AUSRALIA...PART ONE OF MANY.

6.2.08.
12.20AM...WAITING FOR TAXI...CHECK IN GONE PRETTY SMOOTH...FEW FORMS TO FILL IN...JUST TO SAY I'M NOT CARRYING A SUB MACHINE GUN OR LOADSA DRUGS OR A RARE SNAKE...DABATABLE!...IF YOU GET MY DRIFT!...SILLY QUESTIONS REALLY...AS IF I'D CARRY ANY OF THEM...I GIVE NU ALL THE GOOD STUFF TO CARRY...THEY WOULDN'T SUSPECT HER!
1.00AM...THE GIRL SITTING NEXT TO ME IS A RIGHT FIDGET...SHE'S THROWN THE BLANKET OVER HERSELF...BUT HALF OF ITS LANDED ON ME!...SHE'S FIDDLING WITH THE VOLUME CONTROL ON THE ARM REST...HER RIGHT LEG IS IN MY LEG SPACE!
1.20AM...I THINK I WAS ASLEEP...NOW I'VE GOT WHISTLING IN MY EAR...HER BLOW UP PILLOW IS NOW DEFLATING!...I'M QUITE AWAKE NOW...THANKS!
1.30AM...FREE SMALL BOTTLE OF RED WINE...THANKS.
1.45AM...FOOD...LAMB CURRY/PIECE OF CHEESE WITH BUN/TOBERONE/CUPPA COFFEE...QUANTAS I RECOMMEND!
2.10AM...ANOTHER RED WINE...QUANTAS DOUBLEY RECOMMENDED!
2.50AM...I THINK I'M ASLEEP.
3.15AM...SHE'S NUDGED ME...SHE NEEDS THE LOO...SOME PEOPLE!
4.30AM...LANDED SAFELY.
5.05AM...VERY SLOW THRU IMMAGRATION...DECLARED MY LITTLE WOODEN PIG...NAMED PAI.
5.50AM...CUPPA COFFEE.
7.00AM...STILL SITTING IN AIRPORT.
7.30AM...BUS TO PERTH CENTRE...30 DOLLARS...THE DRIVER IS QUITE A JOVIAL CHAP.
8.15AM...DROPPED US OF AT PLACE THAT HAD BEEN RECOMMENDED TO US.
8.25AM...THE PLACE AS NO ROOMS AVAILABLE.
10.00AM...BY NOW WE HAD KNOCKED ON SEVERAL DOORS...PERTH IS CRAMPED WITH BACKPACKERS!
10.30AM...FOUND A ROOM...HOW DIRE IS DIRE!...THIS ROOM IS PURE DIRE...WE'VE BEEN ACROSS ASIA TO SUPPOSEDLY POORER COUNTRIES...BELIEVE ME PERTH ACCOMADATION IS BORDERING ON 3RD WORLD!
11.00AM...BAGS GETTING HEAVIER AS WE TROOP ON.
11.15AM...COFFEE BREAK...WE DECIDE WE WILL HIRE A SMALL CAR AND DRIVE TO FREMANTLE...ABOUT 20KM OUTA TOWN.
11.40AM...TAKE A FREE BUS...BLUE CAT...TO OTHER SIDE OF TOWN WHERE ALL THE CAR RENTAL PLACES ARE.
12.20PM...OFF THE BUS WE GET...SPOT A BACKPACKERS...GONNA TRY MY LUCK.
12.30PM...NO ROOM...DECIDE TO LEAVE NU AND BAGS ON STEPS...I CAN MOVE SWIFTER THEN...NU NEEDS TO REST...SO ITS FOR THE BEST.
12.50PM...HAY STREET BACKPACKERS...YES THEY HAVE A ROOM...65 D0LLARS A NIGHT...[45PENCE TO A DOLLAR]...IT'LL DO!
1.10PM...GIVING NU THE GOOD NEWS.
1.40PM...IN OUR 'NEW' ROOM.
2.20PM...SHOWER...DID I NEED THAT!
3.15PM...KEBAB...DID I NEED THAT!
4.30PM...BACK IN ROOM...ASLEEP...DO I NEED THAT!
10.00PM...AWAKE...CUPPA TEA.
11.00PM...BACK TO BED.


7.2.08.
9.00AM...AWAKE...CUPPA TEA...RAIN POURING DOWN.
9.30AM...SHOWER.
10.10AM...WENT TO SHOPS...NEED MILK/CORNFLAKES.
11.15AM...TAKE BUS TO CENTRE OF PERTH
11.50AM...BUYING ASIA PHONE CARD...RAIN POURING.
12.30PM...HOT CHOCALATE/COFFEE.
1.10PM...ENQUIRING ABOUT BUYING A NEW CAMERA.
2.00PM...CHICKEN SALAD COB...RAIN POURING.
2.40PM...BOUGHT UMBRELLA.
3.00PM...WALKING AROUD PERTH CENTRE.
4.00PM...ENQUIRING AT BANK ABOUT HOW WE WOULD GO ABOUT GETTING A LARGE SUM OF MONEY OUT OF OUR ACCOUNT IF WE WANT TO BUY A VEHICLE.
5.00PM...BACK ON FREE BUS...RAIN POURING.
6.10PM...BACK IN OUR 'NEW' ROOM.
7.00PM...LOCAL SUPERMARKET...I'M COOKING TONIGHT!
8.15PM...MINCE MEAT/CARROT/ONION/PEAS/MASHED SPUD.
9.10PM...TUMMY CONTENT...WELL FULL.
9.20PM...CUPPA TEA.
10.05PM...BOTTLE OF BEER OR TWO.
11.00PM...BED.


