Trip of a Lifetime

[RAB]

Hey All:

In 24 hours  we'll be boarding a plane to begin our "trip of a lifetime".

(Yep we decided to go despite Damn Fool's job loss.)

First we fly to Hong Kong for 8 days.

(Hoping to meet up with K. while we're there.)

Then we fly to Sydney for 12 hours.

(Little Steve's meeting us at the airport.  God love him.)

Then we fly to New Zealand for 8 days.

(There's a certain certain someone who I'm sort of fond of that lives there.   )

Then we fly back to Sydney for 8 days.

Then we fly back to Hong Kong for 1 night.

Then we come home.

A total of 26 days, 10 flights, more time and day changes then I can figure out, but certainly memories that will be with us the rest of our lives.  The timing is awful but screw it.  We're going anyway.

RAB   

[David_CA]

Sounds like fun!  Give that farmer gal in NZ a hug for us!  I trust you'll post some pics somewhere.  Take care.

[emeraldize]

EXCELLENT!!! Have a blast!

[WillyWump]

AWESOME RAB! This definately is a "trip of a lifetime", so glad your going! Give the NZ Sheep lady a hug for me!

Wishing you the best time!

-Will

[bocker3]

RAB --

Have a fantastic time.  I'm not sure that all these places have any idea on what's about to hit them!!

When you get to NZ -- give Jan a big hug for me too.

And JAN --  Please be sure to have the basement all prepared for you guest.

Enjoy!!!!


hugs,
Mike

[Snowangel]

Have a nice trip!

Snow

[RAB]

Thanks everyone!

I've just finished packing (you know, the darn steamer trunks these days  just don't hold what they used to!   )

You can bet I'll hug the goat herder for all of you.  

I gotta admit I'm getting a little excited.  

RAB  

P.S.

Bocker:

She doesn't have a basement.  The last word I heard was that Damn Fool would be sleeping in the house.

 Me?  

Apparently Kooni and I are going to become very good friends!

RAB --

And JAN --  Please be sure to have the basement all prepared for you guest.

Enjoy!!!!


hugs,
Mike

[fearless]

Jan may not have a basement, Rocky, but who says you will even make it to NZ!!!

[anniebc]

Jan may not have a basement, Rocky, but who says you will even make it to NZ!!!

Oh he will make it alright...if he doesn't I know who to go looking for... .

Mike...no basement as such but we do have a crawl space under the house, I've just finished putting a bed and a couple of blankerts in there...oh, and a torch.

I had a word with kooni and she doesn't want to share her apartment with anyone... .

I'm looking forward to RAb and DF getting here...I just hope the weather holds out, we have been known to have 4 seasons in one day.

Hugs
Jan

[Andy Velez]

Rab, the reason why I wasn't invited I guess is  separate issue and so I won't hijack this thread to address that at this time.

Go ahead and have a great fun and safe time. We'll deal with the other issue when you return. (LOL)

Big cheers!

[aztecan]

OK Mister!

I want photos! LOTS of em! Especially of our Dame Jan and Steve.

If you show me yours (again), I'll show you mine from the Mexican Riviera.

HUGS,

Mark
 
Who hopes dear RAB and DF have a fab time!

[decayingsinner]

I am beyond jealous! Photos! Photos! Photos!

[Jody]

Have a great trip Rab and Df...And big hugs to Jan and family (2 legs and 4) when you get there and a hug for Steve as well !!!

Enjoy !!!

Jody 

[AlanBama]

Hope you have a fantastic trip honey!   Enjoy it to the fullest.   Hug everyone an extra time for me, and give one to yourself too....

Love,

Alan

[GSOgymrat]

What a fantastic trip! My partner says Hong Kong is amazing and one of his favorite cities. Have fun!

[RAB]

What a fantastic trip! My partner says Hong Kong is amazing and one of his favorite cities. Have fun!

Your partner is absolutely correct GSO, it's an amazing city.

