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Published: March 7th 2007
The day after the Milford Sound trek was Amy's birthday- she turned 27- so good night for a celebration. After the trek we headed to Queenstown to party- and boy oh boy was I ready for a night out on the town. I hadn't been out for about 3 weeks at that point was itching for a night out. So it worked out perfect to meet back up with Jo in Queenstown, Lee came along- the guy we walked with on the trek, and we all went out and had a kick ass time! Just so much fun- got some good dancing in! And felt good to sleep in a hostel- where we happened to have our own room- got a much needed shower, not too much rest though.
The next day we headed to Lake Hawea- a beautiful lake that Jo and I actually already spent a night at- we went there to meet Jo's group of friends he met in Australia. A group of 7 who had rented a camper van together....so we went to meet up with them- they happened to be staying at the same exact side path that me and Jo had picked out about
Day at Lake Hawea
Bradley- my new traveling partnera week earlier...and this day at the lake turned out to be one of the best days in my life...totally BLISSFUL!
There was such a unique energy that was present- altogether there was about 12 of us- so it was so nice for me to be around such a big group of people camping- versus the quitness i got used to with just one other person. It was such a beautiful day- hot out, the lake was warm- the boys found a floating log that was positioned about waist deep out in the lake that turned into the bar/hang out area- went for a great swim- like 30 minutes- got away from the group for a little- did some topless meditation 😉 get those boobies some color! and had one of the best meditations of my life...coming off of the trek- being in good company, and such an amazing setting i was able to calm my mind more so than ever before- a really special moment for me.
As the sun went down, did some painting, and moved over to the bonfire that was started- everyone around the warmth of the fire- sang a little with the guitar
Day at Lake Hawea
the boys at the log bar and just hung out and had some great conversations from people around the world...really a special day- and everyone was on the same level- which helped to heighten my perspective of the day as well.
So the original plan was that i was going to book it back up to Auckland for my flight to australia on the 23rd....but as things seem to do when traveling...plans have changed...
a funny story...when we were out in queenstown, we went to one bar late night and we were sitting around a table with a few people we met- and this one guy Bradley, from London- i was talking to him for about 30 minutes and he seemed like a cool guy, he was a little drunk that night- buying bottles of champaign and sharing it with me- sweet! So we ended up closing up the bar and a group of us headed to a park to hang out a little more- as we were walking down the street Bradley asked to roll one of my cigarettes- yes i've been smoking...i'm going to for sure quit in Nepal...keeps getting pushed back, huh- but ive been rolling my own cigarettes- so the
Day at Lake Hawea
The crew enjoying the blissful day! packs end up being $20-$30- but last a lot longer- cheaper in the long run. And i had just bought them that day- so you know, $30 not well spent that i was already feeling guilty about...so i handed him my pack and kept walking with the others. after about a minute or so i turned around to look for Bradley and he was long gone. in my drunk state the only conclusion i could come to was that he stole my cigs- that once he had the pack he took off down the street. I was so pissed at the time- especially being revved up from the alcohol- i just couldn't believe that someone would steal something so stupid from a backpacker- and i thought i got a good read on him earlier- so i was anaylzing my ability to read people- and trying to take it as a lesson and blah blah blah- so walking along the streets i was just telling random people about it- cause i was so shocked...i ended up telling the story to a 50 year old Australian man, and he just looked at me and handed me a $50 bill- haha! he just
Day at Lake Hawea
my water color of Lake Hawea said i needed it more than he did- so I took it of course- ha!
So ended up going to bed that night and the next day as we were leaving town i decided to run back into the hostel to get a CD to burn some pictures onto, and Bradley was standing at the counter of the hostel. I walked up to him kind of pissed and was like- 'hey, you stole my cigarettes'- he didnt have any recollection of it- and was all smiles- so it was hard to hold the grudge...he dropped his stuff up in his room and came down to give me some of his cigarettes- but ended up having my pack (so i got them back and made $50 off of the situation! ha)....turned out that when he took a drag of his cigarette the night before- that was the indicator that he needed to go home...and was just too drunk to completely know what was going on. so as we were talking we figured out that we were flying out of Auckland on the same day- he was about to book a flight back up to auckland- and i was planning to
New Zealand
the true new zealand drive by myself- cause i was dropping Jo off in Christchurch- so it actually worked out perfect to come with us to have some company on the ride up.
After 2 days of traveling back up to the north island with Bradley, he started talking about how much neither of us wanted to leave NZ yet- and there is a reggae festival up near Auckland starting the 23rd that Amy is going to- that i would LOVE to go to- so basically we just decided to stay for 2 more weeks!!! hahaha so now i'm traveling with this guy Bradley- we rented a car- bascially the same one i had with Jo and now we're going to travel around and camp in the north island for 2 weeks! haha im so happy to be staying longer in NZ- this country won't let me go- i have a feeling this is going to be my favorite country i ever visit- just the pureness it still has and all it's natural beauty- a truly special place. ALL OF YOU GUYS NEED TO COME HERE and check it out!
So i said goodbye to Jo 2 days ago- and had some tears swelling...after 3 weeks of traveling the way we did together- inevitably we became really close- he was basically the only person i had a conversation with for 2 weeks- spending every day and night together out in the middle of nowhere- you really get to know a person. and we got along so well- really similar people, almost feels like a brother to me in certain ways- had so much fun together, doing random things to entertain ourselves. So it was sad for me to say goodbye- you know how i can get a little attached or appreciative of people i've connected with- but it's a big lesson you learn while traveling- letting go of people and places as you move along in your journey. But it's easy in a way cause you know all the experiences and people you meet along the way add to you as a person, and the memories will always be there. But Jo will be a friend for life as well- i hope! a kick ass guy!
So now i'm back in Wellington, the bottom of the north island, and planning to head north for the reggae festival for the next few days- meet back up with Amy and then have more time to check out more of the north island, camping style with Bradley. Already, in the 3 days i've known Bradley we've really connected, get along really well, have similar interests and perspectives, good conversations, and just excited to continue my adventure in New Zealand...the only draw back is now i only have about 10 days in Australia- which also can be extended if i desire- but i have a feeling i'm going to like NZ more than Aus anyway- my impression of australia is that it's more of a touristy, backpacker vibe which will be fun- but the nature and wilderness experiences is what i'm enjoying more right now- so im going to stick with it. A true sense of freedom being able to be so flexible with plans.
I've had a few waves of homesickness...thinking about all of you a lot, and just my life the last year- missing the pub and Fairfax. wishing that i could fly home just for a day to load up on hugs and laughs and hit the road again. but i feel the strength and support from all of you- and know i'll be home before i know it- so that helps.
Hope you enjoy the pictures i was finally able to download! and will be writing soon with more adventures to share!
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Rich
non-member comment
Embrace the detours!!!
It is such a pleasure to vicariously enjoy your experiences ... it brings me back to all the fanatastic moments I experienced out on the road as well!!! Thanks for allowing me to indulge in your trip!!! Follow your heart and enjoy the detours each and every day! Ciao Baby.