Leaving Dunedin was a bummer. Have you guys figured out I have a issues with leaving places yet? :) Dunedin is such a cool city. Hip people, cool bikes, great food, nice people, and free "camping". I have decided that cities must be rated on a Peter5x scale. (Or a P5x as it will be known from here on out) Brett and Zoey know what that is. Anyways... Dunedin is a must see for travelers on the south island of New Zealand...
Yes like I was saying... We left with hopes of a call from a job agency we registered with that places people in the fruit picking industries. As soon as a farm needed someone this agencies was too call us and place us where we needed to be. Leaving from Dunedin, we headed west, board as all get out.
I decided that we should go see an area called Milford Sound. We were told it is one of the prettiest places in the world. When you leave Dunedin you have a couple of options via highway. Obviously the direct way. But there is a vague scenic route on the map. We chose the latter.
Now... safety aside, the rules are a little bit different out here in the Zealands, and that is all I'm going to say about what your about read.
So there we are driving out of town, when an opportunity arises that will not only calm us down, but give some fun to the adventure we were pursuing. We found a liter of wine in the back seat and said "well hell... Its not going to drink it's self"... The conversation lifted, and the spirits were in full effect by the time we decided food was in order.
Out of nowhere a crappy dinner appears in the right side window. I probably pass it by 500 meters when we realize we should eat. Stopped in the middle of the street I back up, and park in a suitable spot just out side the main gaits.
-------------------
The cafe was cute, running an all day menu that changes at 5:30 for a full on super kinda thing. The food was tasty and healthy and grounded us back to earth.
Upon paying we saw a sign stating that the cafe was in need of seasonal workers. We told the lady who was serving us that we were in need of work. She was overjoyed with our availability and eagerness to start, and introduced us to the owner, Amanda.
Amanda, told us she was waiting on two others to arrive for the job that she had spoken to earlier in the week. Depending on how the phone call went she might be able to use us. So we thanked her and went on our way.
Slope Point was where we headed next for a quick sleep. Slope Point is the southern most point of the South island of New Zealand. This night just so happened to be Summer Solstice in the Southern hemisphere. The daylight was full on until almost 11:30 pm. We found a car park area meant for RV's and site seeing on the top of a cliff with a wonderful view.
The sunset was amazing. That's two summer solstices for me this year.
The next day we got a call from Amanda asking us to come in at 5 pm. Hooray we are employed now.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Tales From the Road
I am homeless. I have been for quite some time but this last week, o boy, I'm sure feeling it. So like I said we bought a car, and the car is great, but we haven't slept in a bed. In almost two weeks. Most nights I don't mind. We have a tent, and I love sleeping in that. I have given the tent a name. He is called Ben Jammin. O yea by the way Zoey and I have been traveling for so long now that we have our own silly banter. We fear no one else will understand us when we get home.
Anyway. Right. Back to the tent. I love sleeping in it, but it's hard to pack up every morning and find a new spot every night. For the last few nights we have been sleeping just outside of Dunedin. There is unfortunately not much camping here, so we have been sleeping in the car off the side of a highway. So every night we move everything from the back of the car to the front seats and sleep in the back. The car is smaller than the tent.
It has been much colder than we expected it to be out here. The summer has really gotten a late start. Zoey and I decided to do some shopping at the Salvation Army. We got carried away. All the clothes that day were half off. So I really wanted a sweater to keep warm. I found this amazing zip up woolish sweater thing that goes down to my mid thighs. The cuffs of the sleeves have those thumb holes so your hands stay warm. There are two pockets in the front that zip shut and could hold at least six apples each. This jacket is an awful color green, and is just plain hideous. So warm. So great. The other day I found some black gloves with the finger tips cut off. So my daily uniform for the week has been shorts that I made out of some ladies slacks I found, a beat up, kinda stained tee-shirt someone gave me in Thailand, a red bandanna around my neck, cowboy style, a hoodie, the jacket and the bum gloves. I are homeless.
The homeless life has been quite nice. Having this car has been so fun. We don't have a car back home, so the new found joy of being an owner again is so remarkable. We have been picking up every hitch hiker we come across and packing on the kilometers.
All is well otherwise. Now we need jobs. This country is very expensive.
Anyway. Right. Back to the tent. I love sleeping in it, but it's hard to pack up every morning and find a new spot every night. For the last few nights we have been sleeping just outside of Dunedin. There is unfortunately not much camping here, so we have been sleeping in the car off the side of a highway. So every night we move everything from the back of the car to the front seats and sleep in the back. The car is smaller than the tent.
