Christmas in June

It came. The day has finally arrived. It came at the last final possible moment and I feel as though I had been waiting forever. The package has arrived. Nearly a month after departing Canada, Fedex has offiically delivered my possessions via their 4-buisness-day service. And now I had it.

It has been a frustrating experience to sit and wait for this box of goods to arrive. This Sunday has been a big question mark on my calendar for the longest time as me and my friend, Claire, had hoped to head to the markets here in Broome to sell jewellery. Only I wouldn't be able to go if the package didn't arrive. All my jewellery was in it. And if I didn't have the package, then there was no sense in attempting to get Sunday off from work. It all was hinged on getting this box.

But I got it. I left my housekeeping job today with my boss telling me to come to work tomorrow if the package is in (and therefore have Sunday off) or take tomorrow off if the package doesn't arrive. I immediately went to the reception desk at the caravan park to see if any notice from Fedex had arrived and ended up leaving quite shortly after rather disappointed that nothing had my name on it. As I walked down the road towards my tent, Lyn from reception came running after me calling my name. In her hand was a bright read Australian Post notice stating that I had a package waiting for me at the Post Office. It was here.

As I had to work at Zanders by 4pm (and it was already 2pm) - I had to get a move on. I quickly hopped through the shower and ran off to the bus stop which took me into town. I then stood as patiently as possible in line untill I could get to the front counter of the Post Office. I had made it. Giddy with joy, I handed over the notice and told the lady I wanted to pick that item up. I didn't even care too much that they had spelt my name wrong - apparently "Shalane Hopkins" somehow got translated into "Shalang Hopking." I only hoped they wouldn't ask to verify my ID. Fortunately they didn't. Just asked me to sign for "Shalang Hopking" and then passed me a rather large box over the counter. I was off and running. Or at least walking rather quickly and awkwardly towards the bus I had to catch back to the caravan park. It was already 3pm.

By the time I got back to the caravan park, I had 10 minutes to spare before I had to leave for work again. The excitement was too much. Alex and Hannah watched on as I took my scissors to the well-taped box (thanks Australia Quarantine) and started hastily pulling out stuff. I just HAD to set up my tent. Alex and I had been trying to imagine what it would be like sleeping in a 2-man tent together and it was difficult to know whether we would both fit. Her being 6ft tall and my tent being made for only 2 people - well - serious discussions have been had to determine if we should cut foot holes in one end of the tent for Alex to stick her feet through. We really didn't know.

So I set up the tent in record time - hard to believe that after almost a year since I last used it, I was able to do it so quickly - but, well, when it's Christmas in June things do get a little crazy. Alex and I quickly plopped inside of it and scoped out our soon-to-be new home for size and feel. We gave it a big thumbs up. We fit. Our gear will fit. Life is good. So we invited Hannah and Yuri to join us in the tent and the 4 of us sat inside of it for all of 2 minutes before piling out so I could run off to work.

Work was a blur as all I can now think about is this tent. And the jewellery. And the fact that as everything arrived on June 25, it really is Christmas in June. Now Alex and I can "test" out our new home with a one (or more) slumber parties. I can put my jewellery to good use to sell at the markets in order to raise more money for Indigo Foundation. And, well, I can stop worrying about whether or not everything will get here. Because it's here.

And it's a good thing it did all come today as while I was working at Zanders the sprinkers behind our tents started leaking water - enough that it flooded both Alex's and Hannah's tents. I got home to find Alex had moved her tent beside the toilets and, as such, was unable to get to sleep because she kept hearing everyone doing their buisness in the washrooms. So I lent her my newly arrived tent so she could move back to her normal sleeping area and not worry about more flooding happening. When Hannah came home and started chucking things across the campsite out of anger because everything was wet - I lent her my mummy sleeping bag from Canada to keep her warm for the night. Now we all just need to get to sleep. Tomorrow will be a big day of sorting jewellery, trying to sell my Aussie tent and downsizing my home to my well-loved Canadian tent.

I only wish Christmas in June came more often.

