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!