Hello
I arrived in New Zealand from Rarotonga last Wednesday night. The cold autumnal air and overcast weather hit me like a bad smell. Michelle and Tony generously picked me up and then we drove through the night to the northland town of Whungarei wear Michelle and Tony live. I slowly acclimatised to the weather and visited some Northland hotspots including the whaling port of Russell in the bay of islands and Kerikeri an old missionary settlement founded by infamous William Marsden in the 1800's.
Its a small world. Michelle and Tony's next door neibour is Mr. Cooze a Pitcairn islander. He passionately viewed my photos and knew every Rock, tree and blade of grass on Pitcairn by its name. He knew the island like the back of his hand and spoke with the Pitcairn tongue fluently it seemed. It was a pleasure to show someone as familiar as himself my photos and learn from someone who knows far more than me on the subject remembering Pitcairn as it once was when he lived on the island now quite long ago.
I caught the bus down to Auckland central from Whungarei Friday morning and connected onto the small passenger train to Mt Eden to visit James and Laura two friends of mine. Its a nice upmarket area they live in and close to the centre of Auckland too. Mt Eden is an extinct volcano crater and from the top of it one has one of the best views over Auckland region partially at Sunset.
This week i am going to look around some of the different areas of Auckland and visit some of the islands too. Maybe Great Barrier island and Rangitoto island too. I will see. It depends on cost now like it has for a while now...
On Tuesday MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH ME i will depart for Hong kong.
Cheers,
Felix
Sunday 25 April 2010
Monday 12 April 2010
Kia Orana
As my departure from Polynesia draws near i am starting to reflect on my journey.
After almost five months in the tropics i know for sure what i will miss. I will miss the reliable hot sun and fragrant tropical air. Also the gentle Luke warm lagoon. The sunsets and white sandy beaches. The bountiful fresh tropical fruits including Breadfruit! I will miss the lax way of life and freedom that the Polynesian culture have. Also the pride the Polynesians have for each of there islands. I will however bring part of that culture with me wear ever i go in life. Travel changes you. When you go home from some wear so different you think differently. I have been shown another way, another culture and another perspective to life.
I have had an incredible adventure. I have seen parts of the world very few manage to get to Ducie island in particular. I have encountered exhausting situations at sea alongside Captain Paul and Chrissy too. I have faught sea sickness at times and relentless sleep deprevation but wieredly felt the most alive i ever have and the worst i have felt too! Bounty day on Pitcairn island was among the most special days of my entire trip, being one of 10 outsiders to witness the yearly celebration. My trip to Savaii in Samoa and My time on Atiu with mum are high up the list too. I am sad this trip is coming to an end yet i am starting to appreciate my time out here more and more the nearer i get to home and the safety of ones comfort zone.
Today I crossed the island on the jungle trail with Graham, Henry (Graham Wraggs son) and another rambler that we met; Peter a Food hygene standards agency representetive for Fiji but danish. A bit of spontaneouse social rambling. The path was steep in places leeding us from Avarua up through the thick jungle alongside a miandering stream. We used Banyan tree roots, ferns and vines to support our balance in places cairfull not to slip down the steep cliffs and ravines in the jungle. The look out at the Kneedle (a steep rock face) was breathtaking. The view realy put into perspective how small Rarotonga realy is. It may have an international airport and increasing package tourism but at the end of the day it is the peak of a mountain surounded by a vast deep blue Ocean. Fact: the Cook islands waters cover an area the size of india, Yet the land mass grouped together would fit in lake Taupo, New Zealand!
After the hike we came to Wigmores waterfall. Located the otherside of the island just up from Vaimaanga wear i have been staying. It was wonderfull to swim in the cool fresh water. I had walked most the hike topless (i want to keep the tan) wearing my Tilley airflow Hat and shorts ofcourse.
May i take this oppotunity to thank all my followers and passing by website visitors to thankyou for following me and leaving supportive and sometimes funny comments. I realy appreciate every message.
I will try and add more photos and will write again soon!
Meitiki Mata
Felix
As my departure from Polynesia draws near i am starting to reflect on my journey.
After almost five months in the tropics i know for sure what i will miss. I will miss the reliable hot sun and fragrant tropical air. Also the gentle Luke warm lagoon. The sunsets and white sandy beaches. The bountiful fresh tropical fruits including Breadfruit! I will miss the lax way of life and freedom that the Polynesian culture have. Also the pride the Polynesians have for each of there islands. I will however bring part of that culture with me wear ever i go in life. Travel changes you. When you go home from some wear so different you think differently. I have been shown another way, another culture and another perspective to life.
I have had an incredible adventure. I have seen parts of the world very few manage to get to Ducie island in particular. I have encountered exhausting situations at sea alongside Captain Paul and Chrissy too. I have faught sea sickness at times and relentless sleep deprevation but wieredly felt the most alive i ever have and the worst i have felt too! Bounty day on Pitcairn island was among the most special days of my entire trip, being one of 10 outsiders to witness the yearly celebration. My trip to Savaii in Samoa and My time on Atiu with mum are high up the list too. I am sad this trip is coming to an end yet i am starting to appreciate my time out here more and more the nearer i get to home and the safety of ones comfort zone.
