a whole new world

It's been nearly a month since i told you what i've been up to, and it has seriously flown by.
After a rather long and sickly flight across the world's biggest ocean i arrived fresh and ready in New Zealand; only to find that immigration didn't want me and biosecurity were scared i was carrying diseases, that aside all went well and by 8am on the 7th April i was in Christchurch.
I would love to go into detail of all the people i caught lifts with but time constrains me so i'll be brief. There was a Maori bloke, who was convinced his girlfriend was cheating, a windmill engineer, a French Canadian with a mini-van and the campest and funniest bus driver i've ever seen; and i arrived in Queenstown.
It was Easter weekend and the only space i could find was in a massive holiday park which had superb views over the deep blue sparkling lake and the pretty down beside it. Queenstown is one of the most beautiful places i've seen and the beauty was only increased when, on the morning of the 8th, i met up with Mark and Juan (and their 2 newly aquired Swedish mates) from back home. It was good to see some familiar faces and we spent the day chilling by the lake and in a bar and went to see '300' in the evening which was pretty good.
Me and Mark rose nice and early the next day and made our way up a mountain called Ben Lochmond. It wasn't easy but it was so worth it. From the top you can see for miles and miles and we had a lovely lunch together (very romantic). At 1700m, of which we climbed 1400, it was probably the highest i've climbed in a day and i felt rather proud indeed.
And then, after a night watching legally blonde (don't tell anyone), Queenstown was over! I got about 6 lifts until i arrived at Fox Glacier with a French bloke and another Hitchhiker; a swiss one. Fox was superb. We climbed up a nearby hill in near darkness and had a look at the massive moving block of ice from up high. Dinner, prepared by the French guy was, as would be expected, rather tasty. The next day, after sleeping at a hostel where the owner explained he didn't really want us to stay, i went with a group on Fox Glacier itself. The weather was extreme. Gale force winds and extremely heavy rain made it cold and wet but in no way miserable. Walking on the ice was great- the crevasses and ridges and everything felt surreal but made for an amazing days walking. On the ice with me was a lovely group of Americans (among others) and quite possibly the most annoying man i've ever met, an Israeli fresh out the army who i quite nearly pushed into a swallow hole!
After fox and a night in a room all by myself watching trashy TV i got myself on a bus to make the mammoth trek up North to Nelson. The ride was great; vast ocean to the left and huge snowy peaks to the right. I met a nice guy from Edgware who was on a 6 month booze cruise round-the-world. I arrived in Nelson (after 10 hours) and got the YHA. Highlight of the evening? A girl gave me a massive bowl of salad. Yes i was bored.
Next day trekked up a nearby hill (Pic left) and looked over the world in front of me. After running, sliding and falling down again i arrived at a replication of an old village. I sneaked in for free and saw a strange assortment of object, a huge plane and a fake village bakery. I spent a large amount of the day reading and finishing a feminist book.
By nightfall i was in Picton being verbally assaulted for 4 hours by an amazing 67 year old with a whole life story to tell, as i had nothing else to do i listened. At times i laughed and at times i wanted to cry as the guy told me how he, wifeless and pretty friendless had very little to live for and traveling was a way to escape his depression.
Next day and i woke up early in preparation for my Sail to the north. I would be lying if i was to say i was looking forward to the voluntary project, I had loved being by myself so much, but i was so wrong to be pessimistic.
After a calm boat rive accross the Picton Straight (and a heated discussion about God with 2 randomers) i was greeted at the Ferry Terminal by three of the lovely ladies who were to be my housemates for the next fortnight. After my usual initial dislike of new things and people I settled in pretty quickly (withing about 10 minutes). I could right quite easily for a few days about the great people who i was dumped upon for those two weeks, but instead maybe a few words for Each.
Lauren (House Advisor): Australian, very forgetful and incredibly funny (and my cigarette partner)
Sarah (Volunteer): Washington State, mother of the house, knows all the things that need to be known, also makes a mean corn bread.
Anna (Volunteer): Devon, mental gardening type, bit of a country girl at heart, knew to appreciate a good cuppa. Milk NO Sugar.
Claire (Volunteer): Leyland (right?), 'The Northern Lass', refreshingly brash i think, especially after vodka, liked diggin' and shovellin'- and why not?
Mairead (Volunter): Irish, Crazier by the day, best moments? 1) 'Matthew, you talk more than anyone i've ever met' and 2) Looks at a BIRD 'That's a fat little fuck isn't it'.
Melene (Volunteer): Danish, Seemed to have the amazing ability to get drunk of air and dance like someone on acid. Introduced us to a sadistic Danish cartoon...(NO NOT THAT ONE)
Ryan (Volunteer): Not only the only other bloke, but also 100X more man than me. Despite his outside appearance he was a big bear really and often his use of sarcasm impressed even me.
Katie (Volunteer) : Texan, Loves 'the office' (and you though they were all backwards over there). Spent much time falling over and eating peanut butter, cottage cheese and drinking tea. Tended to lose standing ability when drunk. :-)
Oh and then there was Toby, our team leader, what a man, that's all i'm saying.
So what did we do?
Weeding
Beach Clearing (Pic above)
Walking (Pic Above)
Digging
Shovelling
Driving a tractor
Couting Seals
Sailing (above right)
Made Paths
Drank Tea
Got Drunk (Obvious picture)
Made Cakes
Watched the Office
Ate (as on beach)
Painted a dinner set (up)

Argued about politics

It was a great two weeks, too many good things to fit into this blog (look at the pics). I seriously couldn't have wished for better people.
Two days have passed since i left Wellington. After chilling with some Anarchists on Mayday i bussed it to Rotorua and arrived at 3.00 am and slept on bench. Yesterday, i went mountain biking and fell over many many times, once head over heels with the bike landing on my head. It was great fun.
More on Rotorua and elsewhere to follow...
Love to all.