RAB 

[anniebc]

Well we farmers down here in the country can't compete with Hong Kong or Sydney for bright lights and gourmet restaurants..but I can put a couple of fairy lights in the tress and stick some tinsel on kooni if you like...and I have been known to make a wicked Vegemite sandwhich... .

Hugs
Jan

[bocker3]

Well we farmers down here in the country can't compete with Hong Kong or Sydney for bright lights and gourmet restaurants..but I can put a couple of fairy lights in the tress and stick some tinsel on kooni if you like...and I have been known to make a wicked Vegemite sandwhich... .

Just remember this RAB -- while all Jan says may be true about what farmers can and can not do -- they do not like to walk too far (and they have trouble measuring distances, I hear) -- trust me on this point.   

However, you can score points and maybe even get to spend one night in the house, if you can magically make a taxi appear in front of her.

Hugs,
Mike
(who REALLY hopes that you are bringing your Scavenger Hunt trophy to torture her with....)   

[bear60]

Congratulations!

[fearless]

So, is it Friday or Saturday night that i am picking you up from the airport? i'm all confused 

[RAB]

So, is it Friday or Saturday night that i am picking you up from the airport? i'm all confused 

(RAB's heart stops.)

Um er it's still Saturday if that's works for you. 

(Suspect my chains being yanked--LS is in so much trouble!   )

Jan:

If you can put tinsel on Kooni and keep it there--well then you're just as amazing as I assumed you were. 

(BTW--Gourmet restaurants?  Since when did McDonalds count as gourmet?)

However, you can score points and maybe even get to spend one night in the house, if you can magically make a taxi appear in front of her.

Hugs,
Mike
(who REALLY hopes that you are bringing your Scavenger Hunt trophy to torture her with....)   

Mike:

I don't think they have taxis where she lives.  I think it's more like donkeys and stuff.  As far as the scavenger hunt trophy?  Sadly, it was stolen!  I don't have it.  (See other thread regarding Jody and Aztecan!)

Everyone:

Yesterday we left Hong Kong and went to Tung Chang.  We then road the cable car to Ngong Ping (sp?), the site of the giant buddah.  (It truly is a giant buddah.  )

Climbing those stairs reminded me of that darn pyramid in MC.   

On the way  back I nearly got arrested.  Seriously

DF went across the street from the MTR to take a picture and I was smoking a cig on the sidewalk.  When I was done I foolishly stomped in out and threw it into the street.   

As I was crossing the street to join DF, I heard this:

"Excuse me sir!"

I turned to see what was going on.

You can imagine my horror when two uniformed police officers approached me and demanded to see my Hong Kong I.D.

"Um I don't have any."

"Then show us your passport."

"It's back at my hotel."

"Do you know why we've stopped you."

(Urine runs down pants.)

"No sir I don't."

"Do you have any identification on you?"

I pulled out my drivers license.

They examine it.

"What is this?"

"It's my driver's license."

"You threw your cigarette butt onto the public area.  That carries a fine of $1500.00 HKD."

"Oh god I'm so sorry, I had no idea."

"Do you have any other identification?"

"No"

(they consult among themselves)

"Go back and pick it up!"

Which I promptly did--obviously.

We returned to HK late in the afternoon.

It was such a wonderful day despite wetting myself.

I need to go take a nap now I also need to quit smoking.

RAB   

[fearless]

Phew, lucky I checked. Saturday is then  I told you I'm disorganised, but everything will be fine on the day. I'll manage to pick you up and have you back at the airport in time for the next morning's flight - trust me, when i say there is no way you will sleep in past 6 at my place - I'm about 2 mile north of the airport directly under runway 3.

I should warn you though - I stopped smoking over three months ago. The penalty for putting your cigarette out on my carpet or throwing the butt in the yard will be severe.  I'll set my two ferocious attack cats on to you.

[minismom]

RAB, sounds like you're having a great time!  I had to laugh about you almost getting arrested.  Just remember to keep your passport in your hotel - NEVER give it to anyone.  I learned that lesson the hard way (why, you ask?  I'll never tell  )

Mum - who is as pure as the driven snow (but who's driving? )

[AndyArrow]

I'm sorry I missed this thread earlier.

