Whuck yeah

Trip Start Apr 22, 2005
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11
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Trip End Aug 12, 2005


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Flag of Australia  ,
Monday, June 27, 2005

new zealand is probably the safest, friendliest, and most peaceful country i will ever see. ben described it is as one big small town, which is true--mostly 'cause all the towns in the country are small towns--but even the bigger cities like auckland have something of a smalltown feel to them. the land has a becalming effect as well. everything is bright green, and covered with smooth, rolling hills. i understand the south island is where most of the dramatic scenery is, but i didn't have enough time or enough warm clothes to head down there. the north island, though, was very scenic by itself.

after asia, being in new zealand felt more or less like i was back in the states. except that they have separate flush buttons for going number one and number two, and also i'm pretty sure new zealand does burgers better than we do. there's also an indigenous polynesian population in new zealand called the maori 01 Auckland
01 Auckland
 . they make up 15% of the country, which is either a lot or a little depending on which country you're comparing it to. they appear, at least on the surface, to have a decent hand in the culture and the government. and most of the city names are maori names--for some reason they pronounce "wh" as "f".

being the big, small town that it is, new zealand is filled with the usual cheesy, small-town tourist attractions--3d mazes, clock museums, "the world's artsiest public toilets"--we did all three, as in i got lost in the maze, we pretended to know how clocks worked in the museum, and ben pooped in the public toilet. the other attractions are of the extreme/adventure variety--i.e. hiking, skydiving, bungee jumping... the three of us opted to roll down a hill in a huge, plastic bubble. i assume that's how kiwis get their aggression out and are so docile the rest of the time, that and through rugby.

new zealand is basically built for backpackers. there are hostels in every town and around every corner, hitchhiking is pretty common and pretty safe, everything is close together and there's a plenty to see and do. anyway, after two weeks cruising in the mirthmobile with ben, and another five days or so with jeff making us a trio, i am finally back on my own and in australia. should be fun.
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