8.2.08.
10.00AM...SLEPT IN...GOT A BUSY DAY AHEAD.
10.20AM...SHOWER.
10.40AM...CUPPA TEA.
11.15AM...CUPPA TEA/CORNFLAKES.
11.40AM...PHONED A COUPLRE OF NUMBERS ABOUT VANS...NO JOY.
11.55AM...ON FREE BUS TO NORTHBRIDGE...THERE ARE A LOT OF BACKPACKERS PLACES THERE AND YOU GET A LOTTA PEOPLE SELLING VANS.
12.50PM...IN AND OUT OF HOSTELS...RINGING NUMBERS...NOT HAVING MUCH SUCCESS...GOTTA MEET AN IRISH CHAP AT 3.30PM...HE WANTS 4000 DOLLARS FOR HIS MAZDA...WE'LL SEE...ALSO A GERMANY CHAP SELLING HIS VAN...GONNA CALL US BACK...NOTHING I FEEL GOOD ABOUT THOUGH...WERE TOLD THEY WOULD BE QUEUEING UP TO SELL US THERE VANS.
2.05PM...THE SHED...PUB/RESTAURANT...BEER/STEAK SANDWICH.
3.00PM...BACK ON FREE BUS...HEADING HOME.
3.30PM...WAITING FOR IRISH CHAP WITH VAN TO SELL.
4.05PM...IRISH CHAP TURNS UP...HE WANTS 4000 DOLLARS FOR THIS!
4.20PM...HE SOON TELLS ME HE'S OPEN TO OFFERS...I'LL ACCEPT 3,500 HE PIPE'S!
4.45PM...TOLD HIM I WOULD THINK ABOUT IT...DON'T WANNA HURT HIS FEELINGS...IF HE'D DROP IT TO 1,500 I MIGHT MAKE A PURCHASE...DIDN'T SAY THAT MIND...HE'S A BIT BIGGER THAN ME!...MIND YOU...WHO ISN'T!
5.20PM...PHONED A GERMAN GIRL WHO'S SELLING...I HAD TRIED EARLIER...BUT HER PHONE WAS ALWAYES ENGAGED.
5.40PM...WE ARE ON OUR WAY TO SEE GERMAN GIRLS VAN VIA FREE BUS.
6.20PM...WITH GERMAN GIRLS AND VAN...ITS VERY GIRLIE...NU LOVES IT...THEY WANT 4000 DOLLARS.
7.00PM...HAVING DRIVEN IT AND CHECKED IT OUT WILLIS STYLE...WE AGREE 3,800...BUT WE CAN'T HAVE IT TILL THE 25TH FEB...OUCH...NU DOESN'T CARE...NU WANTS THE VAN...ITS VERY CLEAN AND TIDY...MEETING THEM TOMORROW TO SORT OUT PAPERS.
7.45PM...IN PUB...A WELL NOISY PUB...CELEBRATING WITH BEER/T BONE STEAK/CHIPS/SALAD.
9.30PM...WALKING BACK TO OUR ABODE.


9.2.08.
9.30AM...COMFY BED...ENJOYABLE NIGHTS SLEEP.
9.50AM...COFFEE.
10.10AM...SHOWER.
10.35AM...CORNFLAKES/COFFEE.
11.30AM...WAITING FOR GERMAN GIRLS...GOTTA SORT OUT PAPERS AND CONTRACT FOR HAND OVER OF VAN IN TWO WEEKS TIME.
12.10PM...GERMAN GIRLS ARRIVE...THEY REALLY ARE NICE GIRLS.
12.40PM...CONTRACT SORTED AND EVERYONE HAPPY.
1.10PM...IN SUPERMARKET...CHEESE/BACON/TIN TOMATOES/BEANS/COKE/MILK.
2.00PM...WHERE WE ARE STAYING AS A POOL...SO NU HAPPY IN THE DIP...ME TRYING MY BEST TO LOSE AT POOL!
3.30PM...UB40 ARE IN TOWN...WE ARE ABOUT 10MINS WALK FROM STADIUM...WALK DOWN TO ENQUIRE ABOUT TICKETS.
3.55PM...117 DOLLARS A TICKET...[45 PENCE TO A DOLLAR]...I THINK NOT!
5.00PM...CHEESE/ONION SANDWICH.
6.00PM...WATCHING 10 MOST EXPENSIVE DIVORCE PAYOUTS OF ALL TIME ON TELE...HOW DID LIFE GET THIS EXCITING!...ENGLISH FOOTIE KICKS OFF AT MIDNIGHT.


10.2.08.
10.30AM...WOKEN BY NU BRANDISHING A CUPPA TEA...2.30AM I GOT TO BED!...COMMANDEERED THE TV ROOM...KICKED ALL THE FORIEGNERS OUT!
11.10AM...SHOWER...TRYING TO WAKE UP.
12.05PM...APPARENTLY WE ARE OF TO THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM...WHOOPEE!...APPARENTLY I AGREED TO THIS YESTERDAY...CAN'T REMEMBER.
12.40PM...WALKING ALONG SWAN RIVER.
1.10PM...ICECREAM...A TRIPLE DIPPLE!
1.50PM...JUMP ON FREE BUS TO MUSEUM.
2.20PM...MUSEUM...FREE OF CHARGE...JUST A DONATION REQUIRED.
2.50PM...LOTS OF ANCIENT ARTEFACTS...I DON'T THINK NU AND I LOOKED OUTA PLACE!
4.40PM...CAN OF COKE...COULD DO WITH A LINE...BACK ON BUS TO TOWN CENTRE.
4.55PM...GOTTA WALK ABOUT 1KM FROM TOWN CENTRE TO OUR ABODE...TURNED OUT TO BE A PLEASANT WALK.
5.35PM...CHEESE/ONION SANDWICH...AN OCEON OF COKE...WELL DRY...SUN TORMENTING.
6.40PM...LYING ON BED.
7.35PM...PHONED MOTHER IN ENGLAND.


