Chaing Mai

The morning I decided I was going to head north to Chaing Mai I met someone going the same way. Next thing I knew we were in Chaing Mai and she was signed up for a medetation at a big buddist temple here. I decided to give the medetation thing a try and did it for 5 days. They were 5 of the hardest days in my life. You could only talk to the teacher once a day and not talk to any of the other meditators. No reading, music, tv, internet, or any other form of entertainment. We ate twice a day at 7am and 11am and we were not allowed to eat later then that. We also woke up at 5am to start meditating. After doing this I realized that medetation is not really my thing. It was cool to learn about the buddist culture and I have a lot more respect for monks now, but I dont think I will ever do it again for that long. That being said, I did figure out what I wanted to while being there. So all in all it was a good experience, but it was I much harder task then I originally thought.

Thailand

Flew into Bangkok last night. Today Im going to try and catch a train or bus to Chiang Mai in the North. There are some temples and cultural stuff like that to check out up there so it should be interesting. I might even do a meditation thing because it seems like a cool experience.

Leaving NZ

I am flying to Australia this afternoon. Im staying in Sydney for 3 nights then I fly to Bangkok. I had to book a ticket to Singapore for 30 days after I arrive in Thailand. After traveling for a little while I have realized that its always great and exciting to see new places, but the people I meet are what really changes me. Everyday I meet new people, most of whom I will never see again, and that is the best part about traveling. Its a little depressing knowing I will never see most of these people again, but its still great to socialize with people from all over the world. Some of the people I have the most in common with are from places completely foreign to me.

Skipping Australia

Im not going to stay in Australia as long as I had planned on. Its pretty expensive because of the exchange rate, so Im going to go to Thailand sooner. That means almost 2 months in South East Asia! Im pretty excited again. I will be able to see a lot more then I would have been able to see in Aus.

Heading North

Im catching a night bus from Wellington to Auckland. Im going to try and see the Bay of Islands and any other nice areas near the city. I fly to Oz on the 11th, so NZ is almost done. I put a bunch of pictures on facebook for friends who didnt have cameras along the way, so if you want to see some of the places Ive been check it out there.

Leaving the south island

Just drove up the west coast of the south island. It was beautiful, and we got to see two glaciers. About to leave the English boys (Tom and Toad). Its been good working but Im ready to be on the move and see more of the country. I will probably catch the ferry to the north island tomorrow or the day after.

Finishing work

I have one more week at Akarua Vineyard. Im going to head back up to Auckland after that for a flight on Feb 11. I will probably go up the west coast of the south island to Nelson then take the ferry to the north island. Two and a half months in NZ have gone by quick. Im more then half done the trip and getting excited to move on and see more of the world. I heard the west coast is one of the most beautiful places in NZ, so I should have some good pictures in the next few weeks.