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  • Some Guy from AustinHalfway around the world
    1
    Day 16

    Tiritiri Matangi Island

    February 12, 2016 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Birds, birds, birds! Today another lovely Aucklander took me to Tiritiri Matangi Island, a nature preserve. In the 1800s the island was basically cut to the ground and a number of invasive animals introduced like rats and opossums. The result was the decimation of the local birds to the point that many species were brought to the brink of extinction. It is worth mentioning that lots of these birds were fairly dumb and spent (and still spend) most of their life on the ground. Some can fly, but they often elect not to. In the '80s conservationists replanted native trees across the island and slowly reintroduced some of the native birds. Today their numbers continue to increase and overall it's a beautiful story in successful conservation.

    We took a ferry to the island and had a guided tour where Sarah, our guide, helped us spot numerous birds while telling the story of the island. A couple of the others on the tour were avid birders. Thankfully I befriended a guy who was taking loads of photos with a very nice camera and lens. He will be sharing his shots with me which is good because my camera is total shit compared to his.

    Towards the end of the tour our guide called and excitedly pointed into a tree. Hiding only feet away was a  kokako. In the entire world there are roughly 400 of them left. Seeing this is like seeing Santa riding the Loch Ness Monster. While I'm not that into birds, seeing something this rare nearly brought a tear to my eye.

    After all the bird watching I spent a bit of time in the crystal clear water, trying to avoid getting water in my eyes on account of the lasik I had a couple weeks ago. Thankfully I'll be able to swim in under two weeks. I can hardly wait.    Read more

  • Some Guy from AustinHalfway around the world
    11
    Day 15

    Piha beach & fairy falls

    February 11, 2016 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    I have never seen rougher surf at a beach. The sand was dark grey from the volcanoes nearby, but smooth as silk. After devouring almost all of a delicious sausage, roasted red pepper and shrimp (yes, shrimp) pizza I walked back to the shore and pulled out my guitar. The crashing waves drowned out my still inept playing, but it felt good deep inside to just take a deep breath and slow down even more.

    I never thought that slowing down would be so hard and I have a ways to go, but it's happening and it feels good. Nature has an incredible, indescribable healing effect and on the rest of my trip I intend to soak up as much as I possibly can.

    Following my beach stint I hiked a route called Fairy Falls that was about 35 minutes away. The hike was steep in parts which quickly reminded me why they say that exercise is important. Despite the huffing and puffing it was worth it. The falls were not particularly spectacular, but the views were amazing. I did the walk with a local and afterwards we rewarded ourselves with beer and snacks at a local brewery. We most certainly earned it.    Read more

  • Some Guy from AustinHalfway around the world
    Day 12

    A Hotchkiss for the Day

    February 8, 2016 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Today I decided to just relax and hang out with the Hotchkiss family. I made this decision because I've just been go go go for the last couple weeks and needed to relax a bit. At about 1 am Zach put a brisket on his smoker to cook all night and day.

    During the day I got the opportunity to play guitar with both Jaxton (8) and Jaylin(10). They both have little ukeleles so we tuned them and then made up some songs. I strummed the guitar while they played the ukes. We all had a blast and both kids learned a thing or two. Along with enjoying the kids Lori and I chatted for a good long time about all kinds of things including family and life in general. It was great to get to know her and to have some solid conversation.

    Mid afternoon we took a walk with everyone along the coast. It was pretty hot outside and the kids struggled a bit. Despite this the walk was beautiful and fun. The beaches and cliffs are breathtaking.

    When we returned we played more and finally ate. Dinner was off the charts. It included smoked brisket and chicken, bleu cheese cole slaw, and homemade baked beans that were actually also cooked in the smoker. Everything was spectacular and it had been a while since I have had a sit down home cooked meal.

    After dinner Zach and I sipped some fantastic scotch and walked to the beach where we tossed the football and watched the ocean.

    To cap it all off Zach and I put down a few more drinks and watched Django Unchained. What a great movie.

