tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63126503819231581332024-02-19T08:25:47.378-08:00Cam and Jane Continued...Jane & Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314730884355516032noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312650381923158133.post-32250332834680389472009-01-12T02:11:00.000-08:002009-01-12T03:16:53.781-08:00An update after way too long...starting with holidaysSo, yes, life has gotten the better of us, and it's been waaayyy too long since our last update. So here I am writing just a short piece to prove that we are still alive (and that we have been enjoying ourselves).<br /><br />I think the best place to start is always with a holiday. We had fun and took pictures...always easier to write about and illustrate...<br /><br />In October Cam and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary with a trip to Byron Bay (who would have thought we were at 5 years already?). We had a great week that involved diving and sight-seeing, and also a surfing lesson, and the extra-special treat of a balloon flight (something we have always wanted to do). <br /><br />Unfortunately we didn't have our underwater camera, so couldn't take any photos on the dives. We did however see some amazing stuff and hear whales while 10m down on a dive (anyone interested in diving should really check out Julian Rocks at Byron Bay). We were, however, able to capture the joy post-surfing lesson (see below). <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5_VMqXZAchO6NGVKPO_N6-Y779KVrNdrTI1l4UWpbGdQmjAOaE3HonWMZLnd1TTEHOS1QHPrZ1ZM2Ak22Y79GKsxBnW8szTc_dUZMSqdbOMF_VXrJrqQ4RDTFlDPzdw2S8e62Zmkhy1J/s1600-h/Surfin+Cam+n+Jane.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5_VMqXZAchO6NGVKPO_N6-Y779KVrNdrTI1l4UWpbGdQmjAOaE3HonWMZLnd1TTEHOS1QHPrZ1ZM2Ak22Y79GKsxBnW8szTc_dUZMSqdbOMF_VXrJrqQ4RDTFlDPzdw2S8e62Zmkhy1J/s400/Surfin+Cam+n+Jane.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290354658704524882" /></a><br /><br />This was before the aching arms caught up with us the next day. Big thanks to Lyn and Stan for lending us the boards and teaching us the basics! We both managed to stand up, and Cam even caught his own wave. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FRvfe3feE7h27A_5KC0sbWiJf7Vf9Iny70Q7J3WFcSOl1cExr34nhaTWyStijlh8fCbeHaHxPy_is6Yjf8cXrXUkB9yEDNquMDli13iNriVB88o99LkaGKRALh_SzAzkShwH62OlNsr7/s1600-h/Surfing+lesson+Lyn+and+Stan.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FRvfe3feE7h27A_5KC0sbWiJf7Vf9Iny70Q7J3WFcSOl1cExr34nhaTWyStijlh8fCbeHaHxPy_is6Yjf8cXrXUkB9yEDNquMDli13iNriVB88o99LkaGKRALh_SzAzkShwH62OlNsr7/s400/Surfing+lesson+Lyn+and+Stan.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290354658232330338" /></a><br /><br />The day after our surfing lesson, we had to get up extra early in order to meet our balloon pilot. We drove out pre-dawn and were ferried out to the site we would be taking off from. It was a beautiful clear and still morning, and the only company we had (apart from the other passengers) were the curious cows, in whose paddock we had temporarily taken over.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAE49gtsGLQj9cODokFqKZ8a20RUP5kPI_GFMCRSsbKdxCu1gWNiKoPd5S-prJeHhH5XcNriQnsXZaCWAb1pfu9fCbd4dmK8EDw8qU_Y0VWHBBtZZHh4okHHuQ6Y4N2em5LoBZvvxoaPmy/s1600-h/unsure+cows.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAE49gtsGLQj9cODokFqKZ8a20RUP5kPI_GFMCRSsbKdxCu1gWNiKoPd5S-prJeHhH5XcNriQnsXZaCWAb1pfu9fCbd4dmK8EDw8qU_Y0VWHBBtZZHh4okHHuQ6Y4N2em5LoBZvvxoaPmy/s400/unsure+cows.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290357044959979330" /></a><br /><br />After standing back and watching the professionals set up our transportation, a couple of people were asked to help - and warm up as an added extra. Cam was happy to help, despite the sore surfing arms from the previous day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzur4y_-chy-yeNA6FjrgYF_2QyhV5tSC1Orce1rzImEDn0y9FSh29Lcg8pMkDKYSBNnZ04GSSB1Xl6glbh0Rs8C32daG0PJ_EqWzVU2cXtxdGJ_90g6YRhdpPFvy-7sn-UDyeTHZEhft/s1600-h/flamin+cam.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzur4y_-chy-yeNA6FjrgYF_2QyhV5tSC1Orce1rzImEDn0y9FSh29Lcg8pMkDKYSBNnZ04GSSB1Xl6glbh0Rs8C32daG0PJ_EqWzVU2cXtxdGJ_90g6YRhdpPFvy-7sn-UDyeTHZEhft/s400/flamin+cam.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290357042218752034" /></a><br /><br />Before long our balloon was ready and we all climbed in and took off. It's such an amazing experience - not scary at all. You could barely even feel the take off, it was like we literally just floated away. Landing was also fine, although I'm not sure how the person felt whose paddock it was we landed in. Surely nothing that a bottle of bubbles couldn't fix. Anyway, below are just a few of the pics we took for your viewing pleasure...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHaRWErdw5uaww-7xU8wlCC6ey-LzaiIH52QsZACM6NqkkiAiW8Z863_gBospXfD1MC2REKXoNW4mQ8NvQ_bq04Mmkt7dF0Vu_767WmYgN0NcP7o5I7JhDJV561pvxdSDJOAZFjBjbLp6/s1600-h/sunrise.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHaRWErdw5uaww-7xU8wlCC6ey-LzaiIH52QsZACM6NqkkiAiW8Z863_gBospXfD1MC2REKXoNW4mQ8NvQ_bq04Mmkt7dF0Vu_767WmYgN0NcP7o5I7JhDJV561pvxdSDJOAZFjBjbLp6/s400/sunrise.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290363771879976066" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhRZdrj3AfbkvT3fm2mnaa_m24veNsspho_J2rPWktB0l3g4gaK5JSUzZmXNj3zbk4IS2TvZZs9V78VIG9YvDg0thsrJdZi2tzIMf-k5Wf8cDFhpux8omY_W9gcFWJWPUvDr9Y275vZVb/s1600-h/balloon+gazing.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhRZdrj3AfbkvT3fm2mnaa_m24veNsspho_J2rPWktB0l3g4gaK5JSUzZmXNj3zbk4IS2TvZZs9V78VIG9YvDg0thsrJdZi2tzIMf-k5Wf8cDFhpux8omY_W9gcFWJWPUvDr9Y275vZVb/s400/balloon+gazing.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290357039941392962" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIP_ecx-hT47-RHIWCGbYvY0D3SX0UF6v0khYv0w7ulIfHp0GOL3p2Net0wvB8N-ml178fzdDO7nw5BaY1LO871BkygQ-rEU2ufYkkx36DsePesvzJ_Oi0Hmxfeju8_2ZNjErQPAnb5OYy/s1600-h/from+the+air.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIP_ecx-hT47-RHIWCGbYvY0D3SX0UF6v0khYv0w7ulIfHp0GOL3p2Net0wvB8N-ml178fzdDO7nw5BaY1LO871BkygQ-rEU2ufYkkx36DsePesvzJ_Oi0Hmxfeju8_2ZNjErQPAnb5OYy/s400/from+the+air.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290357042129281410" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0t_JUJbZrgyczLZmRimn0cUsD3lb7soK33nX1zIfocG9srH2ai1ba-tMUU3Us1WzDUZPHftko7uumBTRJw911gbYrEJHj5Dp34bssVZFVkkfz22wcyFTWfoVlwEB4Z_u6jooeRe5a4rQ/s1600-h/misty+tree.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0t_JUJbZrgyczLZmRimn0cUsD3lb7soK33nX1zIfocG9srH2ai1ba-tMUU3Us1WzDUZPHftko7uumBTRJw911gbYrEJHj5Dp34bssVZFVkkfz22wcyFTWfoVlwEB4Z_u6jooeRe5a4rQ/s400/misty+tree.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290363768644407170" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiq7Brj87RO9UAPKts9cvr1fZStjXCDSH6jwlRG5jnmT61YOF6k-MBUjJLy3P4wRMwAZWbcnPzqxigLsDHM0dbKcyfxl3YGXWkUf9MLnOsVmuAZB0bS69T_0MVB8OWtUTVx23hmGfGswDV/s1600-h/slightly+blurry+cam+n+jane.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiq7Brj87RO9UAPKts9cvr1fZStjXCDSH6jwlRG5jnmT61YOF6k-MBUjJLy3P4wRMwAZWbcnPzqxigLsDHM0dbKcyfxl3YGXWkUf9MLnOsVmuAZB0bS69T_0MVB8OWtUTVx23hmGfGswDV/s400/slightly+blurry+cam+n+jane.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290357048292920658" /></a>Jane & Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314730884355516032noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312650381923158133.post-27561883064646327412008-05-05T19:51:00.000-07:002008-05-05T20:10:16.265-07:00Sharkwater...Ok so we've been slack, we haven't really posted anything in a long while. Apologies. Jane assures me that there are some posts that she just hasn't quite finished yet but I just think that she (like most!) loves facebook more than blogland these days.<br /><br />Anyway I'm posting with Jane's full approval to tell you folks to all go and see the new film Sharkwater. It is being released in Australia on the 15th of May and is simply and awesome film. It is a visually stunning documentary which focuses on the plight of the worlds declining Shark population, is encompasses many things you may not know about the illegal fishing that goes on around the world every day, it also dispels some of the most common misconceptions about Sharks and their interactions with humans. <br /><br />Jane and myself and some of my family recently attended the Australian premier of the film and were simply awestruck. Even as a someone who has studied marine science I found myself moved almost to tears in some parts of the film, other parts are equal parts beautiful, funny and inspiring, you must see it.<br /><br />At the premier the filmmaker Rob Stewart spoke frankly passionately and eloquently and was inspiring to hear, he is also (just quietly) perhaps one of the hottest men you'll have seen on the big screen in a long long time. So even if your motivations aren't entirely environmental and are somewhat "eyecandy" based please make sure you go and see this film, it is beautiful, shocking and will change the way you look at the worlds oldest predator, sharks. They have been around since before there were trees and we stand ready to see them wiped out within our lifetimes, watch this film and let it motivate you and outrage you so that you getup about this issue.Jane & Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314730884355516032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312650381923158133.post-29307224815389934192007-09-25T17:44:00.000-07:002007-11-12T03:30:28.419-08:0021 World Leaders...1 caged city<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienbcN-sGtg74wlaVclO_NO6Q03fSo8DqzXwqt0ueGREYDU63zEkaSHha8Kw2l-i3guc8tfuSRDVa12-9JsbQy0vKUHx6RO02UeVGGx8tp4ilawW9TPKi5klm6M7rMWuH23eg2USWBm5KJ/s1600-h/Banner.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienbcN-sGtg74wlaVclO_NO6Q03fSo8DqzXwqt0ueGREYDU63zEkaSHha8Kw2l-i3guc8tfuSRDVa12-9JsbQy0vKUHx6RO02UeVGGx8tp4ilawW9TPKi5klm6M7rMWuH23eg2USWBm5KJ/s400/Banner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131907717767043170" /></a><br /><br />So, how could anyone not living under a rock have missed APEC? Coming from Sydney it was reasonably noticeable - we're talking a big fence around the Opera House, major disruptions in traffic and general work and life for any of the thousands of people working in the middle of the city, snipers on the rooftops...pretty extreme. Especially seeing as all reports about APEC in other countries represent it as being a small-fuss-out-of-the-way type of event.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAUsbYeF7Mlhq6FWQz-iABcz5bYWqbYoTQ0dvfii_xFQhHPUSntTU1229eeebExazmb_WFSyreOfXoLkHjKNBqlBRDNyfAPI0f7-miFKtG8Oedw9fvs0isfnlmEHR2xYxMOJBu_85Uvka/s1600-h/Town+hall+crowd.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAUsbYeF7Mlhq6FWQz-iABcz5bYWqbYoTQ0dvfii_xFQhHPUSntTU1229eeebExazmb_WFSyreOfXoLkHjKNBqlBRDNyfAPI0f7-miFKtG8Oedw9fvs0isfnlmEHR2xYxMOJBu_85Uvka/s400/Town+hall+crowd.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131907756421748898" /></a><br /><br />Anyway, after much hassle and general ridiculousness a protest was organised in Sydney on the APEC long weekend (yep, we even got an extra day off for it!). Of course it couldn't go anywhere near where the conference itself was being held, but that didn't stop an unbelievable police presence!!! We had never seen anything like it! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2CIKHgWaTwkl4kTUuB-1i1_E44TQd16bF1s31641eoRgVEdI68B1QFgGfZwflg_pLCw0s8YN5FX7KbD52ye5SfuKJXs2RTD32_9swK_OGCbi2jz3V4XXwi2GFqlNSkO3ERm62Q1GXZ0Y/s1600-h/Police+bus+4.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2CIKHgWaTwkl4kTUuB-1i1_E44TQd16bF1s31641eoRgVEdI68B1QFgGfZwflg_pLCw0s8YN5FX7KbD52ye5SfuKJXs2RTD32_9swK_OGCbi2jz3V4XXwi2GFqlNSkO3ERm62Q1GXZ0Y/s400/Police+bus+4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131907734946912386" /></a><br /><br />Cam and I, his sisters, and a couple of friends attended this most peaceful of protests and marched through the city, dancing past police buses and many intimidating police. Not that we were blaming the individual officers et al, but whoever organised their presence was not only trying to be intimidating, but also provocative. It was absolutely bizarre.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3iihrx89mqvoYXqdHmmRUfGP1CqMyYyf5JBAWDbawcQeKrCIRXxNvqPU9V2YSei3t-Ds3uvbt5K3K9NuVgJLbcfny_GOQVNDYuoCqhNIRbbmY35i9h4m4nSTWftuEx7bfRApqTcxSIb2/s1600-h/Police.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3iihrx89mqvoYXqdHmmRUfGP1CqMyYyf5JBAWDbawcQeKrCIRXxNvqPU9V2YSei3t-Ds3uvbt5K3K9NuVgJLbcfny_GOQVNDYuoCqhNIRbbmY35i9h4m4nSTWftuEx7bfRApqTcxSIb2/s400/Police.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131907743536846994" /></a><br /><br />It was great to see so many people there, as well as why they were there. Not many people were protesting against APEC per say, but rather about the issues that we felt weren't being addressed by the world leaders - mainly Climate Change and the Iraq War. There were also people there just because they had been told they weren't allowed - protesting for general civil rights and liberties.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vIkqBdTY3iKP_umJS8lS8ROWI8RJD3kVU0b-hafx0gdPjRiTrGYBssfhe2QUhvEtHYU0i1VeDIrkg8Qyud2ciZS_esm7zmliEwjYExPe6jzZV6Ex_jRgqAvp39rnQJ4OWMe5KmtKI6r5/s1600-h/tshirt.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vIkqBdTY3iKP_umJS8lS8ROWI8RJD3kVU0b-hafx0gdPjRiTrGYBssfhe2QUhvEtHYU0i1VeDIrkg8Qyud2ciZS_esm7zmliEwjYExPe6jzZV6Ex_jRgqAvp39rnQJ4OWMe5KmtKI6r5/s400/tshirt.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131912029914208434" /></a><br /><br />Anyway, we were all happy that we went, and that we made our cool t-shirts with the Climate Change messages "Even Putin signed Kyoto - how embarrasing!" and "Howard targeting citizens, not climate change". Despite the scare tactics to try and prevent people from peacefully demonstrating how they feel, there was a fairly good turn out from all walks of life. Let's hope people don't forget how important the freedom to peacefully protest is!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE45pRSUdp5dvYcm5ACntzgQs9BemlZKj5gVe26lI7KeCCfog3ZqBV13Ua_p7NLg2LqcUsUCXgMJX5MKOg9aYUC4umM3uCoCsUOHzSoHuONwbK-B2j41erM7fKeOUSVQ5jtaKfVG-Wo-Ch/s1600-h/Farnham+house+tshirts.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE45pRSUdp5dvYcm5ACntzgQs9BemlZKj5gVe26lI7KeCCfog3ZqBV13Ua_p7NLg2LqcUsUCXgMJX5MKOg9aYUC4umM3uCoCsUOHzSoHuONwbK-B2j41erM7fKeOUSVQ5jtaKfVG-Wo-Ch/s400/Farnham+house+tshirts.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131907722062010482" /></a>Jane & Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314730884355516032noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312650381923158133.post-84092198699606646132007-08-26T22:35:00.000-07:002007-09-15T03:59:09.466-07:00Some Days in DarwinLast week I (Jane) went on a work trip to Darwin. I've never been on a work trip before (I consider my time in PNG to be a bit more than a work trip), and I found the experience quite novel.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibIwmQZ8qJC2r4yGbqWQzrV2Aq-MMypOwzeEwfXIQoNUJ4Ih1cOROdrOqf0hcmnobVL4y7cqFyrpC6uAPogdfFmdTx67sWuU510g5KobVlGwkbgPD3KLFRlo2kqfOVYDCZFKBR9EFBQ5g/s1600-h/Balloons.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibIwmQZ8qJC2r4yGbqWQzrV2Aq-MMypOwzeEwfXIQoNUJ4Ih1cOROdrOqf0hcmnobVL4y7cqFyrpC6uAPogdfFmdTx67sWuU510g5KobVlGwkbgPD3KLFRlo2kqfOVYDCZFKBR9EFBQ5g/s400/Balloons.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110379598432523154" /></a><br /><br />Basically last week was National Science Week all around Australia. Dan and I were asked to go up to Darwin for the week to run a whole lot of 20 minute workshops with primary school kids on how to make solar cells. Out of raspberries. I'm not quite sure which part of this seemed the most challenging, but it all seemed like fun; and combined with the fact that I had never been to Darwin, and that we were to be paid for the trip, it all sounded pretty good.