2002-2005 (c) GetJealous.com, All rights reserved. http://www.getjealous.com/mellie/rss.xml Welcome to my blog! Missing you already ... hope you enjoy reading about my travels xxx http://www.getjealous.com/mellie http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=260698&go=mellie On 3rd Jan: Marc, Jane and I arrived in Christchurch ... having been a little disorganised we had to wait a day for a hire car and so we ventured out to Akaroa on the Banks Peninsula (south-east of Christchurch) to do a wildlife cruise - the coastal scenary was stunning ... we saw loads of hectar dolphins (one of smallest species in the world) porpoising near the bow of the boat - really playful a... http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=260698&go=mellie Wed, 31 Jan 2007 12:00:00 GMT http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=259506&go=mellie The photos I posted on 8th Jan are the start of my Australia trip ... here are a few more highlights further down the coast and photos (soz for the delay!) TOWN OF 1770 - this place was one of my favourite on the east coast as it was a really quaint little town and not too touristy. Highlights include a motorcycle trip with 22 others ... on mini Harley Davidsons - such a rush, awesome! I also... http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=259506&go=mellie Mon, 29 Jan 2007 12:00:00 GMT http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=253383&go=mellie Here are some photos of what I must say was the most exhilarating and scariest moment of my life ... today at about midday I jumped out of a plane at 15,000 feet - the day was truly stunning for it (blue sky and sun shining) and from that height I could see for miles and miles ... to sum it up - I lived my dream = I felt like I was flying like a bird. Enjoy the pics xxx... http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=253383&go=mellie Thu, 18 Jan 2007 12:00:00 GMT http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=221847&go=mellie {Note - photos for this have been uploaded and are on the photo page .. for some reason they didn't attach to the diary entry - enjoy!} Mum and dad arrived in Kota Kinabulu the day I finished the mountain climb with Ali - so lovely to see them. Completely exhausted, we headed over to their lovely five star hotel and they treated us to a wonderful seafood buffet dinner - exactly what we needed ... http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=221847&go=mellie Fri, 17 Nov 2006 12:00:00 GMT http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=220381&go=mellie On 29 October 2006 at 5.30am Ali and Mel reached the summit of Mount Kinabulu - hurrah! Our climb of Mount Kota Kinabulu (the highest mountain in south-east asia - 4092 metres high!) ... although really challenging, was the most exhilarating experience. On our first day we climbed for over five hours (6 km) to reach our resthouse for the evening ...then on day 2 we got up at 1:45am to leave ... http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=220381&go=mellie Wed, 15 Nov 2006 12:00:00 GMT http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=210607&go=mellie Ali and I are now in Kota Kinabulu (the captial of Sabah). We luckily managed to leave Semporna (the little fishing village where I spent six weeks) on the public holiday of 'Hari Raya' (the muslim new year) ... very silly of us to try and leave on this day of the year but where there is a will, there's a way, as they say! Although there were no direct buses, three bus journeys later (two change... http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=210607&go=mellie Thu, 26 Oct 2006 12:00:00 GMT http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=209236&go=mellie The day after my incredible malaysian cooking course with Eddie (... malaysian curry is just a sensation on your taste buds!!!!) Ali arrived in Semporna. It was really lovely to see an old friendly face and our week of diving together has been wonderful. The weather has really picked up ... no more grey haze .. but scorching hot sunshine and blue skies ... golden beaches, aqua blue water - it se... http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=209236&go=mellie Mon, 23 Oct 2006 12:00:00 GMT http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=205457&go=mellie The great thing about being here is the diversity of my days ... you really never know how the day is going to unfold. Of course, the diving is just incredible ... in fact I am being thoroughly spoilt by the countless turtles which I swim by/see sleeping in crevices, the numerous white tip sharks which we saw hunting prey today, the ginormous schools of chevron barracudas which so often circle ar... http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=205457&go=mellie Sat, 14 Oct 2006 12:00:00 GMT http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=202755&go=mellie And so it was on 7th October 2006 ... I officially became a divemaster (DM) - woo hoo! : ) .. really rather exciting to have got it! Even though I was considered an experienced and good enough guide practically, as well as having sat my last written exam the day before ... apparently there was a final test before i could be 'knighted' with a fin into the world of being a DM. Yup, you guessed ... http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=202755&go=mellie Sun, 8 Oct 2006 12:00:00 GMT http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=201302&go=mellie Just to make some of you a little less jealous ... the weather today was v overcast and really rather chilly at times.... just before we were about to head out on the boats to go diving, the rain and the lightening came. Due to the torrential downpour, we all huddled into the wooden dive shop on stilts - the thoughts running through my head being 'why did i wear a string vest and shorts today and... http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=201302&go=mellie Wed, 4 Oct 2006 12:00:00 GMT