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Thursday 24th Feb

Woke up early for the bus nursing my tiredness from the night previous. We were heading to the Coromandel Peninsula ont the North East coast of the north island. Met our new driver- James- who was to be our driver and guide for the next 6 full days of travel, excitement and adventure down to the capital 'windy' Wellington. During the triphe played some New Zealand 'homegrown' music from bands such as- katchafire, Salmonella Dub, crowded house, D4 and Elemeno P to name but a few- they are very into their r'n'b/ rap scene over here. First day sat up front with James as everyone else was sleeping or listening to music and not mingling; found out later in the week that all te other people thought that I worked for stray as i was changing music and sitting upfront. Anyway the bus we had was a brand new bus with fantastic air con and spacious- actually it was so new that it hadn't even been painted and was half silver and half orange. The second day we had to change to a smaller, older bus with less seats and a barely working air con which sucked major ass. During the trip I befriended everybody in some way; some of their names (for pic's when developed) were: ROBIN JO, HELEN & DOMINIQUE THERESA EMMA & HARRIOTT VICTORIA (SWISS GIRL) I also have another nickname to add to my long list.............BATMAN; James called me it (due to batman and robin) and everybody proceeded to use it. Everybody seemed to know who I was anyway cause I was always trying to make atmosphere in talking or singing etc. Anyway back to the trip. On the way to Hahei (Coromandel) we stopped ina town called Thame where James got food for a bbq later that day. He collected $7 from everybody and the amount of food that we got was incredible- if they have one thing over here it is cheap bulk food. Arrived later that day, still early by my standards for the amount of travelling we had done, and me, Matt and the english trio (2nd in the list of names) went sea kayaking for $60. It lasted for a good 4hrs, including a course that took us out and around some islands that were some of the first to be seen in the discovery of NZ. Our guide told us the history of the bay during the trip. Then we saw Cathedral cove which was gorgeous- we went onto the beach and had a swim out to a hidden cave and had coffee on the beach, made in a home kit the guide had brought with him- it was a very bizarre sight. Later thet night came the BBQ. There was sooooo much ranging from homemade coleslaw, salad, steak, beef & lamb sausages, chicken, pork, fresh bread, all the sauces under the sun- anything that you can associate with a BBQ was there and whoa what a feast!! In hole the night was a blast and a stepping stone to get to know the others. We palyed cards and drank and talked; even had to break into one of the rooms, by climbing up a tree into a window, because a group of girls were locked out.

Friday 25th Feb

Left at the young hour of 8am and headed south through rural Waikato famous for all it's........wait for it.........cows. By the way where the hell are all the sheep that I've heard about? Come to a spot named Bridal Veil Falls where we went for a quick swim in the hot water. It was warmer than you could make a bath. After the stop we made our way to the surf town of Raglan. We stayed in a lodge surrounded by 'native bush' near the beach. It is owned by the 3 best surfers in NZ. During the day we went body boarding and surfing for a few hours on this absolutley massive beach; that was known as 'the biggest left bender in the world'. That evening we had a chef cook us another bbq. The hostel was brilliant and the best before Wellington. It had Sky- on which we watched the 1st Super 12 match of the year. Free pool table, free darts, a flying fox, basketball court, ropes course and a sauna. I tried to get a stint in all of these but time and alcohol were against. The night consisted of rugby, pool, darts, and a guitar session with Theresa the German girl.

Saturday 26th Feb

Day 3 of the journey took us from Raglan to Rotorua via Waitomo. Waitomo, famous for it's caves, brought about a 4hr trek in some wellies and a hard hat through deep dark pits. It was a exceptional experience, especially the gloworms; the guides gave us a little lesson on them, and about them and then we went for a swim in the god-damn coldest, freshest freshwater you ever felt. Litlle bit further on we went mud caving and came out with mud covering every inch of our clothes. Overall i really enjoyed it, but i was very tired afterwards. But the day did not finish there. When we reached Rotorua we booked into Base backpackers and got a bout an hours rest before setting off in a tour of the areas historical scenes. Firstly a stop at a museum; we didn't go inside due to too little time, but we did see some of the geothermal areas. Thenwe saw a replica of a traditional and historical moari canoe; on a smaller size. Finally we went to an old maori village within Rotorua. There was a christian church, soame old maori churches and buildings and various religious statues. It was very informative and a good insight into the history and religious beliefs of the maori people.

