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Trance energy Weekender

Midweek students

Club 21, Dublin

Trance Energy Weekender

Trance energy Weekender

20051007 Taupo - Dicky Flats, NZ

Raining today as we left Taupo, decided to split off to the Coromandel Penninsula. Found a DOC site in the middle of nowhere next to a river. Explored, cooked, ate, chilled, read, slept.

20051007 Taupo - Dicky Flats, NZ Gallery

20051005-06 Taupo, NZ

Began heading north again. Stopped in Taupo on Lake Taupo, Nzs biggest lake. Parked up on the Huka river for 2 nights. Saw Huka Falls a huge volume of water escaping through a small crack in the rock, the bluest water I have ever seen. Wanted to jump out of a plane but the weather was having none of it for the whole time we were there, so I headed on somewhat empty. Ill be back.

20051005-06 Taupo, NZ Gallery

20051004 Ohakune, Mt Rupaheu, NZ

Made camp in a chalet at the bottom of Mt. Rupaheu (an active volcano) for 8 days to get some final snowboarding in, due to poor weather only got 4 days out of it. But really enjoyed the days we had, 2 huge ski fields and nailed some more tricks before I finished up. Ohakune was a small odd hick type town, one which I dont particularly want to go back to any time soon.

20050925 Kharanga National Park - Paekakariki, NZ

Rain, light. Got packed and set off to make the 1315 ferry. Passed through huge flat valleys and miles of vineyards in the Marlborough wine making region. Made the ferry, sailed through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds. Made it to Wellington and split from there pretty shortly, though I would have liked to spend some more time there, meet up with some friends and then head on, but sure I can travel back there before Sydney. Hit Paekakariki for the night, a very small coastal town, but it started raining shortly after we arrived and didnt I really get to appreciate it that much.

20050924 Greymouth - Kharanga National Park, NZ

Awoke to an overcast and drizzly day on a huge stoney beach. Departed for Westport taking in views similar to home to begin with then took the coastal road, heading past, cliffs, sea pillars and rugged beaches. The land then changing to look and feel like what Im guessing Hawaii is. Headed on towards Picton to catch the ferry to the North Island. Followed along the beautiful, twisty Buller river. My drivers got a little tired of driving so we stopped in a beautiful little wood by a river in Kharanga National Park. Made a campfire, had dinner, chilled out and slept.

20050923 Lake Paringa - Greymouth, NZ

Awoke at 10am, sandflies everywhere, little annoying mosquito type creatures that leave bites that itch for weeks. Beautiful view though, overlooking the lake and surrounding mountains behind. Visited the Fox glacier, a huge mass of ice that covers an entire valley.Travelled near the coast over many huge deltas and huge open plains. Had Turbot and chips in Hokitika before heading on to find a place to crash for the night. Ended up on the other side of Greymouth on a beautiful spot on the beach. Fell asleep to the sound of crashing waves.

20050922 NZ Tour begins Queenstown - Lake Paringa, NZ

After 3 and a half months as a resident in Queenstown NZ, I departed this morning to begin my tour of New Zealand with Geoff, Kate and James. We will travel to Auckland over 1-3 weeks taking it as it goes. We were meant to leave yesterday but people got lazy, suited perfect though because I got to attend Alesters birthday BBQ. Was a mammoth 12 hour feast, of tons of food, beer and Capirinha (brazilian drink). Took in so much incredible, contrasting scenery from alpine to tropical, Im now really appreciating what people say about this country.

20050917-21 Last night out & Alesters Birthday BBQ, Queenstown NZ Gallery

20050922 NZ Tour Queenstown - Lake Paringa, NZ

20050919 Preparing to depart QT

Snowing all day today in town, the 2nd time since I got here, very beautiful. Spent most of the planning my tour of New Zealand which I will embark upon next Wednesday with Kate, James and Geoff (our Wanaka friend) in the ambulance and Geoffs Hilux. Finished working this week, snowboarded on Remarks, had dinner at my neighbours, Dallas, had dinner at Fionas which Natalie (miles girlfriend) cooked delish, Also went out with Carly and Alester, quality night, my last in Queenstown. Oh, and Carly cooked dinner for us too one night.

20050911 House day out & BBQ

Set up the new BBQ Alester bought in the morning. Stunning day, totally sunny and not a cloud in the sky. Went to Mote Lake, 20 minutes away for a picnic & some fun with the gang and surprisingly most of the housemates came too. Rescued a sunken boat, got back to the house and had a BBQ, had lotsa steaks and Coronas, delicious. Got invited to a Fiji kava session by Carly (housemate) in some random house, was fun. Split for home and sleep.

