THE END :(

I can’t believe the time has come for me to write my very final blog.  How can I possibly summarise the best 6 months of my life into a few hundred words and pictures?!  Basically I can’t so anyone willing to listen to me over the next few weeks will no doubt hear many more stories and see at least a selection of my 3,000 photos!

 I feel very privileged and fortunate that I was able to undertake such a  fantastic trip of a lifetime including both my fiancé and my family and still have a job to come home to and a wedding to plan....although I could happily be a lady of leisure I have to say could I really be any luckier!?!

James and I achieved so much in our relatively short time away (it was long for us but compared to some travellers we met it was quite short!) We saw and experienced such a huge variety of different lifestyles and cultures and took part in so many different unique activities ranging from the Chu Chi tunnels in Siagon, to James 134m Bungee jump in Queenstown, to the Great Barrier Reef, surf lessons and many many more! These memories will keep us entertained on many rainy days in Northern Ireland for years to come!  It has been pretty special to be able to share all of these lifelong memories with my fiancé!

In the 3 short weeks that my family were here between us we also accomplished a huge amount, in standard Jess fashion we barely stopped the whole time meaning we squeezed a lot in.  Wilsons Promontory, Great Ocean Road, Great Barrier Reef, Bondi Beach, Manly,  Sydney Harbour Bridge climb (well done Mum!), cricket test and most special of all Sydney on New Years Eve.  It was a fantastic way to end my trip and an amazing final Jess family holiday!!

As a way of summarising the whole trip we have compiled some interesting statistics, when we look at them in total it is quite unbelievable really all that we achieved:

• o   158 days
• o   6 countries
• o   15 flights
• o   16 cities
• o   36 buses
• o   4 boats
• o   2 campervans
• o   4,227 kilometres driven (2,642 miles)
• o   4 trains
• o   2 trams
• o   2 tuk-tuks
• o   ½ bike rides
•  
• o   26 hostels
• o   14 hotels
• o   3 house stays...thanks again guys!!
• o   13 campsites
• o   80 hours flying
•  
• o   5 live rugby matches
• o   1 Glacier hiked
• o   26 beaches visited
• o   1 potential arrest (an early misunderstanding between James and the Dubai laws of Ramadan!!)
• o   1 speeding fine (whoops!!)

And last but not least

• o   2,377 views on my blog...compared to James 921... although of course I am not competitive in any way haha!! 

Thanks to everyone for following my blog throughout the time away I have been very flattered by how many people have shown an interest and its been lovely to hear from you all at different times during the trip – when you are away for such a long time you really appreciate the people who make an effort to stay in touch, so I guess if you are reading this you are one of those people - so thanks to you!!

I set out on this trip hoping to embrace the cliché of ‘living the dream’ and I have without doubt succeeded in this ambition.   I am gutted to have completed my adventure of a lifetime but very grateful to have had all these wonderful experiences and I will cherish the memories.  I have learned alot about many countries and cultures aswell as about myself and my fiancé, along the way we met some great people and saw some amazing things, I am very happy to say that I would not change 1 thing about our trip!!  I head home now excited to see my friends and family and especially excited to get stuck into some wedding planning!! I have quite enjoyed the blogging so you never know I may return to the blog scene as a blogging bride to be...watch this space!

For now folks that’s it from me....

Thanks again

Look forward to catching up with you all soon

Lots of love and a Happy New year, 2012 promises to be another exciting year for me and I hope its equally as good to you all.

Nicola

xxxx

Here is a selection of some of my happiest memories!!

Oh how i love these photos!!

xxx

Sydney for the Final time

Sydney – 1 last time!

Sydney has been my favourite part of Australia so I was very excited to play tour guide to the Jess family around the impressive city sites.  We spent the first day walking around (walking a marathon according to Richard!!) and went through Royal Botanical Gardens to Mrs Macquaries point.  I love this view – literally unspoilt view across the harbour to the Opera House and the Bridge.  We took some of the obligatory family photos and mum and dad were very impressed with the iconic sites! 

The next day was New Years Eve which is totally mental in Sydney with the roads, gates and parks being closed from about 3pm depending on the number of people already entered.  We decided to take a chance going down round the circular quay harbour and ended up with one of the best seats in the house...we were so pleased!!Directly opposite the Opera House with views on it and the bridge - unreal!!  We spent 7 hours sitting outside watching the ever increasing crowds attempt to walk past until the fireworks at midnight.  It was worth every minute of the wait....never in my whole life have I seen such impressive fireworks.  I took loads of photos but they just don’t do it justice, it honestly was such a special and unique NYE and I am so pleased we got to do it as a family...my final NYE as a Jess haha!!It was a totally surreal experience be there and watching it life having seen it on TV on many New Years previously!

Our prime position for 7 hours!!

The next morning Dad had a bright idea that we would beat the crowds and head to the Blue Mountains.  We were very lucky as the weather was spectacular so the views and scenery were stunning, it was a great day trip.  The ‘blue’ comes from the haze created from the Eucalyptus trees and because we were lucky enough to have such a sunny day we got a really good impression of the reason for the name!! It was quite a long day and we were pretty tired but it was worth the trip.

To continue with the ‘marathon’ trend and to keep Richard pleased we walked from Coogee to Bondi the next day, the stunning cliff top path was lovely on the bank holiday as we were able to watch many surfers and swimmers on the way.  Bondi was absolutely packed and the photos look like the stereotypical post cards with 1,000s of people on the beach and in the water.  We enjoyed a very refreshing swim before heading back to the city.  I highly recommend this coastal walk as the views are break-taking.

Bondi beach!

We were then in for a great treat as we moved into the Shangri-La hotel – definitely finishing an amazing trip in fantastic style!! It is as close to luxury as I have experienced lol!

Our final day trip was to get the ferry through the harbour across to Manly.  The ferry itself is worth the trip as it gives you a gorgeous view back across the harbour to the Opera house and the Bridge.  Manly beach is not quite as nice as Bondi but it had huge waves and was nice for a swim.

View from Manly ferry

Our penultimate day was extremely exciting as mum ventured off to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge – very brave as the rest of us were wimps!! Richard and Dad went off to the test cricket match, they chose a good day for it as Ponting and Clarke both got their centuries!!

Very happy Mum - a great achievement!

Sydney has been fantastic as always and it has been very special to be able to share it with my family.  It has been a great way to end an amazing 3 weeks.  We were treated to lots of nice hotels, yummy meals and fun activities.  Again it is hard to believe these 3 weeks are over never mind this being my final Jess holiday (they won’t get rid of me that easily I will just travel under a different name!!!)

Mums moto!! 

Just 23 hours flying and 9 hours in Dubai to go and I will be back in the Province!!!

xxxx