tag:howlar.blog.co.uk,2009-11-09:/An insight into my round the world trip and my exploration of something somewehere of which i have no idea of yet!! should be intriging! MokoFeed2009-11-09T14:53:12+01:00tag:howlar.blog.co.uk,2008-06-02:/2008/06/02/good-bye-rest-of-world-hello-england-4257628/Howlar2008-06-02T10:34:18+02:002008-06-02T10:34:18+02:00 <p>my last night of travels. difficult to sum up my trip. so many amazing experiences...some lows but by far outweighed by all the amazing highs. met so many cool, interesting, and some not so interesting people along the way. its really broadened my view on life and the world and just how lucky i am in life. im so pleased i have done this and would recommend it to anyone. i have now made connections and have friends from all around the world who i know i can visit anytime. </p> <p>despite this...home is home..and i definately miss the ordinary day to day life at times. cant wait to see u all. ill try not to bore you too much about my travels. anyway....see you all soon. CHOW!!!! <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Howard x </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://howlar.blog.co.uk/2008/06/02/good-bye-rest-of-world-hello-england-4257628/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:howlar.blog.co.uk,2008-05-29:/2008/05/29/japanarama-4241558/Howlar2008-05-29T09:41:17+02:002008-05-29T09:41:17+02:00 <p>hi all,</p> <p>only 6 days left. excited though sad. arrived in japan just under a week ago. my flight was cancelled so i was at bangkok airport for 13hours overnight and got no sleep whatsoever. finally arrived in osaka after 27 hours of leaving my hostel. the flight had to stop off in indonesia as well. osaka was really interesting. went to namba city and parks for a couple days, saw some shrines and shops. general touristy things. the hostel i stayed at was pretty awfull...2 triple bunkbeds in a closet room and had a horrific asian snorrer so again didnt sleep at all. met some really freindly people on the subway..everyone is so polite i japan..i love it here.</p> <p>i arrived i tokyo a couple days ago via an overnight bus. took 10 hours and again had absoluetly no sleep. staying in akobonbashi area here. hostel is amazing. met my friend yuji who i met in l.a. he lives here and showed me around the city. brought a couple disposable cameras. went to visit some shrines and temples...saw some really cool architecture aswell. th food here is amazing. had sushi and noodles. went for a few drinks with yuj and his friends...theyre all so freindly. having a great time. looking forward to seeing everyone again.<br> bye for now.</p> <p>xx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://howlar.blog.co.uk/2008/05/29/japanarama-4241558/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:howlar.blog.co.uk,2008-05-19:/2008/05/19/back-in-bangkok-4193880/Howlar2008-05-19T14:07:12+02:002008-05-19T14:07:12+02:00 <p>Arrived back in thailand from laos on the early hours of saturday morning after a 20 hour bus journey.(one thing i wont be missing thats for sure). Watched the fa cup final here in a bar full of pompey fans....it was amazing. went out celebrating afterwards. still cant believe it. been chilling around for last couple days. and heading to japan (osaka) on thursday night. looking forward to a new culture and experience to add to my travels though definately missing home now. not too long!!! uploaded new pics aswell. speak to u soon x </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://howlar.blog.co.uk/2008/05/19/back-in-bangkok-4193880/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:howlar.blog.co.uk,2008-05-13:/2008/05/13/laos-4168090/Howlar2008-05-13T14:21:59+02:002008-05-13T14:24:03+02:00 <p>Hello,</p> <p>Arrived in LAOS about 5/6 days ago. the border crossing was horrific. as was the journey there. had to sleep on a bus with about 100 asians crammed on for 4 hours (2 am til 6 am) as the border crossing was closed (opens at 6) only got 1 hor sleep the whole time and then we had no money for a LAOS Visas which were 25quid. had to borrow some of some asian guy. took about 2 hours to sort everything out...was so stressful. total bus journey was around 24 hoursin the end. arrived in Vientiene the capital of Loas. Its so different to vietnam...alot more relaxed here and less hectic...really like it. didnt do too much in capital. chilled and got a traditrional thai body massage whcih was amaazing. my hip clicked back into its proper place apparently. watched live band in the evenings and pretty much explored during the days. spent 3 days there and go a bus to VANGVIENG...which is where i am at the mo. love it here. its in the mountains next to a river...scenery is amazing and its reallyed chilled out. theyve even got a bar whcih plays famaily guy ALL DAY!!! Amazing!!! went tubing yesterday. basically involved renting a big rubber ring and u float don the river and get off at different bars along the way. each bar has different rope swings and zip wires and everyone basically gets really drunk. played football at one bar. such a fun day. though after the 10th bar we were tubing down the river in pitch black...was a tad scary. then had to hang off the end of a car to get back home and its was pouring with rain...all in all an amazing day out. think we are going to LUANG PROBANG next. north Laos. not sure if were gunna have time for Chang mai anymore as i leave