The After...

Well, that's me. Back home in flood torn Cumbria and just loving the fact that I am home. This past (almost) week I have enjoyed the delights that is England and I have no regrets what so ever with coming home early. Merry Christmas everyone and have a brrrrrrilliant New Year! 

The highlights! Just so you can have a ‘in a nutshell’ look at what I considered to be the best bits of my four months away. Its not in order of when I did it…

 

• My slow walk round Sydney on my 1^st day. Looking at the architecture, still feeling groggy from the landing and finding the road crossings very humorous.
• The long chats I had with Miriam.
• The walk with Miriam in Sydney’s Hyde Park and St Mary’s Cathedral. We talked about war and religion.
• The ferry trip from Circular Quay to the Aquarium and Wildlife World with Annie. The day in general with Annie.
• Watching movies with Miriam
• Brisbanes City Cat boat ride with my ipod in.
• Hanging out with Tara.
• Whale watching
• The feeling I had when I landed in Auckland.
• My walk round the Domain
• The Auckland and Wellington rugby matches.
• Seeing Dolphins in the Bay of Islands
• 90 Mile Beach.
• Star Gazing in remote places (The Farm and at Shona’s)
• The walk to Cathedral Cove with Zoe, and Cathedral Cove itself (which was featured in the Narian film)
• Watching rugby matches in the pubs
• My pool match with a Kiwi in Franz Josef
• General geothermal activity in Rotorua
• Rotorua Maori concert and Hangi (food cooked in a earth oven)
• Learning to play poker in Taupo (although I think I have forgotten now :/ )
• The Taupo to Wellington bus group
• Horse riding in River Valley on Buster
• Card games at River Valley
• Free Music at Te Papa Museum
• Friday night chatting to the Kiwi Builders, Luke and Rollie
• Seeing two kiwi plays ‘Where are you my only one?’ and ‘A biography of my skin’
• The Cambridge gang, playing cards and generally getting drunk
• Kayaking and glacier walk at Franz Josef
• Chilling out in the outdoor hot tub in Franz Josef
•  Skydive 12,000ft in Wanaka. I am a comedy genius on my video.
• 2 day chill in Wanaka with Creena
• Cinema Paradiso in Wanaka and that Cookie!
• All the random little walks
• Taking all my photos
• Updating my blog
• Waitamo glow worm caves
• Embassy Theatre and my chat with the manager
• Wellington Harbour walks
• Dorothy Brown cinema, Arrowtown where I watched the brilliant ‘Coco, Avent Chanel’
• My birthday week in Queenstown. Booze, men and friends, happy days!
• Cooking, gardening and being made welcome at Alan and Kerry’s at their Mosegil Farm near Dunedin
• Milking the cows. Not sure if it was a ‘highlight’, it was certainly interesting!
• Discovering me
• Coming out of a forest road on the bus just at the height of a Sigur Ros song and seeing a vast landscape of snow capped mountains, which ultimately made me want to do a skydive.
• The beach walk to see seal lions on the Bottom Bus.
• The drive to, and Milford Sounds
• Meeting loads of really nice people; Creena, Claire, Rachel, Kate, Jim, Eric, Ian, Joseline, Josephine, German Jen, Alonzo, Doreen, ‘Papa Ron’, American Andrea, Irish Greg, That Oz Couple on the Milford Bus, Scottish Zoe, Nadia and Zina, Alan, Kerry, Shona, Ishten, Dave, Kym, Chris and everyone else.
• Fishing fro muscles and then trying one raw (not nice, don’t try unless you have water and chocolate on standby!)
• The BBQ/ Concert with Shona
• The concert in the CHCH Cathedral.
• Experiencing a Church service for the first time in probably 10 years. The sermon at the CHCH Cathedral on hell was very interesting.
• Going to the casino in Queenstown with Creena and Claire and helping Claire win some money which she then later spent it on drinks for everyone.

 

Another highlight was actually the act of coming home. The flight was shockingly long and my bum at the end and during most of it was really sore. However the feeling when I landed in Manchester was worth all of it. I had a hard time not to cry because I was so happy to be back in England and most of all, Manchester.

 

The past couple of days I have seen a majority of my friends. It was cool that I hadn’t told everyone that I was coming back because their reactions when they seen me made me have a gooey wanted feeling inside. Everyone was happy to see me. Emma even screamed in delight at me! Twas very funny.

 

Now the hard work beings. I have now got New Zealand out of my system. Life and a career is now on the agenda. Over the past 4 months I have thought long and hard as to what I want to do with me. One thought is constant, I want to work in the film industry. I used to think that meant on a film set, which it still sort of (and I will be working on a feature film later on in 2010), but now I think from all my lovely quirky cinema visits in New Zealand, what I want to do with myself now is to open a cinema of my own. Two problems with that is 1) I haven’t the foggiest as to how to run a cinema, and

2) I have NO money what so ever.

So I have two solutions:

1)    Find work in a cinema and learn from the bottom up

2)    Save money/ play the lottery

 

Other things that I would like to do with my time is possibly train up and do the coast-to-coast bike ride. Need a bike for that, so will have to wait until I can afford one. Also while I was at Shona’s I played the piano for the first time in years and I was chuffed to find out that I can still read music and that I could play a tune pretty quickly with some degree of confidence. That’s why I think I may find a cheap keyboard and get playing again, for my own personal enjoyment.

 

Other things that I have to look forward to and goals for 2010:

·      Jenny and Greg’s Wedding

·      Jamie Cullum concert with Anne-Marie

·      Moving in to a flat with a friend, not my sister.

·      Working on a feature film that will hopefully be in cinema’s by November 2010

·      Coast to coast

·      Speed dating (doing it for a laugh, but you never know…)

·      Playing the keyboard

·      Getting some more of my short films made, maybe even direct one myself!

·      Hopefully do a couple more Chorlton Player Plays .

·      HAVE FUN AND ENJOY LIFE!

 

So there you have it. My four months on the other side and a hint as to my adventures to come. Thank you for reading my blog. Remember, Life is short, if you want to try, see something, DO IT! CARPE DIEM! 

Why I'm coming home early...

I have had a brilliant time! Let's make that clear from the start. However one thing that I haven't been able to get over has been home sickness.

I have met a lot of great people along the way but with anyone travelling, everyone has their own agendas. So for a lot of the time I was travelling alone. Most people may think this is brilliant but really it's much nicer to share experience with someone. That's why I loved my time spent with Creena, Claire, Kate, Rachel and German Jen and at the Cambridge Hotel and on the farms. So when it comes to Christmas, I wanted nothing more than to spend it at home, regardless of the weather!

