but can be found here,
I used to use tumblr a fair bit, it's really simple to use both to make the blog, and for those reading it..... so for anyone following me, you can now follow me here
http://russream.tumblr.com/
Tuesday 1 March 2011
Monday 28 February 2011
Being more prepared.
Trying to be more prepared this time, I'm already looking for work in Wellington (which i'm thinking is my next destination). Applying for a bar manager position..... (in a strip club!) a mere 15 minutes after I emailed them they asked me in for an interview on thursday, to which I am unable to attend, due to being on the wrong island, and due to current work commitments, but having explained that to the company, I've asked (albeit) rather unorthadox, to conduct the interview over the phone, or over skype...... watch this space !
Sunday 27 February 2011
Invergiggle, Daddy & Bollocks rugby!
Spending the weekend with Dallas and his family in "Invercargill" (because Carl had his daughter up for the weekend, and rather than being in the way, I was offered the chance to see a bit more of New Zealand, and stay with Dallas) was really quite something. Driving the 2 hour journey in the van jamming to "The Clash" in the brilliant sunshine would have been great had it not been for the fact that the cd player and cd's were all so tempramental, the cd's spent more time cutting out than actually playing, but oh well..... We'd had a half-day at work, due to having completed all the work up to date, so an early afternoon wasn't to complain about.
Dallas's wife also a pommie, from Kent would be at home and i'd get to meet her and I was told she'd love me because I'm a fellow Brit, despite the fact she left England at the age of 10. We spent the evening chilling out and having also met Dallas's daughter and her boyfriend we all ordered in Pizza and chatted over a few beers (and a few more) Sandra (Dallas's wife) and I spent the entire evening chatting untill the early hours of the morning, and listening to various punk-rock LP's that we were into. She being a teacher by profession works monday-friday and has friday nights as her one night off to relax before filling in lesson plans, time sheets and pupil progress reports, and she was greatful for the company to talk about the queen, the pound sterling and of course yorkshire tea.
Feeling pretty fresh in the morning, which is more than can be said for Sandra, who was evidentally still hammered. I help Dallas's neighbour to concrete his driveway, for the promise of a crate of beers at the end of it (he's a brewery representative, and it would be rude not to....) So Dallas and I head over to the building yard, pick up the cement mixer and borrow a trailer for the morning. Having spent a few hours, and washing the work down with a few light beer-like refreshments, the driveway is finally fully cemented, and a job well done in my eyes. So it's time to clean the cement mixer down, and drop the trailer back off.
It's now time to meet the rest of the family, (yeah they're a close bunch and try and see each other at weekends). This time I get to meet, Stacey (Sandra and Dallas's other daughter) and her two children Zavier and Cordanne, it's only when i've been told independantly from Stacey, Dallas and Sandra that I look like Zavier's father.... that I'm hoping he won't start calling me "daddy". Being 5 years old and full of that adoreable child-like naiivity, and constant need for attention, he provides us with an entertaining evening while we adults spend the evening talking about politics, and the Christchurch quake at the Barbeque, I made the best salad ever.... which i'm sure they will all agree, and that my blend of lettuce leaves and tomatoes were done to perfection. Another evening spent socialising and discussing my intentions in New Zealand, and finding out all the gossip there is to know, and suprisingly they thought I was late 20's.... and were shocked and refused to beleive that I was only 20.
We'd also found out that day that a local grocery store (Dairy Store) in their community which was run by a Chinese man, was closing down, (or more that he was running away), Dallas and Sandra both being interested in finding out more about the business and keeping it open in the local area, we all decide to go and have a look at it, they ask me to come along too for opinions, and advice, (as they know i've run the bar back in manchester and know about the behind-the-scenes of running a business). It's a little shop, with a lot of potential, but is certainly need of gutting and completely doing-up. We are offered endless amounts of free food and drink, because the Chinese shop owner Niel had endless surplus stock and needed to get rid off it. So heading back to the House with arms full of ice lollies, litres upon litres of Coca Cola, and a crate of energy drink, we literally have "food for thought". I advise both Sandra and Dallas, to seriously think about it, and not to rush into any decisions, because at the day it's their money that's on the line and after a final word of advise "sleep on it" we depart to bed, I'm staying in the end room...a.k.a the bar, with a full bar set up in their I feel right at home in my environment I enjoy, but also being surrounded by England memorabilia and Union jacks on the wall's and ceilings.
Sunday involved me meeting pretty much everyone else in their family, sons, boyfriends, grandmothers, brothers, nieces and nephews, I've now met more actual kiwi's in the space of 2 days, than I had the entire time i've been in New Zealand, The men amongst us all decide to have a throw about in the garden with the rugby ball, and Zavier gets involved, however for him it's about throwing the ball (albeit badly) to the middle of the circle, as he hadn't quite grasped the concept of throwing it to anyone else, the rest of us, decide rather than passing it to each other it's more a game of who can throw the ball into each other's bollocks the hardest. Poor little kid doesn't realise why we're all in histerics and spending more time doubled over in laughter and...pain, than throwing the ball.
A lovely weekend, being an honourable member of the family, or known as the English refugee, but yeah thoroughly enjoyable, and heading back early monday morning for work.
Dallas's wife also a pommie, from Kent would be at home and i'd get to meet her and I was told she'd love me because I'm a fellow Brit, despite the fact she left England at the age of 10. We spent the evening chilling out and having also met Dallas's daughter and her boyfriend we all ordered in Pizza and chatted over a few beers (and a few more) Sandra (Dallas's wife) and I spent the entire evening chatting untill the early hours of the morning, and listening to various punk-rock LP's that we were into. She being a teacher by profession works monday-friday and has friday nights as her one night off to relax before filling in lesson plans, time sheets and pupil progress reports, and she was greatful for the company to talk about the queen, the pound sterling and of course yorkshire tea.
Feeling pretty fresh in the morning, which is more than can be said for Sandra, who was evidentally still hammered. I help Dallas's neighbour to concrete his driveway, for the promise of a crate of beers at the end of it (he's a brewery representative, and it would be rude not to....) So Dallas and I head over to the building yard, pick up the cement mixer and borrow a trailer for the morning. Having spent a few hours, and washing the work down with a few light beer-like refreshments, the driveway is finally fully cemented, and a job well done in my eyes. So it's time to clean the cement mixer down, and drop the trailer back off.
It's now time to meet the rest of the family, (yeah they're a close bunch and try and see each other at weekends). This time I get to meet, Stacey (Sandra and Dallas's other daughter) and her two children Zavier and Cordanne, it's only when i've been told independantly from Stacey, Dallas and Sandra that I look like Zavier's father.... that I'm hoping he won't start calling me "daddy". Being 5 years old and full of that adoreable child-like naiivity, and constant need for attention, he provides us with an entertaining evening while we adults spend the evening talking about politics, and the Christchurch quake at the Barbeque, I made the best salad ever.... which i'm sure they will all agree, and that my blend of lettuce leaves and tomatoes were done to perfection. Another evening spent socialising and discussing my intentions in New Zealand, and finding out all the gossip there is to know, and suprisingly they thought I was late 20's.... and were shocked and refused to beleive that I was only 20.
