It's been an interesting first few days settling in. The other new volunteer Roi and I have been visiting the other volunteers at their jobs, getting my visa done, opening bank accounts, getting safety briefings from the police and the NZ High Commission as well as finding out where to buy different every day items from- no one place has everything so it looks like it will be a bit of  round trip doing grocery shops as well as  meeting with our new employers. I am settling in and really enjoying it so far, it has exceeded my expectations and I'm already starting to enjoy the pace of life. The heat too has not been as bad as I'd expected, sure it is hot and humid but not unbearably so. I have a fan on in my room when I first go to bed but end up turning it off in the middle of the night. I have met the other volunteers, there are 4 of us Kiwis, as well as three of four Aussies all doing different roles, spread the length and breadth of South Tarawa. On Tuesday evening Aa

Well, it is 9pm on my first night in Kiribati. I've made it at last. The long journey to get to this point has ended and a new chapter in my life is just beginning.  Yesterday morning, Julie and I were up at 5am and I drove to CHCH. From there it was a flight to Auckland and a couple of hours layover before the flight to Kiribati.In Fiji I met with a consultant on her way to Kiribati and she shouted me dinner. She had done some work for the Marine Training Centre so it was good to get some information about the place and what to expect. Another early start today. At the airport or 6am start and a three hour flight north to Tarawa. I me the other volunteer at Fiji airport. The three hour flight north was uneventful and we were met at the airport by Linda from Mary's motel who took us to the motel in Bairiki. The only issue was getting my surfboard on board as there was no roof rack but we managed to tie it onto the roof using my leg rope.  Kiribati was hot and sunny, much

Te final countdown continues, everything packed and I'm all ready to go. Here is an interesting article on Stuff from someone who recently holidayed in Kiribati, and a lot more positive than some of the comments about it below! I guess like anywhere it is what you make it and the key is not going in with too high expectations. Am a little perplexed by some of the comments, it is after all a developing country, but each to their own. The advice I take from this one is to get out and explore the outer islands, something I'm hoping to do once settled in. Here is another older article from Val Guthrie, who was working for the Marine Training Centre which I will be working for. Here is an amusing and informative YouTube video from Geography Now! on Kiribati. And Nauru airlines has a nice promo video about Tarawa Craig

This time next week I'll be on my way to Fiji, the first leg of my journey. I'm about ready, my gear is packed and ready, which for a last minute, throw it in a bag and go sort of guy like me that is a big deal. I shipped my bike over to Kiribati last week along with a box full of grocery supplies to hopefully make the food a bit more interesting- I am assuming the worst here.  Today I'm down at my bach for the last time, getting it ready to rent out. I've decided to rent it out for 12-18 months while I am away and have a tenant moving in on Wednesday so need to clear out our stuff.  Yesterday I had what is probably going to be my last game of cricket for my Celtic team. We beat Pleasant Point comfortably to stay top of the table. Next week's clash vs Geraldine is the biggie as we are first equal on points so I may end up playing, we will see. It is my last day in New Zealand so not sure If I'll be able to swing a game of cricket into the mix or not. Yesterd