We were getting closer to Florida, therefore, on the final leg of our American road trip. We had hit 6,000 miles when we reached Pensacola, not the most inspiring of places until you cross the toll bridge to Pensacola Beach where we got our first taste of white sands and clear turquoise water. We managed a freebie across the bridg…
If you've logged on to "Emily's adventures around the world" then a big hello to you !! I am writing this 'welcome note' at a desk in not so sunny Cardiff (there is a thunderstorm outside as I write), willing the next 4 weeks to pass, as that is when I will be boarding the plan for the 'trip of my lifetime'.
To all the new friends I will meet on my travels, 'look forwarded to making some memories with you'
To all my family and friends I leave behind, 'look forward to sharing all…
If you've logged on to "Emily's adventures around the world" then a big hello to you !! I am writing this 'welcome note' at a desk in not so sunny Cardiff (there is a thunderstorm outside as I write), willing the next 4 weeks to pass, as that is when I will be boarding the plan for the 'trip of my lifetime'.
To all the new friends I will meet on my travels, 'look forwarded to making some memories with you'
To all my family and friends I leave behind, 'look forward to sharing all my new memories with you'.
We were getting closer to Florida, therefore, on the final leg of our American road trip. We had hit 6,000 miles when we reached Pensacola, not the most inspiring of places until you cros…
..... Destination New Orleans, took awhile to get there as the directions were hard to follow. I think things had probably changed dramatically since Katrina and the maps weren't really up…
..... After staying the night at the noisest motel 6 we had encountered we weren't in the mood for the 7hr, 400mile drive we had in front of us, particularly as the clocks were going forwa…
.... It was a slow start leaving Santa Fe. Kate was alot better after a good night sleep, but we stopped in the supermarket for our journys' fruit ( for the diet, remember) and there was a…
Me!
This will probably be the last message I put on my message board. I am currently in Kuala Lumpur, which is a lovely city with lovely people. I have been to the beautiful lake gardens, colourful Batu Caves, tall petronas towers but unfortunately I am residing in what can only be described as the slums. Therefore, I think you will all agree I am justified in booking myself into a 5 star hotel in Singapore for my last 2 nights of my travels.Thankyou to everyone who has written messages over the 7 months, sorry I became lax with my tales, but I'll be home soon and I can bore you with the rest in person.Lots of loveMe!
Me!
Hi guys,In Thailand at the moment, for those of you who don't know, We've decided to skip Dubai and stay longer here with the sun white sands, blue water, beach massages and cheap beer (not that I drink beer).Hasn't all been as relaxing in Thailand as we have been to Bangcock and a few other not so appealing places, but its all been cool and there are many stories to tell but will have to wait til my return as cant tear myself away from the sunbed and pool for much longer.Lots of Love xxx
Becks and Simon
Hey Ems,
Where in the world are you now? I hear your home at the very end of March that must mean your somewhere on the home stretch....soooo excited to see you! I've seen some of your photos and videos you sent Tracy and Steve they're fab! Going to book a hol for next year soon but I'll hangfire and get some recommendations from you first hahaha! miss ya loads love becks and Si x
kate
Hi Em, sorry I've been so useless at messaging - have been thinking of you and have just read all your US notes - sounds fab. Got v sentimental about your Vegas trip as we stayed in the Luxor too and had a memorable night watching the Bellagio fountains (all in life BKids obviously!) Can't believe you're coming home soon, it's gone so quickly, but you seem to have seen so much. Have been in Altolusso a lot recently and Colin, Derek etc always ask about you. Look forward to catching up when you get back.Take care, and make the most of your last few weeks.Kate L
Dani
Hey you, just thought I would drop you a line to let you know how awful we are doing at the rugby as I am sure you don't get to see any of it there! We played Italy and lost on Saturday, making it every game lost so far and only England to go so not much hope there hey! Can't believe you are learning to cook, got to be a 1st for eveything mind! Hope you're having a great time there, you have not missed anything at all back here, although I am trying to get Miss Jones together with Colin the Site Manager, i'm not doing to well mind! Look forward to seeing you when you are home.Enjoy babes.xxxx
Mum
Wow!
I can't believe what I've just read. My one and only darling daughter is learning to cook? It's only taken you 28yrs to attempt, but better late than never.
Thailand sounds wonderful. What a fantastic way to wind down after your amazing adventures.
I'm sure your trip has passed very quickly, to me, it's taken 'forever'
I can't wait until April 1st to be able to give you a great big hug and learn more about all your escapades.
Darling take care, have a wonderful 'chill' time and make sure you get on the right connection to 'HOME'
Love as always
Mum xxxxx
Me
We got to Chiang Mai in one piece after having initially taken a taxi to the wrond airport in Shanghai! Who knew there was a domestic one and an international one on opposite sides of the city?? Thankfully we managed to communicate our predicament to a non-English speaking taxi driver and he drove like a bat out of hell to get the right one.
Thailand is lovely. The people are lush, the weather is beautiful and there's no Chinese people here! :) Today we went to cookery school (yes, really!) and so when I get home I shall be having dinner parties and wowing you all with my new found skills! Tomorrow we're going to the elephant camp...excited!
1 month till I'm home!
Missing you all as always xxx
Dani
Hey babes, can't believe you're home so soon, it has gone so quickly and sounds like you have had some fantastic times. Looking forward to hearing more about them and seeing all the photo's when you are back.
