Saying goodbye to New Zealand

I can't believe that my time in New Zealand is over. Tomorrow taking the 7am (eeek!!! have to catch the shuttle at 4:15am) flight to Sydney. On to a new adventure.

I love New Zealand. Amazing country. So green so beautiful. The South Island I found more exciting - it has more mountains and outdoor stuff, though I got to see barely anything on both islands. I really want to return and either get a car or take the whole Stray Bus circuit around the whole country. So much more to see!

Little time to blog so I regret I cannot write about all of my adventures. Since I last blogged, I explored Stewart Island for a day. I didn't realize how huge that island is - we just went for a walk and I looked it up on a map later and we saw well... almost nothing. But beautiful scenery and I finally got to see one of the 'kiwi crossing' signs, as Stewart Island has quite a few. The sun came out for a bit and the ocean was beautiful. Great walk followed by amazing fish and chips in the pub (as there is only one... and they catch amazing fish on the island).

The journey from the island back to mainland was significantly less painful than the one there. Still not the greatest fan on that crossing - said to be one of the most horrid waters in the world. From there on it was straight bus pretty much to Queenstown, a crazy night there, and then bus up to Christchurch, where I am now. Only had about half an hour of daylight to run around the center of the city trying to see things here, but alas, I'll take what I can get.

One thing I can honestly say I am a little tired of is being cold. Everywhere I go I am cold. In the bus, in the hostel, in my bed, outside. Everywhere. The only place its nice is in the shower, but then there is the horrid moment of getting out of it. Am looking forward to warmer times in Australia, even if by only a little.

Fun on the bus

Sometimes I gleam at the good decisions that I make: getting on the Stray bus for 3 days in the bottom of the NZ south island was one of them. Amazing bus. If I can recommend anything for visitors in the future, I recomend this bus -- wonderful. Do not do Kiwi Experience or Magic Bus. This bus goes off the beaten track and well... does almost everything I would do if I was just driving myself.

Can't write much as I am on a shared computer on Stewart Island, the very very south of New Zealand. No cell service here, no ATMs, and only one pub full of fisherman. Glorious.

Spent a day going up to Milford Sound which was gorgeous. Middle of nowhere. Amazing fiords and scenery, but sadly, as it does for about 220 of the days of the year it was extremely cloudy and rainy. But still great--took a cruise along the fiord and into the ocean.

Then spent a night in essentially boy scout cabins at Gunn's camp close to the fiord. Lights out at 10pm. Heating by a stove. No civilization. Great. Drinks in a cozy cabin with awesome people till quite late.

An adventure. The only thing I am dreading is the one hour ferry back to mainland tomorrow. Today's ferry was insane-huge waves and a roller coaster. I think I left a piece of my soul on top of one of those jumps. Came out extremely green, but managed to hold my stomach in. Recommend taking Bonine before going on for all (I did and I was still green...)

So cheers! Will post pictures and more details later!

Arrowtown

Wanting to cover as much ground as possible, today was a day trip to Arrowtown, a small ex-gold mining town about 35 minutes away from Queenstown. The morning was extremely cold--spent about an hour and a half in two different coffee shops drinking some tea and trying to regain feeling to my limbs.

But then when I finally got the courage to brave the outdoors (with 3 layers and hat, gloves, scarf, and two socks), it was well worth it.

Arrowtown is not very large, it only has one 'main street'. A river running by where you can go with a gold-finding stick and generally find a tiny bit of gold still. It was a big mining town before. To picture the river the best, I would refer to the Fellowship of the Ring scene where Arwen is taking Frodo on her horse and crosses the river with the Nazgul chasing her. Yup-that be the river in Arrowtown. Got to love the LOTR scenery.

The morning was rather cloudy, but to warm up I went ahead and climbed the hill above the town. Sadly the clouds only started to come off when I was coming down. But I had a lovely walk around the river.

Met a very nice gentleman who works on a bus taking people to the ski mountains. He was pointing out the ski mountains to me. They just opened the slopes up at the very top for training for those who work there, but not the lifts, so some crazy people (he said about 50 when he was there) were walking up the mountains and skiing down.

The ski season starts this Saturday and the big snowfall is expected for Friday (it is Wednesday). Everyone is arriving now with skis into Queenstown. Lots of people trying to stay for the season and finding jobs, but apparently not a lot are left-the good ones were nabbed several weeks ago. So I guess I'll be departing right as the season starts. Thats okay though-I am loving travelling when I am in low season. No people anywhere. Not summer, not winter. Perfect. =)

Also indulging my soar spot with the love for the color green. Bought a set of jade earrings/necklace. At least my New Zealand souvenir doesn't take up a lot of space.

Up a mountain

This morning I meant to go out on a small walk around town.... and ended up trecking almost all the way up a mountain. Whoops. On my morning walk around town ran into a local (woah! actually met a non-traveller) elderly gentleman on a morning walk up the hill above town. He had fascinating stories, and I ended up walking up with him. He was in quite good shape too! Impressed! He pointed me to the Ben Lamond track - up the mountain over Queenstown. He said I should try going as far as I can as there is snow on the ground but the view is worth it. So that is what I did... but that as long as I'll go turned out as being quite a bit longer than I meant.

Kept walking and walking and suddenly I was above the treeline. And then above the bush line. And the I was falling into the snow. Yeah I picked a bad day to wear jeans and not bring my hiking boots. But then the views kept me going. I got to the 'saddle' of the mountain, and it was quite a view, and the amazing part was--there was a random bench there overlooking the other side of the saddle. Perfect place to have my lunch (which was thankfully brought). I trecked on from there for about 15 more minutes. The summit was only 35 minutes ahead probobly. But by now I had gotten my feet very wet in the snow, and the wind was picking up. Kept falling through to my knee... not too safe. So regretfully turned back.

