9th December - 19th February… Goodbye Auckland and Hello Blenheim.
So 2 months passed and to be honest it was a quiet 2 months. I moved from Auckland back to Blenheim for the summer. I spent most of my time working and the rest just relaxing. I had another amazing summer in Marlborough.
During this time I managed to get to see Opshop live. Something I’ve been wanting to do for a few years now after being recommended by Ryan and Diane. They were amazing and they were playing at BLUE BREWS and BBQ’s. I had the choice of having the wine festival or blues and brews off this summer. I chose blues and brews. It was awesome got to try a few local beers and cocktails in the sun with good food. I would definitely recommend it.
go to http://premier.ticketek.co.nz/ for bookings for the beer and wine festivals around the country and concerts. You can also go to the local I-sites to do this. they are the best people for planning your road trips or travel around. I’ve been in and out of the Isite in Blenheim & Auckland for the past month adding and changing bits to my road trip. its awesome you tell them what you want to do n they’ll give you reccomendations the companies, give you the prices check availability and get you booked if you like it. they’ll book your accommodation and transfers aswell. I booked female only dorms aswell only $1 more why not and with ensuite.
As usual when I had a afternoon off work me & ryan would Either go for a mini road trip round the Sounds or spend the day in the pool at the Chateau.
we managed to get plenty of afternoons in the sun but I wil say summer this year wasn’t as hot as my first summer in NZ.
I started working back at the Chateau and managed to remember everything. I managed to save a lot more money. I was doing less hours than in Auckland but I was on a better wage. If you live or visit auckland you really need to be on a good wage. Minimum wage is no good if your trying to save for anything.
We went out in town on New Years and celebrated the countdown in Fairweathers. it was pretty packed out and was a great night. Christmas was spent yet again having a BBQ which I am still not used to. Although when I’m freezing in the UK next Christmas I’ll appreciate it more.
We did manage to get a great day in the Abel Tasman in the middle of January. We spent the week before hand worrying that we had booked an aqua taxi and they were expecting a storm in the area. somehow though we managed to have the perfect day. it was amazing. We got the boat for about 2 hours and then walked through golden sand beaches and thick bush and rainforest. It was the most beautiful day ever and the sun was so hot. Definitely want to do the Abel Tasman track again but next time in full. I would definitely recommend it. the Aqua taxi picks you up from Kaiteriteri or marahau.
well thats about it for the last 2 months. As I said I am trying to save for the road trip. So I’ve tried to stick to reading books and chilling out on the beach or at the pool for fun and not spending my money.
Nisa Bula, Fiji pics sorry its taken a while x a week in Fiji at Vuda point anchorage resort & Beachcomber island x
7th November - 8th December 2011 (Auckland)
So I have been here a year now officially today. It has passed by so quickly :(
A part of me wants to stay here forever but now i have started travelling I know I need to go home to save and travel to other countries. I have to.
The past month ahs been a little dull in comparison to other times in new zealand. I have spent the majority of it indoors watching TV (tryin not to be tempted to go out and spend money) or working. The weather is really starting to be amazing and the view from work just rubs it in. We look out to the beach and of course the famous Rangitoto Island (this dominating dormant volcano is an amazing view). All day every day at work I am so tempted to run out of the place and jump straight into the blue sea and go for a swim or on one of the thousand boats and kayaks that pass everyday. They do call it the ‘City of Sails’. Although i have been working alot of days the shifts are kind of annoying I start in the after noon and do a short shift each day which cuts my day in half. So I am trying to find stuff to do that doesn’t cost money in the mornings and early afternoons knowing i can’t go far. So I have spent alot of my time exercising which I am proud of right now. I’m starting to feel back in shape and recognise myself again. Kinda been letting myself go since I been travelling. I been doing over an hour and a half of exercise everyday split into half cardio and half MSE. The past 2 weeks I have also been doing more stretches and flexibility exercises. I’m trying to work back up to doing the splits, its been a while since I could do them and I never found it the most natural of movements so it will be interesting to see how it comes along although my progress in range of movement has improved alot faster than I expected. My time in Auckland is almost to a close however, I have less than 2 weeks left here. I am heading back to Blenheim (I know repeatitive and may seem boring in one way but I am looking forward to it). I am going to work back at the Chateau and looking forward to another summer in Marlborough. I am looking forward to exploring the sounds again. I am leaving Auckland because my total weekly hours isn’t enough to save here. The cost of food and living here is alot higher than elsewhere and with me trying to grab as many hours and budgetting, it still wasn’t working. I even tried living of tinned soup and pasta n some cheap fruit. But I decided that I couldn’t do it, I like food too much to cut out meat in diet or buy instant noodles on a regular basis. I honestly don’t know how the students do it, I couldn’t. So yer as I said it has been a bit of a boring month in Auckland but I do really love the city. I think the lifestyle here is similar in some ways to english cities in some ways. Its very busy and theres so many coffee shops and shopping centres and bars but at the same time it is surrounded by the beautiful waterfront, the islands such as rangitoto, wahieke and great barrier island and did I mention 53 volcanoes lol.
