Back to the City Of Sails

I think I'll have to do the 'bursts' thing again. Don't get me wrong, I love writing. I especially love writing for You. And I would love nothing better than to sit down, think of a topic, fully research it, and write full-blown, carefully thought out, article-like postings of some value...to You. But writing in a van on a single laptop battery session doesn't exactly leave much room for that. Besides, we see so much in a day, yet have so little time to write about it that when I'm' sitting down in front of the computer, everything comes in 'bursts'. So 'bursts' it'll have to be from now on...I think :o). 

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One of the greatest personal challenges I've faced so far on this trip is...I don't know my place in this whole van traveling thing. See, while I love being physically active and adventurous...at heart I'm a real geek. I need love the internet. I need to use love using my computer all the time. I need love math. And I love need constant mental stimulation. Doing all this while living in a van? Oy vey. 

So while Kyle has been quite the happy bunny tinkering about with The Beast, fixing things and making things work better...and when I'm not stressing out about whether or not the floor's been sanitised, the kitchen sink, clean, making sure the air inside the van isn't stale and has been disinfected and we can safely breathe it without suddenly keeling over from losing consciousness, or if we have enough food to last us for a few days...I've been pulling my hair out thinking of what to do with myself...and driving Kyle up the wall as well. Kyle has his thing, which is maintaining the van and I haven't found one of my own so far. 

So while we were at the store, I got Daisy. Daisy is an attempt to divert some of my attention away from not having much to do...and Kyle. Isn't she pretty?

Those who know me better will be quite doubtful as to whether or not I can keep Daisy alive. Mainly because I've only ever kept cactus before, and even that I managed to kill. Twice. And I'm not exactly allowed to water the plants in my mother's garden because they happen to fall deathly ill whenever I'm left alone with them. Guess the green thumb wasn't passed along in them genes.

But I am determined to keep Daisy alive.

My other plan is to study :o). I saw two books I really want to go through again on Tim's bookshelf today. Meriam and Kraiges' Statics and Dynamics. If I ever went back to grad school, an interesting project to undertake would be to write Statics and Dynamics textbooks. Goodness knows it's about time we get new ones...I think Meriam and Kraiges' have been selling in the bookstores for 30 years now.  

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Today, we visited our friend, Tim. Tim is a fellow SLB escapee. He lives in North Shore, Auckland right in front of a lake. We fooled around in kayaks for a while before Tim tried teaching taught us how to windsurf. 

This is what happens when your teacher forgets about you in the presence of his significant other...

...the sail whips around and you fall off. 

Heh :o). *chuckle* No but seriously, Tim was the most patient teacher ever. He even towed me for a while just so I could learn how to balance on the board. 

I'm definitely trying that again. 

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Kayaking and Windsurfing

Today we returned to Auckland (AGAIN!), but its our last time back for a while. I told the post office that since we're going to the South Island I'm not going to be able to check my P.O. Box for a month and a half (they said "No Problem"). I missed the webcam date with my family - which I am very disappointed in myself about - I really wanted to talk to and see them. But we're going to try to reschedule for tomorrow so I hope that works.
This picture was taken while en route to Hamilton yesterday (I pulled over the Beast just for this shot).

The reason I missed the webcam session (besides forgetting) was that Tim invited us to try our hand at windsurfing on the lake behind his house today. So we left Hamilton last night.On the way to Auckland today we spotted this recycling truck with a load of cubifyed pop cans (you gotta love a country that takes recycling seriously).

This morning we took care of some things in Auckland (bought our car insurance, our ferry tickets to the South Island, emptied the P.O. Box, and loaded up on supplies), and met up with Tim around noon. I donned my SPF 50 sunscreen and we jumped on some of Tim's kayaks first.
Here's Ayu And MeAnd a bird taking to flight!And underwaterThe water is so clear you can see right down to the bottom (Unfortunately the underwater shot left some water on the lense so this picture and the next ones have a few blurry spots). Black Swans and windsurfers in the backgroundMe learning how to windsurf - Tim is on the left. This is why it sucks to be pale and white - I lathered myself in sunblock and it got into my eyes (that's why they are shut tight and I have a look of pain on my face).

