New Zealand Video

After setting a trend with my videos, there was no way I was gonna miss out on the chance to make a video of my New Zealand experience. This was however a time consuming process, since given the raw beautiness of the place, I ended up gathering a lot of material. These videos are of the first 10 days on the South Island. Youtube also has size limitations, so I had to divide the video into parts. Without further bla bla, please click below for my New Zealand youtube extravaganza:

MUMMAGUMMA IN NEW ZEALAND PART 1

MUMMAGUMMA IN NEW ZEALAND PART 2

Bula Fiji

Ever since I first conceived my time in Australia, I conceived a visit to Fiji. I can’t even recall why, but no South Pacific experience would be complete without the holy trinity Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. Is it the name? Fiji. Fidgee.There’s another thousand islands scattered all over the Pacific, but Fiji has a ring to it...
It also had a rare effect on my lips. I couldn’t stop smiling for the entire first day. It was warm, sunny, the people were nice and chilled out, and it had that smell of exotic fruits and colourful cocktails. It made me wish my parents were there. It was Africa all over, with a touch of the Caribbean and many memories of places like Brazil and Cuba. It’s the perfect mix.

Jon was the couchsurf host of hosts. Turns out he’s a hotel manager, and so we were treated to a hotel room and complementary tour of the main island! He also helped us book our days in the Mamanucas and Isawas islands. Fiji is composed of two main islands, where most locals live. It’s the agricultural centre of the country. However, the touristic epicentre is the island hopping, where carefully set resorts populate islands of idyllic beauty, with a sunset made for romance. The Blue Lagoon or Castaway are some movies set on these islands.
During my last night on the main island Viti Levu, at 2am I tried in vain to follow the tennis as Federer made history in the Roland Garros final, through slowest wireless connection ever. Needless to say I saw 1 second of moving image in every 10, but still found reason to celebrate!

The first island was Beachcomber, on the Mamanucas. It’s your typical very small atoll “party island”. I Did the limbo till I got a dislocated shoulder and met a very cool crew. 5 stars to Vinny Costello, the Fijian/Irish owner, who drowned me in Kavas (the non alcoholic local drink) and was a great company. 5 sacs of shite to the 100 bed dorm. I’m too old and grumpy for dorms and shared facilities. (Although it is an experience)

The second island was Oarsman’s bay, on the Isawas. It’s nothing short of heaven. A great Island full of surprises and the most chilled out place on earth. That’s the sort of place i wanna take my missus on a honey moon. 5 stars to the clear warm water and the view from my room. 5 sacs of shite to having moody Marcos there instead of my missus! :)

The last island was Manta Ray, on the Isawas. It’s a mix between party and nature. By this time I had no patience for socializing, but made the most of the kayak to explore empty beaches and the amazing reefs. 5 stars to the food, the moonlight (the best I’ve ever seen – watched the moon rise on the beach with The Dark Side of The Moon and Massive Attack for a company) and swimming naked on an empty beach. Apologies to the male fish in the region. 5 bags of shite to the shared facilities and cold shower.
In the end the Fijian people was my most enduring memory. Relaxed, happy and always smiling. They’re never late for anything: Even aussies can’t beat the “Fiji time”. Bula!!

The Mamanucas islands group

Beachcomber views

Vinny Costello in fire red

The Isawas islands group

Oarsman's Bay beach

Oarsman's Bay beach

Big Fish

The sunset

deserted island

Oarsmans Bay - The view from my room

Manta Ray - Marcos contemplates

Manta Ray - Ace and the wavebreakers

South Pacific sunset

Aotearoa North island

Day 14 - Rotorua
My every day morning ritual is to wake up, open the curtains and check the sky. And what can I say?! Blue and azul. I think this is God trying to compensate me for all the shit he puts me through in sports. I mean, the bloody Lakers, Greece and Benfica ever since the referees association moved its control centre to the North of Portugal in the 80’s. And you know what?! Great deal with the lord above! Keep on screwing my teams while I enjoy the weather of Heaven on my journeys. (having said that, the Australian Open was hard to swallow)

The rest of the South island was something to remember forever. Milford Sound was voted by Kiwis the best destination in the country and I totally agree with that. It’s a place unlike anywhere I’ve been before. A mix between Norwegian Fjords and the rain forest. Words are pointless. After leaving Queenstown we had a great drive along the Southern Alps back to Christchurch. Lake Tekapo is the place for inspiration, and Lindis Pass, a portion of highlands where only small yellow grass and weeds grows, at a certain point in the orangy late afternoon sun feels like another planet. I dumped the first Poderoso and took a train and a ferry between islands. What a journey! The train had an open balcony, such is the beautiness of that region, and the ferry was more like Las Vegas packed in a ship, although the sea was so rough and windy I can’t say I enjoyed myself too much.

Wellington felt like the most boring town on a Monday night. After picking up La Poderosa (a station wagon) we headed North to Tongariro National Park, a collection of active volcanoes and breathtaking high mountain views. We did the famous 11km Tongariro Crossing and there was absolutely NO ONE else on the track but us. That feeling of being alone in the wild is something I search for in any of my explorations of this blue dot and that day was possibly the best ever. The contrast between the snow covered mountains and the steam and heat coming out of the craters was fascinating. After that we headed to the Rotorua region, famous for its thermal activity. For 100 kms there are geysers steaming out all around you. It’s insane! It’s also an area of strong Maori culture, the indigenous of Aotearoa. (New Zealand) Why they all look like Rugby players I don’t know.

My good friend Janeko told me recently that New Zealand has been his dream destination for years. No matter how long it might take him to accomplish that dream, it will be absolutely worth it. And that goes for the rest of you commie homo-loving sons of guns. My father emailed me the other day. He said: “Enjoy it son, because no one comes out of this life alive”. Words of wisdom. Times pass away… Seize the day.
My thanks to Marcos for some of his great pictures: