Just a quick post today to let family and friends know that I’ve extended my trip for another month!
This adventure began as a challenge to get out of my comfort zone. I was unhappy at work and flippantly threw out the idea: “Maybe I should just quit my job and go spend a month in Australia.” The more I thought about it, the more appealing the idea became, so my trip took shape as a month in Australia and two weeks in New Zealand. Well I’m about five weeks in and I keep hearing how amazing it is in New Zealand so I think it deserves a month of its own. The budget’s looking OK so why not, huh? On Tuesday I fly into Auckland to continue my adventure.
Thank you all so much for the comments and support here on the blog. Let’s keep it going!
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness… Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”
– Mark Twain
kentuckyfriedscott 
I’m so excited for you! New Zealand ABSOLUTELY deserves an entire month to itself. Please go on an awesome hike for me.
Why not indeed! Sounds like a great idea. It’s hard to say when you’ll have an opportunity like this again, so I’m happy to hear taking advantage of it!
Six weeks didn’t sound like long enough to me,glad to hear you’re extending your stay. Especially glad to hear that the experience has been so positive!
So happy for ya! Let me know if there is anything you need on the home front, excluding grass cutting if you end up staying long enough for the yard to need some lovin.
Scott, we are prepared to dedicate many days listening to your stories. Matt has just sent wonderful photos from Perth (he did get to play a bit between productions!). It is so wonderful that you are sharing your self- discovery. You are not someone that will have come to the day of your death, never having lived at all. We are with you in spirit…but not sharing the flies!
I remember in the movie “Forest Gump” he started running and ran until he just stopped. You sound like that to me. No goal post, no finish line. You will know when its time. Just go and make a sack full of life time memories.
It’s funny that you should mention that movie, Bob. The other day I thought of the exact same scene where Forrest just decides to stop running and wondered if I’ll have a similar feeling when my journey is supposed to end. Great minds think alike!
So you’re going to extend your fun eh? What a grand Idea. Judy and I have done so many trips that ended with “wouldn’t it be great if we could spend a few more days here?” And if you’re already there, why not? And, if you are there long enough that your grass does need to be mown, I’ll take care of it (I’ll pay your brother to mow it!). This coming Sunday (the 10th), begins daylight savings time here. Run as long as you can, and hang out more with your “great mind” uncle when you do get back. He’s had so many spot-on comments since you’ve been gone. Have you had any opportunity to talk with the people in your house to see if they could stay a bit longer? If they can’t, maybe someone here would know someone that could house-sit for awhile. Anyway, keep us posted, have a great time, and know how much we love you. Peace Unc
Hah, I’ve wondered when we were going to get this announcement! I’m sure mom hates it, but hey man it’s what I’d do.
In fact, considering that you just spent a week overseas without spending a penny, that would make we start thinking things that I’d imagine are already bouncing around inside of your head….
You’ve been in Australia for five weeks, and by my math….60% of your total expenditures have been on transportation costs alone. Another 10% was for a visit to the ER. That means that only about 30% of your total expenses, or $1145 has been for actual “living expenses”. Five weeks overseas and you’re only spending $230 a week??
When I look at numbers like that, my minds starts asking me “how can I mitigate these transportation expenses as much as possible to allow me to get to OTHER cool parts of this great wide world where I can live for $230 a week???
You’re definitely heading down a line of thinking that has been top of mind lately. Airfare is absolutely the killer. I just spent 600 bones to fly to NZ. When you’re making travel plans spur-of-the-moment you pay a premium for the spontaneity.