Well, I'm not really sure if anyone is still reading this but here's a quick update! We travelled from River Valley through to the South Island, it's just a beautiful 3-hour ferry ride. We have been travelling down the West Coast which has left me gazing out the window in awe every day. We have passed through some awesome mountain passes with huge snow-capped peaks and driven by rivers and lakes with the most amazing blue water falling from the top. Sometimes you look at the peaks and it is a vastness of green and then you see a cascading waterfall or little stream running down it, quite cool.
We've done a ton in the last few days but here's a few highlights...
- Went climbing up Franz Josef Glacier! It was fun to climb up the peaks and through small spaces and all over hundreds of tonnes of clear blue ice surrounded by rainforest on either side. Quite a neat display of nature.
- Been enjoying a lot of family meals :) A group of about 10 of us have become really close and been cooking together in the hostel kitchens most nights (it's so much cheaper and a ton of fun) I've learned a lot about England, Scotland and Canada since that's where the posse is from! It's been great to be in a new country and learning about places from all over the globe!
- Went on a jet boat ride on the Bull River! Pretty awesome boat with wicked power - we were doing 360's and swerving around cliffs!
- Lots of cool walks to see waterfalls of all shapes and sizes and gorgeous beach fronts with various rocks and blowholes.
- Poo Pub Party, a Kiwi Experience tradition it is a huge theme party with our bus at these pub and hostel in the middle of no where, our theme was bright and tight...I rocked some aluminum foil knickers, slightly uncomfortable but definitely creative (and cheap!)
- Been to some goofy tourist attractions like a museum dedicated to the possum!
Well, my internet time is just about clocked out! But loving my time and getting pumped because we head to Queenstown tomorrow - labeled the adventure capital of the world!!! My next entry will probably say something about a sweet bungee :)
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Reporting from 50m below ground through 2000m above!
I love New Zealand :) Everyday brings about new adventures, new friends, new randomness - it's great!!
We spent a day in Rotorua - there are a lot of thermal springs there and it is the center of Maori Culture (the native people of New Zealand) The whole town smells of sulfur from the hot springs but besides that it's a neat place. We went to a Maori culture experience. We went to one of the villages and they performed a traditional meeting of two tribes, showed us around the village, performed traditional dances and prepared a huge hangi (feast). The food is cooked from hot rocks in a sort of underground stove.
We then headed to Waitomo! Along the way we saw a sheep shearing show - pretty fun, hick comedy. Upon arrival a few of us went on a walk and stumbled upon a random park that has motel rooms in old airplanes, planes and railcars and Billy Black, the owner, chatted with us. HE has the world record for sheep shearing - 675 in one day!!
The next morning I went on the Black Abyss! We got all done up in goofy wet suits, helmets, and boots and abseiled down a thin tunnel into a cave - we abseiled 40m! It was so cool and you really had to trust yourself. We spent three hours underground exploring the glow worms, rafting in the cave, climbing waterfalls, crawling through tiny holes, swimming, etc. It was an incredible, unique experience.
Then we headed to Lake Taupo! A lake filled with dolphins and big enough to fit all of Singapore! We woke up at sunrise and headed to Tongariro National Park and went on the Tongariro Crossing - it is voted on of the world's top 10 walks and with good reason! The walk takes about 8 hours and goes through volcanic ground - craters, volcanic rocks, some snow parts, beautiful mountains all around! A few of us went off the main path and climbed part of hte summit to the top of the Volcano - it was so steep and red and smokey - way cool! It was a tiring day though!
Now we are in River Valley! A quite little lodge surrounded by a few big cliffs - super peaceful and awesome! On the way today we went on a couple of walks and saw some gorgeous waterfalls and one 20 footer that we were able to jump off. And I'm proud to say I was one of 8 people who took part and the only gal :) It was definitely an extreme form of cliff jumping and I loved it!
Wow, it's amazing how quickly these entries get long! I know there are so many more things I'm missing but there is a general idea of how awesome this place is! I'm really glad to be here with Kiwi Experience too - the conversations with people from around the world are great, the random bus singalongs, silly inside jokes/experiences that we all share together is pretty neat!
