite) 27–30 June Varberg → Helsingborg → Malmö → Copenhagen → Køge (Stevns campsite) – 3 nights Køge Rødvig Stege 🇩🇰 Denmark → 🇩🇪 Germany → 🇳🇱 Netherlands → 🇬🇧 UK 30 June – 1 July Køge → Farø Bridge → Guldborgsund → Lolland → Sakskøbing Rødby → Schleswig-Holstein ferry → Puttgarden Puttgarden → Plön (Plönsee campsite) 2–3 July Plön → Hamburg → Garlstorf (campsite) Garlstorf → Hemslingen → Bremen (campsite) 4–5 July Bremen → Osnabrück → Tubbergen (Netherlands) Tubbergen → Bilthoven → Utrecht (day trip) 6–7 July Bilthoven → Gouda → Delft → Delftse Hout campsite Delft → Hoek van Holland → Harwich (delayed ferry) Home (3 a.m., freezer disaster!) 16 Route Visuals SUMMARY United Kingdom – Essex – Harwich Netherlands – South Holland – Hook of Holland Netherlands – South Holland – Rotterdam Netherlands – North Holland – Zandvoort Netherlands – North Holland – Amsterdam Netherlands – Friesland – Koudum Netherlands – Friesland – Weidum Germany – Lower Saxony – Wingst Germany – Lower Saxony – Wischhafen Germany – Schleswig-Holstein – Glückstadt Germany – Schleswig-Holstein – Rendsburg Germany – Schleswig-Holstein – Schlei-Karschau Denmark – South Jutland – Flensburg Denmark – South Jutland – Mommark Denmark – South Jutland – Sønderby Denmark – South Jutland – Rømø Denmark – South Jutland – Ribe Denmark – South Jutland – Esbjerg Denmark – Central Jutland – Billund Denmark – Central Jutland – Silkeborg Denmark – Central Jutland – Viborg Denmark – North Jutland – Farsø Denmark – North Jutland – Limfjorden Denmark – North Jutland – Aalborg Denmark – North Jutland – Skagen Denmark – South Jutland – Jelling Denmark – Funen – Middelfart Denmark – Funen – Odense Denmark – Funen – Svendborg Denmark – Funen – Tåsinge Denmark – Funen – Langeland Denmark – Funen – Nyborg Denmark – Zealand – Roskilde Denmark – Zealand – Holbæk Denmark – Zealand – Helsingør Denmark – Zealand – Fredensborg Denmark – Zealand – Hillerød Sweden – Skåne – Malmö Sweden – Skåne – Lund Sweden – Skåne – Kristianstad Sweden – Skåne – Åhus Sweden – Blekinge – Karlshamn Sweden – Blekinge – Karlskrona Sweden – Småland – Kalmar Sweden – Öland – Beijershamn Sweden – Öland – Mörbylånga Sweden – Öland – Ottenby Lighthouse Sweden – Öland – Borgholm Sweden – Öland – Solliden Sweden – Småland – Pataholm Sweden – Småland – Mönsterås Sweden – Småland – Oskarshamn Sweden – Småland – Västervik Sweden – Östergötland – Valdemarsvik Sweden – Östergötland – Norrköping Sweden – Södermanland – Oxelösund Sweden – Stockholm County – Stockholm Sweden – Stockholm County – Kapellskär Åland Islands – Åland – Långnäs Finland – Southwest Finland – Naantali Finland – Uusimaa – Hanko Finland – Uusimaa – Helsinki Finland – Uusimaa – Porvoo Finland – Kymenlaakso – Hamina Finland – Southwest Finland – Turku Finland – Southwest Finland – Naantali (return) Sweden – Stockholm County – Kapellskär (return) Sweden – Uppsala County – Uppsala Sweden – Gävleborg – Gävle Sweden – Dalarna – Rättvik Sweden – Dalarna – Mora Sweden – Dalarna – Orsa Sweden – Dalarna – Älvdalen Sweden – Dalarna – Nusnäs Sweden – Dalarna – Särna Sweden – Dalarna – Idre Norway – Innlandet – Engerdal Norway – Innlandet – Hedmark region Norway – Trøndelag – Røros Norway – Trøndelag – Trondheim Norway – Møre og Romsdal – Kristiansund Norway – Møre og Romsdal – Molde Norway – Vestland – Stryn Norway – Vestland – Sogndal Norway – Viken – Hovet Norway – Innlandet – Lillehammer Norway – Oslo – Oslo Sweden – Värmland – Årjäng Sweden – Västra Götaland – Trollhättan Sweden – Västra Götaland – Göta Canal region Sweden – Västra Götaland – Orust Island Sweden – Västra Götaland – Ellös Sweden – Västra Götaland – Gothenburg Sweden – Halland – Varberg Denmark – Zealand – Copenhagen Denmark – Zealand – Køge Denmark – Zealand – Farø Bridge Denmark – Lolland – Rødby Germany – Schleswig-Holstein – Puttgarden Germany – Schleswig-Holstein – Plön Germany – Hamburg – Hamburg Germany – Lower Saxony – Garlstorf Germany – Bremen – Bremen Germany – Lower Saxony – Osnabrück Netherlands – Overijssel – Tubbergen Netherlands – Utrecht – Bilthoven Netherlands – Utrecht – Utrecht Netherlands – South Holland – Gouda Netherlands – South Holland – Delft United Kingdom – Essex – Harwich (return) Practical tips for motorhoming across Europe and Scandinavia in 2016—routes, costs, campsites, planning advice and insights from months on the road. 🗺️ Planning a European or Scandinavian motorhome trip? Our 2016 guide brings together real on‑the‑road experience: routes, costs, campsites, border tips, fuel insights and the little things that make long‑distance touring smoother. From Norway’s dramatic landscapes to Europe’s easy‑rolling highways, this guide captures what we learned over months on the move so you can plan with confidence. Camping with a view, Norway The write up is coming......

“Discover the Cook Islands through decades of travel memories — turquoise lagoons, island life, and unforgettable adventures from our long‑running travel archive.” COOK ISLANDS - We stayed on RAROTONGA Raina Beach House, 10-17 April 2017 INTRODUCTION & DIARY We stayed at the Raina Beach house in Titikaveka, right on the beach front and close to the fruits of the sea lagoon, the best places for snorkeling in the Cook Isles. It wasn't so easy to find in the dark. We had a hire car so explored as well as chilled. Loved the lush interior on the inner road, Wigmore's waterfall, the botanic gardens and lemon cheesecake, Muri burgers, Rarotonga brewery lager and the capital Avarua on the outer road. Nice chill time here on the island at our Raina beach house close to the waters edge. Loved snorkeling, sun bathing, reading , kayaking (well some of us), exploring the island both inner and outer roads, Rarotonga brewery, Little Polynesian restaurant, Botanic gardens, Lemon cheesecake, Muri burgers, University, Museum, Outriggers, Church services, Tropical flowers and customs. April 17 Diary Cook Island's Brewery, guess who visited? "Paradise Home by the Sea" Little Polynesian Restaurant, Titikaveka Jack fruit from the wonderful cafe in the Botanic gardens, which was not far from our cottage Avarua market, great smoothies here 2017 Cook Islands with Pals Click to enlarge and scroll thru slideshows gallery images created by KeefH Web Designs for this Travel Photography site with care and love 1/20 Cottage views of our personal reef

A 2025 campervan guide to Scotland, Shetland and Orkney with routes, ferries, campsites, scenic highlights and practical tips for an unforgettable northern adventure. 2025 Travel Guide - Shetlands & The Orkneys 🗺️ TRAVEL ROUTE — SCOTLAND, MULL, ORKNEY & SHETLAND (2025) Motorhome Trip No. 60 — 13 Aug to 11 Sept 2025 Total: 1,921 miles • 8 ferries • 9 islands visited 1. NOTTINGHAM → TROUTBECK HEAD (13 Aug) Depart home after two weeks of prep A66 via Greystoke Overnight at Troutbeck Head CAMC, Cumbria 2. TROUTBECK → OBAN (14 Aug) Long scenic drive via Loch Lomond Lunch at Tarbet Hotel (Haggis pakora debut) Overnight at Highfields Holidays, Tralee Bay (Kiel Crofts) 3. OBAN → ISLE OF MULL (15 Aug) Ferry Oban → Craignure Drive to Ardtun to stay with Chris & Allyson Explore garden, polytunnel, new pond “Loch Langthorne” 4. MULL — Ardtun, Uisken, Lochbuie (16–18 Aug) Uisken Beach walk & craft chat Pub overlooking Iona Lochbuie walk to castle + Old Post Office café Relaxation day with friends Weather: stunning all four days 5. MULL → OBAN → INVERNESS-SHIRE → DUNNET BAY (19–20 Aug) Ferry Craignure → Oban Argyll coastal