So far he has raised £300 for Oxfam ahead of Sunday’s marathon but if we can get him closer to his target of £500 – that would be amazing! Any donations big or small will be greatly appreciated.

Have a look at his Charity Giving page and please donate whatever you can.

Read on for a little background information on how this all came about…

Oli completing the Liverpool Marathon with our proud Dad

Considering the fact that I can barely run one mile, I am totally in awe of my not-so-little baby brother.  He’s pushing himself to the very limit by doing one of the world’s most challenging marathons in the humidity of Mumbai.

Oli is currently on his year off whilst deciding what he wants to do at University. Unlike me, who spent my year off working behind a bar and generally being a bit of a bum, Oli has been working hard and volunteering once a week at the local Oxfam store.  Charity and volunteering has always meant a lot to him, so combining this with his new passion for running is quite the achievement.

His reason for being in India is not just the marathon. When all my Dad’s children (there are six of us!) turn 18, he takes us on what he calls an Osho Pilgrimage to Pune.  My Dad, the hippy colourful soul that he is, has a commune in Pune, near Mumbai, where he has spent much time learning the meditation teachings of Osho.  All us kids go with him to understand why India means so much to him and it is a very special trip in our family.  I have nothing but fond memories of my trip ten years ago.

Dad, being the big supporter of Oli’s new found love of running, discovered that the marathon was on during this pre-planned trip and Oli was delighted to have a go at another marathon – this time  in a very different climate!  Whilst in India, he is also doing work experience at the Pune branch of Oxfam India, so not only is he lending a hand, he’s raising hundreds of pounds towards this vital organisation.

Oli ran one half marathon and the full Liverpool marathon last year. He finished in a very speedy 4 hours 8 minutes – which is apparently super fast for a first attempt at a full marathon!

So as a very proud big sister, I wish my Oli all the luck in the world! After so much training, you deserve to rock that marathon! GO BRO!! XXX

And here’s the winning pic! An exhausted but accomplished Oli – finished in 3 hours 59 minutes and 59 seconds! Beat his record!

I feel it’s high time I tell you all about my time in Australia and how I feel about the saying: You can never go back.

After so long travelling through magnificent India…

The Taj – Copyright © Roscoe Duncan 2012

Discovering Northern Thailand…

Chiang Mai – Copyright © Roscoe Duncan 2012

Being humbled by the incredible Laos…

Vientiane

Fascinated by the beauty of Vietnam…

Hoi An Moon Light Festival -Copyright © Roscoe Duncan 2012

Seeing the long awaited Angkor Wat in Cambodia…

Angkor Wat tree HDR – Copyright © Roscoe Duncan 2012

Living on Koh Phangan for seven months…

Life in Thailand

Seeing the Twin Towers of Malaysia…

Kuala Lumpur Twin Towers – Copyright © Roscoe Duncan 2012

And the vibrant city of Singapore…

Marina Bay – Singapore – Copyright © Roscoe Duncan 2012

Australia was the big one. The country all travellers salivate over.

Back in Cairns

I had fallen for this country right at the same time as falling for my travelling partner Roscoe. Australia was very special to us both. Whenever anyone asked us how we met – on a dive boat out on one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World, The Great Barrier Reef – was always met with amazement.

I had so many fond memories of Cairns.  It was the place where we were wild 24 year olds, with not a care in the world. We drank all day, partied all night, took crazy road trips to Port Douglas – it was brilliant.

Port Douglas 2008

All these memories inevitably put Cairns up on a very high pedestal. We had talked countless times about how excited we were about going back. We expected to be transported right back to four years ago.

Though great to be back, things started to go awry from the very outset…

The first plan we had for Australia was to return to the live aboard boat where we first met.  Roscoe spent a year training and working as a dive master on Reef Encounter.  He was still good friends with Benny, the son of the owner, and he was now a fully fledged instructor and skipper.

Roscoe working on Reef Encounter 2008

The company ran a hostey programme where divers (and snorkellers like myself) can live on the boat for free if you help out a bit.  This would be ideal for us as it would save money on accommodation and food and allowed us to go back to all our old memories.  We wanted to re-live the experience.  The plan was to spend at least one month out of the three months that we were in Australia, living on the boat – living the dream.

In typical sods law fashion, however, the day we arrived and met up with Benny we found out that for the first time in two years, the boat had been pulled out of the water for essential repairs.  This wasn’t a day or two job. This was a huge boat and the time frame of it being out of action was months not days.  In one foul swoop, that was the end of that dream.

Naturally, we were devastated not to be able to go back. It meant we had to re-look at our situation and totally re-plan.

Prices had massively escalated in the four years since we were last there.

Our next major plan of camper vanning down the East Coast, which once was affordable, now seemed impossible what with us losing the ‘free’ month on the live aboard boat.  There was no way we could afford three months in a camper van.   We spent hours working out the cost of fuel relative to where we wanted to go.  Just the security bond alone to hire the van for three months, was more than we had budgeted for the entire hire. Reality had hit.

Along with our money woes, we also found that some of the things we did four years ago, just weren’t as fun anymore.  The infamous Woolshed bar, which was always (and still is) an appalling meat market where travellers flirt and get frisky – was just not the same for us in a long term relationship.  We were surrounded by fresh backpackers, too young and too pissed.  Our relationship had moved on. We weren’t in that phase anymore. Being around all these travellers, that were just like us years ago, only made us feel strange. The price of booze alone was enough to make us want to leave.  We had been spoiled living in Thailand with its cheap booze and laid back beach parties.

There was no doubt about it, in this case, we just couldn’t go back.  It wasn’t the same.

As autumn creeps upon us each year, we suddenly realize that summer is no more and the last bit of real warmth and sunshine is not too far off.  It is on this occasion that many people begin to wonder, “Where can I go that isn’t far from home where the sun is still blazing?”  Autumn is certainly an amazing time to take a short holiday, especially since the crowds of tourists have lightened and the temperatures have turned milder but are still enjoyable.  If you’re seeking a beach to relax on, or an outdoor getaway, then look no further than these five spectacular autumn getaways.

flickr photo credit: Michael Gwyther-Jones

Saint Tropez, France

With an average temperature of 25C, it’s no wonder that Saint Tropez has become the summer playground for the rich and the famous.  However, in the autumn months the area undergoes a change in identity.  By the time autumn rolls around, the tourists have gone, along with the celebrities, and all that is left is the beauty of the area and temperatures in the mid-20s.  The beaches that are typically packed with visitors in the summer offer autumn visitors the ability to have an intimate experience at stunning Saint Tropez beaches such as the Plage des Salins and the Plage de Pameplonne.  And getting there is particularly easy for those in the U.K., who can travel by air or via a ferry crossing to France.

Dahab, Egypt

flickr photo credit: jay8085

If you’re looking for a unique coastal experience, then Dahab is the right holiday locale for you.  The average temperature here is 31C, but during the summer the temperatures can be stifling, reaching as high as 38C.  But during the autumn, these temperatures become more in line with the average, and unlike during the winter months, the nights have not yet cooled to uncomfortable levels.  This area is renowned for divers, due in large part to a variety of reefs located in the area.  It’s also known for some amazing local sights, such as the Coloured Canyon and St. Catherine’s Monastery at the foot of Mount Sinai.

Rhodes, Greece

flickr photo credit: ashraful kadir

Greece is a popular destination most days of the year, and you’d be hard-pressed to find any of the islands in this area disappointing.  But Rhodes is particularly special, considering its unbelievable beauty during the autumn months.  The average temperature of Rhodes stands at around 28C, but this isn’t the only reason why the area is so attractive to visitors.  Teeming with tourists during the summer months, Rhodes becomes a true oasis for travelers who choose to visit in the autumn months after August.  Popular destinations such as Old Town are packed with people to the point of annoyance throughout most of July and August; however, after this time, visitors will find they have the city nearly all to themselves.

