Back To Reality!

Here is a picture from Fraser Island. Off the coast of Hervey Bay in Australia. Have you ever seen such a small lake, with that large of beach?? Lake Waby is basically a sand dune that has collected water over the years. We had a blast rolling done the dune and splashing in.

Fraser Island was a good laugh. I met up with Karen and Jordan. We rented a beast of a 4x4 and toured around the all sand island for 3 days. Can you imagine?! No paved roads, just sand. A bit like driving through really soft snow. We only got stuck twice!

So much fun to seem them again, but so sad to say goodbye! Hopefully I will see them again. They are amazing!


I am headed home in the AM. Sad, excited, nervous, happy, apprehensive...so many feelings all at once! I hope you enjoyed "travelling" with me! I sure enjoyed sharing everything with you. I don't plan on blogging once I am home. So, until the next big adventure...Stand by!

Since you weren't here, I hugged a koala instead!

I was gonna give this this kangaroo some lovin', but they really just look like large rats! Ew!!
I hope you have a lovely Valentine's day!
Love and miss ya heaps!

De Ja Vu

Holy Crap! I am in Brisbane right now, and I am having constant De Ja Vu! Here is the story...I was here for a week or two 5 years ago, and it is so familiar! It is really weird when you leave a place, never thinking you will really come back, and then all of the sudden, you are back! Crazy. Every time I walk by a cafe that I was in 5 years ago, the memories come flooding back. "weird...I remember sitting at that exact table, reading such and such book...I remember walking on this exact platform to catch a train...I spent Christmas 2004, right there!" I even walk into shops that are still here, and get a really weird feeling. Take my word for it...It is super freaky/cool being back somewhere you NEVER thought you would return to! Maybe it's cuz I didn't stay that long, because I don't get this feeling when I go to Pelican Rapids or Minneapolis. Probably cuz they are so familiar, where as Brisbane is just a small snippet of my memories.

Anyway...just a little food for thought!

Goodbye New Zealand!

I am headed to Australia tomorrow afternoon, so my mobile will no longer be working. I can be reached by email however. Sad. I don't want to leave this quaint little country!

Life is Full of Difficult Decisionz!

I love this photo!! I didn't know what to do!!!

I have overcome my fear of roundabouts! They really make sense, and they are simple to use. They keep the flow of traffic going. I wish we had them at home. So yeah, I rented a car yesterday. After putting all my stuff in the boot, (the trunk for us Americans) I went to get in the car to drive away, and...I got in the wrong side. Boy did I feel stupid!! Luckily nobody saw me! Aaaahhh!! Maybe I shouldn't take to the streets of New Zealand! Anyway...driving on the opposite side is a breeze. I drove all afternoon yesterday. I was a little scared when I saw a mountain ahead that I had to cross over...but I made it! Super windy and steep. The max speed limit here is 100km/hr so you drive really slow, which makes it easier.

Today was Waitangi Day, which is the day the English took over the Maori people and NZ. Lots of stuff going on today. It was a great day. I will leave you with some food for thought...

So, most of you know my political feelings on government control, (if not, less government is better government to an extent.) Well, here in NZ (and a few other countries I have been to) the government decided that ALL employees should make more money if they work on weekends and public holidays. Okay. This shows the "people" that the government really truly cares about them. How nice! Here is the catch...All restaurants charge a surcharge of 15% on Sundays and Holidays to make up for the extra wages they have to pay. So really, it is the "people" that are paying the employees more, not the government. At least the restaurants can get away with this surcharge, I guess. Imagine owning a convenience store, or furniture store?!? Well, guess what....? Most of them don't open on Public Holidays! (my guess is that it is not financially beneficial to them.) Boy, do governments have a way of making themselves look like the hero, when in all actuality, we know the truth!

Only 3 weeks left...

Hello hello. I have some bad news...I dropped my camera in the sea! Aaaahhh. The good news, I didn't lose my pictures, and it was time to buy a new one anyway. (I got some sand in the lens and it was really acting up when I turned it on.) So I am on the hunt for a new picture catcher. yipee for that!

I have spent the last week in Kaiteriteri near the Abel Tasman National Park. I went on a full day kayak trip and did some awesome walks through the park. Beautiful views. It was great. I am headed back to Auckland tomorrow. I have a car rented for 5 days. It will be good to be out on the open road!

I then head to Australia for 2 weeks. I am going to visit 2 friends that I met earlier on my trip. (Karen and Jordan.) I cant wait to see them. They are a hoot!!

I am flying home Feb 24th, to get some stuff sorted before I jump back into work. My car needs to get its first check up down in the cities. Until then...Have fun!

How cute are these kids? Giving out FREE hugs, just because!

The view from the sea!
It was beautiful! Winery tour of the Nelson Region
Notice the necklace?!? Well, I fell in love with it 2.5 months ago. I decided to be rational and not buy it, as I had more important things to spend my money on. However, I have thought about it ever since. When I found myself in Nelson again, and it was still there, I just had to buy it. It was totally meant to be! and it screams Jerilyn!

Photos!

New photos are on Kodak Gallery. Wow, I take heaps of pictures! So, if you've got the time...check 'em out!

