This is the first time I got my email hacked into and it has the worst timing. Anyways, if you get an email from me with a funny link don't open it just delete. Sorry for the inconvenience.

I have been in New Zealand for 1 year and 10 months now. Crazy how time flies!!! It still feels like I just moved.

Since I have been here I have met some amazing people, had a few crazy adventures and I still feel like I have more to fulfill.

Currently life I have gotten into a crusey routine. Playing hockey on Mondays with Todd, crazy how Todd and his wonderful wife Kelly moved seriously around the corner from me. Out of all the places in the world they could choose to live they choice Chch. Work is work, really like some of the people, have made some really close friends, I hope that I will be moving up soon in the hopes of becoming manager if not then I will see where life takes me, if that is another job here in Chch, Aussie, the UK or even  back to Ca then that is where I shall go.

Summer is on its way and I can feel it in the air, can't wait for BBQs, sun bathing, and backpacking trips.

Nothing on the man front, for anyone who was curious, but I always have a few crushes and potentials nothing to fret over.

Well I guess that is about it for now. I have quite a few thoughts in the works, but I don't want to shock anyone.

Cheers,

~Nicki

I thought I would give an update to my life here in New Zealand. It really feels like I have fallen off the face of the earth, but I am still here alive and kicking.

I really want to start off with a poem and then go right into it. I have gotten into collecting small little vintage books from 2nd hand book stores or old library sales. I found this old book printed in 1948 called "Modern Verse. 1900-1940" and I found a happy cheerful poet who emanates how I am feeling at this moment in my life. Poet William Henry Davies:

I haven't chatted in a while, I think I was a little depressed...No job.

So after the full fiasco in Authur's Pass where my van Sammy the Silver Slug overheated, even though I took it so slow at minimum speed, he died. He was such a good van and I get a little choked up every time I think of him.

Moving on...

I decided to settle in Christchurch and stay with Myron and Genista and the boys, Zach and Jared. Awesome family and I am totally loving them. Aymie you were so right, this is the spot I needed to be in. I have been adjusting to the lifestyle here quite nicely, I have found a church which is really awesome and I also have made a ton of friends. Oh, I have been dancing too!! I think the one thing I haven't gotten used to here is the weather. It is so COLD!!!!! It makes me miss the California sunshine...I really think that I took it for granted while I was at home. Even when the sun is out here it's still cold!!!

Well I found a job, I am working at Buzz, which is a Temp Agency that specializes in media and design recrument and I currently just accepted a job for web design company Left-Click. I am continuing to do freelance design as well.

I have been snowboarding once, I need to go again so badly. It's so freaking cold here, but the snow just doesn't want to stick to the mountains!

Honestly nothing much else has been going on, just meeting some really awesome, incredible people!

Love you all and miss you much. Drop me a line to let me know what has been going on.

Cheers,

Nicki

I am back. I know it has been a while, but I have been on the go, go, go...

First of all Happy Easter to all, I have missed you during this lovely celebration and I was a bit homesick on Sunday.

Well, I left you all off on when I went to the Milford Sound. The weather was a little bit crazy, so it was rainy and wet when we first arrived in Milford, but it ended up letting up a bit. So we get out on the water and it was by far one of the most spectacular views I have ever seen, it looked so surreal. The mountains just come up right out of the water and they are so steep and beautiful. I loved it. I have been told that it is the best to go when it's raining, the mountains have waterfalls everywhere, it looks like these white veins coming the mountains. The rain stopped for a while, but then came back with a vengeance, you could literally see a thick down pour coming towards you. It then proceeded to hail on us and I'm not talking a couple minutes of hail either, I am talking about major 1-2 hours of pea sized hail down pour! Every once in a while you get a couple that would get into my jacket and run down my back, ohh so cold. Then we get a loud crack of lighting and thunder right away and you could feel the thunder rumble through your kayak. I have to say I was freezing my ass off, but at the end I loved it, one of the coolest experiences I have had.

After Milford Sound, Dutchie and I headed for Stewert Island, I talked him into doing a multi-day tramp. I also stupidly left my nice water proof jacket in Te Anau, so dumb of me. So I bought a $4 plastic pauncho and wore that over my stuff. Stewert Island was nice, but definitely a little overratted. It was a beautiful quaint little island and I had another awesome tramp; met some Americans from San Francisco and exchanged info. Our multi-day tramp was only supposed to be one night in a hut, but because of Easter we couldn't get another hostile and off the island, so we had another day on the trails...

