Well, it has been an eventful few weeks!
I moved into my new place and realised it was rather horrible! I only spent 5 ins looking and just grabbed it when it was offered as I really felt I needed to move out of Adam's - he has a flatmate who has been very good about having me stay for so long but it was never meant to be that long. Anyway, I realised when I moved in that they had no internet, it was freezing cold and damp and mouldy and the toilet smells really bad! And the stove doesn't work. So I only stayed there 2 nights and yesterday I moved out, or at least let them know I'm moving out. The boys there are going too, so no big deal. I am moving into Adam's in preparation of us moving in together! His flatmate moves out early December and then the two of us will take over the lease. It's a really lovely flat and I am very happy about it.
Work is good, busy but am getting the hang of it. Very nice people. And also I have made a couple of friends which is lovely and such a relief. I have been out every night this week so far, which has never happened before and has made me very happy!
So, it's all about the rugby over here. The big final is this Sunday...
... and Adam and I are going away this weekend! It's a long weekend, Monday is labour day here and we are taking his scooter over to the south island on the ferry and we'll then go as far as we want! We are going to Picton for sure (the other terminal) and from there maybe Nelson and maybe Golden Bay. Which will mean only slightly less to you than it does to me! But apparently Golden Bay is beautiful and will mean 4 hours on the back of a scooter... hmm.... But anyway, will be lovely to get away.
I'm feeling much better now though. I had such a bad week a couple of days ago, was terribly homesick. But got better after 4 days after a chat with a couple of friends from home on facebook, which helped immensely.
So... that's me! More news to come, will try to be more regular :o)
xxx
Fi's Travels...
Thursday, 20 October 2011
Saturday, 1 October 2011
England v. Scotland (I want them both to win!)
The first thing I need to do is tell you how great my boyfriend is! :o)
On Thursday he got tickets though work for the musical 42nd Street, which I took my new friend to (she's called Chelsea, and quite young, maybe 23, but very nice!) Then on Friday he bought me my favourite magazine from the UK, which he found a new addition of in a shop, plus he took me for dinner, plus he bought us tickets to see the Red Hot Chilli Pipers. Yes, you did read that right, they're a scottish piper band we found out about in Scotland and they're awesome :o)
Secondly, we've just been out to watch the Rugby, England vs. Scotland. I've never got that excited about sports games, but I've quite got into the Rugby here, it's actually more interesting then football as more happens. I was very conflicted with this game - I couldn't decide who to support - I was all like "well, I am English.... but I'm a MacDonald of Clan Ranald. But I've always lived in England. But always watched sport with my dad and so supported Scotland..." It was very confusing! So I supported England for the first 20 mins, then decided I was for Scotland, and bellowed for them for the rest of the match; until England won then I switched again :o)
Other news is that I found somewhere to live and I move tomorrow. It's a place called Oriental Bay and it's gorgeous, up a very steep hill but with such a pretty view out of the window. I'll post up a pic once I'm there. I'll be living with 2 boys who seem very nice. But I feel a bit sad and apprehensive to be moving out of Adam's place to be honest.... which is silly, I did it before.... but it feels different this time, not a short term fun thing, but something I really need to make work, to make a life for myself.
It's a bit difficult,, I'm struggling to make friends still, but at least Adam is nearly always around, and we hang out together all the time, so that makes it OK. I'm dreading a bit if he goes away anywhere though, I'll feel rather lost. I just need to make some more friends I think, but it's hard.
So that's me. Work is going OK. I'm at the Inland Revenue for 3 months, forget if I told you. It's OK... not ideal, only as it's a PA job and I hate being a PA, but I'm giving it a good go, and the poeple are nice as is the office, so it's not all bad. Here are some pics of the view from my desk though - that's a good thing about it!
xxx
Friday, 23 September 2011
Back in the (rugby) game
Hi everyone!
Well, that's a bit optimistic. Hi to the couple of people who might read this at some point :o)
I had a request to restart this for people apart from immediate family who I'm now skyping with regularly anyway.
