Wow - has it really been 6 months already??

So here I am, writing a blog that’s FINALLY up to date, for the first time since being in Germany, almost 6 months ago. I left England on September 24th 2010, so yes – it really has been just under 6 months. It’s been an absolutely amazing time, and I can’t even imagine having to leave this wonderful place. Yes, whilst I’m writing this it is raining and dreary outside, but I’m parked up right next to the ocean in my car that I love. Not a care in the world. I stayed here for free last night, listening to the sounds of the ocean. The road next to me is dirt track for 20km in either direction, up windy mountain roads. I’ve only seen one other car pass by here so far today (it’s 11.44am), and I’m content just sat here, listening to the waves and typing on my netbook. I have a power inverter, so if my laptop runs out of battery, I can charge it using the car engine. I have a bed in my car. I have food in my car boot. I have a duvet to keep me warm. I truly have everything that I need right here, and I’m happy. I’ll probably get lonely at some point soon, at which point I’ll catch up with some friends, or make some new ones. This travelling malarkey is wonderful, and I don’t ever want it to end.

The unfortunate fact, however, is that in order to sustain this lifestyle, it’s necessary to work. But that’s more of the beauty of travelling – the jobs you end up doing. Who would have ever thought that I’d become a hostel manager? Thinking about it now, it’s a great job for me and I loved it (most of the time!) – but I’d have never done it back home! And fruit picking – ok, so I’ve only done one day of it so far, but it’s given me a taster, and I now know that I’ll be doing plenty more of it whilst I’m here! I must say, I’m pretty excited to see what other jobs will come my way. I’m planning to travel for month solid now, whilst the temperature is still quite mild, and settle down in a house-share somewhere (possibly Wanaka?) for the winter. Then head over to Christchurch to help out there for a bit. Then (at the moment – you all know how I like to change my plans regularly!) I’m hoping to come over to Europe for a couple of weddings in September, and then do a ‘Europe trip’ with Chris. We can both work throughout the EU, so we should be ok for money, before heading back over to do a year in Australia (or Canada, or both) on Working Holiday Visas.

I know that I’m very fortunate to be able to do these things, and am grateful every day for the luck that I’ve had and the people I’ve met. It’s truly an epic adventure, where I’ve learned things about myself that I didn’t know, picked up new skills and made friends that will stay with me for life. Life here in NZ certainly is, as Kiwis say ‘SWEET AS, BRO’! ;)