Well I have to jet, my internet time is running really short at the moment I will add more to this post later.

Miss you...

Nicki

I have had such adventures since I last left you all…

Well, lets start with Wanaka. I went to the D.O.C. office (Department of Conservation) and booked a multi-day hike in the Mt. Aspiring National Park. I thought I learned my lesson about what to take with me, but it seems that I packed way too much again. I was more prepared for a multi-day hike this time. Oh, but before I went on this amazing and most vigorous tramping trip, I went river kayaking.

I think I have done more kayaking in the last month than I have in my life, it was so exciting though, there were so many rapids and fun challenges that you don’t get with sea kayaking. Paddling through the wilderness, there was absolutely no one about; I didn’t feel like a tourist. The guide, Ben, and his wife, Amanda, were really awesome people, they had the cutest little baby that helped with all of the kayaking and preparing. Anyway, the terrain was just fantastic, you think that you’ve pretty much seen all there is to see with New Zealand and would think that it would get old or boring, but damn! I am amazed every time I go on one of these adventures; God surprises me left and right. So, the river that runs into Wanaka Lake used to be Gold Country, this area of NZ was the 2nd largest gold mining discovery in the world, 1st was in Canada. In a matter of 3 hours on the river we went from pine trees and ever greens to brightly lit yellow trees that looked like they were on fire, from golden trees to rolling hills to desert cliffs and back to golden trees. There many rapids and you could choose how fun you wanted your adventure by how hard you wanted to kayak. And of course I wanted to do the hardest and most daring kayaking, I was incredibly sore that night and the next day.

After an amazing and very tiring day of kayaking I prepared for the big trip into the wild. I prepared all of my meals and tried to pack portions, so I wasn’t carrying extra weight. I think I got a little too fancy though and packed food that utensils that I may not of needed to carry, but hey it’s all a learning process. I had no idea how long the course was going to be, but I had a marvelous time. The park was so fantastic, there were waterfalls everywhere most of it comes from the glaciers, I found out there are over 2000 different glaciers in New Zealand.

First day I got to the park a little later than I wanted to, but that didn’t cut anything short. I met some really cool Americans on my way to the first glacier I climbed, the Rob Roy Glacier amazing view and we heard an avalanche, but didn’t get to see and ice fall. So that hike took me about 2.5 hours and 10 km, then I tramped (same as hiking) another 9 km to Aspiring Hut. On the way to the hut I met some interesting Israeli guys, they slowed down to my pace, I was tired from the hike up to Rob Roy. The hut was so luxurious it had gas and a fireplace and the most stunning view of the valley, I slept right next to the window so I could wake up to this spectacular view. The night was so clear and the stars were so stunning they twinkled at you just to get your attention and when you would look another would twinkle. It felt like there were so many stars vying for your attention you have to continuously look around. Then I hiked 7.2 km to the next hut French Ridge Hut, but first I left some stuff behind to pick up later, because I was too heavy with some of the food I brought.

So, I started the next part of my hike off with a good start, but then I got to the accent, good grief I started to scramble up rocks and climb up roots. I had a couple of kilometers of that, then I hit the tree line into shrubs and more scrambling up rocks. I finally got to the ridge, exhausted and yearning for a hut where I could just rest. Nope, I think God was having a good laugh at me, because I had a few more kilometers up hills and of course more rocks. At one point I was starting to get angry, it was mentally challenging to climb more and more and just when you think you’ve gotten to the top there is another steep hill to climb. I did make it to the hut and I have never seen a tin can look so beautiful in my entire life. The view was so spectacular; it was well worth the long trek. I met with the hut warden, awesome guy, Robin, from Germany and then met some other guys who were ice climbing two Aussies and American from Massachusetts. I might meet up with them again, maybe in Queenstown. Now the tough part…

Next day, I climbed to the top of mountain to the edge of the glacier and hung out there a bit and made my way down. I climbed back down the mountain, which I found out is just as hard going up as it is going down. I dragged my butt back to the first hut to get my stuff left behind and to rest. Well, when I got there I packed away everything and I was just so exhausted and I’m just sitting resting and this German woman is there and she looks at me and offers me a cup of hot tea…All the cards fell from there, I just couldn’t walk the extra 9 km back to the car, so I stayed an extra night at the hut and I think it was one of the best moves I made. Next day, I hiked back to the car and drove to Queenstown, I was supposed to meet Douwe, the Dutchie, the day before but you know what happened. Anyway, I got a much needed shower, I hadn’t showered in 4 days, and met up with Douwe and had the biggest bugger of my life, about 6 inches in diameter, and I ate every bite of it. I then proceeded to have about 10 or more beers I can’t quite remember.

