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!!!
Saturday, 22 March 2008
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!
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