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.
Monday
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.
What's your word?
After finishing "Eat, Pray, Love" (a book I have mixed feelings about), I was drawn back to a question Gilbert was asked within: "What is your word". Ones word is a word that represents who you are, what your beliefs are, your mentality, etc. Your word can be faith, power, sex, fun, confidence, etc.
So after thinking for a while about what i truly believe in, what motivates me and what gives me my daily energy, the word is 'Action'. In reflection of the things I have accomplished in my life and in thinking about my mental state of mind on the regular, I am constantly in action. I believe truly, that if you want something, you can do what it takes to get it. If you have a dream, follow it. If you are chasing something, the only way to catch it is to get into gear. I am not someone and have never been someone who has yearned over what I wanted or watched opportunities pass me by.
Strive everyday to seize the moments as they are presented and act when you have the energy and passion. Its your life, take control of it and make what you want happen.
So after thinking for a while about what i truly believe in, what motivates me and what gives me my daily energy, the word is 'Action'. In reflection of the things I have accomplished in my life and in thinking about my mental state of mind on the regular, I am constantly in action. I believe truly, that if you want something, you can do what it takes to get it. If you have a dream, follow it. If you are chasing something, the only way to catch it is to get into gear. I am not someone and have never been someone who has yearned over what I wanted or watched opportunities pass me by.
Strive everyday to seize the moments as they are presented and act when you have the energy and passion. Its your life, take control of it and make what you want happen.
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