In Queenstown I had to do something extreme, I mean the Adrenaline Capital of the World! So I went for a swing…A high rush Canyon Swing! A height of 109 meter cliff…a 60 meter free fall…and finally a 200 meter swing!!! I have already uploaded video and picture to my facebook account or you can check it out on you tube. It was so awesome I had to do it again!

Now I’m in Te Anau and I am headed off to the Milford Sound for another kayaking tour…It seems to be the best way to go, you get exercise and to see the sights; after that is Stewert Island, but I’ll let you know how that goes later…

Sorry for such a long blog, but I have done tons of stuff and I still have a little more to go.

Love you all…

Nicki

I left you all off with swimming with the dolphins…I made my way down to Christchurch finally after all this time. I was able to meet Myren (not sure on the spelling) and Genista, and their two kids Jared, awesome kid, and Jared, such a sweetheart. I might be staying in Christchurch…I really like it there. I was able to check out Myren and Genitsta’s church there and I really liked it. I spent some time with Genista and helped her with a work project and she showed me around the different places in Chch. I also got to check out the young adults group, ages around 20-30s and a mix of others. I really enjoyed myself.

It’s Monday over here and I am back on the adventure. I am thinking about two more weeks travel and then I need to get a JOB! I have been slacking a little, I just want my holiday to last forever, but alas I am starting to run low on funds and need to get my buns in gear. Today I drove to Wanaka, and the drive was one of the most dramatic. I have gone from gently rolling hills and grasslands to high desert to trees and lakes. One of the most stunning views I have ever witnessed in my life was Pukakia Lake near the town of Twizle, I couldn’t even get a good picture. It was one of those moments where you have to take a memory photo, because anything else cannot do it justice. I’ll try to describe it. On my right you have the high desert with golden hills that glow in the setting sun; in front of me there is a lake that is such a vivid color turquoise is sparkles like jewels, also in front of me there are snow covered mountains that look so out of place, but are so incredibly beautiful (I believe it was Mt. Cook, I could be wrong though); finally on my right are indigenous pine trees and forest. It was such an incredible experience, I am very much dictated by my natural surroundings, for instance I am very content and happy when I’m surrounded by forest, so I had a mix of everything. I felt the presence of God with me and there was a swelling of my heart, but there just isn’t a single word or really a sentence to describe the moment.

Just a short entry so far, I am going to go for a hike tomorrow and I might, but not sure do a multi-day hike, we will see. Until next time, which might be sooner than you think…

Cheers,

Nicki

Hi Friends,

I’m now in the South Island. I left about a week ago. Continuing the adventure, I made my way towards Nelson and then on a 2 day Kayaking adventure on the Abel Tasman. I hiked the first day I took a water taxi from Manahau North to Tongagiri and hiked about 17 km. I was able to stay in a hut, by the way you really need to prepare for staying in the night out in the wild and I really didn’t have any idea what I was getting myself into. When I signed up for the trip I thought it was going to be 2 days of straight kayaking, but the first day was all hiking, about 5 hours, fantastic views. There weren’t very many sign ups for the 2 day trip, actually me and this nice guy from Switzerland. So the hut…they really don’t tell you how to prepare to stay over night. I tried to prepare something that I could cook, I froze steak the night before, so by the time I needed to cook it, it was thawed, there were no cooking facilities so I built a fire and cooked it over that. I felt so outdoorsy. The next day the kayaking was awesome! We met up with some other people who were doing the one day trip, the guide was from Canada and another couple from Sunnyvale and then a couple from Italy and Germany; great people. The couple from Italy and Germany have been staying in their car, so I wanted to try it and I think I did pretty well, I made sure they slept next to me and checked up on me every once in a while at night, whenever they went to the toilet.

From the Abel Tasman I moved on back towards Nelson for the market, I wanted to pick up a mug for when I sleep in my car and see if I could find some used camping gear too. No luck there, so I went to the sporting goods store and found a big sale on everything. I picked up a little gas stove, and when I mean little I mean tiny, but it’s powerful. After the market, on the road there was an accident with this huge truck flipped over, apparently the cows were let out and running all over the road. The truck driver was ok, but it was a sight to see about 7 or 8 police officers herd cattle, I tried to get a photo, but couldn’t get my camera out in time. Darn, I hate missing those opportunities. I was going to make my way to Blenhiem and stay there the night, and then head to Kiakura the next day you know break up the trip, but I just kept driving and hit Kiakura sooner than I thought.

