itstoast

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2011-07-18T08:56:00.001+01:00

Have a job, an apartment, went to Queenstown for my birthday and am going to start sailing lessons in a couple of weeks. Probably more to say than that but can't be bothered to type more, sorry. The above picture is the view from my balcony.

Visa Extended :-)

2011-06-20T07:12:00.003+01:00

My NZ work visa has been extended today :-) Was a bit worried as it seemed to be taking a while and they had to arrange interim visa, pleased it was not needed in the end. Going to collect my passport tomorrow lunch time.

More Auckland snaps

2011-05-22T03:11:00.002+01:00

Just uploaded a few pictures from around Auckland. Took all the boaty ones this morning at the viaduct. Anyway, passed my visa medical and currently waiting to hear about the visa extension, hopefully get my passport back this week. Been doing some IT contract work at Auckland Council, its ok, nothing too exciting.

Auckland

2011-05-08T02:27:00.001+01:00

Went for a walk in the park today and visited the hot houses, took a really nice picture of the whole greenhouse in flower but for some reason my phone camera did not save the file properly. So instead here is a pretty dull picture showing where I am staying at the moment, i'm on the 4th floor of the boring grey building in the centre right.

Auckland

2011-05-07T02:57:00.008+01:00

Arrived back in Auckland yesterday, am a little jet lagged but not too bad considering. Walked up Mount Eden this morning, had been there before 4 years ago but took a bus that time. Anyway, took this picture showing the crater and a view over Auckland.

short post

2011-04-22T12:56:00.004+01:00

Been home the last few months, off in a week or so. Leaving the UK as weather is good to go to winter in NZ, not planning these things right, oh well.Thought i'd put a nice photo up as this page is bit dull. Took this a couple of weeks ago down in the valley.

2010-12-13T06:24:00.001Z

More photos being uploaded.In Queenstwon at the mo, off to Dunedin on Thursday (to look for penguins) then back to Christchurch on Sunday.

a few more

2010-11-18T08:49:00.002Z

just uploaded a few more photos, again use the link in the post below.

lots of posts and no photos

2010-11-15T09:37:00.002Z

Just realised I did no posts in October at all and then today (november) I did 3 so thought i'd do one more and make it 4 :-)oh and my flickr account has expired so although I have uploaded all the photos I dont think you can see all of them and they will not show in the right place, click here to see some of them.

Photos

2010-11-15T09:36:00.002Z

Just uploading some photos, not done a final sort of them so some might be a bit rubbish.

A month in Christchuch

2010-11-15T08:16:00.004Z

Well, since those emails I have mainly been busy working in Christchurch (roadtrip distance was 4000km in the end). After a few days I started doing temp admin work for the Earthquake Commission, nothing too complicated just putting stickers on things, filing and a bit of data entry, its quite good as usually work from 8:30 - 6pm so getting the hours in. Drove over to Akaroa one weekend which

Bit of an update

2010-11-15T08:08:00.002Z

Been a bit rubbish updating this, just looked back at a few emails and thought i'd post them here. 9th OctoberBeen busy the last few weeks drivingaround North Island, been great fun, drove 3600km so far. Arrived inWellington yesterday and will go to south island on the 8am ferrytomorrow morning. Managed to travel quite cheaply as been staying infree or cheap DOC (department of conservation)

Back in Auckland

2010-09-14T08:50:00.003+01:00

Did not see a Kiwi bird on Aroha but had a nice time bumbling around the woods in the dark trying to find one. Taupo Bay was also nice and generally not working has been great over the last week or so. Arrived back in Auckland yesterday, had my first Burger King in 3 monhts :-) . Anyway, I bought a tent today for $70 (reduced from $150). Going to go and camp Hekerua Lodge on Waiheke Island

More Travels

2010-09-04T04:00:00.003+01:00

Finished working for Orangewood on thursday, 10 weeks after I started in the Kiwi fruit business. Yesterday got lots done, hair cut, bought and fitted battery for Emilys car and made lemon cream pie :-) . I'm still in Kerikeri at the moment but the following are my plans for the next week.Tonight i'm going to stay in a cottage/hut and look for Kiwi birds at a place called Aroha Island . Monday

NZ Photos

2010-08-29T02:46:00.003+01:00

Mainly been working since arriving in New Zealand, but uploaded a few pictures from the weekend trips. See link on the right.Managed to save some money so planning on leaving Kerikeri in a week for more travelingness :-)

Oz Photos

2010-08-29T01:37:00.002+01:00

Just uploading some Australia photos, all taken heading north after the town of 1770. Use the link on the right.