Merry Christmas! (Best Christmas Duet ever!)



On another note, I have had such a lot of time to just think. Think about what I want to do and accomplish. I think I have decided what I want to do and achieve. I'll keep that under my hat for now...
Earlier this year I went to Greece with Katrina and she said something with me that I only understand now about how when you have a lot of time to think the more you realise what you want/need to do and you want to start straight away to keep your motivation up.

I have spent four months travelling which is enough for me. I have seen and done all that I wanted to do. I have kept a list of all of my highlights from my trip...I'll post them soon.

I have had highs and lows but I think I have got a lot from travelling.

Songs :)

Hot sun, rain and Antarctic winds (a.k.a my last couple of days in CHCH)

Well I have spent my last couple of days in Christchurch. Tomorrow at 1pm I leave.
Saturday was nice, the sun was out in full summer glory as I went round the art markets.
Saturday night I went to see 'In the Loop ' at the Metro cinema. It was so small and quirky. The screen I was in had the capacity of 15! The film was dead good as well. Dad, I think you would enjoy it.

On Sunday and Monday I spent the day on the Trams, punting and gondola. On Sunday I did something I haven't done for donkeys years, I went to a Church service. Two in fact! Holy Communion where there was a really interesting sermon on hell (I am interested due to my A-level in ethics and philosophy) and then in the afternoon I went to Evening Choir Song where everything was sung. Found that a tad bizarre. The sermon for that service was boring.

Today I went to the Antarctic Centre opposite the Airport. It was bbbbbbrrrrrrrrilliant! You got to experience a Antarctic storm which was amazing. Got cold so quickly. Good practice for when I get back to the UK! I paid a little extra and got to get a guided tour of the little blue penguins (penguin comes for a welsh word for white head!). Got really close to a poor little fellow who was blind in one eye. So cute! There was a huge theatre where they showed images of Antarctica with music. It looks to be such a stunning, barren and vast landscape, after the storm simulator I would not want to work there! Also! I went on a...shoot I have forgotten its name but its link a tank kind of vehicle that they use over there. They can go really fast, float and at 45 degree angles. It was a fun and very very very bumpy ride. My stomach could only handle one, but you could have any number of rides with the ticket. Dead good day out!

Shona's Place

Today was my last day at Shona's. The Gardening Group was here this morning. We planted some maze and weeded the tiny sprouts of carrots.

Been thinking about what I want my garden (its OK to dream Mum!) to look like in the future, when I possess one!

It will mostly be a lawn but it will have a creeper plant at the bottom of the garden, probably Sweet Peas. I will have two beds, one for flowers and one for veg/ herbs.

Flowers I want:

• Sunflowers
• Tulips (my favourite flower)
• Poppies (the small dainty ones)
• Snow Drops
• Daffs
• Lavender
• And maybe a rose bush.

Herbs/ Veg:

• Garlic
• Leeks
• Cabbage
• Tomatoes
• Basil
• Sage

So basically I can make a mean spag bog or winter lentil soup!

We also picked some Black currant pie... still to have a taste... slightly burnt round the edges :/

Tomorrow, I am off to Christchurch to spend 4 days there. I am going to do the Tram/ Gondola/ Punting ride, go to the Antarctic Experience where you can experience a blizzard and get up close to the tiniest penguin in the world. Also there are art markets and there is a new Kiwi film with Sam Neil in it that looks really good. Its called 'Under the Mountain'.  

Jen is...

... shattered. 

Manual labour + a warm North Westerly = Knackered Jenny!

Stacking fire wood...

Katrina you would not like this job. It's not the stacking of the wood that is the problem... it's where I need to get it from. Shona has 4 hectares of land and in a small paddock there is the fire wood. In this paddock there is long grass and loads and loads of cobwebs!

It is nasty. I'm going to the wood pile and (because its hot I have a vest top on) all I can feel is the cobwebs hitting my skin. When the sun hits the field right all you can see is cobwebs! Eeek! Oh and a couple of flying spiders on there cobwebs blowing in the wind. What fun!

Oh! There are 3 piles of wood. I have been doing it all morning and I am still only on pile one. Might split them up so it's a morning job...

BBQ Concert

Shona, who I am staying with, is part of a gardening group. Last night, one of the members held a BBQ so that their son (who has just completed a music course) and his friends could have a jamming session. 

It was really good. Ate so much, which wasn't so good. The slab of steak sandwich was my favourite. Medium rare....mmmmmmmmmmm. Then there was the deserts! Any weight I may or may not have lost over the past 4 months will have been put back on from last night and previous days of cake eating. Ooops!

I had a really good night. The thing that is really screwing with my mind is that it is December, it's warm, its doesn't get dark till 10 o'clock and people are having BBQ's!?!? Its not normal!!! Well for me anyway! :)

CHCH Cathedral

So on Monday I had planned to go into Christchurch to break up my time on the Hobby Farm with Shona. Just my luck then that it rained all day.

I spent a lot of my time on the Internet, catching up with emails and chatting to my Mum and friends online. My mate, Debbie, introduced me to a new folk band from London who I am now obsessed with and hope I get tickets to see them in Manchester for Christmas. They are none other than Mumford and Sons. 

After my time on the Internet, I was going to venture to the cinema due to the crappy weather, however, for some reason I decided to go into the Cathedral. There setting up for a 2 hour concert was a music school from Brisbane. They played three sets; string, wind and big band. My favourite was the strings who played a Chopin mash up which was cool. There was also a young player who played a Viola solo beautifully. 

Something really spiritual about music. It can soothe the soul so easily. Love it!

The Cathedral was the best I have seen in New Zealand so far. It was traditional. Pure and Simple. I don't think of myself as religious but there is just something about being in a church or cathedral that I just love. I think religion is important its just when it get manipulated and radicalised that it becomes a problem. So in that sense what I believe is: Religion=bad, Faith= good.  Sometimes I wish I was more religious and went to church more often. I can see it as a kind of free counselling if you have something on your chest, there is where you can get it off. Also its the community aspect of the congregation. Being recognised and to be part of something and having 'someone' there to look over and protect you.

I suppose my Church is the Chorlton Players. Miss you guys! x

My Journey to Christchurch...

