Hello friends. It has been five weeks since I wrote from Kerikeri
NZ. Sorry for the long wait, but you know you've got to make your readers
hungry right? Hopefully you find what I share interesting--that is, enough to
keep reading. I've got lots to show and tell; a bit more than previous. Of
course I am not sharing everything. I want to avoid an upset mother if I can. But
nonetheless what follows is genuine and from first-hand experience--fabrication
free. Just for you. Hot off the press. So grab a hot cup of tea and biscuit and
enjoy!
After being in the subtropics of NZ, I found myself working
at a music festival, incapacitated by the flu, and down in the misty mountains
of the Southern Alps.
My holiday is wrapping up shortly because I head to my university
this weekend. Wagga where? Currently I'm in Australia. I am very sad to had
left New Zealand. Not only was it an extraordinary experience, but the visit also
enabled me to meet kin for the first time; they were all so hospitable, kind,
and interesting people. I suppose this gives me incentive to return eh?
Time flew by while I was in NZ. After Kerikeri, I made way
to Hamilton for the 2013 Parachute music festival. It turned out a cousin of
mine was in charge of the village set-up, so I volunteered for five days and
then got to enjoy the stage music and seminars. Artists from all around the
world came to little NZ. Such bands included Switchfoot, Newsboys, and Leeland.
But my favourites were Hillsong United, Halfnoise, and LeCrae. Seventeen
thousand strong worshiping Jesus; it was quite inspiring and special to be part
of. I've made a couple good friends in my time spent there, I won't forget
Parachute; it was an invaluable experience.
Following the big event, I got a lift to my dad's hometown
of Gisborne--the first city in the world to see the sun rise. It's an isolated
town on the Pacific coast renowned for awesome surf and decent treks. But unfortunately
to my demise, I contracted influenza from someone in the horde of people at the
festival. Symptoms began on the five hour trip. I'll spare the details, I never
had the flu prior, and so it slammed me. Insomuch, I felt the stroke of
death...I saw the doc and got doped up. I met my great aunt Helen; she looks so
alike my late grandmother, I felt bad about making her couch soaked with my
sweat, but she didn't notice. Well, it was a pity really. One week out of
commission, however on my last day in the town, I finally learned how to surf.
Mission accomplished!--but only thanks to an awesome coach. The beach of Gizzy
was the first place Cpt. James Cook (Jimmy) landed when he discovered New Zealand
in the latter half of the 18th century (from the Pacific side).
After Gisborne, I spent a brief but pleasant time on a dairy
farm in the country with more relations. As it happens, a cousin of mine is
betrothed to an American chap in Vale Colorado and I've got an invitation to
visit! That's just the motivation needed for a ski-bum tour of the US Rockies J.
I was sad to leave the country, but I was keen to see the
capital city--Wellington, for I heard so many good things about. What I heard
was true; so far, it's my favourite city in NZ. My first day in the capital happened
to be on the national holiday of Waitangi Day--a commemoration of the first
treaty between the Moari chiefs (not all) and the colonists. Everyone was out
at the wharf listening to the music and jumping into the water; a good mood and
vibe in the atmosphere. The town is quite artsy, open-minded, and fashionably
distinct; a very liveable place to settle I reckon. During my roaming, I
visited the observatory, and the Te Papa National Museum (one day is not
enough)--also won the billiards tourney in my hostel. Very cool town. But I had
to leave because I was pressed for time for I had never been to the South
Island before, so I joined the mass and hopped on the ferry.
---------------------------------------------INTERMISSION---------------------------------------------
I did what I could with just less than two weeks left in NZ.
I went on a guided sea kayak tour of Abel Tasman National Park with a friend from
the ferry. I had never been sea kayaking before; it was a lot of fun. Lots of seals
and brown-sugar-beaches everywhere! The flora is exquisite too; the forest
would appear as if you were a colonist laying eyes on it for the first time--very
jungle like. The park is near the city of Nelson (in the north of the island)
where I spent about five days. It turns out it's a bit of a hippy town just
like our own in B.C., who would of thought? The Buskerburgoo (buskers festival)
was a treat. In the Nelson district area along with other parts of the country I
noticed intense forestry practices. It's an eye-soar. The motto is "Cut
one, plant two." Perhaps everything grows care-free? Despite my irritation,
it's hard to criticize their way of things when we have our own difficulties at
home. Nonetheless, the time spent in Nelson was great. I met many people from
all over the world in the hostel, and in fact it was my first encounters
mingling with so many Americans in one spot (usually it is the Germans you meet
in every hostel). I enjoyed their company. Every so often I'm mistaken for
being American--it's expected. Back in Kerikeri one guy knew I was Canadian without
asking because apparently I didn't lecture him about the US in the first minute
after exchanging names. I thought that was funny. A noticeable number of people
I have met say they do not like the USA, or Americans. Some openly express
resentment as if I agree with them...but I don't appreciate this. I like the
States. Sure they've got problems, but who doesn't? They're still people, and
plus they're North Americans like myself--it's a small club.
