Hello
I am back in Canada now, I arrived home late friday night to the very welcoming snow in Vancouver which delayed my flight for 2 hours.
Fiji was definitely paradise. I stayed at the Mango Bay Resort down on the Coral Coast. The resort caters both to backpackers and those that can afford nicer accommodation. I spent most of my days tanning ocean/poolside to acquire a golden tan before coming home. I did manage to do some swimming when the sun was too hot. But I also got to go kayaking, snorkelling, spear fishing, and played lots of beach volleyball.
The food was amazing there which of course in being a Mori made all the money spent worth it. Every night they would have a Catch special of fresh tuna. Most nights the tuna was right out of the ocean as the resort takes people out fishing and they would catch yellow-fins. One night the owner brought around some yellow fin sashimi for us to all try...it was simply amazing, definitely some of the freshest and best I have ever had. Then on my last night the special was the fresh tuna covered in sesame seeds with garlic aioli on top. (Amanda I totally thought about how much that would suck for you) It was brilliant.
That pretty much sums up my trip in Fiji....nothing to report really.
Now I am home...it is snowing outside and I am not happy as I would like to be sitting on the beach right now instead of freezing cold.
Thanks everyone for reading my blog. Hope you have a lovely spring whenever that comes about.
Saturday, 19 April 2008
Saturday, 12 April 2008
Bula!
Greetings from Fiji!
Yes I have now arrived to my tropical destination.
My last day in Sydney, Kira and I took the train out to Katoomba/the Blue Mountains to attempt hiking. However, when we arrived it started raining but we figured that we might as well do it. So we only walked for 45 mins but were soaked to the bone. And to top it all off I didnt even get to see the three sisters. Brutal.
The next morning I left for Auckland and arrived there in the afternoon, picked up my rental car and drove out to Raglan for the night, slept in my car on the beach and then drove back in the morning to get to my flight to Fiji.
I flew to Fiji into the rain..its lovely the sunset was gorgeous and its hot but there is still no sun. I am leaving for the coral coast in a few mins. I will be home soon!
Yes I have now arrived to my tropical destination.
My last day in Sydney, Kira and I took the train out to Katoomba/the Blue Mountains to attempt hiking. However, when we arrived it started raining but we figured that we might as well do it. So we only walked for 45 mins but were soaked to the bone. And to top it all off I didnt even get to see the three sisters. Brutal.
The next morning I left for Auckland and arrived there in the afternoon, picked up my rental car and drove out to Raglan for the night, slept in my car on the beach and then drove back in the morning to get to my flight to Fiji.
I flew to Fiji into the rain..its lovely the sunset was gorgeous and its hot but there is still no sun. I am leaving for the coral coast in a few mins. I will be home soon!
Tuesday, 8 April 2008
To the Bottom and the land of Oz
Back by popular demand and some quite angry friends and family for not keeping them updated here is the next segment of my journey....
After my Canyon Swing i left to venture down to the bottom of the country. I left Queenstown to go to Dunedin, a big university town and where the Cadbury Chocolate factory is located. In Dunedin we visited Baldwin St -the steepest street in the world. at a rate of 1 to 2.83 I think...I stayed for 3 nights in Dunedin, however, it was Easter weekend so unfortunately most things were closed. I ventured into the Public Art Gallery as I had heard it was quite good. It was definitely worth it....in terms of quality of the exhibits because like many cultural things in NZ it was free. It included works from the 15th century Florence, Monet, Tissot and many modern New Zealand artists. The next day I visited the Botanical Gardens, nothing greatly spectacular but it was a nice walk. Then to the Otago Museum to visit some Maori at and some preserved animals.
Then I left the city back on the bus through the Catlins, that has some gorgeous coastlines that are not spoilt by tourism and the capitalism that plagues many of the beaches and viewpoints. We got to visit Surat Bay which is a resting place for the Sea lions. We saw an abandoned pup that the department of conservation is looking after and lots of massive couples sleeping off their hunt. Hiked up to the Mclean falls. They were absolutely brilliant because you have to trek through the rainforest to come out to the cascading falls. Then we rested at Porpoise Bay. I jumped into the ocean for a swim, I was the only girl in the water and there were only two others that joined me. The waves were pretty big but a lot of fun, the water however, was pretty cold. Then we visited the fossilized forest at Curio bay before stopping for the night in Invercargill - the southernmost city. From there we drove to Riverton I tried to find some abalone but I could only get my hands on some frozed stuff and I did not want to be packing it around with me. However it was cheap...we are talking $20 for 500g. Also it is still in its black form unlike the stuff I am used to eating so it didnt look that appealing. We drove on to our stop in Te Anau, which is a lakeside town with some pretty cool mountains.
The next day we drove to Milford Sound, which apparently if you dont go there is like going to Egypt and not going to see the pyramids. The drive out there took 2 hours but the views were pretty fantastic despite the rain/drizzle. There are tons of waterfalls lining the mountainsides and the mountains are very steep and massive, but they are not the pine forest mountains back home so it is quite spectacular. Milford Sound is amazing, we took a boat tour of it. The name is missleading as it is not a Sound but a fjord which is carved by glaciers making their way to the ocean. Its pretty hard to describe the area you are just going to have to wait for the pictures...however it is not too much unlike the northern BC coastline. the highest mountain is only 1 mile above sea level but the depth of the fjord is about 300 m and you are able to take the boat right up against the mountains as they shoot staight down into the water so there is no worry of hitting anything. We stopped at an underwater observatory because the ecosystem of the area is so unique. The fresh water stays on top for about 1.7m but the mixture of sea life in incredible. Because the water is colder closer to the surface you are able to view creatures that typically live at a deeper depth. I arrived back into Queenstown later that night and headed out to meet up with Britt and Laura (friends from Kamloops that I had last seen in Auckland). Queenstown is the type of place that everyone who travels meets up in so it was pretty awesome to see them again because we had all been on different schedules.