We'd also found out that day that a local grocery store (Dairy Store) in their community which was run by a Chinese man, was closing down, (or more that he was running away), Dallas and Sandra both being interested in finding out more about the business and keeping it open in the local area, we all decide to go and have a look at it, they ask me to come along too for opinions, and advice, (as they know i've run the bar back in manchester and know about the behind-the-scenes of running a business). It's a little shop, with a lot of potential, but is certainly need of gutting and completely doing-up. We are offered endless amounts of free food and drink, because the Chinese shop owner Niel had endless surplus stock and needed to get rid off it. So heading back to the House with arms full of ice lollies, litres upon litres of Coca Cola, and a crate of energy drink, we literally have "food for thought". I advise both Sandra and Dallas, to seriously think about it, and not to rush into any decisions, because at the day it's their money that's on the line and after a final word of advise "sleep on it" we depart to bed, I'm staying in the end room...a.k.a the bar, with a full bar set up in their I feel right at home in my environment I enjoy, but also being surrounded by England memorabilia and Union jacks on the wall's and ceilings.
Sunday involved me meeting pretty much everyone else in their family, sons, boyfriends, grandmothers, brothers, nieces and nephews, I've now met more actual kiwi's in the space of 2 days, than I had the entire time i've been in New Zealand, The men amongst us all decide to have a throw about in the garden with the rugby ball, and Zavier gets involved, however for him it's about throwing the ball (albeit badly) to the middle of the circle, as he hadn't quite grasped the concept of throwing it to anyone else, the rest of us, decide rather than passing it to each other it's more a game of who can throw the ball into each other's bollocks the hardest. Poor little kid doesn't realise why we're all in histerics and spending more time doubled over in laughter and...pain, than throwing the ball.
A lovely weekend, being an honourable member of the family, or known as the English refugee, but yeah thoroughly enjoyable, and heading back early monday morning for work.
Wednesday 23 February 2011
Quakes, Driving, Flame Throwers.
F.Y.I Not overly sure why but feeling rather uninspired today with regards to updating the blog, so apologies in advance if it's dull, mundane, and pretty damn crap! You've been fore-warned!!!
Working the timber yard is certainly hard graft, but perhaps it's what I needed, as I feel about a thousand times better than before, presumably because i'm not drinking my body weight in alcohol.....Getting up at 7:00am hasn't been as bad as I first imagined it would be, I didn't know that time of the morning existed for so many years, having slept in more or less every morning since I moved to Manchester, (almost 3 years ago). But fear not it can be done, and feeling fresh (after a cup of coffee of course!.... I'm not a superhuman).
Working at the yard along with Tom, and Andrew both builders/carpenters/outdoorsie labourers by trade, soon showed me the ropes and got me involved, I mainly spend time "buffing" the wood thats been cut/milled/measured to size to bring back the color to the otherwise dull piece of timber, using basically and elaborate circular piece of sandpaper on a motor.....but instead of sandpaper it's a circualr metal brush that can certainly shred anything it comes into contact with. My first day on the buffer was excrutiating, forearm muscles were in agony, and I had to keep stopping to allow the blood to return to my rapidly flopping arms, and try and make it look as though I was adjusting my safety specs, or gloves.... However now a week on, I can safely say that with forearms the size of the average human thigh, I can quite happily buff away all day.
When i'm not buffing the wood, i'll be sanding away sharp edges on timber, or cutting any odd bits of wood (scrap) into firewood. This is actually by far the easiest job and in the sun can lead to a fantastic tan..Whilst the sun was out today (and with not much work on) I was using the power saw to cut the mound of firewood that had been building for the last few months, Sleeves rolled all the way up, to blend my tan line and farmers arm, to both Tom and Andrew's amusement, "don't you want to put some sun bloc on?" "Nah.... us pommies are bred to burn...."
Driving the forklift truck is actually really fun, and not nearly as hard as it looks, that said I did today try for about 5 minutes to move the damn vehicle, not realising it was in "parked" mode, and therefore nothing I was shouting at it was gonna make it move, the driving is easy, using the forks will need a bit more practice.
As you will all now presumably be aware there's been a devastating Earthquake in Christchurch, and measured 6.3 on the old "can't remember spelling (Richter) scale" which was less magnitude than the previous Quake they suffered in september of last year, however it was only 5km below the surface of the ground, whereas in September it was 32km down, so as you can imagine, a lot more structural damage, and loss of lives, It's true as they've been saying that Christchurch is no longer Christchurch, as everything that made it fpr what it was is now destroyed, or about to crumble. The loss of life and of course the hundreds still missing is a massive blow to New Zealand, and is now considered New Zealand's worst natural disaster. Seeing the realism of it all on the news certainly got my emotions running, and I can only thank my lucky stars that I was picked up by Carl and Dallas and offered work, because had I carried on travelling i'm sure I would have ended up in Christchurch about this time, and things might not have been the same, but sadness and emotions behind still loving it here. We felt the quake, at the yard and was a surreal experience, to not have control of your balance, even though you're stood upright as you normally would.
Can't really think of much else to report, but i'll edit/update if I do.
Oh, I built a big tool shelf today..... there we go, haha something for you to be amazed at, I expect messages of appraisal and congratualtions from you all at any time.
Working the timber yard is certainly hard graft, but perhaps it's what I needed, as I feel about a thousand times better than before, presumably because i'm not drinking my body weight in alcohol.....Getting up at 7:00am hasn't been as bad as I first imagined it would be, I didn't know that time of the morning existed for so many years, having slept in more or less every morning since I moved to Manchester, (almost 3 years ago). But fear not it can be done, and feeling fresh (after a cup of coffee of course!.... I'm not a superhuman).
Working at the yard along with Tom, and Andrew both builders/carpenters/outdoorsie labourers by trade, soon showed me the ropes and got me involved, I mainly spend time "buffing" the wood thats been cut/milled/measured to size to bring back the color to the otherwise dull piece of timber, using basically and elaborate circular piece of sandpaper on a motor.....but instead of sandpaper it's a circualr metal brush that can certainly shred anything it comes into contact with. My first day on the buffer was excrutiating, forearm muscles were in agony, and I had to keep stopping to allow the blood to return to my rapidly flopping arms, and try and make it look as though I was adjusting my safety specs, or gloves.... However now a week on, I can safely say that with forearms the size of the average human thigh, I can quite happily buff away all day.
When i'm not buffing the wood, i'll be sanding away sharp edges on timber, or cutting any odd bits of wood (scrap) into firewood. This is actually by far the easiest job and in the sun can lead to a fantastic tan..Whilst the sun was out today (and with not much work on) I was using the power saw to cut the mound of firewood that had been building for the last few months, Sleeves rolled all the way up, to blend my tan line and farmers arm, to both Tom and Andrew's amusement, "don't you want to put some sun bloc on?" "Nah.... us pommies are bred to burn...."
Driving the forklift truck is actually really fun, and not nearly as hard as it looks, that said I did today try for about 5 minutes to move the damn vehicle, not realising it was in "parked" mode, and therefore nothing I was shouting at it was gonna make it move, the driving is easy, using the forks will need a bit more practice.
As you will all now presumably be aware there's been a devastating Earthquake in Christchurch, and measured 6.3 on the old "can't remember spelling (Richter) scale" which was less magnitude than the previous Quake they suffered in september of last year, however it was only 5km below the surface of the ground, whereas in September it was 32km down, so as you can imagine, a lot more structural damage, and loss of lives, It's true as they've been saying that Christchurch is no longer Christchurch, as everything that made it fpr what it was is now destroyed, or about to crumble. The loss of life and of course the hundreds still missing is a massive blow to New Zealand, and is now considered New Zealand's worst natural disaster. Seeing the realism of it all on the news certainly got my emotions running, and I can only thank my lucky stars that I was picked up by Carl and Dallas and offered work, because had I carried on travelling i'm sure I would have ended up in Christchurch about this time, and things might not have been the same, but sadness and emotions behind still loving it here. We felt the quake, at the yard and was a surreal experience, to not have control of your balance, even though you're stood upright as you normally would.
