About Me

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NOMADIC LIFESTYLE, EARTH, United States
After getting my first passport in 2006 and traveling to climb Kilimanjaro in Tanzania my life changed. I began the process of getting rid of all my possessions and traveling the world. Traveling to over 125 countries and all 7 continents, hostels have been my home. This "new life" has taught me what is important and it was NOT accumulating money or possessions. Traveling is the best education. I hope my blog will encourage others to travel. My World Tattoo was a way for me to express my PASSION FOR TRAVEL.

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NEW ZEALAND, Mount Cook

November 23, 2007

I caught the bus from Christchurch and went to Mount Cook (NZ highest mountain at a little over 12, 000 ft.). The statute is that of Sir Edmund Hillary who was the first climber to climb Everest. He was from NZ and Mt. Cook was where he and his sherpa, Tenzig Norgay, practiced before their Everest summit. I was there for a couple of hrs and then continued to Queenstown to spend the night. Tomorrow I catch the early bus to Te Anau and then a cruise on the famous Milford Sound.










NEW ZEALAND, Christchurch (Thanksgiving Day)

Thursday November 22, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving to All. Even though it is still Wednesday there, I can still smell the Turkey and Dressing. I just arrived in Christchurch after a 6 hr bus ride. Great weather and beautiful country. I went to the Sargeant Peppers Club for dinner and had a great STEAK??? Okay, no turkey to be found so steak is splurging for me. Yes, the Sargeant Pepper Club had Beatles posters everywhere and played Beatles music but was still very good, if not classy. No one really understands the concept of Thanksgiving here and probably not many in the states either. Canadians have Thanksgiving but in October. I leave for Queenstown tomorrow and then to Te Anau to start more tramping (trekking).






NEW ZEALAND, Wine tour


November 21, 2007

Since I finished the Queen Charlotte Track a day early, I decided to do a half day wine tour through the Marlborough Country. There were 10 of us on the bus and we visited 4 wineries. The only wine questions any of us had were when were they going to pour the next free wine sample. New Zealand has only been producing wine for about 20 years but there are orchards springing up everywhere.

NEW ZEALAND, Queen Charlotte Track (Day 3)







November 20, 2007

I left at 9am and was told it was a 6 hr walk to Anikiwa where the water taxi would pick me up at 4:30 pm. It was straight up most of the morning which is just what you want to see after the previous 10 hr day. LOL The view of Queen Charlotte Sound are so beautiful that you almost don't feel the searing pain in your legs and shoulders. lol I actually made it at 1:50pm and had to wait around for a few hrs. So I have an extra day and decided to go on a half day wine tour through the Marlborough Wine Vineyards. It was $59NZ and I think I can drink that much wine since we will visit 5 wineries and all tastings are included.

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NEW ZEALAND, Queen Charlotte Track (Day 2)




November 19, 2007

Today was supposed to be an easy 2-3 hr walk to my next hut. Somehow I missed Naolines Homestay and by the time I realized it (3 large hills and about 2 miles) I decided to continue to the next place that I had booked. I had started at 9 am and arrived at my next destination (Debritts) at 7 pm and one day early. 35 kilimoters (21 miles) in all with the hardest part of the track this day. The owners called the place I was supposed to stay and she was worried because I was 9 hrs late. Another thing I didn't realize, most trekkers or trampers as they say in NZ let the water taxis take their baggage from hut to hut so that you don't have to carry all that weight. I thought only a few wimps did this but I found out that I was the 1 in a 100 that carried my own bag which now weighs about 25 lbs.

NEW ZEALAND, Wellington, Picton, and Queen Charlotte Track (Day 1)



November 16-18th, 2007

I caught the afternoon bus from National Park to Wellington. Wellington was a great city with a lot of night life and great restaurants. After Wellington, I caught the ferry to Picton on the South Island. It is a beautiful boat trip with great scenery for about 3 hrs. You can save the $65 dollar ferry boat fee if you decide to skydive from Wellington. You leave Wellington but land in Picton and the plane brings your baggage. Nice alternative, though a little more expensive.
Picton is a nice little town which is the center for trips to the Queen Charlotte Track, Abel Tasman Track or wine tours of the Marlborough region. I completed the Queen Charlotte Track in 3 days. It was more difficult than I expected mainly because one day was 35 kilometers. It was supposed to be 4 days but I walked past my accomodations. lol The Track is up and down the mountains every day but the scenery was unbelievable. Definitely a must do.
























































































































































NEW ZEALAND, Tongairiro Crossing


November 15, 2007

The bus arrived at the hostel at 7:15 am and 2 German girls and I climbed aboard. We stopped at another hostel and picked up 18 more trekkers. We arrived at the start of the Crossing about 8 am. It is a 18 kilometer hike throught the mountains which is about 11 miles. The bus driver said he would pick us up at the other end of the Crossing at 4pm. The weather was overcast and quite windy. I was the 1st one out the bus and on the trail. I did not want to get behind some that looked as though they had no business there. Along the trail I passed a group of 30 teenagers on some kind of field trip. Then all of a sudden, straight up the mountain. It was getting colder and the wind was blowing harder. There was snow all over the ground. At one point, myself and 2 other climbers thought we may be summiting the wrong mountain but realized that we just had hit the hardest part of the climb. The wind at the top of Red Crater would almost blow you down and in fact one girl later said it did. Unfortunately the first 3 hours did not result in very good scenery. After crossing Red Crater though, the wind was not as bad and the sun started shining some. The views got better and I could understand why this is one of the most trekked areas in all New Zealand. I finished the Crossing at 1:45 pm and had to wait for over 2 hrs for the bus. At the end of the trek there were about 100 other people waiting for their buses also. Back to the hostel to rest my now aching muscles. lol
































NEW ZEALAND, Flight to Auckland

November 10-12th, 2007

Beau dropped me off at the NO airport for my 1:55 pm flight to LA. I had a brief (1 hr) layover in Houston and arrived in LA at 6:00 pm. I left at 9:00 pm for Auckland and arrived at 7:30 am on MONDAY morning. Lost a day crossing over the international time line. The flight from LA to Auckland was 12.5 hrs and I actually got a little sleep this time. I went to the top of the Sky Tower which is supposed to be the tallest building in the southern hemisphere and took some great pictures. Unfortunately, I left my usb cable for my camera and will not be able to download pictures until I can find a new one. I will try soon. Other than the Sky Tower, wasnt loving Auckland.





IRELAND, Powerscourt House and Gardens























September 18, 2007

Today I took a guided bus tour to Powerscourt House and Gardens, Glendalough, and through the Wicklow Mountains. The Gardens are supposed to be one of the most beautiful in all of Europe. The house and gardens reminded me very much of Versailles. I fly back to New Orleans tomorrow and can't wait to see everyone.