The next day Britt, Laura and I headed up the gondola to go luge-ing. We made a big race so it was a lot of fun! Later that night, as I was staying at a different backpackers than Britt, I got ready to hang out and as I was walking to their place I saw two figures that looked familiar and low and behold it was my friends that I had first met in Paihia, Dave and Todd and then had met up again in Wellington and travelled with to Nelson with. I never thought I would actually see them again and neither of us knew that we were in the same city so it was a great reunion. And then I found out that they had just run into Lisa (I stayed with her in Wellington) on the street as well. So the night was a big reunion as I got to see her again too.
After a couple more nights in queenstown I left to Christchurch to stay with Fay again. I spent some more time in the city and visited their art gallery which was having a show on William Morris. Went out to Sumner with Joy and her sisters. Walked along the beach and into a cave. Very pretty little community.
April 4 my last consecutive day in NZ!!! Joy and I decided to drive out to Arthur's Pass, which connects the east and west coasts through the mountains. The mountains are very different from the Rocky's so it was cool experience. We stopped at Castle Hill. Where there are these massive rocks sticking out from the mountains that look like the gods just dropped something there. They are shaped by the weather so they are these amazing shapes. I could spend a whole day climbing them and playing hide and seek! This is the area that they filmed The Chronicles of Narnia. Then we drove into the Pass and stopped in the town of Arthur's Pass for some lunch. As we ordered food from this cafe a woman steps out from the back and stares me down. It didnt take me long to recognize Kira, whom I lived across the hallway from in my first year of residence at UVic. I probably havent seen her for 3 years now so to come across her in a town of only 40 people, literally the middle of nowhere, was shocking. We both took some time to come down from the high and try to figure out where the hell we were. Unfortunately, after lunch it started pouring rain so we decided not to go for a hike and just head back and maybe find a trail when the weather cleared. We stopped in the Castle Hill Basin at a cave and stream. We went down to explore the limestone cave. We couldnt go very deep into the cave as we had no gear but we both wanted to know which way it went so I took off my shoes and rolled up my pants to get around a bend. I was almost across a part with no ledge when I lost concentration for a moment and fell into the stream which came up to my chest....Then i freaked out as I realized that my camera was still in my pocket!!! I got it out as soon as possible with Joy still laughing at me. The camera was unoperable so there are no pictures of my embarrassing moment. So that was the end to our adventure.
The next day Joy drove me out to the airport and it was very surreal to be saying goodbye to her in NZ because I knew I would be seeing her again shortly. As I came into the waiting area of I ran into some Danish friends of Britt and Laura's that I had met and partied with in Queenstown, we ended up being on the same flight to Sydney and staying at the same backpackers so when we landed it was cheapest to take a taxi to our place.
My first full day of Australia I visited the harbours and area, including Darling Harbour, Circular Quay, The Harbour Bridge, The Rocks, and the Opera House. AND my camera started working again!!! No worries Mom ok it works perfectly and I have all my pictures.
The boys (Danes) and I visited Bondi Beach the next day. Although as we were heading out there it started to pour so we took coverage in a restaurant and played cards until the weather cleared and we were able to enjoy the golden sands. Then some of us took a walk along the cliffs through all of the other bays before bussing back to the city.
Today the boys and I walked through town and then took a ferry to Watsons Bay, however we could not enjoy the harbour that much as it is again raining.
There you have it you are all caught up. I am leaving for Fiji in a couple of days! Hopefully I will be out of the rain then....i hope. Only 10 more days till I am back in Canada!!! Wishing you all the best and am looking forward to seeing you all again. Pictures on facebook soon I promise. I just forgot my chord back at my backpackers....Lots of love
After my Canyon Swing i left to venture down to the bottom of the country. I left Queenstown to go to Dunedin, a big university town and where the Cadbury Chocolate factory is located. In Dunedin we visited Baldwin St -the steepest street in the world. at a rate of 1 to 2.83 I think...I stayed for 3 nights in Dunedin, however, it was Easter weekend so unfortunately most things were closed. I ventured into the Public Art Gallery as I had heard it was quite good. It was definitely worth it....in terms of quality of the exhibits because like many cultural things in NZ it was free. It included works from the 15th century Florence, Monet, Tissot and many modern New Zealand artists. The next day I visited the Botanical Gardens, nothing greatly spectacular but it was a nice walk. Then to the Otago Museum to visit some Maori at and some preserved animals.
Then I left the city back on the bus through the Catlins, that has some gorgeous coastlines that are not spoilt by tourism and the capitalism that plagues many of the beaches and viewpoints. We got to visit Surat Bay which is a resting place for the Sea lions. We saw an abandoned pup that the department of conservation is looking after and lots of massive couples sleeping off their hunt. Hiked up to the Mclean falls. They were absolutely brilliant because you have to trek through the rainforest to come out to the cascading falls. Then we rested at Porpoise Bay. I jumped into the ocean for a swim, I was the only girl in the water and there were only two others that joined me. The waves were pretty big but a lot of fun, the water however, was pretty cold. Then we visited the fossilized forest at Curio bay before stopping for the night in Invercargill - the southernmost city. From there we drove to Riverton I tried to find some abalone but I could only get my hands on some frozed stuff and I did not want to be packing it around with me. However it was cheap...we are talking $20 for 500g. Also it is still in its black form unlike the stuff I am used to eating so it didnt look that appealing. We drove on to our stop in Te Anau, which is a lakeside town with some pretty cool mountains.