Can't really think of much else to report, but i'll edit/update if I do.
Oh, I built a big tool shelf today..... there we go, haha something for you to be amazed at, I expect messages of appraisal and congratualtions from you all at any time.
Thursday 17 February 2011
To start i'll have the "hitch-hike", then i'd like the "job" to follow, oh and can I get a side of "Accommodation" .... Cheers Bro!
So yeah, how fate changes, and at the best of times, having pretty much run my money dry in Queenstown it was a no-brainer but to up & leave.... although when you're "SKINT AS BRO" it's not gonna be easy to get to the "next destination" i'd planned on heading north, Nelson/Blenheim via Christchurch (Heavier traffic flow). and indeed they all say NZ is the safest place to hitch.
Having started decidedly late to Hitch, packing my bag at 12pm almost 4 hours after the usual "8am headoff" of usual travellers, backpackers and general vagabonds, I'd finally got my stuff together, and met up with Irish for a quick goodbye and (Toast & jam... no butter) and a pack of instant noodles for the journey...ahhh good friends are hard to come-by. Luckily one of her friends was heading to Queenstwon airport that day, so having grabbed a lift in the mini van I jumped out in Frankton, where all the main roads out of Queenstown start from.
Being slightly geographically retarded, (despite having the map) I was hitching to Christchurch (Sign in hand) on the "south road" only headin to "Invercargill" when two other hitchers kindly pointed it out that I was indeed on the wrong road, and that was probably why I was having no luck.... I mean who could resist picking up me... charming smile.... witty banter and well i'll leave the rest up to you.
Finally slogging up the highway onto the correct road, I'm stood sign in hand for about 1 hour and half... in the blazing sun, untill finally a farmer on his way back up the road offers me a lift, "only 10km down the road son, is that alright?" ..."hey if it's creating a bigger distance between here and Queenstown, and getting me closer to the North, who can complain!". So I jump in, finding despite being an old-timer he'd done a fair amount of travelling in his younger years, and thought well upon my intentions, and as I say he dropped me off 10km down the road. saying cheerio, and with the option that if I was still stood there on his way back into town I could spend the night, I get the sign back out, luckily this time being stood on a well-used Hitch hiking spot. I'd only been waiting a mere 5 minutes before i'm picked up by "Dallas, and Carl" who're on their way via "Cromwell-where you wanna be heading if you're going up to Christchurch" back home to "Clyde" again getting chatting about my intentions in New Zealand, how long i'd been here, what i'd been up to etc and of course with the usual, "bloody pommy" here and there (all in good humour). As it was getting rather late by this time, 6pm they offer for me to spend the night at theirs, (by the state of the car.... the work wagon) I assume that a night's stay in a rough & tumble house couldn't be frowned upon, certainly beats sleeping on the roadside which I guess I would've ended up doing. We arrive at the shack..... well it's more like a bloody millionaire's pad, with several bedrooms, all mod cons, open plan kitchen/diner sun deck, balcony, not to mention the gym, and table tennis room... I'd certainly hit lucky for the night.
We head on over to the old post office, which has been done-up into a fantastic pub/restaurant with a great beer garden, we soon let the alcohol flow, and start contemplating the imminant outbreak of WWIII, what with all the uprisings in Egypt, and Bahrain...(still clued up on world affairs don't worry, i'm not that ignorant). only when it comes to my plans up north and their upturned noses at me wanting to go Fruit picking (which i've still no qualms about), they advise me it's not well paid, and that I'd be better working for them for a while....So I take them up on that offer, not wanting to waste good chances, who knows when the next opportunity such as that will arise, so what with great accommodation, the guarantee of some work for a month or so it couldn't be better....well the fact that i'm now learning to drive for free also...maybe it just did!
A day-trip to Dunedin to explore a bit more of New Zealand was fantastic, we acomplished some work commitments, a trip to the dentist, and a beer on the beach, White sand, blue sea's and waves a surfer would get overly excited about. (see picture).
So what's the job? I hear you wondering as you're reading this, well: I'm currently working for "ironwood timbers" (www.ironwood.co.nz) in a nutshell, we recycle old Australian hardwood, taken from bridges that we demolish, old telegraph poles and wherever there may be some old timber, we buy this wood, do it up and then sell it on to individuals, businesses and whatnot for use in housing etc, it's a pretty high-end luxury item and only 2 people do this kind of work in the whole of New Zealand, (our company being one of them) and therefore reflects in the price, you pay for what you get, and you certainly get an individual piece of timber, with character, history and a design like no other (As each piece is unique). we also build bridges too.
So Mum and Opa, I know after all the time we've spent together over the years of me grumbling & occasionally groaning over DIY, you'll both be pleased to know i'v e donned the gloves, the hard boots, and ear-muffs and getting my hands dirty. It's really physical, but working outdoors surrounded by mountains and brilliant sunshine, who can complain. oh an extra brownie points coming my way from mum.... Yup I rewired and fixed up an old wood buffer, so when you taught me how to rewire a plug etc.... it did sink in, even if it appeared at the time to have fallen on deaf ears.
So having updated about a weeks worth for you after having finished work for the weekend, i'll keep you updated of the goings on etc,
all the best from "Downunder" x
Having started decidedly late to Hitch, packing my bag at 12pm almost 4 hours after the usual "8am headoff" of usual travellers, backpackers and general vagabonds, I'd finally got my stuff together, and met up with Irish for a quick goodbye and (Toast & jam... no butter) and a pack of instant noodles for the journey...ahhh good friends are hard to come-by. Luckily one of her friends was heading to Queenstwon airport that day, so having grabbed a lift in the mini van I jumped out in Frankton, where all the main roads out of Queenstown start from.
Being slightly geographically retarded, (despite having the map) I was hitching to Christchurch (Sign in hand) on the "south road" only headin to "Invercargill" when two other hitchers kindly pointed it out that I was indeed on the wrong road, and that was probably why I was having no luck.... I mean who could resist picking up me... charming smile.... witty banter and well i'll leave the rest up to you.
Finally slogging up the highway onto the correct road, I'm stood sign in hand for about 1 hour and half... in the blazing sun, untill finally a farmer on his way back up the road offers me a lift, "only 10km down the road son, is that alright?" ..."hey if it's creating a bigger distance between here and Queenstown, and getting me closer to the North, who can complain!". So I jump in, finding despite being an old-timer he'd done a fair amount of travelling in his younger years, and thought well upon my intentions, and as I say he dropped me off 10km down the road. saying cheerio, and with the option that if I was still stood there on his way back into town I could spend the night, I get the sign back out, luckily this time being stood on a well-used Hitch hiking spot. I'd only been waiting a mere 5 minutes before i'm picked up by "Dallas, and Carl" who're on their way via "Cromwell-where you wanna be heading if you're going up to Christchurch" back home to "Clyde" again getting chatting about my intentions in New Zealand, how long i'd been here, what i'd been up to etc and of course with the usual, "bloody pommy" here and there (all in good humour). As it was getting rather late by this time, 6pm they offer for me to spend the night at theirs, (by the state of the car.... the work wagon) I assume that a night's stay in a rough & tumble house couldn't be frowned upon, certainly beats sleeping on the roadside which I guess I would've ended up doing. We arrive at the shack..... well it's more like a bloody millionaire's pad, with several bedrooms, all mod cons, open plan kitchen/diner sun deck, balcony, not to mention the gym, and table tennis room... I'd certainly hit lucky for the night.
We head on over to the old post office, which has been done-up into a fantastic pub/restaurant with a great beer garden, we soon let the alcohol flow, and start contemplating the imminant outbreak of WWIII, what with all the uprisings in Egypt, and Bahrain...(still clued up on world affairs don't worry, i'm not that ignorant). only when it comes to my plans up north and their upturned noses at me wanting to go Fruit picking (which i've still no qualms about), they advise me it's not well paid, and that I'd be better working for them for a while....So I take them up on that offer, not wanting to waste good chances, who knows when the next opportunity such as that will arise, so what with great accommodation, the guarantee of some work for a month or so it couldn't be better....well the fact that i'm now learning to drive for free also...maybe it just did!
A day-trip to Dunedin to explore a bit more of New Zealand was fantastic, we acomplished some work commitments, a trip to the dentist, and a beer on the beach, White sand, blue sea's and waves a surfer would get overly excited about. (see picture).
So what's the job? I hear you wondering as you're reading this, well: I'm currently working for "ironwood timbers" (www.ironwood.co.nz) in a nutshell, we recycle old Australian hardwood, taken from bridges that we demolish, old telegraph poles and wherever there may be some old timber, we buy this wood, do it up and then sell it on to individuals, businesses and whatnot for use in housing etc, it's a pretty high-end luxury item and only 2 people do this kind of work in the whole of New Zealand, (our company being one of them) and therefore reflects in the price, you pay for what you get, and you certainly get an individual piece of timber, with character, history and a design like no other (As each piece is unique). we also build bridges too.
So Mum and Opa, I know after all the time we've spent together over the years of me grumbling & occasionally groaning over DIY, you'll both be pleased to know i'v e donned the gloves, the hard boots, and ear-muffs and getting my hands dirty. It's really physical, but working outdoors surrounded by mountains and brilliant sunshine, who can complain. oh an extra brownie points coming my way from mum.... Yup I rewired and fixed up an old wood buffer, so when you taught me how to rewire a plug etc.... it did sink in, even if it appeared at the time to have fallen on deaf ears.
So having updated about a weeks worth for you after having finished work for the weekend, i'll keep you updated of the goings on etc,
all the best from "Downunder" x
Friday 4 February 2011
Wednesday 2 February 2011
Some more January Queenstown!
Here's the link to the rest of the photo's
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=596816&id=559330477&l=fe18c526ea
Goodbye Hostel, Goodbye Call Centre ...... Hello relentless CV handing out!
So as you can probably assume by the name of this post, the fact I played the "oh I didn't realise I had to work weekends at the hostel" it didn't work, so I was asked to check-out.... which I did, but I never actually left the hostel.... Somehow I managed to stay there for another 3 nights (for free) without being caught, it was perfect for getting to work, which in turn I was let-go from, however this in fairness wasn't from my lack of trying, I was working as hard as everyone else, but having to keep figures up, andone who wasn't performing as well as the rest were let-go, so myself and the guy who started at the same time as me (Mark), both became unemployed together.
Deciding to go out again on the piss, this time in Camouflage paints, vests, shorts and army boots!!! Scouse, Jordan, Liam and myself managed to go through about 25 jaegerbombs each, plus whatever else we managed to put away.
Unfortunately the next day on the way back to the Hostel, I was caught by Joi the night manager, who realised I wasn't supposed to be there anymore asked what I was up to, replying that I was only running upstairs to grab something, he let me past. Naiively thinking i'd gotten away with it, I was awoken an hour later with a torch being shone into my face by Joi, telling me to leave immediately.... Dammit!
Although not all is lost, Twiggy to the rescue, and luckily, he's said it's OK for me to stay at his for a few days whilst I try and sort myself out! Cv's are being handed out everywhere, and hopefully something will come up soon... watch this space!
Peace !! x
Deciding to go out again on the piss, this time in Camouflage paints, vests, shorts and army boots!!! Scouse, Jordan, Liam and myself managed to go through about 25 jaegerbombs each, plus whatever else we managed to put away.
Unfortunately the next day on the way back to the Hostel, I was caught by Joi the night manager, who realised I wasn't supposed to be there anymore asked what I was up to, replying that I was only running upstairs to grab something, he let me past. Naiively thinking i'd gotten away with it, I was awoken an hour later with a torch being shone into my face by Joi, telling me to leave immediately.... Dammit!
Although not all is lost, Twiggy to the rescue, and luckily, he's said it's OK for me to stay at his for a few days whilst I try and sort myself out! Cv's are being handed out everywhere, and hopefully something will come up soon... watch this space!
Peace !! x
Ben, Beers, Buffalo bar... and Beaver Liquors!
[enters] Ben Coles:
So a good friend of mine from back at school, whom we shared Maths class together some 4 years ago, lives over in Wellington doing film production, and was coming down to Queenstown for the weekend.
He met me after my Friday night drinks with work, using some of my well earned drinking points I purchased a few "man handles" (massive jugs of beer). We caught up over the last few years reminisced about school and tales of teachers, gossip of students and all the usual that you would expect when meeting up with an old school friend.
We then decided to head to the Liquor store, to purchase a bottle of vodka, some coke, and head back to the holiday apartment where he had been staying, when we began walking there towards Frankton (near Queenstown.... or so we thought) it was perfect weather, and only about half way along did it start to piss it down! by the time we arrived we were drenched as though we had just swum round the lake to get there instead of walking.
Luckily Ben had enough clothes to lend me some to wear whilst we hung ours up in the bathroom to dry (which still weren't dry by the next day). about half a bottle of vodka and coke later, and deciding it was time to unleash ourselves upon Queenstown, we called ourselves a taxi and headed into town. Unfortunately I had to work at the Hostel (that little annoyingly timed job I mentioned before). So I head over to work, and left a slighlty worse for wear ben in "world bar" the club where everyone always seems to end up. Trying to finish all my duties as quick as possible, and falling over computer tables, (yup again as mentioned before) I eventually finish and give Ben a text, only to find he's headed back to his apartment. (probably the best idea).
So I head to bed, only to be woken @ 3:30am.... for the party, which means the next day when I meet up with ben i'm not in the best frame, but he's had a decent sleep. We decide to take a road trip, which for me is great as i'd not left QT untill then, we take a nice trip to Glenorchy, Paradise and Skippers Canyon, which are various locations where Lord of The Rings films were all filmed. taking loads of photo's (some of which will be on this blog soon) we had a very relaxing day and more of a catch up, ready to hit the town and go out again that night.
We meet up again that night, and chill with the rest of the guys from my room, where we all get to know one another, and get drunk before we head out and hit the town, starting off all together it's not long untill we somehow lose one another, and Ben, Myself and a guy called Andy who also works at the call centre were in World bar again (I told you we always end up there).
Having such a good night, and making the most of the time whilst Ben was down I took it upon myself not to go to the hostel job (I did mention I only did 3 days). I figured i'd try and calim I though it was only Mon-Fri job.... (It didn't work).
I managed to introduce Ben to some random German girl and let's just saw he seemed to be doing pretty well (I'm such a good wingman)..... I myself was trying my luck with a Norwegian girl, and having managed to be successful and get a bit of a kiss, she then decided to tell me the 4 words, no guy wants to hear.... "I have a boyfriend" to which she didn't approve of my answer saying, "I have a goldfish" ..... going home empty handed, and sneaking past reception I finally headed to bed. (It appears Ben was more successful).
[oh and Beaver Liquor's is the very cunning name of a liquor store in town] photo's will come one day.
So a good friend of mine from back at school, whom we shared Maths class together some 4 years ago, lives over in Wellington doing film production, and was coming down to Queenstown for the weekend.