I departed Nelson for Greymouth on the West Coast where I
gathered supplies for my two-day tramp (hike) in Arthur's Pass National Park. I
hitched for the first time in NZ from Greymouth to the park within the Southern
Alps. I managed to be on the trail at half past four o'clock. The route: Mingha-Deception.
Four hours and fifteen minutes up Mingha river to Goat hut, and eight hours
down Deception river. I made befriended a Swede who was in disbelief that anyone
made it to the hut so late, especially in such foul weather. To no surprise we
tramped the next day together; it was boulder-hopping the whole way down and
across the river over thirty times. I was so happy to finally be in the
wilderness. Although the terrain made me miss home a tad; but that was nice.
Plus, it was great not having to worry about animals that can eat you. However
it's not the wildlife that will harm you I learned. It's the ever changing environment.
Many trampers are rescued or disappear in the mountains. So I was warned not to
underestimate the weather...I felt stupid for wearing cotton pants. Apparently,
since New Zealand being an island in the middle of nowhere, it is susceptible
to the wrath of the surrounding ocean. And so unpredictable coastal weather can
move in without warning-- which I experienced, however I survived!
Within an hour of finishing the trek I caught a lift to a
suburb of Christchurch. The next morning made it to the city; which is still in
ruins from two years after the earthquakes. It seemed like such a classy town,
I wonder what it was like before the destruction. The downtown core--the heart
of the city, was hit the hardest. It is red-zoned and no pedestrians are allowed
entry--abandoned. It was a one day stop there, so after sight-seeing I hit the
casino. Blackjack was fun, the big spinning wheel too. I found the dealers so
patient, unlike in Argentina where they play your cards for you. That was it;
just one night in Christchurch. With one day to spare I had to make it back to Wellington
to fly out.
I stepped on the bus, hopped on the ferry, and jumped on the
plane.
I have found myself in Sydney Australia. This is a big city,
two and a half million people in the downtown area alone. It's a pretty too, a
lot of palms, eucalyptus, and other giant trees that you would see in a
National Geographic magazine. There is a large botanical garden right beside
the opera house. It's the place to hang during the day, but pubs and nightclubs
are reserved for the night. Hands down this is a party town. It seems for many
in my demographic group that each day is no different than the other. And there
are a lot of foreigners or travelers like myself here (maybe it's because my
hostel is in Chinatown?). I haven't met a single Aussie yet in my four days being
here, it's a very multicultural spot, reminds me of Toronto. Last night I found myself dancing with my two French dorm mates last night and had a great time. We were
the only ones boogying-down...for two straight hours!
I had been keen to do
more diving since receiving my open water cert. So I did, but only to further
my skills. Navigation and buoyancy training it was, nothing fancy. However I want
to do a proper dive for fun, before I head to Wagga this weekend. So I'm booked
for a great dive where I'm told there will be lots of marine life fourteen
meters under, including sharks! I don't think I will be touching anything... That's why I went to the aquarium, and the zoo will be tomorrow I reckon!
It's hard to believe my holiday is near its end. It's Wagga
work time next month. When I tell people where I'm going to study, I always get
a blank stare, which is followed by confusion, then the assumption that I'm
crazy. If they never heard of Wagga Wagga, then it's just a blank stare and
confusion. It makes me laugh. I'm really looking forward to the country city,
and spending my vouchers from a twenty six year old 'Wagga Wagga' board
game--mint condition.
I'm pleased that everyone I have met whether it be family,
friend, or stranger, has been so helpful and courteous during my travels; and that
having no plan at all has worked out like clockwork in the end.
Well, it turns out I am still writing essays even out of uni!
Thanks for reading! Farewell from Aussieland!
Click on photo to expand if you like.
Sorry it's so long!
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| Main Stage- Parachute 2013 |
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| Halfnoise- a pleasant surprise from Tennessee |
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| LeCrae and his bros minus the Background guy. |
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| Ashley, Simon, and myself-"Cpt. Canada". |
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| Wellington Harbour. |
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| Sheep Cam- "What would life be like in the eyes of a sheep?" Te Papa Museum, Wellington. |
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| Dwarves!! - Wellington |
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| En Route to the South Island. |
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| Buskerburgoo in Nelson. |
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| Well, I thought it was funny... -Nelson. |
