Peter, thanks for your comment, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter: which re-compensation strategy do you think works best (if any)? What do you think are the major differences? And do you think there are similarities in the injustices done them or are they both totally diff situations (e.g. one really comes down to the Treaty and the mis-translation of it (amongst other stuff), and the other...??)?

As an American who has lived in New Zealand for while, I've noticed the very big differences in the way the Maori were and are treated compared to the Native Americans. It pains me sometimes. Maybe I should write something longer about it. I told ya that American would be awesome for you, didn't I?

Thanks for your email Wongsta! I have replied. Maybe you could try making a [slightly mini-er] version of the teddy with some rocks from Norfolk and super glue??

yowyow homie! jus wrote u an email didn't kw there was msg board. newayz jus wanted to say hi make my presence known. i really like that rock teddy like really really i want him in my garden. wongy.x.x.x.x

Kirst, you are gonna have a blast on OB! If you loved the Spirit of NZ, you'll love OB! If you're feeling scared that's totally OK; most people are pretty nervous and especially when they first arrive! Also don't be dumb like I was and get really scared cos it seems like everyone's really hard-out fitness freaks - which, true, some of them were - because it's so about your attitude more than anything. We had lots of staunch, fit boys and not-so-fit girls but the girls were generally a lot more optimistic and that got us thru! So there you go, your little pep talk - feeling better? :P I'm not gonna tell you what you do, and the instructors possibly won't (until almost the last minute before a 2-day hike, for example) but that's the best way cos it keeps it exciting and you don't have to worry about what's coming up next cos you don't KNOW what is! I'm here til late June or early July. Finishing off in Canty for my last semester. :)

good luck with your study! how long are you there? are you finishing your degree there? gosh i cant believe im going on OB in like under a week now im sooo nervous what do you do on it? i never really asked you what you did etc! good luck with your flatting situation! i just moved into a new flat good times. Kirst

Thanks Uncle Gordon! Did you get my email about Soane?

Great pictures. So cool and far out you doing it all xxxxxxxxGordonxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Yes!! A comment from my African sister!! Did I beat you in hearing from Rachy (my little big sister and your big sister), Liv??

What happened yesterday? (You say 'despite yesterday'?) Lost bags? That must have been a pain...

Glad to hear you made it safely though, and enjoy the bus trip! I found the Kenyan one was waaaay over-rated, from everything I heard I was almost expecting something from back in Noah's Ark days but it was really not that bad...

Anyway, the crazier it is, the more of an adventure and the awesomer updates you'll have to blog about!! Speaking of which: update your blog!

Love you loads, keep in touch!

hello from ghana! arrived here safely despite yesterday, picked up lost bag from airport today. people are super friendly, food pretty tough to handle. not that im not a fan of rice with two entire fried fish sitting staring at me with their fried eyes and mouths wide wide open with little fried teeth as well... hehe hello being skinny! lol missing my crazy big little sis off to ejura tomorrow on 6 hour bus which in african time means about ten hours minimum hehe but plan on holding bag close like a baby hehe love you xx rach p.s your blog is awesome.

Thanks Liver!! (I know you love that name...) But seriously, thanks for your comment and updating me on Rach - I got an email from her in Kuala Lumpur, so that must have been her first stop, Dubai being her second? Let me know if you hear from her in Africa - she needs to update her blog!! Though net access in Africa is not quite as straightforward as many places elsewhere... That's OK that you got to have her for summer, as it would have been difficult for me to have her (only because I was travelling and that woulda meant she would either have had to jumped in my pack and I think she's a little too tall for that, or she would have had to leave extra early and go to 3 or 4 additional countries... a little tricky.) - I hope you enjoyed hanging out with her as much as I do!! How has your summer been going? Are you working? How does it feel now that your honorary big sister has left?

Hey Alice! Love you blog and great to hear you're having an awesome time. Just to let you know....Rach left here all good! And last heard from her in Dubai and she was all good. Right now she should be in Accra but havn't heard anything yet.. Hope Americas all good Got to go but will write more soon! Thanks for letting me have your awesome sister all summer! Love & Hugs Liv xxxxxx