Kia Ora ! From Welly again….after a trip around the North Island.

Surfed three half days in Raglan, and the last day I had some rides all the way down to the beach. I was cold and tired, but couldn't stop...hooked ! Saw the All Blacks win a game against Munster (not a German, but an Irish team), but it was close. And just chilled out a bit. Well, if you call surfing chillin'out...it's definitely a good exercise...fighting against the waves to get in the right position to try to take off) and my shoulder is f***ed up again. Ouch...But hey...no pain, no gain ! Had my worst slam on the beach instead of in the water...got tackled by my own surfboard while taking off my leash....swooopppp, down on my ass, sweet as ;-) !

Left Raglan on Thursday on Magpie's bus, another new driver I knew from the South Island. He took us to Maketu for a good night of Maori culture at Uncle Boy's place in Maketu.. Uncle Boy is 70 years old and half Maori, and he dreams big dreams...wants to do soemthing with Harly Davidson rentals, wants to build a skifield in Rotorua (good plan), and built a marae, a Maori meetinghouse where Stray passengers get the chance to learn something about his culture.

We had a hangi meal first (steamed food), with Pavlova, typical Kiwi desert, nice ! Then we were invited into the marae, and Rob, the oldest guy in the group had to face the fearsome Maori warrior. He was accepted in instead of being eaten (Maori were cannibals back in teh days), so we all greeted the Maori's with a hongi, a greeting where you rub noses.

We got a nice performance with some Maori songs, a poi dance and the haka, and then it was our turn. The girls learned how to do the poi dance (with a small ball on a rope), and had to show this to the boys, who learned a haka, and showed the Ka Mate haka to us. I even got the wear a Maori dress, and managed not to drop the poi balls. I'm secretly working on my haka skills though haha.

We slept on matrasses on the floor in the marae, and left early the next morning heading towards Rotorua, where we had an 4 hour stop. I decided to go up the gondola and do some luge rides with Ida from Norway, and we had fun. Almost crashed taking over, way to go...need speed ! Stopped at some big boiling mudpools and Kerosene Creek for a well earned thermal hot bath. Still a very cool (warm) spot ! Off to Taupo, dropped half of the bus off at Taupo Skydive, and made some nice photo's from Mt Ruapehu and Mt Ngaruhoe (LOTR Mt Doom !) on our way to Urban Retreat, our hostel in Taupo.

Decide not to do the Tongariro Crossing again, will do that later. Probably can't beat doing it in winter last year any way, and I felt really tired. Magpie took us to Whakapapa skifield (threw some snowballs) instead and almost wrecked himself skateboarding on the parking spot. Then we checked out the DOC (Department of Conservation, who look after all the outdoor and national parks) visitor centre and went for a 2 hour walk to Taranaki Falls. Cool waterfall, made some nice photo's from behing it, getting soaking wet. So at least some exercise after all. Stayed at one of the nicest hostels in NZ, The Park in National Park Village. Real comfy beds, logfire, nice lounge and a very good meal deal: 10 bucks for a good Mexican chicken wrap with rice and salad. Another early night....

Long drive to Welly today, drove through Wanakae where I have to go to talk about a volunteering spot at a holiday camp. Ow, and did something hilarious at Taihape. Magpie made us all do "dead ants": laying down on our backs and waving with our arms and legs pretending to be dying ants to entertain passing cars. And had to write down our most embarassing moment. Well, passing out in QT a year ago after too many sake, tequila and JD shots and dropping my mobile in my own vomit was kinda embarrassing haha. Ask Joyce !

So yeah, back in the capital city again...and feel a bit lost right now. Didn't have a real group feeling this trip, met some nice people though. Maybe didn't put a lot of effort in it myself, and a lot of people hopped off along the way. Planning to meet at the Christian holiday camp an the YMCA camp to talk about volunteering. And have to call a company in Whangarei who called me about a possible job over there. They left a voicemail, have to find out about that. So have to wait for all that before I have any clue what's next. And don't like that feeling, being on my own again as well. I know I can handle that, but makes me feel a bit empty. Xmas is coming closer, and it would be nice to be at a good place with some nice people then. But I can't plan that right now, have to wait untill I know what and where. Gives a lot of uncertainty again...and just have to deal with that, coz it's just the way it is right now. Mmmm. Actually a lot of things I try not too think about, or try not to feel...... because then I feel so far away from home. Really, don't miss The Netherlands....especially not with the great sunny weather we had the last week. But I would love to see u all guys. 18000 kilometers is a f***ing long way ! Way too far away from everybody I love ! So...you should all just come over to Kiwiland !!!! BIG hugzzzz to all and a special BIG HUG to all that know that hug is meant for them !!!! Marlieke (who got her nickname back....Mal for short...)