Breathe

So I've finally made it to the big year of being 24. I do not "feel" older - but I do feel as though life is a lot different at this age than what I imagined it to be as a little girl. I certainly never thought I would be living out of a tent on the west coast of Australia planning my biggest adventure to date in New Zealand. I still haven't completely clued in that that is what I am doing. It all just seems like a dream.

That being said, my birthday was everything I wanted and more. I find it amazing what we could come up with considering everyone I know here I have only known for 2 months and we all have ridiculous schedules for work - especially on Saturday's. Even still, a bunch of us managed to get the day off and we got all dressed up for the Broome Races. Now, by "dressed up," I do not mean that we got decked out head to toe in some latest fashion that we picked up from an expensive store. Not at all. We were happy with blow-drying our hair and putting on a bit of mascara. Even still, with minimal effort I have to say we cleaned up good... but it was also a reminder of why we don't do that on a regular basis. Hours after starting to "get ready" we were finally able to leave - only to head straight to Target to find some non-flip-flop shoes for the races. I have never seen so many ugly shoes in my life. After 40 minutes roaming the 3 small aisles in the department store, we settled on a pair of shoes each. I even managed to convince Target to give me an extra 30% off my already discounted shoes ($10) because the strap had fallen off. My thrifty shopping skills has improved.

Enough trouble as buying new shoes was, I was only too happy to have no one comment on the last remains of my last toe-nail polish session from 2 months ago.

By 2pm we made it to the races and settled in to the atmosphere of big hats, high heels and an announcer talking so fast it sounded like another language. We got some champagne and Brazilian wraps. We placed bets on the races and cheered like mad only to find out we really knew nothing about which horses to bet on. A $10 well spent. By sunset we headed out and made our way to Gantheame Point to settle on the beach with some tunes blasting from the car speakers, play some poi, doing a couple cartwheels and take an insane amount of photos. Definitely time well spent. Finishing off the night, we ended up at Diver's to cheer on a game of soccer between Japan and the Netherlands (Netherlands won - 1-0) and eat some grub. What more could a girl ask for?

Birthday aside, the rest of this week to date has been filled with work shifts of which I have found myself shamelessly tasting food that people have left over - whether from their uneaten dinner plates at Zanders or from the top of the rubish bins while cleaning rooms at Seashells Resort. Backpacking does that to you. Standards lowered, the excitement over different food is through the roof - even if others have touched it. Even if others have decided they'd bin it rather than eat it. Yup. I live quite the sophisticated life.

That being said, on a more professional note - Alex and I recently received word from Swazi that they would like us to send in the list of required clothing items so they can determine how much they could provide for us for our trek. So we did. We wrote the list and sent it in, hoping that because there is only 2 of us trekking Te Araroa Trail that Swazi would be able to provide it all... but we also prepared ourselves for the thought that Swazi would say "no" on some items as all together, the price tags created quite a hefty total value of clothing.

Yesterday Swazi wrote back.

They are able to provide our ENTIRE list of requested items. All they wanted to know was our sizes and colors that we wanted. Alex and I then excitedly went online to search through Swazi's site again to figure out which colors we wanted for each item of clothing. It was like Christmas - only better. We know what our presents are.

It's fascinating to me - this whole process of sponsorship. As this is Alex and mine first official experience in attempting to gain sponsorship for something of this magnitude, we are learning as we go. I find it amazing that companies such as Swazi, who are primarily known for having functional male-targeted wear and gear related to hunting, farming and outdoor recreation could be so fantasically amazing for us two female adventurers and then companies that are more wellknown in the industry of outdoor adventure pursuits are the ones that are incredibly negative when asked to support us in our journey. That being said, there are still months to go before Alex and I officially set off on our journey so it should be interesting to see where things take us.

On that note, if you or someone you know is interested in supporting us on our journey, please check out the "Get Involved" link on my website here and/or contact me via email. Thanks again to everyone who has pictched in so far - we are well on our way to reaching our goal of raising $5000 AUD for Indigo Foundation.... every cent counts!

