The title of this post, as it suggests, has great significance to the remainder of our trip!

For four days ago, I embarked on a spontaneous decision that was to change the face of TripRoast forever….or at least TripRoast I: The Pacific Rim Encounter (the trilogy is just under way folks, with the African Safari and Latino episodes all in the works!).

As I preside over my life and roast beef chutney sandwich from the confines of Auckland International in eager anticipation for my forthcoming flight to Queenstown and what lies in store for me there, I must deliver the news that I have officially left the other two TripRoasters to their own accord! (Don’t worry mums, they’ll be fine without me!)

Perusing the pages of my newly acquired guide book (no endorsements here), I realise the monumental task New Zealand is to tackle alone. I am sad to say goodbye to a couple of my best friends who I have spent everyday of the last 8 months with and a country as spectacular as Oz; but also excited and exhilarated by a new sense of adventure of being on my own and uncertainty of what lies around the corner for me.

Of course I want to say to the others that I had the time of my life with them, culminating in the brilliant marvelling wonder of mother nature that is Uluru (Ayers Rock); and it goes without saying that the memories will last me forever! Thanks for being there with me throughout some truly unforgetable experiences guys! Ayers Rock, I would say, was a fitting end to our journey together - again seeing another true spectacle that the world has to offer.

I realise this way may well come as a shock to some of you to see such an abrupt end to the tri-unit brotherhood of TripRoast that you’ve come to know and love, but, like I said, there’s always the next trips! So thanks for being with me every step of the way everyone!

Just to dispell any pre-empted ideas that we’ve fallen out as a unit - no that’s not the case at all! In fact we’ve all gotten along superbly for 8 whole months, which is quite a feat in itself! The time has just come for me to spread my wings (and fly closer to the sun!?) and tackle the big bad world by myself….and I can’t wait!

I raise my glass to the ever-evolving and changing face that is TripRoast.

Jason: Bourne Ready

P.S. I couldn’t publish this post without giving a mention to Queenstown - I just landed in what must be one of the most beautiful little towns the world has to offer. My flight out of Ayers and over the rock and then into Sydney with the Bridge and Opera House in full view was just rivalled by the one into Queenstown. As the plane navigated its way through the twisting mountains and then brushed the very tops of the trees as it landed to a gasp from the passengers, excitement was rife - even my sleepless night during a 6 hour stopover in Auckland wasn’t enough to keep my eyes from drifting off the natural beauty below me. Guys you’ve got all this to look forward to and it won’t disappoint! The town is reminiscent of an alpine ski resort, without the cold at this time of year! I am pretty much as far from the UK as is physically possible on this Earth without breaking through the stratosphere (more about that soon!) and the people here are so nice - and why not with this beauty around them. I will keep in touch and up-to-date with everyone’s on-going adventures and everyone with mine!

Additional Footnote: Mom, Dad, you’re gonna shoot me but I just jumped out of a plane! There are few words I could choose that would do it justice, but it can only be described as the most thrilling thing imaginable! Over some of the world’s most spectacular mountain ranges (The Remarkables) and lakes (Lake Wakatipu) just made it for me….I think I have a new expensive hobby!

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 31st, 2008 at 2:09 am and is filed under On the move, Australia, New Zealand. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.