Nelson area

Abel Tasman was amazing. The water was an amazing color, the bush was spactular, and the hike was wonderful. there was a number of crossings requiring wading the river and the sand flies were irritating. It was also nice to have some company on the track.
I have made it to my next WWOOfing host near nelson. This place is great this morning I got to milk 2 goats, help Sarah make cheese with the milk and in the afternoon Red started showing me some blacksmithing. Tomorrow I finish the project I started today.
I have also been lucky enough to catch a free spot on the Milford Track. I start the 9th. I'm really excited but it means that I will have to go from Nelson to Te Anau in 2 days. Still have a number of supplies to get before going.

The South Island

I left Wellington Saturday to come to Picton. It was a 3 hour ferry ride across the Cook Strait. While the ride was long it was nice, there was a film playing and amazing views. Also very windy. Stayed a few days in Picton at this great little backpackers that had free breakfast and a sort of chocolate bread pudding in the evening. The pudding is amazing. Decided to try my hand at hitch hiking and so yeaterday I hitch hiked to Nelson. Was picked up by a couple of guys from Taupo that were going on a hinting/fishing trip. It was fun and now I can say I have done it but I dont know if I will continue. It rained all day yesterday so wound up rather soggy after my wanderings, today it is clearing off. Last night met up with a girl I met in Picton and am planning the Able Tasman trip together. Because of the rains several of the trails we wanted to use are closed so we are still figuring out an alternate route. Don't know if I will be able to write more before the 27th so happy thanksgiving everyone.

Wellington

I have made it to Wellington. The first day in Tongararo National Park was amazing with the stunning views and strange landscapes but the second was windy and rainy. I started by doing Tongararo crossing which is a day trek used mostly by the tourists. This trail takes you by Mt Tongararo then down to the Emerald lakes. in the area of the lakes the trail divides and those doing the circut (The Great Walk) leave those doing the crossing. Once off the main track there is almost noone. It was so quiet the only sound came from the wind, there were no birds or other sounds. It all had a very strange feel to it. Just before I arrived at the hut I walked through a valley filled with beech trees. This area was a nice respite from the desolate region before with birds and trees. The hut was nice there was a group that arrived shortly after me and we all ended up playing cards well into the night.
It started raining in the night and didnt let up all day. While it was just a drizzel the wind helped soaked me from the waist down within an hour of starting. I was walking with soggy socks and wet boots for about 4 hours. Well I made it out and had a great time also made a new friend I met on the trail. Also never carry everthing with you figure out a way to send it ahead or leave stuff behind. The bag gets way to heavy.
Yesterday I came to Wellington and am planning on staying here a few days before going to the south island. Today I go to the Te papa museum and for a wander. Hoping my boots are somewhat dried out.

Lake Tarawera

I have come to work for a couple with a place at Lake Tarawera. I came to Rotorua last wednesday and after they picked me up we left to one of their other properties. They have a portion of a holiday park on the Coromandel Peninsula where I began my WWOOFing with them. Joined up with an American couple at the holiday park and ended up doing quiet a bit of painting. Ended up driving one of their cars back and spent some time in Rotorua. The drive was exciting as it was a standard and as I am still learning how to drive one I also had to drive on the left, but I made it in one piece.
Rotorua is a nice enough town but due to the high amount of geothermal activity the entire town smells of sulpher. Ended up just wandering around the town for awhile the comming out to the house. The place I am at now is at Lake Tarawera which is one of the lakes near Lake Rotorua. Unlike the last place I was at there isn't a farm here, there is just maintnence and up keep here. While here the 2 Americans joined us and 2 girls one from Germany and one from Scotland came too. Mike and I have been working on the boat shed, cleaning and widening the door to accomodate the new boat and the girls have been gardening. Several days ago our hosts Mike and Liz took everyone out on their boat to some hot springs on the lake. We also had a barbi on the lake.
Last night we had 3 more WOOFers arrive. The new commers include a French couple and a German girl. Aparently these three have helped them before but now we number 8, which seems a few to many.
I am taking off friday with the first german and the scot to head south and the Tongera (will get proper spelling later) National Park where I hope to do a multiday backpacking trip. I am having trouble connecting my camera for pics but I will try to get some on before I leave here. Also while I said before mail is supposed to take some 3 weeks it is much faster and took about a week so the Wellington address will be good until the end of this week.
I hope everyone is well and enjoying their life to the fullest or life isnt to difficult.

back in New Zealand

I have returned to New Zealand and have come to Tauranga. Tomorrow I am going to Mt. Maunganui and am planing on being here a few days then heading south. I am also trying to find a WWOOf host somewhere between here and Rotorua.
For those who have asked for a mailing address things can be sent to

Tyler Houghton
Cl-Poste Restante
43 Manners st
Wellington New Zealand

the only problem is that anything must go out within the next several days as it needs to arrive in wellington before I arrive and I am unsure of how long it takes, I have heard up to 3 weeks. As of now I dont know which direction I will head down the south Island so I will provide an address when I figure it out. Also please let me know if you send anything so I know to look for it.