Best Laid Plans

When I decided to come to NZ I made the choice to not plan much beyond my first week in Auckland. I didn’t want to close myself off to possibilities.

The first half of my trip was pretty uneventful aside from missing Christmas with Brooke in Wellington to be in Akaroa for work. I have often questioned why I choose to spend a week in Auckland, but if I didn’t stay for a week I would have never met Brooke who is a friend for life.

The second half of my trip started on the wrong note. The night before I didn’t really sleep instead opting to drink with Ricki until 5am. So it was no surprise I missed my shuttle to Christchurch at 10:30am, which then meant leaving Christchurch a day later than planned.

I decided to stay the night in Lake Tekapo which was a great decision but took up another day on a tight schedule. The only reason my schedule was tight was because I volunteered for WOMAD and had to be in New Plymouth in the north island by March 16.

The great thing about staying in Lake Tekapo was meeting Knowing on the bus the next day and she turned out to be part of the amazing 210 crew. I was having such a great time with the 210 crew; I decided to extend my stay an extra night shortening my time in Wanaka.

This leads me to the black hole that was Franz Josef and all the mishaps that happened there. (See previous blog)

After arriving in Nelson I only hadone night so I walked around for a bit and got some dinner. Ricki had given me a list of places to go but instead I opted for the cheapest option which turned out to be the worst meal I’ve had in NZ.

I was up early, got some breakfast and was still 30mins early for my bus to Picton so I decided to go in the gift shop and get some more postcards. I was watching the bus stop and didn’t see what I thoughtwould be my bus so I just kept wandering until I looked at my watch and realized my bus should have arrivedalready. I went in to the info office and asked when the bus would arrive and they said it already left and that it was the unmarked bus that was there the whole time.

I immediately freaked out and asked when the next bus was and they said the next day, so they checked the flights which were all sold out. All that was left to do was try and hitchhike to Picton and catch a later ferry.

I’ve never hitchhiked before and I’m sure my mom won’t be happy to hear this but it turned out. This really lovely older couple from the north island was catching the same ferry as me so they gave me a ride and bought me lunch. I was so grateful for them because they were really great to talk to and we had a long discussion about how you met people along the way in life.

Now that I’m in Wellington and trying to settle down again things haven’t been working out, after weeks I still don’t have a job. What this means is that I will have to cut my trip short and come home soon because my money is rapidly disappearing.

Despite my best laid plans it has been a bumpy ride,but the thing about travelling is it’s all about the people you meet along the way. They make all the difference between a good or bad experience. Though my trip has been less than smooth, it has allowed me to meet some of the most amazing people that I would have never met if things had gone as planned.

XOXO

Sid