2010-07-25T11:08:00.002+01:00

Thought i'd upload one quick picture. This was one of the views from a lookout near Opito Bay.

Quick post :-)

2010-07-25T10:54:00.002+01:00

Just a quick post to say i'm alive and well and currently staying in a nice little town called Kerikeri in Northland. Been here about a month and have been working in a Kiwi Fruit packing shed, done tons of hours so earned quite a bit despite the poor hourly rate. On friday I had a new job working on a government run kiwi fruit research farm (though contracted through same employer as before),

Everything sorted(ish) and going on Road Trip :-)

2010-06-22T05:24:00.003+01:00

Sorted my bank, IRD (tax number) and sim cards for phone and internet. My IRD is going to take a couple of weeks but can find that out later over the phone. Found a bank called ASB that has no monthly charge and gave me a cashcard/eftpos within 30min of walking in the branch which is really good. Went on the ferry over to Devonport today and ate fish and chips on the beach. Emily has a car so

Auckland

2010-06-21T07:01:00.000+01:00

Went to a few places after 1770 on the coast up to Cairns then dived the great barrier reef, was good but prefer the warm water diving in thailand. Arrived in Auckland yesterday. Was an over night flight so was and still am quite tired, in afternoon met up with Emily from my last oz trip. Today been trying to organise banks and tax numbers, all very complicated.

Photos

2010-06-03T08:14:00.003+01:00

Just uploading those Oz photos I mentioned before (use link on the right). Also just correct my clock on the right..flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }

1770 and Agnes Water

2010-05-30T07:50:00.002+01:00

In Agnes Water at the mo, next to 1770 (google it!). A nice relaxing quiet little place, mainly gone to to beach and scrambled over the rocks and cliff to explore the coast. Off to Airlie Beach next, will see if can get a last minute deal to go out on one the boats to the Whitsundays. Originally thought i'd go on a dive boat but i'm still suffering from a cold (or another one, not sure), so

Nice at Noosa

2010-05-25T12:46:00.004+01:00

In Noosa at the mo, very nice place but rained lots the last couple of days. Did a couple of walks along the dramatic coastline into the national park, (will upload pics soon). Saw a few things on the walks including 2 dogs (and man) surfing on one board, (watched them for a while they were really good but did fall in once), a replica spitfire type thing flew overhead and a cold and wet looking

On way to Noosa :-)

2010-05-22T07:39:00.001+01:00

Left Surfers Paradise today, i'm in Brisbane now but leave here forNoosa tomorrow. Was only in surfers a short time on my last trip andthought i'd stay longer this time round, however decided not tobother, its nothing great, reminded me of Benidorm. Should haveperhaps stayed in Byron a little longer. Noosa is nice (butexpenisve), so will perhaps stay there a while, will see.

More Thiailand photos

2010-05-19T05:48:00.003+01:00

Just uploaded a few more Thailand pics, mainly Koh Tao.I'm in Byron at the moment. Arrived on saturday from Sydney. Was sunny in Sydney but a bit chilly and here it is cloudy but warm (actually tons of rain this morning). Friend won a $500 bus ticket (and sold it to me for $100) that will take me all the way to Cairns so moving on to Surfers Paradise tomorrow :-)Started to look at flights from

More Thailand and now back in Sydney

2010-05-09T07:27:00.002+01:00

Arrived in Sydney on on Friday (7th), all going well so far. Wrote the following a few days ago...Right, thought I’d better write something about the last few weeks as tomorrow I’m leaving Thailand for Australia.Unfortunately I have not taken too many pictures as I spent most of the last few weeks underwater. I passed my PADI open water and advanced open water scuba diving courses on Koh Tao.

