so today is my birthday, although it doesnt feel like it. birthdays just turn into regular days unless you have your friends and family around. im staying in auckland right now with my cousins kiwi host brother tony. he is a really cool guy and we will probably go out and have a few beers tonight with his sister downtown. so that will be my big birthday party. as for right now, ive been shopping for cars for the last few hours and it looks like im just going to rent a old car. the reason being is that i am traveling alone and i dont know much about cars, so if i buy a car and it breaks down, im in a bit of trouble. the rental wont be a big deal because they are old cars that have been kept in good condition and even in the case of a breakdown ill atleast be able to call them. and i will be legal so if i get pulled over i have insurance and the like. i just want to get out and wander around. it looks like i might head up north, try to surf a bit up there and then come down through the coromandel peninsula, then go to gisborne/mahia, cross the island to raglan, go down through new plymouth and wellington, ferry over and go to kaikoura and christchurch and then wander back up to raglan and head home from there. i feel like the trip is just going to fly by once i get a car. so hopefully today will work and happy birthday to me.