Round the World in 100 days..or a bit more

New blog address

2007-12-13T13:54:00.000Z

For those of yopu who are readng this, and are confused as to whre my latest tales of travels are recorded - pLease check out my new blog

http://ngaira-aus.blogspot.com/

Ngaira
xx

Canberra, Australia

2006-08-06T12:46:00.000Z

My blog has not been utilised much of late, I am now based in Canberra and I guess I now have no travel tales.. I think I may need to start a new blog..something about life in the capital city of politics and public servants. We shall see. So I apologise if this update is less exciting than usual.

I have been at work now for quite a few weeks and have started to settle down into a routine. I have joined the work gym program and had a painful first week - with three body balance and one circuit class, and therefore being unable to move on the friday.

I am currently house sitting for some friends who have gone away for two months. I am in a five bedroom house with a massive backyard with a swimming pool. It is a bit hard to get used to so much space, and the quietness of living by myself. I am still waiting for my boxes to arrive - they are awaiting customs clearance. But I cant move back into my place until december anyway as it is still tenanted.

I have a skiing trip planned for next weekend, however the season has been very poor, so there might not be much snow to ski on..we'll see.

Max has started walking which is my current highlight since my arrival, I will have to attach a photo next time..he is soo cute. He actually stayed over with me last night - Virginia's first night away from him...I was very lucky. :-)

best run..no more news

lots of love to everyone

Ngaira

Canberra, Australia

2006-07-05T12:40:00.000Z

Well Gday there mate, apologies for no entry sooner. I am back down under after having a very smooth flight with Singapore Airlines. They did attempt to slog me with £600 excess baggage fine, however I ended up going to one of those companies at the airport and sent a bag with them for only £200 (bargain hey!).

I sold my little car Angel on friday night before I left. It was a really sad occassion and I only just managed to hold it all together. My fabulous friends Jenny and Tim drove me to the airport and sent me on my way. When I landed in Sydney I was delayed by about an hour, due to fog in Canberra, but no more stories than that. I was met by my Mum and brother and after a quick shower I went out to lunch with my family and Gin, Craig & Max to welcome me back and celebrate mine and Xaviers birthdays.

I was given a beautiful Olga Berg bag for my birthday from Mercia and my parents - just in time for my first day of work. I worked monday through to friday - when I came down with the gastro bug that was going around the hospital. I have not been back at work since as they are not allowing anyone to come to work for at least 48 hours post last symptom. So I have been forced to shop and relax all week!! i have never had a day off with sick leave before...ever..!!

I had a wedding in Albury on the weekend, which was really good fun. Gin,Craig, max and I drove down, I went to the wedding and we booked into a hotel for the night before driving back to Canberra on the sunday. The wedding was in the middle of the bush at an outdoor chapel (very chilly 5 degrees celcius!).

Best run, heating has just turned itself off for the night and my fingers are freezing. Hope you are all well.

Ngaira
xx

London, UK

2006-06-21T18:14:00.000Z

What is the definition of sleep deprivation! I have moved out of my flat, attempted to clean it from top to bottom and am now living out of a suitcase....again! But not for too long this time. I have put my car up for auction on Ebay - as I type it is selling for £180.02. It is a 1993 Citroen AX and is in really good condition, but the second hand car market here is ridiculous. I will not be able to buy anything in Australia with that sort of cash - even with an incredibly strong ££.

I have two more days left of work and two more sleeps...I am currently longing for the airplane journey when I do not have to do anything for 24 hours! I am sure I will get over it very quickly.

I had a lovely weekend in Poole, Dorset with my Grannie, but was obviously very sad to say goodbye. I popped up to Luton last thursday for the night to see Carolyn & John O'Keefe (dad's mates) which was fabulous. These are all lovely people who have made me feel so welcome in the UK over the last 4 years.

Dad is in hospital still (he went in on my birthday - 6/6/06 if you need reminding) and is rather annoyed at not being well enough to leave. I fly back into Canberra on sunday - so hopefully he may be out by then!

I am dreaming of my new car in Australia...thinking of a convertible....hmmmmm

Best run

Ngaira

London, UK

2006-06-11T21:08:00.000Z

Hi!

