...of places I would love to live one day: Piha Beach. (First entry was La Mision, Baja). (Pictured: South Piha Beach) The rest of New Zealand (now, granted, we haven't yet visited the South Island) has been lovely, but hasn't grabbed me like this place has. Piha is heaven. It's nestled in the Waitakere Ranges, … Continue reading Second entry on my list…
*Dr. Pepper doesn't exist here. When we were in Wellington, the bloke we were staying with had a side job refilling vending machines. He had just discovered Dr. Pepper and had purchased a case. It was absolutely maddening to think of someone who'd never had a Dr. Pepper, or anything LIKE it, before. My brother … Continue reading Some Random Bits
Some sort of horrid sinus infection has captured me in it's phlegmy tentacles. I have discovered it is certainly not more, potentially even less, fun to be sick in a foreign country. Hostels are loud and the people are substantially less friendly in a big-city downtown hostel than at any of our previous ones - … Continue reading Quick Update – BLEARGH
Greetings from Auckland! It's another cold and rainy day here in the Big City. I've decided that I'm not as big a fan of Auckland as I was of the smaller towns. It's much easier to navigate around the smaller towns and it's a LOT less expensive. We've spent so much money here it's not … Continue reading Cold and Rainy
We had a tremendous time in Napier. On Wednesday, the group of us went roller skating down the boardwalk along the beach. It took me awhile to get used to my blades (the quads they had were too small) but, since I had a pair when I was younger, I was able to roll around … Continue reading From Napier to Auckland
We were spoiled at the Waterfront in so many ways, with the sounds of the ocean audible even from our rooms, and fantastic company. By far my favorite conversation there, though, occurred with Tem, the Maori housekeeper. She was the one who noticed us walking by the first night, after 10pm, with a “No Vacancy” … Continue reading Maori
**Revision: I had a really good idea sent to me (Thanks Randy!) and I'm editing this to include my thoughts on these foods, as many people think I'm kidding. I've been a really picky eater for a LONG time, this is all true.** ((I'm keeping a journal of the new foods I've eaten during our … Continue reading Rhys’ New Foods – April and May
Alas, the photographer was too tipsy to do his job last night, so you'll have to take my words for it. We walked into the Waterfront Lodge & Backpackers after ten pm. a few nights ago, and were ecstatic to find they had one room left. It's the Queen's Birthday holiday here, for all of … Continue reading Na-Pier One.
I'm writing you tonight from the comfortable lounge at our new hostel in Napier. However, before I move into that, I MUST tell you about our final day and a half in Wellington. On Thursday, Nick (one of our hosts) was off work and offered to drive us around town and show us some sights. … Continue reading Wrapping up Wellington
Our first couch surf has been a resounding success. Nick and Kat (our hosts) have been very generous and kind to us. They have a partially-made basement area with a nice big bed (with lots of blankets) and a little bathroom and everything. Not only that, but Nick and I threw down on some Need … Continue reading Wellington and the US Embassy
Rhys' Pieces 