<br /><br />So Dan and I found ourselves at the airport with boxes of brochures and a bit of luggage on a Monday night. After approximately 5 hours we arrived in a lovely 27 degree Darwin, and caught a cab to Vanessa's house (a friend of a friend who had kindly offered us the use of her spare rooms). We had been left with instructions that went something like this: "Go through the back gate where you'll meet two dogs (Gus and Neil) - they are quite friendly and like to jump and lick a lot. Go in through the back door which will be left open for you, and the rooms you'll be staying in should be quite obvious". This more than anything else made me realise how different Darwin is to Sydney...<br /><br />Anyway, we were bowled over by two very friendly and excited dogs - anyone with ill intentions would be licked into submission - and found our way into the house. Gus is the one pictured here.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQMmIPD7UbEc0m8w_5qihFHDpGjp7WNFFpRa-1WdMunAMzUC0lO54ZllDaBX8QsFTsiDev329Df4mzWqON4mKPTtegErGLUKm9R9we3WOUSM7TMGmLXXpkUK3-Qf-Hsppilr4Bn23Qu5-/s1600-h/Gus+the+dog.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQMmIPD7UbEc0m8w_5qihFHDpGjp7WNFFpRa-1WdMunAMzUC0lO54ZllDaBX8QsFTsiDev329Df4mzWqON4mKPTtegErGLUKm9R9we3WOUSM7TMGmLXXpkUK3-Qf-Hsppilr4Bn23Qu5-/s400/Gus+the+dog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110379607022457794" /></a><br /><br />Dan and I spent the next few days running over 30 raspberry solar cell making workshops for the primary school kids of Darwin. The workshops were only 20 minutes each - but there was plenty to fit in to that time - you can see our tables, set up, some piccies of Dan teaching the kids, and the actual 'solar cells' themselves as made by the students. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKwXk8Aa5oRhwSGU0JY9zdUEF5bcqqH_UmaaB_5BdzAnBM_QLn2QH4D-c8aeKWqb7pIEhdxlcqePQv4OpoFa6VWchl2TM7vywN3XZgqXdZwfNtAb0Zdwf2-AHYk5tkE6T7IANei-2Y2ss/s1600-h/Set+up.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKwXk8Aa5oRhwSGU0JY9zdUEF5bcqqH_UmaaB_5BdzAnBM_QLn2QH4D-c8aeKWqb7pIEhdxlcqePQv4OpoFa6VWchl2TM7vywN3XZgqXdZwfNtAb0Zdwf2-AHYk5tkE6T7IANei-2Y2ss/s400/Set+up.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110380775253562386" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-z5S5hV5PajGrCmwAQ3dEZ5l7lJhadPC-gFcaEQk8bFUHi5j3mc0s38w2W_RAfzXYwe9YoNHk_IZQaOVDPJAEjGa8AgVUmggDA5YMCXIfHbloxHxypH1HjLF44l7ZKvLUMyy58d74Ecr5/s1600-h/Raspberry+squishing.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-z5S5hV5PajGrCmwAQ3dEZ5l7lJhadPC-gFcaEQk8bFUHi5j3mc0s38w2W_RAfzXYwe9YoNHk_IZQaOVDPJAEjGa8AgVUmggDA5YMCXIfHbloxHxypH1HjLF44l7ZKvLUMyy58d74Ecr5/s400/Raspberry+squishing.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110380775253562354" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGPSiyBOJxbJfpkUwZZ7Uo1ABFq9W3mVpSJOtsFdMvBD4fmoD4W0Cy8AqpDltxFRr5w_dVszc-GVlM8OUHbkhnDXAhRnOOfy1qoN4lhankpskTA_ESEC5A65BLij20OHLNwGIyYE7ug8d/s1600-h/Dan+demonstrating.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGPSiyBOJxbJfpkUwZZ7Uo1ABFq9W3mVpSJOtsFdMvBD4fmoD4W0Cy8AqpDltxFRr5w_dVszc-GVlM8OUHbkhnDXAhRnOOfy1qoN4lhankpskTA_ESEC5A65BLij20OHLNwGIyYE7ug8d/s400/Dan+demonstrating.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110379602727490466" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4p5aZDlyzmrDJmB8LycHeH7YySpbdPiVgnihshmBp11y7TK-IHeCrHqR-63w44rpZwGdpwZgz6dXKLB00NsVJJNTG556aa5N1EofslDdy_yhdFL8FL8oFKSmQUbC5bn3KjUlED6YV4Zw0/s1600-h/Solar+cells.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4p5aZDlyzmrDJmB8LycHeH7YySpbdPiVgnihshmBp11y7TK-IHeCrHqR-63w44rpZwGdpwZgz6dXKLB00NsVJJNTG556aa5N1EofslDdy_yhdFL8FL8oFKSmQUbC5bn3KjUlED6YV4Zw0/s400/Solar+cells.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110380779548529698" /></a><br /><br />They seemed to like it, mostly because they got their hands dirty. My favourite quote from one of the students was when we were prompting them to tell us what different types of energy were. Someone mentioned fire (which quite obviously has light and heat energy), and this inspired one boy to wave his hand energetically in the air while exclaiming "Miss, miss. I burnt me house down!". I quickly explained that this type of energy is usually not encouraged.<br /><br />While we did spend a lot of time at the science fair, we did get to get out and about. Dan, Jasmine and I managed to fit in a dinner together - a catch up that hasn't happened for a long time!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgs5yi_1xq5MK6aygPoXWFOs7wK7FioXApxWBjNcgKxVm5J8ZL5BFxNoROhFtgkBUsJwDhAAB-wY9-Yp_2UVgtfFavvVfdU0DjYIqbdjRg_ZTPX5uhInWxzdaFEFCoYzF6LN9pfk4acJm/s1600-h/Jane+and+Jasmine.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgs5yi_1xq5MK6aygPoXWFOs7wK7FioXApxWBjNcgKxVm5J8ZL5BFxNoROhFtgkBUsJwDhAAB-wY9-Yp_2UVgtfFavvVfdU0DjYIqbdjRg_ZTPX5uhInWxzdaFEFCoYzF6LN9pfk4acJm/s400/Jane+and+Jasmine.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110379607022457810" /></a><br /><br />We also sat in on a couple of night time events - Women in Science, and Astronomy. Both of which were very interesting. The week was a huge learning experience for me, as well as any students at the science fair! One of the other highlights was getting to the night time markets on the beach. We got there just before sunset and it was truly spectacular...also managed to buy a few gifts for those at home...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmq8NrDH-Xw8HDXSzCJo1DyBo914LzTnpe2zhfq6NVh9572cJ0gNMXuRcqlZiH186tqJTntglm5lDfhUwN-ein1pskRbLapjlM8CMZhpTt4z8n4nRcs_dbWp2i7A2mvXgdCjCgwAKyiFl/s1600-h/Darwin+sunset+1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmq8NrDH-Xw8HDXSzCJo1DyBo914LzTnpe2zhfq6NVh9572cJ0gNMXuRcqlZiH186tqJTntglm5lDfhUwN-ein1pskRbLapjlM8CMZhpTt4z8n4nRcs_dbWp2i7A2mvXgdCjCgwAKyiFl/s400/Darwin+sunset+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110379602727490482" /></a><br /><br />The last day in Darwin was spent in a shopping centre. Yep, we had one of those demonstration tables which you always seem to see at large suburban shopping malls. We had lots of fun handing out balloons, and watching Dan do solar cell demonstrations for the kids and adults alike. Jasmine and I also liked posing for the camera.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaA6XxqKQJJ3e0GsSofdobb_wEOyrSZKPl0cCEl2UltJGOlCXbhakivBWgQxL_zBxBz0JDoLA42NF8A8fzbp0nE1HE24ixF0yYGFarZTwr9tI-00fCxydCaKgVHBnqn6cEDElifSSkf0G/s1600-h/Posed+science+at+the+mall.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaA6XxqKQJJ3e0GsSofdobb_wEOyrSZKPl0cCEl2UltJGOlCXbhakivBWgQxL_zBxBz0JDoLA42NF8A8fzbp0nE1HE24ixF0yYGFarZTwr9tI-00fCxydCaKgVHBnqn6cEDElifSSkf0G/s400/Posed+science+at+the+mall.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110380770958595042" /></a><br /><br />Overall we had a fantastic time! Thanks to Vanessa for putting us up, and to Jasmine for organising the whole thing. It was a great experience. And thanks to my science partner Dan for making the whole thing fun, as well as educational. I like to think that I'm a little bit of a scientist now...and maybe a bit of a poser... <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQL1t4rTjRR62tKA8U0QUsb0xp9uDW539rjqZE2RrGd3MGsnCTA-fU9_FWCqWrWRrPhIa4K8IhObZGQzEWnpDZ0Q2jV2cym1g2UwlWiHn_8g2HrjwBZZNwFB8SLNnjs65bY-2mgmIa5v7O/s1600-h/Scientist+Jane.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQL1t4rTjRR62tKA8U0QUsb0xp9uDW539rjqZE2RrGd3MGsnCTA-fU9_FWCqWrWRrPhIa4K8IhObZGQzEWnpDZ0Q2jV2cym1g2UwlWiHn_8g2HrjwBZZNwFB8SLNnjs65bY-2mgmIa5v7O/s400/Scientist+Jane.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110380775253562370" /></a>Jane & Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314730884355516032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312650381923158133.post-26161862200776719582007-08-24T00:25:00.000-07:002007-08-24T00:51:23.677-07:00Just testing to see if we can do this...<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UY-ZrwFwLQg"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UY-ZrwFwLQg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />Cam here getting technical with the blog whilst Jane is away (that's always the way isn't it?). Now I'm sure that some of you may well have been doing this with your blogs and youtube for quite a while now, but remeber we've had a year in the bush and have only just discovered youtube... so with that as the case sit back and enjoy this one. It is a pretty good summary of one of Cam's favorite topics at the moment and it is put togther in such a way that you don't really need the video feed. The humour (and very likely the truth) are in the words alone, nevertheless some of the images (you be able to pick em) are at once funny and scary.<br /><br />These are the words of a Mr Marcus Brigstocke a british comedian who has proved that you can make the rant (and a social conscience) into good comedy. The images have been cobbled together by some clever chap (or chapette) for the you tube generation... big ups to you whoever you may be. I hope that you get something from it and have a good think about what is at the core of what he is saying. If you want some more rational arguments and interesting stuff go to the sidebar and chase down the Dawkins link. If you want more of Marcus being funny go and bloody find it yourself (he does a good one on the climate change "Swindle" film). <br /><br />So like I said I wonder if we can do this... no, not embed a video (any syphlitic gibbon with a blackberry could do that these days), but rather stand up like Marcus and Dawkins and ask some serious questions about religion and the harm it brings to society and about the dangers of faith prevailing over reason and science. Keep reasoning.Jane & Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314730884355516032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312650381923158133.post-75969651040065852492007-08-11T00:48:00.000-07:002007-08-26T22:27:22.337-07:00HomeSo we're home. Some of you may know where that is, some of you may not. So this entry is dedicated to just that.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwPUmX9-FtAVG7nAz00cLwOKFE3xai0KzTpPfwRrogKvVduRhyphenhyphenfCOwR7TWKgdEiFM6GJyYjVRPmnKYkgglM1a0CsVZVkDT6eUNFBEBgQ7YIZOzTspHBdttxL1yStnUywEbdVf9Rd9IH0Q/s1600-h/Farnham+house.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwPUmX9-FtAVG7nAz00cLwOKFE3xai0KzTpPfwRrogKvVduRhyphenhyphenfCOwR7TWKgdEiFM6GJyYjVRPmnKYkgglM1a0CsVZVkDT6eUNFBEBgQ7YIZOzTspHBdttxL1yStnUywEbdVf9Rd9IH0Q/s400/Farnham+house.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097350014600079138" /></a><br /><br />We currently live with Cam's family in Farnham House. It's a beautiful old house that is also occupied by the rest of his family. So there are 12 of us all living in one house - it needs to be a bit on the big side! <br /><br />We've been catching up with all Cam's family even the ones we last saw in Italy are back now.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVMTSvVutIANgZ-5W4DcZxqNFbQafpz4VPhfuAh-GNWMcYpm9GZmvfTafIePapKPOv8MeBEpQ2-JFVuThsT1xNvlskNTnng-XJeZUp1hQg3SIilwIbcRJ7uQs-At2oNte9In0iY8eXG1o/s1600-h/Emma,+John+%26+Gabi.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVMTSvVutIANgZ-5W4DcZxqNFbQafpz4VPhfuAh-GNWMcYpm9GZmvfTafIePapKPOv8MeBEpQ2-JFVuThsT1xNvlskNTnng-XJeZUp1hQg3SIilwIbcRJ7uQs-At2oNte9In0iY8eXG1o/s400/Emma,+John+%26+Gabi.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102146611339515938" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxC4poMZ-u9s3RlLNPah-Pw66m9Oj7_unr4lRuuByv9MFZi37361Y9JaO-WdMUIpZi1YaeCQT6FSe98bl5nxTm3K56MD3GWsxJYV5dMXlsJ54bdHnCgB_rnxIbkiZGdSGoHnYTIybSa0tO/s1600-h/Tanya,+kids.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxC4poMZ-u9s3RlLNPah-Pw66m9Oj7_unr4lRuuByv9MFZi37361Y9JaO-WdMUIpZi1YaeCQT6FSe98bl5nxTm3K56MD3GWsxJYV5dMXlsJ54bdHnCgB_rnxIbkiZGdSGoHnYTIybSa0tO/s400/Tanya,+kids.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102146619929450562" /></a><br /><br />And of course Janes folks too, we've been hard at work in any spare time helping them renovate their house for an upcoming sale... <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfSUsEUW4WqHtWmHMFKGP437FfbVkQ8QjmW6F0gKKfglaaxOEPUBQpNbMKqMZ7zDlmHp-aylGd0kgGRsFcGmhDuyt9Gk6SxEcT9cwA8fql8vvfyrFhxnYi0czzyBYhApAer2Mpl4nhFc8/s1600-h/Parents.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfSUsEUW4WqHtWmHMFKGP437FfbVkQ8QjmW6F0gKKfglaaxOEPUBQpNbMKqMZ7zDlmHp-aylGd0kgGRsFcGmhDuyt9Gk6SxEcT9cwA8fql8vvfyrFhxnYi0czzyBYhApAer2Mpl4nhFc8/s400/Parents.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102146628519385170" /></a><br /><br />so if anybody wants a beautiful two bedder with a massive garden in a lovely street in Ashfield... anyway enough of THAT! we have managed to notice that pretty much anyone in Sydney is capable of talking about is real estate, it is both riveting and it really puts into perspective what are friends in the developing world are missing out on <br /><br />Other residents of the house include various animals. Several fish. A dog called Guinness<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7TN7kH1x8_-pmBm8eMLQNL9UTbK-mktQ9s0oyDL048O6M4aby-KGzEvdy3uaF3Cy5khk_84c19bcDW_WkW3iRtpFisbADaCPXrFja8sBPcwQ_AT1NC_A6mgQK5KzYPY_ZlOcTJNqoebP/s1600-h/Guinness.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7TN7kH1x8_-pmBm8eMLQNL9UTbK-mktQ9s0oyDL048O6M4aby-KGzEvdy3uaF3Cy5khk_84c19bcDW_WkW3iRtpFisbADaCPXrFja8sBPcwQ_AT1NC_A6mgQK5KzYPY_ZlOcTJNqoebP/s400/Guinness.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103247261133625458" /></a><br /><br />and a cat called Tybalt who has rather taken to his new role as luggage security.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdvKlbqQSxWHT_WijbFc1zv0O_vVBG3dPBrUZl6Aq2e7dHz_z4x2B8sdh3Ytu39vEIYhUMfpdn1thRf2f5AuGI2yxxf2nl6dzwXFt2HnlnY-giBaMSjHg4BhboL4__9aUs5wzglxogvo8/s1600-h/Tybalt.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdvKlbqQSxWHT_WijbFc1zv0O_vVBG3dPBrUZl6Aq2e7dHz_z4x2B8sdh3Ytu39vEIYhUMfpdn1thRf2f5AuGI2yxxf2nl6dzwXFt2HnlnY-giBaMSjHg4BhboL4__9aUs5wzglxogvo8/s400/Tybalt.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102146632814352482" /></a><br /><br />Jane has already thrown herself into the arts scene again with professional stage managment work for the Australian Bradenburgs recent concernt season as well as some ametuer highjinks helping mentor younger stagemanagers on the show "Cabaret".<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiC3aoubK_Shyp1V5sMjigmbVTP_FmZ56FpgEo3M11zkr0l2Xy3ojNsIyejNlmEF-SN_KWnyJOIsWwfwUK8DNc7PkqexL0S1eIu7SJVAA5rD1HPCZ5RoQbHwiv63GRRBcYPZ8vYCn3B7c/s1600-h/La,+me,+Josh+%26+Skye.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiC3aoubK_Shyp1V5sMjigmbVTP_FmZ56FpgEo3M11zkr0l2Xy3ojNsIyejNlmEF-SN_KWnyJOIsWwfwUK8DNc7PkqexL0S1eIu7SJVAA5rD1HPCZ5RoQbHwiv63GRRBcYPZ8vYCn3B7c/s400/La,+me,+Josh+%26+Skye.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102146619929450546" /></a><br /><br />We've both got jobs (Jane's new one starts soon updates to follow!) and Cam is working close to home in the local book shop (a job that he has secretly wanted for about 15 years!) while he looks for science and conservation work. <br /><br />This little catchup is just to let you know that we are still alive and (despite the cold) managing well enough in Sydney... well Cam is anyway Jane is off on a little excursion in Darwin so her fabulous additions to the blog will return shortly and focus on that little adventure.Jane & Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314730884355516032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312650381923158133.post-35815537450885948972007-08-05T06:24:00.001-07:002007-08-07T04:33:05.978-07:00What's Been Happening...Ok. So it's been a while since we've updated this. Mostly we've been busy settling back into Sydney, looking for jobs etc. It doesn't seem like all that much has happened in the month and a half since we've been back, but thought it was time to write anyway.