Until next time...

Our adventure over the past year and a bit has been one that has opened our eyes to a sample of the many different cultures and experiences the world has to offer. 

We have taught, trekked, snow boarded, talked in many languages (and failing this, played charades), trialed all modes of transport, ran with bulls, spent nights in hospitals, felt snow on Christmas Day, cried tears for loss of life, kissed the lucky stone, rejoiced at receiving sparkling jewellery, lazed on countless beaches, drank steins until our hearts were content, shared the sadness of not being home, surfed beside a desert, danced in the highlands, excitedly embraced family, laughed until our insides hurt.... 

Even though we have now returned home, the memories we now have will far outweigh the possessions we collected. We look forward to adding to these memories in the coming years to further enjoy, understand and experience what people and countries have to offer.... including Australia.

Thankyou for being part of our journey!

Vitamins in Vietnam

Our very last stop. Boy, does time fly... and what a way to go out in style. A 2 week pit stop in South East Asia led us to Vietnam, a country with rich history, hilarious people and delicious food!

Hanoi

We started in Hanoi, northern Vietnam with the intention to do the typical ‘north to south’ adventure many travellers embark on. To say that the streets are hectic is an understatement, with so many scooters, motorbikes, bikes and the occasional car zipping in and out of the tiny winding streets.

Highlight: eating BBQed frog on a skewer at a dingy corner eatery on our first night.

Sapa

After a bumpy but pleasant overnight train, we arrived in semi touristy Sapa, not far from the Chinese border – ready for a few days of ‘hard’ hiking. Ready in our waterproof jackets, boots and with hydration packs, we were ready to meet our guide – expecting a muscular, fit, worldy operator. Instead, we were greeted by Khu, an 18 year old local who was 4 months pregnant! Great times though and would highly recommend her to anyone... As the heavens had opened in the days prior to our walk, the terrain was muddy and slippery, but beautiful nonetheless. We passed endless rice fields, secluded river banks and learnt a thing or two about being self sustainable. We were also fortunate enough to sleep in homestays for 2 nights, both very unique. One night joined by a dozen or so other travellers, sharing experiences and a cuisine to die for, and the other flying solo, eating dinner with the family (who spoke no English) and being poured rice wine after rice wine by the father. Did we mention he had been to a wedding that day and was slightly intoxicated – he may have even pulled out an old school music DVD and delivered on the dance moves!!

Highlight: The amazing scenery and of course, the crazy homestay Dad!

Halong Bay

After returning on the overnight train to Hanoi at 4.00am, we set off again at 8.00am to Halong Bay for a night on a junk boat. The 150km bus rise took just short of 4 hours (hmm, explains the roads...) but we made it on to the boat just in time for lunch. I wish we could paint a picture of seclusion, but we were one of at least 50 wooden boats on the same route as us... Despite this, the whole bay was pretty cool. There are over 1900 islands in this UNESCO World Heritage site, beautiful but hopefully preserved in the future. After an afternoon on the boat and a visit to a cave, we were treated to dinner and a few drinks while chatting to fellow travellers – such a great opportunity to share stories! The following day was a tad rushed, with a morning on the boat and again the mammoth mini bus ride back. Quick but fun.

Highlight: Sitting outside on the boat admiring the different shapes and sizes of the countless islands.

Hoi an

Now, I am not going to beat around the bush – the sleeper bus from Hanoi to Hoian was pretty bad. An experience to say the least. Cramped, bumpy, sleepless, broke down for 2 hours at 6.00am, you get the drift. But after almost 24 hours we made it to Hoi an, and it was well worth it.

So, after a crazy start to Vietnam, we were looking forward to staying in the one place for 3 nights. Hoi an, although again relatively touristy, is well known for its tailors and restaurants. And yes we ate extremely well, and got a jacket each made (and a dress for Bee), even though we were already just over our 60kg luggage limit... who said we couldn’t layer up on the plane! Note: Kimmy – bad; Thong Phi – great! So eating and getting fitted took a large percentage of our time, but we were happy just wandering and exploring. Oh, experimental cooking class, relaxing massage, amazing bike ride... lots of rain, topped off a great few days in Central Vietnam.

