Dear blog reader,
Sorry. I'm new at this whole blogging thing and it appears that all the entries I have done today are out of order because the ones you write first are at the bottom. Generally, this is a good idea and makes sense. Unfortunately, my last few posts have been about places we visited in chronological order. If you are confused on the order in which I actually visited these places, please refer to my list on the side of the places we have visited. Thank you.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
INVERCARGILL!!
And tada! I’m here. We met up with our lovely homestay, Mags, on Saturday and she is just great. It just feels like being at grandma’s house when we’re here. She takes very good care of us; feeds us much more than is necessary and won’t let us touch the laundry. Mom, you would absolutely love her. She worries and frets over me more than you do if that’s possible. :)
And tada! I’m here. We met up with our lovely homestay, Mags, on Saturday and she is just great. It just feels like being at grandma’s house when we’re here. She takes very good care of us; feeds us much more than is necessary and won’t let us touch the laundry. Mom, you would absolutely love her. She worries and frets over me more than you do if that’s possible. :)
We went to the branch in Invercargill today. We got there a little bit early and I started playing the piano. Unfortunately, I got caught and about five branch members came up and told me that they hadn’t had a pianist in weeks. Yep. I got to play in every single meeting. Hopefully, we’ll be able to spread it around a bit more because I know there are a lot more of us that play than just me.
GREYMOUTH
We took off from our comfy beds the next morning to make the drive across the country to the west coast. We drove through Arthur’s Pass, stopping in typical fashion every 20 minutes or so (this is about the most obnoxious thing ever, by the way). We stopped for a hike up to a beautiful little waterfall around lunch time and made it to our next campsite by about 4. We spent the evening on the beach and I just walked up and down the beach with Cameron, Tyler, Ashley and Stefanie. We all have a good time together.
We took off from our comfy beds the next morning to make the drive across the country to the west coast. We drove through Arthur’s Pass, stopping in typical fashion every 20 minutes or so (this is about the most obnoxious thing ever, by the way). We stopped for a hike up to a beautiful little waterfall around lunch time and made it to our next campsite by about 4. We spent the evening on the beach and I just walked up and down the beach with Cameron, Tyler, Ashley and Stefanie. We all have a good time together.
We stayed up pretty late that night just talking and looking through pictures. We all went to the grocery store in town that night too to stock up for our 10 hour drive to Cromwell the next day. We all rigged the seating in the van the next morning so that Cam, Tyler, Ashley, Stef and I could all sit together in the two front seats. It was a long drive with again, lots of stopping. However, we got to visit the two really cool glaciers here in NZ; the Fox and the Franz Josef glacier.
Stef and Tyler trying to get the perfect picture.
CROMWELL
There’s only one time when I’ve felt unsafe in New Zealand; that was at this holiday park in Cromwell. Oh man, it was a creepy place. A few minutes after we got there, Tyler and Cameron both cornered me and told me not to go anywhere alone by myself there. We ended up staying up pretty late again looking through pictures in the van and Tyler and Cameron stood guard outside the bathroom while Stef and I brushed our teeth. Cute.
The bed I got in Christchurch!!!!CHRISTCHURCH
If I could choose anywhere to live in New Zealand, I would choose Christchurch. It’s a nice medium-sized city that is just nice and quaint. I’m not sure what it was about it exactly, but I just loved it. We stayed in Christchurch for two nights, in beds, and it was great. We timed it perfectly too considering those two nights were the only nights it rained on our whole trip! Can’t beat that. Unfortunately, we all had a little too much fun jumping on what the kiwis call a pillow in sand in their playground. One girl knocked her front teeth out, one girl hurt her back, and Stefanie actually hurt her foot and dislocated her thumb. I was just fine and got back on the next day! We spent all day in town, looking through shops and watching the local busker festival. It was a great time. Sorry, I don't have any pictures of the jumping pillow as of now, but I'll put them on here as soon as I aquire some.
