Thinkabouting.......

Hey everyone , been a while since if dropped a wee note on here. i had written a big long blog there but typically as with the shitty way this site is layed out i lost it all.. never worry.
So anyways..we're back , yup both me and marty are back in the land of the drink after a fantastic years travels. Suprised everyone at the airport with my return which was lots of fun.
went out tues nite to limelight...same as ever..good nite tho really enjoyed it. been great catching up with everyone and hopfully should be able to catch up with loads more on sat at the party
anyways i thought id post some of the pics you didnt see.. of me in asia..
chat soon or see u on sat
Steve

A Sign from Airport in Taiwan

Well Here i am in Tokyo Airport all set to head back to London. Had a great few days in Tokyo. Arrived in on Sunday evening to Narita airport and after a while looking for my hostel including being brought to the wrong one by some random girl! Went out and met Cat, Dougie's friend Andy's Sister (if that makes sense!) Anyway met up with her and Susumu (hope i spelt that correctly) Went to a japanese bar and had some beer, food and then moved onto the Sake. Tastes like water but boy does it give u a hangover!
So on the train on the way home i missed my stop for the train transfer so i had to wait on another train, this gave me the opportunity to see a rich japanese businessman collapsed drunk on the floor and out for the count! With his louis vuitton belt and tie, he certainly wasn't short of a few yen. No one on the Train seemed to mind him, in any other part of the world he would have mugged and stripped of everything! Eventually made it to my stop only to find that i had missed the last train. Therefore ended up getting a taxi! Trying to tell a japanese taximan where u want to at 1am ain't no easy thing, especially as he speaks no english and myself no japanese! But through the wonder of pointing and i think probably the fact that i was drunk i ended up safe and well back in the hostel.

On Monday went to a local temple and walked around markets for hours, then on Tuesday went to the Imperial gardens were the Emperor lives, couldn't get in to see the palace but did get to see the changing of the guard which was pretty cool. Then went to the Museum of Art and then on to the Tokyo Tower. A good day all in all apart from the fact that i got absolutely drenched and was soaking all day, meaning i know have a nasty cough! Just what i need for coming home.

Yesterday i met up with Cat and Susumu again and we went for a drive to a big Buddha in the outskirts of Tokyo. A huge giant bronze buddha from the 13th Century, you could even get inside it! Then went had some more traditional japanese food and said goodbye to cat and susumu after doing some shopping around the 100 yen shop! (Badge u should have seen it, 5 Stories of a dollar store! Can it get any better!)

So arrived in airport this morning and i've been told that that the flight is going to be delayed by 2 hours! Yey!

SO hope to see everyone soon
Take care
Marty

Cat and Susumu in Japanese Bar

Me and my mate Rod

The Changing of the guard at the Imperial Palace

Now u may think your hungry and can eat the beard of jesus or maybe even starving enough to have the sandals of moses, but do you think your hungry enough for these babies straight from the feet of buddha?

Hey everyone,
Well sorry for not being in contact for the last few days, it seems my lack of contact with the outside world has led some people to believe i was held up with the Coup in Thailand, but glad to say i made it safe and sound out of the country!
Arrived back in Thailand from Vietnam on Tuesday afternoon, after nearly not getting on the plane at Hanoi. My bag weighs 22kg so when i checked it in at bangkok there was no problem. When i came to Hanoi airport on Tuesday they told me the bag allowance was 15kg! So cue an episode from that Airport programme with me ranting and raving about how the airline was exploiting travellers! After lots of shouting and arguing i finally persuaded them that it was ok to just put more stuff in my hand luggage, not really any different to the total overall weight but kept them happy so i went along with it!

Went to a nice hotel near the airport and chilled for most of the evening, well that was until CNN breaking news came on with the latest rumours of a coup in bangkok, as the hours went on there was talk of the military and tanks on the streets, as i looked outside my hotel balcony i couldn't see a thing! As with 24 Hr news channels everything kept getting worse, and then when all the Tv channels went completely off air to be replaced by pictures of the Thai Royal Family along with sad music i thought i was in real trouble! Couldn't really stay awake much longer so dozed off about 2am with tanks apparently on the street around the city. Awoke early the next morning not knowing what to expect, esp with the main english speaking newspaper just having the words 'Coup' on the front! but need not have worried as i made it to the airport and flew out fine on wednesday morning.
Arrived in Hong Kong and didn't do much on Wednesday,saved most of my sightseeing for thursday when i went around the city and up to the Peak where you can see over the whole city.
Had a bit of a dodgy stomach as well, so this combined with a lack of funds has meant that anything which doesn't involve walking or public transport has been out and been spending a lot of time chilling in the hostel
Tokyo tomorro which should be good, and then fly out to London on Thursday

Hope everyones keeping alrite, love the pics steve, didn't realise i was quite soo drunk though!!!

hi everyone. tis steve here.. how can i match up to martys postings??? looks like hes having an excelent time..

im just working away.. move into our house in sydney on 24th wchih is sun i so thatll be fun gettin settled in..hate sleepin out of a hostel and having to work.
just posting a few pics this time. not much to write home about right now..

