Christchurch, New Zealand: Days 99, 100, 101

January 22-24, 2016

Day 99: Christchurch Botanical Gardens, World Buskers Festival, Art Gallery, Sunset Drive

First of all.... the Wellington airport is amazing.....

Wellington, New Zealand: Days 96, 97, 98

January 19-21, 2016

Day 96: Drive to Wellington, Victoria's Peak, Rosemary Lamb + Pavlova 

I woke to the quiet hum of the surrounding Tongariro forest and shortly after hit the road. The sun lit up the mountains while the distinctive New Zealand clouds tried to cover them. Driving carefully, not over 80km/hr on my little spare tire, this truly proved that driving through the middle of the country is just as magnificent as driving the coastline. After an hour or so, now in cell service, I called the rental company about my tire. They arranged for it to be changed in the next town.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing, New Zealand: Day 95

Day 95: Tongariro Alpine Crossing 

I didn't set an alarm, but woke early in excitement anyways. If any shuttles were running, I'd have to arrive by 9am. I rolled in just after 8, ate a quick peanut butter sandwich, and checked in at the security car park - the only running shuttle for the day (NZ $30). She looked at me, knowing that I didn't know what I was getting myself into, warning me of the harsh weather conditions.

Bay of Plenty, New Zealand: Days 92, 93, 94

January 15 - 17, 2016

Day 92: Tauranga 

Feeling good about myself after trekking all morning, I decided to check out the 'Bay of Plenty,' as my father made a comment about how he hadn't been there. The Bay of Plenty is a region in North/Central/Eastern New Zealand, but there is also, of course, an actual bay bearing the name. The drive into Tauranga in search of this bay proved disappointing. I ended up passing through an extremely industrialized area, which no one seeks out in this country. The Bay itself was nice enough, with a bike path leading to downtown, overlooking the city.

Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand: Days 89, 90, 91, 92

January 12, 2016 - January 15, 2016

Day 89: Road Trip on the Left Side of the Road, Coromandel Peninsula 

Around midday, I picked up my Jucy car rental - praying that they wouldn't give me a manual transmission. Luckily, they gave me this green beauty that I call "Little Booger" in my head, and it's an automatic. I hit the road, on the left side, which wasn't as difficult as I'd imagined. I suppose driving the scooters around the islands helped prepare for this moment.

Auckland, New Zealand: Days 86, 87, 88

January 9, 2016 - January 11, 2016

Day 86: Arrival, Spark, YMCA Hostel, Auckland Harbour, Viaduct

I landed in Auckland airport after a full day of travel. I'd arrived 4 hours early to the airport in Bali (to get the cheapest ride of course), making the arrival that much sweeter.

Sanur, Bali, Indonesia: Days 84, 85 + Thoughts on Bali

To be honest, I really didn't do much other than take a walk on the morning of day 85. I ate at the same restaurant 5 times in a row (Warung Baby Monkey) and other than breakfast, ordered chicken Mie Gorang for every meal. Other than that: pool time and catch up on the blog.

I will say, I really like the Balinese people. More often than not, they are overly friendly and want to help you or talk to you. I also find both Balinese men and women to be extremely beautiful - which wasn't and thought that occurred to me in any other country.

It's crazy how they are developed: in that they have recycling programs and rend wifi everywhere, yet the roads are more narrow than anywhere I've been and garbage on the street is still common I spite of the programs. Women carry everything from air tanks to sacks of ice to cases of beer on their heads.

I sat and talked with a girl who worked at my hostel. She was telling me how their leader made programs for the homeless, but the homeless want to continue living under the bridges. His response was - use the program and sleep off the street, find somewhere else off the street, or I'll shoot you. And I guess when he says he'll have you shot - he means it. So interesting how different the culture can be from one country to the next. Balinese people agree that they should be off the street. Americans would more likely say they can sleep on the street if they want to... hmmm.

All I know is that I'm writing this from my car in New Zealand where if you sleep in your car in the wrong place, you get a $200 fine on the spot.

Nusa Lembongan, Indonesia: Days 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84

Day 79: Arrival to Secret Garden Bungalows 

Our boat from Sanur arrived 30 minutes after departure. We stepped off into the sand and walked about 10 minutes down the only main road on the island to Secret Garden Bungalows, which is associated with Big Fish Diving (who we were recommended to dive with). Just as at the last place, we dropped our bags and hit the pool.