TGIF - Thank God it's Fedex

Okay. So as a traveller, one generally prepares oneself with the prospect of hopping on a plane and jetting off to some destination labelled on their ticket. One considers the stress involved with security clearance, baggage checks and customs. One studies up on the cultural differences (if any) that may be involved once departing from their homebase. Travel books may be bought. People may be drilled for information. Bags are packed and one is off to the intended destination with the blur of the Roadrunner. But there is and always will be a few surprises along the way.

My most recent endeavor (other than attempting to work 50-60hrs/wk at two jobs, trying to maintain some sort of brownish color to my skin, email companies for support on the trek in New Zealand and sleep at some point inbetween) has been trying to cordinate my receival of the backpacking gear and handmade jewellery my dad has sent me from Canada. What began as a simple solution to an issue of not wanting to buy new trekking gear has turned into an all-consuming problem as to why I do not yet have my things in my possession. I never thought shipping packages could be so complicated.

After some research on Australia's tight rules on what they deem acceptable to enter into the country, my dad wrapped up my things and sent them on their way. June 1. I told him I didn't need anything until the end of June, but apparently Fedex doesn't pride itself on slow service. So they charged $500 CAD for my things to be sent to Australia in the course of 4 buisness days. Big chunk of money - but hey, I figured it was still cheaper than having to by all that stuff here in Australia.

By the following week (June 9) I received a phone call from a representative of Fedex informing me that my package has reached customs in Australia and that I was required to fill out some paperwork to declare the package was mine. Then she offered me two choices. Either a) I come to claim the package myself or b) I pay a $100 AUD fee for Fedex to deliever the pacakge to me. Given that the nearest customs office to me is in Perth and a flight to there would cost the same as having Fedex deliever, I opted for option "B."

I then went online to check the tracking status of my package. It had arrived in Sydney on June 5 - exactly 4 buisness days from when it was sent from Calgary. Only it took them untill June 9 to contact me about these forms that had to be filled out. And I was yet again told to wait. It wasn't until June 16 that I was again contacted by the same representative to be informed that the customs office has declared one of my handmade necklaces unsuitable to cross into Australia. It had been created with some seeds. The representative then informed me that I, again, had 2 choices. Either a) I could pay for Fedex to send the item back to Canada or b) have it destroyed. Right. Like being between a rock and a hard place when it's a one-of-a-kind handmade necklace that I would be selling for about $30 CAD.

So, naturally, I asked to have her send it back to Canada. I was then informed that the charges to have it sent back would be over $100 AUD. For a necklace. A necklace that's current worth will be greatly increased should I pay that charge. A necklace that I haven't seen in over a year and, therefore, am only guessing at which one they are disallowing into Australia. A necklace that took them from June 5 untill June 16 to declare unsafe to be within Australia's boundaries.

And now, two days later, I still do not have my things. Fedex's version of a 4-day service is a lot different than what I could have ever imagined. Ironically enough, it will still all be cheaper than buying all that stuff here in Australia. So - all I can say is: TGIF.

And next time, maybe I will just fly back to Canada and pick up the package myself.

Spoonful of Sugar

I will just come right out and say it. I have come down with the "traveller's flu." I admit it - reluctantly. The bug started going around caravan parks and workplaces a week or so ago and I immediately spotted the signs within myself, but did not want to be classified with those having difficulty managing the symptoms. It's known as the "traveller's flu" not because I, myself, am a traveller, but because during this time of year in Broome - every year in Broome - the high season starts. With the high season comes all sorts of travellers from the southern regions of Australia. Areas of which the winters are damp and cold. Areas of which people come, bringing along with them the seasonal winter bugs that inhabit their homes this time of year. And I have it.

Fortunately (or unfortunately - depending on how you look at it), I am not alone. The caravan park is full of those of us who are hibernating to our tents during every waking moment in order to rest our aching bodies on what little mattresses we have. At work we clean rooms and serve customers inbetween a set of sneezes intended to sound the alarm that a virus is in the air. The coughing. The exhaustion. The headaches and sore throats. We are all getting it. I have it.

