Sometimes when I'm awake, I feel like I'm still dreaming

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island
February 27th 2006

Published: February 27th 2006

Is this really possible? Do I really have a job picking apples on a farm in New Zealand? Do I really know how to operate not one, but several different types of tractors? Am I really working for a guy who regularly takes his dogs on pig hunts and told me that "living in the country is about being able to wake up in the morning and take a piss on your front lawn with nobody around for more than ... Read Full Entry

Photos are below

Photos: 42, Displayed: 21

Starting out on day 2

Blisters all over my feet but what ya gonna do?

Tidal crossing

You have to cross this part during low tide.

View of tidal crossing

Looking back from up ahead on the trail.

Suspension bridge

Dude, does it make you nervous when I jump around on this thing?

Approaching Bark Bay

We camped by this beach for the second night.

Fashion victim

And this is before he put on his brand new neon green hoodie.

Leaving at sunrise

Lack of planning strikes again. We had to wake up at 6am so we could make it to the second tidal crossing before high tide.

We made it to the Arawoa Lodge

I'm never hiking in sandals again. My feet are still recovering. But we got to the lodge in time for breakfast and coffee.

Victory bowl of coffee

They served coffee either in a cup or a bowl.

Ramp to the beach at Awaroa

This is where we caught the water taxi to take us back to the van.

Oops.. my bad

I drove into the curb by accident.

Random campsite for a night

We're ready to chill.

Cool sunset

Very dramatic.

Bringing in my first 2 full bins

Loo loo loo I got some apples...

In the apple orchard

My tractor.

Scenery

Besides the apple trees, this is what I see while I'm picking.

Hanging out after work

The guy in the middle with the blue shirt is my boss. One day he brought us all a couple beers after work.

Will and Goober

Native Kiwis and now part of our fruit picking family.

I wasn't kidding about pig hunting

Like I said, our boss goes on pig hunts with his dogs and actually invited Bryan to come along. This is what they brought back.

Start laughing

Alan's tractor after it crashed into a ditch. Fortunately his apples survived.

Team America

Camping on the orchard.

27th February 2006

JJ
non-member comment

Team America World Police
America...Fuck Yeah! Picking Apples to save the motherfucking day! You guys are living the life - keep up the posts

27th February 2006

Florina
non-member comment

You ROCK!
It looks like you are having an awesome time, I miss you Brian!

27th February 2006

Bim Biddy Bop
non-member comment

oh yeah
I wake up on monday's and read these blogs and i know i'm dreaming.... and then i want to call out sick and join you or pinch myself self and maybe this is a dream sitting in a cube. anyway i wish i read this on friday. but your stories are awesome. especially the bus and allan crashing the tractor. i can't believe you are driving tractors.

27th February 2006

Lloyd Christmas
non-member comment

five dollars a head
sup dawg. love the pix. that picture of alan's crashed tractor is hysterical. oh and that suspension bridge, indiana jones and the temple of doom all the way!!!

27th February 2006

Gianna
non-member comment

You guys are hysterical. I love the apple picking job and Alan crashing the tractor....

27th February 2006

rich
non-member comment

did alan crash because the tractor has a manual transmission?

28th February 2006

Barf
non-member comment

Hahaha
Loo loo loo, I got some apples...Go butters!!! Skwitz...goin to see NOFX this week....not sure it beats pickin apples, but it will be a good time. Do me a favor: Drive your tractor to my building and roll over my cubicle please!

28th February 2006

Betty
non-member comment

Apples
We're so proud to have raised migrant farm workers. Hilarious pictures. We love you, keep up the hard work.

28th February 2006

Ice cold beer only $2
non-member comment

Stop Press: Superman loves apples... apparently
It would appear that Alan is expecting superman to come and steal his apples since he appears to be wearing a hoody made of kryptonite.....

28th February 2006

Chicken Teriyaki
non-member comment

Take off her clothes and LOOLOOLOO
I'm trying to figure out why manual labor sounds more interesting than spending all of one's time smelling like parmesan oregano bread and asking customers if they want the fresh value meal--I can't seem to put my finger on it...Haven't you been away for like 2 years already? Al, Shouldn't you have been to more than 2 countries if you intend on visiting at least 85? you guys did miss a rediculous utah ski trip (40 feet of powdery goodness) but vermont has a base of 32" so your not missing much on the east. Al-no more popping wheelies in the tractor. Thanks again for leaving me without any friends for a long, long time.

3rd March 2006

Ush
non-member comment

Does your job require any numbchuck skills?
What up sucka! These pics and stories look unreal. I think that dude who's been traveling since '79 is J. Peterman's long lost brother. FYI, I am single, graduating school in approx. 2 months, and don't start work until Sept. 20. That means mayhem European style for at least 5 weeks starting in beginning of August. Alan better not be decked out in neon jump suits by then.

4th March 2006

Neil
non-member comment

sqwwwwwwwwwwitziz
yo yo - glad to see you guys are having the time of your life....wonder of meeting the dude thats been travelling since '79 is any sort of sign from above!!! keep the posts coming - your stories are awesome!!

21st March 2006

Dustin Cadreau
non-member comment

That crashed tractor pic is great.

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