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As if 9 days in Samoa wasn't enough, when we got home we did a quick turnaround and headed south to Queenstown. We spent only two days there, but I have to say that is is hands down my favorite place in New Zealand so far. It captures everything I love about both a town and a landscape. It is bursting with the character of a cozy, lakeside mountain town, yet filled with high energy and young adventurers. There are restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops galore, and also endless hiking and biking trails, skiing and snowboarding, skydiving and bungee jumping.
To those whom this may surprise, I went skydiving... again. Way better than the first time around. It was a 12,000 ft jump, which was amazing because that is the summit of the highest peak in New Zealand which we could see in the distance. The plane ride up was astonishing; tightly hugging the snow covered mountain sides and gliding over crystal blue lakes. I can confidently claim that jumping out of a plane is the best way to get an ariel view of New Zealand.
After (too) much fun in Queenstown, we continued our journey through Fiordland National Park and into Milford Sound. Fiordland Nat'l Park was beyond beautiful. It was full of neon green valleys and snowcovered peaks that refelcted perfectly in untouched lakes. We did a 5 hour hike through jungle esque landcape up to a gigantic waterfall fed with pure snowmelt and camped right near a lake that was so still the stars and milkyway reflected flawlessly. Defintely one of the most diverse landscapes I have ever seen.
The best way to see Milford Sound is to take one of the boat tours, which we didn't have the time nor funding to do so, (cough, cough, let's take a tour when you're here, Dad) but just to see it from the pathways was amazing. Also, because it is just now turning into spring here, we were the only tourists there. That was a pretty awesome way to expreience the 8th wonder of the world.
Overall, two weeks of spring break was just as exhausting as it was incredible, but well worth the sleep deprivation. School has snuck up on me and I am realizing that I actually need to spend some time in reality, aka the library. Mom is visiting in just three weeks and I couldn't be more excited to be apart of her first true experience overseas and for her to be apart of my experience in New Zealand.
- comments
Aunt Nancy Christie - I have been following your adventure and can say that you have certainly made the most of opportinity! You have made so many friends, seen so many places and experienced the local culture in each place.Your pictures have been absolutely breath-taking. I agree with your assessment that grades in your studies are not nearly as important as the experienece and since it's just pass/fail I know you will do well. We missed you at the lake this summer but we know you were here in spirit and you were in our hearts all weekend. We are so happy for you and look forward to seeing you after your return! All my love, Aunt Nancy