Jan 2006

Okay, Auckland was amazing. I recommend it all for everyone. We spent a night in a nice hostel called Base X. It was a block from the docks and a block from Queen Street-the equivalent of Michigan Avenue. Lots of shops and tourists. We blended right in. We walked all over town and saw as much as we could. Sky Tower was amazing. Any way, next morning we packed up and went to the Bay of Islands. It was so beautiful and very tropical. We spent the day on the beach and riding mopeds around town. We stayed at the Bay Adventurer Hostel. It was lovely. We rented scooters from there and toured the city for a couple of hours. The Haruru Falls were gorgeous and only a short ride away. In all the sun I got a bit of a sunburn, but nothing that can't be managed. Then we travelled all day yesterday and came to Waitomo. The Glo Worm caves. It is amazingly beautiful. Cows frollicking in the field keeping us up all night, but really it is so green and lush, who can complain? Not I. We drove through Hamilton-it was such a pretty clean town. It was very safe feeling, almost like home. But, the whole country is very nice-I don't feel scared about anything. I have wandered off more than once. --The fish and chips: Awesome. Blackwater rafting is on the Itenerary today. I recommend this to all!!

Today is Wednesday before I leave. Hooray! Thus far I have finally got my ticket in the mail. Passport...Check; Visa...Check; Ticket...Check; Packed...uh, give me a minute-I still have a lot of gear to buy. The count down has started-well, it started a while ago but at least now I can do it on my hands, and starting tomorrow I will be able to on a single hand. The sleepless nights are starting to come back. I am so filled with excitement that I am as antsy as a child on Christmas Eve. I am waking up in the morning as excited as ever. Who knows what adventures wait for me! I know this is kinda corny, but I figure it is the best way to keep my family up to date and let them know I am still alive-I found a way to work the system of avoiding emailing my mother every day. Mom, now you can just look at this, and I'll keep pictures posted so you don't have to pull out my box and I can avoid getting my picture taken before I leave.