Lanzarote, Canary Islands

flickr photo credit: BlackmanVision

Unlike the Mediterranean, Lanzarote has more of a desert climate, although the average maximum temperature is around 29C.  The best time of year to visit Lanzarote, though, is during the autumn months, when the north-easterly trade winds that have blown across the island for months begin to drop.  This makes the autumn months the ideal time to spend some time doing a variety of outdoor activities, including taking a day to visit at least one of the volcanic peaks on the island, such as Timanfaya National Park.

So you’re embarking on your first cruise, a unique and exciting trip unlike any holiday you’ve been on before. One of the main attractions of going on holiday is the vast and high quality food you will be devouring. Cruise ships feature some of the finest dining in the worlds with some of the most famous chefs supplying delectable recipes.

But how does dining on a cruise compare to your average holiday? Well fear not as here’s a guide to on-board dining.

On arrival

Each cruise company will have their own rules on what you can take on-board. In most cases alcohol is off limits (they’d much rather you spend your money in their bars) but occasionally there are exceptions. For example Disney cruises allow customers to bring alcohol on board, but if they wish to have a bottle opened by a member of staff, a $15 charge is included.

Rise and shine

Each and every one of us has our own idea of the perfect breakfast, and when on a cruise ship, you certainly won’t be struggling for choice. The beauty of a cruise is that you will be given a huge array of choice and variety, so whether it’s a continental breakfast of cold meats, fresh pastries and cold meats you crave, or a classic fry-up, you’ll certainly find it on your voyage.

In the evening

A cruise allows you to experience the finer things in life, don your best tuxedo and enjoy an extensive range of lavish and high quality foods. Cruise liners pride themselves on their dining and vie for the attention of customers by providing the most amazing eating experiences. Cruise lines are also expected to cater for each individual customer, which means families must be catered for. P and O Cruises have high end dining provided by top chefs Gary Rhodes and Marco Pierre White on their ships, but also have pizzerias, tapas bars, grills and al-fresco eating for the sea-farer who prefers relaxed surroundings.

At the end of the day, it’s all about choice and your cruise can be made to be utterly bespoke to you and cater for all your needs.

Top Tips

Here are some additional cruise dining tips, perfect for the first time sea-farer.

• Get to know the waiters, creating a rapport with them so that your trip is that bit more special and could help you to reserve seating or even get onto the Captain’s table
• Try everything. Make the most of the trip and sample everything the ship has to offer

• Promote conversation with other guests by changing your seating every couple of nights

This article was provided by CheapCruises.com, giving you fantastic deals on all the major cruise lines. For more information please visit uk.cheapcruises.com.
Ends

More and more people are ditching their raincoats and umbrellas in return for an exciting adventure in New Zealand. It is now one of the most popular relocation destinations for young, well-qualified Britons who want to escape the UK to work in a better environment where there is less crime, more affordable housing, and a wealth of job and family opportunities.

New Zealand is located in the farthest corner of the world so emigrating there doesn’t just happen overnight. Like any other country, it has its own potential pitfalls so here is an expert guide to help you have a stress-free, easy move.

How long will it take?

Moving to the destination is a lengthy process. Depending on where you set off from in the UK, flights alone can take up to 25 hours. With regards to shipping, a full container load has the average door-to-door transit time of 6-8 weeks. A Shared Container Shipment – known as groupage – will almost certainly be cheaper, but will take longer, 10-12 weeks door-to-door.

So as you can see, you really do need to plan in advance.

What can you take?