for japan in a week. have to wait and see. ummmm think thats everything!!? p.s. fa cup final on saturday. can u tape it for me mum. thanks! play up pompey! x </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://howlar.blog.co.uk/2008/05/13/laos-4168090/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:howlar.blog.co.uk,2008-05-05:/2008/05/05/vietnam-part-4133032/Howlar2008-05-05T10:41:43+02:002008-05-05T10:41:43+02:00 <p>Hi All,</p> <p>Been in Vietnam almost 2 weeks now. currently in Hanoi (capital) where i arrived from Nha trang around a week ago. Had some good and bad times here. Went on a ridiculous boat trip in nha trang which must of had the gayest asian family on it possibly...they were all dancing around in speedos...its was pretty funny/disturbing. it did have a cool floating bar in the water though which turned out to be free. unfortunately i had my camera stolen off me in Nha Trang. some guys on mopeds sneaked it out of my pocket without me realising and then rode off. took me ages in the police station the next day to get a statement for my insurance. met some really cool vietnamese people though since ive been here. hanging out with a few. Then had a 36 hour bus jounrey (2nights)...was so painful...possibly worst journey of my life (even worse than the 10 hour standing train journey to thailand.</p> <p>Went on a 3 day boat trip to Ha long bay and stayed on cat ba island. Did some kayaking around the thousand islands and slept on a boat for a night. then went mountain biking in the mountains...that was amazing. </p> <p>Heading to Laos tommorow..anothr 20 hour bus journey. Spending around a week there and then heading to northen thailand to chang mai...hopefully do some elephant riding. </p> <p>Only 4 weeks left...looking forward to returning and seeing everyone again. missing u all.</p> <p>Love Howard x </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://howlar.blog.co.uk/2008/05/05/vietnam-part-4133032/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:howlar.blog.co.uk,2008-04-23:/2008/04/23/title-4084616/Howlar2008-04-23T17:45:22+02:002008-04-23T17:46:40+02:00 <p> Hi all,</p> <p>I arrived in Vietnam a couple days ago from Cambodia. Can't remember if i mentioned before that i went to the capital Phnom-Penh for around 4 days. Went to the killing fields there and learnt alot about the history of the wars around 30 years ago. Was a real eye opener and really interesting. Also went to the former torture prison where thousands of people were killed - again slightly stomach churning but interesting all the same. Also shot a PP7 (James bond gun) at a shooting range. Was really cool. My mate also fired an ak47...its so load. We were also offered to fire a bazooka at a cow for only 150 pounds....can u believe that....why would u wanna do that?? Spent a day visiting a couple markets there which was quite cool. not many toursits in cambodia and its overall a really poor country. was a really interesting experience. ive iploaded a load of photos from the temples i went to in Siem Reap...visited the tomb raider temple and a load of other amazing architectural structures from over a thousand years ago. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/howardbaker/sets/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/howardbaker/sets/</a> (photos). check out the swanky tailer made suite i got. im also looking to get some tailer made shoes in vietnam. and maybe another suit, hah!</p> <p>Arrived in Vietnam after a 7 hour bus and border crossing. cost 20 quid to get into the country which seems quite expensive - to describe the country so far is quite difficult as ive only been here a couple days, though there are absoultely hunderds and thousands of people riding mopeds arounds...is crazy. u literally have to dodge traffic to cross the road. We're currently staying in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Though we're heading to Nha Trangh (i think it's called) tomorrow which is on the east cost of Vietnam. Should be about an 8 hour bus ride..though im guessing it will probably take around 12 hours. </p> <p>Ill keep u updated soon.</p> <p>x</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://howlar.blog.co.uk/2008/04/23/title-4084616/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:howlar.blog.co.uk,2008-04-16:/2008/04/16/bnagkok-to-cambodia-4050740/Howlar2008-04-16T09:02:08+02:002008-04-16T09:02:08+02:00 <p>Hello everyone. </p> <p>Just experience the best new year ever in Bangkok. from the 12th to the 15th they celebrate the Thai new year with a huge water festival which basically involes everyone getting everyone as soaked as possible. just walking down the street was chas with loads of thai people soaking us and rubbing clay all over our face and body. was amazing. we ended up buying a huge water gun each and dressed up as rambo joining in the fun. it goes on all day and night. u literally cant go out side without being wet. Alos as we we are foreign we were prime targets for the Thai's which made it even more funny.</p> <p>2 days ago after these hectic and fun few days i got a bus to Cambodia (Siem Reap, in the north). the total journey took about 14 hours including the border crossing. The bus was so crammed and had no air-con...it was also spine shudderingly bumpy the whole way. the roads are horrific here. no tarmac....apperently an unknown airline is paying the cambodian government not to fix the roads so people are more inclined to fly to destinations rather than the much cheaper bus alternative. (shocking).