Thailand

2010-04-16T10:33:00.008+01:00

Busy first week, this is kinda what happened...7th April, Arrived, took bus and then walked to hotel with bags, not too far but very hot. Explored a little bit, walked to Koh San Road. Met other guy Kevin from tour and had a couple of drinks on Koh San Road.8th AprilIn the morning went to floating markets, went on delicate little boat that was (over)powered by an old car engine then took slow

I'm off again...

2010-03-30T23:47:00.002+01:00

Great White Shark

2009-08-08T17:03:00.003+01:00

This is from last September/October after cage diving nr Hermanus, South Africa. Also finally fixed problem with weird line down this page and the layout :-)

Back Home!!

2008-12-23T15:04:00.003Z

Arrived home today!Also... just uploaded better quality Gorilla picture, see http://www.flickr.com/photos/itstoast/3131123676/

Back in Nairobi

2008-12-20T10:22:00.003Z

Helloooooo,Arrived back in Nairobi this morning. Just spent a few days travelling back from Uganda, stopped by at Joy Adamsons (Born Free) retirement home and museum which was cool and the Lake Nakuru National Park where we saw lots of Rhinos. Will fly on Monday then home on Tuesday!!

Gorillas!

2008-12-15T08:53:00.003Z

Currently staying at Lake Bunyoni in Uganda, really nice place but main reason for being here is to track Mountain Gorrillas (only 700 left in the wild) which I did yesterday. Going to try and upload a little picture here, finger crossed.

I'm in Nairobi

2008-12-06T14:01:00.002Z

I'm in Nairobi, done lots though, just back from the Serengeti and Zanzibar. See a few pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/itstoast/

Swokopmond to Vic Falls

2008-11-20T09:01:00.003Z

ok, done lots and seen loads. Bush camped at a place called Spitzkoppe and saw weird Oz style rock formations. Stroked a baby Giraffe and also a Cheetah again. Went to a Namibian National Park called Etosha and saw lots more wild stuff. Then moved on to Botswana and camped out in the Okavango Delta for a few nights, to get to our campsite we had to be punted through the Delta (closely passing

2008-10-22T10:13:00.001+01:00

Left Cape Town on the 12th and spent most of the last week in Namibia. First couple of days were just getting us used to things on the tour like setting up tents and things, but did a bit more wine tasting and saw the last few bits of South Africa. Namibia only has a population of about 2 million so it is very empty and we don’t see many people or cars along the dirt tracks but lots of animals

New Photos!

2008-10-11T13:55:00.002+01:00

Just uploading some new photos, see link on right

More stuff

2008-10-04T16:34:00.003+01:00

have 3 minutes to write this, might be dribble, sorrrryy.Travelled mainly to nice coastal places (did some surfing in Jeffreys Bay) over the last couple of weeks until a few days ago when we went to Outdshoorn in the mountains to cycle a crazy 53km (gave up after 40k in the pooring rain), visited caves, ostrich farm and stroked a baby Cheetah. Today I have been cage diving with a Great White

scary stuff

2008-09-15T15:28:00.005+01:00

Having fun!!! Been on Safari, seen Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Rhino and lots more. Been to Swaziland and am currently in Mozambique, its scary here. Heading back to Swazi tomorrow, then St Lucia in SA on Thursday.***edit***In St Lucia now, just uploading a few pictures...

busy busy busy, oh and going to South Africa on Tuesday

2008-09-01T06:13:00.007+01:00

Just uploading some WA photos, click here to see themAnyway, loved it in Coral bay but had to move north on to Exmouth where I stayed for 4 nights. The town of Exmouth itself was not that amazing but the surrounding area was very scenic and the sea was full of Humback Whales jumping around which can easily be seen from the beach and lookout points. Did a Whale watching tour that also included

Dolphins and Manta Rays

2008-08-07T07:22:00.001+01:00

Had a good couple of weeks, it finally nice and sunny so that makes me happy! Last week I fed a wild Dolphin at monkey Mia and yesterday I went snorkling with a 4metre wide Manta Ray, it was really cool. In a place called Coral Bay at the mo, as you the name suggest there is lots of Coral so doing lots of snorkling.Update... Also did the best value trip in Oz. Did a kayak and guided snorkling

Perth, Working in Manjimup, Perth, Leaving Perth!!

