we are the music makers

I know it has been too long. For this I apologize. There was just so much fun to have and brilliant new things to see. I am currently in Hamilton. I just arrived here earlier today and am staying with a very nice family in the country. But first, I need to update you all on my travels. Quick summaries and highlights are about to commence.

Auckland (3 nights)
I didn't know too much about Auckland before I landed there. It's New Zealand's largest city with a little over a million people, and is home to Sky Tower, the southern hemisphere's tallest building; that was pretty much my knowledge of Auckland, and therefore had no real expectations for my time there. I ended up really enjoying the time I had there.

-I couchsurfed at friendly single lady's flat in Balmoral, a suburb of Auckland. She picked me up, gave me keys to her flat, and went off to work. I explored the city with two other surfers she had staying with her from the night before, Mia and Tez (a married couple from Manchester. He's a brit, she's a yank).

-Mia and Tez introduced me to the sights and sounds of Auckland. I learned the bus system real quick. Not too hard, but more expensive than US buses. We went to a nice cafe in Balmoral and then headed to the city centre.

- Got a bank account with ANZ banks.

- Got a phone!! Little piece of junk Nokia, but I love it. 640212373112 is my number.

- Checked out the possibilty of buying a car or van. Decided to pass and just bus everywhere.

- Purchased a Flex-Pass bus ticket. 60 hours of transportation for 585$ NZ. Not too bad. It is also valid for 12 months, and I can top up whenever I like.

- Ate at nice little shops around Alison's flat. Had Catonese, Thai, and Turkish.

- Traveled to Devonport by ferry and spent an afternoon there. It is a little suburb of Auckland. I really enjoyed my time there. Just walked along the coast, took pictures and checked out the shops (there is an issue with the camera, so I can't post pictures anymore. read on and you will find out).

-Went to the top of Sky Tower. So different than the times I went to the top of the Sears Tower. More expensive, less people. The view was awesome. I wasn't planning on going to the top, but when will I have another chance to do that?

Whangarei (3 hour ride from Auckland, 4 nights)
I left Auckland Thursday, and headed up for Whangarei. I caught a ride with Naked Bus. In order to ride it, you have to be in just your birthday suit. I thought it was a little weird, but hey, it was only 20$. The drive up to Whangarei (Fahn-ga-ray) was really beautiful. In the past when I have traveled, some of my favorite parts have been the rides to my destination. This was no exception. I was meet at the bus stop by Adam, the flatmate of the girl I contacted to stay with through couchsurfing. It turned out she, Fauna, was visiting her parents up north and wouldn't be returning until Saturday. I was a bit uneasy because one of my rules to only say with ladies and families. It all turned out great. Adam is a good Christian guy. I emphasize the good part. I know plenty of dodgey Christian boys. Anyway, he picked up, took me back the flat and made us dinner (which was quite good). And then I slept in a nice, big bed. More tidbits:

- Explored Whangarei on Friday and figured out their bus system (the buses were few and far between).

- Indian food!! Kiwis love this dish (and Adam said it is a Kiwi-Indian dish) called buttered chicken. Ever heard of it? Well, it was awesome. The great dinner was followed by a nice chat with Adam.

- Saturday I again headed down to Whangarei. Hungout at a cafe and ate Subway (really cheap compared to everything else).

- Read all but 70 pages of Angels and Demons by Dan Brown.

- Meet Fauna on Saturday. She is SO nice and bubbly. I really hope she and her friend Lily (who I also meet Sat.) and Adam come visit me when I settle down.

- Went to a Rugby match!!! I was soooo excited to go. Adam and his best friend Mike (who was also visiting for the weekend, real nice guy. For those of you who know who Flight of the Conchords are, he talked the EXACT same way as Jemaine. Not was witty, but his voice sounded like him. Before I met him, I heard him talking in the kitchen, and was thinking, "Adam's friend is Jemaine? This is awesome." Oh well, Mike is really cool so it worked out. Back to Rugby, Fauna and Lily had both never been to a match, so I explained the game to them. That was pretty funny since Americans shouldn't know anything about the sport. It was Northland vs. Tasman (I cheered for Northland b/c that was where we were and who they were all cheering for). We got spanked; I think that final was 10-28. Not a good day for Northland.

