Sawadee Ka,
Quick update from Pattaya. It's um, nice. Our resort is great. You can tell how good a hotel is in Thailand by the number of bottles of water you get each day. We're starting to use ours to shower, wash clothes, water the plant matter on our balcony etc etc. Oh, also, if you are planning to be lazy and lie on the beach all day then it's perfect. Some dude even brings you your beach towel (in case you accidentally expend calories doing it yourself)..
The rest of Pattaya is rather, um, interesting. Go go go and keep going. If you like old men with those great undercut ponytails and mesh singlets then this is your place!!! Pity if you like thai food. Great if you love German/Swiss/Sausage food. Starbucks here isn't as good...
You can see the sky tower from here (but not that crummy centrepoint two bit tower)...
So much culture. Off tomorrow back to Bangkok for our 130am flight. Can't wait to sit in that airport!!!
Party on.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Big Wedding Update
Hey World.
Well well well. Married aye. I caught my lovely bride handing out this blog address at the wedding so hopefully the readership is about to grow. Funny how she hates blogs!! it's sweet.
It's been nearly 3 weeks since I was last on here and a hectic 3 at that. They began with a long drive from Auckland through Hamilton, Palmy, Welly, Blenheim, Chch and the roo. I was home for a busy couple of days visiting people, selling stuff, drinking mum and dad's wine etc etc. It's all good. Thanks to Kate, Andy, Sandy, AJM, Dr Carr, Cathy, Becky, Gma and Gpa, Chrisso and of course mum and dad. :)
Monday morning and a flight to Sydney.. we finally got to castle hill around 11pm and crashed. The next day the lads (Weasel, Lilleypond, Pants, Grinder and Dingo and myself) took off down the beach. Many beers, fried chickens, swims in the ocean and beers later and the bachelorhood was well and truly extinguished.
Thursday bought wedding rehearsal and duffed lines, nerves and the reality of wedding finally hitting home. Friday involved a cool family lunch and the purchasing of my ring/haircut and what not. Made it to a restaurant in the rocks called "Pony" with mum and dad and their friends. Best restaurant ever!!! double marinated lamb, giant prawns, ginger creme caramel!
Then dawned Saturday. Game day! The photographers came at 11 and watched us get dressed. After 190239 photos of that they disappeared. Two hours later and we're at the pub with a calming beer and a nervous grin.
The ceremony itself went by in a complete blur. It was stiflingly hot, nerve racking but ultimately easy. We didn't duff anything and had a whale of a time. So special! Then came photos, more photos and a chance to hang out with the bridal party.
The reception was brilliant. L'aqua were perfect and the tables were fantastic (thanks Mrs Daniels and Abbey and co!) We had honestly the best night ever and seeing all those people up and dancing was just magic. The speeches were of the highest quality and the food was brilliant too. The Park Hyatt was fairly reasonable too ;) great champagne.
Sunday and Monday were a bit of a blur but i do know we went out for a couple of great meals. Bugalow 8 is awesome. (thanks again to all those people who boosted along).
Now here we are on Tuesday. We've only got a day til Thailand and we're frantically trying to finish off last minute details.
Weddings are great fun, extremely rewarding and i highly recommend them. Only do it once though! too exhausting otherwise!!
From here we have 1 night in Bangkok, 5 days in Pattaya at the Dusit Thani and then off to Dar es Salaam...
One final note: the presents we received were spectular. We were honoured and embarrassed by what we received. Thanks everyone for that.
I'll stop gushing now.
Next Post: Thailand? Dar? Crikey. This time tomorrow i'll be drinking dutch heineken and enjoying the best of emirates. Best of all i'll be doing it with my lovely wife (cue violins)
Jeff
Well well well. Married aye. I caught my lovely bride handing out this blog address at the wedding so hopefully the readership is about to grow. Funny how she hates blogs!! it's sweet.
It's been nearly 3 weeks since I was last on here and a hectic 3 at that. They began with a long drive from Auckland through Hamilton, Palmy, Welly, Blenheim, Chch and the roo. I was home for a busy couple of days visiting people, selling stuff, drinking mum and dad's wine etc etc. It's all good. Thanks to Kate, Andy, Sandy, AJM, Dr Carr, Cathy, Becky, Gma and Gpa, Chrisso and of course mum and dad. :)
Monday morning and a flight to Sydney.. we finally got to castle hill around 11pm and crashed. The next day the lads (Weasel, Lilleypond, Pants, Grinder and Dingo and myself) took off down the beach. Many beers, fried chickens, swims in the ocean and beers later and the bachelorhood was well and truly extinguished.
