Hey Mike, hope alls well with you to - and a belated Happy New Year right back at you. As for the photos of me, they are just there so no body forgets what I look like. Its either that or I send Matthew door to door :-) Having a great time at the mo', have just spent 3 days kayaking on the Wanganui river on the north island of NZ. I was quite suprised they let me hire the kayak. When I phoned the company to book I mentioned I had no previous canoeing experience and the reply was "well, you'll have plenty when your finished", and I was off!. It was very, very exciting - especially the grade II rapids. Did I say exciting. I meant terrifying. Still, I managed to stay in the boat and had a great time. While my hands and arms recover I have also done a mountain crossing in Tongariro, the area with the Volcano used as Mount Doom in the Middle Earth trilogy. Got some great photos and now my legs feel pretty much the same as my arms.

Well, goota go - am heading off to Wellington for some much deserved relaxation.

Take care all,

Mart

Hello mate, how is it going, like the pictures you took but the only complaint I have is I know what you look like, so why is there photos of you!!!! Anyway mate I am glad to hear you are getting on fine and hope it all goes well for the rest of your travels, I have spoke to Matty and he said you seem to be getting on ok. Judging by the photos you took it looks like a fantastic experience. Anyway mate I am now going to go now so HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! and have fun. take it easy.

Hello mate, how is it going, like the pictures you took but the only complaint I have is I know what you look like, so why is there photos of you!!!! Anyway mate I am glad to hear you are getting on fine and hope it all goes well for the rest of your travels, I have spoke to Matty and he said you seem to be getting on ok. Judging by the photos you took it looks like a fantastic experience. Anyway mate I am now going to go now so HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! and have fun. take it easy.

Hello mate, how is it going, like the pictures you took but the only complaint I have is I know what you look like, so why is there photos of you!!!! Anyway mate I am glad to hear you are getting on fine and hope it all goes well for the rest of your travels, I have spoke to Matty and he said you seem to be getting on ok. Judging by the photos you took it looks like a fantastic experience. Anyway mate I am now going to go now so HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! and have fun. take it easy.

Hi Martin! Sudafed is legalised speed too....doesnt mean it is safe for domestic use! Dont touch the stuff out there, trust me!
steve has loads of family out there so if you get bored or need somewhere to shak give us an e-mail..but be nice to them, we are hoping to get out there next year and scrounge whatever!
We missed new years too, we were the only sad b****** stuck in at home, even Zara got out! My God we need a life!

Glad you are somewhere a little safer...mind the ruddy great fault line running right across New Zealand though..plate techtonics not being what they should at the moment!
have a great time and we look forward to the next enthralling chapter in Castaway Baldwin!
lol

Kia Ora (maori greeting) Darren, good to hear from you. Sounds like they have got Matt in the right place at last. Lets hope he got lots of soap for Christmas!

Yes, I messed up, I booked my flight from Chile to New Zealand on the 30th of December thinking "great, new years eve in Auckland". I completely forgot about the International date line, took off on the 30th and landed 12 hours later on the first of January, 2005! Ah well, you can't win them all. I still managed to find a bar around the corner from the hostel with the last leg of die hard New Years celebrators and joined them for a quick pint. They were running on some kind of energy pills they have here - called Jet Black or something like that. One of the guys described it as "legalised speed, mate"! Gonna have to get me some of that!

Right, I shall now go and Intrepidly explore New Zealand. Show me the bus station!

All the best for 2005,

Martin

Hi Martin! Happy new year! Although I understand you managed to lose the new year in transit somewhere?
Only just learnt about your site last night off Matty. Mike is treating him to a new year visit to Blundeston Prison today. Said something about him making a good bi-atch?
Have to say all those time zones don't seem to be doing you any good, you look like you've gained a few years. Your hairline is catching up with mine!!!!
Any idea on what you are going to do about the Asia leg of your journey?
All the best mate.

Have a good Chistmas, Matin, Dale , and Sharon.Hope you will be home for the next Christmas.

Hi All,

Just a quick postit to wish every one a Merry Christmas, or !Feliz Navidad! as the say in Latin America, and a Happy new year. It´s absolutely baking hot here (Panama) so its not very christmassy, despite an amazing number of christmas trees and inflatable snowmen. I have managed to book a flight Christmas eve to Chile, so hopefully I´ll get a pre-packaged christmas dinner on the plane :-)

I´ve posted some photos from Belize, so enjoy and eat a few mince pies for me.

Have a great 2005!

Martin

Oh my god (in a weird American accent) - i cant believe some of those pics of the ruins - they look beautiful. Make sure you get some info on the origins etc. I think you're guna have to have a welcome home travelling party or photos n stuff to show everyone.........or just a piss up first! Anyway, wow! Be careful there isnt any weird magic attachted to the ruins, or u may end up bringing some weird curse back with u! Tee hee ;)

Glad to hear from you, have printed out the photos to show Gran. Thay are good. Wher is Dale? You didnt push him into the volcano did you,love Mum xxxxxx.

Hey you!!!!!!! It's so brilliant to be able to read all your updates and see how you're doing....it all sounds soooo wonderful!!! Did you see any jaguars in the end (we want piccys!)?? Take care matey xxx