</p> <p>Wnt to see the Ankgor Wat Temple and a load of other temples yesterday. even saw the temple in which Tomb Raider 1 was shot in (first scene with huge robot). mne and rob hired a tuk-tuk driver for the day to take us to all the different places/temples (costing 4 pounds for the whole day). got loads of great photos to show u. the architecture was amazing and so old. </p> <p>One of the guys i was travelling with lost his passport in Thailand somewhere so is currently stuck there. though me and the other guy came to cambodia. thing hes sorted it now and will be meeting us tonight apparently. </p> <p>Heading to Phnom-pehn in 2 days which is south of cambodia. another long and bumpy bus ride im pressuming. then we should be heading to Vietnam a few days after that. Still having a great time.</p> <p>Speak to you soon.</p> <p>x </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://howlar.blog.co.uk/2008/04/16/bnagkok-to-cambodia-4050740/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:howlar.blog.co.uk,2008-04-16:/2008/04/16/thailand-about-1-week-old-4050661/Howlar2008-04-16T08:49:36+02:002008-04-16T08:49:36+02:00 <p>Hi everyone...and nan :] ha!</p> <p>arrived in bangkok about a week ago from KHO TAO...got the ferry to mainland and then an 8 hour bus. Stayed in a cave for my first two nights. wasnt pleasant at all. was a pound a night and had to share a double bed with my two mates. its was like a sweat pit in our room. luckily we found a really nice place to stay with air con and A BED EACH...bit more expensive but can actually sleep now. Ive realised the stories about thai brides is true....so many old sleezy men with young girls...horrible!! been eating the street food and its amazing. had cockroaches, tree worms, grass hoppers and dried frogs...and they tasted suprisingly good. (coackroach was slightly strange). Went on a boat ride around bankok which was cool...saw aload of temples and huge buddahs. When to the the grand palace...though we got kicked out for not wearing trousers (it was about 37 degrees). went to china town yesterday which was pretty interesting.</p> <p>Brought a taylor made suit, 4 shirts and an overcoat. they are sooo cool and it fits brilliantly. also brought a load of fake dvds and architecture programmes for uni. probabaly gunna buy some more in vietnam. (chepaer apparently). still travelling with sam and rob...gunna be with them till i go to japan. theyre a great laugh and become really good mates with them.</p> <p>Watched the pompey game in a grimey bar (no sound) though we won and got to the FA CUP FINAL...so brought a fake 3pound pompey shirt to prepare myself for when i watch it (probably be in LAOS by then. </p> <p>Bad news...my ipod got stolen from my room. me and rob went out and sam was sleeping and someone came in and stole it (unbelievable). im gutted...missing y music loads already. </p> <p>Heading to cambodia on monday. gunna be staying in siam reap for a few days to see all the temples and things...cant wait. the weathers been sooo hot here...think it was 36 degrees yesterday. sweat factor has been pretty high. anyway... think thats most of the stuff...though im sure ive missed out a load!?</p> <p>Hope everyones well...missing u all!!!</p> <p>xxx</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://howlar.blog.co.uk/2008/04/16/thailand-about-1-week-old-4050661/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:howlar.blog.co.uk,2008-03-28:/2008/03/28/asia-part-3955463/Howlar2008-03-28T07:38:06+01:002008-03-28T07:38:06+01:00 <p>Hi everybody! sorry about the delay in writing a new post. so much to catch up on. after kuala lumpur i headed to CAMERON HIGHLANDS (north central malaysia). it rained the whole time, but did some amazing treks through the jungles amd met some aborigionals which was fun. learnt how to fire blow darts aswell, decided to buy a small blow dart made in the forest by some local guy. after a few nights in the highlands we headed to an island off the east coast call PEHRINTIAN ISLAND. It was so tropical...like paradise and really quiet which was a good little break. we chilled there for a few days and then had an epic 26 hour journey to KHO PANGNAN IS THAILAND. I was there for 6 nights and went to the full moon party on the beach which was awsome. Im currently in KHO TAO an island north of kho pangnan. its sooo amazing here. doing some snorkling and went to a mui thai boxing fight last night. was really cool. ive got aso many photos to upload but the internet is too expensive here and too slow to upload so i will try and get them done asap. heading to bangkok soon and have to be out of Thailand in 2 weeks as our visa expires so were gunna go to cambodia from there. Hope everyone is well. i will keep u updated!!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://howlar.blog.co.uk/2008/03/28/asia-part-3955463/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:howlar.blog.co.uk,2008-03-09:/2008/03/09/singapore-malaysia-3840389/Howlar2008-03-09T08:37:36+01:002008-03-09T08:37:36+01:00 <p>Hi,</p> <p>Arrived in Southeast asia...bit of a culture shock...and headig in to the unknown. Had an awsome first night. arrived at the hostel from the airport at around 9 30...10 mins later i met a guy from oz in my room and went out with him to meet his architect friend in singapore. she showed us round her architects office....and it was amazing. then she gave us a tour of the city...unfortunately i didnt have a camera. met two english guys (robby C and sam) who ive been with since my first day in singapore. went to china town...explored the city...then to Sentosa island for a day...had a swim...then went out. was quite interesting going out in an asian country. Had a singapore slinger (alcoholic coctail)...supposidly a thing u have to do. And we pretended it was my 28th birthday.....dont ask why!?