Child of the Planet

...up to Wellington where I was going to spend Christmas. I boarded the TranzCoastal train at seven the next morning. Was impressed to see that a free shuttle bus service was doing the rounds of the tourist accommodations, and picked me up from the hostel. Found my seat and was chatting with a couple of locals, and we all agreed that (despite the odd shuttle bus) N.Z. isn't a cheap country to travel in (well possibly it is if you travelling with British pounds or Euros.) I had some friends who decided not to hire a camper van (really popular way for people to travel around this country) this year, cause once the numbers were added up, a visit turned out to be too expensive. The locals I was chatting to wanted to hire a camper and drive around the islands, but they found it was cheaper to ‘jump the ditch’ and visit OZ instead.

Aotearoa (indigenous name) is possibly even more isolated from major western societies in a geo political sense, then Oz is. Really nice place. Bit more like the U.K. in the same way that Australia is a bit more like North America. Probably why so many movies that are set in European environments are being made over there. That and the value of N.Z. dollar is even crappier then ours. The accompanying photos were taken in Kaikoura New Zealand   I will write about this place in a later entry. Bailed out of the last of work’s Christmas celebrations in the pub on Friday afternoon, and got a lift to the airport. Landed in New Zealand a couple of hours later. It was after ten and the airport was pretty quite. Caught a taxi to the hostel and on the way, and had a nice chat to the Russian driver. I've noticed a lot of Russian types around these days. I guess the walls have fallen down properly and the Russians are stretching their legs. He pointed out sites of interest su...

It runs for a couple of weeks in the summer, with great music and activities. Especially good are the free events. Backpackers must love Sydney in the summer. Golden beaches, northern winter gear forgotten, and free gigs all over the place. Last week the festival opened and a big chunk of the city had its roads closed, and stages were erected. Huge range of music, and a trio of couples had public weddings. I ended up with a couple of mates down at the Domain Park where a local musician, Paul Kelly was playing a warm up set for an international. Brian Wilson. Weather was a bit crap, but the intermittent showers were really light and refreshing. Mr Wilson seemed to be very distant and kept scratching himself. He looked like your dad sitting on the couch at home but suddenly transported to a stage in front of an audience of thousands. Huge video screens amplified every movement. The crowd loved the music and everyone was dancing and singing along to songs which seem to have embed...