Rangitoto

Looking over my blog posts for January, I am suddenly made aware of how starved for information you must be,

Oops.

I feel like I haven't really told you anything.

So. Here goes.

Although I spent most of my first two weeks in NZ working on an organic vineyard, I did get a chance to get out and about. You've all read about my adventure with the Thai embassy. Two other day trips I did brought me to two big islands in one of Auckland's harbors (Yes. This city has more than one harbor). Rangitoto and Whaiheke.

Rangitoto is pretty awesome. The island was formed 600 years ago during a vulcanic erruption. Since then, vegetation has slowly been growing on the island. Although some parts still appear to be barren they are covered in all a manner of tiny mosses and lichens. The island has got some lovely wildlife and some great walking paths. The favorite (the one I did) goes straight to the summit.

Moss and lichen

View from the summit

Beach path

My journey to Rangitoto was fun. Made especially special after striking up a conversation with another woman doing the hike on her own. R was from the UK, here in NZ for about six weeks with a friend. She'd just sold the business she'd owned for the last five years and was still trying to figure out what she wanted to do next--that's where the New Zealand trip came in. We hiked up together, and hiked most of the way back down. We parted midway down the mountain, as she went off in search of some lava caves, me heading back into town because I had to catch a bus. 

I enjoyed her company. It was good to talk about past travel experiences, marvel at the beautiful surroundings together, and learn about someone else's experiences. I said in a previous blog post that this part of my gap year might just be about other people, and I think it will be. But on the road I need to make a better effort. 

About other people...

I've been wanting to write about books on here for a while, because they do a wonderful thing in making you feel less alone when you read them. And meeting other people and paying attention to them does the same thing. Those of you who know me back home know that I am a pretty big introvert. People are hard for me. 

But it's so easy to get caught feeling alone. And so easy to remember that you're not when you open your mouth and start talking to people.