Unfortunately there aren't any more windsurfing pictures because you have to use both hands and Tim came out with us. So there was nobody to take our picture. But if we go again we'll be sure to try and take some. We both did pretty well even though we fell off a few times (and got our feet pinched in between the sail and the board - which hurts especially when the wind is really strong)!

The plan for the next few days is to go whitewater rafting on class 5 rapids on Sunday. We're going to be rafting down the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world (7 meter drop = 23 feet)! You can check it out here (http://www.raftabout.co.nz/ - we're doing the Kaituna experience). We got a package deal that also includes Zorbing (which is where you roll down a hill in a giant clear plastic ball). So expect some pretty crazy pictures and stories soon!

And 5 days later we'll be on our way to the South Island (If the Beast makes it that is)!

P.S. - The reason I'm posting all the pictures is because Ayu and my bluetooth is not connecting properly otherwise she would be posting and commenting - but it will be fixed soon!

Craters of the Moon

Today we spent most of our time just hanging around - although we did get to see a thermal park - Craters of the Moon. Some pictures are below (they speak for themselves I think):




(Right before this last picture it started raining pretty hard which is why it looks so blurry)

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I got a chance to talk to my family on the phone, and although they were happy that I was doing well - I could hear the concern in their voices about my money situation.

Dad: "So how's your money situation?"

Me: "Well, not so hot, but I'm only going to be here another month or two more, then the plan is to stop in Malaysia for a bit, and possibly come back to the US afterwards. The money for the flight tickets will come from selling the Beast."

Dad: "Must be tough now that you're not adding to your bank account anymore?"

Me: "Yeah, it is."

Dad: "I thought you were going to get a job?"

Me: "Well that was the plan initially, until we arrived and figured out that the engineering jobs here don't pay very well, aren't very interesting, and because New Zealand is sort of a touristy place (and very far removed from the rest of the world), starting up a business isn't very practical."

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I really do appreciate my families concern (it means the world to me in fact), and I couldn't have gotten this far without their support. But does not having a job for a little while have to be such a big thing? I don't think it does.

However, with that being said, I am getting a bit sick of worrying about money. Preliminary estimates say that this trip is going to set me back about $10 grand. US Dollars. That used to be in my bank. Earning interest.

But although I may be hemorrhaging money, I just can't see myself going back into engineering for another company (or even a single person). When I think about it an image flashes into my head - Sitting in a cubicle with my computer, playing the corporate board game of lies and deception, becoming numb to the outside world, and losing my ability to think for myself or creatively (all of this describes my last job). This is what I'm trying to avoid. New Zealand, and the upcoming bike trip around the world, and whatever business I startup afterwards, are important for many reasons. Not only do they prove to myself that I can do anything I set my mind to, but they also help me understand that I have options in this world, and that I don't have to do what everyone else does just for the security that a steady job provides. And its a spiritual journey as well - putting my fate completely in God's hands. If I fail perhaps I can learn something from it. I'm hoping you'll all stay along for the ride. Until next time...

Pictures Again!!

OK people so this is how its going to work from now on (after today)... I'm going to try to update the blog everyday with at least some story or text about how we're getting along and what stumbles the Beast has along the way (it is a 19 year old van after all), and every 3-4 days put up a bunch of pictures. The latest issue was after the Beast almost sunk, some cables must have been jostled loose because it wouldn't start until I got underneath with a stick and kinda hit the cables a little to get a better connection (I'll get Ayu to take a picture of me doing this next time it happens). Hahaha... oh the joys of owning a piece of automotive history...