11.2.08.
7.00AM...ALARM.
7.20AM...SHOWER.
7.40AM...CUPPA TEA...PACKING.
8.15AM...CUPPA TEA/BACON SANDWICH.
9.00AM...NO BIRDS...NAME OF RENT A CAR PLACE...SEVEN DAYS RENTAL...100 QUID...TOYOTA COROLLA.
9.30AM...ON WAY TO FREMANTLE...GOT LOST!
10.20AM...FREMANTLE AT LAST!
11.00AM...1ST CAMPSITE...NOT SURE.
11.30AM...2ND CAMPSITE...MAYBE...NOT SURE.
12.10PM...3RD CAMPSITE...2 WEEKS IN A CHALET...ABOUT 40 QUID A NIGHT...KITCHEN/LOUNGE/2 BEDROOMS/BATHROOM/TV...EVERYTHING YOU NEED...OK IT'LL DO!
1.30PM...SUPERMARKET.
3.30PM...FRIDGE BURSTING...FOOD OVERFLOWING!
4.00PM...NU SWIMMING.
5.30PM...HOME MADE SPAG BOL.
7.20PM...ON VARANDA...OUR CHALET IS UNDER A BIG OLD NUT TREE...BIRDS OF MANY COLOURS/SIZES DROPPING EMPTY SHELLS ON OUR TIN ROOF...NOISEY DEVILS...NEED A BRANDY AND COKE.


12.2.08.
9.30AM...SITTING ON SIDE OF BED...NEED A CUPPA...BIT DRY.
9.45AM...SHOWER.
9.55AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.20AM...CORNFLAKES/TOAST/CUPPA TEA.
11.00AM...IN CAR ON WAY TO ROCKINGHAM BEACH.
11.50AM...OUTSKIRTS OF ROCKINGHAM...PARKED UP BY BEACH.
12.05PM...WALKING ALONG BEACH.
12.35PM...FISH AND CHIPS.
1.45PM...ROCKINGHAM SHOPPING CENTRE...EVERY SHOP YOU REQUIRE...SELLING EVERYTHING YOU REQUIRE...LOOKING AT WHAT WE MIGHT NEED WHEN WE GET THE VAN...DON'T LET ANYONE TELL YOU AUSTRALIA IS CHEAPER THAN ENGLAND...IT IS NOT...WHETHER YOU ARE BUYING A PLASTIC BUCKET,MARS BAR,MINCE MEAT,A LOAF OF BREAD...I PROMISE YOU AUSTRALIA IS FAR MORE EXPENSIVE THAN ENGLAND...ACTUALLY,ALTHOUGH I'VE ONLY BEEN IN PERTH,AUSTRALIA FOR ONE WEEK...MY INITIAL THOUGHTS ARE THAT THERE IS LITTLE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ENGLAND AND OZ...THERES IMMIGRANTS EVERYWHERE...GRAFITTI EVERWHERE...BOY RACERS...STREET FIGHTING...EQUAL AMOUNT OF BAD NEWS ON TV...OZ AS GOT ITS RAPISTS AND MURDERERS THE SAME AS ENGLAND...THE HOUSE PRICES ARE ABOUT THE SAME AS ENGLAND...THE ONLY THING AUSTRALIA AS DIFFERENT TO ENGLAND IS THE WEATHER...AND THAT ONLY BRINGS MORE INSECTS...DON'T GET ME WRONG I'M NOT PUTTING AUSTRALIA DOWN...I HAVEN'T SEEN ENOUGH OF IT YET...I'M JUST WRITING MY FIRST THOUGHTS DOWN.
3.00PM...NU SWIMMING...I'VE BOUGHT MYSELF AN ENGLISH NEWSPAPER...HAPPY...I AM!
4.30PM...BACK IN CAR...NU STILL DRIPPING.
5.10PM...BACK AT OUR CHALET.
6.00PM...BEANS ON TOAST...WONDERFUL.
8.30PM...PHONED PAULINE.
9.00PM...WATCHING FILM...JODIE FOSTER...THE BRAVE ONE.


13.2.08.
11.15AM...RESTLESS NIGHT...TOO HOT...COULDN'T SLEEP.
11.35AM...CUPPA TEA.
11.55AM...SHOWER.
12.40PM...A LATE LATE BREAKIE...BACON AND TOMATO SANDWICH/CUPPA TEA.
1.50PM...NU GONE FOR A SWIM...ME READING ANOTHER KEN FOLLETT NOVEL.
2.50PM...RELAXING ON VARANDA.
4.30PM...PREPARING VEGGIES...SPUDS/CAULI/CARROTS...LOOKING FORWARD TO LAMB TONIGHT.
6.00PM...THIS IS WHAT I CALL A GOOD MEAL...PUT TOGETHER BY MY GIRLIE AND ME.
6.30PM...WONDERFUL...APART FROM THE GRAVY...BIT SALTY!...ACTUALLY A WHOLE LOT TOO SALTY!...BUT AS YOU WELL KNOW BY NOW...I'M NOT ONE TO MOAN!
7.30PM...WASHING UP DONE...TV NEWS ON...OZ PRIME MINISTER KEV RUDD SAYING SORRY TO THE ABORINALS...NOT A LOT GOOD ON OZ TV.
9.00PM...WHISKEY FOR ME...BRANDY FOR NU.
9.25PM...FOUR INCHED LEGGED SPIDER ON VARANDA!
10.15PM...TIME FOR BED.


14.2.08.
9.30AM...SLEPT A BIT BETTER THAN LAST NIGHT...NEED A CUPPA.
9.50AM...CUPPA TEA...PLACED NU'S VALANTINE'S CARD ON TABLE.
10.10AM...SHOWER.
10.30AM...NU'S NOTICED CARD...BUT SHE HASN'T GOT ME ONE!...WELL I SUPPOSE WE HAVE NEARLY BEEN MARRIED A YEAR NOW...SO...WELL I SUPPOSE ITS OK...OH WELL.
11.10AM...BACON AND TOMATO SANDWICH/COFFEE.
12.05PM...IN CAR...HEADING FOR MADOURAH.
12.30PM...STOP OF AT SECRET BAY...THATS NOT SO SECRET...I MEAN THERES SIGNS EVERYWHERE FOR IT...PERHAPS THEY SHOULD RENAME IT OPEN SECRET!
1.50PM...BACK IN CAR HEADING FOR MADOURAH.
2.20PM...FISH AND CHIPS...BETTER THAN THE LAST LOT.
3.00PM...WALKING THE SHOPPING MALL.
3.20PM...HAIR DRESSERS...[HAIR SCALPERS].
3.50PM...OH WELL IT'LL GROW AGAIN...NU HAD HERS DONE TOO...IT LOOKS ALRIGHT.
4.20PM...BACK IN CAR...ONLY HAD TWO HOURS FREE PARKING.
5.10PM...ON VARANDA...BEER IN HAND.
6.00PM...SCRAMBLED EGG ON TOAST/CUPPA TEA.
7.00PM...SHOWER...GOD MY HAIR FEELS REAL SHORT!
8.00PM...ANIMATED CARTOON FILM...POLAR EXPRESS...AUSSIE TV?...ITS AN XMAS FILM!...PERHAPS GLOBAL WARMING AS GOT TO THEM.