Most people sell their belongings and buy new ones when they arrive in New Zealand but there will be certain household items that are of special significance which you will want to take with you. You may have to pay duty or tax on personal effects but basically they can be imported for free given the following circumstances:

-          if you’re a first time migrant holding permanent residency status

-          a “work to residence” visa holder

-          hold a work permit for longer than 12 months

-          you’re a New Zealand resident returning from an overseas absence of more than 21 months

The New Zealand Quarantine Service often treats and fumigates caneware, rattanware and basketware as well as items that have come into contact with soil e.g. garden tools, shoes and camping equipment.

You cannot take foodstuff or restricted items like bones, feathers and stuffed animals.

Can you take your car?

Yes, you can take your motor vehicle with you but duty may/may not be applicable. If you’re a first-time immigrant with permanent residency status or a returning New Zealander who has been overseas for more than 21 months, you can do so duty-free. However, duty is pertinent on motor homes for non-qualifying migrants.

To qualify for entry free of Goods and Services Tax (GST), you must have owned and used the vehicle overseas for at least 12 months prior to handing it in for shipment or your departure for relocation to New Zealand, whichever is the earlier. You cannot then sell or dispose of the vehicle within 2 years without paying the GST which would have applied.

For all other migrants and returning New Zealanders who have been overseas for less than 21 months, GST is payable at 12.5% of the vehicle’s CIF (purchase price, insurance and freight) value.

Conclusion…

Now you know what items you can/cannot take into New Zealand and how long it will take to move there. So what are you waiting for? Become a New Zealand citizen, swear an oath of loyalty to Queen Elizabeth, and move to Gisborne- the first major city in the world to see the sunrise.

This article was provided by Robinsons, the specialists in overseas removals and international relocation assistance.

A holiday is a time for relaxation and a little fun. However, too much of a good thing can sometimes be bad for you. For example, the average Brit taking a holiday to America will put on 8lb!

So you’re away and you don’t want to balloon to the size of the island you’re currently visiting. Well it’s ok to do a spot of exercise whilst away

Beach Sports

Hitting the beach doesn’t have to be all about topping up the tan. It’s a great place for a spot of cardio exercise.

Football/Volleyball

Playing on sand makes it much harder to run, which increases the workout on your body. An hour of these sports can burn around 150 calories.

Swimming

You’ll be dipping into the ocean at some point for sure if you’re on the beach. Taking a snorkel and doing some swimming for half an hour can really help lose weight. With a moderate workout, you stand to lose between 150-350 calories.

Surfing

Massively fun, even if you’re not very good at it. From the paddling to climbing on the board, you could burn off some serious calories here. For example, one hour surfing would take off around 500kcal if you weighed 180lb.

Walking

If you are backpacking, you are going to getting plenty of exercise anyhow with all the walking about. But look on the bright side; you’ll get to have fun seeing some amazing sights. A 180lb person carrying a backpack will burn almost 600 calories per hour. If you’re hiking for an average of 6 hours, that’s 3,500 calories!

When backpacking, chances are you’ll be staying mostly in hostels, but occasionally, it’s nice to check into a hotel. A lot of hotels have their own gym areas, where a spot of weights or even 20 minutes on the running machine can shift some unwanted poundage.
But generally, this isn’t as much fun. So what else can you do to exercise?

Dancing

You might not have seen this coming, but having a dance, either on the beach or in a club, is a great way to burn off some calories. Remember, you’re most likely going to be in a place that’s hot and humid. If you’re up to it, dancing for just half an hour will shift 250 calories.

Bio: Written on behalf of Hotel Sis Pins, providing a quality holiday experience for the whole family.

First (expensive) beer in Australia

Our biggest dream for the country was to hire a campervan and travel down the East Coast – Cairns to Melbourne.  Once we started to do our research, we realised we were going to need a lot more money than we had originally planned.  Our current account, which looked ever so healthy in Asia, now looked rather meager in Australia.  It was clear that we were going to need to transfer money abroad from our savings, something we hadn’t wanted to do the minute we arrived.

