Welcome To 2009

The Gang

The big night was here. I never thought about this at the time, but later I realised (quite obviously) that I would not only be seeing the New Year - 13 hours before my friends and family back home in London but I would in fact be one of the first people (and I will say for dramatic effect - the very first person - you never know) to see 2009 arrive!!!

We had our party group ready. Myself, Darren and Jacqui were there along with Pete, Steve and Tom. Harriet also joined us for the night and we later met up with others (Scott and Tania). The night started off with facepaint. I wanted to go full-moon party style. So, just like I had done in the Island of Koh Pangan in Thailand on April 20th of 2008 - I once again got the paint out and covered everyone around me. We spent the first half of the night on the deck of Go Global were we all enjoyed a few drinks. Taupo was packed - far more than I had ever seen it before but I suppose that was to be expected on this night.

After a few drinks and even more drunken photos, we headed out to some bars. This is where the memory becomes a little blurred. I remember us all heading outside for fireworks. It was at this point that Tom (in a drunken stupor) accidently bumped into me - sending my camera flying, before crashing with an unhealthy thud. In less than a year of traveling I have now lost two camera's either to theft or damage. I am currently in search of my third. May I suggest to anyone thinking of traveling - to purchase a camera that is essentially indestructible and then look after the damn thing!!!

Anyway - as the night continued, my memory didn't. I vaguely remember everyone down by the lake at some point but after that - it's game over. It was a great night to see in 2009 and one I will not forget or remember anytime soon.

The days that followed New Year's Eve were filled with lying around in the sun by day and going out at night. The final day of Taupo was a time of mixed emotion. Nyree, who is the manager of Go Global (and who looked after Darren and myself on so many occasions) held a BBQ at her amazing house in Arcacia Bay about 10 minutes outside of Taupo. It's built into the surrounding hillside where you get the most immense view of Lake Taupo and Tauhara (the Volcano shaped into a pregnant lady). It was to say fairwell to us both and in return we bought her a gift to say thank you for the amazing time we had had there. The BBQ was fun, and later we continued it through another messy night on the town.

The next day, I was up early. Nyree drove Darren, Jacqui and Myself to the airport where Darren was catching his flight to Queenstown and where he was starting his new life. It would be a while before I would see him again.

Later that day I left myself. Harriet and I and Jacqui returned to Auckland. We said goodbye to all our friends there. Some of which we were sure we would see again, others we probably wouldn't. The key thing for me was - Taupo was now officially over. It was a chapter now finished and I am sure I wouldn't return there on this traveling journey. Jacqui returned to Auckland with us for one night before catching a plane to Queenstown herself, to meet Darren - and for me it was back to work. There were some trips around New Zealand I was already planning and even some trips outside of New Zealand I was planning - but essentially as the adventure takes another twist and progresses on another path - I knew ultimately, it would probably continue without a plan!!! I will see what happens, as I have done so throughout the past 11 months. It hasn't failed me yet and it's often best not knowing what tomorrow will bring...................