If I could choose anywhere to live in New Zealand, I would choose Christchurch. It’s a nice medium-sized city that is just nice and quaint. I’m not sure what it was about it exactly, but I just loved it. We stayed in Christchurch for two nights, in beds, and it was great. We timed it perfectly too considering those two nights were the only nights it rained on our whole trip! Can’t beat that. Unfortunately, we all had a little too much fun jumping on what the kiwis call a pillow in sand in their playground. One girl knocked her front teeth out, one girl hurt her back, and Stefanie actually hurt her foot and dislocated her thumb. I was just fine and got back on the next day! We spent all day in town, looking through shops and watching the local busker festival. It was a great time. Sorry, I don't have any pictures of the jumping pillow as of now, but I'll put them on here as soon as I aquire some.
Touring around the city. This is from the top of the belltower in the middle of Christchurch.
Playing in the botanic gardens.
This was in an attempt to take some kind of a picture.
Evidently it didn't work.
The Last Two Weeks Continued.
According to my blogging mentor, it is a sin to create a post as large as the last one I did. So, I thought I'd break it up a little in light of that new info.
We landed in Picton on the other side of Cook Strait. Picton was probably the most beautiful place we’ve been yet. As we drove to the campsite, I had my arm out the window the whole time trying to snap pictures of the beautiful harbor and landscape. The place we stayed at for two nights here, Smith’s Farm, was another winner of a place. They gave us fresh muffins as we pulled in. That was really a treat.
The view from the road to Picton. Gorgeous.
We finally got to go to church the next day in Blenheim. The branch was tiny and it was funny to hear them talk about the week a couple years ago when the BYU group had come through. It was like it was some epic event, the way those guys talked about it. We more than doubled their attendance. Afterward, the branch members fed us sea urchin in the parking lot. I made myself eat some--it was about the nastiest stuff I have ever tasted. Yuck. We spent the rest of the afternoon back at the campsite taking it easy and just hanging out.
PALMERSTON NORTH
This place is hardly worth mentioning. I think we were there for a total of eight hours. After the hike, we didn’t get to the campsite until about 11pm and then we left at about eight the next morning.
WELLINGTON
We drove to Wellington from Palmerston North and spent a couple of hours in the city exploring the museum and eating lunch before we loaded up on the ferry to cross over to the South Island. A ferry! How exciting. That was definitely a new experience for me. The ride was about three hours and I just read and played cards most of the way across.
This place is hardly worth mentioning. I think we were there for a total of eight hours. After the hike, we didn’t get to the campsite until about 11pm and then we left at about eight the next morning.
WELLINGTON
We drove to Wellington from Palmerston North and spent a couple of hours in the city exploring the museum and eating lunch before we loaded up on the ferry to cross over to the South Island. A ferry! How exciting. That was definitely a new experience for me. The ride was about three hours and I just read and played cards most of the way across.
We landed in Picton on the other side of Cook Strait. Picton was probably the most beautiful place we’ve been yet. As we drove to the campsite, I had my arm out the window the whole time trying to snap pictures of the beautiful harbor and landscape. The place we stayed at for two nights here, Smith’s Farm, was another winner of a place. They gave us fresh muffins as we pulled in. That was really a treat.
The view from the road to Picton. Gorgeous.We finally got to go to church the next day in Blenheim. The branch was tiny and it was funny to hear them talk about the week a couple years ago when the BYU group had come through. It was like it was some epic event, the way those guys talked about it. We more than doubled their attendance. Afterward, the branch members fed us sea urchin in the parking lot. I made myself eat some--it was about the nastiest stuff I have ever tasted. Yuck. We spent the rest of the afternoon back at the campsite taking it easy and just hanging out.
KIAKOURA
We hiked some of the Queen Charlotte track the next morning before driving to our nest destination, Kiakoura. We had a beautiful drive this day. It was right along the east coast of the country and we drove past waves crashing against seal-covered rocks for hours. Just another day in New Zealand! The camp site we scored in Kiakoura was one of the most ghetto places I have ever seen. Lucky for us again, we were only there for one night. We picked up early the next morning to take off to Christchurch where…we had beds!!!
