Hi Everyone Just a quick update on life the past few weeks. Been in Nelson for almost two weeks now living at Paradiso (aka Paradise) and it has been fantastic. We have been hanging out with our Canadian friends from Saskatoon, Montreal and BC.... its pretty funny that you travel half way around the world and end up spending most of your time with Canadians here. Days have been blending together the past few weeks have gone by so quickly. I am learning how to play poker and started going to "hot yoga" classes (which are way too hot and I miss fit it in fitness yoga but I have definately enjoyed the classes) We have had a beach day and tons of days hanging by the pool. Night life in Nelson is pretty chill lots ... read more

The East Coast Arrived in Queenstown and immediately loved the city. It is right on the water with beautiful mountains in the background. We stayed 5 nights there at the Nomads which is NZ’s winner of the golden backpacker. We met up with almost everyone we have met along our travels here and this was a great chance to swap travel stories and play a little Frisbee golf and of coarse dive into the delicious “Fergburger”. The first night we went out and our friend Heather Lawrence from Guelph surprised us at the bar. I was so excited to see her, a few nights later was her 24th Birthday and in classic Gryphon style we all did a big wind your toy dance for her birthday. It was decided that we had to do something adventurous ... read more

Hi everyone Internet has been difficult to get lately; sorry for the delay in the blogs (I know everyone must be missing them :) ) Well we found paradise at Paradiso Backpackers in Nelson. The hostel had a swimming pool, sauna, beach volleyball court and lots of Canadians! We stayed for two nights there went to the beach and relaxed by the pool it was perfect. Hopped onto the Stray bus with our driver “Bubbles” and we have been travelling with the same bunch of people since Nelson. A really great group people from all over the place and we have been travelling the west coast. First stop was Abel Tasman one of NZ’s national parks. We stayed at the “Barn” in these little cabins and there was a fire every night just outside the kitchen ... read more

The Journey from Auckland to Wellington! Found ourselves on the streets of auckland early Friday am in a beautiful compact Yaris, me at the wheel. Heading out on the opposite side of the road lead to many hilarious car adventures. We headed toward the Hot Water Beach. Roads here are really windy and the kiwis are taking them at 100 kph..... I was averaging about 50 kph and was confused about my blinkers.... but we made it in one piece. It was unreal how hot the water was! The beach was beautiful and we stayed just outside of town. Next day we were off to lake Taupo which was my favourite place so far. Went on a great hike with a cool waterfall at the end and went in for a quick dip there just to ... read more

Thanks to everyone who came out to dance the night away at baracuda.... hilarious night and I am so glad we were able to get such a large crowd out. I have been pretty lucky with all my goodbye gatherings from the goodbye bash at the farm, to my yoga party send off and again friday night! Next Blog will come from NZ!... read more