<br /><br />Firstly, it's been cold. Especially when compared to PNG or Vietnam. Despite how cold it has been, Cam has still managed to go diving (Jane was happily warm and sleeping at the time). He even managed to uncurl his cold-cramped fingers for long enough to take some photos!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8YSffX50inme0aiyE3VZ6MugKE3UnocFVeHMipijsXa8IHWD3rmvrGoMLiZRSt_lfvZ-fNq-vQNYEg7_i63mwu_1pDh_mOTm_abbLv2JR2PAfPn33hb67pUYpGXZiHOi0EHHq28DBFlNU/s1600-h/squidy.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8YSffX50inme0aiyE3VZ6MugKE3UnocFVeHMipijsXa8IHWD3rmvrGoMLiZRSt_lfvZ-fNq-vQNYEg7_i63mwu_1pDh_mOTm_abbLv2JR2PAfPn33hb67pUYpGXZiHOi0EHHq28DBFlNU/s400/squidy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095906038005229282" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XFYo0F1z_rRLCndEljwDYwA5FAaMueAWnITjrhQC3vzhgQeqqOKxMaza-a0YdaPpSGBWRYpg09Xu-HnFovcT_58aTLqfMsNe0NUh6yNzBk7Nlih-3ZZTxcK33CZbryo7lIdI6r4tWyft/s1600-h/stingray+and+fish.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XFYo0F1z_rRLCndEljwDYwA5FAaMueAWnITjrhQC3vzhgQeqqOKxMaza-a0YdaPpSGBWRYpg09Xu-HnFovcT_58aTLqfMsNe0NUh6yNzBk7Nlih-3ZZTxcK33CZbryo7lIdI6r4tWyft/s400/stingray+and+fish.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095906038005229298" /></a><br /><br />Otherwise he has been working at the local bookshop while writing applications for work in the marine biology field. So, he's fairly happy surrounded by books until he can get into the water again.<br /><br />Jane has been working with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra on their latest concert series. Mostly she helped out the Orchestra Manager and performers while listening to beautiful music. Anyone who's interested in listening to beautiful music too should look up Philippe Jaroussky on Youtube - he's just amazing! She's also had a couple of job interviews for more work so she can..well...live. Sydney is a bit more expensive than PNG was (although thankfully not as expensive as Europe or the UK).<br /><br />Otherwise we have been catching up with family and friends. Events worth special mention:<br /><br />*PNG at Home - Cam volunteered at a Biodiversity Extinction Crisis Conference and met many Papua New Guineans, and people working in PNG. So he decided to invite them all over to dinner. It was a great night, and he even tried to cook some local PNG cuisine including claypot-style starch vegetables in coconut milk, and of course bulli and noodles. Unfortunately their were no Milne Bayans there, but it was nice to be surrounded by tok pisin again, and to meet new people - especially those working to preserve and protect the unique and amazing wildlife in PNG.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-LEjqTjG2f8kbHLECiHVITH5bEPzi_z8IU3FnVSJafR_ZeQfCvze_Uul3g968li2yECGer22-fNTnpt6dXhWyiu_2iFuXalcaKlzMZiJx8I389aIMgFR7XFSVEUeQoWSDJpms3_9WeMH/s1600-h/PNG+at+home.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-LEjqTjG2f8kbHLECiHVITH5bEPzi_z8IU3FnVSJafR_ZeQfCvze_Uul3g968li2yECGer22-fNTnpt6dXhWyiu_2iFuXalcaKlzMZiJx8I389aIMgFR7XFSVEUeQoWSDJpms3_9WeMH/s400/PNG+at+home.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095907721632409346" /></a><br /><br />*Life Force Poetry and Prose afternoon - a lovely afternoon held by Lifeforce (a cancer support group) where actors and celebrities are asked to read their favourite poems and/or prose. It is held as a fundraiser so as to keep the group and their wonderful service going. It was great to share the poetry and prose and get an added insight into those who chose and read the pieces. It was all quite inspiring for a variety of reasons.<br /><br />*Random going to the pub night - highlight was definately Cam and Jeff drinking whisky out of jam jars. Enough said.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eKNOR65mYoos7SsEVXywElbuAWx4Q0LVYdJkoJ2sp7JYqObfL6TiuqmtPMmcU0tm-HurxTjoGG0KWtxXzda8siOOK8_XmKiazU4_bxK0iDYkUYRT8x4BIixZFuipKxy6-DSl7EX9hBNi/s1600-h/Whisky+jars.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eKNOR65mYoos7SsEVXywElbuAWx4Q0LVYdJkoJ2sp7JYqObfL6TiuqmtPMmcU0tm-HurxTjoGG0KWtxXzda8siOOK8_XmKiazU4_bxK0iDYkUYRT8x4BIixZFuipKxy6-DSl7EX9hBNi/s400/Whisky+jars.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095919756130772754" /></a><br /><br />Anyway, that's it for now. But we will definately endeavour to make this a regular thing again. Now that we're getting back into the swing of things it shouldn't be too hard : )Jane & Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314730884355516032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312650381923158133.post-41304044330132560472007-07-05T01:54:00.000-07:002007-07-17T05:32:18.170-07:00Hanging Around Halong Bay...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs67F__Plrjku9v8V8fOAmHeVnKK_AQjT85qq_t_HeDdpo5oNMqpgcg3hiJCA8g1Kr_vO2T2hQWRRL3CqSfWqt5itQnOp0KG-cz05cBloC0_JuPOpyoyPSR0CrVOsnTAAIfYmf30gU3mac/s1600-h/Jane+and+dragon.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs67F__Plrjku9v8V8fOAmHeVnKK_AQjT85qq_t_HeDdpo5oNMqpgcg3hiJCA8g1Kr_vO2T2hQWRRL3CqSfWqt5itQnOp0KG-cz05cBloC0_JuPOpyoyPSR0CrVOsnTAAIfYmf30gU3mac/s400/Jane+and+dragon.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088133752203098898" /></a><br /><br />After we left Hue we caught a plane up to Hanoi - another one of our favourite places (there are quite a few of them)! <br /><br />Our hotel was right in the depths of the colourful and lively Old Quarter of Hanoi, which met we were in the thick of things as soon as we stepped outside. We were met on our first day by the lovely Phuong Anh, who works with the Fred Hollows <br />Foundation in Hanoi. She showed us around, and took us to see the new and improved eye hospital. Here she poses with one of the many 'typical' Vietnam bicycles - so stacked with goods we don't know how they move. And this one is filled with ceramics!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MXsXMVKCgcCe3BzeH2qYVssll9qITUrmM6LkXdrmJoW1KwEaEH_pI-iy8uiSziVD2K0Jui7OEUgeaT5ZEyfk0To1mkTneLEsXE4nWNFUdKTRyGUakVwMtzohZmUscjsjqPatToXAB-WH/s1600-h/Phuong+Anh+%26+bike.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MXsXMVKCgcCe3BzeH2qYVssll9qITUrmM6LkXdrmJoW1KwEaEH_pI-iy8uiSziVD2K0Jui7OEUgeaT5ZEyfk0To1mkTneLEsXE4nWNFUdKTRyGUakVwMtzohZmUscjsjqPatToXAB-WH/s400/Phuong+Anh+%26+bike.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088095269296126562" /></a><br /><br />The day after we arrived Phuong Anh took us for a drive to meet Giap. The drive itself was interesting (and the driving, again, quite scary), but meeting Giap was a really awesome experience. For those of you living in and around Sydney, you may have seen photos of Giap as a young boy, with Cam's dad Fred - they're often up at bus stops and other public places. Cam's dad Fred actually operated on his eyes and restored his sight around 15 years ago. So it was a special moment when they met each other as adults.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewZaXQGIs7pI8Jzdve4Nlf2cAh1-mvb0fF7SZ161YTvavY4Bb9z-42toQKpVdl8AUSLodfGhjj59PpYKN7eSoafHkRom95eW0-EG_NbJZnn1T15KKcipQEOt-4A0DH3V4j-6Fli0sWTEq/s1600-h/Giap+%26+Cam.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewZaXQGIs7pI8Jzdve4Nlf2cAh1-mvb0fF7SZ161YTvavY4Bb9z-42toQKpVdl8AUSLodfGhjj59PpYKN7eSoafHkRom95eW0-EG_NbJZnn1T15KKcipQEOt-4A0DH3V4j-6Fli0sWTEq/s400/Giap+%26+Cam.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088098520586369666" /></a><br /><br />We had a lovely lunch and translated conversations. It was great to learn that Giap is half way through a university degree in Maths teaching - no mean feat. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhSHtWWXtgFOD_HR732ZQzr5yVBl61OtOrEqucVvbDSfofWzbmk7pe9CVOmNfSxJVRx6k8ITcyy3wbxhfR6dC8uRlSb-eb1zOhXbTzDXvS6lan81XhAbC8jCpDiVel9IhCcH21quiSWou/s1600-h/lunch.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhSHtWWXtgFOD_HR732ZQzr5yVBl61OtOrEqucVvbDSfofWzbmk7pe9CVOmNfSxJVRx6k8ITcyy3wbxhfR6dC8uRlSb-eb1zOhXbTzDXvS6lan81XhAbC8jCpDiVel9IhCcH21quiSWou/s400/lunch.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088142376497429314" /></a><br /><br />After lunch we had to head back to Hanoi - another 3 hour trip! We did have one quick stop to buy young coconuts from the side of the road - Cam's favourite drink.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-27CdvKj6H8feSwG2NitcKD7g0itsJiEnqYYyddoQX65hU8z4ZpV6WNZO7OBA0Tq654M3UeyhipXvWdNLNrRUEYqjoqGsXRMe-0jQeqrz4XdVKWDHDW7yq3EtIF6Ywarf4kTCJxv3esz9/s1600-h/Cam+%26+coconut.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-27CdvKj6H8feSwG2NitcKD7g0itsJiEnqYYyddoQX65hU8z4ZpV6WNZO7OBA0Tq654M3UeyhipXvWdNLNrRUEYqjoqGsXRMe-0jQeqrz4XdVKWDHDW7yq3EtIF6Ywarf4kTCJxv3esz9/s400/Cam+%26+coconut.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088098520586369650" /></a><br /><br />While we were enjoying Hanoi, we decided we had to get out to Halong Bay - one of the world's natural wonders. So the next day we caught a bus with a small group of people from our hotel, and tried to ignore the near-death driving habits of the Vietnamese people. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbpBtmQ5G2kwKhkyQ_s8bUTtedEyjjo5ZV9pvU7aDAeYTW5-trvSZYNiTq412kDgoYoD4XQuXeM97yVJqCMqmO4-vJrZ7ErQX8Woad7_Chjz_eKjRmY48qPbk3wxxVNh0xI-Etk8Gy_TA/s1600-h/Halong+flag.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbpBtmQ5G2kwKhkyQ_s8bUTtedEyjjo5ZV9pvU7aDAeYTW5-trvSZYNiTq412kDgoYoD4XQuXeM97yVJqCMqmO4-vJrZ7ErQX8Woad7_Chjz_eKjRmY48qPbk3wxxVNh0xI-Etk8Gy_TA/s400/Halong+flag.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088133743613164258" /></a><br /><br />On arriving in Halong Bay we were overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of other tourists and lots of boats. We were shepheded by our tour guide (it is truly amazing how quickly tourists are moved on and off the boats - it's a smooth operation) to our boat, which we had to walk the plank and cross two other boats to get onto. On arriving safely and handing over our passports we retired to the top deck with a drink or two. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXg94FnskvihKwbEyBkOF3PiCkV3BFdQOqQQcXHMyaX6ROzr5QEDNKdC_AYBCEhIwXMnpbHi_AvHJU6uJm39IGIaRXrdomTVyGZ2LLZNcmFHxe7bnZ43olR-Dx6XJWJEFsoxCi0vz03qZA/s1600-h/dragon.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXg94FnskvihKwbEyBkOF3PiCkV3BFdQOqQQcXHMyaX6ROzr5QEDNKdC_AYBCEhIwXMnpbHi_AvHJU6uJm39IGIaRXrdomTVyGZ2LLZNcmFHxe7bnZ43olR-Dx6XJWJEFsoxCi0vz03qZA/s400/dragon.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088132695641144018" /></a><br /><br />We cruised around the bay, past many islands and rocky formations - headed by our dragon (each boat has a dragon at the front for good luck). After a HUGE and fabulous lunch we were told to get off the boat and walk up a lot of stairs. While this may have been a bit of a mission the caves at the top of the stairs were amazing, and truly vast.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGjEq7gE51ZuL3zBZhgkh300Gne-Wn7URRg8nF4kqw3kw3_GawZJVMKSfgm8e42rEPruLVcTPXcMAHpLBII_ult4754fx5A2ZOVkiJ75np02aKMfmRpPmfwRfKA-csJKveWuu5JMvVSOU/s1600-h/Caves.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGjEq7gE51ZuL3zBZhgkh300Gne-Wn7URRg8nF4kqw3kw3_GawZJVMKSfgm8e42rEPruLVcTPXcMAHpLBII_ult4754fx5A2ZOVkiJ75np02aKMfmRpPmfwRfKA-csJKveWuu5JMvVSOU/s400/Caves.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088132695641144002" /></a><br /><br />After walking down all the stairs again we were then taken to a kayaking site (they may give you a lot of food, but they make you work it off). We paddled around for a bit, trying not to fall in as the water didn't look all that clean and pleasant. Our guide took us through a pass that only small boats can fit through, and suddenly we were surrounded by what must have once been a huge cave. It was so beautiful, and worth the effort.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6JkxN2WnsT-GoyQXcoIKAkTa5qGKAym8FuB9gGTWQjtWPHEnMUqljMtxeQ8VRHtumxUPdBx2-lm2ODyeNqTxqqJImCk2nsukwUOwmB5_RbwSrOIcdrTj2WVvJLMo7Bsqwx7WmzivFfeN/s1600-h/kayaking+pass.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6JkxN2WnsT-GoyQXcoIKAkTa5qGKAym8FuB9gGTWQjtWPHEnMUqljMtxeQ8VRHtumxUPdBx2-lm2ODyeNqTxqqJImCk2nsukwUOwmB5_RbwSrOIcdrTj2WVvJLMo7Bsqwx7WmzivFfeN/s400/kayaking+pass.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088134413628062514" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOU02giBL98Mxt3AJRt6YiFJ7Zei4Rc41lfA8hR_NJ4eWuIQRFVeS9RUonT2ydYZwV1zwbj2-ThtxfyfY8y64fVUvFyNdYRSqnu8VrWZpeZaBpncs8EdpNHK5pl9RoHYG2RTOOLJgAqBPz/s1600-h/jane+kayaking+smile.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOU02giBL98Mxt3AJRt6YiFJ7Zei4Rc41lfA8hR_NJ4eWuIQRFVeS9RUonT2ydYZwV1zwbj2-ThtxfyfY8y64fVUvFyNdYRSqnu8VrWZpeZaBpncs8EdpNHK5pl9RoHYG2RTOOLJgAqBPz/s400/jane+kayaking+smile.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088133752203098914" /></a><br /><br />All the exercise done for the day, we got back on the boat (via all the fresh seafood that had been caught and was still alive in water filled 'cages' - a bit sad). We watched the sunset and had a drink, then another feast called 'dinner'. For evening entertainment we were called upon to teach some of the old uni drinking games - the things you find yourself doing in random places!<br /><br />The next day we woke up, ate breakfast, and then were put off the boat and told to walk up lots of stairs again (is there a pattern here?) even more stairs than the day before! At the top there was a 360 degree view of Halong Bay, so perhaps it was worth the pain. Cam even met 'God' up the top.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mV2X_fNY16sRdIMm0xda_vaUchcy8cFjrMooS0lXWRXGN2I_1jtXT0B6NqOPwH0G83k6vDCUi2OO7EKrrjA3xKWnZ5ZOVLcN5SBcVjrERMKNH7AVPQyCB4s-lLghIROmCyrkCTjSgDyI/s1600-h/Halong+view.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mV2X_fNY16sRdIMm0xda_vaUchcy8cFjrMooS0lXWRXGN2I_1jtXT0B6NqOPwH0G83k6vDCUi2OO7EKrrjA3xKWnZ5ZOVLcN5SBcVjrERMKNH7AVPQyCB4s-lLghIROmCyrkCTjSgDyI/s400/Halong+view.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088133747908131570" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-HX_wNclxEQIoYWVgeS_PyYyrrkdbSgeD9Ndn5svhLgwkLG1suJGkN-0iqD_WGb8HP22B6l1Eqqs4j1RS2p9ZqTmkqheAddpIwDG_xme_0wlxFDupKIAs5ectaZY1tPB40IGsLFfVHlz/s1600-h/Cam+and+%27God%27.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-HX_wNclxEQIoYWVgeS_PyYyrrkdbSgeD9Ndn5svhLgwkLG1suJGkN-0iqD_WGb8HP22B6l1Eqqs4j1RS2p9ZqTmkqheAddpIwDG_xme_0wlxFDupKIAs5ectaZY1tPB40IGsLFfVHlz/s400/Cam+and+%27God%27.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088132687051209378" /></a><br /><br />Once we had recovered sufficiently we managed to walk down the stairs again, passing some small Vietnamese men carrying their body weight in steel cables. A bit of a reality check for us soft (and puffing, panting, and sweating) Westerners. There was a lovely beach down the bottom (real or artificial we're not sure), and a stall hiring out swimming costumers. Ewww.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHRJGjck4sxl5vl7p8OkCSVGHd8_VUDIqLNbR7Q8X6lgZ11Gqk7_Wr8P1O1ZHe81dwxPp851In3Zrcmyubb0qt-cEjyD0OHHujMScCtzEoLOZIcXM06-a77JlFDyqoTdGpFkoa2R8eqA9/s1600-h/beach+umbrella.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHRJGjck4sxl5vl7p8OkCSVGHd8_VUDIqLNbR7Q8X6lgZ11Gqk7_Wr8P1O1ZHe81dwxPp851In3Zrcmyubb0qt-cEjyD0OHHujMScCtzEoLOZIcXM06-a77JlFDyqoTdGpFkoa2R8eqA9/s400/beach+umbrella.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088132682756242066" /></a><br /><br />Our Halong Bay trip almost at an end we cruised back to shore where we were fed another huge meal. After this one we sat on a bus for a few hours, and got to sleep - probably wise. Although most of us were awake to see a poor man lose a load of wire clothing stands off the back of his bike. It's amazing he could get them all on their in the first place...