Size does NOT matter

I have always been a bit of an outdoors-kind-of-person. Growing up near the coast, fishing was always one of my hobbies. So being home for a bit of a holiday naturally means that I have spent a few days on the sea trying to catch one of the big ones.

The other day I decided to take Camille out for her first day of pike fishing. Pike is a barracuda looking predator which has a firm, tasty flesh that makes it ideal for healthy and delicious meals. Pike can grow up to 30 kilos even though my record is much more modest at 4.5 kilos. I live on the fact that a smaller fish tastes better. (hmm that sound good, i stick to that story)

So this day we went out to try our luck. About 30 minute into our day, Camille not only caught the biggest fish of the day, but it was her first pike AND it broke my record by 500g. This was a 5 kilo pike.

Now, I wasn't really supposed to show this last images, but what the heck, at least I did not come home empty handed... and as I said before, smaller fish taste better.

Labels: Fishing, Trip

Germany here I come...

After three weeks in a small village in the south of sweden I have decided to head to Hamburg to meet some of the model agencies there. I have heard a lot of good things from friends who has been working in Hamburg and I am really looking forward to hit the road and see where it will take me.

I find modeling pretty exciting as there is no guarantees to get work or as in this case, an employer. During the next week I am hoping to find an agent who is willing to represent me as well as have time enough to go and see some of their clients for potential future work. I will keep you updated.

If any of you have been to Hamburg and got some recommendations for some tourist attractions please let me know. I am sure I will have plenty of time to have a look around in town as well.

Labels: Modeling, Trip

The boat is in the water

The last weekend I went done to the coast to help my dad put our small fishing boat in the sea. After a tough morning, cleaning and polishing the boat we finally got it ready for our first fishing trip for 2009.

During spring the highlight is the king salmon. It is rare to catch but if you are lucky there is the chance of catching salmon up to 30 kg in the southern of Sweden. I should add that I am still waiting on a catch like that.

The weather was beautiful so even though we did not catch any dinner I was happy to spend a couple on the sea. Hopefully I will have time to get back to the sea soon.

I grew up fishing and this has been one of the things I missed in Sydney. I know that the fishing around Sydney is supposed to be good but I have never got around to sending down my fishing equipment. As I return to Australia I will make sure to fish even in Sydney.

Labels: Fishing, sport, Trip

Day Trip to Copenhagen

I have now been back to Sweden for about a week and after a few too many coffees, cakes and welcome home meals it was time to visit my Swedish agent Sweden Models. I needed to figure out if there is any work for me here. I have also thought about getting another test shoot done so hopefully Therese can help me with that.

I am very lucky working with so many nice people. Martin De Courtney and Chadwick models have always looked after me and arriving to Malmö I felt nothing but welcomed by Therese and Camilla at Sweden Models. After a short chat we decided that I should head up to Göteborg and Borås to do see some swedish clients.

As it was still early and I didn't need to be in Göteborg until following day I decided to take Camille to Copenhagen for a walk on one of Denmark most famous streets, Strøget. We left the car in Malmö and jumped on the train over the bridge. It was nice to be able to relax a bit as the following day was going to be a busy one.

Labels: Modeling, Travel, Trip

Surfing Progress - New Zealand

I have been trying to learn to surf for about 3 weeks. I must say that I do love my new found sport. Even though I wouldn’t count surfing as exercise I find it a great way to stay active, have fun and at the same time burn a few extra calories. I think having a broad sporting background have helped me pick it up rather quick and I have succeeded to catch a few nice waves.

As I had to go over to New Zealand for work I decided to bring my board over. Most people do not realize that you get another 5-10 kg of extra baggage allowance for sporting gear so it was no trouble. After my first couple of weeks of practice amongst many other surfers on Bondi beach I was thrilled to find that a lot of New Zealand beaches got plenty of space and as you can see on the photos you often keep a wave to yourself.

After my meetings I spent my weekend on a road-trip over the north island of New Zealand together with Camille. I succeeded to squeeze in three different beaches. Famous Raglan beach west of Hamilton where I used to live and the Pakiri Beach and Mount Manganui on the east coast. In true road-trip spirit we decided to take a chance and drive over to a beach which neither of us had been to before. We guessed the beach might have some surf. This is how we ended up in Pakiri beach. The photos you see are all taken at this beach. Sometimes you are better off not plan too much, especially on holidays.

