Hello all!
I´ve been at my first WWOOF home for 2 days now. (WWOOF is an organization of organic farms, where members like me can go and work part of each day in exchange for room and board). My hosts are Briar and Geoffry, their son Josh, and their nephen Ashla. I´ve spent most of my time with the two other WWOOFers here- Ignacio is from Chile and has been cycling throughout New Zealand, and Femka from Holland is the biggest Bruce Springsteen fan I´ve ever met. The atmosphere here is very friendly and laid-back and we´ve done mostly indoor housework so far, taking the old family dog for a long walk each night to explore the neighborhood. Yesterday he wandered right into the kitchen of a house down the road!
This area just outside of Nelson is beautiful and hot. The beaches are just a bike ride away, and the rolling hills around us are green and filled with small pastures. There are horses, alpaca and sheep next door, and the Aussie up the hill actually has an emu in his front yard!
It looks like a couple of friends from Willamette, Bekah and Timm, will be arriving in Nelson this weekend, so hopefully I will get the chance to meet up with them while we´re all here. Isn´t it funny that I´ve gone halfway around the world yet still find so many familiar faces?
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Maine Connections
Today I leave Auckland for a bit and start the bus journey down to Nelson, a city on the north end of the South Island where I will be WWOOFing for a couple of weeks. I'll be stopping off at Taupo for the night, a little touristy town on Lake Taupo that's supposed to be beautiful and have great swimming. I can't believe I still haven't been in the water yet- it's turquoise and tropical-looking and certainly much warmer than Maine!
I had a lovely few days visiting some Mainers here in the Auckland area. I spent Valentine's day with Nat and Betsy Warren-White, a couple from South Freeport who are circumnavigating on Bahati. They showed me around their boat and marina as well as some areas of the North shore, where we went out for dinner and a movie. By the end of the visit, they had almost talked me into joining them from one of the ocean crossings, something I will definitely keep in mind for future plans!
Donna, my grandmother's friend, met me off the ferry and we hopped on another one out to one of the islands nearby. We spent the beautiful sunny day on the water or near it, walking the beaches and exploring by bus Waiheke Island. It was wonderful to meet her finally and her about her numerous adventures and travel stories.
Well, time's up at the library so I'll sign off for now- ciao!
I had a lovely few days visiting some Mainers here in the Auckland area. I spent Valentine's day with Nat and Betsy Warren-White, a couple from South Freeport who are circumnavigating on Bahati. They showed me around their boat and marina as well as some areas of the North shore, where we went out for dinner and a movie. By the end of the visit, they had almost talked me into joining them from one of the ocean crossings, something I will definitely keep in mind for future plans!
Donna, my grandmother's friend, met me off the ferry and we hopped on another one out to one of the islands nearby. We spent the beautiful sunny day on the water or near it, walking the beaches and exploring by bus Waiheke Island. It was wonderful to meet her finally and her about her numerous adventures and travel stories.
Well, time's up at the library so I'll sign off for now- ciao!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
City of Sails
Hello from downunder!
I've had my first two days in hot, sunny Auckland. After a good night's rest (preceded by a whopping 36 hours of travel!), the city seemed a much pleasanter and more enjoyable place. Yesterday ended in a bright red sunburn, a somewhat lonely Julia and some very achy feet.
I walked all day today, starting from my lovely hostel on a hill and traversing the oldest neighborhood of the city until I found the bustling downtown area. After a lovely stroll down Queen Street, Auckland's upscale shopping district, I meandered back towards the water. I've noticed that all of my walks have ended up at various parts of the harbor- the upscale yacht clubs in my neighborhood, the pier with the ferry terminal downtown, the docks of the sleek racing yachts... Beautiful sailboats cut across the harbor on aggressive tacks, catching the breeze and skimming across the turquoise water. Tomorrow I'll take a ferry across the harbor to meet up with Bahati, a sailboat from Maine, and its friendly crew from Freeport. It sounds like we'll be taking it for a test run to a nearby island for the night as it's just been relaunched. Can't wait to be on the water!
I've had my first two days in hot, sunny Auckland. After a good night's rest (preceded by a whopping 36 hours of travel!), the city seemed a much pleasanter and more enjoyable place. Yesterday ended in a bright red sunburn, a somewhat lonely Julia and some very achy feet.
I walked all day today, starting from my lovely hostel on a hill and traversing the oldest neighborhood of the city until I found the bustling downtown area. After a lovely stroll down Queen Street, Auckland's upscale shopping district, I meandered back towards the water. I've noticed that all of my walks have ended up at various parts of the harbor- the upscale yacht clubs in my neighborhood, the pier with the ferry terminal downtown, the docks of the sleek racing yachts... Beautiful sailboats cut across the harbor on aggressive tacks, catching the breeze and skimming across the turquoise water. Tomorrow I'll take a ferry across the harbor to meet up with Bahati, a sailboat from Maine, and its friendly crew from Freeport. It sounds like we'll be taking it for a test run to a nearby island for the night as it's just been relaunched. Can't wait to be on the water!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Safe and sound, almost settled
Hello all,
Just wanted to let you know that I've arrived safely in Auckland. Customs was a breeze and I headed straight downtown when I left the airport, wandering around the piers and docks a bit while I waited for things to open up. I've been here at my hostel for a couple of hours and, after a much-needed shower, explored the neighborhood a bit. The sun is out, it is muggy and the deafening sound of crickets (or some kind of chirping insect) reminds me a little too much of the plane! I'm now setting out hopefully to catch some of the Louis Vuitton series sailboat races here in the harbor and maybe to swim, if I find a good-looking spot. I must say I've adapted more to the sub-freezing temperatures at this point than the plus-80 ones.
Anyways, thanks for checking in!
Just wanted to let you know that I've arrived safely in Auckland. Customs was a breeze and I headed straight downtown when I left the airport, wandering around the piers and docks a bit while I waited for things to open up. I've been here at my hostel for a couple of hours and, after a much-needed shower, explored the neighborhood a bit. The sun is out, it is muggy and the deafening sound of crickets (or some kind of chirping insect) reminds me a little too much of the plane! I'm now setting out hopefully to catch some of the Louis Vuitton series sailboat races here in the harbor and maybe to swim, if I find a good-looking spot. I must say I've adapted more to the sub-freezing temperatures at this point than the plus-80 ones.
Anyways, thanks for checking in!
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