My time in Whangarei has been really busy so far. The first couple days, media and people kept walking up the dock to Guppy, which didn’t bother me at all because they were all so very nice. So yeah, that kept me busy for a while. And a lot of other great things have been happening too. I got my learner driver license which is pretty cool. I passed the written test so I can drive with someone else in the car until I get the full license. It’s so exciting! Even after steering Guppy all around the world, it feels really awesome to be able to drive a car :). I also found work on a dive boat in Tutukaka! So I can start saving up money for another future adventure. There’s still so much of the world left to see. While I work there, I want to get my commercial captain’s license. So I’ve got plans to keep me busy for a while. I’ve also been down in Auckland for a TV show. They got me a flight from Whangarei. It was really amazing to fly over this beautiful country, to see green hills and blue water, here and there a house and a river with boats–it was all so beautiful! I couldn’t stop staring out the window thinking wow, I live here now! Auckland is as big and busy as I imagined, but quite a nice city as far as I can say from the two hours I was down there, as I spent most of the time in the studio. It’s still quite cold here, especially at night. One time it got down to 2 degrees! The people from the marina were so nice to give us a little electric heater and we got some more blankets so it’s pretty cozy inside. And spring is coming. At day, when the sun comes out it’s really nice and you can walk in just a t-shirt. We have such a great spot here in the marina, and there is even a sea lion who hangs around us all the time which is quite amazing. I am really in love with this beautiful country and all its friendly people.

Laura