Dear New Zealand...

Dear New Zealand,

Thank you for such a wonderful time! Really. You've given me so many wonderful experiences over the last year... so many good memories that have all added to the richness of my life. And something has been calling me to come here for over 10 years. I'm glad I finally came to enjoy your beautiful islands and great waves. Life is all about turning the things you really want to do into the things you've done right?

You've raised a good kind of people too. There's a camaraderie between Kiwi's that you don't find in the states or anywhere else I've been. Just listening to two strangers talk would make anybody think they go waaaay back. There's an instant rapport.

And they're even nice to asshole foreigners like me. It's like they all know they've got this killer little paradise in the South Pacific and they get to stay but eventually we all have to go back home. They're generally happy with just a sprinkle of dingy which adds to their great character. They're hilarious. They like to help you and bullshit with you and they smile a lot. Maybe it's because there's only 4 million of them, they don't have pollution or 8 lane freeways, they have more coast line than the US and pumping surf all the way around it. You can't get very far from the beach if you tried (And I've always believed the farther away from the ocean, the stranger people get... after all, we all are made of 70% salt water) Or maybe because they don't have 5,000+ Illegal Mexicans jumping their borders EVERYDAY, or any borders at all for that matter, or nukes or people trying to blow up their buildings, or a crazy guy named George mucking everything up for the last 8 years. Anywho... Your Kiwi people are on my good list... and even though the girlies aren't the hottest in the world, they get big bonus points for the extra sexy accent.

As for your waves... some of the best sessions I've ever had. Lots of variety, lot's of swell... but a bit too much wind. You can't have it all I guess. Some of your barrels will stick with me until I die and put a smile on my face every time I think about them. However, I feel you were holding out on me a little on the South Island, what the hell? But you did save the best for last...

My last session in NZ... not a bad farewell eh?

Your scenery and landscape is mindblowing. I got to gaze at some of the most amazing sights I've ever seen. Mountain tops, mountain streams, snow covered volcanos, glaciers, ocean cliffs, rain forests, giant sand dunes, rock arches, alpine lakes, fern palms, oceans merging, sunsets that make you think somebody slipped a lil' LSD in your drink.... all of it jaw dropping. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for the visuals!

First sunset of the decade, Kaikoura, NZ - Jan 1st 2010

My time has come, I'm off to visit your big, fat, rowdy neighbor: AUSTRALIA. I'd like to come back someday but only in the Summer or Autumn.... you can keep your Springs and Winters... and you can also keep your Ozone hole (Burn time approx 8 minutes)... and your satanic Sandflies... and all your Mullets and Rat Tails.

I'll be recommending you to all my friends.

Stay cool. I love you.

Love, Me