Ross and Wyn Davies Travel Blog

Sunday we had our swim before breakfast – not that breakfast was too early. The water was lovely and clear and I could see a couple of friendly little striped fish swimming near me. One was called Pedro and the other one was Penny. It was nice to swim with the fishes. Continue reading →

The expected touts at the wharf must have slept in or something. It was all very low key as we sat around wondering what to do next. We realised we’d need to take a taxi – to somewhere. The most interested taxi driver agreed that Chaweng Beach was too hectic and suggested Lemai Beach – which was already on our radar. We had some recommendations but he suggested a possible place and we decided to have a look. Amity Bungalows turned out to be the perfect spot. Continue reading →

A minibus picked us up at our guesthouse in Georgetown and soon we were heading off. It was a bit of a squash and the afternoon was hot and we were happy to have grabbed a couple of seats on the shady side. It was interesting to see the 13.5km bridge from the island back over to mainland Malaysia. Then it was a succession of motorways and expressways. With random stops for fuel for the van and for us. The plan seemed fairly vague and after a while it seemed we needed to make up a bit of time. Continue reading →

The first decision of Wednesday 3 August was to stay for another night in Georgetown. That done, we header up the road for breakfast and then came back and booked our travel to Ko Samui – minibus and then overnight bus and then an early morning ferry. Business sorted, we headed off out for the day – catching a bus from our street to an extraordinary Buddhist temple Kek Lok Si. It extends well up a hillside – it seems like the temple that grew. There is an interesting gauntlet up the path and steps at the bottom through a zillion souvenir stalls. Continue reading →

Yesterday morning the train stopped at 7am at the Butterworth station. It was a hazy warm sort of morning and we were a bit hazy too. We had had a good nights sleep but we owed a bit back to our bodies yet. We found our way off the station and onto a ferry across the water to Penang Island. There is a 13.5km bridge but the ferry is a much nicer option. It only takes 15 minutes. We watched a red sun rise as we docked. In NZ volcanic ash causes red sun. I think it is normal over here. Continue reading →

We made it to Asia. And it was warmer than Christchurch. Warmer than anything we’ve experienced for a while. We were taken out to the Christchurch Airport on Sunday evening by kind Peter. He had ice on his windscreen when he came over to pick us up at 8.30pm. It was freezing. We checked in straight away and hung around passing the time until boarding. We took a couple of old tops to keep warm which was a good idea. Boarding was before midnight and we left about 10 minutes early. Continue reading →

I’m just testing my new user-name. It seemed a good idea to limit my access to this blog while we’re relying on public places to access it. So now I’m also RossInAsia even though I’m still in Christchurch.

Yesterday morning we farewelled Laura – back home to Dunedin and school on Monday. We took her out to the airport and watched her go. It was sad to see her off and exciting to think it’d be us there in another days time flying out ourselves. Did we ever mention our impending holiday? Some people probably think we’re on holiday much of the time. But this is a holiday holiday, and our honeymoon. 7 weeks in South East Asia. We have return tickets Christchurch to Kuala Lumpur, arriving Monday morning. And train tickets out of KL to Butterworth/Penang for Monday night. And that’s it for bookings and fixed plans. Continue reading →

Saturday back in Blenheim we had a sort out and catch up and Sunday we started work at the motels we’d be managing for a week and a half.  It’d been 4 months since we’d left so there were a few things to remember.  But we were soon back into it. There’s a natural flow to each day – stuff that has to be done – and we slipped into the routines. The days slipped by as well – there’s not a lot of spare time between 7am and 9pm. We were on a countdown to our holiday and trying to get a few things ticked off each day. Things like vaccination boosters. And hair cuts. And car servicing and physio. Continue reading →

So there we were, getting blown about in Masterton. I was feeling a bit worse for wear with my back but was in good hands. Walking around was as good as anything so we went for a bit of an explore around Masterton. We had a look in their nice new museum. The town seemed to close about 4pm so we went back home to Suzi.

Monday we moved on south to Greytown. What a nice little town is Greytown. Continue reading →

Saturday morning came and we decided we had better move on.  We had met a guy in Raglan in the bar/restaurant where we went to listen to the band Rosie Tin Teacaddy and he was from the Wairarapa and got us enthused about visiting the area, so Masterton became our destination.  Off we set in overcast weather, Ross looking forward to going through the Manawatu Gorge, more new territory for him. Continue reading →

It took a while to get out of Raglan. We’d enjoyed our three days there and were  reluctant to leave. The afternoon was well on before we finally headed out towards Hamilton. Not far from there we turned south. We made a stop at Pirongia before carrying on to Otorohonga where we parked up just outside the town. We watched another spectacular sunset before serttling down. Continue reading →

How time flies when we’re on the road. Tolaga Bay seems ages ago now.

We did have a walk – to Cook’s Cove. And then moved on to Gisborne where we stayed the night and sorted a few things out in the morning,  We headed on south to the hot springs at Morere. Only to find that they are closed. Have been since big rains and a slip in April dameged their spring.  So it was on down to Mahia Peninsula and Mahia. We spent two nights there and had a walk and explore on a cloudy sort of day. Continue reading →

At Tolaga Bay this morning. It’s taken almost a week to get around the East Cape, and been a great week. Mostly fine weather with lots of rain yesterday. Fine again today and we’re on south towards Gisborne with maybe a walk first.

Right! After lots of Not Doing Much we are on the road again. Finished at packhouse. No more kiwifruit. No more night shifts. Our last night was last Wednesday. It started to rain again on Friday and we were lucky to make it out of the camp ground. We spent the weekend at Omokoroa by Tauranga Harbour with Wyn’s grandson. And yesterday we headed East. Back through Te Puke and on to Whakatane. Just in time to catch a wonderful sunset. We’re back to hanging out in carparks – thanks Bunnings.
The plan is to continue east – around East Cape. Then south to Gisborne and back up to Auckland in a couple of weeks. The sun is shining and the forecast is good and life is good. I think I’ll finish the Saturday Herald this week. I think that’s a sign of something.