As if there wasn’t enough frivolity in our lifestyles here we have to invent more. This time the ‘raft racing’. This event was the 2nd part of a 2 part series, the first we missed we were 12,000 miles away in NZ, so we took time from our busy resting period to see what was going on. As usual when this lot get together it’s a bit mad and this was no exception as you can see from the piccies here. 
Rafts were judged on looks then everyone took part in time trials to set the pursuit race positions and of course there was NO cheating during this bit at all!!! The most intellectually challenging part of the afternoon (other than choosing what to eat) was deciding on whom to bet on prior to the pursuit. Needless to say we didn’t win a thing. The slowest in the pursuit set off first and guess what – they came home first as well. 
It was a nice afternoon, especially as I was a little hung over from the night before and wasn’t fit for much else.
NZ Part 1 - We set off on our BIG journey
Most of you will remember the chaos caused by the volcano in Iceland erupting in April of this year, hundreds of planes grounded and people stranded all over Europe. Well we were obviously keeping an eye on this hoping it wouldn’t affect us leaving the UK for NZ. For the week prior to leaving all was quiet, but the day before we left it all changed again – it didn’t matter how much we watched the news and kept our fingers crossed it was looking worse and worse. Being ever the optimist (in this partnership that’s only me) we set off to Heathrow and got to our hotel, still with fingers crossed as they were now saying that the airport would close at some point the next day. Our flight was early in the morning so we were up at silly o’clock to get checked in. No cancellations yet! We waited to board with baited breath, please let us out, please let us out – you know how it is. We boarded on time, we actually took off and we kept going – thank you God we’re on our way!
About 13 hours later we arrive in Brunei, the journey was fairly civilised, a day flight to Dubai and a night flight to Brunei. We then had a full day in Brunei to have a look around. Brunei is a Sultan ship and we didn’t hear a bad word about the Sultan all day from our guides, seems he looks after his people pretty good. We toured the biggest Mosque (supposedly in the Southern Hemisphere,
Rafts were judged on looks then everyone took part in time trials to set the pursuit race positions and of course there was NO cheating during this bit at all!!! The most intellectually challenging part of the afternoon (other than choosing what to eat) was deciding on whom to bet on prior to the pursuit. Needless to say we didn’t win a thing. The slowest in the pursuit set off first and guess what – they came home first as well. It was a nice afternoon, especially as I was a little hung over from the night before and wasn’t fit for much else.NZ Part 1 - We set off on our BIG journey
Most of you will remember the chaos caused by the volcano in Iceland erupting in April of this year, hundreds of planes grounded and people stranded all over Europe. Well we were obviously keeping an eye on this hoping it wouldn’t affect us leaving the UK for NZ. For the week prior to leaving all was quiet, but the day before we left it all changed again – it didn’t matter how much we watched the news and kept our fingers crossed it was looking worse and worse. Being ever the optimist (in this partnership that’s only me) we set off to Heathrow and got to our hotel, still with fingers crossed as they were now saying that the airport would close at some point the next day. Our flight was early in the morning so we were up at silly o’clock to get checked in. No cancellations yet! We waited to board with baited breath, please let us out, please let us out – you know how it is. We boarded on time, we actually took off and we kept going – thank you God we’re on our way!
About 13 hours later we arrive in Brunei, the journey was fairly civilised, a day flight to Dubai and a night flight to Brunei. We then had a full day in Brunei to have a look around. Brunei is a Sultan ship and we didn’t hear a bad word about the Sultan all day from our guides, seems he looks after his people pretty good. We toured the biggest Mosque (supposedly in the Southern Hemisphere,
however, Brunei isn’t technically in the Southern Hemisphere – so not sure what that’s all about), visited the Sultans Palace, the Royal Museum and the highlight of the day was a trip around the water village.
An amazing place that’s been there over 700 years and property is handed down from generation to generation. The water village is fully equipped with electricity and gas, has its own shops, schools and Mosques. We had afternoon tea in one of the old houses which was one of those experiences that you’re not too sure was good, awkward, weird or just ‘different’. Tourism in Brunei requires a little nudging into the present me thinks.
The water village was quite an experience and one I would recommend to anyone. One of our lasting memories was a sign regarding littering – anyone caught littering would face a fine of 3000 Brunei dollars (Brunei dollar is the same value as the Singapore Dollar), needless to say it’s a VERY clean place. Take a look at more pics of Brunei here
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