<br /><br />We only had a few more days in Hanoi. We spent time walking around the shops, looking and buying - there were just so many lovely things! We met up with our Halong Bay friends for dinner and drinks at the jazz club one night. Cam received plenty of admiring glances surrounded by all the ladies.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2q2ATYNudKaXWBhBja2HhTipfHuz7VKGsrBzd0kPWYl5RsdUZnfieajsZpd4XXbqtZcvt_XwJzJYslo5vISynP0iIgQgP06nmifOnW_r76WGoUKN9Oa8RSOzrs14Bj5RbDjwEt4FC5x2/s1600-h/Cam+and+the+Ladies.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2q2ATYNudKaXWBhBja2HhTipfHuz7VKGsrBzd0kPWYl5RsdUZnfieajsZpd4XXbqtZcvt_XwJzJYslo5vISynP0iIgQgP06nmifOnW_r76WGoUKN9Oa8RSOzrs14Bj5RbDjwEt4FC5x2/s400/Cam+and+the+Ladies.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088132691346176690" /></a><br /><br />After more delicious meals (including sinful and refreshing ice creams at 'Fanny's', pho and Vietnamese spring rolls), final shopping (there's so much we didn't buy, but we still had trouble packing everything) and trips to the post office, it was time to leave Hanoi. <br /><br />And so our overseas adventures have ended for the moment (but not this blog!). We've had an amazing time, met some great people and seen some special places. Thanks to everyone who helped us, put up with us and caught up with us! We'd love to return the favour sometime...perhaps when we have jobs and a place of our own!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YswHfEG9OPpCh_1-DrMQ1GMiqmCjsMLpMfmnj1A8zvh56enT_HfZkuWHxy2ANxAYEV3ru7F0xNcEiXMLLgXY02kVoVCuw2PDkX6KngjsKnmfRbpsEZIE-ZnZPPUyn8kFY_3Q9mw3waUc/s1600-h/j&c+outside+cave.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YswHfEG9OPpCh_1-DrMQ1GMiqmCjsMLpMfmnj1A8zvh56enT_HfZkuWHxy2ANxAYEV3ru7F0xNcEiXMLLgXY02kVoVCuw2PDkX6KngjsKnmfRbpsEZIE-ZnZPPUyn8kFY_3Q9mw3waUc/s400/j&c+outside+cave.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088133747908131586" /></a>Jane & Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314730884355516032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312650381923158133.post-44083659032011939502007-07-01T06:21:00.000-07:002007-07-02T04:03:20.789-07:00Scootin' Around in Vietnam...The UK and European part of our trip over, we boarded planes to take us to Vietnam. Gee, we were glad the trip was only 12 hours long! It's a great way to catch up on 3 or 4 movies (while you're trying to ignore how much you need to go to the toilet so you don't have to ask the nice stranger to move again).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC266BmFrNUla5n8gq7xQiWiix1Zy7ptY5DnFBUIWL6Z238Gj2YfxmQp9toeN78WOdMDoHG3TIhtEIf6kXdgqOPXg580ZP6y2HgLkJkNgOJRR0HZuBpJ76-PDATw-LVCeMh6F9b2Gb1Pvl/s1600-h/flags.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC266BmFrNUla5n8gq7xQiWiix1Zy7ptY5DnFBUIWL6Z238Gj2YfxmQp9toeN78WOdMDoHG3TIhtEIf6kXdgqOPXg580ZP6y2HgLkJkNgOJRR0HZuBpJ76-PDATw-LVCeMh6F9b2Gb1Pvl/s400/flags.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082548776142137202" /></a><br /><br />Anyway, we got off the plane at Ho Chi Minh City and experienced 'real' summer in the tropics. It was back to shorts and singets, trying to ignore that our luggage was full of jumpers, and cold weather paraphenalia (yes we were in Europe and the UK during summer - but it was still COLD!). We only spent one day in Ho Chi Minh City, but we still managed to have a good look around and get a feel for the place. Industrious people, persistant cyclo riders, and interesting aromas. We went to the Rex hotel for a drink (probably one of the most expensive things we did), and ate plenty of Pho.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQv89LW9E9YTJ3Zf0ZO_bnMIyLpBrep8LcGmM1IxNO5wUm1wuTcj0SdGea6gCYac3wDviVWcUDL7kRiwtvAPOycTUF8Bmu17sUn6pinFcJXd7fLLita8ipk0oQPKJQaigXLLz0DIXAK7R/s1600-h/boats+on+the+beach.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQv89LW9E9YTJ3Zf0ZO_bnMIyLpBrep8LcGmM1IxNO5wUm1wuTcj0SdGea6gCYac3wDviVWcUDL7kRiwtvAPOycTUF8Bmu17sUn6pinFcJXd7fLLita8ipk0oQPKJQaigXLLz0DIXAK7R/s400/boats+on+the+beach.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082548763257235250" /></a><br /><br />The next day we caught a plane to Danang where we visited the office of the Fred Hollows Foundation and met (and were well looked after) by the staff. They showed us around Danang, which is really a very pretty place, and took us to lovely eating spots to experience the local cuisine. We also were taken to the local eye hospital, and even got all 'scrubbed up' to see the end of an eye operation. Quite an experience!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitb2_xTozuU0uYp4TKc1-apo81RHxcM7kHIFwp4yG3YdL_m9x1L46zn4SzVP6RZM3ovYjuKfyCRJVOLd4NF4BvzNvkoNKThrVp5sq5BdlAKFwnu-z_z4twWf5Wikr3M1O51BPSmpwX7v3e/s1600-h/in+scrubs.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitb2_xTozuU0uYp4TKc1-apo81RHxcM7kHIFwp4yG3YdL_m9x1L46zn4SzVP6RZM3ovYjuKfyCRJVOLd4NF4BvzNvkoNKThrVp5sq5BdlAKFwnu-z_z4twWf5Wikr3M1O51BPSmpwX7v3e/s400/in+scrubs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082551559280945058" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS60XhbfZh_-Ew0PtGym4XAjjiqBu6L9RPuR4VA0QjQN213wrXW4qw2gmFqeMOcXAztXh10bMu0dSyvkF9q-gOPAFgfTGh9OU1KaHleUtQuugnTvY5dNg128Ru2lbqRFKC6_2YRAXP5s_Z/s1600-h/FHF+office.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS60XhbfZh_-Ew0PtGym4XAjjiqBu6L9RPuR4VA0QjQN213wrXW4qw2gmFqeMOcXAztXh10bMu0dSyvkF9q-gOPAFgfTGh9OU1KaHleUtQuugnTvY5dNg128Ru2lbqRFKC6_2YRAXP5s_Z/s400/FHF+office.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082548776142137186" /></a><br /><br />Next stop was Hoi An. By this time we were ready to settle down for a few days, and this was the perfect place to do so. It's small and fairly quiet, but certainly knows about tourism. There were tailors and little shops and restaurants everywhere!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rjS9e1Nj85iThYGQsbqigyL4l44z6qq8ecNukw9HuazOLb_WxAAUOuw4EaaR8KBtWkUZX0PUf2rIl1FgqroqS7s6S89WFXbhMx17_Kzrwrb-lz06zwH6VEm1mZV_MYGzBQlRQuKUNdRd/s1600-h/Clothes+shop.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rjS9e1Nj85iThYGQsbqigyL4l44z6qq8ecNukw9HuazOLb_WxAAUOuw4EaaR8KBtWkUZX0PUf2rIl1FgqroqS7s6S89WFXbhMx17_Kzrwrb-lz06zwH6VEm1mZV_MYGzBQlRQuKUNdRd/s400/Clothes+shop.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082548771847169874" /></a><br /><br />We spent lots of time walking around (in 45 degree heat - no wonder the locals think tourists are a little bit mad!), swimming, getting massaged (sigh), and of course getting some clothes made. Cam hired a motorbike to get around town quickly, and Jane hopped on the back loaded up with bags in true Vietnamese style. Even though it was a quiet town, it was still a nerve-racking business for all involved! We also managed to get on a boat one morning and went for a couple of dives. The water was lovely, but sadly there were few fish...probably on account of huge populations in South East Asia (and the rest of the world) eating so many sea creatures.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7yGCugHxHKh8SVGdJjLlLkKxuWKO3edjo1mj4S4_jfS9ywP4cZkowK9va2ibwQalyj4QREZOIIM2toWDD9bvtc6tV_H2VH2tPGOAziORPhIYew2kyEKDS957ZgPISYmOmtcMASsPjTA2/s1600-h/Hoi+An+Islands.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7yGCugHxHKh8SVGdJjLlLkKxuWKO3edjo1mj4S4_jfS9ywP4cZkowK9va2ibwQalyj4QREZOIIM2toWDD9bvtc6tV_H2VH2tPGOAziORPhIYew2kyEKDS957ZgPISYmOmtcMASsPjTA2/s400/Hoi+An+Islands.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082551554985977730" /></a><br /> <br />After our few days of relaxing in Hoi An, we caught a bus to Hue. The bus ride in itself was an experience! Brakes are used rarely and the horn is almost used instead - if you hear beeping, then get out of the way. We think that people who ride motorbikes in Vietnam should not be allowed to drive buses. Anyway, we arrived in Hue in one piece, even if we had lost a few litres of sweat from fear and heat. <br /><br />Hue was an amazing place. We visited the old, imperial city, which was partly destroyed in the war, but is still amazing. Didn't spend long in the old city, but we took cyclos around and so managed to see alot in a short time, including the house that Ho Chi Minh lived in when he was a boy.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5etEoVnHDOsc5xq2msHgNc9wOPOg6pHzt0nhnKOVLhv2MVwyXHw8NZAsrkp6itFQyLUrZQ3Q85r8Xvhg3geJRJw6CAMwNBMnx9xW3kzyEoyX24-N5piZGrwUS76FIvWZAckPRuWPhxE6/s1600-h/Cam+in+temple.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5etEoVnHDOsc5xq2msHgNc9wOPOg6pHzt0nhnKOVLhv2MVwyXHw8NZAsrkp6itFQyLUrZQ3Q85r8Xvhg3geJRJw6CAMwNBMnx9xW3kzyEoyX24-N5piZGrwUS76FIvWZAckPRuWPhxE6/s400/Cam+in+temple.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082548767552202562" /></a><br /><br />And so ends this post, but will write a bit more about the rest of our time in Vietnam (specifically Hanoi and Halong Bay) very soon...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXo1YyvhKwbVybypalUtI4BWrnHU4WlIMcERMKTSlidmr7n-2p_-6XRNHgLhdS1tvnieIcJA8bwfqShoGfEII1sYVOQccYyqBvXIazu9AvTzfFlCfWPU7yQCurYY5wMQ275cK9YtKbWJw9/s1600-h/Hue+Cam+n+Jane.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXo1YyvhKwbVybypalUtI4BWrnHU4WlIMcERMKTSlidmr7n-2p_-6XRNHgLhdS1tvnieIcJA8bwfqShoGfEII1sYVOQccYyqBvXIazu9AvTzfFlCfWPU7yQCurYY5wMQ275cK9YtKbWJw9/s400/Hue+Cam+n+Jane.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082551554985977746" /></a>Jane & Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314730884355516032noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312650381923158133.post-8532860155252524012007-06-22T01:03:00.000-07:002007-06-24T07:42:45.437-07:00Punting in Oxford...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjYPv2uywEDo99Dk__zWnNdYJLvRV9HK6lqsq6bSeOeO0ulFglm-Sb9GKf22HS3wEojDhg1r3J1QPK5DMTOsRyQa64AUV6koTpzkbMtX_Bddocrkh-TL7UTrZM9b-8aBgd68o1GD9qREh/s1600-h/Jane+and+Will.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjYPv2uywEDo99Dk__zWnNdYJLvRV9HK6lqsq6bSeOeO0ulFglm-Sb9GKf22HS3wEojDhg1r3J1QPK5DMTOsRyQa64AUV6koTpzkbMtX_Bddocrkh-TL7UTrZM9b-8aBgd68o1GD9qREh/s400/Jane+and+Will.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079638093451165410" /></a><br /><br />Unfortunately we only spent one day in Oxford, but that day certainly deserves a post of its own...<br /><br />We caught the Oxford tube in London and mostly slept through the 2 hour trip, so when we woke up we were magically in Oxford. Quite a pretty city really. The first thing we did was go to lunch with a family friend, Simon. He took us to a lovely little place called the Trout Inn, where some of the Inspector Morse series have been filmed. We ate a lovely lunch seemingly surrounded by fellow Australians and ducks.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgibqQt9BzrpwsYdV9w9rLJNeITyU8lUHku7LyGyu0dpQFwe2cNOlTu3ieePbKd-xbIZrXkg2iPrs67IIJzZ31noXZhVadO2QmHniff6Ro5656qICIVd_5F0vcfgmfzH3qGPDF4hWxFZ7/s1600-h/so+fast.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgibqQt9BzrpwsYdV9w9rLJNeITyU8lUHku7LyGyu0dpQFwe2cNOlTu3ieePbKd-xbIZrXkg2iPrs67IIJzZ31noXZhVadO2QmHniff6Ro5656qICIVd_5F0vcfgmfzH3qGPDF4hWxFZ7/s400/so+fast.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079613895605419666" /></a><br /><br />After lunch we went to visit the Pitt and Rivers museum - a lovely small museum with everything from dinosaurs to shrunken heads, and specimens that you could play with as well! We also made sure that Cam got a photo with one of his heros Charles Darwin.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1-weY4cf2YCnqRqklh3x8SscHjWYTDPuah08JT6c2doGA36fGo04ZF9csuj2TiuyBTvOPBh8mJ9c44xrIQRyXj2ujHUGZaCONtMjH81CSyBtUV6hkhhC6hUoYQpPLKNEWrYFs0alKLSP/s1600-h/Darwin+and+Cam.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1-weY4cf2YCnqRqklh3x8SscHjWYTDPuah08JT6c2doGA36fGo04ZF9csuj2TiuyBTvOPBh8mJ9c44xrIQRyXj2ujHUGZaCONtMjH81CSyBtUV6hkhhC6hUoYQpPLKNEWrYFs0alKLSP/s400/Darwin+and+Cam.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079613899900386978" /></a><br /><br />In the afternoon we met up with some friends, Will and Sandy - 2 doctors we met in Papua New Guinea when they were doing their final elective. They took us out and made sure our short stay in Oxford was memorable. They took us on a lightning tour of some of the historical colleges - we squeaked the mound, and saw the choir stalls at New. But the first really important stops were a couple of pubs, including the one where Bob Hawke had set the record for the fastest 'down' of a yard glass...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZjfR9hvRe1BECPsW_Ux3CoIOwmKQfvOZv1cztVt9tPxMDj-3r7tv9sJHx_VxPY-VvpKPktAYbPwzroihUe4a04O4ybS-fousCmY65zVn__XOcnotxQl9vHl_xzYDiaj4_ENvET3b1_tA/s1600-h/Bob+Hawke.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZjfR9hvRe1BECPsW_Ux3CoIOwmKQfvOZv1cztVt9tPxMDj-3r7tv9sJHx_VxPY-VvpKPktAYbPwzroihUe4a04O4ybS-fousCmY65zVn__XOcnotxQl9vHl_xzYDiaj4_ENvET3b1_tA/s400/Bob+Hawke.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079617533442719410" /></a><br /><br />The boys pointed out that one can't visit Oxford without punting, so they bought supplies and we spent the next few hours on the Thames (known as the Issis in Oxford) in a punt. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIm6OnKdrWkrlD1kpxbQjx_jZ-oFPWR61aRXT088Ea0VtunB2RiCXQ1WX909wQAyBd3dkk0XQtP6_qUymVJYtMCDtYYGaNVbyblsP-2D-dNEwInyjn1QB297xIUYX2QbCD_44n2RLqb88/s1600-h/Cam+and+Jane+punting.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIm6OnKdrWkrlD1kpxbQjx_jZ-oFPWR61aRXT088Ea0VtunB2RiCXQ1WX909wQAyBd3dkk0XQtP6_qUymVJYtMCDtYYGaNVbyblsP-2D-dNEwInyjn1QB297xIUYX2QbCD_44n2RLqb88/s400/Cam+and+Jane+punting.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079638093451165378" /></a><br /><br />For those not familiar with punts, they are small square bottomed boats that aren't all that stable. Although they had both punted before we explored a part of the river neither of them had ever been to, and boy were there some surprises in store. After a while the river became overgrown and we kept drifting through the foliage, getting scratched, covered in pollen, and trying not to wet ourselves with laughter. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YgvtAi4AjdfkYjPS9fw-0ILnTf-qrVOhLBMyWLMbvmyzS46G44w2GBCURTNe8_oNbR3SsdF-uoA98UG1f6ur9H7zCSo8cTRFZc4-QpsBH9SsyQtlQS-ai7lygjopviyPtL6mtmgy0-bn/s1600-h/In+the+bushes.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YgvtAi4AjdfkYjPS9fw-0ILnTf-qrVOhLBMyWLMbvmyzS46G44w2GBCURTNe8_oNbR3SsdF-uoA98UG1f6ur9H7zCSo8cTRFZc4-QpsBH9SsyQtlQS-ai7lygjopviyPtL6mtmgy0-bn/s400/In+the+bushes.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079638093451165394" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsH4Af-Vsm-mWqFbp0YUpy2Tjeo5btTFoQABKGIFNMP3rOC3Bazbf8-K6wvhIan1y6GOin42U63XCo5QEuE7VILPUwkafBhnSIGIhl6n7HSshyQDDGl9gqnIxfcHqyvF3zA4v_se8GyiiS/s1600-h/Lost+pole.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsH4Af-Vsm-mWqFbp0YUpy2Tjeo5btTFoQABKGIFNMP3rOC3Bazbf8-K6wvhIan1y6GOin42U63XCo5QEuE7VILPUwkafBhnSIGIhl6n7HSshyQDDGl9gqnIxfcHqyvF3zA4v_se8GyiiS/s400/Lost+pole.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079638097746132722" /></a><br />There were also incidents of the pole getting stuck in the water, and the pole getting stuck in the trees above which led to a very wet Will. Although it may not sound like much, let us assure you that this was possibly the most hilarious part of our whole trip.<br /><br />After drying off we departed for a bbq 'Oxford style'. Comforting to know that student parties are the same world round - we ended up drinking cocktails out of a saucepan. We also caught up with an old friend of Cam's, Sebastian.<br /><br />Oxford was a lovely place, and we must thank Will and Sandy for showing us such a great time! We hope that we return to you both the same hospitality on this side of the world sometime! