Well, as we approach our last couple of weeks in Melbourne, we've been crying ourselves to sleep; knowing that we've only got the rest of the Gold Coast, Perth, and Asia to do (ha ha). No seriously, we're going to miss the little things which have become routine here, such as La Roche dinners ($6 pizza!), Nimmer's Internet Cafe (where everyone knows your email), Trampoline Ice Cream Parlour (Violet Rumble makes me horny baby), and of course, the wild nights out (the true meaning of life 'down under'). So, its the OZ Experience next, all the way up the East coast, including Sydney, Bondi, Brisbane, Fraser Island, Magnetic Island, Ayers Rock, and Cairns! And if we're still mentally stable after that, i'll eat the corks off my hat! Lots to look forward to, but also lots already done; the days disappear quicker than a can of Carlton Draught left in our fridge! We've already agreed that there will be total silence on the flight home from Shanghai as we return from a life less ordinary to a life where thrills can be found in assembling the free toy in a box of cornflakes (well, hopefully NOT!). Best be off to the beach before the tide comes in...

Hello Ashton,

I've been dipping into your page and photos with great envy. What a time you're having. It was great to see the pics of Laura and Tamara out with you. Imagine meeting in Melbourne. James is really envious of you too - he's working in the Royal Liver Insurance until October. Ah well, somebody has to do it. Enjoy. I'll be following your progress. Audrey

G-day from WA Ashton. I have just been enjoying all your photos from your exciting travels. Seeing your shots of St. Kilda brought back memories for me. Back in the dark ages (1971) I first lived in St. Kilda when I arrived in Melb as a new migrant to Oz. Hope all continues well for you guys and we will see you down the track. Send us a message on the net if you need help with anything or text me on 0417 972 154. Take care.

Hello! Thought it was about time I shared a thought from down under. We've been in Melbourne for about a week now, but living it large in the seaside party town of St Kilda 20 mins tram ride away from the city (see photos). Met loads of people again in our hostel called Base which has a wicked bar downstairs called Red Eye, serving cheap beer and playing great music all night, top dog! Even met someone from UEA Norwich called Chris! The weather is ever changing, but we've had highs of 43 degrees; its all about fun in the sun here! We're now looking for jobs, especially Adam when he realised he had $4.75 left in his account, ha ha. I think we'll apply for a few jobs together, stating we work best 'unsupervised'. Anyway, the photos tell most of the story (drunken nights out can be left to your imagination) so keep checking back for updates... so long.

Hey stranger!!! Thought I beta check your sites out before you're back, lol!! Sounds like you're all having a ball while its all freezing cold here!!! Norwich are nearly in the playoffs and gareth is now a podium dancer in Mercy but other than that Norwich is still the same!!! Better do some work before I leave off but don't get 2 wrecked and lose Adam (hes only little) Bye x x x

hi ash sounds like its all going well! greetings from the south west of WA! see you in Perth or maybe London in June.

Hello from Auckland, New Zealand! We've spent the past few days exploring the city and getting VERY drunk (goes without saying really). Our hostel (Base) is certainly aimed at 'Flashpackers' as it has plasma screen TVs in every corner (including the showers!), a spa and sauna, a nightclub, and a library! We spent the first night in an Irish bar before heading to the Globe Nightclub, where hurling a midget who worked there across the dancefloor was the norm (don't ask!). Still drunk, we got up at 9am the next morning and went to the local gym and swimming pool! Auckland itself is a 'functional' city, meaning there isn't really much to see apart from shops and food halls. The Sky Tower was worth a visit though (see photos), and the pier area has some nice bars and restaurants. We're going to hire a car tomorrow and drive north to the Bay of Islands where we can go on a cruise of the islands and maybe go water rafting in some blackwater caves. We leave for Wellington in 5 days time and get to Queenstown in time for Xmas. So far the journey has been amazing; we've met so many people and had so many laughs. Worth every penny saved in those temp 9-5s!

Ok, we're in Fiji now! Met Dave at LAX for the 11 hour flight to Nadi, Fiji. Our resort is wicked: 2 pools, 3 restaurants, and most importantly, 3 bars! We've been drinking every night in one of the bars meeting other travellers and an angry pool attendant. Yes, we did a repeat of Tenerife last night and jumped in the pool at 2am with our clothes on, taking a deck chair, umbrella, and 'Pool Closed' sign with us into the water. The pool attendant and his SWAT team were rapidly on the scene with torch and whistle in hand. Hopefully they won't kick us out the resort! We're going on the 'Fiji Experience' tomorrow which is a 5 day activity adventure where we get to snorkel, dive, and river raft our way around the islands off the mainland. One of the highlights is a 1 night visit to Beachcomber Island which is the ultimate party island apparently! I'm sure there'll be a few tales to tell if we survive that night! Weather is gorgeous out here, we're in shorts and t-shirt all day, very humid though in a more tropical climate. Hasta La Vista, 9-5ers

Hi, Hope you met up with Dave okay and had good trip to Fiji, and then relax,sun beach, party. Remember us here with freezing weather and blizzards.

Where to begin! We\'ve been in San Francisco for 2 days now after being in Las Vegas for 3 nights. Vegas was excellent; non-stop party all the way! We\'d barely unpacked at the Sin City Hostel in Vegas before being shoved into the back of a stretch limo with everyone else from the hostel and a whole load of beer! We cruised the famous strip for an hour whilst getting drunk then pulled up on the red carpet outside the famous Coyote Ugly nightclub inside the New York New York Casino. The night was brilliant, we all got VERY drunk; only problem was we\'d booked to go on a tour of the Grand Canyon starting at 6am the following day! VERY MESSY The Canyon was really good, although we were so hungover and the journey there and back was 8 hours across the desert on a coach! It was only when we got back shattered that I realised I'd left the room key with a girl I\'d met last night! We got round most of the casinos; my favourites were the Bellagio with its famous fountains (Oceans 11); Luxor with its Sphinx and pyramids; and the hotel we stayed in for the last night: The MGM Grand. We had \'The Grand Buffet\' in the MGM Grand when we stayed there which was amazing (all you can eat, and quality food), then went on another night out to a club called Pure in Caesers Palace with people we met at the hostel. Top night!\r\n\r\nWe then caught an internal flight from Vegas to San Francisco which is where we are now. We\'ve already been across the bay to the famous Alcatraz Federal Penetentiary, and we\'ve seen the Golden Gate Bridge. Pier 39 was really good, and we\'ve been one of the famous trams which run across the whole city. On Saturday we are hiring a car to drive down the coast back to LA where our flight to Fiji leaves from. We will also be meeting Dave at LAX airport to join the journey round the world!\r\n\r\n

Ash I can see from your web site you are having a really good time. I am learning something new, looking at your web site and answering. We are meeting Mardou and Mike at Pauls this weekend. We are all well, rains gone for a mo and sunshine, but stuck inside at work, which reminds me better do some. Continue having a really good time.

Hey you guys!!

Off to Thailand in a week and a half, can,t wait at the moment. So are you guys missing the wonderful British weather, flash floods etc. Cant believe that you met Ant and Dec, are you guys like best friends now?
I was just thinking, how is Adam going to cope without his guitar for a year? Your going to be spending time at every guitar shop across the world!
Anyway hope that the good times keep on rolling.
How much did you lose in the the casino?

Jonny