Anyways, because we've been PRETTY busy, I have a lot more pictures.... so without further adeu:
A picture of... a cow... and a stream... what you don't see is all the poop that just came out of her into the water in which she was also drinking. Cows are dirty, dirty animals.
Next, and only slightly more appetizing is Roe. For those who don't know what Roe is (I didn't, and that's why I bought it), its fish eggs and not very good ones either. But I tried it. It was OK.
Here's Ayu at the Hot Water Beach. Water warmed by geothermal activity rises and heats a small area of the beach - and you can feel it at low tide. However there's very little water that comes out. We found that if you stick your feet in the sand you can feel the heat though. Notice that Ayu is still uncertain of how to dress for the weather.
Yay we made it to Rotorua! And here we are on the gondola leading up to the luge ride that I did when I came here back in 2001.
A picture from the gondola of Lake Rotorua. Pretty.
I didn't take any pictures on our first ride, so the pictures begin after Ayu had trouble getting on the lift.
The second ride I decided to take it easy and take some pictures
It was very difficult holding on with one hand and taking a picture with the other
Meanwhile I found Ayu raced ahead!

So I had to put the pedal to the metal to catch up! Notice how I don't exactly fit in this thing (I'm starting to think maybe it was made for children).
And while boarding the gondola back down Ayu warned me that if I didn't stop fooling around with my pictures and get on, the doors were going to close, and I was going to have to take the next car.
That night we fired up the burners and Ayu made some DELICIOUS Tom Yam Soup.
Which I quickly sucked down and tried to stick my head in the pot in order to lick the last bit out.
Today we saw the Huka Falls in Taupo! I also came here with People to People in 2001, and we did jet-boating then. But since it was lame, we decided to forego and just hike around a bit.

Ayu was shouting out to the falls to be quiet. Actually just watching in wonderment.
And here's another picture. Quite nice and turquoise-blue water because of all the bubbles inside.

On The Go

Funny. I was looking forward so much to stopping for a while and writing (something constructive this time round and not just your usual "Today...we did"...) but now that I'm in front of my computer with not only the internet, but electricity too, I don't know which story I want to write about first.

So I'll write in bursts. I hope you're sitting down. This might be a little hard to follow. 

*If you have a headache, come back when you're better. 

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To keep clean when living in a campervan, the following items are an absolute must:

1. Wipes.

2. Hand sanitizer. Lots of it. We've got three bottles. One near the sink, one up front near the dashboard, and another I carry in my handbag.

3. Air deodorizer and disinfectant. We disinfect almost all surfaces every once in three days. 

4. Dettol. Your friendly family antiseptic to kill those germs. We even put some in the water tank to clean it out.

5. Kleenex. Not just for *achoo* times.

6. Paper towels. In place of a mop.

7. A broom. And we use it. Daily. 

When we first cleaned out The Beast, we stripped the floors of its carpeting because...well because it was 'nasty' (in Kyle's words). The carpets were, I'm guessing, once blue but they were grey when we found them so we decided it would be better to just go without carpeting. 

However, the current flooring while free of carpeting and you can clean dirt more easily, also collects dust really quickly. I reckon it's more likely due to the fact that we're coming in from outside all the time and bringing in the dirt with us. Wipes are a MUST to clean our feet before getting in. But the next time I go to the store, I'm getting slippers just for use inside The Beast :o).

As for keeping ourselves clean...well we've managed to shower every once in two days at least. See the kitchen sink has a sorta shower-head-like thing which you can pull out. All we do is pop the back hatch and use that to shower. Out in the open. In swimsuits. Naturally we only do this at campsites where nobody would blink an eye if you were showering out in the open. Actually, come to think of it...I don't think anybody would blink an eye at anything much at campsites in general, what with the diverse range of personalities and characters who come and go at all hours of the day. 

Ah but today...today we had a treat. We used the solar shower that came with The Beast. We put it out in the sun early in the morning and after midday, it was warm enough...we hooked it onto a tree and showered in the wind. But not before jumping into the lake that was nearby. 

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We spent the last two nights at Lake Rerewhakaaitu (*phew*). We wanted to park for a while so we could clean out the van again. The floor had gotten quite filthy after last weekend's rain, rain and more rain. We parked at a campsite near the lake around some older people in their own vans. The lake itself wasn't very impressive...but the night sky...ohmygoodness...it was enough to make me feel like going back to school just so I could invent lightspeed. You could see the Milky Way so clearly...and the millions of stars twinkled their hearts out! For that sight alone, Lake Rereunpronouncable was worth it. 