Only this time maybe we hit it too hard. After a little playing around and sitting on each others shoulders, one of the guys from Barcelona cut his foot on a tile in the pool. A scooter ride from the staff back down the road to the doctor resulted in 7 stitches for him! Which also sadly meant he wouldn't be diving with us :(

The other Barcelona guy, originally from Italy, and I went to grab a late lunch and bring some back for our Gimp friend. Obviously, we had an extremely relaxed evening, lounging around the pool or in the hammock, with a movie night to top it off. Late dinner take away from Warung 99, where I'm pretty sure we ate at at least 4 times. Always Mie Gorang with chicken for me!

Day 80: Exploring Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan

This place had an issue with their water, meaning we didn't have any overnight. Which actually happened three nights in a row. As annoying as it may be, they are a very eco - conscious hotel, making it more understandable, and the discounted those nights for us.

Anyways, we got a slow start to the morning, eating breakfast and being lazy. Just before midday, Italy and I rented a scooter and first headed north, where they had us pay a toll to enter onto a super shitty road. Not even 100% sure if they were legitimate collectors or just smart locals taking advantage. Anyways, the road leads to a cute strip of restaurants and the mangroves, where you can hire an boat to tour you around.

We explored explored a bit before trying around, heading south. A super cool, one-way, yellow bridge connects Nusa Lembongan to another, even smaller island called Nusa Ceningan. We stopped for photo ops of the clear, blue water at cliffs and bays, lemonade at Twilight, overlooking the ocean with an infinity pool, and iced coffee and late lunch at an awesome place called Sea Breeze Warung on the way back.  

That night, the dive center played a documentary and invited everyone to come watch. The operator of the dive submersible lives on the island, and answered any questions we had following the film. I have learned so much on this trip. One of my biggest take aways is that we need to care for our oceans. Recycling isn't hard, we just need to do it. But first, I guess people need to be educated and actually care....

Afterwards, Italy and I went to the closest restaurant again, Warung 99, ordered take away food, bringing the goods back to our Gimp friend.

Day 81: Scuba Diving North of Nusa Penida 

Today, we had a lazy morning, waiting to go diving in the afternoon.

A 2 minute walk from the dive center, after packing our gear onto a man pulled wagon, brings you to the beach and the boat. Our first dive site, called Buyuk, revealed lion fish, bat fish, an octopus, and two sea turtles - one of them almost as long as me. The second site, called Toyapakeh, had nudibranchs, tassel scorpion fish, 3 mantis shrimp, and a beautiful ribbon eel.

I felt a bit off this evening (maybe because I fell off the boat when trying to get on shore?), so after sunset and dinner at Warung 99, I enjoyed our powerless evening by laying in the dark next to the pool, gazing up at the stars.

They carry everything on their heads here...

Day 82: Scuba Diving Crystal Bay & Big Manta Bay, Marine Megafauna Foundation 

We headed out for day 2 of diving. I really liked our guide today - Rich. He was friendly, knowledgeable, but not cocky. The first site, Crystal Bay, was beautiful with a Strawberry nudibranch, reef octopus, peacock flounder, and more. At one point, we could put out heads under the reef and watch our bubbles float up to an air pocket underneath. The second site is supposed to give you a 90% chance of seeing manta rays. We didn't see any, but we did fight current practically the entire hour.

That night, a girl from Marine Megafauna Foundation gave gave a presentation on strange sea life and how it needs to be protected. She showed really strong images such as one of a giant turtle being carried on a stick, hanging by its front two feet which which were tied together.

In short, scuba diving has strongly impacted this trip as well as me as a person. It's such a beautiful world under there and we abuse it.

Day 83: More Exploring 

Spain felt up to joining today, so the three of us set out on scooters to see both islands. We revisited many places that Italy and I had already seen, but also added on the Blue Lagoon and cliff jumping area.

We closed the evening on Sunset Beach, enjoying some pina coladas and mai tais at Sandy Bay Beach Club. It was our last night on the island and final hoorah together!

Day 84: Goodbye! 

So sad to say goodbye to mis tios buenos and Nusa Lembongan! This is such a quiet, beautiful island. Honestly, the clear, vivid blue the water and breathtaking the cliffs are unbelievable.

Until next time!  Off to Sanur.

Kuta, Bali, Indonesia: Days 77, 78,79

Day 77: Coffee Tasting, Suji Bungalows, Také Japanese, Kuta New Years Madness

The car picked the four of us up from the dive center and away we went. The driver asked part way if we'd like to stop for a coffee. I didn't know this meant: take a tour of different coffee plants and have a coffee sampling. However, you couldn't purchase a cup of coffee or tea - you could only buy large packages. Honestly, if I didn't still have a month left of traveling, I'd have bought  some of the lemongrass tea and vanilla coffee. Delicious.

