Hanging out with Colin

Well, after 2 hours of trying to connect at the airport, missing each other several times, Colin and I finally managed to meet up. In case I forget to mention to anyone, Colin and I arranged to meet while he was/is here in NZ, and so far we haven't killed each other (which we both thought was likely to happen within a matter of hours!) So we headed from Auckland to Thames our first day, and after some serious persuasion, I managed to convince him that staying in a hostel dorm room was a good idea- lucky for him we stayed in a 7 person dorm where we were the only people staying the night. We didn't do too much on our first day, other than get lost several times in a small town- I am a terrible map reader, aren't you all glad that you aren't driving home with me next month!!! So we hung out with some fellow backpackers in our Dawson City styles hostel, and we each polished off our half of the 18 pack of beer- good thing it was only 4%!! We woke up today, made some breakfast, luckily seeing the millions of ants on the counter after we cooked our food, and headed out for our drive to Coromandel Town. It was a very twisty ride, which doesn't sit well with my motion sensitivity, and after an hour+ drive, and 54 kms (very slow going!) we arrived. We decided on a few activities; a train ride and a stop at Waiau Waterworks for the day. We went to the Waterworks first, which was incredibly fun- they had rides to do, including a large hamster wheel for humans, and some really neat creations that ran on water. Again, I took lots of pics, but everyone will have to wait until I post them (should likely happen at mom and dads) Then we headed to the Driving Creek Railway, where we took a train up the hill and got to see the Coromandel at a great view. The owner of the railway is also a potter, so there we interesting pottery pieces all along the railway line. So that's where we're at- thought that I should post to let everyone know that we are both still alive, at least until this point!!!

I forgot!

I also got to go sand boarding yesterday- basically you walk up a hill, and slide down on a boogie board- it was great. the only crappy thing was walking up the hill....man I am getting lazy! I just wanted to add that last piece of excitement to my last post.....

Northland

Hey everyone!
I am in Paihia now, spending my last week and half seeing the last few places that I haven't seen in New Zealand! It's really beautiful here- though today we headed to Cape Reinga ( I think I spelled that wrong!) and it was amazing. I got to stand on the most northern tip of New Zealand, well the most northern accessible place anyway! We got to drive up 90 mile beach -which is really only 64 miles, though if you want to know why the name, google it, I don't feel like typing the story! The beach runs along the Tasmanian Sea, and we go to see where the Tasmanian Sea meets the Pacific Ocean, and the view from the Lighthouse was incredible. Overall, and even though we had to catch the bus at 7:15am, it was still a great day! Tomorrow I am heading back to Auckland, sigh, and then I am heading to the Coromandal as my last chance to see something new before I leave NZ! I have more to talk about, though I am not in mood to type, so I will write more soon!

A beautiful day!

Well today a group of us headed for the beach to take advantage of the amazing weather! We went to a place called Piha, and it's the most amazing beach that I have seen- it was perfect! I even went into the ocean for a swim and some lame attempts at body surfing. While it seems hard to believe, and everyone has bugged me about it all day, today was the first time that I can recall swimming in the ocean- I didn't even go in when I was in Australia where it's warm!!! I did have a great time, and am sending a big thanks to Faye, Jessica and Catherine for basically forcing me in!!! As today was Easter Sunday, I tried to make a connection with Stacey and the girls, but I seems that the service en route to Piha is bad, so sorry about losing you Melissa! Hope you guys had a good dinner- a homemade real dinner sounds really good right now!
I also have some more exciting news- my ipod is working! Seems that the battery died, and then it seems to have reset itself and is now in top order again! Thanks to Adam for 'fixing' it for me! I am just glad that I now have tunes for the rest of my trip!
Well, the night is young as nice, so I am going to go sit in the garden with everyone and chat!

So much to write about!

