The fit city

As Sydney lays on the water, the beaches are extremely prevalent. Today I took a small trip over to Bondi beach, and such, and agreed that Sydney is indeed a harbor city. As a result of being a beach city, where even now that the water is rather cold some people are bathing and surfing, there is an insane fitness level. The Domain is full of people running, playing soccer, boxing etc. The coastal track that I wandered is full of people running. Everyone wants to be in swimsuit shape. I think this is the fittest city I've seen (at least from looking around).

Only musing for now as I am incredibly hungry. Wandered through Chinatown for a while and the smell of red bean cake has finally gotten to me. Must. Get. Cake.

Cheers!

Am I in London....?

Kings Cross. Liverpool Street. Hyde Park. Richmond. Look left signs. I'm in London right?

Nope. Thats Sydney. The similarities are quite scary though. The first sign was in the train the font that is used to show directions is the same as in London, and the sign for 'Way Out' is the same. From there on it just goes crazy. Street names just like England. Complete British colony.

So yes, Sydney is pretty awesome so far. I'd describe it as a well... harborside, hippy London so far.

The weather is magnificent - not too cold, not too hot and sunny and beautiful. Hoping it lasts. Just in case, dropped my bags off at the hostel and treked up to the Botanic Gardens as soon as possible. It didnt appear real to me that I am in Sydney until I saw the opera house. Yes tourism. But now that has been seen so I can calm down and take things slower. I was planning on going to the Blue Mountains tomorrow, but I just might stay in Sydney and take things slow because its a pretty amazing place.

Only thing is, finally starting to feel lonely on the trip. Not that I am not amazed at the places I am traveling. Not that I am not meeting lots of really awesome people. You really are never traveling alone, there are always others. But well... seeing all these awesome things. Going to awesome places. I really wish there was somebody else going with me that we could spazz about all of it, talk over coffee, and all that jazz. A trip is better with travel partners. But only good ones. Otherwise everyone is unsatisfied and the trip is ruined for all. So here's to finding travel partner/s for my next trips. And to many more travels. And for now..... I'm thinking chocolate and coffee in some cute cafe.

BATS! Ahhhh!!!!!!!!!

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.