I am now sitting still. Well sort of, I am physically sitting still but my mind is running around my flat thinkig, organising and generally fussing about what I have yet to do in less than two weeks to get myself on a plane to head back to Australia.

I have had a nice coupke of weeks getting all those jobs done that I have been putting off. I have hung curtains, unsuccessfully - my uncle popped around today to help. I have got tennants, had packing boxes delivered, and even packed two of them. I went and got myself an accountant to do my tax - part of my new strategy to try and simplify my life. I have to say it worked, as soon as I made the decision to get an accountant, whew a weight was lifted off my shoulders that was really really heavy!

I have the rest of the week to finish packing, the removalists are coming on saturday to pick up the boxes, then clean the flat before i hand the keys over to the new tennats on the 21st! I have 2 days grace before I fly out of London on the 23rd. I am landing in canberra on the 25th - tickertape parade is welcome! I fly in at 9.35 - so no one can have a big saturday night if you want to welcome me in at the airport!!

I went to church here tonight - HTB - then visited their new cafe after church - was really nice to sit outside on such a balmy evening and drink smoothies for £1.50. Bargain!! I am catching up with Catherine and Richard (friends from Alpha) tomorrow night at a really lovely restaurant in Brixton for an eritrean meal, need to check if Canberra has one..oh i will miss London.

Has anyone realised that I am missing Wimbledon by just hours.....I realised that this week.....what a shame hey, especially as I live within spitting distance..oh well.

Dad is currently in hospital (John James) having some follow up surgery from the robbery. He is a bit sick of being in there, so hopefully he will be out soon.

I am sure you are all aware that it was my birthday on tuesday....28.....argh! I am trying to forget it happened.

Hope you aussies are enjoying the long weekend.

Best run

Ngaira

Sonderborg, Denmark

2006-06-04T21:20:00.000Z

I got some cheap flights and flew over for the weekend to see Anna, Rob and Kristian. i flew from Gatwick (right airport) to Billund - which is where Legoland is. I didn't go to Legoland unfortunately but drove on past to Sonderborg where Anna and Rob live. I had a wonderful long weekend with them, and fell in love with Denmark..again! It is going to be so hard to move back to Canberra and miss all the lovely buildings and furniture. Anna did give me a lovely milk and sugar server set..so I will have a bit more of Denmark in my life.

Kristian is almost 2 and sucha gorgeous little man - Nein is his favourite word.

We were invited out to lunch at Anna's colleagues house in the country on sunday. We had a really lovely time, great food and company. We ended up inviting Bo over that night for a game of Risk - so Rob, Bo and I played while Anna went to work. The game finished well after midnight, with me winning, surprising us all!

It was really hard to say goodbye to the Mihaere's - but they are on skype - so the world is a better place!!!

Ngaira
xx

Cobh, Co Cork, Ireland

2006-05-29T09:06:00.000Z

I am in Cobh visiting Carly & john Coleman and their little daughter Ella. Ella turned one on friday, therefore I flew over for her first birthday party. I had a little bit of a shocker of a journey, due to the fact I went to Gatwick instead of Heathrow, so £77 later I arrived in Heathrow with 5 mins to spare before checkin closed....whew...could have been worse.

I flew to Dublin because I bought the flights at the last minute and it was the best I could get, so I then had a 4.5 hour bus ride to Cork. Poor Carly (8 months pregnant) had to pick me up at 11pm at night from the bus station..

I have had another go at milking the cows, feel like I could almost (not quite) live on a dairy farm.. I am still totally scared about being kicked though...I thought cows were supposed to be gentle... I did get to feed the two day old calf which was fun.

I got in touch with some distant relatives on this trip..they happen to lie about 30 mins away from Cobh. So I spent saturday night with them. They showed me where my great great grandmother grew up in Ireland before marrying and imigrating to Melbourne. So I now have an understanding of my Smiddy roots from Co. Cork.

I am back in London for a couple of days then heading to Denmark on Friday...this time I am sure I am flying from Gatwick...

Hair colour: confirmed brunette!

Ngaira

Great Nana Ellis & William Petrini

2006-05-22T10:45:00.000Z

This photo was taken at carolyn's 30th in Canberra - Nana's first hold of her great grandson.

London, UK

2006-05-20T10:28:00.000Z

Hi,

I am back in London and trying to get a million things done in a month! Yes...that means I was offerred the job in Australia 0 therefore I am in London for as short a time as possible to organise things here before moving back....