I can't remember when my last blog was and can't be bothered to check it right now, but I know it was a while ago. So here's a catch up, some of which you will know:
I went travelling to South America in April and had an amazing time seeing Santiago, the Amazon and Macchu Piccu (which might not be spelled right). Then back to the UK to see family and friends and to meet the gorgeous India Ropse Phillips, born 2nd June this year, my gorgeous niece.
Then Adam arrived 7th July and we saw London and Kent, met my friends and family and then got a car and drove over 9 days through Oxford, up to Mallaig in the highlands, then right up to the very North of Scotland (Tongue) and then down to Edinburgh. We had a great time, although the weather was as expected :o)
We followed that by 3 days in Barcelona. The rain followed us, but we still had a wonderful time taking in the sights, practising my Spanish, eating Spanish food and generally realxing. Then 3 days in Copenhagen staying with some wonderful friends of Adam's, wonderful people who showed us the best bits of the City. We ate pork and sugar coated potatoes! and went to a slum type thing filled with drugs - not as bad as it sounds, it's in the middle of the city!! Then back to London for a farewell to the family and then off to Vegas for 4 days. Adam (who is amazing, if you hadn't gathered that already!) upgraded us on that flight and we flew out business class which was a first for us both and bloody amazing. Vegas... well, as you might guess, we had a great time, stayed up all night, slept all day, ate, drank and gambled, saw the hotels and a show too (Penn and Teller).
Been back in NZ since 4th August and been staying with Adam and his lovely flatmate Amy, who has now been kind enough to put up with me for 6 weeks. I've been job and flat hunting at the same time and it has been harder than first thought. The central cheap flats are mostly filled with children (students) who don't want an old lady like me living with them.
I had a 3 week temp job on a construction site, working on the site office onsite at a University where they're building a new building. I had to wear a hard hat and high vis jacket whenever walking outside! That was actually a really nice job, very busy but nice people and fun.
This Wednesday (21st Sept) I started at the Inland Revenue on a 3 month contract. I am a team administrator/PA to 7 managers. It is a very PA type role and I hate those. But I like.need to earn again, so shall not complain.
The only other interesting thing was a trip to Sydeny the other weekend with Adam for a long weekend as one of his short films got into a film festival and we got free passes for it. It was very exciting.
Apart from that, it is the Rugby world cup over here and all the Kiwis are going mad about it!
So that is a quick catch up and I will endeavour to write more and more interesting stuff soon :o)
xxx
Well, that's a bit optimistic. Hi to the couple of people who might read this at some point :o)
I had a request to restart this for people apart from immediate family who I'm now skyping with regularly anyway.
I can't remember when my last blog was and can't be bothered to check it right now, but I know it was a while ago. So here's a catch up, some of which you will know:
I went travelling to South America in April and had an amazing time seeing Santiago, the Amazon and Macchu Piccu (which might not be spelled right). Then back to the UK to see family and friends and to meet the gorgeous India Ropse Phillips, born 2nd June this year, my gorgeous niece.
Then Adam arrived 7th July and we saw London and Kent, met my friends and family and then got a car and drove over 9 days through Oxford, up to Mallaig in the highlands, then right up to the very North of Scotland (Tongue) and then down to Edinburgh. We had a great time, although the weather was as expected :o)
We followed that by 3 days in Barcelona. The rain followed us, but we still had a wonderful time taking in the sights, practising my Spanish, eating Spanish food and generally realxing. Then 3 days in Copenhagen staying with some wonderful friends of Adam's, wonderful people who showed us the best bits of the City. We ate pork and sugar coated potatoes! and went to a slum type thing filled with drugs - not as bad as it sounds, it's in the middle of the city!! Then back to London for a farewell to the family and then off to Vegas for 4 days. Adam (who is amazing, if you hadn't gathered that already!) upgraded us on that flight and we flew out business class which was a first for us both and bloody amazing. Vegas... well, as you might guess, we had a great time, stayed up all night, slept all day, ate, drank and gambled, saw the hotels and a show too (Penn and Teller).
