Waitangi Day!!!

Keora!! (hello, bye, what up in Maori)

So im in Paihia right now---its the very very northern tip of the country. Got here 2 days ago. Its gorgeous---surrounded by islands, crystal clear water. On our way up here we stopped and when snorkling at this preserve---saw some cool fish, nothin other than that. yesterday i took a bus up the cape with a group--it was nice, fun, saw lots. There is a girl named Dorieka from Holland that i've gotten along with really well here. We are staying in the same hostel tonight in Auckland. Tomorrow I fly to Christchurch and then Sunday i'm meeting up with this girl, April, and we are renting a car and just driving to wherever for a few days. Hope it goes welll! AH yayaya!

I can't stop thinking about how many people i have met----SO FUCKING MANY. from all over the world. seriously everywhere. its nice traveling alone though because i meet people wherever i go, and if i get sick of 'em i just say SEEEEEEEEE YA! love it. really getting into the swing of things.

Sorta threw a fit the other night---i'm in a dorm of 8, men and women, and this english guy started snoring so i started coughing and clapping my hands. I really wished i had a tennis ball to chuck at his face. everyone thanked me in the morning though.

What else............So, today, Feb. 6th is a National holiday here--waitangi day---for the waitangi treaty. it was signed right up here in Paihia so there is a MASSIVE festival going on. They have a dawn celebration/service thing that me and 3 of my friends went to. So i woke up at 4am, walked a mile and a half in pitch black....the prime minister was there, the Maori Princess---very cool. lots of Maori Chants and stuff. then at 9am most of the Maori Men get in these massive Pocahontas type canoes that are incredible and sing, chant, make sounds and then go paddle out in the ocean---one behind the other. there were probably 15 canoes in all. it was like out of a movie, i swear. so cool. i have pics i'm gonan post soon.

ummmmmmmmmm...........skin is just coming off my body. i think i'm part snake. its even grossing ME out. ew.

meeting my friend Allan Hall and Mark Strother in about a week in Queenstown---VERY excited to see them! Can't wait!

i'm covered in sand.

this little maori girl just came up to me to talk to me---must go. she keeps talking---must go! write soon! MISS YA! xoxo
mars