It has been much colder than we expected it to be out here. The summer has really gotten a late start. Zoey and I decided to do some shopping at the Salvation Army. We got carried away. All the clothes that day were half off. So I really wanted a sweater to keep warm. I found this amazing zip up woolish sweater thing that goes down to my mid thighs. The cuffs of the sleeves have those thumb holes so your hands stay warm. There are two pockets in the front that zip shut and could hold at least six apples each. This jacket is an awful color green, and is just plain hideous. So warm. So great. The other day I found some black gloves with the finger tips cut off. So my daily uniform for the week has been shorts that I made out of some ladies slacks I found, a beat up, kinda stained tee-shirt someone gave me in Thailand, a red bandanna around my neck, cowboy style, a hoodie, the jacket and the bum gloves. I are homeless.
The homeless life has been quite nice. Having this car has been so fun. We don't have a car back home, so the new found joy of being an owner again is so remarkable. We have been picking up every hitch hiker we come across and packing on the kilometers.
All is well otherwise. Now we need jobs. This country is very expensive.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Bali to NZ
Well... Indonesia was a great time. Even though it cost a little more than we hoped for, I will never forget the smiles of all the people we met and how happy everyone was.
The flight of a lifetime... Or something. We got a good deal on tickets from Bali to Christchurch with one down fall. A 13 hour lay over in Australia, making the whole trip to New Zealand 30 hours. As some of you know, Australia is one of the three countries in the world I'm not allowed in.
Getting out of the country proved a bit tricky. When we arrived to the airport around 9 pm we found out that the flight was delayed 6 hours. With a 2:30 am departure time we decided to leave the airport and find some computers to waste some time on. That we did. We returned back to the airport a few hours later to check in. For some reason or another Zoeys work visa number and information was attached to her passport number but mine was not. New Zealand requires a visa (pre-approved) or a ticket out of the country upon departure from foreign airports. It was around one am when we got this horrible news, with the plane leaving shortly. We ran back out side and tried to call my New Zealand visa correspondent, but of course no answer. Even worse I spent the evening blowing through our Indonesian calling card because we were sure we didn't need the minutes any longer. There were a few shops still open at the airport, but none of them sold minutes for our sim card. We hailed a cab, and told him the situation, but because it was so late, no internet cafes were open that had printers. Well shit. Awwe. I should add here, that I did in fact have a visa just the same as Zoey. We approached the front counter again, and received even worse news. The only way I was getting on that plane was by purchasing a ticket out of New Zealand. So they looked up the cheapest ticket they could find and it was a flight from Christchurch NZ to Sydney Australia for the low price of 500 bucks. Well shit. After thinking the situation over, with the possibility of me staying in Bali for another few days, until we could get me out of there cheaper, we opted for the ticket.
So it cost an extra $500 for me to leave, and the tickets to New Zealand weren't cheap to begin with. The tickets we got are in fact refund able, and that's why they were so expensive.
So there we are waiting at 2:00 am for the plane to leave, dead tired, when over the intercom that the plane has been delayed to 5:45 am. Everyone ready to board the plane was crushed.
The good thing about the original delayed departure was less time in the Melbourne airport. Now even there less time in Australia. Great.
The flight was good. We had great customer service and tons of apologies from the pilots. We also got 200 bucks back from the airline.
Melbourne airport turned out to be no problem. Because we were coming in internationally, with an international connection, I dint have to do customs, or passport control
We arrived to Christchurch around 1am and got a ride to the camping hostel we booked. We slept in the tent for a few nights there and bought a car our third day in town.
The car is a 95 Suburu Legacy AWD. We love it. We can now get out of paying for accommodations and we can travel freely out here.
Jobs to come soon hopefully...
Here are some pictures of New Zealand.
The flight of a lifetime... Or something. We got a good deal on tickets from Bali to Christchurch with one down fall. A 13 hour lay over in Australia, making the whole trip to New Zealand 30 hours. As some of you know, Australia is one of the three countries in the world I'm not allowed in.
