Last days in New Zealand

Location: McDonalds, McCafe, Bondi Beach, Sydney
Day and time: Feb. 26 at 11:28am

Mood: Ecstatic!!!!

Let me just say how amazing New Zealand was!! I left with a heavy heart, but with memories that will last forever. My a-team/posse/new amazing friends from all around the world were slowly dispersing and it was time to move on with the rest of our trip plans. But first, let me backtrack....

I picked up my adorably sexy, hot little Toyota Camry rental car - baby blue, and an upgrade from the small car I'd requested - and at no extra charge. WOW! the Freedom!!!! I could taste it. Binnie gave me an escort on the highway out of Wellington to my freeway exit and I waved bye to Binnie and Joshie in their car as I coasted north on highway 1. While leaving Wellington, I was able to drive through the 'beep beep' tunnel, as Joshie calls it. It's sort of an unspoken rule for Wellingtonians, to beep like crazy as they drive through this tunnel beneath the mountain. Joshie just loves it! I beeped like mad also, it was a declaration to the world of my imminent freedom in my rental car.

The drive to Rotorua was FABULOUS! More than a feeling!!!! haha sorry that song just came on here at McDonalds. I drove for 6 hours on the wrong side of the car, on the wrong side of the road, stopping every now and then for breaks. I arrived in Rotorua, checked into my hostel at around 7:30pm, and felt like something was missing. DUH, it was my 6 amazing peeps I'd been traveling with in NZ for the past week. They were elsewhere on the north island accomplishing more than is humanly possible to accomplish and I knew I needed to get to them.

One night in Rotorua later, I decided to check out the Waiotapu hotsprings 20 mins out of the city. They are incredible!! Just watching the activity of the hot springs, the bubbling sulpherous goop lurking below the surface, was spectacular. The volcanic activity on the North Island is unbelievable. The whole area is active volcano, something eerie to think about. I wandered in and around Waiotapu before heading back to the hostel. I checked my Facebook when I got back and saw a few messages from my peeps -- they were nearby! Bent on seeing them again, I checked out of the hostel and hopped into my car, without much knowledge of where I was driving to.

Let me just say, this is one of the best decisions I made on the trip. The 4 hour drive up north to Whitianga from Rotorua was the best drive I've ever been on. It was just me, my hot car, my music, and the gorgeous weather and views. The road wound like crazy up mountains and then would go flat again on the long countryside. Farms are everywhere, so are sheep. At this time it was around 4pm in the afternoon. This is my favourite time of day. The sun is setting and it hits the landscape at a perfect angle. It makes everything look so angelic and peaceful. I was so far away from home and away from everyone I knew, but I was so happy knowing I was on my own in such a gorgeous place.

I stopped in Waihi, a little town near my destination. I wanted to ask for directions so I hopped into a travel place 1 minute before it closed. It happened to be right across the street from an old mill building, with giant stone ruins. I had to check it out. With time to spare I crossed the street and went to look at this old building foundation. What a find! It was absolutely unique and breathtaking. I spent a few minutes taking photos of it and then hopped back in my car to continue on the route.

At one point I was driving on a windy road, with golden leaves that had fallen from a stretch of trees alongside, and I pulled over to change into my new dress. I was stopped in front of the cutest farm, it could have been a hobbit's place. I was in awe. If I could do this drive again, I would in an instant.

I stopped to take many pictures and arrived in Whitianga around 7pm. My group hadn't arrived yet so I had time to check out the beach. I brought my camera and was taking my usual self-pictures when a guy walked nearby and I asked him to take my pic. He asked me what I wanted in the background, but I thought he asked what WAS my background. So I replied 'Canada' completely straight-faced and he was like, uhhhh, ok. Then I clued in and we had a good laugh.

My friends arrived 20 mins later and it was such a great reunion!! It was the best day/night ever - great hostel, we went for dinner at a place called Smitty's then walked along the amazing beach -sooo great! I was so happy to see them again. It's great to be in these small towns with good people. I prefer them to the bigger cities by far.

The next day we went to Cathedral Cove, named so for the giant rock formation that forms a cathedral archway, separating two pristine beaches. The waves were vicious, the sun was hot, and we lounged for 4 hours. I'm sooo glad I did this. It was the best way ever to end my NZ phase.

We then had to drive to Auckland that day (February 23), so we left at 4-ish and drove along the coast, up around Coromandel and along the seaside. Linda came with me in my car and we had major mp3 issues - the music wasn't working. So we tuned into the Coromandel radio station and the first song that comes on is Fireflies!! We DIED!!! That is our song, it's the epitomy of the trip. We BLASTED it and coasted along the oceanside - what an amazing drive.

We arrived in Auckland late, after I took the wrong exit but made a quick recovery, with Linda laughing hysterically in the car as colourful language flew out of my mouth when we lost sight of the other's van. We shared a 6-bed dorm and went to the bar, unimpressed with it but staying for a few pints nevertheless.

The next morning, there was a strange feeling. Dave and I both were flying out that day and the others had plans to go visit more of the beautiful north. I was envious but knew the time had come to say goodbye. After a breakfast of muesli and a soggy peach muffin, we all made it to the cars and Dave and I said our tearful goodbyes, all of us promising to keep in touch and have a reunion in a few year's time. Then, the van drove off as Dave and I stood, quietly waving our arms off. Thank God I had Dave. I'd have been so depressed without him. We chilled in town for a few hours before I caught my plane to Sydney. I said goodbye to the bloke from Darlinghurst and watched as Dave walked off down the street in Auckland, armed with his giant backpack and knowing he had 83 hours of travel ahead of him to get home. I know how it feels and we're all the same.

I flew back to Sydney, jumped on a subway and was welcomed with open arms into Dane and Trish's apartment, which is RIGHT ON THE BEACH! We went to Bondi and tanned all day yesterday. Last night's dinner consisted of Bondi Pizza, the best pizza joint I've ever been to, and I treated my two hosts.

Tonight is going to be amazing. Don Tapscott is taking me out for dinner in Sydney!! And that will be where my next blog starts....

But quickly, here's another acceptance speech. I love New Zealand. Traveling is all about saying goodbye and it's been quite painful at times. I've never felt so sad to leave people I've just met and I've never wished so much to rewind time and relive all that we've done. It's so bitter sweet but I just know the memories are all that matter and there will be way more good times to come. So I just wanted to say, THANK YOU... Thanks for taking a chance on a nerdy girl on the Lord of the Rings tour....

In the words of Dave Hatton, "what the *#&# is wrong with New Zealand?"

I concur, Dave, it's perfect.

In the words of the ginger boy "THIS IS THE BEST VACATION EVER!!!!"