dayoffrida - in NEW ZEALAND

I have NO idea where to start updating you about our life here in NZ... I know there are weeks ago since I told you about what we're up to, how work is in Christchurch, how my final assignment in Business English went and so on. I guess I have to start somewhere and just tell you a little about everything, and more will come when I get home. We are actually leaving NZ in exactly three weeks today. Crazy!!

 

We have done SO MUCH since we left Nelson for the second time the 10th May. We drove along the west coast of the South Island, past Westport, Greymouth and Hokitika. Stopped at the Pancake Rocks and slowly made our way to Franz Josef and Fox Glacier. From there we continued down to Wanaka and Queenstown. Places we liked a lot. We past stunning places and stopped the car everywhere. The weather was definitely on our side and we had crystal clear, blue sky and sunny weather almost every day. Driving in the Southerns Alps was amazing. All the mountains, covered with snow...unbelivable beautiful.

 

After discovering the South Island, with our lovely green car "Pärlan" of course, we finally ended up i Christchurch and that is where we are at the moment. Louise, my sweet friend, is also here and we have had time to hang out with her and meet all her friends, like Dan and Martina. 

 

I finished my final assignment in Business English our second day here and I got my mark for the course the other day. I got a B (=VG) and I am really proud of myself. I have learned SO much during those months and I guess that I am impressed that I could focus on studying while we have been travelling around and working. 

 

When we decided to drive up to Christchurch (already more than two weeks before our flight to Auckland) our mission was to get a job. So, the first day here we visited Coverstaff and was booked in for an interview. Everything went fast this time and after the weekend we started our new job in a juice factory. Pretty long days, that started at 05.30am every morning, but we at least earned some money and got to know a totally new business. Fun experience! 

 

During the time here we have been to our first Rugby game ever. The Crusaders (from Christchurch) played against The Blues (from Auckland). The Crusaders won even though the weather was everything else than nice... it rained all evening! 

We have also gone on some other small adventures from here. Last weekend we visited Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & SPA together with Louise and Dan and this past Saturday we drove to Akaroa, on the Banks Peninsula and enjoyed the beautiful winter weather. 

 

Believe it or not, it S N O W E D here yesterday. This morning it was all white on house roofs and a special feeling went through my body. Swedes are in love with snow, I am at least, especially after not experiencing a long winter like a lot of you back home have. 

 

Anyway, I need to go soon. Like I said, not much time left on this adventure. It has been a great time and I am, once again, very happy that I got the opportunity to do this. But, I really look forward to go home, just in time for the Swedish summer, which I love. But for the first time ever, I feel like I am done....I have been out travelling for about four years and I look forward to settle down (where ever that will be, just time tells).

 

So, we are enjoying ourselves this last week here. Becuase there are no work for us, we are spending a lot of time at the gym, Les Mills. Vidde found a great deal, 14 days for 14NZD, for two people!!! 

 

On Saturday morning we fly to Auckland to spend the weekend there and on Monday 3rd June we're going to Tonga, for two weeks. We call it vacation, from vacation. Can't wait!!

 

SEE YOU SOON!

 

Love,

Frida