Day 38 (the end)- Kia Ora

Thanks to Sara, who taught me some words in Mongolian; to the Russian man who shared with me his eggs and vodka; to the couple who paid my bus fare to Hanoi; to the little boy in Beijing who gave me his umbrella; to the lady who walked me between my connecting trains in China; to Basil who made me laugh when I needed a friend; to the train guard who helped me navigate Moscow; to the mother and daughter who took me to Singapore after two buses had abandoned me... Thanks to every person who had the patience to give me directions, to cook me food, to sell me a ticket, to have a conversation, even just to smile at me, in all those wonderful countries where I was a stranger...

Thanks to those people, a crazy idea has become a reality.

That crazy idea wasn't that it was possible to get to New Zealand in 38 days. I always knew that. The crazy idea was that doing it this way would be an enjoyable and worthwhile experience. 

My first glimpse of Auckland, my home for the next year.

At the airport I was picked up by a driver holding a University of Auckland sign, and taken to Parnell Student Village. As the taxi drove away I realised I was standing in front of a locked gate with no key, no credit on my phone, no internet, no money, and no idea which flat I was supposed to be in. But that is the beginning of a completely different story...

A final thanks to you guys for reading the blog- it's been great having this link back home, and taking the time to clarify my thoughts as I go has helped make this journey a success. I hoped you are convinced of my 'crazy idea'.