... was not the high light of my trip! 8 hours in a cramped bus (no leg room) which had a busted sound and air conditioning system. It just so happened to be a really hot day so everyone on the bus was really hot and there was a prevailing smell of sweat. 8 HOURS!\

On the up side however there was some amazing scenery. The man made lake by Mount Cook was a stunning brilliant aqua blue. Ill put a photo up soon of it. 

My next couple of week is spent with Shona who lives on her hobby farm just outside of Christchurch. She is an American who has lived in New Zealand since 1992 and works as a scientist, studying pastures. My tasks are basically weeding. Joined her at her Salsa class on Thursday and I realised how frustrating it is when your partner doesn't know how to move and keep a beat. I had a lot of fun with the partners I had who did know what they were doing. I must start going to salsa class when I get back to Manchester.

Today has been a bit of a slow moving day. Me and Shona read from 9-12 noon. I am reading 'Persuasion' by Jane Austen at the moment and really enjoying it. Mmmmm Captain Wentworth! I will probably finish it tomorrow, so Shona has suggested that I spend the day in CHCH where I will nip and get another book. Shona is reading about Uganda as she went to Africa in September. Shona is making authentic Mexican tonight. I hope I like it!

Bottom Bus and Milford Sounds

The Bottom Bus hit the towns of Invercargill, Te Anau and the a day trip to Milford Sounds, then back to Queenstown for two nights before I am off to Christchurch.

Highlight was Milford Sounds. Everything was perfect. The bus driver was funny and very informative. The passangers were easy to talk to and I had a laugh with. The weather was bright blue sky. The drive there was a highlight in itself! Amazing what nature can do. I seen a cushion today and it said "Nature never makes mistakes" and it is so true! Milford Sounds area was carved out by glaciers, MASSIVE glaciers. I sat at the front of the bus so I got the best of the scenery. It was such a fun drive there and the actual boat trip was really nice. Got a lavish buffet and a trip to an underwater observatory.  Has to be the highlight of the trip!

My last couple of days in Queenstown was just hanging out with people that I previously met, saying goodbyes, drinking at the Dux's and going to see New Moon which was an alright film.

moooooooooo

On the Farm in Mosgeil, Dunedin, I have milked some cows!

Granted it wasn't the traditional way, still have that to try. It was with automated suckers. You had to be on constant watch for the raising of the tail and it was the luck of the draw as to what came out... mushy or solid! It is really hard graft and the people who work there get up for 5 in the morning and do the same thing twice a day with 600 cows! I am glad I only had to do one shift of it!

This past week I have really been gardening. Weeding in the chilling south westerly wind and blazing sunshine today (I think I have burnt my ear). Other duties has been the cooking! I LOVE COOKING! Twice I have coked my apple and ginger sponge cake, best served hot with ice cream. It such a change from the manky really cheap unhealthy meals I have had in the hostels. I have used heeeerrrrbbbs! Garlic! And I have had VEG!

My company has been really good with Kerry and Alan. I have chatted about cooking, rugby and films! Kerry was kind enough to take me to see a New Zealand director's latest film "The Vintner's Luck" which you can read about on my film blog. Also Alan made me watch a New Zealand film "Once were warriors" (also on my film blog).

I am back to Dunedin tomorrow to start again on the "Bottom bus" on Friday which will take me to Invercargill (another Scottish settled town). Good week in all respects!

Farm Life

For the past couple of days I have been living on a farm with Kerry and Alan.

Today.... I have never been near so many cow rear ends in my life!
I milked the cows! It was OK but I am glad I don't have to do it as my living. Hats off to those who do!

Today I also gardened! Yes Mum! I gardened! And I am surprised to say I liked it! Bring on my own wee garden when I get home!

Queenstown

Thus has ended, one week in the place known as Queenstown. And what a week!

Queenstown started as a sheep depot and then the Gold Rush began and the town just BOOMED! Today it purely exists for the tourists, outdoor and extreme sports.

My Mother will be happy to know that my extreme shenanigans started and ended with the skydive. Although I think that my friend Debbie has other plans...
You could say that my extreme sport this week has been drinking because if your not out during the day it is because of the hangover from the night before. Queenstown has a huge night life and I enjoy 4 almost consecutive nights of it. Yes, I do feel rough! I drank some real dark ale 'Sou'western', it tasted like liquorish(6.7%) from Dux-lux pub (which brews its own beer- you would of loved it Dad!), the cramp the morning after was not as enjoyable!

Last night me and Creena went up the Skyline Gondola to watch the sun set. It was the first time that I was truly wowed by what I saw. Lake Waktipu is 84Km long and the mountains that surrounded it were just... wow!

If I do say so, I took some brilliant photos. I will share them with you but, this computer doesn't have the necessary ports for my camera.

In a nutshell, Queenstown was beautiful. I've had the best nights out but I am pretty skint from it, so onto Dunedin (Gaelic for Edinburgh) to search for Haggis and to work on a farm for a week!

Remembrance Sunday

I got up early. Walked to the nearby war memorial... no one there. Walked to the information centre and asked if there was a Remembrance Serivce and the reply was "What for?" My reply was "Errr the World Wars?"

SHOCK HORROR!

But apparently New Zealand and Australia have their Remembrance Day on the 25th April. They call their day ANZAC (Australia New Zealand Army Corps).

St Peter's Square

I am gutted though, because last year I went to St Peter's Square in Manchester. The square was packed! It is brilliant how people come together to Remember those brave souls past and present and I am really quite upset that I can't be a part of it this year.

Manchester, 2008

Some photos of Queenstown...

Boat trip over to the Remarkables

Just after a rain/ snow storm on the mountains

FERGBURGER!!!!

This is an independent burger joint in Queenstown.

The burgers are massive and the best ever. It is imperative that when you come to Queenstown, you have a Fergburger.

I was told that this one little independent shop was responsible for running Burger King out of town. Love it!

Sadly with my dodgy head I was defeated by the massive feast. Also the chips are the best I have had so far.

Last night...

...I celebrated my birthday in Queenstown and what a fun night I had!

We (me, German Jen, Rachel, Creena and Kate) tried to go on a organised pub crawl thingy but there wasn't enough people on it so it got cancel :( No matter, because I think I had a better night than I would of if I had gone on it.

We just drank and partied at the Altitude bar and the World Bar (where we met up with Claire).

Being that it was my birthday I got a few birthday kisses (he he he he) from a two kiwi's and a really good cuddle from a Canadian. Good times.