I had to go home early yesterday because I was simply feeling so ill. Attempting to clean dirty rooms does nothing for the person who is nausiated from both the smell of the grime and the chemicals one has to use to clean everything up. I was running to the bathroom at nearly every room we went to clean. So I called my boss who reluctantly let me go home early. Once I made it back to the tent, I promptly melted into my 3 inch-thick mattress and feel asleep. I pretty much stayed there the rest of the day and night, only to wake up this morning and deliberate on whether or not I should call in sick for today. I did.

I hate being sick. All I can think about is that I am letting my boss down. That I am missing out on the money I could be making if I was at work. That I have hit my brick wall and need to re-evaluate how much work I should actually be doing each week. Decisions, decisions.

On that note, I think it is time for my first nap of the day...

Swazi Saves the Day

It's official. The day has come that Alex and I have been not-so-patiently waiting for. It happened while I was at work last night and when I finished my shift I looked at my phone to notice that Alex had texted me to call her immediately once I got off shift. I thought perhaps she was going to complain that I had forgotten to give her the laptop before I went to work and, as such, she couldn't do anything on it because it was locked in my tent. Or something equally and randomly disturbing.

That wasn't the case, when I called her she whispers to me that she's watching a movie, but that she received word that we have our first sponsor for the trek. I must have looked like an idiot walking down the street as I started pumping my fist in the air and jumping around. This was the day we had been working towards for what feels like forever and it finally came. We can officially say we have a sponsor for our trek. Swazi.

Swazi is a New Zealand based outdoor company, specializing in clothing that is made to last the natural elements. It's a company that designs clothing to keep people warm and dry. "Durable. Practical and affordable clothing. Currently, Swazi has become much more than a clothing company. 15 years on it is a company with huge respect around the globe, not only for apparel, but also for it's stand on environmental issues, social justice and promotion of adventure" [Link]. Feel free to check out more about Swazi and their company at: http://www.swazi.co.nz/ The best part about it? They have agreed to help supply us with "team wear" for our trek.

And the good news doesn't just end there. We also received word from another company - Back Country Cuisine. They provide just that. Freeze dried meals and foods for those looking for lightweight and nutritious food in the back country. And they plan to provide sponsorship through discounted rate on their food. A great deal considering we're looking at approximately 150 days worth of back country adventure. 150 days worth of food for 2 people can add up rather quickly so, on behalf of Alex and myself, I have to say we thank you so much BCC!!

Though things are moving along in the sponsorship department, other aspects of life appear at a standstill. Between the birds mistaking my tent (and tent lock) for a excrement dumping ground, Fedex requiring mounds of paperwork to be printed, filled out and faxed back to them so they can "claim" my backpacking gear from the customs office and my experiences cleaning the dirtiest toilets at work that I have ever come across - some chill time would be much appreciated.

The funny thing about life is, though, one should be careful what they wish for.

Taking Care of Buisness - Everyday

You take the blue pill, the story ends. You wake up in your bed and you believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in wonderland. And, I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes. (Matrix)

This past monday was a public holiday here in Australia. Only no one knows why. Ask any Aussie and they will just shrug their shoulders and tell you that they are really not sure what the holiday is for, but they are definitely thrilled to have a long weekend. Those that work are just thrilled to have a day of which they either (a) get off work or (b) get paid extra to work it. As a backpacker, things work are a little bit more complicated than that.

As a traveller, we do not have the set home enviornment that we are dying to get away from. We do not have that moment of which we are desperately looking ahead to a long weekend in order to "get out of town" for a while and have a "break." We are already "out of town." We are already on our "break." In fact, we are completely and totally in a different country, state, city than when we first started travelling and weekends are an irrelevant memory of a past life that no longer exist in our day-to-day going-ons. Weekends to us mean extra work. It means that all of us in the hospitality industry have no choice but to work. It means that we are running from shift to shift, with barely a break in our schedules to consider having time to hang out with our fell hospitality workers. We see each other in passing as one comes in, the other goes out - most likely madly pedaling on their bike with their 6-day-old uniform hastily thrown over their heads.

