Goodbyes

First it was

goodbye New Zealand (Kariotahi beach)

and then

hello Fiji (Pacific Harbour).

I spent two and a half blissful weeks kitesurfing, hammocking, eating, sleeping and reading/writing poems. And then it was

goodbye Fiji (last night, at the 'celebrity love island' beach)

And now I'm back at home.

My brain is blurred with jet lag, but as far as I can tell, I'm happy to be back. I was welcomed by my family at the airport, and they've been very good to me. The English Autumn is freezing cold and beautiful. The English architecture and trees and everything seems just wonderful.

And now it's time to wrap the blog up. First, I've finished travelling, and am about to start something totally new (trying to find NGO work - can anyone help?!). Next, I've changed a lot, and "dissident words" (the title of this blog) doesn't really fit now. I'm not reacting and rebelling any more, but accepting the self that's emerging and the world it's in. Lastly I'm going to take a break from blogging, and maybe come back later, when it's fresh again.

Goodbye, and thanks to all for reading and commenting, it's been great to think that people have been interested by some of this.

Peace.

1003 words

Swimming
With
Dolphins.

Hat

I would just like to mention that I own a very warm hat, and that the glacier in this post was not that cold, hence I did not always need to wear it, despite my newfound lack of hair. Thank you all for your clever emailed and commented remarks.

The desire to DO

Chech this out all you workaholics:

http://megsoapbox.blogspot.com/2006/09/fruitfulness-vs-productivity.html

I found most interesting the discussion on productivity vs. fruitfulness. She argues Jesus was not generally a productive person but was very fruitful. A cursory glance at the Buddha reveals something very similar. In fact her post could've been written by a buddhist.

I'm currently escaping the never-ending drive to do stuff not by rationalising not doing (recourse to fruitfulness is still about justifying the self, in more mellow terms, but inescapably attaching to a need to be positive). I'm just resting and enjoying the present without any reference to a greater good, for myself or others. This seems almost blasphemous to a culture imbued with the protestant work ethic, but it's in my heart and so I follow.

On a deeper level, however, I sense that I'm still doing so out of an ongoing desire to be the best I can be, that I am still striving to grow and achieve by not achieving, by being fruitful if you will. Not that this is negative per se, in fact these can be useful qualities in a society, but it clearly shows that I've not fully steeped in the infusions of self-acceptance. Just to be and nothing else.

However, this is still OK. Why judge my lack of total self-acceptance and give myself a burden to carry? And here I've come full circle.

All is full of love

I thought I had lost or had my camera stolen this morning. However this afternoon there it was, in the wrong section of my bag.

On an only loosely related note, I would like to take this opportunity to send a hug to everyone I love*. I fear I have in one stroke severely diminished the credibility of this blog, but that never really mattered anyway.

*All comments containing the word 'hippy' will be moderated.

Paragliding

I've done a three day course in paragliding. It's far harder than it looks. However learning is cheap here. And it's low season, so I've had two instructors (one of whom is excellent) to myself. The first day was lots of running up and floating down small hills, then I was straight onto the big jump - from Coronet Peak, by the snow line.


run...

  
off...

  
and away...

  


After five amazing solo flights over the last two days I've got more confident...only to land this afternoon part on my feet, part on my arse, and part on my left wrist, which now no-longer works. Ouch. The swelling is comical, as is my slinging it up in an olive green scarf, so I sense I will be taking it very easy over the next few days. Milford Sound bekons.

Keep on movin'

I'm loving this! (Almost resorted to a phrase now tarnished by an evil multinational.) NZ has got to be one of the best places in the world to backpack. My adventures have taken me to meet many new people (mainly through hitching), get very cold, and very happy. I've seen a little of what's referred to here as the backcountry, and it's great.


On a rock in a tiny little cove only reachable by walking (with my blanket-slash-poncho hence bat-like appearance)

  

Freedom camping near Jackson Bay (West Coast), with my new tent and Belgian chaffeur. I woke up cold - the clear weather means the temperatures drop quite low at night - frost everywhere.

  

A solo hike up to the bush line of one of the southern alps. I didn't make it; my water was running out and I didn't think I could find a stream : ( I did however really enjoy this chocolate/snooze break!

  
  




I'm now in beautiful Queenstown, and am taking a paragliding lesson tomorrow. This is good!

Photos

Grrrrrr! The people that host my photos have taken to plastering pictures of near nude women around the full size pics. Call me old fashioned, but I'm going to put them somewhere else. Here's one from one of my last nights in Wellington, where the registrars took me out:

Hitch-hiking

The pull of technology is too strong, and I'm back online. Probably won't be sharing deep and profound thoughts, but the odd photo wouldn't go amiss. And 'happy birthday' to my Father!

Hitching in NZ has its delights: surprising connections, interesting conversation, local knowledge, and a low low price tag. But what tops these is the sheer depth of kindness shown by complete strangers. As I was walking through Picton preparing to stick my thumb out, a woman came rushing out of a restuarant asking if I needed a lift to Nelson, because her husband was going...yes I did, actually. He took me out of his way to see the Sounds, and then after spending a night camping on the Abel Tasman (mmmmmm), a lady called Ruth picked me up and took me to the lovely Takaka. I found a backpackers (was very cold and wet and camping lost its appeal after two nights) and the next day she drove over to Takaka to pick me up, take me to some pristine springs (Pupu Springs), a pretty heavy waterfall, some lovely walks, lunch, and basically a lovely day. Running the backpackers was an Israeli who was heading down South to Franz Josef (photos to follow), who ended up driving me down here.

Since leaving Wellington I feel like I've been looked after and given treat after a treat. Did I mention baked kumara and a hot outdoor spa after hiking through the Franz Josef glacier today?

(The following are thumbnails and should link to the full image.)

View of the Marlborough Sounds from the ferry


View from the start of the Abel Tasman track


Me looking rather chirpy before the glacier (yes I've had a haircut)


After several hours hiking today.

Goodbye Wellington

I've been out for meals and drinks with people most nights for the last week; I didn't realise how many friends I've made here so soon. I feel appreciated and appreciative, gratitude all round. I have felt like quite a hermit in the last few months, not feeling much of a push to go out (or even stay in) and socialise. But despite my total lack of effort, friends I do have, and I'm sad to see them go. People really made the effort, and organised several different leaving things. Afternoon teas, lunches, drinks and meals, cakes and pounamu...I couldn't ask for anything more.

Tomorrow I catch the ferry to the south island, with my tent and sandwhiches packed and ready to go. I'm always saying this, but I'll try and get some photos up on the blog as I go!