Well, hugs to everyone! See you soon and I will try and update again soon too! We are off to Wellington tomorrow and then headed to the South Island!
We spent a day in Rotorua - there are a lot of thermal springs there and it is the center of Maori Culture (the native people of New Zealand) The whole town smells of sulfur from the hot springs but besides that it's a neat place. We went to a Maori culture experience. We went to one of the villages and they performed a traditional meeting of two tribes, showed us around the village, performed traditional dances and prepared a huge hangi (feast). The food is cooked from hot rocks in a sort of underground stove.
We then headed to Waitomo! Along the way we saw a sheep shearing show - pretty fun, hick comedy. Upon arrival a few of us went on a walk and stumbled upon a random park that has motel rooms in old airplanes, planes and railcars and Billy Black, the owner, chatted with us. HE has the world record for sheep shearing - 675 in one day!!
The next morning I went on the Black Abyss! We got all done up in goofy wet suits, helmets, and boots and abseiled down a thin tunnel into a cave - we abseiled 40m! It was so cool and you really had to trust yourself. We spent three hours underground exploring the glow worms, rafting in the cave, climbing waterfalls, crawling through tiny holes, swimming, etc. It was an incredible, unique experience.
Then we headed to Lake Taupo! A lake filled with dolphins and big enough to fit all of Singapore! We woke up at sunrise and headed to Tongariro National Park and went on the Tongariro Crossing - it is voted on of the world's top 10 walks and with good reason! The walk takes about 8 hours and goes through volcanic ground - craters, volcanic rocks, some snow parts, beautiful mountains all around! A few of us went off the main path and climbed part of hte summit to the top of the Volcano - it was so steep and red and smokey - way cool! It was a tiring day though!
Now we are in River Valley! A quite little lodge surrounded by a few big cliffs - super peaceful and awesome! On the way today we went on a couple of walks and saw some gorgeous waterfalls and one 20 footer that we were able to jump off. And I'm proud to say I was one of 8 people who took part and the only gal :) It was definitely an extreme form of cliff jumping and I loved it!
Wow, it's amazing how quickly these entries get long! I know there are so many more things I'm missing but there is a general idea of how awesome this place is! I'm really glad to be here with Kiwi Experience too - the conversations with people from around the world are great, the random bus singalongs, silly inside jokes/experiences that we all share together is pretty neat!
Well, hugs to everyone! See you soon and I will try and update again soon too! We are off to Wellington tomorrow and then headed to the South Island!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Jump Out of A Plane - CHECK!!!
Hello from New Zealand!!!! I have been here for a little over three days now and it is amazing! Every corner you turn is lush green hills and bright turquoise water that looks like it was painted onto a canvas with perfectly white, fluffy clouds!!
I'm travelling with the Kiwi Experience bus which so so cool! Basically, it is like grown-up, adrenaline-pumped summer camp! Our bus is bright green and carries about 30 of us, most of the passengers are young 20's to early 30's. Lots of Europeans, a couple Canadians, Adam and I from the states and an occasional Kiwi/Aussie swinging through. Anyways, most people are on teh same route and same time frame as me so we will be traveling together for the next few weeks! It has been so fun playing silly road games, having random chats, walking around new cities, etc with 30 new friends - and you learn so much about so many places then too!
Our first stop was to the Bay of Islands - absolutely gorgeous. We took a ferry to Russel Island and did a great bush walk to a lookout point of the ocean and islands. The next morning I woke up to a perfect sky and WENT SKYDIVING!!!! SO AWESOME!! I loved it! THe flight was stunning and the fall so cool! We jumped from 12,000 feet and freefall for about 45 seconds. And then floated to the ground - the whole thing was about a 25 minute plane ride in the smallest, crammed plane and a 5 minute fall to the ground. We heard is was the prettiest and cheapest spot to dive in new Zealand so we started the trip with a bang!!
Now we are in Mercury Bay! We went to Mt. Eden today and spent the night with family of Adam's in Auckland - which is a cool city because it is surrounded by 48 volcanoes! Anyways, we travelled for quite a while today and our bus brokedown for about two hours so we all ended up in a random pasture playing frisbee and getting to know each other! haha, it's all part of the roadtrip adventure! Tomorrow we head to Rotorua and have some experiences with the Maori culture!