Been back in NZ since 4th August and been staying with Adam and his lovely flatmate Amy, who has now been kind enough to put up with me for 6 weeks. I've been job and flat hunting at the same time and it has been harder than first thought. The central cheap flats are mostly filled with children (students) who don't want an old lady like me living with them.
I had a 3 week temp job on a construction site, working on the site office onsite at a University where they're building a new building. I had to wear a hard hat and high vis jacket whenever walking outside! That was actually a really nice job, very busy but nice people and fun.
This Wednesday (21st Sept) I started at the Inland Revenue on a 3 month contract. I am a team administrator/PA to 7 managers. It is a very PA type role and I hate those. But I like.need to earn again, so shall not complain.
The only other interesting thing was a trip to Sydeny the other weekend with Adam for a long weekend as one of his short films got into a film festival and we got free passes for it. It was very exciting.
Apart from that, it is the Rugby world cup over here and all the Kiwis are going mad about it!
So that is a quick catch up and I will endeavour to write more and more interesting stuff soon :o)
xxx
Wednesday, 18 May 2011
Home again, home again, jiggity jog
I am home!!!!
I know that was a bit sudden, but although I have been planning a 14th May arrival date for some time, I was keeping that a surprise from Fleur who thought I wouldn't be home in time for her baby to be born.
So I landed very early on Saturday and was met at the airport by my lovely brother. I slept at his place for 4 hours, had a bite to eat and then went over to Fleur's. She got such a surprise with me at the door!!!
I was there for a night and then with Holly and Peter for a night and now am back with mum and dad for a couple of days. I'll be back in London for Friday which is my birthday!!!
So, this is the end of my saga :o)
I shall not be typing anymore as this is the end of the journey. Even though, of course, it's not. The future holds exciting things for me, including of course imminently becoming an auntie; a holiday with Adam in July (seeing England, Scotland, Copenhagen, Barcelona and Las Vegas!) and setting up a jewellery business once I get back to Wellington in August (I'm applying for another 12 month visa for New Zealand).
Thank you all so much for reading my blog and following me on my journey! It's been wonderful to share it with you all.
Bye!! :o)
xxxxx
I know that was a bit sudden, but although I have been planning a 14th May arrival date for some time, I was keeping that a surprise from Fleur who thought I wouldn't be home in time for her baby to be born.
So I landed very early on Saturday and was met at the airport by my lovely brother. I slept at his place for 4 hours, had a bite to eat and then went over to Fleur's. She got such a surprise with me at the door!!!
I was there for a night and then with Holly and Peter for a night and now am back with mum and dad for a couple of days. I'll be back in London for Friday which is my birthday!!!
So, this is the end of my saga :o)
I shall not be typing anymore as this is the end of the journey. Even though, of course, it's not. The future holds exciting things for me, including of course imminently becoming an auntie; a holiday with Adam in July (seeing England, Scotland, Copenhagen, Barcelona and Las Vegas!) and setting up a jewellery business once I get back to Wellington in August (I'm applying for another 12 month visa for New Zealand).
Thank you all so much for reading my blog and following me on my journey! It's been wonderful to share it with you all.
Bye!! :o)
xxxxx
Thursday, 12 May 2011
Maccu Picchu!!!
Hello again everyone.
Right, I have just been back adding in photos to the last 6 or so posts (since arriving in Chile - go and have a look if you missed them on facebook) and suddenly realised looking back that I had forgotten to write about Maccu Picchu!! Can't think how I managed that one...
