A Tale Of Two Hobbits

By Kerry Stephens

We'd dreamt of travelling the world for many a long year
And we saved the extra pennies from three jobs to get us there
When we finally got the tickets it was time to tell the world
We were off on an adventure, to see what our future held.

First to Bali, with its culture, where a moped will hold four!
The poverty's apparent. The effect from bombs still raw.
Still, the country was a sight and we had the superb notion
To go sailing with the dolphins and to snorkel in the ocean
We saw volcanoes and rice paddies, many pieces of true art,
Being sold for just a dollar. It almost broke my heart!

After two weeks living like Kings, to Perth, West Oz, we flew
A clean and friendly City with a lot to see and do
King's Botanical Gardens were a pleasure to walk around
Featuring war memorials, with inscriptions so profound

A trip over to Rottnest, a tiny little isle
Showed us some secluded beaches where we could chill awhile
We spent our time frolicking in the waters blue
Then we hired a 'Wicked' camper, so we could enjoy the view
From Fremantle up to Exmouth, where the laid-back attitude
Makes you wanna hit the beach and become a surfer dude!
The kangaroos, the deserts, the canyons and the sea
A variety of wildlife and Mother Nature there to see.
We really fell in love with Australia's West coast
With its unequalled surroundings and the atmosphere it boasts

The next step in our journey took us to Adelaide
Where some life-long family bonds were very quickly made
We gained a whole new kin- 32 to be precise
And we were quite astounded that everyone was nice!!

Lovely cousin Lynne put us up for two weeks or so
And we'd grown so use to family life we didn't want to go
Off to Sydney, for New Years, where we watched the big display
Of multicoloured fireworks over Circular Quay
The Opera House, the HarbourBridge, the famous BondiBeach
A City of true beauty- one that never goes to sleep!
We stayed in a place called Glebe with eleven young backpackers
Thankfully they all were nice; else we'd have both gone crackers!

After seeing all the sights (and spending LOADS of dough)
We flew back into Adelaide to get us on the road
In a '98 Ford Falcon, the best car we've ever owned
We drove down from South Oz, into the great unknown.

Passed Mt.Gambier and Robe, a pretty seaside town
And up into the Grampians, where MacKenzieFalls are found
We stayed up in the mountains for a day or two
Then to the Great Ocean Road, to check out the best view
Of the ocean's brutal force crashing the jagged shore
Into shapes like Admiral's Arch, Razorback and many more
Sunset at Twelve Apostles was like nothing else on Earth
The sky was filled with reds and plums preparing for night's birth
Just to be there was an honour, the two of us as one
Vowing love to one another, witnessed by the setting sun

The next day brought the rainy skies; the heaven's poured their tears
Soaking us, the tent and everything that we had both brought here
Still the land was looking parched, Oz was suffering a drought
So the locals said "That rain's something to rejoice about!"

We headed through ApolloBay and finished at Geelong
That had the nicest promenade that I have ever known
There were carvings all along the front, of people made of wood
From businessmen to ladies in bikinis: proud they stood
Along the long seafront a funfair filled the sky
The Ferris Wheels' passengers had a reason to feel 'high'

From Geelong we drove north, to Ballarat where Gold
Was found in 1984: folk struck it rich we're told!
A visit to Sovereign Hill was a lot of fun to see
Where the townsfolk all wear costumes, from blacksmiths to cavalry
In the night they have a show with explosives and fake rain
That depicts a huge revolt where 22 were slain

Next up was the long journey we'd been dreading from the start
To Shepparton where pear picking was our work there on a farm
30 bucks a bin you know will never make you wealthy
(Though all that lifting work makes you muscley and healthy!)
The water looked like chocolate so we didn't want to shower
As we'd come out smelling cleaner but looking even browner!!

You also have to look for twigs, one stabbed me in the eye
I ended up in A E, the pain sure made me cry!
With a record 7 boxes after 13 hours straight
We had bruises on our shins and backs about to break
It hardly all seemed worth it, but our lodging there were free
Though with stains upon the mattress this was far from luxury!

Us 'Pomes' can't complain though, it may not have been pristine
But we had the superb company of Alex and Celine!
Drinking cheap bourbon and coke, watching the comet in the sky
Eating all together (between swatting the damn flies!)
When it was time to leave we almost didn't want to go
As we now felt like a family with "King" Albert and Joe

But the asphalt called the wanderers onto the Yarra Valley
Then to Melbourne for a few days where we both became quite pally
With Mads and Maria, who came with us to a show
Where vampires paraded, Darren felt he was at home!

