NZ Blunder

Hello from New Zealand! It started off a bit bumpy, but I have persevered! My first flight was cancelled in Portland. I would have missed any connecting flight so I didn't leave until Saturday, which meant I didn't arrive till Monday. (international dateline and hellish flight) I missed the whole reason I was coming this weekend. There was a gathering for friends that are leaving the show and it was the last gathering at this city before they moved on. There was a Prom theme and had planned to wear a bridesmaids dress from a wedding I was in. The party was on Sunday night. :( Oh well. It is what it is.

They also misplaced my luggage and only half arrived here and just received the rest of it yesterday. There were screaming kids on the flight alternating fits. Reminiscent to a flight to Europe in business class I once had. Needless to say, the first day was soured since my mood sucked. But quickly got over it when I started exploring.

I'm renting a car tomorrow to head down to Taupo and Rotorua tomorrow, which are prime places for kayaking. Then off to the north west coastline for black sand beaches. I'm looking forward to getting out of Auckland. I'm ready to move on for sure. I think I am going to spend the next three days off by myself. There are so many backpackers here that I will have no trouble linking with people to chat with. So good mix of traveling with people I know and then time to myself. My friends are all working and I will have the advantage of taking time away.

I have been visiting my Cirque Du Soleil friends and saw the show from back stage sitting with the musicians in a black cloak as to be invisible to the audience. If you have never been to a show, the music is a live performance and normally within view of the audience. This one is set back a little more from the stage, behind the 'forest' yet you can see everything within the show. I was privy to the queues given by the stage manager, the musical director and the like with a head set. I have received a very warm welcome here with my cirque 'family' and miss them quite a bit but I certainly know that I made the right decision to stay in Portland. It's great to visit them, but in all honesty, I can say I'm happy with my choice! I certainly struggled for a couple of months over that. Anyhow, the museum sit atop this amazing hill called the domain in a park setting and overlooking the city of Auckland. The weather is slightly humid moving into the latter part of the summer here. It threatens to rain but hasn't as of yet. The climate has a tropical feel.

Can't wait to head to the south island. Amy and I are getting together straight away. She met another girlpaddler down there. It seems like we will have a girl paddle of our own. Except my friend Adrian who started kayaking. If we include him on the run, it will still be like a girl paddle.. 75% women exploring the runs.. I have a guide book that classifies things here as moderate or hair raising. Their moderate being 3-4 and then 4-5. They have a have two more classes, 6 as in you swim and live it's doable and a make my day classification.. F**k that!!

Flora is amazing! The amount of blooms astound me! I have several decent pictures so far. Looking forward to taking more. :)

More as time goes on! I will have a pool day eventually to document more of my travels as it gets more interesting. Driving will prove quite entertaining for my next email. I can almost guarantee it. :)