Indivisibilities Wiki - User contributions [en]

Round 3 - Milton Keynes Stadium

2010-08-03T21:33:57Z

Matt:

Neil to bring:

* Scrabble
* Scrabble dictionary
* Intelligence ball
* Jungle speed
* Guitar heroes

Round 3 - Milton Keynes Stadium

2010-08-03T21:33:17Z

Matt:

Neil to bring:

- Scrabble

- Scrabble dictionary

- Intelligence ball

- Jungle speed

- Guitar heroes

Round 3 - Milton Keynes Stadium

2010-08-03T21:32:58Z

Matt: New page: Neil to bring: - Scrabble - Scrabble dictionary - Intelligence ball - Jungle speed - Guitar heroes

Neil to bring:

- Scrabble
- Scrabble dictionary
- Intelligence ball
- Jungle speed
- Guitar heroes

Nerd Olympics

2010-06-17T13:31:55Z

Matt: /* Round 4 - Milton Keynes Stadium - 19th or 26th June 2010 */

[[Image:Nerd2010.png|center|The Nerd Olympics. Any resemblance to any real events is entirely coincidental.]]

^This needs updating to 2007, n'est pas? Or 2010! Wow we are old :(

== Nerd Olympic Board ==

As many of you will know, we have decided to form an executive committee to decide the nature, content and venue of the Nerd Olympics, known as the Nerd Olympic Board, or NOB for short.

What we haven't discussed yet is a leader and forgive me if I am speaking out of turn, but I would like to nominate Marc as the head of this board. Would other nerd members please indicate if you think Marc is a NOB-head as well.

<center>
{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
! Marc should be the NOB-head !! Marc should not be the NOB-head
|-
| Marc ||
|-
| Abi ||
|-
| Neil (Marc is a natural) ||
|-
|Lee||
|-
|}
</center>

== Participants ==

We need a list of definite competitors for the Nerd Olympics. It seems as though we may have a few new additions. All competitors should be willing to participate in the whole competition. The list of definitely competitors is as follows:

* Marc
* Lee
* Neil
* Abi
* Matt
* Elín
* Tim
* Sissy

Although this is the finalised list, we are allowed guest competitors. The guest competitors are allowed to win prizes but will not earn any points or affect the score of the main participants

== Venues ==

The Nerd Olympics will be held at a variety of stadia around England. Each host should aim to hold about four medium sized events. People willing to host events are as follows:

* Neil / Abi - Hemel Hempstead
* Marc - Milton Keynes
* Lee - Birmingham
* Tim / Sissy - Leatherhead
* Elín / Matthew - East Claydon

== [[Round 1 - Hemel Hempstead Stadium]] - 9 & 10 September 2005==

Is any-one interested in having round 1 of the nerd olympics this weekend? At our flat (Neil & Abi)? It'd just be a good excuse to play SingStar. Abi's working on Saturday but people could come round Saturday evening and have some events on Sunday morning? I'll have to hunt out a good pool pub. We could formulate a final list of events for round 1 in the meantime via the Wiki.

'''Note''': Tim can't make this weekend, and doubtless other people won't be able to too, so we'd have to think of another date. Any ideas?

'''Note''': Lee also can't make this weekend as she is moving house!!!!! Her room is now a moving mess, but it is all very exciting.

Next weekend is proms in the park

Maybe the weekend after that (22nd & 23rd) or in six weekends time?

22nd & 23rd is good for me - ''Neil''

'''Note''': Please don't have it without Lee. She really wants to play too...

'''Note''': Can I play? - ''Elín''

Yeah, of course! - Neil

'''Note''': ^_^ - ''Elín''

Elín will have to get bonus nerd points before even starting the competition for going through all the effort of typing that funny unicode character in her name everytime! - Neil

'''NEWS FLASH''' - What about having the first round on the 9th September? It is also my bifday weekend so we can have a piss up for that (and Elin's and Lee's bifdays as well if they want). Whaddya fink? ''Abi''

'''POSTMORTEM''' - Please note that the wrong scores were read out at the end of this round. I had forgotten to include the extra point for coming first. The positions, however, remain the same. ''Marc''

=== Events ===

* Sudoku
* The Minute Game
* Death Tank
* Sing Star
* Typing

== [[Round 2 - Birmingham Stadium]] - 23 & 24 September 2006==

=== Events ===

* Paper aeroplane -oops
* Getting really tetchy when people don't know how to spell 'aeroplane'...
* Hearts
* Tetris

== [[Round 3 - Dorking Stadium]] - 12th OR 19th May 2007==

=== Events ===

* Pool
* Eurovision
* Swingball?

== [[Round 4 - Milton Keynes Stadium]] - 7th August 2010 ==

=== Events ===

* Scrabble (including animated debate before-hand, over the rules)
* Bop-it extreme
* Cheat
* Calculator relay test

== [[Round 5 - Hemel Hempstead Stadium 2]] - 24th & 25th November ==

The Hemel Hempstead stadium has been newly rebuilt with a much larger premises including a new garden outdoor arena (with shed facilities) and full wired and wireless network access throughout. The stadium is neatly located between two train stations with ample on-street parking nearby.

=== Events ===

* Swingball
* [http://smw.72dpiarmy.com/ Super Mario War]

== [[Round 5]] ==

== Scoring ==

I propose three different methods of getting points in the olympics: main rounds, bonus rounds and bonus points.

=== Main Rounds ===

The main rounds score the most points and everyone competing will get a point.

As Marc suggested it'd be nice if everyone gets some points for each round so I propose that for each round you should get 1 point for coming last, 2 for coming 2nd to last and so on up to the number of competitors, but then you should get one extra bonus point for winning the round. If there are any ties then all people who finished at the same rank get the same number of points which is the higher score, (eg, if there are five competitors and two people place joint second then the winner gets 6 points and the two second place people get 4 points each). If anyone doesn't take part in a round then they get zero points but the other players still score as if everyone was taking part. So for example if there are 5 total competitors but only 4 take part in a particular round, with two people placing equal third then the scoring would be as follows:

{|
|-
| 1st place
| 6 points
|-
| 2nd place
| 4 points
|-
| 3rd place
| 3 points
|-
| other 3rd place
| 3 points
|-
| Non-partaker
| 0 points
|}

As an additional twist I think that each competitor should be allocated one joker card (like they do in pub quizzes). Any player can adopt to play their joker card for any round, although it can only be played once. After playing the card the competitor will get double points for that round, but the competitor must choose to play the card ''before'' the round commences. So for example if Abi thinks she will do particularily well in the SingStar round, she can use her joker card then and get twelve points instead of six.

'''Note''': Marc: I agree with most of this (and like the joker card idea), but I think it might be best for the winner to get 10 points and count down to 1. If few people participate in the event, it's not fair for the maximum amount of points scored to be less than they otherwise would be.

'''Reply''': Neil: I think that was what I was trying to describe, eg "but the other players still score as if everyone was taking part". So if there are 8 total competitors in the whole olympics and one doesn't take part in a particular round then the winner of that round will still get 9 points, 2nd place would get 7 and so on but the person who didn't take part would get zero instead of the free 1 point they could have gotten for just taking part and coming last. I guess it doesn't really make any difference if you count down from 10 instead of counting down from the number of competitors (unless there are more than 10 of course..) except that it would be slightly more of a punishment if you didn't take part because you would be down more than one point.

'''Query''': What if someone is taking part in the overall Nerd Olympics but can't make it to that particular round? - ''Lee''

I guess as there are only eight competitors we could avoid hosting a round unless everyone can attend? Otherwise as the competiton gets more serious someone will organise an event during a weekday just so that no-one can turn up and they'd get all the points :) - ''Neil''

=== Bonus rounds ===

For smaller rounds, such as the water tasting test or the Brain Training test, the winner gets two points and nobody else gets any.

=== Bonus points ===

Bonus points can be awarded by the NOB-head whenever he sees fit although if this is perceived to be unfair there may be a mutiny.

'''Comment''': I like the idea of bonus points, for natural displays of nerdiness. (points to be allocated by the NOB-head) for instance: 'Elín' - typing her name in that way, 1 bonus point, Neil - going on about the scoring system for ages - 2 bonus points. etc. - ''Matt''

== Rough Event Ideas ==

=== Main Events ===

; Musical interval recognition test : Can you distinguish major and minor chords, or a major second from a perfect fourth etc

; Folding bike unfolding challenge

; [[Specialist round]] : We could have a short quiz where everybody answers questions on somebody else's special chosen subject. We could agree the subjects beforehand to prevent people from picking stupid topics. We'd have to think of someway to stop people picking impossible to answer questions that nobody would ever know though.

;: ''Now that we've abandoned the joker cards, can we incorporate them into the specialist quiz round instead? You could get points for each quiz, but you could get double points if you play your joker card. Then the ranks could be taken from the total points. It'd be a lot easier to have joker cards just for this round because all of the categories are known before-hand.'' - Neil

; Pool : Standard knock-out tournament, à la the world cup? I think the hotel across the road has pool but I'd have to investigate prices.

* Sudoku - Hemel Hempstead
* The Minute Game - Hemel Hempstead
* Death Tank - Hemel Hempstead
* Singstar - Hemel Hempstead
* Typing - Hemel Hempstead

* Paper aeroplane - Birmingham
* Hearts - Birmingham
* Tetris - Birmingham

* Dancing game - Milton Keynes
* Swerve (fun, four-player computer, high-paced game) - Milton Keynes
* Bop it extreme 2- Milton Keynes?
* Calculator speed relay - Milton Keynes?
* Geocaching time trial! - Milton Keynes?

* Lung capacity - East Claydon?

* Pool competiton - Leatherhead?

; The following rounds are up for grabs:

* Spaghetti and Jelly Baby
Competitors get a certain amount of spaghetti and Jelly Babies, and must build a structure strong enough to hold an egg/apple(we have free ones in the garden)/other object for a certain amount of time.
Greatest vertical distance between ground and top of structure wins.
* Cranium
A board game that is like a combination of Pictionary and other games like it
* Success with the ladies
Most phone numbers collected wins?
* Arm wrestling
* Pin the tail on the donkey
* Variety of runs
* Cycle race
* Long jump (Long jump????????? - you what?)
* Spelin'
* IQ (or something like Raven's Matricies)- I must be very thick, what are raven matricies?
* Downing a pint - draught
* Not downing a pint and liking your ale in little sips test
* General grammmar and punctuation test (with extra points for the vehemency of your convinctions)
* Taste test (is this before or after the curry taste test?)
* Curry taste test (if you can handle a vindaloo test)
* Middle C
* Specialist round (like on Mastermind)
* Pictionary
* Table tennis
* Table football
* Darts
* Spot the dots
* The biscuit game
* Internet fact search
* Mallet's Mallet
* Name game
* Stop watch
* Banzai
* Guess the song
* Skimming (boing boing boing - not with my phone)
* Staring
* Eating doughnuts (no licking lips)
* Classing game, e.g. Street Firhget 2
* Lighting a fire
* Classic nerdy rock song lyric test
* ASAP
* Synonym game for rude body parts
* Super Mario Brothers on the Gameboy Color (remember that?)
* Scrabble! (so Abi can get some points..) - oi! I can get points! Maybe not in the biscuit game...
* Make a rocket like they did on Beauty and the Geek
* Complete the Red Dwarf quote
* Weight to height ratios (skinniest wins)
* Worst eyesight
* 'Success with the ladies' test
* Odd habits / phobias / general anti-social behaviour test
* Testo de povo kompreni esperantajn frazojn (A test of ability to comprehend Esperanto sentences? Facile! =D )
* The great "can you taste the difference between bottled water, tap water and filtered water?" test - wot like they did on BBC Breakfast News?
* The guitar game
*: ''What is the guitar game? Does that mean Tim is going to bring his guitar? Yay'' - Neil
*: ''The guitar game is on the PS2, it is so so so much fun! Like dance mat style, but with a guitar (Tim should bring his guitar anyway though)'' - Lee
*: ''Does the guitar game have real strings or is it just normal PS2 buttons in the shape of a guitar? Does Tim get extra points if he brings his guitar?'' - Tim
*: ''YES'' - Lee (but must be confirmed by the NOB head)
*: ''Is [http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000FGGSGE/026-9851399-7981242?v=glance&n=300703 this] the guitar game?'' - Neil
*: ''YES!!!'' - Lee
* Krypton Factor style game
* Monopoly/ Psionopoly
* Some kind of sci-fi quiz?
* [http://www.busydoingnothing.co.uk/blog/entry-204117069.en.php Wiki Races]! (It's soo much fun)
* What's the maximum height you can catch an egg from

=== Bonus rounds ===

* Cracker eating test

* Mental arithmetic: timing on Dr. Kawasomething's Brain Training on the Nintendo DS (go matt!)

* Powerball

* Chubby Bunnies - what is this? Sounds fun...
*: - See how many grapes you can fit in your mouth
*: ooh err...

