7th May 2006, KeriKeri, Northland, NZ...

It's about time to move on, but i really couldnt leave all these incredible ppl that i have met here...throughout my five weeks stay here, i have met travellers from Ireland, Sweden, Holland, England, Japan, Korea, Scotland, Germany, France, Belgium...and the list goes on...

Ppl always asked if im a japanese when i first met them, it has to be my eyes, grayish blue...they always amuse other ppl, and im liking the attention...i get on very well with the foreigners, and they always asked me where i learned my English from, because apparently i speak like an American native...that's really flattering...

Whenever i told the travellers that im from Malaysia, i never failed to receive response that sounded like: OOhh...Aahhh....Wow, really? As if the malaysians are rare species...but sadly, i have only met two malaysians throughout my stay here...and i have to admit to them that few young malaysians travel, unlike all the youngers that i met here, most of them are around 19-20ish...and how i wish i share their youth, ever so exuberant and eager to try out new stuff and new ideas...

I told them that most malaysians cant wait to get into college upon finishing high school, and then go Straightaway into the working world, few gave thoughts to taking a gap year to go travelling....im glad im breaking the norm and to take on this travelling experience....it's probably the best thing that happened in my entire life...the friendship that i have with all these new friends are so intense that im sure it wont be the end when i leave this place...

I have also been a very good Malaysian Ambassador, educating ppl about our country...just couple of days back i drew the swedish boys our country map and recommend them places to go, they are doing their asian tour now...it is really good exposure to learn about ppl from other country and other culture, i absorb new knowledge every day...

My plan is to move on North to Cape Reinga with an Israeli guy that i met at work, and then south back to Auckland...we will rent a car for now and to do all that interesting stuff up north like sand boarding, surfing, kayaking and fishing...Truth is, i found out about the disagreement between Israel and Malaysia, and then i recall seeing that our passport does not admit us into Israel, and vice versa....i have met alot of Israelites here, and they are such friendly ppl...im very much disturbed when they ask if the Malaysians hate them, i was like: Hell No...why should we? Im just hoping we will get to visit Israel some time in the future, im really curious about this country...

All right, gotta go, more later...