On the Road Again

Well, the time has come to leave Paihia.  While I am sad to leave my friends here and the stable lifestyle, I am ready to be in the South Island again!

I had always wanted to live on the beach, which was strange because I'm not a "beach person" but the ocean is amazing.  And I have absolutely loved it.  I had the best job, met the best friends, and just couldn't imagine a better way to have spent my summer.

Since I talked to you last, a few things have happened.  I sailed overnight to one of the islands with some friends and had an incredible time.  We trolled a lure behind us and, admittedly forgot about it, before we caught my first (and only) kingfish, or yellow-tail amberjack as it's called in America.  Having that on the barbecue on the beach was amazing!  After joining the yacht club here, we had access to the boats so on several occasions, I'd go with some friends just out for an afternoon sail, which was tons of fun!  A group of us went back again to hike around and camp on Urupukapuka Island and loved it.

Last week, I finally made it out diving!  Unfortunately, it was too deep to take my camera, but we first dove on an incredible 140' ex-Navy ship wreck.  This was my deepest dive and 1 step closer towards my advanced diving certification.  The second dive was on a reef where we swam into a cave and I got to be "guided" by my friend who works at the dive shop, which always makes it more fun.  That was the second of 5 steps towards my advanced!

I was offered a free skydive, but unfortunately didn't have a chance to use it.  Yesterday, though, I went with the boss and their family out to the islands and once again had an incredible time.  We went to Stingray Bay, which was my favourite place in the Bay of Islands.  Then I got offered a free parasail, so I did that, which gave beautiful views across the Bay.  The past 3.5 months here have been absolutely incredible, but left me even more split than ever between oceans and mountains!

Despite having loved my time in Paihia, I am ready to go.  Customer service takes a toll on you.  Between working with people all day on the jetskis then dealing with more people at the campground, I am need a break from it.  While most have been great, there are plenty who also do your head in.  My plan from here is to go spend a week in Dunedin visiting old friends and hopefully buying a car, then going to Stewart Island for 2 weeks and doing a 10-day hike!  That'd be my longest ever hike and is meant to be both beautiful and remote.  After that, I will kill a week in Fiordland then pick up my parents which I am really looking forward to!

I do miss you all, and actually do miss winter a bit, but the last week of 80 degree sunny days, make it easier.  Once I am on the road, the blog posts will become more frequent. Stay warm and love you all! Bye!