== Results ==

A spreadsheet, in [http://www.openoffice.org/ OpenOffice.org/OASIS] format is available here: [[Media:Nerd_Olympics_Scores.ods]].

Overall results so far:
{| border=1
! Rank !! Name !! Points
|-
| 1 || Matt || 51
|-
| 2 || Lee || 45
|-
| 3 || Tim || 44
|-
| 3 || Marc || 44
|-
| 5 || Elín || 41
|-
| 6 || Neil || 32
|-
| 7 || Abi || 28
|-
| 8 || Sissy || 12
|}

Detailed results are available under each stadium's page.

^This is the Nerd Olympics. Shouldn't the ranking start at 0? =D

Nerd Olympics

2010-05-09T19:50:16Z

Matt:

[[Image:Nerd2010.png|center|The Nerd Olympics. Any resemblance to any real events is entirely coincidental.]]

^This needs updating to 2007, n'est pas? Or 2010! Wow we are old :(

== Nerd Olympic Board ==

As many of you will know, we have decided to form an executive committee to decide the nature, content and venue of the Nerd Olympics, known as the Nerd Olympic Board, or NOB for short.

What we haven't discussed yet is a leader and forgive me if I am speaking out of turn, but I would like to nominate Marc as the head of this board. Would other nerd members please indicate if you think Marc is a NOB-head as well.

<center>
{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
! Marc should be the NOB-head !! Marc should not be the NOB-head
|-
| Marc ||
|-
| Abi ||
|-
| Neil (Marc is a natural) ||
|-
|Lee||
|-
|}
</center>

== Participants ==

We need a list of definite competitors for the Nerd Olympics. It seems as though we may have a few new additions. All competitors should be willing to participate in the whole competition. The list of definitely competitors is as follows:

* Marc
* Lee
* Neil
* Abi
* Matt
* Elín
* Tim
* Sissy

Although this is the finalised list, we are allowed guest competitors. The guest competitors are allowed to win prizes but will not earn any points or affect the score of the main participants

== Venues ==

The Nerd Olympics will be held at a variety of stadia around England. Each host should aim to hold about four medium sized events. People willing to host events are as follows:

* Neil / Abi - Hemel Hempstead
* Marc - Milton Keynes
* Lee - Birmingham
* Tim / Sissy - Leatherhead
* Elín / Matthew - East Claydon

== [[Round 1 - Hemel Hempstead Stadium]] - 9 & 10 September 2005==

Is any-one interested in having round 1 of the nerd olympics this weekend? At our flat (Neil & Abi)? It'd just be a good excuse to play SingStar. Abi's working on Saturday but people could come round Saturday evening and have some events on Sunday morning? I'll have to hunt out a good pool pub. We could formulate a final list of events for round 1 in the meantime via the Wiki.

'''Note''': Tim can't make this weekend, and doubtless other people won't be able to too, so we'd have to think of another date. Any ideas?

'''Note''': Lee also can't make this weekend as she is moving house!!!!! Her room is now a moving mess, but it is all very exciting.

Next weekend is proms in the park

Maybe the weekend after that (22nd & 23rd) or in six weekends time?

22nd & 23rd is good for me - ''Neil''

'''Note''': Please don't have it without Lee. She really wants to play too...

'''Note''': Can I play? - ''Elín''

Yeah, of course! - Neil

'''Note''': ^_^ - ''Elín''

Elín will have to get bonus nerd points before even starting the competition for going through all the effort of typing that funny unicode character in her name everytime! - Neil

'''NEWS FLASH''' - What about having the first round on the 9th September? It is also my bifday weekend so we can have a piss up for that (and Elin's and Lee's bifdays as well if they want). Whaddya fink? ''Abi''

'''POSTMORTEM''' - Please note that the wrong scores were read out at the end of this round. I had forgotten to include the extra point for coming first. The positions, however, remain the same. ''Marc''

=== Events ===

* Sudoku
* The Minute Game
* Death Tank
* Sing Star
* Typing

== [[Round 2 - Birmingham Stadium]] - 23 & 24 September 2006==

=== Events ===

* Paper aeroplane -oops
* Getting really tetchy when people don't know how to spell 'aeroplane'...
* Hearts
* Tetris

== [[Round 3 - Dorking Stadium]] - 12th OR 19th May 2007==

=== Events ===

* Pool
* Eurovision
* Swingball?

== [[Round 4 - Milton Keynes Stadium]] - 19th or 26th June 2010 ==

=== Events ===

* Scrabble (including animated debate before-hand, over the rules)
* Bop-it extreme
* Cheat
* Calculator relay test

== [[Round 5 - Hemel Hempstead Stadium 2]] - 24th & 25th November ==

The Hemel Hempstead stadium has been newly rebuilt with a much larger premises including a new garden outdoor arena (with shed facilities) and full wired and wireless network access throughout. The stadium is neatly located between two train stations with ample on-street parking nearby.

=== Events ===

* Swingball
* [http://smw.72dpiarmy.com/ Super Mario War]

== [[Round 5]] ==

== Scoring ==

I propose three different methods of getting points in the olympics: main rounds, bonus rounds and bonus points.

=== Main Rounds ===

The main rounds score the most points and everyone competing will get a point.

As Marc suggested it'd be nice if everyone gets some points for each round so I propose that for each round you should get 1 point for coming last, 2 for coming 2nd to last and so on up to the number of competitors, but then you should get one extra bonus point for winning the round. If there are any ties then all people who finished at the same rank get the same number of points which is the higher score, (eg, if there are five competitors and two people place joint second then the winner gets 6 points and the two second place people get 4 points each). If anyone doesn't take part in a round then they get zero points but the other players still score as if everyone was taking part. So for example if there are 5 total competitors but only 4 take part in a particular round, with two people placing equal third then the scoring would be as follows:

{|
|-
| 1st place
| 6 points
|-
| 2nd place
| 4 points
|-
| 3rd place
| 3 points
|-
| other 3rd place
| 3 points
|-
| Non-partaker
| 0 points
|}

As an additional twist I think that each competitor should be allocated one joker card (like they do in pub quizzes). Any player can adopt to play their joker card for any round, although it can only be played once. After playing the card the competitor will get double points for that round, but the competitor must choose to play the card ''before'' the round commences. So for example if Abi thinks she will do particularily well in the SingStar round, she can use her joker card then and get twelve points instead of six.

'''Note''': Marc: I agree with most of this (and like the joker card idea), but I think it might be best for the winner to get 10 points and count down to 1. If few people participate in the event, it's not fair for the maximum amount of points scored to be less than they otherwise would be.

'''Reply''': Neil: I think that was what I was trying to describe, eg "but the other players still score as if everyone was taking part". So if there are 8 total competitors in the whole olympics and one doesn't take part in a particular round then the winner of that round will still get 9 points, 2nd place would get 7 and so on but the person who didn't take part would get zero instead of the free 1 point they could have gotten for just taking part and coming last. I guess it doesn't really make any difference if you count down from 10 instead of counting down from the number of competitors (unless there are more than 10 of course..) except that it would be slightly more of a punishment if you didn't take part because you would be down more than one point.

'''Query''': What if someone is taking part in the overall Nerd Olympics but can't make it to that particular round? - ''Lee''

I guess as there are only eight competitors we could avoid hosting a round unless everyone can attend? Otherwise as the competiton gets more serious someone will organise an event during a weekday just so that no-one can turn up and they'd get all the points :) - ''Neil''

=== Bonus rounds ===

For smaller rounds, such as the water tasting test or the Brain Training test, the winner gets two points and nobody else gets any.

=== Bonus points ===

Bonus points can be awarded by the NOB-head whenever he sees fit although if this is perceived to be unfair there may be a mutiny.

'''Comment''': I like the idea of bonus points, for natural displays of nerdiness. (points to be allocated by the NOB-head) for instance: 'Elín' - typing her name in that way, 1 bonus point, Neil - going on about the scoring system for ages - 2 bonus points. etc. - ''Matt''

== Rough Event Ideas ==

=== Main Events ===

; Musical interval recognition test : Can you distinguish major and minor chords, or a major second from a perfect fourth etc

; Folding bike unfolding challenge

; [[Specialist round]] : We could have a short quiz where everybody answers questions on somebody else's special chosen subject. We could agree the subjects beforehand to prevent people from picking stupid topics. We'd have to think of someway to stop people picking impossible to answer questions that nobody would ever know though.

;: ''Now that we've abandoned the joker cards, can we incorporate them into the specialist quiz round instead? You could get points for each quiz, but you could get double points if you play your joker card. Then the ranks could be taken from the total points. It'd be a lot easier to have joker cards just for this round because all of the categories are known before-hand.'' - Neil

; Pool : Standard knock-out tournament, à la the world cup? I think the hotel across the road has pool but I'd have to investigate prices.

* Sudoku - Hemel Hempstead
* The Minute Game - Hemel Hempstead
* Death Tank - Hemel Hempstead
* Singstar - Hemel Hempstead
* Typing - Hemel Hempstead

* Paper aeroplane - Birmingham
* Hearts - Birmingham
* Tetris - Birmingham

* Dancing game - Milton Keynes
* Swerve (fun, four-player computer, high-paced game) - Milton Keynes
* Bop it extreme 2- Milton Keynes?
* Calculator speed relay - Milton Keynes?
* Geocaching time trial! - Milton Keynes?

* Lung capacity - East Claydon?

* Pool competiton - Leatherhead?

; The following rounds are up for grabs:

* Spaghetti and Jelly Baby
Competitors get a certain amount of spaghetti and Jelly Babies, and must build a structure strong enough to hold an egg/apple(we have free ones in the garden)/other object for a certain amount of time.
Greatest vertical distance between ground and top of structure wins.
* Cranium
A board game that is like a combination of Pictionary and other games like it
* Success with the ladies
Most phone numbers collected wins?
* Arm wrestling
* Pin the tail on the donkey
* Variety of runs
* Cycle race
* Long jump (Long jump????????? - you what?)
* Spelin'
* IQ (or something like Raven's Matricies)- I must be very thick, what are raven matricies?
* Downing a pint - draught
* Not downing a pint and liking your ale in little sips test
* General grammmar and punctuation test (with extra points for the vehemency of your convinctions)
* Taste test (is this before or after the curry taste test?)
* Curry taste test (if you can handle a vindaloo test)
* Middle C
* Specialist round (like on Mastermind)
* Pictionary
* Table tennis
* Table football
* Darts
* Spot the dots
* The biscuit game
* Internet fact search
* Mallet's Mallet
* Name game
* Stop watch
* Banzai
* Guess the song
* Skimming (boing boing boing - not with my phone)
* Staring
* Eating doughnuts (no licking lips)
* Classing game, e.g. Street Firhget 2
* Lighting a fire
* Classic nerdy rock song lyric test
* ASAP
* Synonym game for rude body parts
* Super Mario Brothers on the Gameboy Color (remember that?)
* Scrabble! (so Abi can get some points..) - oi! I can get points! Maybe not in the biscuit game...
* Make a rocket like they did on Beauty and the Geek
* Complete the Red Dwarf quote
* Weight to height ratios (skinniest wins)
* Worst eyesight
* 'Success with the ladies' test
* Odd habits / phobias / general anti-social behaviour test
* Testo de povo kompreni esperantajn frazojn (A test of ability to comprehend Esperanto sentences? Facile! =D )
* The great "can you taste the difference between bottled water, tap water and filtered water?" test - wot like they did on BBC Breakfast News?
* The guitar game
*: ''What is the guitar game? Does that mean Tim is going to bring his guitar? Yay'' - Neil
*: ''The guitar game is on the PS2, it is so so so much fun! Like dance mat style, but with a guitar (Tim should bring his guitar anyway though)'' - Lee
*: ''Does the guitar game have real strings or is it just normal PS2 buttons in the shape of a guitar? Does Tim get extra points if he brings his guitar?'' - Tim
*: ''YES'' - Lee (but must be confirmed by the NOB head)
*: ''Is [http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000FGGSGE/026-9851399-7981242?v=glance&n=300703 this] the guitar game?'' - Neil
*: ''YES!!!'' - Lee
* Krypton Factor style game
* Monopoly/ Psionopoly
* Some kind of sci-fi quiz?
* [http://www.busydoingnothing.co.uk/blog/entry-204117069.en.php Wiki Races]! (It's soo much fun)
* What's the maximum height you can catch an egg from

=== Bonus rounds ===

* Cracker eating test

* Mental arithmetic: timing on Dr. Kawasomething's Brain Training on the Nintendo DS (go matt!)

* Powerball

* Chubby Bunnies - what is this? Sounds fun...
*: - See how many grapes you can fit in your mouth
*: ooh err...

== Results ==

A spreadsheet, in [http://www.openoffice.org/ OpenOffice.org/OASIS] format is available here: [[Media:Nerd_Olympics_Scores.ods]].

