Rangiora, New Zealand
August 28, 2007
Oh Dear!
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Sunset at the beach in Nelson Hello lovelies,
We put all our energy into the video this time, so if you're trying to save time or minimize your effort, just stick to watching the video. It starts off all sweetly and loving-like, but soon devolves into a soup of questionable activity, and finally crescendos into riot of gore and nastiness. We're very proud. After a long, grueling week of WWOOFing work at Jeremy's organic farm, we were in desperate need of an adventure that was soothing, beautiful and required a minimum of effort . . . we decided on two full days of relaxing and soaking in hot springs. First, we went to Maruia Hot Springs, a secluded getaway nestled in a dense green forest at the base of the mountainous Lewis Pass. The springs were built by a visionary Japanese couple, who spent their life savings building this Japanese-style resort Mecca in the middle of nowhere. They redirected the natural thermal waters of a nearby spring into a series of outdoor rock pools, a family of private spa houses, and a large, Japanese-style bath house. Then they topped it off with a fancy restaurant and a couple dozen king-size retreats. We had to strong-arm the smiling staff into giving us the winter special, $118 for a room, full access to all the pools, and a 45 minute session of private soaking bliss. They said we had to book online, but they had a kiosk with internet access in the lobby. So, we said, OK, we'll just get on the internet in the lobby and book the winter special. Needless to say, they caved in to our hardass American bargaining style. After that, it was smooth sailing. The attentive staff (both named Naomi) took great care of us, and by the next morning we were smiling, relaxed, and could barely remember a farm or any concept of hard work. The next day, we headed to Hanmer Springs, which is the Disney Land of hot springs. I'm not convinced that any of it is natural whatsoever, but it is luxurious for people who like to take warm baths with dozens of strangers and their children. We spent the extra $5 for a "Water slide wristband" which provides unlimited access to the hot water slides. For the subsequent hour, we were spun and hurled (along with many other 12 and 15 year olds) down a series of untamed water slides full of warmish water. It was awesome to just get crazy with the locals' kids. We decided to try our luck with another WWOOFing adventure, so we called up Stuart and Elizabeth of Kirsonara Farm and they were glad to accommodate us for our remaining six days in New Zealand. Stuart is an amazing homeopathic doctor (the ONLY full-time homeopath in the entire country, believe it or not), and Elizabeth is an herbalist with her own line of wild-crafted calendula-based creams and oils. They have a herd of llamas, a bunch of cows, a couple dogs, a pair of cats, a gaggle of hens and seven-too-many roosters. They form a hospitable, warm, brilliant and humorous pair who have made us feel so at home with their optimism and charm that we are suddenly sad to leave New Zealand, and are contemplating returning. We spent our first few days weeding their gorgeous calendula and herb gardens, and then Stuart intimated that there were eight roosters and only about ten hens, which means that down at the hen house there's a whole lot of something going on, and not a whole lot of egg laying. We needed to "eradicate" seven of the eight roosters, to give the hens more time for the finer things in life, like raising families. The first night, we trapped one in the hen house, and Stuart (in a calm and loving way) axed its head off (see the video for more details). That was our first taste of blood, and we were both somewhat leery of whether we could handle watching the death. Kim filmed it, Dan held the rooster down, and we were both surprised that when the axe came slamming down, we weren't nearly as offended and nauseated as we thought we would be. Perhaps too many trips to Costco or Boston Market, watching dozens of glazed chickens on the rotisserie, slowly ducking in and out of sight, had warped our sense of love and connectedness with animals, but it was no big deal. With that out of the way, we proceeded to hunt and kill the remaining roosters nightly, until yesterday, when Dan went out with a young ex-sniper named Liam, with a rifle, and shot four of the five remaining roosters. Dan had previously only shot guns in Idaho, under the pressure of Kim's relatives, and this was the first time he was to take the life of a sweet, innocent being. Actually, two sweet, innocent beings. Then he cut their heads off with an axe and hung them from a tree, to bleed them properly, the way a farmer or WWOOFer should. Stuart and Elizabeth would like to interject at this time that Kiwis are NOT blood-thirsty barbarians, and this incident or the ajoining video are in no way indicitive of the New Zealand way of life. New Zealanders are generally a warm, friendly and charmingly well-mannered lot. Come to New Zealand, meet them, you'll see. Love, Dan&Kim If you have a moment, we'd like to offer a sample of "Flight of the Conchords". This little song keeps us going when it gets very cold outside our Spaceship — some great Kiwi humour. Dad, as promised to myself posted on 2007-09-02 at 11:59 am Hi guys, Today I am making up for not writing to you the last 2 days. So.. I love the Conchords video, laughed out loud! (especially the 'part-time model, you probably couldn't quit your day job') line. Love, Dad Auntie Wendy posted on 2007-09-01 at 8:53 pm Kimi Ko, I see you have another Auntie who calls you Kimi Coconut. So I will try to remember to identify myself so as not to confuse you. Dan, I like the pretty, clean shaven face. Note: we never shot