15.2.08.
10.10AM...FEELING LAZY...GETTING LAZIER.
10.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.55AM...SHOWER.
11.35AM...COFFEE/BACON AND TOMATO SANDWICH...GOT LOADSA BACON...DIDN'T REALIZE I'D BOUGHT SO MUCH TILL I OPENED THE PACKET.
1.00PM...SHOPPING AT LOCAL MALL...JUST OUTSIDE FREMANTLE...THERES A CHEAP/DISCOUNT STORE THERE...BOUGHT THE EAGLES GREATEST HITS...I HOPE THE CD WORKS IN THE VAN!?
3.30PM...BACK AT ABODE...BEER ON VARANDA...NO SIGN OF HARRY THE SPIDER.
5.00PM...WALK DOWN TO LOCAL BEACH...LOTS OF FOLK FISHING OF THE JETTY...SIGN SAYS BEWARE OF SNAKES...NU WIDE EYED!
6.40PM...FOOD TIME...MINCE MEAT/ONION/CAULI/CARROTS/MASH SPUD...ITS GREAT BEING ABLE TO COOK FOR YOURSELF...I NEVER WANNA SEE ANOTHER RESTAURANT AGAIN...NO DOUBT I SHALL.
7.30PM...FEEL FED...FEEL FULL...BETTER HAVE A WHISKEY.
8.00PM...BLACK AND WHITE FILM ON TV...OZ TV...OUCH.


16.2.08.
9.30AM...HAD A LATE NIGHT...NEED A CUPPA.
10.00AM...SHOWER.
10.40AM...BACON/TOMATO SANDWICH/COFFEE.
11.15AM...NOT MUCH HAPPENING TODAY...A BIT LIKE YESTERDAY.
12.50PM...STILL NOT ALOT HAPPENING...GOTTA GO TO ATM...NEED SOME GROCERIES.
2.30PM...DONE MY DUTIES FOR THE DAY...GONNA HAVE A BEER.
4.00PM...THE ROGUE ASSASSIN...A WELL ENJOYABLE FILM.
6.00PM...READING...KEN FOLLETT GETTING SLOWLY PREDICTABLE.
7.00PM...CHEESE/TOMATO SANDWICH...SULTANA/CUSTARD CAKE!


17.2.08.
9.00AM...TIME TO SHAKE A LEG...OFF TO COTTSLOE BEACH TODAY.
9.20AM...SHOWER.
9.35AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.55AM...BACON/MUSHROOM SANDWICH...COFFEE.
11.00AM...IN CAR HEADING FOR COTTSLOE BEACH.
12.05PM...WATCHING SURFERS...TRYING TO GET MY TUMMY BROWNED...THE SUN KEEPS MISSING IT...ALTHOUGH ITS ONE OF MY BIGGEST BITS!
2.40PM...BACK IN CAR...GONNA GO TO A MORE CENTRAL BEACH.
3.10PM...PARKED UP...SITTING ON BENCH WITH CAN OF COKE...BEACH PACKED.
4.10PM...FEELING HUNGRY...GONNA HEAD HOME.
6.15PM...LAMB/CAULI/CARROTS/MASHED SPUD.
7.00PM...TV NEWS...LIVERPOOL GOT KNOCKED OUTA FA CUP BY BARNSLEY.
8.50PM...ELECTRIC GONE OFF...I WAS ON THE PHONE TO WILLIAM AT THE TIME.
10.00PM...IN EXTREME PAIN...BURNT TOPS OF LEGS ON BEACH...NU HAVING TO RUB AFTER SUN CREAM ON...AS I SAY...EXTREME PAIN!

SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT!

BYE FOR NOWZ.

thirtyseven....last 3 days in bali.

3.2.08.
10.30AM...WENT TO BED LATE...SO I'M GETTING UP LATE.
11.05AM...SHOWER.
11.30AM...BREAKFAST...GIMME COFFEE!
12.15PM...WAFFLING WITH SOME AUSSIE AT BREAKIE TABLE.
1.00PM...SITTING BY POOL...NU IN THE DIP...STARTED MY NEW READING BOOK...BUT NOT SURE...ITS WRITTEN BY A WOMAN.
4.00PM...SUNDAY DINNER...PORK/MASHED SPUD/UNDERCOOKED VEG.
6.30PM...CHATTING WITH A CROCADILE DUNDEE LOOK ALIKE...LIVES NEAR BYRON BAY...GOT HIS ADDRESS...HE SAYS POP BY...WE MIGHT?
9.30PM...KIETH[SUNDERLAND CHAP] AND I GO TO WATCH FOOTIE...NEWC V BORO.
11.55PM...VILLA/FULHAM MATCH ABOUT TO KICK OFF.
12.45AM...KIETH CAN'T BE BOTHERED TO STAY FOR SECOND HALF.
1.45AM...I WISH I HADN'T!
2.10AM...GOOD NIGHT...NOT REALLY!


4.2.08.
10.00AM...ANOTHER LATE START.
10.20AM...COFFEE.
11.15AM...BREAKFAST...FRUIT SALAD/TOAST AND JAM.
12.10PM...AT POOLSIDE...BEER...CHATTING WITH SUNDERLANDS...NOT SURE KIETHS WIFE HAPPY WITH ME...KEPT HIM OUT LATE TWO NIGHTS RUNNING!
3.30PM...TOO HOT...IN ROOM...STILL TO HOT.
6.00PM...RESTAURANT...MINUTE PORTIONS...IF I WAS A MOUSE I MIGHT BE FULL!...I DID TRY TO EXPLAIN...THEY JUST SMILED.
7.00PM...HEAVENS OPENED...LIGHTENING...BALI RAIN/MONSOON SEASON AS STARTED.
9.00PM...BACK AT HOTEL...SOAKING WET...CHATTING WITH OTHER WET SOULS.


