G J Hutton Travel Log

10

2010-04-22T18:44:00.001-07:00

Malaysia and T land

2010-04-22T18:43:00.000-07:00

Favorite Photographs of 2009

2010-03-22T02:39:00.000-07:00

A slideshow of photographs I enjoy from 2009....

Nanjing, China

2010-03-20T04:38:00.000-07:00

Ulan Bataar, Mongolia

2010-01-26T00:35:00.000-08:00

Hi.

Just a quick post to say we have arrived safely in Ulan Bataar. We had a fantastic time in Russia and it has given me the biggest travel buzz I have had in quite some time.I didnt imagine the people to be so hospitable and kind.

We travelled from Moscow to Yekaterinburg in 3rd class. we were almost scared into changing our tickets to 2nd class after our hostel said we should upgrade as our chance of surviving the trip were minimal - or at best we would be mugged. But it turned out to be a fantastic experience and we got to see the real Russia. It took about 10 minutes on the train for us to be offered our first shot of vodka. That set the tone for the entire trip to Mongolia. The people we met along the way were always more than helpful. Maybe a bit hesitant at first to attempt to speak to you. But understandably so, not speaking any English and all that.

we had a bit of a scare in Yekaterinburg after we got lost and couldn't find our hostel after arriving in the dark.the temperature was -30ish and we had no idea where we were or whee we had to go to. But 3 hours later a lady from a liquor store not only pointed us in the right direction she walked us to our door! Go Russia.

The border crossing from Russia to Mongolia was a bit of a drag and lived up to all the story's I had heard. It took 8 hours to cross! Our cabin was thoroughly searched from head to toe, including the roof of our cabin being taken apart. Then we had to repeat the process again when we hit Mongolia...

We leave tomorrow to a national park in the north east ( beginning with 'T' I believe...) for a few days and then we hope to take the train to Beijing this Sunday. The national park sounds beautiful and we are going hoarse riding and hopefully dog sledding.

I hope to write soon.

G

Apologies for the lack love last time Julian and Joanna. I didn't know it had to be explicitly expressed. You know you guys are the best. Enough said.

Here are a couple of snaps from the good times...

Sledding in Stockholm with Joanna and Julian. I think I have a cracked rib.

St Basils Cathedral at night time, Red Square, Moscow

Frozen sea in Stockholm

Kia ora, in the 10

2009-10-14T13:28:00.001-07:00

After a pitiful first attempt at logging, I have decided to give this one more go. 18 months after first leaving New Zealand its surprisingly interesting reading the rubbish I wrote in the early days before it became more of a photo-log than the smash-bang adventure sharing log I was hoping for.

Lucy and I left London on December the 1st for Marrakech, Morocco. This was right about the time winter seriously kicked in in England to a chorus of English whinging. We spent 2 weeks between the Sahara and Essaouira ( Think 'Jimi Hendrix - castle in the sand' - debatably it was written there). An unusual country for me, and i left with mixed emotions. I think it is going through period of quite rapid development and the tourist scene is not quite as quiet as it once was. My expectations were very high. Still, an incredible experience.

For the next 4 weeks after Morocco we floated about Egypt. An incredible country! Like many people do we got caught in Dahab for probably far too long. Dahab is a sleepy slice of southeast- Asia overlooking the gulf of Aqaba and Saudi Arabia. No 'sights' to see, just snorkel ( easily the best snorkeling I have encountered in my 20 something years), sun ( 30 degrees day in day out) and shisha ( traditional tabacco pipe - looks like its for drugs, but it's not Mum).

That was excellent alliteration, I know.

Unlike Morocco my expectations were quite low after hearing countless stories of Egypt being overrun by mass tourism. This is completely true but, away from the 'sights' there is very raw and gritty side to Egypt which is endlessly entertaining. Such a wide gap in the distribution of wealth and the clash of east meets middle east - while heartbreaking at times, makes for enthralling viewing in the chaotic streets throughout Egypt.

So after a couple of days catching up with friends in Stockholm I am writing this from a warm and cozy hostel right in the heart of Moscow. The temperature outside is -10ish.

Here are a couple of snaps I have taken over the past few weeks. You can find more here.

This has been fun. Lets do this again sometime soon.

