Konnie

Tuesday, 3rd As I only have the car for a couple of days I figured I'd better make the most of it, so I set off to Franz Josef Glacier some 469km / 8 hours away. Just outside of town I saw to hitchhikers, I wanted to stop and pick them up, but didn't. As I drove away I had the gut feeling that I should go back for them. I turned around and picked them up. It turned out to be a mother and her daughter, Andrea and Johanna Hertwich. They were on their way to Murchison, and it was on my way. They are from Germany and immigrated ten years ago. They live on an organic farm just outside of town and went into wellington do get a passport. We had some interesting conversation ... read more

January, 2009 Friday, 2nd I left Clive & Lize’s at 7am, not realizing it’s a public holiday and the busses only run from 08:30. I phoned a taxi and was at the train station in a flash! Public transport rocks! I took the train, and various other modes of transportation including my feet to El Ranch (Waikanae Christian Holiday Park). I checked into my flat, aptly named The Ritz, unpacked and set about exploring the grounds with a map. I walked around for about 2 hours, including the 20min walk to Waikanae beach. The grounds are huge and it’s really beautiful here. I stood and watched as Sam and Burnie took some kids from the motor camp Go karting. I observed how they interacted with the kids and their parents, quite interesting. After the session I ... read more

December 22nd Johan dropped me off at the bus terminal and I took the link bus to Rotorua, where I had to wait 3 hours for the bus to Wellington. I walked around town and got some snacks for the road. A lot of things have been happening in me and one of the biggest things is the fact that I truly, utterly love Vicky. Being in NZ and exploring the country and finding myself is amazing, but I want her by my side, traveling with me, experiencing everything with me. I finally had the guts to tell her this and to commit to her, from underneath a big tree in the Rotorua, 12000km away. I love you baby! In high spirits, I boarded the bus to Wellington. The drive down was great, I had two ... read more

Thursday 18th, In high spirits, & with a promise that I will be safe, I left camp, ready fot the next leg on my jouney, hoping to make it to Tauranga. I am so glad I listened to God, because just ouside of town a small camper pulled up beside me. The driver said he's going to Matamata, to the Hobbiton set from Lord of the Rings & Taurange is on his way. His name is Bas Poppe, from the Netherlands. he is on a 9 month spiritual journey accross the world. We had the most amazing conversation about life, love, relationships, God, religion en everything else. It was like we've been friends for years! We stopped for coffee in Waihi at the Kava Café & he bought me the best cuppaccino I have ever had. ... read more

Sunday, 14th I'm staying at the Hahei Holiday Resort in Hahei/Cathedral Cove. Its a rather huge campsite & from the look of things kiwi's & other travelers love campervans, the place is stacked with them! I, on the other hand definitely have the biggest & best tent around, but more about that later. Unlike my day, the first night here was uneventful, just had a relaxing time on the beach. These beaches are really beautiful & the bays you look out on is spectacular, with little islands strewn all over the place. The only thing I'm not used to is the weather. It changes a very quickly & the wind never stops blowing! Monday, 15th Woke up today, tired & stiff from my long hike the previous day & a bit drained emotionally. I thought a ... read more