The Rise and Fall of Emperor Zoltan!!

Picture of words in this blog...

2008-10-28T21:26:25Z

Back to china

2008-10-23T00:47:33Z

Well back travelling in a week, details below for those interested..

Flight NZ 500
Fri 31 October 05:40 Depart: CHRISTCHURCH (MAIN TERMINAL)
Fri 31 October 07:00 Arrive: AUCKLAND (DOMESTIC TERMINAL)
Flight Time: 1 hours and 20 minutes

Flight CX 118
Fri 31 October 08:55 Depart: AUCKLAND
Fri 31 October 15:20 Arrive: HONG KONG INTL (TERMINAL 1)
Airline: CATHAY PACIFIC
Flight Time: 11 hours and 25 minutes Aircraft: 343

Accommodation L HOTEL CAUSEWAY HARBOUR VIEW, HONG KONG
Fri 31 October NO 18 KINGS RD
Sun 2 November HONG KONG 0
Telephone: 852 852 852 3553 289 (Reception)

Flight KA 660
Sun 2 November 08:50 Depart: HONG KONG INTL (TERMINAL 1)
Sun 2 November 10:20 Arrive: FUZHOU
Airline: DRAGONAIR
Flight Time: 1 hours and 30 minutes Aircraft: 321

Accommodation Shangri La Fuzhou
Sun 2 November No 9 Xin Quan Nan Road
Sat 8 November Fuzhou 350005
CHINA
Telephone: 086 591 879-88888 (Reservations)

Flight KA 661
Sat 8 November 11:10 Depart: FUZHOU
Sat 8 November 12:50 Arrive: HONG KONG INTL (TERMINAL 1)
Airline: DRAGONAIR
Flight Time: 1 hours and 40 minutes Aircraft: 320

Flight CX 117
Sat 8 November 15:25 Depart: HONG KONG INTL (TERMINAL 1)
Sun 9 November 07:30 Arrive: AUCKLAND
Airline: CATHAY PACIFIC
Flight Time: 11 hours and 05 minutes Aircraft: 343

Sun 9 November 09:00 Depart: AUCKLAND (DOMESTIC TERMINAL)
Sun 9 November 10:20 Arrive: CHRISTCHURCH (MAIN TERMINAL)
Airline: QANTAS AIRWAYS
Flight Time: 1 hours and 20 minutes Aircraft: 733

Almost home

2007-10-08T04:22:31Z

Sorry for the lack of updates haven't had any good internet access till today.
Lets see what we had been up to

Last day Florence:
Went to the Bargello museum and the San Lorenzo church, plus some more shopping...

Next day picked up rental car and drove down to our farm B&B in Tuscanny. Got there about 11:30am and the only person about was an old italian woman who spoke absolutely no english. She kept on talking louder in the hopes we would understand random italian words. We finally worked out that we should come back later to check in. Got back later and got checked in and then went for a drive though some small local villages, had a bit of a hunt finding somewhere for dinner near dinner time but found a place close to home eventually.

Next day went to Siena. That was nice. Duomo was very striking in black and white:

That night we had dinner back at our lodgings, was some sort of spaghetti thing for starter then roast chicken and potatoes with garlic for main. Have gone blank on dessert. Too tired!

Next day we drove to Arezzo then through Cianti to San Gimignano. SG had a really nice feel. In the rennaissance it had 72 towers, now has just 14.

Next day packed up and went to Umbria. We were too early to check in so went to Deruta. This is a major centre of majolica wear. Bought some very nice plates similar to :

Had dinner back at our new B&B. Started with italian cold-cuts. then pasta with pesto. Then home grown pork, then panecotta.

Next day went to Assisi. That looms above the hill at you as you drive there

visiten the main church and St Francis' burial spot (along with 100s of others. Then had lunch overlooking the umbrian plain. then on the way home (last day!) stopped at an outlet-mall and did a bunch more shopping.

That night had dinner at the B&B again. First course was gnocchi in ragout, then chicken catchatori (spelled??), followed by a almond chocolate cake with liquid chocolate sauce inside.

Had an early start the next day, got up at 6:30. The promised 1.5 hour drive to the airport ended up taking a bit over 2.5 hours so we were really rushed when we got there, but we finally got on the plane and away. We are in Singapore now. Just in the airport. Here from 6 am till 7pm. Have paid for lounge access to 5 hours (with internet) plus previous 3 hours in a sleeping "pod" as we were dead on our feet. Home tomorrow about 10am NZ-time I think. (won't talk about the rugby!!)

empzoltan @ 2007-09-29T21:57:00

2007-09-29T20:01:08Z

Headed out this morning and climed to the top of the Duomo or dome of the main cathedral

460 odd steps but wasnt too bad. Then did a little shopping then went to the Ufizi gallery. Saw a ew famous pantings such as venus in the sea shell.

then went to a curch where we had heard you could go and listen to gregorian chanting in the evening. We got that but also got a full mass on the end in Italin. that filled in the time!

