Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong

So this is slightly delayed but the trip through New Zealand was too fast paced to find time to blog. I’d much rather be slight seeing than sitting at a computer blogging. Well first off we arrived in Auckland after 28 hours of 5 airports and four bags each. We were quite the sight to say the least. With a backpack that stands a good foot over my head it wasn’t hard to draw attention to myself. If anyone is traveling to Australia/New Zealand I would highly recommend V Australia. Even though leg room was sparse back in economy class the flight attendants female and male were all extremely nice, energetic and quite attractive. There was a small TV on the back of each seat with over 50 movies, television shows, games, welcome to Australia videos and a seat to seat messaging system. So to all you girls traveling, before sitting down be sure to check out where the cute boys are sitting on the plane so you can send them a message and possibly find an Australian fling! The flight also had quite peculiar lighting changing from pink and purple colors to blue greens. Oh and when I tried to order my drink the flight attendant questioned my age (thinking I was under 18)… what a surprise, people think I’m four years younger than I am. Great. I guess that’s a slight step up from getting carded at rated R movies like this past summer.

Anywho after the two southwest flights, long flight to Sydney, flight from Sydney to Auckland and trip through customs we entered the country of New Zealand! It was so wonderful to see the Babbott family again (my mom and I went to visit them 7 years ago). They welcomed us with an airport pick up and on the way home we stopped by to see new and quite impressive indoor ski slope. I think that they thought I would be missing the mid-west snow and needed a little touch of home. Once at their house we ate some dinner and toured their gorgeous rolling acres of farmland. We saw the cows and sheep and fed some donkeys and chickens. Due to the fact that I am allergic to the country of New Zealand I think it would not be wise for me to move here, but hands down it is the most beautiful place on earth. The next morning I woke up soar because I don’t think I moved all night due to sleeping so deeply. However, due to a semester of not sleeping due to our major of choice, Chemical Engineering, neither Suzanne, my traveling buddy, or I suffered really any jet lag. We woke up to a late breakfast of fresh eggs collected the day before and other breakfast delights.

We then suited up and headed out to the beach! After picking from the about 100 beaches within minutes of their house we ended up at a good swimming beach that was still suitable for boogie boarding also. Suzanne, Katie and I thought kayaking would be fun and no one wanted to be left behind so Suzanne boarded the blue kayak and Katie and I thought it would be wise to both hop on the pink one. After a wobbly start Katie and I were streamlining when an unsuspecting wave tip us a little to far to the left and we were in. Scrambling for paddles and sunglasses we spend the next 20 minutes ATTEMPTING to board the kayak. In water what I thought was too deep to stand up we struggled and grasped at the kayak time after time. Lets just say it’s difficult for one person to board a kayak but it’s near impossible for two! Just when I decided to just hold on to the side to head to shore I put my foot just far enough down and realized I could reach the ground, what a difference that would’ve made when struggling for air

We headed back for dinner and spent a lazy evening at home. We were going to try and head to the beach the next day but torrential wind and waves prevented this so we spend the afternoon touring nearby cities that have quant little feel about them. We headed to the grocery store that evening and Suzanne and I were blown away by the BAREFOOT shoppers! Apparently shoes are optional in stores, restaurants, and even elementary schools. Talk about stepping back in time. Well we said our sad goodbyes and at 4 am we were off on a shuttle Wellington bound.