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAdNYTT8NVPB9d4MUGISsZpxQcuSMPpM3cMv4de3PvutwPnlLMW09p0TTmvdBnlO3zavcsntSHYMPUq8-A-DTFS5Xv6LaMhygDjPLqmxqYa0OioT-u7MPfLisE37VA1xJed08Rblk6fY3/s1600-h/The+punters.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAdNYTT8NVPB9d4MUGISsZpxQcuSMPpM3cMv4de3PvutwPnlLMW09p0TTmvdBnlO3zavcsntSHYMPUq8-A-DTFS5Xv6LaMhygDjPLqmxqYa0OioT-u7MPfLisE37VA1xJed08Rblk6fY3/s400/The+punters.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079638097746132738" /></a>Jane & Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314730884355516032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312650381923158133.post-58395796539451447682007-06-11T01:19:00.000-07:002007-06-16T07:56:12.952-07:00Little Old London Town<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjerOOu3kfnn7OUzDhQotRxEHyssEKxO2NIZR08_B4NkvOmtw0esPtXjGO8paVqGuKNYqT3-CB21hZaRIBY1q8INvKX3h-VXleSwENrSjzwxVQEISboihuGygG8A0TEEusKOQRO2CWURQfC/s1600-h/P6010035.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjerOOu3kfnn7OUzDhQotRxEHyssEKxO2NIZR08_B4NkvOmtw0esPtXjGO8paVqGuKNYqT3-CB21hZaRIBY1q8INvKX3h-VXleSwENrSjzwxVQEISboihuGygG8A0TEEusKOQRO2CWURQfC/s400/P6010035.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5076666663277100578" /></a><br /><br />Well, it's not really. Quite big actually, with a population ranging between 12 and 14 million depending on where you stop counting. We're not sure how many British we actually met though, as London is packed full of Australians and everyone else from around the world...but it probably didn't help that we were staying with Aussie mates while we were there.<br /><br />So anyway, we left ourselves a week and a half for London - a good amount of time to catch up with people, but not so good for the finances. We couldn't believe just how expensive London was, no matter how much we had been warned. But enough about money - we'll worry about all that when we get home...<br /><br />Highlights of our time in English capital include:<br /><br />*Visting many museums - the natural history museum, with it's stuffed animals and skeletons of those long dead. Cam particularly liked the icthyosaurs (fish lizards), which makes sense considering his love of all things from the sea.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAB-NrjYIvt2nDK5LNXryaFFMCHuqS6M2dMYu7uuwAKfRxLoug2TPWlI6e4xvY7c1vOeFwh9tEYC5-ffhm7SJbEb-TJmPXt2efXlYkWI0E64jPf2vKri1gIPxoOeTKZQDNHvMQ4MW7vfk/s1600-h/P6020062.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAB-NrjYIvt2nDK5LNXryaFFMCHuqS6M2dMYu7uuwAKfRxLoug2TPWlI6e4xvY7c1vOeFwh9tEYC5-ffhm7SJbEb-TJmPXt2efXlYkWI0E64jPf2vKri1gIPxoOeTKZQDNHvMQ4MW7vfk/s400/P6020062.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5076667986127027762" /></a><br /><br />We also went on a behind the scenes Darwin tour, where we saw some of Darwin's original specimens from his voyage on the <em></em>Beagle<em></em> , as well as specimens of Coelacanths (very old, thought-to-be-extinct fish); and a 8.7m specimen of Archy the Giant Squid (Architeuthis). Very Bloody Cool.<br /><br />*The Victoria and Albert museum. Of particular interest was the fashion through the ages exhibition. No really, it was interesting. Particularly liked the underpants and glove set. There were also cool sculptures and an Oriental Exhibition.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPnMeGBi9NYdNSOQrjJVTFjMTM2ekIurX9nTouUN2TVqdV1Una_kJRBRXnhgEt-t2MKB7hepIZEFz1Niv9zMbN_0ucV-BKg-yJ9h5fU3-c9qq_QhBkxeYl-NI-tiTmZW3ZRQarlRswb3Y/s1600-h/P6020084.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPnMeGBi9NYdNSOQrjJVTFjMTM2ekIurX9nTouUN2TVqdV1Una_kJRBRXnhgEt-t2MKB7hepIZEFz1Niv9zMbN_0ucV-BKg-yJ9h5fU3-c9qq_QhBkxeYl-NI-tiTmZW3ZRQarlRswb3Y/s400/P6020084.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5076669068458786370" /></a><br /><br />*The Science Museum. A place Cam could have visited many times. Of particular interest were the Spitfire exhibition (interesting for Jane too, as she found out they were mostly made by women during the war), the boat exhibition, and of course the Scuba Diving exhibition. Even the Maths stuff was interesting, and quite pretty too. And of course, there was an awesome gift shop, which included some useful stuff, being a science museum and all...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDBEn3yoQ9mwTovfz7XPdijdDrRxSx015awte3wuaGOWYknMxVoSXFiUsWobtG-zQ0z6TyPIe0ud-U9FdQAfIuDMXlImF3tcvamHfVp8nLtneBFLlO6p-ojfF0W_snSlRnFfGAZhSeOhl/s1600-h/P6050102.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDBEn3yoQ9mwTovfz7XPdijdDrRxSx015awte3wuaGOWYknMxVoSXFiUsWobtG-zQ0z6TyPIe0ud-U9FdQAfIuDMXlImF3tcvamHfVp8nLtneBFLlO6p-ojfF0W_snSlRnFfGAZhSeOhl/s400/P6050102.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5076670807920541266" /></a><br /><br />*The Greenwich Meridian Line. We were only there for a short period, but we had lots of fun being in both the East and West hemispheres at the same time...we also didn't buy anything from the first shop in the world.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSY4nx7DoWhddgAMI-tgW2bUQcmiD0USANhVRsrAwFOqvmWimRfJPragnw2jp6ohRWrxzfRfGq6hxJmtw2fQXCnLydtRBFkv5ndaK_3fo0nzKT2EbpMrAVTkQTZw5I9vkVmjHWZbX3_mhK/s1600-h/P6050129.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSY4nx7DoWhddgAMI-tgW2bUQcmiD0USANhVRsrAwFOqvmWimRfJPragnw2jp6ohRWrxzfRfGq6hxJmtw2fQXCnLydtRBFkv5ndaK_3fo0nzKT2EbpMrAVTkQTZw5I9vkVmjHWZbX3_mhK/s400/P6050129.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5076672762130660962" /></a><br /><br />*The theatre scene. You can't go to London and not visit West End! Even Cam was enthused about it. We saw <strong>Avenue Q</strong> together - a musical with puppets made for people who aren't usually musical fans. Very funny. And Jane went to see <strong>Wicked</strong> by herself, so that Cam didn't get a musical overdose. We also went to see <strong>Othello</strong> at Shakespeares Globe Theatre. We paid for standing room only, and while it was great to experience it as many once did, it would probably be preferable to see any other 3 1/2 hour performance sitting down.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMBoeoK4bgO74FWlmjzrTPkWFIiva7JY2aA6MCHyz1sFFL7LxJx22Y8X0taJnwt6JSZMQzF9tuFhfblqmZmumUEPllPVhGhl69fy1T0sDIChBzXM0_BQJgJXBhJCZMOM-WEh4rYL5UKal/s1600-h/P6060144.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMBoeoK4bgO74FWlmjzrTPkWFIiva7JY2aA6MCHyz1sFFL7LxJx22Y8X0taJnwt6JSZMQzF9tuFhfblqmZmumUEPllPVhGhl69fy1T0sDIChBzXM0_BQJgJXBhJCZMOM-WEh4rYL5UKal/s400/P6060144.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5076674316908822130" /></a><br /><br />Of course there was lots of site seeing - we went to Hyde Park and watched all the sun-starved Londoners in their bikinis on a surprisingly fair weekend. We walked past Buckingham Palace, watched some great street performers at Covent Garden, ate dinner at Brick Lane, and tried to collect as many 'monopoly places' as possible (we were still missing a few when we left).<br /><br />The best thing was definately the catch ups though. Thanks to those who took us out and put us up (hopefully we weren't there too long for you to put up with us). We had a great time. This last photo is in honour of friends - for those who bring Papua New Guinean penis gourds across the world for their mates, and for those mates who try them on enthusiastically as soon as the gift is received (yes, alcohol was involved). We just want it known, that it was requested by the wearer of this penis gourd to post this picture. Cheers Alex - you would make the Papua New Guineans...proud... <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3t4VZO_3xCFfO1In1fo_Z5o2hyphenhyphen7aFOtEwT26Qpg8cBu09lHldauAnfCASMMnWzH5WtkX9H0LBp-UJEFgm5SUJo9Jiai9gxyPDk2Jn8yKGOkaMBo7ibTjRX2rx-MORv5MhBnirSQFfvqh/s1600-h/P6020093.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3t4VZO_3xCFfO1In1fo_Z5o2hyphenhyphen7aFOtEwT26Qpg8cBu09lHldauAnfCASMMnWzH5WtkX9H0LBp-UJEFgm5SUJo9Jiai9gxyPDk2Jn8yKGOkaMBo7ibTjRX2rx-MORv5MhBnirSQFfvqh/s400/P6020093.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5076675502319795842" /></a>Jane & Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314730884355516032noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312650381923158133.post-72996078662235880582007-06-07T07:20:00.000-07:002007-06-07T07:55:03.028-07:00The Lovely LlangollenWe arrived in Llangollen, Wales, cold and tired, after 6 hours of (exhorbitantly priced) train travel. But we were received warmly by the Brown family, and instantly felt better.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ADHBB0Vc-ExugqNxYbHHjFDGorZcXojmWVV5rYuLT-Ak4vfsb0rDWTItNt3d_zGPKcB8SW9HG9YEjpsn1ORYSJOu1L4cZ6YI31E5TaGohyRhRDA55tux120BglaDvxoBTvUgu3yuunKx/s1600-h/P5290139.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ADHBB0Vc-ExugqNxYbHHjFDGorZcXojmWVV5rYuLT-Ak4vfsb0rDWTItNt3d_zGPKcB8SW9HG9YEjpsn1ORYSJOu1L4cZ6YI31E5TaGohyRhRDA55tux120BglaDvxoBTvUgu3yuunKx/s400/P5290139.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073332235352079842" /></a><br /><br />We only spent a few days in Llangollen (this is the shortened spelling - photo above shows proper spelling!), but it was just so beautiful there (and so green compared to Australian landscape). The weather was wet and grey, so we sat inside in front of the fire for a while, and ate delicious food - some of which Cam cooked. It was a real treat, and every traveller needs to slow down once in a while.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWznfsNU7cGO4-7bcIzQsRscgvhXb8cBCiss0ruy8ZmpETIgbNjJjA_lB2ohmVgZtIYEAk9cSFc6vNpo_lV6bauW4TurAb8hh7EyfZlPIV9nrqCbTQcB9PyKJQ4zE8pZabB3fpZhtrOzN/s1600-h/P5280134.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWznfsNU7cGO4-7bcIzQsRscgvhXb8cBCiss0ruy8ZmpETIgbNjJjA_lB2ohmVgZtIYEAk9cSFc6vNpo_lV6bauW4TurAb8hh7EyfZlPIV9nrqCbTQcB9PyKJQ4zE8pZabB3fpZhtrOzN/s400/P5280134.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073333223194557938" /></a><br /><br />But we did get out and look around. We visited the house of the Ladies of Llangollen - two women who lived in a romantic fashion in the 18th century, and had a list of impressive visitors that included the Duke of Wellington and Lord Byron. The house is just amazing - there are curious carvings everywhere - and many interesting stories accompany it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMpBBkQ9X1jaF8cEqJSHgkJsJ9dyAOB2vdrZctdAFAxrktfiE53nnDl9ndKqAptGPgKRhkm9vHsOSEE9eYFygaPa-f8UXKkQLpQkhmwUugT09lE25tvW5zhHRI-wqhGcxMHngy-kxg_sq/s1600-h/P5290149.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMpBBkQ9X1jaF8cEqJSHgkJsJ9dyAOB2vdrZctdAFAxrktfiE53nnDl9ndKqAptGPgKRhkm9vHsOSEE9eYFygaPa-f8UXKkQLpQkhmwUugT09lE25tvW5zhHRI-wqhGcxMHngy-kxg_sq/s400/P5290149.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073334808037490178" /></a><br /><br />We also walked by the canal which was picturesque, even if people kept steering their boats into the walls. There is also a very big aqueduct that we walked over (the highest navigable aqueduct in the world), which was interesting, but slightly frightening when overtaking people with prams or dogs who were also walking over it. It is <span style="font-weight:bold;">quite</span> high. <br /><br />Big thanks must go to the Browns - thanks Phil, Ingy, James and Rose for having us, putting on discos, and teaching us rainy weather games. We had a wonderful time!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgaD5d-D2VrrtbzVIJvtRe1b87db0v_6yXAg5SsFd3KMdD54mp_Cg36iETgJjnieLYvdv8isB_AeSljuwliBSr566HN7Sv3YNvPq_m_6VxhdfqyfB4RJZmWSfv4JoMxpMF6IRFuIQuXt2J/s1600-h/P5300003.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgaD5d-D2VrrtbzVIJvtRe1b87db0v_6yXAg5SsFd3KMdD54mp_Cg36iETgJjnieLYvdv8isB_AeSljuwliBSr566HN7Sv3YNvPq_m_6VxhdfqyfB4RJZmWSfv4JoMxpMF6IRFuIQuXt2J/s400/P5300003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073335843124608530" /></a>Jane & Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314730884355516032noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312650381923158133.post-17391249151716625882007-05-29T08:19:00.000-07:002007-06-04T09:35:24.965-07:00A Scots Life...All in all we spent just under a week in Scotland, and of course we wished we could stay longer.<br /><br />Our first stop was Glasgow, in which we arrived with blossoming head colds, and were generously looked after by John and the Coles. Having lived in a tropical country for a year, we are particularly wimpy when it comes to the Scottish 'almost summer', and so rugged up everywhere we went. John took us for some lovely walks beside the river, and also to visit the Kelvingrove museum. It was a pretty crazy and interesting museum. They have the expected things - stuffed animals and artifacts of the region - but then you look above the giraffe, and there's a Spitfire. Beside Dali's painting of Christ on the Cross there is armour from Kiribati made out of puffer fish, shark teeth and coconut fibre - very strange! Also saw our very first 'haggis' there - probably a distant relative of the Australian bunyip...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbb36jm17hyphenhyphenCnMbTxQimeQUoWv3GbJvjUDDOIOBIjXXTf231ZNSVT_St9kT8xa_WT1tuEf_HTdxF8a6g-aTbs6YSyIzeJR8vCRIe7NKgDMQVXFVMkmf5rce33h_-aSFB2ErXpxpxaBCyZ/s1600-h/P5220220.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbb36jm17hyphenhyphenCnMbTxQimeQUoWv3GbJvjUDDOIOBIjXXTf231ZNSVT_St9kT8xa_WT1tuEf_HTdxF8a6g-aTbs6YSyIzeJR8vCRIe7NKgDMQVXFVMkmf5rce33h_-aSFB2ErXpxpxaBCyZ/s400/P5220220.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072243828868549682" /></a><br /><br />We also took the opportunity to go to the pub for a wee bit of trivia - one of the best we've seen. Very cosy and friendly, and there was even one question on Australian wines!<br /><br />The next day we caught a train to Linlithgow to catch up with some family friends (Mora's sister Marcy for those in the know). We had a great time with them and were taking for a drive around a quarter of Scotland in one afternoon (a very strange concept for those of us from the land downunder). We visited the farm as well, and had a cup of tea with another family member, Sandy. The countryside was amazing - from the lochs to the hills. And also a wee bit cold when the car was making mysterious noises and we were stuck on the side of the road for an hour.<br /><br />After only one night we had to move on, and we were sad to say goodbye to all - including the dalmation called Mack that Jane became immediate friends with!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEcylSor5OxI8MYPkCIglAAYdxTS7rrSBfuLUP_mKscoy-RWEwH50rnr8UBFaAmmuNSrwiu1rcueVMPldXi8FfCLwBj2gw7NE_w7JdYhRouGA6qViuMgLprvgHM2j208lV6qpL1eIyzjb/s1600-h/P5250061.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEcylSor5OxI8MYPkCIglAAYdxTS7rrSBfuLUP_mKscoy-RWEwH50rnr8UBFaAmmuNSrwiu1rcueVMPldXi8FfCLwBj2gw7NE_w7JdYhRouGA6qViuMgLprvgHM2j208lV6qpL1eIyzjb/s400/P5250061.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072245920517622850" /></a><br /><br />Next stop was Edinburgh, and we both fell in love with the city. It's just so beautiful, and clean and lovely. Lots of nice architecture, and beautiful little pubs - we particularly liked 'The World's End' where Jane tried (and liked) her first Haggis! We looked up the tartan making places, and learnt about the Mackenzie clan, and of course Cam did a some whiskey research! We walked up Arthur's seat (which our local guide Anne made look easy), and admired the view from the top.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhCr2eA-eEQi9jWZGKNaj11UQqLD4mMvS1UZ1fq74gVkv_6hSArUOeRUOe5_dDGZlr8DYEurG88DqofLF1gLVHKQzuG-tE0E6U_zCcXM8gZbyOLVTaShUj_cFXubuTNq6Jda0LwYpuv3Z/s1600-h/P5250093.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhCr2eA-eEQi9jWZGKNaj11UQqLD4mMvS1UZ1fq74gVkv_6hSArUOeRUOe5_dDGZlr8DYEurG88DqofLF1gLVHKQzuG-tE0E6U_zCcXM8gZbyOLVTaShUj_cFXubuTNq6Jda0LwYpuv3Z/s400/P5250093.