Dels Grown up Gap Year

I can't begin to tell you how emotional the last few hours have been. From crying my eyes out to laughing so hard my sides hurt. It's a struggle from minute to minute to deal with the facts that a) Grandma, my last remaining grandparent, won't be there to listen to my travel stories when I get back and b) the overseas leg of the grown up gap year is ending prematurely. I'm flying home today. And as heartbreaking as it is, it's been made a hell of a lot easier by the lovely, amazing people I've met the last few days, as well as the management and staff of the Blue Lagoon, my home since Tuesday. Nothing has been too much trouble - from opening up the office last night to let me arrange my ... read more

It didn't start off bad. I had a day lounging on the beach, in scorching sunshine, and to cool off, snorkelling around the crystal clear waters of the reef taking in the sights of the fish, corals and ocean bed. We even saw a seahorse. You can't ask for more than that. I took part in a coconut demonstration, learning all about how to prepare, eat, drink and even deep fry the local delicacy which I planned on teaching my Mum when I got home. I floated around in the water with a couple of my friend at the resort, talking about home, each of us recounting stories of our families, jobs and life in the real world. I talked about my Gran. Lots. How she didn't want to move into the nursing home from Burnham ... read more

...allegedly has its perks. Or so I've found out today.... One of the girls in our dorm is so enamoured with her divemaster on a different island she looks like she'll burst into tears at any minute. She's spent all day in the dorm feeling ill and sorry for herself. Another - also in our dorm - has apparently been enjoying some night time entertainment with our resort's very own divemaster for the last week. My friend who I travelled with in Thailand stayed far longer in Asia than she had planned as a result of also falling for her very own Divemaster. Divemastering is clearly where it's at in terms of getting the girls - let that be a lesson to all those thinking of either a new career move or starting internet dating. Success ... read more

February 29th. A leap year. Traditionally the day when a woman can propose to a man. I thought about which eligible men I could propose to today and then realised not only did I not know any, but secondly, I’m having far too fantastic a time on my own to worry about such things. Good things come to those that wait, so they say. I’ll keep on waiting with my fingers crossed that Mr Right appears off the transfer boat later on this afternoon… Today the plan was to do not very much at all, other than greet Mr Right with a marriage proposal. I woke up early but seeing as I was asleep by 9pm, this was no great surprise. However I decided to go back to sleep again, and only woke up 5 minutes ... read more

What a boat trip. From the early morning start (and having survived the night with the creepy Australian), I made it to the port of Denarau for my ferry. The port itself is stunning - a selection of very expensive yachts awaited me, and mixed in among it, my bright illuminous ferry to take me to Nacula Island and Blue Lagoon resort for the next few nights. The ferry had a huge sundeck which I settled myself on nicely for the trip. A newlywed couple sat alongside me for the beginning of the trip, bound for the same location, but there were very few others who wanted to brave the searing heat. I'm tough - and I need to replace the tan that NZ stole, so I'm seeing this one through... Peace was interrupted by the ... read more

Having not slept too well after the trauma of the phone loss, I decided on having a quiet relaxing day planning my week in Fiji. O2 fortunately confirmed that the phone wasn't used before I put a barring order on it so that's one relief. The fact that someone somewhere has the photos of my chest injuries from my car incident is something else - expect graphic postings on some bruising-injury-fetish website soon, should such a thing exist... I did not a great deal today but get pampered. Firstly a pedicure - which revealed that despite the weeks that have passed, sandfly bites take longer to heal than most. One quick file over the top and huge craters in my feet were revealed, to the horror of the beautician. The pain I felt was worse, I ... read more

Today it's time to hit the next country - Fiji - so I'm up early to pack and get ready to leave Ray and Monique's. They've been such lovely hosts for the last few days that it's a shame to go, especially as the Auckland weather picked up yesterday after the previous days of rain rain and more rain. After a stop to pick up a trailer for Monique and Ray to move furniture about today, I said a sad farewell to them at the airport before checking in for my flight to Nadi. At check in, I was greeted by a less than friendly face who was rude in asking for proof of onward travel as well as telling me there wasn't a vegetarian meal to be had en-route for me. Great. Not a good ... read more

A whistle stop tour this morning, as Janine and Dave have to be at a funeral at lunchtime. So we set off for breakfast first in Titirangi, which was unbelievably good, before heading off for a drive to Mount Albert, scene of Dad's soccer triumph, for some photos and a bit of nostalgia. We also went to the start of the Waitakere ranges, where the visitor centre gives you unbelievable views of the city. It was such a lovely morning bombing around sightseeing, that time disappeared too quickly. While Janine and Dave were at the funeral, I picked up the hat that has been left gathering dust on the shelf at home. The hat of the babysitter! Little Joe and I played on the computer and made up brand new rules for Cranium. For those of ... read more

Very excited today because I'm catching up with Janine. I feel a day or two of proper reminiscing coming on - and I can't wait! Having been picked up from Ray's and having met her son, Joe, 3 years old and incredibly cute, we headed off for some sightseeing while the rain was holding off. First stop of the day was a viewpoint - the Michael Savage memorial - which gives beautiful views back of the city. It is also a fantastic hide and seek point, as it turns out, as the three of us ran around hiding from each other, much to the amusement/bemusement of the tourists pouring in to take photos. There'll be a few comedy snaps in their albums of one or more of us in the background of their shots without a ... read more

Today it's pouring down again but undeterred, Ray and I headed off to the city to search for the Auckland Shield. Sounds like an Xbox game admittedly, but this is what we're doing. What is the Auckland Shield, I hear you cry? Well I'm glad you asked. Once upon a time, many moons ago, my Dad was at sea (on water as opposed to all at sea). He was a Radio Officer - a man with a morse key and the ability to talk to the world using a series of dots and dashes. Kids today would ask why he just didn't pick up a phone... Anyway, he sailed with the New Zealand Shipping Company and during these years, there was an inter-ship football competition for a shield named after the location where the games were ... read more