And then there is the long weekends. Public holidays are not seen as so much as a joy in our dept. of travelling. If we are on the road and going, it means that the caravan parks are extra full. It means that prices to go anywhere are higher. It means that if we had planned to go into certain shops to get stocked up before our journey into the outback, we have to re-organize our plans as most shops are closed. If we are working it means that we are by no means able to call in sick. We are expected to work. No matter what. And here's the kicker - I have learned that we are more likely to work without extra pay and with limited rest/meal breaks. We are, after all, backpackers and need the money. They don't expect us to care enough to complain about the conditions of work.

I was told on this particular public holiday that BECAUSE we were getting paid more (yay for us) we were not allowed to have a break during our shift. I was too stunned at this information to even come up with some sort of argument in return. Instead, I went to make some beds and later on snuck some biscuits for our team so we could have a "non-break" break. Even then my boss was a little annoyed that we had snuck food to eat. While standing up. While not stopping our work. While our legs and back ached to just have even a 5 minutes rest. My other job, ironically enough, was less of an issue. We simply didn't get paid extra for the public holiday. Even though we were expected to work. Even though all the customers had to pay an extra 15% for their food. I was more than happy to go home early when it turned out the restaurant was too quiet to keep all of us on shift that night.

So - in adding to my never-ending list of things to do - I plan on phoning up the worker rights of Australia in order to figure out how to sort out the legalities of what is going on with both my jobs. Yes, I am "only" a backpacker and, yes, I am only here for a few months. But even still - as an international traveller - there are still rights that companies need to abide by. And I need to figure out what they are as what I am used to in Canada is not what Australians necessarily follow.

On a more positive note - Alex has gotten herself a job here in Broome. It was a little fuzzy for a while (okay, maybe just a couple hours prior to getting her job) whether or not she would plan on sticking around in Broome at all. She came up to me yesterday and asked what I thought about preparing for our journey together through long-distance methods. I said it was alright by me so long as we both show up in New Zealand to do the trek. I went to take a shower and by the time I came out she had herself a job. Today she starts it and I have my fingers crossed that the job is yet another sign that we are where we are meant to be.

With preparing for our journey, Alex and I are on a mad mission to create as much jewellery as possible in order to sell at the local markets and raise money for the Indigo Foundation. It helps greatly, of course, to know that my dad has just recently sent my backpacking gear along with my handmade jewellery from Canada over here. Takes the pressure off trying to make so much in so little time. Even still, though my dad sent my things with the expecation that Fedex would take 4 days to deliver it, I still do not have my things. It arrived in Australia on June 5 and it took them to today to finally call me and get more information regarding whether the things were mine or not. The pack is still in customs. I still have to fill out paperwork and send a payment for Fedex to pick it up and deliver it to me. It's been such a process to get these things to me that I constantly have to remind myself that the trouble and money is only a fraction of the cost than if I were to buy all that stuff here.

On another note - with regards to the jewellery making - I have been inspired to start a new idea of button earrings. I honestly spotted the design through another local artist that sells them at the markets and discoverd that I can create them rather inexpensively and quickly. As such, I figured that this might be a way that others can get involved in helping me raise money for the Indigo Foundation. I would be open to creating a mass of these button earrings and sending them to you to sell at your company's location for a set price in order to raise money for the Indigo Foundation. Please email me if this is something that interests you and we can work out the details.

Now that I have unloaded all the present going-ons in my life... it's time to enjoy our hammock (recently adjusted so that I am NOT grazing the ground) and dream of how deep the rabbit hole goes.

A Life of Lemons

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. This rather famous quote can quite simply not be used in Australia as Australians do not have lemonade as we North Americans (and Europeans) know it. When one asks for lemonade here they are given a glass, can and/or bottle of Sprite or 7-Up. It's not even necessarily a "lemon-flavored" one either. Just a drink of carbonated sugary liquid and Aussies all around are damn convinced this is the "true" lemonade. They are missing out.

So - as I am Canadian and from the land where proper lemonade consists of freshly squeezed lemons mixed with sugar and water and then served in a class with a few ice cubes - as I am a Canadian where kids actually are able to set up lemonade stands on their front lawns, dreaming of making big money - as I am a Canadian where people understand what it means to "make lemonade" when "life gives you lemons"... I intend to do just that.