The town outside it is called Aguas Calientes and it is very beautiful although full of tourist rubbish and very expensive. Mollie my roommate and I went out for cocktails as there was not mych else to do once we arrived and she picked up a young Peruvian man who invited us, along with his colleague, to join us for drinks once they finished work at the bar we were at. We agreed and proceeded to go back and get ready. We also tried to buy dresses and giggled non-stop for 4 hours :o) We met the boys at 10.30pm and went for a few drinks. Mine did hit on me a bit but I made it clear I had a boyfreind... to be honest, that didn't seem to work and after a bit he sat closer to me and gave me a speech in Spanish about how all the world should be free to love whoever they wanted, and life was all about pleasure and living in the moment and all that stuff... and then reminded me that New Zealand is very far away... and then leaned forward, saying 'que piensas?' (what do you think?). I replied 'creo que me voy a casar con mi novio' (I think I'm going to marry my boyfriend) which may or may not be true but more importantly, had the desired effect and he backed off. He wanted to leave pretty soon after that and started to look bored so he walked me back to my hotel about 12.30am and I left Mollie to snog the face off her toy boy. She fell into bed about 3am.
Anyway, we didn't have to be up until about 7am in the end and got on the bus to Maccu Picchu about 8am. It's a gorgeous but scary ride up the side of a very steep hill/mountain.
Miccu Picchu itself was utterly breathtaking, so much more than I had imagined. It's massive and surrounded by incredible scenery. In fact, I'm just going to let the pictures speak for me:
Right, I have just been back adding in photos to the last 6 or so posts (since arriving in Chile - go and have a look if you missed them on facebook) and suddenly realised looking back that I had forgotten to write about Maccu Picchu!! Can't think how I managed that one...
The town outside it is called Aguas Calientes and it is very beautiful although full of tourist rubbish and very expensive. Mollie my roommate and I went out for cocktails as there was not mych else to do once we arrived and she picked up a young Peruvian man who invited us, along with his colleague, to join us for drinks once they finished work at the bar we were at. We agreed and proceeded to go back and get ready. We also tried to buy dresses and giggled non-stop for 4 hours :o) We met the boys at 10.30pm and went for a few drinks. Mine did hit on me a bit but I made it clear I had a boyfreind... to be honest, that didn't seem to work and after a bit he sat closer to me and gave me a speech in Spanish about how all the world should be free to love whoever they wanted, and life was all about pleasure and living in the moment and all that stuff... and then reminded me that New Zealand is very far away... and then leaned forward, saying 'que piensas?' (what do you think?). I replied 'creo que me voy a casar con mi novio' (I think I'm going to marry my boyfriend) which may or may not be true but more importantly, had the desired effect and he backed off. He wanted to leave pretty soon after that and started to look bored so he walked me back to my hotel about 12.30am and I left Mollie to snog the face off her toy boy. She fell into bed about 3am.
Anyway, we didn't have to be up until about 7am in the end and got on the bus to Maccu Picchu about 8am. It's a gorgeous but scary ride up the side of a very steep hill/mountain.
Miccu Picchu itself was utterly breathtaking, so much more than I had imagined. It's massive and surrounded by incredible scenery. In fact, I'm just going to let the pictures speak for me:
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
Fear and loathing in Lima
I hate Lima.
Oh go on Fiona, don't hold back, tell us what you really think :o)
It is dirty, but then so are many places. It smells. Worse than a lot of places. But more than anything, it's just... the feeling the City has. It feels dangerous and unsavoury. I'm sure this is in part due to what I have read and been told by my travel company. We were given a pack on arrival with info and advice about everywhere we visited and one thing written in the lima section is "NEVER walk around on your own, you make a much easier target that way". Great. What are single travellers supposed to do then?? The advice is full of examples of the kind of tricks and scams that are common, often involving 'plain clothes police' who are not police and try to get money from you. There is severe advice about never getting into a car with people who claim to be the police and how you must just remain calm if they do force you into a car. Apparently it's common to get your bag slashed with a knife and things pulled out of it. You should not wear any jewellery as it will be snatched off you which they advise is painful. No kidding.
