Hello! Kia Ora! I'm excited to present to you my first blog post abroad! It's been nearly three weeks since I blasted off, so there is much to say! Thanks for your patience.
I am writing you from New Zealand. A whopping 11,500 kilometers away from Kamloops and an extra 2,400 from Toronto. Currently I am staying in a little farm hostel in the countryside of a town called Kerikeri; it lies within the Bay of Islands of the Northland. It is sub-tropical here and so I'm able to enjoy freshly grown oranges right here in my backyard.
Here's what I've been up to:
I arrived in the early morning of New Years Eve, which I spent with my relatives Andrew and Glynis and their kids (my cousins) in Auckland. My first day in NZ was a busy one. After I was picked up from the airport I ventured on my own to the city where I hopped on a ferry and disembarked on Waiheke Island-- heaps of people were visiting the island for holiday or the big music festival. Unlike them, I rented a bicycle and journeyed throughout the countryside and its numerous vineyards. I could hardly believe I did it, that I was in NZ, so to reassure myself I swam in in the sea before returning to the city that evening. It was really great spending time with my newly acquainted family, very hospitable folks. They gave me the grand tour of the city, hosted a BBQ where I met my Aunt and Uncle for the first time, and then introduced me to New Zealand naval history at the Naval Museum. Where afterwards we browsed about an unused artillery bunker from the second world war which guards the harbour below.
I've also have had my low-key days when I am able to relax and go for walks and also to stay on top of my Australian study exchange status and processing. After all, this is the ultimate reason why I'm in Oceania.
After gaining my bearings for a few days with the Kerr's, I decided to spend some quality time with my Aunt Robin and Uncle Brian whom I barely knew. They also live in Auckland and took me in and were of course very hospitable too. Brian and I made a trip to Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World-- a public aquarium which is a host to penguins, giant sting rays, local fish and more! I could of easily spent all day there...
I gave my farewells and headed north to Kerikeri. Which I am now. This place has been my home for the last 10 days. It's been cozy here and a bicycle to borrow which I've made day trips to 'Charlies Rock'-- a nice waterfall and swimming hole you can jump or dive in, very refreshing! I have made friends with other guests/woof'rs (Working On Organic Farm) here at the hostel. Nationalities range from Germany (majority), Japan, France, England, and NZ obviously. I've had day trips to the beaches with the Germans--Lena, Florentine, and Valentino. And a surf trip with Kompei-- one of my Japanese roommates. Also, I met a Kiwi (New Zealander) who like me, is striving to become a marine biologist. We talked shop; I learned he had been staying here for scuba training... And so I was inspired to do the open-water diving course...Which I just completed yesterday!! It makes complete sense to dive, I never weighed the idea before. Now I'm interested in diving more, and would like to take an advanced course in Australia next month perhaps. Maybe a specialty course down the road. I don't know what the future holds, but I think I'm going in the right direction (I hope!).
Tomorrow I leave Kerikeri. I rendezvous with cousin Sam in Auckland to drive south to Hamilton where I am volunteering with the Crew setting up the village for the 2013 Parachute music festival! It will be five days of prep, then music music music for the weekend, and cleanup/disassemble of village afterwards. I'm pretty excited for it. Will let you know how it goes!
Here are some photos:
I don't have the underwater photos to share yet. Next post.
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| Oneroa Bay at Waiheke Island. New Years Eve. |
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| Typical? Sheep. Waiheke Island. |
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Wine, wine, and more wine! Waiheke Island.
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