'Straalia

Meeting up with old friends is such a Gem!  The past few days have been filled with reminiscing, laughter, great meals and new memories.  Ron and Tish, my 2 Aussie mates...whom I met 5 years ago in Italy, stayed with in Aus 3 years ago, and then had them visit me for Christmas last year...have been hosting me.  Good times!  Yet another reminder on this trip of the genuine people that you meet all over the world.  Today we enjoyed a beautiful 35 degrees C (about 83 F) day at Shelly Beach, just outside of Sydney. Then had a big barbie (cookout) and enjoyed the balmy summer evening.  

Welp, here I am sitting underneath a Pohutukawa tree on the deck of Charlie Farley's after my last shift...having a TAB (Tasty Adult Beverage) and reflecting on the past 8 weeks working here. What a slice of paradise!  Warm, sunny, genuine people, interesting convos, gorgeous scenery, and a comfortable feeling.  I have had many thoughts, transactions, actions, adventures, discussions, visualizations and revelations.  Many have been expressed here on the blog.   There will also be many more to come along with over 40 pieces of artwork to try to capture these 6 months..  I have thoroughly enjoyed my stint here and what a fantastic way to close out my time in New Zealand.  Yep, only 2 days left. I travel to Australia for three weeks to visit my mates Ron and Tish and then it's back Stateside.  

While I am looking forward to my return to see family and friends...I will also enjoy these last few weeks and soak up each moment.  For traveling always helps to put things in perspective and enlightens our mind and souls.  Sweet as.

OK SERIOUSLY??

The following is my journal entry on the first day of my stay at Great Barrier Island.  Enjoy:

Ok, Seriously!  I mean com'on!  Are you REALLY serious?! For real? The answer is 'yes' for $200 Alex.

I am sitting in a hammock right now overlooking one of the most incredible places on earth! The Medlands at Great Barrier Island. My mate Mark has a batch here and it is nestled in a cove with sea stacks, sheer cliffs, a horseshoe beach with crashing waves, heaps of trees and tall grass, the South Pacific Ocean in the distance, clouds changing by the second, colors vivid, air clean, blue waters, white caps, old fences, fresh fish, rocky crags...and the list goes on and on.  

I mean seriously?! This morning at 6:30 we ventured out to go fishing.  The clouds were bright pink faded to yellow, air crisp and cool, waves rolling, got the bait ready and push off in our 10 foot john-boats... pass through shark alley and around the rocky corner.... WOW! A dramatic cliff with the crashing waves producing bright white foam against the rock hues of deep olives, reds, oranges and golds. Above it, the full moon still illuminating and fading into the horizon while the sun emerges on the direct opposite.  Ahhh, the smell of the ocean, the banter with good mates and the anticipation of an adventure.

With a few minutes of attaching our bait to our rods...out they go only seconds to have a few nibbles! Mark hauls in a Trevelli and I crank in a small snapper!  Seriously? Could it get much better than this?... No worries, catching lunch and dinner, at peace with Mother Earth.

There's another one...and another one...and a big 12 pounder!!  We were fishermen! And it was Awesome!  About an hour rolled by...12 fish, a beautiful sky, time to head in.  

So, here I am sitting in a hammock overlooking one of the most tranquil places on earth... Belly full from smoked and pan-seared snapper, satisfied from the morning adventure and absolutely loving life!