24

Today I celebrate a 37 hour (NZ + UK time) birthday. The plan today is to just chill out in the day. Probably go for a walk and take some photos and then tonight I have quite a few people coming together to do a Queenstown pub crawl. Should be interesting and I will probably be dead to the world tomorrow.

Full report tomorrow...night most likely...

Cinema Paradiso, Wanaka

Wow! I am in love with yet another cinema.

Cinema Paradiso in Wanaka is as quirky as you can get. One screen with a cafe attached.
There was an interval in the film where you could nip to the loo or buy a massive gooey cookie for $3! I had white choc chip and ginger! Orgasmic! Might nip up there today just to have another! The decoration of the cinema room, cafe and toilets were movie posters.

It was like watching a film in your own living room. Choice of seats were sofas, general chairs, a car...

It was just a brilliant cinema experience...




...shame about the film!

The only film that was available to watch last night was Tony Scott's "The Taking of Pelham 123" which is a remake of the 1974 film. If you have seen one Tony Scott film you have seen them all. While watching Pelham I just kept on getting reminded of that other bad Tony Scott film, 'Dominio' with Keira Knightly.


This one, just like 'Domino' lacked pace and, let's face it, John Travolta acting as a bad ass at his age just doesn't fly. Plus Americans can not swear on film. When Americans swear on film it just doesn't have the same effect when a Brit does it. The swearing from John Travolta in this film was just pointless, it was like "ooh I need to sound really bad, Oh I know! I'll say Mother Ucker a lot!". Another low point of the film was when some bad men got surrounded by police and then the coppers just started shooting at them from all sides. Logical? I think not!

Another thing that made me and my sister giggle was the reason for making this film in the first place. With the whole writer's strike and recession Hollywood probably needed films so lets make a action film, but low! Who could we get that hasn't been in much recently and wont cost a lot??? I know! Lets open the O.A.P Action Hero Directory. Denzel Washington and John Travolta!

Don't bother people with this film. At most this is a hang over film that you don't have to pay attention to.

Off to Queenstown tomorrow! Whoop Whoop! Off for a walk around Lake Wanaka today. Obviously wont make it all around! Its 45 K long!

How to jump out of a plane...

1. Just put your name down. If you don't then you'll never do it.

2. Breathe!

3. Get a nice man who knows what he is doing, then attached yourself to him.

4. Constantly remember point 2.

5. Try not to think about it and enjoy.

I had a brilliant time. The paragliding bit of it was my favourite. Still can believe I did it! It went so quickly! On the video, I just look like an alien. Totally unhuman!

Hanging out in Wanaka for a couple of days, gonna visit the Paradiso cinema and then onto Queenstown to find a job and party for my birthday!

FRANZ JOSEF

Franz Josef. A world heritage site, people have been hiking up the glacier for the past 100 years and today I joined that clan. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to hack it physically but if two old biddies from Melbourne can do it, SO CAN I! And I did!

I did the 4 hour hike and the worst part was walking up some steep stone steps to get to the glacier. Totally know how Sam, Frodo and Gollom felt. Up the stairs, precious!

It was beautiful up there. Nature is truly something to awe and really be terrified at!

TO BED NOW!

I truly believe that it is impossible to look attractive while doing activity sports!

Yesterday I went kayaking on Lake Mapourika with Franz Josef in the background. I paddled for 3 k across the Lake (into wind!) and then down a river which has rain forest all around it. Apparently Franz Josef is the one of the only places in the world that has a rain forest climate at the bottom of its glacier! I used to go kayaking alot when I was younger and it was great to get back onto the water. Generally the only time I am on the water is in a boat with my Dad.

To point out the obvious, I was knackered when I got back.

Quick Post!

In the South Island. It is stunning! Went to the pancake rocks today. Amazing!

Glacier walk on Friday to come. May do a skydive on the 3rd....

Pub party tonight. Possible hangover tomorrow....

LOTR in NZ

Went on the LOTR Movie tour today. 8 hour day with some hiking involved. I am shattered.

It was a really interesting trip and I was pleased that the triva I knew already was confirmed by Ted the guide (who has a brother that works at Weta)

Too knacked to go into at the moment so here is a photo of me and two other people on the tour.

Cant you guess which scene we are doing?

Bellydancing weird dream...

Right! I'm off to the South Island on Monday. The land of the mountains! I have had a look at the facebook pictures of the people I have met who have moved onto the South Island already and it looks LUSH! I just know I'm going to be snappy happy! I have contacted around 8 farms and 3 have got back to me. I feel happy that I have seen everything that Wellington has to offer. Been here a month. Time to move on.

But! Before I go I will be going on the Wellington Movie/ Lord of the Ring Tour. CAN NOT WAIT!!!!!!! Plus Ian is moving into the hotel this week so I'll have a drinking buddy for my last couple of days in the land of the wind and the rain.

Had a bit of a weird morning dream (not daydream!) this morning. Details are sketchy at best, but I was on a film set and I was playing the role of a woman who had to get dressed up in bellydancing gear and dance away to save a roman soldier who I think was Vinnie Jones. Afterwards it was like the euphoria after finishing a play and I got this massive hug and it was from Russell Crowe as Maximus.

Bizzare, yes I know!

Wonder what it means...

Not on!

Well this week has been interesting. I work with a girl who is having problems with her partner. What sort of problems? Domestic violence. And last night it came to a head.

They were living together in a private room but the girl had enough and they both moved into the backpacker dorms of the hotel. Last night they both (including myself) were getting tiddly (tried to find some cheap whiskey but had to make do with vodka and coke). Basically while a group of us (including the bloke) were playing cards the girl came to get a cigerette, he wouldn't give them to her so she took them. The force that he pulled her back and grabbed her arm was shocking! Later on in the evening aparently he went on to punch her in the head. WTF!?!? Bouncers got involved but for some reason he is still allowed in the hotel- I would of kicked him out ages ago!

This morning, to show that he 'felt bad' he presented to her a bottle of lemonade.

The mind boggles!

The really distrubing thing about this guy is that he came to apologies to everyone who witnessed the aggression very politly. Scary that he could turn the nice button on and off so easily.


Ladies it is simple, like my Mother told me years ago, if someone is violent to you GET OUT! No second chances. If they can do it once they can do it again!

Let me eat cake...then regret it!

