Raglan, New Zealand

Well, I'm finally moving on, or back... moving anyway. I'm headed back up to Auckland for the P-funk show with John and Chris, to guys I've met here at Solscape. From there, I don't know, I may head back down here or elect to see a bit more of NZ. I'm also going to try and see about camping on Little Barrier Island near Auckland but I'm not sure how that'll go. Raglan has been wonderful this past week though, I've been relaxing utterly and enjoying myself thus. I've moved from my campsite on an angle to Jay's vacated spot, situated next to the Voodoo Lounge. Days here consist of generally getting a ride into town at some point, checking the waves and chilling. I've also been earnestly working on an acoustic version of "Mother" by Danzig. I've wanted to hear it for years, and finally decided to learn in myself. So far, so good, though the others here remain skeptical.

It's amazing that March is nearly done. I've been in New Zealand for over a month now, on the road for over six months now, which is more incredible. Looking back, there are so many images, names, faces, memories but at the same time, I can't believe that time has rushed on so quickly, I can still remember that last drink in Boston with Catherine. But, there is also so much still left in front of me. I really don't comprehend the scope of this Trip most of the time, just how long it'll be. Well, baby steps, Bob. There's still a lot of things left here in NZ to see, I'm still planning on seeing the East coast here before dropping to South Island.

Anyway, I've got some lunch to make and also some clothes to launder so that's it for now. Hope everyone's well at home, and don't think I'm not getting fired up for Opening Day.

Raglan, New Zealand

Easter

The Sun lurks brightly here on the hill. Since Daybreak, I've already seen beaming rays of light, a rainbow and the Heavens opening up in a deluge of tears. Light and noise awokine this slumbering day. Under a robust moon, it went off, that electricity in the night, the heat of the flames, the insistence of the beat. My eyes are burning in the light of this Easter Sunday.

I'm recovering from my Easter celebration, which also marked my six month anniversary on the road. The night began here on the hillside at Solscape under a wildly bright moon, sliding through the clouds. Sally and I eventually managed a ride to the party which had a wayward stop at a house for a pre party. We then piled into two cars to drive onwards, myself being one of the two drivers (I'd yet to drink much). We drove around for a bit, missing the party entirely and finally headed back to the house in defeat, only to have someone show up ten minutes later who knew where to go. We drove into the hills, myself in the rear of the pickup truck, teeth gritted in the rain, and eventually found the teepee and lights, the music blaring in the rainy night. It carried onwards till dawn, the crisp sun finally breaking over the hillside and through the trees. As the day grew bold, I made my way home with Joss and Gomer, to pancakes and my tent, and the sleep I was sorely lacking. Twenty four hours later, as this morning rains finally relented, I made my way groggily from my tent still weary from the holiday the day before.

Raglan, New Zealand

Easter

The Sun lurks brightly here on the hill. Since Daybreak, I've already seen beaming rays of light, a rainbow and the Heavens opening up in a deluge of tears. Light and noise awokine this slumbering day. Under a robust moon, it went off, that electricity in the night, the heat of the flames, the insistence of the beat. My eyes are burning in the light of this Easter Sunday.

I'm recovering from my Easter celebration, which also marked my six month anniversary on the road. The night began here on the hillside at Solscape under a wildly bright moon, sliding through the clouds. Sally and I eventually managed a ride to the party which had a wayward stop at a house for a pre party. We then piled into two cars to drive onwards, myself being one of the two drivers (I'd yet to drink much). We drove around for a bit, missing the party entirely and finally headed back to the house in defeat, only to have someone show up ten minutes later who knew where to go. We drove into the hills, myself in the rear of the pickup truck, teeth gritted in the rain, and eventually found the teepee and lights, the music blaring in the rainy night. It carried onwards till dawn, the crisp sun finally breaking over the hillside and through the trees. As the day grew bold, I made my way home with Joss and Gomer, to pancakes and my tent, and the sleep I was sorely lacking. Twenty four hours later, as this morning rains finally relented, I made my way groggily from my tent still weary from the holiday the day before.

Raglan, New Zealand

The Definition of a Peaceful Evening.

I hitched my way into town this afternoon, and ran into various friends of the way there and sitting at the corner when I finally arrived. After saying hellos and making a few purchases at the store, peanut butter and candy were among the buys. Ooh, just remembered I still have a Cadbury’s Dream Egg left (soo good, definitely a plus to Easter in NZ).

I’ve got my Egg. From town I headed out to the beach to spend the afternoon practicing in the surf. Hey, it’s what people seem to do around here. When in Rome…surf, as it turns out. I took a few steps forward and then one or two back. But it’s not a bad way to spend an afternoon. At the end of the day, I caught a ride back to the hostel with Gomer, the surf instructor (don’t feel bad when he does a handstand on the board, he’s been surfing for over 20 years). The hostel was almost completely deserted at the time. Of the people staying here, the southern siblings were off somewhere, the Dutch guy was lost in the hills, and Canadian girl joined us in the sauna while Tank drove off to find the wayward wanderer. The heat helped and I left the sauna refreshed, after hosing off in the cold water that is. The others wandered off and I busied myself in the kitchen deprived of Franno’s cooking

Let me digress here for one moment. The dinners I’ve been eating here at Karioi are by far the best meals I’ve ever had in a hostel. Tignes included, sorry guys.

I cooked the one recipe I know how to make halfway decent and settled back to eat my chicken and pasta. I sat out on the deck, with dinner and drink, both water and wine. I relaxed with an after dinner smoke. The Indigo Girls are on the stereo, and I’m settling back in my bathrobe in absolute contentment. This is the answer for a peaceful Monday night.