It took us four years to save enough money for our two year trip and after the first year we still hadn’t needed to dip into our second batch of savings.  Thankfully, our LloydsTSB International bank made the transfer super easy.  Our bank balance looked much better but despite the money transfer, our budgeting hats were firmly on.

We needed to look ahead to the entire trip, not just Australia.  The security bond for the campervan worked out to as as much as we had budgeted for the entire rental.  We would be paying twice as much as we had anticipated. The country had changed dramatically in the five years since we were last there and we were left with no choice but to skip the experience.  If we chose to do the campervan it would mean we would have nothing left for Fiji and New Zealand.

This decision didn’t come easy.  Twice now Roscoe and I had been in Australia and only really seen Cairns.  No matter how hard the decision, it felt like the right thing to do.  Life is long.  The opportunity to do it again, with lots of money and little worry, would present itself again.

I’ll be telling all at some point but while I rest my rabid leg and you wait with bated breath for many more Bumpkin stories (a girl can dream…) I hand over to Catherine, today’s Travel Tidbits Guest Poster.  She’s making me think about where I want to go in 2013 and Mexico could well be it…

Mexico is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful long haul destinations of the world. What’s more, unlike other tropical hot spots, online holiday deals have made Mexico an affordable choice for travellers.

If you’re looking for variety, the internet is a fabulous facility for finding a huge variety of Mexico getaways. Holidays in Mexico 2013 are already online, and booking early will ensure you get to pick your break from the widest choice of packages at the lowest prices.

Whether you are travelling as a family, in a group, or as a couple, the main tourist areas of Mexico have a region suited for every type of individual.

Cancun is quite possibly the most visited area of the Mexico tourist region and is a fabulous central resort for all holiday types. As a manmade resort, Cancun offers exceptionally soft sandy beaches and plenty of amenities for your convenience.

Young adults, singles and groups will be blown away by the nightlife here. Although, unlike European clubbing resorts, Cancun takes nightlife to another level, with immense attractions including CoCo Bongos and Senor Frogs playing host to some of the most epic evenings of your life.

From within Cancun, and other areas including the Riviera Maya, families will be able to visit the country’s top attractions, while making the most of the striking Mexico sands.

As well as water parks and marine life centres, those with children young and old alike should definitely check out Xcaret, Cancun & Riviera Maya’s top eco archaeological park for family fun’.

Make the most of your destination and be sure to visit some of the ancient, breathtaking sites that Mexico has to offer. The Chichen Itza and temples of Tulum should feature at the top of your holiday itinerary.

Start your adventure today and book holidays in Mexico 2013 online.

A holiday to India would never complete without a trip to the world famous Kerala backwaters. The tranquil backwaters are a much needed respite for any discerning traveler.  The pace of life is much calmer and the scenery is stunning – a haze of blues and greens studded with exotic palm trees.

House boat on the Kerala backwaters

The backwaters have a unique ecosystem – freshwater from the rivers meets the seawater from the Arabian Sea and is a unique feature of Kerala.  The region has captured the imagination of tourists from across the globe with its remarkable scenic beauty.  The surrounding landscape  with palm trees, shrubs, various leafy plants and bushes grow alongside the backwaters.

Life along  the backwaters

A backwater cruise along the palm-fringed waterways of Alleppey and Kumarakom is one of the most enchanting holiday experiences anywhere in the world.  In this world of simple pleasures, you will skim past ancient Chinese fishing nets, water lilies, lush paddy fields, coir villages, rustic homes, temples and coconut groves.

A houseboat cruise offers you a chance to learn about the life of local village people through a Kerala Village tour. Kerala’s backwaters are throbbing with its own unique culture .

The Kerala Houseboat Experience

A Kerala houseboat, known as Kettuvallam in the local language Malayalam, was used to transport the rice harvested in the fertile fields alongside the backwaters to towns in ancient days. Kettuvallam means a boat made by tying together pieces of wood. Not a single nail is used in the making of a Kettuvallam and it is built by joining together anjili wood panes with coir ropes and then by coating with black resin made from boiled cashew nut shells. The materials that go into the making are all local and include eco friendly bamboo poles, coconut fiber ropes, bamboo mats, coir carpets etc.

