Homeward Bound
Trip Start
Jan 17, 2008
1
48
Trip End
May 04, 2008
Belfast,
Northern Ireland,
United Kingdom
Monday, May 5, 2008
Checked out of our hostel for the very last time and headed to Times Square to dwindle away our last few hours in New York. As usual, we wondered how we were ever gonna pass the time but instead ended up barely making it back in time for our pick up - most of which is all your dear fault as we had to update the blog and you wouldn't believe how long it actually takes to do....and yet do we get any appreciation from you lot?! NO! So many drinks will be greatly appreciated upon our arrival....
We got the dopiest of shuttle bus drivers who just kept driving around and around the city looking for passengers who didn't seem to exist and a full hour later we were still only 4 streets away from where we began...great!
Words of Wisdom
We still managed to make it to the airport in plenty of time so after checking in we went for a celebratory drink and our 'last supper' to end our trip in style! Apart from an hours taxi on the runway (no joke) the rest of the flight went well and we arrived safe and sound in Heathrow on Sunday morning.
And now we've come to the sad part folks so get your tissues ready: After 4 months of being with eachother 24/7 it was finally time for us to part ways. It was a sad goodbye and we now both feel like a shadow of our former selves and that something is missing...like when you finally get rid of that thorn in your side or that last piece of food unstuck from your teeth...yep, it's gonna be a lonely week!
And now as I (Laura) write this last ever travel blog Joy is somewhere in London continuing to live the highlife and will return to the bright lights of the ole 'Skillen on Tuesday evening. So we expect to see you all out on the town on Saturday night armed with alcohol - even the OAP readers out there!
Advice for fellow would-be backpackers:
1. Don't be a backpacker - be a flashpacker! Forget about hawking a 20kg bag around on your boney back...take a suitcase...and if you can't take a suitcase then at least take a bellboy!
2. Under no circumstances should you mix drinking with travelling....they just don't go together people!
3. No matter how big the urge, resist all temptation to try and smuggle fruit of any description into New Zealand. It is highly frowned upon and can often prove to be a financial burden!
4. Don't accept any offers of 'cookies' when visiting Nimbin. They're not quite like the chocolate chip ones your mother buys you from Tesco!
5. When touring around, hire a car and stay in a hostel - honestly, there is no need to hire a Scooby Doo van and call it your bed for the week!
6. If you want to look at the fish then head to the local aquarium. There should be no snorkelling undertaken whatsoever. The ocean should only be used for paddling and peeing...that's all!
7. When you tan, you moisturise...you tan, you moisturise! You don't leave it to peel like an orange and flake off in a trail of dead skin all over the island!
And now that that's out of the way what else can we really say? We can't even begin to summarise all that we've experienced over the last 4 months, but then again you should all know as you've been following it with us for every step of the way. Through good times and bad times, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health...sorry I got distracted for a second...we managed to get through it and experience an amazing journey together. So sniff sniff, this is our last ever blog and some of you may experience withdrawal symptoms, but stay strong and you'll pull through. Ladies...go back to your trashy weekly magazines...and men go back to your porn sites. As for us...we'll go back to the dole queue!
It's on with life and on with reality but in the meantime we'll be meetin up with you all on Saturday for one hell of a reunion do! So until we manage to scrounge up enough pennies for our 'comeback tour' sometime in the future (donations accepted in the form of Visa, Mastercard, Amex, travellers cheques, or any other kind of gift vouchers) it's a 'cheerio' from her and a 'see ya' from me!
And now, the end is near;
And so we face the final curtain.
Our friends, We'll say it clear,
We'll state our case, of which we're certain.
We've lived a life thats full.
Weve traveled each and every highway;
And more, much more than this,
We did it our way.
Regrets, We've had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
We did what we had to do
And saw it through without exemption.
We planned each charted course;
Each careful step along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
We did it our way.
Yes, there were times, Im sure you knew
When we bit off more than we could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,
We ate it up and spit it out.
We faced it all and we stood tall;
And did it our way.
We've loved, we've laughed and cried.
We've had our fill; Our share of losing.
And now, as tears subside,
We find it all so amusing.
To think we did all that;
And may we say - not in a shy way,
No, oh no not me,
We did it our way.
For what our 2 girls, what have they got?
If not themselves, then they has naught.
To say the things they truly feel;
And not the words of those who kneel.
The record shows we took the blows -
And did it our way!
J & L
xoxo
Comments
Welcome Home.....
Well your officially a pair of spongers now with no jobs or money! Its great that your home Flo and Im glad you both enjoyed your trip , BUT thats it for several years. Dont go planning any trips over 2 weeks lol Also just thought Id say you should go back and correct all the spelling mistakes you BOTH made on this site. (from when you updated it with alcohol in your systems) Well its over now and theres no point pining for the past. Look to the future with all that lies ahead for you and enjoy life to the fullest. Welcome home lobve and, JOY, see you for them singing lessons in 6 months lol x x x