Overall results so far:
{| border=1
! Rank !! Name !! Points
|-
| 1 || Matt || 51
|-
| 2 || Lee || 45
|-
| 3 || Tim || 44
|-
| 3 || Marc || 44
|-
| 5 || Elín || 41
|-
| 6 || Neil || 32
|-
| 7 || Abi || 28
|-
| 8 || Sissy || 12
|}

Detailed results are available under each stadium's page.

^This is the Nerd Olympics. Shouldn't the ranking start at 0? =D

Matt's secret holiday

2010-03-05T23:43:52Z

Matt: /* To do: */

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia (!!).

==Who's going==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Matt
|}

'''Hang on, I'm going on my own? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It's important that I go on my tod for the following reasons:

- It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills may benefit from having to make so many decisions (in rapid succession). First decision: where to go?

- I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

- It will probably develop character, and might help me to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

- I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, necessitating conversational skill. That's quite scary and difficult (for me), but I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go (Thailand/ Cambodia, if I have time to get jabs, visas and everything sorted)
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get jabs, if needed
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Travel insurance
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get some currency (and a Nationwide or Abbey Zero account)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accommodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Work out transportation to the airport (LHR)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly at 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

Bit too easy/ safe/ tame. Could save it for another time (like retirement)

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

'''Sat 13th Feb'''

Get to LHR; fly to Bangkok

'''Sun 14th'''

Arrive at Bangkok, check into accommodation

Get over jet-lag and explore Bangkok

'''Mon 15th'''

More Bangkok exploring

'''Tues 16th'''

Possible day trip to 'Bridge over River Kwai' site, with museum. Also, there's a Tiger temple around there somewhere

'''Wed 17th'''

Mosey over (bus probably, or maybe train) to Phitsanlok

'''Thurs 18th'''

Travel to Sukhotai

'''Fri 19th'''

Go to Chiang Mai

'''Sat 20th'''

Chilling out in Chiang Mai, and exploring

'''Sun 21st'''

Fly from Chiang Mai (via Bangkok) to Siem Reap

'''Mon 22nd'''

Angkor Wat

'''Tues 23rd'''

Floating village, maybe massage as well

'''Wed 24th'''

Ferry to Phnom Penh

'''Thurs 25th'''

Do some of the [things to do in Phnom Penh http://www.igougo.com/attractions-l10177-things_to_do_in_Phnom_Penh.html]

Such as: dinner on the boat noodle restaurant

'''Fri 26th'''

Fly from Phnom Penh to Bangkok

'''Sat 27th'''

Fly home from Bangkok

==Where to stay==

==Notes==

£1 = 53 Thai Baht

£1 = 6,728 Cambodian Riels (KHR) (can't get their currency outside of Cambodia, for some reason)

Enter Matt

2010-03-05T23:41:56Z

Matt: /* Stuff for Matt To Do */

[[Image:Nznotgoinganysmall.PNG|right|350px]]

== Brief ==

For this operation we will be touring via a ticket we will codename: Short Moe, or Sh'Moe for short.

The key aim of this operation is cramming in as much fun, culture, and awesome as is humanly possible to cram into a trip.

== About New Zealand ==

"Aotearoa! Rugged individual, glisten like a pearl, at the bottom of the world" ~ 'Six Months in a leaky boat', Split Enz.

Aotearoa is the Maori name for New Zealand, meaning land of the long white cloud. The country has a measly 4 million people, but they have taken as 'quality, not quantity' approach to people production, and allow plenty of personal space per person.

The first country in the world to give equal rights to women, they elected a woman PM in 1997, then another one immediately after just to prove it wasn't a fluke. The current PM since 2008* is John Key. His father was an immigrant from the UK so hopefully he's doing us proud.

Any other info required can be wiki'd, or you can ring up Neil Finn and ask him.

* oops, corrected: it was a decade out!

== Stuff for Matt To Do ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Make a to-do list
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Buy Short Moe ticket
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get Travel Insurance
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get time off work
|}

== Details, details ==

'''London -> Auckland'''

Depart: Saturday 30/10/2010: LHR 10.35pm

change at Hong Kong

Arrive: Monday 01/11/2010: AKL 1.05pm

'''Christchurch -> Auckland'''

Depart: Saturday 20/11/10: CHC 9.50am

Arrive: Saturday 20/11/10: AKL 11.10am

'''Auckland -> London'''

Depart: Saturday 20/11/2010: AKL 2.30pm

change at Hong Kong

Arrive: Sunday 21/11/2010: LHR 6.20am

== Short Moe ==

[http://www.straytravel.com/new-zealand-bus-travel/7/?jump=Y The pass on Stray website]

[[Image:Shortmoe.PNG]]

Online ticket price: $640 NZD, which is £294.20 GBP - (excludes food and accommodation)
Departs: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

== The Tour Itinerary ==
[[Image:Nzdontexpectmuchsmall.PNG|left|350px]]
'''Auckland to Hahei Beach (The Coromandel)'''
Depart from Auckland between 7.30am and 8.15am. We head south travelling towards the Coromandel Peninsula via the old colonial town of Thames. Pick up your free cultural experience (kumara) to keep or have for dinner. In the afternoon do the free walk to Cathedral Cove, go kayaking or dig your own hot pool at Hot Water Beach (tide dependent). If wet we can visit a local winery. Tonight we stay in cabins right on the beach. Option of classic Kiwi BBQ for dinner.

'''Hahei to Raglan'''
Depart 8am. Head on to the world-renowned Raglan surf beach (with walks and cow spotting on way).
Learn to surf, do a bush walk around Mt Karioi, weave your own flax basket and check out the alternative arts and crafts town, or walk along the rugged coastline (and spot pro surfers). Tonight’s accommodation is in a lodge surrounded by native bush near the beach.
Warm up in the bush sauna that night, or try out the free flying fox.

'''Raglan to Cultural Stop'''
Depart 8am. On to the rural town of Waitomo, famous for its caves and glowworms. You can do a free walk around Ruakuri Reserve or try one of the amazing caving options. We then head across to Maketu for our unique and special stopover at our cultural retreat. We stay with local
Maori; have a ‘Hangi’ meal and learn about Maori traditions and modern day Maori in their purpose-built marae (meeting house). NB: this is an all inclusive price of $75 including meals.

'''Maketu to Taupo'''
Depart 8am and head into Rotorua for its smell (geothermal areas). Morning options include: a visit to Whakarewarewa historic Maori village and geothermal area; going zorbing, white water rafting or sledging. We do hostel pickups, then we head south to Taupo and its great lake (the world’s largest crater lake), via Huka Falls. You have the chance to take part in one of our most popular activities ‘skydiving’. We stay in central Taupo for the night.

'''Taupo to National Park'''
Depart 6.30am. We head around Lake Taupo to the active volcanoes of ‘Tongariro National Park’. Today you get a chance to do what is rated as one of the world’s best one day walks - the ‘Tongariro Crossing’, or go skiing or snowboarding! For those not doing the walk – or on days that the walk or skiing isn’t possible, we take in a couple of shorter walks and visit the Volcanic Centre museum. We stay in a beautiful alpine lodge for the night.
[[Image:Nzlikelotrsmall.PNG|350px|right]]
'''National Park to Wellington'''
Depart 9am. Head to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city via Ohakune, Taihape and Bulls. We strongly recommend walking ‘Oriental Parade’ and visiting ‘Te Papa’, our national museum. We stay in central Wellington tonight. There is an optional Lord of the Rings tour.

'''Wellington to Marahau (Abel Tasman)'''
We catch the 8.00am Bluebridge ferry (the ferry will cost between $40-$75, your accommodation provider organises a transfer. We head through the famous Marlborough vineyard area and the coastal town of Nelson before heading onto Motueka to get supplies on our way to our night stop of Marahau, on the edge of the Abel Tasman National Park.
We stay at our exclusive accommodation where you have options ranging from dorm rooms to cabins. Tonight we have free mussel tasting around the fire.

'''Spend an extra day in Marahau (Abel Tasman)'''
You have the day at leisure to explore the National Park - try a sailing trip, a day walk, kayaking, water taxi, horse riding, skydiving, piloting your own stunt plane, hang gliding or just relax on one of the golden sand beaches!

'''Marahau (Abel Tasman) to West Coast Cultural Stop'''
We depart at 9am. Head south through the Buller Gorge to the 'wild' West Coast. Tonight we stay in a historic hotel in Barrytown near Punakaiki, one of the most beautiful spots along the coast. We make stops on the way for the Westport seal colony, to explore the awesome Pancake rocks and their mighty blowholes, or take a hike down into the temperate rainforests of the Paparoa National Park along the Truman Track. Enjoy the traditional Kiwi roast dinner option here tonight.

'''Barrytown to Franz Josef'''
You have the morning to walk (head along the beach and search for greenstone); canoe in the National Park (this trip has amazing scenery with some likening it to ‘Jurassic Park’) or make a bone carving with the locals (a unique, highly recommended activity). We depart at midday and head into the heart of the West Coast where time almost stands still. We stop in Hokitika to look at the greenstone factory then head to Franz Josef, a town squashed between the Tasman Sea and the mighty Franz Josef Glacier. We stay at a lodge in the middle of the rainforest.

'''Spend an extra day in Franz Josef.'''
There are many excellent bush hikes up to the glacier face but we seriously recommend you consider a guided glacier walk or a ‘helicopter hike’ to get onto the glacier. You can warm up and relax after all this in one of NZ’s largest spa pools at your accommodation.

'''Franz Josef to Makarora.'''
Depart at 9am. We head to Lake Matheson for the amazing mirror lake; we stop at Fox Glacier for pickups then travel through to the mountainous Haast pass. There are a number of free walks to choose from – we’ll do a couple and then travel on to Makarora for a great jetboating option. We recommend the cheap group meal for $10 around the bonfire (and/or try your hand at karaoke!). This is a great place to stay, nestled in between huge mountain ranges in Mount Aspiring National Park.

'''Makarora to Queenstown'''
A leisurely start in the morning. We pass by the beautiful lakes Wanaka and Hawea and stop briefly in the town of Wanaka for a look around before heading to Queenstown. Just before Queenstown we stop off at the famous A.J. Hackett bungy site, in the Kawarau gorge for the option of throwing yourself off a bridge (bungee attached!) Queenstown also offers an optional big (make that huge) night out with excellent restaurants, pubs and live music. Centrally located accommodation tonight.

'''Spend an extra day in Queenstown'''
Today is yours to explore. Options include: sleeping in and doing nothing, great local walks, skiing or snowboarding at one of the many local ski fields, and any adventure activity that we mad Kiwis can dream up. Obviously you can break your journey in Queenstown for as long as you want. If going straight to Christchurch, look at doing a one-day trip to Milford Sound before you go.

'''Queenstown to Christchurch'''
Depart 8am. We head over the Lindis Pass through to the MacKenzie country to Lake Pukaki for the Mount Cook lookout (you can get off at Twizel to go to Mt Cook), and scenic Lake Tekapo. Then it is an express haul across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. We drop you at your accommodation in central Christchurch.

Matt's secret holiday

2010-02-20T11:04:57Z

Matt: /* Itinerary */

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia (!!).

==Who's going==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Matt
|}

'''Hang on, I'm going on my own? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It's important that I go on my tod for the following reasons:

- It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills may benefit from having to make so many decisions (in rapid succession). First decision: where to go?

- I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

- It will probably develop character, and might help me to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

- I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, necessitating conversational skill. That's quite scary and difficult (for me), but I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go (Thailand/ Cambodia, if I have time to get jabs, visas and everything sorted)
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get jabs, if needed
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Travel insurance
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get some currency (and a Nationwide or Abbey Zero account)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accomodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Work out transportation to the airport (LHR)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly at 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

Bit too easy/ safe/ tame. Could save it for another time (like retirement)

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

'''Sat 13th Feb'''

Get to LHR; fly to Bangkok

'''Sun 14th'''

Arrive at Bangkok, check into accommodation

Get over jet-lag and explore Bangkok

'''Mon 15th'''

More Bangkok exploring

'''Tues 16th'''

Possible day trip to 'Bridge over River Kwai' site, with museum. Also, there's a Tiger temple around there somewhere

'''Wed 17th'''

Mosey over (bus probably, or maybe train) to Phitsanlok

'''Thurs 18th'''

Travel to Sukhotai

'''Fri 19th'''

Go to Chiang Mai

'''Sat 20th'''

Chilling out in Chiang Mai, and exploring

'''Sun 21st'''

Fly from Chiang Mai (via Bangkok) to Siem Reap

'''Mon 22nd'''

Angkor Wat

'''Tues 23rd'''

Floating village, maybe massage as well

'''Wed 24th'''

Ferry to Phnom Penh

'''Thurs 25th'''

Do some of the [things to do in Phnom Penh http://www.igougo.com/attractions-l10177-things_to_do_in_Phnom_Penh.html]

Such as: dinner on the boat noodle restaurant

'''Fri 26th'''

Fly from Phnom Penh to Bangkok

'''Sat 27th'''

Fly home from Bangkok

==Where to stay==

==Notes==

£1 = 53 Thai Baht

£1 = 6,728 Cambodian Riels (KHR) (can't get their currency outside of Cambodia, for some reason)

Matt's secret holiday

2010-02-11T21:39:09Z

Matt: /* To do: */

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia (!!).