5.2.08.
9.00AM...TIME TO RISE...NU CALM DOWN!
10.05AM...BREAKFAST...BACON SANDWICH/COFFEE.
11.25AM...PACKING...THIS TIME TOMORROW WE WILL BE IN OZ...BALI ACTUALLY HASN'T BEN TO BAD...WE'VE MET SOME NICE PEOPLE...SAT AROUND THE POOL MOST DAYS/EVENINGS...CHATTING/BEERING...AFTER THE PHILIPINES...WHICH WAS A COMPLETE NON EVENT AND A WASTE OF MONEY...AND THE AGGRO WE GOT OF THE INDO DICKHEADS AT THE AIRPORT...THIS PLACE COULDN'T FAIL TO BE AN IMPROVEMENT...THE RAINY SEASON AS HIT BALI...STILLHOT AND STICKY...BUT I WELCOMED THE RAIN...MAYLASIA IS WELL WORTH A LOOK...PRICEY...BUT I'M VERY HAPPY I WENT...I DIDN'T DO AN OVERALL VIEW OF THAILAND BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE ONLY READ...DON'T BOTHER!...LOOKING FORWARD TO PERTH,OZ?...YES,I THINK I AM...MAYBE ONLY FOR SOME DECENT CHEESE!
1.30PM...WELL THIS TRIP AS CERTAINLY BEEN AN ADVENTURE...
2.30PM...BOOKED TAXI FOR AIRPORT AT 10.PM...I'M OFF FOR A BEER.


BYE BYE ASIA.... AUSTRALIA HER WE COME!

BYE FOR NOWZ.

thirtysixth...more fili ouch/hello bali!

25.1.08.
8.00AM...ALARM.
8.40AM...SHOWER.
9.05AM...PACKED.
9.30AM...WALKING TO TICKET OFFICE...WHER CHAPPIE TOLD US TO GO LAST NIGHT.
10.05AM...WE HAVE TWO TICKETS...24 QUID EACH...AMAZING!
10.15AM...BACON SANDWICH/CUPPA TEA.
10.40AM...BACK AT TICKET OFFICE...JUMP IN A JEEPNEY...A MOTORBIKE WITH REAR SEATS.
11 10AM...CLARKE AIRPORT.
11.35AM...DOUGHNUT/PEPSI.
12.15PM...FLYING.
1.30PM...LANDED...CEBU HOW DO YOU DO!
1.45PM...BAGS COLLECTED.
2.00PM...TALKING AT INFO DESK...TRYING TO DECIDE WHICH DIRECTION TO HEAD.
2.20PM...IN TAXI HEADING FOR A HOTEL CALLED THE KIWI LODGE.
2.25PM...DRIVING THRU CENTRE OF CEBU[IT RHYMES WITH LOO!]...ITS A DIVE OF A PLACE.
2.50PM...KIWI LODGE...FULL OF AGEING MEN...BEER GUTS...HAPPY SOULS THOUGH.
2.55PM...NO ROOM AVAILABLE...BUT GIRL RECEPTIONIST PHONES A PLACE ROUND THE CORNER...THEY HAVE A ROOM AVAILABLE AT A REASONABLE PRICE.
3.05PM...BEER.
3.15PM...PLAYING POOL WITH A LONDONER...HE'S VERY CHATTY...BEEN HERE 8 YEARS.
4.10PM...GO TO OUR NEW ACCOMADATION...DROP BAGS OFF...SHORTS ON.
4.35PM...BACK AT KIWI LODGE...NEED SOME EATS.
4.55PM...PORK/MASH SPUD/MIXED VEG...NU HAD LAMB SHANK.
5.40PM...PLAYING POOL.
5.55PM...RUM AND COKES.
7.00PM...BACK AT OUR NEW RESTING PLACE...A SMALL ROOM IN A SMALL COURTYARD.
7.30PM...BED.


26.1.08.
5.30AM...ALARM.
5.50AM...SHOWER.
6.10AM...COFFEE.
6.35AM...ON STREET LOOKING FOR TAXI.
6.50AM...TAXI.
7.10AM...PORT.
7.40AM...DOUGHNUT/PEPSI...WAITING TO BOARD SEA CAT[BOAT].
7.55AM...BOARDING.
8.10AM...MOVING STEADILY ACROSS OCEON.
8.25AM...AMERICAN FILM PLAYING STARRING JACKIE CHAN...ITS NOT SOMETHING I WOULD BOTHER WITH USUALLY...BUT IT HELPS TO KILL THE BOREDOM.
9.55AM...ARRIVE AT THE ISLAND OF BOHOL.
10.10AM...TOURIST INFO CENTRE...WELL THATS WHAT IT SAYS ON THE DOOR...NO MAPS AND LITLE INFORMATION!...JUST ABOUT SUMS UP THE PHILIPINO ATTITUDE.
10.25AM...TAKE A TXI TO PANGLAO...A SMALL PLACE IN THE SOUTH OF THE ISLAND.
11.05AM...ALONA BEACH HOTEL...NO ROOMS.
11.20AM...NEXT DOOR...BANANA RESORT...ROOM 1,500 PISO...80 TO POUND...NEWLY BUILT HUTS...VERY CLEAN...TWO NIGHTS...IT'LL DO!
12.30PM...BEACH SIDE RESTAURANT...BURNT PORK CHOPS...UNDERDONE CHIPS...SMALLISH SALAD...PAPAYA MILKSHAKE...OK?
1.40PM...NU SWIMMING...BUT NOT COMFORTABLE.
2.20PM...BEER.
3.00PM...NU STAYED IN HUT...I HITCHED A RIDE ON THE BACK OF A MOTORBIKE TO VILLAGE CENTRE.
3.15PM...CORNER SHOP...BRANDY...68 PISO!/BREAD/TUNA/TOMATO/COKE/WATER/BEER.
3.40PM...ON WAY BACK TO HUT...CHAPPIE AND BIKE WAITING FOR ME...GAVE HIM 20 PISO.
4.00PM...BACK WITH MY FAVOURITE GIRL.
4.15PM...HANDED IN LAUNDRY.
4.30PM...SITTING ON VARANDA OF OUR LITTLE HUT WITH READING BOOK/BRANDY AND COKE...THIS PLACE IS ACTUALLY QUITE IDYLIC...VERY QUIET...WE SAW A FEW WESTERNERS ON THE BEACH...BUT I THINK WE ARE THE ONLY TWO STAYING HERE.
7.30PM...THIS PLACE IS FULL OF MOSSIES...BEEN BITTEN TWICE...HAD ENOUGH...GOING INSIDE.


