The rest of Bali, Melbourne and Lewis

Coming up....Bali disappoints, Ryan breaks a board, swedish girls get paid to talk to us, Meilbourne is amazing, Lewis Hamilton.

Well that's just about everything for the past 2 weeks so...



The End





Kind of like a movie trailer, we tell you all the good bits so you have the general idea and don't need to waste time or money reading the rest of it. However like all great Spielbergs, or Peter Jacksons now that we are in hobbit land, we endevour to go beyond the main headlines of each journey and indulge your senses on the rest of our exploits over the past two weeks.



Can't believe it was 2 weeks ago we did the last blog, it's such a chore but that's how much we love you.............



Anyways onwards, I say, onwards!!!!



We left you on the cliff hanger that was Bali's Nyepi festival. Bloody cock fights, crazy music, huge parade floats, drinks with our friend Arvi from the plane and then nothing for a whole day.....partaaayyyyyy. To celebrate the end of this party....we took to our 125cc beasts and sped round the island looking for believe it or not, the tallest statue in the world! Like all great Asian countries, the Balinese locals seemed to have never encountered a map before so finding the worlds largest statue was no easy task even on an island as small as Bali. After ignoring locals who pointed on the map for us to drive our scooters over the South China Sea, we found Ulu Watu temple, on top of some dover like, white cliffs. Disappointing after coming from the temples and culture of Bangkok but the thieving monkeys were amusing. A short drive down the hill and with a few near crashes thrown in for good luck, we came to Bali's Park of Culture or something like that. Another let down, there was no statue to be seen anywhere and no-one seemed to have heard of it. Lies I tell you lies! For the next few days, so as to be disappointed no more my Bali, we did little else but surf, stay on the beach and the occasional bit of shopping. Souvenir hunting tack bought, we tested our new weapons on eachother for some amusement. For the hunted it was not so amusing! Also not amusing was Ryan wrecking 2 boards. The first was a broken nose as big waves landing on solid beach are not beginner waves. The second was because he dived off the board because some fool didn't see him and went right over the top leaving 2 nice 3 inch gashes in the side of the board. Better the board than Ryan.....hope you all agree! As for the swedes. While listening so some live music in a local bar, two pretty girls were introduced to us and of course, like all other travellers they came from Sweden. All good until Ryan found out that they were working. Actually working while at the bar and yet they weren't doing much. Turns out they were being paid to get travellers into the bar as promo girls and if they weren't being paid probably wouldn't have looked twice at us. A tear jerking story we think you'll agree....infact can you hear those tiny little violins?


Finally out of Bali we arrived in Ramsey Street, Melbourne. Well not quite, infact not at all as the next week was just so busy, it was impossible for us to meet our award winning actors and heroes. I know, what scandal coming all this way and not meeting Toadie, Harold or even better Elle. It just means we'll have to come back another time. What a shame!!! Pint on Punt was our home for the week and our first taste of dorm accomodation. The couple sleeping below Ryan made sure we got little sleep and the mess made the Kaosan Road in Bangkok look orderly and organised. Not to worry though as we spent the first 4 days perched under umbrellas in Albert Park, on Turn 9. This just happened to be where most of the cars competing in the Australian ING Formula 1 Grand Prix, spun off or crashed into the gravel trap. However, we were not under umbrellas for the reason those of you at still at home are using them. We were hiding from the blistering 40 degree heat and the deadly amount of sweat inducing sun! Seriously too much of a good thing can be bad. Anyway 4 days and hours of racing over, the Grand Prix was finished with King Lewi taking the honours on the top step of the podium and devastatingly neither Ferarri even finished, we took to the track! Walking all the way to the pit lane with tens of thousands of other petrol heads was pretty cool but that was just the beginning. The sneaky fox that he is, Ryan nipped in behind the security guard while he wasn't looking,into a no entry area. Camera at the ready he snapped for all he's worth delving deeper into lorries and stacks of tyres. It wasn't until he saw the rear of the Renault garage that he finally realised he had managed to sneak his way into the F1 paddock where not even the Grandstand or corporate ticket holders are allowed to go. And he did this semi naked! In an endeavour to make himself more respectable it was back on with the sweat laden t-shirt and time to put down his F1 memorabilia of a F sign that marked the Fire hydrants! Sauntering down the paddock he came across Ferarri technical bosses in the middle of their debrief. Quick photo there. Next was the McLaren and Ferarri garages. Another quick snap. Then Parc Ferme. Tight security as the cars were under scrutiny and much security but definitely worth another photo. Then there was a mass of cameras and media swarming round a few blokes. Lets go and check this out. Turned out to be none other than the podium winners. This lead to Ryan developing RSI in his index finger from all his picture taking. He then managed to sneak his way up past the more security, camera men and interviewers to badger old Lewi for an autograph, and of course the gentleman that he is, wouldn't let a fan down even f they were wearing a red Ferarri hat! Souvenirs and autographs collected it was time to get back to the wee man and rock on with Gene Simmons and Kiss. Entertainment at its finest. Even at 60 odd they put on a good show. At the concert, apart from Gene and the boys entertainment, we just happened to bump into Arvi again. After meeting him on the plane going to Bali, then bumping into him again in Kuta centre we thought we were going to opposite sides of Australia. Turns out he decided to change his tickets and go to the GP. Out of the 80,000 people that we could have sat beside at the concert, it just happened to be him! Hilarious at the time. We just want to say that the Melbourne GP was so much more than F1 and well worth our 40 quid tickets! Aerial displays, GT,V8,Carrera Cup,Aussie and celbrity racing, along with stunt riders, theme park rides,numerous displays and historic rallys meant something was always happening and it actually was a whole days entertainment everyday. Silverstone could learn a thing or two.

The next few days in Melbourne were spent trying to squeeze in the cities many sights. Like trying to squeeze a camel through the eye of a needle it was never going to happen even if it turned out that the Neighbours tour was booked out days in adavance. Still the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne National Museum and Eureka skytower were well worth seeing and definitely worth the money. Melbourne is such a great city for all of you struggling for inspiration for your next holiday destination. Cafes, bars and restaurants line the streets. Sport is everywhere and the city caters for tourists really well with info everywhere, free tourist buses, excellent public transport and loads of things to see and do. Bangkok may be a great city but I couldn't live there, Melbourne though I definitely could.

It also happened to be good old St. Paddy's day while we were there and a great excuse for the city to continue it's F1 party. Pint on Punt was a mass of green and the Irish were out in force. Of course it was fun but the next day was pretty quiet for most people!

Think that is most things covered now. We've wasted more than enough time already on this but thankfully no money this time. We are actually now in Hastings, New Zealand living with Gavin for a few days before we get a hostel sorted. New Zealand has been great so far, obviously very beautiful but best of all is seeing Gav again. It must be love, love, love........

Hope you all have a good Easter and remember us in our eggless strife. Love you all