So- we're back in Sydney now... and I haven't even told you about the 2nd half of our trip. It was terribly hard to break away from the fun to get onto the computer.. so I'll just catch you up now :)
The last time I updated this was when we were leaving the glaciers. That afternoon we headed to Lake Wanaka. It's a beautiful lake and quite large. The town is just a sleepy tourist town- very laid back and relaxed. We camped on a river that night in a quite campsite. The river was beautiful. In the sun it was this greeny-blue color and very clean. Tristan and I set up our tent just on the river bank and were able to brush our teeth in the river because it was so clean. We camped next to a German couple who had been working in a cherry orchard for the week. They had piked a huge bucket of cherries that day and shared them with us. The biggest cherries we've ever seen. Twice the size of a 25 cent coin- and tasty too! The next morning we did a HUGE hike up Mt. Roy. Of course it didn't look that big from the bottom, but it took us a good 3 hours to walk up to the top. It really was a bitch, but well worth the view at the top. We could see for miles! After a refreshing swim in Lake Wanaka we got into the car and headed South to Queensland.
We hadn't made any plans ahead for accommodation in Queenstown (which was supposed to keep us traveling on the edge) and we had the hardest time finding SOMEWHERE to sleep that night. We checked out 2 camp sites that were pathetic and then started doing the rounds at the hostels. We checked out about 15 hostels who all had no vacancies and finally found the last 2 beds at the Lakeside Backpackers. It was nothing special, but it was better than sleeping in the car. After being stressed for a couple hours we tracked Felicity down and had some dinner and discussed what we were going to do the next day. We ended up deciding that we'd head to Milford Sound and then come back to Queenstown and do a sky dive (I'll get to that soon).
So a 2 hour drive south got us into a town called Te Anau where we did a horse ride on this guys farm (very fun!) and then another 2 hours down to Milford sound. I'll post pictures when I get a chance to look at them, but even the pictures won't do this place justice. Everything was MASSIVE. We drove down this windy road to get to our hostel at the sound and couldn't get over how big everything was. The cliffs towered over the car.. Hell I can't describe it. Just imagine the biggest thing you've ever seen and double it. We got to our hostel that night and being quite tired, we headed straight to bed after dinner. The next morning we woke up really really early to get to our sunrise kayak on Milford Sound. What an amazing way to see the sound. We were in a group of 8, including the guide, and he took us all around the main part of the sound. We saw 3 year old seals (about 20 of them) and some really interesting rock structures. Again- we were looking at mountains that rise over a kilometer and a half into the air. Just fabulous. After the kayak we drove back up to Queenstown for dinner and our skydive the next morning.
So we had dinner and a few beers back in Queenstown and headed to bed. The next morning we were damned with more torrential rain so the skydive was canceled. It was terribly disappointing, but as Tristan said- it's better to have it canceled than to not see anything in the dive. We'll book a time to do one in Australia- which will be great when we do it.
Since it was raining so hard that day we decided to just get in the car and drive until we found somewhere else to go. Ending up in Mt. Cook- the tallest mountain on the south island. Again, the rain and clouds blocked the view of the mountain in the evening (I was just praying that it would be worth the trip) but when we woke up it was SOOOO worth going to this place. The mountain is beautiful. We did a short hike that morning to get a closer view of Mt. Cook. Excellent! Just beautiful!
Next was a stop to Lake Takapo. A truly turquoise lake surrounded by mountains. We were very tired here and didn't do much but enjoy the view of the lake. I'm not going to describe this place because I just can't. I'll post a picture instead and you can see the real thing.
Last stop was to Akaroa. This tiny town was originally settled by French and was completely influenced by everything French. The street names are French, the buildings have French architecture and even the food has some French flare. Just a quaint town- one more place to relax before heading back to Australia.
The last drive was back to Christchurch were we had our last share of beers and hanging out with other travelers. Not to mention the best nachos on the planet.
The flight was all fine and we're back in Sydney, terribly sad that tomorrow we have to go back to work. We were both so ready to call up our bosses and tell them that we're never coming back, but decided that we needed to be more prepared to do that. It will happen- just not sure when.
To sum up our trip, it was just the most amazing place with the nicest people, most beautiful places, and stunning landscape. I thought Australia was beautiful... until I arrived on the South Island of New Zealand.
Pictures coming this week. Have lots more going on during this month, so I'll make sure to keep you all updated on here.