So I’m finishing the evening by reading a few letters from those of you who I’ve heard from, and writing a few myself. I’ve found a nice little place to relax and this place is excellent for that.

Raglan, New Zealand

Still in Raglan, relaxing and taking it very easy. Spent yesterday doing nothing, letting my muscles rest a bit. Going to head into town to do some shopping today and then head out to the beach to do some surfing. Still learning, going to practice my pop ups in the white wash today. Not too much else to report, it's still gorgeous here. I've met a bunch of surfers who've been here for ages. I've got a bit of fear to this sport, it seems to suck people in.

Raglan, New Zealand

Well, I'm on the Western coast of NZ, in Raglan, one of NZ's surf spots. As I heard repeatedly on my way here and during the first day, Raglan has the world's longest left hand point break. Sounds cool enough, but I'm still working on the standing up bit. I'm staying at the Karioi Lodge, a very relaxed hostel on the side of the mountain here in town. I'd heard that Raglan often traps people for longer stays than they intended, and that certainly seems to be the case. It's beautiful here, reminds me a bit of Fiji, living close to a jungle and having a beach a stone's throw away. My plan at the moment is to get back up to Auckland for the George Clinton and P-funk Allstars concert, so there's a chance I may end up here till then. If not, I'll push on to Rotorua, which is a town sitting on geothermal waters. I already got a chance to soak in some hot water in Hahei, two days ago, on the way here. Near Hahei is a hot water beach, at low tide if you dig into the sand at one spot you hit hot water, fairly different than any of the other hot water spots I've ever hit, or heard of. The day's here have been gorgeous so far, and I hear there' likely a decent surf this afternoon so I'll be heading back down to the beach for my third go on a surf board. I'm hoping that between my time here and later in Gisborne, on the East coast, I'll get decent enough to buy a board when I get back to Australia. The plan right now is to buy a vehicle there to tour the Western coast and carrying a surfboard would be easy then. Anyway, I'm off to relax and take it very easy. It's not a difficult thing to do here. Oh, it is St. Patrick's Day, oddly enough, and while I don't have any green on me yet, I'll be soon changing into my sarong.

Auckland, New Zealand

Well, things are getting funny in Auckland. They offered a $100 bar tab at the hostel bar last night for the best dressed costume, so I figured I ought to go for it. However, my costume was deemed not Retro and as I was the only one who actually dressed up, they played a game for the prize instead: strip musical chairs. If you didn't get a seat you had an option of removing a piece of clothing. I gave it my best and momentarily regretted that I was wearing my Tassie briefs rather than boxers. I got down to the final three when one girl who was left with nothing left but her panties and an arm across her chest, was left standing. She was given the option of continuing if she dropped her arms, which she did. A few minutes later I was left with nothing but my hands hiding what most of the bar didn't want to see when I was left without a chair. I too, was given the option of leaving it or letting it fly. Raise your hands if you know which option I picked.

A group of us then went to the Globe bar, another backpacker bar in Auckland where I ran into the Dutch Divemaster Mike (officially now, he finished his training). I met Mike in Fiji, he was there for far longer than I and one of the Nadi regulars. I spent Thanksgiving and Christmas with him if you take a look at my photos he's the one in my cowboy hat and the rather bright shirt.

Auckland, New Zealand

Okay, got back into town yesterday after a rather long day. I took the Excitor jet boat to the Hole in the Rock and a tour around the Bay of Islands, or the islands in the Bay. After that, I caught the Kiwi Ex bus back down to Auckland and am now back at the Base hostel there. Probably will spend a few days in Auckland before I push on again, exploring more of the North Island.

Paihai, New Zealand

Well, after some very exhausting days of doing nothing, I've finally managed to do some of the many activities offered here in Paihai. Yesterday, I took a boat to go swimming with dolphins. While we found tons, we couldn't get into the water because there were calves present. Poopy luck, but it was fun to watch them play. They were in a fiesty mood and were jumping out of the water, all over the place. Today, I took a bus up to Cape Reinga, one of the most Northern points in the country, where the Pacific and the Tasman Sea meet. It was a bit cloudy though, and the fog rolled in so there wasn't so much to see. Oh well. I've run into several people that I've met before during the last few days. One guy, Wayne, we eventually figured out that we'd met in the Hobart library last month. I just ran into another girl from Hobart about an hour ago, and the real kicker is there's a girl working here in Paihai who was also working in Val d'Isere the same season I was there. That one takes the cake for me. Anyway, I think that I'll be heading back down to Auckland tomorrow, it's nice here, but I'm ready to move on and see a bit more of NZ.

Paihai, New Zealand

Well, the sun is shining and I'm back on the beaches. First off, KEG, Andy and everyone else who wrote, thanks for the Birthday messages. This had to be one of the nicer Birthdays I've had in years, no broken bones, or woes with women, and this was the first time I was suntanning on my Birthday.

So, I'm in Paihai, the Bay of Islands. I came up here on my Birthday, so I've been up here two days now. It's hot and beautiful out. As always, I'm not in a rush so I've been taking it rather easy here, but there are a lot of activities. I'm sticking to the one's that are not so expensive for me, and will be going out swimming with Dolphins and taking a Jetboat ride. Also, I've got a day trip up to 90 mile beach, which is supposed to be a beautiful drive, so say those folks that have already done it. I spent the evening of my birthday up here and well... milked that fact for all it was worth at the various bars here. This resulted in me doing a god awful rendition of "Heartbreak Hotel," at one bar's Keroke (you know the word I mean) Night. The song went with the sunglasses. Anyway, I'm gonna head off now, I've got a busy schedule of doing nothing that I'm already late for, though I think I'll try and get on a jet boat later today.