Amed, Bali, Indonesia: Days 70 -77

December 24, 2015 - December 31, 2015

Day 70: Christmas Eve in Amed - USS Liberty 

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the sea
Not a human was stirring save three divers and me
Never before had this girl dove in the night 
Nor seen a shipwreck, not even in light

But off Amed's coast on the island, Bali
Sits the USS Liberty, since 1963
Back then it had been shored, salvaged after WWII
Until lava sank it once more, when the volcano blew

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia: Days 67, 68, 69, 70

Day 67: A Scooter, A Boat, Two Buses, Two Planes, One Taxi to Ubud

The time has come to leave Koh Phangan - although it feels like I could stay forever. My friend drove me to the Pier on his scooter and then it was goodbye. The boat drops of at Suratthani, where a bus takes you to the airport... well, almost. The bus broke down, so we waited 30 minutes for another to arrive. Fearful of missing my flight as we pulled up to the airport only 35 minutes before my scheduled take off, I snatched by bag and ran through the door. Fortunately, the plane was delayed.

Koh Phangan, Thailand: Days 52 - 66

December 6, 2015 - December 21, 2015

Koh Phangan. Oh, Koh Phangan....

I spent two magical weeks on this island, sometimes referred to as "Purgatory," other times as "Boomerang Island." This post will be slightly different, where to begin...

Bangkok, Thailand: Days 49, 50, 51

Day 49: Arrival to Oldtown Hostel and Credit Card Fraud

I arrived this evening, walking from the train station, to a hostel recommended to me by a guy I met in Ho Chi Minh, who was also going to be staying there! This hostel is awesome - wide open, clean common area and rooms and bathrooms, you can't ask for much more.

Ayutthaya, Thailand: Days 48 & 49

Day 48: Arrival and Night Market

After a long day on the train, I finally got to the station in Ayutthaya where a man persistently offered me a ride in his Tuk Tuk as soon as I stepped onto the platform. After repeatedly telling him 'no thank you,' I eventually caved and accepted his ride for 100 Baht to 1301 Hostel.

Chiang Mai, Thailand Part 2: Days 45, 46, 47

Day 45: Arrival and Thai Massage

London and I arrived at the hostel, Julie's Guesthouse Part 2, to find Scotland and Italy lounging out front. We freshened up after the dusty drive. Scotland, London, and I decided to get massages. They both had experienced a Thai massage before, so decided to go with oil massages. I went ahead and tried the Thai one. It's a really intense massage - in fact it hurts! She pushes and twists your legs, arms, and entire body, putting her full weight on you, cracking your joints and your back. It's amazing how she twists your leg around hers to get a particular stretch. As painful as it was, my groin, still hurting from jumping 15 meters in Chiang Mai Canyon days ago, feels a lot better now! I didn't tell her about my broken foot, so that was a bit sore afterwards. It was also a bit awkward in that they put all three of us in the same room. I had cloths on that they gave me, but the others had to strip down a bit, due to the oil.

Relaxing evening uploading pictures before bed.

Day 46: Doi Suthep, Iced Coffee

The girls had an elephant tour booked for the day, so London and I had a lazy morning and dropped of laundry.

I wanted to see Doi Suthep, and he decided to come with me. We rented a motobike, a semi automatic, so he had to drive all day. Around the Square, a few kilometers away, and up the mountain we went. We stopped to potentially see a watersll, but they charge 100 Baht per person, so we decided it wasn't worth it. (It's crazy how $3 is somehow expensive here.... your perspective on cost changes with each country and how much you should pay here instead of how much it would be back home)

Stopping once more and and viewpoint on the way up, we made it up to the temple. Shoulders covered and 30 Baht later, we were in. The view of Chiang Mai is beautiful from way up here. Continuing further up the road, after the temple, leads you to and little village, selling souvenirs. We walked around,  past a little garden in the back, shared some sweet strawberries, and ventured back down.

I wish I took note of the name, but past the temple on the right hand side, going down the mountain, sits a coffee place with a great view. Two mocha iced coffees later, we sat there until she closed shop and told us we had to leave.

Back at the hostel, we didn't see the girls, so we wandered down to find dinner. Spices and Herbs turned out to be the right choice. He ordered Tom Yum and I ate the Red Curry. Delicious. And they fruit juices are actually mostly fruit and not so much ice, making them the best I think I've had so far here.

Rejoining the girls, we had some drinks, played pool and jenga at a sports bar across from our hostel. They we hit up 7-11 for cheaper drinks, sat and hung out one last time together until finally, at 2am I said goonight and goodbye. I had signed up for a tour that left early in the morning, and they would be on their way to Bangkok by the time I returned that evening. This was but far the most difficult goodbye yet. Especially with London, since I had spent the most time with him. I'm sure I'll see them all again :)

Day 47: The White Temple, The Black House, Long Neck Village, Thawlsen Chiang Rai Hot Springs 

Waking early for a 7:15am pick up, I got to see the girls one last night out front by good fortune. One more quick hug goodbye, I got on the bus for my day tour to Chiang Rai.

