Big adventures of a little Samgrl....

Thursday, 01 May 2008

Location: Melbourne, Australia

Hhmmm.... seems I forgot all about my planet ranger site!!

If any one out there is checking this - you are probably someone who knows that after a surprise arrival back home in December (that I booked way back in August hehe - i'm so sneaky!), I stayed at home for a couple of months before moving to Melbourne mid-Feb to be with my boyfriend Adam.

And it's all going really bloody well over here so far!!
I'm currently temping, living in a cool flat with a nice chick, seeing loads and loads and loads of live music, and learning to play the banjo!

Yes. The banjo. Tres cool!

Anywho - when there's something exciting going on I'll be back on to update the postings here...

Wednesday, 28 November 2007

Location: Cork, Ireland

Heeelllooooo :-)

oh boy.... what a busy few weeks since my last update!!
Though in saying that, there's not really an awful lot to report I guess.... just been plodding away with the day to day stuff.

Works been getting pretty busy - its obvious that the festive season is upon us and the lads out there are getting stuck into the celebrations in preparation! Keeps the counsellors here on their toes anyway hehe

I've been going to pilates once a week with Sarah - but its not normal pilates... nooo... we have a teacher who doesnt really instruct you so much as bark instructions in your general direction, and we dont tend to focus much on the breathing and technique... hhhhmmmm.
anyway - its something to do on a tuesday night and my tummy muscles hurt the next day so cant be all bad hey!? haha

Sarah and I jetted off to Amsterdam a couple of weekends ago. Very relaxed weekend. I feel I need say no more.
It was lovely there though - great weather, not a cloud in the sky -but pretty bloody cold!!! Have had to bust out the winter gear up this end of the world in the past few weeks! BBbbbrrrrr!!

Will get round to putting up some new pics this weekend...
Have girls night tonight so will try to remember to get a couple new ones for ya!
And yes, girls night is still going strong!! YAY!! There has been about 6 of us attending the past few weeks, though Lauren has just gone back to Aussie (byyyee, safe travels!!!) so we're back to 5. Good number though, and we always have a blast! Oh that reminds me... must pick up the food on the way home haha

So for those who dont know... I'll be home soooooooooon!!!
I have a ticket to the Big Day Out (Jan 18th), so keep an eye out for me as I'll obviously be hitting the friendly shores of home before then ;-)

Really reeeaalllly looking forward to heading homewards, definately ready to head back down under (for now at least anyway - I still have places to go.......) and I'm missing all my peeps - so start stocking up on the wine!!

Righty, better get back to the madness that is work.....
Love and hugs to all xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Friday, 02 November 2007

PHOTO'S

Okay... well i have1/10th of my photo's (hahaha - that's 60 pics) from my Mid East trip loaded onto my Facebook page.... so here's a link if you'd like to have a nosey :-)

I will post a few up on this website over the weekend - but you'll get to see heaps more by clicking below

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=27671&l=9...

Happy weekend all xx

Wednesday, 31 October 2007

Location: Cork, Ireland

Boooo - back to reality!!!

WOW - all I can say is that was some trip!!!!
A truely fabulous experience that I would highly recommend!

Jordan lived up to expectations (actually, that would be fairly easy as I didnt really have any haha).

We had a great morning at the Dead Sea, bobbing round in the salt water and putting mud all over yourself - for the skin healing properties lol
Then up to the pool at the resort to spend a couple of hours playing on the waterslide and just keeping cool from the harsh heat of the day.

Petra was amazing - quite mindblowing when you stopped to think about how old everything is and how the people used to live in the mountains in the desert the way they did. There's a kiwi lady named Marguerite something-or-other (I have it written down) who in the late 70's went to Petra with a friend of hers and ended up staying there and marrying a bedouin! She's still there now, though I didnt get to meet her, I'd be quite interested to read her book.

The night out in the bedouin camp was fab!! I slept out under the stars... who knew the desert was so bloody noisy at night haha!!
Not the best night's sleep I've ever had, but it wasn't so bad waking up and having sooo many stars twinkling down at you. And in the morning when I woke up it was just gorgeous blue sky.... really lovely.

That morning we went on a camel ride... followed by a 4WD jeep excursion.... AND THEN on to Aqaba where a few of us went snorkelling!! That was an action packed day hehe

It was a really brilliant time though - one of the best trips I've been on!!

Unfortunately back to reality again..... lucky works nice and quiet.... and I have a weekend in Amsterdam to look forward to in a few weeks time.....

No rest for the wicked ;-)

Sunday, 21 October 2007

Location: Amman, Jordan

Well, here I am in Jordan - about to start leg 2 of my big middle east adventure!

The first week of the tour has been spent in Syria - WOW!
I'm having such a good time!! The cultural differences are really interesting and we are all being careful to dress a little more conservatively than you would travelling in a western society. I've seen some really amazing sights so far! We have been to Aleppo (the 2nd biggest city in Syria), Craic De Chevalier (a massive old castle - built around the 12th century), Damascus (the capital), Palmyra (my favourite spot on the trip so far), I've been shopping in the souks (markets) and got some fab deals and been into a few mousks (you have to borrow a gown to cover yourself up like the muslim women hehe).

