My plans to go to the Fiordlands National Park were put on hold this weekend. For the first time since I have been in NZ I got a bug. Nothing big, but my energy was really low and I was very congested. Not exactly backpacking material.

I laid really low and tried to sleep as much as possible. I went to an all you can eat buffet with my Kiwi buddies James and Willie. They couldn't believe how much I could consume for a small guy. I put down about 20 plus pieces of sushi, fish and chips, nachos, salad, noodles and topped it off with apple pie and icecream for dessert. It was only 8NZD! We are making it a weekly ritual.

Willie plays Rugby for Otago which is semi-professional as they do get paid. James just graduated with honors in nutrition and muscle development, so he is a strength and conditioning coach for the players.

I am trying to get as far ahead as possible this week in school so I can somehow fit the Fiordlands rainforest into my plans by skipping class. This upcoming weekend I am hiking Mt. Cook, the tallest peak in NZ. Apparently there are a ton of avalanches and glaciers you can see from the top! I cannot wait.

I just finished posting photos and videos of my weekend in Kaikoura. Without question the best weekend I have had in New Zealand. Five kids total packed into a white Toyota Camry and made the trip six hours up the east coast of NZ.

Matthew, my roommate from Poland and I are planning to travel together every weekend until we leave. I am really looking forward to all the adventures ahead of us.

We left Dunedin at about 1 and arrived in Kaikoura after dark about 815 Friday night. Matthew and I slept in a tent and the other three crashed in the car (budget accommodation at its finest). We literally slept off a bridge on the side of the road.

Dustin, another kid on the trip, and I, woke up early so we could swim with dolphins. There were between 500-1000 wild dolphins just off the peninsula. It felt like a dream come true. I cannot remember ever enjoying myself constantly for a three hour period as much as I did. I probably won't again until I see Lebron in the NBA Finals or the 2012 Olympics in London.

I was completely surrounded by these mystical mammals and didn't even care that the water was freezing. We finished swimming at around noon with a full day ahead of us.

The rest of the group picked us up, and we went on a hike about 20 minutes outside of Kaikoura north along the coastline. At the end of the hike there were at least 30 baby seals in a pool of fresh water under a waterfall. Apparently a mother had made the journey from the ocean to find an area where predators would not get the babies. They were so cute, friendly and fascinating to watch.

We went to a bar and got drinks and pizza and burgers for dinner. Because it is winter now in NZ, days are short and night falls around 530. It was raining so we packed everyone in the car and got a terrible nights sleep. Everyone was laughing and enjoying themselves so much none of it mattered.

We woke up around 645 this morning to a beautiful sunny day. We ate breakfast (leftover pizza, peanutbutter and banana sandwiches) and headed toward the ocean. The group went on a 3 hour hike along the coast on top of some cliffs. At the tail end, we were walking along the road to get back to the car, and I stuck my thumb out as a joke to hitch hike. It would have only been another 45 min walk. Literally ten seconds later, a van pulled over. The chances of ANYONE picking up five hitch hikers is slim. But for the very first car that passes to pull over within ten seconds is impossible. It happened.

The rest of the day was spent driving home and stopping at rest stops.

I am hoping to go to the Fiordlands next weekend and Mt Cook the following, I will let everyone know what happens.

I apologize in advance for brief blogs that lack description. I don't have time to be as detailed as I'd like

So I have officially been absolutely horrendous about blog postings. It has been over three weeks since my last entry.

The first two weeks back in Dunedin were extremely low-key and I was trying to cut back on expenses a little after excessive spending in Australia/Fiji.

Last weekend was J Day, a national holiday to celebrate the legalization of marajuana. The entire Octagon was flooded with smoke and liberals advocating for greenness.

Sorry this is so short, but I am swamped with school that I need to complete before I leave this weekend. I am going to Kaikoura, a beautiful coastal town about 6 hours north Dunedin. I am jam-packing a car full of 5 kids and spending the night either in the car, or in tents.

Really looking forward to the journey because Dunedin can get boring after a while. Swimming with dolphins in the middle of the ocean Saturday morning and while watching, followed by hiking in the afternoon.

I have also been writing a ton for FanHuddle which inhibits my motivation on this blog.

I'll be sure to check in after the weekend and get better at keeping this updated for the remainder of my study abroad.

I am in Nadi (pronounced Nandi with a long A) which is the main island in Fiji where the airport is. You really go from third to developing to a first world nation in a matter of seconds here. I haven't really experienced anything like it before. The exchange rate is wonderful with the Fijian dollar worth about .5 of the USD.

I spent the first night in Nadi because the plane arrived to late to make it to the Yasawas where I'd stay for the following four evenings. The smaller islands are the paradise ones that everyone always sees pictures of and hears about. The word "Bula" is used more frequently than "like" in spoken English. It means hello, welcome, and general happiness. The sunset was gorgeous on the first evening and little did I know that I was just getting started.

