It Has Been Since June...

You are right, I haven't made a post to this blog since June. This year has been crazy for me. I moved to a new city, joined a swim team, started a different job, met heaps of new friends, and I have been trying to keep my sanity.

I have done some traveling this year. I went to LA in February to visit my friend Krystal. She is one of my friends from New Zealand and was in the states by herself for the first time (She is only 20). We had a chance to hang out a bit and I was able to fly from Tulsa to LAX on a buddy pass from my friend Sean.

I made a very quick trip to New Zealand in May on a last minute flight, and a cheap one at that. I was there to see my friends, visit some of my favorite spots, and to eat some great food. Mission accomplished.

In July, I spent a long weekend in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. It is in the middle of the Ozark mountains. The hills/mountains are beautiful. There are some very historic buildings and the place we stayed was AMAZING!












Since I am living fairly close to my relatives, I have spent some time over the last year with family in Iowa. They have mainly been long weekends, but still fun to catch up.

I have some plans over the rest of the year. I am going to San Diego for a wedding the first weekend of December and a trip back to Iowa for 10 days in late December.

I am trying to make a renewed effort to do more and document some of the travel I have planned in 2011.

Welcome Home Bro

Kenny Vo said it best, "Welcome Home Bro!" when I arrived in New Zealand last month. It was surreal. I had been living in the country only a year earlier and everything was familiar. On the decent, we came through some massive clouds. It was around 5:00 a.m. and the lights of Auckland made me fill so happy.

I went on this trip as a last minute uber cheap airfare. It only cost me $483.00 USD roundtrip, but I was only going to be in the country a total of 4 days. But it was a chance to take a break, and be around people I so admire.

It started with taking a long walk to the cheapo rental car agencies just a bit outside of the airport. I climbed into my non-working radio Nissan for the drive down to Taupo. The minute I jumped in the car, I was already doing a great job driving on the left side of the road. I zoomed, literally down to Taupo in a mere 3:15 minutes and stopped immediately at the hotel to see Auntie Ali. I walked in the door and Di was standing there, looking confused about who I was and then gave me a HUGE hug. Oh, how I miss her. I walked into the breakfast area and there was Ali, saving me some Cherries and Berries yogurt and fixing me a much needed (and deserved) proper Mochachino. After a bit of conversation it was time to go look around town and meet up with Jeff.

I met Jeff at his work, Burger King. Jeff is one of the most loyal friends I have, and I was crashing at his place during my stay. He is such a good friend, and I miss being around him. I got the key to his place, and made my way to the shower.

After the long, hot shower I was ready to go and visit a few of my old spots. Five mile bay is wicked in the Summer with heaps of boats, swimmers, and parties. Being the start of winter the lake, and Five Mile Bay were desolate. I put my toes in the lake, took a few pics, and smelled the clean air. It was then off to lunch with Auntie Ali, Auntie Lyn, and Kenny at the local Thai hotspot.

On the first evening, we met up with my mate David, and Breakers and had a few laughs about life and where it has taken us.

Lets just say I fell asleep very early on my first night and made sure to get rest for what would become some epic times.

The next day was time to explore. Ursula, my future wife, and I spent time at Zest Cafe with my favorite B.E.T.A and then off to Huka Falls and Spa Park. I used to run and hike in this area a couple of times a week. It is a place I go to talk to God, my Grandma B, and for some good solitude. There are some secret spots I showed Ursula, and I think she didn't quite want to kill me for going to these places. I also went up to the forever green Taupo Botanic Gardens for a look at my old mate Mt. Tauhara.

I took Jeff out for some amazing food at the restaurant. And to get my fill of nice Pinot Noir and lamb. And it was time to go out a bit and see my buddy Karl.

I needed a good sleep for what happened on Saturday night. We started off with amazing steaks at Steak and Ale and then went on the town. Bond, Clubhouse, and Finns around the entertainment district of Taupo. It was booze filled, Maccas laden, and a great time. We made it back to Jeff's via his staff.

The next morning was brunch with Phillip, Heather, Shane, Jeff, Seb, and a couple of others. I had a peaceful, yet slightly emotional drive back to Auckland for my evening flight out.

I miss my New Zealand whanau so much. They mean a lot to me and I always have such a great time.

Thank you all for how you impact my life!

New Zealand Return!!!

I left some of my heart in New Zealand last year when I returned to the United States. It as mainly the lifestyle I lived. I met some amazing friends, ate stunning food, had an interesting flatmate, and overall had a fab life.

