Firstly, apologies for taking SO long to send another exciting instalment of Nigel's News - the last one for this trip, in fact, as I've now been home for three weeks. The problem is, there so many people to see and all sorts of other things to do, like having to find a job (I'm still looking!). Since the last news, I had a great time getting lightly toasted under the Pacific sun in Rarotonga, Cook Islands (look it up on a map, if you have a magnifying glass - find Hawaii then go directly south about as far from the equator as Hawaii is north - you'll find a little blob somewhere in the middle of all that blue). I met lots of fun people there and generally had a very relaxing time. I thoroughly recommend it as a stopover point for anyone travelling across the Pacific Ocean. Then there was Los Angeles - all I can say is that California is like another country compared with the mid-West where I used to live. It was quite scary having to drive on the freeways there - I'm sure there were more cars and people on a 100 metre stretch of LA freeway than there were on the entire island of Rarotonga! Final couple of weeks were spent in Rockford, Illinois, where I used to live. This involved lots of eating, drinking and, of course, shopping! Its quite nice when you get to the point where you don't have to worry about being able to carry everything any more, and can actually take advantage of all the cheap bargains to be had. I had to do a bit of urgent re-packing at Rockford airport when we found that one of my bags exceeded the 32kg limit, though! Arriving home to my family and friends was great - it is often said that travelling makes you appreciate home more - that's certainly true in my case, although that's not to say I haven't got itchy feet again - I can't wait to earn enough money to be able to pack that bag and get on the road again. Before I sign off, there are, of course, a few thank-yous: Firstly, to everyone I met while travelling around the world. So many people helped to make the trip memorable, in big ways and small, and it was always a pleasure to meet great people from all over the world Secondly, to all those who provided me with accommodation and hospitality in various places, especially those who had actually met me before and KNEW what they were letting themselves in for! Seriously, an even bigger thank-you to those wonderful people who didn't really know me before but were kind enough to put me up- I've gained quite a few valued new friends in the past six months Thirdly, to those who endeavoured to keep me up to date with news, gossip, rugby scores and anything else back home which I needed to know about Finally, to my friends and especially my family back home, who did so much for me while I was away and were ready to welcome me home again.
Firstly, apologies for taking SO long to send another exciting instalment of Nigel's News - the last one for this trip, in fact, as I've now been home for three weeks. The problem is, there so many people to see and all sorts of other things to do, like having to find a job (I'm still looking!). Since the last news, I had a great time getting lightly toasted under the Pacific sun in Rarotonga, Cook Islands (look it up on a map, if you have a magnifying glass - find Hawaii then go directly south about as far from the equator as Hawaii is north - you'll find a little blob somewhere in the middle of all that blue). I met lots of fun people there and generally had a very relaxing time. I thoroughly recommend it as a stopover point for anyone travelling across the Pacific Ocean. Then there was Los Angeles - all I can say is that California is like another country compared with the mid-West where I used to live. It was quite scary having to drive on the freeways there - I'm sure there were more cars and people on a 100 metre stretch of LA freeway than there were on the entire island of Rarotonga! Final couple of weeks were spent in Rockford, Illinois, where I used to live. This involved lots of eating, drinking and, of course, shopping! Its quite nice when you get to the point where you don't have to worry about being able to carry everything any more, and can actually take advantage of all the cheap bargains to be had. I had to do a bit of urgent re-packing at Rockford airport when we found that one of my bags exceeded the 32kg limit, though! Arriving home to my family and friends was great - it is often said that travelling makes you appreciate home more - that's certainly true in my case, although that's not to say I haven't got itchy feet again - I can't wait to earn enough money to be able to pack that bag and get on the road again. Before I sign off, there are, of course, a few thank-yous: Firstly, to everyone I met while travelling around the world. So many people helped to make the trip memorable, in big ways and small, and it was always a pleasure to meet great people from all over the world Secondly, to all those who provided me with accommodation and hospitality in various places, especially those who had actually met me before and KNEW what they were letting themselves in for! Seriously, an even bigger thank-you to those wonderful people who didn't really know me before but were kind enough to put me up- I've gained quite a few valued new friends in the past six months Thirdly, to those who endeavoured to keep me up to date with news, gossip, rugby scores and anything else back home which I needed to know about Finally, to my friends and especially my family back home, who did so much for me while I was away and were ready to welcome me home again.