Spectacular sunset on Manly beach
Lovely day for a historical cruise on a tall ship in Sydney Harbour and Goat Island…
My first time inside the Opera House. Went to see Empire of the Sun, an Australian band that makes me very happy. They cultivate a sense of drama, mise en scene, and dare I say fun that I miss in today’s pop music. People take themselves so damn seriously.
I was excited to come back to Sydney – which felt like coming home at this stage since it’s been over 4 months that I’ve settled in Manly. Winter has now officially started although it pretty much still feels like summer, the main changes being that the nights get chilly and that the sun sets pretty early… (5pm)
Making the most of the early nightsetting Vivid Festival was in full bloom when I got back and the Opera House changing shapes and colours every night was the highlight.
I was really impressed by how New Zealand has managed, more than anywhere else I’ve been, this wonderful mix of indigenous populations – the Maoris – and the british immigrants. White people have embraced a lot of the Maoris traditions and you can sense the admiration for the Maori Haka and warrior spirit. There are elements of the Maori culture everywhere and at Te Papa (the Museum of New Zealand) the Maori language is first before english. There seems to be a mixity that Australia, for example, doesn’t have, as far as I can see. It’s inspiring to see that it can actually happen.
The landscapes are majestic and extremely varied. The fact that it’s a volcanic island make it very different from Australia. Also I was imagining it very green and hilly – which it is – but I had no idea of how big the beach culture was. There are gorgeous and wild beaches everywhere.
It was a wonderful trip, I liked everything we did from kayaking to skydiving and exploring the caves. I’d never done an organised trip before and I’m glad I tried something new because I enjoyed it and will do it again. It was also lovely to meet Marie, Jennifer, Kiana and Sally.
E noho ra New Zealand!
Do you know what else I did in New Zealand? I friggin’ ZORBED, dude!
(ie got thrown at full speed off the top of a friggin’ hill in a friggin’ plastic ball, dude!)
(NB: getting in and out of that friggin’ ball reminded me so much of a certain hippo scene in Ace Ventura – those of you in the know will understand!)
I couldn’t take my camera out but Jennifer kindly sent me a couple of pics from the hot springs we went to in NZ. In a corner where a hot stream meets a cold stream we bathed for a little while. Nature is pretty rad!
I loved Wellington. It’s one of those places. Places where I could imagine making a life for myself. It inspired me.
People are so incredibly kind and positive. A barman who wouldn’t charge me for my order, a waitress who really attended to my needs and have a chat and even Matt from Weta Workshop who was especially lovely to me.
Everyone looks good and there are so many young people, students sitting in cafés, chatting away. A city coming of age full of energy and creativity, buzzing with life. Seatoun and Miramar are such charming areas…
Yes, it will hold a special place in my heart. I would love to go back and spend more time there.
Windy Welly!
Wellington airport… Gollum is a superstar!
Sunshine on Lake Taupo – New Zealand