On the main island we rented a car and visited some of the historical sites, the roads were pretty rough and the map rather inadequate, but we made our way to Abel Tasmans landing site and the blow hole coast. Other places of note were the terraced grave sites, Captain Cooks landing, the Tongan stonehenge and the ship wreck harbour.



Back on the island where we spent most our time we went on a bike ride around both the islands, which were connected by a rough causeway, this took us 3 hrs return, though this was a rather leisurely ride as there was plenty to stop and look at.

Pigs, coconut farms, and sandcastles, plenty to see and do, but really what else do you go to the islands for but to swim and sun bathe. Though actually i should mention that we did a beginners scuba dive which was only down to 6 meters, but hay at least weve tried it now, and angel if your reading this, on my next dive i can go down to 12 meters so maby you and i can do the red sea together.



I should probably mention that unless you want to see something you may not want to, you shouldn't look to closely at one of these pictures

Day to Day and Upcoming Events

Well there are a few notable events coming up, the foremost on my mind at the mo is the 'Guns and Roses' concert, its going to be awesome, tickets go on sale tomorrow, and i will be first in line thats for sure, I dont at all listen to them anymore but i am a fan from way back, so i will definitely be going, i hope that axl is wearing his bike shorts. Ha Ha. Next thing of note, dean and I are heading to Tonga next week, for an end of summer vacation, we have heard mixed things about it, but were pretty laid back so im sure we will enjoy it, we are planning on taking some canned food, just in case, i mean there were those riots and all a while back.

Rose and I have finally booked our tickets to Egypt and are heading off in august, i cant wait to see little robbie again, i hope that he hasnt grown too much. On our to do list is jordan and Israel, as well as mount sinai. I have always wanted to go to mecca but i think i will have to wait until pitas in Saudi before i can follow up on that dream.

ANZAC Day

Well given that its ANZAC Day, I thought that Id add something from Grandad Syds War Journal which I have slowly been deciphering its quite interesting, lots of time spent in egypt swimming listening to the radio and reading before they were shipped out to Italy. Since were going to egypt soon im quite keen to see some of the places that he writes about. Well the Journal entry ive included is from 25 April 1943.

Tuesday 25 April 1943

"Had a latt and cleaned up gear messed around all morning. Went for a stroll then to dentists to get things polished, went for stroll then listened to radio till 8.30. Bed about 9. Lovely day bit sunburnt."

So its not the most exciting entry in the journal but it gives a good idea about how the average day was.

My Vegetable Garden

Unfortunately with winter coming on, I have caught my garden it the end of its long summer life but you still get a good idea of how it went. The Tomatoes are delicious I will be sad when they are all gone for the year, it means I will have to buy them from the supermarket. I will make a paste with the chillies so that should last me to the end of the year when I can grow some more, and looks like we will be having alot of pumpkin soup. I also have onions, silverbeet and plenty of herbs, as well as some kumara and potatoes.