dayoffrida - in NEW ZEALAND

I promised to be better in updating you about our life here in New Zealand and at the moment in New Plymouth. So, I am improving right now, and will try to continue the same way in the future :)

 

Today has been a nice, very relaxed Sunday...so far. We had a long, enjoyable breakfast this morning, went for a a short visit to a completely flat Fitzroy Beach and later on back home for some sun in our garden at Ducks and Drakes Hotel. Vidde is working and I am scheduled 5pm-8pm tonight, in the reception. 

 

My plans are to get some studying done before work today, do some research on the South Island (heading there pretty soon) and go grocery shopping in a while too.

 

 

I do really enjoy spending more time in the same province/town. You get to know a place much better than if you just stay for a night or two, it is less stressful, it feels more like home and it is definintely easier for me beacuse of the courses that I am studying while I am travelling. It is important for me to have access to internet and when we're here I have that 24/7. 

 

We will be continuing our travels soon though, so I will do my best to plan ahead and try to complete as much as  I can before we leave. I have four more assignments in the Business English course left and next week does the Marketing course start. That is exciting! 

 

Anyway, it is Easter this upcoming week. Not a huge event here, but still a lot of guests coming to this hotel and I would like to observe it in some way. Maybe hide an Easter egg that Vidde has to look for... haha! We will see!

 

Lots of love,

Frida

I can't really explain why I am SO extremly bad at updating the blog at the moment, but it feels like I have no time over. Bad excuse, I know. I would especially like to apologize to my beloved father, I know that I over and over again promise that I should update it more often...so here we go again dad, enjoy :)

 

I do write a couple of sentences in my dairy every now and then, but that of course is just for me myself and mostly just thoughts and feelings. Anyway, a lot has happened since the amazing day when we did the skydive in Taupo, the 6th March, and right now we "live" in NEW PLYMOUTH. 

On our way to New Plymouth did we stop in the National Park Village to do the well-known Tongariro Alpine Crossing. A walk/hike/mountaineering on 2,3 miles that took us about 8 hours return. We were so lucky; this was a sunny day with completly clear sky. Definantely an amazing walk with beautiful views over magificent landscape. This is actually where the Lord of the Rings partly is filmed. With probably the worst blisters I have ever had on my heels, we went to bed pretty exhausted, but satisfied that night. 

After that experience we headed west, along the Forgotten World Highway, which by the way was a very nice drive, and suddenly New Plymouth arisen. New Plymouth is located in the very west of the north island, in the Taranaki province. It is still nice and warm here (except from chilly nights) and we have the opportunity to still go to the beach, enjoy surfing, swimming and tanning. Me like A LOT! And luckily me and Vidde found a great "home away from home" here at Ducks and Drakes Hotel in the centre of this beautiful town.

 

So, we arrived about two weeks ago, and time does fly by. It just took us a couple of days to get in love with this towm and we decided to stay for a longer period of time and to try to find work here. We did, at Ducks and Drakes Hotel :) and since this past Monday we work for accomondation. Our working hours are 21/week and we do both housekeeping and are responsible for the checking guests in and do all kinds of reception work. We have got a lovely double room, free internet, free laundry and a great time with Jane, Rosie and the rest here! Have a look at our home; www.ducksanddrakes.co.nz.

 

At this very moment I do actually work... I am in the reception betweem 2pm and 6pm today. Vidde is already done, he did housekeeping this morning and left for some surfing at Fitzroy Beach a while ago. I am jealous!! I have done all the laundry that I needed to, so this is pretty much called spare time on duty. 

Anyway, it is Friday today. I did some grocery shopping before to be able to make a nice dinner tonight... and tomorrow I am on the morning housekeeping shift again between 9am and 2pm. 

 

Time to do some studying. I am suppose to upload my fourth assignment today (or at latest tomorrow at noon). I am done, I think, so just a final proofreading and then I am finished. 

In one week does my second course start too; Marketing 1. Exciting! 

 

To be continued - I am really going to try to be back soon!

 

Love,

Frida

 

 

(More photos; viddekeith.wordpress.com)

 

I never thought that I would do it and I could never have guessed that I would be so cool about it, but......

 

I DID IT and Vidde did too. We have jumped straigt out of a plane here in Taupo! A tandem skydive on 15000ft. Marley took me down to the earth safely and we made a skydive in 200km/h with a freefall of 60 seconds. I just feel SO alive right now! It was just a really gooooood time in the air for about 15 minutes and I wish I could do it again and just enjoy it much more!!

 

Photos will come, veeery soon! Stay updated :)

 

Going up here by car was a great idea. And our lovely green Nissan was by the way our greatiest deal in NZ, so far. We are so happy we bought it.

We have been driving around up here about one week now and we have seen spots, beaches and villages that we have been recommended to see. All very small, lonely places, but so cute. We are back to the white sand beaches again (after spending time on the west coast where there is a lot of black sand beaches), swum in the warm and nice ocean, visited Hot Water Beach; where we digged a hole in the sand and got to sit down in the hot springs. An experience, but a really crowded place...too many people, I guess a little to much of a "tourist thing" for us. 

 

The other day we went on a shorter walk to the Cathedral Cove. Me and Vidde had company with a woman from the Neatherlands, that stayed at the same hostel, and we had an extrelmy hot but nice day. Probably one of the most beautiful places (I know, I said it again) in NZ, I promise. We walked through the cove at low tide and spent hours in the ocean and at the beach at the other side. 

Suddenly, while we were in the water, Vidde looked at me, stood still staring, pointed at something in the water and calmly said; "I think there is a stingray right behind you". And that was true. A pretty big one actually. They are not that dangerous if you do not disturb them, but still...we returned to sunbathing short after. We also informed another guy, who was very close to it, and he freaked out and thanked us for saving his life....haha!

 

Anyway, we are spending our last day and night in Coromandal town today after seen places like Whangamata, Hahei and Whitianga. We are at the moment enjoying a great cup of cappuccino and a well worth it gluten free carrot cake with citrus cream cheese frosting @ the Chai Tea House. Do I have to tell you that I am back in heaven!? I LOVE those cute, organic cafés, where they alway offer me SO good treats. Dangerous!

 

My beloved boyfriend has, of course, taken more beautiful photos; have a look at his blog viddekeith.wordpress.com :)

 

Time to plan the future.....I will tell you more about it soon! :)