Eastern Hemisphere 2006

Tokyo, Japan

2006-09-03T07:03:00.000-07:00

Outside our traditional Japanese lodgings in Tokyo, the Suzuki Ryokan

Craig poses on the first night of our trip in his courtesy robe

The finest, freshest Sushi in the world at the early morning fish market in downtown Tokyo
Kids being entertained with the latest gadgets at the Sony Centre
Bigger kids...

An English pub in Ueno, Northern Tokyo, with our Japanese co-supporters the night England gets knocked out of the World Cup 2006
Ornamental Tokyo
Our home subway stop is "Tea-tree, robot man" or Ueno. Smaller subway stations do not display English tube maps!

Sun evasion with elegance

Rushhour in Tokyo

Sydney, Australia

2006-09-03T06:39:00.000-07:00

Sydney Harbor Bridge

Sydney Harbor, looking towards Circular Quays
Darling Harbor
The journey back to our King's Cross hostal takes us through this interesting suburb!

Hyde Park, Sydney
Sydney Opera House from the other side of Sydney Harbor
Bondi, quite reminiscent of Bridlington!
A damn cold Winter's swim

Southern Queensland, Fraser Island, Australia

2006-09-03T06:10:00.000-07:00

Arriving at Kingfisher Bay, Fraser Island in our 10 man 4WD Champagne Pools, Fraser Island

The dunes above Orchid beach
Posing on the dunes
The view down towards Indian Head from Waddy Point
Lake McKenzie
Racing across the white sands
Crystal clear freshwater inland lakes
Our campsite for the second night looking straight out into the Pacific
Group pose on the 90km beach/highway along the East coast of the island

The Whitsundays, Central Queensland, Australia

2006-09-03T05:40:00.000-07:00

Abel Point Marina, Airlie Beach, where we meet for the transfer to our yacht Dingy across the marina to our boat, the Apollo
Serene sands at Whitehaven beach

View from the lookout on Whitsunday
Noctural "snorkelling!" Goon is funnelled through your snorkel and into your mask. The English have shown up the Welsh...

Craig and myself on the Apollo
Snorkelling at Caves Cove; stinger suits are worn to protect against jellyfish
Sunset across from Hook Island, the Whitsundays

Jugs of VB at Beaches, Airlie Beach; Dave the skipper joins us for our boat reunion

Northern Queensland, Australia

2006-09-03T05:09:00.000-07:00

Slapping the GOON at the YHA Central, Cairns
El Presidente at the YHA; the "asshole" Jimmy is disgusted with his cards Craig prepares his dynamite hand
Bungy jumping at AJ Hackett, Cairns
Post jump buzz!
Scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef
Craig is brought down to lower depths by our instructorSelf-portrait with our disposable underwater camera

Back on the Osprey, after our 20 minute introductory dive

Singapore and Malaysia

2006-08-24T14:49:00.000-07:00

Cheap, multi-ethnic cuisine at the Lau Pa Sat Festival Market Hawker Centre, Singapore
Sampling a Singapore Sling in the Long Bar of the Raffles Hotel
Evidence of an oppressive Singaporean regime. This sign was opposite our hotel in a public park
The Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpa, Malaysia

Southern Thailand

2006-08-24T14:48:00.000-07:00

Thanon Kao San, the heart of the backpacker circuit, Bangkok. Looking down towards our hotel, the highly recommended D&D Inn, complete with rooftop pool, bar and all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast!

The infamous tuk-tuk driver with whom no nonsense, aggressive bartering is required

A guardian of the Grand Palace, Bangkok

Kaweng Beach, Ko Samui, Eastern Thailand

Cocktails on the private beach of the Marine Bungalows, Kaeng beach

Filling up our 125cc trek bike on Ko Phan Ngan. I crashed this bike on the mountainous roads above Hat Rin after finding out that 125cc is not enough to carry a 14 stone pillion passenger up a 40 degree incline!!

A ladyboy bar outside Hat Rin!

Hiring a long boat for the afternoon to take us to the secluded and inaccessible beaches and coves along the Eastern coast of Ko Phan Ngan

Muai Thai boxing, Thongsala, Ko Phan Ngan; this particular fighter lost me about 1000BT!

Keeping tabs on the healing process...

Northern Thailand

2006-08-24T14:46:00.000-07:00

The children of Vachiratharn, on the Maetalaklang river, Northern Thailand

Our landlady at Sobmae Ruam from whom many locally produced bangles were purchased for 20BT a piece
Elephant riding outside Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand
Ollie and Craig somewhat drenched after a tropical downpour emerging from our bamboo retreat in the middle of the paddy field
A photogenic girl from Sobmae Ruam
Craig ponders
Our packed lunch of sticky rice and veg which has been carefully wrapped up in banana leaves
Our bamboo rafts for the 1hr white water passage downstream
River crossing, jungle style

Relief at returning to our jeep after our gruelling 3 day trek

Laos (1)

2006-08-24T14:44:00.000-07:00

Our Mehkong bungalow on the island of Don Det, Southern Laos. $1 a night for a double room and hammock veranda!
The waterfalls outside Luang Pabang
Keeping dry on the Esplanade, Luang Pabang

Mr Mo's bar, restaurant, bungalow, travel service, and all round service provider, Don Det.
Craig receives some attention on the slow boat to Patbeng

Another hazy wake up call in Laos
The lion sanctuary outside Luang Prabang

Chilling out with Ian Fleming's Moonraker

Laos (2)

2006-08-24T14:02:00.000-07:00

A staple South East Asian diet of chicken fried rice and coconutLeigh and myself on a slow boat down the Laotian Mehkong
Robyn and Lindy tucking into their dishes at an Indian curry house Stop off at Pat Beng on the 2 day journey from the Thai border to Luang PabangOur accommodation with a view down toward to pier. The generators providing power in Pat Beng are cut off at 11pm for the nightly curfew
Mojitos at the Hive Bar, Luang Pabang

Snake marinating in Whisky Lao Lao at the night bazaar Luang Pabang

Recuperation in the Southern island of Don Det
Mr Mo, our liaison officer, who negotiated our Laos/Cambodian border crossing
Nightclubbing Cambodian style at The Heart of Darkness, Phnom Penh

Cambodia

2006-08-24T13:45:00.000-07:00

A sombre memorial at the Killing Fields outside Phnom Penh

The entrance to Angkor Wat outside Siem Reap

Angkor Wat

Guardians of the South gate

Not so tourist free!

Near vertical climb up due to 1000 years of footfall erosion

Decadent Ta Prom, the "tombraider" shot

Bayon

Craig's perfect shot!

Hong Kong

2006-08-24T13:41:00.000-07:00

The skyline of Hong Kong Island as viewed from the Star Ferry terminal, Kowloon

The dizzy commercial heights of Kowloon

The Dadol Hotel, Kimberley Road, Kowloon described by the Rough Guide as a "non-sleasy love hotel that's very welcoming!!" Reasonable twin rooms available and the staff speak English!

Tsim Sha Tsui, downtown Kowloon; card and dice drinking games with the hospitable locals

The uber-glamorous Peninsula hotel

Our Kowloonian hosts for the evening

The puzzle stall at the Temple Street Market. Self portrait to remember how to rearrange the infamous Octagon