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December 2005

Monthly Archive

Uncategorized31 Dec 2005 09:05 am

Uncategorized24 Dec 2005 01:00 pm

Christmas on the beach

I finally felt a bit grounded as we pulled into Wellington two nights ago. Wellington is the southern most city in the northern island and is also the capitol of nz. There is a lot of history in this city as well as the second largest in population next to Auckland. Sarah, Bobby and I are staying with our friend Kelsi who is from the states and in BUNAC as well. Her flat mates are all very chill and are willing to show us the stuff you cant find in the tour books. The flat is a long two blocks from the beach so getting some sun on Christmas wont be a problem (unless of course the sun doesnt feel like celebrating with us) Yesterday was our first full experience of Wellington so we decided to go the the national museum. Te Papa (Maori for Our Country) is huge with four floors of three to four different exhibits on each floor. It would take a considerable amount of time to see all of it since we spent a good three hours and I only got through two exhibits.
I am excited to spend Christmas in this city but I do miss my family and would love to spend this time with them. It wont be the same holiday without my family (but there are so many OTHER holidays ~right guys!?) As for us, I think we will go out to a fine dinner at Kelsi’s restaurant where she waits then perhaps to treat ourselves to another nz tradition -go see King Kong. So this Christmas will be pretty low key and thats just how I like it and save the grand extravaganza for New Years!
I just want to thank everyone who has kept in touch with me and I really am thankful you even though I am so bad at keeping in touch on my end. I just wish and hope someday you all will get to experience a place like this and you know I would bring you all along if I could. Have a merry Christmas and a safe New Years!!

Uncategorized20 Dec 2005 12:02 pm

New Photos

I have posted some new picts from the last week. Just click on the Picures link below.
Also if you are having troubs with the video go to link in one of the earlier posts.

PICTURES

Uncategorized20 Dec 2005 11:57 am

Tairua: the highs, the lowes

From the very north end of nz we are slowly now making our way down. We stopped in a little hidden town called Tairua and stayed with Andrea and Shot Lowe. They are from Kearney and have been spending the cold, gloomy Nebraska winters in Tairua for the past 15 years. They really treated us like family and had an awesome view of the bay the volcano. We were fighting off the rain to be able to enjoy the beach but the rain here is torrential (to keep the rainforests green) but we still managed to visit the Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach (which is much better in the rain) Cathedral Cove was spectacular with a great golden beach and Hot Water Beach is almost too hot to handle. Thermal activity beneath the surface warms the sand to where you can dig a hole, fill it up with sea water and chill in a giant hot tub! At points it was almost too hot and we gladly invited the waves to wash in. The Lowes and Tairua were a great break from hostels and camp sites and we are very thankfull for thier hopspitality.

Uncategorized16 Dec 2005 10:18 am

Video and pictures up!!

Fianlly the first batch of pictures (trust me there are 100’s of em) and very first video. feel free to comment and tell me what you think.
VIDEO
PICTURES

Uncategorized15 Dec 2005 02:42 pm

To the edge and back.

I am finally back in Auckland today from a 5 day excursion to the very northern tip of New Zealand and back. We saw some of the most amazing scenes I have ever seen, snorkeled in a bay of islands, saw the converge of the pacific and Tasman seas, drove on one of the longest beaches in the world, tobogganed down giant sand dunes, and of course, ate some of the best seafood around…and its only been a week!! You cant imagine to scenery here but hopefully you can see just a glimpse of it when i get a chance to post some pictures and videos (by tomorrow i promise)
I have so much stuff to write and so many stories so far but I dont want to make this too wordy and bore you. I think the pictures will speak for themselves. Sara and I met a guy from Michigan named Bobby at orientation and he has been with us so far. It has helped cut costs and he has a pretty decent selection on his ipod. But we rarely need it because it doesnt take very long to drive anywhere here. They say you can travel the entire length of both islands in 28 hrs!
Well I have already made this too long but if you would like to call me my cell receives FREE incoming calls. Its 011 64 210 234 1959…or you can text and that is free for me too. take care.

Uncategorized12 Dec 2005 05:34 pm

Problems with the video?

try this link to download quicktime.
dont worry there will be more to come!
GO HERE

Uncategorized09 Dec 2005 01:11 pm

Safe arrivals and killer jet lag

Sorry for the delay in writing to you all and i appreciate all the messages of concern.
I arrived in NZ around 7:30 am on thursday morning and for the first time in my life am a foreigner. I didnt really feel out of place until a gentleman asked my on the flight where I was coming from and I replied the United States; not Nebraska, or Kearney or Cottonmill Lake, but from America.
The 13 hr. flight was surprising easy to take. The in flight movies where terrible and I only watched them out of lack of a place to go (other than out the window). They were all kids movies and The Dukes of Hazard (Dukes took first in the worst of the worst…yeee-ha!) The food wasnt bad but I probably wouldnt pay for it at a restaurant. Again the window was the other option.
So am now Sarah and I living in a YHA (Youth Hostel Assoc.) in downtown Auckland. The transition was about as seamless as you could ask for. I soon regretted backing so much luggage, hauling 70+ lb. bags up escalators and in long lines but everything came for a reason and will come in handy at some point. We got to our room (which smell reminded me of the high school locker room after a summer football practice…hmm yummy!) but it didnt seem to compare to the jet lag we felt once we put our bags down. The first day in a completely new country takes a while to sink in. We will stay here as long it takes to get a cell phone, bank account and a car. I will let you know my new number asap.
Well thats about it for me now. I will post more later. Take care and I miss you all.

Uncategorized02 Dec 2005 12:37 pm

Videos now working

Yes I have got off my lazy butt and published a video. To preface the video, it makes no sense and is just a test. Its 18 sec. of entertainment (loosely termed) but its entertainment nonetheless.
On a sunny summer day, my roommate at the time Aaron (the BUG) Borden and I decided to take a little stroll down I-80. I really wanted to capture the essence of a road trip. The pure enjoyment of the pavement blazing under your tires in the summer’s heat. The endless ribbon of asphalt criss-crossing the country reaching every destination your mind could possibly want to visit. With Aaron bearing the wheel and I taking my position in the back (to hold down the tripod in the 70+ mph wind) we took off. So in honor of those who are the traveling souls, I give you “drive.”
Click Here

December 2005

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