I have to quickly mention RIP to Darren (you will never be forgotten by me or anyone you were always kind and nice to me, you helped me when I first started working at the euston and kept in touch after I left. You were awesome and fun to be around. I am lucky to have known you).
Also RIP Val Munroe. You were very kind and welcoming to me when I came over here. You are missed and loved. I hope that your weren’t in pain and glad that you were surrounded by your family and friends in your last days. Nana on a mission as I called you (I never saw you sit down for long and you were always on the go I don’t know how you did it) or Nana Marshall to Ryans friends.
God bless you both, my thoughts are with both of your friends and families, and sorry for your losses.
1 week till Ryan’s visit then swimming with then i move back to the south Island in 2 weeks. Back to Blenheim x
Sunny day here in St heliers bay… I’m allowed to stay in the country and I have a surprise after the new year for my best friend ha ha…
2nd october - 6th November 2011 ( Welcome to Auckland)
2nd October
Today we Left Blenheim and headed south on a straight trip down the coast towards Christchurch with Ryan in the Drivers Seat. Me and Nicola Sat and read our books and became kinda swept up and anti social on the drive down (We were both addicted to Twilight). When we arrived in christchurch we arrived to find that we had missed the All Blacks game because Ryan had got the time wrong. We were both gutted and I think even Noo at this stage was starting to really get caught up in the whole Rugby world cup atmosphere. We did manage to watch the Warriors and Sea eagles match however although it didn’t end to well for the Warriors, So we are hoping in the Union it is a better result.
3rd October - 5th October
Nothing Really Significant happened on the 3rd and 4th. Me and Nicola were just trying to reduce even more of our luggage. Me and Ryan went to see Crazy stupid love, which had me smiling throughout.
On the 5th October we got our flight from Christchurch to Auckland. We hired out a car from near the airport for over night as it was cheaper than getting a taxi. We managed to get a little lost and see a glimpse of the city. We arrived at Maud and Bach’s flat in Upper queen street (aka the party central area) and had a quiet evening catching up with Maud and watching TV.
6th October
Today we got up early and made sure had everything we needed and then headed on the plane to Fiji… See (Fiji).
13th October - 6th November
Arrive back from Fiji with severe sun burn. I finally met Debbie after all this time. She picked me and Noo up from the airport and took us back to her house. We are now staying with her outside the city in St Heliers. We have been into the city Job hunting and also looking around. Its a lot greener than I expect and I am really surprised. The area we are staying in is also really nice and we are two minutes walk up the hill from the beach. The beach looks out to national park land that’s also a dormant volcano. We are getting a little worried about finding a job however because although we have applied for so many and have more than enough experience. Even the temping agencies just seem not to get in contact quick enough. Maybe its just me, New Zealand is a laid back place (its famous for being like that); But I have been up all day and night applying for jobs in between studying. The day I applied for the least jobs was when I only applied for 6 with cover letter’s and CV’s and 2 agencies. I will just have to be patient a few more days then move elsewhere if we have no luck.
I met my Mother’s uncle and his son for the first time on the 16th October. It was crazy he reminded me of my uncle mike with his humour. You could tell he was related to us. He was so lively constantly cracking jokes and I had to try my hardest to not cry my eye’s out. It was so hard, he told me I looked the double of my mother (from a picture he had seen). He spoke highly of my nana and made me miss her even more. Jimmy and Zvy were such nice people. I am so glad I got a chance to meet them. And I will get to meet them both again if I am lucky.
