Yes, I'm going back to work.

No, it's not that bad. Don't worry.

That said, if anyone wants to start a fund to keep me traveling and blogging instead of sitting at my desk I'm all for it.

Just throwing that out there.

"Are you looking forward to sleeping in your own bed?"

Well, I would be. But, I gave it away before I left.

The journey is complete.

I'm in North Carolina.

I've been able to see a few of my favorite people already.

I'm happy.

The last books I read.

The Quiet American - Graham Greene
Jake's Thing - Kingsley Amis
The New York Trilogy - Paul Auster (finally, months after every Turkish person I talked to about books recommended it to me)

How to end this thing.

I'm not quite sure what to do now. So, I'm thinking about a list of bests and worsts. Q&A. FAQ. That kind of thing. Eh?

I'm East. East Coast.

Slow day on planes. John Wayne to Phoenix to Pittsburgh to Baltimore. Jet lag appears to not be an issue...yet.

Everything is great. I am happy to be home.

I'll have a phone tomorrow.

And a car, and an entire suitcase full of clothes to wear.

One more day of travel...

I'm flying to Baltimore today... my last flight(s) for a very long time.

Fiji.

I went to the tiniest of the 300+ Fijian islands (you could walk around the entire island, at low tide, at island place, in less than ten minutes).

Most of the entertainment was in the sea. Fantastic snorkeling, the best I've ever seen.

We had a few afternoon storms, including a very dramatic return trip to the mainland. I lost my pack cover to the wind, and watched it, bright orange, bobbing on the waves. I still feel guilty about it.

Returned.

My brother picked me up from LAX during rush hour in the rain. I watched an NBA game while I waited for him. We ate In-n-Out burger for dinner. Yes. I'm back.

Fiji. Check.

Paying by the minute so I'll have to update you later. It's the rainy season. Flight to LA is delayed. Surprise! Everyone is unhappy with "Air Pathetic." Made it through a fierce storm back to the mainland, everything is soaked, but I have a few hours to dry out. A few, or ten, we'll see.

I'm in Fiji. Finally.

Arrived this morning at 4:30 a.m. Finally, got bags and to the shuttle at 5:30 a.m. Watched the sunrise in the meantime. The shuttle bus didn't start so the driver had to find three guys to push us for about 50 meters. It wasn't looking good, but we made it. I'm at a hotel for two hours, then I go to the port to catch a ferry to South Sea Island. I'll be hanging out there for three days.

Then, hopefully on to LA at a reasonable time on the 18th.

Flight delayed. Of course.

I'm in the Auckland airport. The flight, that was rescheduled for 12:35 a.m. is now delayed until 2:00 a.m. That makes for arrival in Fiji at 4 a.m. If things go accordingly. They gave us $10 for food, but, I personally don't think it's just compensation.

But, I am excited to come home and see you!

I'm sad to leave New Zealand.

There is so much more to see and do. I will definitely have to come back here...sometime...in the far off future.

Not sure what the internet access will be like in Fiji.

So, don't worry if you don't hear from until I get to LA. I don't think that will happen, but you never know.

So, I'll be in Fiji for three days.

The next few days. Of course, things got complicated.

I'm flying to Fiji tomorrow. Well, technically Sunday. Long story short, Air Pacific canceled my original flight for Saturday afternoon and put me on one that leaves Auckland at 12:45 a.m. and arrives at 2:45 a.m. on Sunday morning. Not exactly convenient. I had to pay to change my flight from Christchurch to Auckland (otherwise I would be in the airport from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m.) and lose money on the accommodation I booked in Fiji. The airline won't do anything about it until I turn up in Fiji, with my complaints in writing.

I don't know who is going to be manning the desk at 2:45 a.m. in Nadi, but they should be prepared to give me some money or upgrade me to first class all the way to LA.

Fair enough right?

I'm coming home soon.

It is a matter of days.

Wanaka.

We drove a spectular 52 k along the ridge from Queenstown to Wanaka. Wanaka is a fantastic small town...I wish I had more time here. Tomorrow, I have to say goodbye to Tracey and Graeme and spend the day on the bus to Christchurch.

Best movie theatre in the world?

We saw "La Vie En Rose" last night at Cinema Paradiso in Wanaka. They have local beer and they bake cookies during the first half of the movie for intermission.

I think we're going to Wanaka tonight.

Tracey and Graeme and I are going to do a short hike today in Queenstown, weather permitting, and then drive up to Wanaka. That's the idea anyway.

Some things I'm not doing in Queenstown.

1. Bungy jumping
2. Sky Diving
3. Jet Boating

Tracey and Graeme from Nottingham.

and the van.

Have you had enough?

So many pictures...but I can't help myself.