I got my car back on the road on friday - I drove it back to London this morning and am now about to start the selling process. So if anyone knows anyone who wants a very loved car, very cheap to run then let me know.

I have had an agent in to look at the flat - and they are now trying to get tennants......will keep you posted on the progress of this...

I am trying to catch up with every one..because it will be a while before I head back here. My old mobile is up and running, so give me a yell.

Ngaira
xx

Los Angeles

2006-05-14T23:13:00.000Z

After an 11 hour delay from New York to Los Angeles i arrived at my hostel at 10pm, after leaving Mike's house at 5am!! I had a great time in LA - I went to Universal Studios - which I would recommend to anyone. I went on a city tour for a day, where I learnt what prats there are in LA, who just want to be a star - or think they are one already and feel they need to tell you about every commercial they have taped. LA is definately not the place for me...but I did learn on Friday that I was successful in my interview and I have been offered the job as OT director at Calvary!! YAY!

So to those European's I am flying back in on Monday afternoon 15th for about a month...
To those Aussies - I will see you again in a month!

Ngaira

Yankee Stadium, USA

2006-05-10T18:30:00.000Z

I went to my first baseball game last night - New York Yankees vs Boston Red Sox. I am sad to say however that the Yankees played really badly, I almost considered offering my services in the fielding department!

We managed to get a group of 7 of us there, to share in this unique american experience. We had beer, hot dogs, cracker jacks and peanuts! I also learnt some new american terminology...will not comment here on it...not sure it is that polite.

I was shocked at the crowd.. jeeze they were tough to keep happy. When the ball was hit into the grounds, if it was not caught....the poor person was yelled at by everyone in the stand!

I ended up at Mike's local with his two work colleagues until 4am...I didn't have to get up, but they hd to be at work at 8am...ouch!

Going to see a broadway show tonight..Odd Couple with Matthew McConaughy - looking forward to it.. before jetting off to LA tomorrow morning.

Go the Yankees!

New York, USA

2006-05-07T10:52:00.000Z

I had a great last day in Vegas with Angie - which ended with a girls night out at a Moroccan belly dancing restaurant then watching the fountains at Bellagio! We had a really early thursday morning - so I only got about 4 hours sleep after getting home and then packing for NYC.

I landed in La Guardia on Thursday night after a long flight from Vegas. My flight was with AirTran, the service was brilliant but it seemed it was an all stops flight, and you think I am joking. We flew from Vegas to Dallas to Atlanta to NYC - a total of 9 hours!

We were not allowed to get off the flight at Dallas, however the pilot came down the aisle taking orders for passengers for starbucks and various takeaway outlets...rather amusing! I had leftovers from the night before with me, however he did get me some cutlery, and very willingly too!

I made my own way from La Gaurdia to Mike's apartment, and arrived with surprising ease on his doorstep at 10pm. He cooked me up some eggs for dinner and after a good catchup I literally fell into bed!

Friday was spent sightseeing around NYC on foot. I went to the site of The World Trade Centre and visited St Paul's Chapel across the road. I went to Macy's (because apparently you have too!) but Selfridges in London is soo much better. I visited Madison Square Park, Washington Square Park, and Gramercy Park. I went aboard the Coast Guard's Tall Ship which is temporarily docked at South Street Seaport and then walked across Brooklyn Bridge.

I got the Metro back to 42nd St and met Mike and his roommate Mark and we headed out to dinner at an Ethiopian Restaurant with some drinks to follow.

Yesterday (saturday) was a bit of a slow day with fatigue setting in. Mike cooked us up eggs bennedict for breakfast and we caught the train to Coney Island. We all had a hotdog from the fast food outlet that claims to have 'invented' the idea. The fellas went on the rollarcoaster, after my effort in Vegas, I declined the opportunity. I did go on the ferris wheel though!

We all slept on the train back to Manhattan, and chilled out before heading out to dinner at a Steak House. Great steak followed by a few beers with Mark, the rest piked and went home at 10pm!

Its now sunday and I am hoping to go to a gospel church in Harlem, if I can wake up Mike.... fingers crossed.