 

Later that night we had a totally unique moment in the trip and it was one of the most memorable that I will come away with. It was called 'Slims Cultural Place'. We had a 'hangi' meal prepared for us- this is a traditional maori meal. There is the usual salad and meat but the only difference is that all the meat, and there was a lot of variety, was placed in a large metal tub which is then placed in a hole in the ground full of water. This water is naturally boiled by the geothermal activity in the area, and the meat is cooked this way. The meal was very nutritious and it was different to eat all these meats cooked in another way. The man who was the host and the guide for the day then put on a show for us; he dressed as a traditional maori warrior with the full attire including the spear that they used in times of war. He showed us that the maori people used expressions as a type of fear control. This lead to some surprising sights. One moment he was a normal looking guy, the next he turned into an absolute lunatic ready to cruch my head in with one blow from his spear. He also showed us a few typical dances of war or celebration and what they meant; as well as some exercises they practise today still to improve their coordination and stick skill. Then cam the height of the evening- he taught us all the 'haka' that the all-blacks do before every game, and told us what it meant and what the words were- it was actually very funny and something I have to tell you in person to see your reactions. The night ended with a night out with all the people from the bus plus the 4 English girls we met in Paihia. A very good day alround and danced all night to give a fitting end.

Sunday 27th February

Day 4 of the travels saw our movements head towards Taupo; but before that we went White Water Rafting. Had aa amazing time with 3 large waterfalls and loads of rapids the whole way down. The last falls was the biggest on e you can go down in a raft all over the world- it was a 7m drop and totally awesome. The tour company had pictures being taken tyhe whole way down and we purchased these (see pics)- I look as if I am shitting myself at one point- I'm not for all you doubters out there I am actually shouting "Yeah"; but hey as Roy used to say- " Say what you see".

We then made our way to Taupo- with the worlds largest crater lake. We had another stop on the way; at Haku Falls. This is where 2 rivers flow into one valley and crate a massive, ferocious amount of water rushing at great speed down a small funnel. You reallyt don't want to fall in!!

Eventually arrived in Taupo and nothing to do really as I wasn't going skydiving- am doing this at the end of the trip. So played pool all night and drank a little, til about 1 in the morn when I watched Chelsea vs Liverpool, Carling Cup Final- come on, thanlk you Gerrard thank you very much!!

Monday 28th February

Today we headed to Whakapapa (pronounced fukapapa). On the way we come across some stink pools but nothing much else happened; was a very quiet part of the trip. We had planned to do the 1 day Tongariro crossing, but the weather turned out to be bad so we weren't allowed. Instead we walked a smaller 3 hr trek to yet another waterfall. The trek was enjoyable with some outstanding views- especially Mt Doom in the background. The company was good to with the usual group off of the bus- Me, Matt, Theresa, 3 girls etc.

Took far too many photographs, as per usual, but they are good- trust me!!

Spent the rest of the day intermittently watching LOTR's all 3, playing cards, and playing rugby. We were staying in a lodge in the a remote 'alpine' village; it was very cosy and a relaxing time. There was also a jacuzzi and a gym- I used the gym but not the jacuzzi- which I know, is very strange but hey!

Tuesday 29th February

The final day of tevelling on the bus, as we were reaching our intended target- Wellington. No-one else was staying so it was also a day to say goodbye to some good people who made the travelling just as good as ever. So 'windy' Wellington was the place, the capital, and oh my god, we found out that it definately lived up to it's name.