I have become hyper vigilant and walk around in a slight cold sweat whenever I force myself to get out of the hotel room. I really stand out with the blond hair and fair skin and the middle aged men keep saying 'hola' (hi)as they walk past or other things I can't quite make out. The slang is different here to Spain. I feel stared at a lot. There are policemen and security guards everywhere, to get cash out of a machine you have to go into a protected booth and shut the door, there's a security guard outside.
I'm generally quite freaked out. I made it to one sight today, a massive San Franciscan church which was quite beautiful and had catacombs underneath filled with bones. 25,000 were buried there. It was a bit spooky. I tired the museum of the inquisition but it is closed for refurbishment. I nearly got lost trying to find it and was down a street with no other foreigners and just got stared and stared at... it's so unnerving!! I wish I had a headscarf or something!
So, that's me. I'm trying to get out to a park of fountains tonight which has a light show on, it's supposed to be really good. But you're advised to only take taxis at night and I'm worried about catching one back. mostly they are just minicab things and all the drivers are certifiable and desperatly trying to crash and run people over all the time.
Tomorrow at least I have a bus tour for the morning so that will be OK I suppose.
Moan over.
xxxx
Oh go on Fiona, don't hold back, tell us what you really think :o)
It is dirty, but then so are many places. It smells. Worse than a lot of places. But more than anything, it's just... the feeling the City has. It feels dangerous and unsavoury. I'm sure this is in part due to what I have read and been told by my travel company. We were given a pack on arrival with info and advice about everywhere we visited and one thing written in the lima section is "NEVER walk around on your own, you make a much easier target that way". Great. What are single travellers supposed to do then?? The advice is full of examples of the kind of tricks and scams that are common, often involving 'plain clothes police' who are not police and try to get money from you. There is severe advice about never getting into a car with people who claim to be the police and how you must just remain calm if they do force you into a car. Apparently it's common to get your bag slashed with a knife and things pulled out of it. You should not wear any jewellery as it will be snatched off you which they advise is painful. No kidding.
I have become hyper vigilant and walk around in a slight cold sweat whenever I force myself to get out of the hotel room. I really stand out with the blond hair and fair skin and the middle aged men keep saying 'hola' (hi)as they walk past or other things I can't quite make out. The slang is different here to Spain. I feel stared at a lot. There are policemen and security guards everywhere, to get cash out of a machine you have to go into a protected booth and shut the door, there's a security guard outside.
I'm generally quite freaked out. I made it to one sight today, a massive San Franciscan church which was quite beautiful and had catacombs underneath filled with bones. 25,000 were buried there. It was a bit spooky. I tired the museum of the inquisition but it is closed for refurbishment. I nearly got lost trying to find it and was down a street with no other foreigners and just got stared and stared at... it's so unnerving!! I wish I had a headscarf or something!
So, that's me. I'm trying to get out to a park of fountains tonight which has a light show on, it's supposed to be really good. But you're advised to only take taxis at night and I'm worried about catching one back. mostly they are just minicab things and all the drivers are certifiable and desperatly trying to crash and run people over all the time.
Tomorrow at least I have a bus tour for the morning so that will be OK I suppose.
Moan over.
xxxx
Saturday, 7 May 2011
Vomiting
What a nice title, eh?
I am not feeling creative as I have spent the whole day throwing up. I got up and felt a bit weird but put it down to the altitude sickness still. However, after a yoghurt, muslei and fruit breakfast I was feeling wven worse so went to lie down again. From there things got steadily worse, I started to shake and shiver and all my muscles really ached. I got into bed fully clothed in jeans and a jacket, had a sheet, 2 blankets and 2 bed covers on me and I still couldn't stop violently shivering. My skin went super sensitive and sore and then I started throwing up.
It is now about 8pm and I am glad to say I feel better, they have great drugs over here. I've never heard of these in England but if we don't have them I reckon we should get them. Our tour guide Carla just went to the pharmacy and explained that I had a stomach bug and I got one pill to fight the virus causing it and another with anti nausea and pain relief. I took them about 3 hours ago and by 7pm I was suddenly really hot insterad of cold and felt much better.
