Back to Reality

So the reality is that while November in the UK is undeniably cold...at least the sun is shining. We got back into Heathrow in the early hours of this morning after a 36 hr slog from Koh Chang via Bangkok via the Koh San Road for some last minute bargain basement shopping. The trip is officially now over so we both wanted to recap, for our benefit and for anyone else still reading, on the best bits and worst bits of the trip

Trip highlight:

NG: Doing a 60m freefall canyon swing in Queenstown, New Zealand

JW: Our Whitsunday cruise upgrade that saw us enjoying a glimpse of luxury and playing beach cricket on the best beach in the world...or living on the road for a month in New Zealand in Taniwha the campervan

Trip lowlight:

NG: Getting our passports replaced in Brisbane
JW: Phillip Island. Great Penguins, shame about the tourists

Friendliest locals:

NG: The three thai barmaids at the 'You and Me' bar in Kai Bai Beach, Ko Chang.

JW: Impossible to call between the ozzies and the kiwis...and the thais outside Bangkok.

Biggest surprise:

NG: That thai women don't use toilet paper and that James survived a night in the jungle in Chiang Mai.
JW: The rabid dogs with massive boobs in Bangkok...or the fact that we didn't actually encounter any bugs of consequence...or that I survived a gay night in Sydney

Biggest disappointment:

NG: Shelling out a hefty sum in New Zealand to swim with the dolphins and instead spending four hours speeding accross the ocean, desperately trying to find any form of marine life (we saw and swam with nothing)
JW: Doubtful Sound in New Zealand. No doubt stunning on a beatiful day but the rain, cold and wind (and shabby boat) meant all we wanted to do was go home.

Best place visited:

NG: Will get the full photo album up on Facebook soon to give you any idea of how hard this category is! ...Probably Kangaroos and sunset at dawn on the road trip to Melbourne. Whitehaven beach also features highly.
JW: Too many to choose from but probably Whitehaven Beach on the Whitsundays. Nearest thing to paradise we found.

And the worst:

NG: Backward Brisbane

JW: Probably Brisbane. Just...very...boring

Most drunk:

NG: Nothing compared to the below for Jim, but possibly the last night of our travel adventures in Ko Chang...
JW: Erm...Chiang Mai.

Best animal:

NG: Dolphins swimming by the Whitsundays boat at twlight, the seahorse on the last day in Ko Chang.

JW: Kangaroos at the campsite in Melbourne, or turtle at the Great Barrier Reef.

Lessons learned:

NG: Becoming veggie is much easier than first expected.... also you do really need about a year to really see all of Australia
JW: it is hypocritical to say how cute kangaroos are when they're hopping around, then eat kangaroo steak for dinner

Most missed about home whilst away:

NG: My family and friends
JW: Chicken Jalfrezi and cheese platters

Will most miss about being away:

NG: Forgetting which day of the week it is because every day is a holiday.
JW: Beautiful landscapes, sunshine and the sea

So that's it. And if anyone can be bothered, our THOUSANDS of pictures can be seen at http://www.flickr.com/photos/11623316@N08/sets/72157603191858037/