Monday
INDONESIA, another country
"The manner in which we surf is a manifestation of the imagination. Different styles account for different approaches. However you may think, there are others, doubtless, that don't think that way. Where you might stomp on the tail, stalling for a tube section, others may find some ramp to launch from. It's an expression of your character. Let every man 'march to the beat of a different drummer', or surf to their own imagination. If you want to surf better, the best place to start is your mind. If you can dream it, you can imagine it, if you can imagine it, you can do it. 'See the ball, feel the ball, BE THE BALL'...You are the only judge of your satisfaction" (The Fundamentals of Surfing Magazine given to me by Jeremy Hill)
A constant battle
Do you look at the world through your head? Through intellect?
or
Through your heart with love?
(paraphrased)
Through your heart with love?
(paraphrased)
Dew
"It is beneficial to walk on the grass in the morning when the dew has already been accumulated, for it lowers naturally and pleasantly the body's temperature" (The Five People You Meet in Heaven)
Dunedin to Christchurch
Unbelievable drive.
The scenic route took us by bright blue Lake Tekapo to Mt. Cook and its surrounding snow-capped mountains. The colour of the water is like nothing I have ever seen...again, the feeling of being their can only be relayed properly by teletransporting you there to jump into the water! (put it on your list of places to go!)
Christchurch has a great feel to it. It is beautiful, the botanical gardens are huge, the river is super cute, the vintage stores are great, and there are lots of little jewellery vendors all around.
The scenic route took us by bright blue Lake Tekapo to Mt. Cook and its surrounding snow-capped mountains. The colour of the water is like nothing I have ever seen...again, the feeling of being their can only be relayed properly by teletransporting you there to jump into the water! (put it on your list of places to go!)
Christchurch has a great feel to it. It is beautiful, the botanical gardens are huge, the river is super cute, the vintage stores are great, and there are lots of little jewellery vendors all around.
Dunedin, NZ
A beautiful little and artsy town. I only spent a day here but I covered a lot of ground. Got out to meet a family friend of a family friend, Rosemary Sadler and her husband John on their farm just outside of Dunedin. There are few things more humbling and enjoyable than sitting with an older couple in their home, listening to stories about their lives and their country.
One thing is for sure, at one point in my life, I am going to have an extensive spice and vegetable garden. I will most likely choose to leave the sheep breeding and sheering business to my neighbours, but I would be more than happy to supply the neighbourhood with yummy dressings and condiments.
One thing is for sure, at one point in my life, I am going to have an extensive spice and vegetable garden. I will most likely choose to leave the sheep breeding and sheering business to my neighbours, but I would be more than happy to supply the neighbourhood with yummy dressings and condiments.
A short flight over the South
Mark took Jane and I up for a the afternoon to fly over Dusky Sound, through the mountains, above the lakes, past the waterfalls, over Riverton, and then back over Otago. It was breathtaking.Invercargill and the Catlands, NZ
Southern NZ was great. Stayed with a friend of mine, Mark, who I met a few years back in Morocco. We drove down checking out all the surf breaks on the way, stopped to pick up sausages and play with sheep and admired the dramatic scenery changes between Fiordland and South otago.It was nice to finally settle somewhere for a few days and give Sally a little rest from her company.
Te Anau & Milford Sound
BEAUTIFUL.http://www.fiordlandcinema.nz/
Movie: Shadowland.
This documentary, as well as Jurassic Park, could only remotely prepare me for the beauty of Milford Sound. The park is incredible. Between its menacing mountains which give way to the powerful waterfalls that plummet into the dark blue rivers and ocean below and the neon and deep green trees that line the mountains, it is safe to say, that I felt miniscule compared to the sight I was witnessing.
The boat ride through and the jump into the waterfall was not enough to take it all in. What a dream it would be to do a camping trip through the Sounds one day...
Wanaka, NZ
Wanaka is an INCREDIBLY beautiful town and the drive into it is the perfect teaser. We followed the winding river from Franz Joseph to get here only to be greeted by green grasses and a beautiful lakefront.Highlights of the drive that one cannnnot miss!
Pancake Rocks: Cool bay of rock formations that water spurts through
Bruce Bay: A bay lined with Innucshuks people have made over the last 10 years.
Haast Pass: A stretch of highway that takes you past beautiful lakes,, waterfalls, and snow capped mountains.
Blue Pools: There isnt really a way to describe these until you walk to them and jump in. It is a bright/neon blue glacier river in a valley with a beautiful old bridge hanging above. It is quiet and fresh and the cleanest water I have ever seen.
SKYDIVING!! was the highlight of this town for us. I didnt think I was nervous until I was being lifted to the edge of that plane after watching Ashley and Jane go plummeting out seconds before. However, the experience was exhilerating and beyond words.
Franz Joseph & Fox Glacier, NZ
Beautiful beautiful glacier and fun little town. The weather was not ideal so it was tough to get into the groove of it all...especially after hiking up Huaynu Potosi and seeing El Calafate (I suppose I have been spoiled with glacier sightings over the past 3 months).
Westport, NZ
Our drive along the North West Coast took us through the Buller Gorge and Abel Tasman National Park to our next campsite in time for a bold red sunset.Somehow, luck was on our side and on route to find our campsite, we drove through the grass to the beach, only to have the path open up to a vacant site with a huge bonfire already going. There is no better feeling than going to sleep by a fire and waking up to the sound of the ocean.
Kaikoura to Nelson
Spent our first night in a car park next to a playground...apparently it is a common temp home to many camper vans. We fell asleep to the electro beats of the cars to our side and woke up making eggs, muesli and yoghurt on our stove under our trunk hood, next to our friendly euro neighbours.
