Kitano Tusitala Hotel Apia

Today was an early start (6am) as we needed to catch the ferry from Mulifanua (Mooli-far-noo-ar) Wharf, just 5km east of the Faleolo International Airport, to go to the island of Savaii (Sar-vie-ee). This is the second largest island in the Samoan group of islands and a 1.5 hour trip from Upolu (oo-pol-oo). It lands at Salelologa Wharf (Sal-lee-lel-longa) on the south-eastern tip ...

... and better looked after than the houses. We saw no animals or birds at all. It was all very interesting and we both enjoyed our half day here. As we prepared top leave we were entertained by a group of Samoans playing local instruments including a young boy blowing into a large conche. Those not playing did several dances some using sticks which were lit at both ends. It was nice to be at sea again purely for the breeze.

... lap on the beach. Anyone who knows me, knows that this is a recipe for disaster. After 5 minutes of listening to water rush, I already had to go to the bathroom. It was a bit torturous to listen to water running the whole night, only to have to constantly get out of bed, walk across the sandy beach to the road to the bathrooms, then back again without getting sand into our bed. The first night was still dreamy, waking up to a ...

... after 55 mins we reached the top and what a view!! After resting we walked back down and got a cab back into town. Tuesday 22nd July today we visited the sliding rocks. very impressive we spent a while there before going back to the hostel and getting ready to fly to NZ. The airport was a night mare, check in opened a hour late, then we were meant to be flying at 9:30pm but never boarded the plane till 10:15pm. We eventually took off at 11pm. NZ here we come!

... kirjeldab seda kui midrange taseme hotelli, aga ütleme nii, et kesktasemest oli asi siiski üsna kaugel. Toad olid väga tagasihoidlikud ja keset tuba marssisid uhkelt sipelgad oma trajektoori pidi. Kuna me olime parasjagu väsinud, ei teinud me sellest liigset numbrit, aga hommikul otsustasime, et esialgu plaanitud 2 ööd me seal kindlasti ei veeda ning asusime teele U'polu saart avastama. Rentisime jälle auto - sedakorda juba kohe nelivedu dziibi, kuna hoiatati mägede ...

... they are still in their 30's with more botox than clothes. We sat in the restaurant overlooking the pool area and tested practically everything in the buffet.. well Daiji tried to, I had a typical roast dinner (you have to on a Sunday!!) and then managed to over indulge in every type of cheesecake you can imagine and cherries.. mmmmm!! I've put on 3 stone since the visit but it was worth it!! haha!!! ( http://www.palazzoversace.com/ ) Then we headed ...

... Several coffees and cakes in and around the sites as well as a beer or two. Our hostel was a little out of the city so we had a few lovely walks through some of the old Parks as well as harbours and fish markets etc. Was really nice and Sydney so has the Manhattan buzz going on. Its allot of a quicker way of life here than the last big city we were in (Melbourne) although they both have a similar atmosphere. Right after 5 days in Sydney we parted with a substantial sum of money and ...

... but also to try the recently openned Batwing Spaceshot. This ride is similar to other rides we had enjoyed in that you get launched upw at 60m tower (resulting in 4+ G's of force) and then pulled down faster than gravity before bouncing up and down a bit and coming to a stop. While the ride was fun such an attraction had more of a thrilling effect at Ocean Park where their Abyss ride was built on the side of the mountain ...

... m thinking of taking it up full time when I get home. Wednesday was spent glued to the internet at work to get the team news for the Blues v Sunderland game. I was abit worried when I found out that Dunn wouldn't be starting and that he had to rest DJ Campbell as well. I went to work in the evening and didn't get back till 1am. I considered staying up to watch the game on the internet but by the time it would have finished I would have only got in ...

... up an area - and I'm quoting Lonely Planet here - which terms the place 'an alternative neighbourhood'. Strike that and make that a cheap and nasty neighbourhood full of crazies after dark. Still, it saved on the pennies and was full of fantastic breakfast places so I could start the day off with a gutful of carbs. And another thing that heightened my disdain for Brisbane - it has a fake beach. What on earth is the point of a fake beach when you've got the real thing on your doorstep ...