And most of the day passed on that bus.

It took 1 hour to pick everyone up before we could begin the 2 hour drive to the first stop. At least 30 minutes to 1 hour stretched on the bus in between each stop. And traffic on the return was awful, taking over an hour to drop everyone. That all aside, it was an interesting day.

Stop #1: White Temple. Our bus was full of Chinese people, so our guide spoke Chinese, but not great English. The only non Chinese people were myself and a girl from Brazil who spoke okay English. That being said, all I know about the White Temple is that one man built it, and it's still working on it. It is free to enter,  but once you step onto the path, you must continue to walk, otherwise it's bad luck. The outside is completely shining anf white. Arms reach from the ground and heads collage onto walls. No pictures allowed on the inside, but the man was still painting his desings. A weird mixture of scenes fill them mural - from Buddhist symbols to a scene of a city terrorized by a two headed snake, with Minions, Superman, and Spiderman on the scene. Only other thing I can really say is that the bathrooms are painted gold.

We had lunch across the street before continuing.

Stop #2: I literally have nothing to a say about the Black House, as our guide couldn't tell us anything in English. So here are pictures. Very masculine, lots of alligator skins, anaconda skin, and various mammal skins and skulls. Also, a horse outside got a made erections when I pet him on the head; everyone stopped to photograph. So weird.

Stop #3: Long Neck Village was also a bit strange. The women start putting rings around their neck at age 4 or 5, and once you start the process, you can't stop. A ring is added roughly once per year. It started out as protection from Tiger bites when they lived in Burma, but now it is simple part of their culture and about beauty. They also wear rings around their legs, under the knees. As we went around, taking pictures, it felt as though we were taking pictures of animals in a zoo. I didn't like the feeling. The girls and women older than 13 or so didn't look happy. They wove scarves and had items you could buy, but it seems so strange. The oldest women don't even look and you. I guess they are used to it by now.

Stop #4: Thawlsen Chiang Rai Hot Springs was much different than the hot springs in Pai. These springs are boiling hot to the point that they have little wells to boil eggs. The parts designated for your feet were almost to hot to bear. I had to dip them in and out, otherwise it felt as if they'd burn!

Back at the hostel at 8pm (I was told I'd get back at 6:30... not sure I'd recommend this tour to be honest), I beelined for Spices & Herbs for some chicken pad thai - quite possibly the best I've ever had. Laundry finished, I packed my bag to leave in the morning.

Day 48: Train to Ayutthaya 

I woke early, got ready, finished packing, and headed to the laundry place to see if they had my missing elephant tank top (they didn't :( ). I hopped into a red taxi truck, who dropped his daughter off at school before taking me to the train station.

After buying my ticket, I went to a school coffee shop to use the Internet unsuccessfully. One thing I miss about Vietnam is the readily available WiFi everywhere go: airport, train station, bus station, on the bus, on the boat, at the street market! Here, no WiFi, and the coffee shop WiFi didn't work.

On the train, as I am typing this, it is much more comfortable than the one in Vietnam. Airconditioning and even snack and meal service included. Lunch was spicy mackerel, so even though I tried several bites, I couldnt get past the skin and bones, so I simply ate the rice and cookies. The views are beautiful, looking out over the countryside and passing villages. Not a bad way to have cheap, relaxing travel. Chiang Mai to Ayutthaya runs about 17 USD on the express train, and takes about 9 hours. That's less time then I spent on the bus yesterday!

(One hour away from Ayutthaya! Just wanted to add that the bathroom on this train is leaps and bounds better than the bathroom on the trains in China! For starters...it's not a squat toilet. Winning.)

Pai, Thailand: Days 42, 43 ,44, 45

Day 42: Thanksgiving Arrival, The Famous Circus School Hostel

The bus from Chiang Mai rolled into Pai around 6:30pm. Even though the driver drove super fast around corners, speeding past other buses, it still took roughly three hours to make the trip. Chomping on my Subway sandwhich, I figured that would sufficiently count as my turkey for Thanksgiving. My hostel offered a pick up service, so I climbed into the back of the truck, ready to see what this odd hostel had in store.

Chiang Mai, Thailand Part 1: Days 39, 40, 41, 42

Day 39: Arrival, Monk Ceremony

I arrived to the airport mid afternoon and caught a taxi to my friend's hotel. Finally a familiar face! Much needed! He is also traveling for a long time, longer than me, and it made sense to meet up for the festival, a long ways away from SF.