He met me after my Friday night drinks with work, using some of my well earned drinking points I purchased a few "man handles" (massive jugs of beer). We caught up over the last few years reminisced about school and tales of teachers, gossip of students and all the usual that you would expect when meeting up with an old school friend.
We then decided to head to the Liquor store, to purchase a bottle of vodka, some coke, and head back to the holiday apartment where he had been staying, when we began walking there towards Frankton (near Queenstown.... or so we thought) it was perfect weather, and only about half way along did it start to piss it down! by the time we arrived we were drenched as though we had just swum round the lake to get there instead of walking.
Luckily Ben had enough clothes to lend me some to wear whilst we hung ours up in the bathroom to dry (which still weren't dry by the next day). about half a bottle of vodka and coke later, and deciding it was time to unleash ourselves upon Queenstown, we called ourselves a taxi and headed into town. Unfortunately I had to work at the Hostel (that little annoyingly timed job I mentioned before). So I head over to work, and left a slighlty worse for wear ben in "world bar" the club where everyone always seems to end up. Trying to finish all my duties as quick as possible, and falling over computer tables, (yup again as mentioned before) I eventually finish and give Ben a text, only to find he's headed back to his apartment. (probably the best idea).
So I head to bed, only to be woken @ 3:30am.... for the party, which means the next day when I meet up with ben i'm not in the best frame, but he's had a decent sleep. We decide to take a road trip, which for me is great as i'd not left QT untill then, we take a nice trip to Glenorchy, Paradise and Skippers Canyon, which are various locations where Lord of The Rings films were all filmed. taking loads of photo's (some of which will be on this blog soon) we had a very relaxing day and more of a catch up, ready to hit the town and go out again that night.
We meet up again that night, and chill with the rest of the guys from my room, where we all get to know one another, and get drunk before we head out and hit the town, starting off all together it's not long untill we somehow lose one another, and Ben, Myself and a guy called Andy who also works at the call centre were in World bar again (I told you we always end up there).
Having such a good night, and making the most of the time whilst Ben was down I took it upon myself not to go to the hostel job (I did mention I only did 3 days). I figured i'd try and calim I though it was only Mon-Fri job.... (It didn't work).
I managed to introduce Ben to some random German girl and let's just saw he seemed to be doing pretty well (I'm such a good wingman)..... I myself was trying my luck with a Norwegian girl, and having managed to be successful and get a bit of a kiss, she then decided to tell me the 4 words, no guy wants to hear.... "I have a boyfriend" to which she didn't approve of my answer saying, "I have a goldfish" ..... going home empty handed, and sneaking past reception I finally headed to bed. (It appears Ben was more successful).
[oh and Beaver Liquor's is the very cunning name of a liquor store in town] photo's will come one day.
It's just a very quick call..... I'm not trying to sell you anything.
Call Centre:
So as mentioned I'd gotten myself a job at the call centre, not the most desireable job, but a job nevertheless. My first shift was more or less a training day, which involved more breaks than any actual work, (but that is I assume because Skippy, the shift manager was very hungover). 3 of us started on that day, Mark, Orlagh and myself, through brief introductions, breaks, some role play, breaks, learning of scripts, more breaks it's eventually time to listen in to some of the other guys and girls who're on the phones and see how they go about it. Eventually after about 1 hour of listening to the other guys, and with 1 hour left of the shift we decide to pluck up the courage and finally give it a go. Making 2 "leads" in the final hour, I'm starting to think I might be quite good at the job.
Day2: It's a friday and last day of the working week for the day-shift people at the call centre, everyone's in good spirits albeit many of them still suffering from presumably the night before. Friday goes pretty quickly, and with no training today, we're thrown straight in at the deep end, To this day i'll never forget the script that we must've been repeating over and over again approximately once every 15 seconds,
here's a quick example "Hi there my name's Russ, calling from Aussie Protect, how're you doing today".
Finally we see the end of friday in sight, as a challenge "the next 5 sales, get 25 points" points are accumulated throughout the week, and used on Friday's at the bar next door.... yup thats right, even at work they encourage drinking.... Luckily, and only just I manage to grab 1final sale for the day, and end up with 25points for the bar, and point for dollar therefore means I got $25.00 of drinking funds, (not bad when you only have about $20.00 in total anyway). We all head over to the bar "Ministry of Sports" and start to socialise and I get the chance to meet the people i've just started working with.
Then comes the arrival of "Ben Coles" a friend whom i'd sat with in school, and not seen for about 3 and a half years......
So as mentioned I'd gotten myself a job at the call centre, not the most desireable job, but a job nevertheless. My first shift was more or less a training day, which involved more breaks than any actual work, (but that is I assume because Skippy, the shift manager was very hungover). 3 of us started on that day, Mark, Orlagh and myself, through brief introductions, breaks, some role play, breaks, learning of scripts, more breaks it's eventually time to listen in to some of the other guys and girls who're on the phones and see how they go about it. Eventually after about 1 hour of listening to the other guys, and with 1 hour left of the shift we decide to pluck up the courage and finally give it a go. Making 2 "leads" in the final hour, I'm starting to think I might be quite good at the job.
Day2: It's a friday and last day of the working week for the day-shift people at the call centre, everyone's in good spirits albeit many of them still suffering from presumably the night before. Friday goes pretty quickly, and with no training today, we're thrown straight in at the deep end, To this day i'll never forget the script that we must've been repeating over and over again approximately once every 15 seconds,
here's a quick example "Hi there my name's Russ, calling from Aussie Protect, how're you doing today".
Finally we see the end of friday in sight, as a challenge "the next 5 sales, get 25 points" points are accumulated throughout the week, and used on Friday's at the bar next door.... yup thats right, even at work they encourage drinking.... Luckily, and only just I manage to grab 1final sale for the day, and end up with 25points for the bar, and point for dollar therefore means I got $25.00 of drinking funds, (not bad when you only have about $20.00 in total anyway). We all head over to the bar "Ministry of Sports" and start to socialise and I get the chance to meet the people i've just started working with.
Then comes the arrival of "Ben Coles" a friend whom i'd sat with in school, and not seen for about 3 and a half years......
The Slum, the fun, and the 3:30am party till dawn!
So yet again it's been far and few between my blog posts, (don't say I didn't warn you at the very beginning) but as usual i've been pretty busy enjoying everything that Queenstown has to offer, and making friends and keeping myself very busy.
I mentioned that I'd gotten myself a job at the Hostel being a "night security guard" which lasted a grand sum of 3 days, as I was "Working for accomodation" I was then allowed into the "notrious staff dorms" which for better word to describe it, the slums of India are tidier. Creeping into the room "322-no trolls allowed" the dark soon hit me, and stumbling and bumping into pretty much everything and everyone's bed's I soon made enough noise for at least one of the other WFA's to stir from their deep slumber, "which is the spare bed" I whisper in a "i'm the annoying new guy gonna wake you all up voice", with a grunt and a point, Jordan (we're good mates now) points to a bottom bed bunk, which looks more or less like a dumping ground rather than a bed anyone could ever perform any kind of activity on, other than creating oneself a jumble sale!
Fuck it! I dump all my stuff onto the bed andhastily make my exit, deciding to unpack when there may be better chance of someone not being in the room asleep (which I was far too premature in my thinking, there is literally always someone asleep at some point throughout the day.