Getting out of the country proved a bit tricky. When we arrived to the airport around 9 pm we found out that the flight was delayed 6 hours. With a 2:30 am departure time we decided to leave the airport and find some computers to waste some time on. That we did. We returned back to the airport a few hours later to check in. For some reason or another Zoeys work visa number and information was attached to her passport number but mine was not. New Zealand requires a visa (pre-approved) or a ticket out of the country upon departure from foreign airports. It was around one am when we got this horrible news, with the plane leaving shortly. We ran back out side and tried to call my New Zealand visa correspondent, but of course no answer. Even worse I spent the evening blowing through our Indonesian calling card because we were sure we didn't need the minutes any longer. There were a few shops still open at the airport, but none of them sold minutes for our sim card. We hailed a cab, and told him the situation, but because it was so late, no internet cafes were open that had printers. Well shit. Awwe. I should add here, that I did in fact have a visa just the same as Zoey. We approached the front counter again, and received even worse news. The only way I was getting on that plane was by purchasing a ticket out of New Zealand. So they looked up the cheapest ticket they could find and it was a flight from Christchurch NZ to Sydney Australia for the low price of 500 bucks. Well shit. After thinking the situation over, with the possibility of me staying in Bali for another few days, until we could get me out of there cheaper, we opted for the ticket.
So it cost an extra $500 for me to leave, and the tickets to New Zealand weren't cheap to begin with. The tickets we got are in fact refund able, and that's why they were so expensive.
So there we are waiting at 2:00 am for the plane to leave, dead tired, when over the intercom that the plane has been delayed to 5:45 am. Everyone ready to board the plane was crushed.
The good thing about the original delayed departure was less time in the Melbourne airport. Now even there less time in Australia. Great.
The flight was good. We had great customer service and tons of apologies from the pilots. We also got 200 bucks back from the airline.
Melbourne airport turned out to be no problem. Because we were coming in internationally, with an international connection, I dint have to do customs, or passport control
We arrived to Christchurch around 1am and got a ride to the camping hostel we booked. We slept in the tent for a few nights there and bought a car our third day in town.
The car is a 95 Suburu Legacy AWD. We love it. We can now get out of paying for accommodations and we can travel freely out here.
Jobs to come soon hopefully...
Here are some pictures of New Zealand.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Hey Guys.... I'm In Bali
** Hello again, and welcome to another picture filled blog-o-rama brought to you by mr. n8p. **
Well lets see, whats new? As you know I did infact lose the Blackberry. I has been about a week now, but I still find myself reaching for it. Those damn smart phones. I actually feel dumber because I own one. I don’t have to think or remember anything anymore. Just look it up on a tiny information screen. We should have another one soon. We just need an address to mail it to, which is making it kinda hard, always being on the go and what not.
After Northern Thailand we headed back to Bangkok a few days earlier than when we needed to. Again we stayed at the Dragon Five Social Club. Again, Vernon, our couch surfing buddy, and I had a good old manly blast. Zoey always feels out of place when we get together.
We celebrated Thanksgiving a day earlier than everyone back home. Thursday was our last night in Bangkok, and our flight was around 6 am on Friday morning. So… Zoey called the two girls that she befriended, and I called the first guy, Finn, that we meet in Bangkok to join us. Finn brought an American from Michigan along with him who was more then ready to celebrate with us. Them along with Zoeys friends, Vernon and myself, made for an excellent Thanksgiving, and an even better dinner. The “party” turned into our going away party held back at the Social Club. We decided that since we had to leave Bangkok at three in the morning that we should probably just stay up all night.
That we did. Everyone was real sad to see us go, especially Vernon and me. Us two guys really clicked and made a real connection while I stayed with him. The night into the early morning turned into a kind of emotional sloppy mess, with me loosing a tee shirt and Vernon giving me his favorite hand made tee right off his back along with some silly American dance party that Zoey must be the one to blame. Upon our actual exit form the Social Club, Finn and his American friend, serenaded us all the way out to the street with their guitars and improvised lyrics. It was very special. After we got to the airport I realized that my only hat was left (I guess in trade) for the tee shirt. Bummer dude.
-------------------------------------BALI-------------------------------------
The Airport in Bangkok, will not go down in Zoey and I's Top greatest moments, but we got through it.
We landed mid morning in Indonesia and learned that we needed to pay $50 for our visas. So I went to the ATM, and when I saw the options for amounts to withdrawal I was amazed. One million was an option. So I withdrew that much. Finally we were Millionaires, well at least in Rupiah. The inflation out here, got so bad that the numbers for everything are so high. One dollar equals 10,000 Rupiah.
We had booked a place in Ubud called Nicks Guest House online a few days before we arrived, and it turned out to be fantastic. Zoey really has a gift for finding us really great accommodations. We paid about $18 a night, with our own private room. The guest house brought us breakfast on our porch every morning. The crew was so nice and we really enjoyed our time there.
In Ubud we met a guy named Leroy who was a painter, and tour guide. We took him up an an offer to come hang out in his village for an evening and saw a side of Bali that many people never see.
