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My take on Brunei...

So, after typing the previous blog entry, I did my little city tour of Brunei. Basically it just involved being driven around in the bus, looking at the different buildings, golden topped palaces etc...what sights still though! Amazing!! Ive never seen anything like that before in my life. Then we stopped at this indoor food market....soooo strange! I must have been walking around like a Zombie. FIRSTLY, after being at the airport so long (air con!!) I really really noticed the heat hit me as soon as I went near the airport doors....so so humid, and horribly sweaty! Brunei only have two seasons...the wet and the dry, and their temperatures range from 25C to 30C...this felt a lot hotter- I was sweating and couldnt breathe properly just standing there!!!!
I looked around....wow how cheap the food was! I decided to ask a girl sitting next to one of the stands about the names of the food advertised and what they were...and ended up trying some soup/noodles/beef type concoction for $1.50, and some coconut milk for $1- which she recommended. The servings were huge, and Im not a coconut fan at all, but this drink was GORGEOUS...definitely did the trick for hydration too! In the limited time I had at that market I got chatting to three people from Brunei (they speak quite good English)...such friendly hospitable people. I was amazed at how safe I felt in this place considering the ideas I had in my head from bad stereotypes...I have to admit Im pretty narrowminded with that kind of thing. Arab settings just dont sound safe to me!! Until now... everyone has a smile for you, whether youre sitting in the bus jsut driving past them and you happen to catch their eye, or if you walk past them in a market or go into a shop. I wish it were more that way in every part of the world. And its quite slow going except for the cars on the roads-there was some traffic- however what I had previously imagined to be a 'packed' and crowded place is actually not at all!!! I felt really at ease here and really want to come back again to see more of the place. A great experience!! Some interesting things about Brunei that I've learned so far....

-DEATH PENALTY... for drug trafficing.... ouch !
-No drinkage unless youre not from here and you are over 17
-the people are very friendly but quite shy! ... reserved is a very good description
-Brunei has a population of only 400,000 (i think!)
-NZ$1 is equiv to $0.73 Brunei
-The main foods eaten here are Malay, Chinese and Indian
(they also have some of the same stuff I found in NZ...EG Milo, that we dont have at home in the UK)
-there's a village here totally on wooden stilts in the sea! :D
-It's bloody hot- you can wear less wandering around the place, however inside mosques etc you should cover your hair, legs and arms....
- Actual name is Brunei Darassalum

And now I wait with my free Internet in the departure lounge....yaaaay!!! About time I did catch up with this blog stuff, photos, people.... what a perfect chance! Going to buy a couple of treats from the shop to take home soon, and then off I go onto the Plane again to fly to Dubai, wait in the airport, and then onwards and upwards to Heathrow.... W.O.W.........

The end of Aoteoroa....

Now officially I am out of NZ and have touched down in another country after so long. Currently I am sitting in Brunei Airport waiting for a tour to start, and am reflecting and looking back to a lot of things. Heres a little update for you to talk about the end of my trip, and my last taste of NZ! I struggle to keep this blog up to date, and theres so much I havent yet mentioned...!

So from Fox to Picton onto the Ferry to Wellington (yay!) then up to National Park where I did the Tongariro Crossing. That was one of the best days in NZ! It was a perfect day weather wise, and Im really happy that I made time on the walk to do the side trip up to the crater of Mt Tongariro....1967m :) Go me!