Try not to kill too many of those little children while you are out there!
Speak soon.
xxxxx
Me!
What can I say about China ?
It smells much like a toilet most of the time. Its probably one of the filthiest places I've been. Children don't where nappies, instead they where trousers with a slit running from front to back and are just allowed to pooh and wee in the street or on the bus whenever it takes their fancy. As you can tell the culture is beyond me. They push and shove like their life depends on the fact that they have to be first in through the door (and out) of buses, hotels, the subway etc. They have even brought in a national queueing day the 11th of each month to try and civilise the people before the olympics.
There national noise has got to be the extremly loud hoiking of a big ball of phlegm, which they quite happily spit at your feet. Again in the name of humanity a 50yuan fine is being introduced for anyone who doesn't wrap their spit and throw it in the bin, nice.
How an earth they are going to be ready for the olympics,I don't know. I think they will simply tear down some buildings and put up signs saying under construction as they've cottoned onto the fact that westerners are suckers for a 'developing ' country.
Very few speak english well or at least they pretend they don't and simply prefer to stare open mouthed at us and make same chinese joke to each other like ' he he look they've got eyelids'. Those who do try and speak to us are the teenagers who think its cool to have a picture taken with us and have our autograph or the parents of poor kids who get shoved into are arms for a photo op.
Don't get me started on the toilets, I'm sorry put there is a fine art to hovering over a whole, which can only be learn't whilst potty training, how the hell you avoid weeing on your shows is a mystrey.
Then there's the food, chicken testis, carp heads, eel soup take anyones fancy? They don't do themselves any favours by showing pictures of the delacasies in the restaurant window. We thought we were safe with the peking duck restaurant until they sliced the duck up in front of us half its skull and bum included, then serve its bone juice as soup, kinda put me off my dinner. Luckily there is a supply of mcdonalds, pizza hut and kfc on every corner, so many of them in fact, I wonder if they even like their own food.
Now I've finished the rant I have to say I am actually so glad I have had this experience, not just to know I will never come back, but because in true Emily style I've had it pretty easy on my travels and being taken out of my comfort zone has done me good. We haven't stoped laughing since we've been here. We are becoming very beligerent and stare back open mouthed very dramatically if their stare is slightly to prolonged. Also, we have become experts at knocking the little ones of their feet if they get to close or shove to hard. Very funny.
As for the sights, very disappointed with the great wall on a cultural level but as entertainment goes being stuck in a queue with 5,000 chinese for 40mins just to get on a pulley thing that takes you half way up the wall so you can actually walk on it and spend 20mins in one spot trying to take a photo with none of them in, has to rank an 8 on a scale of one to ten. This was after the obligatory tour of the silk, jade and ceramic factories they shuffle you too and try and hard sell the merchandise, which I might add they neglect to tell you when you book, funny that. On the other hand the Terracote Warriors were fantastic, they should be in the walls place for a great wonder of the world. Even though we had the additional factory tours and the chinese out numbered us 10,000 to one I was awe struck and China was worth it just for them alone.
All the above aside, I would actually recommend to everyone that they should experience China, whether its simply for the Terracota Warriors or the entertainment value.
Miss you all. Home in 5 weeks
Love Ems
Stephen
All a bunch of nutters. We clearly speak in a different language. Theres not one bit of English in this message board, no wonder you legged it half way across the world. Remind me, why you are coming back? Anyway enough about the rest of them. Hope the Chinese are treating you well and not decided your such raritys as to decide to have you stuffed and mounted for good measure. Everything's all good this end as the wife has been updating you. As soon as the little fella realises hes not Superman and cant fly the better. When you going to tell us all about the Oz part of the venture, its like waiting for the next Dan Brown Novel to come out. Get cracking dont you know I've got nothing better to do.....Look after yourself sweetie
Love Stephen xxxxxxxx
Tracy
Hey Em's, your journal is fantastic! But I will have to agree with your mum when she mentioned the 'attract nutters thingy', thankfully sammy has had trouble logging on to the site so you should'nt be bothered by her for a while.
On to your newphew, well simon (bec's simon) called over at 7pm on valentines night and lewis looked a picture of health, by 7.10pm he had fallen of the chair in the dining room and was left with a gash on his face. Simon was shocked to say the least. Then the next day while playing in his bedroom he bent down to pick something up and head- butted his play kitchen. (Thanks to Nanma & Do Do - I blame them) within seconds a huge lump appeared, then came the bruise. Even I was worried as I called the doctor to ask their advice. In himself he was fine, he just looks like a battered child. Anymore accidents and I will be tempted to call social services myself - only joking I'm a fantastic mother and I'm sure others would agree. It's all a part of growing up - so they say! Poor love him. He's still as handsome as ever!!!!!!
Still receiving your post cards and yes I have remembered to keep them all. We picked up your package of cd/pictures from the post office and have loaded then onto our laptop, they are fab. Great pic's of you and those from neighbours - you must tell all when you return that way it will save me from watching it.
For all those who are reading this message, yes I do still watch neighbours and home & away and I'm proud of it - oh and while we are on the subject of sad soaps I watch Dawson's Creek too! I'm a mother - I'm allowed!!!! Well when Lewis lets me anyway.
Anyway I'm going to love and leave you now so until we speak again, lots of love hug's and kisses - your sis-in-law xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
