Tuesday, April 21, 2009

I'm in the town of Christchurch now, still thankfully on the South Island. I have met over 12 women named Natalie while I've been traveling NZ. I just met another one from France two days ago in Invercargill and another one yesterday on the bus to Queenstown yesterday. I would have been keeping track along the way had I known it was such a phenomenon. Looking forward to exploring this city of gardens more tomorrow. And all the art and galleries here. I'm hoping to get away from the city again to do some more hiking.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Paradiso is Wanaka's cinema.  We ventured there twice during our five day stay.  Find a comfy couch and have a seat! 
This is the lounge area of the Purple Cow.  The best place to stay in Wanaka.  "Stormy" is their welcoming cat who spends a lot of time catching some rays on the front deck.
















My hike to the top of Mt. Roy.  The sheep wanted me to tell you hello!











In the name of "Entertainment" for our Stray Bus Driver, Woody, he told us we had to get off the bus in order for him to safely drive the bus across it.  He said we exceeded the weight limit.  So we all obeyed and promptly got off the bus.  He laughed and waved at all of us as he drove past.  He was nice enough to wait for us on the other side.  Our trip has been filled with so-called "legend" stories and off the wall stories and practices of the Kiwi culture.  It's more for the bus drivers' sakes to save their sanity with all the driving and work they do year round for us backpackers.  Sweet as.

















Our hike, sailing trip, and stay in Abel Tasman National Park.  Yes- that's a peacock visiting our accommodation in the morning before we left.  And a very bold bunny that hopped right by us as we were hiking.  



Sunday, April 19, 2009




Fresh mussels cooked right on the Barbie by our Stray bus driver "Woody" in Abel Tasman National Park.  Yum.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Tuesday, April 15th

Left my favorite town of Wanaka to make it around the rest of the South Island in time to get back to Auckland on the 26th.  Made it to Queenstown and staying in Deco, a once well-restored Art Deco building that has now been turned into a backpacker's accommodation.  We have a beautiful view of the lake and mountains from the garden.  

I've been thoroughly enjoying a simpler life with not much material possessions to worry about.  Life without a cell phone for the last 2 1/2 months has allowed me to forget what it was like to be attached to my phone messages and texting.  And only having to worry about a small amount of belongings I can carry all at once.  I can literally wash every piece of clothing I have with me in one load.  And hanging my clothes to dry in the fresh air has been a new, environmentally friendly experience.

I've been hanging out with a friendly group of "lads" and ladies from Ireland.  We've been living life together on the road and exploring new places.  I've had many good conversations about cultural differences, the difference between a "jumper" and "trousers" and much more.  It's been nice getting comfortable enough with people to discuss our differences and similarities while laughing at ourselves.   


Monday, April 14th

Hiked the Mt. Roy Trek.  This entailed 8 kilometers up a steep and rocky trek that was randomly "hit" with sheep doo-doo.  Watch your step!  I love when sheep see you coming along the trail and just stop and stair while chewing on grass.  It's the funniest site.  I caught myself talking to them several times.  Unfortunately none of them responded.

Due to my index finger's need to take so many photos, and the steepness of the trail, it took me 5 hours to get to the top.  I love the feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction when reaching the top of such a challenging and breathtaking hike.  Yes!  I made it!  Taking in mountain peaks from 360 degrees as far as the eye can see.  It's just too hard to put it in words.  Coming down the 8 kms was another challenge but I made it to the bottom just as the sun was going behind the mountains.  Now to get back to the Purple Cow just another 7 kilometers away.  I made it to the Millenium Trek along the Lake Wanaka just as I lost all daylight.  My eyes surprisingly adjusted to the dark enough to follow the gray pebble trail back.  The other "Stray-ers" were going to call a search party if I hadn't arrived back within the last 10 minutes I came through the front door.  Ten hours was a bit much for a day hike but very satisfying and such a beautiful day.


