BITWRATHPLOOB World Tour

A stroll through the Gardens1
Frederique posted in Official Visits on May 8th, 2008

Hamilton, though the 4th largest city in New Zealand (at close to 130 000 inhabitants!) is not the most exciting place. Still, the weather was glorious so the ‘Ploob & Friends headed out to visit the most popular* tourist destination in the Waikato – the Hamilton Gardens.

It was a trip down memory lane. The Ploob reminisced about the UK in the English Garden.

…and hung out with stone lions again.

It got a chance to lounge in the sun by the pool in a ‘typical’ Modern American Garden.

…and revisit a little piece of Italy.

There was even another wedding to crash!

The day was interrupted by an incident involving the loss of yet another appendage – its head came off, as it does, and the fall to the ground sent its nose flying.

Thankfully, the nose was found, with the bonus addition of nostrils – all the better to smell the flowers!

* arguably, the BEST tourist destination is the statue of RiffRaff at the southern end of Victoria Street, the main drag (no pun intended) in town. Richard O’Brien, the strange mind behind the Rocky Horror Picture Show, lived in Hamilton when he wrote the play/film – a testimony to what this town can inspire? As the statue’s website puts it: “Hamilton led him to THIS”. Sadly, the Ploob wasn’t able to get a picture with the statue… or maybe not so sadly… it would have been a new level of horror…

The Wood Bear goes Kiwi2
Frederique posted in Arrivals on May 7th, 2008

After much anticipation and one more inter-continental postal jump, in early February the BITWRATHPLOOB finally made it to the land where people, birds and fruits all share the same name. A series of inter-NZ travels, a new job, a move between islands, and a dying computer are my excuses for the very, very late updates of the Ploob’s adventures. Things have settled, I apologise to the numerous fans of the little creature, and I begin this long overdue narrative.

The Ploob arrived in the best-wrapped parcel we’d seen in a long time, which might explain the meagre $1 it was insured for.

Fresh out of the box, the Ploob encountered the other creatures of the house and found himself (itself?) subjected to a thorough olfactory inspection.

Kloé the Labrador kept coming for more and we had to make sure the Ploob would stand well away from her reach - there’s something in that red hair she simply could not resist.

We introduced the Ploob to La P’tite Bête, a French…thing… also travelling the word, accompanied by my friends Virginien and Angélique. The Ploob had a laugh at their English-ified names - Virgin and Angel - but was quickly reminded its own name had to be filled out with vowels just to be pronounceable, and it really shouldn’t make fun of others.

The Ploob proved adaptable and seemed unfazed by the predominant use of French in our home and the reversal of seasons. Still, not wanting to leave it in completely new surroundings, we arranged for it to hang out with ‘friends’ met in the box-trip from China:

The next day we were off to see the wonders of Hamilton

Shanghaied in China3
erik posted in Arrivals, Official Visits on January 29th, 2008

In late 2007, the BITWRATHPLOOB was sent to Shanghai, China, to visit the Orient and meet a few of the 1.3 billion residents. The host in China, Diesel Stumpy, has asked me to write this post on his behalf. All the photos are his.

The flight east was a little rough on the little guy, but luckily Stumpy is a world-renowned wood bear surgeon, and our fearsome traveler was back on his feet in no time.

His first visit was to an ancient Chinese temple.

This is very likely the best photograph of the BITWRATHPLOOB ever. Weird attracts weird, I guess.

Lighting candles in the temple.

When in China, do as the Chinese do….ride a bicycle.

The Chinese people were completely enchanted with the BITWRATHPLOOB. And quite a few of them met him (it?).

The BITWRATHPLOOB felt right at home amongst the items at this bizarre bazaar.

Then it was time for a little sightseeing…

Pearl Tower

View to the Bund from Pudong.

Participating in a candlelight vigil on the river. Candles were only issued to those vigil goers (vigilantes?) without rope arms.

Up close to the Pearl Tower.

The tallest buildings in Shanghai.

And there you have it, it’s time to pile into the car and head to the next destination!

Until next time!

The ‘Ploob goes to London town4
hubbers posted in Departures on December 14th, 2007

The ‘Ploob and I had one last outing together where we saw the tourist highlights of London. First we too the tube to Green Park and then we went to Buckingham Palace. The ‘Ploob liked Buckers but was disappointed the Queen wasn’t in for a photo.

Later on in the day we also saw Westminster Abbey

And Parliament Square which has statues of some of the ‘Ploobs heroes, Nelson Mandela and Winston Churchill.

Finally we took photos of the ‘Ploob with Big Ben and the London Eye.

The ‘Ploob really liked taking the tube around London and like a good passenger he stood on the right so other people could walk on the left.

After such a long day walking around the city the ‘Ploob was poked and he needed a nap at Westminster Station.

The ‘Ploob is now on his way to China for another wedding and maybe some dancing girls

Confined to the hotel room in Paris6
hubbers posted in Uncategorized on October 23rd, 2007

For his blatant lack of loyalty to his Kiwi friends who took him to nearly the entire Rugby World Cup Bitwrathploob was confined to his hotel room for the weekend in Paris. He did have a fantastic view of the Eiffel Tower though.