Martin RTW

And finally...Dubai

2009-08-28T01:05:00.000-07:00

Pool at hotel

Dubai Mall

Melting kids outside the Mall

Tallest building!

Views from the room

Sea at 32 degrees

Well we arrived in 44 degrees thankfully everywhere is air conditioned - by now we were all quite tired so chilling around the beach and pool and a little retail therapy was pretty much all we could manage.

Great place and with more energy and cooler temperatures next time we will do it justice.

Furanafushi Island, Maldives

2009-08-27T20:58:00.000-07:00

A beach

The view and our rooms

VIP table!

So after a total flying time of 6hrs we arrived in the Maldives a short speedboat transfer and we arrived in our beautiful surroundings. Really is paradise with added luxury - apparently the weather had been awful before we arrived but the rain generally came at night.

So easy just to chill around the beach and pool the service from the staff was fantastic and very personal - kids made a couple of friends - we were really sad to leave for Dubai the last leg - another 2 flights later total flying time of 6hrs (Ground Hog Day) and we arrived in Dubai.

Singapore Sling!

2009-08-27T20:00:00.000-07:00

Synchronised swimmers?

Singapore Flier

"That was my toe you just stood on Numpty"

Views from the Pod

Not need to explain

So good we did this ride at least twice!

Singapore museum - amazing!

Samuel and Mum listening to some tunes!

That's my name!

Raffles!

Crikey what's this all over the floor?

Had to be done!

Singapore was a real surprise to us - we didn't expect to find such a great place. Thought it would be similar to Hong Kong. Loads to do and although it was hot and humid plenty of places to chill out.

We visited the Singapore Flyer basically the same as the London Eye but larger apparently - checked out an Irish bar that was on the edge of F1 track - all the grandstands were being put into place - not sure if they have left themselves enough time?

Museum was great too and kids loved all the history the WWII theme still being a large part of the RTW.

We drunk "Singapore Slings" in Raffles although quite disappointed with the meal there, but had to be done.

Had a great evening in"Hard Rock" - when Samuel went up on stage and was quite a little star although strangely lost for words!

We decided during our stay not to stay in Sri Lanka as previously planned but to opt for The Maldives and so 2 flights later we arrived.

Melbourne and Great Ocean Road!

2009-08-21T01:04:00.000-07:00

Mummy and Sammy

MCG

Anzac memorial

Ali cat!

The track

The pretty ones!

Brighton!

Well my 3rd visit to Melbourne - and never disappoints! We joined up with Lu to check out the City -popped into a couple of Museums - lunch in Williamstown and a quick look at Brighton Beach with it's brightly coloured beach huts and amazing view of the city skyline. Quick drive around the F1 track and an opportunity for the boys to check out the podium position - somebody had left the door open!

We also did "The Great Ocean Road" the weather was kind to us and en route we spotted some hump back whales! We stayed at "Chris's'" which is just outside Apollo Bay a great spot although we did have a few extra room mates! Well it was quite remote to be expected. A great view of the Twelve Apostles - oh and Neil got let off by the local traffic cop - so not fair!

Port Douglas & Cape Tribulation

2009-08-17T19:52:00.001-07:00

Old buddies! Yes matching hats too!

Stare and you will see Mrs Dundee

Mr Dundee

Beach at 7.00am - look no Germans!

Sunday lunch - liquid lunch for some!

Lagoon pool at the hotel

We arrived into warmer temperatures again - collected our "Van" and drove for an hour to the hotel complex where we managed to negotiate a good deal on a great villa room enough for 6! Neil's old buddy Jimmer joined us the following day and a great few days were had around the pools at the resort or on the deserted Four Mile Beach a stones throw from our villa. Cycling along the beach was great exercise!

We took a drive out to Cape Tribulation and checked out the Crocs en route! Cape Trib was

my idea of paradise and somewhere to scatter the Ashes! Would be great to do the 4WD tour of too.

The weather was great even for Winter - Jimmer flew back to Brisbane around the same time we flew onto next stop Melbourne!