</p> <p>After a few days in singapore we decided to bus it to malaysia...we got a super vip bus to Kuala Lumpur (cost around 5 pounds) and took about 8 hours. Been in kuala lumpur for a couple days now...seems an interesting city...though not much to do. not sure where were heading next. probably an island or the coast north malaysia. still having an amazing time....</p> <p>And portsmouth knocked man uout of the fa cup. Im extatic. watched it in a hostel with a load of man u fans. if i can get a ticket for the final if we get there im gunna get a flight back just to watch it....no way do iwanna miss out on the chance of a life time.....play up pompey. haha!</p> <p>Laters x </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://howlar.blog.co.uk/2008/03/09/singapore-malaysia-3840389/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:howlar.blog.co.uk,2008-03-03:/2008/03/03/aufiedersen-australia-3808697/Howlar2008-03-03T05:42:30+01:002008-03-03T05:42:30+01:00 <p>Its a sad day as i have to say good bye to oz. had an amzing time...but good times ahead for southeast asia....did hear some disturbing news from some traveller that some tourists have had been beheaded in southern thailand....whether thats true or not i have no idea. hah...i dont believe it personally. looking forward to treking throughasia for 3 months. Gunna be in singapore for about 5 days. then busing through the border to malasia penisular....gunna stay in melaka, Kuala lumpar and Ipoh i rekon and then bus it to the souther border of thailand and explore a fre of the islands. not a definate route yet but at least i have a rough idea of what i wanna do. possibly change as i travel through and meet other travellers. my next flight will be from bangkok to osaka (japan) which is now on th 20th of may. gives me a couple weeks in japan...had to cut it short due to money constraints. </p> <p>Havent been doing too much since i last spoke...trying to stick to a tight budget which is proving difficult as australia is alot more expensive than england. stayed on magnetic island for 3 nights whcih is just off townsville. such an awsome hostel there, though i have 1 days of sun and two days of rain which sucked. then went straight to cairns where ive been hanging out with 3 awsome canadian guys (yep more...seems to be full of them here) travelled around cairns with them for about 4 days. </p> <p>I think im gunna get a job in an architects firm in canada next year. ive got so many friends there now and they all rekon i should go there and stay with them. thought why not...would ve good fun and extra work/travel experience at the same time.</p> <p>Flew back to brisbane yesterday and here for 2 nights. hostel is pretty awful...didnt sleep much cuz of the bed and noise..oh well...cant imagine its gunna get much better in asia. staying in a hostle in a place called 'little india' in singapore. only 5 pounds a nighht..so way cheper as its 15 pounds a night in australia for accomodation. </p> <p>Anyways ive rambbled on enough. keep u posted on my journey through asia.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://howlar.blog.co.uk/2008/03/03/aufiedersen-australia-3808697/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:howlar.blog.co.uk,2008-02-21:/2008/02/21/east_coat_continued~3758302/Howlar2008-02-21T02:01:32+01:002008-02-21T02:01:32+01:00 <p>Hi everyone. </p> <p>Its been a while since my last post...i have been extremely busy of late and havent had a chance to get on the internet. Just let you know i have no phone anymore as it broke so dont worry about texting me anymore.</p> <p>Been so many places the last couple weeks since byron bay. Spent 2 nights in Surfers paradise....unfortunately the weather was pretty bad...though did manage to get my haircut for the first time on my travels. Then headed further north and had a night in Brisbane....thou i will be heading back there at the beginning of march as i have to fly to singapore from there. I then spent 2 nights in Noosa which was an awsome small town with a wicked beach and stayed in a great hostel. Did a bit more surfing there aswell. After noosa i headed to Hervey Bay...spent a night there before going to FRASER ISLAND for 3 days. I had the best time of my life there. Went with 12 other people and we hired a huge 4x4 to ourselfs and got to drive it round the island for 3 days and 2 nights. We camped on the beaches along the island. Its actually the worlds largest sand island...it was so much fun driving it round the sand and along the beach...though quite crammed in the car and extremly bumpy.. Saw some unbelievable sand dunes and lakes aswell.</p> <p>I then spent another night back in Hervey Bay, and the next morning headed inland to a place called kroombit cattle station. Had an awsome time there. Did some rodeo where we had to chase after a goat in a ring and grab it and flip it over...was hilarious. then rode a mechanical bull which was fun...but painfull. Then yesterday i headed to Arlie beach...