You know when you have the munchies and a McDonalds seems to be a good idea at the time and then afterwards you have the tummy pains to say "Stupid cow". Well I have those, but instead of a McDonalds its a latte and a piece of cake. Really nice cake. Mouth-watering piece of cake. MMMmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Today I decided to move into the Dorm rooms of the Cambridge Hotel because a) I wasn't meeting anyone stuck in my single bedroom on the 1st floor, and b) its gonna be way cheaper!

After talking to my parents recently (and considering some other things that have happened this trip), I have realised something about myself.
I feel safe in my solitude but it also bores me at the same time.
That's probably reason c) for my move into the Backpackers area of the hotel. I need to put myself outside of my comfort zone. My family have been saying that for years, but it is so easy to stay in that bubble.
Hoping to meet people that I can actually do stuff with, instead of seeing things with my ipod in my ears.

Looking forward to next week when Ian (who I work with) moves into the hotel for a couple of days. Going to go out on a pub crawl!!! Hell yeah. Probably a British thing to say but, I feel as though I need to let my hair down and get drunk (sorry Mum and Dad...er...DISCLAIMER: DRINK RESPONSIBLY!)!

Huzzzaaahhh!!!

SUN! But it is still oh so windy! Went for a walk today after work, down to the harbour and there was some brave souls on boats (Dad I think you would be able to hack it!). So many white horses!

Weather surley has been a tricky bugger recently: What with the rain and wind in Wellington, Snow in midland North Island (its suppose to be spring here!). Also in neighbouring countries there has been nothing but natural disasters! And yesterday I felt an Earthquake! Now I felt it in the afternoon and it only lasted like a second. I did have a hard time to determin whether or not it was an Earthquake and not the fridge I was standing by doing that shudder thing fridges do. Apparently at 6ish last night there was a bigger earth grumble but I didn't feel it. Doreen (who is my boss at the hotel) said that she felt and heard it and her dogs went mental.
On the way into Wellington, on the bus, we were told that the last earthquake biggy was in 1840 when the harbour got some reclaimed land from the sea. Wellington is over due it's next biggy...

Also went up to the National War Memorial. Very impressive. There was some information about the Battle of Britain and I didn't realise there were so many Kiwi's that were in the RAF as pilots. Some stayed after the First World War and others joined pilot schemes during the 20's and 30's.

"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few." Winston Churchill

Just looked on the internet for Winston quotes and he was rather funny!
"You can always count on Americans to do the right thing - after they've tried everything else."

April Showers

I think if I was in England, this weather would be classed as April showers.

Went to the Wellington Museum. It was really good. Running out of internet credit...

Looking at the South Island and I cant help be get excited. Lake Wanaka looks stunning!

Rain

JEEZE! And I thought Manchester was rainy! No wonder it's called Wellington!

Dracula

FINALLY! I finished it!

Don't bother reading it! The films are way better!
Starting on The Portrait of Dorian Gray now...

Changing beds

Apologies, been a strange week, settling into Welly.

Wednesday: Day off work. Ha! I start one day, off the next! Didn’t really have anything to do. I am reluctant to do all the sight seeing stuff in a oner, so I just had a lovely windy walk round the harbour.
That I had a free ticket to see “Where are you my only one” by the Circa theatre. Basically it was about a Russian mail order brides. It was funny and it was a little bit more funnier for the audience because it had a lot of Kiwi humor (helped that it was written by a Kiwi). Had a hard time not to sneeze (Footnote to those who don’t know me: I sneeze, A LOT! I don’t have hay fever I just sneeze. Best thing about it is I always have tissues on me so I’m never caught short!), this was due to the sad fact that with may theatre productions the age of the audience members are generally of the over 50 mark therefore LOTS of really strong perfumes, especially from the woman sat next to me.

Thursday: Work in the morning. In the afternoon my continued effort to finish Bram Stoker’s Dracula…failed! It is really starting to get on my nerves. The way Stoker writes the Van Helsing character is just plain annoying. He just harps on at a point and I find myself yelling at the page “OK!!!! MOVE ON!!!” The best bit of the book so far was the start and Jonathan Harker’s accounts, very graphic and scary.
That night I went to the Embassy cinema- it is where they premiered Lord of the Rings. If anyone could be in love with a building, I am in love with this cinema. It was beautiful. Old fashioned. Tiled in lovely deep navy and emerald green. The film was 500 days of Summer (Katrina: everything that was said in that film, I heard from another source. Must be true for everyone and that totally sucks!). It was a good film, funny, sad but hopeful at the same time. Should really write a more detailed report on my film blog…
After the cinema I went to the bar in the backpackers, drank, and then went to bed. Very rock and roll!

Friday! Work in the morning. The girls at work invited me out for a pub crawl round Wellington. It didn’t pan out as expected. I got ready, got some nice complements from my crazy room mates at the moment (Jen- German and Joséline- Canadian) and then the plan was to meet in the bar at the hotel at 7. I got there about 5 minutes before 7 so I got myself a drink and sat down. Not long after sitting down a nice young chap came over to ask if the chair next to me was free I said “Nope! Go for it!” He smiled and took it and then turned back and said “What you doing tonight” I told him of the plan to go on the pub crawl and he invited me to chat to him and his mate while I waited. I said “Why not!”. I ended up chatting with Rollie (the guy who get the chair and had lovely smile/ laugh), John (loud and didn’t stay long) and Luke (Rollie’s flat mate, half English ex British soldier). They all smoked, sadly but I had really good conversations. With Luke I we talked about history and the armed forces –he brought up the subject. With Rollie he told me about his goals for the future and getting his private pilots license (he flew solo at 16) (Dad, he knows how to fly planes, he doesn’t know the different types)
Anyhow, I ended up staying with them for the night in the pub because the guy who was suppose to show me and the people from the work the pub crawl never showed up they asked me if I fancied going to a different pub. I was having fun with the guys so I said I would stay because “I had work in the morning”. Ended up that me and Rollie exchanged numbers and hopefully I now have some Kiwi drinking buddies. We shall see…

TODAY: GOING TO FINISH DRACULA IF IT’S THE LAST THING I DO!!!!

Tomorrow I move into a private room at the hotel. Whoop! Also I have my first shift as an usher at the Downstage theatre.

Maid in Wellington

Phew people! PHEW!

I have now two jobs in rainy, windy Wellington.

Job no.1: Usher at the Downstage theatre. Really casual position but it will be great to get some work in a theatre on my CV. Also I get to watch the plays... yeah I should be watching the audience but I can do both at the same time can't I?
$12.50 per hour. Should get to know the team soon with a paid staff fire training and wine tasting in a couple of weeks.