I have found myself a new Book to consume my time and thoughts (now that twilight and pride and prejudice have been read too much). We watched the BBC version of Jane Eyre. Although I vaguely knew the plot of the story and some passages from it from school, I hadn’t really ever taken much of an interest. In truth I didn’t really want to watch it at first but it can’t be bad if the book is such a classic and yet another version of it has been remade for the big screen. I don’t however think I’d be able to let myself watch the film and enjoy it. We watched the BBC version that was over 4 hours in total and it seemed so intensed and packed from the start I cant imagine it being condensed and doing it any justice. I now have to read the book, (this time properly and in order rather than odd passages, quotes and brief outline). I have always been a bit of a book worm. I was pretty much Matilda without the tricks as a child but the books I read in the class room were never fun to read from what I remember. I now however find myself wanting to read them all again and enjoying them more than any modern Novels.
Being in Auckland and staying with Debbie, I am missing dancing more and more. It’s actually driving me crazy. I have been having dreams about it and waking up so happy till I realise it was a dream. Debbie has been very helpful though and given me a few ideas for the future (maybe even the near future). I can not wait to do some dancing again and be spinning round the room feeling elegant. It sounds sad I know and no one quite seems to get it. I am passionate about pretty much everything (sometimes I have no idea why), but with dancing I feel upset why I can’t do it, completely content when I can. And watching could force smiles and excitement on even the dullest day.
The Rugby world cup semi finals has been amazing to watch. Both me and Noo were glued to the TV the entire time. We found ourselves yelling at the screen. The French yet again seem to have had a bit of luck with a Ref. And Wales controversially and unfortunately didn’t make it to the Final. I will comment no further on this game as there had been enough debate online and on the news for anyone who isn’t hidden under a rock to hear about it.
The All Blacks vs Wallabies (NZ vs Aus)… Now well this match was amazing. We were both cheering on the all blacks and on the edge of our seats. I am so glad the All blacks won. They have been the most consistent team throughout this tournament and they finally got revenge for the Legue match the other week. We only got to see Sonny Bill for bout 8 minutes though so me and Noo had to make do with Cory Jane. Gutted Dan carter wont be in the final. But its definitely going to be interesting. Come on All Blacks, Kick the French’s Ass for the second time in this world cup…
Ok so in between the semi finals and the final I have managed to find a job and so has Noo. We are both working in St Heliers on the waterfront at different places. This is good and I think I can say this safely without any offence to Noo and I’m sure she feels the same. Travelling with your friends is hard because you are around them every single day and you don’t get as many individual experiences as you would otherwise. It is a good thing to share them with a friend, but working together as well gives you little to talk about and you find yourself wanting a bit of space. Now we have both got separate jobs, we have more to talk about with each other and enjoy each others company more because we have different shifts leaving us time alone as well.
We watched the final All Blacks vs France in Auckland in the city centre and I have to tell you the atmosphere was amazing. Words cant even describe. Everyone was happy there was no violence or anger towards the French supporters everyone was just having fun. We were in the middle of Auckland city centre watching it at sky city metro centre. There was a big screen outside in the square. We were sat outside between the big screen and the pubs window screens. I am trying to explain to you how positive this experience was but you can’t understand till you see it for yourself. Imagine the English being in a Football world cup final in there own country and winning, then double that and you will get an idea. The men were on the edge of there seats and increasing in tension. I was surprised no one had a heart attack with the stress that you could see on their faces. Ok well not stress more anxiety. And I’m sure you all know the All blacks won. I knew they would and the streets were packed all down queen street was closed off and there were thousands upon thousands dancing shouting and celebrating down the street. The bars were packed out completely and there were cues in every bar. There was a firework display on at the water front and the police were out in full swing making sure nothing kicked off and it didn’t. Well apart from random Haka performances all over the place.
While i’ve been here I’ve sent off my extension forms that allow me to stay until march in the country. I am so anxious, I received them back within a week saying they had been denied. The reason for this was because I needed a medical certificate. I am trying to appeal this as in the criteria for this on the website and their forms it says for the type of extension I am getting I do not need one. So right now I’m waiting and getting impatient. I am hoping and praying I get to stay. I want to be here and show Noo the fun side to New Zealand, and I want to do the things I came here to do. I put them on hold so me and Noo could do them together. If I had known earlier this would have been the case I could have got my medical in time or planned it out so I had used the money for Fiji for the road trip instead and saved more. So let’s just cross our fingers and hope I get to stay a little longer, I’m not ready to go home just yet.
