“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in”. Matthew 25:35

Ever had a feeling you want to be doing something so good for a small part of the world that you’re in and never actually take that desire anywhere? That was me, for years and years. I always wanted to travel overseas and give help and aid wherever and whenever I could. But, like you guys that say “That is me” something always came up, not a reason, more an excuse. What about work? What about the family? What about the holidays that I need for another reason. What about the cost? Sitting in church and listening to peoples lives change and how they unselfishly positively effected others around them, I wanted that to be me, a calling if you like.

If this sounds like you as it was certainly me, my advice is DO IT, while you can. It will probably be the most humbling experience you will ever experience. Who gains from such an experience? You or the people you are helping……. read on to find my conclusion to this.

Continue reading “Shepherd’s Arms Orphange,​ Pangloa​ Island, Philippines” →

After being away from all things familiar including family for three months we were excited to leave Kampot and meet up with Nana in Cebu City in The Philippines. To be quite honest we would have been excited to leave Kampot to go anywhere after that dump, but, as we were going to see Nana we were extra specially excited…………and so was she. Nana was coming for three weeks and we decided the first week would be a spoil, in the 5 Star Crimson resort in Cebu.

Someone else had missed her, little Charlie decided he wasn’t going to let her go again….Watch how many times in this blog he is close to her.

Continue reading “Cebu & Bohol Philippines 5* Paradise With Nana…” →

It’s time for a statistics update, if not for our followers, at least for us as a reminder of what we have achieved so far. Overall we are thrilled, there are days when we could throttle each other, and days when the heat has got the better of us or the boys are out of sorts but overall we have absolutely loved it. We have met some wonderful people, some will be friends for life. I haven’t worn long sleeves since June 25, 2018 – do I feel like I want to see snow? Nope I don’t…

Continue reading “Stats Update – Feb 2019” →

Who put the “pot” in Kampot?

“Let’s go to South Cambodia” she says. “Let’s go to Kampot” she says. Now when I start a blog like this we should know by now that this destination was somewhat challenging and we will look back on it and wonder why on earth did we let Mommy talk us into this one? You do not have a nice or moving blog picture on this one, we didn’t have anything to use!

Now one of these properties we spent 7 nights in and it was a dump, the other one we spent two nights in and it was lovely, any ideas?

Continue reading “Kampot & Kep – Cambodia” →

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

I guess I had better start with posting a “graphic content may upset you” warning to this latest posting. I suppose I could only tell you half of what we saw, or just the good bits. The purpose of this adventure is to dig deeper into what the world has to offer. Like picking accomodation, it is not always going to be smelling of roses. I can be accused of being slightly lacking in empathy, and I promise I am working on that and a heck of a lot better than I used to be. However, I would challenge the strongest willed man (or woman) in the world to visit Phnom Pehn’s prison and the Killing Fields museums and not be swept away in utter disbelief. I wept a few silient tears today and I simply couldn’t help it. Kristi’s expression below was felt by us all.

Continue reading “Phnom Penh – Cambodia (The Killing Fields)” →

As I sit here in Kampot, Cambodia looking back fondly on the week in Siem Reap I really don’t know where to begin. Ian is having me write this blog, because Angkor Wat was on my bucket list when we left New Zealand. Cambodia wasn’t on the radar of the family and in fact both Ian & Lara were less than impressed when I told them we would be coming to Cambodia, especially as our stay here got longer and longer. I can say honestly though that all 5 of us enjoyed Siem Reap and it definitely is going to be the highlight of Cambodia for us. We have my dad to thank for putting Siem Reap on our itinerary… Dad always spoke fondly of Cambodia from his time during the Vietnam War and dreamt of going to Angkor Wat. In 2013 he & I conspired to take the family to Vietnam and Cambodia, but when it came time to actually book we decided against it. Mom was just recovering from breast cancer and I think dad really wanted to leave the past of the war in the past. After visiting, I undertand why he made that choice and the 5 of us were happy to fulfill his dream for him. It was AMAZING!

Continue reading “Siem Reap – a Bucketlist Stop” →

When you’re in a place for a month, with great people, great beaches and great weather there are certain things that happen to you. You start to feel comfortable, very comfortable in your surroundings.

When you do not even understand how to put fuel in the car, your days can get interesting as can the results.

Continue reading “A month in Thailand home from home” →

Our journey into Thailand, the land of smiles, was not quite the start little Charlie had hoped for. On arriving into Bangkok for our transfer to Krabi it had been about 24 hours since he had his boo boo dressed and we were told that it was imperitive that it was cleaned at this time. With a long lay over, a two hour flight to Krabi and a two hour drive for a late arrival into Koh Lanta, my only option for him was Bangkok airport. 

Continue reading “A friend abroad (or two or three) Koh Lanta, Thailand.” →

Ever had a bucket list item but not sure how you are going to complete it because of a fear of something inside you? That’s me…….

For as long as I can remember I have always wanted to have my PADI license and I have always put it off when given an opportunity. It’s too expensive, it’s too soon, I don’t have three days of my vacation to waste on it and so on and so on.

Well if this sounds like you, my advice is, get over it and do it, now!

Continue reading “PADI Diving Walkers – Koh Lanta, Thailand” →