The next day we drove to Milford Sound, which apparently if you dont go there is like going to Egypt and not going to see the pyramids. The drive out there took 2 hours but the views were pretty fantastic despite the rain/drizzle. There are tons of waterfalls lining the mountainsides and the mountains are very steep and massive, but they are not the pine forest mountains back home so it is quite spectacular. Milford Sound is amazing, we took a boat tour of it. The name is missleading as it is not a Sound but a fjord which is carved by glaciers making their way to the ocean. Its pretty hard to describe the area you are just going to have to wait for the pictures...however it is not too much unlike the northern BC coastline. the highest mountain is only 1 mile above sea level but the depth of the fjord is about 300 m and you are able to take the boat right up against the mountains as they shoot staight down into the water so there is no worry of hitting anything. We stopped at an underwater observatory because the ecosystem of the area is so unique. The fresh water stays on top for about 1.7m but the mixture of sea life in incredible. Because the water is colder closer to the surface you are able to view creatures that typically live at a deeper depth. I arrived back into Queenstown later that night and headed out to meet up with Britt and Laura (friends from Kamloops that I had last seen in Auckland). Queenstown is the type of place that everyone who travels meets up in so it was pretty awesome to see them again because we had all been on different schedules.
The next day Britt, Laura and I headed up the gondola to go luge-ing. We made a big race so it was a lot of fun! Later that night, as I was staying at a different backpackers than Britt, I got ready to hang out and as I was walking to their place I saw two figures that looked familiar and low and behold it was my friends that I had first met in Paihia, Dave and Todd and then had met up again in Wellington and travelled with to Nelson with. I never thought I would actually see them again and neither of us knew that we were in the same city so it was a great reunion. And then I found out that they had just run into Lisa (I stayed with her in Wellington) on the street as well. So the night was a big reunion as I got to see her again too.
After a couple more nights in queenstown I left to Christchurch to stay with Fay again. I spent some more time in the city and visited their art gallery which was having a show on William Morris. Went out to Sumner with Joy and her sisters. Walked along the beach and into a cave. Very pretty little community.
April 4 my last consecutive day in NZ!!! Joy and I decided to drive out to Arthur's Pass, which connects the east and west coasts through the mountains. The mountains are very different from the Rocky's so it was cool experience. We stopped at Castle Hill. Where there are these massive rocks sticking out from the mountains that look like the gods just dropped something there. They are shaped by the weather so they are these amazing shapes. I could spend a whole day climbing them and playing hide and seek! This is the area that they filmed The Chronicles of Narnia. Then we drove into the Pass and stopped in the town of Arthur's Pass for some lunch. As we ordered food from this cafe a woman steps out from the back and stares me down. It didnt take me long to recognize Kira, whom I lived across the hallway from in my first year of residence at UVic. I probably havent seen her for 3 years now so to come across her in a town of only 40 people, literally the middle of nowhere, was shocking. We both took some time to come down from the high and try to figure out where the hell we were. Unfortunately, after lunch it started pouring rain so we decided not to go for a hike and just head back and maybe find a trail when the weather cleared. We stopped in the Castle Hill Basin at a cave and stream. We went down to explore the limestone cave. We couldnt go very deep into the cave as we had no gear but we both wanted to know which way it went so I took off my shoes and rolled up my pants to get around a bend. I was almost across a part with no ledge when I lost concentration for a moment and fell into the stream which came up to my chest....Then i freaked out as I realized that my camera was still in my pocket!!! I got it out as soon as possible with Joy still laughing at me. The camera was unoperable so there are no pictures of my embarrassing moment. So that was the end to our adventure.
The next day Joy drove me out to the airport and it was very surreal to be saying goodbye to her in NZ because I knew I would be seeing her again shortly. As I came into the waiting area of I ran into some Danish friends of Britt and Laura's that I had met and partied with in Queenstown, we ended up being on the same flight to Sydney and staying at the same backpackers so when we landed it was cheapest to take a taxi to our place.
My first full day of Australia I visited the harbours and area, including Darling Harbour, Circular Quay, The Harbour Bridge, The Rocks, and the Opera House. AND my camera started working again!!! No worries Mom ok it works perfectly and I have all my pictures.
The boys (Danes) and I visited Bondi Beach the next day. Although as we were heading out there it started to pour so we took coverage in a restaurant and played cards until the weather cleared and we were able to enjoy the golden sands. Then some of us took a walk along the cliffs through all of the other bays before bussing back to the city.
Today the boys and I walked through town and then took a ferry to Watsons Bay, however we could not enjoy the harbour that much as it is again raining.
There you have it you are all caught up. I am leaving for Fiji in a couple of days! Hopefully I will be out of the rain then....i hope. Only 10 more days till I am back in Canada!!! Wishing you all the best and am looking forward to seeing you all again. Pictures on facebook soon I promise. I just forgot my chord back at my backpackers....Lots of love
Saturday, 22 March 2008
The Kiwi Experience
The south island is a beautiful place! I am now travelling with the Kiwi Experience tour bus. It is mainly for travellers between the ages of 18-30. I have met so many great people from all over the world and everyone is up for having a great time and experiencing the best of NZ.
I left Christchurch on the 13th and met up with the big kiwi bus in Murchesion in which I got to ride in the tour guide seat right in the very front of the bus. I got to chat with the driver which was sweet and the view from the seat is the best! We got into Westport, an old gold mining town that still has an open cast coal mine working. I took a walk down to the water and met a man sketching boats and I got to chat with him as he is an artist and he took me to his studio and showed me his work. Later in the evening our bus driver took us down to the beach and built a big bonfire. That is where I was able to meet some really cool people including Fiona and Lance a couple from England travelling around the world together. The next morning we were off like a herd of turtles...We stopped in Cape Foulwind it is the closest point to Australia and houses a giant seal colony. There were many babies playing around. The next stop was at the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks which are stratified limestone stacks where I met Steph from Brampton, On. Then it was a short jaunt down to Greymouth for some costume shopping for a party that night. We ended our tour that day at Mahinapua Hotel. My new friends and I walked down to Mahinapua Lake and lounged before dinner. They made us steak dinner with potatoes and venison and coleslaw and some pasta salads. It was sooo good to taste homemade food.