==Who's going==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Matt
|}

'''Hang on, I'm going on my own? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It's important that I go on my tod for the following reasons:

- It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills may benefit from having to make so many decisions (in rapid succession). First decision: where to go?

- I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

- It will probably develop character, and might help me to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

- I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, necessitating conversational skill. That's quite scary and difficult (for me), but I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go (Thailand/ Cambodia, if I have time to get jabs, visas and everything sorted)
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get jabs, if needed
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Travel insurance
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get some currency (and a Nationwide or Abbey Zero account)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accomodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Work out transportation to the airport (LHR)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly at 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

Bit too easy/ safe/ tame. Could save it for another time (like retirement)

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

'''Sat 13th Feb'''

Get to LHR; fly to Bangkok

'''Sun 14th'''

Arrive at Bangkok, check into accommodation

Get over jet-lag and explore Bangkok

'''Mon 15th'''

More Bangkok exploring

'''Tues 16th'''

Possible day trip to 'Bridge over River Kwai' site, with museum. Also, there's a Tiger temple around there somewhere

'''Wed 17th'''

Mosey over (bus probably, or maybe train) to Phitsanlok

'''Thurs 18th'''

Travel to Sikhounaville

'''Fri 19th'''

Go to Chiang Mai

'''Sat 20th'''

Chilling out in Chiang Mai, and exploring

'''Sun 21st'''

Fly from Chiang Mai (via Bangkok) to Siem Reap

'''Mon 22nd'''

Angkor Wat

'''Tues 23rd'''

Floating village, maybe massage as well

'''Wed 24th'''

Ferry to Phnom Penh

'''Thurs 25th'''

Do some of the [things to do in Phnom Penh http://www.igougo.com/attractions-l10177-things_to_do_in_Phnom_Penh.html]

Such as: dinner on the boat noodle restaurant

'''Fri 26th'''

Fly from Phnom Penh to Bangkok

'''Sat 27th'''

Fly home from Bangkok

==Where to stay==

==Notes==

£1 = 53 Thai Baht

£1 = 6,728 Cambodian Riels (KHR) (can't get their currency outside of Cambodia, for some reason)

Matt's secret holiday

2010-02-11T20:05:24Z

Matt: /* To do: */

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia (!!).

==Who's going==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Matt
|}

'''Hang on, I'm going on my own? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It's important that I go on my tod for the following reasons:

- It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills may benefit from having to make so many decisions (in rapid succession). First decision: where to go?

- I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

- It will probably develop character, and might help me to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

- I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, necessitating conversational skill. That's quite scary and difficult (for me), but I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go (Thailand/ Cambodia, if I have time to get jabs, visas and everything sorted)
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get jabs, if needed
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Travel insurance
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get some currency (and a Nationwide or Abbey Zero account)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accomodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Work out transportation to the airport (LHR)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly at 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

Bit too easy/ safe/ tame. Could save it for another time (like retirement)

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

'''Sat 13th Feb'''

Get to LHR; fly to Bangkok

'''Sun 14th'''

Arrive at Bangkok, check into accommodation

Get over jet-lag and explore Bangkok

'''Mon 15th'''

More Bangkok exploring

'''Tues 16th'''

Possible day trip to 'Bridge over River Kwai' site, with museum. Also, there's a Tiger temple around there somewhere

'''Wed 17th'''

Mosey over (bus probably, or maybe train) to Phitsanlok

'''Thurs 18th'''

Travel to Sikhounaville

'''Fri 19th'''

Go to Chiang Mai

'''Sat 20th'''

Chilling out in Chiang Mai, and exploring

'''Sun 21st'''

Fly from Chiang Mai (via Bangkok) to Siem Reap

'''Mon 22nd'''

Angkor Wat

'''Tues 23rd'''

Floating village, maybe massage as well

'''Wed 24th'''

Ferry to Phnom Penh

'''Thurs 25th'''

Do some of the [things to do in Phnom Penh http://www.igougo.com/attractions-l10177-things_to_do_in_Phnom_Penh.html]

Such as: dinner on the boat noodle restaurant

'''Fri 26th'''

Fly from Phnom Penh to Bangkok

'''Sat 27th'''

Fly home from Bangkok

==Where to stay==

==Notes==

£1 = 53 Thai Baht

£1 = 6,728 Cambodian Riels (KHR) (can't get their currency outside of Cambodia, for some reason)

Matt's secret holiday

2010-02-11T13:19:33Z

Matt: /* To do: */

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia (!!).

==Who's going==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Matt
|}

'''Hang on, I'm going on my own? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It's important that I go on my tod for the following reasons:

- It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills may benefit from having to make so many decisions (in rapid succession). First decision: where to go?

- I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

- It will probably develop character, and might help me to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

- I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, necessitating conversational skill. That's quite scary and difficult (for me), but I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go (Thailand/ Cambodia, if I have time to get jabs, visas and everything sorted)
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get jabs, if needed
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Travel insurance
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get some currency (and a Nationwide or Abbey Zero account)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accomodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Work out transportation to the airport (LHR)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly at 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

Bit too easy/ safe/ tame. Could save it for another time (like retirement)

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

'''Sat 13th Feb'''

Get to LHR; fly to Bangkok

'''Sun 14th'''

Arrive at Bangkok, check into accommodation

Get over jet-lag and explore Bangkok

'''Mon 15th'''

More Bangkok exploring

'''Tues 16th'''

Possible day trip to 'Bridge over River Kwai' site, with museum. Also, there's a Tiger temple around there somewhere

'''Wed 17th'''

Mosey over (bus probably, or maybe train) to Phitsanlok

'''Thurs 18th'''

Travel to Sikhounaville

'''Fri 19th'''

Go to Chiang Mai

'''Sat 20th'''

Chilling out in Chiang Mai, and exploring

'''Sun 21st'''

Fly from Chiang Mai (via Bangkok) to Siem Reap

'''Mon 22nd'''

Angkor Wat

'''Tues 23rd'''

Floating village, maybe massage as well

'''Wed 24th'''

Ferry to Phnom Penh

'''Thurs 25th'''

Do some of the [things to do in Phnom Penh http://www.igougo.com/attractions-l10177-things_to_do_in_Phnom_Penh.html]

Such as: dinner on the boat noodle restaurant

'''Fri 26th'''

Fly from Phnom Penh to Bangkok

'''Sat 27th'''

Fly home from Bangkok

==Where to stay==

==Notes==

£1 = 53 Thai Baht

£1 = 6,728 Cambodian Riels (KHR) (can't get their currency outside of Cambodia, for some reason)

Matt's secret holiday

2010-02-07T15:41:32Z

Matt: /* Notes */

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia (!!).

==Who's going==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Matt
|}

'''Hang on, I'm going on my own? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It's important that I go on my tod for the following reasons:

- It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills may benefit from having to make so many decisions (in rapid succession). First decision: where to go?

- I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

- It will probably develop character, and might help me to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

- I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, necessitating conversational skill. That's quite scary and difficult (for me), but I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go (Thailand/ Cambodia, if I have time to get jabs, visas and everything sorted)
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get jabs, if needed
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Travel insurance
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get some currency (and a Nationwide or Abbey Zero account)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accomodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Work out transportation to the airport (LHR)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly at 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

Bit too easy/ safe/ tame. Could save it for another time (like retirement)

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

'''Sat 13th Feb'''

Get to LHR; fly to Bangkok

'''Sun 14th'''

Arrive at Bangkok, check into accommodation

Get over jet-lag and explore Bangkok

'''Mon 15th'''

More Bangkok exploring

'''Tues 16th'''

Possible day trip to 'Bridge over River Kwai' site, with museum. Also, there's a Tiger temple around there somewhere

'''Wed 17th'''

Mosey over (bus probably, or maybe train) to Phitsanlok

'''Thurs 18th'''

Travel to Sikhounaville

'''Fri 19th'''

Go to Chiang Mai

'''Sat 20th'''

Chilling out in Chiang Mai, and exploring

'''Sun 21st'''

Fly from Chiang Mai (via Bangkok) to Siem Reap

'''Mon 22nd'''

Angkor Wat

'''Tues 23rd'''

Floating village, maybe massage as well

'''Wed 24th'''

Ferry to Phnom Penh

'''Thurs 25th'''

Do some of the [things to do in Phnom Penh http://www.igougo.com/attractions-l10177-things_to_do_in_Phnom_Penh.html]

Such as: dinner on the boat noodle restaurant

'''Fri 26th'''

Fly from Phnom Penh to Bangkok

'''Sat 27th'''

Fly home from Bangkok

==Where to stay==

==Notes==

£1 = 53 Thai Baht

£1 = 6,728 Cambodian Riels (KHR) (can't get their currency outside of Cambodia, for some reason)

Matt's secret holiday

2010-02-07T00:28:40Z

Matt: /* To do: */

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia (!!).

==Who's going==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Matt
|}

'''Hang on, I'm going on my own? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It's important that I go on my tod for the following reasons:

- It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills may benefit from having to make so many decisions (in rapid succession). First decision: where to go?

- I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

- It will probably develop character, and might help me to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

- I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, necessitating conversational skill. That's quite scary and difficult (for me), but I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go (Thailand/ Cambodia, if I have time to get jabs, visas and everything sorted)
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get jabs, if needed
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Travel insurance
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get some currency (and a Nationwide or Abbey Zero account)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accomodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Work out transportation to the airport (LHR)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly at 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

Bit too easy/ safe/ tame. Could save it for another time (like retirement)

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

'''Sat 13th Feb'''

Get to LHR; fly to Bangkok

'''Sun 14th'''

Arrive at Bangkok, check into accommodation

Get over jet-lag and explore Bangkok

'''Mon 15th'''

More Bangkok exploring

'''Tues 16th'''

Possible day trip to 'Bridge over River Kwai' site, with museum. Also, there's a Tiger temple around there somewhere

'''Wed 17th'''

Mosey over (bus probably, or maybe train) to Phitsanlok

'''Thurs 18th'''

Travel to Sikhounaville

'''Fri 19th'''

Go to Chiang Mai

'''Sat 20th'''

Chilling out in Chiang Mai, and exploring

'''Sun 21st'''

Fly from Chiang Mai (via Bangkok) to Siem Reap

'''Mon 22nd'''

Angkor Wat

'''Tues 23rd'''

Floating village, maybe massage as well

'''Wed 24th'''

Ferry to Phnom Penh

'''Thurs 25th'''

Do some of the [things to do in Phnom Penh http://www.igougo.com/attractions-l10177-things_to_do_in_Phnom_Penh.html]

Such as: dinner on the boat noodle restaurant

'''Fri 26th'''

Fly from Phnom Penh to Bangkok

'''Sat 27th'''

Fly home from Bangkok

==Where to stay==

==Notes==

£1 = 53 Thai Baht

£1 = 6,728 Cambodian Riels (KHR)

Matt's secret holiday

2010-02-05T13:51:12Z

Matt: /* To do: */

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia (!!).

==Who's going==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Matt
|}

'''Hang on, I'm going on my own? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It's important that I go on my tod for the following reasons:

- It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills may benefit from having to make so many decisions (in rapid succession). First decision: where to go?

- I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

- It will probably develop character, and might help me to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

- I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, necessitating conversational skill. That's quite scary and difficult (for me), but I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go (Thailand/ Cambodia, if I have time to get jabs, visas and everything sorted)
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get jabs, if needed
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Travel insurance
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get some currency (and a Nationwide or Abbey Zero account)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accomodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Work out transportation to the airport (LHR)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly at 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

Bit too easy/ safe/ tame. Could save it for another time (like retirement)

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

'''Sat 13th Feb'''

Get to LHR; fly to Bangkok

'''Sun 14th'''

Arrive at Bangkok, check into accommodation

Get over jet-lag and explore Bangkok

'''Mon 15th'''

More Bangkok exploring

'''Tues 16th'''

Possible day trip to 'Bridge over River Kwai' site, with museum. Also, there's a Tiger temple around there somewhere

'''Wed 17th'''

Mosey over (bus probably, or maybe train) to Phitsanlok

'''Thurs 18th'''

Travel to Sikhounaville

'''Fri 19th'''

Go to Chiang Mai

'''Sat 20th'''

Chilling out in Chiang Mai, and exploring

'''Sun 21st'''

Fly from Chiang Mai (via Bangkok) to Siem Reap

'''Mon 22nd'''

Angkor Wat

'''Tues 23rd'''

Floating village, maybe massage as well

'''Wed 24th'''

Ferry to Phnom Penh

'''Thurs 25th'''

Do some of the [things to do in Phnom Penh http://www.igougo.com/attractions-l10177-things_to_do_in_Phnom_Penh.html]

Such as: dinner on the boat noodle restaurant

'''Fri 26th'''

Fly from Phnom Penh to Bangkok

'''Sat 27th'''

Fly home from Bangkok

==Where to stay==

==Notes==

£1 = 53 Thai Baht

£1 = 6,728 Cambodian Riels (KHR)

Matt's secret holiday

2010-02-05T13:48:06Z

Matt: /* To do: */

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia (!!).