In one moment of confidence I tried the board that I had my very first encounter with the surf on. Last time I tried my efforts more or less looked like a washing machine and even though I had great fun spending more time under the water than on top it was not very succeesfull. This time around I supprised myself to actually being able to catch a few waves on the board even if the board was only 6’2 and only the tip of the board was above water as I paddled for the waves.

Another step in the right direction. I did not get the chance to capture this moment on film but I hope it wasn't all beginners luck so I can repeat it once more. I still got a free lesson at Let’s go Surfing in North Bondi as this came with the board I purschased. I will try to book that in the next few weeks and I will return with an update.

Labels: sport, Trip

NOVA Models

As you might have noticed I have taken a few days off writing my blog. I have had a few full on weeks with work I decided to combine a meeting with a long weekend to meet up with my girlfriend Camille. I think that every country has it highlights and when it comes to New Zealand that has to be the nature and the relaxed attitude.

I departed from sydney on thursday night just to get in to Auckland airport just before midnight. I had booked a room at Sky City Grand Hotel in Auckland and arrived there close to 1 am. As I arrived to my room I realized that I by mistake had been given a smoking room. I always make sure to get a non smoking room as I can’t stand the unhealthy smell of stale cigarettes.I called the reception and the problem was that the hotel was fully booked as the Louis Vuitton yacht race was on the same weekend as well as the celebration of the chinese new year. For a brief second I feared that I would have to stand the awful smell but the hotel was very quick and within minutes I got the keys to the upgraded suite. Thank you very much!

On friday morning it was time to do some work. I went in to see Caroline Barley, Director of Nova Models in Auckland. I had been recommended to see Caroline by my booker Martin De Courtney and I am happy for that recommendation. I got a warm welcome and just as Chadwick Models in Sydney it was a relaxed feel at the agency. After our first meeting I left my portfolio for them to scan my photos and I was ready to get a couple of days of holiday.

I now have Nova Models as my agency in New Zealand. I am excited to see what the future got in storage for me in New Zealand.

Labels: Trip

Keep Active

There are so many things you can do being on vacation. I have always been an active person and even though I have decided to take some time off from training during my holiday I am not the person to lay on the couch watching movies.

New Zealand have some of the most beautiful sceneries in the world and the native bush makes you feel like there is an adventure around every corner. Another benefit is the absence of venomous snakes, spiders or large predators.

The coromandel peninsula has several tourist attractions that is well worth seeing. Hot water beach where you can dig your own thermal spa pool in the sand year round is one of my favorites but this time around I decided to do a bit of a bush walking to reach some of the most beautiful secluded beaches.

Cathedral cove is my favorite beach in the world. It is well worth the 40 min bush walk to get there.The following day I made another trip from Whitianga to Lonley bay which is a smaller and more secluded beach. Nothing beats a few hours on the beach the picnic in the sand dunes shaded by pohutakawa trees and flax.

Labels: exercise, Trip

Christmas Holiday

When I was young I always got told that I was impulsive. My mother used to laugh and ask why I always waited until the last minute. Still being at school this normally involved sitting up late the night before doing my homework or running to school instead of getting up a bit earlier and be able to walk there.

The concern was when I grew up and I decided to go travel, work or study at university. I found myself in the same habits but somehow I have to say that I most of the time got everything done, sometimes with a very good result to every bodies surprise. I really enjoyed living my life from day to day.

I have been living in Sydney for the last 5 years and even though I have been away overseas a couple of times, either for work or pleasure I wanted to do a trip over Christmas. So writing this blog entry I am laying on the top of my bed in a guesthouse in Whitianga on the Coramandel peninsula, New Zealand.

I have lived in New Zealand for almost 3 years and I think Coramandel is one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Soon after arriving I picked up my rental car, a brigh

t red Toyota Yaris. As I sat down behind the wheel I started to think. When I was driving left hand traffic last? Being a city boy in Sydney I do not drive and very rarely I need to borrow a car. I figured out that it was almost 2 years ago since I sat behind the wheel on the right side of the car.

After knocking my hand in the door a few times to change the gear I got more comfortable in the car. Just in time to hit the Auckland peak-hour traffic. I took my time driving towards Whitianga, stopping to take some photos and eat one or two ice-creams. I could feel the stress and tension leaving my body.... Holiday!