29. New Zealand

So, I finally left South America... what an awesome continent to which I will definitely return... once I have some Spanish language skills... and some cash!

It was sad leaving that place... since it was truely an awesome 3 months... that covered 7 countries, extremes of heat and cold... altitudes of high and low... cultures and economics as vast and different as the physical landscape ... and of course it proved to be an amazing place to party!

Looking back, its amazing how many amazing people and how many amazing places you can see and meet in that time! Amazing! I truely can not recommend a visit there enough to you! (In case you didn't get it... I think the place is Amazing!) I could talk to you all day about it... and to be honest, I probably will bend your ear about it next time I see you!!!

But... onwards and upwards... there is still another 9 months and 2 massive continents left to explore... Oceana followed by Asia.

First Stop... New Zealand... and in the words of Mark Watson (the Welsh Comedian I saw in Auckland):

Strap yourselves in F#*kers!

New Zealand

Arriving at stupid AM... the NZ authorities soon pushed me into the Immigration Declaration Area... I've never been there in any country... and expected bad things to happen... but, on the contrary... it was the best service I have ever received on entering a country!

As a welcoming gift, they gave my hiking boots a clean and sent me on my way!

Thanks! (OK, I guess they didn't want me to bring any nasty germs with me... but, still... thanks!)

Refreshing

It seems so so familiar... there are so many similarities to home...

Arriving outside the airport and I find fresh cold air...
A taxi driver that is giving a fair price... no haggling required... ooh and English speaking...
Currency with the queens head on it...
Right hand drive cars... driving on the left hand side of the road... in an orderly and non agressive fashion.

Beyond that I find decent chocolate... English tea... and Sausage sarnies and HP Brown sauce!!! Yum Yum Yum... I've been craving that for a while!!!

Back to civilisation? Feels a bit too familiar after South America... but... hang on... there are a few things that you won't find at home!

Auckland

A busy city with 25% of NZ population residing in one place. Full of commercial shops that you would expect from a big city... bustling with lots of students, tourists and a multi-cultural range of locals (aka lots of cute Asian ladies...)

I could tell you about the thought provoking art gallery I visited (on the topic of how we are destroying the earth)... but I am sure you would rather hear about the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere, right?

Well... sorry to disapoint you... it is not actually big at all...

Well... until you get up close to it...

It makes for an awesome view at night...
From The Bottom

And From The Top

Apparently its also a very fun place to do your first joint chicken dance!!!
Thanks Hyo Jung and Lucy of South Korea for being so much fun!!!

For those people brave enough... you can walk around the tower on the outside of the glass...

But... why on earth would you waste your time on that when you can jump off of it and freefall in a controlled base jump????

So that's what I did... Twice!!! (They gave me a free go since they liked my landing so much!!) The full video is with the folks if you care to take a gander... since I cant figure out how to convert the DVD format for here!

Wellington - The Capital of NZ

After a very brief visit to Auckland... I flew down to see my good friend from home, Carrie (AKA Andrews) who is teaching out here with Liz (AKA Poustie)... for some much needed cowboy partying... and some rest and relaxation.

It truely was a home from home there... it was nice not to be sleeping in a bunk bed for a few days... and enjoy the comforts of a decent kitchen... a bathroom (with bath!)... a sofa... a TV... and that much needed supply of PG Tips and HP Sauce!!!

A bit of site seeing...

Beesy @ The Beehive (Government buildings)

A trip to Eastbourne... where Poustie was attacked by some giant seagulls

All before moving on to Lake Taupo... to realise a lifelong ambition of mine...

Watch this space... its gonna be good!!!

Cold and Content Bees- Out!

P.S. GET WELL SOON HUGO THE CAT!