Dear Friends and followers,

I have finished my first day working for a Viticulture contractor. It is among the hardest work i have ever done in Horticulture. It is a remarkable experience working in a new area of horticulture and in such a beautiful location. The quicker i get at the job the better i can earn too (payed hourly but if quick there are bonuses).

I am working for Provine Viticulture and am the only Pome, the rest are Maori's Kiwi's and Pacific islanders (i like them!) The work is physically demanding particularly in the dry summer heat. The days are usually about eight hours long though sometimes longer.

Today as part of a team of about 25 labourers we did wire lifting on Oyster bay's Sauvignon and Chardonnay vines in the Wairau Valley, which cover 180 hectares. This is aleat modern Commercial horticulture making my old job look like a walk in the park (however much i miss that park, and all the people too)

I have got to know many Vanuatuans and Kiribasian's who work the vines seasonally too, which is interesting as they are surprised i know about there homeland. I am trying to learn basic Nauru-an.

Will update soon.

Cheers,

Felix

Dear Freinds and Followers,


I am in Blenheim. At last i am here after an exhaustingly long journey. After my breif stay in California i flew accross the Pacific to Auckland in the north island and then down to the south island. I caught a bus into Christchurch then killed time before catching a coach up to Blenheim at the northern tip of the south island.

The weather has been spectacular. and the air is noticably fresher and cleaner than the States and the Uk. The place is how i left it, but i am so glad i am in the south island as the scenery is gloriouse.
I start work tomoro morning, Once i have started work hopefully there will be some interesting things to write about...and some photo's too.

Cheers,

Felix

Dear Friends and followers,

Howdy from US of A's (Borat)

I arrived yesterday evening after an eleven hour long haul with air New Zealand. Friend Russ met me and since then we have been hanging out as they say over here.

The weather is bad here, but not snowing. Drizzly rain and a cold air. Nothing to write home about...

Went to Joshua tree national park in south eastern California. An incredible desert like land with impressive boulder like rock formations, a gritty sand with islands of vegetation, Mainly Joshua trees and Cacti. Surprisingly cold though for a desert.

We took a two wheel drive truck through a 30 mile four wheel drive intermediate track towards Palm Springs. It was insane!

Will write soon,

Cheers

Felix

Dear Friends,

As of Tuesday 23rd November i will be on the road again.

I leave for familiar Kiwi land (with a brief three day stop in LA) wear i will be working on a Vineyard. I am returning with a working visa and an open mind. The main objective is to work to eat but if i can i will put money aside and travel after months of hard work.

I plan to explore another area of the Pacific such as Fiji and Vanuatu or The Kingdom of Tonga and some wear in Asia such as The rail roads of India and Nepal; Kathmandu to Cochin.

Once i have arrived in New Zealand my blog will be of medium interest though i will try and make it interesting, try and get it to stand out from the competition of a land of many backpackers. The interesting bit will be when i am back hacking through the bush of lands less traveled, finding my way off and back on the beaten track!

Until then my friends and followers,

Cheers!

Felix

Dear Followers and passing by viewers,

Blog Currently inactive until next adventure, a small adventure:


Late August/ Early September - St. Kilda and the Western isles of Scotland for the 80th Anniversary of the island Evacuation

Duration of trip: 7 days.

Next Long haul big adventure: Under planning Start date: Mid November 2010 - Who knows?

Cheers,

Felix

Hello all

I am now back in the UK. Back to Mother England as the kiwis and the Ozzy's call it!

I stopped in Hong Kong after leaving Auckland evening of May 4th. My little over twenty four hours in the busy Chinese state was a contrast to relatively quite and sparsly populated New Zealand. A culturally interesting experience. More people are crammed into Hong Kong than in New Zealands two islands put together!

I arrived in London Heathrow afternoon of Thursday 6th May.

Thank you for following me on my travels and leaving any comments.

Until my next trip beguines,

Cheers

Felix

Hello  all,

Last Tuesday i hit the road as i thought it is my last bit of time in New Zealand then i am going to see some of the north island. I caught the bus to Rotorua located south east of Hamilton about four hours drive from Auckland. A thermal area known for bubbling mud and nasty smells of sulphur. The smell varies. Most of the time it is okay but sometimes it does get too much. Rotorua is also a tourist town and almost everything comes at a price at which you will pay through the nose for. I discovered the free sites such as Rotarua park that has (fenced off for protection) bubbling mud pools, steam vents and geysers. I also saw the quaint lake front that Rotarua is situated beside. I Visited the Polynesian Spa which was amazing. Eight pools ranging in temperatures form 38C to the mid 40'sC. I went in the evening and it was a relaxing experience despite the bus load of loud Chinese tourists. I got to know fellow back packers as i always do on the road and had some nice times too with them out for drinks etc...

On Friday i left Rotarua for Napier. I decided to Hitch hike. I was picked up by a Born again Christian. We had a nice chat actually but i find it funny that its not the first time i have been picked up by one in NZ. I found The Stables hostel to have a dorm room and decided to stay of a few nights. Napier is a nice place with weather similar to Worthing (south coast UK for readers abroad) and located on the edge of Hawks bay. Its town centre has retro buildings and is close to many of the Hawks bay Vineyards and Wineries.

On Saturday i hired a rather shoddy bike from another hostel in Napier. I wanted to visit about ten Wineries but i only managed three as i did not realise how far apart some of them were. I made sure all the ones i bothered to cycle to had free tastings. I wrote some tasting notes as i figured it may help to have some background information on different wines when i go to study Vineyard management. I visited Church road, Mission Estate and Cross roads Wineries. I saw Corbans and a Montana vineyard on route too. It was a nice ride but bad weather set in and there was an icy chill. I cycled about 40 to 45 Miles?

Yesterday i got up later than i had planned as i was going to hitch hike back up to Auckland. I thought that leaving at 11.30 was leaving it a little late to reach Auckland by night fall. However i made it! A man called Lance drove me to Taupo with his Nz's best dog show Poodle in his Motor home. From Taupo a man called Don and his son Nathan on there way back from a fishing trip drove me to Cambridge (they steel the names over here but that's okay they can have that one) then a Samoan Fed-ex courier picked me up and drove me to Mt Eden, Auckland. I arrived at 6.30pm.

Leaving for Hong Kong tomorrow night.

Cheers,

Felix