St Kilda was quite funky, we walked along the sand
But we soon grew bored of Melbourne so headed to Gippsland
Where paradise was found, it looked just like a dream,
With its mountains and its rivers and its beach, all in one scene

It soon was time to head north so we made a quick departure
And headed to Canberra where we saw the Magna Carter
The War Memorial there makes you ponder at the cost
Of the freedom which was fought for and the lives for which were lost.

Next, the beaches of Kiama, such a quaint and pretty town
And Wollongong, where we both wanted time to stay around
Back to the Blue Mountains the 'Three Sisters' stood their guard
And to lovely cousin Dave's, a night off sleeping in the car!
We followed Dave to Forster via SummerBay's Palm Beach,
And Newcastle, where celebrities were within an arm's reach

From there we went to Tamworth, Oz's Nashville country state
Yet we couldn't find one gig and it wasn't worth the wait.
So we drove back up the coast, Coff's Harbour, ByronsBay
(Where we got a parking ticket, for parking the wrong way!)

Up then even further until we reached Queensland
We lazed round in Miami reading, snoozing in the sand
Surfers Paradise boasted many pubs and clubs galore
The girls were really pretty and Darren was in awe!

We tried to get a job, but nobody would hire
Two typical backpackers in such scruffy attire
Disheartened and annoyed we'd almost had our lot
When we were introduced to the crazy Caz and Scott!
They both made us laugh, their humour's loads of fun
So we all left Surfers "paradise" and travelled to Brisbane
A relaxed and gorgeous city, with a carefree atmosphere
And exquisite grand buildings and lit up sculpture spheres

Across to Moreton Island the four of us explored
The world's third largest sand isle, in Scotty 's 4x4.
We camped out on the beach and tried spear fishing in the day,
But the fish knew we were coming as they all swam far away!
We watched the dolphins feeding at Tangalooma in the night
And a huntsman jumped on Darren, God he really got a fright!
Moreton's like the West Coast, its sandy beaches bare,
The absence of a sea of towels on the East Coast is rare.
We got back onto the ferry after seven splendid days
When we arrived in Brisbane we all went our separate ways

After calling the recruiters there were still no temp. positions,
So we thought 'To hell with work' and made the rash decision
To blow a lot of money on a fortnight super-pass
To Movieworld, Wet 'n' Wild and Seaworld- the Theme Parks
We both applied for jobs there, whilst having loads of fun
And couldn't quite believe it when they said they'd take us on!
We started work at Wet 'n' Wild, Darren serving ice cream
To ladies in bikinis, he was living out a nice dream!
I was serving burgers, at Bombora Burger Bar
Then we both got extra work at Aussie Outback Spectacular!
The show had country music, cowboys, horses and the works,
In fact in came with everything I'd wanted from Tamworth!

After three weeks freedom beckoned, in search of ventures new
We stopped at many towns and the fab Australia Zoo
Their croc show is amazing and though good ol' Steve is gone
Through his staff, his park and family, his legacy lives on

We saw Scott and Caz in Childers, where they picked lemons in the sun
In the morn we drove to Bunderberg to sample their sweet rum.
In the town of 1770 we took a surfing class
And rode a few waves each without falling on our ass!
At AirlieBeach we booked a trip to sail the fair Whitsundays
Aboard a boat called "Boomerang" we surely had three fun days!

A text from Mads in Townsville said he'd like us all to meet
What a small world then to find that we were all in the same street!
We went straight for a coffee and we pledged to meet again
We didn't go back on our word and met again in Cairns

There we found a dive school and had our SCUBA exams bought
Over 5 days, 3 upon the reef, by Frodo we were taught
In the class we learnt the theory, then had a medical
Before learning how to wear the gear and jumping in the pool
The sensation of descending into the water's depth
Is really rather weird as you want to hold your breath
You use a regulator to supply you with O2With your tank,
BC and weights you then stride into the blue

On the third day we set off to the Great Barrier Reef
Where we came across a new world that was waiting underneath
We tickled a sea turtle and even saw a shark
And the night-time dive was certainly not for the weak at heart!

After getting back to shore, both qualified of course,
We headed further onward to the gorgeous Mossman Gorge.
We strolled 'round the rainforest and took in all the greenery,
Knowing that the days ahead would be a change of scenery.