20050904 Cardrona snowboarding & Base Party roadtrip, Wanaka

Its been a great last few days! (well even more great than usual) Was in Wanaka for the weekend : snowboarding on Cardrona with Kate, James, Abby, Fi, Lawrence and Geoff (our friend who we met last time at Treble Cone). A spectacular days riding with soft slushy snow, the boarder cross circuit was wicked! but put my ass in bad shape again. Went to the party hosted by Base (a local snowboarding store), nice setup sorta like the warehouse in Go, gig survived because of the last dj who played a thumping set but the rest of the music was a little boring A few nice girls but I was being a sissy, a little de-energised from not eating. Geoff was really cool and put us up for the night, great time chillin there. Went to the gym tonight with Alester, felt great, its time to start training and eating properly again. Loving life more than ever now, everything is really perfect. I find myself appreciating things more, the beauty in the scenery, friends, music, people, food, the girls;)

20050831

Easy days work. I still got the injury, need it to be better by the weekend for snowboarding on Cardrona and a party in Wanaka, expecting an excellent weekend. Chilled in Nicks with Brett tonight, played Need for speed underground on xbox with the steering wheel setup, listening to tunes and eating Fergs (which was meant to be our attempt at cooking dinner)

20050829

Late for work, I havent changed that much. Met Koji and Emi at lunch today to say our goodbyes, they go home to Japan in the next 2 days. They gave me 3 snowboard movies as a present, extremely kind of them and I really enjoyed watching them at dinner.

20050828

Went boarding yesterday with Kate and Abby, the lure was too much (the boarding), but I was punished for it and have now re-injured myself. Chilled today, watched a movie and researched what way Im going to travel New Zealand, Ive narrowed it down to the Kiwi Experience and the Magic Bus, to many choices.

20050826 A New Job

Started working today with a temp agency. Labouring sorta stuff, my brain is going to mush but theres nothing else I can do right now because of my injury theres no snowboarding. On $12 an hour which is pathetic, so Im not too enthusiastic about the job.

20050822 Remarks Snowboard shoot

I came back from my injury and had been boarding again. Was up on Coronet twice and Remarkables once in the last week. Had planned to go to Treble Cone again today but weather was bad so hit up Remarks instead. Went up with Kate, James and John and met Kates friend Abby up there. Had one of the best days yet up there, went off some pretty big jumps, landing 3 out of 4, the one I didnt land has left me in lots of pain when I sit down, or get up. Got quite a few video clips and plan to put together a movie by the end of the season. Went to see Wedding Crashers on Friday night, really enjoyed it, saw the new Jessica Simpson video, awesome stuff. Thursday night went out with Alester, chilled in the bar he works in till 1.30am then headed out with 2 of the Japanese girls he works with. Didnt get to bed till 7.30am.

20050813 Injury Number 1

Twisted my knee on the mountain today, landed a frontside 180 but then fell really badly and couldnt move my leg for about 5 minutes. Initially thought this was the end of my season, but looks like I should be better in a day or 2. Beautiful day of snowboarding, nice snow and sunny weather with great company.

20050812

Been snowboarding for the last 3 days straight. Theres been a huge dump of snow and the mountains awesome. Have learned a few tricks, been sick with a cold the today and yesterday, so couldnt go out

20050807 Wanaka Day Out

Had intended to be snowboarding today, but after waking up with a pulled muscle that wasnt a runner, instead went back to sleep, woke up at 1pm, wandered down to the kitchen for bf and 30 minutes later was on a roadtrip to Wanaka for some stuffs, again beautiful scenery. Chilled in a very empty, sterile new bar in what seemed like the middle of nowhere waiting for Brett to get back. Played free pool unbeaten against everyone and listened to tunes on the jukebox for an hour or 2. Visited some of Bretts friends, drinking coffee and hearing stories of wanaka and their old friends.

20050806

Had a rest in the morning, was out the night before in town with Nick, met up in debajo around 1am, some good tunes, not so many people. Alester came in, not happy, had lost his key through a hole in his pocket. After dancing myself out, went home about 4 to see Alester trying to open the door, a half hour later success. Went out tonight, hunting again. I was so cold that I did not take off my coat once that night. Went to Winnies first, very packed, lots of putinas. Went onto Barup then after searching for a nice venue. Got bored went home.