So, Auckland....again. sat and chatted to an English girl, and we made an unspoken agreement to watch over eachothers stuff whilst the other went off to get a drink/stretch legs etc, which was cool!- handy when youre travelling by yourself. I was however a bit overweight....(34 KG!!!! ARRRRG!!!!) on my suitcase and didnt even realise, so most of my clothes and my hiking boots (which were free anyway but I liked!) I threw away. Much cheaper to buy some new clothes than a new flight!!!!! Oh well, my airport antics!! After that was all good though. Royal Brunei are excellent to fly with- some good space, good movies and seat screens on economy! Ive watched 'Yes, Man' 'Quantum Of Solace' and 'Bedtime Stories' so far. They provide everything too from socks to sweets and hot towels....and I had none of that with Air NZ last time. Frequently bringing around soft drinks, and some nice meals. Although it is dry in the alcohol department, as is the country, although you are allowed to drink if you arent from here and you are over 17. The women often have to keep their heads covered, and I havent seen anything like this before, except for the exceptions back in England!! They do a funny praying video before take off also...haha!
So here I am, my first time out of NZ... and Ive bought a drink at a cafe and got free internet, so have decided to plonk myself here for a bit. We landed at 9.30 in the morning, and I have signed myself up for the complimentary city tour, which takes you to and from the airport within two hours. So although its a lot of time til my flight at 8 tonight, Im sure I will keep myself amused and the time will fly past! It still hasnt sunk in yet though that I've left NZ... I guess because the last time I was 'outside' anywhere was in Auckland,...that was a weird reminiscent occasion also! Im looking forward to this tour to experience a country like this for a little bit with no worries for money or safety, but after that I think I'll just be excited to be heading home. I'm continuously pondering if anything would have changed much or not, and have no idea what to expect!! I've changed heaps in many different ways and am also anxious about this too!!

Lots of love and hugs... but still to be continued....
Lorna xxxxx

updated journey

http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=map&go=lornie-licious


My Stops
29th Jan 2009 Fox Glacier New Zealand
29th Jan 2009 Mount Fox New Zealand
26th Jan 2009 Fox Glacier New Zealand
26th Jan 2009 Paringa New Zealand
25th Jan 2009 Fox Glacier New Zealand
25th Jan 2009 Punakaiki New Zealand
24th Jan 2009 Nelson New Zealand
24th Jan 2009 Marahau New Zealand
24th Jan 2009 Anchorage Bay New Zealand
24th Jan 2009 Kaiteriteri New Zealand
23rd Jan 2009 Nelson New Zealand
23rd Jan 2009 Picton New Zealand
22nd Jan 2009 Momorangi Bay New Zealand
22nd Jan 2009 Anakiwa New Zealand
19th Jan 2009 Momorangi Bay New Zealand
19th Jan 2009 Picton New Zealand
19th Jan 2009 Kaikoura New Zealand
11th Jan 2009 Opawa New Zealand
11th Jan 2009 Taylors Mistake New Zealand
8th Jan 2009 Riccarton New Zealand
8th Jan 2009 Sumner Bay New Zealand
4th Jan 2009 Riccarton New Zealand
4th Jan 2009 New Brighton New Zealand
2nd Jan 2009 Riccarton New Zealand
1st Jan 2009 Fox Glacier New Zealand
1st Jan 2009 Lake Paringa New Zealand
28th Sep 2008 Fox Glacier New Zealand
17th Sep 2008 Wanaka New Zealand
14th Jul 2008 Fox Glacier, W Coast New Zealand
10th Jul 2008 Wanaka New Zealand
7th Jun 2008 Fox Glacier New Zealand
3rd Jun 2008 Christchurch New Zealand
14th Mar 2008 Fox Glacier New Zealand
10th Mar 2008 Nelson New Zealand
9th Mar 2008 Takaka New Zealand
2nd Mar 2008 Bishopdale New Zealand
28th Feb 2008 Henderson New Zealand
2nd Dec 2007 White Island New Zealand
2nd Dec 2007 Whakatane New Zealand
1st Dec 2007 Rotorua New Zealand
12th Nov 2007 Mount Maunganui New Zealand
9th Nov 2007 Whitianga New Zealand
9th Nov 2007 Thames New Zealand
2nd Nov 2007 Auckland New Zealand
25th Oct 2007 Paihia New Zealand
23rd Oct 2007 Auckland New Zealand
8th Oct 2007 Paihia New Zealand
6th Oct 2007 Ahipara New Zealand
6th Oct 2007 Kaitaia, Northland New Zealand
14th Sep 2007 Paihia New Zealand
14th Sep 2007 Cape Reinga New Zealand
12th Sep 2007 Paihia New Zealand
29th Aug 2007 Auckland New Zealand
28th Aug 2007 Hong Kong Hong Kong
27th Aug 2007 Heathrow United Kingdom
1st Jul 2007 Kent United Kingdom
30th Jun 2007 Ghent, Oo Belgium
29th Jun 2007 Kent United Kingdom

Nelson- Abel Tasman- Punakaiki- Fox

http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/west-coast/south-westland/mount-fox-route/

