I know I've said this before, so clearly my idea of perfect is incredibly complex but Sunday was pretty darn close!
Most people's ideas of a perfect day would most definitely not involve spending 12hours driving but I did it and it was fab.

Claire kindly let me borrow her car and I made the decision that I was going to go on a bit if an adventure. I wanted to head up to the bay of islands and see how pretty it actually was. So I did.
I set off just after 6am and started the 300+km drive, arriving in Russell shortly before 12pm.
The roads were winding and constantly going up or downhill, but for the majority of the drive north of Auckland, it hugged the coastline so was incredibly pretty.
I feasted on pineapple lumps and sang my little heart out to the random songs on shuffle.
The car was a boy racer type Subaru so I don't think people were expecting me to be singing along to ridiculously loud high school musical or Katy Perry songs!
Foo fighter's 'Hero' was a particular favourite of mine to sing along to, complete with hand gestures.
I don't care how odd I looked. I had a really good time.
I stopped off at every available, safe photo opportunity on the drive back. I think then people thought I was crazy. A woman looked at me funny, partially cos I had 'you've got a friend' playing very loudly at that point and didn't turn it off when I hopped out to get some quick snaps.
Also stopped off at a stunning waterfall on the way home.

Honestly, simple things in life keep me very happy. Shuffle + sunshine + camera = very happy Ny :o)

I timed everything super well too so that I was home in time for the rugby world cup final.
I'm so glad I was out here for that. The atmosphere in Hamilton city centre was amazing. There was a proper street party. Fire, balloons, big screens, people in fancydress and so many honking car horns after the All Blacks won.
A part of me still kinda wishes they hadn't, just to see how the country crumbled and blamed it all on Carter, then disowned Weepu, but I'm glad they won. Plus I'm super chuffed I met 3 of the winner team. Yay for me

This year has been incredible and I'm so glad I did it.

Not long left now.
Currently in Fiji in my hostel for the night. I've somehow ended up sharing a room with another Tim. (I'm not sure before this trip I'd even met one Tim)
Some kind of adventure ensues tomorrow and hopefully some major tanning! Hurrah! I have no tan lines anymore so it's much needed.

Oh and I saw some kiwis at long last yesterday. They're funny looking things. The end!
X