What an incredible holiday and what a fantastic time we’ve had. The memories gathered will certainly stay with us forever from the Atlantis Hotel front in Dubai to the stunning scenery of New Zealand and the beaches of Australia and the tropical heat of Singapore. We also had the fantastic wedding of two very special people and the whole day was amazing. The people we met on our travels will also stay in our hearts and we certainly hope that we will be meeting many of you in the not to distant future, when you visit us. To everybody who made us so welcome a big massive THANK YOU, you all know who you are and we love you loads.
Finally a summary of the highlights and without doubt no 1 was the wedding and meeting all the family as we travelled around. After that it was all superb, swimming with Dolphins, Whale Watching, Fox Glacier, the Volcanic Valley at Wai-O-Tapu, the Glow Worm caves, Pancake Rocks, Mandy’s zip wire ride, Robert’s boat at Nelson, Hobbiton, the beauty of Queen Charlotte Drive and the Interislander ferry. In Oz the tour of Sydney, the beaches of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast and the markets of Emundi and Caloundra. Exploring The City of Brisbane and Surfers Paradise and staying with Robert and Robin in their TImeshare at Coolangatta and the day out at Australia Zoo. The Singapore experience was also amazing and the nine flights with Emirates and Qantas. Lastly to answer the questioned posed by a certain member of the family, which was my favourite country? The answer is – for its beauty and diversity it has to be New Zealand but the lifestyle in Australia is so appealing. In essence, I am sure Mandy will agree when I say we loved it all. My last words go to Mandy’s mum Noeline who took the long trip in her stride with humour and wisdom. Noeline you are a delight and loved so much it was a privilege and a pleasure to accompany you.
Day 40 – The Long Flight Home to Blighty
A total of 15 hours flying time this time with Emirates on Airbus 380s and a quick changeover in Dubai saw us land at London Heathrow at 7.02am on Easter Sunday. A three hour drive home saw us arrive in Cardiff at around 11.30am and Noeline, Mandy and myself were all treated to Easter Eggs from Graham. Tiredness was the order for the rest of the day with myself and Mandy falling asleep on our noses. There will be one more post after I’ve had a good night’s sleep to sum up our fantastic trip but for now with a massive yawn, nos da.
(goodnight)
Day 39 – Last Day in Singapore and Homeward Bound
Today was our last day to explore the delights of Singapore before heading home. And therefore, it was back on to the MRT train and this time we headed for the Harbour Front. Once at the Harbour Front we took the Cable car to Sentosa Island and we were greeted by the giant Merlion that stands guard over the harbour. After taking a walk around the Merlion walk it was back on the cable car and MRT and we headed back to the markets of Chinatown for last minute shopping for gifts. At 6pm we left the hotel and headed to the airport for our journey home. First to Dubai and then to London to pick up the car and then back to God’s country Wales.
Day 38 – Chinatown and the Botanic Gardens
Thank god for air conditioning in our room! Today we headed to Little India, the Botanic Gardens and back to Chinatown and it was incredibly hot. It was also a day for the senses with unforgettable, sounds, smells and incredible sights. What an experience Little India was. The indoor Market was a hive of activity with vegetables, fish, meat and clothes all being traded. The heat was intense and the smell of fish was overbearing although as Westerners we seemed to be the only ones who noticed it. The vibrant colours of the Sari’s captured both Mandy and Noeline and the low cost of dresses was a temptation to much for Mandy as a couple were taken away with us. A further short MRT journey and we were at the beautiful Botanic gardens. The heat was too much for Noeline and following lunch we headed back to Chinatown for a rest before further exploring some of the sights of Chinatown. An evening meal was taken in Food Street and the quality and value is unbelievable. Meals for three people including Cray fish, Oysters, Crispy Duck, Special fried rice and noodles with a large beer and freshly squeezed orange juice for under £20.00
Day 37 – Singapore
After a good night’s sleep and Noeline being reunited with her suitcase. It didn’t make it on the connecting flight from Sydney. We were up and ready to explore the Asian delights of Singapore. Our hotel’s location is tremendous, just 200M from Chinatown’s MRT and 100M from the amazing hustle and bustle of Food Street. Below our room is a bustling Street market which operates from 8.00am to Midnight. The smells, sounds and feel of this area are just incredible. It is a melting pot of World Cultures and we are literally in the middle of it. The hotel is in a traditional Singapore building on split levels and rooms give a feel of Singapore’s past but are now fitted with all the mod cons you would expect in 2014. A heritage plaque on the street says most of the buildings in a bygone era were either Chinese or Japanese brothels and the history really does speak to you here.
A healthy breakfast of fruit platter was had by all on the way to the train station, which consisted of a melon, pineapple, kiwi fruit, and oranges and it was washed down with freshly squeezed orange juice. To say it was lovely is an understatement. We headed for Singapore’s new Marine Bay and once you stepped foot outside of the air conditioning it was hot, hot hot! At Marine Bay we saw the latest skyscraper hotel complete with a ship on top of it, the traditional and original Merlion (national symbol of Singapore and Mandy and Noeline enjoyed the air conditioning of an enormous shopping Mall containing a conference centre, national theatre and synthetic ice rink. After sight seeing and a cup of coffee and cake, we headed off in search of Raffles Hotel.
