Sunday, 26 Feb.  I didn’t do much today and tomorrow I fly out, so I’ll sum up here.

Fiji was like every other island community I’ve been to.  I can’t recommend it as demonstrably better than any other.  I cannot recommend their island beer.  The Gold is too bitter and the Bitter is way too bitter.  Everyone asks how my holiday is going.  I’m not sure that’s a good strategy.  If the answer isn’t self-evident, there’s a problem.

Other than an hour in Auckland, I’ve been visiting lands where clocks hold little awe.  (My flight from Fiji to NZ didn’t depart on time: it left early.)  To be fair, when the entire world is hours behind you, why hurry?  Fiji has emblazoned their view on t-shirts: “Fiji Time”.  (I almost bought one for a friend.  You know who you are.)  To be on time is rude.  I set myself a tight schedule to see as much of NZ as I could, so I can’t admit that I’ve adopted their passivity with deadlines, but it’s been fun watching the world move in slow motion.

• Best place: Milford Sound
• Best animal: Sheep, of course.
• Best small town: Glenorchy
• Best city: Tie between Christchurch and Wellington.
• Hardest thing to get accustomed to when driving on the left: Reaching for the seat belt.
• Strangest normal: One lane bridges.  Very common.
• Best coast: The south coast. (It’s true; there’s a section called the Northern Southland.)
• Best drink: Monteith Apple Cider. With ice.

Next Stop: Possibly a motorcycle trip in April, but definitely Mongolia in July.  Fermented Mare’s Milk.  Yum.  Or should I say Yak?

Happy Feet!