Lake Rotoiti, slung on the north west realms of Lake Rotorua, deep in the belly of the Bay of Plenty. The second most popular lake in New Zealand after Lake Taupo, its shores are strung with baches and jetties, boat sheds and 50's era pleasure vessels. It reeks of older times. The weatherboard dwellings are plastered with old family photos and drawers and cupboards overflow with battered cutlery, chipped plates and thick rimmed glasses and cups. Each room has the obligatory bunk bed and chest of drawers. The lounge has a splattering of couches, recliners and foot stools, while the rounded cream coloured fridge rattles in the corner. This is what makes New Zealand soo kiwi. Other countries have temples and castles, we have baches. Whether they served for fishing, skiing, beach or any other multitude of uses, they all have the cosy, comfy, come in, wipe your feet and play scrabble in front of the heater atmosphere. Hooraa for having a true kiwi cultural icon to call ours.

Damn you Facebook!!!!!!!

It's been a crazy few weeks, from grief to elation to positively weird. All is well and the weather has been fantastic. It seems the world has been overrun with facebook mayhem. It seems all and sundry are hooked. I'm slowly falling as well. If only time were endless! Hope you're all well. Kia kaha!

Finally A is firmly slotted into G! It's been a hectic couple of weeks both work and life in general. We've been basking of late in warm sunny weather, making life a lot less stressful on the job site. It seems latly, life has consisted of work, sleep, eat, work, sleep.....and so on. Although the last week saw me in Auckland for the majority of it, attending the funeral of Megan's Grandmother. It was a beautiful service, and may she pass in peace. Apologies to those in Auckland for not dropping in or letting ya know I was about, I'd dedicated myself to being with Megan and her family. So as the dusk slides in on the Friday and the impending weekend around the corner, I wish you all well and hope life is treating you fondly. Pictures etc should be back to normality from now on. Cheers.

Hi all, apart from the rush job of getting at least something up in the air as far as a few pics go, I'm finally settled and ready to rock again! A little has transpired in the time I last threw some fonts to screen. So I am now in a place called Haumoana, sitting on the southern curve of the Hawkes Bay and a little south of Napier. Why? Work and maybe a realisation that I love NZ. The job is at Cape Kidnappers, a lodge sitting high above the bay and commanding the presence in which it oozes. Tethered to one of the top 10 golf courses outside of the states, it's quite a place to sit and ponder.....well......anything. I assure you, when the cloud rises and the rain decides to dry up, pics will be forth coming. Anyway, life is fantastic and heading in an exciting direction. YEEHAA.

Happy 21st bro. Sorry ya'll, will be back soon with update of haps.

Early morning sees us watching the early Air New Zealand 767 bound for Auckland, taxi for take off. The sun is just poking its nose over The Sleeping Giant and life is kicked back into action as a new day dawns. My chance to see Fiji and its beauty from the skies aboard a Cessna 172 is about to begin. We take off and head south, were the sky is grey and watery. Hugging the coast at 500ft, we look for clear weather ahead, allowing us a passage to Kadavu resting off the south coast of Viti Levu. Without any blue visible through the murk, we turn about and follow the white line of the sea crashing onto the reef along the south-west coast.

Northward we set a course for the Mamanuca Group, nestled between the mainland and The Yasawas. Spotted with many of the popular Fiji resorts, the reef and islands create a mosaic of aquas, golden yellows and lush greens. The island above, Monuriki, was used in the film castaway. With no inhabitants, it beholds a true desert island feel.

Thanks Euin (Shemonkey) and Gerome for the opportunity to tag along with you guys.
Cheers.

Nadi 12:55pm 28°C Humid

Ow, my head hurts! And no, it wasn't from the all you can drink alcohol on South Sea Island, although that did contribute I'm sure. It was an inconspicuously low door. Well not that inconspicuous when the sign above the door stated, 'Mind Your Head'. I obviously didn't mind! Not even Ow!!!

South Sea Island 10:15am 21°C Sunny