Hoep you are all good and Hope u got out of the Coup in Thailand marty.. seems a bit crazy over there, anyways keep safe and i speak soon

MArtys goin away night in Coogee bay hotel

Family Meal

Picnic at Milsons Point NOrth Sydney last weekend

take care

STevo

Hey all,
Arrived in Vietnam last Friday night after yet another delayed flight, Woke up on Saturday morning to take a walk around the city. I'm based in the Old Quarter, very old part of down based on 36 Streets. Each street has a name signifying what trade is on it. I'm staying on Bat Su Street which means China Bowls. Although this street doesn't sell china bowls anymore there are plenty of streets for tailors, ironmongers etc. Went to Visit the Ho Chi Minh mauseleum on sat, after waiting for what seemed like ages i made my through into the chamber where he lies in State. Very spooky and eerie feeling. Shoved along by the guards which i didn't like but not much i could do!
Then went to the Army museum where they have various equipment left over and brough up from the Fall of Saigon in April 1974. Got to go into a huey, very small. I've no idea how the pilots fitted in their seats!

On Sunday i booked a trip to Halong Bay, a world heritage listed site which is simply breathtaking. I think one of the James Bond movies has been shot out in the bay too. We sailed around for a few hours and then had some lunch followed by a trip into some caves which were amazing too.

Today i just wandered about the city, went to the 'Hanoi Hilton,' the Prison where American POWs like John McCain were held during the war.
Now i'm heading to see a water puppet show put on at a local theatre which is supposed to be really good, only paid $1.50 so can't complain if its not!
Head back to Bangkok tomoro and then head out to Hong Kong on Wednesday morning.Looking forward to it.

Hope everyone is keeping well
Marty

Well Folks, Marty here reporting from Bangkok. Finally made it late tuesday morning after a marathon journey from Sydney. Arrived in Sydney last Thursday from Brisbane, Very sad to leave Jacqui but it won't be long until i see her again

Went To our Cousin Paula's house and stayed with her. Steve and Sinead had been living with her for last few weeks. Had an amazing weekend getting to know her and her husband Graeme, and can't thank them enough for what they did for us. Their kids; Jack, Joe and Finn are amazing and hope we can see them all again soon.

Left Sydney on Monday afternoon, arrived at airport only to find that i wasn't booked on flight, after lots of confusion and worrying they finally put me on! Then when i had been checked in, my name was called over the PA system! Ran to check in desk only to be told it was another Fisher! Made my way onto plane and all set for take-off when we informed that there was a problem with the engine, taxied back to terminal where 1 hour later we were told there was a problem with the fuel valve! At this point really started worrying! They changed the fuel valve and carried out a test run on it only to find out the new valve was leaking more fuel than the last one! Another one was replaced and after 4 hours of sitting on the runway the plane finally made it into the air! All this and on 9/11 too! Nothing like doing things in halves!

Was meant to arrive into Bangkok at 11pm but the delay meant i arrived in at 3am and by time i made my way through customs and taxi to hostel it was 3.30am. Arrived at hostel to find it closed! At this point with hardly any sleep, on my own and in bangkok began to really worry! Nothing else to do but sit outside the hostel until 7am and someone finally woke up and let me in!

Went to bed for a few hours kip and got up at 12 and then took a guided tour around in a tuk tuk, a rickshaw type motorbike thing! Very dangerous but good fun! Made my way round some temples and buddhist temples!
Today i went to the Bridge over the River Kwai, where the famous Burma-Thai Railway was built, walked over one of the bridges built by the allies, we also took a train ride over another one of the bridges. Quite an amazing site. Then went to local village on the Burma border and went for a trek on back of elephant through the jungle! Have to say it was one of the highlights of the trip so far. Then went up raft up river throught jungle.

So absolutely exhausted after the last few days, can't wait for the next two weeks though, Hanoi on Friday so that should be fantastic.

Stayed Tuned for more updates,
Hope you enjoy the pics, take care

Marty

Blue Peter Morning with Steve & Sinead with Jack and Joe

For my last few days in Brisbane myself and Jacqui decided to rent a car and set off on a little road trip up and down the coasts of Queensland and New South Wales. Collected the little Hyundai Getz on monday morning and travelled down to Byron Bay, an amazing little town which is famous for its music and laid back approach of it residents. Felt like i was in the Carribean again. Stayed there for the night and next morning travelled up the Coast to our next destination of Noosa. On the way we stopped off at Surfers Paradise and took a few pics on the beach but wasn't all that impressed with it. Lots of big ugly buildings making it look like one of those resorts in Costa del Sol or Ibiza. From here we made our way up to Noosa. A picturesque little town favoured by Australia's more affluent people. In fact steve informs me that Richard Branson stayed in the town a few weeks back. This time we didn't spot anyone famous but enjoyed our time on the beach and walking through the park and jungle.

