NZ August update

Time to say goodbye....

This week has been very emotional for both of us, with only several days left of work the reality of leaving, and having to say goodbye to so many amazing people is setting in. It is becoming much harder than we anticipated to leave the comfort of our daily job and routines and of course leaving the wonderful people we work with… it’s actually all quite daunting, nerve wracking and scary! Gearing up to travel isn't just a step by step physical process but theres an array of emotions involved that we never really considered. 

By our next blog we will be off on our travels… so where will we be?

On Saturday 18^th August we head South to Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty and will be spending a week at Kara’s family lifestyle block in the Kaimai ranges (see Kara playing with one of the cow’s below); feeding the cows in the morning and chopping firewood – handy preparation for any future farm-stays (WOOFF). This should keep us well entertained!

On Friday 24^th Augus2, 2013 we will leave the wet winter of NZ to go on a three week pre-trip vacation in the temperate island of Rarotonga (in the Cook Islands) before returning to explore the Hawkes Bay and Napier wine region of New Zealand. But… when you don’t have a job anymore, can you still call a 3-week break to a tropical island a “vacation”? Well yes! I think after all the mental anguish then perhaps its just what the guide book recommends. 

Kara on the ‘farm’, telling Millie the cow who’s boss 
(Pyjamas are acceptable as long as Gumboots are worn!)

Some highlights from our last fortnight:

Kara trying her first Stella Artois at the Belgium Beer Café, Takapuna

 Enjoying the Auckland Skyline one more time from the top of Mount Eden (look no rain!)

John at North Head, after exploring the war tunnels

Tot siens,

John and Kara