We’re getting close, really, really close to finishing up this portion of the skate. And as we look ahead to the finish line in Dunedin, we have also to look back upon the gracious hospitality shown to us throughout these two isolated islands.

            When we landed in Auckland, Chris and James showed love by hooking us with beds and a home base to prepare out of. Not just any beds either, bunk beds. They took us to black sand beaches and rope swings to work up appetites, and our friend Grace cooked massive feeds to quell them. Gem drove us to all these places and back a million times with a big smile (and a heavy foot, slow it down Gem, for real), while Acorn provided endless laughter.

As we traveled south and the rain crept deep under our skin, the loveliest couple welcomed these 4 ragged young men into their jam-packed home without the slightest bother. We awoke dry, grateful and enticed by hot breakfast waiting on the table.

            Continuing down south, Rose and her family repeatedly extended their hospitality by providing not only a roof but also fresh and passionate conversation. Even 14 month-old Mado MacInnis voiced some of our names…how polite of her.

A couple skate rats learned our names as well when we rolled into Palmerston North. Nei and Nathan gave us their living-room floor without any idea of who or what we were doing, and traded international skate slang with us while we YouTubed sick clips from back in the day.

            Crossing into the South Island, one of Rob’s old friends and his entire Canadian household (plus one awesome Kiwi) took us under their wings and gave us the best gift of all: a taste of home. Tom, Sarah, Paul and Sam opened the door to what is affectionately known to their friends as The Canadian Embassy, wearing Maple Leafs jerseys (Brap!!) and rocking Canadian flags like it was a given. The next morning, they brewed a fresh pot of imported Tim Horton’s coffee…haha, almost too stereotypical right?

            Just now, as we finished today’s skate and begun setting up camp in a small town south of Christchurch, the nicest old man standing behind us in a grocery store queue told us to stay at his place without blinking an eye.

            These are the people who change the world through seemingly unnoticeable gestures. We want you all to know that we’re grateful and that you’ve made our passage through New Zealand not only more comfortable, but more inspiring. You’ve repeatedly reinforced our belief that if people want it, the world can be a beautiful place.

Thanks.

Daniel + The S4C Team

To switch it up this week, we’re using photos taken by one of our Canadian hosts. He joined us for a few hours outside of the city and managed to capture a new angle that we’re stoked on.