Hi Guys!

I can't believe it has been so long! I hope EVERYONE has had an AMAZING Christmas and New Year's!!!!! Happy 2012!!!

I believe today is Jan 11, 2012...but I am not exactly sure. The time and date these days has been slipping away from me.

I don't have too much time to write at the moment, but here is the update in short. On December 27, 2011 I left Hastings for good. I left twice before for short trips, only to come back to what had become my NZ home. However, on the 27th it was time to say goodbye for good.

After an unbelievable Christmas by a bonfire on the beach, my friend Michael and I packed up, and decided to move on. I met Michael in Hastings. I have been here longer, but we have known each other a few months now. He is 20, from Germany, and a very sweet guy. We bought our friends, Jacob and Iris's, car. They sold it to us for a good price, and Michael and I decided to go for it. Along with the car we decided to buy a tent and sleeping bags.

On the 27th we set off for Wellington. We stayed with Peter and Carol who were so amazing and generous. They are the family I stayed with in September, in the beginning of my trip. We stayed in Wellington for New Year's as well, and met up with our old backpacker friends. We had such a fun night.

On my birthday, January 4th, Michael and I left to begin camping. We went up the other side of the north island because our ferry to the south island was not until the 8th. We camped in Pahiatua and other places I can't remember how to spell. All was well until the final day where we got rained on like a mother.

Peter and Carol came to the rescue again when we called them last minute asking if we could come to their house for a warm shower and shelter. They weren't home, so they sent us to their son  Simon to give us a key, some extra camping gear, and anything else. We finally got to the house, showered, and just laid on the bed listening to the insane wind and rain. This was the night we were about to catch the Ferry.

It was horrendous weather, but the Ferry was going anyway. We got on with our car, and after about 30 minutes i felt so sick. We made it though, and arrived to the south island is crazy slanted, winds and rain. We slept in the car on the street because it was about 1 in the morning.

After that the weather cleared and we camped in Picton, and began to gather ourselves a bit. Then we decided to hit the road and head for Nelson which is where we are now.

We are camping here, and there is a band playing at the camp site at the moment. Tomorrow we will see if we can get to Golden Bay. There has been some bad flooding here in NZ, so we are going to see what we can manage.

I wish I could tell all the details, but I have to go. I will write more when I can!

Again Happy New Year! Hope you all are enjoying your winter while we were sweating like crazy today here in mid january!

:)