Merry Christmas everyone!!!

It has been nearly 5 weeks since I last updated my half of the blog, at that point I had just returned from Tonga and was just starting work at Kathmandu (camping shop in central Auckland).

So what have I been up to I hear you cry???

Well I have spent most of my days at work in Kathmandu, (imagine Millets or Blacks in England). It was interesting to learn all about technical camping gear and products and tills etc but the novelty has worn off and I'm ready for a change. However, the other staff are an awesome bunch so it's a good laugh and has led to much going out. Amusingly out of the 16 or so staff only one is truly Kiwi nearly all the others are travellers or have immigrated to NZ.

I am working there until the 19th December (so only 3 days of work left!). On the 20th of Dec I fly down to Christchurch for Christmas then hopefully driving down to Queenstown for New Years.

I am spending Christmas and New Year with a guy I met in a hostel a little while ago, while I'm not entirely sure what we are doing, as long as it involves a Turkey, drink and a silly Santa hat I will be happy.

I will then have to find a new job mid January as I have not saved a bean working in Kathmandu for 5 weeks. This is partly because they slashed my hours which meant less pay, but moreover because I keep going out in Auckland. My next job either needs to be very well paid or in the middle of nowhere so I cannot go out as I have the self control of a dormouse.

Aside from working, I found myself invited to a Kiwi's BBQ, met up with Matt to catch the Bond film which is finally out in NZ (brilliant film), went to a huge, free, Christmas party in Auckland's main park, watched a Santa parade on a ridiculously hot day which gave it all the Christmas feel of a funeral for me, had a Christmas Staff Meal with Kathmandu (a free 3 course meal…imagine the smile on the backpaker's faces! I ate for the week). Finally, I visited Matt's Island on which he is thinning and pruning on vineyards, Waiheke. 45 minute ferry ride from Auckland. I will not steal Matt's thunder and tell you all about it suffice to say I thought it was stunningly beautiful and took far too many photos.

Accommodation; now there's a funny story. I had always said I would get a flat and work for 2 months, so I set about finding a flat. I duly moved in to one a couple of weeks ago. I moved in on a Sunday evening, by Thursday I had moved back out to my hostel!!! The flat had 8 rooms around a communal kitchen lounge etc, the room was ok, the price ok, and landlady above board etc etc so although I had not met the other flatmates, I figured…there's 7 of them, at least some of them must be decent? Nope, 7 weirdoes!!! So I swiftly backed out of the 2 month lease. I lost my deposit but it's the best decision I've made. Thus, I will have spent most of the 5 weeks in one hostel in Ponsonby, a suburb of Auckland a 30 min walk away from the centre and work.

That's pretty much it for now folks. I will update the blog next after Christmas which should include plenty of sightseeing, partying, mountains (south island is even more scenic) and a possible bungee jump.

Tom