I'll try and update this as time goes! Thinking of you all!
I'm travelling with the Kiwi Experience bus which so so cool! Basically, it is like grown-up, adrenaline-pumped summer camp! Our bus is bright green and carries about 30 of us, most of the passengers are young 20's to early 30's. Lots of Europeans, a couple Canadians, Adam and I from the states and an occasional Kiwi/Aussie swinging through. Anyways, most people are on teh same route and same time frame as me so we will be traveling together for the next few weeks! It has been so fun playing silly road games, having random chats, walking around new cities, etc with 30 new friends - and you learn so much about so many places then too!
Our first stop was to the Bay of Islands - absolutely gorgeous. We took a ferry to Russel Island and did a great bush walk to a lookout point of the ocean and islands. The next morning I woke up to a perfect sky and WENT SKYDIVING!!!! SO AWESOME!! I loved it! THe flight was stunning and the fall so cool! We jumped from 12,000 feet and freefall for about 45 seconds. And then floated to the ground - the whole thing was about a 25 minute plane ride in the smallest, crammed plane and a 5 minute fall to the ground. We heard is was the prettiest and cheapest spot to dive in new Zealand so we started the trip with a bang!!
Now we are in Mercury Bay! We went to Mt. Eden today and spent the night with family of Adam's in Auckland - which is a cool city because it is surrounded by 48 volcanoes! Anyways, we travelled for quite a while today and our bus brokedown for about two hours so we all ended up in a random pasture playing frisbee and getting to know each other! haha, it's all part of the roadtrip adventure! Tomorrow we head to Rotorua and have some experiences with the Maori culture!
I'll try and update this as time goes! Thinking of you all!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Change of Plans...
If you hadn't heard, my plans have changed a bit. It was a very personal choice and after a lot of thought I very clear see that the people in my life are my number one priority and that I have an amazing life back home that I don't want to keep on hold for 8 months. I have lots of time for adventures and experiences but people aren't around forever and I want to be able to make memories with those I love while I can.
So, I'm headed to New Zealand tomorrow!! And then hopping on a backpacker bus to see everything the two islands have to offer!
The last few days in Mosman Bay have been great - a lot of work and a lot of wine and BBQs around the pool. The cafe has been such a fun place to work - the Greek family that runs it is hilarious, one of the owners, Steve wears sunglasses all day and flirts with all the old ladies (who leave red lipstick marks all over their coffee mugs, haha) It's been fun chatting with the regulars and when the day gets long, I just gaze across the street at the beautiful Balmoral Beach :)
Well, this was quick but just wanted everyone to know my new plans! And I'm off to work at the Mosman Hotel now! XOXO
So, I'm headed to New Zealand tomorrow!! And then hopping on a backpacker bus to see everything the two islands have to offer!
The last few days in Mosman Bay have been great - a lot of work and a lot of wine and BBQs around the pool. The cafe has been such a fun place to work - the Greek family that runs it is hilarious, one of the owners, Steve wears sunglasses all day and flirts with all the old ladies (who leave red lipstick marks all over their coffee mugs, haha) It's been fun chatting with the regulars and when the day gets long, I just gaze across the street at the beautiful Balmoral Beach :)
Well, this was quick but just wanted everyone to know my new plans! And I'm off to work at the Mosman Hotel now! XOXO
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Bali - A Mini Novel
There is so much to say about Bali but I'll try and keep it to the highlights! I just got off the plane a few hours ago and I'm so glad that despite the travel warnings and all I decided to go on this 10-day holiday! It was a completely different experience than Australia and I learned so much being completely on my own - I really enjoyed it and 10 days was the perfect amount of time.
After a little bit of drama getting off the plane (I didn't realize you needed $25 to enter the country and naturally I had like $15 cash on me, a super nice guy from Northern Oz loaned me the money and ended up being a great source of friendship throughout the trip) His name was Mark and it was his 12th trip to Bali so he knew tons of the locals and gave me lots of great advice and taught me how to surf!!! I surfed about every other day and by the end I was able to paddle onto waves and stand up and coast them in, well, most of the time! haha, surfing was a lot of fun tho - a great workout and the water there was awesome. Plus, you end up having lots of cool little chats with people while waiting for the next waves!