(played some bowling on the bus) and then some lawn bowls on the way. Just spent a night here and today im heading to whitsunday islands and doing a 3 day sailing trip...Get to sleep on a boat for two nights and do some diving and snorkling in the great barrier reef. should be great fun...and the weather is amazing. bought a disposable underwater camera so hopefully i'l get some good shots. </p> <p>So yea ive been pretty busy recently. only a week and bit left in oz but looking forward to save some money in asia. Heading to mission beach and cairns soon and then fly back to brisbane for my flight to asia.</p> <p>Take care all</p> <p>xx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://howlar.blog.co.uk/2008/02/21/east_coat_continued~3758302/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:howlar.blog.co.uk,2008-02-06:/2008/02/06/byron_bay~3686996/Howlar2008-02-06T10:56:54+01:002008-02-06T10:56:54+01:00 <p>....is where i have just arrived..and i love it here already. Ive been in sydney for 5 nights. the weather has was pretty awful there. Poured down for 4 days straight. Still had a great time and some great nights out. Went to the largest i-max(3d) cinema in the world....it was amazing...seen a few cool museums and things (not much else to do when its raining. Went to sydney harbour bridge and opera house which was really interesting (though not as great as i expected) Been travelling with 3 cadanians though left them at sydney a couple days ago and went to a surf camp where i learnt to surf....it was so much fun...ive become addicted (apprently im a natural). been surfing for a couple days now and gunna go surf again in byron tommorow with a guy i met from england. Really wanna take it up propery. Im gunna be in Byron for about 4 nights and then im off to surfers paradise near brisbourne. Hopefully do more surfing and site seeing (mainly surfing i reckon). Then off to brisbourne shortly after though not sure when yet. I think thats about it for now. Keep u updated soon. xx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://howlar.blog.co.uk/2008/02/06/byron_bay~3686996/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:howlar.blog.co.uk,2008-01-31:/2008/01/31/sydney~3659253/Howlar2008-01-31T13:49:47+01:002008-01-31T13:49:47+01:00 <p>Hey!</p> <p>Just arrived in Sydney. Been pretty mental the last week. Ended up staying at a friends house (she is a wedding photographer for mums information)and crashed on the sofa for almost a week in melbourne. Wicked place...been chilling on the beach during the day and partying at night... hanging out with a load australian and canadian guys who were awsome. Had a huge bbq at the girls parents house with a load of people and became champion of australia at uno (card game)!! Left melbourne a few days ago....spent a night at lakes entrance south of melbourne. Ended up going to the beach and hanging out with other backpackers with a few beers....took my guitar and we had a singalong which was really good fun. Spent a night at some random place last night outside of sydney...went swimming in the lake and played a load of crazy canadian drinking games and some pool and watched sum live music. Reckon im gunna be in sydney for about 5/6 days and then im gunna go to a surf camp north of sydney.hich should be cool!! Thats pretty much it for now.... keep u all updated soon.</p> <p>x </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://howlar.blog.co.uk/2008/01/31/sydney~3659253/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:howlar.blog.co.uk,2008-01-19:/2008/01/19/aurevoir_new_zealand~3599372/Howlar2008-01-19T09:35:22+01:002008-01-19T09:35:22+01:00 <p>Yep its time for me to leave New Zealand now. Ive had such an amazing time. Its such a cool, chilled, friendly place with unbelievably beautiful scenery and some absolutely awsome beaches and lakes. If i come back to england and say keep saying "sweet as bro" its lingo that ive picked up here in kiwi land! Ive met some wicked(and not so wicked) people here. Im sad to leave...though really looking forward to heading to OZ. Heard so many great things from people who have been there. Im gunna have to cut my trip from 9 weeks to 6 as i cant afford to stay there that long...though it will give me a bit more time in south east asia which will be amazing im sure.</p> <p>Ive been in Christchurch for the last couple days. Its probably the worst place ive been to so far in NZ. Its too english and there nothing to do here. Luckily theres been a free festival on the last couple days which has passed the time. My flight is at 6 in the morning...so probably not gunna sleep tonight and just hang out at the hostel till the shuttle taxi picks me up at 3. So long NZ.....</p> <p>Speak to u all soon. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://howlar.blog.co.uk/2008/01/19/aurevoir_new_zealand~3599372/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:howlar.blog.co.uk,2008-01-12:/2008/01/12/new_zealand_more_random_happenings~3564456/Howlar2008-01-12T07:21:51+01:002008-01-12T07:21:51+01:00 <p>Hi everybody,</p> <p>Im currently in Queenstown. Which is nicknamed the adreniline junkie capital of the world as there is so much to do here and so many activities! I did the Nevace bungy jump the otherday. It was amazing...though difficult to describe how scary it was without using a swear word.... but u get the gist. Ive got a dvd which i will show u all when im back and u can see for yourself. Went to Lake Wanaka (careful how you pronounce it) before queenstown. Saw a really cool live rock band called badtown (name sounds like a boy band though). Stayed in a hotel as there was no hostels there which was pleasant...though still had to share with 3 other people. Sooo missing my own bed...constantly people snoring/coming in drunk in the early hours. A drunk 38 year old indian/english guy got arrested in my room while i was sleeping the other day..woke up with police men in the room at 6am...was quite funny...and i was relieved as he snored like a dinosaur! was horrificly painful! </p> <p>Met a really cool German guy from my room...he had an acoustic guitar and we chilled out be the lake all day yesterday playing tunes and stuff...i definately want to get a cheap guitar while im away. All my friends who ive been travelling with have gone off to do other things now so im currently hanging out on my own.</p> <p>Anyways..im in queenstown untill the 17th and then off to Christchuch, my final destination in New Zealand! Il keep u updated!</p> <p>x</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://howlar.blog.co.uk/2008/01/12/new_zealand_more_random_happenings~3564456/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:howlar.blog.co.uk,2008-01-06:/2008/01/06/more_shinanagons_south_island~3535134/Howlar2008-01-06T08:25:40+01:002008-01-06T08:25:40+01:00 <p>Hi everyone,</p> <p>Ive again been busy since i last spoke. Ive been in the South island since the 2nd of Jan now. Went to Nelson first. Had a great day of wine tasting....me and a load of freinds brought some wine and walked up a small mountain to the very official centre of new Zealand and watched the sunset..was great fun. Visited some amazing scenery and done some more hiking and exploring over mountains and around lakes....been good excercise!! Went to a party a couple days ago after heading further south. It was a bin bag theme (basically involved making a costume out of bin bags)....was pretty funny.. i need to upload the photos and see if you can guess what i went as...was hilarious but quite embarassing.</p> <p>Im currently in Franz Josef at the moment. Did an 8 hour hike over the amazing glaciers today. Climed over and through ice mountains and caves. Was absolutely amazing.</p> <p>Im heading to queens town n a couple days. Im gunna stay there for about a week i think as there is loads of stuff to do. Definately gunna do a bungee jump (Nevace: 134m) and possibly a canyon swing....have to spend some more on my credit card i reckon! Off to australia in two weeks or so. Mite have to work there for a bit now to save some money for asia. </p> <p>Anyways ive babbled enough for now. hope everyone is well. Speak soon. :]</p> <p>xxx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://howlar.blog.co.uk/2008/01/06/more_shinanagons_south_island~3535134/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:howlar.blog.co.uk,2008-01-01:/2008/01/01/kiwi_north_finale~3513649/Howlar2008-01-01T11:02:33+01:002008-01-01T11:02:33+01:00 <p>Hi all and Happy New Year</p> <p>Im at my last night in the North Island of New Zealand. Currently in the capital Wellington and off to the South Island tommorow....looking forward to do a 134M bungie jump off a cable car in queens town at some point. </p> <p>Had a great night out for new years. Went to a toga party at the hostel and had to make a toga out of the bed sheets. Was quite funny and some how only managed to spend 20 quid.<br> Did a 15000 ft sky dive in Taupo the other day. Was absolutley amazing. Got a dvd of the jump which is hilarious and some wicked photos which i shall uplaod soon. </p> <p>Did a 10 hour hike aswell across mount doom from lord of the rings....was pretty intense but worth it for the views alone. Met a few opther people at hostels who im travelling with at the moment. </p> <p>Been chilling on the beach/harbour today....the weather has been awsome. Looking forward to more sun and scenery over the next couple weeks.</p> <p>Catch up soon</p> <p>x</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://howlar.blog.co.uk/2008/01/01/kiwi_north_finale~3513649/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:howlar.blog.co.uk,2007-12-27:/2007/12/27/new_zealand_whitianga~3494430/Howlar2007-12-27T05:28:07+01:002007-12-27T05:28:07+01:00 <p>Hey,</p> <p>Its been a few days since i last posted and xmas has been and gone. Been sooo busy the last few days since i left Auckland (Merry late xmas to everyone). Spent Xmas eve in Mercury Bay, the east coast off auckland. Been travelling with 4 other people (3 english and one german) since auckland and having a great time. Went to some wicked beaches there. Nearly got swept away in the sea thou....bit dangerous and cut all my back arms and legs up. im fine though. Xmas day i headed to Rotorua on the kiwi experience bus. We explored some awsome river and then had a bbq and swim at the hostel before going out for a few xmas drinks. Went white water rafting yesterday. Was unbelievably good fun. Went through 13 rapids and 3 waterfalls...one which was 7m....i was absolutly bricking it but got some great photos on a cd from it. After that we went to see a maori culture show...basically meeting the native maories (tatoo faced people) and they did some crazy dancing and scary face pulling (like the new zealand rugy team do before a game). Had a xmas roast dinner with them and saw some awsome live tribal music. </p> <p>Today was quite interesting to say the least. Saw glaziers and lava pools which was awsome though stank of runny eggs. Then Went to see more maouri culture and me and a few other guys had to learn the traditional dance used by the ancient maori warrioirs before battle....and later had to perform this dance in from of about 200 people...was unexpected though pretty funny. After we went to Whitianga explored some ancient caves and saw thousands of glow worms. Now at a new hostel getting ready for a pizza. the weather is amazing at the moment.