Departing at 7:15 am towards Densaru Port, the sun was already scorching. Wearing sunscreen in Fiji is not an option. Even if you are trying to get a tan, you must coat it all over your body to avoid a third degree burn. The boat ride was 2.5 hours long to our first stop, Waya Lailai. I have never in my life seen such white sand, turquoise water. The shells on the beach were ones you would normally purchase at a store. I forgot to mention that in Nadi the police station was smaller than a dorm room. Everyone is so unbelieveably kind and welcoming that the crime rate must be near zero.

Waya Lailai was an amazing, once (well, hopefully more) in a lifetime experience. I felt like I was on a honeymoon alone. It was the kind of time that you really wish everyone you loved was with you. I slept in a straw hut just feet away from the beach, with a big bug net surrounding me at night. It was hotter than balls 24/7 and I was constantly sweating. I didn't shower because I would just jump in the ocean. There is no way to describe how warm the ocean is without feeling it for yourself. All I can say is, there really were some parts that the water was warmer than a bath. North of 100 degrees and I am not exaggerating.

75% of all earnings went to the local tribe on the Island. They are still living rather primitively but with obvious upgrades from centuries ago. 800-100 Fijians inhabit an island and live about 4 hours away via boat from the main land. For 26USD a night I had a place to sleep, and three thanksgiving size meals per day.

Anyone who wants to go to Fiji can ask me more questions, but I am far too exhausted to type anymore. Back to Dunedin

Last day in Sydney. This is not my favorite city I've been to in Australia, that would go to Melbourne. It is however the most I have enjoyed myself by far. Every day has been filled with fun events.

The first day I arrived I walked around downtown (my hostel is centrally located). I went to the world famous Botanical Gardens and saw the government house, I purchased groceries for my stay here, and I walked by the Sydney Opera House. The weather was perfect and I was really happy to be exploring the city without any restraints. I figured out the public transportation system and met some really cool people at my hostel. In particular, a 22 year old named Andri from Switzerland who only speaks German.

We've been getting along really well together and have hung out the past few days. He is always asking me what things mean in English. I used his computer and it was really difficult to type with all the new characters and symbols in different places.

The first night I also met a 29 year old teacher from South Africa who lives in London. She has really traveled the world and was so passionate about her life. A very inspirational person. I love cooking intricate, expensive meals from scratch now for a quarter of the price. The kitchen at the hostel is great and has everything one would need.


The second day I went on a Sydney tour bus type thing that lasted from 7am-7pm. It was totally worth it. I got to cuddle koalas, go to an all-you-can-eat buffet (I took FULL advantage), hike in the Blue Mountains, and take a night Ferry across the cove to get a gorgeous view of the city and Opera House. I think that has been my favorite day so far on this trip. I ate some "Grain Waves" which are a thicker, healthier version of Sunchips and absolutely loved em.

The waterfalls at Blue Mountains were gorgeous. They have that name because when the Eucalyptus gets hot from the rain forest, blue air rises up. My only complaint is that minimum wage in Australis is 15, and their dollar is equivilent so everything is at least twice as expensive. Andri said Swiss money (they refuse to join the EU, they are neutral) is equal and his min. wage is 23.00!

Yesterday I went to the world famous Bondi beach. One of the most popular beaches in the world. The weather has been perfect throughout my stay in Sydney.

Today I am going to the Sydney Aquarium and going to explore Darling Harbor. I think that I'll also run around a nice park close to my hostel. I leave tomorrow morning for Fiji, where I don't think there is internet.

I feel so weird for a twenty year old. I don't go out and get wasted at all in college because I got that out of the way in high school. I eat only healthy food, I always get enough sleep, and I try to exercise every day. I was reading about Fair Trade and other 1st world exploitations of 3rd world countries last night and I want to try and change some of my habits. I think it is crucial to be educated and informed on issues like this. Some of my actions manifest the inequalities, I know about. And some downright contradict it. Can't win them all.

I am safe and staying at a hostel in downtown Sydney after three days in Gold Coast, but the journey was anything but easy.

Sometimes it is impossible to show empathy or relate to someone without first hand experiencing what they have. I know what it is like to be homeless for a night now. Gold Coast airport closed down last night between 10-4, and I thought I was going to be sleeping there. Instead, I slept on a hard wood bench with my kacki shorts as a pillow and a towel as my blanket. It was soo gold and I don't think I even got a minute of real sleep. The good news: I still have all my belongings, I got to sleep on a bench that was not near a smoking section, and I was the first person in the airport this morning so I didn't have to wait in any lines.

Gold Coast was cool but it was too touristy and Americanized for me. Designer shops, beaches, food joints everywhere, hotels. That kind of thing. It was decent for a day and a half but not for as long as we stayed. I did go to an amazing wild life reserve though and hold koalas and seeing rare endemic species to Australia. I ate Mexican food for the first time in 2 months, much needed. I miss the Mission at home a lot.