This is a relief as it is a 6.50am pick up tomorrow to get to Agua Calientes (warm springs) where we spend the day and then the day after it's a 6am exit up to Maccu Picchu. We have a full day there then back to Cusco in the evening and Lima the day after.
Carla (our tour leader) ordered some soup for me so I am going to attempt dinner now.
What else can I tell you? Our arrival day was a complete write off, I had no idea that altitude sickness could make you feel so bad! Like I was about to pass out all day. I still managed a bit of guinea pig for dinner (we all got to try a bite) - it's not that nice really, and llama steak as well, which was nice.
Wednesday we had a full day seeing Inca ruins in Ollantaytambo, Pisca, the sacred valley and Saqsayhuaman. It really was breathaking... when I can get the uplink to work I'll be adding photos... hopefully not more than a week or two - sorry for the delay! I don't know quite what's wrong..... but do check back for them anyway, it's worth seeing! The terraces were incredible.
Thursday (yesterday) was a relaxing day in Cusco luckily, Molly (my yankee roommate) and I got a massage (which was pretty good!) wandered around town and hit the markets. It was present buying day so all the Macs and ex-Macs can get little smiles on their faces :o)
Today, as outlined above, was a write off! Shame as it was another free day and Molly and I were going to do the cultural thing and visit the museums and art gallieries and churches. Never mind, you can't do everything.
By the way, I've been really impressed with the food here, it's very good. At least the stuff for the tourists is anyway.
OK, so I am not going to die as I feared this afternoon! These pills are amazing.
xxxxx
I am not feeling creative as I have spent the whole day throwing up. I got up and felt a bit weird but put it down to the altitude sickness still. However, after a yoghurt, muslei and fruit breakfast I was feeling wven worse so went to lie down again. From there things got steadily worse, I started to shake and shiver and all my muscles really ached. I got into bed fully clothed in jeans and a jacket, had a sheet, 2 blankets and 2 bed covers on me and I still couldn't stop violently shivering. My skin went super sensitive and sore and then I started throwing up.
It is now about 8pm and I am glad to say I feel better, they have great drugs over here. I've never heard of these in England but if we don't have them I reckon we should get them. Our tour guide Carla just went to the pharmacy and explained that I had a stomach bug and I got one pill to fight the virus causing it and another with anti nausea and pain relief. I took them about 3 hours ago and by 7pm I was suddenly really hot insterad of cold and felt much better.
This is a relief as it is a 6.50am pick up tomorrow to get to Agua Calientes (warm springs) where we spend the day and then the day after it's a 6am exit up to Maccu Picchu. We have a full day there then back to Cusco in the evening and Lima the day after.
Carla (our tour leader) ordered some soup for me so I am going to attempt dinner now.
What else can I tell you? Our arrival day was a complete write off, I had no idea that altitude sickness could make you feel so bad! Like I was about to pass out all day. I still managed a bit of guinea pig for dinner (we all got to try a bite) - it's not that nice really, and llama steak as well, which was nice.
Wednesday we had a full day seeing Inca ruins in Ollantaytambo, Pisca, the sacred valley and Saqsayhuaman. It really was breathaking... when I can get the uplink to work I'll be adding photos... hopefully not more than a week or two - sorry for the delay! I don't know quite what's wrong..... but do check back for them anyway, it's worth seeing! The terraces were incredible.
Thursday (yesterday) was a relaxing day in Cusco luckily, Molly (my yankee roommate) and I got a massage (which was pretty good!) wandered around town and hit the markets. It was present buying day so all the Macs and ex-Macs can get little smiles on their faces :o)
Today, as outlined above, was a write off! Shame as it was another free day and Molly and I were going to do the cultural thing and visit the museums and art gallieries and churches. Never mind, you can't do everything.
By the way, I've been really impressed with the food here, it's very good. At least the stuff for the tourists is anyway.
OK, so I am not going to die as I feared this afternoon! These pills are amazing.
xxxxx
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