Anyway on the way down we travelled through Okahune, Waioaru and Taihape. When we arrived we stayed in Downtown Backpackers- it used to be a very grand hotel; even the beatles stayed there (which they could never stop telling us). But I have to say that with what I saw of it, time must not have been very kind to it, cause it was crap and I did not like it at all. I think I could quite honestly say that it is easily the worst hostel I have stayed in. But that was soon to be cancelled out by our next move. And so here begins the 3 month stay in the capital with a soul of it's own.

Went out on the first night with the girls to give them a proper going away. Made it out to a few pubs and it ended up being a very good first and last night- and that was just the start of things.

Well the end of another part of the story of New Zealand,

Hope all are well and everthing is good,

Speak soon,

Kia Ora

Russell

Kia Ora, Bonjour, Hello everybody Well I hope you are all well and have enjoyed the Summer back home, and i hope some of you were at Glastonbury when it flooded cause that would have been funny. Anyway missing you all espescially in the summer months back home when i remember the uni summers. I'll let you get straight to it cause i know there is a lot. Take care of yourselves. Well back in Welly. I've actually been back 7 weeks now and i am sitting in work bored so thought i would write this latest installment. I arrived back in welly at the back end of July, having run out of money. I booked myself back into WWB and ran into a few old faces and some new ones. A group which had just moved in all came up from a backpackers named Wildlife. And their 'leader' was an odd girl whom i did not get on with very well- but steered clear of her which is unusual for me- you know how i like a confrontation!! The first 2 weeks were all about finding a job and as i had little to no money everything else seemed to be put on hold. It proved to be a very dry, quiet week in the life of Russell; but you know me i didn't let that get me down or get in my way. I went on walks or to the sea for swims, played cards, everybodies fav- monopoly eh Emma, except no one cheating this time. But as weeks went they were not very exciting. Thankfully when down to the last few dollars i got the call i had been waiting for- a job. Not only that, a well paying job in the good part of town. And it has proved to be even more with a good group running it and it lasts until december- perfecto!! I also moved out of the hostel and into a house just down the road from the hostel. The people in there i had known from the last time i was in welly. And again it seems as if i have landed on my feet. The house is great; comfortable, spacious and a centre of activity which is always good- feel as if i'm back at uni all thats missing is mark on the couch, dave with his mcd's and emma knocking on the door!! lol. That gets the formalities over and done with, lets get to the nitty gritty. Well in the other 5 and a half weeks i've been here there have been no real amazing incidents. Trying to save money for the trip back, especially the month or so in America. And oh yes i have finalised my flight details. I leave the NZ shores on the 20th of January from there i have 2 weeks downunder to take the piss out of the aussies for their failure in the ashes (today). Plan to go great white shark diving in Adelaide while visiting my uncle. Then 2 weeks in Fiji, a week in Rarotongam, a week in Tahiti- oh yeah, and then to America. Arrive in LA in March and i get home in April. Actually i land in Heathrow on April 22nd, a day before my 23rd Birthday which would be awesome. I received an email off of Jonesy the other day saying that he is going to be out here on September 29th, which will be awesome to see someone from uni out here. And what a time to pick the weather is absolutely gorgeous and it's only spring. Best time to be out here i think the winter for skiing/snowbaording was overrated- bring on the summer with girls not wearing much and more activities than you can swing a bat at. Well i'm trying to think of what i did but the time has flown by and it all seems to mould into one big holiday, cause that is what this whole time has felt like. The job is not so important as to take it too seriously, and the rest of the time is spent out with mates. Well since moving in to the house we have had 2 bbq's with me the chef at both- seems to be my role in the group; 1 at the hostel and 1 in the house. We have one this Sat too as one of my house mates is leaving, to go back home. Last week was my mate Mark's B'day that makes him a nifty 32. Actually thinkin about it, out of all the people in Welly that i know i am the youngest and the nearest to me is 25. Most of them, and all the people i live with, are on average 28, but as i was told the other day 'I act a lot older and more fun than what my actual age is'. I thought that was a good comment- I took it as one anyway. In the way of actual activities the list is running a bit dry of what i can do around here. Most of what i have left is down in the south island. I have done a few walks across the city and I am going to see the Botanical Gardens after work today. I am thinking of doing a 4 day hike later on this month with a girl i know in Auckland. Bar that i am living the life i used to lead. Go to work mon to fri, go to quizzes, cinema, out drinking, playing footy watchihn footy- oh yeah come on the blues 5 games played, 5 games unbeaten, 5 wins, 10 goals for none against- the rest of you are in trouble. Anyway for this installment i will finish, sorry if it been a drag or boring but can' be like the first couple of installments every time; will let you know what happens with Mark and Nicky?? don't even know if Nicky is coming better check that! Anyway Kia Ora