On the 15th we started out the day at the Bushman's Centre. I didnt choose to go into the museum about how people on the south island carve out a living by hunting deers by jumping out of helicopters but some people thought the video was pretty funny. Then we arrived in Franz Josef. Where one of the larger glaciers are. The next day was a free day in the small town which in my feeling resembles a place like Jasper except the mountains are mostly rainforest. I decided to not go on the 8 hour hike up the glacier because I have seen the ones in Canada. So I did a hike up a small mountain that had views of the glacier. Then I came back and chilled for the rest of the afternoon while I awaited the return of my friends.
The next morning we travelled to Lake Mathesion which is supposed to give a mirror reflection of Mt. Cook but unfortunately it was cloudy. But we saw some brightly coloured mushrooms in blue and orange. However the clouds cleared so we got a great view of the Thomas Range. Then it was into lake Wanaka. The lake is a stunning blue.
On the 18th we set out for Queenstown stopping at Puzzle world along the way to see all of the illusions and the worlds first maze to which Lance, Fiona and I had a lot of difficulty finding our way around but it was fun nonetheless. Next we headed to the birthplace of bungy and watched some of our friends and bus driver throw themselves off. We stopped for an ice cream in Arrowtown before getting into Queenstown. It is absolutely stunning here. it is set against the Remarkables Mountain Range. They are named because they run exactly north-south. The town is set along the Wakatipu Lake.
The next day I took my book down to the lake and read for a bit and took it easy. it is nice to not be on the bus all day long. But the next morning I made the most of my day and I did a solo hike up to the gondola. Passing waterfalls along the way. At the top there is glorious views of the town, mountains, and the lake.
On the 21st, I met up with some of my friends from the bus and we went out to do the Canyon Swing where you get harnessed at the stomach and the ledge is 109m high, you do a 60m freefall and then a 200m arc. I was the first to jump and as I had not thought about the style I wanted to do they suggested I just run off the ledge. So without much hesitation I went for it and screamed most of the way down. It felt exhilarating. Then the rest of our crew did swings too. While another couple was going the 4 of us were deciding to do another swing and came upon the idea to do it naked because if you did then that swing would be free. So to save money and for a really random experience we all stripped down and did a different jump. For mine this time they swung me out over the canyon and I hung myself upside down so that faced the canyone river and then they pulled the chord. That was liberating. I cant believe that I actually did it. Definitely a once in a lifetime thing. Well I am off for more adventures... but none like that one. Hope you are all doing well I will be back in less than a month!!!
I left Christchurch on the 13th and met up with the big kiwi bus in Murchesion in which I got to ride in the tour guide seat right in the very front of the bus. I got to chat with the driver which was sweet and the view from the seat is the best! We got into Westport, an old gold mining town that still has an open cast coal mine working. I took a walk down to the water and met a man sketching boats and I got to chat with him as he is an artist and he took me to his studio and showed me his work. Later in the evening our bus driver took us down to the beach and built a big bonfire. That is where I was able to meet some really cool people including Fiona and Lance a couple from England travelling around the world together. The next morning we were off like a herd of turtles...We stopped in Cape Foulwind it is the closest point to Australia and houses a giant seal colony. There were many babies playing around. The next stop was at the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks which are stratified limestone stacks where I met Steph from Brampton, On. Then it was a short jaunt down to Greymouth for some costume shopping for a party that night. We ended our tour that day at Mahinapua Hotel. My new friends and I walked down to Mahinapua Lake and lounged before dinner. They made us steak dinner with potatoes and venison and coleslaw and some pasta salads. It was sooo good to taste homemade food.
On the 15th we started out the day at the Bushman's Centre. I didnt choose to go into the museum about how people on the south island carve out a living by hunting deers by jumping out of helicopters but some people thought the video was pretty funny. Then we arrived in Franz Josef. Where one of the larger glaciers are. The next day was a free day in the small town which in my feeling resembles a place like Jasper except the mountains are mostly rainforest. I decided to not go on the 8 hour hike up the glacier because I have seen the ones in Canada. So I did a hike up a small mountain that had views of the glacier. Then I came back and chilled for the rest of the afternoon while I awaited the return of my friends.
The next morning we travelled to Lake Mathesion which is supposed to give a mirror reflection of Mt. Cook but unfortunately it was cloudy. But we saw some brightly coloured mushrooms in blue and orange. However the clouds cleared so we got a great view of the Thomas Range. Then it was into lake Wanaka. The lake is a stunning blue.
On the 18th we set out for Queenstown stopping at Puzzle world along the way to see all of the illusions and the worlds first maze to which Lance, Fiona and I had a lot of difficulty finding our way around but it was fun nonetheless. Next we headed to the birthplace of bungy and watched some of our friends and bus driver throw themselves off. We stopped for an ice cream in Arrowtown before getting into Queenstown. It is absolutely stunning here. it is set against the Remarkables Mountain Range. They are named because they run exactly north-south. The town is set along the Wakatipu Lake.
The next day I took my book down to the lake and read for a bit and took it easy. it is nice to not be on the bus all day long. But the next morning I made the most of my day and I did a solo hike up to the gondola. Passing waterfalls along the way. At the top there is glorious views of the town, mountains, and the lake.
On the 21st, I met up with some of my friends from the bus and we went out to do the Canyon Swing where you get harnessed at the stomach and the ledge is 109m high, you do a 60m freefall and then a 200m arc. I was the first to jump and as I had not thought about the style I wanted to do they suggested I just run off the ledge. So without much hesitation I went for it and screamed most of the way down. It felt exhilarating. Then the rest of our crew did swings too. While another couple was going the 4 of us were deciding to do another swing and came upon the idea to do it naked because if you did then that swing would be free. So to save money and for a really random experience we all stripped down and did a different jump. For mine this time they swung me out over the canyon and I hung myself upside down so that faced the canyone river and then they pulled the chord. That was liberating. I cant believe that I actually did it. Definitely a once in a lifetime thing. Well I am off for more adventures... but none like that one. Hope you are all doing well I will be back in less than a month!!!
Monday, 10 March 2008
Welly, South Island...watch for falling sheep.
I have moved around a lot since my last entry. But I am now in Christchurch, the second largest city of NZ! But first my travels thus far.
On February 26th I headed from Whangamata to Wellington, via train. I got to see a lot of the country side which is full of sheep and cows. The train had to stop a lot because all of the signals on the line had malfunctioned so they had to flip all the switches by hand like in the old days. we got to go through a spiral tunnel. Then into National Park where we could see Mt Ruepehu and the train travels around the mountain so you get to see about 3/4 of it. I unfortunately got into Wellington 2 hours behind schedule but Lisa, my friend that I met up in Paihia was waiting for me. We took my stuff up to her place then headed downtown to check things out. She is doing a semester of exchange at the univeristy in wellington. It was very cosy to share her twin bed...
The next day we headed downtown, and to the 'beach' - its a man made beach they trucked in sand. I got a little burnt but it was nice just to relax. Then back to her place to make some dinner. Then we went out to see what was going on downtown. we scored a free drink from some bar. Met some interesting people, including some tennis players when we went into this bar that was hosting a bikini contest....
On the 28th, Lisa had class so I took off to wander around downtown. I went to the City Gallery, which was full of contemporary art right in the heart of the civic centre. It is so great to see a city and publically funded centre that actually appreciates modern art and makes people/tourists confront it and accept it. My dream is to work at this gallery...Then I met up with Lisa and we wander aimlessly until we came across the parliament buildings, we decided to take a tour of it...one side is shaped like a beehive. We also visited Old St. Paul's Cathedral which is made of all wood.
Leap Year Day! Lisa had more classes so I took the bus out to Lower Hutt to the NewDowse Gallery. It was having its paper anniversary and as such commissioned Jum Nakao to recreate one of his paper dresses he exhibited at the brazilian fashion week in 2004. his is of brazilian/japanese decent. As well, the gallery showed two outfits from the Issey Miyaki spring 2008 collection which was in conjunction with Dyson (yes the vacuum cleaner). I am trying to take in as much of the culture and arts that are provided in this country as they seem to be thriving. Next I met up with Lisa in town and then we headed to meet Candice, my favourite american, another of the friends that I met in Paihia. We went out to the stadium to see a rugby game. The Welly Hurricanes vs the Waikato Chiefs which was very fun! We got back and then all dressed up in her clothes and headed out for the night, including going to a heavy metal bar...we were very out of place.
New Month - today was a very chill day and Lisa and I made it home sometime in the afternoon as it was pouring rain. Lisa and I got ready to have dinner again with Candice and as we were walking back down the hill we got a text message from Dave and Todd, two Canadian guys from Paihia that they were waiting in the Railway Station for lisa to pick them up! As they did not know I was in town it was a big reunion! After picking them up we headed to Candice's and then all went out for some good old North American fun!
on March 2nd, Lisa, the boys and I were hoping for some beach time but as we put our toes on the sand the rain came so we decided to head to Te Papa Museum, we wandered there for a while before our stomachs dictated food time. Spent a chill night a Lisa's with a movie.
Today the boys and i headed south...goodbye north island! We took the interislander ferry, the seas were a little rough today but we made it and I didnt even get sick!!! Spent the night in Pickton. Then I travelled by bus to nelson while the boys hitchhiked. and we met up there. Nelson is the centremost city of NZ. I got to visit the public art gallery and the Catchment Gallery. Both very good at promoting local artists. Then I chilled by the pool for the afternoon.
The next day I caught a ride from a guy I met at the backpackers (hostel) to Christchurch. On the ride down we stopped in Blenheim and then Kaikoura. Somewhere inbetween there as we were driving a sheep fell from a cliff above us and landed right in front. Luckily we had time to stop. but the sheep just got up and walked away... I was informed that that doesnt happen everyday although with the number of sheep here I cant see how come it doesnt. I am now settled at Joy's twin sister's place, Fay. For the weekend we travelled to Le Bons Bay, on the Bank's Penninsula where one of her other sisters has a place in a quite little place with only a few bachs (cabins) There we spent the day on the beach, I spent some time in the hammock. The next day at low tide we found tons of mussels and picked them. They were soo fresh and yummy. Joy and Fay also went and found wild mushrooms which were soo good too. Then on the monday morning we left early to meet up with their brother and sister-in-law in Akaroa for breakfast. We visited their house right on the waterfront before heading back to Christchurch for the afternoon. Now you are all up to date. Missing all and Canada as well but I only have a short time left so I am going to make the most of it here!
On February 26th I headed from Whangamata to Wellington, via train. I got to see a lot of the country side which is full of sheep and cows. The train had to stop a lot because all of the signals on the line had malfunctioned so they had to flip all the switches by hand like in the old days. we got to go through a spiral tunnel. Then into National Park where we could see Mt Ruepehu and the train travels around the mountain so you get to see about 3/4 of it. I unfortunately got into Wellington 2 hours behind schedule but Lisa, my friend that I met up in Paihia was waiting for me. We took my stuff up to her place then headed downtown to check things out. She is doing a semester of exchange at the univeristy in wellington. It was very cosy to share her twin bed...
The next day we headed downtown, and to the 'beach' - its a man made beach they trucked in sand. I got a little burnt but it was nice just to relax. Then back to her place to make some dinner. Then we went out to see what was going on downtown. we scored a free drink from some bar. Met some interesting people, including some tennis players when we went into this bar that was hosting a bikini contest....
On the 28th, Lisa had class so I took off to wander around downtown. I went to the City Gallery, which was full of contemporary art right in the heart of the civic centre. It is so great to see a city and publically funded centre that actually appreciates modern art and makes people/tourists confront it and accept it. My dream is to work at this gallery...Then I met up with Lisa and we wander aimlessly until we came across the parliament buildings, we decided to take a tour of it...one side is shaped like a beehive. We also visited Old St. Paul's Cathedral which is made of all wood.
Leap Year Day! Lisa had more classes so I took the bus out to Lower Hutt to the NewDowse Gallery. It was having its paper anniversary and as such commissioned Jum Nakao to recreate one of his paper dresses he exhibited at the brazilian fashion week in 2004. his is of brazilian/japanese decent. As well, the gallery showed two outfits from the Issey Miyaki spring 2008 collection which was in conjunction with Dyson (yes the vacuum cleaner). I am trying to take in as much of the culture and arts that are provided in this country as they seem to be thriving. Next I met up with Lisa in town and then we headed to meet Candice, my favourite american, another of the friends that I met in Paihia. We went out to the stadium to see a rugby game. The Welly Hurricanes vs the Waikato Chiefs which was very fun! We got back and then all dressed up in her clothes and headed out for the night, including going to a heavy metal bar...we were very out of place.
New Month - today was a very chill day and Lisa and I made it home sometime in the afternoon as it was pouring rain. Lisa and I got ready to have dinner again with Candice and as we were walking back down the hill we got a text message from Dave and Todd, two Canadian guys from Paihia that they were waiting in the Railway Station for lisa to pick them up! As they did not know I was in town it was a big reunion! After picking them up we headed to Candice's and then all went out for some good old North American fun!
on March 2nd, Lisa, the boys and I were hoping for some beach time but as we put our toes on the sand the rain came so we decided to head to Te Papa Museum, we wandered there for a while before our stomachs dictated food time. Spent a chill night a Lisa's with a movie.
Today the boys and i headed south...goodbye north island! We took the interislander ferry, the seas were a little rough today but we made it and I didnt even get sick!!! Spent the night in Pickton. Then I travelled by bus to nelson while the boys hitchhiked. and we met up there. Nelson is the centremost city of NZ. I got to visit the public art gallery and the Catchment Gallery. Both very good at promoting local artists. Then I chilled by the pool for the afternoon.
The next day I caught a ride from a guy I met at the backpackers (hostel) to Christchurch. On the ride down we stopped in Blenheim and then Kaikoura. Somewhere inbetween there as we were driving a sheep fell from a cliff above us and landed right in front. Luckily we had time to stop. but the sheep just got up and walked away... I was informed that that doesnt happen everyday although with the number of sheep here I cant see how come it doesnt. I am now settled at Joy's twin sister's place, Fay. For the weekend we travelled to Le Bons Bay, on the Bank's Penninsula where one of her other sisters has a place in a quite little place with only a few bachs (cabins) There we spent the day on the beach, I spent some time in the hammock. The next day at low tide we found tons of mussels and picked them. They were soo fresh and yummy. Joy and Fay also went and found wild mushrooms which were soo good too. Then on the monday morning we left early to meet up with their brother and sister-in-law in Akaroa for breakfast. We visited their house right on the waterfront before heading back to Christchurch for the afternoon. Now you are all up to date. Missing all and Canada as well but I only have a short time left so I am going to make the most of it here!
Sunday, 24 February 2008
Kia Ora...welcome
I am sorry that the updates have been few and far between but unfortunately internet is expensive and sometimes fairly slow....oh ya and I have been busy visiting many a gorgeous and sometimes smelly places.
I am still in Whangamata and I have been here for a week and a half. Joy and I left Auckland and drove up the Coromandel Penninsula, which is full of really small towns that all look the same. It is mixed with massive forests and some rare native trees. Whangamata is so beautiful it took my breath away the first time. it is a long white sand beach that is perfect for swimming, body surfing and sun tanning. there is even a spot to surf...although I have not managed to be able to go.
Joy and I visit her property regularly. They are building a logging road there so that they can forest behind her but it is perfect because they are building her a road to where her house site is and they have cleared the area for her as well. She has taken me all over her acreage which includes some Kauri trees. Some of it is really hilly and there are some gulleys and some streams. She has also rented some of the flat paddock to a cow farmer and the cows follow us around and lick the car clean.
Also we have done a day trip up to Haihi which includes Cathedral Cove, a secluded beach in a recreation reserve, which is only accessible by foot and then through a large archway and only a low tide. It is glorious!! Then we went to Hot Water Beach, where at low tide you dig holes in the sand and sit in warm pools, its a nice beach, no swimming.
We have done some hiking around in the wentworth valley, and up to the waterfall. Its great to be able to hike around and we were averaging about 2 hour walks everyday. not so much anymore.
The weather was turning against us last weekend so we decided to head to Rotorua, which is a thermal valley. It smells of rotten eggs/sulfur, but it is rich in Maori culture and volcanic activity. We visited the Te Puia arts and culture centre, which houses a carving and weaving school, kiwi house (yes I have now seen the real bird now), and a geyser. We also got to see a Maori concert, showcasing a welcoming ceremony. Then we visit the Polynesian Spa, a grouping of thermal pools of different temperatures right on Lake Rotorua. The next day we visited the Agrodome, which is a sheep sheering farm and we went to the show. It was informative on the different types of sheep And then they showed you how they sheer one. Next we went to the Buried Village, which was a settlement that was destroyed in the 1886 eruption of Mt Tarawera. About 120 people died....i think. Then we drove to Lake Taupo to try and see the mountains but it was too cloudy. I managed to drive the way home in the pouring rain on a windy road and not kill anyone!!!
Then it was back into town for the Searchlight Tattoo....no I did not get another one. It is a military band showcase. There were brass bands and bagpipe bands, a police dog show, battle re-enactment, and maori singing. It all ended with Tchaikovsky's 1812 overture and fireworks. Ok so I know I am a geek but whatever, the music was fun....we are just going to put it up to the fact that I am cultured.
Tomorrow I am heading to the capital Wellington on the train. until next time, miss you all!
RIP Lael and Shoga.
I am still in Whangamata and I have been here for a week and a half. Joy and I left Auckland and drove up the Coromandel Penninsula, which is full of really small towns that all look the same. It is mixed with massive forests and some rare native trees. Whangamata is so beautiful it took my breath away the first time. it is a long white sand beach that is perfect for swimming, body surfing and sun tanning. there is even a spot to surf...although I have not managed to be able to go.
Joy and I visit her property regularly. They are building a logging road there so that they can forest behind her but it is perfect because they are building her a road to where her house site is and they have cleared the area for her as well. She has taken me all over her acreage which includes some Kauri trees. Some of it is really hilly and there are some gulleys and some streams. She has also rented some of the flat paddock to a cow farmer and the cows follow us around and lick the car clean.
Also we have done a day trip up to Haihi which includes Cathedral Cove, a secluded beach in a recreation reserve, which is only accessible by foot and then through a large archway and only a low tide. It is glorious!! Then we went to Hot Water Beach, where at low tide you dig holes in the sand and sit in warm pools, its a nice beach, no swimming.
We have done some hiking around in the wentworth valley, and up to the waterfall. Its great to be able to hike around and we were averaging about 2 hour walks everyday. not so much anymore.
The weather was turning against us last weekend so we decided to head to Rotorua, which is a thermal valley. It smells of rotten eggs/sulfur, but it is rich in Maori culture and volcanic activity. We visited the Te Puia arts and culture centre, which houses a carving and weaving school, kiwi house (yes I have now seen the real bird now), and a geyser. We also got to see a Maori concert, showcasing a welcoming ceremony. Then we visit the Polynesian Spa, a grouping of thermal pools of different temperatures right on Lake Rotorua. The next day we visited the Agrodome, which is a sheep sheering farm and we went to the show. It was informative on the different types of sheep And then they showed you how they sheer one. Next we went to the Buried Village, which was a settlement that was destroyed in the 1886 eruption of Mt Tarawera. About 120 people died....i think. Then we drove to Lake Taupo to try and see the mountains but it was too cloudy. I managed to drive the way home in the pouring rain on a windy road and not kill anyone!!!
Then it was back into town for the Searchlight Tattoo....no I did not get another one. It is a military band showcase. There were brass bands and bagpipe bands, a police dog show, battle re-enactment, and maori singing. It all ended with Tchaikovsky's 1812 overture and fireworks. Ok so I know I am a geek but whatever, the music was fun....we are just going to put it up to the fact that I am cultured.
Tomorrow I am heading to the capital Wellington on the train. until next time, miss you all!
RIP Lael and Shoga.
Sunday, 17 February 2008
Whangamata
just a quick post to let you all know that I am up in whangamata with Joy having fun exploring her property and going to the beach. more to come when I actually want to get out of the sun....
Thursday, 14 February 2008
Bay of Islands
On Feb 11th I got to finally visit the Auckland Museum. It is very nicely laid out and includes sections on all of the Pacific Islands and some stuffed birds.... I only spent 3 hours there, amazing I know.
On the 12th I took the Kiwi Experience Bus up to the Bay of Islands. On the bus I sat with a bunch of Canucks. Its amazing how quickly we all bonded. They are a super fun group and we all decided to take a dolphin tour which turned out to be sooo amazing. They were the North Island bottle nosed dolphins. There were so many dolphins and a couple babies and juveniles.We were in a low jet boat so we got to hang off the front of it and be so close to them. One splashed me in the face with his blowhole and then slapped his tail right beside me. Then the next day we rented kayaks and went out into the bay and circled some of the islands.
Now I am back in Auckland and about ready to head to Whangamata.
On the 12th I took the Kiwi Experience Bus up to the Bay of Islands. On the bus I sat with a bunch of Canucks. Its amazing how quickly we all bonded. They are a super fun group and we all decided to take a dolphin tour which turned out to be sooo amazing. They were the North Island bottle nosed dolphins. There were so many dolphins and a couple babies and juveniles.We were in a low jet boat so we got to hang off the front of it and be so close to them. One splashed me in the face with his blowhole and then slapped his tail right beside me. Then the next day we rented kayaks and went out into the bay and circled some of the islands.
Now I am back in Auckland and about ready to head to Whangamata.
Sunday, 10 February 2008
Hurrah
Today is now Sunday evening...I finally have my baggage, I received it yesterday afternoon. it feels great to have it all with me now. but I feel I have too much stuff.
Yesterday Joy and I went to the Waitomo Caves, which is a limestone cave that houses these larva which glow in the dark.. the glow comes from their excrement. It was a very long bus ride and as usual I got pretty sick.
Today I went over to Devonport and met up with Joy and her family and we took a trip up to Tiritiri Matangi. An island sanctuary that was flattened in the 1890s for farming and then was reforested by volunteers. they have even introduced new species of trees and birds to the area including the kiwi (I didnt see any as they only come out at night), fantail, tui, saddleback, red-crowned parakeet, whitehead, stitchbird, bellbird, and a flightless bird, the Takahe, which at one time they thought was extinct but was rediscovered only 50 years ago. Yes family I am getting all of my nerdy stuff in even though I am thousands of kilometres away from you. I know you thought I just came here to shop and party...just joking.