Really fascinating part of the world to visit - we have had some amazing local guides as well! I didnt know an awful lot about Syria before coming here, but our guides local history and knowledge has been invaluable!

So this week we have Jordan - many exciting things to look forward to there - sitting in the dead sea, going to see petra.....

many many maaannnyy photo's to come haha :-)
righty, time to head off and get ready for dinner....

Hope everyone's well back home - or wherever you may be xx

Thursday, 11 October 2007

Hey everyone!!!!!!!

Just a really quick message to say that there some pics up from Jo's farewell girls weekend just over there ---------->

We had a blast - so much fun punting down the river, having a few wines (i know - you're stunned WINE?!?!!?), dancing the night away, and just having a really neat girls weekend away.

I'm just in the middle of trying to sort out some work stuff, then I'm outta here - off on the bus up to Dublin.... sleeping in the airport (woohoo)... and then to Syria & Jordan for 2 weeks!!!
WHOOP WHOOOP!!!

This is the link for the tour Imogen & I are going on - it looks really amazing and i cant wait!!! (just copy and paste into the web browser)

http://www.imaginative-traveller.com/tours/itin...

so we start day 1 on Saturday 13th October.... I'll try to check in while I'm away.....

Have to dash - love to you all xxxxxxx

Thursday, 20 September 2007

Location: cork, Ireland

Dum de doooo....
still not much happening i'm afraid folks - that's all gonna change in about 2 weeks though... this is merely the calm before the storm LOL

I've just been attempting to save my pennies -only 2 and a bit weeks until i get to hang out with Jo (and about 7 other girls!) for her farewell weekend in Cambridge!! whoop whoop!!
Really looking forward to catching up again and hearing all about her past few weeks travelling!!

Then a few days after that I'm off on my Mid East adventure with Imogen!! Will hopefully be able to access the internet easily enough and be able to keep you posted on whats happening when I'm there - otherwise it'll be a big old update when i get back! Sooo excited - this is really gonna be the trip of a lifetime!!

Gaynor left just over a week ago to travel with her sister Bernie... Which has left the flat a very quiet place without her and I chattering away incessently haha
They've got another 4 ish weeks of travelling to go before and we'll get to hang out for a day or two once I'm back from my trip and before she heads back to NZ! In lieu of Gaynor, we have another new flatmate - a girl named Mairead - who seems lovely :-)
James left today for a 6 week tour round South America - damit he's getting to go up Macchu Picchu before meeeee! haha it looks like an amazing trip though - through Brazil and Rio as well - have fuuuunnn Jimmy!!!

A lot of travelling coming out of Rathmaher on Wilton Lawn just now hahaha

Sarah & I are still going to torture classes twice a week... we're so good! and of course still holding up the girls night tradition :-D

Anywho... so yeah... not much from me at the moment really.....

Hope everyone's well - love to all x

Tuesday, 28 August 2007

Location: Cork, Ireland

Just in case you were wondering what's been happening since Disneyland.....

Well, not a whole lot to be honest! The last 3 weeks have been pretty low key... though anything is pretty low key in comparison of the madness that is Disneyland haha

Just been taking it easy and chilling out... saving my pennies for the next big adventure (only 6 weeks to go!). Had friends birthday drinks on Friday night... an engagement party on Saturday night... Been to the movies a couple of times...

But yeah - that's about it! Oh - and of couse keeping the Tesco winemakers association in business ;-p
Hate to let the wine gods down...

And we got a new flatmate. He seems pretty sound so far - moved in on Saturday....

Birthday shout outs to aaallll the August babies:
Mum, Grandad, Katie, Luke, Ang, Laka, Imogen, James & Emily... Sorry if I've forgotten anyone - man, August is nearly as busy as May in the birthday department haha

Anywho - just checking in... hope all is well wherever you are and whatever you are doing :-)

Love to all x

Friday, 10 August 2007

Location: Europe

Waaahhooooo!!!!! Disneyland was so much fun!!!!!!

Wow... where to start..... maybe the beginning!
Sooo Jo and I met up at our hotel in Paris (we opted against staying at any of the Disney resorts due to funds - or lack there of) on the Friday night, had a couple of bottles of wine (I had almost forgot how darn cheap wine is - picked up 3 bottles for €6.02. Normally I'd pay about €5 for 1 bottle!!) and had a good catch up.

Saturday - Day one of Disney fun....
Up at 7.15am *choke*.... ensured the strategy was packed into the bag, the camera's had extra batteries and the sunblock was on hand, then off we went on our merry - and frightfully excited - little ways. We caught the train out to Disneyland, which is only about 35 mins from where we were staying in Paris. Very convenient and easy!