Planning a trip to NZ??? Just let me know and I'll give you a good month and a half of traveling destinations!
Love,
A
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Heading into the country..
So last time I left you I was riding bulls in Christchurch. Woo-eeee!
After Christchurch we picked up the car and headed north to a tiny town called Picton. On the way we stopped at some beautiful beaches with turquoise water and seals. The seals were really far away, BUT we saw them. Up in Picton we borrowed some bikes from the hostel and rode around to check out the town. Nothing fancy- a bit dead really. The next morning we did a short hike to see the Marlbourough Sounds. This is the water between the South and North Island. AMAZING! The best view. Mountains and water for a far as you can see.
That afternoon we drove about 30 minutes southwest to a town called Renwick where we rented more bikes and did a self guided winery tour. There are 25 wineries within a 4 miles radius of the hostel we stayed in.. so needless to say we didn't have trouble finding the wine. The mainly make white wines here and we had several lovely wines to try. Luckily riding helped keep us sober after 6 wineries :)
With no hangover, we headed northwest to a town that I'm sure I'm spelling wrong called Panikiki. It was a long driving day so we basically got into town and set up our tent, ate some PB & J and went for a walk along the beach. This town is known for their crazy rock formations. They are called the Panikiki Pancakes and they are rocks that are just layered on top of each other. Very fancy!
After seeing pancakes (but not eating them :( ) we drove south to Franz Josef. This is a miniature town with a GIANT glacier. The town is awesome- lots of young travelers and glacier guides so it's all people our age. We booked a day to go out on the glacier yesterday. (Of course it was the only day that it was absolutely pouring rain out of all the days we've been here). So... freezing cold and determined we went out on our hike up the glacier. It was amazing. Blue ice and giant formations everywhere. We climbed through crevices and up and down stairs that the guide chopped just in front of us. Really, it was just awesome, cold- but awesome.
Today we're heading southeast towards some big, well known lakes. We'll be camping tonight and tomorrow night and we're looking forward to that. The plan is to save a bit of cash and do lots of hiking. Free is good :) Then onto Queenstown (the adventure capital of the country) where we'll decide on the bungee.
That's all from here. My computer time is up. Hope all is we'll with everyone. Loving the comments that you guys are leaving. Keep them coming.
Love you all!
A
After Christchurch we picked up the car and headed north to a tiny town called Picton. On the way we stopped at some beautiful beaches with turquoise water and seals. The seals were really far away, BUT we saw them. Up in Picton we borrowed some bikes from the hostel and rode around to check out the town. Nothing fancy- a bit dead really. The next morning we did a short hike to see the Marlbourough Sounds. This is the water between the South and North Island. AMAZING! The best view. Mountains and water for a far as you can see.
That afternoon we drove about 30 minutes southwest to a town called Renwick where we rented more bikes and did a self guided winery tour. There are 25 wineries within a 4 miles radius of the hostel we stayed in.. so needless to say we didn't have trouble finding the wine. The mainly make white wines here and we had several lovely wines to try. Luckily riding helped keep us sober after 6 wineries :)
With no hangover, we headed northwest to a town that I'm sure I'm spelling wrong called Panikiki. It was a long driving day so we basically got into town and set up our tent, ate some PB & J and went for a walk along the beach. This town is known for their crazy rock formations. They are called the Panikiki Pancakes and they are rocks that are just layered on top of each other. Very fancy!
After seeing pancakes (but not eating them :( ) we drove south to Franz Josef. This is a miniature town with a GIANT glacier. The town is awesome- lots of young travelers and glacier guides so it's all people our age. We booked a day to go out on the glacier yesterday. (Of course it was the only day that it was absolutely pouring rain out of all the days we've been here). So... freezing cold and determined we went out on our hike up the glacier. It was amazing. Blue ice and giant formations everywhere. We climbed through crevices and up and down stairs that the guide chopped just in front of us. Really, it was just awesome, cold- but awesome.
Today we're heading southeast towards some big, well known lakes. We'll be camping tonight and tomorrow night and we're looking forward to that. The plan is to save a bit of cash and do lots of hiking. Free is good :) Then onto Queenstown (the adventure capital of the country) where we'll decide on the bungee.
That's all from here. My computer time is up. Hope all is we'll with everyone. Loving the comments that you guys are leaving. Keep them coming.
Love you all!
