Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang

On the 10th we rented three motorbike/scooters and drove to a blue lagoon. We would have biked but it was along long way to go in this hot weather and we figured that for the smae cost we could see alot more of the area. The lagoon was about four metres deep and was shaded by a large rubber tree. There were two branches for jumping off and two swings. We had heaps of fun jumping and swinging into the cool refreshing water. Above the lagoon were huge limestone cliffs whiched surround the entire valley. In these cliffs were caves so we went 'spelunking' (caving) for a while. The cave we visited was 400m long but we just went into the beginning of it. it was full of stilagmites and stilagtites and in the middle of the first room was a buddist shrine of a golden women. After having a final swim we then continued up the valley until we reached a river. The only way accros was via a toll brigde which we decided was to expensive and we had to turn back. There is lots of smog and smoke and it was hard to see the hills around us while driving through the valley. Back in town we returned our motorbikes before going out anf experiences our first real asia dinner.

The 'VIP' bus ride to Luang Prabang was eight hours of long, windy, narrow road, up and down mountains with another crazy driver. Mum booked five seats to save money so we all squeezed across the back seat.  That night arrived at our guesthouse in Luang Prabang (Laos). We all have our own bed! The hosts live downstairs, and they are very nice people! It is New Year in South-East Asia and there are alot of celebrations going on all week. For the last few days we have been playing cards, walking in the beautiful night markets full of paper lanterns, silk scarves and other hand-crafted treasures. We have tried some interesting food down alley ways and it's not that bad. We have been 'eating out' in restaurants most nights but they are not like NZ restaurants. We like fried rice, fried noodles, fruit shakes and curries at the restaurants. During the day we have been baguettes/French Bread and Bananas. We have to by are find safe drinking water all the time because we are always thirsty. One day we were lucky enough to see elephants parading down the street as part of New Year celebration. There are Beautiful Temples and Buddha images everywhere and this morning we got up at six in the morning to see the monks in their orange robes receiving alms, mainly rice. Yesterday and today the whole town goes on the street and splashes and sprays water on each other to cleanse and purify each other for the Year to come. We have bought water pistols and it's been lots of fun. Everyone is partying and we went to a carnival two nights ago. The celebrations are very interesting and it's cool to be a part of it all.

The Nieuwys

Brunei to Vang Vieng

Where do we start. We spent a few days in brunei visiting the Fuller/Walker
family while we adjusted to the heat and humidity there. One day we took a boat ride to the water village, the whole village is built on stilts. We also saw proboscis monkeys swinging in the trees, they have very long noses. We saw the Sultan's palace. Everyone has flash cars and big houses. Most of the women wear colourful Burkas. We loved walking into buildings with air conditioning. People were wearing jeans and sweatshirts!!!
It was Johanna's Birthday on the Seventh and we had pancakes and birthday cake. That night we flew to Kota Kinabalau, Malaysia. We spent four hours in the airport then flew to Kuala Lumpa, Malaysia - there we slept on the floor. It was hot, we were tired, dehydrated and hungry, We couldn't exchange any money. All the food looked 'interesting', Because our third flight was rescheduled we spent 17 hours in the airport. Dad got a meal on the flight to Vientiene, Laos (which Mum accidently clicked on when she booked the tickets). In Vietiene we stayed in a nice guest house (Air Conditioned). It was late we were still tired and the food still looked 'interesting'. We ended up eating in a sort of Asian Pizza Hut, it was good. We managed to exchange some money. We were all confused with the money, $1US is $10,000Kip. Mum's wallet looks pretty thick!
The next day we took a Minibus to Vang Vieng. We had a little language problem. Mum thought the ride was $80,000Kip for us all ($8US) But it was $80,000Kip each. We knew it was too good to be true. We did a little bartering. Our driver was crazy! People are supposed to drive on the right but we did get here
We are staying at the 'Elephant crossing' in Vang Vieng right on the Nam Xong river, we walked around town and soaked up the atmosphere, us kids just had banana pancakes from a street stall and Mum and Dad are trying some 'interesting' food for tea. We're glad we aren't the Guinea Pigs.
Some of us are missing home but we are just going with the flow.

The 5 Little Nieuwys

High in the sky...

We drove to the Auckland airport and checked in. The airport busy and we got scanned by lots of X-Ray Machines and scanners. Before we left we looked on the Internet if we had little TVs but when we boarded we didn't. I'm sure Anneke and Johanna were going to cry! The plane was blessed We took off and blasted into the sky

The plane was going 910km/h, almost 11km above the sea!!! We flew over Australia and Indonesia. We were well feed. We arrived safely in Brunei to a Lightning Storm. It is very hot and sticky. Luckily our friends-The Fuller/Walker Family, picked us up we are staying with them for the next few days.

By Madeleine and Thomas.

(Please comment on our blog but it is read by everyone)

The Beginning...

Well the last few months has gone very quickly. We spring cleaned the house, fixed up the farm and said our goodbyes. After a night in Hastings with our close friends we took the bus to Auckland. We are staying with Nanny and Pa. We have too many bags so we are re-packing before our flight to Brunei tommorrow (Easter Sunday).





The Nieuwys