Since the very day I left the country, I have missed it. I talk about the life everyday and think about all that I am missing.

That is changing. I am headed for a very quick trip to visit friends in New Zealand.

I am lucky, I snatched up a roundtrip ticket for $400 USD. That is not a misprint. The time off is needed. I need the lake to rejuvenate my spirit. I need the time off to relax.

Nomdic Matt in Taupo

I love Taupo, as does Nomadic Matt. It came as a Christmas gift for me last night when I got the daily message from Matt that Taupo is is favorite place in New Zealand. It is mine as well. Huka Falls, the Lake, Fishing, and just being outside in such a great town makes me very happy.

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Nomadic Matt Tries to Fish in Taupo

Round the World Favorites

This video has been weeks in the making, it is some of my favorite spots on my recent Round the World Trip. I made it of a higher quality, so I hope you enjoy it!

Mummy and Daddy Visit New Zealand

Traveling has been crazy the last 12 days. My Mum and Dad made the long trek to the "Land of the Long White Cloud" on their first international trip. They arrived on an early Saturday morning, which I was nursing quite the hangover from a night of drinking games. We drove down to Taupo for the night for me to catch up with mates and co-workers and for them to see what my life was like on the Central Plateau.

We woke up early Sunday and flew down to Dunedin. We rented a car and spent a couple of days on the Otago Peninsula. The weather was great, and the sites were wonderful. We went to "The Chasm" which was utterly amazing. When we walked up there I thought it wasn't going to be much, but once looking over the edge it was stunning. We also went to the Larnch Castle, which happens to be the only one in New Zealand. It was really nice, especially the gardens.









It was then off to Southland and the Catlins. I loved this area. We did quite a lot of walking, seeing some great waterfalls, a heap of sheep, some seals, and even a penguin or two. It was my favorite part of what we saw.









Finally, it was on to the Milford Sound and Queenstown. Milford was great, we did a cruise from Te Anau in the rain. The mountains are indescribable, the scenery was stunning, the water was everywhere. One of my favorite things was visiting Puzzleworld near Wanaka. I am still trying to figure out how everything worked.










We took heaps of photos, and I will have more up once I get to a place that doesn't have uploading restrictions. They were wonderful!

Thank you Mum and Dad for everything, I hope you had as good of a time as I did!

Fire at the Hotel

Update - There was a lot of damage to the reception area as well as extensive damage to the roof and conference rooms. My mate Jeff took a couple of photos for me.




My former workplace, Millennium Manuels caught fire this afternoon. According to former co-workers and friends the fire occurred in the roof and their is extensive water damage. Also, there was heaps of smoke that could be seen for miles. Thank goodness, everyone is OK!

Staff, guests evacuated after fire at Taupo resort

New 4:15PM Monday May 11, 2009

Guests and staff have been evacuated from the upmarket Manuels lakeside resort in Taupo after fire broke out in the roof.

Three Taupo fire appliances were in attendance at the blaze and five more were on the way after the alarm was sounded about 3pm, northern fire communications shift manager Steve Smith said.

Mr Smith said all people at the resort were accounted for and there were no reports of injuries .

A local resident said the fire was clearly visible from State Highway 1 although traffic was still flowing freely.

There was a large crowd of onlookers watching the action.

She said the fire had burnt a hole in the roof above the reception area and smoke was still coming it.

- NZPA

Goodbye Taupo!

I am leaving Taupo in less than 24 hours. It is time to start traveling without the work attached to it. I am so happy about my decision to live in Taupo over the last 6 months. I have met new friends that will be in my life for a long time. But it is time to move on, I am ready to see more and do more in this fine country.

Before, I leave I wanted to expand the list of things I will miss:

- Going to Zest Café on paydays to eat the Asian inspired dishes
- Walking down Tui street and hear all of the birds
- Walking to work on a clear day with the snow-capped mountains and the sun gently setting
- Watching the purple and blue colors during the wee hours of the morning
- Having a refreshing run along the lake path
- Watching the morning fog on the Waikato River
- Completing my weekly run to Huka Falls
- Learning to play cricket with Jeff
- Learning how to make proper coffee
- Seeing my mail delivered by a person on a bike

Thank you Taupo, for giving me an amazing experience. One I will never forget!

Tongariro Crossing

I completed the challenging Tongariro Crossing last week. It was a crazy time, but great!