27.1.08.
8.30AM...WOKE...NOT HAD A VERY GOOD NIGHT...DON'T THINK THE PORK AGREED WITH ME...SWANKIEST RESTAURANT IN THE PLACE AND THEY CAN'T COOK PORK!
9.10AM...OUTA BED I GET...NU ALREADY UP.
9.20AM...COFFEE.
9.40AM...SHOWER.
10.10AM...BREAKFAST BAR...ASK FOR TWO SUNNY SIDE EGGS...GOT AN OMMELETTE!...THE GERMANY SAUSAGE WAS WELL PLASTIC...THE BROWN BREAD WAS SURPRISELY EATABLE!...THE TEA WAS SOME FORIEGN MIX.
11.00AM...WALKED INTO TOWN.
11.20AM...INTERNET CAFE...GOTTA FIND QUICKEST AND EASIEST ROUTE OUTA HERE!
2.00PM...ARMPITS SWEATING...COMPUTERS ARE A GREAT HELP...BUT ALSO VERY FRUSTRATING...ITS TAKEN ME 3 HOURS TO GET THE RIGHT PRICE/DEAL TO GET US TO INDONISIA...1ST TO CEBU VIA BOAT...2ND FLIGHT TO MANILLA...3RD FLIGHT TO JAKARTA...ABOUT 110 QUID FOR BOTH OF US...YOU REALLY HAVE TO DELVE DEEP...AND YOU HAVE TO GET TIMES TO MATCH.
3.15PM...SWEET/SOUR PORK...I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHY I BOTHER.
4.00PM...I'VE BOOKED OUR ESCAPE FOR WEDNESDAY...SO GONNA BOOK SOME WHERE ELSE TO STAY...WHERE WE ARE NOW IS OVERPRICED.
4.40PM...WE'VE KNOCKED ON A FEW DOORS...FOUND THE PARAGAYA...900 PISO A NIGHT WITH FAN...NO AIR CON...HAD A LOOK...VERY CLEAN...IT'LL DO.
5.10PM...BEER.
6.00PM...SHOPPING...NEED INSECT REPELENT...BOUGHT A BOTTLE OF BRANDY.
7.00PM...BACK AT HUT.
7.30PM...CUPPA SOUP...MUSHROOM/CHICKEN.
7.45PM...BRANDY/COKE...READING.
9.00PM...THINKING ABOUT WHEN I EVENTUALLY GET MY BLOG PUBLISHED AND IT BECOMES THE BIGGEST SELLING BLOG OF ALL TIME AND I MAKE MILLION QUID AND BUY AVFC AND MAKE IT THE BIGGEST CLUB IN THE WORLD...AND I BETTER HAVE ANOTHER BRANDY...AND I BOUGHT THESE MONKEY NUTS THAT ARE STILL IN THERE SHELLS...YET THEY'RE SALTED...FUNNY...AND THE BREAD HERE IS SUGARED...TASTES AWFUL...THE BRANDY IS ALRIGHT THOUGH...68 PISO A BOTTLE[80 TO THE QUID]...MY HAIR IS A MESS...HAD IT CUT IN THAI...BUT ITS GROWN AGAIN...THE THAI'S CAN'T CUT HAIR...IN FACT THEY CAN'T COOK EITHER...OR DRIVE PROPERLY...I FIND IT HARD TO FIND ANYTHING GOOD ABOUT A THAI...YOU MUST LET ME KNOW IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING GOOD ABOUT A THAI...ALSO THEY CAN'T PLAY POOL...THE RUSSIANS WERE ALSO A BIT OF A FUNNY BUNCH...I CAN'T REMEMBER THEM BEING GOOD AT ANYTHING...THEY CERTAINLY DON'T KNOW HOW TO MAKE MILKSHAKES...THEY WERE VERY LIKE ITALIANS...THOUGH ITS THE ASIANS YOU FEEL SORRY FOR THE MOST...THEY ARE AN UGLY LOT...I'M NOT SAYING I'M THE PRETTIEST...BUT I'D BE SUICIDAL IF I LOOKED LIKE THEM!


28.1.08.
8.30AM...FEEL DRY...NEEDA A CUPPA.
8.45AM...OFF FOR HOT WATER.
9.05AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.30AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.55AM...ANOTHER CUPPA/CORNFLAKES.
10.25AM...PACKING...EVERYTHING STREWN...NOT IN THE MOOD FOR THIS.
10.55AM...PACKED...I TAKE OUR TWO RUCKSACKS TO OUR NEW ABODE.
11.10AM...DRIPPING WITH SWEAT I DROP THE BAGS IN THE RECEPTION OF THE PANGLAO AND TURN AROUND AND WALK BACK.
11.30AM...BACK WITH NU...OFF WE SET WITH OUR OTHER BAGS.
11.55AM...BOOKED INTO NEW ACCOMADATION.
12.25PM...READING/BEERING.
3.10PM...HUNGRY...POWDER KEG[PIZZA PLACE].
3.40PM...SALAMI/MUSHROOM PIZZA/STRAWBERRY MILKSHAKE.
3.55PM...PIZZA WELL SALTY/SHAKE OK.
4.20PM...SITTING ON CHAIRS ALLOCATED TO US OUTSIDE OUR ROOM...READING UP ON INDONISIA.
6.00PM...BRANDY AND COKE...WONDERFUL PINKY RED SKY ABOVE.
7.00PM...CHATTING WITH THE HOTEL WORKERS...THEY ONLY EARN 30 QUID A MONTH...PLUS FOOD AND LODGING...BUT THEY'VE ALL GOT MOBILE PHONES!