Thursday bought wedding rehearsal and duffed lines, nerves and the reality of wedding finally hitting home. Friday involved a cool family lunch and the purchasing of my ring/haircut and what not. Made it to a restaurant in the rocks called "Pony" with mum and dad and their friends. Best restaurant ever!!! double marinated lamb, giant prawns, ginger creme caramel!
Then dawned Saturday. Game day! The photographers came at 11 and watched us get dressed. After 190239 photos of that they disappeared. Two hours later and we're at the pub with a calming beer and a nervous grin.
The ceremony itself went by in a complete blur. It was stiflingly hot, nerve racking but ultimately easy. We didn't duff anything and had a whale of a time. So special! Then came photos, more photos and a chance to hang out with the bridal party.
The reception was brilliant. L'aqua were perfect and the tables were fantastic (thanks Mrs Daniels and Abbey and co!) We had honestly the best night ever and seeing all those people up and dancing was just magic. The speeches were of the highest quality and the food was brilliant too. The Park Hyatt was fairly reasonable too ;) great champagne.
Sunday and Monday were a bit of a blur but i do know we went out for a couple of great meals. Bugalow 8 is awesome. (thanks again to all those people who boosted along).
Now here we are on Tuesday. We've only got a day til Thailand and we're frantically trying to finish off last minute details.
Weddings are great fun, extremely rewarding and i highly recommend them. Only do it once though! too exhausting otherwise!!
From here we have 1 night in Bangkok, 5 days in Pattaya at the Dusit Thani and then off to Dar es Salaam...
One final note: the presents we received were spectular. We were honoured and embarrassed by what we received. Thanks everyone for that.
I'll stop gushing now.
Next Post: Thailand? Dar? Crikey. This time tomorrow i'll be drinking dutch heineken and enjoying the best of emirates. Best of all i'll be doing it with my lovely wife (cue violins)
Jeff
Friday, February 29, 2008
Last Day at Work
Hey Team,
With 1 hour to go i've decided to prudently update my blog. I've deleted thousands of emails, wrapped up some projects and finally tidied my damned desk! Bit strange to think i won't be here come monday...
My delightful colleagues just presented me with the following going away card...
How nice is that?!!
Next post: from timaru next week.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Doors and Windows acting in contrary fashions...
Righto, now the blog is up and running. We've got 73 hits (of which maybe 20 are me but anyways...) including some from Fonterrans, AJParkers, Family, Penpals, Ozzies (your country rhymes with genitalia) Robin and what not. Robin Robin Robin.
Um, nothing much to report. Some guys came and took away our couch today, booked thailand accomodation, booked dentist, sorted out the bank... I've never been so organised in my life! Except of course tomorrow when i up the organisatino factor to a new and more retentive level...
Kate is officially leaving Auckland today. (at 730 incidentally) She is off to Hamilton hospital for 7 days of work, then 2 days back in Auckland next weekend, then 5 more days of work in Hamilton. She then has 2 more days in auckland on the 8th/9th March before flying away on the 10th... It's a symbolic thing that she is departing ex AKL and i'm departing ex CHC. i.e after marraige we'll "fly together." - am upping the cheese factor in honour of my former employers and because that's what Maria Van Trapp would do...
Anyone want to buy my car? it's awesome and have never missed a beat. I love that car but it has to go... otherwise it's gonna be a trademe fest.
Am dawning on the following facts:
i'm gonna miss during the remainder of 2008
Um, nothing much to report. Some guys came and took away our couch today, booked thailand accomodation, booked dentist, sorted out the bank... I've never been so organised in my life! Except of course tomorrow when i up the organisatino factor to a new and more retentive level...
Kate is officially leaving Auckland today. (at 730 incidentally) She is off to Hamilton hospital for 7 days of work, then 2 days back in Auckland next weekend, then 5 more days of work in Hamilton. She then has 2 more days in auckland on the 8th/9th March before flying away on the 10th... It's a symbolic thing that she is departing ex AKL and i'm departing ex CHC. i.e after marraige we'll "fly together." - am upping the cheese factor in honour of my former employers and because that's what Maria Van Trapp would do...
Anyone want to buy my car? it's awesome and have never missed a beat. I love that car but it has to go... otherwise it's gonna be a trademe fest.