I am solo in Sydney for the next four days and will be meeting the group at the airport to go to Fiji on Monday. Needed some space. Pretty overwhelmed by some of the tendencies of my travelling mates. You learn way more about someone when you travel with them than living, or any other kind of environment.

I'll check back in the night before Fiji.

Great Easter weekend celebrated in Melbourne. A lot of stuff was closed on Good Friday and today, Sunday, but the four days spent here were still filled with activities.

I went to bed early every night so I could wake up early and have complete days. Friday we walked around town in the morning and saw a ton of really cool graphite; it is legal here which I think is something the USA should embrace. Definitely one of the more unique types of art that is just seen as a crime. One alley-way was completely coated with an array of colors, designs, and styles. I could not have taken enough pictures. The Chinatown in Melbourne is really small, but cool nonetheless.

Friday was mostly about just walking around everywhere and getting a feel for the city. The architecture here is awesome. I especially liked the Train Station and all of the surrounding areas. Orange/Auburn building that has a clock tower and ancient kingdom feeling to it. We walked through an atrium and the ceiling was similar to a spiders web made out of steel or something. I won't be able to post any pictures until the end of the trip, but I hope everyone goes through them once they are up and available. Melbourne has a white Eiffel tower type building as well as some really distinct cathedrals. I know that I need to live in a big city for a good portion of my young life, if not a suburb of a big city during adulthood.

In the afternoon on Friday we took a tram to an area called St. Kilda. It was a hip area about twenty minutes outside of the city center that is famous for desserts. The twins and I each got a sweet treat (a strawberry crisp cake, a chocolate almond cake, and a custard danish) that we split three ways. Really could not have been any tastier. St. Kilda is right next to the beach so we took about a five mile walk along the beach until we found the perfect spot. We ate lunch, and then took a nice nap in the sun. I saw jellyfish along the way. I don't think I have seen any not in an aquarium before. The place that we stopped also had about 50 different small huts that were each individually colored and designed. I guess people pay millions to say that they own them.

I have been waking up early so I can go on a run everyday. It is so nice to see the city before it wakes up. I run up and down the main sidewalks that are generally packed with people. I still have to use my agility to dodge people, but I think that is fun. Running is the best way to cover a lot of ground in the city and explore on my own. I went by the river and to the botanical gardens and around the sky scrapers on my runs. I have been doing about 5-6 miles a day that usually takes no more than 45 minutes. I love that it is 75 degrees in the morning and the fresh air near the river is really motivating. After a long day at the beach the girls made Eggplant mozeralla and noodles with greens for dinner. We crashed hard.

Saturday was another early morning and we went back to Queen Victoria market to get fresh fruit and nuts to last us through our next city. We also bought fresh Turkish bread for lunch. I got a kangaroo steak just so I could say I have had it. It tasted like a gamey steak. I only had a bite or two because I don't eat red meat and didn't want to upset my stomach. For some reason, red meat just doesn't taste or sound good to me anymore. I gave the rest of it away and had eggplant again for lunch.

The afternoon was scorching. We went to an AFL (Australian Footy League) game. It is a combination of soccer, football, and rugby. It was much more entertaining for me than NZ rugby. The players are built like soccer players and they really get after it. There is a wide and a narrow field goal like post. If you make a catch in the red zone area you get a chance to kick it through the post, 6 points in the narrow, 1 point in the wide. You can also kick it during the action into the narrow post to get six points. A player is able to kick or punch the ball (shaped like a football/rugby ball) to their teammates and cannot run with it for more than fifteen steps. A lot of deep receptions reminded me of the NFL.

After the game we were starving and walked and trammed for at least an hour or two to little Italy or Lygon St. I was so hungry by the time my meal came that I had to refrain from practically drinking it. I ordered Salmone Spinach Fettucine with a wine cream sauce. It was so authentic. I don't think I've had italian food like that since New York City at my Global Young Leaders Conference, or the east coast trip with my dad, jo, chase, and hannah.

Speaking of which, Hannah messaged me something like "holy.shit.i.got.into.harvard." I could not possibly be more proud of my sister. She has worked her butt off and deserves it. I now have a great excuse to go to the east coast! And get sweet Harvard gear :-). I don't want to even try and compare myself to her. She is two years younger and already far superior as a reader, writer, in math, science, and probably the arts. Not just for her age, but in general. I can see why my parents have had a hard time getting her to do what they want. She isn't just a "know-it-all". She actually knows it all. Wisconsin, Illinois, Oregon, Harvard. Which one stands out? Its not hard to tell hahha. I love you Hannah, best of luck!

Today has been really low key because nothing is really open on Easter Sunday. I went for a run and then have just been reading in the sun and at the appartment. I also went to McCafe to get some things lined up for Brisbane/Gold Coast.

I leave tomorrow morning really early, but I will check in on my last day in Brisbane.