So my parents are here in NZ now, all is good.
The Troll got heavily burnt today while we went up to the Cape, which is no real big surprise, eh? We've also done a dolpin discovery trip the first day which was pretty fun, sadly we didn't get to swim with the dolpins because they weren't all too interactive with the boats - okay, sorry, there's a drunk Canadian behind me, so I can't really concentrate. Will try and write something later on.
But, important note, everyone here is happy, a bit crispy, but all good otherwise. :D
See'ya!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Auckland
Man, I thought I would be getting into some good internet cafes around here, and boy am I wrong. The one I'm at right now is okay, nothing too special, but meh. The connections here are really bad!
But not bad enough not to upload some photos for you guys. I've uploaded about 47 photos. That should make you happy, right?
Instead of posting them up here, I'm just going to place this link here for you guys to use: Photo Album or you can just go here: http://picasaweb.google.com/ollie.olsson/NewZealand
Nothing special to report except that my mom and sister are coming over here tomorrow, and that I'm currently staying in Devonport crashing on a guys couch. He's a very nice guy, very energetic.
That's all I'm willing to write right now. I'll try and write some more later on!
But not bad enough not to upload some photos for you guys. I've uploaded about 47 photos. That should make you happy, right?
Instead of posting them up here, I'm just going to place this link here for you guys to use: Photo Album or you can just go here: http://picasaweb.google.com/ollie.olsson/NewZealand
Nothing special to report except that my mom and sister are coming over here tomorrow, and that I'm currently staying in Devonport crashing on a guys couch. He's a very nice guy, very energetic.
That's all I'm willing to write right now. I'll try and write some more later on!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
never ending story
Hey guys, it's been a while, yeah? Sorry about that, the past couple of days have been pretty eventful.
A couple of days a ago, a Canadian a I met a while back came up north from Tuts to visit for the weekend, and we had quite a good time. We went free diving with Cam for scollops (made a record of 10.1meters in my free dive, and a total of 20 seconds underwater hitting 7.4 meters at the same time), we caught 50 of them, which was then turned into an amazing appeticers to a beautiful dinner (steaks, sallad, beer, etc).
The next day Mr. Canada, Ms. Denmark, and I went off onto a day tour over to Matauri Bay and Rainbow Falls, which was also, incredible. Matauri Bay was hot as and just amazing as it always is. But RF this time around was just superb, why? Because we went swimming in the falls. Yup, you read me right, we went swimming in the pool under the falls, and into the falls. We got behind the falls, and found a pretty neat cave inside aswell. Ms. D got some photos of the whole event, so I'll be posting those as quickly as I can.
Then today, the misses (Ms. D) and I went over to Kerikeri today to have some food at a Middle Eastern cafe/restaurant which was just excellent. Had some Shazram (spiced lamb with humus and sallad) and got it in a doggy bag to go cause the misses didn't eat all of hers (dinner). After lunch we went over to Wairere Boulders which I was bit skeptical to go to, but when we started walking there it was just magical. I mean it was just crazy how beautiful it was! I took heaps of photos, but I didn't have time to do the whole tour of the track, but what I saw and climbed (had to climb some boulders while I was there you know). Yeah man, it was choice! I had some hard times getting good shots with my camera, because of all the lighting. But I got some wicked ones. Yes yes, I know, I'm still learning how to use my camera to its 100% potential, but we didn't have enough time on the track for me to fiddle with it too much. I guess I just have to go there again (SWEET!).
Sorry for no photos guys, will try and post some on Sunday/Monday for you guys, if all goes as planned.
Aight, gonna bounce, see ya guys soon (especially Mom and the Troll)!!!
A couple of days a ago, a Canadian a I met a while back came up north from Tuts to visit for the weekend, and we had quite a good time. We went free diving with Cam for scollops (made a record of 10.1meters in my free dive, and a total of 20 seconds underwater hitting 7.4 meters at the same time), we caught 50 of them, which was then turned into an amazing appeticers to a beautiful dinner (steaks, sallad, beer, etc).
The next day Mr. Canada, Ms. Denmark, and I went off onto a day tour over to Matauri Bay and Rainbow Falls, which was also, incredible. Matauri Bay was hot as and just amazing as it always is. But RF this time around was just superb, why? Because we went swimming in the falls. Yup, you read me right, we went swimming in the pool under the falls, and into the falls. We got behind the falls, and found a pretty neat cave inside aswell. Ms. D got some photos of the whole event, so I'll be posting those as quickly as I can.