Ngaira
xx

New York, USA

2006-05-05T14:43:00.000Z

I landed in New York last night - and managed to get from La Gaurdia to Mike's apartment on 42nd St!! YAY! Was great to catch up with him - it has been 6 months since we finished travelling together..time flys.

I am heading to Brooklyn Bridge today and the WTC site. Looking forward to exploring New York!

Grand Canyon, USA

2006-05-03T15:48:00.000Z

Angie and I left Las Vegas on friday afternoon after work and drove to Williams a small town 55 miles from the Grand Canyon. We gotin at about 11pm, and got upgraded to a queen suite - very nice! We got up early in the morning to get to the Grand Canyon...it is an amazing site. I guess I was expecting something great...but I didn't expect something that big and wide.

We bought some supplies from the shop and decided to do one of the least hiked trails - South Kaibab. We hiked to the thrid point which wsa a 6 mile (10km) return hike with an elevation change of 2040ft or 622m. By the time we got back to the car 6 hours later - we were both pretty tired and covered in red soil! We went and booked into our hotel and cleaned up before heading back to catch sunset...amazing!

We had dinner at a local restaurant, being served by cowboys - and once again I was served a scone with my steak - the americans call them biscuits...so desert and dinner all in one!

We slept very well, and got up to go to church in the Grand Canyon. We went to a really nice catholic service, then walked the rim trail for a cuople of km's to stretch our legs.

We drove home, feeling very satisfied with our weekend and the great time...we were chatting away so much..we missed our turn off to Las Vegas, and didn't realise. We drove so far we ended up in California...a road trip to remember..

Las Vegas, USA

2006-04-28T19:56:00.000Z

I have spent the last few ays here in Las Vegas. I spent yesterday at Hoover Dam and went on a cruise on Lake Mead. I joined a tour as Angie worked yesterday..I was the oly person who was not an old aged pensioner! Nonetheless I had a good day. Angie dropped me off at one of the casinos on her way to work at 7am - I was shocked to see how many people were still gambling from the night before. My tour started at 10am, so I had a couple of hours to kill. I quickly found out that besides gambling there is not much to do - there was no nice cafes, no parks outside, nowhere to sit and spend time not money!

Ialso broke my watch a week ago, and have managed to survive without it..but there are no clocks in the casinos, so I was constantly checking on the time with punters and the like.

I have attached a couple of photos. One is the group of people I met and spent a week with in Fiji. I have never travelled with such a nice bunch of people, it made Fiji the special place it was..
The second photo is a re-enactment of the rollarcoaster ride Angie and I went on... I informed Angie when we were strapped in, that I didn't really like heights or rollarcoasters, and apologies in advance if I screamed... During the course of the ride I was too scared and felt to sick to even scream....that worried her! Here is our re-enactment photo...

Ngaira

Las Vegas, USA

2006-04-26T18:50:00.000Z

Viva Las Vegas...

Hi guys,

I flew from Nadi, Fiji to Los Angeles and then onto Las Vegas last night. It felt really wierd because I spent the day in Fiji (shopping and lounging by the pool) then caught a flight at 10pm that night. I flew for 10 hours and landed the same day at 1.30pm - so I had ANZAC day twice...I need to think about doing this again when it is my birthday.....:-)

My friend Angie picked me up from the airport and we headed straight into the Strip (3miles of casinos) for a bite to eat. We went into two Casinos. One called New York New York and the other MGM. They were amazing, the MGM had two lions in a perspex showcase just sitting around (and this is in the middle of a casino). We had mexican for dinner, and then headed out to check out central park....Maybe I dont need to go to New York for real now (just joking!). Thats when Angie and I saw the rollarcoaster. So we both went on, I felt like I was going to die..literally! I am such a scardy cat - but it did a loop and we went upside down...I have not been on a rolarcoaster for many, many years...

Angie has a really nice place, and I even get my own room - I am staying here a week then heading to New York. Angie doesn't work wednedays so we are spending the day together today, and then I am heading out by myself for thursday and friday then we are going to the Grand Canyon for the weekend!

I am looking forward to some American wild West time... try and get in a cowgirl ride..