Job no.2: Housekeeping at the Cambridge Hotel. 6 days a week, $13 a hour, 4-5 hours a day. Had my first day yesturday and I think I am really going to enjoy working there. I was teamed up with a lovely Irish man called Ian who has lived away with his girlfriend for the past 2 year. He likes Lord of the Rings! Huzzzah!!! Before I started at the hotel I hadn't met anyone who likes Lord of the Rings! The team at the hotel seems really really nice. Benefits with working there: 1) discount on accommodation 2)free laundry 3)free alcoholic bevvy after each shift 4)25% of food ordered 4) In walking distance of the theatre and in the heart of Wellington.

So as you can probably guess, I think I have landed on my feet finally. And I can begin to relax and enjoy New Zealand. 2-3 months on, I'll start to think about possibily moving on.

Today was my day off. I had a lovely walk along the harbour. It's so windy in this place. Tonight I have a free ticket to a Circa Play. Review tomorrow!

Te Papa

Yesturday I went to the Te Papa museum. It was brilliant because they had mini concerts from the New Zealand School of Music. It's amazing how music can soothe the soul. The brass band and the big jazz band were my favourites.

John Wayne

GOSH! I really need to update!

Well! Rotorua was really good with the Maori concert and everything.

The next day it was on to Taupo. It has a MASSIVE lake. It has 10 tributaries and one outlet and apparently it takes one drop of rain water 10 years to travel the length of the lake. The lake was created by a massive volcanic eruption in the second century. Even the Romans wrote about a strange discolouration of the sky.
Taupo weather was shocking and I didn’t get to see Mount Doom because of fog and rain :(

So instead of staying two days at Taupo I moved on to the next Kiwi bus to leave Taupo and I got to meet a whole new group of people who were BRILLIANT!

Anyhow, on we went through the fog and rain, with country side that looked like the Yorkshire Dales we came to River Valley. Its in a Valley and its right by a river.
Indulgence took the form of a roast beef meal ($14) and a session in the spa ($3.40).

The next day I went horse riding in the massive farm. I saw deer, lambs and a dead cow. The cows in general were really funny. They would be looking at us coming towards them, with such bravado and then suddenly run away like the scaredy cats they are! Mwhahahaha! I galloped and ran on horseback! It was awesome!
However two days on and I still understand why John Wayne walked the way he did.

I am now in Wellington where I hope to be for the next couple- four months. Already have a casual usher position at a theatre, work experience for a week (in 2 weeks time) in another theatre and the grim hope that I get another jobs which pays.
Wish me luck!

Also got to see the Wellington Lions beat Southland Stags at the Westpac stadium. I do like rugby...the game... the men... the shorts........

Rotorua

I have seen so much geography I am totally exhausted! First it was Cathedral Cove yesterday and now today we had a walk along the gold mining caves. Felt a lot like Indianna Jones walking along the swing bridge and going through the pitch black tunnels.

Then later when we hit Rotorua, me and some of the other girls had a walk around the geo thermal park. It was really fascinating! There were mud pools that reminded me of the stink bog in Labyrinth with the sound that they made. Very funny.

Went to Matamata, which is (on the outskirts is a farm) where Hobbiton was filmed. Couldn’t get to the actual site (costs too much and I hear it’s a bit of a rip off) so I got a picture next to Gollom and a sign. Happy days!

Tonight we are all going to a Maori concert with tradition Hangi feast. Pick up is in an hour so I must be ready!

Looked at my emails earlier, isn’t it so frustrating when you don’t get the emails you want. I have applied for some more jobs and I still have not got yay or nay.

Taupo tomorrow and I should be in Wellington by 25th.

Past few day...

The past few days have not been too good. Felt really lonely and it didnt really help going to The Farm in Whangaruru (no signal and dial up internet).

So I am back on the road with Kiwi Experience and feel much better. Applied for a few media jobs including a part time photographer for the Southland Reporter in Invercargill. Fingers crossed!

Set up camp tonight in Mercury Bay after going to Cathedral Cove (which I think was used in the Prince Caspian film.) I wanted to take loads of photos but there was so many people there it was hard to get a clean shot. It was a brilliant 2 hour walk and the clouds where so dark and mysterious. I loved it!

Today I met a few people and we are all heading to the bar now to watch the All Blacks against the Wallabies. GO ALL BLACKS!

Not good...

As I am updating my blog a German girl is ringing round Woofer farms for work... no luck yet.

Also! Earlier today I was in a shop and the woman asked me what I was up to today and I said about finding work and she scroffed and said "Good Luck with that".

ARGH! Is it going to be as bad here as it is in UK to find work?!?!?!?!?! (Might be coming home sooner...)

Paihia

Paihia (The Bay of Islands) is very picturesque! I arrived on the 14th and not long after, I was on a boat bobbing around the Island. Now on my to-do list was to see dolphins…CHECK! They were amazing. There were about 10 in total with 2 babies!

Yesterday I was up at the very top of the country at Cape Ragina. On route we travelled along 90 mile beach where I saw a group of wild horses and then I had a go at sand dunes boarding. T’was cool, but it was a very long day.

Tomorrow I leave Paihia to Whangruru where I will be staying a couple of days on a farm working for my Bed.

All day I have been trying to decide how I’m going to play these next 5 ½ months. I don’t want to do everything at once and I want to have enough money to see everything I want to see. At the moment I am thinking about after Whangaruru that I head straight to Wellington (on route doing the usual stops on the Kiwi Experience bus). So at the moment I think I’ll be in Wellington by the start of October till the end of the year. That way I can commit to a decent period of time at a paid position. Fingers crossed I get one!

Auckland 21, Manawatu 20

Last nights All Blacks match against South Africa got me in the mood for the rugby today (All Blacks lost by 3 points which is kind of an achievement seen as though they were losing for all the match by 10 points).

Auckland vs. Manawatu. Throughout the match Manawatu seemed to be the better player even though Auckland got to 16-0 on one try and penalties. The second half Manawatu came back in force scoring two try’s and several penalties. We all thought Manawatu was going to win at 16-20 but then in the dying seconds of the match there was an amazing try where one of the Auckland players flew through the opposition to score a try that no one thought was coming, ending the match 21-20. After being so vocal the Manawatu supporters suddenly grew very quiet.