Christchurch - Picton- Momorangi Bay

photos and update to come

Updated journey so far

Where I've been so far. So much to see and do! lol but enjoying my time xxx

Riccarton / Christchurch

WELL, after many changes of plans on new year...For various reasons, one being me and the girls didnt fancy camping out for new year in Wanaka cos of the crappy weather! So we ended up deciding on new years eve that we'd be staying in Fox for it- a night at the cook saddle! Way too drunk to even realise that there were fireworks going off outside! lol.
Went down to Lake Paringa on new years day with Ayla Tara and Briar -2 days of constant drunkeness !!- and knew someone who took us on his jetboat- man that was fun, however got scared when I was sliding around all over the place and nearly got chucked off the edge!! haha. then we left at 1.30 the next day (3rd) and got to Riccarton - just outside Christchurch main centre at 6.30- had my first burger king in a while lol! Its so weird being out of Fox and Im finding it hard to adjust so far- I never thought that a person like me who used to thrive on busyness would adapt so much to little Fox Glacier Village. Spent yesterday at the mall, and it was such a weird feeling not to know everybody there and to see proper shops!!! It was so weird to even be into shopping so much- it was kind of like seeing a different world again- Glassons, Pagani, Portmans- are the best shops. K Mart's good for cheap stuff, and is kind of like Matalan at home- the only shop to do Rimmel London make up in the whole country as I quickly discovered last year!! Id been shopping at this mall before with Theresa when I suprised them in Christchurch just before they flew home to Germany. We spent a day shopping, and it really reminded me of her obviously!!! Miss you so much Theresa, cant wait to see you again! ....
..Then last night went out to Micky Finns 'Irish Bar' with Ayla, Tara and 2 other girls- my first two guinesses in ages went down in about 10 mins - haha- you know me! Then onto Steinelager Pures- (thought Id take note of the drinks as a valid learning experience in New Zealand!!!)! Although it was a really nicely done out Irish Bar they had a Rock Band on, and it was awesome- reminded me of home! Today I think we are going to visit New Brighton ( a seaside place just outside Christchurch)- all English names- maaaad!
Not sure how long im staying for but theres also a few places that i can visit from here that were on the list of things to do such as banks peninsula and Kaikoura... Will keep it posted from now!

So long, farwell.....Fox!

Well, what can I say? The people who know me well will know that I tend to leave things to the last minute. Infact, talking to Emily on the phone the other day confirmed that- she said I would come to my last day before leaving Nz and be like 'I'm leaving now, but THIS is everything that happened!!!!' lol. So, Ive come to my last full day in Fox Glacier... which has been my home for the last almost 10 months. The time I've spent here cannot be summed up in a blog entry, although I will do my best to note down my feelings for now- even if noone wants to read the whole kit and caboodle of this, I think it's very important for me to remember my time here- which went by in a whirlwind to be honest!! I've had so many new experiences here, both good and bad, that I think Fox has been a very important stage in my life in all aspects! I've met so many amazing people, whether travellers or locals, and Ive met so many arseholes at the same time!!! (what can I say, you get them everywhere, you dont need to live in 'Chav Ville' E.g- MEDWAY TOWNS!!! back in England to meet you fair share of low life.... but I digress.... lol

This place is so beautiful, -the amount of photos Ive taken of the surrounding hills and mountains with the change of the level of cloud, and also pretty rainbows and awesome red skies will bore people at home for weeks and weeks I think!!! Lmao- yet you tend to take that for granted after a while (especially me being me!)- but I think this is an important lesson for me since being out here in NZ as a whole! The grass is always greener, there are ups and downs to everyplace, but you just have to take it as it is. I have had both amazing and awful memories here- the awful ones mainly due to small town bullshit, which Ive not had any time for, and its taken me a while to get used to being a 'towny' and all that!! Ive lived a different way of life here compared to back home for that I can only take as positive experience.
Its Tuesday 30th December and Im being organised for once in my life- getting some washing done, cleaned the bathroom in the house and also my room, and running a few errands before I do anything else- woah- maybe I have learned not to leave things til the last minute so much!! Hehe. I woke up this morning to a note on our whiteboard that my housemates Maria and Jared are going to cook me a leaving dinner tonight... i was in tears when I read that!!! Haha Im a big soppy 'little flower!'(Reference for LuLu) lol.

