1st day of the rest of my life?

Today feels like the first day of the rest of my life. I am boarding a plane back to New Zealand, (where I recently spent 3 years working, road tripping, hiking and skiing). But, after a summer back home in England, I now return with a new mission and a sense of purpose.

My mission now: to make New Zealand’s first skinny dipping guide book!!

A free-spirited, nature-worshiping, nudity-loving book of secret skinny-dipping spots. That will encourage people to step out of their clothes and through the wardrobe into a Narnia of carefreeness and liberation. It will be a book of beaches, lakes, rivers and waterfalls with zero crowds and no entrance fees. A book that will lead free spirits away from the overcrowded tourist attractions to find their own little slice of paradise in New Zealand’s wondrous landscape. New Zealand is chokka block with incredible swimming spots with absolutely no-one visiting them! The perfect place for free spirits to frolic naked without a care in the world. It will not be a book about nudist beaches or well-known swimming holes. It will be a book of the hidden nooks and crannies where nature lovers can find peace and seclusion.

When I find these places my soul is set free and all my cares evaporate. I hope to share this freedom, not with everybody but, with like minded folks. The goal is not to make a best selling book and swarm these quiet places until they are just as crowded as Milford sound. But to let the freedom seeking souls out there know of these incredible places so they can enjoy them too.

Getting out in nature and skinny dipping have always been things that I love, but writing a book is something I have never considered before. When the universe plonked this amazing opportunity right in my lap, I realised I would be a fool to ignore it. I want to get everything I possibly can from this short life. I want squeeze out every drop of goodness the world has to offer me, (and give back all the goodness I have in me). I’m a Yes man! I believe that we must go through life with our eyes, ears and hearts open to opportunity and not be afraid to take a risk when opportunity presents itself. So when this one came along I had to go for it.

But this is a BIG step for me.  I am a complete and utter rooky in the world of book writing! But I have Scott’s years of experience by my side and his belief in my capabilities to spur me on. We believe that his uncanny talent at finding hidden gems and my exuberant spirit will be an unstoppable team to seek out the buried treasure of New Zealand. In the past I have had jobs where I have been trained, follow the procedure, get the job done, then finish my shift and forget about work for the day. Now my success is riding on my own discipline, motivation and capability!! So, watch this space to see how we get on. Please follow my progress as I’m sure there’s going to be many hilarious or ridiculous trials and tribulations along the way.

After three weeks of mission planning with Scott in his home town in Oregon, I am fueled up and ready to go treasure hunting in my favourite country. My brain is at full capacity, working at full power with all the information he has shared with me. I have a paper map covered in colour stickers of places to scout out and a google earth caked in pins of even more places. I feel like an early explorer about to embark on an expedition to unknown lands. Butterflies flutter in my tummy spreading excitement and nervousness in equal measures. New Zealand is my oyster, a big, fat, juicy oyster made up of adventure and nudity!

I have learnt in my previous years of travel that you can never assume to know what the future holds. This crazy world can chuck anything at you right outta the blue with no warning. So, I imagine a bright, exciting and successful future ahead of me, but really, I have no idea how it will pan out, no-one does!

Scott’s original book N.Z Frenzy changed my time in New Zealand immeasurably and I hope that this book can do the same for travellers to come. So, I set off today, back to the other side of the world, with a map covered in dots, a new camera, an old backpack, knots in my stomach and a dream of creating something that will bring people pure joy.