Kiwi Experience

I thought I was SOL with my new iTouch when my computer's operating system refused to cooperate, but after taking it down the local iHelpMeWithEveryhing store in Auckland they set me all up and I'm using it right now! Yay! That's what I get for waiting until the very last nano second to chose what piece of technology I'm going to vagabond with. Next task...hook this baby up to wifi and get my apps and music! Oh and Celeste, thanks for hooking me up with my "apple employee" discount!  As any vagabonder on a budget knows, any deal or discount is worth celebrating. So, when Cheyenne and I learned we could hitch a ride up to Paihia, Bay of islands and Cape Rienga through a company called Stray, we decided to optimize our time wisely.
New Zealand is the adventure Capitol of the world. They invented the bungie jump and take pride in there variety of extreme sports they have to offer. My kind of place! As you can see from the pictures I just posted...this place is breathtaking and Cheyenne and I intended on soaking up every moment. Here's how it went down. We took a bus up the Paihia, hopped on a boat taking us through The Bay of Islands. (Captain Cook wasn't too creative when naming this bay on his voyage back in the day, but he sure got it right!) Our boat took us weaving through all the islands out to the hole in the rock, then swam with the friendliest dolphins! This adventure is definitely worthy of note. I hopped in the water with a school of my now favorite new mammal and they seemed to be having more fun than I was. Don't get be wrong, it was a blast, but chasing these suckers around with a slightly too tight wetsuit and flippers is a freaking workout! Anyway, my playful new friends had personality! One little guy, I swear, looked right at me while swimming an arms length away and with a flirtatious energy did a little spin just to show off. I loved every moment of it!
Now, I know some of you have heard of the Full Moon party the rocks in Thailand, right? Well if not... It consists of music, lots of booze...usually in the form of jungle juice in a netty pot  type of jug and glow in the dark body paint. Since Cheyenne and I decided against splurging on such a party once we get into Asia, the obvious alternative was PiPi Patch hostel full moon party or bust! The greatest thing about traveling is the people you meet and with New Zealand being the backpacker's Mecca, it really is a community of people with a similar mentality...adventure, party and the like.
For some odd reason Chey and I have been popping out of bed ready for the day at 6am. Full moon party or not the next day was no different. We were off to the most norther tip if New Zealand, Cape Rienga. This beautiful point is where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean collide! Incredible view. We cruised down 90 mile beach in our bus, saw some wild horses in the sand dunes and flew down the sand dunes on boogie boards all in the same day! That's just how we do... No big deal! Needless to say our Kiwi experience was a perfect start to thus expedition abroad. New Zealand was the best layover of my life!

Vagabonding highlight Reel!

 Hi Friends!
Cheyenne and I just left New Zealand. Here are a few treats for your viewing pleasure. We fit so much into the 6 days we had, so here are the highlights:

Boating in the Bay of Islands



Bay of Islands



Mission Bay, Auckland

A Breathtaking cove we stopped in at the Bay of Islands.

Paihia

Best fish 'n chips of my life! Doubtless Bay.

The playful dolphins I swam with in the Bay of Islands.

Chey and I sand-boarding on 90 Mile Beach. Wee!

Awaiting Cheys embrace when we were attempting the self timer feature on the camera. lol.

Wild horses in the sand dunes off 90 Mile beach. So beautiful!

A Kiwi? How About An Apple?

The adventure has begun! Chey and I left SFO at 8pm on Sunday 10-10-10 and arrived in Auckland, New Zealand at 6am 10-12. Although a whole day was lost in the air we came out with a bang and wasted no time. Checked into Base hostel and I swear we walked 87 miles all over creation the first day here! A little ambitious I admit. On out walk we stopped off at a roadside fruit stand in Mission Bay...it was then that I had a life altering experience with a New Zealand apple. The most crisp, fresh bite of deliciousness I've ever had. It was as good as! (a lil NZ slag for ya!) I know they call the locals in New Zealand a Kiwi, but these apples deserve some sort of hype.
Today...a time to chill out and plan our adventure for the rest of our very short time in the land of the Kiwi. Auckland reminds me of a mix of Seattle with a touch of Island life and although it's beautiful we chose to head out and head up north. to Paihia, bay of Islands then cape Rei
Stay tuned for some sweet pictures. I've heard this is one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand with a mix of experiencing the history and Maori culture of the islands.

I Left My Heart in San Francisco!

As a Vagabond at heart it is in my nature to leave home and live life on the move. However, when you find a place that you love it is hard to leave, and when you do, a piece of yourself is often left behind. Or better yet, you take a part of that place and hold it with you forever.

For me, two years ago I fell hard...and although its cliché…I left my heart in San Francisco!

