so glad to hear you had such a good 30th b-day :) indeed you were greatly missed on NYE. just thought i'd set it straight ;) - although very very far from the full price of a business ticket (or econ, it'd not have been possible without amazing nat), sadly there is no such thing as a free flight when it costs you a week of old man sitting, and a month of dog walking! hope you enjoy thailand xx

have just read both your blogs for japan do not know anything about japan so very interesting. didnt expect such politeness that is truly wonderful but i guess would get on my nerves after a while and i would want a rude gesture or a big moan. still i am sure it is your wonderful smiles and your natural beauty emma that makes them so polite to you. Have a wonderful chrismas and Happy new year 2011.

Haven't look at photos yet, but wanted to comment on the blog, which I thoroughly enjoyed reading, making up for the fact that I'm sat at home instead of USA !! Still we're not stuck in the total chaos at Heathrow, so we're grateful for that. Another absolutly wonderful description of your travels and this time in Japan. The people sound so lovely and helpful. Not sure you would get that back in UK. I can't wait to see your magical photos, seeing those and reading your very descriptive blogs just brings these countries and your adventures to life for us. Glad you have wonderful snow and quiet slops to enjoy your skiing. Not sure about the 'enjoying quite a few off-piste too' !!??! Hope you're both going very careful. At least you can see where you're going now Em, (new goggles!!)!! Take care both. The time is ticking away now, almost on the last leg of your journey, so enjoy. Loads of love to you both XOXOXOX

Wow - I can't believe that you are half way round the world - Australia !!! How fantastic. It looks like paradise and wow all your water sports are making it paradise for you two !! Enjoy the sun, sea, sand and surf!! But - keep away from those nasty creatures and trees, not such a paradise when you read about those things !!! Still for you Amazonian Trekkers this should be easy peasy ??!!! Fantastic read and photos both. Love to keep up to date with you and your adventures. Thank you for keeping us updated. Love to you both, Lin / Mum XOXOXOXOXO

What a wonderfully clean and beautiful place. Isn't it marvelous that every new country is a totally unique experience for you? Japan looks beautiful and breathtaking in a totally different way to all the other places that you have visited. I give you both 10 out of 10 in coping with the signs, menus, language, public transport - infact everything !!! How fantastic that you both have got around and seen so much under your own steam. It has all been so worth it. It has worn me out a bit, reading about all your activities !!! But I am thoroughly enjoying every word and photo of your travels. Keep safe and continue to enjoy your travels. Loads of love, Lin XOXOXOX

Hey guys, ditto about the toilets, was warned not to press buttons under any circumstances. Have you been to a Pachinko parlor? or are they out of fashion now... also, look out for Okonomiyaki, it's really tasty. Konichiwa now!

Ha ha ha. The toilets sound brilliant! Oh dear about your spending.... :-( watch out for the skiing costs!!! I certainly can't afford skiing in Jan either, so dad is paying (lol, for now anyway) but I'll make it up when I'm fully employed and have no time to ski.... how sad. goodness - still so jealous of you both in Japan! Freezing here! xxx

Oh my word you must have sat up all night writing this !!! Or was this what you did to use up the time whilst waiting for another car key??? Well what an adventure, with all the activities of diving, body boarding, surfing, sky diving you must be exhausted. Well I am reading about all your activities. In amongst all this you are travelling around doing miles and miles of sight seeing. How wonderful. The photos are fantastic. I will try and make some comments on some of them, but I can't keep putting how lovely they all are - but they are !!! It's wonderful to see you describe the different places and the highlights for you, what absolute experts you will be on these places, travelling and sports. Thank you so much for not telling me about the sky dive as I would have worried for weeks !! I miss you terribly as well, and that's the reason we have decided to go away at Christmas, so I can be busy in America, but saying that it's not important, as it's making me so happy to see and hear about all your experiences and see you so happy and enjoying yourselves. You are living your life to the full and getting some wonderful memories and experiences from it. I am so proud and happy for you both. Just keep well and safe, that is all I ask, and enjoy yourself. It's now December and the time is flying past, so make the most of the rest of your trip. Love you loads and loads, always XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Phew - I am exhausted! Well done, Emma - your blog transported me to Australia - I'm really enjoying your world tour - but I think I wouldhave passed on the sky diving and shark swimming! When youhave time for the Japanese one, I think I will make 2 cups of tea!!
Love toyou both. xxxx

OZ OZ OZ this is definatley on our travel plans, only Sidney so far for us alas, but the bush we must i have read Bill Bryson's book which was a eye opener as is your blog.
Good luck on the Boards.

Heavens - how different from your previous blogs.....that word "pooisonous" appears with regular frequency! Loved all the descriptions - off now to check out the photos!
xxxxx

Well it certainly seems as if the adventure is going well !!!!!!!!! Congratulations to two very special people, we are so, so happy for you both and by the look of the photos you are both on cloud nine !!! I think Chris's choice of time and place to propose was absolutely brilliant - a memory that you both will treasure forever and what a fantastic two weeks you both had. It just looks like paradise every which way you turn - even in the ocean !!! The vivid colours and shapes are breathtaking. When planning your trip you chose well to spend 2 weeks at this destination, well done !!! I loved your blogg again. Your description of the proposal and following events are so graphic that I can almost feel as though I'm there with you. Keep safe (please please no more risks !!XXX) and continue to enjoy your trip, we look forward to reading about your adventures and seeing your spectacular photographs. Thank you. Once again Congratulations and much love to both of you. Mum and Dad XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX