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It's been a while since my last post because school work has started to become reality... well, whatever reality means in New Zealand. The library here closes at 5pm, while the library at CSU closes at 10pm during a normal week. I've learned rather quickly how much more laid back the attidude about essentailly everything is here... it's not just a rumor afterall!
This weekend we made up for the lack of excitement from last weekend. We went to Kaikoura, which is about 2.5 hours north of Christchurch. Getting there was arguably as entertaining as being there. Picture this... there were 13 of us that went so we piled into three cars: the car that I own with three other girls, and two cars that the boys own. Naturally, the girls' car was the only one who looked up the directions, so we took the lead (I was driving). We came to a set of roundabouts that were not labeled in the directions, so as we entered the circle everyone started yelling out which way they thought was correct. We were all laughing hysterically, only adding to the chaos, so I randomly chose an exit to take. It wasn't the right exit as it only put us into another roundabout. The boys were following us hanging out of their windows trying to yell at us as we made our way around the circle then back to the original roundabout. We still hadn't figured out which exit was correct at this point, so I kept driving around the circle with the two other cars following around and around. After about three times around the roundabout we figured it out and finally exited. The fact that we were driving on the opposite side of the road going the opposite direction around the rounadabout only added to the humor of it all.
When we finally made it to Kaikoura, we found a hiking trail that went around the tip of the Kaikoura Peninsula. We started right near the ocean and got to see baby seals playing in the bay. We then made our way up and around the peninsula and ended up ontop of cliffs that hung high over the ocean. As we cut across, we made our way through a dairy farm and got up close and personal with the cows. We then came around the edge of the peninsula and made our way down the otherside where the tide was out a few hundred feet so we could go explore the tide pools. So cool! Ocean creatures and shells of all kinds were scattered across the entire surface. As we made the loop back to the cars, we had to hike through a heavily forested area that reminded me of hikes in Colorado. It was amazing to experience tropical, costal scenery and dry, forested areas all in one hike.
It was near dark by the time we got back to the cars and we still hadn't found a place to camp. When we arrived at the campsite we had planned on staying at, they had a charge of $20 per person. We collectively decided that if we were going to pay that much we might as well stay in a hostile, but we all still really wanted to camp. I convinced the team that we could try driving out of town and turning off anywhere we saw a camp sign and checking the prices there. We did just that and found a campsite with only a donations box because it is still technically winter and they don't charge out of camping season. We were the only people there and right on the river so we could make a fire. Because it was dark when we set up camp, we weren't sure what our surroundings would be in the morning. We woke up in the middle of huge snowcapped peaks with a bright, tropical base near the riverbed. It was amazing to say the least.
There was a hike that was highly suggested by locals in town, so after packing up camp we headed out to find the trailhead. It wasn't far from camp and it was right on the coast. We made our way up through an insanley colorful and bright tropical forest alongside a stream. When we got to the top, there was a huge waterfall into a small body of water that was filled with 50+ baby seals. Amazing doesn't even begin to explain how sureal it was. They were full of energy and unafraid of of our presence. Needless to say, I wanted to bring one home with me.
I got back to campus this afternoon and have a lot going on this week before we leave for Samoa on the 17th. Luckily, we don't have school on Monday or Wednesday (HA!) so I should have plenty of time to get everything done. I doubt I will have internet in Samoa so my next post probably won't be when I am back from break. In the meantime, I will make sure to lay on the beach and drink a daquiri for everyone!
- comments
Carole Blocher What a wonderful life!! It sounds so amazing and I am so happy that you get to experience all that you are! I think of you every day! Grandma xoxo
DN or...Dad Your funny honey :-) I was laughing about the roundabout story...but it sounds like the destination was amazingly memorable. Nice job taking the lead on the camp site (as opposed to the lead on the roundabouts). Scenery and experience as always seems...well, extraordinary. Have fun in Samoa, Happy 22nd BD!!