Moved out of the Duck's Nuts

Some pictures of the ducks nuts hostel. It is 3 or 4 houses that are holding 30 or more travelers at a time. I moved out to camp out in town for a week. I am trying to save some money, because in a couple of weeks I am getting back on the road. I will try to work a lot until then. But the farm job is done so I am just at the bar for now. I think we are going to Taupo to scuba dive then go to some vineyards to pick grapes down south. Its up in the air, but I'm glad to get going again. I am righting this blog from the street outside a mortuary that has an unsecured wifi network. I guess thats the life of a cyber bum.

Its a jungle out there.

My scuba trip got postponed. I had some time off so I decided to camping. I went out to NZ forest, what I call jungle. Vines climbing up tall trees with big leaves all trying to get a piece sun light. There was an old dirt road that went over the mountains. It was just a narrow incision into the dense canopy of rich vegetation, barely wide enough for the modified jeeps that might brave it. Pocked with mud holes and ruts from the 4x4s that amazingly traversed it. I walked out for hours down trails that left little view beyond 20 feet. The jungle was too dense to get off the trail most of the time, but when streams would cross the road at sharp corners, you could move around more freely because the water had keep this area clear of too many plants. It green up there. Water cut down through the rocks cover in a green moss. Every thing was, green all over every tree, living or dead. I did not encounter another person for four hours. When I got back to my car, guy pulled up and told me he was part of a search crew looking for a lost hiker who had been missing a couple of days. Its not likely they will find him. If he went anywhere off on of the 20 or so roads, its pointless looking.
I cooked some cous cous as a meal with my gas grill. I think Im ready for a longer trek. They have some here that are up to five days. You just pay 10 bucks a night to sleep in a hut with running water that are scattered through the wilderness.

Working in NZ

There is a before and after of my living quarters. Its getting better. I am comfortable.

I took some time off to take this SCUBA class. Its better than I thought it would be. Swimming deep below the surface feels so cool. All of my natural urges are to swim up and get air but I can't. I have to understand my equipment and rely on it. Its gets better this weekend I have 4 scheduled dives in the Bay of Plenty.
I work nights at Da Beir Haus, same time as the classes. So I got another job in some peoples farm. Its easy work, and theres noone even around. I just put on my head phones and work, pruning hundreds of bushes. I make my own hours, get iced coffee from Diane the owner, and make 50% more than at the bar. The weather is getting quite nice. Nice day for a cold beer. Awwwwweee, thats nice .

I compiled some photos into a quick video. It is very rough but I didnt have too much time to polish it. I will make more video as it becomes necessary. Click on the link to view it.


I got my first check today. I have been working for 2 weeks now. Its not much, but I am glad to get it. Its directly deposited into my Bank Of New Zealand account so when I move on, I won't have to worry about my last check. The weather is supposed to be getting warmer here. I think in a couple of weeks it will be. There is a big hole in the Ozone down here so the sun feels a bit intense at times. I have been good aboat sunblock. Last week on Labour Day the Hostel had a BBQ. 30 people there and I was the only American, and the only one drinking beer. Thought it was strange, but the food was good. Later that night I spun fire Poi for the first time.(Fireballs on chains) It was a little scary at first but I found my rhythm. Its louder and warmer than I thought it would be.
The pic is not actually me but you can see what it looks like.
I am starting a wek long SCUBA certification program next week. Its recognized in every Country in the world. So I am looking forward to that.
The hostel owners Gordon and Sue gave me some blankets and a foam mattress for my van. Its so much better in there now. I built a removable frame out of wood from pallets I found. I have storage underneath and a double bed on top. Now I just want to paint it. This is going to be a big task.

American to Kiwi ; Translator

dude ; mate
party foul; taxi!
fries ; chips
chips; crisps
cookies ; biscuts
local ; kiwi
call ; ring
thanks ; cheers
hostel ; backpackers
college ; uni
dank ; sweet ass
highway ; motorway
hike ; tramp
pants ; trousers
shady ; dodgy
bloke ; guy
cooler ; chilly bin
flip flops ; jandals
toilet ; loo
tourists ; loopies
drunk ; pissed
shopping cart ; trolly



Warning; Do not travel to NZ with out this translator. The locals will not know what the hell you're talking about.

Idling at The Bay of Plenty

Living here at a travelers halfway house has been interesting. I don't know if I would always want to stay at one of these places. It is a whole lot easier than just sleeping in a car or camping on a beach somewhere. I have a place to shower, cook, and clean, power my laptop and even watch some movies. Its nice to have people to talk to, but with 35 people here you have to share space. I am thinking about how I want to spend my time here. Is working in a restaurant/ nightclub for 13 bucks an hour how I want to spend the summer, maybe it is. Nice weather, beaches in every direction, all the college kids come down here for the summer. I think I would rather be doing something with sports, kite boarding, kayaking or something. We will see in the next couple of weeks how things go. This weekend is labour day. An excuse for Kiwis to get drunk. Going to be busy here in town. i am working 2 12 hour days in a row. Everyone else at the hostel is going on a trip around North island, for three days. Im kind of pissed, but I need to earn some money for a while. Free beer is nice too.
I have been told its illegal to sleep in your car anywhere in town because they don't want backpackers shitting in the bushes. (I've done it.) But I got a gym membership today with a shower available 24 hours a day. They just give you a key and you can go in any time you want. Its small with old equipment but it will be like Rocky 4 when he trains with hay bails and rocks in Russia, then kicks Dolf's ass. Anyway I could camp and use that shower and power outlets.
Yes life is very different here, I make much less and things cost about %50 more. I went from suburban middle class to poor. I welcome the challenge as long as can grow stronger from the whole experience. I want to do something new everyday. I want to do something that scares me everyday. I have been practicing with my poi. There is a German girl who has been showing me how to do some tricks. hopefully I will have some skills when I come back next summer, I can step up to fire poi.
There is one muontain in here in town. it is not to big, they let sheep run all around it. I decided to climb it. It was good to get out on a sunny day.

Chillin at Duck"s Nuts

I found a job in a bar down on The Strand, a trendy strip of bars and clubs for people to have a drink after work or a late night drum and bass party. I am bartending at De Bier Huas, a restaurant and bar. A little over min wage with no tips. But Its good to be earning something after being out of work for a month.
I am staying in a hostel with %80 germans so communicating is difficult. I am making my van more home like and functional as well. Added curtains and storage compartments. Tonight I am going see a local nz dnb artist. My kiwi friend from SD, Ethan called me today and said he was moving back to Auckland next week, and might have a place to stay and a job in music production with he and his mates, A bunch of local DJs.
I have gone running a few times this week, trying to fight off the softening effects of the kiwi diet. Processed white breads and aioli, cheese, and, shwag ass partical meats. I am going to a gym tomorrow. I will wait to see where I am in two weeks before comiting to a month there. I really want to produce music and play it.