Then today, the misses (Ms. D) and I went over to Kerikeri today to have some food at a Middle Eastern cafe/restaurant which was just excellent. Had some Shazram (spiced lamb with humus and sallad) and got it in a doggy bag to go cause the misses didn't eat all of hers (dinner). After lunch we went over to Wairere Boulders which I was bit skeptical to go to, but when we started walking there it was just magical. I mean it was just crazy how beautiful it was! I took heaps of photos, but I didn't have time to do the whole tour of the track, but what I saw and climbed (had to climb some boulders while I was there you know). Yeah man, it was choice! I had some hard times getting good shots with my camera, because of all the lighting. But I got some wicked ones. Yes yes, I know, I'm still learning how to use my camera to its 100% potential, but we didn't have enough time on the track for me to fiddle with it too much. I guess I just have to go there again (SWEET!).
Sorry for no photos guys, will try and post some on Sunday/Monday for you guys, if all goes as planned.
Aight, gonna bounce, see ya guys soon (especially Mom and the Troll)!!!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
where's there's sweet, the sour isn't too far behind
Hey guys, life right now is amazing! I'm feeling great, and loving life a bit more. But only for a bit over week will this feeling go on, why? Because I've met an amazing girl who I'm totally into! She's from Denmark (of all places right?), she's 24, and she's just so cool on so many different ways. I don't know what it is, but it feels great being around her and just hanging out with her. Gladly she feels the same way about me, and she's digging me as well. Life coudn't be better. Except for one thing (this is the sour bit): She's a backpacker too, and she's looking for something too. She also leaves at the end of March, which means we don't have too much time together. She tells me she wants to go to Zanzibar and work at a restaurant that I've eaten at (remember the Monsoon bar Skywalker?) when I was there. Weird, eh?
It's gonna suck leaving Piahia now, but it has to be done, yeah? And if this is for real, then we'll both be making an effort to making sure our paths cross later on in life.
I'm signing out to hang out with her now, I'll keep in touch.
And Sebbe, Option 4 has been noted, and will be thought about and revised ;-)
And Mr. CMC, for the sweet love of Ganesh, please remember that it's a 12 hour difference between me and you. So, if you call at 2.30pm your time, it's going to be 2.30am for me. But it was nice hearing your voice anyway :-D
It's gonna suck leaving Piahia now, but it has to be done, yeah? And if this is for real, then we'll both be making an effort to making sure our paths cross later on in life.
I'm signing out to hang out with her now, I'll keep in touch.
And Sebbe, Option 4 has been noted, and will be thought about and revised ;-)
And Mr. CMC, for the sweet love of Ganesh, please remember that it's a 12 hour difference between me and you. So, if you call at 2.30pm your time, it's going to be 2.30am for me. But it was nice hearing your voice anyway :-D
Monday, February 11, 2008
the hard life
I've been talking to quite a bit of people here about what I do here at the hostel, and man, I've got a pretty sweet deal going on.
The other day I was over at Cam's place for some dinner (smoked KingFish, yum!) and then I got a call from the office, so I had to go over there before we started eating, too take care of the problem. I took off, solved the problem, went back to Cam's place to have my feed. After that, I went back into town, parked my car, took one of the bikes here, and then just biked down to the warf to hang out with him there for a bit. All of this is during my shift. Think about that. The past couple of nights I've been out playing pool and having a beer or two. Which other job would allow you to do that, eh? Man, this is probably the easiest job I've had so far. I love my life :D
But, I currently have a big decision to make right now. I've talked to some of you guys about this, but maybe not all the details were laid out there.
Here are three paths I take that will determine the next 1-2 years of my life.
1) Stay in NZ for 6 months as planned, extend my flight ticket to November, and then go over to Oz for 6 monthes, fly back to NZ and then back home.
2) Stay in NZ for a whole year, go back home, make some more $, then go back to Oz for X-time.
3) Stay in NZ for a whole year, ignore my flight ticket home, and go over to Oz for a year or so (via a Working Holiday Visa like here).
The third option is a very expensive option, but I do have the resources to accomplish it, mind you.
Hmmm...yeah. It's hard. I know what you guys are going to say back home, so you don't really need to say it.
Mmmkay guys, I'm gonna let you guys think on that one, in the mean time, smell ya later!
The other day I was over at Cam's place for some dinner (smoked KingFish, yum!) and then I got a call from the office, so I had to go over there before we started eating, too take care of the problem. I took off, solved the problem, went back to Cam's place to have my feed. After that, I went back into town, parked my car, took one of the bikes here, and then just biked down to the warf to hang out with him there for a bit. All of this is during my shift. Think about that. The past couple of nights I've been out playing pool and having a beer or two. Which other job would allow you to do that, eh? Man, this is probably the easiest job I've had so far. I love my life :D
But, I currently have a big decision to make right now. I've talked to some of you guys about this, but maybe not all the details were laid out there.
