NZ Australia Semester (B) Instructor Welcome from Josh

Kia ora team, a massive hello to you all

My name is Josh, and I am one of your program instructors for our upcoming journey through Australia and New Zealand. I am writing this from an outback roadhouse in Central Australia where I have been working for the last few months. Things are winding up here and I am getting excited to make the move over to Brisbane to meet you all in just a couple of weeks.

A bit about me - I was born in New Zealand and raised on a farm, so I naturally like to do lots of outdoorsy things! Camping, kayaking, and hiking takes up most of my free time, I love these things so much that I trained as an outdoor instructor, so that I could do them full time, sweet! Some work I have done in the past includes teaching first aid courses, conservation work, and guiding cycle and hiking tours in New Zealand and Australia. I am in my third year instructing with Pacific Discovery, and it has been an amazing journey so far - in Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. Your other instructor is Hayley Kingsley who is from Melbourne, Australia. She will introduce herself shortly so I won't steal her thunder :)

We will soon be rock climbing, rafting, surfing and snorkelling our way around some of the best spots on offer, as well partaking in some engaging and totally rewarding conservation projects along the way. So much to look forward to! But we MUST come prepared. Pay attention to the packing list that has been sent out to you, and do your best to stick to it, you will be lugging this around on your back a lot so it pays to pack light where possible. Are there any areas you can save weight?? For example, a pair of quick-dry hiking pants might be smart enough for casual dinners, or just travel days in the van. Versatile clothing options are a fantastic way to save space in the pack for those items you will no doubt pick up along the way. We will have regular opportunities for doing laundry, so you don't need 15 pairs of socks. And if we all smell, then nobody smells, right?? Supermarkets in NZ and Oz are well stocked with goodies - and there is strict bio-security - so best not to bring food from home. But think about something you might be able to bring for group entertainment - cards, banana-grams, portable iPod speaker, juggling balls, frisbee etc. We will have a slackline and a few other toys with us.

It is super important to the success of this program, as well as the value of your experiences throughout, that you come in with a good attitude. Having an open mind to new ideas and ways of thinking, and making an effort to relate to people from different backgrounds will get you a long way. I have no doubt that we will form a tight-knit group in a short time - that happens naturally from travelling so closely as a group. With this it is important to remember that everyone will have the occasional "bad hair" day, when they are tired or sick or just need a bit of space, or someone to talk to. Being compassionate and respectful towards all members of our family as we move around will help us stay, well...a happy family! 

Hayley and I are hugely excited to meet you all in Brisbane later this month, and to get underway on what will no doubt be the trip of a lifetime! If you have any questions, please feel free to email us or reach out on Facebook, we will do our best to help. You should also reach out to your fellow travelers via Facebook, introduce yourself, you may find that other people have the same questions on their mind. 

Our FB closed group page:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/579028972278539/

And this is me! We can be friends!  https://www.facebook.com/josh.moreton.77

Take care crew, stay fit and healthy, and we will see you all shortly.

Josh.