Gareth

Sahara Desert - Erg Chebi - Morocco

Locals discussing the weather I believe

Lucy and a misty sunset over the Atlantic

A seagull in Essouiara

Sunset on the Nile, Sailing from Aswan to Kom ombo, Egypt

Felucca, Aswan

Ballet in a 3000 year old temple of course

Blue boats, Morocco

Trekking in Toubkal National park, Central Morocco

Petra, Jordan

Croatia

2009-08-27T23:43:00.000-07:00

Dubrovnik

Dance off

Lucy, Karen, Hannah in Korcula

Sunset

Italia

2009-07-26T09:07:00.000-07:00

... a few photo's from Italy. More here

Manarola, Cinque Terre

Rome - View from the Palatino

Riomaggiore

Florence at sunset

The Royal Ascot

2009-06-27T07:44:00.000-07:00

... an afternoon with the Queen

Hampton Court

2009-05-25T03:05:00.000-07:00

Sardinia, Italy

2009-05-15T11:08:00.001-07:00

Bobs

Our Bungalow

Lucy

Our Jetty

Istanbul

2009-03-30T13:19:00.000-07:00

Hola

2009-03-17T00:33:00.000-07:00

Hola,

I hope you are well. I am back in London after an extended weekend away. We were in Mallorca ( or Majorca - as it can be written) which is the largest of the Spanish islands in the Mediterranean. We had a great time and caught up on some sun that we have both been severely lacking. We have come back like lobsters and I was asked repeatedly at work yesterday why I looked so embarrassed. The weather was perfect and we didn't see a cloud until the day we left. We ate great seafood and drank excellent Spanish wine. The Med is still very very cold though.

The day before we left we went for a day trip on a train into the mountains which line the west cost of the island to a village called Soller. It was a perfect picturesque village with Olive groves and Orange trees everywhere.

So, now we are back in London, back to the 9-5 grind. Things are noticeably warming up here though, and the work load is quieting down for summer as I have been told it would. It needed to.

Have a great week.

Unas pocas fotos de Mallorca, España

2009-03-15T14:18:00.000-07:00

... he aquí algunas fotos de un largo fin de semana en Mallorca, la isla mas grandes de España. Habrá mucho más por venir.

This time last year...

2009-02-20T10:13:00.001-08:00

...I was leaving Wellington on a jet plane. How the time flies, it feels like only yesterday.

Just a quick note to say I'm thinking of you all this Friday evening.
Our flatmates are making sushi for us tonight then we might head into
Camden Town.

There is nothing very travel related to post at this point. I let it
slip that we are going to Istanbul next month. I'm terrible with
secrets.

Here is a picture from the the 14th of Feb on the lake in Hyde park.

Enjoy you weekend.

Snowy

2009-02-02T08:53:00.000-08:00

Some Photos from the best snow fall in London for 16 years...

MHG

2009-01-22T14:20:00.000-08:00

Its been a very busy week here in London this week. Mid week all employees were told that there will be possibly 500 people being made redundant in the coming 6 months. that's quite a chunk out of the 3700 employees that work there. I couldn't help but feel I would be one of the first to go being that I'm here on a 1 year working visa. The thought of that does put a smile on my dial. Life is far to short for water and pipes. Its made me take the job not so seriously (which is what I needed) knowing that there is a chance I could be booted out the door soon.

It has been absolutely freezing here today and Lou and I had to buy clothes when out and about just to keep warm enough to push on. Last night we were out in Camden with Paul. We were feeling every minute of it today. We went back to the Natural History Museum today to look at Dinosaurs after visiting Buckingham Palace. A boring waste of my life.

Lou and I have been having some difficulty in deciding how to fill in the gaps that make up our lives. Holiday gaps that is.

So we are now playing the Mystery Holiday Game. Or MHG.

We will take alternating months to book a surprise extended weekend away for the both of us.

We each get four countries from which we can choose our holidays. ( This was to stop us both booking holidays to Rome etc).

o after a fierce game of paper, scissors, and the rock Lucy got to choose the first of her four countries. She went for the obvious first choice of Tunisia....

So, Lucy's countries are: Tunisia, Greece, Portugal and France

...and mine: Turkey, Italy, Spain, and Iceland.

The first holiday is booked! I have March which is going to be a busy one with my MYSTERY holiday booked for the 27th March to a very very exotic location ( I wont make it till then without letting it slip). we are going to Majorca for 4 days at the start of the month too.

Lucy has April...I think we are going to Tunisia aye Lucy aye?!?!

Have a great week! Love G

...here is a video of some people who were enjoying Buckingham Palace more than I was...

18th of January 2009

2009-01-18T07:48:00.000-08:00

Sunday afternoon here. Very nice day in London. I'm watching the BBC and Lucy is baking a cake for dinner at Hannah and Troys tonight . Here are some photos from been out and about yesterday. Lucy and I went to the Natural History Museum in the afternoon followed by a delicious chinese meal in Chinatown.

We went to Lucy's friend from Christchurch's birthday afterwards which was at a bar in town.... followed by ice skating at the very surreal venue of Somerset House ( pictured above). I was the bag man and stood in the rain and watch though as my ankle is still wanting to crackle.

Not much else to report. Merry Monday to all.

...from Bruges to Amsterdam

2009-01-15T09:51:00.000-08:00

Hi. Just thought I would give a quick run down as to whats been happening since Christmas. We had a great time in Bruges which was beautifully chilly. So cold in fact that you couldn't really go outside in the night time no matter how many hats and gloves you wore. Our days were filled wandering the streets, or hobbling in my case due to my very sore ankle. We were staying above what could be described as a very cozy pub if they were to turn the heater up 2-3 more degrees. It was cozy enough to knock back a couple of Leffe blondes by night though with the local flem's and tourists.