I did however venture back into the room later on that day to unpack my bags, and meet everyone in the room. (Mary, Ali, Courtney, Jordan, Adrian and James). Quick introductions are made, names very quickly forgotten and plans of what to do that night soon began. "blondie" was the nickname assigned to me, as they forgot my name and went for the next best thing. Working the 2am-4am shift at the hostel was anything but fun, don't get me wrong it was very easy work, but just mundane and the hours were hellish, when everyone else was out and about having fun, it meant, (at the time) I couldn't get too inhibriated before work, and couldn't go back out after. Shift 1 was a quiet one and I was soon allowed to dissappear after a mere hours work $29ph equiv, thank you very much. Shift 2 involved me going out before hand... hey I had to test the waters somehow, being slightly intoxicated again the shift was easy, mundane and suprisingly seemed to go a little quicker, with a few "handles of beer, and vodka's down my throat". Shift 3 (the final shift) Involved getting pretty tanked before work, and arriving or to be more accurate stumbling to work, again same work, but went even quicker, despite falling over the computer tables whilst hoovering. work complete and it's straight off to bed.....zzzZZZZ.....3:30am, there's a disturbance in the room, Mary, Jordan, James(Scouse) are all being noisey and drinking.... Scouse: "oh sorry were you asleep?" knowing fullwell I was asleep..... Jordan: "Do you want a drink?" Me/Blondie: "Yeah fuck it, why not" so I quickly throw back on the shorts and tee, and get involved with the Drinking shenanigans, it's 4:00am and we're playing some effortless drinking/card game (a.k.a higher or lower) which eventually turned into just passing a bottle of vodka, mixed with whisky round the group, music blaring at full volume and enjoying the best of Whitney Houston's "I will always love you" it's not long untill Joi (The night security/reception guy, whom I work with) is telling us off and forcing us to keep the noise down, which didn't really work, as we carried on drinking (albeit with a less intense volume of Whitney Houston). Somehow and we all spoke about this in the morning, but we all ended up in Mary's bunk, (top bunk I should add) and none of us really know quite how it happened.
I mentioned that I'd gotten myself a job at the Hostel being a "night security guard" which lasted a grand sum of 3 days, as I was "Working for accomodation" I was then allowed into the "notrious staff dorms" which for better word to describe it, the slums of India are tidier. Creeping into the room "322-no trolls allowed" the dark soon hit me, and stumbling and bumping into pretty much everything and everyone's bed's I soon made enough noise for at least one of the other WFA's to stir from their deep slumber, "which is the spare bed" I whisper in a "i'm the annoying new guy gonna wake you all up voice", with a grunt and a point, Jordan (we're good mates now) points to a bottom bed bunk, which looks more or less like a dumping ground rather than a bed anyone could ever perform any kind of activity on, other than creating oneself a jumble sale!
Fuck it! I dump all my stuff onto the bed andhastily make my exit, deciding to unpack when there may be better chance of someone not being in the room asleep (which I was far too premature in my thinking, there is literally always someone asleep at some point throughout the day.
I did however venture back into the room later on that day to unpack my bags, and meet everyone in the room. (Mary, Ali, Courtney, Jordan, Adrian and James). Quick introductions are made, names very quickly forgotten and plans of what to do that night soon began. "blondie" was the nickname assigned to me, as they forgot my name and went for the next best thing. Working the 2am-4am shift at the hostel was anything but fun, don't get me wrong it was very easy work, but just mundane and the hours were hellish, when everyone else was out and about having fun, it meant, (at the time) I couldn't get too inhibriated before work, and couldn't go back out after. Shift 1 was a quiet one and I was soon allowed to dissappear after a mere hours work $29ph equiv, thank you very much. Shift 2 involved me going out before hand... hey I had to test the waters somehow, being slightly intoxicated again the shift was easy, mundane and suprisingly seemed to go a little quicker, with a few "handles of beer, and vodka's down my throat". Shift 3 (the final shift) Involved getting pretty tanked before work, and arriving or to be more accurate stumbling to work, again same work, but went even quicker, despite falling over the computer tables whilst hoovering. work complete and it's straight off to bed.....zzzZZZZ.....3:30am, there's a disturbance in the room, Mary, Jordan, James(Scouse) are all being noisey and drinking.... Scouse: "oh sorry were you asleep?" knowing fullwell I was asleep..... Jordan: "Do you want a drink?" Me/Blondie: "Yeah fuck it, why not" so I quickly throw back on the shorts and tee, and get involved with the Drinking shenanigans, it's 4:00am and we're playing some effortless drinking/card game (a.k.a higher or lower) which eventually turned into just passing a bottle of vodka, mixed with whisky round the group, music blaring at full volume and enjoying the best of Whitney Houston's "I will always love you" it's not long untill Joi (The night security/reception guy, whom I work with) is telling us off and forcing us to keep the noise down, which didn't really work, as we carried on drinking (albeit with a less intense volume of Whitney Houston). Somehow and we all spoke about this in the morning, but we all ended up in Mary's bunk, (top bunk I should add) and none of us really know quite how it happened.
Monday 24 January 2011
People Come & Go, But Friendships Remain Forever...
So it's been a while since I’ve last posted.... yup still alive (only just) but I have been really busy (seriously). Having met some of the most amazing people over the last week or so, friendships form fast and strong, and we were inseparable. It's hard to think they are all now travelling off to continue their stories elsewhere.
Firstly there were the two Norwegian girls, Mari & Kat, both 19 and travelling for 4 months, in their “year off” between school and university, we soon got chatting over our love of “Fergburgers” and the patagonia's ice cream. We fast became good friends, and spent the nights, playing cards (things don't change ….) and drinking games. The great fact is that cards is pretty much universal and through hands feet and gestures of all sorts, we soon all understood the rules and got playing (although their English was near perfect.... almost better than mine). Over the next few days we also got more and more annoyed with “John”... the smelly Irish guy in our room.... he STUNK, slept with all his clothes on and his “runners”.... which were the worst smelling things ever, it wasn't long until we had to confront him and ask him to put his shoes outside during the night... for the benefit of everyone in our room.
After a couple of days sees the arrival of Shaun (UK), Julian (Germany) and a girl who's name I forget (Japan). They had met elsewhere in NZ and banded together and were travelling around, with the use of a car rental. This meant many more tales, stories and experiences shared, and many more games of cards, Mexican 4 card poker, Irish kings and Speed to name but a few. We spent the evenings chilling cards, drinking and hitting the town.
Meanwhile I must mention that I had handed my CV's around town, and also dropped one in at the recruitment agency when they called me back for a Job interview. It's nothing glamorous but... a Job is a job, I'm going to be working in a call centre selling life insurance and funeral protection.... it's for the meantime at least, pays well $15.00ph which is one of the best rates around town, offers incentives, (drinking tokens) and the hours are perfect. 11am-5pm which is perfect for the slow mornings when you can't be bothered to move and at 5pm it's still sunny, hot and a good few hours left of the evening.
January 21st, Shaun Julian & I decide it's a great idea, whilst still pissed presumably, to book ourselves in on some adventure/adrenaline experiences, Shaun decides he'll do the Nevis (134m) Bungy, which gave him 20 minutes to prepare, and …. find some shoes. While we book all 3 of us on the River Rapid Surfing for the next day. An excited and sleepless night finally finds us on river-surfing day, so we meet at the designated area, and get the mini bus to the Kawarau river, the only river flowing out of lake Wakatipu (there are 9 rivers flowing in.) River surfing involves, getting kitted out head to toe in a wet suit, life vest, helmet, flippers, and of course the surfboard, (soon to be our best friends (and survival aid). We start off with the some basic training in the shallow waters, barrel rolls, duck dives, and practising getting back on your board, should you fall off...(which does happen). Eventually it's time to surf and we soon find ourselves travelling at some serious speeds, 80kmph and being thrown up and over some serious waves, “Man-Eater” was the first rapid we came upon and it certainly gives you an impression of the name, with huge waves intending to throw you off your board, you struggle to stay on and tackle the waves, going under water and drinking half the river is part of the experience. On the first run we stop off half way to go cliff jumping, where we clamber up the rocky hill (Still in flippers, and all gear) and throw ourselves some 5m into the river below. We reach our end-zone and it's time to choose if your brave enough to do it all again, unfortunately for Julian (who had already been suffering from a knackered ankle) had been dragged under water quite badly, and must have been under for about 6 or so seconds, which had completely freaked him and he decided to give round 2 a miss. However Shaun and myself undeterred go for it.