Ni Sa Bula…. Welcome to Fiji - October 6th-13th 2011
Fiji
6th - 13th October 2011
Ok so…. We stayed in Auckland the night before with the frenchy’s (Maud and Bach) it was awesome to see them both again… and both of there hair is growing back, still they manage to pull off having the shortest hair I’ve ever seen on girls. I tell you those girls have balls to let someone hack there hair off, even if they did get paid a fortune for it. Anyway off point we got to see a little bit of auckland and so far it looked good. Back to Fiji…
Thursday 6th October 2011
Well we stepped off the plane finally to find ourselves pretty much drenched in sweat the second we were off and it was a cloudy and cool day by there standards only 29 degrees… We arrived to the hotel tired from the heat and pretty soon we realised the sun had gone down. At the hotel the first night we went straight down to our evening meal which was amazing.
Friday 7th october 2011
the second day the weather was pretty dull. No sun in sight. I know crazy we’re in fiji but we have bad luck. However, it was crazy hot and there was no way I was hiding inside. We spent our day just basically being lazy, swimming in the pool and hanging around in the bar, later in the day we met a few people from New Zealand and a few fellow Poms from Preston n Kendal. We had a few games of poorly plaid pool and just relaxed for the day.
Kava That night after swimming and reading our books we tried the local Drink of kava. Well if any of you have had it you’ll know its wierd. its a white powder that comes from a root of a tree. its put inside a cotton multicoloured sort of wide sock. then its soaked in a large bowl of water and squeezed through the material. by the end it looks like well muddy water… Passing it round we had to clap three times and say Bula and drink from a slightly small bowl in one gulp. It tasted like grassy water or as one person refered to cold McDonalds. I don’t share that opinion, they were just odd lol, but it had an odd taste not horrible but not nice. The effect of this drink is suppose to be relaxing. Its basically like a legal type of Drug. The roof of my mouth went numb and then I couldn’t feel my tongue after the second one i got the wierest after taste, a slight dizziness and felt like I had been to the dentist and had a numbing injection. It was deifnitely an experience I would reccomend trying it but you have to make sure you drink it all and dont insult it. It is considered an insult not to try it if it is offered.
Saturday 8th october 2011
Today we went to Latouka, this is a city thats famous for its Sugar production. It was quite a poor area, and to be honest it was kinda scary. There weren’t very many women around and there was alot of people sat on the streets. About 10 minutes in the city and we got conned straight away into buying something we didn’t want. A guy just started asking us if we were on holiday. Us being stupid just said yer and thought he was being friendly he started asking us if we like Fiji and what our names were. And I swear in 2 seconds he had carved our names into some piece of wood saying Bula Fiji. It was a nice thing but then we couldn’t get away from the guy he wouldn’t let us go till we paid him something for it. So if anyone talks to you in the streets and asks your names dont tell them at all. bout 10 minutes after we got warned by a guy from the Gift shop that there was a guy trying to con people, but it was too late. I was really shocked by not only the fact of how crowed and poor the city was but how many Indians there were. the population of Fiji now has almost as many Indians to Fijian’s in the country. so every other shop was suplying elaborate embroidery, and clothing in the brightest colours for Hindu women. Singh is a big religion here and alot of the shops, laundrettes and markets are named after this. There was a great big food and spice market in the middle of town. If you have self catering I would reccomend going here (it is really cheap and has a wide vareity of food). We bought some gifts for friends and family, then we headed back to the resort. By this time the weather was clearing up and our faces were starting to get a little red.
Needless to say after a few games of pool, and a swim and out of mutual disappointment with the weather, everyone was on the cocktails by the end of the night. We watched our poor performance against the france and sat in embarassment as all the french supporters sat inside and we sat outside watching with the Gecko’s. This I think was the only moment of pride I felt in the whole world cup or for that matter any game of any sport involving England. I wanted them to win, I definitely didn’t want france to win, but we drowned our sorrows and accepted the defeat. The next day was our final day on the mainland as we had decided to transfer our stay over to the an outer Island.
