After the fruit-picking season ended in Tauranga, I decided to take a bus back to Auckland for a couple of days with my German friend, Katrin. It was sad to leave all the people I met there, but I think you just get used to saying good-bye while traveling. I still keep in touch with some of them and hope to see everyone again at some point.

On my birthday, Katrin and I went on a sailboat for the afternoon and then out-and-about for the night. I know a couple of people who live in Auckland, so we all met up for a fun night out. They didn’t want me to feel lonely or miss friends and family on my birthday, so they showed me a great time. Of course I still missed everyone, but had fun regardless!

After Auckland, Katrin and I headed to Waiheke Island. It’s just a short ferry ride from the city with lots of wineries and beaches. We checked into a hostel called Kina Backpackers. It was very laid-back and had an absolutely amazing view of the beach.

Luke, the owner, lives next door with his family and runs the place well. I even caught him drawing with a marker on the face of a passed-out, drunk Irish guy. Hilarious. While staying there, we visited a winery, hiked, ran on the beach and just relaxed. Waiheke is really quiet this time of year. It is really small and doesn’t have much nightlife. The nightlife exists in the hostels I suppose. We met an English guy, coincidentally named Guy, who helps Luke run the hostel. He offered to take me and some friends around the island where the buses don’t go. We got out of the car on top of a hill to take a picture and the car broke down. We tried to jump the car, but that didn’t work. Oh and it was raining. Luke got in car to come get us and ended up getting in a wreck and flipping his van! He was ok, but shaken up. Oh and did I mention the car that we broke down in was also Luke’s? Guy managed to break two of Luke’s cars in one day. Another girl attempted to come get us and got stuck in the mud. Finally, she was able to get out and come find us. It was an interesting day to say the least.

Last week, I went by myself to a place called Russell Island. I had to take a ferry at 6 a.m. in the morning from Waiheke to Auckland in order to catch an 8:00 bus from Auckland to Paihia. Katrin got up at 5:30 in the morning and sat outside to wait for the bus with me. What a good friend!!! I miss her already. I came to Russell because I have a work-for-accommodation job with a family. Basically I watch their kids and do some light cleaning for 12 hours per week in exchange for a room in their staff house. Well, the first day I arrived, I received a phone call from the HR lady about the job I had been hoping for in Queenstown on Coronet Peak. They told me I got the job and orientation was the following week. I ended up having to tell the family I will be leaving next week instead of staying. I felt so awful, but I really need a steady job that pays. The next day, I booked my flight to Queenstown and not even 30 minutes later, the HR lady called and told me they were delaying orientation another week due to the lack of snow. Lovely. That’s ok. Everything happens for a reason.

I’m taking everything day-by-day and trying to go with the flow. I try not to worry about the little things and just enjoy living. I have my ups and downs, but I know that’s part of this experience. I love meeting new people from all over the world. I love the endless scenery of this country. I love the casual lifestyle of the Kiwis… no fancy cars, jobs or clothes. I love that I can repeat the same outfit two days in a row and no one cares or even notices for that matter. I do miss a lot from home though… MY PARENTS (so much), brother, sister-in-law, grandpa, my dog, friends, my bed, Tex Mex, Fahrenheit, miles, pounds and the letter Z… you know, the important things. J

Soooo, I guess I’m headed to Queenstown tomorrow. It’s in the South Island where all the ski areas are located. I’ll be working in the administration office. I am actually in the 2nd intake of employees, meaning, I have the job, but I don’t start until the season picks up and it begins to snow. They tell me it should be very soon. Please, please everyone pray for it to snow!!!!! No seriously, every day and night… pray for it to snow. Much appreciated.

I still love hearing from everyone, so don’t forget about me!!! I love detailed e-mails with lots of updates. J Talk soon. Miss you all.

Kia ora! I know it’s been a while, but free wifi is hard to come by. I am currently in a city named Tauranga. I came here so I could make back all the money I spent over the last few weeks by fruit picking. It’s a common job that most all backpackers do; however, I will never feel the same about kiwis. It is a really tough job! I never thought I would be using my college degree for manual labor, but it’s a great experience. It’s really hard on the back and shoulders, but I’m building big muscles. There are tons of fun people from all over the world working in the orchards. If you are slow, the Maoris will fire you! No joke. Needless to say, I will never look at a kiwi without thinking of the thousands I have picked over the last couple of weeks.
In Tauranga, I’m staying at a place called Just the Ducks Nuts (insert joke here). I still have no idea what the meaning is, but it’s still funny. There are three separate houses with a garden and hammock in the middle. There are kitchens and living rooms in each house where everyone hangs out. They are much nicer than the previous places I stayed at… more like a home. There is also a great view of Mount Maunganui overlooking the bay. I had a free day and hiked to the top. It’s a beautiful.

I have met some really awesome people here who are also fruit picking. Tons of French and Germans. Luckily everyone speaks a little English. None of them can understand the locals Kiwi people because of their accent. I have become the official translator.
I have to mention my road trip to Rotorua two weeks ago. The whole city smells of sulfur. It is from the geothermal activity within the region. Luckily, instead of the smell becoming unbearable the longer you stay, the aroma fades. Rotorua also goes by the name Roto-vegas. I now know why. Friday night, we went to a party called Shake the Lake. It was on a huge boat that drove around Lake Rotorua with a local band playing all night. The next day, we did one of the coolest things I have ever done… zorbing! See picture below. You get in a huge, inflated ball that they fill partly with water so you slide instead of flipping with the ball and then push you down a long hill. IT’S SO FUN!!!! My friend Muna even got us two free rides since she works for Base.

You cannot visit Rotorua without visiting one of the hot pools. We went to the Polynesian Spa overlooking Lake Rotorua. There are about 10 different pools with temperatures ranging from 36˚ to 42˚. That’s Celsius, not Farenheit. I still don’t know the conversion, but it was hot. The pools are filled with alkaline mineral water.
The last day, we stopped off to Luge. A world 'first' proudly designed and built in Rotorua. The Luge is a ride on a three-wheel cart. The braking and steering system provides the rider full control and allows you to travel as fast or slow as you want. We took a gondola up the hill where we were armored with a helmet. You can choose from three courses: beginner, intermediate and advanced. It’s kind of scary at first, but once you get comfortable, it’s awesome and you can go really fast!
Today, New Zealand has a public holiday for the Queen’s Birthday. We plan to go watch the Mavericks game. Just so everyone knows, people from all over the world are rooting for our little Mavs! We are world famous! Until next time… Go Mavs!!!