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We went luging! Our first real activity since we got to New Zealand. Five luge rides and the gondola ride for 42 NZD per person. Not too bad. Quite sure Kyle'll put up pictures of that soon.

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We're now in Taupo. Famous for its lake, and host to the New Zealand Ironman race. Which incidentally...is taking place this Saturday. I read about it before, but as we were driving in on the highway, there was a sign warning of delays on March 1 due to the Ironman race. 

I'm not very tempted to stay behind and watch guys running/cycling/swimming in tights though. 

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As I write this, we're actually at the Taupo Bungy site. It's 9:33 pm, and we've plugged out computers into outlets at its open air cafe. Which is closed. But we're here. Nobody else is. If we're caught on camera...well...I'll wave when we leave later just to be friendly. And to say thanks for the juice. 

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Kyle's the one with the camera. I only have my camera phone, and since I don't get many calls on it, I leave it behind more than anything. But here's one I absolutely had to take. Remember Kyle's NZ Beauty apples? Well I found one in the bag today that was the littlest apple I've ever seen...and it was a gorgeous red with no bruises. Here's a picture of it with a bite out of it.

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In the second week that we were here, I gave in and got a pair of crocs. After making fun of Kyle's crocs for the longest time, I sold out. I still don't quite approve of how they look (they're testimony to the fact that you can sell anything as long as you market it right) but they are durable, and practical. Especially for this sort of living where you never know what's coming next. Who knows if you're going to be walking through a river (done), or rain (done), or hiking (semi-done), or jumping into a lake (done also) next. 

Although, mine are baby doll crocs (or Mary Jane ones, whichever you prefer). That makes me feel slightly better :o)

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The End. For now. 

Pictures At LAST!!! (Part 2 of 2)

Cape Reinga Lighthouse (the Northernmost coast of New Zealand's North Island)

"Beautiful F-ing sunsets" said a local guy about the ones at Cape Reinga - he was right

Me climbing a large tree - just for fun

Ayu at Cape Reinga - A beautiful match :)

Me and the Beast on ninety-mile beach. You can't drive rental cars on this beach because of the insurance risk - but you're own car - is no problem! I wouldn't recommend this on most beaches, but this one was very firm and the Beast did amazing!

How often do you see something like this - a cow in the middle of the road (notice that she's sticking out her tongue at us).

Ayu at Bethel's Beach. Doing her best impression of a poopy-face.

Me at the Cape Reinga sign-post. At least 4 of the signs were broken off because of the CRAZY wind - that's why I'm so bundled up. But it tells you how far and which direction to major international cities.

Ayu at the Natural Bridge. Basically it once was a huge cave system, but now its the only part remaining still standing - quite amazing really. So were the fossilized pre-historic oysters strewn about in the field behind this (about the size of dinner-plates).

Picture from inside a cave at Bethel's Beach

And Ayu holding on for dear life (at the same place as above).

Me in the picture frame at the first really nice view we saw since arriving in NZ

Auckland city from the top of a nearby hill. Notice the cows grazing. New Zealanders really love their cows. Really.

And probably even more than cows they love sailing. This is a picture of the yacht club just outside of Auckland city. What a mess!

Pictures At LAST!!! (Part 1 of 2)

First a photo of the inside of our Home (aka the Beast). Fridge on the left, sink back right, and grill and burners middle right. It's all there - and even a clock and a mirror in the back!









Next one of the eating area (still inside the Beast).












And outside with the tent attached (which is custom fitted to the van - FANCY!) you'll find ample space for all of the junk usually stored inside.










What do you think this is? A relic from the middle ages? Buried for thousands of years?












Nope! It's the tool used to open this hatch which contains the electric hookup! And I thought this van was built in 1989!!! Foolish me!








And one more shot from the rear. This was taken when we were ridding the van of old person scum (the previous owners weren't the cleanest).