</p> <p>Tommoro we are heading to Taupo further south of the north island and ....urm....basically signed up to do a 15000 ft sky dive. Cant wait...though a tad nervous. And the day after doing a 10 hour walk through some supposidly amazing land of some sort...so....yea pretty busy....but great fun.</p> <p>I hope to post shortly...if i survive the sky dive...haha!!</p> <p>x</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://howlar.blog.co.uk/2007/12/27/new_zealand_whitianga~3494430/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:howlar.blog.co.uk,2007-12-23:/2007/12/23/aukland~3480985/Howlar2007-12-23T05:03:20+01:002007-12-23T05:03:20+01:00 <p>Hey all!</p> <p>Been in Aukland for a few days now and had a wicked time. Went to sum small island via ferry on the second day with one of my new aussie room mates. We climbed a huge hill and met a kiwi santa....totally worth it, lol! Also watched the film hostel at the hostel...wasnt a good idea. </p> <p>Yesterday went to Rangatoto island...basically a volcanice island just off auckland. Was amazing. Took me two and a half hours to climb but got some awsome views. Got pretty badly sunburnt aswell but getting browner by the day. Met some cool English guy called tommy at the internet suit in the hostel and we went out to some bars with his mates and watched some live music and had a few beers.</p> <p>Been hanging out with tommy today....went up the aukland sky tower...which is actually taller than the eifal tower. Got some great pics of the city and stood on a glass walk way 200mm high...never been so nervous in my life. We treked around for abit and found some park to which we were greeted by a group of japanese people who asked us to draw a picture for them which is going to be in an exhibition to do with world peace. I drew a surfure riding the waves of peace with the message "change the world" (Basically stole it from will smiths statement on the hollywood hand and footprint pavement.</p> <p>Off to Witianga tommorow morning with the kiwi experience bus...looking forward to that. Also im changing my round the world ticket slightly but ill explain that when i know more about it.</p> <p>Hope its not too cold in England...im sunburnt and sweating here.</p> <p>Speak soon.</p> <p>x </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://howlar.blog.co.uk/2007/12/23/aukland~3480985/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:howlar.blog.co.uk,2007-12-19:/2007/12/19/newzealand_auckland~3467718/Howlar2007-12-19T23:09:35+01:002007-12-19T23:09:35+01:00 <p>Kia Ora (Hello in NZ)</p> <p>Just arrived...its now thursday morning here and i havnt slept since Monday (Mainly due to not sleeping at all on the overnight flight and skipping a day with the time difference... soooo tired right now. Its stupidly hot here, thou i cant really complain...dont really have to ask what the weathers like in England. My L.A tan is flaking thou so im gunna have to top it up while im here. Met a few new people before i left. Gunna be meeting up with a Japanese guy in Tokyo...he said he's gunna show me around the city ect. Also met another aussie guy that im gunna try and catch up with in Brisbourne. </p> <p>Changed my plan in New Zealand slightly...gunna be departing Auckland on the kiwi experience bus on 24th instead of 27th (Heard its not soo great here from other travellers) so not sure where abouts in New Zealand i'l be for xmas. Anyway i'l keep u updated.</p> <p>Bye! x </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://howlar.blog.co.uk/2007/12/19/newzealand_auckland~3467718/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:howlar.blog.co.uk,2007-12-17:/2007/12/17/l_a_final_part~3457002/Howlar2007-12-17T19:44:42+01:002007-12-17T19:44:42+01:00 <p>Hi all....its been a little while since my last post. Im currently in Venice (L.A) and the internet is really expensive at this hostel. Been hanging out with a couple guys from Cambridge, England the last few days. Played Basket-ball, volley ball, football.<br> (American), 'SOCCER'...all on the beach. The weather has been amazing. Had a work out at the gym on the beach...everyone else there was clearly taking steroids.</p> <p>Saw some crazy arabic guy in a thong playing electric guitar on roller skates yesterday....didnt suprise me thou as its full of weirdos in america. Oh yea ..and hobo robo..who needed money for batteries....that was a good one.</p> <p>Watched 'I am Legend' at the cinema the other day. Was pretty good...not sure if its out in England yet...but worth watching.