As I suspected my mobile is no longer working, but I have asy internet acccess, so drop me a line if you need

Lots of Love
Ngaira
xxx

Nadi, Fiji

2006-04-25T02:19:00.000Z

I have had an awesome week around Fiji - travelling with a company called Feejee Expreience. I have trekked through rainforests, been tubing down a swollen rivers rapids, met a village cheif and had kava! I spent a night on Beachcomber Island and went snorkelling and parasailing for the first time..what a blast!!

I am flying out this evening to LA, with a direct flight onto Las Vegas, where i am being me by a friend Angie. I am dubios as to whether I will have mobile reception - USA having a different system...but you never know!

Still no news about the job...no news is good news!

See you all soon

Ngaira

xx

Suva,Fiji

2006-04-20T21:59:00.000Z

Hi guys,

or BULA!!!

I am in Fiji. Have endured sun and rain. Went trekking through the rainforest yesterday and a bit of tubing down the river and two small sets of rapids!!!

Am having a great time. I have text message capacity on my mobile - so anything urgent, send me a text. Probably wont have this in the US - as they are on a different mobile setup.

Best run

Ngaira

Glenbrook, Australia

2006-04-17T11:26:00.000Z

Currently enjoying my last night in Australia. I have had a really busy couple of weeks, and have really enjoyed having a relaxing Easter weekend before I fly out tomorrow.

I finished up work at Calvary on Holy Thursday, had a tennis lesson, then dinner with the parents. I got up early on Good Friday for a breakfast to welcome back Nik Keeling (supposed to have flown back in from the Solomon Islands), however he was missing in transit somewhere between Honiara and Brisbane. We had a lovely breakfast without him, I then madly packed my stuff beore driving from Canberra to Sydney in the afternoon.

I am staying with Virginia's parents in the lower Blue Mountains. We had a great easter saturday with a long walk along the Nepean River and a spot of shopping in Penrith. We got up early on Easter Sunday and attended a dawn service overlooking the city of Sydney...spectacular. We had an easy day before heading into the city to watch the Brumbies vs Waratah's Super 14's game....sadly the brumbies lost...

Today we climbed the Harbour Bridge....amazing.

Okay - flying to Fiji in the morning then the states..will try and log in from there.

looking forward to heading back to the UK....
Sad to leave so many wonderful people here in Aus..
Exciting times ahead...
Ngaira

Canberra, Australia

2006-03-30T21:29:00.000Z

After almost 4 months in Canberra the time has come to get packed up and ready to go. I am enjoying my last two weeks in town before flying to Fiji on the 18th April. I will have a travel companion for a weeks break in Fiji (Shellie, an old friend of mine) before flying on to the US. I am landing in LA, and will hopefully catch up with my cousin Lisa and her husband Jimmy in San Diego. I will then fly to Las Vegas, where I will catch up with a friend Angie. We are hoping to get to the Grand Canyon for a weekend, which sounds soo exciting. I am then hoping to fly onto NY to catch up with Mike. I will then fly back to London, arriving some time in May.

I am applying for a position as an OT in Canberra, however I will not have heard how I went until halfway through my trip. So I may land in London ready to head back to work or ready to sort out my life and fly back to Australia. My plans are very much up to God's will and how well I interview!

So if you are in Australia, I am in canberra until Good Friday then in Sydney until the 18th April, climbing the Harbour Bridge on the 17th! Hopefully I will get to see you! If you are in the UK - i will see you guys in about 6 weeks, and really looking forward to it. If you are in the US - I will see you soon. If you are elsewhere in the world - maybe I will see you on my next trip!

Hope everyone is well.

Lots of Love
Ngaira

Canberra, Australia

2006-02-21T12:11:00.000Z

Well a month has gone past since my last entry, and I am still in Canberra. I have changed my flights and am now due to head back on the 19th April 2006. My plans have changed because I have got a job here, and all is going well. Frankly, the money is also helping!

I have not been up to too much. I headed to Sydney 2 weekends ago and caught up with a uni friend of mine, Margo. She is living in Brisbane and flew done for a friends wedding. We booked a hotel on Bondi Beach for the night, and had a great time.

I popped down to the south coast last weekend, for a friends 30th birthday. I had a swim in the sea, but it was a bit cold. African/Asian waters are soo much warmer.