2008-07-23T09:38:00.005+01:00

Hello,Been a while since I posted anything and I doubt this post will be much better to be honest, soooory. The big and exciting news is that i've added quite a few new photos, see the top 2 links on the right.Right, ok, so where have I been???Shortly after arriving in Perth we took a bus to a place called Manjimup about 6 hours bus journey south. There is not a lot in Manjimup but trees and

In Melbourne again (just for 15 hours though)

2008-05-15T03:16:00.003+01:00

Arrived in Melbourne at 7 this morning, actually on my why to Perth but the cheapest way to get there was to take a flight to Melbourne first, only 3432km out of the way. Here for about 15 hours before my next flight so taking the opertunity to upload a few more pictures to flikr. Flying with budget budget Tiger airways, was really funny last night when my friend Clare was told she had $300 of

Made it to Darwin (via Uluru and other places)

2008-05-07T04:25:00.001+01:00

Melbourne, Great Ocean Road and Adelaide

2008-04-19T07:42:00.003+01:00

Helloooo,Finished working at the Tom farm in Colbo a couple of weeks ago then stayed in Melbourne for 9 days. Saw the sites including Eureka Tower, St. Kilda, Neighbours night and tour - good fun. The last few days we have been traveling along the Great Ocean Road and watching the amazing views. In Adelaide now, nice place but not too much to do, visited choc factory today and had some free

Melbourne Grand Prix

2008-03-17T02:43:00.002Z

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Just finished a weekend at The Melbourne Grand Prix, bit of a crazy race but was great to watch. Added a few photos, will upload more soon.Heading back to the tomato farm at 4pm today.

Tasmania

2008-02-24T03:36:00.004Z

Ok, i'm now near the end of my trip to Tasmania, it has been good although the first week was a little difficult. I travelled on a day sailing of the 'Spirit of Tasmania' ferry, it took about 9 hours and I found it to be quite a nice journey, most of the time I was planning how/where/what I was going to do in Taz.The ferry docks in a place called Devenport on the North coast so I booked into a

New Photos!

2008-02-06T03:44:00.001Z

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Finished at the Tomato factory and took the bus back to Melbourne this morning. Sad to leave people but looking forward the next adventure. Just uploaded some new photos and booked my ferry ticket to Tasmania for

Sun Dried Tomatos

2008-01-30T07:49:00.000Z

Have been working in a sun dried tomato factory the last 3 weeks and am planning to stay another week. I am staying in a nice house about a 3 miles from town (population 120??), our bus driver described it as 'a bit further than the middle of nowhere'. Eveeryone is really nice and the bosses are good too, they even cooked us a bbq twice!Anyway, off to Tasmania in a week or so.Still planning on

Colbinabbin

2008-01-08T02:03:00.000Z

Just arrived in Melbourne yesterday, but now off to a place called Colbinabbin to work in a tomatoe factory, wahooooooooo!Just found the following sat image on google, think its qoing to be quiet there?!

More photos

2008-01-02T07:09:00.002Z

Added some more photos of the east coast including fraser island and asutralia zoo. See here

Hello from Sydney (again)

2007-12-26T10:50:00.000Z

hello hello hello, yes I am still alive. Spent Christmas day on the beach, some of you at home may be pleased to know it was cold and I was upset with myself at not taking a jumper. Will have a bit of spare time over the next week so i'll try and upload some stuff and write about it. Hopefully i'll have something to say about a journey of over 2500km.

Whitsundays

2007-12-06T03:05:00.001Z

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Just been sailing the Whitsunday islands, see the link on the right for photos. Went swimming witha a turtle. Will try and write soemthing about it later.