Here are three paths I take that will determine the next 1-2 years of my life.
1) Stay in NZ for 6 months as planned, extend my flight ticket to November, and then go over to Oz for 6 monthes, fly back to NZ and then back home.
2) Stay in NZ for a whole year, go back home, make some more $, then go back to Oz for X-time.
3) Stay in NZ for a whole year, ignore my flight ticket home, and go over to Oz for a year or so (via a Working Holiday Visa like here).
The third option is a very expensive option, but I do have the resources to accomplish it, mind you.
Hmmm...yeah. It's hard. I know what you guys are going to say back home, so you don't really need to say it.
Mmmkay guys, I'm gonna let you guys think on that one, in the mean time, smell ya later!
Saturday, February 9, 2008
The Cape
Yesterday was a pretty sweet day guys and girls! I took a day trip up to Cape Reigna which was just superb!
I met an older couple here at the hostel, and we ended up agreeing on taking a road trip up to Cape Reigna. On the condition that they would split the gas with me. Sweet as, no problem on that side.
We left at 8 in the morning, and it took us a bit over 3 hours to get up there, but it was a nice cruisy drive, nothing too difficult, but yet again I felt like a rally driver on these windy roads (but felt more like a rally driver on my way back). Once we get to the parking lot, we start making our way to the lighthouse, and during the whole walk, the scenery is just amazing (so pissed I can't upload some photos for you guys to check out). Upon reaching the lighthouse, we see a sign post with arrows pointing in several directions for all the major cities in the world. But some people have been ripping them off as suvenirs which is a real bummer for the rest of us, but meh. Anyway, from the look out, you could see white water in the middle of the ocean, and that's where the Tasman and Pacific sea collide. Pretty cool site to see.
We saw a path going down to beach which was a bit off, but I suggested we go and check it out, and boy, it was AMAZING!!! The beach was deserted! Ok, there were like 6 other people there, but if you walked for about 5 minutes, you were alone again. Not even 5, 2 would of been enough. Gah! I wish I could post some photos of it! I took a dip there as well (of course) and I've never seen waves move the way they were moving in there. They didn't come in the usualy wave pattern. They came in from different directions all the time. Very odd, but very nice! Super clear water too!
When were done playing on the beach, we start making our way back up to the car, and take a detour to do some sandboarding. Pretty awesome, but damn it was tiring. Walking up these MASSIVE sand dunes + taking a sled down it = A lot of fun!!!
Well, then I looked at my watch, and realized I started work in about 2.5 hours. And the trip was about 3 hours. We jumped into TM, and start hauling ass. It took us less than 2.5hrs to travel the whole distance. I was switching gears like a mad man, making sure I wouldn't lose speed, and over taking cars like a demon. I was so proud of TM! It shone like a beautiful star! I was probably averaging around 120-130kph. And driving straight through all the corners that I could. Don't worry guys, I made sure I didn't jeoprodize my passengers lifes. I even told them too tell me they wanted me to slow down. No worries, we got back, and happy as!
And today, I'm going to go to some Middle Eastern cafe in a town not to far away and hopefully have some falafel! So, catch ya guys later! And thanks for the book tips!
I met an older couple here at the hostel, and we ended up agreeing on taking a road trip up to Cape Reigna. On the condition that they would split the gas with me. Sweet as, no problem on that side.
We left at 8 in the morning, and it took us a bit over 3 hours to get up there, but it was a nice cruisy drive, nothing too difficult, but yet again I felt like a rally driver on these windy roads (but felt more like a rally driver on my way back). Once we get to the parking lot, we start making our way to the lighthouse, and during the whole walk, the scenery is just amazing (so pissed I can't upload some photos for you guys to check out). Upon reaching the lighthouse, we see a sign post with arrows pointing in several directions for all the major cities in the world. But some people have been ripping them off as suvenirs which is a real bummer for the rest of us, but meh. Anyway, from the look out, you could see white water in the middle of the ocean, and that's where the Tasman and Pacific sea collide. Pretty cool site to see.
We saw a path going down to beach which was a bit off, but I suggested we go and check it out, and boy, it was AMAZING!!! The beach was deserted! Ok, there were like 6 other people there, but if you walked for about 5 minutes, you were alone again. Not even 5, 2 would of been enough. Gah! I wish I could post some photos of it! I took a dip there as well (of course) and I've never seen waves move the way they were moving in there. They didn't come in the usualy wave pattern. They came in from different directions all the time. Very odd, but very nice! Super clear water too!