Sally Angel
Our South Island ride...Finally Jane and I are off of and away from that dang Green Wagon. Group traveling is not for us.
Readers, meet Sally. Sally...be nice.
Beauty, Nature and Respect
If only we could all start fresh - would we do it as well as the Kiwis do?
It's really cool to be somewhere where everyone has such a healthy mentality. The spirit of the Kiwi's is something that I have never seen before. they have such pride in their country, their land, their history, their resources and their culture. You don't see a person overweight, people are running all times of the day, all taxis are green friendly, every sales rep is the friendliest person...and it all makes sense. There are no unnecessary rules - its easy to get around, easy to rent cars, camp, meet people, do activities, go to shows, etc. There are even inspirational quotes engraved on the concrete stones around the cities and free music at night.
They just have it right.
It's really cool to be somewhere where everyone has such a healthy mentality. The spirit of the Kiwi's is something that I have never seen before. they have such pride in their country, their land, their history, their resources and their culture. You don't see a person overweight, people are running all times of the day, all taxis are green friendly, every sales rep is the friendliest person...and it all makes sense. There are no unnecessary rules - its easy to get around, easy to rent cars, camp, meet people, do activities, go to shows, etc. There are even inspirational quotes engraved on the concrete stones around the cities and free music at night.
They just have it right.
Wellington, NZ
What a cool little, active, and artsy town. Beyond the boardwalk, the hills, the little art galleries and the cute shops, Wellington also had a free open-air festival on every night we were there in the botanical gardens. It was perfect.
HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?!
I feel like screaming out! Being in a place that emphasizes all of the things I love love love in all aspects of their society...The ocean, the sound of the lakes, the trees, the mountains, the snow! This country has the elements that induce relaxation, admiration, passion and action. Between walking, taking photos, running, yoga, swimming, surfing, driving, repelling, flying through the air at 170MPH...It is a playground here.
A bitter, sweet reality
What I am finding so difficult about traveling is that time passes so quickly. I can't help but dwell on the fact that as time passes, those experiences I have had with particular people, become more a part of the past than the present, and memories get further away from my fingertips and reality. People I have met seem further away, especially as each of us continues to move in different directions.
What is sticking with me is my brothers voice in my head, reminding me to keep in touch with the people that impact my life along the way. The world is a small place, and you never know when your next opportunity to knock on their door comes around again...
What is sticking with me is my brothers voice in my head, reminding me to keep in touch with the people that impact my life along the way. The world is a small place, and you never know when your next opportunity to knock on their door comes around again...
Barefoot and Sandy Raglan, NZ
I have found my safe haven for the North Island. A relaxed hilly, sea-side surf town on the North West coast of New Zealand's North Island, location for the famous Manu Bay break of Endless Summer, 1966.Daily Routine: One that made me feel so healthy, happy and energized.
Morning Surf
Rent bike, go around or into town
Eat yummmmy fish
Afternoon surf
Return to Karioi Lodge
Yoga session up top a hill on a deck overlooking Whale Bay
Sauna
Shower
Beer, Dinner, Chillll
Recommendation: Karioi Lodge http://www.karioilodge.co.nz/
Waitomo, NZ
GREEEAT time doing the Black Water Caving.
Without a doubt, although a tourist attraction, this was one of my favorite things I have done so far, along with Huaynu Potosi. The four hours included repelling down into a cave, tubing through the underwater river, staring up at the glow worms which looked like constellations lining the cave, seeing eels, learning about stagmites nad staligmites and climbing our way back up. HIGH HIGH HIGH recommendation.
Big thanks to Stew and Josh our guides.
Without a doubt, although a tourist attraction, this was one of my favorite things I have done so far, along with Huaynu Potosi. The four hours included repelling down into a cave, tubing through the underwater river, staring up at the glow worms which looked like constellations lining the cave, seeing eels, learning about stagmites nad staligmites and climbing our way back up. HIGH HIGH HIGH recommendation.
Big thanks to Stew and Josh our guides.
Rotorua, NZ
Highlights:
Volcanic Geisers
Maori Traditional performance/dinner
Had a great time at the Maori village. The whole evening reminded me a lot of Council Ring at Taylor Statten. We learned about wood carving, palm skirts, traditional tattoos, cooking, etc. The area was lined with beautifully intricate totem poles and little huts.
Volcanic Geisers
Maori Traditional performance/dinner
Had a great time at the Maori village. The whole evening reminded me a lot of Council Ring at Taylor Statten. We learned about wood carving, palm skirts, traditional tattoos, cooking, etc. The area was lined with beautifully intricate totem poles and little huts.
The BiG, GREEN, F***ing, Machine
DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT let anyone convince you that taking the Kiwi Experience bus is a good decision...it is not.
While I will admit, I could not have signed up for the Kiwi Experience in the North island, it did sound like a good way to get from a to b easily and cost efficiently. This very quickly became a decision I regretted...and I won't lie...judged others who were on it. Staying in Base Hostels all over NZ, going out to Irish pubs, and then using your free drink tickets at the promoted pubs kitty corner to the hostel is not exactly what I call a foreign experience.
Save yourself the money and enjoy the experience: http://www.couchsurfing.org/wiki/New_Zealand
SUMMADAYZE: Auckland, NZ
Great day and night of dancing and jumping and singing and playing...
Carl Cox
Shapeshifter
and many many more...
"All you touch and all you see is all your life will ever be..."
So be sure to take it all in. While my previous post is one that I stand by...it is also important to
"rest in this moment...you cannot see your reflection in running water, only in still..."
I will take this as a hint to slow down when my body and mind beckon for relaxation.
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