Innisfail workers hostel (Prison, sort of)

2007-11-29T04:10:00.001Z

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Hello, hello, hellooooooo,As I had written before I have spent 2 weeks at a workers hostel in Innisfail, a really quiet little Banana farming town on the east coast nr Cairns. Hostel was a bit grim but the atmosphere and

Trapped at sea (with free wine and pizza)

2007-11-15T02:14:00.001Z

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Went snorkelling of the reef last week and boat broke down. To compensate a boat came out to us with free wine and pizza, watched the sunset, good fun.Moved on from Cairns to Inisfail on Saturday to a workers hostel. Got

Fitzroy Island and Cape Tribulation

2007-11-05T05:04:00.001Z

Cairns

2007-11-02T06:16:00.000Z

Nice place and having fun. Went rafting all day yesterday, great fun but only grade 4. Off to Fitzroy island off the coast tomorrow for a BBQ and then a glass bottom boat trip over the Barrier Reef, think someone made a mistake because all that only cost $30?! Just moved to a new hostel a few hours ago, much nicer and $4 cheaper than before.I do have a new rafting photo but it is not with me at

Back in the tropics

2007-10-27T07:11:00.000+01:00

Flew into Cairns yesterday, done some exploring and lounged around by the Lagoon (might have sun burn :( ). Not sure about the hostel i'm in but i'll stay around as I know some people who are arriving on monday.Probably go snorkling or diving off the Great Barrier Reef and Croc hunting trip next week so looking forward to that.Yikes

Back in Australia

2007-10-20T04:03:00.000+01:00

Just uploading some photos now. Been on a little welcome to Sydney tour this week so met lots of people and done stuff including surfing (getting better!), Blue Mountains, Jet Boating, Walked from Bondi to Coogee and BBQ. On Saturday I bumped into some people I went rafting with in New Zealand, so that was nice to see them again.Seems a bit weird now as all my plans have finished. Thinking of

Castaway, Survivor, The Beach?

2007-10-13T08:19:00.000+01:00

Not quite, but i've just uploaded my pictures of my travels to Vorovoro Fiji, see the link on the right or see the few I have posted below.Anyway, i've got about 30 minutes of internet time left to explain the entire last week, so....Arrived in Nadi Friday and stayed 1 night before taking a little 18 seater putt putt flight from Nadi to Labasa, a short taxi and then about a 1 hour boat ride to

Fiji

2007-10-05T01:27:00.000+01:00

Helloooooooo. I arrived in Fiji without any problems, bit tired. Just gone on the internet to escape the heat and confirm I am alive! Not done much so far, just sat by the pool. byeeeeeeeeee

The plan

2007-09-08T13:08:00.000+01:00

Thud

2007-03-13T07:43:00.000Z

I'm back :-(

Ik Heb het Koud (I am cold in Dutch)

2007-03-05T04:05:00.000Z

Weather has been really good but I have spent 3 of the last 4 days wearing a wet suit in coooold water. Went rafting again which was good fun. Rafting photo (from archives :-) )Friday took a bus to Akaroa on Banks Paninsula to swim with Dolphins, also saw Penguins and Seals swimming on the boat trip to them. Hostel was nice and included free bike hire so spent the second day exploring the

More stuff

2007-02-28T00:12:00.000Z

Not been keeping track of dates and places as I had been doing before so this will just be a quick update of vaguely where I have been and what I have been doing.After leaving Kaikoura I had planned to go to the Marlborough Sounds but the weather looked rubbish and I could not get into the Hostel I wanted to stay in so I continued on to Abal Tasman and stayed about 4 days. I stayed at Old

Whales and Dolphins (and Seals)

2007-02-13T04:52:00.001Z

Thought i'd elaborate this post as it was a bit rubbish before.Anyway after waiting around in Christchurch to say goodbye to Pete and Gemma I travelled up the east coast to Kaikoura and went swimming with seals! Never heard of anyone swimming with seals until I came to New Zealand but it is really good, you get close and can see them darting around under the water.The main reason for being in

bit of a (huge) update (added more 10-02-07)