Within the past couple of days, life has come to a standstill here in Broome. Besides the fact that a bird decided to sit in the tree above my tent and decorate the top with it's droppings, Alex and I have been pushing hard to move our jouney's momentum to the next level and it has apparently decided to push just as hard right back. As I have received word that I have been approved for my working Visa in New Zealand, Alex has received no such notice. Immigration New Zealand has taken note that as Alex has travelled rather extensively in the past few years, they are unsure as to whether she would be a suitable candidate to come to New Zealand. The theory is that they do not think she has enough money to come to New Zealand. You are required to have a minimum of around $4-5 thousand dollars in your bank account for start-up expenses. So she is now in the process of re-contacting them to prove that, yes, she has been travelling to many countries in the past couple of years, but she has also been working and saving extensively during those years as well. The bottom line is, it will be rather difficult to do a two person trek in New Zealand if only one of us is allowed to get into the country.

And as far as I go, yesterday I logged onto one of my email accounts only to find that for the second time in the last six months, all my emails from my inbox along with my contact list had been wiped clean. It baffled me the first time this happened and again this time as I had never opened a single questionable email - which means tthat whatever virus wiped me clean did it through somehow automatically getting into my account. Fortunately, it wasn't the main email account I am using for contacting people regarding the Te Araroa Trek, but it still left me a little worried of what could be. I have now begun the frantic buisness of backing up absolutely everything in that account, whether that be contacts, emails or otherwise - on the off chance that the same thing happens to that one.

That being said, not all is a frustrating experience. I just have yet to make the lemonade.

No More PC-Free Days

Alex and I have quickly come into the routine of being completely, utterly and totally PC-addicted. Every spare moment of our time has been quickly zapped up with our eyes glued to the laptop, trying to move things forward as quickly as possible on our trek plans. Each day we wake up we vow that it will be a PC-Free Day, but those have been few and far between.

In theory - all that we are doing sounds rather simple. Build a website. Plan a trek. Try to get as much support as possible. The reality of the situation is really quite different. We do not have some computer guy building us our websites. We do not have some PR firm going out there to advertise for us. We do not even have our own company to organize the trek for us. It's just us.

Every little detail of our project rests on our shoulders and as time goes on, I am more and more grateful that Alex and I are even doing this together as if I did not have her - it would have just been me.

The other day Alex confessed to me that she did not think she was "fit enough" to do such a trek as what we are planning. I immediately agreed that I felt the same way about myself. With all we are doing in preparation, the one thing we have not exactly gotten to yet is preparing for it physically. Too many other details lie in wait before we can even get to that. Such as how we can get people and companies on board to help us. Not exactly an easy task.

Within our tent community, life runs in a constant hum of sharing, equality and acceptance. If the United Nations could see us - they would be proud. Each of us backpackers represent countries from all over the world. Countries with different backgrounds, histories, cultures and customs. And yet we all get along fine. It wasn't untill Alex and I started to branch out of our community for support on our trek that we realized just how much of a bubble we are living in at the caravan park.

Companies that say they represent what we are doing, that they advocate for what we are trying to achieve are the very companies that are taking their sweet time in getting back to us on whether or not they can support us. The outdoor gear companies that want to promote wilderness adventure state they can't fit us into their budget. The companies that stand by women's travel say they have met their quota. The very companies that want to "give back" to the community have all these ridiculous rules and regulations on how they can go about doing so. If only we could all just follow the Beatles when they said, "All we need is love."

The other day I even went to go and talk to the caravan park reception desk to see if they would want to be on board with us in regards to our new adventure. Cable Beach Caravan Park is, after all, where Alex and I have met. It is where we live and will be living until we go to New Zealand. It is our basecamp. Our starting point. The place where all our planning began. It only makes sense to see if we could partner with the caravan park. Afterall, what a great publicity opportunity for them as we would agree to write about them in our blogs, advertise for them and even write about them in the book I intend to publish at the end of our journey. However - after proposing our idea to them, the concept appeared to fly right over their heads as their only response was that maybe they'd be able to let us print 20 pages from their printers for advertising purposes in Broome. They are, afterall, incredibly busy this time of year and the current charge for printing a piece of paper is 50 cents. But even then, the receptionist warned me that there was no garantees of even just that - they would have to think about our proposal and get back to us. They can't just give out money to just everyone.