Today we woke up and went further on up the coast towards Rainbow Beach (so called because of the colour of the sand) and Frazer Island. Quite an amazing place up around there and some of the most amazing scenery i've seen. On the way back we stopped at an old mining town called Gympie, where i was alarmed at the amount of discount 50p type shops in the town!

I forgot to add that while we were away Steve Irwin died up the coast in Port Douglas. We had been to his zoo last week and have to say that we had an amazing time there and everyone i've spoken to hasn't had a bad experience there so OZ is in a bit of a shock at the mo; not quite 'Diana' Standard but getting there. I think there is a pic of me below which Jacqui took the minute i heard!

Every Conversation i've had this week regarding him, even with strangers in the street or shops has gone something like this

-Bit crazy about what happened to Steve Irwin wasn't it
- Yeah wasn't expecting that at all
- No, was definately expecting a croc to get him
-Yeah definately a croc or shark

So head back to Sydney tomorrow for what is the beginning of the end of my trip away. Can't believe its gone so fast, going to be very sad to leave Oz but looking forward to travelling around asia and then seeing everyone again.

Enjoy the Pics
Take care
Marty

A whale just off Cape Byron

The moment i heard dear old steve had gone to the great Crocoseum in the sky

The car we rented out

We went to 'Riverfire' last Saturday night, a giant fireworks display on the banks of the river and on the main buildings in the city
The highlight of the evening though had to be two F111 fighter jets doing their dump and burn routine in which they dumped their fuel into the afterburner bit and lit up the sky Truely amazing and one of most spectacular sights i've witnessed.

helo
am back in the swing of work in sydney again,, borrrring.. working for Caltex. Chevron/Texaco Merger. very exciting work (sarcastic? me? Never.) its alright actually , am setting up customers for their online site. $18 an hour who can complain. Been living with My cousin Paula and Her Husban Graham. Theyre great. been so nice to us. Thank you very much for putting up with us .  Dont know what the plans are right now. we're waiting for emily and niall to get back from their adventures to the centre of Oz. thats next sat so we'll be hopfully gettin somewhere in bondi again soon after that.

 
An old guy in work gave me a lil (i kno ur a temp and u kno the craic) wink which i thought was weird to start with but then i just thought it was funny.
They talk about oil and petrol and lube all day (naturally , they work for caltex) but theyre so enthusiastic about it. its crazy.
 
Crrrrazy office anecdote , BP promo poster featuring a new BP station or building being built  , and theres a drum of Castrol on the site !!!
 i mean .how funny is that..!!.. its just is so much fun round here.
 
you can get up off the ground now if u fell off your seat laughing at that one
 
one guy here just started declaring that hes never seen a good movie about a chemist
Cant say i have either really. The nutty professor was kind of a chemist.
 
anyways
 
 more later.
 
stevo
 
 
 

Yesterday myself and Jacqui headed off to Australia Zoo about an hours train journey outside Brisbane. For those of you who don't know this is the Steve Irwin Zoo. Its where he grew up and where he now has a huge zoo with all sorts of animals mostly native to Australia. Had a fantastic day and although Steve wasn't there to personally greet us, as he was up saving crocs in the Northern Territory we did get our pic taken beside a giant cut out of him!
Heres some pics from the day, Enjoy
Marty

One drop of Venom from this little fella can kill 100 men!

I've no idea who this guy is but he looks as if hes wrestled a few crocs in his time and for that he deserves to be on here!

Theres 3 Koalas in this pic, the mother and two babies!

Hey Everyone
Hope your all keeping well. Steve has now returned to Sydney since his latest escapades up the coast with sinead, em and niall. So as hes staying until november he has to get a job to pay for his ticket home.
I, on the otherhand begin my journey home in just over two weeks time. Hard to believe not least by myself!

Anyways my itinary in asia is as follows

Bangkok-4 days
Hanoi- 4 days
Hong kong- 4 days
Tokyo - 4 days
London - 2 days

and then back to good ol Beal Firste, my birthday the week after i get back so trying to organise a shindig in catherines to which is everyone is cordially invited!
Anyway here are some pics from the boat on Brisbane River. We also went to the Ballet last week to see Swan Lake. Yeah i know what your all thinking, You did what! But it was really quite impressive the way the whole show was put on. Encore!
Take care
Marty