Then out for more italian food. I had a large Calzone, and Chris had a resotto. Off to see david tomorrow and do more shopping!!

Ciao

empzoltan @ 2007-09-28T21:09:00

2007-09-28T19:17:56Z

From Bellagio caught the hydrofoil back to Como and then walked in the rain to the train station. changed trains in Milan then down to Montorosso in Cinque terre. spent the night in Montorosso

had a fantastico dinner out with flaming risotto. Next morning walked along the clifftops to Vernazza for 2 hours

that was very picturesque but a bit steep!

Had soe foccacia and bresoalla for lunch. Bresoalla is like proscutto ham but is made from beef. Is lovely.
Tried an experiment in Bellagio the previous day. It is possible to eat too much proscutto! About 7 large slices is about it!

We got to Florence about 6:30 tonight got settled in at a very nice place and went i search f fod. Had a preliminary look at the shops and they look the best so far! Had a great dinner. Crostini with pate, creamy lemony chicken, suasages and white beans and fried zuchini flowers. With red wine.

Just winding down now. We shall see what we can see in Florence tomorrow!

Ciao!

empzoltan @ 2007-09-26T11:36:00

2007-09-26T09:38:48Z

Well, been a few days!

we did Venice and had a great time. Lots of canals and even more people. didnt do too much siteseeing as suuch, just wandered around. Went Murano and bought some glass. Took a gondola ride and had lots of expensive food!

We are in Bellagio today. If very nice but we picked a rainy day

Just having a quiet day today. Off to Cinque terre tomorrow!

Ciao!!

Ancient Rome

2007-09-22T06:26:27Z

When we got out of the Vatican day before yesterday the line for St Peters Bascilica was way long, so we skipped it. So yesterday we went there first thing. Was good to get there early, no line really and not too many people inside. Inside of bascilica was amazing...

(not my picture - but could be)

Then we went to the ruins of ancient rome. Lots of pilalrs and old temples and stuff. Then went to teh colloseum (how do you spell that?????)

that was nto too bad but a bit ruined!

Quick trip down expensive shopping street via condotti. Went in Prada, plain V-neck T-shirt was 380 euros ro $760NZ! Didn't get that one. Off to Venice this morning.
Not sure what net access will be like when we are there..

ciao

Vatican

2007-09-21T06:25:08Z

Yesterday was the Vatican, got there at 9am for a 10am opening and teh line was 200m long, by the tiome the doors opened at 10 15 or so it was probably just as long behind us. It moved at a good clip and we were in by 10:50

Lots of statues! Lots of painted ceilings. By the time you get to the sistine chapel there have been so many painted ceiling it is just more of the same, plus was packed with people. Bought some lovely jewellry in the gift shop.

Off to the colleseum today plus more ancient rome!
Ciao

empzoltan @ 2007-09-20T08:22:00

2007-09-20T06:23:22Z

Day went well yesterday. Went to see the Pope give his General Address in St Peters Square. He went by in his little car about 40 feet from us.
Went shopping afterwards. Off to sistine chapel now!

Ciao

Roma!!

2007-09-19T06:40:55Z

singapore went well, was very hot of course. caught up with Chris's family and did some shopping etc.

Long flights but had an early night last night so getting into the swing on the time zone.
Saw a bunch of roman sites yesterday, Pantheon, Spanish steps (yawn) and Trevi fountain etc.

Off to see the Pope now!!

ciao!

LOLZ cats

2007-07-30T04:37:04Z

wikipedia birthday meme

2006-08-29T00:51:10Z

1. Type in your birthday (minus the year) in the search bar at Wikipedia.org
2. List three interesting facts, two births, and one death that happened on your birthday. Also any interesting Holidays etc

Events
1903 - The Wright Brothers make the first powered heavier-than-air flight in the Wright Flyer at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
1969 - Project Blue Book: The USAF closes its study of UFOs, stating that sightings were generated as a result of 'A mild form of mass hysteria, Individuals who fabricate such reports to perpetrate a hoax or seek publicity, Psychopathological persons, and Misidentification of various conventional objects'.
2003 - The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is released worldwide.

Births
1619 - Prince Rupert of the Rhine, Royalist commander in the English Civil War (d. 1682)
1938 - Peter Snell, New Zealander runner

Deaths
-not much to choose from...
1663 - Queen Nzinga of Ndongo and Matamba (b. 1583)

Holidays and observances
Roman festivals – Saturnalia, in honor of Saturn, began.
R.C. Saints – O Sapientia ; Saint Lazarus

Well thays China for ya

2006-06-03T06:18:36Z

yas day here, it's going OK utr not as OK as we might like.

