Sorry for leaving you all on such a down note, the last few weeks have FLOWN by and I am now in Thailand. A quick recap:
My friend Amy flew over from Australia (where she was visiting from the US) and came with me up to the Northland. We went to Whangarei and Tutukaka (on The Perfect Day boat trip to the Poor Knights Islands — fantastic!) and Paihia (where I took the highly recommended AwesomeNZ Cape Reinga day trip) together before going separate ways.
Whangarei & Poor Knights Islands day trip
Paihia …

… because that’s mostly what my “surfing” lessons consist of at this point. Sure, I have an 8ft soft top board and a nifty wetsuit to keep me from freezing, but I’ve yet to actually get up onto my feet. After two 3hr sessions the closest I can get is onto my knees.
In my head, I understand what my body has to do to (I’m working on the Pop Up, see video below), but actually getting there just isn’t happening. This is partly because of my crap knees, and partly …

I’ve finally reached the point where I am close enough to exciting travels that I feel like I can touch them. It’s been a long haul, these last six months, and I’m super excited that in about six weeks I will  FINALLY be playing tourist in the country that has been my home for the last year. It’s taken a few weeks to sort everything out to a place where Im confident sharing my plans, but I think I’ve everything in order. Now all I need is money to pay …

Amazing day yesterday — went out to Scarborough Beach in Sumner for my first ever SURFING LESSON with Kat and Florence. Woah boy, that was fun. I’m sore as today, but cant wait to get back out there. The first time I slid across the water flat out on my board I think I squealed with delight, which of course turned into all out laughter when I toppled over at the end of the run. I’ve yet to actually get up on to my feet though. In fact, I counted …