Then before we knew it, there we were - standing in front of the magical Disneyland... The weather was amazing... not a cloud in the sky and about 28 degrees!!
now, to give you an idea of the task before us - there are actually 2 parks and a village. But we had a plan... I had managed to find online this a website that has been compiled by a family who have been about a billion times and actually have this whole strategic approach to the parks and they give you hints and tips on how to make the most of your Disney experience and not having to spend hoouurrss in queues... "crazy people" was my initial reaction to the website... "bloody geniuses" was how we felt afterwards!!

We took on board the advice and then adjusted it... we figured that most of the families etc who were there on a weekend trip like us, would probably go to the main park first and then work their way to the Walt Disney Studios on the Sunday. So we opted to do the opposite.... into Walt Disney Studios we went and eargerly awaited the main gates to be opened....

The theory was, straight to the most popular rides before the park got toooo busy... So we raced around in a frenzy, playing on rides, going to shows (the best show was the car stunt show & the best ride was probably the Rocky Roller Coaster - sooo fun!!!) and doing various other stuff - we even learnt how to draw Donald Duck hehe.

We totally nailed Walt Disney Studios by about 6pm. I know, we were definately champions of Disney!!

Then we figured that since the rides dont stop until about 10pm that we should make a start on the main Disney park.... The main Disney park is HUGE!! About 4 times bigger than the Studios park. Deciding on a game plan, we decided to hit Fantasyland and see if we could get a whole land covered so that on Sunday we might not have to wait in too many queues.
Fantasyland all done and dusted by about 9.30pm thank you very much!

It was then that we stumbled into another land and right in front of us was the Pirates of the Carribean ride.... OMG THERE WAS NO QUEUE - we were so elated! We raced straight in and it was a great ride! As we were heading to 'main street' for the fireworks we happened to walk past Big Thunder Mountain - one of the most popular rides in the park.... it was still open (10.30pm at this stage)... there was only a 20 min line.... the fireworks weren't due to start for about 45 mins... fate.

Fan-freaking-tastic!!! When we were up on the high points of the ride you could see out over Disneyland, all lit up at night. It was really pretty.

So we had already given ourselves a headstart on Sunday by getting some of the most popular rides done and dusted on Saturday night. We watched the fireworks and headed back to Paris, completely exhausted.

14 hours in a theme park will do that to ya I guess!!! haha

Up again the next morning at 7.15am *big sigh* and back to the magic! After racing straight to Space Mountain (I think that was my favourite ride of the whole weekend) we proceeded to have a pretty cruisey day on the Sunday.... and going on the rides the night before totally paid off - when we walked past them, some of the wait times were up to 90 mins!!! nooo thank you!!

3 lands... soooo many rides.... fantastic shows.... more brilliant weather.... Another successful day at Disneyland.
We finished it all off with a nice cool bottle of wine at a put at Disney Village and then headed back to Pareeee where we went out for a meal and stayed up for a while chatting and reflecting on our fantastic trip.

Sooooo..... there ya go! Disneyland was so much fun - I'd highly reccommend it to everyone, no matter what age you are! In fact I think it was more fun for us than for half of the kids who were there bahaha.

Jo - thanks for being such a fabulous Disney cousin... I really had the bestest time and would totally go on a theme park holiday with you again (-:D8

That's "all" folks.....

PS. Yes, we wore Minnie Mouse ears the ENTIRE time we were in the parks.

Wednesday, 25 July 2007

Location: Cork, Ireland

This is slightly better form... a fortnightly update instead of monthly ;-)

Sooo what have I been up to in the past couple of weeks?
Well, as briefly mentioned previously, I've embarked on a get fit phase... this entails walking as much as possible (ie, weather permitting - that's not going so well) and going to 2 torture classes a week (one is step aerobics and the other is a toning class) with Sarah.
So far so good... it's been 2 weeks attending classes now and I think I'm actually starting to feel slightly more co-ordinated! Aside from those occassional moments where I think I'm totally on fire and imitating the instructor flawlessly, only to discover I am somehow facing the opposite direction to the rest of the class...
Good things take time I guess eh!? haha

Went out to the Jameson Whisky Factory a couple of weekends ago with Gaynor & Sarah. What a great day!
We had initially formulated great plans of going to this gorgeous looking seaside town... however the amount of people with the same idea as us - turns out it was the end of an arts festval week and every man, woman and child from Cork appeared to be waiting for the bus - 2 were filled and we were gonna have to wait another hour or so. Luckily we had a back up plan.... and almost giggled with glee at our luck as the rain graced us with it's presence....

So while all those suckers were at the beach in the rain, we were wandering round on a tour finding out how they make Irish Whisky :-)
Of course included in the tour costs was a nice glass of Jameson's at the end. A few souvenirs and photo's later... then it was off to a local pub for a couple of cheeky pints before heading back to Cork for the evening. Very pleasant indeed!

Didn't get up to much last weekend - watched a few movies on tv and Sam's Cinema... good chillout weekend really :-)

Not a whole lot else going on.... Work's still grand, they are trying to plot ways of how to keep me in the country... haha
Flat's still going well, life is still peachy and there's only 10 sleeps till Disneyland Paris.....

Hope all's well with you lovely people out there... dont be afraid to send me an email to let me know how you're doing.....

Love & hugs to all xx