End of the road (for now)

Well, it's all over! After eight countries, 100 days, one 28th birthday, and thousands of miles flown/sailed/ridden across/walked... I am now sitting in my parents' kitchen in Floral Park, New York! It's good to be home, but hard to believe my trip has ended. I had an amazing time and no end of incredible experiences... now I just need to figure out how to take it all with me as I move on to my next adventure(s), whatever they are!

Here's a recap of my final weeks as a wandering traveler:

Skydiving
It takes 10 minutes to gain altitude. The scenery is just stunning. I am quite calm, but my legs have a mind of their own and are shaking slightly. At 12,000 feet the door opens, and in an instant we're on the edge. 45 seconds of freefall follows, the force of the rushing air so strong I barely know I'm falling. When my tandem master pulls the cord, we shoot back up in the air then fall gradually to the ground. The rush of adrenaline lasts long after being back on ground, and I can remember it every time I watch the DVD or look at my photos! This was absolutely the most thrilling, exhilarating single event on my trip! Take a look at the view I had on the way down, and I'm sure you can see why.

Active New Zealand
The "perfect storm" of a trip is the only way I can describe it! Everything came together -- a great group that clicked immediately, challenging yet beautiful itinerary and sights, enthusiastic and incredibly competent (and fun!) guides, 12 days in a row of perfect weather (a virtual impossibility in the volatile South Island winter!). We hiked, biked, and kayaked our way around New Zealand's beautiful South Island. Several nights were spent in mountain huts; with no electricity, early darkness typically meant early bedtimes! Amazing how many hours can be spent playing cards when there's nothing else to do.

I'm struggling to find the words to describe these two weeks! Literally around every bend there was yet another gorgeous vista in front of us. The group was fun to hang out with, and there were constant laughs. I loved, loved New Zealand and if it weren't so far away, could probably consider living there for awhile!

North Island
These 6 days were relatively quiet after the previous two weeks... I visited smelly, sulfury Rotorua and then Taupo (also with a lot of geothermal activity). My half-day tours included ascending Mt. Tarawera (volcanic mountain) in a 4WD vehicle (then descending one of its scree slopes -- a mere 39.6 degree slope down!!) and seeing the sites of Taupo. In Auckland, I went up in the Sky Tower, bought my (final, sniff sniff) Harry Potter the minute it went on sale at 11:01am Saturday, and sailed on a former America's Cup boat with some friends from my South Island trip!

Fijan Finale
In a bit of a splurge, I decided to finish out my trip on a Blue Lagoon cruise. I knew I would probably be the only person my age on my own; this was confirmed when I arrived at check-in and was greeted by name! There was no need to worry I'd be left out though -- everyone was welcoming and friendly -- both the passengers and crew. We enjoyed loads of great snorkeling in clear water, cruising along the Yasawa Islands (often eating while doing so!), and ate a traditional lovo dinner (with the meats barbequed in the ground, similar to a Maori hangi). I will always remember Fiji for singing -- during our two visits on land (one to a village, where adults sang to us; the other to a boarding school, where we listened to an enthusiastic and lovely lovely group of children) and on the ship -- Fijans certainly can sing! It was hard going to bed my third and final night on the ship, knowing my journey was nearly complete!

What's next?
To be honest, this "what's next" question is up in the air at the moment! I have a few different ideas I'm working through, all centered around taking a full year off (from when I left London in April) and then going back to work (though, to what, I'm not sure). Four years ago today, I was arriving in London for what was probably the start of this great journey I've just taken. I have absolutely no idea what I'll be doing four years from today! But am sure it will fall together as it should.

Thank you so much for following me along over the last few months! I loved getting comments and messages along the way. Especially to those of you who are no longer (at least for now) close neighbors, please keep in touch and let me know when you come through New York. For those of you here, I think I've finally shaken off my jet lag and should have a phone by week's end... so I will see you soon!


Love,
Patti

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