New Zealand: Day 5 - Wellington

Saturday, November 23, 2013

I caught an overnight bus at 12:05am which arrived in Wellington at 7:00am. I thought I could just sleep through it and be in Wellington in the morning. But, it was a nightmare. The seats barely reclined and I had an aisle seat, so no window to lean my head against. I barely slept and now have a disabling cramped neck.

After checking in to Rosemund Hostel, I decided not to waste the day and I hiked up Mount Victoria. This is supposedly where they filmed the forest scenes where Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin are fleeing from the Nazgul early in FOTR. I tried to find the exact spot where they were hiding behind the log, but I couldn't.

I just took some general pictures.

It had a fantastic view from the lookout up top.

New Zealand: Day 4

Friday, November 23, 2013

I went for a long walk today to try and clear my mind and be at peace for some time (didn't work).

I ended up at some 'Government Garden'. It was pretty, but I was really trying to find the geysers/hot springs. Someone mislead me....

New Zealand: Day 2 & 3 - Rotorua & Saying Goodbye to a Dear Friend

Wednesday & Thursday, November 20 & 21, 2013

Sailing Across the Pacific Ocean 2013 (Part 29) - Hobbiton and The Shire

Rotorua was the first stop on my list. I was really only stopping here to go to The Hobbiton/Shire site, but there ended up being much more to love in Rotorua. I stayed at the Downtown Backpackers Hostel, which was fantastic. They are really supportive of low-budget travelling and give a lot away free. They'll even let you work if you can't pay for something.

But enough of that. The Hobbiton site was INCREDIBLE. It was just so serene and peaceful. I want to buy real estate there and just grow my own farm.

Bilbo's House (Bag End)

The Party Grounds (Bilbo's 111th birthday)

Looking across the lake from the party grounds to see the Green Dragon

Samwise Gamgi's house.

The Green Dragon

A tankard of stout and a beef & ale pie.

After I got back from the Shire, I found out a very dear friend of mine passed away. I will try to keep my blog updated best I can, but as it is now, I am just waiting to fly home.

A man unmatched in his sincerity and reliability. He would never judge a person and always accepted you for who you were.

R.I.P. Shaun Czerkes

New Zealand: Day 1 - Arrival

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

What fantastic weather for our arrival in New Zealand and the last few days at sea on this incredible journey.

We arrived at Marsden's Cove Marina at around 10:00am.

I will sadly be leaving Jan and Gary and sailing vessel Wakaya tomorrow morning. After 9 months aboard, they have really become a home and second family for me and I am saddened by the fact that I will likely never see them again.

I am simultaneously exited to go explore New Zealand though. My first stop will be in Roturua for 3 nights to see Hobbiton and The Shire.

Fiji to New Zealand: Day 7

Monday, November 18, 2013

If all goes well, this should officially be my last full day at sea. We are hoping to arrive tomorrow afternoon at Marsden's Cove (near Whangerei) on the north-eastern coast of New Zealand.

Fiji to New Zealand: Day 6

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Tonight was one of those nights that make everything you have been through worth it. It was the perfect sailing night.

Winds were 12 knots on the beam and the slight swell created a comforting rocking motion like a mother cradling her baby. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and the near-full moon lit up the ocean as it danced along the wave tops. A giant sea bird landed on our boat just outside the cockpit to rest and to get a free ride back to New Zealand. I was sure to be as quiet as possible and keep my flashlight off of him so he could get his sleep. I am sure he has a big day of catching fish tomorrow.

To top everything off, I saw a shooting star (or alien spaceship) span the whole northern sky and turn a bright green just before disappearing on the horizon.

Everything was just so...peaceful. I could not have had a better second-last (hopefully) night at sea.

-------

EDIT

-------

Turns out the bird was still there in the morning and Jan got some fantasmic photos of it. It was the iconic Blue Footed Boobie bird.

I am always creeped out by taller birds (especially Herons) looking directly at you. You cannot see their beaks and they look like aliens.

Fiji to New Zealand: Day 5

Saturday, November 16, 2013

We are finally past the mid-way poInt on this trip and thankfully the seas have reduced some. We are getting around 12 knots of wind on a close reach and the waves are maybe 6 feet now (same short period).

Another bonus is that the wind has moved slightly east, so we are able to sail on a rhumb line for New Zealand!

500 miles to go!