KEY POINTS:
I became a bus driver for Kiwi Experience about 18 months ago, shortly after my father passed away from a sudden heart attack. He was one of the fittest men you could meet and, at 62, he still had many good years left in him. For whatever reason
it was his time and I accept that. What this experience did offer me, like I'm sure it has offered countless others in a similar situation, was the opportunity to assess the different parts of my life and decide whether I was happy with how things were.
I worked at a backpackers' hostel in the Bay of Islands during my summer holidays when I was at university and the Kiwi Experience bus stopped in everyday full of backpackers. It looked like a blast and I've always loved hanging out with people from all backgrounds. With my Dad's passing it gave me the perfect reason to do what I had always wanted to do.
For some people it's a fantasy to have a job where you are always on the move, like a nomad almost. Most people are working the nine-to-five thing and there is something exciting about "hitting the road" and cruising off to another place with a bunch of secrets to discover. And in New Zealand there are plenty of secrets.
My job involves driving a bus, organising accommodation and activities for our passengers (like bungy jumping, sky diving and jet boating), delivering commentary on New Zealand's history, geography, geology and culture, being a tour leader, tour guide, first aider, party starter, friend, chef, mechanic, mother, father, counsellor and everything else involved in driving a 50-seater bus, full of backpackers around New Zealand.
My favourite place is Queenstown. It has everything - scenic mountains, adrenalin rushes, parties.
When it comes to food and eating out, I'm not that fussy. Although you wouldn't catch me ordering liver or haggis.
The most depressing moment in my life was when my Dad died and I realised my Mum had to live on her own.
My hometown is Kerikeri, in the Bay of Islands. I love it up there and get home as much as I can. I'm a real nostalgic dude, so I love the familiar feeling I get from just being there - from watching the local lads play rugby, to catching up with old school mates and just being at home on our deck.
I wish more people would do what they love and want to do, instead of doing what they think they should. If I could offer advice to anyone struggling with where they are at, it would be follow your heart and do what you have always wanted to do. Don't wait for a major event in your life to turn things around. Don't be too concerned about what other people will think or how they will judge you. For a long time I was trapped in the belief that I should be this certain person; that I should have this certain job and act this certain way and it only made me unhappy.
I wish the fashion police would ban velvet, white pants with black g-strings, baggy polar fleece jumpers and "sneans" - wearing tapered blue jeans with white sneakers.