Today I crossed the island on the jungle trail with Graham, Henry (Graham Wraggs son) and another rambler that we met; Peter a Food hygene standards agency representetive for Fiji but danish. A bit of spontaneouse social rambling. The path was steep in places leeding us from Avarua up through the thick jungle alongside a miandering stream. We used Banyan tree roots, ferns and vines to support our balance in places cairfull not to slip down the steep cliffs and ravines in the jungle. The look out at the Kneedle (a steep rock face) was breathtaking. The view realy put into perspective how small Rarotonga realy is. It may have an international airport and increasing package tourism but at the end of the day it is the peak of a mountain surounded by a vast deep blue Ocean. Fact: the Cook islands waters cover an area the size of india, Yet the land mass grouped together would fit in lake Taupo, New Zealand!
After the hike we came to Wigmores waterfall. Located the otherside of the island just up from Vaimaanga wear i have been staying. It was wonderfull to swim in the cool fresh water. I had walked most the hike topless (i want to keep the tan) wearing my Tilley airflow Hat and shorts ofcourse.
May i take this oppotunity to thank all my followers and passing by website visitors to thankyou for following me and leaving supportive and sometimes funny comments. I realy appreciate every message.
I will try and add more photos and will write again soon!
Meitiki Mata
Felix
Saturday 10 April 2010
Kia Orana
My last week with mum was relaxed. We swam in the beautifull Muri beach lagoon, wandered along jungle trails and poked round the Market place in Avatiu. We played Rummy and sipped Cocktails some evinings. Mum however had her enjoyment tainted with twin hemoraging eardrums a result of Air Rarotonga's unpressurised cabins. The condition progressivly got better and she was able to fly home. She left on Saterday 27th March late at night direct to Los Angeles. It was sad to say goodby. We always have a nice holiday togeather we are compatible and like the same things.
When mum left i vacated our rented studio flat in Titikaveka on the monday and mooved to Graham Wraggs house in Vainaanga on the southern side of Rarotonga. This has been a usefull and enjoyable bit of time to talk over the Voyages good bits and bad bits. He has allowed me use of his computor and internet so i have had the facilities to edit my blog layout and time to upload more photos. He has also lent me his motorbike which is a great help too.
The Memorial had a combined Mauri and English congregation attendence of 352. Thats pretty good as the island population is around 10,000. I sent a photo of me and mum with an islander couple to Atiu my gift in return for beautifull mother of Pearl from Penrhyn (Tongareva).
It has got to the point now that it is time to move on. I have well and truly done Rarotonga being here almost five weeks (not including a week on Atiu). Infact some people view me as a local here! If i had the money i would fly off to Mangaia or Aitutaki. Or travel on the inter islander cargo boat that left for Manahiki, Rakahanga and Penrhyn on Thursday afternoon. Its lack of funds that has caused me to do less these past few weeks. But again i will go home and pay off any debt and save up for another adventure...that i will travel write and publish on this blog.
I leave for Auckland this Tuesday night. I am to leave behind the Tropical south sea islands for further south New Zealand. Hope its not too cold...
Enjoy the photos...
Mietiki Mata
Felix
My last week with mum was relaxed. We swam in the beautifull Muri beach lagoon, wandered along jungle trails and poked round the Market place in Avatiu. We played Rummy and sipped Cocktails some evinings. Mum however had her enjoyment tainted with twin hemoraging eardrums a result of Air Rarotonga's unpressurised cabins. The condition progressivly got better and she was able to fly home. She left on Saterday 27th March late at night direct to Los Angeles. It was sad to say goodby. We always have a nice holiday togeather we are compatible and like the same things.
When mum left i vacated our rented studio flat in Titikaveka on the monday and mooved to Graham Wraggs house in Vainaanga on the southern side of Rarotonga. This has been a usefull and enjoyable bit of time to talk over the Voyages good bits and bad bits. He has allowed me use of his computor and internet so i have had the facilities to edit my blog layout and time to upload more photos. He has also lent me his motorbike which is a great help too.
The Memorial had a combined Mauri and English congregation attendence of 352. Thats pretty good as the island population is around 10,000. I sent a photo of me and mum with an islander couple to Atiu my gift in return for beautifull mother of Pearl from Penrhyn (Tongareva).
It has got to the point now that it is time to move on. I have well and truly done Rarotonga being here almost five weeks (not including a week on Atiu). Infact some people view me as a local here! If i had the money i would fly off to Mangaia or Aitutaki. Or travel on the inter islander cargo boat that left for Manahiki, Rakahanga and Penrhyn on Thursday afternoon. Its lack of funds that has caused me to do less these past few weeks. But again i will go home and pay off any debt and save up for another adventure...that i will travel write and publish on this blog.
I leave for Auckland this Tuesday night. I am to leave behind the Tropical south sea islands for further south New Zealand. Hope its not too cold...
Enjoy the photos...
Mietiki Mata
Felix
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