Off to Derbyshire not exactly round the world But.....

Off to see the family and friends over the next few days so will see happening north of Watford




Pic isVenice carnival 2010

Berkshire and a bit of round up on the trip

30.3.11 Berkshire and spring has arrived and a bit of a round up

The final afternoon and Evening in Kuala Lumpur was lovely, and we reflected as we walked in the park on all our travels and decided that in answer to the question we know will come “what was the best what was your favourite” we will find it virtually impossible to make a choice.

We have experienced so many wonderful sights of nature, foods, cultural experiences Architecture and weather conditions.

Here are just a few of the highlights and statistics

Time

Over 20 time changes and we didn’t have the 22^nd February 2011 as we crossed the International Date Line.

As we were generally moving west we kept losing an hour.  This meant an extra hour in bed every morning and still not late for breakfast. And from Adelaide to KL we lost 2 ½ hours and from KL to London we lost 8 ½ hours.

The day we arrived home 26^th the clocks moved forward 1 hour!

Comments on the places visited

·       Madeira	·       The town lights stretching up the hills as we berthed overnight were fabulous
·       Brazil – Recife	·       Receife 1.6m people and I’d never heard of it, loved the atmosphere a bit edgy loud music and dodgy shops.
·       Brazil Rio	·       5 cruise ships whilst we were there nightmare getting to see the sights. Enjoyed Sugar loaf but couldn’t get to Corcovado
·       Uruguay – Montevideo	·       On the river Plate opposite BA. Lovely place one day of sights and you’ve done it. Their beer was a ‘special’ on the Ship
·       Argentina, Buenos Aires,	·       Here a couple of days, saw the main sights and genuine Tango show, impressed by the size of the buildings and power and wealth too many tourists trying to get to Evita mausoleum at the same time
·       Argentina Ushuaia	·       Loved Patagonia (the land of the people with Big feet), clean air, fresh a bit rough round the edges want to go back some time. The most southerly city in the world
·       Chile – Punta Arenas Patagonia,	·       Spent a day on an estancia clear crisp morning home grown lamb BBQ, Empanadas, local wine, many wild birds great place very friendly people and welcome
·       Chile - Puerto Montt	·       German settlers as similar to Switzerland and southern Germany. Bright green water of the emerald lake volcanoes, small population beautiful countryside
·       Chile Bernard O’Higgins National Parks Amalia and PO IX Glaciers,	·       Days of ethereal mist, small islands almost within touching distance, blue blue glaciers, and as we went north dolphins, sea birds and seals following us and playing in water
·       Chile Valpariso, Santiago	·       Last place in South America, we visited, over political guide. Very impressed by the buildings and mouments.
·       Falkland Islands	·       Weather fantastic, expert ex-milliatary guide good day water and air Chrystal clear
·       Cape Horn Beagle Channel	·       We went to the lectures about Cape Horn and the early navigators, these guys were tough, and in tiny ships. Our passing through was reasonably calm relatively speaking dramatic coastline and scenery. It’s a much larger and more complex series of islands and coast than I had though
·       Easter Island(sail bye)	·       A bit too far away to get the scale of the statues, Island is much larger than I imagined, would like to go back one day and stay in the eco-hotel
·       Pitcairn Island	·       Amazing day, Chrystal clear blue water, 30plus C ,only 57 inhabitants, they came on board, first time P&O has ever stopped here.  They were mobbed everyone wanted a piece of their history and story. No tarmac roads on the island they all use Quad bikes. The deputy mayor stayed on board and gave lectures on the island and their future it was standing room only everyone fascinated
·       Tahiti	·       We loved Tahiti exotic, French, the welcome was amazing, David got a real handmade Tahiti shirt
·       Bora Bora	·       Tiny dot of an island, recession, pretty thatched cabanas standing empty as no American tourists. Had the greatest laugh exploring the island in a jeep off road. I defy anyone to have seen better and so many colours in the sea
·       Tutuila, America Samoa Pago Pago	·       Cheap Cheap, and that’s not the birds, about 10% of the prices we paid for trinkets in Tahiti. Big people noisy and friendly. Proud to be American, and Samoan too.
·       Noumea, Grande Terre, Nouvelle Caledonie (New Caledonia)	·       The lagoon here is 17 miles out to sea, French like a quiet Nice, fabulous Lunch overlooking the sea, wealthy I would say mainly French colonists. I wanted to stay
·       Australia Brisbane	·       No worries, No drama, the Aussies are so laid back. They must have been working very hard to clean up after the floods, the river swan very muddy still. Hot humid and the day we had to get three suitcases into the hold by 7.00pm
·       Australia Sydney, Watson Bay, Bondi Beach, Manly Beach, and many other areas around Sydney	·       We spent all in all 8 ½ days here crippling expensive due to our exchange rate. On board we attended lectures on Aboriginal art and have bought two pieces. The beaches are fabulous, Fish and Chips from Doyles in Watson Bay, museums, galleries, and fabulous views from our room and Four Seasons Club on floor 32
·       Tasmania, Hobart, Cradle Mountain, Strachan, Launceston	·       6 nights is too short a time here, want to go back to Cradle Mountain, David’s favourite room/suite of the trip. 500,000 populations in a country the size of England. Gordon River Trip a true highlight of the holiday. The best two dinners of the entire three months at Frankin Manor Strachan. Hired a car so totally independent
·       Australia Adelaide, Barrosa Valley, Mclaren Valley, Adelaide Hills, Glenelg, Port Douglas, Mouth of the Murray river and many National Parks and places of interest	·       Hired a car for three days, great parks surround the city, lots of driving to key places all of which are within easy reach within 1 ½ to 2 hours. 3 great dinners in the hotel restaurant, real grass fed steaks. The bird life at the mouth of the Murray is phenomenal
·       Kuala Lumpar, Melaka, and surrounding areas,	·       Asia, hot, humid, exotic, a riot of colours and mixed cultures and dress wonderful, such a contrast to most of the other places. Melaka crumbling, and too short a time there. Great food of any type. After Australia and here I never thought I’d say I’d had enough of sushi. Fabulous end to the holiday, wish we had more space in the case for souvenirs.  The view from our room was incredible and the location perfect.

