Travels In The Scriptorium!!!!!!!!

Something different. Today I was in central Auckland and all of a sudden I really felt like going into a bookstore... and found Paul Austers brand new book 'Travels In The Scriptorium'!! I didn't think it would be out yet but it is!!! Now, if you don't know Paul Auster, you should be really ashamed of yourself and get your ass over at for example Donner (the best bookstore of Rotterdam) and buy one of his books. Or actually, more than one. I really like New York Trilogy, so start off with that one.
'Travels In The Scriptorium' should be the last book you read because it has some characters of former Auster books coming back in an entire new puzzle-with-an-end-you-don't-see-coming-till-it's-there story. Sweetass!!

Xmas

Merry christmas to all of you! Christmas is about over here in NZ (the first day that is, we've still got boxingday). I spent my day swimming in the sea, having lots of kiwi food, hokey pokey icecream (they should have that in Holland!), and in the evening we went to friends for moooore kiwi food! I think I'm gonna explode...

Ingrid and me at Muriwai beach

Waiheke Island

Hey there, lots to catch up on. Been to Waiheke Island for a couple of days, which was soooo beautiful, and only 35 minutes by ferry from Auckland. I went with 3 other Dutchies who I met the day before take-off. Lots of tramping (and ending up in somebodys backgarden!), and meeting many backpackers from all over the world.

Back in Aucks now fow christmas. Feels really weird that it will be christmas in 2 days, because the weather is really hot and nice... We will celebrate on the beach, and visit Wendy's friends in the evening.

Leaving Aucks after christmas. Off to a town just under Hamilton for WWOOFing!

No worries, I appear to be quite a good climber!

Just one of the views!!!!

Laure, Tom, me and Maike having a barbie on the beach

Just look at it will you

Oh, and I went for a swim as well :) We will be having a barbie or something here on christmas day!

The place to be!!!!!!!!!

Lots of things going on here! On my very first day I already got an offer for a ride to Coromandel. It's supposed to have beatiful beaches and I might stay with a WWOOF family (which means you are a volunteer and get free board). Haven't decided yet (let's get over the jetlag first shall we), but if I go it will be on the 27th. Would love to visit the Bay of Islands before that! There is just so much to do... Yesterday I met Doreen from Australia, and she told me about all the places she has been to.... we ended up with a list with like 200 things on it!

Today we went up Mount Eden. Got us an awwwesome view!
Also got a NZ mobile phone, bank account, that sort of things!

At last: AUCKLAND!!!!!!!!!!

Finally finally finally! It took me 24 hours from Hong Kong to get to Auckland but it was so worth it! Left HK on wednesday evening, got to Sydney on thursday, waited for my flight to Auckland for 7 hours... Just kept falling asleep on the airport.. Flight to Auckland was awesome, got to see the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge in Sydney from the sky!!!
I arrived in Auckland in the evening. Wendy picked me up from the airport and we drove to her place in Auckland West (west best :P). Let's see if I can get some pictures online!

Somewhere above Australia

Australia

Sky above Auckland, NZ

Hong Kong baby!!!!!!!!!!!

After 13 hours on the plane (Amsterdam-London-Hong Kong) plus the hours I spent just waiting, I fiiiinally arrived! A guy called Stanly picked me up from the airport, and after we had found our driver we went straight to Mong Kok, Kowloon.
Todat I went to the Peak (jetlagged to hell and all but hey, it's worth it!)
Here are a couple of pictures!

Sunset near Hong Kong: no monday for me

Hong Kong seen from the Peak Hiiiiiiigh buildings

Seven days!!!!!!!!!!!!

At the mo life is a lot about ‘the last time I do this and this and that before I leave the country’. This also means saying goodbye to friends, family, colleagues and other people. (it may sound a little tragic, but actually it’s also a lot of fun meeting up with everybody!) Here are a couple of pics from last week!

Tom and Fabber (Faab you look fab!)

Me, Jeroen and Melv
Britta and me!

Apart from that, about everything is ready for the big journey. No I didn't pack my backpack yet, I did receive my ticket, paid off my brand new especially for NZ bought camera, sorted my stay in Hong Kong etc. Curiosity yes, nerves no.