sailing

Paihia is gorgeous and the weather has been absolutely perfect. So perfect that I don't even mind scrubbing the carpet on the stairs because I get to enjoy the sunshine and light breeze coming in through the open windows of our hostel as I scrub.

Yesterday, Amy and I were outside enjoying the sunshine when a man came over to us and asked if we wanted to go sailing with him. He said the weather was perfect for sailing and he wanted more company than just himself. If we were in any place except New Zealand, we probably would have said no, but here, people really are that nice and friendly, so we went.

So Amy and I and three other backpackers went sailing in the Bay of Islands on the second oldest sailboat in New Zealand. It was built in 1887 and has faded red sails and a lot of ropes and pulleys. I was in charge of the jib line (the jib is the sail at the very front of the boat). I also steered for awhile, but I didn't like having that much responsibility.

I don't know if it's because I've just returned from Asia, where the landscape was very dusty and drab, but the colors up here seem so perfect. The water is a deep, vibrant blue; the sky is pure baby blue and the surrounding hills are greener than a golf course. When we weren't pulling on ropes on the boat yesterday, we just laid on the deck soaking up the Autumn sun and colors of the bay. We floated back into the harbour next to another boat, its red-orange sails serving as a filter for the setting sun, and I don't think I could imagine a more perfect end to the day.

I'm so excited to go home, but it sure is going to be hard to leave such a pretty, pure place.