10 key facts

1.      Days away 76

2.      Dresses 80 plus a few extras

3.      20 plus time changes

4.      51 nights on Cruise

5.      5 flights

6.      Miles travels approx. 30,000

7.      17 countries visited

8.      Luggage: 5 cases and 2 hand luggage

9.      10 different currencies

10.   Enjoy every minute you may never come back

A few tips

·        Whatever you think you need half it and then half it again, if you need extra you can buy something. we filled the back of a people carrier crazy.

·        Decent hotels will provide you with most of the toiletries you need so dump that big bag and travel ultra-light.

·        People just don’t dress up whether it’s a 5 star hotel or top restaurant formal clothes are a total waste of space in the case, that special dress will only get worn once, trust me.

·        Shoes are the number one priority to get right.

·        Colour co-ordinate ruthlessly and you will always look great

·        Have a Brazilian blow dry if you want easy care holiday hair and always wear a hat

·        A favourite shirt etc. will drip dry overnight in an air conditioned room and the water it contains will stop your eyes getting dry and puffy, it really works and it’s easier to iron.

·        Always take a sense of humour and a big smile anything else is just clothes

·       Location Location, Location if you’re in a city stay in the heart of it, no exceptions.

·        The club floor or executive floor is a very practical extra and well worth the additional cost. Who really finds that lovely little restaurant after a hard day sightseeing in a strange city? How nice to Shower relax and wonder through to a friendly face at any time of the day. They’ll also sort out airline check-in and book you a recommended restaurant.

·        A cockroach in the room gets you a massive upgrade although a bit of a shock at the time.

·        51 nights on a cruise with 5 course dinners every night is a lot of courses

·        High sun factor creams are essential 40 is for everyday use.

So back to normal, the house thanks to Helen and Rob is in great order just as though we left yesterday. 

Spring has certainly arrived and the garden is bursting into colour. 

Our wild birds seem to have survived the winter without any extra food from us. Yuccas, some hebes and Lavender have not: it must have been cold as some were very well established plants.

The Christmas decorations are still waiting in the Garage to be stored away, whilst it time to get the Easter Wreath and Decs out.

Poinsettia are giving way to Daffodils and tulips and suddenly we really have ‘missed’ the winter completely.

Shopping for food and cooking have been almost forgotten I can’t believe it’s over 11 weeks since I peeled a potato. 

We have seen some amazing sights and experienced many fabulous things in a comparatively short period and I think it will take a long time to get back to normal. 

However 18^th April I have to go to Southampton to collect the three cases left on board. They hold all the stuff and gifts we bought in addition to the clothes we didn’t need for the final weeks of the trip.

It will be very exciting to reacquaint ourselves with all those goodies.

This will not be my last blog on http://aroundtheworldwithcharliejones.blogspot

But it’s the final on the around the world in 80 dresses theme I’ve enjoyed doing it getting all the dresses and costumes and the little stories to accompany each we did it:  just.

I’ve realised early on that it was easy to take a picture of a dress but without a story it was meaningless. (And also very easy to do) Getting the stories has been marvellous and some of the people featured have overcome all manner of circumstances.  They shared their time and experiences with a smile. And I would like to thank each of them.

Please watch out for my blog and thanks for following.

Now it’s time to catch up with everyone here at home and hear their news.

Charlie