- Adam and Michael took me on a trip up the coast and to the Bay of Islands on Sunday. This was an amazing day. The roads up the coast were windy, twisting, narrow and steep. Adam knew them well, and my nerves and grip quickly loosened after a few minutes. If you get remotely car sick or are afraid of heights, this drive might have killed you. But I loved it!! They took me to a ton of places to take pictures (my digital wasn't charged so I used my Nikon N60. I can't wait to see how they turned out. Adam took pictures with his digital and I have them on facebook already). That day we went to Russell, Paiha, Kawakawa, Bay of Islands and everywhere in between.

- Watched the Hulk. Umm . . . yeah.

- Made Michael take me to the bus stop in Whangarei city centre (was staying in a suburb called Kamo). I waited for almost an hour in the rain for a bus that never showed. I made it on time to catch the bus up to Kaitaia. Was fully clothed for that trip.

Kaitaia (2.5 hour ride from Whangarei, 2 nights)
I decided to go to Kaitaia to serve as a base to visit the 90 mile beach and Cape Reinga. I stayed with an really interesting family, again with couchsurfing (Mom-Eloise, Dad- Frank, Son-Christopher). They were so welcoming and fun. Christopher is the coolest little dude, and not shy at all.

-The first night there were three other surfers staying with the family. They were all Uni (University) students in Auckland. Girl- Kaelyn from Singapore, Boy 1- Dude (forgot his name) from Malaysia, Boy 2- Joss from France. We were a mini United Nations. They were real nice, especially Kaelyn. We are hoping to travel together in the summer.

-Tour of 90 mile beach and the Cape!!! TOTALLY RIGHTEOUS!!! The other couchsurfers ended up being on the same tour as I was, so that was really great. I am not kidding, the might be the most beautiful place I have ever been in my life. I loved my day there (this past Tuesday). The tour included driving on the 90 mile Beach (only tour buses, vans and vehicles with 4WD. Insurance companies do NOT cover damage to cars on the 90 mile beach. Far too often cars get stuck and are never pulled out. There are a lot of car carcasses in the sand), sand dune tobaggoning (pretty much the coolest thing ever. Climb a huge sand dune and ride a sled or surf board down. Too bad this is where the camera causuality occured. The fine sand made its way into the lens. Tried to fix and had Frank take it apart, but it has almost flatlined. Let's pray that it will heal), hiking to the Cape to see the lighthouse and where the too oceans meet, numerous stops on beautiful beaches (where not many people visited) and more stops along the way to take pictures of the breath-taking scenery.

- Teas with the Frelch's. Cuddles from Christopher. I miss kids.

- Truck ride to Whangarei (Frank is a truck driver, and he gave me a ride to Whangarei to catch the bus. Saved me about $30, and I got to ride in a big old truck. It was awesome. Sure, I had to get up at 330, but it was free!!).

Back to Auckland
I had to spend the night in Auckland before I made my way to Hamilton (where I am now). My original couch didn't work out, so Alison kindly let me stay with her again.

- Chilled at Borders (I know, I am a traitor) for a few hours waiting for Alison to get off work. I read 286 pages from Eclipse, the third book in Stephenie Meyers Twilight series. I read the first two, and now I have to finish the series. It is ok; entertaining, easy read, not that well written. But enjoyable. Ate some food, drank a flat white (espresso+milk+foam= goodness).

- Dinner with Alison and Linette (the other surfer that I shared a bed with) at a Japanese place. SOOOOO good. Linette is here for a month. She is living in Sydney with her partner's family (that is what people call their bfs and gfs here.), and got bored and decided to come spend some time here. She is real cool.

- Caught the bus to Hamilton

Hamilton
I have only been here for a few hours. They family I am staying with are out right now. They went to go see "Cats". Weber has invaded New Zealand as well. They live in the country and have TONS of animals. They live in a log cabin/house. Their animals include:

- 3 cats
- 3 dogs
- 3 cows
- Chickens
- Ducks
- Geese
- Pigs
- Guinea fowl
- Turkeys
- Peacocks
- Sheep (of course)

This is a pretty cool place. I am excited slow down a bit. So, this was really long. You probably didn't read the whole thing (I probably wouldn't). Forgive all the typos; I didn't feel like proofreading. I will try to update more often. Also, if you haven't given me your address, please do so. I am really good at corresponding. I have been sending out postcards every few days. It is going to take me a while to send one to everyone, so be patient. They will come.

Love you all, and I wish you could experience this magical place with me.

jewels