Highlight: the cooking class was pretty cool – flipping rice pancakes, rolling spring rolls, simmering fish claypots... hungry anyone?

Ho Chi Minh

Heading further south to our final destination in HCM or Saigon, we learnt after the last sleeper bus experience and booked a last minute flight – much more convenient! 2 major thoughts when we got there: we are so close to home now, and, this city is pretty overdeveloped compared to those in the north. Nonetheless, we had an afternoon of wandering around the crazy city: the intense Binh Tanh market (‘Buy from me’), wandering the streets, induldging in dumplings and finally, the War Remnants Museum. This museum was brilliant, and painted a really interesting and engaging picture of the Vietnam War. A touching afternoon. The next day we embarked on a boat trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Again, very insightful and interesting – whereby we were told about the structure of the tunnels, shown ‘fake’ entrances and also traps and weapons and also had the opportunity to squeeze our way through a section of tunnels (which had already been widen for Western bodies!). It is just fascinating that something so complex could be built and maintained, and used so effectively by the Vietnamese. After the long bus ride back, we grabbed our gear and taxied out to the airport KL bound. One more sleep at the Tune Hotel, then back on home soil...

Rockin’ in Moroc

Our first steps into Africa were in the streets of Casablanca where we had a few days to kill before our tour started that would take us in and around the most popular destinations of Morocco. Searing heat, glaring eyes and interesting smells were the first greetings for the lucky couple. After seeing so much of mainland Europe we were after a vastly different cultural experience and it looked like Morocco would produce. After the usual tour group introductions including our older and seemingly subdued tour leader Ahmed, we hit the road for our week long road trip.

Mosques, palaces, dance parties (Moroccan style), tasty tagines and spices were the main cultural experiences of the first few days with Bee being paraded like a queen on a human carried chair at one stage (not to mention King Gerard was lucky enough to be selected to have one Queen Bee but also a Queen Argentinean... at the same time!). The Medina in Fez was an initial highlight – a web of streets and walkways with displays and demonstrations on everything Moroccan, from leather production to carpet and clothing colouring and weaving. It was amazing. Another pleasant surprise was the dry humour and knowledge of tour leader Ahmed. Gerard turned into his whipping boy and demonstration king who at one point was taken advantage of and inadverantly tasted soup when it should have been honey! A great man who we struck up a great friendship with.

After passing through the Low Atlas Mountains, we took in Erfoud where our love for fossilised plates was struck up (we spent the next week looking and negotiating for the right price...). An amazing sunset on the highest dunes in Morocco after an average Jeep ride but great camel ride for Bee was a true highlight of the trip. To see these massive dunes get closer and closer with a full stomach of spicy Moroccan soup bouncing around in your stomach is a welcome sight! The oasis that followed us after we arrived in the Atlas Mountains was also quite a sight in a deserted and barren land. To see a little bit of green in the form of date palms was an amazing sight that we didn’t get sick of... Todra Gorge and the Kasbahs were also high up on the list of places and things visited in addition to the drive to our final destination of Marrakesh which took in some sights that remind you of life on Mars and a mountain pass over 2100m high.... Although I’ve never been to Mars. Maybe.

And so, our tour came to an end in the buzzing activity of Marrakesh. Crowded, bustling, cheap food and plenty of tourists. Not exactly our experience of Morocco so far...

After the hustle of Marrakesh it was time for some relax and what better way to knock relax over than a week in a Moroccan fishing village – Taghazout just north of Agadir. Apartment and a chauffeur driven car booked (in the form of Ahmed) it was time to hit the waves. Only issue was we didn’t have any money, the apartment was being barricaded by the ‘minder’ who was refusing to leave and there was no ATM in the village... Cue Chris - the hard working Irishman (about 70 by the way) who happened to own and run the apartments. In between talks about Ireland, reminders of who we were, Paradise (truly by name and nature) and hash we had somehow killed three hours. Our room was ready. Ohh, no hot water. Whoops. Ahh, it just all works out! After a nice wash down with some boiled water on the stove it was time for some cous cous – a treat for all who were staying at the apartments, all troubles forgotten.