Theres no possible way I could mention every person or everything thats happened here,especially on such a last min blog!- but in Fox I feel I have made some friends for life- who I will miss very dearly when I leave, and I hope they dont forget about me!! - I have been on the glacier several times, which was something very new to me indeed!! I dread to say it, but before I got here, I was one of the naive tourists who was like- 'ah, I wonder what happens in the summer?! Maybe you can only go walking on the Glacier at all'... however, I wasnt ever dumb enough to think it totally disappeared altogether.... these were many 'classic' remarks from 'special' people who came into work at the guides armed with these types of remarks and questions!!!!
From the glacier, to Ice Climbing on it, to my first ride in a helicopter being in Fox, seeing Mount Cook, Mount Tasman, working in a glacier guiding company, to working in cafe neve and learning how to make coffees for the first time in my life(!), living in the country, in a small village with hardly any shops (!!!- shock, horror, yes I have changed alot! Bring on Bluewater and sunrise to sunset shopping again!!!), seeing everybody who is familiar everyday, and so many different personalities in one small place (some getting along famously, some clashing- I like to think of Fox as a microcosm of society as a whole! lol)- I also had my 20th Birthday here, which I spent mostly with Kate- then up at Karen's party at Intercity House (the guides staff houses all have names...the one I live in being Clarke House), Christmas on the glacier (yay- was sooo awesome!!!!) with Maria and Ayla and a few others in Maria's family, and having a xmas BBQ at a nearby motel with Ayla and her family- having a nice wine soaked Taco casserole Boxing day dinner in with my lesbian lover Jill at Matheson Motel.... :) The experiences here have been endless! The weather is in a whole league of its own.... lots and lots of rainfall on the west coast, however the winter here had some suprisingly hot and clear days compared to what Im used to in winter!! Totally unpredictable.
To think I started off in Fox in a real state- which is true!!! - keeping myself to myself and with hardly any money, is shocking. I have come out the other side of it with a mixed bag of experiences, however better for it.

I'm so excited about leaving now, as I cant really do much more here, and Im eager to go and explore the rest of the country finally, however its just hit me today that its my last day here, and Im a little sad and anxious!!! The big wide world of traffic and shopping and lots of people awaits me again!!! hahaha. Its so easy to be in your own little comfort zone here!! Feels so weird that I've had a few friends come and go too, and for them to be all the way back in Europe!!! I had some awesome memories (minnehaha, lake matheson...funny guy taking a pic of us outside the BP of all places!!!!) with Theresa and Anna here, who are now back in Germany studying, and have been for a number of months, and also Goran who is now back in Slovenia...so weird how the world seems so much smaller to me now since Ive been away from home!

I'll never forget the time here, nor the lessons that I have taken from here.... and I definitely wont forget the varied characters!!! I hope to be back one day!!

Some photos are to come from my last few months in Fox.... Enjoy!!!

For me now.... leaving tomorrow (new years eve) and driving down to Wanaka with Ayla (who I met working at Cafe Neve recently) and her bm Tara to spend new years by the lake and hopefully with some fireworks and good music! then Im off to explore the south, and will meet Ayla again where she lives in Christchurch to go and explore North with her (yay, a travel companion!!!! :D )- and no, I didnt have to pay her :P haha!!!!

Lots of love and hugs and best wishes and all that from me- cant wait to be home!!!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

My adventure holiday in Wanaka!

Wanaka Hols.... 17th September- 28th September 2008!


* SkyDiving! *


Skiing!



Puzzling World & Cinema Paradiso!







Rock Climbing!




Horse Riding!




Beautiful Scenery....