But the way down was great - got to spend the time looking out on the lake and the mountains instead of up. Ran into a couple guys treking up (where are the treking girls!) and got to reassure them that the view was worth it. The way down was actually more tiring than the way up - hurt on the knees. I didn't feel tired at all going up actually, because it is not at high altitude like Peru for example, so not so hard. But now my legs do hurt from the way down so most likely collapsing soon (too bad I can't take a bath here), and deciding what adventure I will embark on tomorrow.

Oh and I have a huge urge to re-watch Lord of the Rings. So much of it filmed around here. Saruman's tower was digitally manipulated on the right side of the lake. And they were stuck in the snow somewhere close by also. Kept humming some melodies while walking around. =)

Love in the mountains

I am not the first nor the last to fall in love with the beauty of Queenstown. I knew it was love even while flying to it. The flight from Auckland to Queenstown was the most beautiful flight I have ever been on. Clear skies and view of whole way down South Island. Mountain ranges, glaciers, lakes... just magical. Touching down in Queenstown I left like the pilot was giving us a view of the town - we circled it several times before landing.

The town is located in the middle of snow-capped mountains, right on a lake. And it is the very end of fall so many of the trees still have the bright colors. Freezing cold, but no wind today, and completely clear skies. The highest sense of serenity.

Spent the day walking around the town and the gardens nearby just taking it all in. The beauty of the places really just makes my heart float... I can't describe it. Pictures don't capture it. Just come here... you'll see.

An awesome girl from Thailand I met while walking around in the park. Love meeting random people everywhere. Met a guy from the US on my bus to airport in Auckland this morning that was on my flight to Queenstown today and hung out with him a while too. Love random people.

Sulfur city

Exploring some of the North Island I signed up for a Magic Bus tour of some of the highlights for the north. Its a bit of a whirlwind, but nice to see some things very fast. =) Crazy part is our bus, an entire tour bus, only had 5 of us on there. Very crazy, but we made friends and it was great. Sad to leave them as we get along very well.

We first went to Waitomo Glow Worm Caves. After being actual caving, I am normally opposed to going to caves where I am lead around, but this time it was wonderful because it was so different. Floating around on a boat through the cave with glow worms above my head like stars. Magical feeling. Sadly couldn't take pictures but check the link out for how it would be like.

Since we had some extra time there we wandered around and found a bunny-hair farm. They take care of bunnies and cut their hair and make stuff. The owner was wonderful and even took out a bunny for us to pet and told us all about it. They treat their bunnies very well, and they are hallarious to watch.

Then we went over to Rotarua, the Sulfur city. Known as such as it is located in the land of natural hot springs, and the air everywhere smells a little bit sulfury. The city itself isnt that great... not friendly really. Rather boxy and tourist looking. But the hot springs themselves are amazing. All along the side of the lake they pop up and bubble everywhere. I wandered around in the morning and there was nobody else out-hopped some fences and was right on the water with the springs. Maybe a bit unsafe but very cool.

And what hot spring experience is there without some spa? Went over to the Hell's Gate mud spa-bathe in natural mud baths. Left the skin feeling amazingly soft, but sadly stained my wonderful swimsuit badly... not sure if that will wash off. =(

Now one more day in north island, before heading to south island which is covered in snow. Ahhh!

Volcanos! Oh my!

So as it turns out, Auckland is built on 50 volcanoes. And they are not permanently dormant -- one is bound to erupt eventually. Volcano insurance anyone? =)

Today I took a trip to Rangitoto - a volcano island just off the coast of Auckland. It was a beautiful day, unlike the cloud of yesterday. The ferry whisked away quite early in the morning toward the hill of an island.

The island is not too huge - it took about an hour to climb up to the summit, complete with a small detour toward the lava caves. The view was magnificent -- Auckland and its sky tower are amazing, and New Zealand does prove to be full of the most amazing greenery.

Tomorrow heading to Tiritiri Matangi - a wildlife reserve island not too far from Auckland. Very exciting -- lots of birds and wildlife! =)

And now bringing the first pictures from the trip -- actual proof of the fact that I am in New Zealand. Tada!

Touchdown Auckland

First of all, I would like to recommend to everyone the airline 'Air New Zealand'. This was probobly the best flight I have ever been on -- lots of room, amazing food, amazing coffee, great choice of wine, 30+ movies (and good ones), and the most comfortable blankets ever (I almost stole mine). Wonderful flight.

Though upon touching down I almost ran into quite a bit of trouble. Normally customs forms in countries are not that big a deal... check no everywhere and all good. Well... not here. I glanced over the form--no I dont have food, livestock, or dirt. Check check check.

Well not so much check -- upon putting my backpack into the customs scanner the officer pulls it out and states that I have hiking shoes in there that I did not declare that are not new, and therefore I lied on my form. What? Since when can I not bring hiking shoes?

Well apparently the Oceania region requires all items that have been used and have any soil on them must be declared. The officer let me off, maybe because of the dumbfounded look on my face. That teaches me not to read the fine print well enough. Sure enough -- the form did state that all used hiking shoes must be declared. Luckily all that I had to do was to extract them from my bag (thank goodness it unzips in so many places!) and have him scan them. Lesson learned.

But alas, now I am in Auckland... and the sun has not yet risen. Being the safe lone female traveler I am, am attempting to not go outside until there is some light. Though the sight from the hill I got dropped off on was amazing -- could see the skyline, and well... a city asleep is a beautiful sight.

But my main desire now is some sleep - some people are starting to get up and make breakfast in the kitchen, but I am really too tired to try to be social. Hoping I can get to sleep early tonight and meet some people when I have a bit more energy.