The next week was spent dodging camels, horses, goats and rubbish on the sand and also being beaten up by Panorama Beach with Gerard losing his watch and ending day one with a black eye. The food in Taghazout was amazing all week, and for less than $2 a feed we still had some cash to splurge so it was off to ‘Paradise’ for a day’s retreat. A good break from the beach, Paradise was a valley that included a stream and natural rock pool / slide formed in an oasis. Besides catching some rays and jumping off the cliffs into the pools, the little turtles and eating a tagine in a hippy’s hut were definite reminders that we were in paradise without a worry in the world.

Sad to leave Morocco really, an amazing place!

Primary jobs in Paris

It is hard to believe that after about 16 months away, we have not really done the ‘Paris thing’ yet. Oh well, save the best for last (or nearly last!). After a couple of weeks living the Moroccan life, boy did Paris feel like half a world away, not to mention 15 degrees colder!! And the hot shower was soooo good!

We had 3 days to do our thing, and spent the first day with our sightseeing hats on, maps in hand. Walking along the Siene, we weren’t sure which way to look... the surrounding buildings were beautiful. After checking out the Notre Dame, we joined the long, snaked queue to enter the Louvre. The line moved quite quickly and before we knew it we were wandering the galleries and of course, snapping the Mona Lisa. You could spend weeks in there! Hunger prevailed and we pushed on, wandering the streets and just, well, being all Parisian like! Oh, and the Eiffel Tour at night – how many photos can you take?! Pretty spectacular, even when you almost step on a rat and can’t find a hot chocolate anywhere close by.... Another highlight was watching the Rugby World Cup final at the live site near Hotel De Ville. The three Kiwi’s right in the middle of the French mass had the last laugh!

We were lucky enough to have a job interview each on Skype while in Paris (although you wouldn’t believe this was the only place where we did not have internet access, why couldn’t it be a couple of days earlier while we were relaxing in semi remote Morocco, I mean really!). Anyways, it always works out so we ‘borrowed’ the Wifi from the nearby Ibis hotel, and after a test run the day before we were set. Needless to say, we spent some precious Paris time preparing, as we were far from in work mode, however we got the jobs in the end and had a reason to celebrate! Thanks Paris, it was a pleasure!

Interesting Italy

One destination we were really looking forward to in Italia... and we had a pretty full on itinerary! With a few days to spare prior to the much anticipated arrival of Mom & Dad Brick (which we were thrilled at as it had been over a year since we had seen each other), we started in Naples.

Why you ask? Naples is, well, to put it nicely... a hole. But the pizza was amazing! Lucky were there for all of one night, sleeping at ‘6 small rooms’ (located in a dingy alley way), enough time to gobble down a pizza at ‘Pizzeria Di Matteo’ and catch some z’s before our Italy experience really got started.

Despite some minor confusion on the train, resulting in us missing our stop and having to back track, we found our accommodation just outside of Sorrento. We had such a lovely walk in to the city centre, and although touristy we knew we were on a good thing. With a few hours to spare in the afternoon (but with very little time in the scheme of things), we hopped on bus to Positano, in order to get a small taste of the Amalfi Coast. What a lovely little town, boy were we camera happy with snaps of the view, the ocean, the view, the buildings, the view.... you get the point! Very much looking forward to coming back and exploring more of what the Amalfi Coast has to offer.

Next on the itinerary – the charming island of Capri. It was decided we would spend our only full day exploring this beautiful island, and what brilliant weather for it! After the ferry over, we had the water bottles and walking shoes ready... luck because the amount of steps just to get the Capri town from the Port is enough to make anyone’s butt outshine that of Pippa Middleton....

