After the girls left us in Siem Reap, we decided that flying out via Bangkok, was not the ideal trip due to the political problems there! So we went to Phnom Penh to change our tickets (Thai Airways would not pick up the phone - so we went to see them!!) We had a little problem with the bus about 10 miles out of Siem Reap, see photo below. We change our tickets and moved onto New Zealand, where we have been for a few days getting ourselves sorted out for a road trip. Mike and trina from Beverley, put us in touch with some friends of theirs, Paul and Margaret in Auckland. A massive big thank you to Paul and Margaret who very kindly put us up, fed us and have provided a van for us to go touring in.
BIG THANKS TO PAUL, MARGARET, MADELAINE and HARRIET.
On our way to Phnom Penh the bus broke down. After applying the tried and trusted method of hitting it with a big hammer it still wouldn't go. At this point, having seen this method of maintenance fail previously, we flagged down another bus. From there on, no further problems Oh apart from missing the bus back and having to stay overnight.
In pursuit of a little culture, we went to a fashion show.
This is Conchetta and Sophie from the MaD organisation in front of the arty (white tie wrap) Christmas tree!
Garry needed a haircut after the last bad haircut but reckons he will be doing it himself in future!
This is David, our favourite tuk tuk driver in Phnom Penh. We told Mark how good he was, but when we found him the night before out flight out to NZ, he was not his usual self!! However, after Garry had put the chain back on his bike, in the middle of a main road, he got us to the airport on time and looked after Mark sightseeing!
We arrived in Auckland and accidentally ended up at the event of the year - the Coca Cola Christmas party in the park, attended by approx. 500, 000 people.
Christmas decorations were in evidence in the city centre.
Boats are very popular in the "City of Sails".
The national dish is pies!
There are some beautiful old wooden buildings in and around Auckland.
Margaret, our very generous host with Madelaine and 5 week old Harriet.
We arrived in Auckland with a ..........
We have had our first well deserved ......... in the van.
And so far everything is ..............
We have a new NZ phone number.
NZ code plus 0210 432 044
Happy Christmas to you as we are not likely to blog again before the big day. Hope you get snow and Santa is kind to you!!
Alison and Garry
In pursuit of a little culture, we went to a fashion show.
This is Conchetta and Sophie from the MaD organisation in front of the arty (white tie wrap) Christmas tree!
Garry needed a haircut after the last bad haircut but reckons he will be doing it himself in future!
This is David, our favourite tuk tuk driver in Phnom Penh. We told Mark how good he was, but when we found him the night before out flight out to NZ, he was not his usual self!! However, after Garry had put the chain back on his bike, in the middle of a main road, he got us to the airport on time and looked after Mark sightseeing!
We arrived in Auckland and accidentally ended up at the event of the year - the Coca Cola Christmas party in the park, attended by approx. 500, 000 people.
Christmas decorations were in evidence in the city centre.
Boats are very popular in the "City of Sails".
The national dish is pies!
There are some beautiful old wooden buildings in and around Auckland.
Margaret, our very generous host with Madelaine and 5 week old Harriet.
We arrived in Auckland with a .......... 