2 times in a row....

Yes, I am the girl who eats at the same restaurant 2 nights in a row and orders the same thing! I had dinner last night at this really nice restaurant on the beach in Paihia and had Seared Yellow Fin Tuna. It was so good, that I went back again tonight. Yum! I was a little embarrassed going back again and having the exact same meal; but it seriously was that good! Yeah!

On another note...I met some cool people that have a car, and they invited me up the coast with them. It was so cool. We went to the Kerikeri peninsula for a few days. It was AMAZING! I finally concurred my fear of driving on the left side of the rode. It really isn't so hard, 'cuz the car is opposite! The only problem...I kept putting on the windsheild wipers instead of the blinker! I think I am going to rent a car in the near future. It is so great to drive! You don't know what you are missing, until you don't drive for awhile. It feels so good!!

I went on a day sailing trip today. Very relaxing. I wasn't into meeting people for some reason. . . And actually said nothing for 10 hours straight. For those of you who know me and my ADD, that is impressive! It was a great day of Jerilyn time! Beautiful day on the water!

I am headed back to Auckland in the AM, then flying back to Abel Tasman National Park. Hoping for sunshine this time around. (I was there in early November, and it rained the whole time.) I am gonna give it another go!

Hope you all are well. I will see you all very soon. I am 75% done with my trip and will be home soon. Hopefully you are hangin' in there! :)

The Bay of Islands!

Kia Ora from the "Far North" of New Zealand. I am loving it up here! It is beautiful and the sun is HOT HOT HOT! I have been hanging out with a girl from Germany, Hanna---she wants to come work for me the summer after next. That would be cool...

Today we took a trip up to Cape Regina, the northern most point of NZ. It was amazing! We went sandboarding (Really fun--scary, but fun. Hard work hiking to the top!) and learned about some cool trees. They found some of the trees perfectly preserved underground. Carbon dated to 45,000 years old. That is wicked!

We also saw a penguin!

We drove along 90 mile beach in a big bus/truck thing. The speed limit was 100km/hr. Crazy. Faster than the highway that runs parallel to the beach. It was a great day.

Tomorrow we are headed out on a boat for an overnight stay on the ocean. Should be cool...we go on a night kayak ride and do lots of uber cool stuff.

Will keep you posted...stay warm :)

Hugging another Kauri Tree--they bring good luck!

The Northern most point in New Zealand

My favorite activity--jumping for joy in front of the camera! Sandboarding is Rad! You can take the girl out of the country...

First Class!!!

I upgraded my flight to first class so that I can get out of here tomorrow!! I have never flown FC before, I am looking forward to it! When the lady told me this was an option and how much it would cost, I was a bit unsure. Then I was like, "Jerilyn, you can afford it. You deserve this. You shouldn't sit in this weather any longer!" So yea, I am leaving. YeHaw!

Apparently there is a National State of Disaster here. I think a bunch of people have died. Locals though. Not tourists. I guess they die, because they are scared of people looting their homes, so they don't leave. So sad! Imagine that...

Hanna and I were going a bit stir crazy, so we headed out into the rain to head to a restaurant for dinner. We ordered. We waited for about an hour. (the restaurant was full) Then a lady came and told us that we all had to leave. There was a "curfew" anyone on the streets after 6pm, will be arrested. What?! We all left, but had no idea what was going on. Was there bad weather coming?? I was scared. There were police in the streets. The taxi drivers would not take us, unless they got an ok from the police. aaahhhh!!! What is going on? Is this the start of another military coop?

We got back to our hotel and found out the curfew is to stop the looting. They fear that the looting may lead to violence and want people to stay indoors after dark. Fair enough. Scary though!

Cheerz for now.

The Traditional Kava CeremonyIt tastes like muddy water, and makes your tongue numb!
It makes you a little loopy!

Our Fijian Barista's

I have never been in a monsoon before...

For those of you who follow world weather...We are having a bit of really shitty weather here in Fiji! Apparently there was a hurricane somewhere out in the ocean near here. Do NOT worry though, it has passed, and no harm has happened, except...it wont stop bloody raining!!! I came to Fiji to have a nice tropical holiday on the beach, and we have had monsoon like rain here since Wednesday. All the activities are cancelled, most of the roads are closed. So yeah, I am sitting here, trying to decide if I should leave or stay. Surely the rain will stop, but when is the question. All of the locals say "tomorrow" every time you ask them, but the Internet says there will be another week of rain. Hmmmm?? What to do. I hate to leave, as I spent some money flying here, it would be nice to enjoy it. But...what if it rains the WHOLE time?? Not sure what to do...

New photos up...check 'em out!

Sega na Leqa, it Means No Worries! I am headed to Fiji!!

I am headed to this Paradise in 4 days!! I am flying to Fiji on Friday Jan. 9th for 3.5 weeks. For the first week, I will be with a tour group around the main island. I am then headed out to an eco-village to learn the Fijian way! I am going to be "working" with the locals to help build this village. There is actually a show on the BBC about this project; and a book too! Check out the website www.tribewanted.com They are building this eco-village for 3 years and then handing it back to the Fiji people to run and live in. I am really excited about this; it will be really cool to help out a 3rd world country in this way. I then plan on doing a bunch of island hopping and snorkeling. I fly back to Auckland on Feb 2nd. I will not have cell Phone service there, so Mom, Dad, relax. I will be ok. I will call you guys when I can. Some of the islands are a little technologically challenged!