I spent 2 nights in Kiakura and met some awesome people, a very hilarious Dutch guy named Douwe, a Swedish girl, Katrina, and a German girl, Kathrine. I will probably meet up with Douwe, we will be in Queenstown about the same time. Anyway I went on an awesome walk in Kiakura and had their famous crayfish, taste very similar to lobster. Next morning I decided to swim with the dolphins, it was so incredible being in a pod of about 250 dolphins swimming around you. I recommend it to anyone. After swimming with the dolphins I made my way south, I told Genista that I was going to come to Christchurch on Thursday, so I had some time to kill and saw Hanmer Springs on the map and just decided to drive. I am now here, I just got done with a 5 and a half hour hike, where I got to break in my new tramping boots. The hike was awesome, I am really slow going up hill and I don’t know how it happened but I pretty much raced up the mountain, I think it was the new boots.

Well friends I am down to Christchurch tomorrow, I will probably meet up with my guide from the Kayaking trip, he is traveling. I will write more soon. Sorry it took so long to upload.

Miss you.

Cheers

Nicki – the dolphin swimmer!

Hi Friends,

Well, here we are, I just finished the last leg of my trip with Steph. Apparently I was due for a major cold as well. I lost my voice completely on Saturday just as we had come into Auckland and I am still getting over this cold. Seriously it has been about a week and a half, this cold needs to die. Anyways here are the details of the last part of my holiday with Steph…

Day 15: So we decided to go to Waiheki Island, we took a ferry from Auckland, the weather had been kinda of crap. We finally got our fish and chips, but that was not without issues, so apparently you can get fish (or like the kiwis call is fush) and chips on any day except Mondays, it is some sort of national rule or something. Anyway, we finally found a restaurant that sells fish and chips, they were good, but not as good as Pig and Whistle in Rotorua. Like I said the weather was crap so we tried to go to the beach, but got blown out by the wind. So after being blown away, we headed back to the city and got our piercings. I punctured my nose and Steph put a hole in her stomach.

Final Day: Well I took care of some business, opened a bank account and then finally dropped Steph off at the airport. I miss her already…

I headed toward Hamilton and then decided to veer a bit off track and spend the night back in Raglan. I was planning to try and go surfing, but it was so stormy the night before, the waves were crap, and I am still getting over this cold. I took a hike down to the beach instead and watched all the new surfers get pummeled in the waves, it was funny. I was going to go to Taupo to do a bit of rockclimbing, but thought I might and try to get a job working in the caves in Waitomo; apparently I would get roped into 2 years, so I guess I won’t be doing that. So I just made my way down south towards Wellington.

I have been in Wellington for a few days now. The first night I went out with Alex’s girlfriend, Anna, to this amazing Italian restaurant, Caffe Italiano, OH MY GODDNESS! I had the best Italian pizza and beer, we also got there and had a live classical quartet playing. We sat right in the front and had some amazing food and conversation. I have discovered that Wellington is a mini San Francisco, I love it! I might be staying in Wellington instead of Christchurch, I am still headed down there, but I might be back.

My stay so far in Wellington has been great. On Saturday, we went down to the cape to watch the seals. They reek of poop, but very cute, we were able to see so many pups swimming. Actually I was hoping for some great white shark action with all of the seals around, but not one that I saw had any bite marks or scars. Darn.

Alex had the whole weekend off, so in addition to seal watching, we went to visit all of the suburbs of Wellington and also visit WETA, it is where the entire Lord of the Rings production took place. I know here is my nerdy side showing. WETA is Peter Jackson’s hub for all his movies for costume design, CG effects, and modeling for the buildings. It is also a hub for other movies made in New Zealand.

While here I was able to visit Parliament (a.k.a. the Bee Hive) and take a tour, also the National Bank Reserve where they have the history of the printing of their money. Today it is made in Melbourne, Australia, out of Polymer paper (which is a plastic paper that doesn’t fold or tear).

Tomorrow is St. Patrick’s Day and I have my green shirt, I am hopefully off to a Cricket Game and then to an Irish Pub to drink some Guinness or green beer. Sorry it has taken me so long to write, I have been busy, but at the same time not. I am still continuing on, I will be leaving Wellington on Wednesday and make my way down to Christchurch. I have been keeping up with my New Year’s resolution of taking pictures and keeping up with the blog.

Miss you all…

Cheers,

Nicki