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April Be Trippin'!
Hello Family and Friends of the Northern Hemisphere:
My trek through New Zealand is nearly over. I am now at my last destination, Christchurch. Here is an update of the last few cities I've visited since you last heard from me:
Greymouth - considered the "largest city on the west coast" and its "commercial center". Haha. This town was dead. Hardly anyone was on what few streets were there. We all felt like we were in the movie set of 28 days later, and we were looking out for zombies to attack. Don't even get me started on the $6 all you can eat bbq sausages. Gag!
Nelson - I did a day of sailing and a 14.5 km hike of abel tasman national park. AWESOME experience. Absolutely loved it.
Franz Josef - Town consisted of two streets - a street for accomodation and a street with a few bars, cafes, and a market. The main attraction, of course, being Franz Josef glacier. I opted to do the free hike of the glacier valley. A few friends partook in heli-hikes and full day hikes up the glacier. It rained the entire second day we were there so my friends and I played games and cards in the lounge. I taught them how to play "Nervioso". They really enjoyed it. We even played it on the bus ride the next day.
Queenstown - "Adventure capital of NZ". I went crazy and took a scenic cruise through Milford Sound. Haha. It was some of the most beautiful scenery I have seen in NZ; waterfalls, snow capped peaks, mountains. We even spotted a few dolphins. Queenstown is a very lively resort town besides yet another monstrous lake. I was planning to go swimming in it but I heard the bus driver mention fresh water sharks so that put me off. Ah! The last two cities, Dunedin and Lake Tekapo were rather unimpressive and I just spent my time reading and soaking in the cancer rays. Dunedin is meant to be NZ's Scotland. It has the highest population of Scottish people outside of Scotland. The city was pretty dodgy I must say. To entertain myself I wandered the streets and then created a treasure map for some friends who would arrive in Dunedin and stay at the same hostel the next day. I just got word from them and they had a great time following my instructions and captured it all on camera; can't wait to see it.
Lake Tekapo...I just about finished Alduos Huxley's "Island" at the hostel there. That's what went down in Lake Tekapo. Oh, I was in a 6 bed dorm with all Korean girls. Last night I received a lesson in Korean. Annyong! (Hello!) Pego Pa! (I'm hungry - which I always am out here!) There are actually heaps and heaps of Koreans in NZ, mostly students. Many of them are working in Australia and are here in NZ for their holiday. That's the awesome thing about traveling, not only am I learning and experiencing the local culture but I get to learn from the people I'm traveling with as well. Sweet as!
Christchurch is "the most English city outside of England". I've just arrived today and I visited cathedral square, the arts center, the botanical gardens, and I watched two men play life size chess in the square. Tomorrow I will tour the art gallery (free entry!). Friends will be arriving tomorrow afternoon. Looking forward to more good times!
I depart on Thursday for the next leg of my jouney - Australia. First stop Gold Coast to visit my friend Sean whom I know from my semester in HK. I am so excited!!!! Sean, we are going to have a blast, buddy! Sexy dance part deux!
Hope everyone is well back home. Running out of internet time! ACK!
Love,
April
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