Began construction of the website.

I will continuously be updating this page throughout my travels to keep everyone posted on all the happenings and everything spectacular going on in New Zealand. The most recent events will be listed first and the rest will follow on down the page. So be sure to check back!

August 25, 2005
I informed my boss today, Gordon, that I will be leaving the YMCA of the Rockies to pursue new opportunities that have been presented to me after receiving a work visa to live and work in New Zealand for up to one year.
Resigning from my job was quite hard to do as it [...]

The parents, girlfriend, and I decided to give Long Peaks a run for its money today. We successfully summited the 14er by 11:00 in the morning after leaving a little later than anticipated from the trail head around 4:30am. The hike was great and weather fair apart from the wind being exceptionally strong from the [...]

August 28, 2005
The one month countdown begins, and I’ve already gathered everything I need for the trip……..it’s possible I’m a bit anxious…….
I finished getting everything today on the list actually. My final items included a sleeping pad, sleeping bag, cooking/drinkig cup, and few other things….the rest of the stuff I was missing, rain pack cover, [...]

I sadly realized today (or rather after talking to Jozlyn) that I will no longer have the pleasure of enjoying lunch breaks filled with deep laughter and enriching conversation with her……. =(……….she will be missed………

Well I took the GF to the airport this morning. She will be spending the next ten months on the East Coast in Charleston, SC with Americorps. It was definitely an emotional goodbye and hard to see her go, but I am happy for her as well because this is something she’s wanted to do [...]

Picked up my New Zealand address and Skype phone number today.
My New Zealand address is as follows:
Andy Collins
#3136
Travellers Contact Point
87 Queen Street
Auckland
New Zealand
Purchased from the BackpackerBoard at http://www.backpackerboard.co.nz/index.php that will allow me to recieve mail anywhere in NZ using one postal address.
My phone is as follows:
970-372-2741
It is local to Estes Park and can be called [...]

September 10, 2005 
Two years ago today I was flying to Peru…….Man how time goes by so quickly, and can change so many things in a short amount of time……
South America is really the reason why I want to continue traveling today. (Corny joke coming up) I don’t know if I got bit by the travel [...]

September 23, 2005
Today in my office building we had a going party. Granted I’m not officially done with work until the 23rd, but we had to have it early so my boss would be able to attend since he’ll be gone the rest of week and all of next. It was nice, everyone brought dishes [...]