</p> <p>Im off to New Zealand tommorow. Looking forward to it. Think ive had enough of america...too many freaks and homeless people. Anyway my time is up...speak soon. x </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://howlar.blog.co.uk/2007/12/17/l_a_final_part~3457002/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:howlar.blog.co.uk,2007-12-10:/2007/12/10/l_a_part~3425146/Howlar2007-12-10T23:12:21+01:002007-12-10T23:30:57+01:00 <p>Had a hectic couple of days since u last heard from me. Went down to venice beach with 2 of my aussie roomates yesterday. Took about 2 hours on the bus. Was a good laugh, saw all the roller skaters and body builders on the beach. They actually have an outdoor gym on the beach...crazy! Full of nutters there though...its basically a freak show. We walked about 5 miles up to santa monica and went around the supposidly 'famous' pier (not sure why though, was pretty rubbish...just like brighton peir). Saw the red carpet ceremony for the new will smith film 'i am legend' today! So many people turned up and i some how managed to get right at the front. Saw Will Smith and Tom Cruise and shook there hands and everything....was pretty surreal. and yes tom cruise really is about 4 ft. unfortunately my camera battery died halfway through and didn't have my spares on me....doh!!</p> <p>Found an awsome place to get breakfast the other day, ive had a banana pankake,apple and a fruit smoothie there for breakfast the last 3 days for only 3 pounds.</p> <p>They were shooting a film outside our hostel last night, we tried getting in as extras but they had already cast. </p> <p>The Aussie roomemates have gone to Mexico this morning though im gunna meet up with them in Melbourne where they live so that should be cool. They said they'll show me around.</p> <p>Going to a new hostel Tommorow South L.A right by the beach where the 'O.C.' is filmed. </p> <p>Im currently uploading my first batch of photos. so check em out!<br> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/howardbaker">www.flickr.com/photos/howardbaker</a></p> <p>times up....speak soon!!</p> <p>x</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://howlar.blog.co.uk/2007/12/10/l_a_part~3425146/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:howlar.blog.co.uk,2007-12-09:/2007/12/09/l_a_part~3416084/Howlar2007-12-09T05:00:27+01:002007-12-10T23:07:28+01:00 <p>Went cluelessly gandering around hollywood today. and guess who i saw shopping in a mall.....lawrance fishbourne....u know morphious of matrix....walked right past me. Also saw some other actress from scary movie.</p> <p>Went to see some bands play last night at a bar called knitting factory... so called LA's hottest new coming acts. Bands were amazing. Had my first pint, and accidently stole the barmans tip thinking it was mine that fell out of my wallet...oops...he wasnt too impressed.</p> <p>Went universal studios today. spashed out 30 squid thou it was worth it. Saw the famous sets from loads of movies and stuff and went on a load a rides ect.....the usual!!</p> <p>Couple new aussie roomies who seem like cool people, thou two annoying japanses roomates who snore/talk in there sleep.</p> <p>Laters!! x </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://howlar.blog.co.uk/2007/12/09/l_a_part~3416084/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:howlar.blog.co.uk,2007-12-07:/2007/12/07/l_a_part~3411109/Howlar2007-12-07T22:08:14+01:002007-12-07T22:08:14+01:00 <p>Went to universal studio's today with a random english guy from swindon. Just a 2 min ride on the metro. We were given free tickets to watch American gangster at the cinema..its ok but quite long. Hoping to see will smith monday and some other celebs as his new film 'i am legend' is being premiered at the cinema opposite my hostel. Everyone in hollywood seems to play guitar aswell.</p> <p>I think im gunna head to san fransisco for a couple days next week as im gunna run out of things to do soon here and then im wanna stay at santa monica and venice where all the cool beaches are. aurevoir!!!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://howlar.blog.co.uk/2007/12/07/l_a_part~3411109/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:howlar.blog.co.uk,2007-12-06:/2007/12/06/l_a~3406387/Howlar2007-12-06T22:10:05+01:002007-12-07T21:59:24+01:00 <p>Finally arrived in LA yesterday after a 11 hour flight. The hostel im staying in is pretty awful and skanky but its only 8 quid a night and on the walk of fame street so cant complain. Currently sharing a room with a korean, dutch, czech, american and english guy, thou they all seem like pretty cool people. Just went to Frank Gehry's famous concert hall building...its amazing. did an audio tour. Just watched a band play in an outdoor park, pretty gd. Im now in the civic centre in downtown LA using free internet access, thou i only have 2 mins left. Keep you updated!! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://howlar.blog.co.uk/2007/12/06/l_a~3406387/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:howlar.blog.co.uk,2007-11-25:/2007/11/25/preparing_to_set_off~3351416/Howlar2007-11-25T20:59:57+01:002007-11-25T20:59:57+01:00 <p>Not long now till i set off for my random adventur. Pretty much sorted everything now...Got my important items such as i-pod ready. Not sure if i should pack my skinny jeans?? un-necessary fashion perhaps? might hav to pop into a topshop in tailand and get a cheap pair...probably made of woven cockroaches or something! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://howlar.blog.co.uk/2007/11/25/preparing_to_set_off~3351416/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>