We hiked some of the Queen Charlotte track the next morning before driving to our nest destination, Kiakoura. We had a beautiful drive this day. It was right along the east coast of the country and we drove past waves crashing against seal-covered rocks for hours. Just another day in New Zealand! The camp site we scored in Kiakoura was one of the most ghetto places I have ever seen. Lucky for us again, we were only there for one night. We picked up early the next morning to take off to Christchurch where…we had beds!!!
I've gotta go, but I'll pick up in Christchurch when I come back! Enjoy these pictures for now!
The Last Two Weeks of My Life
And as in last, I mean the two weeks previous to right now not like the last two weeks of my entire life. Just to clarify. Ok, brace yourselves for picture and info overload. I might repeat a little of what I’ve included in my previous posts but this way, you’ll get the whole picture. The following is my best attempt at summarizing these last two weeks on the road.
AUCKLAND
The best thing to note about our travels across the ocean is our seatmate on the plane. Meet Matthew. Our good friend Matthew is a homosexual originally from Auckland who now lives in LA with his partner. He went into great detail about his relationship, how his family feels about it and some interesting experiences throughout his lifetime including his teenage years full of drug and alcohol experimentation. As we climbed on the plane, he pulled out a backpack-sized carry on full of nothing but prescription drugs. “Don’t worry, I’m a doctor,” he assured us as he pulled out a few of what he claimed to be the new and more effective form of Ambien. As he drifted off to sleep, he told us that he was also bipolar and suffered from an anxiety disorder. What a well-rounded guy! If you refer to Stefanie’s blog, you might hear about her interesting experience with Matthew’s scotch.
AUCKLAND
The best thing to note about our travels across the ocean is our seatmate on the plane. Meet Matthew. Our good friend Matthew is a homosexual originally from Auckland who now lives in LA with his partner. He went into great detail about his relationship, how his family feels about it and some interesting experiences throughout his lifetime including his teenage years full of drug and alcohol experimentation. As we climbed on the plane, he pulled out a backpack-sized carry on full of nothing but prescription drugs. “Don’t worry, I’m a doctor,” he assured us as he pulled out a few of what he claimed to be the new and more effective form of Ambien. As he drifted off to sleep, he told us that he was also bipolar and suffered from an anxiety disorder. What a well-rounded guy! If you refer to Stefanie’s blog, you might hear about her interesting experience with Matthew’s scotch.
WHITIANGA
We stayed overnight here and went to a beach. The end.
HAMILTON
We didn’t actually stay here but we stopped at the temple on our way down to Waitomo. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and we spent some time at the temple grounds with some locals. The best part was (as I mentioned before I think) that there were some kids from New Caledonia there that only spoke French! I got to talk to them for a little while and translate for the group. One of the best experiences I’ve ever had.
These are some locals we hung out with at the temple. We sang and chatted with them.
We stayed overnight here and went to a beach. The end.
HAMILTON
We didn’t actually stay here but we stopped at the temple on our way down to Waitomo. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and we spent some time at the temple grounds with some locals. The best part was (as I mentioned before I think) that there were some kids from New Caledonia there that only spoke French! I got to talk to them for a little while and translate for the group. One of the best experiences I’ve ever had.
These are some locals we hung out with at the temple. We sang and chatted with them.
WAITOMO
Here we stayed in my favorite place of the whole trip--a random backpacker’s lodge called Juno Hall. The people there were amazing and we got to camp there for two nights. We all loved it. Waitomo is a cool place too. We used our group budget to all go blackwater rafting. That was a cool experience. Unfortunately I don’t have any pictures of it since it was in a dark cave full of water. Bummer. The guides were hilarious though and we got to see some glow worms as we floated through the cave in wetsuits and big rubber tubes. I love these kiwis and the things they think up.
Later that same day, we got the completely kiwi experience of watching an angora rabbit being sheared. The best part of the experience for me was watching the little old lady give us a rundown on rabbit shearing.
