Bubble Boy

---

So what have I been doing in NZ?
Well let me see last we left I was off to party with the Irish. I think this was just a warm up festival for next weekend actually. Then I ran into Robin and her son Luke on the roof of the hostel, and tagged along with them to the outdoor production of “A Comedy of Errors.” Shakespeare with a Kiwi Twist. I learned about gum boots… fisherman boots to us, and sheep and rugby and other little funny bits of Kiwi culture. At the bar that night I ran into a guy that told me to get out of town.

So the next night after getting some stuff for the van I drove to Karekare, not far from the surf beach of Piha and camped in the van.

I’m currently in Rotorua. I’m being put up by a friend of Eric Steinbach’s (boy it’s weird to not just say Steiny). Anyway he is a paddle and we did some park and play yesterday on the local river. I’m in the process of buying a boat and renting some gear for the next month. Had a good deal on a Robson Charger but that is really too big for me. Maybe a CFS or Jefe. Problem really is just selling it again. Oh well.

Today I went Zorbing. You know where you get in a big blow up ball and go down the hill. Of course it’s Hydro-Zorb, which means they put some water in there with you and you aren’t strapped in. Really fun!! I did the zigzag course. I found out that if you just sit like you are told, not much happens. But you can move around some and get the ball doing, who knows what. I couldn’t see but it felt cool, until I jumped the track --- really cool but landed with a thud. Then I decided to settle down and be a good boy. Apparently I almost ran over the girl at the bottom taking pictures, that would have been sweet... not in a mean way. If you do the Zorb, make sure you do the zig-zag, otherwise I think it would be pretty boring.

They used to have an option at the Zorb that if you went naked you could go for free. I asked about it because I thought about doing it. But they only do that now on National Nudest Day, October 8th or something like that. The reason: Well its mostly guys working at the place and they said it was mostly guys going naked in the zorb... not really what they were looking for. But on the naked day, its free. However, you don't have the car to take you to the top, you have to walk up the hill naked.

After that it was off to sit in the hot/cold stream. It’s where a hot spring and cold spring come together. You get your choice of temperatures, and then to watch the boiling mud.

Then of course my new POS van broke down real good. I think the Alternator blew up. I got a low battery indicator just as I smelled electrical smoke. We’ll see what the mechanic says tomorrow.

After all its only money.

Here are some pics from Sydney

Zorb pics]

---

Comments

[Robyn]

Soundtrack
Hey Mike - I think you should compose a soundtrack of your travels. The Gumboot Song has to be in there somewhere of course.

[Big Dog]

Out of town
Want detalis of leave town, sounds like a better story than be a human ball. take care y