Feb 2006

So, I now surf quite well. Actually, I don't but I want to. We had our surfing assessment and I loved it. We went back to the Catlins (where the dolphins are) and the waves were actually big enough to surf. I loved it. I had to work less because the wave does more of the work. But is was such a thrill to be there and riding a wave. For those that haven't done it you should. It is such a feeling that I can't explain it. In the words of my surf instructore Wayne, "It's a way of communicating with the Big Guy"-said with both index fingers pointing up. Wayne was crucial to my learning to surf. He helped so much and believed I could do it even though I am tall and it is way harder for tall people to learn. I take my kayaking test tomorrow. I think I may take some sort of gillyweed so that I grow gills and can breath underwater. I think I would be way more calm when waiting upside down in a kayak if I could breathe under there. I really don't like waiting for the instructor to come flip me back over. I hate the claustrophobic feeling that I get when I have water infiltrating my nose and mouth and slowly filling my sinus'. I also went on a three day backpacking trip to Stewart Island. This is the closest I will ever be to Antarctica. It was beautiful and tropical rainforesty-very hard to believe it is the closest I will come. But, we got there and I saw real Pirates. We were sitting in the car on beach enjoying a nice sunny picnic when we realized the tide had come in and we were now up to mid panel in water. Well, we couldn't drive out so the car turned into a boat. While we were getting back to the dock(why not take a cruise in the boat while you have it out?) we looked over and there were pirates chasing us down. It was so scary. Yes, The did have a canon on the starboard side. Yes, I know I just described a ridiculous story, but it is true. There really were pirates in the bay we were staying at. Yeah, right, I know you aren't believing this, but they were drug lord pirates and their booty was hidden in a cave on the shore. I was just about to explore the cave when I realized that they were watching me intently for more reason than looking good in my togs (bathing suit). Any way, I didn't want to have my neck slit or walk the plank that night so I hurried back to camp. The next day I hiked up and down 10K of stairs. I still can't move my calves. It was an awesome hike and I loved it, but stairs are not fun with 30 extra pounds on your back. I was tired, but still was one of the first to finish. That night I had enough of people belittling me and my country so I went for a walk. I was down on the beach and this enormous octopus was there. It attacked Sharmaine and I had to pry it off her face. She still has a tentacle stuck on her cheek. We are just waiting for it to dry up and lose its suction. I couldn't believe it either, but it happened. Later on that night I went to find the infamous KiwiBird. It was too windy, but I was followed by the childnapper from Chitty chitty bang bang. I couldn't believe it was him either, but it was. I am just glad I had 2 other people with me. I was freaking out that this guy was following me down to the deserted beach calling out with lollies. Scary. Well, the next day I hobbled the last 12K with sore legs. We got back to the town and back on the ferry...Imagine a horribly small ship being tossed on the swells as it speeds over the sea. then imagine it hitting a rock of a whale and sinking because it hit so hard. I was thrilled to get off the boat, but I had to swim with my pack on my back and it became a little more difficult. But, I treaded water until the rescue ship came. I loved it all. Those are my adventures for this week.

So, this last week was eventful. I have surfed, sailed, kayaked and swam New Zealand. This past week we were able to kayak on the Oreti river. The water was awesome. I thought I was going to be hypothermic, but it was warm enough that I didn't even need my wet suit. We did white water kayaking as well as sea kayaking on the same river, just different spots. I really like to sea kayak. It was gorgeous-you are paddling along at your own precious pace then all the sudden you come around a bend in the river and the wind picks up, the waves start to get choppy, but you keep paddling. Your paddling so hard and your oar is started to act as a sail that makes it harder to paddle. But, you keep going because you know if you stop you won't get to the calm again. Then, on the way back you get to ride the tide in, and it makes it so much easier. Sailing was awesome too. We went to Bluff to do our sailing. We were as far south as it goes in NZ. I had a brief 'What About Bob' moment. Yes, I even tied myself to the mast and took a picture. It was fantastic being able to steer the yacht. I realized how crucial a good crew is. Friends and family, you are my crew-I don't want any mutiny. A crew is crucial, but not so much a first mate . We also went to this absolutely beautiful area called the Catlins. They were fantastic. We saw a petrified forest. The tide was low so we went and played around on the rocks. It was fantastic-until 3 of the group got washed out to sea. No worries, we were able to recover them and only 1 of them needed CPR. After that we went to Curio Bay where we played in the water for hours. Sea Lions and dolphins were swimming everywhere near us. I saw the dolphins and decided that I was going to swim with them no matter what. I jumped in the water and swam out as far as I could as fast as I could without thinking. Well, I realized that I was out farther than I really wanted to be, and I wasn't even close to the dolphins. When I tried to come back I realized that it was even harder to get back than to get out. Well, it took me a long while to get back and when I did I was on all these rocks that I couldn't really stand on because they were sharp and slick. Well, I eventually got back (otherwise I wouldn't be here to tell the tale) but I will think before I go back out again. Then today I surfed!!! I went surfing in New Zealand. I loved it. I was up like a professional surfer in no time. Actually, my first run I was only up on my knees, but I did it. I rode the wave in the entire time. Then I kept trying to get up on my feet. I was able to stand, but the riding part fell short everytime. I could have been eaten by a great white (yes, they are prevalent here) today and my life would have been whole. I kept thinking that it was fantastically cool being here and surfing there. I still recommend it to all.

