Out of the comfort zone

Now that I've been here for a little while, I've sucessfully navigated the underground trains and some of the overland ones as well. But that's just half of the effort required, at times I've looked like the right tourist with my nose buried deep into a map of London, or for those who know, the A to Z.

The weather over here is starting to come right, the days are now hitting a high of about 8 degrees, rather than the "brisk" 3 or 4 when I first arrived.

The first week was all about getting in as many interviews as possible and also seeing as many places to live as possible while still trying to create a new social life and social scene. There are many Antipodean bars over here to cater for the many Kiwis, Aussies and Saffers that have made their way to this side of the world. And although I've never vowed and declared that I wouldn't frequent them, it's an easy way to start somewhere. In all, they are pretty damn ferral, nice to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there.

Tonight I was offered a place to stay in a decent part of London (Maida Vale) for some pretty good money, so that is becoming a very tempting offer, also given that it's mintues from the tube, minutes from the gym and leaves me with more money in my back pocket for travelling.

Doing all this travel about London for interviews and seeing potential places to live has also allowed me a decent look of the city (at least the parts that I need to know) and to recognise the locations. So far in my travels I've seen Hyde Park, Trafalger Square, Big Ben, The London Eye, The Thames (it's as dirty as the Waikato and Manawatu Rivers)... I'm sure once I've got my feet on the ground and am into some sort of routine, then I'll have much more time for doing that sightseeing, both here in London, the UK and Europe.

That's all for tonight, time for an evening stroll and see if I can find Kensington Palace.

Leaving Thailand at midnight was one of the best ideas so far on this trip. Mind you, leaving Bangkok where it was 36 degrees and heading to London where it was slightly snowing when we landed was a little bit of a shock to the system.

One last thing that I must mention about Thailand is that I've discovered where all the retired Northen Hemisphere Rugby Referees go! They are on the main streets of Bangkok attempting to direct traffic with frantic hand signals and a whistle that goes more often than an English Premier game!

The trip from Heathrow to Wimbledon via the Underground was interesting at some early hour of the morning, but we somehow managed to navigate all the kids on their way to school and a line change and arrive in one piece.

Now, let's talk about this cold. Thought I knew what cold was, growing up in Feilding isn't exactly sub-tropical. But this weather here is something all together different. The type of cold that bites into your bones and let's you know that it's here. Must say that bringing my Canterbury of NZ jacket and Oakley beanie were without question necessities and have also invested in a pair of gloves since being here as well.

Being the wonderfully organised person that I am, I'd already applied for a few jobs before I got here and have now lined myself up with 6 interviews over the next couple of days and more to follow later in the week hopefully. I'm sure that something will come up.

Following on from finding a job is a place to live and on the great advice of ex-flatmate, Sarah, I've had a wander through Fulham and am certain that it's a bit of me alright.

Aside from all the formalities that I need to take care of, I've not had too much time for doing all the tourist stuff as yet, but am sure that this will all follow in due course, once my feet are on the ground and I know which way my head is facing.

Will add more next time I can get to a computer, hope everyone at home is enjoying summer (bastards)...

Now if I thought that Bangkok was a tourist shopping Mecca for fake label items, I couldn't have been further from the truth!

After a quick, one hour flight from Bangkok (on which we were even served a meal!!! Mentin that to Air NZ when flying domestically) and we're in the small island of Samui.

The first thing that indicated that we we're in Kansas anymore, was the terminal. Or should I say the thatched roofed hut where you collected your luggage!!

After only a short while laying on the beach in the 32 degree heat, there piped up an Aussie next to us, who, like any good Aussie, knows how to talk some shit and drink beer!

Being in a foreign country, quite a distance from home, it's really easy to start talking to any old person to see where they're from, how long they're been here, where to nect etc. There have been so many Engligh, Australian and Kiwis that we've spoken to so far and I'm sure that there will be even more before we depart for London on Thursday night.

This also included running into a girl that I recognised from Feilding whilst at the Full Moon Party in Koh Penang.

The food here is great, cheap and can be purchased anywhere, including from a mobile oven on the side of the road!

The one thing that really is starting to bug me, are all the attendants in the shop, who will stand outside and tell youhow much you need to come in and see their "magnificent products". All fake of course. And if you dare venture in, then they are all over you like a cheap suit, walking half a step behind you and telling you that they do have it in your size. Very different from back home.

That's all for now, pictures will come later, it's back to the white sand beach and crystal clear waters for some more sunbathing

Right, now that I'm here in Thailand and actually on my way, thought that it was about time that I added to this blog.

Friday afternoon, just before I left for the airport was the most nervous part, knowing that I was on my way and not coming back.

And for those that have told me that long haul flights are a killer, I don't know what they are talking about. After leaving NZ at 3:30pm, we arrived into Bangkok after around 11 hours, or 9pm local time once we'd cleared customs.

We then got the Thai equivilant of a "limo" to the hotel in the city (an early '90s Volvo) and within 3 hours of being in Thailand, were sitting in the obligitory girly bar to see what all the fuss was about. There are some things that just aren't natural to be done with the human body and this show seemed to prove that.

It was actually pretty depressing as you could tell the girls weren't that interested in being there, how could you be?

Saturday morning we ventured out into the Bangkok markets and braved the thousands of other locals and tourists searching for a bargain amongst the fake Gucci, Prada, Oakley, Diesel, Louis Vuitton and others.

Five hours & two fake t-shirts later, we decided to head back to the hotel. Bizzare hw quickly the both can acclimitise to the conditions, having a swim in the hotel pool, in some 30 odd degree heat and I was almost feeling a bit cold!!

More local cuisine and an early night before departing the next morning for the airport.

Now here's one way that you don't want to be heading home from the cricket...

A night at Eden Park brings the first Twenty20 "bowl off", which the Black Caps won! Once again the Terraces were the place to be, Chris Cairns last game and way too much booze...

Friday the 10th Feb, 4 weeks from now we will have just taken off from Akld airport and will be trying to drink back our airfare!

3 weeks of work left and I'm well and truely in a wind down period, aside from the fact that work has chosen my replacement as of this afternoon, so there will be some work involved there in training new person.

I loose my car next week (my lovely Diamante VR-X) and get a Commodore till I leave. It's still a car that I don't have to pay for, so it's not all bad.

Akld Blues vs Hurricanes tonight at Eden Park, go the 'Canes!!

That's all for tonight, have to leave space for all the postings when I'm away!

Jez