Even more tired and worn out this time it's time to step it up a notch and as half the group had dropped out it was time to get serious, we would be left more or less unsupervised (well as far as could be allowed, rules & regulations) and we were going to attempt “Squirting” where you find an under water current, and sink your board, and shoot forward about 10 metres or so in a number of seconds submerged for the entire time. Sadly I was unable to successfully “squirt” for more than a second or so, Shaun however was a bit more successful, having managed a reasonable attempt he soon found himself about 10 metres further down the river, heading straight for the rocks at the edge. I managed to get cramp about halfway through the second run in my left calf and more or less made it impossible for me to swim let alone anything else, through a combination of one footed kicking and being dragged by the guide we eventually make it to the side, and head back to the van and head back to town. All in all it was thoroughly exhilarating, and I'd definitely do it again.
Sadly today and yesterday has seen the departure of both Shaun, Julian and Japanese girl, and Mari & Kat. It's been surprisingly difficult to say goodbye to friends that you've made in such a short time, and I never though it possible to become such good friends in only a few days, However knowing we all now have each other on Facebook and other means of communication, I’ve no doubt that we'll keep in touch and possibly even meet up again.
Having been a little reckless with my money and spending over the past few weeks, I'm sort of running low on funds, and also having spent what seemed like my last few dollars on the river surfing..... although it's all with no regrets, and having just enough money to book a further 10 nights in the Hostel, and buy some pasta, instant noodles, milk and cheese should keep me going at least for a little while more. Annoyingly having thought I was starting work Today (Monday 24th) I was phoned earlier and told I'm now not starting for a further week. I love and hate Hostel living, the social side of meeting people is fantastic and cannot be beaten although, not being able to unpack and living out of a locker under the bed and worrying about making too much noise that you might wake someone else up. (As there ALWAYS seems to be someone in bed, at some point throughout the entire day.) but it's perfect for now, as I've booked my nights in and the kitchen is big enough that some 30 individuals can all cook at the same time, (Talk about too many cooks).
Other than that my days have been spent doing some long walks, to various bays around the lake and sunbathing once I arrive there, and short bursts of swimming (but the lake is freezing so any prolonged swimming is not achievable).
That's pretty much it for now folks... x
Sunday 16 January 2011
Sun, Shopping and Surf-shop job applied for....
here are some more pics to emphasise how awesome this day has been so far... and it's only 11:45am ;)
For more pics follow the link here:
For more pics follow the link here:
Doubt i'll be uploading many more video's.... Taking AGES! and raping my internet credits...
Skype.... and the fail!
So today involved getting up extra early in order to try and skype home..... well it wasn't having any of it except testing my patience....
Will try again tomo!
Saturday 15 January 2011
Another day in paradise, many more dollars spent!
Birthdays & beef dinners:
It's been a fantastic first few days in Queenstown, the weather is fantastic, and the people are awesome, Yesterday involved being greeted by Twiggy, Court, Rich (In a pink panther costume), the great Dane and the “shit-stain” (but equally awesome)(2 Danish girls we met) at out hostel room, “drinks?” …. does a bear shit in the woods?, so off we go for another day of mischief and it seems that getting back on the sauce is the best cure for an inevitable hangover. I'm not a cider drinker, but when pitchers of cider and a table full of jaegerbombs start flowing at 1pm it's going to be a great day.
The pink-panther costume was certainly a conversation starter, and got us all attention from locals, passers-by and of course the inevitable group of Asians wielding cameras & pratsticks, we take it in turns to don the costume and ingenious/embarrassing and full on ridiculous dares are thought up. Some of which involved hugging at least 10 strangers....placing a bet at the bookies, ($5.00 each way on trap 6 Aileen...turns out she puts in on trap 4, when it comes to checking the score which dog won...trap 6.... standard!) and the best of all was lapping cider out of a dog-bowl on all fours in the middle of the road. (unlucky Court), for me it was to hitch a ride round the block off a complete stranger.
The day progresses with much of the same, banter, dares and a lot more drinks, chatting up the bar-maid and scoring myself umpteen free drinks, at least my drunken state took my mind off the fact I’m a red lobster (it's lethal sunshine out here).
Today has been Aileen's birthday and all feeling rough we decide to stay clear of the sauce... at least for a little bit, She & I made our way to Pog Mahones (Irish bar) for a roast beef dinner.... which later became good friends with the toilet bowl. (vomit free since 2003 does not apply any more. Sad times!)
Having some time alone to a) recover and b) just have some me time, leads me to thinking about Home, friends and family. It's not the fact that I'm home-sick or miss them “too much” it's more to the fact that they are unable to share the experience with me, having spent some fantastic family holidays together, it feels odd that for once I’m doing it solo, and that I don't have them to pay for my dinner!
As I sit here on a rock, with my feet dangling in the lake, and the clackety clack of my typing and the soft lapping of the waves, it's only now can I appreciate the beauty that is all around me, and the fact that the adventure has begun.
[side note, I did not realise that lakes had waves.....just saying!]
Friday 14 January 2011
Just a few pictures.... from a grey day
Thursday 13 January 2011
Here it is.... I'm here!
Melbourne, more like Me-ga hot!:
Having suffered a life-times worth of drinking in 2 days (Bangkok) hitting Melbourne it's peace out for myself. My young/tender years just can't match the drinking abilities of both Twiggy and Aileen, and after a few pints in a bar, several games of pool and fast losing all my money it's pillow-time, checking in to the hostel and grabbing the last 3 days worth of sleep i’d missed out on I felt great and was able to appreciate my feeling of freshness, despite the fact our hostel room was hotter than the epicentre of the sun. (least i've sweated out all the alcohol). Having been ridiculed for bringing a mini alarm-clock, I was the hero of the day, when we had to get up at 6:00am to get our flight's to New Zealand.... who's laughing now, and it's great to see them suffer with the hangover I avoided.
Queenstown, picture perfect, never gonna leave FACT!:
Flying in from the South of New Zealand, the views from the plane were exceptional, I've never seen anything like it, and arriving in Queenstown, I finally see the value of all the hard-graft, and pain-staking saving. It's the most amazing place i've ever seen, imagine a picture-perfect postcard.... and It's still better. The crystal blue lake, and towering mountains surrounding us is idyllic. The town is ample in size, and i've already gotten a sense of direction here. The sun was shining well on to about 10:00pm before, gracefully setting behind the mountain backdrop... (Sound amazing? It really is). Everyone's so friendly and so willing to talk, we enjoyed our first night in Queenstown drinking outside whilst the sun set's around old friends, new friends, and soon to be good friends i'm sure.
And that's me pretty much up-to-date it's the 14th January, 11:00am and glorious sun-shining so rather than sit here and type some more to you guys, i'm going to enjoy the sun, send out some cv's and set-up my new mobile number which for those who want to know is: 021 08213002 (i'm not sure of the New Zealand pre-fix area code though.)