    All said and done Sunday was relaxing and quite simply good for my heart and soul. I can't wait to see them again.    Read more

  • Some Guy from AustinHalfway around the world
    1
    Day 10

    Beach strutting with Hannah

    February 6, 2016 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    A co-worker and friend Hannah and I met up at noon near the Opera house. Her flatmate then kindly drove us through some rough traffic to our destination of Bondi beach. It's like a clean, slightly less weird version of Venice beach. After a delicious lunch of fish and chips she and I set out along the coast. There is a very nice path that connects all of the beaches. We stopped at Tamarama beach for some fresh juice and some ice cream which was a welcome reprieve from the heat. Along the beach we found dozens of bluebottles which looked like miniature Portuguese man o' wars. We continued along the path past Bronte Beach to the Waverly Cemetery. I've been to a few cemeteries before, but none as huge or grand as this one. It sits atop tall cliffs with the blue ocean crashing against them and contains countless statues and tombs. We didn't see any zombies or ghosts, unfortunately.

    After looping through the cemetery we walked back to Bronte Beach and sat in the shade for a bit. An uber then picked us up and we went downtown to another park. By now we were getting thirsty for something stronger than water and walked to a pub, Three Wise Monkeys, for some beer. Shortly after arriving another Bazaarvoice CSD contacted us saying she was in town and met up with us.

    Shortly after 8 we left the pub and went to Katsu Yachiyo, for dinner. This place served insanely good Japanese food and we shared a couple bottles of sake and several dishes. The funniest thing was that the bathroom was situated in a small building out back in a tiny alley. The funny part was that you walked past someone's laundry drying on a rack and some little tomato plants to get back there.

    By now I was getting tired and got a ride back to zachs where we chatted, laughed and put down a few more beers. I'm not sure I could have scripted a nicer day.    Read more

  • Some Guy from AustinHalfway around the world
    Day 10

    Day two - Sun just came up.

    February 6, 2016 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Yesterday Zach and I got coffee and I swear it was the best cappuccino I've ever had. Afterwards we went along the coast to some beautiful beaches and overlooks. Had a wonderful tapas for lunch with his wife Lori also that included truffle salami, raw oysters, goat cheese filled red peppers and more. Dinner was even better with some of the best Chinese I've ever eaten. Needless to say we enjoyed a few cocktails along the way and I swear that a guy at the speakeasy we ended at had the hair of Donald Trump.

    The jet lag was not too bad, but I did wake up today after only a little over five hours of sleep. I should be good in a couple days.

    Oh and I nearly forgot to mention, but Zach requested Velveeta and Rotels , so I stuffed a grocery bag and duct taped it shut. It was the saddest bag I've ever checked. Apparently Homeland Security thought it looked shady (because it did) so they opened it and then 're-taped it. I was nearly in tears laughing at how silly this thing looked as it rolled out onto the baggage claim.    Read more

  • Some Guy from AustinHalfway around the world
    Day 9

    Sydney airport

    February 5, 2016 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Just landed in Sydney from LA. Easy flight and now I can say I've seen 5 new movies (seriously). Sleeping is always tough on these flights, but I got a few hours. The sleep aid I got wasn't super helpful, so maybe I'll take more on the return.

    I had seats with extra legroom and it was so much better than the flights to Africa where I felt like a sardine.

    The retired couple next to me were wonderful to chat with and are on a month-long adventure themselves. They had great energy and enthusiasm.

    Waiting on bags now then heading to Zach's place where he has promised to lend me his little scooter for the weekend.    Read more

  • Some Guy from AustinHalfway around the world
    Day 7

    LAX

    February 3, 2016 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 13 °C

    Landed after an uneventful flight to LA. Three hours and I'm Sydney bound. I will day that seeing a big city from the sky for the first time after lasik is an experience to behold. I could see the tail lights of all the poor souls (suckers?) that were on the freeway.Read more

  • Some Guy from AustinHalfway around the world
    Day 7

    At the Austin airport

    February 3, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    Waiting on my Delta flight to LAX. So many mixed emotions it's hard to discern one from another. Something deep in my soul is telling me this is the right path.

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