Sydney

2009-08-17T17:27:00.001-07:00

We landed in Sydney and immediately felt alot warmer! A short taxi journey to our "Harbourside" apartment found us in a great place with an amazing view of the Bridge and Opera House - when the nights lights lit up the sky is was even better!

Next day we took the ferry to Darling Harbour to explore later that day an City Tour via an open top red bus! Luckily for us not a repeat of last years experience of the huge downpour in Bondi!

Following day I flew to Melbourne to be with Lu at her Citizenship Ceremony - Neil and the gang explored Manley Beach - we met up the following day at Sydney Airport for our short hop to Cairns.

Back To Christchurch

2009-08-10T03:27:00.000-07:00

Yes he is!

Moereki Boulders

Akaroa & Queenstown

2009-08-05T04:20:00.001-07:00

Akaroa

Views on the 6hr roadtrip!

View from the apartment

Before the Luge

After our arrival in Christchurch we picked up another hire car and set off on an hours trip to Akaroa - by the time we arrived it was dark but we felt we had landed in a rather unique area of New Zealand. The area was originally discovered by French Settlers so therefore has a very French feel. We had a great meal in Bully Hayes a really quaint restaurant with amazing food 5*. A good nights sleep and then back for brunch to BH's again great food! Discussed our plans with the waitress and she suggested we should take a look at the Moereki Boulders so we did a few days later.

So onward we went to Queenstown - 6 hrs later in the dark again we found "home" for the next few days and really lovely house set in a hill with the most amazing views - the journey down took us through very picturesque landscape the kind we will probably never witness again - breathtaking and the air also was so pure and clear.

So we had a few days in Queenstown renowned for bungy, skydiving, skiing etc etc - it was very cold down to -7 at night but hey 6 layers of clothes and it was fine!

We had a jetboat ride through the Shotover River - freezing but also very thrilling, helicopter ride to the Skyline complex where we had a go at the Luge - great fun! Then a gondola ride to the town.

We set off back to Christchurch the following day retracing our steps this time in daylight.

Samuels 9th Birthday

2009-08-04T04:12:00.000-07:00

Auckland In & Out!

2009-07-31T01:37:00.000-07:00

Huka falls

View from the apartment

So after a late start and an amazing breakfast in our swanky hotel - Neil collected our hire vehicle for the week - hmmmm not quite the car we all hoped for - the the next few days it was fondly referred to as "The Shed" - it stank, it was dirty and rusty but is was very cheap! After a wet and windy journey we arrived at Jill & Ian's - The Relies in Lake Taupo! Quick brew then off to the Lakeside motel home for 5 days.

What struck us most was the drop in temperature blimely it was cold, electric blankets, heaters on full blast and bed socks a must! Next morning pulled back the curtains and the view again was beautiful Lake Taupo, however, the rain was upon us so quick stock up at "Woolworths" yes still open over here! Roast chicken with Yorkshires - luverly! Popped to see the family and gather some ideas for the next few days.

Saturday brought us great weather sun was shining so we drove to Rotorua for the day and booked a Floatplane for a 30 minute flight over the amazing volcanic scenery - great experience and fantastic photos and video. Although happy that the smells can't be reproduced as the sulphur does get up your nose after a while.

Sunday we went for a drive with Dale - Neil's cousin, to check out local "Hotspots" - including the bungy jump - Eloise and Alice were quite keen but felt the queue was a little long! The jump didn't bother them!

After lunch we drove around the Lake and had a leisurely stroll along the pumice beach great location and no-one around, so tranquil.

Next morning we went to Huka falls to watch the water being released from upstream - cold but worth it - then drove for a couple of hours to Mount Ruapehu - views were outstanding AGAIN - didn't ski but took the chairlift for sightseeing purposes had a hot chocolate and then back down again.

Tuesday 28th - Samuel's 9th birthday - usual birthday morning early start presents and cards - then a visit to the SPCA - Jill volunteers there and the children wanted to cuddle a puppy, well actually they wanted the puppy! Then gourmet lunch at the Golden Arches in a DC3 (Dakota) yep don't get that in Chippenham!

"Rock n Ropes" for afters - amazing the kids were fearless 40m high and jumping, walking backwards and throwing themselves off!

