Since last time I went from Auckland two hours north to Whangeri. While I was on the bus I met a bloke and got invited to spend the night with him and his family. They are a lovely family that live on a boat. The boat wasn’t in the water at the time but im definitely not complaining (especially coz they will be reading this!!)
I ended up staying with these guy quite a while and spent Christmas there. While they don’t quite have the last name of Lorimer they did make me feel like family. They were so generous to me, I even got me a few presents. So while I wasn’t with my real family I did get to spend Christmas with others. Man it would have been lonely. God’s definitely lookin out for me. Very thankful.
On boxing day we took a trip to a beach much like wilsons prom. For those of you in Missouri a beach is that place with sand and water!! The competition of prettiness between Canada and NZ is now well and truly underway. Maybe you all can help me when I get back and show you some photos.
These guys also surprised me on the 28th with a surprise party. Or at least a cake and a birthday song. They walked in with the cake and started singing “happy birthday to you..” I thought “I wonder whose birthday it is” so I started singing too. It soon became obvious when the people next to me started whispering ‘he’s names Andrew, he’s names Andrew’ I was definitely surprised and very grateful. I got a delicious chocolate mousse cake, I don’t usually like cake too much but they picked well. How thoughtful.
Oh, also while I was staying with these guys I was given the best gift of all. Milo. Oooh yeah. Along with that I had some Cadbury dairy milk chocolate and also some fish and chips. I don’t care if they say it funny, it tastes great.
We also hiked up a few mountains which were ‘pretty’ but not ‘Canada pretty’
And I caught my first wave of the summer. Unfortunately it was from a cold wave and not a hot chick!!
I have discovered a few things over here already.
1) New Zealanders don’t like Aussies as much as Americans. Infact, I don’t think they like us at all. Too busy trying to compete with our far superior country. Good luck.
2) The people that had me over in their boat were Canadian they only live in NZ
3) Socks do not need to be washed for 14 days, or longer.
4) Socks that aren’t washed for this long smell worse than suridge
5) Baked beans are cheap and edible.
6) A wise man one told me a quote the has held true time and again
New Zealand- if you don’t like the weather… wait 20 minutes
7) I am looking like an unshaven hack at the moment. I cant bring myself to shave off something that took so long to accomplish. (A.K.A a beard)
Because of this bearded homeless look I was randomly selected to be on Urupukapuka survivor* *This may not be true
Urupukapuka Island Survivor
DAY 1
10 competitors from around the globe were selected to take part in Urupukapuka survivor. All of them were dumped on the island which is situated 2ks off the east coast of New Zealand north island. The area of the island is no bigger than 25 sqaure kilometers. Urupukapuka is overrun with spectacular views, sheep and Maori acheological discoveries. How will competitors cope.
They arrived on the 29th of December and immediately set up camp. Andrew arrived, just himself, his tent, his baked beans and his Bible. Maybe a few more things too.
Pretty soon it was evening of Day 1 and somebody already had to go. Andrew was already up to his dirty work subtly pointing out Sally was from America “Hey everyone, Sally is from America” he was heard to have yelled. If that wasn’t enough he graffitied her pack to say Outwit, Outlie, Outlust. Sally protested but the tribe had already spoken as soon as they found out there was an American amongst them. The graffiti was an unnecessary precaution on Andrews behalf. Sally was then voted off. Have fun back in Canada!!
After Kellys unfortunate departure the remainder of the group were split into 2 tribes.
In the blue tribe Greg, Andrew, Jessica and Derek and in the Red tribe Cliff, Tony, Melissa and Bridgette. 9 remain one must leave tomorrow.
DAY 2
Early this morning tribes were asked to select someone from their team for a challenge. From the blue team Andrew was selected and the Red team selected Melissa.
The challenge was to see who could get lost the best. On an island this small the task seemed impossible. Andrew somehow managed to worry onlookers, Melissa on the other hand was too afraid of spiders and did not even enter the bush. Andrew came back from the task with scratches in abundance but well respected by the rest of his tribe. Upon his return he was very apologetic to his tribe “Sorry I missed the challenge guys” his teammates thought he was joking and joking explained to him that he had just won the challenge for them. Immunity was granted to the Blue tribe and that night Melissa was sent home by her tribe.