Kiaora people,

 

I hope everything is good and you are all keeping safe. Sorry this is a bit late- but as they say better than never. Anyway I’ll let you get into this long awaited next instalment, because you got some others to read straight away too.

 

On way to Paihia with matt and will, we stopped at a beach which was totally pristine. There was nobody else on it, clear water, very few waves, golden sands and blistering sunlight. It was gorgeous and looking back now the true beginning of my trip. From there we went to Whangarei, and visited the waterfall. Another amazing stop!! Took some really cool photos on the 5min round walk from the top to the bottom. Last stop on the way to the bay of islands, was Goat Island; well…. actually the bay across from the island, as you’re not allowed on the island itself. This area was the best part that we saw on the trip north. The water was so clear that you could see every fish in the sea. There was a little waterfall and some amazing blow holes to which I took some top class photos. Nature at one of it’s best!!

 

Back on the bus to beautiful Paihia, we stayed in the Pipi Patch where there was a very small pool and spa; we were in a room for 8 people and it was very stuffy and most of them were blokes so that sucked arse. But the sun was shining very strongly and the pool was in use within 10mins.

 

Went exploring that evening across the town in an attempt to find the supermarket and ended up walking for about an hour. The views of the islands were bliss; but the nightlife was appalling with only 2 bars worth going to. But all was good because on Friday 18th Matt and I started our scuba diving course. It consisted of 3 pool dives and 4 open water dives. It took us 4 days with 2 dives on each of the final 2 days.

 

That Friday I wasn’t drinking but got roped into bar Olympics with Will. It was a 5 round event and we had to do the lot together bar the first and the last rounds. Anyway he had done the first so I had to do the last. Coming into the last round we were winning and my competitive side came alive. It was musical chairs but if you lost you had to either leave the game or…..take an item of clothing off. To cut a long story short I ended up completely naked with only my hands covering myself. (How proud mum?) Sad thing was that I didn’t even win; and even sadder it was only for a $50 bar tab- £20!!

 

While we were there we met 2 dutch nurses- Nienke and Judith; and 4 English girls. They were all in our dorm for the 2nd night (Will got bored and went back to Auckland). Got all their numbers and met up with them all along the road in different places.

 

The scuba course was amazing. The first thing I saw on my 1st dive was an octopus; I saw loads of other fish too- eels, rays, scorpion fish etc. Went down to 12m the first 2 dives, for 40mins each; then 18m for the last 2 dives for 40mins each again. The first 2 were at deep water cove and the last 2 were near the rainbow warrior site. The first dives were better because the visibility was clearer and there was more of a variety of creatures and plant life. At the end I had to sit an exam and got 46/50; I made some stupid mistakes but it was a piece of piss. Best exam I ever had because I was sitting on a park bench on Paihia green in the sun- quality.

 

Left for Auckland on the Tuesday 22nd and did some well needed laundry, got some well needed rest and read. On the Wednesday we sorted out the rest of our trip and met up with the Dutch girls and Will again. Left on the Thursday 24th for the 6 day trip down to Welington.

 

Anyway that’s the end of that chapter until the next instalment remember there’s no point in living if you don’t feel alive (from now on this proverb crap will finish off each episode; a new one everytime- if you like it or not!!).

 

'Kia ora'

Russell Langley