Our last night in Taupo - airport tomorrow that will make a change then?

Hawaii - Pearl Harbour

2009-07-26T14:33:00.000-07:00

We visited Pearl Harbour on a 7 hr organised tour - very moving in places especially "The Arizona" memorial so many men lost, a great place to get the full perspective of what actually happenend on 7 Dec 1941 - no sign of Ben or Josh though! But we did meet 2 surviours of that fateful day and got autographs and a photo opportunity too. Really nice chaps. We had a tour of "Mighty Mo" - USS Missouri - again great historical content and everything fell into place for the children regarding WWII after visiting all the memorials in Washington a couple of weeks before.
We had a brief tour of the city and gathered alot of information from the very comical tour guide/bus driver including Obama's first house and school also explained the demise of Captain Cook the guy could of had his own TV show - a really funny man! All in all a lovely place to visit but so far away from the UK - we checked out of our hotel and boarded the first of 2 flights to New Zealand and brief touch down in Sydney - 16 hrs later we finally arrived in Auckland bed at last!

Hawaii - Waikiki

2009-07-26T03:04:00.001-07:00

Next stop Hawaii - a quick flight - 6hrs - and we touched down very impressive airport for such a small Island and generally a great place to stay. Our hotel was right on the beach however, very overcrowded no Germans but a shortage of sunbeds by 7.30am every morning! We checked out the beach and longest time spent in the sea for the girls was 2.5 hrs! The sea was very warm although quite unpredictable. Huge Turtles swam really close to the beach looking for scraps of waste food. We later found out about the Box Jellyfish, the record for one day in Waikiki was over 800 people stung! Apparently they come in a swarm so you get some warning from the lifeguards. We had some great meals out, very varied restaurants the shops were amazing although pretty much catering for the Japenese visitors - ironic given the history of the place! Its a bit like NYC with a beach!

Los Angeles and surrounding!

2009-07-24T03:31:00.000-07:00

"Chips"

"Malibu Beach"

So we set off towards LA via the scenic route passing through Santa Barbara and then the draw to a beach was too much so out we hopped quick change on we were on the beach - Malibu Beach however, nobody famous seemed to be out that day. After an hour or so took off again grabbed a "Subbie" next to the "unwanted puppy parlour" "ahh" said the kids "no" we said we have too much luggage already!

We took a tour through the city Venice Beach etc and checked out Beverley Hills and "Miley Cyrus'" house took some snaps impressed the kids nightmare with the traffic though.

Checked into our hotel and prepared for an early start - Hawaii for 5 days bit of a break!

Ace Ventura

2009-07-17T00:53:00.000-07:00

We set off after an usual breakfast say no more - decided we would break the journey to Los Angeles we headed off and en route detoured to take a look at "Neverland" easy to find and not as we all imagined glad we paid our respects.

We rocked up at Ventura a really lovely town with lots of history but unfortunately not enough time for us to explore so a quick meal at the harbour and a very chilled evening watching a movie in the hotel room! Boring but we were starting to tire.....

Monterey

2009-07-17T00:29:00.000-07:00

Well just so happens Sian's friend is a dentist so all sorted Neil now has a full set of new veneers!

After a quick bite to eat we pack off and set off to visit Monterey 90 mins from San Jose and very nice too. Weather was great yachts even more impressive and we had a little trip out on the "Little Mermaid" to check out the Sea Lions and other sea creatures.

Great Ice creams along the pier - Neil and Eloise became fans of Clam Chouwder and acquired taste......

We said our goodbyes to Sian and family and continued South on Highway 1 - a breathtaking journey with the sun just setting on the ocean and winding roads just like the movies! But alas no Rag Top for us - we checked in to our motel which was a little odd but character building and very chintzy.

The Sanders of San Jose!

2009-07-14T22:19:00.000-07:00

This is how you do it kids!

The girls!

The Boys!

After a short drive we arrived on time which makes a change for us at Sian & Nick's - so good to not have to check in with reception instead a very warm welcome cold glass of vino and a family BBQ.

