I'm gonna start with an obvious one here, but with only 4.5-5 million people here, and a predicted 50 million sheep (that's 10 sheep to every person) it's enough to make a Welshman jealous!
I've never seen so many sheep in such a small space
New Zealand traffic jam
Another traffic jam!
It's not all that 'great'
Them leaves can be deadly!
Don't stand on the Heli Pad!!!!
Nice way of putting it!
I would love to have a concrete 'park' this small named after me! You must've done something great Brian Smith!
Ahhhhhhh yeeeeeaaahhhh, "Epic" beer!
In case you were unsure on how to do it!
.....Stick to sheep!
Happy times!
Imagine this back home! The sign would always be in the green! "Chance of Rain"....now that'd be different.
Exciting reads!
Spelling's over rated anyway!
In case you weren't sure which one the bananas are!
Sooooo Kiwi Bro
For a sport you love so much....
....You even have a whole channel dedicated to it...
....But I can't mock it too much....or can I!?!.....38-21!
OK, back onto me! And what have I been up to? Not too much, working a lot of tours really. Getting stuff together for South America, the final leg of my travels. I had Andy and James come and visit (My Californian friends from Queestown), which led to a social life in Paihia which has carried on since they left. Thanks to Bettina, Betta, Isabelle, Christina and obviously Sandra for that....now I have no money!
Paihia Beach after yet another all-nighter
The walk home
I also finally got out on the Mack Attack on Friday
Awkward 'smile' pose! Sandra and I.
Big waves!
Cape Brett Lighthouse
Grand Cathedral Cave on the left, and Hole in the Rock on the right
Saturday, unknown to us at the time, but these were my last two tours:
My last Twilight Tour on Saturday
....And my last Night Safari tour, also on Saturday
Tom, from back in my Mt Hutt and Methven, head back home to Kerikeri, so we meet up on Saturday night, and we headed to Cable Bay on Sunday....great weather.......sooooooooo much ice cream!
An actual New Zealand traffic jam
Cable Bay
I then woke up on Christmas Day, to still crappy weather, that didn't stop me heading down to the beach!
They came off in the sea
I had a massive Christmas lunch round Pete (Taylor's Dad) and Stacey's, before heading back down to the beach
And again in the sea a bit later with Isabelle und Sandra (that's not a spelling mistake either Mum)
My Christmas Cards in my room. Thanks guys!
And finally, earlier this afternoon I finally got down to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, which is the location where the Brits signed the treaty with the Maoris back in February 1840...
War Canoe
Only in New Zealand would you get suburbs like this!
So it's time to move out of my comfort zone again as I'm leaving yet another country. When I leave New Zealand on Friday night I will have spent exactly 5 months in New Zealand, working from Queenstown, all the way up to the Bay of Islands. I'm planning to leave Paihia tomorrow at some point and head to Auckland, stay there for a night (hopefully catching up with Tom again), get a couple of vaccinations done on Friday morning before flying onto my next destination......Costa Rica. I've had an amazing time here, and love the relaxed kiwi way of life, even if it's not completely for me, I've enjoyed it. And the people here are so friendly, it's crazy! If there was a country that ever deserved and believes in good karma then New Zealand and it's amazing people are it! Never have I been in a place where if you stop on the side of the road in your car, other people will stop to make sure that you're OK and that you haven't broken down, or where if you're just walking down a street people will offer you a lift even if you haven't asked, it's Hitch-hiking without the hitching! I feel I've achieved a lot here, but I do also feel it is time for me to move on and conquer the last leg of my travels before heading home! I'm also annoyed cos I was about a month away from New Zealand being easy to leave, but it only takes one person to mess that up!
But, as always, I would like to thank a few people: Thanks to all the staff at Aspen Lodge in Queenstown, when I first arrived in New Zealand you were all so helpful. Also thank you to Andy and James, for actually making Queenstown worth being in.
Thank you to Louise for re-offering me a job up Mt Hutt, perfect timing as well, I was ready to jump ship before I got your email. Thanks to Tom, Phil, Ali, and anyone else who let me crash on the couch on my nights off of the Mountain...I had some fun fun times in Methven! To be honest, I'll do it quick, thanks to everyone up in Mt Hutt and Methven, it really was an amazing time! The character of that place was second to none! That list is huge!
Thanks to anyone who ever drove me anywhere! New Zealand aint the easiest place to travel around without a car! Thanks also to Anke in Abel Tasman, and Eric in Wellington! Germans everywhere.
Thanks to everyone who I had a road trip with over the months here too! New Zealand really is an amazing place to explore! DON'T FLY OVER IT....DRIVE THROUGH IT!
And thanks to Taylor, Ruby and little Amber for hosting here in Paihia. I've enjoyed my time here, and have loved working on the Kayaking tours, meeting some amazing people. I wish you all the best for the growth of your business, it's a fantastic idea you've got going up here, and I wish you all the best with baby number 2 coming in April....just remember "Mike"'s a great name if it's a boy! Or "DeShaun". Also thanks to all of your family for there help, ideas, and good times whilst I was here including Christmas lunch yesterday! I have learnt a fair amount up here, and enjoyed my summer (which ends in two days (for a month and a half)).
To everyone who reads this:
MERRY CHRISTMAS
FROHE WEIHNACHTEN (I've starting learning)
¡FELIZ NAVIDAD (I really wish I knew a lot more, but I'm getting there. Hopefully it improves drastically over the next few months).
Hope everyone also has a Happy New Year, and best wishes for 2013! I'm gaining the day back that I lost last year, making this the longest year in my life. And I'm off to see the Mayan ruins too, as we weren't all destroyed 5 days ago!
