Kia Ora to all ! Hope you all had a great Xmas ! Over here it's Boxing day, basically the day after Xmas. I spent my first ever Xmas on the Southern Hemisphere in Christchurch. All the girls from Auckland got together again, and we had a nice dinner at Xmas eve, a couple of beers, and then decided to go to the Night Mass at the Cathredal, which was well...a cultural experience. The carol singing was kinda cool, but the whole church thing is not my thing...I feel more religious on top of a mountain. But at least it made it feel like Xmas ! And I got some really nice Xmas presents, so I'm wearing my "Kia Ora Bro"tshirt I got right now.

Yesterday we had an all day BBQ....everybody made something special, and I made Kumara with honey in foil, pretty good.... It's a bit weird, the hostel owner was kinda scared that we would take over the place but actually all the long term stayers in the hostel did that, and they are so childish that they don't want to watch a movie together with us.... and when we leave the TV room they open all the doors and windows because it smells in there....yeah right.

Soooo childish.... But we're planning to take the bus to Kaikoura the day after tomorrow, it's going to be nice weather again (it was kinda rainy and cloudy at Xmas), and probably New Years Eve in Picton. Still deciding about doing the Abel Tasman Coastal Track first thing in 2009, and then hop on a bus to do the whole South loop one more time before heading towards Welly for volunteering at the YMCA and find a job.

Yeah, coz I didn't get the job in Invercargill. Which was a disappointment, don't have any other applications running anymore, and start to get worried bout finding a job on time. On the other hand I didn't really look forward to live in Invercargill.......so maybe that job whas just not mine. And mine is still waiting for me !

And how did I end up in Christchurch ? Well, on a Stray bus for starters. Hopped on a bus to Nelson with Noortje and Tina, so that was a short trip. Spent some days in Nelson, which is quit a nice city. Loads of immigrants as well, attracted by the proximity of Abel Tasman and Golden Bay, and the most sunny hours in NZ. We had good Indian food (twice...), went shopping (well, didn't buy anything, my backpack already weighs tons) and walked up to the centre of New Zealand, on top of a hill.

Couple of days later we hopped on another Stray bus to Marahau, Abel Tasman National Park. I can't book a seat anymore coz I'm retravelling, so I'm on a standby list, and if there's a seat available I can hop on. Well, it was a bit claustrophobic, two big bags on my lap, but I had a seat, and we had a nice BBQ that night. Rob, one of the new drivers (and a cool as guy, gave very nice free hugs ) almost set the whole place on fire, and the sausages were covered in fire extinguisher powder...mjummie....

Decided to do the half day sailing trip the next day, the weather was great. Basically it meant we had to walk up to Anchorage (the first day of the Coastal Track), chill on the beach, and hop on a catamaran to sail back to Kaiteriteri beach. Not too bad, and finally got the chance to see Split Apple Rock. And got a ride back from Milan....haha...not too bad either. Haha, quite a lot of cool guys over here ;-)))).

The next day off to Barrytown..in real Westcoast weather....it was pouring down, couldn't see s*** out of the windows. No walks that day....that would have been more like swimming, but another "dress up and party" night in Bazvegas. Rob really liked his green dress and pink wig...and I had to wear a pink dress as well. Luckily we had to swap clothes during the night, so I could compliment my dress with a nice Ali B style baseballcap, whoohoo. Got Rob's emailaddress coz he worked at Mount Hutt, so he'll send me some names to apply to for an instructor job next season. Networking bro !

No bonecarving this time, but got a new lace for mine and they polished my "hei matau" (fish hook) so it looks brand new again. Short (half an hour) drive to Greymouth for another two nights in a really nice hostel. A single bed with soap and towel.....nice ! Nice wee little town. Noortje and Tina had prebooked a traintrip to ChCh, I booked myself on an Atomic Shuttle. Scenic drive to Christchurch with stunning views at Arthur's pass. And 100 bucks cheaper then the train. And that's how I got in Christchurch !

Ow, and movie tip: "P.S. I love you". I loved it although it made me cry...yes it did....well, just the first time I watched it...haha.