Greetings from Auckland New Zealand

Had to get a cheap flight here as I have to leave Australia every three months even though I have a year visa. I had a good look around Melbourne a nice city. the flight was not bac only 3 1/2 hours. I stayed in the "Bedrock Hotel" only Fred Flinstone was missing. The bed I had was so bad I really felt I was sleeping on stones. Fortunately I got out of there on the first 6 am trip to the City. I had to be leaving as I had not place to stay in Auckland because of the America's cup races going on all the hostels where full. I had book on for a great 2 day trip with the Stray Backpackers to the Bay of Islands. Only 65.00 NZ dollars which makes it about 40 American. I was never there before as New Zealand and I are old friends. It was awsome the people on the trip were as well. We had people all ages and jobs made it most interesting. New Zealand is really the most beautiful place in the world. I get here and don't want to leave. I booked a ride at a advanced horse place the woman and I got on so well I rode all day with her took pictures only you could get from a horses back got a great job offer one I almost can';t refuse but had to put on hold as this will be my next destination New Zealand next year. No sweat I already have the job. The horse I rode was 17 2 hand tall not a push buttoin horse at all gave you a good ride. I was in the mountains racing through brooks it was like I was watching a movie expedially when we got into the meadow on purpose of course and galloped around the dry cows. It was hillarious. The next day was the beach. Two English girls and my self got on the ferry to Russell to go to the beach. Mind you we just tought the beach was near. Wrong it was way over on the other side of the Island. After a 1/2 hour walk enough of that I said to the girls the thumb went out to the next vehicle a ride and all was well. The beach was beautiful. Surronded by the usual New Zealand scenry. The walk back was all down hill not bad got a cheap fish and chip meal for 5 dollars and got back to Auckland last night and a hostel in a room with a girl from Acton Massachusetts. I could not believe it. Only 10 poeple in this dorm nacked onto the bed that was single by the window after the girl left this am beat all the others to it. I leave tomorrow pm for Melbourne than onto Canberra for my next job on a 3000 acre cattle ranch. Only problem with this is now I have to learn to ride in a western saddle UG. Part of Canberra has burned down from the bush fires hopefully all will be well where I am going. The weather my friends so you can think summer again is about 85 with a nice cool breeze. No humid at all and right now going out the door here on the pier and take pictures of all the boats in the race. Lots of Americans and Canadians here. Having a cold one now and think over the evenings activities which will be doing wash back at the hostel. Bye bye

Greetings from Melbourne

It is always nice to hear from you all. This side of the world is starting to become hetic. I just arrived here from Blairgowrie in the Mornington Pen. It was such a beautiful place I was at and the people treated me well. I still don't believe I cooked breakfast in the end of it all I can now really say I became a short order cook for Brekkie. B esides the cleaning and cleaning of toilets making up the beds in the hostel it was not a bad deal as only 6 hours a day I had to be there the rest of the time was my own. I went to a lot of places met so many people even had invites to stay here in Melbourn at their homes when I left. Today I did all the tourist things had a good look arounde the place set up all my tomorrows activities one is to see the huge dome where the 1956 Olimpacs where held the palyers lockers rooms all that good stuff than off to the zoo. HOpefully will be catching up with a friend from here I met while in Scotland going on the river Yarrow ending with a ghost tour tomorrow night at the Melbourn Gaol (that is how they spell jail). I'm staying at a really nice hostel called the Elephant. I only have one room mate which is nice for a change. The 17th I leave at 4 pm for Auckland NZ. Only 5 days there than onto my next place of work at a 3000 acre cattle ranch which I can't waite to get to. I'[m still planning on going to Broome which is way way away away farther than Darwin. I don't miss all the snow nor the cold weather and Alice I'm learning how to play golf..............not good at it though but having a great time trying. All around here they have trams (we call street cars) that go everywhere. It is really an amazing city unlike Sydney which is way too busy for me. However Sydney is my next destination as I have to see Jason and visit my friend Margaret as well. Just enjoying life and living it. Good to hear from you all.
Phyllis xoxoxoxoxoxo

Leaving for New Zealand on the 17th

Hello all you lovely people,

It is nice and warm here wish I could send it on to you all. I'm leaving the place of work where I am now on the 13th heading back to Melbourn and going to New Zealand not because I wantto because I have to leave the country every three months even though I have a year visa. I don't have a work visa that is why. I got a pretty cheap flight going to Auckland. I have many friends there so will plan on seeing them all. I have never been to the bay of Islands so plan on heading there asto.k here has been great. I'd still be here if it wasn't for that law they have here in Oz. I ride alot during the afternoons when I'm not at the beach. I only work 6 hours a day make breakfast like I'm really good at it. Ya. I can cook egss now better than I ever did before. I make lunch as well. There are 35 people staying here so that means when on leaves I have to make the bed they left. It is an upgrade hostel that offers alot of adventure tours. It is mostly a diveing center which I dived last week with another guy who also stays here. They have sea horses that are incrediable they hang out in the weeds below the pier in Portsea two towns away from here. I also have seen the sea dragons only here at this place in the world. They are awsome as well. Have met so many people coming through this place there isn't hardely a place now I don't know some one. I start my next job in a place called briarwood in Canberra which is between Melbourn and Sydney when I comer backfrom New Zealand. It is a cattle property consisting of 2000 acres. I shall do alot of riding chedking fences ext. It is also a bed and breakfast place the people soundreal nice and looking forward to being back in the country again on a farm. After there I will go to my friends farm in Kemps Creek and also visit Jason and his wife in Sydney myCanadian conection. From there I'm going to Broome which is a long way from everything and back down to Darwin again before I leave for Maylasia again. For those who are afraid of bugs this is not the place to be. I hang clothes on the line everymorning and make sure I don't putmy hands too close to the post as a nice nasty spider lives in his funnel web there. This am I was hanging out clothes when a bug I don't know what kind crawled in my shorts and started biting me cropped down to my sandles and started biting there as well. I have seen snakes, jelly fish everyting and anything that could kill you but doesn't. Alot of possums live here as well. They keep you up at night running over the roofs and fighting. I go to the pub for entertainment in Sorrento with the group I work with by Taxie listen to good music meet people and have a great time. Life is good and hope that all \your lives are as well. I'll write again when I get to melbourn I am invited to stay the 5 days with a family that is here now at the hostel nice EY? Enjoy the storms and for those the golf.

Phyllis