Am dawning on the following facts:
i'm gonna miss during the remainder of 2008
- national winning the election (despite helen being glorious)
- nz winning 3 gold medals (single sculls men, some other rowing thing, women's bmx) at Beijing
- inflation (how will i cope??)
- the US elections (Obama sweeps to power with Hillary as VP)
- Birth of Jamina.
- ?? hopefully some new engagements and other announcements...
- Ski season.
Anyways, use the comments thingie. Will Rouse did and look how cool it made him. I loaded up one photo on photobucket. jeepers i'm clever.
Tanzania fact: over 50% of the government budget comes from foreign govts. Divided loyalties anyone??
sweet.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Humpf. Last Friday I resigned from the Supply Chain Strategy dept of Fonterra. This fact was insignificant until I realised there were only 11 days of work left before i depart. Equal parts yay, equal parts ut oh. Will officially finish with Fonterra after 40 pay days. Not a bad haul for a first dig at the crease. My last day of attendance will be the 29th of February.
The sheer number of small things we have to organise is almost beyond estimation (36?37?). However, I'm not going to bother with that stuff. Instead I'll outline our plans.
In some ways our trip started when we moved into a shoebox at the top of Symonds St with the express purpose of condensing our worldly possessions into roughly one car loads worth. This was/is liberating but tramautic. Thanks to those people on trademe who buy random crap.
Anyways the trip is:
1. Drive to Timaru stopping in Palmy, Welly, Blenheim and Chch to catch up with the scoundrels i know.
2. Fly to Sydney. Stress a lot. Get Married. Have awesomest day ever. Resume stressing a lot. Depart.
3. Fly to Bangkok for 5 days of Huahin doing very little and beaching very lots.
4. Fly to Dar es Salaam. We'll arrive mid afternoon utterly shagged from travel. We are to be met by some guy who we'll stay with for a day or so hopefully.
5. Travel north to Pangani. This is apparently 300 odd kilometres of "road" north of Dar Es Salaam. During our time there we'll work hard, travel a lot and hopefully conserve funds a bit.
6. During October, November, December we are free to do ????
7. Fly Home 12th December for some much needed Christmas Cake and fattening up (with a bit of luck).
I want to record my pre-impressions of Pangani. So far I've heard from Mondo challenge that it is a nice place, from some tourists that it is wonderful and from some past volunteers that the bugs/animals and people are horrific. Lets hope it's a combination of all of these things and truely memorable. Let's also hope it's not too hot, not too malarial and not too insurmountable!! The photos i found on google are spectacular which is good. There aren't too many things that a good swim at a spectacular beach can't fix...
Humpf. long first post. hopefully it'll be one of many!!!
The sheer number of small things we have to organise is almost beyond estimation (36?37?). However, I'm not going to bother with that stuff. Instead I'll outline our plans.
In some ways our trip started when we moved into a shoebox at the top of Symonds St with the express purpose of condensing our worldly possessions into roughly one car loads worth. This was/is liberating but tramautic. Thanks to those people on trademe who buy random crap.
Anyways the trip is:
1. Drive to Timaru stopping in Palmy, Welly, Blenheim and Chch to catch up with the scoundrels i know.
2. Fly to Sydney. Stress a lot. Get Married. Have awesomest day ever. Resume stressing a lot. Depart.
3. Fly to Bangkok for 5 days of Huahin doing very little and beaching very lots.
4. Fly to Dar es Salaam. We'll arrive mid afternoon utterly shagged from travel. We are to be met by some guy who we'll stay with for a day or so hopefully.
5. Travel north to Pangani. This is apparently 300 odd kilometres of "road" north of Dar Es Salaam. During our time there we'll work hard, travel a lot and hopefully conserve funds a bit.
6. During October, November, December we are free to do ????
7. Fly Home 12th December for some much needed Christmas Cake and fattening up (with a bit of luck).
I want to record my pre-impressions of Pangani. So far I've heard from Mondo challenge that it is a nice place, from some tourists that it is wonderful and from some past volunteers that the bugs/animals and people are horrific. Lets hope it's a combination of all of these things and truely memorable. Let's also hope it's not too hot, not too malarial and not too insurmountable!! The photos i found on google are spectacular which is good. There aren't too many things that a good swim at a spectacular beach can't fix...
Humpf. long first post. hopefully it'll be one of many!!!
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