Paihia

I definitely have to say this is a very cool spot to visit.  I think I am going to come back here in the summer so I can see it for its full potential.  However the fact that there are few people here but me and the locals isn't a bad thing.  The tourists (hahaha i'm one too but..) are few and far between so I have been meeting all the locals from here and the town across the bay called Russel.  I went out on the town last night (well the wharf area) and it was pretty amazing.  I sat and talked with the crusty old fishermen, then walked on down the new area and listened to the local music all night (well until 12).  Today was pretty good as well, I had a cup of coffee on the dock and watched the sunrise (forgot my camera but I will have it tomorrow).  Then I grabbed one of the hostel bikes and headed out to the treaty grounds.  From there I went on a 6k hike through the bush to a water fall.  The hike was absolutely amazing especially the part where you cross through the mangroves on boardwalks.  The waterfall was a bit anti-climactic because there was a highway up there so I hike through all this beautiful jungle then here is a bunch of tourists getting out of there car...kinda ruined the moment.  Tomorrow however I am going to do a beach/bush hike...should be an interesting go, but that is for a later blog.  Take Care and Cheers!

From Auckland to Paihia

Out of Auckland today and I could finally see what the country side looks like...unfortunately this Internet cafe that I am using will not me upload my pictures so you will have to wait until I get access to a computer or wireless that will let me upload.  To say the least it is green here...very green coming from Montana in the dead of summer where every thing is brown this almost hurts my eyes.  Every square inch of every surface unless there is black top there is green even the tele poles have green moss growing on them, the land alternating beautiful rolling meadows with very dense forest.  The land is very hilly and the roads super windy, I thought myself almost over my motion sickness but I guess I was wrong.  That old bus driver could have doubled as a NASCAR driver maneuvering that massive bus around some of the craziest little mountain turns I thought several times I was going to die.  I show up in Paihia and was going to take one of the hostel bikes to the treaty grounds (about a 20 minute bike ride out of Paihia) when it started to torrential down pour...so I decided to get some fish, chips and a beer instead.   I might book a trip to go visit dolphins tommorow..I haven't decided on that yet either.  Well I'm off to check out the warf.  Cheers!

Morning!

Well I survived my first day in New Zealand!  Unfortunately there has been no sun so I haven't taken any pictures but there is still a lot of time left here for me to post some (hahaha 4 months).  This hostel is a crazy place, it is in down town Auckland among a forest of sky scrapers.  The hostel it's self is 6 stories with a massive club in the basement, kitchens, Internet cafe tv lounges...ect. 

Last night I had a beer with people from the following countries: Ireland, Sweden, India, Germany, France, UK, Canada.   A very interesting mix of people and I am glad to report that I have changed the opinions of several people and there stereotype of Americans.  What an insane crazy night, there was a DJ from the south island up to spin and the first $1000 worth of drinks were free..live music tell 4am.  I didn't stay up that late as I was dying from the jet lag and decided to try and establish a normal pattern of sleep.  At 1:30 some person pulled the fire alarm so the whole building had to evacuate, all 6 stories of random people traveling to and from every corner of the world.  I think I was still asleep until the Auckland fire department showed up with their sirens and flashing lights.  Crazy night...well I'm off to get some breakfast until, next time Cheers!

I'm Off

Well after much waiting i'm finally off on my adventure.  It has been rather surreal these last few days getting all my stuff together for this isn't just a vacation or just work it is a mix of both.  I appreciate all my friends and family who gave me a send off and I will try to update this as often as possible...see y'all on the other side of the world!  Cheers