It sounds like you are having a great time (you're not supposed to leave your passport in your hotel, it's supposed to be on you silly) and I hope it just gets better and better. (note to self:  RAB is into w/s & men in uniform)  

Have a great time!!!     (I'm very jealous!!!!)  

hugs!  
AA

(edited: because I'm a bad proof reader) 

[dixieman]

I travel alot ... I always have copies of my passport and information with the closest embassy when I''m in another country... I shocked you were not taken in for littering... your very lucky the police let you pick up your cigaret butt... I myself would have given you a fine and taken you to jail... Have a safe trip.

[RAB]

I should warn you though - I stopped smoking over three months ago. The penalty for putting your cigarette out on my carpet or throwing the butt in the yard will be severe.   I'll set my two ferocious attack cats on to you.

Don't worry LS  I'm trypically a polite smoker.  I don't even smoke in my own home, so I won't be in danger of those "attack cats"  MEOW!

your very lucky the police let you pick up your cigaret butt... I myself would have given you a fine and taken you to jail... Have a safe trip.

Yikes!     (Would handcuffs be involved?   )

Everyone, we spent the better part of yesterday on the Kowloon side looking for a gift for DF's mom.  (Whatever mama wants--mama gets.)  We finally found what she had asked for.   

Then we visited a couple of nearby temples.

Today we're off to Ocean Park.

RAB  

Edited to stop the dang jumping cursor thing.   

[Basquo]

Holy cow!! about you almost getting busted for ditching your ciggie butt! Oh my I think I would have pissed myself too.

I must tell you, though, when you get to NZ PLEASE give a good smooch, hug or even a scratch on the nose to my baby Cora, the sweetest sheep in all NZ.

[komnaes]

Hey RAD, sorry I couldn't get a hold of you guys .. if you read my last post on "diarrhea" you'd know what's been happening to me since I returned home last Friday and sorry that you did catch me in a bad time. I had to take yesterday off too and just returned to work this morning.. and later in the afternoon I need to help in an event for World's AIDS Day so hopefully we can still catch up before you leave Hong Kong.

Shaun

[aztecan]

On the way  back I nearly got arrested.  Seriously
...

I also need to quit smoking.

OK, let's take these in order, shall we?

First, you should be used to almost getting thrown in the clink after that Montreal episode!

Second, yes, you do.

HUGS,

Mark
(Who only said the bit about smoking because he wants RAB to be around for a long time because he gives me hope I can survive to be his age someday.)

[RAB]

OK, let's take these in order, shall we?

First, you should be used to almost getting thrown in the clink after that Montreal episode!

Second, yes, you do.

HUGS,

Mark
(Who only said the bit about smoking because he wants RAB to be around for a long time because he gives me hope I can survive to be his age someday.)

Harumph!

Mark you know darn well that the only trouble that happened in Montreal was caused by you and Jan.

Not me!   

Everyone:

Yesterday we went to the Chinese Cultural Center, HK museum of art, walk of the stars, and somewhere else I can't recall right now.  (All of these are on the Kow Loon side.)

We had lunch with Komnaes.  And just let me tell you the man is witty, smart, and such a pleasure to be around.  I'm glad we finally got to meet up with him.  (We're going to try and get together again on Friday evening for drinks and dinner.)

Today DF is taking a day trip over to the mainland.  (Hope they let him back out!    Sorta!).

I'm not sure what I'm going to do.  I think I'll just get on one of the subway lines and see where it takes me.  I love walking the neighborhoods, people watching, and strolling through the shops.  (There isn't a square foot  inch of this city that they haven't made use of for some business or other.)

More soon.

RAB   

[fearless]

Sounds like you are really enjoying Honkers. Glad you met up with Komnaes and found him witty and charming.

Oooh, I'm getting excited.

I'll spend all day Saturday cleaning the house and baking a cake - just in case you are hungry on arrival.