A
Sunday, January 13, 2008
We're HERE!
Howdy from New Zealand!
We arrived in Christchurch on Saturday afternoon after a painless flight on Jetstar. We were all a bit tired from the night before when we went to a wild and exciting game night at a friend's place- so we struggled with tiredness all Saturday. After arriving at our hostel we met up with Colleen Brennan (Tristan's friend from UNCW) and her friend and we took a stroll through Christchurch. It's a beautiful little city with many old buildings. They love their stone buildings and we did too! I'll post pictures when we get more time on the Internet. Prices are a bit steep where we are at the moment. Saturday night commenced with some pints at an English style pub and some delicious nachos. After that the sleepiness from the day didn't seem to matter and we continued on with more beverages (cheapo ones at the hostel) and then onto karaoke, bull riding, dancing and finishing up with some more beverages with some of the backpackers at our hostel on the balcony. Needless to say, Sunday morning was a bit of a challenge. Once the hangover's subsided we picked up our rental car and headed north to Picton. It's a sleepy town just on the Marlborough Sound. Last night we used the hostel's bikes to have a ride around. It was a quiet night with an early tuck in. This morning we're up and ready to head out for s short hike along the sound and then off to Wine country (and 30 minutes south) for a self guided tour through the wineries. I'm afraid that tomorrow morning will be quite like yesterday morning :).
Anyway-off to get going with the day. As I said before, I'll post some pictures when I have some more time.
New Zealand is absolutely beautiful so far- you have got to come check it out!
Love from,
A and Tristan
We arrived in Christchurch on Saturday afternoon after a painless flight on Jetstar. We were all a bit tired from the night before when we went to a wild and exciting game night at a friend's place- so we struggled with tiredness all Saturday. After arriving at our hostel we met up with Colleen Brennan (Tristan's friend from UNCW) and her friend and we took a stroll through Christchurch. It's a beautiful little city with many old buildings. They love their stone buildings and we did too! I'll post pictures when we get more time on the Internet. Prices are a bit steep where we are at the moment. Saturday night commenced with some pints at an English style pub and some delicious nachos. After that the sleepiness from the day didn't seem to matter and we continued on with more beverages (cheapo ones at the hostel) and then onto karaoke, bull riding, dancing and finishing up with some more beverages with some of the backpackers at our hostel on the balcony. Needless to say, Sunday morning was a bit of a challenge. Once the hangover's subsided we picked up our rental car and headed north to Picton. It's a sleepy town just on the Marlborough Sound. Last night we used the hostel's bikes to have a ride around. It was a quiet night with an early tuck in. This morning we're up and ready to head out for s short hike along the sound and then off to Wine country (and 30 minutes south) for a self guided tour through the wineries. I'm afraid that tomorrow morning will be quite like yesterday morning :).
Anyway-off to get going with the day. As I said before, I'll post some pictures when I have some more time.
New Zealand is absolutely beautiful so far- you have got to come check it out!
Love from,
A and Tristan
Thursday, January 10, 2008
The Beginning
Hello family, friends, strangers, dogs, cats and other forms of life.
Welcome to my blog. Finally, I've hit it so big that I have to keep you informed by means of a nerdy blog. Just be proud you've been sent the link!
I intend this blog to not only cover my current journey, but also my life in general. So... if I have enough perseverance to continue this after my New Zealand trip then I'm doing well.
Tomorrow Tristan and I leave for Kiwi Country and I'll be writing here to inform anyone who is interested in our travels. I'm going to try to write every few days- or whenever we get to a internet cafe.
Please enjoy my entries as I'm sure they will be so thrilling, you will immediately purchase a ticket to fly out and join us.
Love you all- except for the strangers, whom I cannot love yet.
A
Welcome to my blog. Finally, I've hit it so big that I have to keep you informed by means of a nerdy blog. Just be proud you've been sent the link!
I intend this blog to not only cover my current journey, but also my life in general. So... if I have enough perseverance to continue this after my New Zealand trip then I'm doing well.
Tomorrow Tristan and I leave for Kiwi Country and I'll be writing here to inform anyone who is interested in our travels. I'm going to try to write every few days- or whenever we get to a internet cafe.
Please enjoy my entries as I'm sure they will be so thrilling, you will immediately purchase a ticket to fly out and join us.
Love you all- except for the strangers, whom I cannot love yet.
A
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