How It Should Be

Maybe I shouldn’t admit this, but my daily wake-up call came from the housekeeper. I understand some of you might be shocked. Yes, daily housekeeping! I’m in the Sanctuary now so I have towels to be changed and pillows to be turned.

After my first night, I did manage to wake up before the housekeeper came round, but I was still in my room and half-dressed so it’s not that much better. My laziness became a running joke. I was happy doing nothing and spending my days researching and booking things for my future travels as well as catching up on my writing.

I ventured out for some fresh air every now and then but I used the cold as an excuse to stay in and nestle in my duvet. I’ve not had a duvet day since travelling. I guess this was the closest I could get to having one.

Another Stray bus pulled up outside which came as a welcome distraction. I already knew that Jonny and Sapphire were on this bus and I recognised a couple of faces when I came down to the hostel bar. It was Battle of the Buses round two.

Despite winning the quiz, the dance and coming second in the karaoke…we lost. What’s the point? I’m competitive and hate losing but I don’t even feel like I can be mad at a situation like this as we never had a fighting chance in the first place.

At least the Kiwi bus didn’t win, that came as somewhat of a consolation. They only had two guys representing them. These guys were awful thuggish ignorant excuses for males. They kept starting fights with us and with the driver of Magic. Idiots. They didn’t have a brain between them.

I carried on drinking until it was just me and Jonny left in the bar. Lightweights. Everyone seems to opt for an early night in New Zealand. It’s usually me that does that so I should feel comforted that I’m not the only one anymore!

Witnesses would have been helpful as I beat Jonny at pool and I wasn’t even trying. Jonny had potted most of his balls straight away so I played defensively snookering him when I could and catching up that way. Before I knew it, we were both fighting over the black. To be fair, Jonny did fluff a couple of shots on the black. My final shot was magnificent. It wasn’t setup perfectly so I needed to angle it correctly. I did a little lap of honour as Jonny bowed to my brilliance.

*****

I skipped out on visiting Puzzling World with my last bus but decided to join in this time. I’m not sure how I managed to crawl out of bed and make it to reception but I did.

Puzzling World is a small building full of illusions and odd creations set to confuse and irritate. It was quite fun and the maze was surprisingly tricky. It took me longer to get out than it did making it to the four coloured towers!

Even though I got on with a lot of people on this bus, I decided to see out my stay in Wanaka.

*****

It was business as usual when the housekeeper came in to find me sat watching TV in my pyjamas. I was waiting until they’d come in and do what they needed to do before I showered. I’ve had a few close calls beforehand!

We had something in common at least as we were both planning on walking up Mt Iron that day. Instead of going it alone, I took up the offer of going up with the housekeeper and her friends.

At 1:30pm I made my way down to reception. The housekeeper (I can’t for the life of me remember her name!) chickened out saying it was too windy, but introduced me to her two friends who were going up. After an initial awkwardness, I got chatting to Suki (Hong Kong) and Natsco (Japan) who were friendly and didn’t tell me to get lost.

Suki and Natsco were also meeting friends to climb Mt Iron but not for another hour. With time to burn, we walked around Lake Wanaka, played on a slide and sat on comfy sofas looking out across the lake.

Dino-slide wheeey!

Lake Wanaka

Along the way, we all shared our stories and journeys. It was great to hear that Suki and Nat both want to work and travel as long as possible. It’s not something I hear a lot when travelling. Most people are students taking gap years, people on holiday or on a working visa. All these people have the same thing in common, they have lives back home that they intend to get back to. I have no such thing. Although I’m on a year-long RTW adventure, I don’t feel like stopping anytime soon nor do I have a career waiting for me when I get home.

Speaking to these girls is exactly what I needed. Having felt a bit down over the past couple of days, it made me wake up to the fact that what I want to do is ok. There is no right or wrong way to live your life. Just because most people choose to settle in one place and/or focus on their careers and family doesn’t mean that it’s right for everyone. That’s a natural progression for many but it’s not a path I see myself going down anytime soon. What’s more, it meant that I didn’t have to shrug and make excuses as I don’t have a definite answer to the question, “What are you going to do when you get back home?”

As we made our way to meet Nat and Suki’s friends, we walked into a friendly stranger…

The fattest cat in Wanaka

Many winding streets later, and we finally arrived. We were greeted by Simon (British), Ema (Korean) and Sophie (British). It was only when I introduced myself and was asked how I knew Nat and Suki that I felt like a bit of an imposter. Despite my random reasons for knowing them, everyone was so friendly and welcoming. We’re all seasoned travellers and know exactly how it feels to be the new person in unfamiliar surroundings.

Simon, Ema and Sophie are in Wanaka for the winter to work in Treble Cone Ski Resort. I was so jealous. What’s more, Simon is learning Japanese as he’s heading to Japan to work a ski season in Hokkaido. Part of me wanted to just drop everything right at that moment and stay in Wanaka with these guys.

Now it was time to embarrass myself at how unfit I had become. I was a sweaty wheezy mess as we dismissed the winding pathway and headed directly uphill to the viewpoint. I needed the exercise but damn! Things became a bit better when we got past the steepest of inclines and used the pathway.

What astounds me about New Zealand is how quiet it is. You don’t have to trek up a mountain to experience this, although Mt Iron did provide a perfect example. It was a lovely day and the view was fantastic. Other than the odd dog walker and jogger, the place was deserted. It’s one of many places that would make a perfect reading/writing spot or generally a place to be alone with your thoughts.

Walking down, the group made plans for the evening. Sophie’s friends were performing at a bar that night and invited me along. I said yes of course as I had no other plans. Sophie went back to her place and the rest of us settled down for a cup of tea and a lesson in Japanese. 

Unfortunately I couldn’t hang around for long as I really needed to head back to have something to eat before the night began.

My friend I made in Bangkok, Paul, had messaged me and we arranged to meet at the same bar I was heading to that night. It was a good job we agreed on a late time as I managed to take a wrong turning. It took me twice as long as it should have done to get there. I didn’t actually know where I was going anyway. The bar was hidden behind a bakery down a residential street.

It therefore didn’t surprise me that Paul failed to find the place and we didn’t end up meeting. Without a phone, there wasn’t a lot I could do unfortunately. I didn’t find this out until I got back to my room so, at this moment in time, I still thought Paul was around somewhere. I scanned the bar and tables but could only find groups of people and nobody who looked like my friend.

Suddenly, I clocked this one guy at the bar who I thought looked a little bit like my friend. I’d not seen him in six months, it was dark and this guy had a hat on. I had to go to the bar to get a closer look but I opened my mouth before I could stop myself. It wasn’t him and I knew that as soon as I walked up to him but my mouth was running. I spouted off some lame excuse, bought a drink and left. Ah well, I’m never going to see him again.

Sophie’s mates were awesome. One guy played Misirlou (Pulp Fiction soundtrack or Black Eyed Peas sample on Pump It) on his guitar which was impressive. All their song choices were pretty good. I love acoustic sessions and it was just these two guys and their guitars. 

I spent most of the evening with Simon, Ema, Nat and Suki but once they left I got to know Sophie’s friends a lot more. Ben stood out for me, not just because of his red hair, but he was also the friendliest. We had a great laugh swapping stories and generally messing around.

Left to right: Simon, Ema, Suki, Me, Nat

Me, Sophie and Ben

We moved on to a bar just outside the hostel where I was staying. Sophie brought along an additional friend from the bar…

Pinecone friiiiiend

It was a lovely night and exactly what I needed. It was a shame I didn’t get to meet Paul though.