The drive into the Outback proved a long a weary task
As apart from shrubs and sand there's really nothing much to pass!
One day we saw 100 eagles, and heaps more kangaroos
And the land of 'Never, Never' gets some stunning sunset views!
The desert nights are magical the stars hang upside down
I got my first glimpse of Dads star, since leaving our hometown.

We hit LitchfieldNational Park after driving four days straight
And the views were just spectacular, WangiFalls were worth the wait
You could dip in Florence water hole, and so I took a swim
Up into the waterfall, where I got a pummelling!

Our next stop was to Darwin, oh what a lovely city!
Not a single tall skyscraper, man that place is really pretty!
Outside bars and cafes gave Darwin a groovy mood
The Aboriginal Art Museum's where great artwork can be viewed.
We went to a beachfront market and we saw a good live band,
Playing many didgeridoos and singing 'bout their native land.

When we reached the northern summit we turned the car around
And headed south to Kakadu, where Utopia was found!
The variety of flora was vast- a sight to see
And the rock art was breath taking at a site called Nourlangie.
We next stopped at small Katherine, then drove further inland
Darren climbed the 'Devil's Marbles', mimicking 'Spiderman'!

After hours of plain desert we arrived in Alice Springs
From the top of Anzac Hill you could see most everything!
It looks like Nevada, the McDonnellRanges frame the page,
The town looks like a lost ant, on an amphitheatre stage.

Our journey through the desert to pastures all anew
Took us down the Stuart Highway to the famous Uluru.
We paid the 50 dollars to enter the park's gate
Then once again set up the tent- a task that Darren hates!

It's hard in words to justify how imposing Ayers Rock looks
In real life it seems bigger than it does in picture books
We got the chance to climb it- it took us bloomin' ages
As we had a laugh along the way with a pair of funny Danish!
Eva and Isobella- us four made it to the peak
Then we took some silly photos acting like a bunch of geeks!

Next was Kata Tjuta, ('The Olgas'- their Aussie name)
Looking equally impressive jutting from the flat terrain,
King's Canyon's also stunning, there you find tranquillity
And surround yourself in peaceful thoughts- perfect serenity.

We passed right through the border of South Australia, where we
Had set off in our Falcon, five months previously!
We arrived in Cooper Pedy, where their trade is opal mining,
It looks like the world has ended; man that town needs some refining!

We looked at Port Augusta then stopped to rest 'til dawn
Near a gorgeous little town, going by the name of Quorn
The nights by now were freezing, in our sleeping bags we'd huddle
But the seats were far apart; so couldn't even cuddle!
We woke up both half frozen and defrosted on the way
To the beauteous set of mountains called the South Flinders Range
We walked an 8k track at the fab Wilpena Pound
Looking out for wallabies, tip-toeing without sound

We then drove south to Gawler, stayed with Andrea and Heather
In my heart I was so happy that we all were back together!
We spent some time with cousin Keith, who's helped us both no end
As well as being family he's now become a friend.

We had some lovely nights catching up with all the kin
Then Darren lost his passport, which turned up safe in Darwin!
We waited for the Postie to bring it from afar
In the meantime we were busy making sure we'd sold the car
Thankfully the passport came, the day before our flight
Back to Brisbane where we'd planned to spend out last two nights

As our Aussie travels ended we felt a little lost
Knowing that we'd leave a part of both our hearts there back in Oz!

When we first got to New Zealand we knew it would be prettyIt looked just like Cambridge, England, when we looked round Christchurch City
We hired an Ezy Camper and put it to the test
The locations of 'Lord of the Rings' became a two week quest
The scenery's breath-taking, hard in words to explain
How small you feel surrounded by such a vast terrain.

We saw the film's locations in the beautiful South Isle
The most picturesque countryside we've seen without denial!
Lake Wanaka, Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo captivated
And in Arrowtown and Queenstown we felt most elevated
Surrounding Lake Wakatipu was the snow-capped mountain range
Looming over Queenstown centre, not just Remarkables by name!

Mumma Frost and Kris flew in to join us on our trip
And then Rob, Danny and Ian completed our 'Fellowship'.
We saw Rob and Ian bungee jump and showed everyone our highlights
But nothing beat Fox Glacier and our three-hour heli-hike!
The helicopter took us high near a cascading waterfall
Then landed us on Fox, which glistened like a jewel.
Crampons tightly fastened, we trekked the ice formation
Wondering' if we'd ever live to see a more alluring Nation

North New Zealand's luscious hills look like Britain too
Although I've never seen more shades of green within one view
'The Fellowship' took a ride in a jet boat down a river
And looking for excitement the 'luging' did deliver!
We stopped in Rotorua, which has a pungent smell
The geothermal gas smells like it's risen straight from hell!