It's been a while since my last post, and lots has happened, so let's give this a go! I spent until Monday evening in Byron Bay- there was a tsunami warning all along the east coast of Australia, and beaches were 'closed'. This did not seem to hinder anyone in Byron Bay from taking advantage of the amazing day, and the beach was still packed- hate to say it, but I too was one of those people who ignored the warning. Nothing came of it all though, by that I mean that the tsunami did not reach the east coast, so I witnessed none of the devastation that was the result. Monday night I boarded my shuttle back to Surfer's Paradise, and got stuck in a room with three girls and a guy who were SO loud when they returned from the bar, that for the first time on my trip I got mad at those in my room. Needless to say that after a broken sleep, I was up early and getting my ticket to Dreamland, a theme park in Surfers. I only ended up going on one ride (it was the only one that appealed to me- the park held nothing to Canada's Wonderland!) though I did get my picture taken with a very cute animal- I got to hold a koala bear for a photo- while it's obvious in the pic that I am super tired and hot, the koala looks super cute! After Dreamworld I took the bus back to my hostel to gather my things and jump on another bus to the airport. After about an hour on the bus I arrived at the airport, and spent some time reading before my flight- which was uneventful as they usually are! I got into Christchurch at 11:20, and after a very long shuttle ride involving a family of 4 kids under the age of 7, I arrived at my hostel at 12:40. I promptly dropped off my stuff and headed out to meet up with some friends that I hadn't seen since January. The night was fairly short,though after the day that I had had, I was beat! In the morning I was up around 9, and got ready to hit the road with a friend who I travelled all the way back up to Auckland with- saves me taking the bus, which was GREAT!!! The drive through the rest of the south island was fairly uneventful, and then it was time for the ferry- three hours of sea sickness! Well, it wasn't that bad, but part way through I was feeling the effects of the ocean! I got to see a bunch of dolphins swimming and jumping in the ocean and before long we were in Wellington! WE drove for another bunch of hours to reach Taupo, where I again was so tired that I fell asleep in no time! Today we headed for Rotorua, where I got to do the Zorb (rolling down a hill in a huge plastic ball with water inside- it was incredible!! The Zorb is located in a place called the Agrodorm, and wouldn't you know it, but there was a woolen mill there too- needless to say that I have now purchased another 2 kilos (4.4 lbs) of wool to post back to Canada- the price was right, how could I say no!!! Mom sent me an email the other day to let me know that my spinning wheel and hand dyed wool had arrived safe and sound in SK, so I am going to be spending some quality time with my wheel and my now 4 kilos of wool! Tonight I am back at the Brown Kiwi, where it all started, talking to people that have been here since I was here last- catching up with old friends- on that note, I should get back out there and chat- just wanted to update this thing as I was terribly behind!

hitting the beaches...man it's hot today!

Well I have spent the last 2 days on the beach, and other than getting sand everywhere it's been great! It is only 10:50 and it's already super hot outside, so I can just imagine how it's going to be this afternoon. Today has the feel of the hottest day since I got here! I am also going to take my surf lessons on Sunday, while I am excited, I am also a little hesitant- I'm not the strongest swimmer, so we'll see!! Byron Bay is a great little town, and I am realizing that I prefer to spend time in smaller cities than the large ones- they always seem to have more character. Since this town is all about surfing and the beach, it's really relaxed and pleasant to be in- no big rush to get anywhere!
I only have a few more days here in Byron Bay, I am planning on leaving Monday, heading back to surfers paradise, and then getting some tickets to an amusement park- thankfully my flight back to New Zealand isn't until 18:15, so I get almost a whole day! Then it's three more weeks in New Zealand, and off to Toronto for Stefi's wedding. I am really looking forward to seeing the Sesti family and Sarah, it's going to be a great weekend! After that, I am flying to Saskatchewan and catching up with mom and dad and am going to see how much my dog hates me for abandoning her! Then comes the fun part though, the 3000 km drive from Saskatchewan to home- YIKES!!!
Well, I am off to another stressful day at the beach- life is rough!

Byron Bay

I am currently in Byron Bay, a cute little town (same size as Whitehorse, but much nicer!) that is on the beach. As today is the first nice day since I got to Australia, I am going to spend some much needed time doing nothing in the sun!
Last night was great- I met up with Linn and Christian, friends from the Paradiso in NZ, and it was the perfect night to get a little crazy! We spent part of the time catching up and talking about all the crazy antics that we got up to in NZ, then headed out for the night. While it's always fun to hang out, it was more fun just chilling and laughing! Today they are off, so who knows if I will ever see them again- they do want to come to Canada (and go hunting with Dustin in SK!!) so perhaps I will see them then!
Now I get to complain! I hate Ipods. That's right, another problem with my ipod- it doesn't freaking work! It was fine the other day, then yesterday when I went to use it- nothing. I am getting really tired of going through this, and if it wasn't for the fact that they replace them, I wouldn't have one- there has to be a better MP3 player out there that will last more than 4 months (since that is how long this ipod lasted!!) Grrr, it is making me very agitated! K, I feel better having vented- now I get to deal with them!
Otherwise though all is well!!! I am switching hostels today, going to meet some other people that I know from Surfers Paradise, and stay at the same hostel as them (that's how I ended up at this one!) This one is a little bit out of town though, and I want one that I can walk to the beach in a few minutes, which I can't here! Anyway, I am running out of internet time (aren't I always?!) so I am going to run! Not that I am counting down, but I will be home in less that 2 months now- and I can't remember if I mentioned it, but I still have my job when I get home, so that's a good thing!!!!