Modern Kerala house boats have fully furnished single, double, triple and even five bedrooms with a sundeck, private balcony, kitchen and toilet. In addition there is also separate rest room.  You’ll even find a television (not that you’d want to watch it!) and a crew comprising two oarsmen and a cook .

It takes great skill and meticulousness to construct and navigate these giant Houseboats by tying huge planks of Anjili tree and the staff has been trained properly. All Houseboats have adequate safety measures and Kerala government and tourism department conducts periodic audits and inspections to ensure safety of tourists.

Food & Dining

When you book a Kerala houseboat cruise for one night all meals will be served on board. The cuisine is continental, south Indian, North Indian or traditional Kerala flavored with the local specialties; delicious local fish.

How to select a Kerala houseboat package?

Starting point of a Kerala Houseboat Cruise is Alleppey  or Kumarakom. Houseboats are available for rental from prices starting from Rs.3500 (£40) for a Non A/C to Rs.40000 (£450) for a super luxury houseboat with butlers.

If you are opting for one of the world famous honeymoon packages in Kerala  you’ll be spoilt with special arrangements of a candle lit dinner and flower arrangements.

Food preferences (Vegetarian/ Non Vegetarian) has to be specified before the boat leaves from the shore. On prior request fishing and canoeing can be arranged.  You can catch  the fish from the river (if you are lucky) or buy the fish from the visiting fisherman in the boat who will come to your houseboat and give to your chef to cook.

While many Kerala Houseboat Cruises take tourists from a particular point and bring them back to around the same point next morning there are some specific cruises mostly in the Alappuzha area, such as:

• one night cruise from Alappuzha to Thotapally via Punnamada Lake
• two nights cruise from Alappuzha to Alumkavadi
• one night cruise from Alappuzha to Kidangara
• one night cruise from Alappuzha to Mankotta

And so….

Travellers, tourists and locals alike have been captivated by the charm of these serene waters and the simple pleasures of life  that cannot be enjoyed anywhere else in the world. Time will stand still as the waters shimmer in the glint of sunlight. The silence is broken by the sounds of nightfall descending with the croaking frogs taking up the chorus of evening song. This is what it feels like to be enclosed in the embrace of nature.

I told you all about how we settled into Thai life, how Roscoe ended up in Koh Samui hospital, how many awesome friends came to visit us. So much of my time in Koh Phangan was spent not doing much at all. But that is what I loved about it.

life's a beach

You fall into a lifestyle there that involves days on end of casual fun.  Meeting friends for beers by the pool bar, going for a meal at the night market, popping over to a secluded beach, or just hanging on your veranda.  It’s a life that is slow most of time, then a little frenetic and full of debauchery now and again.

day glo for the Half Moon Party

Our last month or so on the island were some of the best times.  We made an effort to drive around the island, Roscoe riding his motorbike, me on the back, the wind in my hair. I had grown to love being a passenger on his bike. Much unlike how I used to be with my pillion panic in Chiang Mai.

In the last week I put on a curry feast that went down a treat.

me and my trusty sous chef Roscoe

I had been promising to do this for a while.  We all pitched in a 100 baht and bought all the spices and ingredients I needed and I filled my friends bellies full of the grub I’ve grown up cooking.

cuzza time

Another day, we travelled in convoy to the Lake Hut bar where I amused everyone with the worst faceplant you have ever witnessed. Oh the shame.

 We explored the island, climbed trees…

Had drinks…

And ate A LOT.

We breathed in everything we loved about this island with a little bit of bittersweet sadness that it was going to end.

Koh Phangan isn’t just about the Full Moon. It’s about a community, idyllic beaches, lush forest, mouthwatering food and I can safely say, I was so very very happy there.