==Who's going==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Matt
|}

'''Hang on, I'm going on my own? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It's important that I go on my tod for the following reasons:

- It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills may benefit from having to make so many decisions (in rapid succession). First decision: where to go?

- I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

- It will probably develop character, and might help me to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

- I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, necessitating conversational skill. That's quite scary and difficult (for me), but I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go (Thailand/ Cambodia, if I have time to get jabs, visas and everything sorted)
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get jabs, if needed
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Travel insurance
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get some currency (and a Nationwide or Abbey Zero account)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accomodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly at 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

Bit too easy/ safe/ tame. Could save it for another time (like retirement)

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

'''Sat 13th Feb'''

Get to LHR; fly to Bangkok

'''Sun 14th'''

Arrive at Bangkok, check into accommodation

Get over jet-lag and explore Bangkok

'''Mon 15th'''

More Bangkok exploring

'''Tues 16th'''

Possible day trip to 'Bridge over River Kwai' site, with museum. Also, there's a Tiger temple around there somewhere

'''Wed 17th'''

Mosey over (bus probably, or maybe train) to Phitsanlok

'''Thurs 18th'''

Travel to Sikhounaville

'''Fri 19th'''

Go to Chiang Mai

'''Sat 20th'''

Chilling out in Chiang Mai, and exploring

'''Sun 21st'''

Fly from Chiang Mai (via Bangkok) to Siem Reap

'''Mon 22nd'''

Angkor Wat

'''Tues 23rd'''

Floating village, maybe massage as well

'''Wed 24th'''

Ferry to Phnom Penh

'''Thurs 25th'''

Do some of the [things to do in Phnom Penh http://www.igougo.com/attractions-l10177-things_to_do_in_Phnom_Penh.html]

Such as: dinner on the boat noodle restaurant

'''Fri 26th'''

Fly from Phnom Penh to Bangkok

'''Sat 27th'''

Fly home from Bangkok

==Where to stay==

==Notes==

£1 = 53 Thai Baht

£1 = 6,728 Cambodian Riels (KHR)

Matt's secret holiday

2010-02-05T13:47:49Z

Matt: /* To do: */

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia (!!).

==Who's going==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Matt
|}

'''Hang on, I'm going on my own? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It's important that I go on my tod for the following reasons:

- It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills may benefit from having to make so many decisions (in rapid succession). First decision: where to go?

- I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

- It will probably develop character, and might help me to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

- I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, necessitating conversational skill. That's quite scary and difficult (for me), but I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go (Thailand/ Cambodia, if I have time to get jabs, visas and everything sorted)
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get jabs, if needed
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Travel insurance
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get some currency (and a Nationwide or Abbey Zero account)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accomodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly at 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

Bit too easy/ safe/ tame. Could save it for another time (like retirement)

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

'''Sat 13th Feb'''

Get to LHR; fly to Bangkok

'''Sun 14th'''

Arrive at Bangkok, check into accommodation

Get over jet-lag and explore Bangkok

'''Mon 15th'''

More Bangkok exploring

'''Tues 16th'''

Possible day trip to 'Bridge over River Kwai' site, with museum. Also, there's a Tiger temple around there somewhere

'''Wed 17th'''

Mosey over (bus probably, or maybe train) to Phitsanlok

'''Thurs 18th'''

Travel to Sikhounaville

'''Fri 19th'''

Go to Chiang Mai

'''Sat 20th'''

Chilling out in Chiang Mai, and exploring

'''Sun 21st'''

Fly from Chiang Mai (via Bangkok) to Siem Reap

'''Mon 22nd'''

Angkor Wat

'''Tues 23rd'''

Floating village, maybe massage as well

'''Wed 24th'''

Ferry to Phnom Penh

'''Thurs 25th'''

Do some of the [things to do in Phnom Penh http://www.igougo.com/attractions-l10177-things_to_do_in_Phnom_Penh.html]

Such as: dinner on the boat noodle restaurant

'''Fri 26th'''

Fly from Phnom Penh to Bangkok

'''Sat 27th'''

Fly home from Bangkok

==Where to stay==

==Notes==

£1 = 53 Thai Baht

£1 = 6,728 Cambodian Riels (KHR)

Matt's secret holiday

2010-02-02T19:13:10Z

Matt: /* Itinerary */

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia (!!).

==Who's going==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Matt
|}

'''Hang on, I'm going on my own? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It's important that I go on my tod for the following reasons:

- It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills may benefit from having to make so many decisions (in rapid succession). First decision: where to go?

- I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

- It will probably develop character, and might help me to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

- I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, necessitating conversational skill. That's quite scary and difficult (for me), but I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go (Thailand/ Cambodia, if I have time to get jabs, visas and everything sorted)
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get jabs, if needed
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Travel insurance
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get some currency (and a Nationwide or Abbey Zero account)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accomodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly at 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

Bit too easy/ safe/ tame. Could save it for another time (like retirement)

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

'''Sat 13th Feb'''

Get to LHR; fly to Bangkok

'''Sun 14th'''

Arrive at Bangkok, check into accommodation

Get over jet-lag and explore Bangkok

'''Mon 15th'''

More Bangkok exploring

'''Tues 16th'''

Possible day trip to 'Bridge over River Kwai' site, with museum. Also, there's a Tiger temple around there somewhere

'''Wed 17th'''

Mosey over (bus probably, or maybe train) to Phitsanlok

'''Thurs 18th'''

Travel to Sikhounaville

'''Fri 19th'''

Go to Chiang Mai

'''Sat 20th'''

Chilling out in Chiang Mai, and exploring

'''Sun 21st'''

Fly from Chiang Mai (via Bangkok) to Siem Reap

'''Mon 22nd'''

Angkor Wat

'''Tues 23rd'''

Floating village, maybe massage as well

'''Wed 24th'''

Ferry to Phnom Penh

'''Thurs 25th'''

Do some of the [things to do in Phnom Penh http://www.igougo.com/attractions-l10177-things_to_do_in_Phnom_Penh.html]

Such as: dinner on the boat noodle restaurant

'''Fri 26th'''

Fly from Phnom Penh to Bangkok

'''Sat 27th'''

Fly home from Bangkok

==Where to stay==

==Notes==

£1 = 53 Thai Baht

£1 = 6,728 Cambodian Riels (KHR)

Matt's secret holiday

2010-01-24T17:37:40Z

Matt: /* Itinerary */

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia (!!).

==Who's going==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Matt
|}

'''Hang on, I'm going on my own? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It's important that I go on my tod for the following reasons:

- It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills may benefit from having to make so many decisions (in rapid succession). First decision: where to go?

- I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

- It will probably develop character, and might help me to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

- I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, necessitating conversational skill. That's quite scary and difficult (for me), but I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go (Thailand/ Cambodia, if I have time to get jabs, visas and everything sorted)
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get jabs, if needed
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Travel insurance
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get some currency (and a Nationwide or Abbey Zero account)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accomodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly at 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

Bit too easy/ safe/ tame. Could save it for another time (like retirement)

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

Sat 13th Feb

Arrive at Chiang Mai

Sun 14th

Mon 15th

Tues 16th

Wed 17th

Thurs 18th

Fri 19th

Sat 20th

Sun 21st

Mon 22nd

Tues 23rd

Wed 24th

Thurs 25th

Fri 26th

Sat 27th

==Where to stay==

==Notes==

£1 = 53 Thai Baht

£1 = 6,728 Cambodian Riels (KHR)

Matt's secret holiday

2010-01-24T17:21:44Z

Matt: /* To do: */

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia (!!).

==Who's going==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Matt
|}

'''Hang on, I'm going on my own? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It's important that I go on my tod for the following reasons:

- It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills may benefit from having to make so many decisions (in rapid succession). First decision: where to go?

- I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

- It will probably develop character, and might help me to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

- I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, necessitating conversational skill. That's quite scary and difficult (for me), but I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go (Thailand/ Cambodia, if I have time to get jabs, visas and everything sorted)
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get jabs, if needed
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Travel insurance
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get some currency (and a Nationwide or Abbey Zero account)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accomodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly at 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

Bit too easy/ safe/ tame. Could save it for another time (like retirement)

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

==Where to stay==

==Notes==

£1 = 53 Thai Baht

£1 = 6,728 Cambodian Riels (KHR)

Matt's secret holiday

2010-01-05T21:43:45Z

Matt: /* Notes */

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia (!!).

==Who's going==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Matt
|}

'''Hang on, I'm going on my own? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It's important that I go on my tod for the following reasons:

- It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills may benefit from having to make so many decisions (in rapid succession). First decision: where to go?

- I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

- It will probably develop character, and might help me to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

- I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, necessitating conversational skill. That's quite scary and difficult (for me), but I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go (Thailand/ Cambodia, if I have time to get jabs, visas and everything sorted)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get jabs, if needed
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Travel insurance
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get some currency (and a Nationwide or Abbey Zero account)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accomodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly at 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

Bit too easy/ safe/ tame. Could save it for another time (like retirement)

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

==Where to stay==

==Notes==

£1 = 53 Thai Baht

£1 = 6,728 Cambodian Riels (KHR)

Matt's secret holiday

2010-01-05T21:19:08Z

Matt:

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia (!!).

==Who's going==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Matt
|}

'''Hang on, I'm going on my own? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It's important that I go on my tod for the following reasons:

- It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills may benefit from having to make so many decisions (in rapid succession). First decision: where to go?

- I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

- It will probably develop character, and might help me to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

- I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, necessitating conversational skill. That's quite scary and difficult (for me), but I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go (Thailand/ Cambodia, if I have time to get jabs, visas and everything sorted)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get jabs, if needed
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Travel insurance
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get some currency (and a Nationwide or Abbey Zero account)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accomodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly at 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

Bit too easy/ safe/ tame. Could save it for another time (like retirement)

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

==Where to stay==

==Notes==

£1 = 53 Thai Baht

Matt's secret holiday

2010-01-05T21:18:24Z

Matt: /* To do: */

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia (!!).

==Who's going==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Matt
|}

'''Hang on, I'm going on my own? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It's important that I go on my tod for the following reasons:

- It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills may benefit from having to make so many decisions (in rapid succession). First decision: where to go?

- I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

- It will probably develop character, and might help me to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

- I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, necessitating conversational skill. That's quite scary and difficult (for me), but I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go (Thailand/ Cambodia, if I have time to get jabs, visas and everything sorted)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get jabs, if needed
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Travel insurance
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get some currency (and a Nationwide or Abbey Zero account)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accomodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly at 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

Bit too easy/ safe/ tame. Could save it for another time (like retirement)

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

==Where to stay==

Enter Matt

2010-01-04T13:39:48Z

Matt: /* Stuff for Matt To Do */

[[Image:Nznotgoinganysmall.PNG|right|350px]]

== Brief ==

For this operation we will be touring via a ticket we will codename: Short Moe, or Sh'Moe for short.

The key aim of this operation is cramming in as much fun, culture, and awesome as is humanly possible to cram into a trip.

== About New Zealand ==

"Aotearoa! Rugged individual, glisten like a pearl, at the bottom of the world" ~ 'Six Months in a leaky boat', Split Enz.

Aotearoa is the Maori name for New Zealand, meaning land of the long white cloud. The country has a measly 4 million people, but they have taken as 'quality, not quantity' approach to people production, and allow plenty of personal space per person.

The first country in the world to give equal rights to women, they elected a woman PM in 1997, then another one immediately after just to prove it wasn't a fluke. The current PM since 1998 is John Key. His father was an immigrant from the UK so hopefully he's doing us proud.

Any other info required can be wiki'd, or you can ring up Neil Finn and ask him.