Capri must’s:

• Walk to the ruins of Villa Jovis, high on a cliff overlooking the ocean

• Wander the tiny, winding streets of Anacapri

• Treat yourself to lemonade ice-cream, sooo good!

• Wander up and down the via Krupp, a steep, snaking path that gets the heart rate moving!

• Take a costal walk to see the Faraglioni and the Arc Naturale... very beautiful!

Although we had little time, and decided against the Blue Grotto, an attraction Capri is so famous for, Capri was definitely one of our Italian highlights...

Welcome to J&J Brick and welcome to Rome! After meeting the travellers and starting the gasbagging over a kebab, we thought we should also start the sightseeing. And where would any true tourist begin? The Colosseum. And I must say, I am not sure if the phenomenal structure itself is more impressive, or the fact that the city is so built up so closely around it. Nonetheless we joined the crowds in the heat, strolled around, happy snapped and even tackled the Roman Forum straight afterwards. It is fair to say that the pasta and wine back at our apartment were well earned that night!

The following day, in true tourist form, we made a ‘bee’-line (or is it v-line) to the Vatican. There is not much to be said about how amazing and over the top and extravagant the whole interior is, and that is even before entering the Sistine Chapel. Wow-factor. Wow. And a heap of people.... A tough life we lead, taking in only a small percentage of the many imposing sights of Rome; the Trevi Fountain, Sant Angelo bridge, St.Peter’s Basilica (probably the best Bee had even seen, sorry Gerard!), Piazza Navona – the list goes on... Oh how could we forget the small Church of “Immacolata Concezione” with its 3000 monk bones and skulls, used to make decorative patterns in its rooms. Very interesting... Rome = 7/10.

An afternoon and evening in Florence was spend strolling the beautiful streets (as opposed to waiting in line to see the statue of David – next time Michelangelo). The massive Duomo and unique Ponte Viichio bridge clear stand outs. And the gelato, now a staple in the diet, naturally.

Cinque Terre – wow. We had heard such amazing things about the villages of Cinque Terre and we were not the least bit disappointed. Which was great, as so far Italy had been good, but not breathtaking. The four if us stayed in a town just outside of La Spezia, the largest town south of the Cinque Terre region. Trains were very easily accessible between the villages, as was a pretty challenging walking track (any walking would be challenging in 30C heat, sun bearing down on Gerard’s forehead!). Oh, Riomaggiore and Manarola would have to be our favourites, if we had to pick!

Let us sum it up for you in a few words: endless sea views, winding streets, colourful buildings, cliff top walking, tasty gelato, swimming of the rocks, pizza at sunset. What more could you ask for?

So coming of such a high for a couple of days, we were back on the train via Florence and headed direction Venice, our last Italy stop. Obviously Venice is one of the most talked about cities in the world we were finally about to see what all the fuss was about. First word that comes to mind – Enchanting.

Now we could go on about the endless canals (some so small you could not even imagine a gondola squeezing through), the endless bridges (the Rio Alto bridge is worth mentioning, very impressive) and the endless masks (wow).... but we won’t. It was just so user friendly, jumping on and off the water taxi’s, strolling around the footpaths and over canals and just taking in the beautiful city. A trip out to the glass blowing island and purchasing fresh salmon from the market ticked off both souvenirs and dinner, not to mention getting lost in the maze of canals and streets in the evening time which led us to find a funky bar (sorry, can’t tell you where it is!)

Our Venetian adventure rounded off our whole Italian experience and also meant it was time to sadly say ‘see you in two months’ to J&J, as were going our separate ways. Paris for them, Morocco for us... Bring it on!

Oktoberfest II

Being one year older and wiser and after last year’s shenanigans, the phrase for 2011 was pace. It was great to have large crew together this year to discuss old times and simply enjoy each others’ company. Oktoberfest will be up there with San Fermin as ‘do not miss’ festivals in any European conversations.