There are so many things about San Francisco that takes my breath away. In the ooo ahhh sort of way and equally in the OMG! sort of way, if you know what I mean. A typical SF day in September will no doubt consist of sunny skies (we deserve it with our frigid summers) You might take a stroll down California Street, light up a J and witness a seagull punking a pigeon. If I started writing this blog two years ago it would have been called Chronicles of the urban jungle. On any given day you will see some crazy shit, but that is what is so fascinating about the city by the bay.

It may be that the views are some of the most beautiful in the world, or the way the different districts have their own unique character that bring visitors here from all over the world, but after living in the city for two years I feel as though I barley even scratched the surface.

View from my Pacific Heights Apartment

Cheyenne and I were running around yesterday like crazy…hit up REI, got our Indian Visa, had the most fabulous yam and Portobello mushroom sando at Atlas Café, then found ourselves chillen at Alamo square to take a breath and finally get excited about our trip. There has been so much to do and think about it hasn’t really hit me that I’m about to leave the country with no ticket home!

Coffee Bar. Sweet pic my new camera took.

Anyway, it ended up to be the perfect way to spend my last day in SF because it’s fleet week and the Blue Angels are here…check it out:

AT&T park. Last series before playoffs.

To top it all off the GIANTS are in the playoffs and the city has a pulse that is alive and exiting. I love you San Francisco! Go Giants!

Ryan and I rooting for a Giants win!

Broski in Seattle

With the clock ticking and the weeks flying by so fast I can barely think…I can hardly count down the days before Cheyenne and I become the Vagabonders you’ve all been waiting for. My outlook calendar looks like I’m the Secretary of State…if she indeed uses outlook, I have a “Master to-do-List” a mile long, and you got to book me out a few weeks ahead to guarantee face time. I’m kind of a big deal. :)

Having said that, you can imagine how difficult it has been to spend time with all the peeps who can’t fit in our backpacks. So, when Cheyenne and I found our labor day weekend wide open at the same time we thought it might be too good to be true and this only meant one thing…I needed a poncho and a housewarming gift.

You see…My dearest big bro, Dylan, just recently made the big move this last March and has settled in as a proud Seattleite…of which I have yet to visit! (Until this last Labor Day of course!) Being the driven bachelor that he is, his company thought he was the perfect candidate to promote and head up the new office in Seattle. Although this is fabulous news for my broski…I was selfishly sad to see him go. However, once I knew I was about to go…far far away, it was eminent that Chey and I pay him a visit.

Brother!

When we arrived in the so famously rainy city, we were graced with sunny skies. I think God must have known these Cali girls were coming. Ok, ditch the poncho! To say the least and not make this blog post five pages long…we conquered Seattle! We also fell in love!! I’ll try to be brief, but I warn you…you might be exhausted after reading this because conquering a city takes a lot of energy.

To start the trip off right the Broski out did himself this time. Little did we know he put us up for two nights at the Westin. Holla at a balla!

Chillen at our spot at the Westin. What a view!

We were immediately off to catch the Kurt Cobain exhibit at the SAM…ahhhmazing, although little bit dark. For those of you Nirvana fans, it's a must see. The first Thursday if every month not only is the SAM free, but Seattle opens its galleries to the public for what they call the “Art Walk”.

                                          

Pioneer Square is bustling…we popped into a gallery and saw glassblowing at its finest. So fascinating. Then off to 619 Art Building! This six-story warehouse is full of hundreds of local artist showcasing their work. Pop in, have some wine, check out some art of all kinds and maybe even catch some live music. Oh yes, music! This is worthy of note…in Seattle, there is live music everywhere we went. Love that!

                                                http://www.firstthursdayseattle.com/about.php

The city view from Queen Anne

On Friday, I swear Chey and I walked twenty-seven miles. From down town, to the space needle, up to Queen Anne, down to Pikes market and back again. In true Vagabonding fashion we randomly popped into a little shop on our way up to Queen Anna and found ourselves a sherpa. No joke. The storeowner leads treks in India and Nepal and is hooking us up when we get there. So random, but check that off the to-do list in about mmmm four months.

Saturday we checked out of the Westin and check into Casa de Dylan. A studio on the 8^th floor of the Cobb in DT Seattle. I would say you’ve officially reached baller status when you have a door man at your new digs. You feel me?

Anyway, we wrapped up our 3 day weekend with the many happy hours Seattle has to offer, a couple fairy rides, some night life…ok a lot of night life, a brief attempt at crashing Bumpershoot (Hey, the Decemberists sound just as good on a grassy knoll just outside of Seattle center’s walls). I even got to meet up with Spaggs (Sarah, I miss you friend!) who also now calls Seattle home. We hit up the first Starbucks, perused Pikes Market, cruised the underground tour, said “what’s up” to Bill Gates and went on our way.

Me and my Bro

More importantly, we got to meet so many of Dylan’s friends. I couldn’t help but get a very comforting feeling that he has found his niche there in Seattle. Just up the way from the Golden Coast we call home…this other city by the bay seems to bring the best out in him. Best way I could have booked up my Labor Day weekend ever!