Photos from my New Zealand trip...Finally

I finally found the energy to get my photos up on the blog. I got back to Korea and immediately got whacked by a full load of classes. Anyway, here they are.

Overall, this trip was exactly what I thought it was going to be: a good, relaxing time with a good buddy, drinking beer and bopping around. I met lots of good folks, ate EXTREMELY well (although I may never eat ham again), and got to see a good deal of the country. What will they remember about me? Most likely my uncanny ability to fall asleep almost anywhere at any time, and the extreme decibel level of my snoring. Hee, hee.

One of the only photos I took while I was in Auckland. I was sitting outside the train station at 6am and figured I might as well take a photo.
The Overlander from Auckland to Wellington. I had a great time on this train despite the 12 hour ride. I met a bunch of cool people and chatted and drank beer most of the way to Wellington.
Is this New Zealand or Newark??
There was this cool outdoor platform right behind the engine that you stand on to get a better view and take some unobstructed photos. What follows are a bunch of photos I took on the train ride to Wellington.
That includes YOU!!
One of the better photos taken from inside the train. Because of the cloud cover, many of the photos taken from inside had too much reflection from the windows.
Apparently, somewhere behind those clouds are some very beautiful volcanoes.






Glen's fridge. Portents of things to come.
The view from Glen's house in Wellington. This reminded me a great deal of the hills around Mrin in California.
The Quiet Lady in Wellington where I learned it's not such a good idea to talk shit about cricket, especially when New Zealand is getting trounced by Australia.
Christmas Eve at Glenn's Uncle Mike's house. This was an outstanding party: great food, music, and boatloads of booze. Unfortunately, due to a problem with my camera, this is one of the only photos that came out.
Part of the spectaclar view from Mike's house. I can't remember the name of the town though.
Glenn's family. I certainly can't argue with the hospitality I received.
Glenn and his brothers playing a little footy in his mom's backyard.
Max. This is a great dog and reminded me a great deal of my old dog George.
Drinki' at Pinky's. We ended up here for New Years Eve and watched a pretty cool punk band, Loretta Suede and The Motel 6. Good Cramps style garage punk.
"We ain't catchin' shit, but this is CHOICE!"
I like this shot.
Another shot from the boat.
The beach at Whangamata (pronounced phong-a-ma-TAH)
James and Emily
Where better to spend a Kiwi summer day than at the beach.
Debs, her sister Susan and myself hangin' at the bach (vacation house)
I'm not sure who had more fun in the pool, Glenn or Emily.
Susan and Emily.
Glenn and Deborah. Ain't they cute!
Glenn and Debs livin' la vida loca!
I had grand ideas of getting up at dawn on New Years day and going down to the beach to take some shots of the sunrise. Sadly, I only managed to make it to the deck outside the bach.
Glenn and I hangin' at the beach.
Mock rescue at Whangamata Beach. helicopter peels off after dropping rescue swimmers.
The lifeguards at the beach staged a mock water rescue before the surf boat competition. Here the zodiacs race out to retrieve the "victims" and the lifeguards dropped from the helicopter.
Surf boat competition at the beach in Whangamata.
ROW, YE BASTARDS! ROW!!
The race is on.



Getting out over the breakers is the tough part.
More from the surf boat competition.
Yes. The beach is good!