When were done playing on the beach, we start making our way back up to the car, and take a detour to do some sandboarding. Pretty awesome, but damn it was tiring. Walking up these MASSIVE sand dunes + taking a sled down it = A lot of fun!!!
Well, then I looked at my watch, and realized I started work in about 2.5 hours. And the trip was about 3 hours. We jumped into TM, and start hauling ass. It took us less than 2.5hrs to travel the whole distance. I was switching gears like a mad man, making sure I wouldn't lose speed, and over taking cars like a demon. I was so proud of TM! It shone like a beautiful star! I was probably averaging around 120-130kph. And driving straight through all the corners that I could. Don't worry guys, I made sure I didn't jeoprodize my passengers lifes. I even told them too tell me they wanted me to slow down. No worries, we got back, and happy as!
And today, I'm going to go to some Middle Eastern cafe in a town not to far away and hopefully have some falafel! So, catch ya guys later! And thanks for the book tips!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Waitangi Day
Today was Waitangi Day here in NZ. It's more or less the day where the modern day NZ was setup, where Maori's and white were written their rights so on and so forth.
I was expecting some cool traditional Maori culture going on, some shows, some wicked trade stands. Man was I disapointed. It seems as though the Maori culture has gone straight down the toilet. There were a bunch of different gangs there flashing off their colours, no body was dressed in traditionaly Maori clothing, no real Maori food was being sold. It was a pretty sad day truth be told.
That's all I have to say, I'm good, just cruising and reading heaps. Any books to recommend?
Later guys!
I was expecting some cool traditional Maori culture going on, some shows, some wicked trade stands. Man was I disapointed. It seems as though the Maori culture has gone straight down the toilet. There were a bunch of different gangs there flashing off their colours, no body was dressed in traditionaly Maori clothing, no real Maori food was being sold. It was a pretty sad day truth be told.
That's all I have to say, I'm good, just cruising and reading heaps. Any books to recommend?
Later guys!
Monday, February 4, 2008
Brief Update
Life is good, the hostel work is nice and cruisy. I'm not making heaps of cash through it, but I'm going plus minus zero at the moment, which is good enough for me.
Sadly I won't be able to publish photos as often as before, because the computers here prohibit that, but we'll see if I can't find another solution for that, eh? I usually do, don't I? I really want to use my bro's FTP server that he's setup for me, but I don't know when I'll get the chance to exploit it. I digress.
I've been meeting a lot of people here at the hostel, and it's really great. I'm reading more and more now. I just finished John Grisham, The Testament, which I can really recommend. And now I'm reading a non-fictional book on homicidal couples. I don't know why, but yeah, I'm reading that now...it's weird.
Been hanging out with Cam quite a bit as well, and he just ordered a wake board online, and he has a new sound system in his boat, so hopefully I'll be wake boarding on my free time which would be, as the French say, mellard (sick).
Everytime I write a blog, I notice how my english is becoming more and more Kiwi. I find it interesting, and I hope I don't lose it, it would be such a shame to be losing words like whops, jandels, and choice out of my daily vocab.
Oh, went back to Matauri Bay with a girl from the hostel, and it was grrrreat! Beach was nice and clear, water was amazing, and we walked up a hill to see a statue for the Rainbow Warrior, an old Green Peace ship that was sunk by some French military a while back. I'll try and post those pictures up, they turned out pretty good. Thank you Nikon D40!
Aight guys, I'll talk to you later, yeah?! Sweet as!
Sadly I won't be able to publish photos as often as before, because the computers here prohibit that, but we'll see if I can't find another solution for that, eh? I usually do, don't I? I really want to use my bro's FTP server that he's setup for me, but I don't know when I'll get the chance to exploit it. I digress.
I've been meeting a lot of people here at the hostel, and it's really great. I'm reading more and more now. I just finished John Grisham, The Testament, which I can really recommend. And now I'm reading a non-fictional book on homicidal couples. I don't know why, but yeah, I'm reading that now...it's weird.
Been hanging out with Cam quite a bit as well, and he just ordered a wake board online, and he has a new sound system in his boat, so hopefully I'll be wake boarding on my free time which would be, as the French say, mellard (sick).
Everytime I write a blog, I notice how my english is becoming more and more Kiwi. I find it interesting, and I hope I don't lose it, it would be such a shame to be losing words like whops, jandels, and choice out of my daily vocab.
Oh, went back to Matauri Bay with a girl from the hostel, and it was grrrreat! Beach was nice and clear, water was amazing, and we walked up a hill to see a statue for the Rainbow Warrior, an old Green Peace ship that was sunk by some French military a while back. I'll try and post those pictures up, they turned out pretty good. Thank you Nikon D40!
Aight guys, I'll talk to you later, yeah?! Sweet as!
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