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072248424483556434" /></a><br /><br />All too soon we had to depart, but we had a great time. Thanks to all of those who looked after us! <br /><br />Sorry about the lack of photos - just trying to fit in internet time where we can!Jane & Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314730884355516032noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312650381923158133.post-60953585594359447932007-05-25T08:23:00.000-07:002007-05-29T08:17:39.873-07:00Castles and Cheese in Normandy...We are now in Scotland and slightly sick, but we thought we'd update you on our adventures after Paris...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmofX6xPD4JAaD3Xwvab6s1olaQOyljLh5_gCVjvfM4qx_U7qDq9Keh36pDAwU-nR0aEoVV5MgchVhhIohfEDXS5Wq6zwi5-G4tNL8EmAezZHBUHEv6b8BcFHHYhvmwIXxxHzkZBX8DEXX/s1600-h/P5190109.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmofX6xPD4JAaD3Xwvab6s1olaQOyljLh5_gCVjvfM4qx_U7qDq9Keh36pDAwU-nR0aEoVV5MgchVhhIohfEDXS5Wq6zwi5-G4tNL8EmAezZHBUHEv6b8BcFHHYhvmwIXxxHzkZBX8DEXX/s400/P5190109.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5069999021261622242" /></a><br /><br />After Paris we caught a train to Normandy to continue our time with the Leger family. We met Ans and Christian at the station, and the first thing they did was to take us to their beautiful old house (built in 1767, before Australia was first 'discovered') and feed us delicious food. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMD6_F_n25vn6WI9auI9_7Cb5jQuaiSXeyxSZZOhTzzDtLe1TvD__eI9CzO_nkIo0YGvE45k0wPT2QgeaXXajiFMreXpQpO1-yRbasCstyI7h0PrPVrK0s_8JUW9skVc3T9JRilliIZFQ/s1600-h/P5190133.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMD6_F_n25vn6WI9auI9_7Cb5jQuaiSXeyxSZZOhTzzDtLe1TvD__eI9CzO_nkIo0YGvE45k0wPT2QgeaXXajiFMreXpQpO1-yRbasCstyI7h0PrPVrK0s_8JUW9skVc3T9JRilliIZFQ/s400/P5190133.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070000185197759490" /></a><br /><br />They had caught wind of the idea that Cam was fond of cheese, and so they introduced us to many cheeses during our stay with them, including one from their area Coutances.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqumaO-m9j_BUt5XJSo3jUPPnyFHT5OBk1mWv_DVj1k43BE9MXU1-wjoLV-I2F31G_jVChz7J-bci_PD__qgY17IyOrBLJkxqaAkr_pXZpyTA_6Kvi_saBpG9LcWUgH7BC-o16e5jNjFL3/s1600-h/P5190147.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqumaO-m9j_BUt5XJSo3jUPPnyFHT5OBk1mWv_DVj1k43BE9MXU1-wjoLV-I2F31G_jVChz7J-bci_PD__qgY17IyOrBLJkxqaAkr_pXZpyTA_6Kvi_saBpG9LcWUgH7BC-o16e5jNjFL3/s400/P5190147.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070000172312857586" /></a><br /><br />We were incredibly lucky to be so well looked after. They took us to see some old castles and manoirs - apparently there are many for sale around France, but the heating and general upkeep cost a fortune. Regardless of their various states of repair, they were all pretty impressive.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrapJALbb27cJ0zM2KqXRAmdtVKFnVQ7JVoOEZ8O-fMzo754zSdJO_GeBorajNQuFpbmKFSbdv0b94SeeEuQcA2p6Pg9NK3NwX-wUucKV2sOWSnviJE4e1LgXX3OZmqESS-ElkiZSMfkp/s1600-h/P5190073.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrapJALbb27cJ0zM2KqXRAmdtVKFnVQ7JVoOEZ8O-fMzo754zSdJO_GeBorajNQuFpbmKFSbdv0b94SeeEuQcA2p6Pg9NK3NwX-wUucKV2sOWSnviJE4e1LgXX3OZmqESS-ElkiZSMfkp/s400/P5190073.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5069997633987185602" /></a><br /><br />And a little theatrical too.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8H1RxNRAVkP1hIoPhtJW0uticixrdoC6oKGcTCOtxPHr0Lw71BLcknNo0aZk0w8L7-JCpcNaEulqeKuLOFs1K1OIiKqA_WeoUbf2FC0Abw6ylw6kI06MY_acH13VVQe7rtNwwUhKrk7w/s1600-h/P5190080.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8H1RxNRAVkP1hIoPhtJW0uticixrdoC6oKGcTCOtxPHr0Lw71BLcknNo0aZk0w8L7-JCpcNaEulqeKuLOFs1K1OIiKqA_WeoUbf2FC0Abw6ylw6kI06MY_acH13VVQe7rtNwwUhKrk7w/s400/P5190080.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5069999012671687634" /></a><br /><br />The next day we went to explore the D Day sites from World War 2. We visited a great little war museum at St Marie Eglise, where the paratroopers first landed. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzp3RQbNPyVWKpAPxlY9svU3QIhPLOObF1ApJFaySd8XayGTcejj8UcDTk2GUsqE714ZRD7wOzI38O5KRTmAooHF3HhxxjLfTcj4_OrlYvguQ_tBJiihA33pmx_SwXx6POvOKy3aF-Dzpk/s1600-h/P5190166.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzp3RQbNPyVWKpAPxlY9svU3QIhPLOObF1ApJFaySd8XayGTcejj8UcDTk2GUsqE714ZRD7wOzI38O5KRTmAooHF3HhxxjLfTcj4_OrlYvguQ_tBJiihA33pmx_SwXx6POvOKy3aF-Dzpk/s400/P5190166.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070001585357098002" /></a><br /><br />In town they still have a dummy paratrooper hanging from the church in memory of the guy who hung there for hours going slightly deaf from the church bells. We also drove to the crater-studded Point du Orc where the German battalion once was, as well as the American cemetary above Omaha Beach. It was a beautiful and solemn place, containing 10,000 graves.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MtO8FPkTTvZiXxwLtVWqgP3tgsl-DPrHY266ckhfmcebDDybKG2LNQDBPrhKgGxHaqTUiAlbf5vZZo8Ox76Ixy-O2tcc64AczcAoDWVtxyvRGx0krBtOGk-pOr3jQc6KDpXf4_PZ0w_C/s1600-h/P5200204.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MtO8FPkTTvZiXxwLtVWqgP3tgsl-DPrHY266ckhfmcebDDybKG2LNQDBPrhKgGxHaqTUiAlbf5vZZo8Ox76Ixy-O2tcc64AczcAoDWVtxyvRGx0krBtOGk-pOr3jQc6KDpXf4_PZ0w_C/s400/P5200204.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070001593947032610" /></a><br /><br />We must thank the Legers for taking such good care of us, and for feeding us amazing food including duck and lamb roast (food becomes more significant when it can be so hit and miss while travelling), and of course plenty of cheese!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtpBFCnWocLXnRde63qqwu1x2NHKH0KrPoBM223tJjAp_WMwULBuzgRxRqpiJ2igtyALV9WSQAB4kYslSJgGmNAmds3UAkJ2R7z_4285S93WkjzhggekG6IXgq9NCud1W9ssrX0DIKBud/s1600-h/P5190044.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtpBFCnWocLXnRde63qqwu1x2NHKH0KrPoBM223tJjAp_WMwULBuzgRxRqpiJ2igtyALV9WSQAB4kYslSJgGmNAmds3UAkJ2R7z_4285S93WkjzhggekG6IXgq9NCud1W9ssrX0DIKBud/s400/P5190044.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5069997621102283698" /></a>Jane & Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314730884355516032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312650381923158133.post-71912943806907585172007-05-17T12:12:00.000-07:002007-05-17T22:21:51.758-07:00A Parisian Time...Upon arriving in Paris we couldn't help but notice just how grey, wet and gloomy it all looked. But we decided not to let that stop us seeing as much as we could of this lovely city. So every day we have been rugging up in jumpers, jackets and beannies (it's supposed to be spring!) and getting out there.<br /><br />We've been to the churches in Montmartre and Notre Dame (we liked the mosaic at Montmartre, and the stained glass at Notre Dame), and of course to the Eiffel Tower, and Champs Elysees (although we didn't go up any of them as it seemed to cold and windy to expose ourselves to more of it as we got higher).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0BNcuox__pPuxuU5XjmbAzkvDZxYZHeIGxq0z18jEcqAyt9ImEpKCUIQGX7Dlt3kMcGy-aCPsAM4VGt6p8dMrU5QyCyeFwS8SfWcBEfWt6Y5L1w4_G6f6wgiyiElY1Nb35Ne1ul03hmw/s1600-h/P5170301.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0BNcuox__pPuxuU5XjmbAzkvDZxYZHeIGxq0z18jEcqAyt9ImEpKCUIQGX7Dlt3kMcGy-aCPsAM4VGt6p8dMrU5QyCyeFwS8SfWcBEfWt6Y5L1w4_G6f6wgiyiElY1Nb35Ne1ul03hmw/s400/P5170301.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065762748988689250" /></a><br /><br />We also had lots of fun going to lots of museums, most notably The Louvre, The Great Gallery of Evolution, and the Comparitive Anatomy Gallery. We spent the better part of a day in the Louvre, and still only managed to see half of it - it's absolutely huge! But we probably had more fun in the two natural history museums. One involved lots of cool skeletons and fossils, and the other fantastic displays of insects and animals of all shapes and sizes.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGk4NT3OJ5KaPpq1MAbJ8EKgjHXttYNLf6z4sEyvdGIx3IKsqP3eK4kBPXBbLcGvQ0ibgae-accWjyA9lHPr7Ve8zYjwcU9QLT-_XfN7NfwcGmL2xu7EifVl5Z0f3WfWJftARFiPHT-kQH/s1600-h/P5160201.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGk4NT3OJ5KaPpq1MAbJ8EKgjHXttYNLf6z4sEyvdGIx3IKsqP3eK4kBPXBbLcGvQ0ibgae-accWjyA9lHPr7Ve8zYjwcU9QLT-_XfN7NfwcGmL2xu7EifVl5Z0f3WfWJftARFiPHT-kQH/s400/P5160201.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065764024593976178" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ELh4YTW9pQokh7506N0Fb-D7MNJIKYvNGkf_SdMExpQp0n8WuviQ4PcVeqqy43mrs7Or9268qCasIShQC2xlk7lb3SxBClfd27NXyxAp0m6ua2rFjaqvBdlErT45wrSTT8EE8VR-hX61/s1600-h/P5160238.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ELh4YTW9pQokh7506N0Fb-D7MNJIKYvNGkf_SdMExpQp0n8WuviQ4PcVeqqy43mrs7Or9268qCasIShQC2xlk7lb3SxBClfd27NXyxAp0m6ua2rFjaqvBdlErT45wrSTT8EE8VR-hX61/s400/P5160238.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065765038206258050" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JTRiiAXu460qh8OD5-6qEvZdLs4jgX0Q0c3C0wFeV83FgyfTQudPp-8MJEED3FoMUeTFGyQ01HW4OZBDNwtGbmAGNvKyQ9hyphenhyphen2SSnjAbASRc1ia_g30ZUMRhQF7Pc8N-R76brsw9w4Kfg/s1600-h/P5170295.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JTRiiAXu460qh8OD5-6qEvZdLs4jgX0Q0c3C0wFeV83FgyfTQudPp-8MJEED3FoMUeTFGyQ01HW4OZBDNwtGbmAGNvKyQ9hyphenhyphen2SSnjAbASRc1ia_g30ZUMRhQF7Pc8N-R76brsw9w4Kfg/s400/P5170295.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065766077588343714" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGq2ZqVGruw6aKNrJn1RqVGP-RrFhyphenhyphenCZHGyuWNwPDyeVNig6QKTFcFmK93hTldIEmogA3T4uJ1J2pJKfeaM5SjdiLHnO_YyG1D-5YkDUzcmFb_LU22W0XOYjLIGW9SakIx2_j0HIK8KfS/s1600-h/P5170284.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGq2ZqVGruw6aKNrJn1RqVGP-RrFhyphenhyphenCZHGyuWNwPDyeVNig6QKTFcFmK93hTldIEmogA3T4uJ1J2pJKfeaM5SjdiLHnO_YyG1D-5YkDUzcmFb_LU22W0XOYjLIGW9SakIx2_j0HIK8KfS/s400/P5170284.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065765407573445522" /></a><br /><br />And today we are off to the French countryside of Normandy, where hopefully the weather will be much better! Big thanks to Nicolas for putting up with us and being such a generous host!Jane & Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314730884355516032noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312650381923158133.post-9837510090819930222007-05-16T00:45:00.000-07:002007-05-16T01:34:30.840-07:00The City of Glass and Water...We only spent a couple of days in Venice, but we enjoyed every second! <br /><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7A9Afz2ZW0cAlsVD40PM7GQsrQxCUUY_Sa0utqNrR-iouT_WosZNFTdb2JOHeksfFnQgEyhdSEvGWqG0v38MjBMCEaqHMNYB1ih_4nbVPyzZP63ETMDQN3Nh2z9XZO9MTYhPC14Cru1Xv/s1600-h/P5130054.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7A9Afz2ZW0cAlsVD40PM7GQsrQxCUUY_Sa0utqNrR-iouT_WosZNFTdb2JOHeksfFnQgEyhdSEvGWqG0v38MjBMCEaqHMNYB1ih_4nbVPyzZP63ETMDQN3Nh2z9XZO9MTYhPC14Cru1Xv/s400/P5130054.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065072302931086130" /></a><br /><br />After spending almost 5 hours on the train from Rome, we found our little hotel surprisingly easily, and got ourselves sorted out. It was a beautiful day, so we got changed into our best summery clothes and went out to explore Venice in all its glory. We wandered around trying not to stop in every glass or mask shop, and eventually found ourselves at the Academy Gallery, with many of the best religious artworks Italy has to offer (including artists such as Bellini, Carpaccio and Verenese). We also walked to Ponte Rialto where we ate the biggest slices of pizza we've ever seen sitting on the rails of a monument.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjQuWVkumSgiaiKAhNKatvAuLjM08-hbUhukPCOQP85PvDoHq7BhJn6pJGNnr_zKPxV3LSdvo78vP1MaefwYVqp891Gn3f30ijL-qVGxAOitR6IO7L7Ntcl6iplb8eRAkGQNktcIwWeLs/s1600-h/P5130014.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjQuWVkumSgiaiKAhNKatvAuLjM08-hbUhukPCOQP85PvDoHq7BhJn6pJGNnr_zKPxV3LSdvo78vP1MaefwYVqp891Gn3f30ijL-qVGxAOitR6IO7L7Ntcl6iplb8eRAkGQNktcIwWeLs/s400/P5130014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065071598556449570" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigA7dNA7LH1TuUiewwZzj71zCbOT0eCP9THDO2JgHgJag5h1FtcivNrqCHbrDEdy1ylnmUZBfuJprpQZf7zCViT2P9UMqdtG8lThd8FnDrVvrUsE6VNDv-G0XNUOKrZdPknAHf2Trbvrwy/s1600-h/P5140119.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigA7dNA7LH1TuUiewwZzj71zCbOT0eCP9THDO2JgHgJag5h1FtcivNrqCHbrDEdy1ylnmUZBfuJprpQZf7zCViT2P9UMqdtG8lThd8FnDrVvrUsE6VNDv-G0XNUOKrZdPknAHf2Trbvrwy/s400/P5140119.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065073982263298898" /></a><br /><br />The next day we bought our 24 hour vaporetto (the boats that ferry everyone around Venice) pass, and took full advantage of it. There is not a car to be seen in the centre of Venice, and the only ways to get around are by foot or boat. We caught the vaporetto to the Doge's Palace (the ruler in Venice from the 13th century until sometime in recent history), and admired the collection of weapons and armour, as well as the grand meeting chambers. There are incredible artworks just about everywhere, except perhaps the prison, which is reached by walking over the Bridge of Sighs.<br /><br />We checked out St Marks Square, but didn't stay there too long as it was just packed with tourists and pigeons. In the afternoon we decided to take a break from Renaissance art, and went to the Peggy Guggenheim gallery of contemporary art, featuring works from artists such as Picasso, Pollock and Margritte. It was really interesting, and renewed our interest in modern art.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztjvWgYPJq_KjporAyTRISKVSKd3MYzbHFZ8byiMB2M5HYspyGySKbaE0JziGwVKkAsBtURd_lU6xg0VUWxOB_GYWjUVj8Isn8Z7lhMIp3zPnJi3Ar1CTrGt4-rTWZsr421ZZeEZRoqIj/s1600-h/P5140105.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztjvWgYPJq_KjporAyTRISKVSKd3MYzbHFZ8byiMB2M5HYspyGySKbaE0JziGwVKkAsBtURd_lU6xg0VUWxOB_GYWjUVj8Isn8Z7lhMIp3zPnJi3Ar1CTrGt4-rTWZsr421ZZeEZRoqIj/s400/P5140105.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065073411032648514" /></a><br /><br />We spent the rest of our time in Venice eating yummy pizza and gelato, riding vaporetto's around, looking (and perhaps buying) at glass shops and trying on masks a plenty. We didn't even get lost too much thanks to Cam, our trusty navigator. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfo4TVY5YFkc3PFqlaxtoUXmJ0WDWThhyphenhyphenM73i929dhTvrhMWk3DiiorK1-LQrG23K6W_rPj3ft1Xk32Ev8Len2qwCvgnCqqt5jvwHhahLvrmUVlIfe-XfhMq9UdNbzbD8xK19syLNiUHEw/s1600-h/P5130100.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfo4TVY5YFkc3PFqlaxtoUXmJ0WDWThhyphenhyphenM73i929dhTvrhMWk3DiiorK1-LQrG23K6W_rPj3ft1Xk32Ev8Len2qwCvgnCqqt5jvwHhahLvrmUVlIfe-XfhMq9UdNbzbD8xK19syLNiUHEw/s400/P5130100.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065069502612409090" /></a><br /><br />We could also have spent a lot more time checking out the different boating styles in Venice, but we got a pretty good idea in the time we were there. This guy wins the prize for best wedding transport! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcBKe_bq8z9-iAc94MDL291vMRvsHn9g6cogJiwUzXK56tsNpnsDPM_4SN23j0qgg4RoZn6j2dJpP3PJ6dtg59oK9KFJWz433lC3C8VNuaxQl4nDNfFff9AwcNiIbEjvTnoWKyXbSbRNn/s1600-h/P5130017.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcBKe_bq8z9-iAc94MDL291vMRvsHn9g6cogJiwUzXK56tsNpnsDPM_4SN23j0qgg4RoZn6j2dJpP3PJ6dtg59oK9KFJWz433lC3C8VNuaxQl4nDNfFff9AwcNiIbEjvTnoWKyXbSbRNn/s400/P5130017.