== Stuff for Matt To Do ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Make a to-do list
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Buy Short Moe ticket
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get Travel Insurance
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Get time off work
|}

== Details, details ==

'''London -> Auckland'''

Depart: Saturday 30/10/2010: LHR 10.35pm

change at Hong Kong

Arrive: Monday 01/11/2010: AKL 1.05pm

'''Christchurch -> Auckland'''

Depart: Saturday 20/11/10: CHC 9.50am

Arrive: Saturday 20/11/10: AKL 11.10am

'''Auckland -> London'''

Depart: Saturday 20/11/2010: AKL 2.30pm

change at Hong Kong

Arrive: Sunday 21/11/2010: LHR 6.20am

== Short Moe ==

[http://www.straytravel.com/new-zealand-bus-travel/7/?jump=Y The pass on Stray website]

[[Image:Shortmoe.PNG]]

Online ticket price: $640 NZD, which is £294.20 GBP - (excludes food and accommodation)
Departs: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

== The Tour Itinerary ==
[[Image:Nzdontexpectmuchsmall.PNG|left|350px]]
'''Auckland to Hahei Beach (The Coromandel)'''
Depart from Auckland between 7.30am and 8.15am. We head south travelling towards the Coromandel Peninsula via the old colonial town of Thames. Pick up your free cultural experience (kumara) to keep or have for dinner. In the afternoon do the free walk to Cathedral Cove, go kayaking or dig your own hot pool at Hot Water Beach (tide dependent). If wet we can visit a local winery. Tonight we stay in cabins right on the beach. Option of classic Kiwi BBQ for dinner.

'''Hahei to Raglan'''
Depart 8am. Head on to the world-renowned Raglan surf beach (with walks and cow spotting on way).
Learn to surf, do a bush walk around Mt Karioi, weave your own flax basket and check out the alternative arts and crafts town, or walk along the rugged coastline (and spot pro surfers). Tonight’s accommodation is in a lodge surrounded by native bush near the beach.
Warm up in the bush sauna that night, or try out the free flying fox.

'''Raglan to Cultural Stop'''
Depart 8am. On to the rural town of Waitomo, famous for its caves and glowworms. You can do a free walk around Ruakuri Reserve or try one of the amazing caving options. We then head across to Maketu for our unique and special stopover at our cultural retreat. We stay with local
Maori; have a ‘Hangi’ meal and learn about Maori traditions and modern day Maori in their purpose-built marae (meeting house). NB: this is an all inclusive price of $75 including meals.

'''Maketu to Taupo'''
Depart 8am and head into Rotorua for its smell (geothermal areas). Morning options include: a visit to Whakarewarewa historic Maori village and geothermal area; going zorbing, white water rafting or sledging. We do hostel pickups, then we head south to Taupo and its great lake (the world’s largest crater lake), via Huka Falls. You have the chance to take part in one of our most popular activities ‘skydiving’. We stay in central Taupo for the night.

'''Taupo to National Park'''
Depart 6.30am. We head around Lake Taupo to the active volcanoes of ‘Tongariro National Park’. Today you get a chance to do what is rated as one of the world’s best one day walks - the ‘Tongariro Crossing’, or go skiing or snowboarding! For those not doing the walk – or on days that the walk or skiing isn’t possible, we take in a couple of shorter walks and visit the Volcanic Centre museum. We stay in a beautiful alpine lodge for the night.
[[Image:Nzlikelotrsmall.PNG|350px|right]]
'''National Park to Wellington'''
Depart 9am. Head to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city via Ohakune, Taihape and Bulls. We strongly recommend walking ‘Oriental Parade’ and visiting ‘Te Papa’, our national museum. We stay in central Wellington tonight. There is an optional Lord of the Rings tour.

'''Wellington to Marahau (Abel Tasman)'''
We catch the 8.00am Bluebridge ferry (the ferry will cost between $40-$75, your accommodation provider organises a transfer. We head through the famous Marlborough vineyard area and the coastal town of Nelson before heading onto Motueka to get supplies on our way to our night stop of Marahau, on the edge of the Abel Tasman National Park.
We stay at our exclusive accommodation where you have options ranging from dorm rooms to cabins. Tonight we have free mussel tasting around the fire.

'''Spend an extra day in Marahau (Abel Tasman)'''
You have the day at leisure to explore the National Park - try a sailing trip, a day walk, kayaking, water taxi, horse riding, skydiving, piloting your own stunt plane, hang gliding or just relax on one of the golden sand beaches!

'''Marahau (Abel Tasman) to West Coast Cultural Stop'''
We depart at 9am. Head south through the Buller Gorge to the 'wild' West Coast. Tonight we stay in a historic hotel in Barrytown near Punakaiki, one of the most beautiful spots along the coast. We make stops on the way for the Westport seal colony, to explore the awesome Pancake rocks and their mighty blowholes, or take a hike down into the temperate rainforests of the Paparoa National Park along the Truman Track. Enjoy the traditional Kiwi roast dinner option here tonight.

'''Barrytown to Franz Josef'''
You have the morning to walk (head along the beach and search for greenstone); canoe in the National Park (this trip has amazing scenery with some likening it to ‘Jurassic Park’) or make a bone carving with the locals (a unique, highly recommended activity). We depart at midday and head into the heart of the West Coast where time almost stands still. We stop in Hokitika to look at the greenstone factory then head to Franz Josef, a town squashed between the Tasman Sea and the mighty Franz Josef Glacier. We stay at a lodge in the middle of the rainforest.

'''Spend an extra day in Franz Josef.'''
There are many excellent bush hikes up to the glacier face but we seriously recommend you consider a guided glacier walk or a ‘helicopter hike’ to get onto the glacier. You can warm up and relax after all this in one of NZ’s largest spa pools at your accommodation.

'''Franz Josef to Makarora.'''
Depart at 9am. We head to Lake Matheson for the amazing mirror lake; we stop at Fox Glacier for pickups then travel through to the mountainous Haast pass. There are a number of free walks to choose from – we’ll do a couple and then travel on to Makarora for a great jetboating option. We recommend the cheap group meal for $10 around the bonfire (and/or try your hand at karaoke!). This is a great place to stay, nestled in between huge mountain ranges in Mount Aspiring National Park.

'''Makarora to Queenstown'''
A leisurely start in the morning. We pass by the beautiful lakes Wanaka and Hawea and stop briefly in the town of Wanaka for a look around before heading to Queenstown. Just before Queenstown we stop off at the famous A.J. Hackett bungy site, in the Kawarau gorge for the option of throwing yourself off a bridge (bungee attached!) Queenstown also offers an optional big (make that huge) night out with excellent restaurants, pubs and live music. Centrally located accommodation tonight.

'''Spend an extra day in Queenstown'''
Today is yours to explore. Options include: sleeping in and doing nothing, great local walks, skiing or snowboarding at one of the many local ski fields, and any adventure activity that we mad Kiwis can dream up. Obviously you can break your journey in Queenstown for as long as you want. If going straight to Christchurch, look at doing a one-day trip to Milford Sound before you go.

'''Queenstown to Christchurch'''
Depart 8am. We head over the Lindis Pass through to the MacKenzie country to Lake Pukaki for the Mount Cook lookout (you can get off at Twizel to go to Mt Cook), and scenic Lake Tekapo. Then it is an express haul across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. We drop you at your accommodation in central Christchurch.

Enter Matt

2009-12-30T23:16:42Z

Matt: /* Details, details */

[[Image:Nznotgoinganysmall.PNG|right|350px]]

== Brief ==

For this operation we will be touring via a ticket we will codename: Short Moe, or Sh'Moe for short.

The key aim of this operation is cramming in as much fun, culture, and awesome as is humanly possible to cram into a trip.

== About New Zealand ==

"Aotearoa! Rugged individual, glisten like a pearl, at the bottom of the world" ~ 'Six Months in a leaky boat', Split Enz.

Aotearoa is the Maori name for New Zealand, meaning land of the long white cloud. The country has a measly 4 million people, but they have taken as 'quality, not quantity' approach to people production, and allow plenty of personal space per person.

The first country in the world to give equal rights to women, they elected a woman PM in 1997, then another one immediately after just to prove it wasn't a fluke. The current PM since 1998 is John Key. His father was an immigrant from the UK so hopefully he's doing us proud.

Any other info required can be wiki'd, or you can ring up Neil Finn and ask him.

== Stuff for Matt To Do ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Make a to-do list
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Buy Short Moe ticket
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get Travel Insurance
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get time off work
|}

== Details, details ==

'''London -> Auckland'''

Depart: Saturday 30/10/2010: LHR 10.35pm

change at Hong Kong

Arrive: Monday 01/11/2010: AKL 1.05pm

'''Christchurch -> Auckland'''

Depart: Saturday 20/11/10: CHC 9.50am

Arrive: Saturday 20/11/10: AKL 11.10am

'''Auckland -> London'''

Depart: Saturday 20/11/2010: AKL 2.30pm

change at Hong Kong

Arrive: Sunday 21/11/2010: LHR 6.20am

== Short Moe ==

[http://www.straytravel.com/new-zealand-bus-travel/7/?jump=Y The pass on Stray website]

[[Image:Shortmoe.PNG]]

Online ticket price: $640 NZD, which is £294.20 GBP - (excludes food and accommodation)
Departs: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

== The Tour Itinerary ==
[[Image:Nzdontexpectmuchsmall.PNG|left|350px]]
'''Auckland to Hahei Beach (The Coromandel)'''
Depart from Auckland between 7.30am and 8.15am. We head south travelling towards the Coromandel Peninsula via the old colonial town of Thames. Pick up your free cultural experience (kumara) to keep or have for dinner. In the afternoon do the free walk to Cathedral Cove, go kayaking or dig your own hot pool at Hot Water Beach (tide dependent). If wet we can visit a local winery. Tonight we stay in cabins right on the beach. Option of classic Kiwi BBQ for dinner.

'''Hahei to Raglan'''
Depart 8am. Head on to the world-renowned Raglan surf beach (with walks and cow spotting on way).
Learn to surf, do a bush walk around Mt Karioi, weave your own flax basket and check out the alternative arts and crafts town, or walk along the rugged coastline (and spot pro surfers). Tonight’s accommodation is in a lodge surrounded by native bush near the beach.
Warm up in the bush sauna that night, or try out the free flying fox.

'''Raglan to Cultural Stop'''
Depart 8am. On to the rural town of Waitomo, famous for its caves and glowworms. You can do a free walk around Ruakuri Reserve or try one of the amazing caving options. We then head across to Maketu for our unique and special stopover at our cultural retreat. We stay with local
Maori; have a ‘Hangi’ meal and learn about Maori traditions and modern day Maori in their purpose-built marae (meeting house). NB: this is an all inclusive price of $75 including meals.

'''Maketu to Taupo'''
Depart 8am and head into Rotorua for its smell (geothermal areas). Morning options include: a visit to Whakarewarewa historic Maori village and geothermal area; going zorbing, white water rafting or sledging. We do hostel pickups, then we head south to Taupo and its great lake (the world’s largest crater lake), via Huka Falls. You have the chance to take part in one of our most popular activities ‘skydiving’. We stay in central Taupo for the night.

'''Taupo to National Park'''
Depart 6.30am. We head around Lake Taupo to the active volcanoes of ‘Tongariro National Park’. Today you get a chance to do what is rated as one of the world’s best one day walks - the ‘Tongariro Crossing’, or go skiing or snowboarding! For those not doing the walk – or on days that the walk or skiing isn’t possible, we take in a couple of shorter walks and visit the Volcanic Centre museum. We stay in a beautiful alpine lodge for the night.
[[Image:Nzlikelotrsmall.PNG|350px|right]]
'''National Park to Wellington'''
Depart 9am. Head to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city via Ohakune, Taihape and Bulls. We strongly recommend walking ‘Oriental Parade’ and visiting ‘Te Papa’, our national museum. We stay in central Wellington tonight. There is an optional Lord of the Rings tour.

'''Wellington to Marahau (Abel Tasman)'''
We catch the 8.00am Bluebridge ferry (the ferry will cost between $40-$75, your accommodation provider organises a transfer. We head through the famous Marlborough vineyard area and the coastal town of Nelson before heading onto Motueka to get supplies on our way to our night stop of Marahau, on the edge of the Abel Tasman National Park.
We stay at our exclusive accommodation where you have options ranging from dorm rooms to cabins. Tonight we have free mussel tasting around the fire.

'''Spend an extra day in Marahau (Abel Tasman)'''
You have the day at leisure to explore the National Park - try a sailing trip, a day walk, kayaking, water taxi, horse riding, skydiving, piloting your own stunt plane, hang gliding or just relax on one of the golden sand beaches!

'''Marahau (Abel Tasman) to West Coast Cultural Stop'''
We depart at 9am. Head south through the Buller Gorge to the 'wild' West Coast. Tonight we stay in a historic hotel in Barrytown near Punakaiki, one of the most beautiful spots along the coast. We make stops on the way for the Westport seal colony, to explore the awesome Pancake rocks and their mighty blowholes, or take a hike down into the temperate rainforests of the Paparoa National Park along the Truman Track. Enjoy the traditional Kiwi roast dinner option here tonight.

