Ich bin Roz, ein lustiges Madchen aus England

I've been at Curio Bay now for a week working at the Dolphin Surf backpackers and doing some serious repairing and relaxing after Dusky. It is surfers paradise here. Porpouise Bay is a vast half-moon shaped bay encircling fantastic waves and 18 playful Hector Dolphins - the smallest dolphin and very rare.

Surfing lessons -


My best experience here was my first ever surf lesson one morning. Not much surfing was done (I think I managed to stand up once - I don't remember standing up but someone said they saw me so...!) but it was so amazing feeling the rise and fall of the huge waves and having the dolphins come join us, watching geese fly overhead and turns diving. I was a happy little Roz part of the huge ocean and animal world.


It is amazing to see the beach so empty all the time - but funnily enough have bumped into Venetia, to mum of Katie, an old school friend. I know the population of NZ is small and not that many people come here, but it was a hell of a coincidence!!

Rare things flock here. There is the yellow eyed penguin that nests on Curio Bay and can be seen at the crack of dawn/dusk waddeling and jumping up and down the beach to its nest. Happy feet indeed.



Then there is the petrified forest - only slightly scary after dark and a few silly ghost stories. A fossilised forest from way back - its awesome the way that the rocks look just like logs that were too wet to burn in the fire.

My day usually starts pretty relaxed here - wake up early and read on the deck (confusingly pronounced dick by the locals - much embarassment and laughter....!), watch some dolphins and the surf. Clean from 10ish til 12ish. Lunch then hang out wandering on the beach, weaving flax, watching the tide turn, exploring lovely waterfalls...



Or spokey caves...

Or watching the sunset over Stewart Island... (it is worth downloading this image and looking at the silhouette of Stewart Island in more detail)


I've met some really lovely people. Ana from London has been my cleaning buddy for this week - she's full of hilarity. And Clara is my new cleaning buddy and German teacher. Nick and Tomo run the hostel and are very chilled out and easy going. It's nice working in this hostel - the atmosphere is great so you get to know everyone that stays.

The town/village here is tiny - apparently only 11 people live here all year round! Outnumbered by the local population of two of the most rarist animals in NZ! But a fair amount of tourists come through, especially Germans for some reason. My German is improving daily.

This is a lvely beach near Nugget Point -

On to the bright lights and big population of Dunedin next. That'll be a shock to the system!

So long Curio Bay





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Here's some more pics from the Dusky that accidentally got onto this one - confusion with computers...

The weary wanderers kiss the boat Lake Hauroko speedy little boat rushing over the waves