We said 'bye' to the boys before white water rafting
Plunging down a 20ft waterfall was fun and had us laughing!
The 'Hobbits' felt at home at the 'Hobbiton' film site
Baggin's home fit us all perfectly because of our short height!

We waved bye to the family, us two did then embark
On the long drive to the snowy peaks of Tongariro National Park
The next surprise was meeting Jes, my best friend from L.A
After nine years separated we were catching up all day!

We felt sad leaving New Zealand, we'll miss the Kiwi's smiling faces
Two Isles so different and yet the most beautiful of places

Our next plane flew us to Fiji and the sun shone down on Nadi,
Then we sailed to ManaIsland, where the beach was white and sandy
Although the room on Mana looked like a student's squat
The activities were great and the blazing sun was hot!
Volleyball and snorkelling both took our breath away
As did the orange sunset sinking 'cross from SunsetBay

The isle of Nananu-I-Ra was more remote and calm
No backpackers to be seen and soft beaches lined with palms
A week there spent in paradise enjoying laid-back peace
Preceded diving with Bull Sharks- Five metre, dangerous beasts!
Down at 30 metres their feeding session could be seen
We watched them chomp their food (no safety cage in between)

Ending Fiji's two week travels with adrenaline piled high
We were told our flight was cancelled, so we'd have to spend the night
In Sydney of all places, in our favour luck's cards fell
And we got an extra night in the best city in the world!!!

We next flew into Singapore, an urban Utopian dream
All the buildings look brand new and the city seems to gleam
A 40-year-old country, not much culture we did wager,
So we caught the next train north, arriving in Malaysia

Darren's birthday at 'The Traders' posh hotel was luxury
At night PetronasTowers really are a sight to see!
We saw the whole of Kuala Lumpur by going up inside
The largest towers in the world, Malaysia's architectural pride

Bangkok's airport did come next; full of ladyboys in pose
The City sure is full of life, of noise and 'ping-pong' shows!
We met Pegah and Maria, Mark and Richard and drank loads!
Emptying the bars of the famous Khaosan Road
We both got rather ill and spent 19 endless days
In a city that we bored of, yet we couldn't get away!

Finally we caught a train and boat to Koh Tao Isle
We re-met Pegah and Maria and hung out for a while
Frodo now was working, teaching divers in the blue
He'd swapped Queensland for Koh Tao for diving challenges anew
We spent some time together at Aussie 'Chopper's' every night
And we saw some Muay Thai boxing where the girls can REALLY fight!

A boat took us to Koh Pan Ngan, the moon parties' location
Which attracts the spaced-out junkies from across most every nation!
Pegah once again was there, so we thought we'd all find
The nicest beach to chill out on, not thinking 'bout the time.

It wasn't 'til we arrived at Cambodia's immigration
That we realised we were 10 days late at exiting the nation!
We had to pay a fine, which was huge, 8,000 baht-
An obscene amount of money that in Asia could go far!

The deadly trip to Siem Reap, down the bumpiest road ever
Was a frantic ride of panic, that seemed to last forever!
We finally arrived and set off to the 'Bar Street'
Where great alfresco diners offer fine cuisines to eat.

The ancient Angkor Temples were incredible to see
Angkor Wat was built as far back as the 13th Century!
It's amazing how such buildings can remain in tact so long,
I had shivers down my spine at the mystical Ta Phrom,
There the jungle had recaptured back the Temple's holy ground,
'Twas as though the bricks surrendered to the tree roots all around
It took us three long days to explore the Temple sites
With Eron as our driver of our remorque motorbike

We sailed the MekongRiver in a narrow longboat
Passing villages designed to literally float!
The schools, the shops and bars, even a petrol station
Could be moved along the water to a different destination
The boat arrived in Battambang. We didn't stay for long
Not wanting much to venture as the rain came down so strong

The next stop was the Capital, Phnom Penh; a dirty place
Though the grime could be forgiven with every smiling face!
Cambodia is full of corruption everywhere
Yet the folk just go on living in a country so unfair

It was only 30 years ago the vile Khmer Rouge killed
Bones still lay protruding from the earth at Killing Fields
Around two million people, all with innocent, sweet lives
Were slaughtered there regardless if they were sons, babies or wives
Everyone lost someone in those years of genocide
Yet they look into the future hoping luck is on their side