'''Barrytown to Franz Josef'''
You have the morning to walk (head along the beach and search for greenstone); canoe in the National Park (this trip has amazing scenery with some likening it to ‘Jurassic Park’) or make a bone carving with the locals (a unique, highly recommended activity). We depart at midday and head into the heart of the West Coast where time almost stands still. We stop in Hokitika to look at the greenstone factory then head to Franz Josef, a town squashed between the Tasman Sea and the mighty Franz Josef Glacier. We stay at a lodge in the middle of the rainforest.

'''Spend an extra day in Franz Josef.'''
There are many excellent bush hikes up to the glacier face but we seriously recommend you consider a guided glacier walk or a ‘helicopter hike’ to get onto the glacier. You can warm up and relax after all this in one of NZ’s largest spa pools at your accommodation.

'''Franz Josef to Makarora.'''
Depart at 9am. We head to Lake Matheson for the amazing mirror lake; we stop at Fox Glacier for pickups then travel through to the mountainous Haast pass. There are a number of free walks to choose from – we’ll do a couple and then travel on to Makarora for a great jetboating option. We recommend the cheap group meal for $10 around the bonfire (and/or try your hand at karaoke!). This is a great place to stay, nestled in between huge mountain ranges in Mount Aspiring National Park.

'''Makarora to Queenstown'''
A leisurely start in the morning. We pass by the beautiful lakes Wanaka and Hawea and stop briefly in the town of Wanaka for a look around before heading to Queenstown. Just before Queenstown we stop off at the famous A.J. Hackett bungy site, in the Kawarau gorge for the option of throwing yourself off a bridge (bungee attached!) Queenstown also offers an optional big (make that huge) night out with excellent restaurants, pubs and live music. Centrally located accommodation tonight.

'''Spend an extra day in Queenstown'''
Today is yours to explore. Options include: sleeping in and doing nothing, great local walks, skiing or snowboarding at one of the many local ski fields, and any adventure activity that we mad Kiwis can dream up. Obviously you can break your journey in Queenstown for as long as you want. If going straight to Christchurch, look at doing a one-day trip to Milford Sound before you go.

'''Queenstown to Christchurch'''
Depart 8am. We head over the Lindis Pass through to the MacKenzie country to Lake Pukaki for the Mount Cook lookout (you can get off at Twizel to go to Mt Cook), and scenic Lake Tekapo. Then it is an express haul across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. We drop you at your accommodation in central Christchurch.

Enter Matt

2009-12-30T23:07:43Z

Matt: /* Stuff for Matt To Do */

[[Image:Nznotgoinganysmall.PNG|right|350px]]

== Brief ==

For this operation we will be touring via a ticket we will codename: Short Moe, or Sh'Moe for short.

The key aim of this operation is cramming in as much fun, culture, and awesome as is humanly possible to cram into a trip.

== About New Zealand ==

"Aotearoa! Rugged individual, glisten like a pearl, at the bottom of the world" ~ 'Six Months in a leaky boat', Split Enz.

Aotearoa is the Maori name for New Zealand, meaning land of the long white cloud. The country has a measly 4 million people, but they have taken as 'quality, not quantity' approach to people production, and allow plenty of personal space per person.

The first country in the world to give equal rights to women, they elected a woman PM in 1997, then another one immediately after just to prove it wasn't a fluke. The current PM since 1998 is John Key. His father was an immigrant from the UK so hopefully he's doing us proud.

Any other info required can be wiki'd, or you can ring up Neil Finn and ask him.

== Stuff for Matt To Do ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Make a to-do list
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Buy Short Moe ticket
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get Travel Insurance
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get time off work
|}

== Details, details ==

This is the place to store stuff such as:

When Exactly: 30th October - 20th November

Flights: Booked

London -> Auckland

Christchurch -> Auckland

Auckland -> London

== Short Moe ==

[http://www.straytravel.com/new-zealand-bus-travel/7/?jump=Y The pass on Stray website]

[[Image:Shortmoe.PNG]]

Online ticket price: $640 NZD, which is £294.20 GBP - (excludes food and accommodation)
Departs: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

== The Tour Itinerary ==
[[Image:Nzdontexpectmuchsmall.PNG|left|350px]]
'''Auckland to Hahei Beach (The Coromandel)'''
Depart from Auckland between 7.30am and 8.15am. We head south travelling towards the Coromandel Peninsula via the old colonial town of Thames. Pick up your free cultural experience (kumara) to keep or have for dinner. In the afternoon do the free walk to Cathedral Cove, go kayaking or dig your own hot pool at Hot Water Beach (tide dependent). If wet we can visit a local winery. Tonight we stay in cabins right on the beach. Option of classic Kiwi BBQ for dinner.

'''Hahei to Raglan'''
Depart 8am. Head on to the world-renowned Raglan surf beach (with walks and cow spotting on way).
Learn to surf, do a bush walk around Mt Karioi, weave your own flax basket and check out the alternative arts and crafts town, or walk along the rugged coastline (and spot pro surfers). Tonight’s accommodation is in a lodge surrounded by native bush near the beach.
Warm up in the bush sauna that night, or try out the free flying fox.

'''Raglan to Cultural Stop'''
Depart 8am. On to the rural town of Waitomo, famous for its caves and glowworms. You can do a free walk around Ruakuri Reserve or try one of the amazing caving options. We then head across to Maketu for our unique and special stopover at our cultural retreat. We stay with local
Maori; have a ‘Hangi’ meal and learn about Maori traditions and modern day Maori in their purpose-built marae (meeting house). NB: this is an all inclusive price of $75 including meals.

'''Maketu to Taupo'''
Depart 8am and head into Rotorua for its smell (geothermal areas). Morning options include: a visit to Whakarewarewa historic Maori village and geothermal area; going zorbing, white water rafting or sledging. We do hostel pickups, then we head south to Taupo and its great lake (the world’s largest crater lake), via Huka Falls. You have the chance to take part in one of our most popular activities ‘skydiving’. We stay in central Taupo for the night.

'''Taupo to National Park'''
Depart 6.30am. We head around Lake Taupo to the active volcanoes of ‘Tongariro National Park’. Today you get a chance to do what is rated as one of the world’s best one day walks - the ‘Tongariro Crossing’, or go skiing or snowboarding! For those not doing the walk – or on days that the walk or skiing isn’t possible, we take in a couple of shorter walks and visit the Volcanic Centre museum. We stay in a beautiful alpine lodge for the night.
[[Image:Nzlikelotrsmall.PNG|350px|right]]
'''National Park to Wellington'''
Depart 9am. Head to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city via Ohakune, Taihape and Bulls. We strongly recommend walking ‘Oriental Parade’ and visiting ‘Te Papa’, our national museum. We stay in central Wellington tonight. There is an optional Lord of the Rings tour.

'''Wellington to Marahau (Abel Tasman)'''
We catch the 8.00am Bluebridge ferry (the ferry will cost between $40-$75, your accommodation provider organises a transfer. We head through the famous Marlborough vineyard area and the coastal town of Nelson before heading onto Motueka to get supplies on our way to our night stop of Marahau, on the edge of the Abel Tasman National Park.
We stay at our exclusive accommodation where you have options ranging from dorm rooms to cabins. Tonight we have free mussel tasting around the fire.

'''Spend an extra day in Marahau (Abel Tasman)'''
You have the day at leisure to explore the National Park - try a sailing trip, a day walk, kayaking, water taxi, horse riding, skydiving, piloting your own stunt plane, hang gliding or just relax on one of the golden sand beaches!

'''Marahau (Abel Tasman) to West Coast Cultural Stop'''
We depart at 9am. Head south through the Buller Gorge to the 'wild' West Coast. Tonight we stay in a historic hotel in Barrytown near Punakaiki, one of the most beautiful spots along the coast. We make stops on the way for the Westport seal colony, to explore the awesome Pancake rocks and their mighty blowholes, or take a hike down into the temperate rainforests of the Paparoa National Park along the Truman Track. Enjoy the traditional Kiwi roast dinner option here tonight.

'''Barrytown to Franz Josef'''
You have the morning to walk (head along the beach and search for greenstone); canoe in the National Park (this trip has amazing scenery with some likening it to ‘Jurassic Park’) or make a bone carving with the locals (a unique, highly recommended activity). We depart at midday and head into the heart of the West Coast where time almost stands still. We stop in Hokitika to look at the greenstone factory then head to Franz Josef, a town squashed between the Tasman Sea and the mighty Franz Josef Glacier. We stay at a lodge in the middle of the rainforest.

'''Spend an extra day in Franz Josef.'''
There are many excellent bush hikes up to the glacier face but we seriously recommend you consider a guided glacier walk or a ‘helicopter hike’ to get onto the glacier. You can warm up and relax after all this in one of NZ’s largest spa pools at your accommodation.

'''Franz Josef to Makarora.'''
Depart at 9am. We head to Lake Matheson for the amazing mirror lake; we stop at Fox Glacier for pickups then travel through to the mountainous Haast pass. There are a number of free walks to choose from – we’ll do a couple and then travel on to Makarora for a great jetboating option. We recommend the cheap group meal for $10 around the bonfire (and/or try your hand at karaoke!). This is a great place to stay, nestled in between huge mountain ranges in Mount Aspiring National Park.

'''Makarora to Queenstown'''
A leisurely start in the morning. We pass by the beautiful lakes Wanaka and Hawea and stop briefly in the town of Wanaka for a look around before heading to Queenstown. Just before Queenstown we stop off at the famous A.J. Hackett bungy site, in the Kawarau gorge for the option of throwing yourself off a bridge (bungee attached!) Queenstown also offers an optional big (make that huge) night out with excellent restaurants, pubs and live music. Centrally located accommodation tonight.

'''Spend an extra day in Queenstown'''
Today is yours to explore. Options include: sleeping in and doing nothing, great local walks, skiing or snowboarding at one of the many local ski fields, and any adventure activity that we mad Kiwis can dream up. Obviously you can break your journey in Queenstown for as long as you want. If going straight to Christchurch, look at doing a one-day trip to Milford Sound before you go.

'''Queenstown to Christchurch'''
Depart 8am. We head over the Lindis Pass through to the MacKenzie country to Lake Pukaki for the Mount Cook lookout (you can get off at Twizel to go to Mt Cook), and scenic Lake Tekapo. Then it is an express haul across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. We drop you at your accommodation in central Christchurch.

Matt's secret holiday

2009-12-23T14:18:23Z

Matt: /* Who's going */

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia (!!).

==Who's going==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Matt
|}

'''Hang on, I'm going on my own? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It's important that I go on my tod for the following reasons:

- It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills may benefit from having to make so many decisions (in rapid succession). First decision: where to go?

- I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

- It will probably develop character, and might help me to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

- I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, necessitating conversational skill. That's quite scary and difficult (for me), but I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go (Thailand/ Cambodia, if I have time to get jabs, visas and everything sorted)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get jabs, if needed
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Travel insurance
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accomodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly at 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

Bit too easy/ safe/ tame. Could save it for another time (like retirement)

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

==Where to stay==

Matt's secret holiday

2009-12-23T14:18:05Z

Matt: /* Who's going */

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia (!!).

==Who's going==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Matt
|}

'''Hang on, I'm going on my own? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It's important that I go on my tod for the following reasons:

- It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills may benefit from having to make so many decisions (in rapid succession). First decision: where to go?

- I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

- It will probably develop character, and might help me to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

- I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, necessitating conversational skill. That's scary and difficult (for me), but I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go (Thailand/ Cambodia, if I have time to get jabs, visas and everything sorted)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get jabs, if needed
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Travel insurance
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accomodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly at 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

Bit too easy/ safe/ tame. Could save it for another time (like retirement)

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

==Where to stay==

Matt's secret holiday

2009-12-23T14:17:26Z

Matt: /* Who's going */

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia (!!).

==Who's going==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Matt
|}

'''Hang on, I'm going on my own? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It's important that I go on my tod for the following reasons:

- It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills may benefit from having to make so many decisions (in rapid succession). First decision: where to go?

- I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

- It will probably develop character, and might help me to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

- I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, necessitating conversational skill. That's scary and difficult (for me), that's why I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go (Thailand/ Cambodia, if I have time to get jabs, visas and everything sorted)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get jabs, if needed
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Travel insurance
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accomodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly at 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

Bit too easy/ safe/ tame. Could save it for another time (like retirement)

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

==Where to stay==

Matt's secret holiday

2009-12-23T14:15:19Z

Matt: /* Who's going */

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia (!!).

==Who's going==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Matt
|}

'''Hang on, I'm going on my own? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It's important that I go on my tod for the following reasons:

- It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills may benefit from having to make so many decisions (in rapid succession). First decision: where to go?

- I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

- It will probably develop character, and might help me to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

- I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, work on my conversation skills. That's scary and difficult (for me), that's why I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go (Thailand/ Cambodia, if I have time to get jabs, visas and everything sorted)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get jabs, if needed
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Travel insurance
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accomodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly at 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

Bit too easy/ safe/ tame. Could save it for another time (like retirement)

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

==Where to stay==

Matt's secret holiday

2009-12-23T14:06:13Z

Matt:

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia (!!).