Tomorrow I have a 7 am call time to get on a bus to take me to Paihia. Job wise, things are still quiet. I’ve contacted a production company about possibly working for them as a production assistant on a reality television show in Auckland (I'll be back to Auckland in a week)...fingers crossed!

Doh!

Got a hole in my only jeans that I brought to NZ in the most unfortunate of places.
Off to the shops then!

Should of brought more bras as well *shakes head in despair*, where am I gonna find a bra like I need!?!?!...

AUCKLAND!!!!

I am finally here! Seems a bit surreal. When I landed, looking out the window of the plane I could see water, hills, clouds and green goodness! It was bizarre how calming it was. I suppose that just the Cumbrian in me but I loved it! Put an instant smile on my face.

Staying in the Base hostel and it’s not bad. Sharing a dorm with 3 lads. Most of the people that I’ve met are leaving the next day, on a tour or basically not in the same position as me, which got me thinking how on earth am I going to meet people to get to know and possibly travel with? So (despite Vix's recommendation not to go on it) I’ve booked me on a Kiwi Experience tour. First stop is on Monday up to Paihia. Hoping to get some work there either on a cruise boat around the Bay of Islands or on a Horse farm with lots of different things to do. If not, then after Paihia it will be on to Rotorua.

Today I went on a free bus tour of Auckland and free walk on the Auckland Bridge. I saw two people bungee jump. Felt ill for them. Still don’t think Ill be doing a jump but who knows. Someone might talk me into it, a Debbie substitute maybe "death bed".

Tonight I went to see District 9 at Gold class. Read my film blog to know all about that!

Tomorrow I’m going to wonder. Probably go up to the Domain and go to the Auckland Museum. Then on Sunday I’ve got tickets to see a region rugby match. Should be fun!

Last days in Australia...

I have drank far too much! My liver hurts! There was a BBQ on Saturday which was so much fun. House rules: keep eating and keep drinking. Surprised that I didnt get a hangover the next morning!

Brundi Island was on Monday. Its an island near Calbouture (I think that how you spell it). It was a very nice quiet island. Had fish and chips and nothing has surpassed Superfish in Workington yet!

Went to the sunshine coast on Tuesday, Surfers Paradise. It was bizzare. I felt as though it was a cross between Blackpool and lego land. There were people walking the streets with very little on. Especially these girls who dress in gold bikini's and they are called 'Meter Maids'. Got my picture with two of them...not that great for my self esteem but who cares. The beach was vast and the sand fine. The waves were terrifying!!! You would not catch me venturing into the water!

Yesturday I went Whale watching. It was amazing! They came up really close to the boat! It was almoust surreal. Oh to be David Attenbourgh! Got some good photos. Havent yet had a chance to update my flickr account. Hope to do that when I hit NZ.

In the airport now. Boarding should be starting in the next half hour.

In an nutshell, Australia is... not for me. I know it sound bizzare, but there isnt enough history here. And the fish and chips arent as good as in the UK, and there isnt enough green. (Yes, I am strange, dont hold that against me :) )

Anyhow, next chapter is about to being. Going to wait for my air chariot to take me to where the mythical creatures roam. x

Days with the extended family.

The last time I seen David, Sadie and Tara was 16 years ago. So its been really nice just catching up with them. David and Sadie want to open a British Chippy at their local shopping centre. Making British chips mind! None of the Australian stuff they have here. Their fish and chips; the batter is heavy, the chips are practically 'fries'- no big fat soggy numbers! I think they'll be a great success!

Couple of nights ago I got a go in an automatic car! Pretty freaky as I would stop suddenly a couple of times because of my foot thinking the brake peddle was the clutch. Doh! But there was no accidents and by the time we got back from Tara's (to see a Forest fire, which was out by the time we got up the hill), David and Sadie said I was a pro. I still prefer using the gears, makes for fun and stimulating driving.

Trust me, I was freaked out!

While I was up there a couple of days ago, Tara's Glen was doing some building work on their estate and Glen's brother, Greg came across a 8ft snake which they unfortunatly killed, it was kind of like us back home killing a spider, but this snake was outdoors so it really shouldnt of been killed. I got my photo taken with it. I may have a nervous smile on my face but I felt kinda ill afterwards. Me on a hop on hop off tour of Brisbane.

Its a nightmare getting photos of yourself in places with travelling alone!

Staying in Burpengary, north of Brisbane, I got the train into Brisbane yesturday. It took one hour on the train and my ticket was $10.40 which got me unlimited travel, including on the river Cat (which is a ferry). The trip along the river was my favourite part of Brisbane. Their river is really winding and some of the river homes with their own jetty were amazing.

4 of the Wallabies, names...????

There is a Wallabies vs Springbox rugby game this Saturday (5th Sept) and which I was walking through the town there was a public press conference so I got some photos of some Ozzy rugby players. I really hope they beat them because:
1) The Springbox embarrassed the Lions this year.
2) Australians need to win something since we won the Ashes.

I just can't believe that I am actually coping with the weather. For example, the temperatures have been really mild and right now its just began chucking it down!?its just began to pour down! Not sure what I'll be doing today.

Off to Brizzy

Sunday morning, 3.45 am I wake up, get my stuff together and get to the Sydney airport for 5 am for my 6am flight to Brisbane. The flight was 1hr 30 min long. Very painless!

Brisbane had experience high high temperatures while I was in Sydney. I get to Brisbane and I bring wind, rain and cool temperatures. Phew! Im staying with my Mum's cousin David and Sadie who I havent seen in 16 years! Sunday is BBQ day and Tara, my hosts daughter came with her husband and we ate and drank, so much that I passed out at 4pm. Twas great!

Sydney

OK, I am British and I grew up in an area where is rains...alot, so I'm kind of finding Australia weather really boring. Wake up, clear blue sky. Go to bed, starry sky. Wake up, clear blue sky. Kinda boring :/ Its mad really! This is their 'winter' and its 23 degrees!? Wheres the logic? Thats a British summer!

Heading up to Brisbane on Sunday (6am flight!) and they have been experiencing 28-33 degrees! I'm gonna die! This coming from a girl who enjoys winds and thunder storms!

Sydney reminds me alot of Manchester which had helped but also hindered my transition into 6 months life abroad. On one side its great because it seems very familiar and on the other it reminds me of home and I get home sick.

Had a bit of a wobbler yesturday morning so I rang home. My phone bill is gonna be huge! Dont really care though. Wanted to hear familiar voices and it calmed me right down!