29.1.08.
8.00AM...HARDLY SLEPT...FAN MAKES AN AWFUL RACKET.
8.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.00AM...CUPPA TEA/CORNFLAKES.
10.00AM...FEELING LOW...THINK I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF GOING FROM ROOM TO ROOM WITH RUCKSACK ON MY BACK...AM I LOOKING FORWARD TO INDONISIA?...BALI IS THE ONLY PLACE WE HAVE DECIDED TO VISIT...THEN ITS ON TO SINGAPORE...BUY CAMERA/LAPTOP...THEN GET ON THE NEXT PLANE TO OZLAND...I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE COME BACK TO ENGLAND AT XMAS...ME AND NU NEED A BREAK...ITS GREAT SEEING ALL THESE COUNTRIES...BUT THEY ALL TEND TO BLEND INTO ONE...WE CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT WE HAVE ACTUALLY DONE...BUT WE BOTH NEED A REST...AFTER WE HAVE DONE A WEEK IN BALI...IT'LL BE 23 WEEKS!...AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME I CAN'T SEE NU AND I DOING 9 MONTHS IN OZ...MAYBE 3...AND MAYBE 3 MONTHS IN ZEALAND.
11.30AM...DRINKING BEER...WISH IT WAS WHISKEY...WE ARE NOW TALKING ABOUT NOT BOTHERING WITH INDONISIA...INSTEAD HEADING STRAIGHT FOR OZ...BALI SOUNDS OVER RATED AND IS PROBABLY JUST LIKE HERE...WE CAN'T DECIDE WHATS BEST TO DO...WE HAVE ALREADY BOUGHT OUR AIR TICKETS FOR INDONESIA...SHOULD WE BIN THEM AND JUST HEAD FOR OZ?...VIA MANILLA...GOTTA FIND SOME PRICES...GOTTA GET ON THE INTERNET...BUT I HATE THE INTERNET...IT MAKES ME ANGRY...MAYBE ITS THE HEAT...LACK OF SLEEP...THAT GOD DAMN NOISEY FAN!...MAYBE I JUST NEED SOME DECENT FOOD...CHEESE PLEASE!...OK WE WANTED TO GO TO SINGAPORE FOR CHEAP ELECTRICAL GOODS...BUT WHAT THE HELL...YOU TRY TO SAVE HERE...BUT YOU WASTE ELSEWHERES...WHO CARES...I DO!
2.00PM...HEAT GETTING TO ME...HEAD FOR CAFE AND SHADE...PORK BURGER/CHIPS/STRAWB SHAKE.
3.00PM...LYING ON BED...HALF DOZING.
5.00PM...NEED THE LOO...UP I GET.
5.45PM...BRANDY AND COKE...STILL CAN'T MAKE A DECISION ON WHATS BEST TO DO...NEARLY FINISHED READING BOOK...IT'LL HAVE AN HAPPY ENDING...KEN FOLLETT BOOKS ALWAYS DO.
9.00PM...WALK TO BEACH.
9.20PM...WAITING FOR SPAG BOL...DECIDED TO HEAD FOR BALI.


30.1.08.
8.00AM...NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO TO DAY...BUT I'D BETTER MOVE...PACKING TO DO.
8.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.35AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.05AM...PACKING.
9.40AM...CUPPA TEA/CORNFLAKES.
10.20AM...WAITING FOR TAXI TO PORT[400 PISO].
10.50AM...FERRY PORT.
11.00AM...CHECK IN...THEY WANT ANOTHER 123 PISO!
11.15AM...DEPARTURE LOUNGE/CAN OF COKE.
11.50AM...ON BOARD...OFF WE SAIL.
1.45PM...AT CEBU DOCKS.
2.00PM...TAXI TO AIRPORT[300 PISO].
2.40PM...CHECK IN...VERY SLOW.
3.00PM...CHICKEN SANDWICH...ABSOLUTELY AWFUL!
3.15PM...DEPARTURE LOUNGE...HAD TO PAY ANOTHER 400 PISO TO COME THRU!
3.35PM...BOARDING.
3.50PM...FLYING.
4.10PM...ASLEEP.
5.05PM...LANDED AT MANILLA...SHAKEN AWAKE.
5.20PM...BAG COLLECTION.
5.55PM...SHIFFLED ONTO A SHUTTLE BUS TO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
6.30PM...CHECK IN.
7.10PM...HUNGRY...CHEESE SANDWICH/BEER.
8.15PM...DEPARTURE LOUNGE.
8.40PM...BOARDING.
8.55PM...FLYING.
9.20PM...ASLEEP.
11.45PM...LANDED AT JAKARTA.