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065070249936718610" /></a>Jane & Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314730884355516032noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312650381923158133.post-7798214015682258062007-05-10T01:30:00.000-07:002007-05-11T14:49:48.646-07:00Picturesque Places in Italy...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHEZj39viU-5bq87TdmGP5StPN5WB-W3dECkqBRWzBBdVtSvF5LT22pV77oaQppIOyhAixErr7XpPslEVagSclvZ3Ipnp35apc1q4MhNBIZPlt-NOSEEkS1_zwDpgLSqzqBxhSG91FchY/s1600-h/Assisi+castle.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHEZj39viU-5bq87TdmGP5StPN5WB-W3dECkqBRWzBBdVtSvF5LT22pV77oaQppIOyhAixErr7XpPslEVagSclvZ3Ipnp35apc1q4MhNBIZPlt-NOSEEkS1_zwDpgLSqzqBxhSG91FchY/s400/Assisi+castle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063417516962221922" /></a><br /><br />We managed to get out of town again this week - to the hillside town of Assisi. Anyone who remembers anything about saints will know that this was the home of St Francis, the patron saint of animals (as well as others). We managed to pick one of the best days of good, sunny weather yet - perfect to poke around the town in.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJvoCYaV3jAB93vEuTWXjD14rEP5ri3TPEO42QLrt5q3aTneykE4pqNF1M4WVx1iKmTyyZ9xqVbj1tu80d1bGLmLCFlpk8mPlY0Z6rSSltjsdumid6naN-B2sqpWyEOmnULWFHlL81dRz/s1600-h/P5070101.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJvoCYaV3jAB93vEuTWXjD14rEP5ri3TPEO42QLrt5q3aTneykE4pqNF1M4WVx1iKmTyyZ9xqVbj1tu80d1bGLmLCFlpk8mPlY0Z6rSSltjsdumid6naN-B2sqpWyEOmnULWFHlL81dRz/s400/P5070101.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063416627903991634" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAom4hG61pQQ8XWTzzBDYXeWNNvwQI43-HTtHNIJg8d1UtnH9m3jBuW1Uv-W_SZpKenbUWZ-8ZCxIyDg4bBhgVyHzod_HDbNUEQL-i0SxdJqvdiuhA2odm9gwbHdyc1Y73lHHY5pvHdFc3/s1600-h/P5070114.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAom4hG61pQQ8XWTzzBDYXeWNNvwQI43-HTtHNIJg8d1UtnH9m3jBuW1Uv-W_SZpKenbUWZ-8ZCxIyDg4bBhgVyHzod_HDbNUEQL-i0SxdJqvdiuhA2odm9gwbHdyc1Y73lHHY5pvHdFc3/s400/P5070114.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063418397430517618" /></a><br /><br />We walked and explored through the winding streets, ate pizza and drank wine by a fountain, and of course visited the churches of Assisi.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3yUJQaZGOILHsrVO9azOuV1PrhnMQMZs8nTFwd6unsQc0n8z1xESz7m1j3kfFy7XkUgEa1lv-FbcRWwfI3JLH-YWSCAiEqmZXT5dMIa8cd7BzoAAzWLIlPHLZNBUC05DH5Oz83ZaSyJsS/s1600-h/P5070139.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3yUJQaZGOILHsrVO9azOuV1PrhnMQMZs8nTFwd6unsQc0n8z1xESz7m1j3kfFy7XkUgEa1lv-FbcRWwfI3JLH-YWSCAiEqmZXT5dMIa8cd7BzoAAzWLIlPHLZNBUC05DH5Oz83ZaSyJsS/s400/P5070139.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063419101805154178" /></a><br /><br />This week saw us eventually visiting the Vatican museum and the Sistine Chapel - we couldn't leave Rome without stopping by here. Our favourite room was probably the 'Map Room' where they had maps of Italy painted all over the walls. Pretty amazing. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9lGXmN0OW4knl_82hZv5ywByW4fyJZ1NcDxAexWZsIBie_EiksUNMr9tyxev2xumj0x2IfYgogxaXgKmsa0CsMFPKtv20is-U39o-Tk7t_1pbHtaFB0Xuf-2T7IUrN83zSw1maj7s54M/s1600-h/Map+Room.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9lGXmN0OW4knl_82hZv5ywByW4fyJZ1NcDxAexWZsIBie_EiksUNMr9tyxev2xumj0x2IfYgogxaXgKmsa0CsMFPKtv20is-U39o-Tk7t_1pbHtaFB0Xuf-2T7IUrN83zSw1maj7s54M/s400/Map+Room.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063419982273449890" /></a><br /><br />Jane also liked all the sculptures of animals. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5S213Ucz5ViVc80cMqzM6PHvP-8xLdaK8JRj11dP26up5NoShyphenhyphenl6zf4GPewXbeBwDnCU98d9zlxV54uLRgkx-WsECAshK9t7oTDSXn0vpNu5szHT0uk01iYEFASLxryCUmLCd2iOZsoY4/s1600-h/P5080179.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5S213Ucz5ViVc80cMqzM6PHvP-8xLdaK8JRj11dP26up5NoShyphenhyphenl6zf4GPewXbeBwDnCU98d9zlxV54uLRgkx-WsECAshK9t7oTDSXn0vpNu5szHT0uk01iYEFASLxryCUmLCd2iOZsoY4/s400/P5080179.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063419565661622162" /></a><br /><br />The Sistine Chapel was fantastic, but would have been more fun if we weren't squashed in with hundreds of other tourists talking and stumbling into each other as they looked up at the ceiling. But perhaps that's what tourists do best. We are pretty sure that we've seen more tourists than Romans here - which can be quite a shock when you think you've eventually found a true Roman and they start speaking in a broad American, British etc accent.<br /><br />Other highlights of the week included: <br /><br />*Cam's haircut. It had to happen. Jane found it quite fun to watch Cam (with no Italian) and the little old Italian barber (with no English) communicate about how he wanted his hair cut. When the barber said "Si, si. Normal-ly!" we weren't sure whether to be nervous or relieved.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhko06MHN6MZUEwkL2d56l5lbjxDa7wDMLLS62hgUnfFI1yEbZkPcgkBA4AXMjSNdUw60Td0_EjQuNbKexAkjTM7jl-bk32AXvf1793YGYJH5hAJBRl3w6zY9dOvym2N-veikxL11lDs9GQ/s1600-h/P5090233.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhko06MHN6MZUEwkL2d56l5lbjxDa7wDMLLS62hgUnfFI1yEbZkPcgkBA4AXMjSNdUw60Td0_EjQuNbKexAkjTM7jl-bk32AXvf1793YGYJH5hAJBRl3w6zY9dOvym2N-veikxL11lDs9GQ/s400/P5090233.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063420583568871346" /></a><br /><br />Anyway, the haircut was a success, and Cam even enjoyed an old fashioned shave with the straight razor and everything (there are no good piccies of this as Jane didn't want to distract the barber too much). <br /><br />*Revisiting the Trevi Fountain - both in the early morning (the guy on the fountain had just turned it on), <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhRotGEIHcqrgCtEYV7BNa-HxzvLfg30uIpwnjW9ID5dM_qH8lmh2jX4lRGSAAjB-Mpc9m-BWF731zm7l-NEAhkSYeo0KUX6a9q0f666UpSsbcAnY8pC-GINKpA70CSHZKHK6GEJk_nCu/s1600-h/P5090001.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhRotGEIHcqrgCtEYV7BNa-HxzvLfg30uIpwnjW9ID5dM_qH8lmh2jX4lRGSAAjB-Mpc9m-BWF731zm7l-NEAhkSYeo0KUX6a9q0f666UpSsbcAnY8pC-GINKpA70CSHZKHK6GEJk_nCu/s400/P5090001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063422400340037586" /></a><br /><br />and at night. It's such an amazing place, and probably one of our favourite monuments/fountains/sculptures.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgXHtczZOX0XFK1oS7WJcrTnsz7bhDu1N3hY4b7UkbKS3mgfjFiBjmILN2yRwKqJHdt5q_hCyCF9Y8oYJQ58Pi4CjTHBMarMkkd3Zbkl7oFr-or6pjZebgeiOhChjSAm4M7yGtXMAjsTp/s1600-h/P5100030.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgXHtczZOX0XFK1oS7WJcrTnsz7bhDu1N3hY4b7UkbKS3mgfjFiBjmILN2yRwKqJHdt5q_hCyCF9Y8oYJQ58Pi4CjTHBMarMkkd3Zbkl7oFr-or6pjZebgeiOhChjSAm4M7yGtXMAjsTp/s400/P5100030.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063421837699321794" /></a><br /><br />*Visiting the Leonardo Da Vinci exhibition where many of his drawings had been built and could be played with. Very fun, and of course, educational...<br /><br />*Going to the Non-Catholic cemetary in Rome. This is where Keats and Shelley (the English poets) are buried. It was a beautiful place, and very well-looked after.<br /><br />Of course, there were many other cool and interesting things, and we obviously enjoyed spending time with Cam's family. Big thanks must go to them for their hospitality, good company, and of course great food! And tomorrow we are off to Venice!Jane & Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314730884355516032noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312650381923158133.post-75127341375169994242007-05-06T06:42:00.000-07:002007-05-10T01:28:26.982-07:00More of our Roman Adventures...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fA4uADqqxA0mcYXA56EZi7pz2ucbi3PgSlxIADl5nCr2ahVpblctbfRK29soCpGaJ1JMRdgOwZqJmmNuYd-yMS_qfY4VoZ8RGESFetuWQPkGaIyBmYCoKkY0JRtEMJdUm5-Kbpckmo0Y/s1600-h/P5020038.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fA4uADqqxA0mcYXA56EZi7pz2ucbi3PgSlxIADl5nCr2ahVpblctbfRK29soCpGaJ1JMRdgOwZqJmmNuYd-yMS_qfY4VoZ8RGESFetuWQPkGaIyBmYCoKkY0JRtEMJdUm5-Kbpckmo0Y/s400/P5020038.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061469762178387618" /></a><br /><br />As stated before, there is just so much to see in Rome!!! We have been busy trying to fit as much in as possible before we move out of Italy and into France.<br /><br />This week we took the kids (Nico and Isabella) out to a museum (Musei Capitolini) and the zoo. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtduQLpIFQgVTuXA4H63TYT2hB_lFJ4IK5-IEPAcP0w9ZUaJCuWjQUNF5u9gJGZeazMKwPk3lp7Lxi3IXtVTvXoM2yg-yUwiR6HNBUL_uTZOiWeHdVD6OZ0pf45RKaUaZFUEWobfuidgSX/s1600-h/P5020017.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtduQLpIFQgVTuXA4H63TYT2hB_lFJ4IK5-IEPAcP0w9ZUaJCuWjQUNF5u9gJGZeazMKwPk3lp7Lxi3IXtVTvXoM2yg-yUwiR6HNBUL_uTZOiWeHdVD6OZ0pf45RKaUaZFUEWobfuidgSX/s400/P5020017.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061467893867613826" /></a><br /><br />We continued the toe-biting tradition started by Emma and Anna (just to get scale), and saw some pretty awesome statues and exhibits, including the original tribute to Marcus Aurelius (think Gladiator). <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-K6SV77reY2tFnTskkxHq0FeA4dD7G1syRG03ZjJAm12RY4fbumy4p1rx1PWu8LVYva07ZVmNZhE8rOXcYZ8Kjljzbc6gtK9_V2uI_iM6VmHVGokeh6CaS4wWHaSqGTXFdW-Glq79UeGc/s1600-h/P5020036.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-K6SV77reY2tFnTskkxHq0FeA4dD7G1syRG03ZjJAm12RY4fbumy4p1rx1PWu8LVYva07ZVmNZhE8rOXcYZ8Kjljzbc6gtK9_V2uI_iM6VmHVGokeh6CaS4wWHaSqGTXFdW-Glq79UeGc/s400/P5020036.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061468976199372434" /></a><br /><br />The zoo was fun, especially since we seemed to arrive at feeding time, and Jane thought that the swimming bear was the cutest thing ever.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79zlWNhFKFMBqiUdOBdTGlZAlEQAbIKOTzy-QV7VbAfX4i4b0c4lVxD0Sdf8g_NRJhyphenhyphen-Vje7ENk7JUrNcXmAWvc-QVTtpwjRdRpaPbBRT3YmM4_enNFb6-nGcLdPacFMWxw-xmOQ1h1xG/s1600-h/P5030063.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79zlWNhFKFMBqiUdOBdTGlZAlEQAbIKOTzy-QV7VbAfX4i4b0c4lVxD0Sdf8g_NRJhyphenhyphen-Vje7ENk7JUrNcXmAWvc-QVTtpwjRdRpaPbBRT3YmM4_enNFb6-nGcLdPacFMWxw-xmOQ1h1xG/s400/P5030063.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061471621899226802" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfq4bibOOkmnPXMMG-YhXvdtlhaZUStUL5NC-HvmnjrgSHnIuBMUuYvIfH6dfm4CxlTk7yFBqEekbrPqssQdJbQqinXZv7eYFgksZBxnAuwAmDERU72cbEz2vVdhs_bGxZYxDHdPPf812/s1600-h/P5030075.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfq4bibOOkmnPXMMG-YhXvdtlhaZUStUL5NC-HvmnjrgSHnIuBMUuYvIfH6dfm4CxlTk7yFBqEekbrPqssQdJbQqinXZv7eYFgksZBxnAuwAmDERU72cbEz2vVdhs_bGxZYxDHdPPf812/s400/P5030075.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061472614036672194" /></a><br /><br />One of our favourite things so far has been the Galleria Borghese. The Borghese family is one of the oldest families in Rome, and have been major patrons of the arts for a long time, most specifically through the Renaissance period. The Villa Borghese is a show room for paintings, sculptures, mosaics (of gladiators, mostly), and all things amazing. Not being able to take pictures we can't really display them for you here, but the Bernini sculptures were just something else - our appreciation for sculpture has reached another level.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8N9Lan-sPrNGH8N5s64DyAk6PCxu8v6B_upsmAPRWm2CV26yyCrAzjMAtdCaK_Xg0Xjwu11fh9N96f9Dc4-drCQ-9yUdihCqM6j_rldjGQsBEsqEZO5vBByjfODtnwW56winwW8j7AVdZ/s1600-h/P5040144.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8N9Lan-sPrNGH8N5s64DyAk6PCxu8v6B_upsmAPRWm2CV26yyCrAzjMAtdCaK_Xg0Xjwu11fh9N96f9Dc4-drCQ-9yUdihCqM6j_rldjGQsBEsqEZO5vBByjfODtnwW56winwW8j7AVdZ/s400/P5040144.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061478395062652658" /></a><br /><br />We have also visited St Peters Basilica, and the Colosseum this week. The day we went to St Peters was wet and rainy, but the inside was enjoyable, and also opulent and enormous. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_j9FC-_72MYdnUX3M8kHuMRmLqdwtpoHtfFVxqV5Q405WqUuQNrLuavpMzptgNpxiQTM9-cWcOJ7KpAvdbMOfViFKL-9-qnFlVHoTq8iLCjoKb1FQYw7HZdmfZQaOlclsTk-b2QJuW1iV/s1600-h/P5040092.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_j9FC-_72MYdnUX3M8kHuMRmLqdwtpoHtfFVxqV5Q405WqUuQNrLuavpMzptgNpxiQTM9-cWcOJ7KpAvdbMOfViFKL-9-qnFlVHoTq8iLCjoKb1FQYw7HZdmfZQaOlclsTk-b2QJuW1iV/s400/P5040092.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061476561111617250" /></a><br /><br />True to Jane's theory, we paid money to walk up a lot of steps. This wasn't nearly as bad as walking down the steps however, as they were slippery, wet and narrow, and generally considered (by Jane and Cam) to be life threatening. But we got through it, and will live to climb more steps (and probably pay for the privelege). And it was worth it - even on a wet and rainy day the view was great.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapr1piSglxm7ye39HPL5sV11nFMnY2X1jVeZG6RgXsm8wagTk9vK1h1S_xyMwwD5dCeYT6CslmRhEooLZkXyzv7AQNKk97ydkHHT2zJazOAtHizK3t7vPemhr4en5LMSrdWRfNItbI7Ix/s1600-h/P5040135.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapr1piSglxm7ye39HPL5sV11nFMnY2X1jVeZG6RgXsm8wagTk9vK1h1S_xyMwwD5dCeYT6CslmRhEooLZkXyzv7AQNKk97ydkHHT2zJazOAtHizK3t7vPemhr4en5LMSrdWRfNItbI7Ix/s400/P5040135.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061474147339996882" /></a><br /><br />The Colosseum was another higlight, helped by the fact that we visited it in the late afternoon when the light was just perfect. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7rmOVdS423PIMVxHLGzSyYrSqoWyIMwzsLiLbXfkRq2I4IDk-nC62VevQGpyZqh2kHrnpA_K-5qIyXzdy_FuF5kZ4Yo38VpopEvWSJU8ovGWrqalWVnC18SMmtwFJ-F0zHTrKk1cDhod/s1600-h/P5060032.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7rmOVdS423PIMVxHLGzSyYrSqoWyIMwzsLiLbXfkRq2I4IDk-nC62VevQGpyZqh2kHrnpA_K-5qIyXzdy_FuF5kZ4Yo38VpopEvWSJU8ovGWrqalWVnC18SMmtwFJ-F0zHTrKk1cDhod/s400/P5060032.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062842558280240914" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWVkYrpmT_Z4YAbJqEIHWnfrVWREKw1QCHIMxte5kGBt4R-7seNdPefMWU0OCw_Des2NpZbL0_Bpzy_Wcz9jB4qen4uRUGiNXdhyXX30HkOknrMRnUOOd0fM8W51uMj4r3QepnRZrQYpn/s1600-h/P5060074.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWVkYrpmT_Z4YAbJqEIHWnfrVWREKw1QCHIMxte5kGBt4R-7seNdPefMWU0OCw_Des2NpZbL0_Bpzy_Wcz9jB4qen4uRUGiNXdhyXX30HkOknrMRnUOOd0fM8W51uMj4r3QepnRZrQYpn/s400/P5060074.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062843808115724066" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeXs86wfF6fJoD0wcvsFmvMvMjEJDm0BDSnFB9mOXIRgSV3u3Ix0cX6Xj10rCZiRqpm94_ubzp0BwcYFl4D8P28RjoA7Q7HAt6uZ5re0AzhycWZ_WcLkZufOAsGYyPa0chMuyZS9DCgYE/s1600-h/Colosseum+right+way+up.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeXs86wfF6fJoD0wcvsFmvMvMjEJDm0BDSnFB9mOXIRgSV3u3Ix0cX6Xj10rCZiRqpm94_ubzp0BwcYFl4D8P28RjoA7Q7HAt6uZ5re0AzhycWZ_WcLkZufOAsGYyPa0chMuyZS9DCgYE/s400/Colosseum+right+way+up.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062844714353823538" /></a><br /><br />Even though it's been pillaged and mined for materials to make other buildings in Rome, it is still pretty amazing. As are some of the stories about the things that used to happen there (think of a huge model of a whale opening it's jaws to release 50 bears - which were then probably killed. By Gladiators).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhD489WxCJWGmVSV5RTqfKoRvYCBY2OPqKHa1nqFmd2MpitOe-mMHAS6o9ZDUkEhr6oX41ZWgFfavDbZ1xvBG1KehVeu-tCMCE8eOs7YBXq7lx90ks3JBSrm5J9oZsQGimbaCDRyXCzeY/s1600-h/Jane+and+Cam+Colosseum.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhD489WxCJWGmVSV5RTqfKoRvYCBY2OPqKHa1nqFmd2MpitOe-mMHAS6o9ZDUkEhr6oX41ZWgFfavDbZ1xvBG1KehVeu-tCMCE8eOs7YBXq7lx90ks3JBSrm5J9oZsQGimbaCDRyXCzeY/s400/Jane+and+Cam+Colosseum.