* First Visit to Wanaka *

I did a 14 hour day at work the other day, and its just by myself out the front because its a small cafe. however the chef for the day was the owner Lynn, who just seems to cook and be on the phone all the time. So from 10am til 12 midnight I was totally slammed with tourists!!! Taking orders at the till, making and serving the drinks, taking the food out, clearing the tables, clearing them and cleaning...aswell as the huuuuge pile of dishes etc out back which chef usually does most of, when i was done doing all that! I tell you i had no time to stand still all day let alone sit down! I had two days off after this so decided that wanaka would be worth a visit, just to get out of fox for a bit! So I overslept being so exhausted and missed my bus! I turned up where the bus would normally take me (From Fox guiding) and someone suggested catching a ride with the courier post guy who was heading south. So... I arrived in Wanaka for the first time in style.... a 'special delievery' lol. I checked into the Matterhorn Backpackers (my first time at a hostel in a long time apart from christchurch!) and made a few friends for the first night - including a very avid canadian snowboarder called Gina, who I hung out with the next day also. My first proper nightlife in a while...and shopping for bits and pieces the next day, aswell as taking photos of the beautiful scenery and Lake Wanaka! Its an awesome place- bustling with skiers and snowboarders. A bit of a shock to the system post Fox Glacier Village! I will be heading back up to Fox on Friday for work...back on the post bus for me! Hehe! and totally free for a three or so hour drive! Very nice driver!

Second time to fly!

2nd time on a chopper.....!!!!! 17th June 2008

....Would you believe i went up the glacier on a chopper this morning, past the neve (the highest I've ever been- 6500 feet- walked around on the snow, and came back home before even having my first daily cup of coffee....!) 'Narly!'



http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=123203&l=543ac&id=701440331

Back in the day...

Paihia Pics continued.... :D I loved these guys... awesome!!! Hope everyone's doing well :P

* A tribute to Florian!!! *

So sad we didn't see more of eachother in new zealand...and so sad that you are leaving...but I know that I've made a friend for life :)

Hope to see you again very soon!!!

Here's Florian's old pics of Paihia...sept(?!) 07... where we met!

Hugs xox

Update from Fox!

The past month or so - i'm assuming..... ?!?!? ... 14/06/2008

Just a quick message to everyone to let you all know I'm okay- been so busy!! Just as a catch up.... I suprised my two german friends (anna and theresa)- from the mount- last week when I turned up in christchurch to see them both for the last time in NZ! I took the atomic shuttles bus over there, and Sariah (my cafe neve work mate!) was on it all the way too, as she was flying to Japan for a holiday. I was travel sick...AGAIN!!!! The bus wen through Arthur's Pass...which is absolutely stunning!!!! Anna and Theresa flew home to germany on the 12th, stopping over at london heathrow! Ill miss them so much! I also visited patrick- again from the mount!- who knew I was coming... he left n the 6th. Its so sad to see everyone going! I loved Christchurch and it was so weird to be out of the west coast for the first time in 3 months, and to see my first set of traffic lights in that time also!!! So much life and activity outside of fox... my first club and bars in a while also!!! I stayed with the girls at Drifters backpackers in christchurch, and i would recommend it! Very homely, clean, and the owners are really nice and the rates are great, especially for a city! Whilst in christchurch we enjoyed the shops, cafes and bars, and I also had my first ever Indian Meal at a restaurant with theresa....my first Lassi!!! That drink is AWESOME! lol. We also had a major shopping day at the westfield in Riccarton, buying a dress for myself for the cocktail party in fox on sat 7th, among other things (there is NOTHING in Fox! lol). Also saw Lars and Christian there, also from the mount, (it turned into a little reunion really! haha!), and made a new friend- Seb. ALL GERMANS!! haha - only joking guys... love ya really!!!!
Got back to fox off the bus at 5pm on friday 6th, and went straight to work that evening.... soo tired!! Was well worth it though :D Still in Fox Glacier working at cafe neve, and enjoying life here, because I realise its so different to the life back home. I'm often discussing the differences and experiences with the english customers who come into the Neve.
I've been unable to get online for a while, so have had a big clear off of pictures (or as many as i can for now anyway!!!!) from as far back as my helihike. The albums are all on Facebook for you to look at, and Ive added the links as usual to the list on my blogspot site!

Take care and lots of love sent back home!!!


Lorna xxxx

My Helihike and Hoki/Fox/cafe neve (new work)- Randoms!!!!

A random update of weekend 'missions', my first time on a helicopter and second walk on a glacier, my new work place and randoms in fox village!

Kiwi Jargon!!!!!

A tribute to the geek that I am..... as many people know whenever I hear a new kiwi word/phrase/slang term, I save it to my cell phone! This is the result of all that hard work.... if you are interested, take a read! It may suprise you how different it is from the actual english language we use at home! lol.....

Fox Glacier Village! March 14th- Present

Here are a few key photos from my time in Fox Village so far.... blog updates to come soon!