2007-02-07T00:24:00.000Z

I think I have written the following to sound a bit dull (but it was actually all really good fun) but I wanted to keep a note of everything - you don't have to read it!23rd WellingtonNot much, visited sites in Wellington, Botanical Gardens, Museum.24thTravelled (north) to Picton on South Island and then on to Abal Tasman National Park. Looked at the stars and comet in the evening.25thHired

More stuff

2007-01-31T09:13:00.000Z

Still having fun. Might be a while before my next proper post but I have added a few more photos.Currently in Wanaka near Queenstown on the south island. Spent the last week in a variety of places down the west coast. Done some more kayaking with the dutchies and did a full day (in the freezing cold rain) on Franz Josef Glacier which was very spectacular.Weather has been good most of the time.

Bit of a mental week

2007-01-22T05:28:00.000Z

writing all this really quick so hopefully it make sense.15thJoined a 'hop on hop off' bus tour and went to Coramandal just east of Auckland. Decided to go Kayaking before seeing the sea, turned out to be quite rough but great fun getting the kayak over the waves! Stopped at Cathederal Cove for a Cappuccino and cookies which was a nice surprise. Stayed right on the beach at what was I think a

Northland

2007-01-14T02:00:00.000Z

Following might sound a bit dull but is wasn't, bit rubbish at this blog thingy. Kiwi with a KiwiBlue Penguin10th Travelled to Paiha (Bay of Islands) from Auckland. Visited Native Bird Sanctuary and saw Kiwi and Blue Penguins. Quite surprised how big the Kiwi was, I imagined it to be small but its really big with huge claws.Beach at Russell11thTook a ferry from Paiha to Russell on the other side

Auckland, New Zealand

2007-01-09T02:14:00.000Z

Arrived in New Zealand! Took public bus from the airport and was quite surpised to find the bus driver asking me where I wanted to go, so he droped me off right outside the hostel front door! Hostel is huge, has bar and a cafe (with an all you can eat continental breakfast for $5!). Just wandered around the harbour the first afternoon looking at all the huge fancy yachts. Took a free tour

last day in oz (for now)

2007-01-06T06:15:00.001Z

Went to Coogie beach this morning and attempted to body surf on the huge waves, good fun but spent the first 30 minutes getting bashed around by the waves and doing forward rolls on the sea floor, good fun though! Then had my first fry up of the holiday, inch thick toast with all the usual stuff, very nice, sorry no photo this time :-)Yesterday I walked up the 'east pilon' of the harbour bridge,

Beach again

2007-01-04T06:39:00.000Z

Took a ferry to a place called Manly with some others from the Hostel. Manly is kind of like an Australian version of a seaside town, not quite the same as Blackpool but I did have some nice fish and chips.No problem getting onto the internet here, might be more difficult when i'm moving around in New Zealand though.

stuff

2007-01-03T02:37:00.000Z

Spent ages uploading photos (see link on the right) so running out of time to write this blog. Done lots though:Opera HouseAustralia native animal zooHarbour BridgeBondi beachDarling HarbourIMAX (bigest in the world)Tamamara beachBotanical GardensWoolloomooloo Harbour (yes, thats a real place)New Year eve at Opera house (I travel half way round the world then spend new years eve with people from

Happy New Year!!!

2007-01-01T07:20:00.000Z

2006-12-30T06:32:00.000Z

I have arrived!! Even managed to bluff my way through some cricket chat with the taxi driver from the airport. Been on bus tour and took tons of pictures but can not upload any as the free internet access here has reached its data limit (ok, just added one). Seems quite hot and humid to me, originally thought there would be thunderstorms today.Think i've worked out where I am going to watch the

The Last Breakfast

2006-12-22T18:29:00.000Z

The Last Breakfast (at work, for a while).2 Toast, 2 Bacon, 2 Sausage, Egg, Beans, Mug of Tea.

2006-12-22T11:05:00.000Z

Indiana Jones style route of where I will probably be going. To see my current location and weather click here.

2006-11-16T20:59:00.000Z

My cat Inky! Living with Mum whilst i'm away

testing

2006-10-23T15:09:00.000+01:00

testing, testing................. is this thing on?