ROTORUA
The worst thing about Rotorua was that there was too much to do! We all had so many options that we couldn’t make up our minds. I’m sure it’s not hard to imagine how tricky it can be to align the opinions of 34 college students. We again used the group funds to go down the luge. That was a good time. If you’ve ever experienced the alpine slide in Park City, just imagine that but 5x more intense and you’ve got yourself the Rotorua luge.
We were at this holiday park for 2 days. It was another good one, complete with river, paddle boats and ping pong table. Stefanie and I had a few tough competitions. It’s true, Stefanie came out on top in the end but it was probably the most intense ping pong I’ve ever played. The last game even went into double overtime! Anyway, the second day we were in Rotorua, we ended up going to the beach with about half of the group. It was a beautiful beach. It was there that I purchased my first bottle of sunscreen; for a mere $20. That was slightly shocking. This day at the beach also opened all of our eyes to the ferocity of the New Zealand sun. Evidently, there’s a hole in the ozone around these parts and the sun just beats through. Needlesstosay, we all got a little pink but quickly learned the ways of the sun.
TAUPO
As soon as we arrived in our next destination, everyone’s first idea was to go to the beach. There were a select few of us that were feeling rather crisp and decided that it might be a better idea to hang out in town that night. We did a little souvenir shopping, but mostly stuck to window shopping seeing as most things closed down at 4pm.
The next day was one of my favorite of the whole two weeks. We hiked at a place called Tongariro Crossing; probably more familiar to most people as--Mordor!! That’s right, I hiked through Mordor. I don’t know if you can tell from the pictures, but it was incredible. It was about a 12-mile hike that we managed to do in about five and a half hours.
This is the best picture I've gotten this trip so far! (the one above...)
The view from the top.
The view from the top.Saturday, January 19, 2008
The South Island!!
Today we took the ferry from Wellington to Picton on the south island. It is absolutely beautiful here! Better by far than anything we've seen so far. Still no pictures...sorry. But, I'll be in Invercargill and settled in exactly a week from today and I'll get on those pictures first thing for sure. Everything is going great. Sure enough, the camping is getting a little old, but the group is fantastic and we have an absolute blast! That's all I have time for right now but...talk to you again soon! With pictures!!
Sunday, January 13, 2008
New Zealand Here I Am!
Well folks, it's finally happened--I'm here!!! I don't have much time but I just wanted to drop a quick note on here. We got here early Saturday morning and have so far been in Auckland, Whitianga, Hamilton and Waitomo. We're staying at a backpacking lodge in Waitomo right now. They're pretty random places where we just pitch our tents for a couple of nights before moving on to different towns. We spend a lot of time driving old clunky vans with trailers packed with our luggage across beautiful landscapes. I love it. :)
Yesterday, we went to the temple in Hamilton and we ran into some New Caledonians that only spoke French! I got to translate for the entire group. It was definitely one of the coolest things I've ever done. This morning we went blackwater rafting and then watched a sheep being sheared. Pretty great stuff. And of course I have pictures of all of those wonderful events but unfortunately, you're all going to have to wait a couple of weeks until I can get on my own laptop instead of some gracious person's macbook.
Next stop is Rotorua tomorrow morning and then on down the coast to the South. I'll get back to you when I get to Invercargill! So far the consensus--I love New Zealand!! Besides the studying, the trip is great. :) Talk to you soon.
Yesterday, we went to the temple in Hamilton and we ran into some New Caledonians that only spoke French! I got to translate for the entire group. It was definitely one of the coolest things I've ever done. This morning we went blackwater rafting and then watched a sheep being sheared. Pretty great stuff. And of course I have pictures of all of those wonderful events but unfortunately, you're all going to have to wait a couple of weeks until I can get on my own laptop instead of some gracious person's macbook.
Next stop is Rotorua tomorrow morning and then on down the coast to the South. I'll get back to you when I get to Invercargill! So far the consensus--I love New Zealand!! Besides the studying, the trip is great. :) Talk to you soon.
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