After 10 months in the desert of Kuwait I was very glad to be home despite it being mid winter. I saw much of the country and most of my family and friends. Certainly a change to see green grass, open spaces and mountains, as opposed to sand, palm trees, flash cars and shopping malls.
My trip started with a two week stop in Sydney to visit my brother. I also stopped over at Singapore airport for 7 hours and managed a free tour of the city. This was really my desensitising stage and readjusting to colder temperatures and a western culture.
Then I went to New Plymouth for 3 ½ weeks. Apart from visiting family and friends I played heaps of golf – about 3 times a week. This is what I have really missed living in Kuwait. Although I managed to have a game last week at a brand new course. While in New Plymouth I took a bus down to Wellington to see some friends I hadn’t seen for a long time. After my time in New Plymouth came to an end I headed down to Christchurch to see more family, and then onwards to Dunedin. 
My time in Dunedin was more like a working holiday. There was heaps of work to do on my mother’s small farm mostly moving branches to burn or mulch piles and general tidying of the place. The weather was great and I managed to play a lot of golf too. I also caught up with more friends and family and even did a couple of day’s relief teaching at Waikouaiti School. While in Dunedin I took a trip to Central Otago. Here I played golf with my friend Nathan. I also took a day trip to Milford Sound (including a scenic flight!) Lastly I spent a day skiing. What an action packed weekend.
It was a little difficult leaving NZ but I am happy to be back in Kuwait and back into work. I have lots of friends here and there are heaps of new teachers in the school to hang out with. The saving potential is excellent here as are the travel opportunities. Speaking of holidays my next one is in a month and I have a trip booked to southern Egypt – Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel. Going to be a jam packed 5 days, and should be great. Until next time.