Just got taken out to lunch. Way to much Honjyo(Red wine) I must have had abouot 9 glasses as shots. The things I do for the company! At least it wasnt Baijyo! I said to them, "If you want me to day any work today you better stop now" Here for another 3 hours. Not sure what I can do that is coherant!

Oh well!

Go the Crusaders!!!!!!!!

Made it

2006-05-28T09:07:52Z

Made it back to China again.
Not too many dramas..

Going through immigration in Fuzhou.
I was the first off the plane, then I had to fill out a quarantine form, was then about 3rd in line. Then had to fill out an immegration form, Were abotu 5 lines and I joined the shortest, that had about 4 people in front. Was 2 from the front and some flash looking guy got waved in in front of us. Then there was some trouble with his passport and we stood there for 10 minutes not going anywhere. Other lines were moving at a good clip, eventually I changed lines, then that line slowed up and my old line started moving. Eventually changed back to my line and again there was some trouble with the passport of the guy in front.
finally got to the counter, virtually the last person off the plane to get processed and there was some drama with my passport as well. God knows what, seemed to get cleared up with 10 minutes of keyboard pounding.

Is warm and rainy here. Lovely...

Still not ded

Made it to China

2006-04-19T11:24:54Z

Again!
Just a quick note to say I got here OK. No major dramas...

Pictures

2006-03-23T03:48:00Z

All back safe and sound now. Here are some elephant pictures!
Pay no mind to my Taiwanese Girlfriend, we kept on getting devided into groups of 2 or 4, and we were some of the few travelling singley, so we mostly got grouped together.

All done

2006-03-22T09:31:52Z

Chiang Mai went well.
The elephant riding was good, sat one ones leg for a but and they are very spikey. Also got lifted up with a trunk between my legs, very elegant!!
Got lots more massages and ate plenty of Thai food.
About to leave Bangkok airport now...

Styhl knot ded

2006-03-19T06:37:52Z

Thailand is going well so far. Got in at abotu 9pm last night, feeling somewhat knackered, went for a bit of a wander around teh packed night market and found a curry place and then had a quick 1 hour massage.

Been wandering around this morning, had another massage, why wouldn't you at $5 an hour.

Seen a bunch of Thai temples (what?) and had some Thai soup for lunch. Thinking about doing a Thai cookery course this evening.

Free at last!!! (again)

2006-03-17T17:52:47Z

Made it through the week. Was miuch as expected.. very slow with a high birst of energy at the end.
just got back from seening in St Patricks day and a fair chunk of the 18th as well.
Went reasonably well, even if there was a distinct lack of Guinness.

Got up on stage and sung Smoke on the water into the microphone, so was all good (for certain values of good).

Bring on the elephants and dancing girls!!!!

Made it

2006-03-12T09:15:51Z

Well I am back in China again. Nothing too eventfull on the trip.
got a bargain on the taxi fare from the airport. The metered price is about 130 ($26) Yuan, you can normally expect to pay 150 and the taxi drivers normally demand 200.

I was hoping to only pay 150, but was sanguine if they demanded the usual rip-off 200. I ignored all the touts in the terminal and made for the taxi rank. they all clamoured about me and I pointed to the two green taxis near the front of the rank. Two of them started shouting and shoving each other. I opened with eebai san shir or 130, and they yelled in excited agreement and started grabbing for my bag pulling it one from the other, until it was loaded in the back of one of the cabs. Bargain!

Gave the guy 140 when we got here.

Still not ded

Bangkok

2006-03-11T23:48:19Z

Well made it as far as bangkok. Not much sleep on the plane as usual. They actually did serve curry in the meal selection, but it was the sort of curry you would expect to get on and airplane.
Had a thai curry in the hotel on arrival, however it was late and the only place open for food was the American themed sports bar. They mainly served oversized burgers and chicken wings. They had a small selection of thai foods. But the curry was somewhat uninspiring. Still better than I'll get in China!
Heading out of here in about an hour...