We made friends in Phnom Penh, Michelle and Julian
We saw sad stuff in the days, the nights we left for fun
We all ate at the riverfront, where we met Gia Mey,
A girl I wanted to adopt and take so far away
12 years old, carrying books to sell 'til 10 each night
Jeopardising her rare schooling at that age just isn't right

The journey into Saigon, now called Ho Chi Minh
Was where our travelling adventures in Vietnam did begin
A city full of motorbikes, of shops and bustling streets
And the Renaissance Palace, the site of the great retreat
The Palace looks from the '70's; its art deco's fine
And is far from our own Buckingham's more regal, posh design

From Saigon we did a trip to the Cu-Chi Tunnels
Which were used against the South, by the guerrilla rebels
Our tour guide told us all about the hardships felt through war
How the communists now ruled, so no freedom anymore.

The best way to see 'Nam is by a cheap, tourist bus
You can hop on any day, travelling without a fuss
Mui Ne Beach was pleasant; the RedCanyon there's divine!
A structure of sand stone, carved out by the rain and time

The bus took us to Dalat, famous for coffee plantations
(Vietnam's the 2nd biggest coffee producing Nation!)
Dalat's colder than the coast, as it's high up in the hills
Dressed in woolly hats and jumpers we both still had the chills
We hired a cheap, old moped and rode the mountain paths,
Stopping at the Happy Buddha, his huge smile made us laugh

We met a man called Yves from the southern part of France,
Who we bumped into all through our trip of Vietnam, by chance!
At Nha Trang, a beach town on the Eastern coast of 'Nam
It was boiling hot again, and the ocean clean and calm

The very next location makes my personal 'Top 3'
The quaint town of Hoi An is an absolute must-see!
Cafes line the river and bright lanterns set a scene
Of romance and beauty. An atmosphere serene
Gorgeous terrace buildings from the old French Colony
And a beach that rivalled any of those previously seen!

We both bought piles of clothes from a tailors called 'Be Be'
Before heading to the Citadel, in the town called Hue'
We saw the Forbidden Purple Palace, laden with gems and gold
From there the demands of the Emperors were told
In Hue' it started raining and never seemed to end
'Til the water was up passed our knees and everything was drenched
Cockroaches floating by, boats sailing down the road
We waded through the flooding to our cheap hotel abode

The next day we were on the bus for 16 hours straight
To Hanoi, where shopping at the Old Quarter was great!
We booked a two-day sailing trip to stunning HalongBay
The kasts jut out from the water, making such a fine display
We all went kayaking and circled the small islets
And watched the sunset bloom into a sea of rose and violet
We met Lianne and Anthony, who we dined with on the street
They were moving soon to London, so we pledged again to meet

The flight back into Thailand made us feel a little glum
Anxious to be in the midst of Bangkok's mad bedlam!
The final leg of travelling took part in North Thailand
A collation of thick jungle, tall mountains and farmland
Chiang Mai was the luscious site for our long jungle trek
And a captivating ride upon a huge Elephant's neck
We also got to sail on a flimsy bamboo raft
And we crashed into the rocks, getting soaked and feeling daft!
Some crazy things were carried out, like kissing a big python
Adding to the list of our adventures, now all bygone
Some frantic last-chance shopping made a pile of new stuff
I got loads of sexy high heels, but you just can't have enough!

The final days approached, so to Bangkok we did go
To prepare ourselves for the last flight, the one to take us home
A collage of emotions too immense to now explain
In short we both wanted to experience again
All the beauty and adventures, to see the wondrous places
To meet up with the pals we've made and see their friendly faces

We did both miss our family and looked forward to the time
We'd catch up on what we'd missed in the year that had gone by
There certainly were changes made to both us of this year
We've grown more understanding and we've overcome some fears

Boarding the 'Qantas' Boeing plane I felt a sense of pride
Realising what I'd achieved with my soul-mate by my side
There's a silent world of knowledge that only we can share
That made the trip more special, than if we'd travelled solitaire

Touching down 'The End' came, though it feels like life's begun
And I pray a brand new challenge rises with each morning sun
May there be wisdom gained, in every step on this life's road
May the faith in ever-learning lighten any burden's load
May the mediocre never quench our hearts' desire
May the wings of fate lift us all and take us ever higher

I hope these precious memories will never turn to grey
And we'll get a chance to see more of the world again some day!!

The End