All the kids got on really well after all only a year since they saw each other! Were very late retiring to bed as were the adults! Ah well never mind.

Next day, quick trip to The Mall for emergency supplies for cousin in OZ yes you Lu! Then off we all went to take a look at Santa Cruz had a stroll to the beach where the kids were brave enough to swim even though the signs were up "Slight risk of pollution" good job the showers were working!

Lovely meal on the boardwalk and a very quick game of volley ball where upon I certainly discovered that I am not so skilled as I was at 15.

Kids and adults had an earlier night - oh yeah forgot to mention Neil's lost filling! To be continued ....

San Francisco day 2

2009-07-14T21:59:00.000-07:00

Alcatraz

Had a very late breakfast and then just hung around Fisherman's Wharf area for most of the day bought a few pairs of Levis obviously!

Oh yeah forgot to mention the very scantily clad pair walking down the main street Neil did take photos from the back of course but it's a family blog so you will have to wait til we get home to see those! Not a pretty sight!

Checked out of the hotel with a very loaded down 4WD and set off for San Jose to visit Sian, Nick and their fab kids for a few days. The outside temperature rose considerably in those 52 miles to our relief.

San Francisco

2009-07-14T10:02:00.000-07:00

The hotel was well located for all the major attractions we decided to go on a guided tour around the city which included all the hot spots - Golden Gate etc a little cold and windy day but still a good one.

Beautiful city with very diverse cultures - unfortunately, we weren't able to go on the cruise around Alcatraz but still got a few shots from a distance.

Had a great meal in the Italian quarter just for a change! An early night for the younger crew and Neil fell asleep literally on a bar stool!

National Air and Space Museum!

2009-07-10T22:38:00.000-07:00

Well the agent made an error in our flight times we had an extra 9hrs to kill luckily for us the museum was just down the road and the hotel shuttle bus dropped us for breakfast and then dropped us off right outside.

Excellent day museum was very well put together and extremely informative - loads of history kids really enjoyed it quite breathtaking how they managed to accommodate so many aircraft in such a tight space!

Again photos don't do it justice kids went in a simulator great day was had by all!

We checked out of the hotel and made our way to airport unfortunately, Neil and I had seats but kids didn't! 10 mins of nail biting whilst they were on standby luckily enough people volunteered to take the next flight and we were on all in various locations on the plane! However, managed to persuade other passengers to swap.

Arrived in San Francisco crazy taxi driver but got to hotel in record time! Great hotel with fabulous rooms. Very late night so very late breakfast!

WOW Washington!

2009-07-10T22:05:00.000-07:00

So finally arrived in Washington quite late checked in - kids managed the lift system far better than us long story ....... but very funny that's what you get for raising intelligent children they make you look stupid!

Woke up grabbed a quick breakfast then off to explore, first stop Iwa Jima memorial and Arlington Cemetery the first of the memorials we can't compete us Brits we just don't have anything as fitting reminded of this throughout the day.

We passed the Pentagon and parked up at Capitol Hill - everywhere very accessible and no problem in parking! Unlike London. Dropped the car and then took the Metro to our next stop

Lincoln Memorial and onward photos don't really do it justice but you get the picture.

Metro and cab back to hotel kids had a swim unfortunately the lifeguard had a sense of humour bypass! Hey ho

NYC & Rocky's Steps

2009-07-09T15:24:00.000-07:00

So a quick visit to Macys! Then check out the hotel and off to collect the car "a short 3 minute walk" said Neil yeah right 5 cases and 15 mins later we all arrive at Hertz to be told "sorry your car is at another location" "yeah right" I said "you better get a car here not our problem yours" and as if by magic a car arrives rather nice "thank you" we say and off to Philly we go!

30 mins to get out of NYC this time getting the hang of this - and we arrive in Philly after a pleasant drive missing out on the thunderstorms back in the smoke.

We visited the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall - Neil wanted to do the famous Rocky steps

and yes he managed it just actually we all managed it!

Next stop KFC en route for Washington finally arrive at another Sheraton very nice!

Central Park!