I had a blast in Gisborne; it was hard to leave! I met some really cool people there. Christmas was better than I expected and New Years was the best i have ever had!

I am currently in Rotorua. I decided that the hostel scene was getting to me. I needed to have a break form the bunk beds. I have stayed in a really nice hotel the last 2 nights. I will be there tonight as well. It is amazing what a little luxury does to ya! Who would have thought that I would be in heaven because of a king size bed. and mini bar. and my on bathroom. and TV!!!!! Wow, it has been great. I went to the spa today. I had a hot stone massage. Amazing!! I sat in the Naturally heated hot rock spa pools before and after. Absolutely relaxing!

I am headed to Auckland in the AM to meet up with a few people I met earlier in my trip. I can't wait to see them. It's really cool to see people you know. Ya know?

I hope all is well. I will try to update this when I can, but it may be awhile. Hang in there. You will all get your daily doses of Jerilyn very, very soon!

Waiheke Island (Just off Auckland)

We took the ferry from Auckland to visit Linda, who is working there!

It was great to see these guys again!
Check out the reflection!

I fed a Sting Ray!!!!!

Steve Irwin would be Proud!

Happy New Year!!

Fireworks on New Years Eve! Brilliant! I hope you all have the best year yet!

Rhythm and Vines Day Three

Lovin' it!

Yes, boxed wine into a Corona bottle!

Chillin' in the Vineyard, pre-festival!

Here it comes!

The first sunrise of 2009 in the world!! Amazing. We hung out on the beach at our hostel and waited, and waited, and... waited! So worth it!

Rhythm and Vines Day Two

Do believe the Hype...I touched Flava Flav!!!!

Our Cool Crew in Front of a Cool Van!

A really cool part of this festival is that it is in the middle of a vineyard--We are surrounded by grape fields! Kinda like the corn fields at our festivals at home!

Yes, Effa and I did try to eat them!

Rhythm and Vines Day One

And the rain turned to mud... The jandels (Kiwi speak for flip flops) were too slippery!

Effa, me, and Tom lovin' the rain!

Franz Ferdinand!

"The Hole"

So today, I got a little crafty! This is "The Hole" --a really cool place we chill in at our hostel! It is a firepit. Notice the chimney on the left hand side. Amazing--keeps the smoke out of our face! I decided that we needed the name on the outside, so I painted it this afternoon!

Our hostel crew on the way to the pre-festival last night. And yes, we had way too many people in the back of the "Ute." (Kiwi speak for truck, or aka Utility vehicle)

The Pet Sheep!

We filmed this video only 10 minutes before we headed out to the pre-festival party. This "pet" sheep lives in the backyard of our hostel...yes, only in New Zealand!

The Hammock!

So yeah, this is what I have been doing for the last week or so. I have found a new love: The Hammock! I can't seem to muster up the energy to get out once I am in. Today, in fact, I think I was in the hammock for a good 23 hours! I had to finally come in after this photo as it was getting too dark to read...

For those of you who have never stayed in a hostel, I will try to paint a picture of what it is like. There are only like 12 backpackers here at the moment. It is a lovely hostel, very homey. The couple that owns it are retired and this seems to be their hobby. (I think they got a little lonely after their kids moved out) The hostel is basically a building in their backyard. There are about 12 bunkbeds upstairs, and on the main floor there is a kitchen and tv room. This place is great. Kinda feels like a tree house! There are always people hanging out. There are 2 English guys that have been living/working/surfing here for the last year. The wall that faces the beach on the ground floor is actually removable (rolls up-kinda like the walls in the Cowabunga bar at Zorbaz) so we open it during the day. It's pretty cool. Obviously, every hostel has it's own personality, I like this one! Maybe that's why I am staying for nearly 2 weeks! I will be here until January 3rdish...I think anyway!

We had a great Christmas. Ray and Avon (the owners) had a bunch of their family and friends over. We all hung out in the sun and chilled on the hammocks. We had a HUGE bbq--ham, sausages, hamburgers, salad, pasta and heaps of other food. For desert Avon made Pavlova--a very traditional Kiwi desert. Yum-o! We spent the evening playing drinking games and chatting. It was a great Christmas. I was nervous that Christmas was going to be very lonely--but it turned out to be a great day! Plus, Avon got us all presents and wrapped them and put them under the tree. How nice!! I didn't think Santa was going to find me!

One Monday I am headed to a 3 day festival at a nearby vineyard. There will be roughly 30,000 people there. Franz Ferdinand and Public Enemy are in the line-up along with like 100 other bands--Rachel and I are volunteering at the festival (we get our tickets free!) I am looking forward to it. I am not sure what my job will be there, but it will be cool to be part of it! It will be nice to have some "work" to do--doing nothing all day is tiring! It really is a rough life!

Until the next post...