The party pretty much started at the bar aboard amongst strolls onto a sun-drenched deck as we watched the north island slip away and the snow capped peaks of the south island approach. It was a gorgeous trip and I realize how seduced I am by ship travel, falling in the company of train travel as some of my favorites.
Arrived in Picton, New Zealand, a seaside town tucked into the Marlboro Sounds, just in time to turn it upside down. Checked into fabulous apartments with plasma TVs and gorgeous views (did I mention my office is paying for the trip?) only to move rapidly to dinner and then our private party in the apartment next door.
Gluttony ensued.
It was an absolute blast as the drinks flowed and the dancing commenced (thank you iPod for DJ’ing the event). By 2 AM I retired to the “Girl’s Apartment” that I just had my arm twisted to stay in.
Half 7 came very, very early as I arose for kayaking: a gorgeous day of kayaking along the narrow sounds surrounded by towering mountains. 20 Kilometers of kayaking in calm water to see seals and starfish and by the end I was reasonably knackered.
Retired to the porch of my apartment for jazz over tea and I was in heaven as I watched the sun drop between the cloud capped mountains of the sounds. Fell asleep after dinner and watching ruby – I’m still not a really a sports fan (Oh well).
Then half 6 really came atrociously early as I crawled to breakfast and then to the dive shop. And hour of half airborne boat riding and 14 millimeters of wetsuit later I was diving 90 feet deep on a 300 foot Russian cruise ship. Spooky and excellent in the 40 degree water.
On the way back the scale of the sounds astounds me. My eyes fixed on a bird, as I focused out I notice that it is a microscopic spec amongst the massive green mountain that was the shore. Then I see that this green giant of a mountain is moving relative to and being dwarfed by the more distant mountain as we speed along in the dive boat. Calm, deep ocean is woven among all of this and I’m in heaven.
By Sunday night the ferry ride home is all the excitement my body has left to handle. I sleep like the dead… and it goes in the books as one hell of a weekend.
My week continues with more work that I’m thoroughly enjoying (but wouldn’t bore you with), finally starting to call magazines and producers to drum up photography business and joining the office rugby team. It’s touch rugby, but a blast nonetheless. Not to mention, who wouldn’t enjoy leaving work for hour and a half to play sports!?
Have I mentioned I like working here yet?
I’m off to snowboarding tomorrow afternoon for my first time. (It’s winter here) And by the end of the weekend I’m sure I’ll be thoroughly bruised and very happy. Some friends and I are renting a chalet for the weekend and I can’t wait to wake up amoungst snow-capped mountains!
Next weekend is a big office party that they play up like the Oscars: awards, speeches, and then plenty of dinner, drinks and dancing.
And, I’ve got to get on the invitations for our flat warming party! 150 people between our flat and the bar downstairs - In a few weeks I’ll be sure to have my sleep interrupted by more fun again. Of coarse this will probably happen most days between now and then anyways.
To living life to it’s fullest! I’m sending my love to all you guys at home and around the world. -Trey
PS A huge thanks to the wonderful birthday cards via mail and email - you guys made my freakin' month!
