Sans Zaniness

I don't really have anything zany to say, so here's some pictures.  

My sweet Mustache and I enjoying a sunset.

Just outside of the winery

sunset with a cow

My vehicle and living quarters

There are sweet beaches like this
 all around the island 

Fishing with some buddies

I think this is the first legitimate fish I've ever caught.

Man O' War

After working for one week on Waiheke Island, I think I’m in love.  I just came from Fiordland, probably the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen, and Waiheke matches it in grace and beauty but is permeated with a rustic charm that penetrates your soul.  It’s like I’m stuck in a perpetual Bob Dillon song.  The Man O’ War Winery has about 110 acres of vines on its 2400 acre property which is about one fifth of Waiheke island.   They own the entire eastern end of the island which basically feels like I have my own private island.  Every morning, my two co-workers/roomies and I drive 15 minutes from our barn-like house over unkempt dusty red roads to the winery with 360 degree views of beaches, hills, vineyards and sheep.  Lots and lots of sheep.  There are approximately 73 beaches on the island, and me and my cronies have the lofty aspiration to swim in every one of them.  We’ll see if that happens. 

The winery itself is also quite rustic, and like everything else has a thick layer of red dust over everything.  Of course I will be cleaning it thoroughly before harvest starts (which is in about 3 days).  The wines are spectacular and certainly show off that red volcanic dirt minerality which makes them both tasty and unique.    

I really lucked out on this one.  Basically, I’m getting paid to be on holiday.  

epicness

The stalactites are actually hanging from the ceiling but I can't rotate in this program

Jeff looking over the vast clouds. Probably my favorite picture I've taken

Yep, that's right

Whelp, my traveling holiday has officially ended, and my working holiday has begun.  Both are holidays in their own right because, even as I work, it is still far from real life.   My last weekend in Te Anau was quite epic since I hiked one of New Zealand’s great walks with my good friend Jeff.  We hiked about 30 miles on what is called the ‘Kepler track’ in four days.  Sure, it would have been feasible to do it in 2 days, but with views like these, it would have been downright shameful to rush it.  I have to put Fiordland right up there in the ranks (maybe higher) with Yosemite, Glacier, and the Swiss Alps, which is no small feat.  Once again, although the pictures are beautiful, they really don’t capture the raw monstrosity of this place, and I only saw a small fraction of the park.     

Literally right after I got off of the Kepler, I hitched up to Christchurch because I had a flight out to Auckland the next day.  My first ride was from a sweet old lady named Margaret who picks up hitchers all the time.  She had to be at least 80 years old.  To use my favorite Kiwi-ism: Good on ya Margaret!    My other rides were just as intriguing, but in fact are so intriguing that it would be impossible to summarize.  I will simply say that overall I think that hitch-hiking has to be my favorite part of my trip.

I just arrived on Waiheke island a few days ago and it is in-cred-ible.  I will post some pictures of it soon.  Good on ya mate!  (It doesn’t really work in this sense because it is more of a congratulatory saying but what the hell, congratulations on your life)

Paul.