Valenties with True Love

Able Tasman- Coastal Track, 4 day hike!

COMING SOON!! Valentines

70 Couch Surfers Over Two Volcanos

So I've really left you guys hangin over the past few weeks, what can I say I've been having fun!

About two weeks ago now I decided to take off for the weekend because an uncertain "fish" (see reference previous blog) made last minute plans. Of course, then so did I!
Nearly 6pm already, I stuffed a large pack with anything that would deem me "self sufficient," hopped on a bike, and rode to the edge of town. After a quick chat with a lady at the gas station, she insisted that I stored my bike in the back for safer keeping. I was just going to hide it in a bush somewhere?!? lol

So I quickly threw my thumb out, not quite sure how to pronounce the name of the city I was going to, and I was off.

(I was talking to someone about hitching and just realized that I've probably ridden with over 200 people here in NZ)

I managed to get most of the way to the Tongariro crossing with my final hitch for he day, (I DO NOT HITCH AT NIGHT). I had him drop me off at a crossroads in Tongariro National Park where I'd attempt to finish my trip in the morning. My plan was to meet up with a group of Couch Surfers and do the Tongariro Crossing in the morning, only problem was that they were leaving at 7:30 am. oh yeah, and I didn't know any of them. lol

The night sky was full of shining stars in the dark sky, and the full moon came out and lit up the world once more. I threw up a tent in the native bush, and the landscape, came alive. The agave plants shook with life, and little critters, hedgehogs and bats, rodents, and a chorus of birds made the music of the night. Grinning from ear to ear, I realized, this is freedom.

In the morning, I quickly packed up my tent to throw a thumb out on an empty road. Sure enough, the minute I got there, a car stopped on the side and took me on my way.

Now I wasn't sure whether I'd be able to reach the village before the CS'ers left for the trail head. After giving it a good go, I realized my chances were better to meet them at the trail, though I wasn't sure which end they would start from. I walked along the road way for a while before I came by a shuttle station to the trail head.

Making a quick decision, I decided I had to guess the trailhead 50/50, and would hike it either way. Luckily I was able to leave my huge pack with the shuttle service and take a more reasonable day bag.

Off I went, and believe it or not, I found the CS'ers (thus the title lol). It isn't easy to coordinate that many people, so I give em dibbs! Car load after car load, they arrived.

... to be Continued

A Bigger Fish!

There's always a Guy, lol:

Sometimes, much more often than you like to admit to yourself, there is a special"someone else" who tends to influence the things you do. Now that can get complicated when you don't have a job, a house, or any set plans. Even more so if you're a bum at his house, lol.

Then reality hits. We'll keep it short and sweet, more doors just opened up and I'm lookin' for a bigger fish!

Hold in There!!

Hey Guys, just got back from traveling in the south island. Did a four day trek in Able Tasman on the costal track. I hitched all over the last week and a half and just getting settled into "uni life". I can't wait to tell you all about my adventure!

True Love

You know, when I left New Zealand last January, the heart break I felt was best described to me as terrible break up. I had been living in this beautiful country for a year now, and every day of it, woken up with a huge smile on my face, so happy to be hear. It was the best time of my life, and I just didn't see it coming. Time to go back to reality, my home in the USA. My vacation was over, and I cried the whole way home.

I was reluctant to get on the plane, and loved to tell my friends that they would have to drag me back kicking and screaming. I promised myself I'd come back to her. I loved everything about her. But now it was over. It was fun while it lasted, I wasn't ready for it to be over, but there was nothing I could do about it.

A year later, I kept my promise, both to New Zealand and to myself. I'm so very happy to be here, I love her deeply. It's different now, I knew it would be. I lost her once, and I'm so scared it'll happen again. I've been working desperately to get my working holiday, and will continue working towards residency. I've never felt more at home, I've never loved so deeply.