31.1.08.
12.20AM...GOING THRU IMMAGRATION...10 DOLLARS EACH FOR VISA.
12.30AM...STOPPED AT IMMAGRATION...CAN'T GO THRU UNLESS WE HAVE A VALID TICKET FOR NEXT DESTINATION...GIVE US A BREAK MATE WE HAVE ONLY JUST ARRIVED IN YOUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY?!
12.35AM...STANDING AT TICKET COUNTER.
12.40AM 3 CHAPS SEND US TO ANOTHER COUNTER...WHICH IS CLOSED...AND WHATS MORE THEY CAN SEE ITS CLOSED...DICKHEADS!
12.55AM...STILL WAITING AT DESK/COUNTER...HOPING IT MIGHT OPEN ANY TIME SOON...WE HAVEN'T COLLECTED OUR BAGS...PRESUME THEY ARE STILL GOING ROUND ON CAROUSEL.
1.10AM...MAN APPROACHES...LOOKS AT OUR PASSPORTS...STAMPS THEM AND LETS US THRU...WHY THEY COULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT IN THE FIRST PLACE...I DON'T KNOW.
1.20AM...COLLECTED BAGS.
1.30AM...WALKING OUTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT...GOTTA TAKE A TAXI TO DOMESTIC.
1.40AM...ABOUT 20 TAXI DRIVERS APPROACH US.
1.50AM...TAXI CHOSEN...AGREE A PRICE...50,000 RUPIAH[18,000 TO POUND].
2.05AM...DOMESTIC AIRPORT...OUT THE TAXI WE GET...I HAND THE INDONISIAN DICKHEAD 100,000 NOTE...HE GIVES ME 40,000 BACK AND SMILES...ARE ALL INDO DICKS THIEVES?...TOSSER!
3.00AM...A SWEDISH COUPLE HAVE JOINED AS WE WE SIT WAITING FOR THE AIRPORT TO OPEN.
4.00AM...AIRPORT OPENS...BUT WE CAN'T GO IN WITHOUT A TICKET.
4.15AM...ENQUIRE ABOUT PRICES TO FLY TO BALI...60 QUID EACH!
4.45AM...AFTER MUCH DELIBERATION WE PAY UP.
4.55AM INTO THE AIRPORT WE GO.
6.00AM...THERES A LUXURY? LOUNGE...PAY 50,000[18,000 TO POUND]...AND YOU CAN DRINK AS MUCH COFFEE/TEA AS YOU LIKE...ALSO THERES SOME SORT OF FOOD ON OFFER.
6.10AM...SOME NOODLE/RICE DISH...WEAK SOUP...DON'T OVER DO THE CHOICES WILL YOU!...COFFEE OK.
6.25AM...BUSY ON INTERNET...TRYING TO GET ENGLISH PREM SITE ON...SLOWEST NET I HAVE EVER COME ACROSS.
7.00AM...FINALLY GETTING SOMEWHERE...OFF I GO TO LOO.
7.05AM...COME BACK AND SOME INDO DICK IS ON 'MY' COMPUTER AND AS RUBBISHED MY SITE!
7.30AM...OFF I GO AGAIN...PERHAPS THIS COMPUTER AS WARMED UP NOW AND WON'T TAKE SO LONG...COFFEE STILL GOOD...SIXTH CUP.
8.00AM...AT LAST...GOT THE INFO I WANTED...ONE LAST CUP OF COFFEE...THEN WE'LL GO FOR CHECK IN.
8.30AM...CHECK IN...SOME INDO DICK IS STANDING ABOUT SIX INCHES BEHIND ME AS I TRY TO CHECK IN...I ASK HIM TO MOVE BACK...HE JUST STARES...YOU ARE MEANT TO BE BEHIND THE YELLOW LINE DICK HEAD!...HE JUST STARED...TOLD HIM HE WAS AN IDIOT...HE JUST STARED.
8.40AM...COMPLETED CHECK IN...TURNED AND TOLD HIM YET AGAIN WHAT AN ARSEHOLE HE IS...HE JUST STARED.
9.00AM...IN DEPARTURE LOUNGE.
9.35AM...FLYING.
9.50AM...ASLEEP.
12.05PM...LANDED AT BALI.
1.00PM...TAXI TO A HOTEL CALLED FLASHBACKS.
1.50PM...STEAK/CHIPS/BEERS.
3.00PM...EATING AUSTRALIAN CHEDDAR CHEESE SANDWICH WITH SALAD.
4.00PM...BED...SHATTERED...ALTHOUGH HAD SLEPT ON PLANES...WE BOTH JUST WANTED TO CRASH!


1.2.08.
7.00AM...NU ALREADY UP...WAKES ME WITH A CUPPA.
7.50AM...SHOWER.
8.20AM...EGG ON TOAST/TOAST AND JAM/COFFEE.
10.15AM...GOTTA FIND INTERNET CAFE...GOTTA LEAVE BALI BY 6TH FEB...ONLY GOT 7 DAY VISA...GONNA GET A FLIGHT TO PERTH,OZLAND...NOT BOTHERING WITH SINGAPORE.
11.00AM...INTERNET CAFE.
11.30AM...FRUSTRATION SETTING IN...IT KEEPS GOING OFF LINE...DECIDE TO GO TO QUANTAS OFFICE...IT MIGHT COST A BIT MORE...BUT WE DON'T CARE ANYMORE!
12.35PM...QUANTAS OFFICE...450 QUID FOR BOTH...IT'LL DO...FLY 12.20AM WED 6TH FEB.
1.30PM...ENJOYING A BEER...RAINING...I WANT IT TO RAIN FOREVER...I WANNA SEE SNOW...I WANNA HEAR THE WIND...I MISS ENGLAND...I REALLY DO!
3.00PM...SUPERMARKET...CHEESE/CRACKERS/COKE.
4.00PM...AUSSIE RESTAURANT...PORK SNITZEL...VERY SALTY...AUSSIE GUYS BEING VERY LOUD...AUSSIE CRICKET ON BIG SCREEN...VERY LOUD...I'M NOT SURE WHETHER I'M GONNA ENJOY OZ?
6.30PM...CHATTING WITH OTHER TRAVELLERS...ACTUALLY ENDED UP BEING AN ENJOYABLE DAY/EVENING.


2.2.08.
9.00AM...COFFEE.
10.00AM...SHOWER...ANOTHER SLOW DAY AHEAD.
11.00AM...BREAKFAST.
12.05PM...CHATTING POOLSIDE WITH COUPLE FROM SUNDERLAND.
1.30PM...SWEDISH RESTAURANT?...INDIAN CURRY?...CHICKEN IN A CURRY SAUCE ON A BED OF PASTA AND SALAD?...DIFFERENT...THATS FOR SURE!
3.20PM...BACK AT POOLSIDE.
7.00PM...CHICKEN SALAD SANDWICH.
9.00PM...SUNDERLAND CHAP AND ME GO OFF TO BAR TO WATCH FOOTIE.
3.00AM...THREE GAMES LATER BACK IN NU'S ARMS!


ASIA-ED OUT!

BYE FOR NOWZ.