Coromandel Pics

Nzmas

I have popped my Southern Hemisphere Xmas cherry.
It was a most pleasant pop!

Have to admit to slightly dreading xmas, as its a wobbly time for me, but decided I can just treat it like any other day, just enjoy a day off work.  That I did, the sun was shining bright, the sea a glistening, so a day at the beach was had.  It is a mere hop across the road, so when it got too hot, could pop back for a snooze!  I had a good swim in the ocean, which wasn't at all too cold.  There is little platform that you climb onto to have wee rest, which was a nice little meeting spot, everyone happy to be playing in the sun between face stuffing sessions.  I viewed a 'sport' I have to say was a new one on me.........a jet ski, a man attached to a long hose, powerful jets of water and man is pushed up into the air.  Most odd, slightly reminded me of Inspector Gadget, but with added face planting. 

In the evening we had a bbq, which was lovely.  I purchased some most tasty Chorizo sausages from the butchers and we all made a dish.  I then fancied a walk on the beach to clear my head and ended up on the wharf with a group of peeps playing guitar and singing with lightening glowing in the mountains surrounding us, a lovely way to see out the day. 

Akaroa is a beautiful spot,  a nice wee town and stunning views from work.  It is taking me a wee while to settle again, I haven't really met any locals mostly travellers, its quite touristy and I miss Corromandel!  I know it just takes me a while, once I have somewhere to live and made a few friends I will be all good and feel less out on a limb!  I have been here nearly a week now, I am sitting watching the dramatic weather come in over the mountain behind the hostel.  Yesterday was 27+ degrees today its rainy and tomorrow a max of 14 degrees!  Crazy country. 

Its good to be working, less than a week of not working was sending me funny, seems my brain needs to be occupied or it goes into melt down mode trying to entertain itself!  Its a nice cafe I work at, right on the water, I can hear the waves crashing in under the cafe when in its quiet and surrounded by stunning mountainous views.  Its a bust spot, on the go from start to finish, but busy is good and being chucked in the deep end has its benifits once bunny has removed itself from headlights!
I thought I may be just washing up wench, but have actually done mostly front of house, learnt new stuff already.  I served drinks for the first time and can work the till (mostly), there have been some crazed beeping moments when the till has a liitle moment, user error I'm totally sure.  But I'm workung on the principle if you smile sweetly, most people will overlook the incompetence!  Actually been quite pleased with myself.

Xmas wildlife spot - a huge eel type thing swimming in the stream flowing under the hostel. Gi huge he was.
Hilarious work moment - walking into kitchen, to be told to turn around, a colleague with a tissue, to be told I had bird crap all down my back!  He kindly cleaned me up!  I wonder how long it would haventaken for a customer to tell me! 

The question still remains, is this good luck?

Rxxx

Guide to the galaxy

Mention hitchhiking in most countries and may as well be telling your Granny you are on your way to Tripoli on a Penny Farthing.
Here it is widely accepted as a form of transport, especially in Corromandel. Its not seedy or scary just a way to get around.
So when in Rome................

Our thumbs went up in the pouring rain, with only the reassurance from others that it would be 'sweet'.
A slight smell of scrounging made us apprehensive, but within 5-10 minutes our first ride arrived.  The need to remove the baby seat from the back seat was a reassurance, but really didn't need it.  Half our journey done, barely out of the car and our second lift, a pity lift.  Two soggy girls with luggage on the side of the road is apparently difficult to ignore. 
This was all it took to get from Corromandel to Auckland.  A real experince, an adventure but perhaps a one off!
Its in my book of scary things done now, don't want to jinx it!

Rxxx

coromandel I'll miss you

I have left behind gorgeous Coromandel after a wonderful month.
My first Wwoofing experience was an experience in many ways, all good.

Most wow moment : coming out of a wooded path to stunningly secluded, white sanded, glistening waters of New Chums beach.
Biggest headache : drunken night after failed kareoke attempt, and failed piggy back ride home, pavements and skulls not a pleasant sound make.
Bottle it moment :  sleeping on the beach under the stars
Giggliest moment : Sheeeeeeep
Best meal : fish and mussel sausages on the fire in the forest
Most confusing language moment : netting/knitting, hot/hat, Carrol/karl.
Best view : top of the success track overlooking Coromandel
Bird Spot : kingfisher flying right in front of me
Most heartwarming moments: hugs from new friends
Great food moment: picking lemons, grapefruits and avacados straight off the tree in the garden.
New skills : stone skimming, fishing, playing big bootie!
Heartattack moment: a possom the size of a house jumping on the roof.

That pretty much sums it up!
Awesome fun, learnt a lot, happy times.

Onwards.  Next NZ chapter in the South Island, Banks Penninsula. 

Rxxx

Fishy goodness

Well that went well.  My first move for my next destination was to try for one of those paid job thingy's, and I got one! 
I am going to another cafe, down in the South Island this time, on the Banks Penninsula.  It is right on the beach and I should get some baking action too, yeep.

I have another week here in Corromandel, then a few days getting down south with my lovely workmate.
After nearly 3 weeks living in a veggie cafe I was really starting to crave fish, so I was cooked scallops and shark by a lovely new friend, yummy it was too.  Craving sorted!

A couple of very rainy days here, but we escaped the Tornado, which after the devestation it has caused, was a relief. 
The sun is shining in the cafe garden and I am about to start my shift.

Washing up needs me.
Over and out
Rxxx

A month

I have been here for a whole one of those!  I left the uk, on the 1st of November and it is now December, I am in shorts and Tshirt in December, confusing times.  Confusing but pleasing.

I am really happy here now, it took me a while to settle but I feel good here.  I have met some lovely people and have a social life for the first time in years.  The job is good, I enjoy being in a buzzy place, with people coming and going.  I have two more weeks here and have a feeling I'm going to miss it.  So glad to to feel this way after a freaked out start, rabbit in the head lights of a monster truck driving down the middle of a motorway. 

On Sunday my head was filled with this.......Happiness is sitting here surrounded by new friends, watching a movie in our homemade cinema, having just cooked everyone a dinner of Mousakka and Apple Crumble and custard.  Contented inner glow.

I have had a lovely day off, taken fishing by a colleague, sitting out in the sea in a wee boat in the sun watching penguins.  The excitement of almost catching a fish but not quite, sustained me for a while.  We stopped off at Rat island for a leg stretch and a wee! Something so special and exciting about uninhabited islands.  Sat on a piece of driftwood watching the ripples in the cyrstal clear waters and shiney shells on white sand. 

However nice it feels to be moving around, exploring new places, the feeling of being recognised and knowing people somewhere new is lovely, like an acceptence. 

My hut has been my only bug bear really, but even that, I've grown to love, even with a door that doesn't close without a kick and a host of beasties visiting through the gaps in the windows and doors.  I had a sweep and a wipe yesterday, I have clean bedding and felt comfy in there today.  Even the most basic space can feel like a sanctury.  The nicest thing is things I have taken for granted now being luxuries, light, water, power, luxuries we are blessed with.  Living wih out them has been quite liberating.

Back at work in morning but off to see a new friend in the evening, for me being invited to do things is a beautiful novelty and makes me feel alive.

Hugs to all
Rxxx