Raffles is just amazing and we took afternoon Tea and Tiffin and visited the World famous Long Bar, home of the Singapore Gin Sling. We explored the complex taking in the beautiful gardens and Ballroom and soaked in the history of the place and the events that had taken place there and the famous people who had been through its doors. The image left by the TV series Tenko was never far away.
In the evening it was back to Food Street for some traditional fayre and Mandy at long last had her Crayfish. Noeline and me were noodled and riced right up with chicken and pork and enjoyed a few bottles of large Tiger Beer. On the way back to the hotel, Mandy made her first real market purchases and the heavens opened but the rain is that warm you can hardly feel it.
Our Hotel
View of street market below from our room
Day 36 – Brisbane to Singapore
Up at stupid O’ Clock ! That’s 3.00am for our flight from Brisbane to Sydney and then onto Singapore and a word of massive thanks and praise must go to Richard and Dale for taking us to the airport. It was so sad to say good bye to New Zealand and Australia. We’ve got fantastic memories that we will carry with us for a lifetime and we have also stayed with some of the nicest people you are ever likely to meet. Thank you Judith, Megan, Ian, Sue, Robert, Robin, Christopher, Becky, Tane, Heather, Lindsay, Gary, Michelle, Dale, Richard, Kerri Anne and Margaret. We have also met some amazing people too, some family and some friends of the family. A big thank you also for making us welcome in your homes and for your fantastic company along our travels. Richard and Dale thank you so much for asking me to be your best man, it was an honour and a privilege and I wish you all the love in the world. As I said at the wedding, may your love be as deep as the ocean and your troubles as light as sea foam.
Well, we’re now in Singapore and it’s hot and steamy. Our hotel is in the heart of Chinatown and there are street markets below our room and both Chinatown MRT and Food Street is within a minutes walk. To say that Mandy is as happy as the proverbial pig in ×××× is an understatement.
Day 35 – Last Full Day in Oz
Today was a relaxing day before we start to head for home. The ladies did some last minute shopping at Capalaba Mall and Richard and me went to Mt. coot-tha to get some photos of the City. On the way back Richard did a job and fitted an Ariel to a giant man shed for a guy whose property and land was so big he used a golf buggy to get around it. I also had it confirmed that the Aussies are truly mad as we watched a a poor dog leashed to the back of an open truck cling on as the truck drove at 100 kmph up the motorway. In the evening we had a beautiful farewell roast beef dinner and it was absolutely scrumptious. Dale, Margaret, Kerri Anne and Richard thank you for having us and making us feel so welcome. You know we can’t wait to welcome (croeso) you to Cymru (Wales). And also a big thank you to everybody else we’ve met in Brisbane and made us so welcome in their homes and hearts.
The road goes under the Gabba
Day 34 – Cyclone Ita the Blighta and Australia Zoo
This morning Ita the blighta has arrived with torrential rain and very strong winds. The Ocean looks like a boiling cauldren and there is no way we’re stepping foot into it today. Instead we say goodbye to our weekend retreat and head South and inland a bit to the late Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo. Upon arrival we buy plastic cagoules but at least it’s not as windy as the coast. The Zoos whole emphasis is on conservation and raising awareness of animal welfare. The Crocodile show is amazing and due to it being school holiday time it is led by Steve Irwin’s wife and two children Bindi and Bob. After an exhausting day we head back to Brisbane and on to dinner at Dale and Richard’s friends house. The food is superb and the company excellent. We arrive back at Dale and Richard’s house full but exhausted with great memories of our visit. A full moon also shows that the clouds are finally lifting.
Day 33 – Surfside, Buddina
As Cyclone Ita is tracks its way South and heads closer to the Sunshine Coast, the impact is being felt across the region. Today we awoke to grey skies and light rain but it was not enough to put us off our early morning swim in the Ocean. The surf was really beginning to whip up and it really was an invigorating dip. Before the swim we collected sea shells and watched a local lad catch a fish which is known locally as a Flat Head. After our swim we headed to Caloundra for breakfast at the Surf Club and some shopping at the Street market. The humidity of the day grew and in the afternoon Mandy, myself, Dale and Richard all went swimming again and this time the waves were even bigger. After dinner we visited Caloundra RSL for a drink whilst listening to the guest singer.
Day 32 – Surfside at the Beach, Buddina
Today the weather is hot, hot, Hot ! 34° Degrees and a bright blue sky. The girls want to go to Eumundi Market, so we’re up at 6.00am and arrive at the Market at 8.00am. It is very busy but has a great feel, with music and lots of artist stalls as well as the usual clothes and hand made crafts. Christopher is driving up to meet as at the apartment at Midday, so the afternoon is spent on the beach, which is 50m from our apartment. The heat even encourages Noeline to take a dip in the sea and she catches the beach bug and before long she has a belly board under her arm and is aiming for the surf. Later in the day the cloud builds up and we watch a spectacular thunder storm from our balcony. A very nice meal is had by all and a few drinks before we all turn in for the night exhausted.
Rob and Mandy Downunder 