Monday, January 28, 2008

Round the middle of the 3

Hey,

Thought while it was fresh I should type it otherwise it gets filed in the archives of mediocraty.

I did go surfing with my old workmate, it was good hanging out, before surfing we played hacky sack, then surfed for about 1.5 hours. After that we went back to his olive orchard and he cooked a nice as feed - I must admit I was impressed, as it was vegetarian, but was really nice.

Following that I headed to Matai bay. Set up my tent, and went for a snorkel. The clarity was not so good. Anyway had a bit of chat to the neighbouring tent dwellers, they were from Northern New York State, USA.

It was a nice sleep - faced the stars, and must of went to sleep reasonably early as I couldn't do much without the light.

Sunday morning got up reasonably early (8am) and headed back to Kaitaia, went to church, then tidied up the flat. I headed back to Matai bay and attempted another snorkel. Not clear again. However the DOC camp (it is a DOC camp ground) person gave me half a crayfish, so that was nice.

This morning (Monday) I got up about 8, and went for a snorkel - this time the water was clearer - I decided to go hard and go around the peninsula dividing the two bays at Matai bay (the middle of the 3 so to speak). So I did - a bit of an effort, took about 2 hours, but I did it.

Anyway after that, I had some breakfast, packed up and went to Coopers Beach and met up with some friends, and had a picnic lunch and a bit of a walk.

On my way home, went to a meeting.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Knocked the Burger off

For the un-informed - thats a reference to Sir Edmund Hillary, who passed away this week. Our National Hero. He was the first to climb Mt. Everest, and the first to reach the South Pole in a vehicle.

I use burger for 3 reasons - One, because otherwise Im using a swear word, 2 because I don't want you to think I am referring to Sir Ed, and 3 - cos I have had my share of Burgers this week - I had them 3x for dinner this week, starting with Sunday - when I had dinner with the DOC girls. Then Tuesday and Wednesday.

Not much interesting things have happened lately.

This weekend is Auckland Anniversary - a long weekend. Straight after this Im going surfing with an ex-workmate, then probably camp tonight.

Next weekend I'll go home, and Dad & I are going to White Island on a boat trip.

Friday, January 04, 2008

There and Back again

Finished work on Fri 21st at 2:30pm, hung out with workmates for several hours, ended up staying in Kaitaia the night.

Next morning – Saturday woke up, did the necessary stuff – washing, dishes, packing car. Headed out of town, via the gym to put my membership on hold, so I get 2 extra weeks on the end – nice.

Went state highway 10, and then turned left at Kaeo – traveling along the east coast. It was a cool trip – discovered 2 new beaches, and another place to camp (Te Ngere and Maturi bays). At Maturi bay I went for a bodyboard – the water was quite warm – great fun, grass roots NZ-style.

From there I drove through Paihia, and then ended up camping at Goat Island Marine reserve at Leigh the night. I had a dusk snorkel after putting up my tent.

Next morning, packed up, had another snorkel, and then drove to Orewa. Filled up with Petrol and grabbed some food. Stopped again in Auckland – parked off Queen street, by the YHA where I usually stay – because I know its free on a Sunday – nice!

While I was there I finally got around to trying out the Burgerfuel – the company I have shares in.

After leaving Auckland I drove to Pokeno, had and Ice cream, and then drove straight to Papamoa.

Once I got to Papamoa, had some tea, then sorted out my bags again.

The following day (Monday) early morning, went back to Hamilton with Mum and Dad. Grabbed a BK breakfast – nice change from McDs breakfasts.

Mucked around at home – did some internet stuff etc, and then caught up with some mates.

Next day was Christmas day. Opened some presents at home. Most notable present was an MP3 player. From there we went to Huntly to have Christmas with my Grandparents. It was quite boring without my sister and brother-in-law this year – I think because we would always make each other laugh. Anyway, that night headed back to Papamoa.

Boxing Day – 26th, Mum & I did some shopping, for most of the day, then I went for a swim, and got lots of Pipis.

27th – I woke up, did some jobs around town – such as getting the BBQ’s gas bottle filled, getting my registration for my car, and buying my ticket to the evenings concert. Once I had completed those tasks I went down to the Mount main beach and chilled for about and hour and a half. Anyway, following that, went home, had a shower etc and went to see the concert at the Papamoa tavern. It was Atlas, Elemeno P, and the Feelers – for $40 it was well worth it. Atlas is basically a new band, made up from most of the members from Zed,
Elemeno P, currently my favourite band – have had a string of hits from both their albums, coming out with a third this year, and the Feelers -who were the “NZ It band” in the late ninties, early 2000s.

Since then, climbed the mount, walked around the mount, did the walk up the Papamoa hill, and yesterday went to Whangamata via Bowentown (where I visited my cousins).


At Whangamata I went out with my mate Simon and his dad on their boat, out to an Island - the island is pretty cool, as you swim through a cave into the middle of the island (which is open- like a doughnut). Awesome stuff.

Tonight Im back in Hamilton, catching up with another mate for a BBQ at his place, and then tomorrow probably having morning tea with another.