chickens, just wrung their necks before beheading. And seldom ate rooster because it was tough compared to a hen. I'll bet that was an experience and a half. Try doing 50 chickens in one day. Another note: Japanese tradition, when wearing yukata (japanese bath robe aka kimono) don't forget to put the left side over the right. Only dead people are dressed with the right side over the left and you guys look very alive to me. Uncle Karl and I used to fight with the twitch (which we called quack grass)in our garden and yard in Idaho. I remember it well. Your smiles have gotten broader and I'm thinking you could make this a career. So happy to see both of you happy and totally enjoying life. Again, thank you for taking the time out to share with all of us here at home. Love to you both. Kio tsukete until next time. Elizabeth & Stuart posted on 2007-08-30 at 9:02 pm We would just like to say, we have thoroughly enjoyed having you both wwoof for us! Despite the gore, I think we all had a good time. In defense of the Kiwis I must admit we are British by birth! Mark posted on 2007-08-30 at 5:03 pm Dan my f'in computer won't let me see the videos, just audio. Help! Yo most beautiful girl in the room is the most ridiculously good song I've heard in a while! Becky posted on 2007-08-30 at 3:30 pm ahh.. here I am back in Danberly. I must have missed one of your messages from afore as there's nothing new up (2 days have passed slackers!) & there was LOADS last time. Well couldn't look in w'out saying 'howdy'. It's always nice here in Danberly, beautiful entertaining & the weather looks fine on my laptop. I'm sure you can imagine how much we're enjoying our 'above normal' temperatures.Much love to you both, off to see Sevak (of the HUGE puffy beard) Mom posted on 2007-08-29 at 11:13 pm Yes Grace, Rabbit Stew every Sunday. Yummie!!It's been a long time since I had Rabbit but what a treat.Well Daniel and Kim New Zeland looked like it was adventureous, looking forward to getting a glimps of Australia through your lens.xoxoxoxox Auntie posted on 2007-08-29 at 8:56 am Your poor auntie is traumatized by the rooster video. I had a problem with fowl before, but now - forget it! I have a chicken plucker for a niece and a chicken killer for a soon-to-be nephew - eeeekkkkks! My first note to you was suppose to be sweet and loving, expressing how proud I am that you are on this adventure. But this bird video has quickly prompted me to just shake my head and say "those wacky kids". I have thoroughly enjoyed your pictures and videos (except the last) and am so happy for my little kimi coconut. Enjoy your next adventure! Grace posted on 2007-08-29 at 1:04 am You can relate to the Grace family groing up too. You can add rabits to the rooster which was our staple Sunday dinner. Best wishes for a good time in Aus ans safe travelling. Mom posted on 2007-08-28 at 11:42 pm Now you can relate to the Vella family growing up. jen posted on 2007-08-28 at 10:47 pm um...you guys are so fucken cute. that's it. it's official. oh yeah, and new zealand is nice too(i mean jesus fucken christ). thanks for the lol s and wwoof adventure and the eftgs and the yuffoef and kkljslkjfajfjdfjlsajfljalfjdlkajeijweoij =) katerina posted on 2007-08-28 at 9:02 pm oh, yeah....also, please stop posting fake pictures....like that "sunset" photo and that little piece in the beginning of the video....whatever katerina posted on 2007-08-28 at 8:49 pm .....yeah.....so i grant you, you gave me the forewarning even before the forewarning on this post....but you KNOW i'm going to watch it, and it wasn't nearly as gorey as i thought it would be. so at this point, what i'm really wondering is WHAT were you guys all ON that night???? is THAT what the blood does to you? Nash! posted on 2007-08-28 at 3:33 pm murders. Becky posted on 2007-08-28 at 3:33 pm I just arrived home @ the same time as your video so I get to comment 1st. But. huummm... I don't really know what to say about you. So lets talk about ME. Well,I have finally taken your advice & started practicing some pretty nifty kundalini yoga at that place you told me about. So, thanks. |
A R C H I V E
December 2009 -Kim Turns 29 -Giving Thanks November 2009 -Trip to Taos August 2009 -Danberly Visitors July 2009 -Danberly Garden May 2009 -6 Months in Boulder January 2009 -Brahas & Harrills in Scottsdale October 2008 -I'm Goin' to Jackson September 2008 -Life & Love on MaryJanesFarm -Burning Man August 2008 -Iguazu Falls -Beef and Tango July 2008 -10 Days in Peru June 2008 -Danberly in Print -Happy Full Moon! -To Oregon and Beyond! -Searching for Something May 2008 -Dan Delivers Danberly April 2008 -Back in the U.S.A. March 2008 -Hong King Kong -Bangkok Shopping Spree -Koh Means Island -Bye-Bye Chiang Mai -We’re Cookin’ Now! February 2008 -Feel First -Blood, Love and Fizz January 2008 -I Heart Cambodia -The Rest of Laos -Colored Pencils and Squat Toilets December 2007 -Louang Prabang -Thailand to Laos -Loi Krathong Festival November 2007 -The big great excellent motorbike ride -Chiang Mai, Chiang You -Southern Thailand Beaches October 2007 -Bangkok to Trang: The Video -Paradise! -Off the beaten path at the end of the road -City, Culture, Bangkok! -Probiotics or Anti-Antibiotics -Healings, Villas & Grilled Corn September 2007 -In Deep With the Locals -We're Millionaires! -Roos! -Melbourne Proper -No Dramas August 2007 -Oh Dear! -WWOOF! -The Big Stink -Bay of Isles, Bay of Shmiles -First Glimpses (part 2) -It's Tomorrow Today July 2007 -First and Last Glimpses (part 1)  |
I must say that this is the most intriguing thing I have seen since David Hasselhoff performed on America's Got Talent. I love being able to see your adventure and live vicariously through your documentation! I wish you the best in your travels, and look forward to seeing more!!