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062845899764797250" /></a><br /><br />The other important event of this week, was of course, Jane's birthday. Cam took her to a lovely night of opera in an old church. Also he gave her a beautiful Venetian glass necklace. On Sunday, there was a birthday lunch, courtesy of Peter and Tanya, as well as some lovely gifts. We really appreciate their hospitality and generosity.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLFXoyVs8NLW83Xut0xcIW9B2cbcAWr7O3mcoQg5W5y3vPaLJ3DgcvEDbNsUwAUuKXeSyP_kBZyaY1woR94V9M7682-rELmvJw0F51V4nKGJFwhHip2uxfiDJ-BpkKMuj5U3mwRIa9Q7S/s1600-h/P5060002.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLFXoyVs8NLW83Xut0xcIW9B2cbcAWr7O3mcoQg5W5y3vPaLJ3DgcvEDbNsUwAUuKXeSyP_kBZyaY1woR94V9M7682-rELmvJw0F51V4nKGJFwhHip2uxfiDJ-BpkKMuj5U3mwRIa9Q7S/s400/P5060002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062841441588743938" /></a>Jane & Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314730884355516032noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312650381923158133.post-48107585204961965322007-05-05T01:32:00.000-07:002007-05-06T06:41:46.473-07:00As Requested......here's a photo of Cam's fabulous new shoes. Although we were told that shoes are the most important fashion accessory for men, we haven't noticed anyone with shoes as nice as Cam's. Maybe we aren't looking in the right places.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhWoLjfT3pbEUw_TO1t20PLoge-5n8f1FR3qiqqJIn4UzTbo1QOs7q5eHeia-sohgZ3WXZxYGq0ieYSZ7B1iJ9qthvZWw2RZMuGmymAEh5yoUJun1KHMqBF5BMOBzGH1c9W9Y63Tm44jk/s1600-h/P5050169.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhWoLjfT3pbEUw_TO1t20PLoge-5n8f1FR3qiqqJIn4UzTbo1QOs7q5eHeia-sohgZ3WXZxYGq0ieYSZ7B1iJ9qthvZWw2RZMuGmymAEh5yoUJun1KHMqBF5BMOBzGH1c9W9Y63Tm44jk/s400/P5050169.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061438456161767026" /></a>Jane & Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314730884355516032noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312650381923158133.post-37993030008323627882007-05-01T11:10:00.000-07:002007-05-01T12:49:17.606-07:00Our First Week in Roma...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38gTjSWSJLnN2XK74LGy2anhyphenhyphen2RH0yZ36OBCFTDP2THWFvNCc_B1v5ESsdIwEX8L17-F8MFLwrzMEEGT1m5GINQ19PpObx81QdJCCwidnZUCSBYpxZVTdk_4fLYCA2eY_5E9oommPxQye/s1600-h/P4280201.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38gTjSWSJLnN2XK74LGy2anhyphenhyphen2RH0yZ36OBCFTDP2THWFvNCc_B1v5ESsdIwEX8L17-F8MFLwrzMEEGT1m5GINQ19PpObx81QdJCCwidnZUCSBYpxZVTdk_4fLYCA2eY_5E9oommPxQye/s400/P4280201.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059677042829037010" /></a><br /><br />Well, first things first we have received our bags!!! Such a relief, especially after 4 days of waiting and worrying about what we might have lost...<br /><br />Anyway, we've been having a lovely time in Italy so far. The first week has had us doing a lot of walking and finding our way around the city of Rome itself. There are so many wonderful things to see! So far we have been to the Pantheon (2000 years old and still an amazing and awe-inspiring piece of architecture), the Spanish Steps, <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2HHxdvZK1Tcodn3KWwPRlOBKausiTe2SabgdQiwD8GRZ1kLlfH_AYbfx40iA62QGCtm2WrTtGzaxmD_niyiUWJzPkcOB057JOre_yz0rhu_8OyG5KYEvPW5sTHbQRya1fXsIbgfoeg-S/s1600-h/P4280183.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2HHxdvZK1Tcodn3KWwPRlOBKausiTe2SabgdQiwD8GRZ1kLlfH_AYbfx40iA62QGCtm2WrTtGzaxmD_niyiUWJzPkcOB057JOre_yz0rhu_8OyG5KYEvPW5sTHbQRya1fXsIbgfoeg-S/s400/P4280183.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059678400038702562" /></a><br /><br />the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Campo de Fiori (see our happy beer and pizza photo), and many, many churches - each more spectacular than the last. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSTboJfiClMEGx8675qri0Rynb5TVVpb0GqODdqXeyicXFsd8aA0lRWm_YEqpciFWKNUt3bRrMYMbxkOv9iTDV1BHpZTb0z7wfgBVyTNtAKPZ23AQzkaQajMDsaT6aSkruxgS1Jp1Xg4N/s1600-h/P5010296.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSTboJfiClMEGx8675qri0Rynb5TVVpb0GqODdqXeyicXFsd8aA0lRWm_YEqpciFWKNUt3bRrMYMbxkOv9iTDV1BHpZTb0z7wfgBVyTNtAKPZ23AQzkaQajMDsaT6aSkruxgS1Jp1Xg4N/s400/P5010296.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059673258962849170" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSVLRVMo6OAdzMy_tyukJz3x-MQDLk9bMr3RuY85U29Hgfugjd0P3vMkn5Yn4mPo7uMNRvsHv4YyWeLtxylCp7aTWRgteE4opq3KG4xTDOVQ792EozJqOkJnRPu5Ufj9k1YD665TjU-DO/s1600-h/P5010286.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSVLRVMo6OAdzMy_tyukJz3x-MQDLk9bMr3RuY85U29Hgfugjd0P3vMkn5Yn4mPo7uMNRvsHv4YyWeLtxylCp7aTWRgteE4opq3KG4xTDOVQ792EozJqOkJnRPu5Ufj9k1YD665TjU-DO/s400/P5010286.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059674916820225442" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbAhaclOCeaQp6H1KFWyhuDJ230Oo8n0ERo7rVNfYwrxMP27Q54LncXDlVHh8CZ2_z3Tm6CRo68WbKvYZ1ctzROxTYojXHSszVdllKiPfzqWXo62mLgZApLVbIqUN-x0onOiz4u7ggzvx/s1600-h/P4270127.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbAhaclOCeaQp6H1KFWyhuDJ230Oo8n0ERo7rVNfYwrxMP27Q54LncXDlVHh8CZ2_z3Tm6CRo68WbKvYZ1ctzROxTYojXHSszVdllKiPfzqWXo62mLgZApLVbIqUN-x0onOiz4u7ggzvx/s400/P4270127.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059680865349930514" /></a><br /><br />For those interested in poets and poetry, we stumbled across the Keats (and Shelley, Byron et al) museum, which was a pleasant surprise.<br /><br />We have also been lucky enough to get out of Rome and stay for a night in a hillside town in Tuscany called Montepulciano. It was so picturesque - exactly what a Tuscan hillside town is cracked up to be. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0REmrDO9mlO2aHdj2bTGVGpZyVo3AkIVkzAQ07DRHjPX-61wA18ne_1w7hLPcoHfoax4g1s0qeM2q19f09uXnc3v4Kb0XMrqTR6eVfyxUGv8fz3RvbcFg2AsTDlB2jQCC5eOF3sy-devM/s1600-h/P4290229.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0REmrDO9mlO2aHdj2bTGVGpZyVo3AkIVkzAQ07DRHjPX-61wA18ne_1w7hLPcoHfoax4g1s0qeM2q19f09uXnc3v4Kb0XMrqTR6eVfyxUGv8fz3RvbcFg2AsTDlB2jQCC5eOF3sy-devM/s400/P4290229.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059674929705127346" /></a><br /><br />Cam and I accompanied his sister Tanya and family for a weekend, wandered the streets, bought Cam some Italian shoes (apparently that's what Italian women notice on men first - we had to get Cam up to par), drank a 15 year old wine on the balcony of our hotel room, enjoyed a delicious Italian meal...did you know that Italians have 2 courses and a side dish before thinking about dessert? So the pasta dish is often first course. Something that would have been nice to know one night when I asked for seconds of pasta, and then had to eat another two courses (to be polite of course). Also using a spoon to eat spaghetti is just not done, and cappucino (or any other milky coffee) after dinner is purely embarrasing.<br /><br />Anyway, we also went to a carnivale in Montepulciano after dinner. You'll be glad to know that the rides are the same, and the colours as garish as in Australia. Cam was pleasantly surprised to see that there were still shooting games though (unlike Australia), and he and his nephew bonded over this. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPjvxpjhgdbJyRfbpxMb-7nt4WML8VTuiQWkuErSNdn-NglLOR_p0U5dlo2n_7Az-vVdm_y-xXN7pb8UEOfZ0Bs13My4GIOPxugO5sAPB3XqILajj3f4l6WCKDjOKYRNHuE3zaak_cQlt/s1600-h/P4280227.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPjvxpjhgdbJyRfbpxMb-7nt4WML8VTuiQWkuErSNdn-NglLOR_p0U5dlo2n_7Az-vVdm_y-xXN7pb8UEOfZ0Bs13My4GIOPxugO5sAPB3XqILajj3f4l6WCKDjOKYRNHuE3zaak_cQlt/s400/P4280227.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059676123706035650" /></a><br /><br />Cam has even tried his hand at negotiating the streets of Rome on Peter's (his brother in law) Motorino. He is still in one piece, which is relieving, and despite getting very lost, seems to have enjoyed himself. We all thought he cut a very dashing picture, and looked mostly Italian.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36TApyvVbyKzI4WsgAmGhWwPL24OMM9b81YPJ5Eg9eSbEQzhHAEsvFcpEi6ppuugz6RXFh3dALLWitMlBFn3Lgp5LnMCReIAB-DSkTpUMaBdS-i6sN_GjSZ2fcL7_P2scOfXOm-vRzHLC/s1600-h/P4270139.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36TApyvVbyKzI4WsgAmGhWwPL24OMM9b81YPJ5Eg9eSbEQzhHAEsvFcpEi6ppuugz6RXFh3dALLWitMlBFn3Lgp5LnMCReIAB-DSkTpUMaBdS-i6sN_GjSZ2fcL7_P2scOfXOm-vRzHLC/s400/P4270139.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059679387881180658" /></a><br /><br />It's so strange walking down the streets of Rome and then coming across ruins, or an amazing church tucked away. We are convinced that you could spend years here and still not see everything. But we are going to do our best over the next couple of weeks. Tomorrow we are going to the zoo and a museum, and are in the process of organising trips to Venice, Florence and Assissi. Whew!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGy7x6GQ02fAi-0lfnosXZSCWByK9DLUzWCqb-0BUBLQYKhEphjQPXW420PSvBPNJ3Ysqb2xzizpIXRH6aztcLhn-C0J3NkVWA7FQrNn7lzHFYP4ewzlVG075S28PowjzkgK0pOUHTao_Q/s1600-h/Cam+and+Jane+pizza.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGy7x6GQ02fAi-0lfnosXZSCWByK9DLUzWCqb-0BUBLQYKhEphjQPXW420PSvBPNJ3Ysqb2xzizpIXRH6aztcLhn-C0J3NkVWA7FQrNn7lzHFYP4ewzlVG075S28PowjzkgK0pOUHTao_Q/s400/Cam+and+Jane+pizza.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059681608379272738" /></a>Jane & Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314730884355516032noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312650381923158133.post-25646790038993522942007-04-26T09:52:00.000-07:002007-05-01T13:06:06.098-07:00Hello Hanoi!You would be right in thinking that our first (and main) destination is Europe, and Italy in particular. However we are squeezing Vietnam into the mix, and actually spent a day in Hanoi as part of our stopover on the way over. And boy were we were glad to have a day out of planes being able to stretch our legs and feel like human beings again.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbVMWj1_rtJKWVijcoHcGbN0v0TXBc_kLz5JfJs_wbvxkdFS52c90aSxREHu5eRwmMMewVZZgXt2qVTxoOYeCgGgyqd2bNIaZvYFl71lJJeZrNwJ5hUrR1FOuEV0MEEE9-0-xmu0sXboB/s1600-h/P4240020.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbVMWj1_rtJKWVijcoHcGbN0v0TXBc_kLz5JfJs_wbvxkdFS52c90aSxREHu5eRwmMMewVZZgXt2qVTxoOYeCgGgyqd2bNIaZvYFl71lJJeZrNwJ5hUrR1FOuEV0MEEE9-0-xmu0sXboB/s400/P4240020.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059684245489192514" /></a><br /><br />So we left Sydney on Monday morning, got off the plane in Ho Chi Minh City in order to show our passports, declare ourselves to customs and immigration, and to generally be shepherded around in a confusing fashion. We then got back on a plane and landed in Hanoi at night, and were pleasantly surprised to find that the airline was incredibly organised and had someone waiting to meet us and take us to our hotel. What a relief!<br /><br />The next day we had the morning to ourselves, and so decided to get a feel for the place and have a little walk and explore. Although Cam had previously been to Hanoi (twice), it had been almost 10 years, so he was eager to see any changes and experience it all again. We spent time walking around the Old Quarter, senses overwhelmed by the smells (mostly lovely), amazing range of colours, and the general noise and insanity of the scooters as they sped past (respect goes to Adam and Vanessa - you only had one accident?!).<br /><br />In the afternoon we actually had a tour organised for us to keep us entertained until it was time to go to the airport. Our tour guide Hang was lovely - she took us to the Temple of Literature which is basically the first university in Hanoi established many centuries ago. If you pat the head of one of these stone turtles it is said to bring a student luck. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAg31SVrxL6Mba5WaDdWrfFyFWWhzpdAIFr5V_I2Xhnc1Yf0rL9NLrl9oRrn9-Y7sRUztcYakaLLf3GJOL3Sw_fcvtVCpQRl5_oeyslsjOQYnCK9ZHHxMVLChYuv7mWIdDWvLEquzH06v/s1600-h/P4240063.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAg31SVrxL6Mba5WaDdWrfFyFWWhzpdAIFr5V_I2Xhnc1Yf0rL9NLrl9oRrn9-Y7sRUztcYakaLLf3GJOL3Sw_fcvtVCpQRl5_oeyslsjOQYnCK9ZHHxMVLChYuv7mWIdDWvLEquzH06v/s400/P4240063.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059684984223567442" /></a><br /><br />We then went to another temple on a lake where there was another turtle - this one was a very big stuffed fresh water turtle. Cam was very impressed and we spent the rest of the time there studying the water for signs of more (although apparently it is very rare to see them).<br /><br />After this Hang took us too visit some of the shops. In Hanoi they basically have streets devoted to one product. In the morning we had visited silk street, and in the afternoon we chose clothes street. It is hard to express just how overwhelming these stores are - there are so many narrow little shops squeezed in together, the walls lined with clothing. We decided it was time for dinner and went to have some Pho, making Cam in particular very happy. After dinner we treated ourselves to a cyclo ride around the old quarter at dusk. A really lovely experience, even if crossing intersections with scooters buzzing around you can be slightly intimidating.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillJKyIQIkBX9Leb7dtHGz4nSPZC4tYJESjo7ZhmPo9HNNRYophQjRyhAwx88_XYcssVxcdSm_tzPSTCZ0lyuJOaWaBWXSSr657L1SP8LW0gImhXc9zud7li24dCKkQQ_kmgT13YSRoEOf/s1600-h/P4240105.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillJKyIQIkBX9Leb7dtHGz4nSPZC4tYJESjo7ZhmPo9HNNRYophQjRyhAwx88_XYcssVxcdSm_tzPSTCZ0lyuJOaWaBWXSSr657L1SP8LW0gImhXc9zud7li24dCKkQQ_kmgT13YSRoEOf/s400/P4240105.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059685787382451810" /></a><br /><br />The rest of our evening was spent in a much less glamourous fashion - waiting at the airport for our plane, and then waiting on the plane for other passengers. Hence we left late and as a pleasant add on to this experience we are currently schlepping around Rome in the clothes that we've been wearing for the last three days. That's right, our luggage wasn't quite as efficient in changing planes as we were. Sorry about the lack of photos - the USB transfer cable is amongst the lost luggage (the airlines concerned have given us a paltry t-shirt and assure us our luggage will be here soon).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKkY63Yw7wnwLK90TmqPCupd0vNPlRRp_QjQAGKuxYR3aLPIiOXTQ5gGQibH9XC6WM6SBLROjZUL2GGbcWAn1Q5lSWMYGrITLa8N0reSzxfy-QJ7XuEgZeoqKakenxiakJsajoeqS83J0/s1600-h/Cam+and+Jane+on+bridge.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKkY63Yw7wnwLK90TmqPCupd0vNPlRRp_QjQAGKuxYR3aLPIiOXTQ5gGQibH9XC6WM6SBLROjZUL2GGbcWAn1Q5lSWMYGrITLa8N0reSzxfy-QJ7XuEgZeoqKakenxiakJsajoeqS83J0/s400/Cam+and+Jane+on+bridge.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059683455215210034" /></a>Jane & Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314730884355516032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312650381923158133.post-41989013205860028592007-04-21T08:14:00.000-07:002007-04-21T08:17:52.843-07:00Welcome!!Welcome to our new blog! We wanted to keep writing about our experiences and adventures - both on our travels and beyond - but felt that the PNG blog we kept was special in that it was all about our PNG experiences. So now we have started up this one. Please tune in as we fly into Italy, and wander around Rome with Cam's sister, and then move on to unexpected and lovely places around Europe (we don't even know where we are going yet!).<br /><br />The photos on this blog will probably be a lot more familiar with places our readers are more likely to recognise - we hope that you will continue to get enjoyment from reading about our experiences...Jane & Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16314730884355516032noreply@blogger.com3