To surf or not to surf

25th of Novemeber (Otherwise known as Movember)

We headed out early next morning and got all the way to a surfer spot near Twinkles hometown. He told us some bullshit story about the grass being modified so that you could see if a cow needed milking or not (that's right Twinkles, I see through your bullshit). He also told us that New Zealand is slowly becoming more of a dairy country than wool country. Interesting? Slightly at least.

Upon arrival we found out that the price for accommodation was 30 dollars (Which is quite expensive), but since we were Stray we got it for the reduced price of 29 dollars. Yes, you read that correctly, they had a one dollar off as a special price. Not even enough to buy a bag of noodles. This is about the time that people started realising that the trip was going to be expensive, and I can say after doing it all, if you are planning on going Stray be prepared to pay the double of what you initially payed. And that's not even counting some of the activities. Back to what's important; me.

Me and Henrik (and the majority of the group) opted for the free activities instead, saw some waterfalls, played some drinking games and generally enjoyed the good weather.

There were some more uke-playing, of course, and people started realizing my old Melbourne nickname. Some even used it. I started to get to know more of the people and I have to tell you, most of them were really, really awesome.

Before going to sleep we saw some glow wormes, sang some swedish songs and had an awesome night.

End of day two.

A stray bus in Cathedral cove

Hi guys!

I bought some wifi and I'll try to update with all the amazing shiet with been doing so far. It's going to be a glimpse in the past and I'll try to start from the beginning and just post when I have time. At least I've been writing some on my phone, so I know all the major things that's happened. Let's go!

24th of November:
Me and Henrik went up early in the morning to catch the Stray bus outside our old hostel, YHA international. On our way there we had a little snack at Burger King since we knew food would have to wait for a lot later and because burgers at BK are really, really healthy. We got on the bus, collected a few more peeps, then headed out for our trip around the north island.

The driver introduced himself as "Twinkles" and asked everyone to write their name and draw a picture on the window beside them. The picture he said, should be something that connects to our homecountry or homecity. I drew an "IKEA"-sign and a pirate with headphones. 'Nuff said.

After getting settled in the bus I tried to snap a few photos from inside the bus and some of them turned out ok, but as you guys know, taking pictures through a window is not the best thing in the world. I'd say I sorta managed to get some nice ones though.

We then continued on to Hahei where the main attraction was Cathedral Cove. Twinkles, our awesome busdriver, drove us halfway there from the lodges we were staying at which left us a 45 min walk. Guys, I'm not gonna' lie. Cathedral cove, Stingray bay and Gemstone bay was amazing. A really beautiful place with really good weather.

After our walk we headed back to the lodges to prepare hamburgers, hotdogs and all the riff raff that entails. I ate loads of food as always and played some ukulele. I've actually played ukulele so much the past days I think Henrik's ears are about to bleed. I play ukulele everyday; I don't give SHIT.

Done with the food, we all got on the bus again and headed for Warm water beach. The beach gets it's name from the volcanic activity that in some places almost makes the water boil. What you do is you dig a hole where the sand is hot and it fills up with really warm water. Voila, natural hot bath. It was really cool and I got some great shots of the steaming sea, the boiling sand and general awesomeness.

We had an awesometastic day, played some drunken games and I slept like a stone.

Onwards!

Life on repeat

Holy frikkin' hell.

Hi guys!

Last night I blogged about Sydney. Today it is time for the first of many (I hope) NZ posts. Let's get started.

Me and Henrik landed night time the 21st and hopped on the bus to the city central of Auckland, New Zealand. We got to our hostel (YHA International) and we were pleasantly surprised by both the cleanliness and the warm greeting of the only staff member in. So far so good.

On the morning of the 22nd we went up, found Woolworths (which is called Countdown here apparently) and bought some cheap food. We ended up eating Burger King though since they had a five dollar meal (yummy). Anyway, we walked about, saw a park quite close to out hostel, and just walked about for a few hours.

Christmas ball. Soon Christmas guys!

An actual clock

Hard to see but the hills (and roads) in Auckland are steep.

Yes, the road was leaning at least 45 degrees straight up. 

Check the buildings.

After frolicking around some we found our way back to the hostel were we asked the reception staff to help us book in the activities we were planning to do. Me and Henrik had a list of five places we needed to see, and we wanted to know how to get to each spot. That was easier said than done it seems. They also told us we needed to find a new hostel for the night to the 23rd because they were fully booked. Yay.

If you guys have been reading the first few entries on the blog, we arrived in Brisbane which was our first stop in Oz, we went to a travel agency and booked out trip to Cairns the second day. Why? Because the Lions game (Rugby) was on and most hostels were either fully booked, or tripled their prices. It was the same this time. And what was the major event in town? This guy:

Justin Maddafakka Bieber

Yeah. 'Nuff said.

We went to Peterpan (travel agency) were we talked to a dutch girl called Zoey. We must have spent almost five hours there before we finally got a gameplan. I tell you know, it wasn't cheap. We left Peterpan, about a thousand dollars poorer, and realized we still had nowhere to go the next night.

This lead us to go hunting for another hostel, a journey that had us travelling far and wide. We were met by "it's fully booked" more than a couple of times, and sometimes it was "we have private rooms for 80 dollars a night", or "we have event prices. Normal rooms cost 45 dollars a night". Finally after having considered to actually sleep in the park in shifts, we stumbled upon a little hostel called Frienz. It seems like a smaller hostel, but the staff so far has been super cool and they have free internet at their computers (which I am using right now).

In conclusion this was the beginning of the Oz trip all over again. We totally misjudged the size of New Zealand; In my head New Zealand was a land mass near the huge country of Australia, that should be easy to access with bus. Safe to say, we soon realized the 2,5 weeks we have here were going to be quite buzy, and let me tell you, we have some really cool thing planned.

So what is our gameplan? Mind your own business and stay tuned.



"Maybe we should eat one of those canned mothafuckas?"

Yissss, Sydney

Hiya guys.

Nothing new juST IN GOD DAMNED NEW ZEELAND BRO.

But let's back up a step. Sydney.

I flew in on the 19th and landed about 20:15 (8:15 pm). After getting through security and once again being tested for bomb residue (I have to look like a terrorist or something), I took the train from the airport to the station called Museum. Arriving there I then walked (with a little help) to the elephant hostel where Henrik and Elysha were. I met 'em and they told me I had to go to another hostel because theirs was full. Sigh.

We walk back and end up at the exact same hostel I looked for directions at. The hostel's name was City Resort Backpackers. Maybe they should have called it Last Resort though, because my room and the toilets were kind of shitty. Then again maybe I shouldn't judge them too harshly; the staff was nice, we had a TV in our room and they had acces to the rooftop. Moving on.

I went out for a drink with H and E and we ended up in a Irish pub close by with a good atmosphere and cheap beer. I got in contact with Kerry, Moira and Stacey and went out for a night out at World bar. Now, World bar is located in Kings Cross, where the girls are staying. It is also the place to go if you want prostitutes, drugs and other fun and innocent things. Trying to get to the bar showed to be quite the freak show and I still don't know if I got offered drugs or sex by a little guy I asked for directions. I went to the girls, had an unusually sober day out, and ended up going back to my hostel at an almost reasonable hour.

Day two I met up with H and E and we decided to go to the botanical gardens that also led us straight to the Sydney Opera House. Hell yeah. Documentation time engaged.

Yissss. Motherf*ckin' breadcrumbs.

We walked around, chilled on the grass and saw an old crazy woman laughing hysterically. I couldn't find the information on where it said that the outside cheramics were made in Sweden, I'll just have to take my mom's friend Cina's word for it.

Before going out I overheard what appeared to be swedish on the rooftop so being the overly social guy that I am, went up there and talked to 'em. It turned out to be four swedish girls and I told 'em we should meet up when I came back to Sydney.

We then met up with Elyshas friends who both seemed really awesome (especially Alex) and we had a nice mexican dinner.

The night ended with me meeting up with a swede I met outside H and E's hostel and going to about seven different clubs, having quite an awesome time.

The morning after I almost overslept, but made it to check-out time with about three minutes to spare. Me, H and E went to the botanical gardens again, chilled, played some ukulele and just enjoyed the sun. the day went past really fast and soon we found ourselves to the shuttle to the airport. All in all a short but worthwhile stay in the beautiful city which is Sydney.

Bah bah. I'll try to update about New Zealand tomorrow because this took longer than expected and I'm currently sitting in Burger King, leeching wifi.

C u guyzzz