goodbye yellow brick road

Last day on the south island. For now. I hope to return eventually. As for last days, this is one of the best ever. I awoke in kaikoura in a hostel with mountain views and headed straight into town to wander. Found a used book shop where I found a cheap copy of "water for elephants" which I've been wanting to read for a while, AND a copy of "Feminism, The Essential Historical Writings" Yay.

Then, I drove an easy 2 hours along such gorgeous coast that I had to keep stopping and imagining myself catching waves. At lunch, I found a sweet cafe which served up a cheap and very very tasty burger complete with homemade aioli and beet relish!!!! Amazing. Did a little wine tasting, then found a great little home turned hostel in Picton near the ferry. This place is great. The room is large and smells of wood, the bed is perfect, sheets are soft, shower is hot and the kitchen is warm. This evening, along with my meal I was happily surrounded by people from Sweden, Britain, France, Germany (of course) and South Korea. It all turned into a relaxed sort of dinner party that ended up on the back porch where I made myself comfortable in a hammock hovering over a lavender garden. As the moon sank, the fire dancing began. I found myself floating with pleasure watching a young Swedish body trip the light fantastic.

Add to this that I found togs in town today for half price that actually fit. Every so often I remember that and it feels good to have found such a treasure.

Tomorrow I board the ferry back to the north island, which feels more like home than anything else.

It'll be the last couple days with Chris. That feels like something I have not fully grokked yet and cannot comment on, except to say I expect to have unexpected emotions about it all.

Sweet kisses and big smiles.