Brussels for new years was a bit of a non-event with riot police everywhere due to incredible protests against the Israel bombings. Funnily enough we ended up watching the new year been celebrated in London...

We had a great time in Amsterdam. We were tourists like everyone else. I saw some very impressive Van Gogh's. One that was a painting of sunflowers....

I really liked the city despite the tourist factor. Its got a great energy. Looks like we might be heading back there in a few weeks (Feb 14th) as Lu is hooking up a ballet audition for a company there. I amsterdam.

Been back in the 9-5 grind is a bit tough at the mo with an incredible amount of work to be done. At least I can leave it at work. We are trying to plan a weekend break in the coming month or so, and maybe take a week off in total at Easter time. We are um'n and ah'n between Morocco and Greece. Neither are bad options.

Well, that's about me. Dinner time.

Bruuuuges its cold up here.

2009-01-05T10:09:00.000-08:00

Happy NY and all of that. I hope you are well and healthy after the silly season. I'm back in London as of last night. Its surprisingly great to be back. It has taken a break from London to realise that I have got it pretty good here. Things aren't as grim as I would have you believe. I almost enjoyed work today... Its icy cold here at the moment and I woke up to a semi snow covered street this morning, with snow falling until around 11am. Excellent to be back in our cozy flat. I'm not sure if I mentioned that our flatmates Pete and Jess ( Sth African and French/English) who are actors moved to Sth Africa for summer to work. A few weeks back there house was robbed and Pete was shot at, tied up, then had everything they owned stolen in Capetown. What a story yea.

Its been a cracking Christmas break over here. Jesus has been very kind. Christmas was celebrated with a NZ leg of lamb and a roast. Christmas eve was celebrated with Carona.

To be continued...I'm tired.

A Very Merry Christmas To You All

2008-12-17T10:38:00.000-08:00

Hi.

I hope you are well. Thought I would give a bit of an update as to what's been going on...

I've been quite the ill the past few days, as has Lucy. I took Monday off work ( just two days into my new contract...not a good look..). Everyone I'm around is a bit fluey at the moment with winter getting into full swing, so its easy to get sick. The weekend got off to a bang with a West Hamstead bender out with Lucy's brother Thomas. I have been feeling ill ever since. It was mohito madness.

On Sunday we had the Wellsie's family Christmas. Which was made up of Hannah and Troy, Lucy and I, Thomas and Jen, and Troys sister Lauren. It was the last weekend before Troy and Hannah go back to NZ for Christmas, and Thomas goes to Spain to start his new rugby contract. Hes going to be playing for a team a couple of hours west of San Sebastian. It was a cracking day despite my illness.

The Saturday prior we went to Biarritz. It could have been anywhere really and we would have been happy just to be out of London for a breath of fresh air. Biarritz would normally not be for either us, but we had a great time. Its a touristy coastal town, and seeing it in winter is not seeing it in its glory really. We really loved the food /wine, and our our french was perfectly fluent -always.

San Sebastian was brilliant. I could become quickly addicted to Tapa bar culture. I think I'm a snacker at heart.

So we are both just counting down the days until our holiday really. We are having Christmas in London as Lucy has to work on the 27th. We then Leave for Bruges (...and if you haven't seen the Colin Farrel movie 'In Bruges',it's definitely a good watch) on the 28th for 3 nights. We will be in Brussels for a couple of nights over New Years, and then onto Amsterdam.

What a time we will have.
What a year it has been.

A very Merry Christmas to you all.
Love G

A Few Snaps

2008-12-10T14:19:00.000-08:00

A few snaps from Biarritz and San Sebastian...

Otekaieke in bright lights

2008-12-03T13:45:00.000-08:00

Who ever would have have thought Google would take the time to come and visit Dr Creek Rd - but they did!

Dad, I thought you might enjoy this. You should check out Roseneath as well. Sarah is parked in the driveway. Classic.

You can scroll around the picture below to see Otekaieke in all its glory. Well, its actually a pretty dreary day.

View Larger Map

Liam Finn

2008-12-03T10:56:00.000-08:00

Wow what a night last night was witnessing a future legend of New Zealand music. Lucy and I got asked along to see Liam Finn at the last minute yesterday. It was a brilliant gig and the songs were still ringing in my head at work today. It was his last week of touring for "I'll be lightening" (a must have album for Chrsitmas) at Scala in Kings Cross.

Quite a sight to see one musician replicate the sound of an entire band with a looping pedal. He is a very clever chap.

I was a wreck today. Im off to grow a beard like Liam.

This is 'Second Chance' by Liam.

Out and About in Camden Town This Morning

2008-11-30T06:32:00.000-08:00