I went back to my tent after that and processed everything that had been said. Cable Beach Caravan Park was offering me and Alex to print $10 worth of paper. That's it. And they weren't even excited about what Alex and I wanted to accomplish in this journey. Didn't even give me a smile when I was talking about it.

Fortunatly, Alex and I saw it the same way and she recommended that we scrap the idea of sponsorship from Cable Beach Caravan Park and we'll try a print shop in Broome for support instead. Hopefully we'll get a better feel from them than the caravan park.

Outside of that, our time is filled with contacting magazines for support, researching newspapers, radio and outdoor gear companies. We've created a Facebook Group for our trek and have attempted to start going with Twitter (though I honestly do not understand the fascination with such an online program) - we are not doing this to get our 15 min of fame. We are not doing this for the spotlight. We are doing it to promote women's adventure travel, environmental sustainability and raise money for the Indigo Foundation.

If there is anyway you think you'd be able to help us out - do just that. And if you know anyone that would be interested in what we are doing - please spread the word! And for those of you who have already indicated your support - THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! :D

One Plus One Equals Two

So - it's official. The Te Araroa Trek has turned from a solo journey into a team event. I have finally found someone as crazy and passionate about New Zealand's newest long distance trail as me and we have decided to go together.

Alex Ward and I met only a week and a half ago - at the caravan park here in Broome. She set up tent next door to Hannah and I, replacing the last occupant whom we dubbed the name "The Hippie Lady." Alex proved to be a little more sane. Or at least simply our type of wierd and, as such, we three immediately got along. That being said, the first few days Alex arrived I spent most of my time either working shifts or hibernating in my tent as I was in the final stages of my website creation, ONE.LIFE Adventures. At some point Alex came to see what I was doing and I explained my intentions for the Te Araroa Trek. Her response was to ask if she could join me.

Now, up until this point I had never had anyone that serious about joining in on this journey. So I directed Alex to check out my website along with the official Te Araroa Trail website to see if it was seriously something she'd want to be a part of. By the next day she had done all that and was still wanting to come along. So we sat down on Hannah's picnic blanket (aka: The Love Rug) and proceeded to hash out some important details regarding both of our ideas of what the trek would look like. What we were willing to put into it. What we wanted to get out of it. Backed by a common interest in adventure travel and a history in long distance trekking (me doing 1000km in BC, Canada and her doing the Annapurna Trail in Nepal), our team was quickly born.

Since then Alex and I have been on a mission to sort out the kinks in our plan and start to gain momentum in support for our journey. She has created her own website, Mission Live Life, in order to be able to post her perspective on our plans and journey at large. Even with the two websites though, we will still be intending to raise money and awareness for the Indigo Foundation and try to get corporate sponsorship for our journey. Every little bit helps.

Now as far as actually making the decision to do this with Alex - there was a lot to take into consideration. Five months is a long time to travel with anyone, let alone if you are doing the travelling in the more remote regions of a country and the only thing separating you two is the sleeping bag covers as you cozy it up in a 2-man tent. Not to mention issues such as budget, how to fundraise for Indigo Foundation and how to go about getting sponsorship and support from the community. It's a little different than flying to Cancun for two weeks and homing up in a 5-star resort. We're talking a lot of hard work mentally, physically and emotionally. Pushing ourselves to the limit. Trusting each other essentially with our lives. Making decisions that will affect the way the rest of our journey pans out. And sticking together no matter what.

So here we are. We decided to push through and be that team. We will share the pack load as much as we will share the tent space. We will push hard to get all the support needed for such a journey. We will raise our intended $5000 AUD for Indigo Foundation. And one day, we will make it to the end of the Te Araroa Trail and have done it. The journey has just begun.