Going to Bondi Beach today. Got my camera and note pad ready for any inspiration that I might and hope I get. Got some stories that Ive started that needs developing.

Managed to block both my Natwest and Cashcard yesturday. Its so silly. I told the bank that I was going to Australia but they blocked it because it was coming from an unusual location. Doh!
Everything is sorted now and Im going to have a grrreeeeaaaatttt day! Out for tea with Miriam and her friends. Gonna have something Australian and then we're gonna hit the bars! Whoop! x

Arrived!

What a journey! The first leg was a 7 hour trip to Dubai. What Larks! I was lucky enough to be sat next to an infant for 3+ of those 7 lovely hours.
Flying with Emirates was fine. The transfer was easy although you need to have Dubai money to buy anything if you need to. But there was a travel exchange there in the airport so it was no biggy.
The 13 hour flight from Dubai to Sydney was looonnnnggg but there is enough entertainment to pick from that its all fine. The landing at Sydney airport was awful. Its was 5 hours ago now and Im still swaying with the motions. The landing was awful for one reason, I felt as though I was going to puke! I had a hangover once where I got really really bad pins and needles in my hands before I managed to get to the loo. But this time! The pins and needles got so bad that I couldnt work my hands, which freaked my out because I would need them if I had to be ill. And then! The weird pins and needles feeling was in my stomach sides! I mean WHAT THE F**K?!?!? Anyho, the weird travel sickness passed when we finally touched down.

While I was in the Dubai airport toilets I got chatting to a Austalian woman who I ended up sitting behind. She commented on my accent and it turns out that her husband and she lived in Carlisle, Cumbria in 2001, and her husband helped out with the Foot and Mouth crisis. They loved Cumbria and had gone back since. They even knew about Workington! Its crazy, you can be anywhere in the world and the chances are youll find someone with a connection with Cumbria!

Well, Sydney! Got through customs and to Miram's fine and dandy and by 10am (Sydney time), Miriam was at work and I was walking along the harbour taking in the sight of the Opera House.
Got photos and Ill put them up when I can. Keep an eye on my Photo gallery.

There are two funny things about Sydney.
1) The pedestrian road crossings. The make sounds like a retro Pac Man game. And when your allowed to cross, its sounds like a blast from a lazer gun from the origianl Star Trek.
2) The mix of old and new buildings just reminds me of Manchester.

Right! Well I'm off to collapse and sleep for a couple of hours! x

OMG!

Well, I got through check in fine and I've got 55 minutes before my gate opened.

This is the hardest thing I have ever done. Can not remember the last time I've cried so much. I'm sick of crying. Pretty sure I 've had some looks as I was coming in to the waiting lounge.

It's just SO WEIRD! I'm going! I'm actually going!

Flying with Emirates so I am hoping for a smooth flight. Got a window seat and the choice is mine to watch Flight of the Conchords. Just need to be distracted.

6 months! OH. MY. GOD!

Last week...

Talk about being sent off in style!

Last Friday I giving a leaving do by the lovely Jamie and Lise, along with the Chorlton Players. A BBQ like no other. A BBQ where I played and KICKED ASS at Lord of the Rings Trivial Pursuit! 

I knew the most obscure answers to questions. Any Lord of the Rings fan would be impressed. Anyone else would just think I was weird :D 

Me and James at the BBQ.

(James had to grow a beard for his role in the play... and for some reason I found it very interesting...)

On Tuesday, I was treated to the day at Centre Parks in Cumbria. Something I think EVERYONE should do at least once in their life. Talk about relaxation. Could hardly move after most of the steam rooms. 

Wednesday, both my parents were down in brilliant Manchester where me and my sister got wined and dinned to the extreme! We went to the Grill on the Alley where they sell the best steaks! The peppercorn sauce is lovely and when you go, do try the sticky toffee pudding (which I would definitely choose as my death row pudding!)

Yesterday was the last minute buying day. I was going to use a backpack for my travels but it was decided that a suitcase would be better. I spent the evening laughing at the Chorlton Player's play "The Lady from Maxim's". 

Tonight I'm out with my sister at the Cutloose night. Read all about it on her blog; Discouture!

Last trip up to Cumbria

This weekend I've been in Cumbria saying goodbyes to friends and relatives. 

Tonight is a classic night out round Workington (not for the faint of heart!), went round with Debbie, Madz and I had a 'pre show' drink with Jen. It was all good fun.

I am going to miss people :(

I went to a friends wedding last weekend and it just made me realise how much I am going to miss everyone.

My friends, especially all of the Chorlton Players are brilliant and I'm gutted I'm going to miss out on 3 of their plays :(

I wonder how I'm going to cope. I'm sure I'll be fine *nervous half laugh*.

Here’s to new friends and the adventure to come! Tally ho chaps!

Packing...

Oh my! I want to take a lot of stuff.

My Auntie (really my Mum's cousin) gave me a backpack that lasted her 3 weeks in France...that should last me 6 months...right?

The people at STA travel said that I shouldn't take too much stuff as I can easily buy what I need over there and also I need room for souvenirs and stuff. Serious rethink is in order.

Also what about temperatures? My guidebook says that the general temperatures for New Zealand during summer are between 12-22 degrees. What should I take!?!?!?!?!

Will I be too hot? Too cold? ARGH!

The Before...

Hey, my name is Jen and in a months time I will be setting out, alone, on my very own ickle Kiwi Adventure.

Setting this blog up, it hard for me to believe that I am actually going! GMT +12!

Sure I'm scared but I'm also SO excited! A couple of years ago me and my friend Debbie went round Europe on a Topdeck tour. We went to 12 countries and did many crazy things. It was on this trip that Debbie came up with the philosophy that I try to live my life by... DEATH BED. 

General principle is: what do you want to say on your Death Bed? Do you want to say that you stayed in the same place all your life, working 9-5, living for the weekend where you just went to the pub? OR do you want to say that you have travelled, experienced a sex show in Amsterdam, paraglided off a mountain in Austria just after a thunderstorm has gone by, went white water rafting (even though your terrified), ate French snails while drinking champagne and watching the sunset by the Eiffel Tower?(p.s that was just from one trip!).

I want to be able to say that I have seen everything, done everything, experienced everything I ever wanted to. That's why I am going to New Zealand (with a little stop over in Australia on route).  

So! Checklist:

Passport- check

Visa's- check

Insurance- check

I think I may be ready! EEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!