Travel plans

2006-03-07T02:33:29Z

Flights etc, if the visa comes through...
Saturday 11 March 2006
12:30 Depart Christchurch Airport, Terminal M on Air New Zealand
Flight NZ526 (Boeing 737-300)
Flying Time: 1 hour 20 minutes Status - Confirmed
13:50 Arrive Auckland Airport, Terminal D

15:30 Depart Auckland Airport, Terminal I on Thai Airways
Flight TG990
Flying Time: 12 hours Meals Served: Non specific meal Status - Confirmed
21:30 Arrive Bangkok Airport, Terminal 1

Saturday 11 Mar On Arrival: TG990 11MAR 9.30PM
Sunday 12 Mar Accommodation has been reserved for 1 night at:
Amari Airport Hotel
Don Muang, Bangkok
Phone: 66 2 5661020
Fax: 66 2 5661941

Sunday 12 March 2006
08:00 Depart Bangkok Airport, Terminal 1 on Thai Airways
Flight TG600 (Boeing 747-300)
Flying Time: 2 hours 45 minutes Meals Served: Non specific meal Status - Confirmed
11:45 Arrive Hong Kong Airport

14:20 Depart Hong Kong Airport on China Eastern Airlines
Flight MU578 (Airbus A319)
Flying Time: 1 hour 30 minutes Meals Served: Snack or brunch Status - Confirmed
15:50 Arrive Fuzhou Airport

Sunday 12 Mar On Arrival: MU578 12MAR 3.50PM
Saturday 18 Mar Accommodation has been reserved for 6 nights at:
Shangri La Hotel
Phone: 0118659187988888
Fax: 008659187988222

Saturday 18 March 2006
10:00 Depart Fuzhou Airport on China Eastern Airlines
Flight MU575 (Airbus A319)
Flying Time: 1 hour 30 minutes Meals Served: Snack or brunch Status - Confirmed
11:30 Arrive Hong Kong Airport

15:00 Depart Hong Kong Airport on Thai Airways
Flight TG629 (Boeing 777)
Flying Time: 2 hours 45 minutes Meals Served: Non specific meal Status - Confirmed
16:45 Arrive Bangkok Airport, Terminal 1

19:00 Depart Bangkok Airport, Terminal D on Thai Airways
Flight TG126 (Boeing 777)
Flying Time: 1 hour 10 minutes Meals Served: Snack or brunch Status - Confirmed
20:10 Arrive Chiang Mai Airport

Saturday 18 Mar On Arrival: TG126 18MAR 8.10PM
Wednesday 22 Mar Accommodation has been reserved for 4 nights at:
D2hotel Chiang Mai
Phone: 66 53 999999
Fax: 66 53 999900

Wednesday 22 March 2006
14:05 Depart Chiang Mai Airport on Thai Airways
Flight TG111 (Airbus 600 Series)
Flying Time: 1 hour 10 minutes Meals Served: Snack or brunch Status - Confirmed
15:15 Arrive Bangkok Airport, Terminal D

17:20 Depart Bangkok Airport, Terminal 1 on Thai Airways
Flight TG989
Flying Time: 11 hours 30 minutes Meals Served: Non specific meal Status - Confirmed
Thursday 23 Mar Arrive Auckland Airport, Terminal I
09:50

Thursday 23 March 2006
11:45 Depart Auckland Airport, Terminal D on Air New Zealand
Flight NZ517 (Boeing 737-300)
Flying Time: 1 hour 20 minutes Status - Confirmed
13:05 Arrive Christchurch Airport, Terminal M

Trip

2006-03-07T01:21:11Z

If my Visa comes through by friday, looks like an interesting trip home I've managed to arrange. From Bangkok, I am booked to flight straight up to Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand. Up in the jungles and mountains. Very nice up there apparently, and you can go treking on elephants. Sounds really good. 4 days there should do be a treat!

Well that didn't take long!!

2006-03-06T03:07:01Z

They need someone to head back to China, to be there from Monday next week, and it looks like I have drawn the short straw.
The only possible hold-up is that I don't currently have a valid Visa, so it will depend on whether they can get one by friday.

going to see if I can go via Japan this time and get a few days holiday there on the way back. Work said they would pay for a hotel for a few days, so that could be OK. Just love sitting on planes!!

Also with Rowany coming up at Easter, and I only having a few weekends between now and then to get prepped, they said I can take off any of my missed weekends, as days in lieu once I get back, so I suppose that helps a bit.

empzoltan @ 2006-03-01T17:09:00

2006-03-01T04:10:38Z

The Rise and Fall of Emperor Zoltan!!

Picture of words in this blog...

Back to china

Almost home

empzoltan @ 2007-09-29T21:57:00

empzoltan @ 2007-09-28T21:09:00

empzoltan @ 2007-09-26T11:36:00

Ancient Rome

Vatican

empzoltan @ 2007-09-20T08:22:00

Roma!!

LOLZ cats

wikipedia birthday meme

Well thays China for ya

Made it

Made it to China

Pictures

All done

Styhl knot ded

Free at last!!! (again)

Made it

Bangkok

Travel plans

Trip

Well that didn't take long!!

empzoltan @ 2006-03-01T17:09:00

HOME!!!