If you can guess whats going on in these pictures, I guess I will take you out for coffee or something.
This was something that I never thought that I would see in all my days. Zoey and I were the only white people at the whole event, and to top it off Zoey was the only woman watching. They say they can get away with this because if it is done at the temple, it count as a "holy" act.
After the "holy" time, we went to a traditional Balinese dance. Once again we were the only white people. It was quite cool.
This bird is a pet, but can be found out here.
This guy is trimming the tree, and grabbing the coconuts. He just climbed right up it so fast.
This is where we stayed after Nicks guest house. Cheap huh?
This is more pictures that go with the video about where we stayed. It was so nice.
Ok.... Guess what I did to day?
SCUBA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I now have 2 dives under my belt, totaling 75 min!!!
HAHA!!!!!!!!! I found you
This is me in a WWII shipwreck. Cool huh?
Yes I did it. What an amazing experience. I promise to tell more later. Underwater photos taken by my buddy Charlie.
Well lets see, whats new? As you know I did infact lose the Blackberry. I has been about a week now, but I still find myself reaching for it. Those damn smart phones. I actually feel dumber because I own one. I don’t have to think or remember anything anymore. Just look it up on a tiny information screen. We should have another one soon. We just need an address to mail it to, which is making it kinda hard, always being on the go and what not.
After Northern Thailand we headed back to Bangkok a few days earlier than when we needed to. Again we stayed at the Dragon Five Social Club. Again, Vernon, our couch surfing buddy, and I had a good old manly blast. Zoey always feels out of place when we get together.
We celebrated Thanksgiving a day earlier than everyone back home. Thursday was our last night in Bangkok, and our flight was around 6 am on Friday morning. So… Zoey called the two girls that she befriended, and I called the first guy, Finn, that we meet in Bangkok to join us. Finn brought an American from Michigan along with him who was more then ready to celebrate with us. Them along with Zoeys friends, Vernon and myself, made for an excellent Thanksgiving, and an even better dinner. The “party” turned into our going away party held back at the Social Club. We decided that since we had to leave Bangkok at three in the morning that we should probably just stay up all night.
That we did. Everyone was real sad to see us go, especially Vernon and me. Us two guys really clicked and made a real connection while I stayed with him. The night into the early morning turned into a kind of emotional sloppy mess, with me loosing a tee shirt and Vernon giving me his favorite hand made tee right off his back along with some silly American dance party that Zoey must be the one to blame. Upon our actual exit form the Social Club, Finn and his American friend, serenaded us all the way out to the street with their guitars and improvised lyrics. It was very special. After we got to the airport I realized that my only hat was left (I guess in trade) for the tee shirt. Bummer dude.
-------------------------------------BALI-------------------------------------
The Airport in Bangkok, will not go down in Zoey and I's Top greatest moments, but we got through it.
We landed mid morning in Indonesia and learned that we needed to pay $50 for our visas. So I went to the ATM, and when I saw the options for amounts to withdrawal I was amazed. One million was an option. So I withdrew that much. Finally we were Millionaires, well at least in Rupiah. The inflation out here, got so bad that the numbers for everything are so high. One dollar equals 10,000 Rupiah.
We had booked a place in Ubud called Nicks Guest House online a few days before we arrived, and it turned out to be fantastic. Zoey really has a gift for finding us really great accommodations. We paid about $18 a night, with our own private room. The guest house brought us breakfast on our porch every morning. The crew was so nice and we really enjoyed our time there.
In Ubud we met a guy named Leroy who was a painter, and tour guide. We took him up an an offer to come hang out in his village for an evening and saw a side of Bali that many people never see.
If you can guess whats going on in these pictures, I guess I will take you out for coffee or something.
This was something that I never thought that I would see in all my days. Zoey and I were the only white people at the whole event, and to top it off Zoey was the only woman watching. They say they can get away with this because if it is done at the temple, it count as a "holy" act.
After the "holy" time, we went to a traditional Balinese dance. Once again we were the only white people. It was quite cool.
This bird is a pet, but can be found out here.
This guy is trimming the tree, and grabbing the coconuts. He just climbed right up it so fast.
This is where we stayed after Nicks guest house. Cheap huh?
This is more pictures that go with the video about where we stayed. It was so nice.
Ok.... Guess what I did to day?
SCUBA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I now have 2 dives under my belt, totaling 75 min!!!
HAHA!!!!!!!!! I found you
This is me in a WWII shipwreck. Cool huh?
Yes I did it. What an amazing experience. I promise to tell more later. Underwater photos taken by my buddy Charlie.
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