Mr. Statistiiiiiiiik's trip 1

Hi Dadarno 4000,

Executive Summary

Visited Phi Phi, Hanoi and Hong Kong before returning to Sydney to collect the parents and 'do New Zealand !' before Christmas / NY in Sydney.

Statistics

Day : 114

Current Location : Auckland

Number of Flights : 18 (31,059 km)

Number of Train Trips . 14 (Total 64 hours. Longest = Nice -> Venice Sleeper : 10 hours)

Number of Ferries : 5 (23 hours)

Number of Countries Visited : 17 (US, Ireland, UK, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, The Vatican, Greece, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand)

Number of visits to McDonalds : 1 (breakfast) 

Number of visits to Burger King : 3

Number of visits to Burger King sober / before midnight : 0  

Where Have I been

Last talked when in Koh Samui (East Coast Thailand) enjoying a 5 star time with my favourite Asia Spa Magazine journalist.  Kate departed which necessitated a return to the backpacker life (a bit of a let down).  Met some mad Danes (met many mad people during trip ?) watching some rugby (less said the better) where I think the Viking blood was re-emeging in the heat !  Travel trip - watch the danish and the vodka shots (infused with peppers ??  Smagrau ! Nicknamed 'a little gray' for how you feel the next morning).

After a few big nights I escaped to Phi Phi (island off West Coast Thailand).  Total change.  Beautiful tropical island (no cars).  Very Chilled for a week.  Phi Phi was voted No. 3 most beautiful island in some international competition.  Stunning views (especially from the Viewpoint resort where I stayed).  Phi Phi was badly hit by the tsunami but is coming back well, especially with the assistance of Hi Phi Phi (Help International Phi Phi) which was a charity basically established by expats using backpacker volunteers to re-establish tourism businesses.  Good model for other natural catastrophes!  I am a Nat Cat (Natural Catastrophe) guy at heart!

With limited time left decided to visit Hanoi in Vietnam.  Quite an experience.  It was bizarre being in a country where :

• the Vietnam War is referred to as the American War (with accompanying perspective / propaganda)
• the exchange rate to the local currency (dong) is so huge (A$=11,000 dong, US$=17,000 dong).  Getting 2,000,000 in any currency from a cash machine is good fun. 
• there are so many motorbikes... and no road rules (or so it seems).  Have a great video looking down on a 5 way intersection at rush hour (chaos theory in action)

Spend 10 wonderful days with Mike and Kate Duncan, Liam (godson) and Maya (3 y.o. apprentice princess) in their house in Repulse Bay in Hong Kong.

Returned to Sydney (fun stopping moment - pick up parents for 4 months !!!)  Ok - end Part 1.  Stay tuned though - currently touring New Zealand with MADs (Mum and Dad a.k.a. Pat and Phyl).  Back to Sydney on 21 Dec and staying until approx 10 Feb.  Perhaps a few drinks over the silly season ? After 10 Feb ?  Who knows ?  Job ??  South America (sans parents !) ?

Hope you are all well.  Wishing you a Happy Christmas, a Merry New Year and a healthy, prosperous and fun 2006.

Mr. Statistiiiiiiiik