Long day...

It's going to be an early night tonight... After the usual day of work, we weeded every pathway. My back was killing me by the end and of course it was the hottest day in the mountains so far. After lunch some of the staff and I decided to take up hike up to the aquatic heart of the entire resort. The whole place is powered by a hydrogenerator that pumps water from a creek running down from the mountain. All the water here (excluding the thermal water) is supplied by this creek as well. It was a path that went straight up the mountain eventually ending at the giant tank. Its a really simple system, and the creek is so clean it doesnt need to be filtered. We trekked up the mountain until the path ended, then we forded the creek and made are way up its steep rocky banks. Climbing up a particularly tall bit, I slipped and slammed into the rock next to me, breaking two buckles that held my backpack strap on. Slipping the other strap over my head, I followed the rest of the group over more slippery rocks until the girls didnt feel comfortable going any farther. A quick decent easily convinced Tomo, Katsuya and I to walk down to the river for a swim. According to the other Japanese people, the river was quite cold. Fortunately, I am Oregon born, and was rather comfortable. I was the only one actually went for a swim. The others got in up to their mid-thighs but were quickly wanting to go back up to the rock pool. After a quick swim, I agreed and we walked over to the hot springs. The only other people there happened to be from Seattle, so I had a nice chat about how similar the area is to the northwest. 

Just finished an enormous portion of curry and many pieces of naan. Its time for bed REALLY soon... Thank god I dont have work until 10 tomorrow!

Yusuke making the crossing

Tomo

Sorry Speck!! Couldn't resist....

Today was my first day off, so I got to sleep in for the first time since ive been in the country. Well, not my usual sleep in... I slept until 8... I was going to go on a hike, but I ended up sitting out in the sun, reading and getting devoured by those damn sand flies. I dont think there has ever existed such a vile creature. THEY. ARE. EVERYWHERE. And tiny! You dont even see them until they land on you! Luckily I didnt go on a hike, cause when I finished lunch, Akira asked if I wanted to take a quick spin in the bird before he flew back to Christchurch. (2.5 hours by car. 40 min by chopper...) We just did a couple loops around the resort and buzzed the tower. Too bad there was nobody to spill coffee on themselves... Well, by tower, I mean the massage room, but I still felt like Goose to Akira's Maverick. After some low sweeps down the river (which was the best part) he brought it in for a very skilled landing on a small helipad. Akira grabbed his coffee, and disappeared behind the hills. 

 Katsuya and Akira in their maintenance crew jumpsuits. 

 Hands. What to do with them...

 Maverick

First Day of Work

Woke up this morning at 545, and sat by the river for while before taking a shower and walking out of my room to work. The time difference really helped me get into the habit of waking up early. waking up at 6 feels like waking up at 9, the day before....
The plan for my work is for me to try out all positions, then decide where I feel most comfortable. I wish more jobs were set up like this... Unfortunately that means I started at 7 this morning in housekeeping. Spent half the day scrubbing windows, changing sheets and vacuuming. It got pretty monotonous after the third or fourth room but overall it was pretty simple. I did like that the work day for housekeeping ends around 2.00. I got cleaned up and took a stroll down the river. It was pleasant enough taking pictures (which grew increasingly frustrating due to focal distance issues...)  but when the sand flies took notice of my presence they began to feast on rare american blood. After being sucked dry, I checked out the helicopter and took a nap.
 All in all, a peaceful day in the mountains.

Hotel. Restaurant. Brocolli. Cafe.

 My new home

 View from my room

Akira in his lair

 Chef Peter's cottage / NB's mountain house when he goes back to the essentials.

Stupid Camera...

My camera jammed with the lens sticking out just as the sun was coming up this morning. of course it was moments before I boarded the ferry from wellington to picton. plus i didnt charge my video camera so i couldnt use that either. and i had my phone packed in with my check in luggage. in other words, i have 0 pictures of the ferry ride, 0 pictures of the bus rides, and 0 pictures of the south island. aside from that, the south island is the most beautiful place ive ever been. ranging from mountains dropping down to the sea, rolling hills of grass as far as the eye can see, seals playing on the shores and gorgeous blue beaches. hopefully the person on the bus will email me some photos, but regardless i will be making that trek again to take my own. The beaches ranged from dark sand, to jagged rocks covered in seals (or sea lions, whichever it is...) to beaches covered in smooth river-rocks. The sound of those rocks tumble against each other as the waves broke and retreated was the most soothing thing i have ever heard. (better than a forest breeze!!) I almost missed the bus cause i was so mesmerized...

This is a post from deep in the mountains by Lewis Pass, one of the only roads crossing the southern mountains. After being picked up in the town square, and filling up some gas cans with helicopter fuel, Akira and I made the 2 hour journey into the mountains. I wish I had pictures of the mountains and the river, but again, damn camera... A light shower is falling outside, and it really reminds me of Oregon. Low clouds passing through the valley, puddles everywhere, and green mountains reaching to the sky. I'll get some pictures with my video camera tomorrow after its had a good charge. The internet connection is quite slow, but it may be good enough to upload some video too. 

Anyhow... since i have no new pictures of the south island... here's more shots of auckand!

Spot I skated behind the hostel

City of Sails

Two days in Auckland have gone by in a flash. This whole southern hemisphere thing is messing with my internal compass. I've gotten lost multiple times or thought I was lost only to suddenly appear across the street from the hostel.

First American I ran into

2 hours off the plane and 3 blocks from the hostel I ran into Travis Pastrana. Really nice guy.

30,000 feet

Air New Zealand is the best. Screens in every seat, new clean seats, 70+ movie selections. Had the seat next to me open so I was comfy too!