Also, my neighbour across the road is having Chirstmas drinks on Saturday night and has kindly invited the three of us over, depending on how you feel after your 10 hour flight. I'm guessing you may be buzzing with excitement and want to stretch your legs, but i'm aware you/we have a fairly early start the next day.

[Jody]

It sounds like you are having a blast Rab and it is just the start of your thrilling vacation.  Good to see you are well, it is nice that you met komnaes and will soon see Jan and Steve.  It's a bit like one of your own mini AMG's where by virtue of the sheer fate surrounding being a member of this web site you are connecting wiith great folks throughout the world there's a good chance you never would have known otherwise.  Fate can bring great treats.

Enjoy every minute Rab and our friends in the Pacific.

Jody    
  

[komnaes]

We had lunch with Komnaes.  And just let me tell you the man is witty, smart, and such a pleasure to be around...

What? Not "dashing and handsome"? Just witty and smart?

Guess I will always be Miss Congeniality... sigh...

[Dale Parker]

Hey Rab I lived in Kalgoorlie Western Australia for a year. It was amazing. On my way back to Canada I drove around southern Western Australia and traveled to most of the big cities. Sydney was nice and actually has an all gay McDonald's in Kings Cross. I saw my first submarine in Sydney Harbor. If you can manage it try to get to Western Australia. It's not as busy as the east but the scenery is just amazing.

[RAB]

Hey Little Steve

You don't have to clean for us.  Seriously!  About the drinks @ your neighbors--well I'm always up for a little libation.     If we get tired we'll simply go back across the street and go to bed. 

It sounds like you are having a blast Rab and it is just the start of your thrilling vacation.  Good to see you are well, it is nice that you met komnaes and will soon see Jan and Steve.  It's a bit like one of your own mini AMG's where by virtue of the sheer fate surrounding being a member of this web site you are connecting with great folks throughout the world there's a good chance you never would have known otherwise.  Fate can bring great treats.

Enjoy every minute Rab and our friends in the Pacific.

Jody     
 

Jody:

You're right--we are having a great time.  And it is sort of like a travelling mini AMG.  When I first joined these forums in 2003--I certainly didn't expect for that to happen.

What? Not "dashing and handsome"? Just witty and smart?

Guess I will always be Miss Congeniality... sigh...

Komnaes:

I had planned to keep that little tid bit to myself.  Now you've really done it mister!   

Hey Rab I lived in Kalgoorlie Western Australia for a year. It was amazing. On my way back to Canada I drove around southern Western Australia and traveled to most of the big cities. Sydney was nice and actually has an all gay McDonald's in Kings Cross. I saw my first submarine in Sydney Harbor. If you can manage it try to get to Western Australia. It's not as busy as the east but the scenery is just amazing.

Dale:

Thanks for the suggestion buddy.  I doubt we'll be able to get to Western Australia though.  And you say they have an "all gay McDonald's?"--now there's something I never thought I'd see.

Everyone:

Tomorrow at this time we'll have said goodbye to Hong Kong and will be winging our way to Sydney.

I got hundreds of photos, some of which I plan on posting here  (if I tried to post them all I think Tim Horn would ban me for taking up so much bandwidth [or whatever I'd be doing])   , but it will have to wait until we get to Jan's.  The internet service here in the hotel is sorta hit and miss and downloading photos seems to be the worst.  Also we only have DF's computer and I don't know how to change the size so that the forums will accept them.   

RAB   

[anniebc]

I have it on good authority that the lads are at the airport in Sydney just waiting to board the plane for NZ..would you believe the last 3 days have been beautiful with temps at 23 C...this morning it's raining and will be for the next 3 days...bloody NZ weather.

If we waited for the sun everyday we would never leave the house or go anywhere..the reason we have so much greenery is because we have so much bloody rain...

I'm sure they will still love the beautiful country side NZ has to offer....but you know what these city boys are like...sometimes there's no pleasing them..

Hugs
Jan
(who is looking forward to seeing the lads again)

[fearless]

Despite a few (OK, many) blonde moment by yours truly I managed to not only pick them up from the airport but deliver them safely back there the next morning.