Love to all and speak to you later, hope you're enjoying reading this and feeling insanely jealous, if so... my work here is complete. PEACE !!!
Bangkok dangerous!
Tut Tut's, Buckets and ping-pong's:
Bangkok was certainly an experience, staying on Ko San road, (where it appears all the backpackers go) is ideal for location and getting to the bars. Having broken what I can only assume is every safe-travelling rule, I still seem to be alive...just. Pad Thai from street vendors was the staple 3-times-a-day diet, and it was amazing each time, at approximately 30pence for a plate of noodles and (chicken??) who can complain. Buckets of Sam Song, (Rum, coke, red bull, and probably a whole load of other things I dread to imagine, and would make mum send me a ticket to return to the UK) ensured that the nights were a blur, and in some ways that was probably a good thing, to this day we are still all placing bets as to what ACTUALLY happened the night I went walk-abouts for 8 hours in Bangkok and lost my flip-flops, un-deterred, we tut tut it up to a massive shopping mall to buy all the fake boxers watches and clothes we could fit into our already bulging suitcases and rucksacks. Twiggy and I managed to haggle, smile and charm our way with the female watch seller into a drastic reduction on our “U-BOAT” watches, (If you don't know...google it), at approx £2.5k in England we get them for about £50.00. The second evening in Bangkok involves even more drinking (I swear i'm not an alchy....) buckets, beers and well a ping-pong show.. when in Rome ey! And without too much graphic detail (Oma, Mum I know you're reading this) lets just say, darts, balloons and birthday candles can make for an interesting night.
Feeling worse than death, we struggle our way to the airport, and check-in to our flight to Singapore, arriving in Singapore and having bags that weighed almost twice what we started with, we pay the extra baggage costs and check into our flight to Melbourne, and they lose Aileen's bag somewhere between Thailand and Australia, poor her she's been stuck in the same shorts and t-shirt for the last few days.
Posting again at last!
First Shower !!!
So, A little later than expected due to a serious lack of internet, I've finally found somewhere so I can upload this.
Bon Voyage!: Thursday January7th. Involved me getting far too excited and agitated just to get going, what I can only describe as the longest breakfast and lunch ever, it's “FINALLY” time to set off on my journey from Northallerton station, Mum, David, Oma & Opa are all there to wave me off, and not forgetting of course, the end of any credibility of any life I had in England, not only are the family there to see me off, but so is a big “bon voyage” sign that mum had been frantically making that morning...on the train iPod in (after initially forgetting it and having to turn back to get it) nothing can wipe this grin off my face, not even the guy opposite me getting merrily drunk whilst his sausage dog runs around my feet.
Taxiiiii!: 5:30pm soon arrives and meeting twiggy @ King's cross, we decide rather than take the tube to Heathrow we'll take the express train from Paddington. Both being utterly useless in London we call for a taxi to get us to Paddington much faster than it would be to locate ourselves on the given map. Stories of Christmas and new year are quickly exchanged, and it's as though we'd never spent the last month apart... now to find the Irish one, who'd been sat in Heathrow all day having flown in that morning from Ireland.
Check-In: We locate our check-in desk and yours truly starts the procedure of getting bags weighed and labelled, when Mr. Unhelpful decides he'll go out of his way to be awkward about bags, weight limits and weather or not we can actually fly to Bangkok from Heathrow (despite the fact we were stopping over in Delhi). After passports go walkies, and laptops are taken out of bags to bring down the weight (and promptly replaced when his eyes are averted) we've finally done it. Leg 1 of the journey is ready and we've got seats together. Lets hit the bar!
Foreigners are not able to exchange currency!: The flight is pretty smooth and in-flight entertainment, food and yes copious amounts of free drinks, Aileen and I had come up with a fool-proof plan to lure the air-hostesses into giving us free drinks seemed to work a treat, and finally getting a couple of “dozing hours” kip we hit Delhi, which is without too fine a point a dump of an airport, and we had 13 hours to kill. We stretched out our last remaining £10.00 sterling into 2 curry dinners 2 Pepsi's 3 cartons of Tropicana, 3 bounty's 1 Mars bar and a bottle of water (I challenge you to do that anywhere else).
Bangkok, broken bags and bed: Finally after the 13 hours drag by we check in, and get settled for the brief 4 hour flight, running pretty smoothly (but sadly no alcohol this time) we arrive in Bangkok, Customs takes forever and once I'm finally through It's off to claim baggage... or what's left of it. Yup that’s right my bag managed to have both straps come undone, leaving the bag open to the elements, I'm actually thankful for mum's OCD way of packing as having everything in clear plastic bags means that all clothes are kept together and so-far none seem to have gone astray.
Taxi !: whilst waiting to get a taxi another UK backpacker behind us ended up going to the same road we were on, so sharing a taxi soon finds ourselves getting across Bangkok for a bit less between the 4 of us, and life stories are exchanged, finally arriving on “(Find road name and insert later [EDIT: Ko San road]) road” we check into our hotel, a double room for the three of us is ample, a massive bed on the floor, and a shower....which after almost 36 hours was the best feeling ever. Being all clean and waiting for the other two to get up (As I write this blog), we're gonna hit the town, get some food and do some shopping, and end up watching the United v. Liverpool match tonight (you can take the boy out of Manchester, but you can't take the Manchester out of the boy), followed by what I'm only assuming will conclude in tomorrow being day 1 of the hangover diaries....
Saturday 1 January 2011
Is the world prepared for me....Or am I prepared for it....
So this the first post, on what I can only assume will become a travel blog that will, over time become more neglected. I plan on posting every few days, and keep you guys (and myself for future reference) up to date on all the shennanigans, experiences and mishaps of the next few years. Here goes....
It's New Years Day 2011, and having spent what I can only describe as a lifetime waiting for the last 5 months to pass. It's finally less than a week untill I depart, having done the usual business of leaving everything to the last minute (thats right I've only just checked I booked all my flights). It appears that by some miracle i'm actually sorted.
The Christmas holidays have been mainly spent seeing relatives and friends .."one last time" before I set off, best thing is that I can milk this to my advantage. Evening meals are made around what "I" would like. May aswell make the most of it before living on a diet of budget bread & cheese and presumably more cold macaroni in a tin....[Bern - Switzerland Interrailing in 2008 with Leo, where we took "living on a shoestring" to a whole new level].
The Journey begins from "Northallerton > Heathrow > Delhi > Singapore > Bangkok (2 nights) > Melbourne (1 night) > Queenstown! leaving on the 7th January and arriving finally after stop-off's and time differences on the 13th Jan.
As for now, not sure what to expect, other than to expect the unexpected.
It's New Years Day 2011, and having spent what I can only describe as a lifetime waiting for the last 5 months to pass. It's finally less than a week untill I depart, having done the usual business of leaving everything to the last minute (thats right I've only just checked I booked all my flights). It appears that by some miracle i'm actually sorted.
The Christmas holidays have been mainly spent seeing relatives and friends .."one last time" before I set off, best thing is that I can milk this to my advantage. Evening meals are made around what "I" would like. May aswell make the most of it before living on a diet of budget bread & cheese and presumably more cold macaroni in a tin....[Bern - Switzerland Interrailing in 2008 with Leo, where we took "living on a shoestring" to a whole new level].
The Journey begins from "Northallerton > Heathrow > Delhi > Singapore > Bangkok (2 nights) > Melbourne (1 night) > Queenstown! leaving on the 7th January and arriving finally after stop-off's and time differences on the 13th Jan.
As for now, not sure what to expect, other than to expect the unexpected.
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