SOUTH ISLAND!!!

Christmas was fantastic. It was strange not being around family, but I was around A family. Drove 3 hours to the country to spend Christmas with a friend's family on their farm. It was very relaxing and it was great just being the guest with the only obligation of mine being to have a good time. The next morning I went hunting and snagged me a goat with taking only one shot. It was cool b/c it was my first time ever shooting at anything bigger than a goose.

The day after was fantastic as well. It's "boxing day,"which is comparable to our "black friday" in the states. I didn't get out to do any shopping, nor would I want to. It was Monica's birthday. Tomahou's lady (they both own Murphy's) and I was invited to her shin dig. Tomahou organized an "Amazing Race" which included 4 bars in Petone to which we had to complete a task to get the next clue. It was so much fun! It ended back at his place with BBQ, wine, and a couple kegs b/c we finished the first. And best of all I got paid for those two days b/c it was a public holiday. Crazy.

And NOW! My original plan to road trip the North Island changed at the last minute. Now I'm heading South to the North of the South Island. It's going to be great! I'll do some tramping, snorkling, swimming, perhaps canoeing. They also have a couple music festivals down there I may attend for NYE. So, I won't be around for about a week, totally enjoying myself on the most beautiful beaches in New Zealand. I'm already loaded with heaps of wine, beer, and Sparkling wine. Locked and loaded and ready to go. Oh yeah. My camera broke so it may be a while till I get the pics up from the trip. I'll have to go old school and have the disposable cam on hand. Cheers