Okay, I know I have catch up to do. So, I'll try in as little amount of time to give some direction. I travelled the North Island all over the place. Good places to go on the north island....Wellington is a sweet as little city. I loved it. It is nestled in between the green hills and the beautiful blue harbor. It was breathtaking. I also thought Hamilton was a nice city. It was quaint and very clean. Rotorua has the amazing luge and that is really about it. The thermals make the entire place smell horrid. South Island high lights were the ferry coming over. I recommend it to anyone. Abel Tasman was Amazing!!!! We went on a 3 day tramp over the beaches and mountains. I can't believe how paradisical it was. I absolutely loved the scenery. We got to Anchorage Bay for our night of camping. As soon as we set up camp the rain came down in torrents. It was a beautifully horrible storm. We were sitting under the awning of one of the huts when the ranger came over to check our reservations. She then got a little perturbed with the fact that we were tenting it and using the porch of the hut. She thought that we were going to rush in and take over the place-very realistic with the 20 of us that were travelling together. Another hilight was Christchurch. Probably my favorite city in New Zealand. We were there for 3 nights-all of which the World Buskers Festival was going on. There were street shows all over the place. I figured, heck, I've got something to offer. So, I started my own variety show while we were there. I didn't register or anything I just went for it. I had a huge crowd entertained and watching me. I actually made 150$ off of it and probably could have made even more if the police hadn't come and ruined everything. Apparently you are supposed to register for festivals or something. While there I also got breath-a-lized. I got breathalized in New Zealand!!! I was driving around trying to get lost when I pulled onto a one way street-going the wrong way. When I tried to fix it I got myself in even more of a tangle. Well, the police were there again and pulled me over. They didn't believe my niave little story and gave me a breathalizer test. When I passed they finally believed me and let me go with a warning. I don't have an international drivers liscense so I could have been in huge trouble and jail! We also had some break ins in christ church...we lost a lot of stuff. But, I am still diligently looking for the hosers that did it. Ok, not really-I didn't have any of my stuff stolen. After that I went to the most amazing and tasty place of all. Dunedin-the home of the Cadbury Chocolate Factory. No surprise if I have to roll off the plane when I get home. Any way, the entire town smelled of chocolate. It was delicious. Then we actually went on a tour to the factory. Willy Wonka, Move over!!!! Then I arrived in my new home. My family is awesome. All the people in New Zealand have been great. They all are so helpful and more than willing to help. When you say thank you they just say 'okay.' I dont' know if I will continue to say thanks, or whatever. Any way, I have already had some near death experiences here. I have some awesome friends that I have made along the way and I feel like I know them all so well. Today I went kayaking in one of the local rivers. It rocked pretty much. I didn't even tip my first time out. The beach here is awesome. I was there last week and there were a couple of little kids playing in the water when all the sudden I saw this massive whale coming in at them. Well, I don't know if he thought they were penquins or what, but I had to run out and grab them before the whale struck. It was a close call, but everyone got out nearly untouched. New Zealand really is somewhere you all need to see. The sights and experiences are unexplainable. You just can't capture it in words.