route north Lunch stop in Helmsdale Overnight at Culloden Moor CAMC Next day to Dunnet Bay CAMC + beach walk 6. SCRABSTER → ORKNEY (21 Aug) Ferry Scrabster → Stromness (NorthLink Hamnavoe) Pass close to Old Man of Hoy Overnight at Point of Ness Campsite, Stromness Explore narrow Stromness streets 7. ORKNEY — Skara Brae, Brodgar, Stenness (22 Aug) Visit Skara Brae, Skaill House, Ring of Brodgar, Standing Stones of Stenness Move to Kirkwall Ness Campsite (Pitch 16) 8. ORKNEY SOUTH ISLANDS — Italian Chapel, Burray, South Ronaldsay, Mull Head (23–25 Aug) Highland Park Distillery Italian Chapel (Lamb Holm) Burray fête St Margaret’s Hope Burwick viewpoint Walk at Mull Head & The Grotto Woolshed visit Cruise ship watching from campsite 9. ORKNEY EAST & NORTH — Birsay, Broch of Gurness, Orkney Brewery, Kirkwall (26–28 Aug) Birsay & Earl Patrick’s Palace Broch of Gurness + seal watching Orkney Brewery (Quoyloo) Kirkwall: Cathedral, museum, craft fair, Orkney Saga Centre Evening ferry from Hatston Quay → Shetland 10. SHETLAND ARRIVAL — Lerwick → Sumburgh → Scalloway (29 Aug) Arrive 7am on Hjaltland Sumburgh Head (deserted, dramatic) Jarlshof (rain stopped visit) Check-in at Scalloway/Tingwall Community Campsite (Pitch 2) 11. SHETLAND WEST — Bixter, Sandness, Walls, Stanydale (30–31 Aug) Original Cake Fridge (Bixter) Sandness (far west) Walls harbour (Foula ferry point) Stanydale Neolithic Temple Return to Scalloway 12. SOUTH SHETLAND & BRESSAY (1–2 Sept) Gulberswick Bay Ferry Lerwick → Bressay (7 mins) Explore Bressay: Laird’s House, Mail Shop, Noss viewpoints Return to Lerwick Overnight at Levenwick Community Campsite (Pitch 4) Visit Sandwick, Hoswick, Mousa ferry pier Jarlshof (full visit this time) 13. NORTHERN ISLES — Yell & Unst (3–4 Sept) Explore Lerwick: Bod of Gremista, Commercial Street, Peerie Café Ferry Toft → Yell (Ulsta) Overnight at Burravoe Community Campsite Drive east coast of Yell → Mid Yell → Gutcher Ferry Gutcher → Unst (Belmont) Haroldswick: Viking longhouse & longship Burrafirth & Papa Little views Return via Brae (fish & chips) Back to Scalloway Campsite 14. CHILL DAYS IN SCALLOWAY (5–7 Sept) Museum (Shetland Bus) Scalloway Castle (Earl Patrick’s grim legacy) Town walk Extreme winds (40–60 mph) Final nights on Shetland 15. SHETLAND → ABERDEEN → STONEHAVEN → FORFAR (8–9 Sept) Ferry Lerwick → Aberdeen (Hrossey) — very rough crossing Stonehaven: art deco pool, Waterfront Café Dunnottar Castle (too steep to complete) Forfar CAMC + Forfar Loch 16. FORFAR → NORTHUMBERLAND → HOME (10–11 Sept) Warkworth: lunch + castle Through Northumberland National Park Final CL stop near River Beamish Return home to Nottingham SUMMARY Nottingham Troutbeck Head (Cumbria) Oban Craignure, Isle of Mull Ardtun / Uisken / Lochbuie (Mull) General Wade’s Military Road (Loch Ness views) Culloden Moor (Inverness‑shire) Dunnet Bay Scrabster Ferry Terminal Stromness, Orkney Kirkwall, Orkney Hatston → Lerwick (Shetland Ferry) Scalloway, Shetland Levenwick / Sumburgh (South Shetland) Yell & Unst (Northern Isles) Aberdeen → Stonehaven → Forfar → Warkworth → Home A 2025 campervan guide to Scotland, Shetland and Orkney with routes, ferries, campsites, scenic highlights and practical tips for an unforgettable northern adventure. Set off on our 2025 campervan escapade through Scotland, Shetland and Orkney, where the roads are narrow, the sheep are fearless, and the ferries test your faith in both timetables and gravity. From windswept cliffs to campsites that may or may not be level, this guide captures every laugh, mishap and jaw‑dropping view. Perfect inspiration for anyone dreaming of a northern adventure with a side of chaos. The most northerly house in the UK on Unst, Shetland The write up is coming......