South Island, NZ

Photos of our last week in New Zealand:

South Island

Two weeks of Sticky Breaks

Photos from our campervan tour of the North Island of New Zealand. It's nearly winter here, so at times it was cold, windy, and wet. But we managed to counteract this with plenty of stops for coffee and cakes (a sticky break).

North Island

Teahupoo Surfing Contest

By fluke we were in Tahiti for a big international surf competition. Even flukier we watched the final from a little boat - we got really close. This competition is tough as the wave breaks onto a razor sharp coral reef- mess up and you pay. Can't remember the name of the guy who won - but it wasn't Kelly Slater.

Tahiti

Luckily when we were watching, the wave wasn't at it's biggest - here's a movie of what it can do.

Moorea

Moorea is an tropical island in French Polynesia. It's surrounded by a coral reef which encloses a warm, shallow lagoon full of coral and fish. We spent a lot of time snorkelling - Carrie got snuggled by a ray, while Noel had his leg hugged by an octopus. Here's some photos of the island (above water)

Moorea

Easter Island

After a long delay (caused by my laptop having a wobbly), here's some more photos - Easter Island / Rapa Nui - the most remote airport (and inhabited island) in the world. The place with the stone heads (Moai).

Easter Island

Its a lot more pleasant and warm than we expected. We managed a morning on the beach, between visiting all the Moai.

Valparaiso

.. is a jumbly old sea port that covers the hills with multi-coloured houses and very steep streets.

Valparaiso

It's nice to wander around for a few days - unlike Trinidad it's very pedestrian friendly. In fact, Chile seems to combine some of the best of Spain and Germany - certainly it feels more like Europe than South America.

We've been filling up on lots of good food (argentinian steak, fish, wine, beer, coffee, cakes). Off to Easter Island tomorrow, where the eating is less varied, and then to Tahiti, where everything costs a fortune, and we'll be living on jam sandwiches.

I Like Turtles

Watching Leatherback turtles nesting on the north coast of Trinidad.

Can't keep still

I'm heading off again - on Monday, Carrie & I fly back to Trinidad. We're only going to be there for 2 weeks, but Carrie's going to be doing some work with the people she was volunteering with before my accident interrupted it all.

My knee is doing much better now, thanks for asking. NHS has been, frankly, wonderful. Next time you're sitting in a waiting room, just think what we in the UK get, and take for granted - for free. I'm now walking around without a stick, just a bit slow at the moment. Can't think of a better way to build the muscles up than wandering round the world.

So we're resuming our round-the-world trip. We've had to shorten the time we're spending in some places, and I shan't be trekking up Machhu Pichu this year, but we're still going to do it. We're dead chuffed - this seemed like it was never going to happen when I was having knee-surgery in January.

From Trinidad, it's on to Chile (no mountains for me - just coast and vinyards). Then Easter Island; Tahiti; New Zealand (22nd May - 11th June, in case anyone wants to meet up); Malaysia (where Carrie hopes to be volunteering 1 month near KL then 1 month in Miri (on Borneo)); Hong Kong; and finally Namibia (more volunteering).

We'll be back mid-November - see you then! Or come out and see us - Malaysia or Namibia are where we're spending most time.

Ouch!

(apologies to folk who I've already told about this).

Well, I'm back in the UK earlier than I'd planned. :(

I got hit by a wave while paddling in the sea on Tobago at the start of January, and it broke my leg. It was an unlucky fluke. Carrie also got mashed up, but thankfully she didn't break, just bruised.

I spent the night in the local hospital, and then was told that I had to come back to the UK for surgery - I had a 'depressed tibial plateau fracture' which needs advanced equipment to mend properly. We we're gutted, but there was nothing for it, we had to come home. All the people we know in Trinidad were wonderful in helping us get everything sorted.

I had the op at Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham the following week - the staff there were all amazing. That was now 6 weeks ago. I seem to be recovering nicely - hobbling around, and being looked after really well by Carrie.

At the moment we're staying in Stourbridge. I've got another 6 weeks on crutches to go, and then it will be some more months to regain the full strength of my leg.

So, that's my news. I've just uploaded photos of our last few days in Trinidad & Tobago - before the accident happened, we'd been getting in some serious beach time. So, I've still not managed to try diving. Maybe it's just not meant to happen.

Tobago

Merry Christmas.

Season's Greetings.

Here's some photos of our Christmas.

Trini Christmas