==Who's going==

Me, myself and I

'''Hang on, I'm going on my own? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It's important that I go on my tod for the following reasons:

- It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills may benefit from having to make so many decisions (in rapid succession). First decision: where to go?

- I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

- It will probably develop character, and might help me to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

- I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, work on my conversation skills. That's scary and difficult (for me), that's why I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go (Thailand/ Cambodia, if I have time to get jabs, visas and everything sorted)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get jabs, if needed
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Travel insurance
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accomodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly at 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

Bit too easy/ safe/ tame. Could save it for another time (like retirement)

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

==Where to stay==

Ibiza

2009-12-23T14:04:08Z

Matt: /* So, who's coming to this thing? */

[[Image:Ibiza_map.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Ibiza]]

<blockquote>"We are young, we are free, we've got teeth, nice and clean"</blockquote>--Medieval Iberian Proverb

We're soon going to be too old to go to Ibiza, so let's actually go there while we have the chance.

== Main Themes ==

* Proper clubbing
* Excellent music
* Beaches
* Blowing whistles and using glowsticks

Of course, as Nerds will be involved, the following themes will as always be relevant:

* Value for money (as much as is possible in Ibiza anyway)
* Efficiency
* Drinking
* Serious impromptu debating

== To Do ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get a list of interested people
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Make a to-do list
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accommodation
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get Euros
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Be Large
|}

== How do you pronounce Ibiza? ==

The Long of It: Eivissa is the official Catalan name (Catalan pronunciation: [əiˈβisə], locally [əiˈvisə]). The name in Spanish is Ibiza [iˈβiθa]. In British English, the name is usually pronounced in an approximation of the Spanish (/ɪˈbiːθə, ɪˈviːθə/), while in American English the pronunciation is more anglicized (/ɪˈbiːzə/, /iːˈbiːsə/).

The Short of It: ibeetha.

== Where and what is it? ==

Ibiza is a Spanish island of the Balearic Islands in the western Mediterranean Sea southwest of Majorca. It is the third largest island (pop., 1999 est.: 86,953) of the Balearic Islands (Baleares), Spain.

== So, who's coming to this thing? ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Marc
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Nicole
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Emma
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Ralph
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Dheepa
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Tom
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Tim
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Ian
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Simon
|-
| X || Matt
|-
| X || Lee
|}

== When and for how long? ==

Summer 2010 for 1 week.

June or August would be the best times as July is apparently manic, but June or August will still be within the clubbing season.

== What about accommodation? ==

There are quite a few places to stay. A mid-range 3 star style place, i.e. nothing fancy but not horrific either, should not be hard to find. As a guideline, Emma has stayed for £420 half board for two people sharing a twin room for 5 nights. So we're talking something along the lines of £40 - £50 per person per night half board.

== How will we get there? ==

We'll fly.

== What clubs shall we go to? ==
[[Image:ibiza-space.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Space Nightclub]]

The main clubs of note are Space and Pacha. Good things were heard about Privilege (not the car insurance company) too.

Other places to consider are El Divino (for the view of the marina rather than the club), Zoo Project (beach club open til 1am), Cafe Mambo and Cafe del Mar (chilled bar-clubs with free entry)

Probably worth avoiding Amnesia because it looked terrible.

Others that I don't know anything about are DC10, Eden and Es Paradis.
 

== What else is there to do? ==

* Go to the beach
* Eat
* Pose
* Have an icecream
* Strut
* Loads of chilled drinking places, such as Sands Bar on Playa d'en Bossa (an amazing bar that you could realistically stay at all night. Its on the beach and is gorgeous.)
* Put on your dancing shoes (and any other dancing apparel)
* Day trip to Formentara (a caribbean island)
* Culture in the old town

Matt's secret holiday

2009-12-17T20:27:10Z

Matt: /* To do: */

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia.

==Who's going==

Me, myself and I

'''Hang on, I'm going on my own? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It's important that I go on my tod for the following reasons:

- It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills may benefit from having to make so many decisions (in rapid succession). First decision: where to go?

- I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

- It will probably develop character, and might help me to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

- I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, work on my conversation skills. That's scary and difficult (for me), that's why I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go (Thailand/ Cambodia, if I have time to get jabs, visas and everything sorted)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get jabs, if needed
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Travel insurance
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accomodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly at 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

Bit too easy/ safe/ tame. Could save it for another time (like retirement)

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

==Where to stay==

Matt's secret holiday

2009-12-17T20:26:28Z

Matt: /* Who's going */

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia.

==Who's going==

Me, myself and I

'''Hang on, I'm going on my own? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It's important that I go on my tod for the following reasons:

- It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills may benefit from having to make so many decisions (in rapid succession). First decision: where to go?

- I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

- It will probably develop character, and might help me to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

- I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, work on my conversation skills. That's scary and difficult (for me), that's why I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go (Thailand/ Cambodia, if I have time to get jabs, visas and everything sorted)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get jabs, if needed
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accomodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly at 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

Bit too easy/ safe/ tame. Could save it for another time (like retirement)

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

==Where to stay==

Matt's secret holiday

2009-12-17T14:45:50Z

Matt: /* Who's going */

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia.

==Who's going==

Me, myself and I

'''Hang on, I'm going on my own? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It's important that I go on my tod for the following reasons:

- It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills may benefit from having to make so many decisions (in rapid succession). First decision: where to go?

- I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

- It will probably develop character, and might help my to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

- I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, work on my conversation skills. That's scary and difficult (for me), that's why I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go (Thailand/ Cambodia, if I have time to get jabs, visas and everything sorted)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get jabs, if needed
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accomodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly at 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

Bit too easy/ safe/ tame. Could save it for another time (like retirement)

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

==Where to stay==

Matt's secret holiday

2009-12-17T13:20:49Z

Matt: /* Who's going */

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia.

==Who's going==

Me, myself and I

'''Hang on, I'm going on my own? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills may benefit from having to make so many decisions (in rapid succession). First decision: where to go?

I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

It will probably develop character, and might help my to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, work on my conversation skills. That's scary and difficult (for me), that's why I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go (Thailand/ Cambodia, if I have time to get jabs, visas and everything sorted)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get jabs, if needed
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accomodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly at 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

Bit too easy/ safe/ tame. Could save it for another time (like retirement)

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

==Where to stay==

Matt's secret holiday

2009-12-17T13:17:49Z

Matt: /* To do: */

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia.

==Who's going==

Me, myself and I

'''Hang on, I'm going on my own? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills might benefit from having to make so many decisions (in rapid succession). First decision: where to go?

I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

It will probably develop character, and might help my to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, work on my conversation skills. That's scary and difficult (for me), that's why I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go (Thailand/ Cambodia, if I have time to get jabs, visas and everything sorted)
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get jabs, if needed
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accomodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly at 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

Bit too easy/ safe/ tame. Could save it for another time (like retirement)

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

==Where to stay==

Matt's secret holiday

2009-12-17T13:16:26Z

Matt:

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia.

==Who's going==

Me, myself and I

'''Hang on, I'm going on my own? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills might benefit from having to make so many decisions (in rapid succession). First decision: where to go?

I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

It will probably develop character, and might help my to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, work on my conversation skills. That's scary and difficult (for me), that's why I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get jabs
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accomodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly at 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

Bit too easy/ safe/ tame. Could save it for another time (like retirement)

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

==Where to stay==

Matt's secret holiday

2009-12-17T13:13:43Z

Matt: /* Benelux & France/ Paris: */

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia.

'''Hang on, why go somewhere on your own at all? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills might benefit from having to make so many decisions (in rapid succession). First decision: where to go?

I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

It will probably develop character, and might help my to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, work on my conversation skills. That's scary and difficult (for me), that's why I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get jabs
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accomodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly at 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

Bit too easy/ safe/ tame. Could save it for another time (like retirement)

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

==Where to stay==

Matt's secret holiday

2009-12-17T13:13:16Z

Matt: /* Benelux & France/ Paris: */

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia.

'''Hang on, why go somewhere on your own at all? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills might benefit from having to make so many decisions (in rapid succession). First decision: where to go?

I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

It will probably develop character, and might help my to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, work on my conversation skills. That's scary and difficult (for me), that's why I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get jabs
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accomodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly at 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

Bit too easy/ safe/ tame

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

==Where to stay==

Matt's secret holiday

2009-12-17T13:12:30Z

Matt: /* Europe versus East Asia */

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia.

'''Hang on, why go somewhere on your own at all? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills might benefit from having to make so many decisions (in rapid succession). First decision: where to go?

I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

It will probably develop character, and might help my to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, work on my conversation skills. That's scary and difficult (for me), that's why I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get jabs
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accomodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly at 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

==Where to stay==

Matt's secret holiday

2009-12-17T13:11:41Z

Matt:

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia.

'''Hang on, why go somewhere on your own at all? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills might benefit from having to make so many decisions (in rapid succession). First decision: where to go?

I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

It will probably develop character, and might help my to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, work on my conversation skills. That's scary and difficult (for me), that's why I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get jabs
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accomodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly though, will probably be around 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

==Where to stay==

Matt's secret holiday

2009-12-17T13:10:35Z

Matt:

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia.

'''Hang on, why go somewhere on your own at all? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills might benefit from having to make so many decisions (in rapid succession)

I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

It will probably develop character, and might help my to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, work on my conversation skills. That's scary and difficult (for me), that's why I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get jabs
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accomodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly though, will probably be around 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

==Where to stay==

Matt's secret holiday

2009-12-17T13:09:49Z

Matt:

Let's embark upon a voyage of self-discovery. Initially thinking the Benelux countries, and France/ Paris. But as Rob at work pointed out, Feb is the perfect time of year to go to Thailand (!) and Cambodia.

'''Hang on, why go somewhere on your own at all? Why not try to get someone to come with?'''

It will improve my 'taking the initiative and doing something pro-active' skills, and also: my decision making skills might benefit from having to make so many decisions (fairly quickly)

I will have to be totally self-reliant, and that's a good thing

It will probably develop character, and might help my to find out who I am (bit deep, that one)

I will have to make small talk with lots of strangers, work on my conversation skills. That's scary and difficult (for me), that's why I have to do it. On the bright side, I'll probably have lots of interesting and fun chit-chats, that I would never have had otherwise

==To do: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
| [[Image:tick.gif]] || Book time off
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Decide for sure where to go
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get jabs
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get any necessary visas
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Get 1 or 2 guidebooks, and plan an itinerary
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book flights
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Book accomodation - at least the first place
|-
| [[Image:blank.gif]] || Stop momentarily and realise I'll be in a scary foreign country on my tod, and poo and wee my pants accordingly
|}

==Europe versus East Asia==

Both high on cultural stuff to see, but which is better? There's only one way to find out... fight! Go on Thailand, get in there!

===Benelux & France/ Paris: ===

'''Good:'''

Safer/ easier option

Quicker to get there, either by Eurostar or plane

No need for jabs or visas, can easily go from country to country

Get to go up the Eiffel tower, and witness some authentic French drivers take their lives into their hands going around the Arc de Triomphe roundabout at the centre of Paris

Get to visit Bruges (maybe while it's snowy), Amsterdam (for a hash brownie), Rotterdam, Luxembourg (I have no idea what's there) and Paris (cultural highlight of Europe, loads of stuff to see & do there)

'''Bad:'''

Bit chilly though, will probably be around 0 - 5 C

Will have to encounter French people at some stage

===Thailand/ Cambodia:===

'''Good:'''

More exotic/ dangerous, makes for a more exciting adventure

The climate - will be nice and warm, at around 31 C

It's not the rainy/ monsoon season in that area in Feb

Get to see some giant stone heads and Angkor Wat

'''Bad:'''

Flight times of 11- 12 hours (if I can get a direct flight, it might be way cheaper not to)

There might be insects and stuff

More exotic/ dangerous, makes it more scary

==When? ==

Saturday 13/02/10 to
Sunday 28/02/10

15 days total

==Itinerary==

==Where to stay==

Matt's secret holiday

2009-12-17T13:01:59Z

Matt: /* Benelux & France/ Paris: */

Matt's secret holiday

2009-12-17T12:58:28Z

Matt: /* Benelux & France/ Paris: */

Matt's secret holiday

2009-12-17T12:56:22Z

Matt: /* Europe versus East Asia */

Matt's secret holiday

2009-12-17T12:53:24Z

Matt: /* Europe versus East Asia */

Matt's secret holiday

2009-12-17T12:52:54Z

Matt: /* Europe versus East Asia */

Matt's secret holiday

2009-12-17T12:52:06Z

Matt:

Possible Oxford Trip

2009-12-17T11:42:01Z

Matt: Removing all content from page