DAY 3
Andrew convinced 6 competitors to spend $10 to take a glass bottom boat tour to see fish that they could neither fish for or eat. All of them seem quite disappointed afterward. Andrews comments. At least it was 10 New Zealand dollars.
Andrew has been quite lucky not to have been caught oversleeping. His lazy 12 hour sleeps would not impress his fellow and fellowette tribesters.
Currenly he is on the beach workin on a tan. Cameras overheard Jessica walk past him and say. ‘Well, now all you need is a 6 pac and some muscles’ Andrew made no reply for fear of being beaten up.
The blue team lost the challenge that day Andrew was feeling sick and could not take part. They arrived back at camp dejected from their loss only to find all their food was missing. A search was underway and within minutes the food was found stashed in Jessicas tent. Jessica seemed genuinely upset. Andrew convinced his peers it was because she had been caught.
That nights vote was a no brainer. Jessica was on her way back home. I guess those harsh yet true comments about Andrews appearance didn’t pay dividends. Well the truth hurts….her.
DAY 4
Today on the island Andrew was swooped by some birds, albatross we think. This has now happened on two separate occasions this week. His reactions however were similar in both cases. Running scared like a sissy. He was unable to compete in the team challenge due to this fact. Instead he went snorkeling.
That night was New Years Eve. Andrew had bought no alcohol to the island. So he prayed that he might get a beer. Some people invited him over to their tribe and his prayers were answered (Serious). The New Years celebrations got quite out of hand. One tribe was seen to have been shooting fireworks at their opposition. After making an absolute Jackalope of himself Cliff was the next man to go. Helping light fireworkd to shoot at his own tribe probably wasn’t the best idea. Andrew kept a low and sober profile that night.
The two tribes were now merged into one big tribe of 6.
DAY 5
A disgruntled Tony was reluctant to join a tribe with Andrew and he planned an escape on a raft. Unfortunately for him the wind was blowing straight back toward the island. The fact that Tony was made entirely from wood may have also had something to do with his lack of success.
Some of the islanders were not happy with Andrews lack of contribution. Greg pointed this out. “Well im glad you have been enjoying snorkeling the past 4 days” “Thanks mate, I have” “Incase you are not familiar with sarcasm that was it. I am not gald at all. Infact I hope you get eaten by a shark, at least then you’ll be helping to feed someone” Derek chimed in. “Get off his case jerk, at least he wears boardshorts while he does it” “Yeah, speedos, haha, help you speedo your way off the island”
With those images fresh in their mind tribal councils decision was tight. But when Andrew bought out his digital camera and started showing Derek photos of the island he successfully bought himself a ticket home.
Once Andrew was voted off the island and had made his way back to Auckland viewers lost interest and the show was cancelled. The 5 remaining contestants could be stuck on the island forever.
After I left the island I was treated like royalty. The 36th person I stuck my thumb out at realized I needed a lift and obliged, giving me a ride all the way to Auckland. Much friendlier than those Canadians who took 115 thumbs, they did offer me a beer while I was walking though…
After I arrived in Auckland the royal treatment continued. Someone conveniently left me two cold pieces of pizza ontop of a vending machine. I was hungry and I didn’t get sick so there. I then went downstairs with some people to the backpacker bar where they put on free vodka punch and while we were sitting there the bartender came up and asked if we liked Tequila. Before we had answered he’d poured out the shots. Who was I to refuse an $8 drink.
The next day I went to the Zoo and saw some kewl stuff. I went to the Aussie section and saw a kangaroo. Tear, tear. Emotional. Hehehe.
I caught a glimpse of a kiwi. Well I probably saw a few seeings I am in NZ. But I assume you know what I mean. Too bad if you don’t.
I have a few days left in the North island. I am going on a big hike and thinking about a skydive. Did I say skydive. Mum, I meant pie drive. Yep that’s it.
Today I went for a scenic flight over Lake Taupo which was rudely interrupted by some inconsiderate person who was strapped to my back pushing me out of the plane. Luckily he came prepared with a parachute. I don’t know what possessed me to do it, but yes I went piedriving…if you know what I mean!
That’s all for now, miss you all
Keep the fix, 2006
Andrew
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