Our hotel was called ‘Anchorage Beach Resort’ it is on the mainland just outside Nadi, we spent 3 nights in anchorage resort before we decided that we needed to go to a resort that was a bit louder and younger. Anchorage had great rooms and even had a spa bath in our rooms, the food was fantastic, however it was incredibly quiet and the watersports advertised weren’t available. We met some great people there though.
Sunday 9th October - 12th October 2011
So we transfered over to Beachcomber Island. Now these days seemed to blend into one. We had a much better time on the Island known as party Island. We had some frozen margerita’s and wine, and plenty of sea food (even for breakfast) the whole Island was sand Sand and nothing but sand. Even the bar and restaurant was sand. the Island was so pretty and only took a few minutes to walk around it. The sunset from the island was amazing. They held some PADI diving courses on the Island which I am definitely considering doing there. We spent pretty much a full da snorkelling. every time we got tired we came back in had a rest and drink, put some sun lotion back on then headed straight back out to the coral. the fish were amazing. they were so bright and pretty much glowing. They would come straight up in to your face and not flinch till the last second at once point we all got a panic on because we were surrounded by thousands and I am not exadurating, all around us and being millimetres away from your skin. I also managed to be the only one apart from the guide that spotted a giant sea turtle which was pretty amazing. We went on a bit of a mission following it, until we realised we had swam off from everyone else. Believe it or not they swim bloody fast. Whilst on the island we also watched a cultural show which was really cool to see. One of the performers was determined to make me jump or fall especially during there war dance. He would jump over to the sand and shout so loud and sudden a few cm’s from me. Howver i managed not to jump. This for me i tell you is an improvement.
Also on the sunday we got swept up in Rugby world cup fever yet again and sat watching the All Blacks vs Argentina. Thankfully and deservedly they won. We also watched the Springboks and Wallabies play. We were going for the springboks all the way and we really didn’t want aus to win. Its crazy but since coming to NZ I have developed an immediate anti Australia attitude as far as sports are concerned. I will love the country I know but still. Australia however won to our dissappointment.
Wednesday 12th october 2011
We had to check out of the island and stay one night in anchorage so we could get to the airport on time the next day. Our friends met us on the island first thing in the morning and came out snorkelling with us again during the day. We spent the day chilling and slightly hiding from the sun, and despite wearing factor 50 and re applying we were both really badly burnt. We passed any relaxing time and minutes in the evenings when we were being lazy reading our books. I was obsessed with pride and predujice yet again and Noo was reading the rest of the Twilight saga.
later that night when we arrived on the mainland we headed out for Tea (evening meal, not tea as in the drink). We headed to Latouka hotel for what boasted to have the best pizza. The pizza was pretty amazing. We invited one of the staff from the hotel (which is not allowed), she was ace. Just so you know, that Fijians are usually on 1 fijian dollar per hour which is .75c NZ currency or 36p in British currency. only managers are on more. they are usually on 3 dollars. Now work this out.
The staff at the hotel and alot of them aren’t allowed to accept tips.
They pay about 200 dollars a month rent that excludes power and food. and that isn’t for a house thats usually for a room. 50 hours a week just covers there rent and nothing else. They work everyday or almost everyday from early morning till late at night at least.
Now that kinda put a downer on Fiji but its just something you will notice when you see the people. However they are some of the nicest and friendliest people I have every met and they expect nothing. So if you can Tip them on the sly away from the boss or other staff if there nice to you like we did.
the next day we headed home. we spent the morning just relaxing by the pool waiting to be picked up before heading to the airport n back to Auckland we go.
So in summary I liked fiji, its beautiful but poor so if you go as a girl on your own just dont wander around the cities on your own. Befriend someone in a resort or backpackers and ask them to go with you so your safe. I am definitely gonna go back but I will do island hopping which is actually the same price as staying on the mainland. So yer its cheap. I would reccomend getting your first night or two booked then your last night by the mainland then book onto islands when your there. or book onto one as they all offer island hopping links and tours.
Batman responds to “bat signal” in Christchurch-Asks to speak to commissioner - I heard about this it made… http://t.co/MEnlfPex
Batman responds to "bat signal" in Christchurch-Asks to speak to commissioner
I heard about this it made me laugh only in new zealand
(Source: victor-the-richter)
Just setting off from Blenheim now, down to ChCh I wonder if it has changed much… Good bye vineyards, Auckland next…