Sunday, April 13th

Easter.  Photographed the sunrise over Lake Wanaka and just had quiet time.  Attended New Life Church for a nice Easter service followed by tea, cookies and good conversation.  Spent the afternoon at an art festival and sitting by the lake.  Attended an evening church service led by a woman named Natalie originally from Mammoth, California.  I've met over 10 Natalie's on this trip.  I was wondering where they were all hiding.  My arm, hand, and foot have been bothering me a lot from all the activities I've been doing and wanted to do another big hike on Monday.  The evening service opened up the floor for healing prayers for anyone that needed it.  I hesitated b/c I was a guest and it was such a small congregation.  But I quickly felt comfortable enough to ask as the people were very welcoming.  A woman named Katherine prayed over my hand and foot and it felt completely better in minutes.  I've never experienced such an instant answer to prayer.  This ongoing pain from my car injury has taken many different doctor treatments and time before any improvements have been felt until now.  I am in shock and elated for this healing and have God to thank for it.  There were many other physical ailments that were literally healed before peoples' eyes at their previous week's service too.


Saturday, April 12th

Just hung out at the Purple Cow, the place we've been staying in Wanaka.  It's been the best accommodation I've stayed in NZ so far.  The Tongariro Crossing National Park accommodation comes in a close 2nd.  


Friday, April 11th

Hiked around the lake with a few other "Stray-ers" and just explored the town.  Went and watched a movie at the local cinema that only holds 50 people at once with only 2-3 movies shown per day in a room full of comfy couches and an old VW Bug to sit back and watch the film.  They stop each movie half way through to partake in a meal or their well known homemade ice cream or home baked cookies.  Wish movies at home stopped in the middle for bathroom breaks, etc.


Thursday, April 10th

Got off the Stray bus in Wanaka, town of 6,000.  This was just supposed to be a one hour Stray stop but after reading up on Wanaka I knew I couldn't feel satisfied without spending a few days.  This town is situated right on Lake Wanaka with mountain landscape all around.  Loved every second of being here.  This has been my absolute favorite town in NZ so far.  It has the best of everything all in one.  A small town feel, access to everything one could need in way of shops, nice people, art galleries, art festivals, wineries, water activities, loads of hiking "treks" around the lake, up into and through the mountains, skiing in the winter, and tons more outdoor activities.


Wednesday, April 8th

Franz Josef Glacier

It rained the day before more than what London's annual rainfall!!!  That's a lot of H20!  So the "trail" in the rainforest taking us to the glacier had turned into a fast flowing creek.  It was a site seeing all of us trying not to get our boots wet.  By the time we got out of the rainforest, it was pouring rain again.  It just hadn't rained enough yesterday.  So the idea of keeping our feet and boots dry was comical to our guides to say the least.  We quickly learned to step right through water pools without holding back.  As we got up into the glacier, we added "clamp-ons" and an ice pick to our glacier outfit ensemble.  

Tuesday, April 8th

Hiked the Abel Tasman Trek from the southern most part and spent the last half of the day on a sailboat viewing the mountains from the sea.  It was a nice treat sitting back after a long hike through rainforest and along the cliff ocean coastline.  


Monday, April 9th

Maori Bone Carving.  Learned how to do this traditional art form by Maori people.  We got to start with our own piece of cow bone, pick our design, draw it on, and begin carving.  I chose a the traditional fishhook which symbolizes strength and determination.  The Maori custom is to give this symbol to a close friend as a gift.  It is not something to buy or make for yourself.  I will be passing this necklace on to a close friend when I return to the states.


Church in the Sky

Sunday, April 6th

So, I had a choice, I could go to church on ground level inside a building or I could experience fellowship with God in the sky.  I went for the hang gliding in memory of Poppa Bill and enjoyed taking in the sites and scenes of God's beautiful creation from above.  While living with Poppa in his last few weeks, he shared that he's always wanted to go hang gliding to see what it felt like to be a bird.  He loved birds.  I would have let fear get in the way of even considering doing this but wanted to cheers Pops up in the sky.  Thank you Poppa.  It was a free ride.


That evening we arrived in the tiny town of Barrytown.  Population: 19  We doubled the population when our Stray Bus arrived.  We had a theme party to make the small town a bit more exciting.  We had the challenge of wearing anything other than clothes to our dinner roast that evening.  It was fun creating an outfit of random objects.  I managed to use my laptop bag, foil, and a black plastic bag to create my outfit.  It was the dressiest I've felt during this whole backpacking trip.  Who knew those items would make a girl feel like a lady out on the town?