Friday, May 29, 2009

Andrew & Julie’s Top 10

Okay, this isn't a top ten list. It’s just a list of the highlights of our RTW trip so far.

We wrote this while having dinner in a waterside restaurant (35° South) in the little town of Paihia on the Bay of Islands, NZ. The dinner itself wasn’t anything to write home about but we did enjoy reminiscing while thinking of our favourite experiences.  We haven’t blogged about too many of them, so perhaps this is the first time we are sharing them with the world.

Biggest personal growth or learning experience J: valuing relationships, there’s 
“no place like home”
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  A: becoming less risk averse,
recognising the good relationship with Julie
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Most interesting learning: J: Buddhism, plight of Thai lady-boys IMG_4146
  A: Forbidden City IMG_3595
Scariest moment: J: fear of being locked inside the Summer Palace gates in the pouring rain (Beijing) IMG_3416
  A: hot, overcrowded boat departing Haiphong to Halong Bay. (and see above) train ride to the boat
Greatest drama J: taxi crash in Istanbul  
  A: Julie’s friends!, or personally learning that a friend who I thought was married is now not, and is now gay. oops.  
Favourite drink J: Otago Pinot Noir IMG_0806
  A: watermelon shake

I can’t believe I don’t have a picture of us drinking one!

Favourite cheer J:
“Whoop, whoop!”
– Tara, kayak guide in Milford Sound
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  A:
“More of everything!”
–Dylan, AKL flatmate
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Favourite saying J: “mmmmm” = “yes” in Kiwi-speak, also “sweet as” and “choice”  
  A: “can-not” said with a Swedish accent –David at Seedaeng guesthouse, KohSamui  
Biggest over-hype J: Great Ocean Road, Australia IMG_8742
  A: Patong town, Phuket Patong Beach Road
Worst tour J: Chiang Mai mountain trip what kind of raft doesn't float??
  A: Koh Samui boat trip to marine reserve with bad snorkelling IMG_3485
Favourite meal J: Lao She Teahouse Chinese food, Beijing click to view larger photo
  A: home-made Vietnamese lunch during CatBa trek story
Worst meal J: Bambi kebaps, Istanbul (sick for the next day+) IMG_3133
  A: ABC meal-replacement drink at KK market IMG_6660
Best new food J: Thai pomello fruit IMG_6093
  A: Feijoa fruit (NZ), or Nashi pears (NZ)  
Worst new food J: Durian fruit read the story
  A: DURIAN! gawd! those were awful tasting!
Best market J: Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne, AUS  
  A: KK Night Market, Kota Kinabalu, Borneo IMG_6654
Favourite night out J: Lan Kwai district, Hong Kong (cheap martinis, people watching) IMG_3702
  A: meeting Bruce Nesbit in Melbourne (pub, restaurant, wine bar) IMG_9124
Best hike J: Rob Roy Track, South Island, NZ IMG_0704
  A: Mt. Kinabalu, Borneo IMG_6746
Best hotel/lodging J: Great Ocean Road Cottages, Lorne, AUS IMG_9176
  A: Museum Hotel, Wellington, NZ.
…although Seedaeng guesthouse in Samui was a great place to hang out.
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Best day trip J: Halong Bay hike/lunch/boat IMG_4035
  A: Similan Islands, Phuket, Thailand IMG_6184
Favourite City J: Hong Kong IMG_3578
  A: Istanbul IMG_3347
Most sketchy circumstance J: boat ride to full moon party,
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  A: Hostel in Kowloon, HK    
Scooter transport in Halong Bay
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