Hello followers leading inspiration to explore, learn and love. Happy new years to all of you! For this year many changes developing and wings been ah growing… feathers a little itchy keeping me on the move. 

Until next time– One Love

Douglas

Melbourne blurred into realization

ninety-nine and 1 percent is more.

Before, peace in society, now obedience

sit, wait and tents metamorphosed.

Thrown out of public into streets,

now here in peace, traffic forbidden.

Pushed into distress– Mr Officer 

disrespect humanity– do your job

“get those beast off those horses”

used with disregard to wellbeing

front lined trampled– stand ground! 

We are the people!

Captured for publicized entertainment,

frightin change will decease with action.

Shuffle half alive for another haunting,

while 1 strides into connivence and lack.

Lie in our reality, truth will emerge

passion to live is no less human then yours.

Take into realization humanity,

survive together or perish the World.

In my international travels I have notice one thing: the World is not what’s seen on television or whats read in newspapers. One page reads freighter stranded off New Zealand shore lead by capitalist action. You ask how does this relate to protest of the 99 percent– simple its the order in which things are done thats wrong. Be it how we live within a country or what destruction we cause it. In other words, no one wants to take blame or action and delayed it will be… Lets come together for a better planet. 

Globally pushed issues forcing for less local economy to survive i.e. local jobs. Like many issues in todays society, whats the right proceedure– is it a debated process waiting for responsibility or is it ACTION. Action to do whats right in the now. In dispute of other beliefs with guidance people are willing to do right. Now the question is what can be done to make those changes.

Agreed or disagreed– notice whats around you, actions and their affects, take yourself out of your comfort and learn about others. Embrace life outside yours, absorb and make the changes that are necessary, be it small or changing entire way of life.

dfresh

Hello, hola, kia ora & good day mate!!! 

Thats right, Australia and life is exciting! It’s really amazing how the mind runs in a new lifestyle and believe it or not, everything is interconnected…

In the next series of blogs I will share adventures and more important knowledge. Also to keep you on your toes some poetry… 

Enjoy,

dfresh 

Veins ragging in calm flow

leaping forward to new ground,

flourishing from old light.

Days will pass for life’s success

in this rabbit hole I will lead.

The final days of New Zealand are on the horizon, yet not lacking in adventure. After a fantastic trip around the islands I manage to place myself in middle of one of the biggest game for the All Blacks… New Zealand vs. Australia. Aussie being the big dogs the past years now have the mighty All Blacks in the way. All this on line as well as traveling around with a few close friends lead up to a crazy last few NZed days.

The Fan Zone - free to all with limited space. This was the night of the French and Wales match. Slow in the start, but ended up to be an intense match. Going for the under dogs in the bar, the french manage to pull it off 9 to 8.

The following day with the All Blacks and Aussie on the menu for the night. Many fun things happening in the city… live music, street performers, crazy people out…

Sky Tower above… and an ant column below

After munching down on some burgers we relaxed in front of the White Lady chanting “free chips.” The picketing began for Jared Roee and I..  It only took an hour and a photo trade, but we got some… and they were not that good– but, surprisingly worth it!!

Auckland homies: Jared (middle) and Roee (right)

Seeing Roee off after the All Blacks win Jared and I headed out in to the chant of victory in the streets.

See you later NZ!!!

THE END…

                                       whats next?

In a matter of minutes King Kong erupted… Lets get real, more like 4 hours.

Music: The White Strips, Little Room

Hello Mom! goodbye South…

Adventure starts with a willingness to accept what comes your way. Heading down to Christchurch (ChCh) to pick mum from the following day from the airport I was struck by the overall feeling of ChCh… For some that may not know this city has been torn apart by a few short rumbles of the earth. Much of the area is red zoned as you can see in this first pic. Not looking for a place before arriving I was on search for a pillow to lay my head. As I walked around all the cites backpackers were full with many depressed people of ChCh from their loss of residence. Being painful to witness this still did not change the fact that I had to find a place to sleep. Walking around in the night I came across a red zone property that would be suitable for camp, and underneath the stars is where I stayed.

As many of you are thinking this is not how the trip went with my mother… I picked her up from the airport the following day… in a rental… with many fun things in front of us… Yeah!!!

Christchurch

Mount Cook/ Aoraki

Valley leading towards Mount Cook/ Aoraki

Valley looking away from Mount Tasman

Lake Pukaki, from Peter’s lookout

Lake Aviemore

Goodbye old shoes… the worn orange and brown

Oamaru

Moeraki Boulders

Dunedin

Milford Sounds

Lake Wakatipu

Lake Wanaka, Glendhu Bay

Hike up to Diamond Lake, Lake Wanaka

Matukituki RIver and Valley that feeds into Lake Wanaka

Birds eye view from an access road leading to Treble Cone Ski Resort

Pancake Rocks

Nelson Lakes, Lake Rotoiti

Able Tasman

Sand Spit, bay side

Sand Spit, Tasman Sea side

Cook Straight from the Picton Ferry

Huka Falls near Lake Taupo

Rotorua, Whakarewarewatangaoteopetauaawahiao thermal park… and yes that is the word, a Maori one.

Kaitiaki, Hells Gate… where the Maori tribes bathed in the hot pools

Feel free to email me if you want to know anything more or would like any photos. dfreshdesign@gmail.com

Thanks and live life up!

Douglas

In the last months of living in Wanaka construction of a mates house has been the main focus. The house, that is about 20k outside Wanaka in a town called Luggate, has provided a relax and scenic work place… with allowing some off time for rabbit hunting. Having to leave before the end of the house Simon and I focused on some of the more important 2 man jobs– like framing, weather boarding, windows… etc. Its been a quite fun experience, especially once we jumped into the cedar weather boarding. Its a little nicer to do more skilled finishing work. Well thanks Simon for the experience! And enjoy my house warming gift.

A few of the other photos are me balancing on a bent metal stack allowing for hours of fun. The other is a necklace that I made out of bicycle chain parts and key chain piece that is my Scottish badge. 

Getting away for a few days, I stuck my thumb out to see where it take me…

After 3 rides and only a town away I got a ride that will set me in different path. Seeking out and I will find, invited into Dave’s house after a 2 day car ride up the West Coast I decided to give back. In a week of relaxation and eating home grown food a cob oven emerged sculpted from my hands. I found myself immersed in Motueka culture. Getting to hang out with the guys to see how some countrymen live their life’s. Being set back in the hills I got to see first hand how you can generate electricity nd gain all your water from one creek… which if it wasn’t for the heavy forest tht are able to grow that creek would not be there. In return I was introduced to something special– Permaculture: which is basically growing things in a natural and earthy beneficial way. Look it up, it’s AWESOME.

Having to think about obligation I had to start heading back towards Wanaka. Through a chain of events I manage ride to Wanaka from an awesome Israeli couple. After sharing stories, food, culture and a week in Wanaka we decided to go out for a tramp. Heading back towards the West Coast I took Roee and Tzuf on one of my favorite hikes leading towards natural hot pools. Being such a magical place in an Alpine valley with snow capped mountain we all got enjoy are selfs. The hot pools were actually the cover picture on Roee and Tzuf’s hot pool guide book, kinda cool and funny.

Well, special thanks to Dave, Roee and Tzuf.

warmth

Frozen daily morning rise

shadowed four below.

Steam driven motion captured

cold kitchen fireplace warmth,

near unbend, mummification’zz–

repeat

Music by Eddie Vedder: Into The Wild soundtrack, Tuolumne