I am flying to Melbourne this weekend, to attend my cousin Shane's 30th birthday. Shane is a plumber and has lived in the UK for many years, but has recently returned to Aus. Talking of plumbing, I had a call from Ed last week, and the downstairs toilet flooded during the night. Soooo unfortunately our carpets got soaked, but more importantly the flat downstairs had a shower of sorts! Fortunately Ed and Alex sorted it all out, and hopefully not too much damage has been done.

Important news though.....I am an aunt. My older sister Carolyn gave birth by C-section yesterday to a little boy William Anthony Petrini. He was 51cm long, and weighed 3.69kg (8.1 lb for you poms). I have attached a photo of the little man. Unfortunately they all live in Townsville which is two flights away - so I wont get to see them until they fly down here in April.

Best run, sleep to get.

Lots of Love

Ngaira

Canberra, Australia

2006-01-19T02:26:00.000Z

Just a quick update to let you know what I am up to. I am still in Canberra, back here after having some time off in Queensland over Christmas. I am housesitting at the moment, so have responsibility of a cat and a dog, plus watering the garden. As you will expect, this is a challenge.

I have settled into work, and am enjoying the challenges that I face. Calvary Hospital is a really lovely place to work. It is small enough to get to know people, however big enough to get lost in if recquired!

I have the day off work today, Yippee! I paid $120 for an opthamologist to tell me that I have a freckle on my optic nerve that has been there since birth, and it is nothing to worry about. I think the optometrist who sent me on this quest gets a cut of the profit!

I have tentatively rebooked my flights, so will leave Australia after easter, head to fiji for a week then onto LA for a week.

Patrick has moved out, he has a job that means he is based in west England, so now have an empty room in my flat in London. So if anyone knows a great person who wants a small but cheap room - let me know!

Best run, daytime TV is calling....(joke joyce).
Hope you are all well

Ngaira

Cairns, Australia

2005-12-31T06:58:00.000Z

Happy New Years!!!

I amin sunny Queensland with my sister Mercia, and am having a fabulous time. Our first day here we spent a day on the Great Barrier Reef. We got a sailing boat over to Green Island, and I snorkelled and Mercia did a scuba dive off the island. We then relaxed for the rest of the afternoon on the island before sailing abck to Cairns with complimentary white wine, cheese and biscuits!

We went to the Woolshed (dinner included with our hostel!) and had a slap up dinner before consuming too much beer with some lads from melbourne we had met earlier that day.

Much to my remorse, we were up early the next day (very bad hangover!) and spent the day on Uncle Brians Tour. We had a fabulius day in the rainforests walking around, swimming in water holes and volcanic craters etc. We met lots of amazing people from all over the world, and Mercia celebrated her birthday.

Today has been much slower with relaxing by the lagoon on the waterfront, reading my book and generally chilling out before tonight! Then heading to sydney tomorrow morning :-)

So wishing you all a merry New Year!

Ngaira

Townsville, Australia

2005-12-27T10:28:00.000Z

Merry Christmas!

I flew to Townsville on Xmas Eve to join my family for the festive season. We were treated to an amazing meal cooked outside in the Webber BBQ. Handy because it is sooo hot here, but also because my sisters oven blew up last week during an electrical storm.

We caught a ferry over to Magnetic Island on Boxing Day, and I managed to get some much needed sun and swimming in!

My sister, Mercia, and I are catching a train to Cairns tomorrow and will be celebrating New Years there. We have booked into a backpackers, so hopefully we will find lots of things to do and people to drink with.

Best run

Ngaira

Canberra, Australia

2005-12-16T11:43:00.000Z

Hi,

Well lots has changed since my last post. I arrived safely in Canberra just after a massive electrical storm. I spent my first week in town with my family and my Grandpa. After being around for less than a week I then was offered a casual job as an OT at Calvary Hospital. I started work this week on the 12th December, and am so far really enjoying it.

I have managed to catch up with lots of old mates, and even went to a Carols by Candlelight tonight on the lawns of the War Memorial.

My Grandpa passed away today, peacefully at the local hospice. I wanted to take this opportunity to thankyou all for your kind thoughts and support over the last couple of weeks. His funeral will be held in Canberra on Monday 19th December. I have had to change my Christmas plans, and will now be flying up to Townsville on Christmas eve. Apologies to those who I was going to visit on my way north.

I hope everyone is having a great leadup to Christmas, and enjoying the indulgence!
Merry Christmas!

Ngaira
xx