A "Batch" is a Beach House

Plans change. That's one of the things I love about backpacking. Sam and I had originally decided to stay at Hairy Berry and work until January, but just the other day we decided we're gonna head down south with Stuart and Alex after Christmas. We'll sightsee a bit on the way, celebrate New Years near Wellington, then go on a 6-day kayaking/camping trip on the 4th of Jan. After that Sam and I will head back up to Auckland, and go on a month-long tour of the entire country with a company called Flying Kiwi (that part was already planned, we've already paid for it).

Ooh, so if you guys were planning on sending anything for Christmas or whatever, make sure you send it to the first address I posted, in Auckland, not the one I put up for Te Puke, since we won't be here much longer. I'll just repost it I guess, since some of you lazy folks won't even bother to go looking for the address.. ::coughdavemooncough:: Oh, and if you do send something, please make sure it's portable or can be used up. If it's heavy or whatnot, it's a possibility that we'll leave it behind or give it away.

Fat Camel Hostel
c/o Lois/Sam Kwon
Mailbox #5403
38 Fort Street
Auckland CBD 1010
New Zealand

Other news:

My sandfly bites are getting worse, I swear. It looks like I've got some contagious disease, and it itches like crazy. They're all over my arms and legs. Anyone know how to treat these things? I finally got some antihistamine cream (after 1.5 weeks!), but I was wondering if anyone knew other remedies.

These next pictures are from Mt. Maunganui. This past Sunday we went for a hike up the mountain, then went to the beach. I wanted to swim, but I totally forgot it was saltwater, and after half an hour, I couldn't stand it anymore and so I took a nap on the beach.





We've got a whole new bunch of people at Hairy Berry. One girl is from Denver, Ashley, a graduate of University of Colorado. Very cool girl, easy to talk to, got great music on her ipod. The other interesting person is a Korean girl from Seoul. She has the oddest last name ever, even my mom hasn't heard of this one: Hyung. Seriously. Anyone met a Korean with the last name "Hyung"? The great thing about her is that her English is really good, and so there's no awkward language barrier. I get to practice my Korean speaking on her too, so it's pretty cool.

It's late, gotta sleep, otherwise I'll be tired for work tomorrow. I hope everyone's finals are going(or went) very well! =]