Surf and Sand

Today I went surfing and it was awesome. I have received a CD of photos from last week, here are some of those.

Thanks for watching.

Sweet as Bro

As the engines roared and I left the cook islands, a part of me cried. Correction, all of me cried. The flight from Rarotonga to Auckland was quick and painless.

Arriving in Auckland the customs was a little overboard, immigration, bio security, and x-rayed luggage. Unbelievable. Making it through I managed to catch a bus into town and find my evening accomodation. Enter the Fat Camel.

The Fat Camel was a little bit of a mixed bag, you get a free dinner with you accommodation, but the portion is no word of a lie, child sized. obviously I had to upgrade to the normal sized and it was good. Enjoyed a few beers with some fellows from the UK at the Fat Camel's bar, played a game of pool and went to bed.

Waking up early I went for a walk to source out where I was to meet for my surf trip, after stopping by the coffee shop to have a morning breakfast and coffee. Meeting the surf van in Aucland and heading north for the surf lodge.

One week has come and gone, but the surfing has improved heaps. We did a bunch of surfing, one sand dune adventure, where I was able to Sandboard. Truly fun! Now I am sitting relaxing at the surf lodge trying to become un-sore from the pains of fun.

One more week left of surfing and then Elise and I travel the north island together. I miss you all but I need this little holiday.

Last day in Paradise

As the rain ceased so does my stint in the cook islands. It is truely a sad day. But not without some great stories.

I returned my scooter to the rental place, and did some local shopping around town, good finds! Although being in town and my place is far out of town I had to catch a bus.

But before I get too carried away, I had a chance to drive my scooter around a bunch before I dropped it off, and because I needed some photos of me not wearing pants. I guess that was too much for some people. You know who you are. I did just that.

Seeing the lagoon was spectacular it goes on for a really long time before the break. Crystal clear blue water accented by the deep blue sky and contrasted perfectly by palm trees.This place is awesome!

Once I returned the scooter I had to catch a bus back to the hut, it wasn't bad but I had to seek better wheels.

After reading my book in the heat of the day for a few hours, I thought I need to do one of the hikes on the island. I chose the one closest to my hut and journeyed into the jungle. When I say jungle think of Survivor, or the Vancouver Aquarium. The humidity hits you like a ton of bricks!

Having reached the Summit and scaled up the 15 meter rock wall to complete the hike I was there! Having to use old ropes and metal spikes in the rock was a little dicey but I made it.

After making it down safely and back to the hut, I still was in search of wheels. I walked out to the road then it dawned on me why not hitch. One of the safest places to do so... but still kinda dicey when riding in the back of pickup trucks.

Made it safe into town grabbed dinner and then made my way back to the hut to start packing up.

This morning, I woke early as the locals do around 630, and headed for town walking. Hitched into town and saw the market! What a sight, I was a little bummed my camera wasn't in hand but I can tell you it is a sight to see, people all rushing about at 7 am getting food or last minute gifts.

The last hitch of the day was back to the hut where I am able to post this blog and upload some photos. Miss you all. Kia Orana!

See you in a few days on the north coast of New Zealand!

Water Temp. 24 Degrees.

Today is my final full day left in this beautiful place. My plan for today is track down a few licence plates to add to my travel collection of 'plates from the globe'. Other than that the day remains open, full of new and exciting things!

Yesterday it rained all day, although it would have been bad had the temperature matched the weather, how ever it didn't it was around 21 all day. So I went for brunch after a nice lie in, and did a huge chunk of reading. It was Great!

After I read my book for a while I got a bug, the photo bug and went outside and took some beach photos at low tide. I saw some guys body boarding and surfing on reef break. That means however when the wave breaks the reef is maybe a foot under you. Too dicey for me.

Once I snapped some photos I decided to go out for a walk on the reef! That is super cool, all the sea life right under your feet and the waves crashing were huge! Surprisingly enough the waves never really make it past the reef, only at high tide.

I talked to the guys at the dive shop and they reccomended a place called Tumunu for food. Wasn't bad, there I met some people from New Zealand. We chatted over dinner and had great conversation. Following that I went for a late night cruise and saw the local market, this kid tried to sell me this ointment that makes bug bites go away in a couple of days. Don't they go away in a couples a days anyways?!

That kid thought I was on the rugby team and was from New Zealand?!? Do I sound like a local already?

PADI Qualified

For those that have been keeping upto date with my travels and those that are just joining in, Gather 'round. I did it. I got my Scuba Driver ticket! Also in this episode my accommodation, island night, and coconut husking. The last few days have been excellent! Yesturday I went on a little hike to the look out near the hospital, what a view!

Current temperature is 33 Celsius and i'm loving it. Last night I took part in a tradional "island night" it was interesting, I ate a bunch of stuff and had no clue what it was. the music was pumping and I enjoyed the tribal jungle drums! The traditional dancing was cool as well.

Today I went back to 'Dive Raratonga' and completed my two ocean dives! The underwater world is unreal, for anyone wanting to try it I highly recommend it! After having a great day out scuba diving I went to a local favorite food joint called the dockside, Absolutely awesome burgers!

After browsing a few shops and buying a sweet straw hat, to blend in of course, I headed back to my accomadation on the beach.

Sitting on the beach doing some reading is a truely relaxing passtime, I quite enjoy it. Disturbed by a rucuss I look over and a local is showing some people how to husk coconuts! Obviously I make my way over and join in the festivities. I can husk coconuts! Take that.

As my day is quiet and relaxing I decied I should probably blog my most recent updates!

Kia Orana

I landed safe in Rarotonga yesterday morning at 545am. However I was unable to sleep on the plane, I did manage a few hours once I arrived at the Beach Hut (photos to follow in next post). Being here is so relaxing, the people, the air, and the ocean constantly breaking over the reef. However the only not peaceful thing is the rooster that decied at 4 this morning it was time to get up. Not impressed.

I rented a sweet gas powered 125cc Scooter. It's sweet! (helmets aren't compulsory) Don't tell my mother. So today I manged to awake after the rooster, and had a few bananas for breakfast; talk about fresh! wow!

Making my way to the hammock on the beach I read my book for a while then off to the Scuba course. I am on my way to be a PADI Scuba diver. I Just completed the pool training sessions. This is seriously cool.

Now its time to kick back relax and enjoy some more of the Cook's.

'Kia Orana'

Mid Travels

So I have safely made it to LAX airport, my 5 hour layover is now in full swing. I managed to rattle a few photos and I'm going to post them.

I was able to score a sweet window seat, and the views were awesome! Who knew California was so nice? Not I. Although their airport is ghetto, its kind of cool their announcements happen in English and Spanish.

I hope to continue the photo blogging process, throughout my travels. I miss you all dearly and so long, and farewell I will see you in December.