I have it on good authority they are having a merry ol' time down in Gore.

Enjoy Jan's hospitality boys. See you in a week or so - what day do you arrive again. lol 

[Cliff]

I'm glad they are having the time of their lives!

[anniebc]

Well after a few Manhattens....and a few Bailey's ,we have managed to sort out the problems of the world, not to mention the cell phone, computer and the camera.

Tomorrow is another day and will probably start off with a hangover...

Hiugs
Jan

[RAB]

Well after a few Manhattens....and a few Bailey's ,we have managed to sort out the problems of the world, not to mention the cell phone, computer and the camera.

Tomorrow is another day and will probably start off with a hangover...

Hiugs
Jan

Just for the record.  It's 7:00 a.m. here.  I've had my coffee, played fetch with the dogs, read my email, and everyone else is still sound asleep.  Sheesh.

Oh and I don't have a hangover.

But the land of Jan is everything I imagined and 100 times more.  My god!   

RAB   

P.S.  Hugs were delivered as ordered.

[RAB]

Despite a few (OK, many) blonde moment by yours truly I managed to not only pick them up from the airport but deliver them safely back there the next morning.

Little Steve:

A "few blonde moments?"

Good lord man obviously you don't understand us "Yanks".  Our daily lives are defined as "blonde moments"  (though we don't put the "e" on the end).

You mister were so generous and giving we can't even express our appreciation.

We only hope to make a small gesture in return when we revisit Sydney.

Love ya buddy.

RAB

[RAB]

Hello:

Sadly, today we leave New Zealand.   

This past week has been one hell of a good time.

We've seen sights that were breathtaking (photos to follow later), we've met all the famous (infamous?)
 animals  (two posts with pics of Kooni to follow), and we've had a truly memorable experience.  (Alpaca haircut day photos posted in a separate post.)

Jan's home is wonderful.  (see below)

Her yard isn't just garden like it's a friggin park.  (photos below will be followed by even more and better ones).

We've been to Milford Sound (more than 1000 waterfalls--pics later), LakeTe Anau (gorgeous lake and city), experienced some really awful Karaoke  , Queenstown  , and travelled through wine country, orchards, forests, beaches, mountain tops, and deep valleys.  (New Zealands charm and beauty changes with every twist in the road.) 

While I'm feeling somewhat melancholy about leaving, Damn Fool and I have loved every minute of our time here.

The only things more awesome than New Zealand itself, would be Jan and Jim.

RAB     and 

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[RAB]

Kooni, well what can I say.

The poor dear is even larger and more ugly in pigson (person) than she is in previous photos.

Lord.   

[attachment deleted by admin]

[RAB]

One of the funniest moments was the day Kooni broke into the house. 

She has gotten so large that her time of being in the house has probably past.

But once in she refused to leave.  Seriously.

I laughed so hard at Jan trying to get her back out I nearly wet myself.

RAB

[attachment deleted by admin]

[RAB]

Tuesday was Alpaca haircut day.  It was pissing rain, but we were all under cover.

Alpacas are funny creatures, they look cute, adorable, and cudly, but in reality are pretty skittish and can be somewhat rude.

Watching them getting sheered was amazing.

The photos below are before pics.

The next post will be after pics.

Can you believe the difference?   

RAB

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[RAB]

As mentioned above these 3 are the "after" photos.

Who would have known they were such tiny little things under all that beautiful coat?

RAB

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Cliff]

Love the photos.  Kuni is massive!

[WillyWump]

It looks like the black Alpaca was so embarrased after the shaving that he put on a bad hairpiece!! and the pig!! oh my!!!

GREAT PICS! Love them! Especially seeing Jan in her "natural habitat"!

-Will

[pozniceguy]

Fantastic  report and the pig is huge.   love the alpacas both before and after.  I can see why you hate to leave.    such great folks such a beautiful place...,,

keepsending reports.....

Nick

[GSOgymrat]

What terrific pictures! I loves the alpacas.