The pictures of Laos are lovely - the White Temple making up for the lack of a white Christmas I suspect! Hope you are both well. Wishing you a safe, warm and fun New Year celebration. Not long now!! Mum xx

I guess plastic gloves in SEA are all the rage as now Kate is obviously sporting one too! I am beginning to think the animals you have seen, petted, ridden on and swam with are as amazing as the scenery you have witnessed. This is very much the trip of a lifetime it seems. Remain safe - Santa Claus is on his way! x

Cheers Kate, for the flattering blog entry from NZ. It was an absolute pleasure to have you two here. Much love, mmmmwwwaaaaa! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

So lovely to read your blog on New Zealand and Australia - what a gorgeous time you seem to have had with the family. I am so glad and I guess I knew that you would - I add my thanks to yours. I know you should be through Thailand and on to the next leg by now. Thinking of you always. Mum xxx

Wow - the tiger pictures are amazing but (sorry!) - I am obsessed with trying to work out why Dean is wearing a blue surgical glove in some photos - progression from bandage?!? Please explain in Blog when opportunity arises. Love to you both - be safe in Thailand whilst avoiding water!! Poor joke - sorry.

Maybe some kind of doggy Prozac, right?

Ok, I'm assuming they weren't on Valium?

Stroking tigers now?!! There is a piece of old Chinese philosophy, a warning about 'the smile on the face of the tiger'. Google could not find it but did turn this up instead:

There was a young; lady of Niger,
Who smiled as she rode on a tiger.
They returned from the ride
With the lady inside
And the smile on the face of the tiger.

Not quite as profound but the message is the same.

OK - I've now looked at Auckland and Queenstown 3 times! Where's the blog - where's the next update. Kate's Mum is missing her (and Dean!). Come on guys - can't hold my breath much longer. Amazing scenery in NZ - breathtakingly beautiful - you are SO lucky. Mum xx

I have to agree with Ruman's comments - your blog is hilarious - I have just caught up with 'Santiago' and laughed out loud - I didn't realise followig dead people (famous or otherwise) was on your travel agenda. Can't wait to read the NZ and Tassie blogs. Safe journeys everywhere. With love to you both. Kate's Mum!! xx

Hi guys, love reading this stuff. When is the new Zealand update coming? Are you still there? They've had the worst winter in ages. You seem to be having all the luck. Are you learning to snowboard? I hope so as it loads of fun ( after the first three days of agony). Hope to hear from you soon. J

Started reading Mendoza, and then couldn't stop myself from laughing out loud when reading about the Fernet in Bariloche. It's now past 1am on a school night and I keep reading 'just one more'. This is brill! You write exceptionally well. Funny, interesting, and A+ for punctuation and grammar ; ) (once a teacher, always a teacher)Better than my lonely planet. Got a bit bored of that. enjoy the rest of your travels. All sounds amazing.