I took a day with a driver to travel around the island - I went to the volcano, saw a traditional dance, went to the holy springs temple, the elephant cave temple, silver factory, woodcarving shop, the tobacco/coffee/tea farm (I may have rolled some Bali tobacco and tried my first cigarette...but it is so filled with herbs and more natural substances that it tasted more like a swisher sweet). I also went to the Uluwatu temple at sunset one night - it is filled with monkeys! You can sit down right next to them or walk through swarms of them! The temples are all really beautiful and very sacred to the people - you have to be covered to the ankles and they have many different rules about who can enter - basically you have to be clean and not crazy. I saw a few different ceremonies and traditional dances that were really beautiful - bright, colorful costumes and loud music. They take ceremonies very seriously and will cook huge, elaborate meals.
I took a Balinese cooking class while I was in Ubud - they spend so much time on their meals because everything is made so fresh. They chop and grind fresh spices and herbs and vegetables to make amazing curries and salads - they are all about balancing sweet, spicy, salty and sour - you really can taste all 4 in just about every dish. The food was so good and so cheap - you pretty much never paid more than US$2 for a meal.
I spent 3-days and 2-nights in Ubud, which wasn't enough. It is the hippie village more in central Bali. There is tons of silver jewelry, arts and crafts, jazz music, monkeys roaming the streets and lush rice terraces. I went to the most amazing restaurant one night, Sari Organik. I had to take a motorbike about 1/2 mile out into the rice terrace - it was the smallest, curviest path ever and I was sure we were going to tip into the streams on either side of us. But the we made it to the elevated hut - there was a huge vegetable garden and everything they made was fresh from the garden! So good!!!! In Ubud I stayed in a bungalow, so I'm thinking it is going to be a little like roughing it - WRONG! I had this great little cottage and breakfast was brought to me on my verandah every morning!!
The people of Bali were incredible - the most friendly people ever. I was asked multiple times a day if I wanted a Balinese boyfriend, haha, when I told them I had a great boyfriend in Minnesota they said that was okay, I said I thought he might mind tho :) But, they were also inquistive about your name, where you were from, how you were doing, how many times you've been to Bali. And they wouldn't forget any of it and the next time they saw you, you were greeted with a hug or goofy handshake. One of the older guys told me, you come to Bali and you are never alone because we are all brothers and sisters here and it truely felt that way.
It was such an interesting place because it was tourism meeting third world - there were so many clear examples of both. It is a surfers paradise but there are lots of lush resorts and then lots of locals living in tarp huts, a ton of chaotic traffic - it really never matters what side of the road you are driving on, or heck, if you're a motorbike you might be riding on the sidewalk! You are constantly being hassled to eat here, or look in my store - or if you are on the beach - buy pinneapple, or a massage or get a pedicure, or buy these sunglasses. If I had the bag space I would have probably bought a ton because they have incredible deals and some really neat things! That being said, I apologize, this trip won't be bringing back much, if any, souveniours because I have to carry them and worry about them for far too long! Sorry!
I spent another day at the Safari and Marine Park which was pretty cool - I took a picture holding an orangutan and a tiger and volunteered during the elephant show and an elephant walked right over me! I also spent a day out on a large tender boat and we went to three different snorkel spots - it was the most colorful coral and so shallow so you were able to see a lot - and we brought bread with us so at one point I was feeding and surrounded by hundreds of fish! But my underwater camera decided to break at this point so I'm a little bummed about that...but taking lots of mental pictures, haha! We also stopped at a seaweed farming village!
I realize this is a long entry but it seriously only skims the surface of Bali! I met amazing people - locals and travelers alike and I'm so glad I took advantage of seeing this part of the world! Hopefully I'll have pictures soon and I will be able to share more stories with you all! This seems good for now! Lots of love all around!
Oh yes, and after those rough ten-days I went to the spa before catching my plane - I spent three-hours getting pampered for US$15 - aw :)
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