New Zealand here I come!

Hi!!

Well here I am back in Quito, pleased to be able to say that I loved the voluntary work, met loads of really nice people and also learnt lots about Ecuadorian politics (which I may have already forgotten! Ooops!!) I have lots of great piccies of the animals - capuchins, monkeys, ocelots, parrots, parakeets, coatis, kinkajous and also the locals (generally not animals!!) which I will try and add to the blog sometime but do not have the equipment required at the mo. It was a fantastic (and very mucky) experience which I am very glad I did. I even managed to improve my salsa skills on a weekend off as well as almost chop my finger off with a machete! I think Mark will be very impressed with all my war wounds and also my new found skills of constructing huts out of trees. Could certainly save a few pounds?!

Tonight I am catching an overnight flight to Chile and then tomorrow night a flight to New Zealand so the next couple of days are going to be somewhat tedious. It'll be so nice to arrive in New Zealand even if it is 4.40 in the morning, where Mark assures me he will be waiting.

Then he says he has lots of nice things planned which I am not allowed to know until I get there, although he has told me we are going to a rugby match on the 2nd June which will be interesting - The All Blacks against France. I take it they should be good then? - I hope so as it's my first ever rugby match. If this games bad that's it, I'll never be persuaded to go to another again?! ;o)

Talking of Mark as I note he has let the side down on the blogging (he says he had nothing to write!) He has been in Auckland the last 3 weeks, seeing the sights and working at the hostel a few hours some days for free accommodation. It sounds like he has been enjoying himself but is ready for a change now, so he says. On his birthday he went paintballing with some other hostellers and ended up rather bruised. He has also spent a few nights at some comedy clubs and meeting up with a friend Joe and his wife Tash. Hopefully I won't cramp his style too much when I get there?! :o)

Anyway I had better go and get my stuff sorted so I'm ready to go as soon as I've had dinner. It wouldn't be too great if I missed the flight!

So until next time have fun