Tomorrow, hopefully Joy is able to get her car so that we can go up to her place at whangamata.
Hope all is well, I hear the Coq is closed, and no I am not sorry at all that I got a little sunburnt today... lots of love
Yesterday Joy and I went to the Waitomo Caves, which is a limestone cave that houses these larva which glow in the dark.. the glow comes from their excrement. It was a very long bus ride and as usual I got pretty sick.
Today I went over to Devonport and met up with Joy and her family and we took a trip up to Tiritiri Matangi. An island sanctuary that was flattened in the 1890s for farming and then was reforested by volunteers. they have even introduced new species of trees and birds to the area including the kiwi (I didnt see any as they only come out at night), fantail, tui, saddleback, red-crowned parakeet, whitehead, stitchbird, bellbird, and a flightless bird, the Takahe, which at one time they thought was extinct but was rediscovered only 50 years ago. Yes family I am getting all of my nerdy stuff in even though I am thousands of kilometres away from you. I know you thought I just came here to shop and party...just joking.
Tomorrow, hopefully Joy is able to get her car so that we can go up to her place at whangamata.
Hope all is well, I hear the Coq is closed, and no I am not sorry at all that I got a little sunburnt today... lots of love
Friday, 8 February 2008
Still in Auckland
it is now friday here and I am still in Auckland. My friend Brit Walsh that I have known since elementary school is now here with her friends and I have moved into a room with them.
i am still waiting for any news on my luggage. it is starting to worry me, simply because I do not want to be in this city for much longer.
Yesterday i went over to Devonport which is just a 10min ferry ride across the Harbour to where Joy is staying. I met her niece and great nephews and then we took off for a hike up North Head which was turned into a fortress. it was stunning and there were some nice tunnels in the mountain.
i am still waiting for any news on my luggage. it is starting to worry me, simply because I do not want to be in this city for much longer.
Yesterday i went over to Devonport which is just a 10min ferry ride across the Harbour to where Joy is staying. I met her niece and great nephews and then we took off for a hike up North Head which was turned into a fortress. it was stunning and there were some nice tunnels in the mountain.
Tuesday, 5 February 2008
Welcome to New Zealand
Hello all,
So after my last post I quickly learned that there was a cyclone that just hit fiji and as a result the airline took all of our luggage off of the flight because they were heading into a strong head wind. We then had to stop in Samoa to refuel before being able to carry on to Fiji. Upon landing late in Fiji we had to get new boarding passes and then go through security. There were massive lines and they were calling our names to board before we even had our passes. When I went through security they thought I had scissors....in a girls world its called an eyelash curler....and needless to say he took everything out of my bag and then proceeded to put my bag repeatedly through the xray machine. But we finally boarded and the flight wasnt too bad...
The arrival in new zealand, I along with a bunch of other couples that I had been traveling with since Vancouver soon discovered that our luggage indeed did not make it with us. Our arrival was already late but then we had to sort out of affairs with baggage services before leaving through security. mind you I had made it through customs. Then just as I was about to exit some security guard pulls me aside and starts to grill me...brutal. He asked me every question in the book. He asked me if I have done ectasy to which I said no and he then proceeded to grill me harder because apparently Canada is a good way to smuggle in drugs because we are not a 'drug country'....little does he know. But he said that he didnt believe that I had never done it because everyone my age does....he even went as far as checking out the address that I had as a contact to see if it was real. Finally he let me go
I was soo thrilled to see joy at the other end that i teared up a little. I am just glad i am here finally. The weather is gorgeous and hot. it is so wonderful to have sandals on.
Hopefully I will get my bag tomorrow.....
So after my last post I quickly learned that there was a cyclone that just hit fiji and as a result the airline took all of our luggage off of the flight because they were heading into a strong head wind. We then had to stop in Samoa to refuel before being able to carry on to Fiji. Upon landing late in Fiji we had to get new boarding passes and then go through security. There were massive lines and they were calling our names to board before we even had our passes. When I went through security they thought I had scissors....in a girls world its called an eyelash curler....and needless to say he took everything out of my bag and then proceeded to put my bag repeatedly through the xray machine. But we finally boarded and the flight wasnt too bad...
The arrival in new zealand, I along with a bunch of other couples that I had been traveling with since Vancouver soon discovered that our luggage indeed did not make it with us. Our arrival was already late but then we had to sort out of affairs with baggage services before leaving through security. mind you I had made it through customs. Then just as I was about to exit some security guard pulls me aside and starts to grill me...brutal. He asked me every question in the book. He asked me if I have done ectasy to which I said no and he then proceeded to grill me harder because apparently Canada is a good way to smuggle in drugs because we are not a 'drug country'....little does he know. But he said that he didnt believe that I had never done it because everyone my age does....he even went as far as checking out the address that I had as a contact to see if it was real. Finally he let me go
I was soo thrilled to see joy at the other end that i teared up a little. I am just glad i am here finally. The weather is gorgeous and hot. it is so wonderful to have sandals on.
Hopefully I will get my bag tomorrow.....
Monday, 4 February 2008
aloha
I am currently in Hawaii awaitng transfer to nadi, fiji.
As I got on the plane I saw my suitcase being put on the plane...
Trip was ok. nothing like champagne and wine to put you down for a nap..
As I got on the plane I saw my suitcase being put on the plane...
Trip was ok. nothing like champagne and wine to put you down for a nap..
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
The Week Before
just getting ready, freaking out, oh ya and packing...
"Don't tell me how educated you are, tell me how much you traveled." - Muhammed
"Don't tell me how educated you are, tell me how much you traveled." - Muhammed
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