Blogs from Paihia, Bay of Islands, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 34

Hello from the beautiful Bay of Islands. After an early start in Auckland yesterday, I boarded my Kiwi experience bus for the first time to head north to the Bay of Islands. We drove through absolutly stunning rolling hills, cows and sheep everywhere and after a stop for a late breakfast at a beefarm, arrived in Paihia around noon. Mel, a friend of a friend from Canada picked me up from the bus and we headed to her house which overlooks the Bay of Islands. Just amazing. People actually live here!!! Anyhow, since Mel and her husband a building a new house on some farm country we checked out the new place, and had a swim and a BBQ on the river in a little beach cove that is right on their property. Heaven!!! is all ... read more

The next day Paihia, I was suppose to meet up with the Holland friends, and they were going to rent a boat for the day to take out themselves....but I slept in and missed them. Bummer! Which turned out to be ok cause it sent me on a path to another adventure. After reading 'Celestine Prophecy', I have become aware and intrigued as to why I met certain people at the times I do, and what kind of information we may have to share with each other. I think this occurs every day in our lives- but normally we're set on such a schedule that we don't necessarily have time or interest to really talk to people in our passing and hear their stories- which may actually have a lesson or insight for us. But when ... read more

Everything worked out great when I arrived into Auckland- I met up with my friend Craig who was able to offer me a place to stay for the night- which is always nice to save a little on accomodation. The next day we went to a beach town close to Auckland called Piha with one of his co-workers, Karin and her boyfriend, both who are from Austria. Played a lot of volleyball, picnic on the beach, went body surfing and saw hundreds of star fish. After spending the day with Karin and her boyfriend, I already felt like i was on my way to making friends that I would keep in touch withfor a long time... It has already amazed me the generosity that people have over here- the Kiwi's but also just all the other ... read more

well well well look who it is Jan 14/07 Lesson of the day: Sun is extremely hard to find in Auckland so when you see it, enjoy it. Well the weather gods had finally looked down on me today and decided that several days of rain and clouds was enough suffering on this poor poor lad. So by late afternoon the weather turned to gold so the family and I went to the beach to soak up some rays and try out some body surfing on the decent sized waves. But sadly this came at a price as a huge wave knocked me to the ground, taking not only my juice money and my pride but also my Oakley sunglasses, which I have had since the 9th grade.... R.I.P oakleys you will be missed. Jan 15/07 ... read more

OK, so what I suggest now is that you take the rest of the day off, get a cuppa, put the fires on and sit comfy cos you're in for one heck of a read. The thing is, I wrote this one Dec 16th and must have pressed save instead of publish (bloomin computers), so now I have come to continue, I just came accross this one saved. Dec 13th: Sorry its been a while. Just that I've taken the kiwi laidback attitude a litle too far too quickly I fear. Life has been ex tre m el y slow of late, but hey ho the weathers good, the people are good, and I'm sorry to say I'm being good. (chance of otherwise would be a fine thing). So...yeh... Arrival:happened. I have to say its the ... read more