2009-07-09T14:28:00.001-07:00

We ventured off to central park via cab and took a sneak at The Museum of National History - mainly for Samuel trying to find Robin Williams - next stop Central Park for a horse drawn carriage ride around with our "new friend" Joseph from Limerick - apparently an ex accountant! Obviously likes horses then - he dropped us at the Plaza quick pit stop totally awesome nice little wedding reception venue for a few of the rich and famous.

Booked our car for the next leg of our trip and found a very necessary Chinese Laundry very very cheap thank goodness!

A little trip round the shops and then a visit to movies to see "Ice Age Dawn Of The Dinosaurs" in 3D - another quick visit to the shops mainly for Eloise who incidently is beginning to sound American!

Back in NYC

2009-07-09T14:00:00.000-07:00

So we flew back from Toronto slight delay as the pilot had a heart attack good job it was pre flight! Not so good for the pilot! Checked into our hotel who messed up booking but gave us another room at a discount! Then off to explore our local area Times Square loads of photo opportunities for Jocks Tshirt - (Ice cream parlour in Melbourne).

Kids got to ride in the Big Wheel in Toys R Us - we changed for dinner and went to Little Italy and sampled the cuisine! Bring on the Prosecco!

1 day in Toronto!

2009-07-06T14:43:00.000-07:00

My back seat!

2nd attempt!

Arrived safe and sound checked into our rather nice hotel - visited the gym and kids swam for a couple of hours then checked out the local "Lone Star" - great Tex Mex food huge portions that we just couldn't finish!

Next day long bus trip to subway encountered some rather strange people on the way all character building for the little ones!

Took a peak at the CN tower didn't go up 90 mins queue time! Checked out Hard Rock cafe which was next to Blue Jay Stadium great view point!

Had lunch in Little Italy used the streetcar to subway and then got on the bus back to hotel - oh yeah forgot to mention the fire alarm yes it went of twice in the night not good we need our sleep!

Went back to "Lone Star" for refuelling and still didn't manage to eat everything we ordered!

Wild Waters & journey to Toronto!

2009-07-05T19:37:00.000-07:00

View from the top of the Skylon Tower Lunch in Skylon Tower Friday 3rd July
Radips down from the falls, 'awesome'. Its where the tightrope used to be!
Whitewater observation platform

The short drive to Toronto! No spectacular views though a little disappointing

Go on Neil see how far you can swim with a little weight on board!
Small shower good job we brought a brolly

The Falls!

2009-07-02T19:43:00.001-07:00

Late start after the fire alarms were set off twice during the night not much fun when you're 22 floors up! Booked a tour that took us to various stops but the major attraction was Maid of the Mist - "awesome" said Samuel and it was very wet but an incredible experience! Up the Skylon tour to finish the trip and back to the hotel to watch the nightly fireworks - early to bed for tired little ones.

Tomorrow we are off to explore B.O.S!

The Big Apple

2009-07-02T19:11:00.000-07:00

Scruffy loving his World Tour! Great Hotel but didn't stay for long breakfast then hire car pick up challenge - how do we get that much luggage in that size car? Well after 1 hr problem solved and yes you've guessed we got another Hyundai this time a 4wd but with a slight wheel wobble!

2hrs to get of NYC and then the open road for 7 looooonnnnnggggg hours! Yes we drove through a few strange towns seemed like no-one was home a lot of flags that will be because it's nearly 4th July then?

Found Niagara Falls and after going through the border with a few strange looks from passport control after seeing all the stamps in Neil's passport we were in!

First impression is "Bournemouth on Steriods" however, fantastic hotel that upgraded us to an amazing room with even a better view "awesome" said Samuel.

The Off!

2009-07-02T19:00:00.000-07:00

Here we are setting off on our major holiday of a lifetime! Leaving good Ole Blighty in the sun for a change to fly to 1st stop The Big Apple!

Niagara Falls

2009-07-02T10:31:00.000-07:00

Posted by Laura & Ross

View from their hotel room!!!

Hello!

2009-06-29T14:54:00.000-07:00

We're all packed now ready to set off! New York, New York here we come, leaving the scorching British weather behind for the equally warm but slightly more stormy weather of the big apple.