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Going away with one person, in this case your husband, and spending everyday with them makes you aware of your differences. Point in hand, I am sat in the A J Hackett shop writing this blog, while Mat is actually probably free-falling a whopping 134m from the Nevis Bungy as I type. It's like a tiger marrying a mouse, and then looking after said mouse rather than chewing it up! Totally unimpressed by the fact they tried to charge us $50 just for me to watch and get a ride. Boo!
I did get a little intrepid myself on Tuesday, when we both did a day hike on the Fox Glacier. It was while doing this it became clear that we've been away for ages, veteran traveller status, as unlike most of the other people, who are probably only being liberated from desk junkie status for a few weeks, we weren't huffing and puffing at the walk to the glacier (it really was not a huge incline!) or insisting on teeny tiny steps so as to take a photo every. 5. Seconds.
The trip was tres cool as we got to squash between huge sections of the glacier, soaking ourselves, and don the crampons again, I managed to fall down a set of ice steps the guide had cut for us and land on my arse. I laughed so loudly the whole group stopped, it was just so beautiful up there in all that shiny white purity and blue sky I felt a little hysterical!
I found it awesome walking towards the glaciers, we visited Franz Joseph too, as they've retreated through the valley leaving in their wake grey stones all along the ground and a border of luscious green mountains. I had a notion we were walking in a glacier graveyard and felt humbled by how much longer the glacier has been around compared to me, and everyone I've ever or will know.
Before getting here however, we were lucky enough to bum a host, in Wellington, in the shape of pixie sized Hannah (A Dr Mat knows from home who's living here and working in a much more relaxed health service) and meet her giant sized boyfriend. Hannah was simply too kind, she moved out of her flat for us and while we should have protested more it did rock to have a hot shower every day! We tried to make amends by cooking but even that was a little selfish as it was the dish I've been craving the most since being away, Tandoori Salmon on Naan. Mat hasn't lost his touch and it did live up to my exacting expectations!
Hannah and Johnny entertained us despite the "weather bomb" (just how dramatic are these Kiwis using expressions like that?!) and took us driving along a rugged coast that wanted to blow us off it, we managed to get 5 mins on the beach to see the seals who were just lying there in their almost obscene obesity; too lazy to even move when Hannah's dog was practically stood next to them. Mind you, one did sort of bark at me when I got a bit too confident with my camera and I ran off faster than I knew I was capable of.
So now, it's St. Paddy's day and we are in Queenstown and the shop is playing Irish tunes (to my great disturbance one is a horrible little ditty about a woman murdering her baby, Bab's once sang it to me in the dark and hearing it surrounded by exhilarated, macho outdoor types is out of context to the extreme but still horrible!) We are planning to raise a glass, of overly expensive, 4 pounds a pint beer, to the Irish today and listen to some live music. Hopefully, the same man who somehow gets his battered looking piano into the street next to the beach and plays beautiful music that belongs in Amelie (or any French film to be honest).
Queenstown is a dream of a place. The streets smell edible (Which is a sharp contrast to those of Santa Cruz in Bolivia where the stench of piss in the heat was so strong it clung to you and still makes me feel sick to recall!) The food places and the bars all seem to host live music that's of my liking (no more Black Eyed Peas!) and the setting... divine. A lake that sparkles as if to yell, "look at me, I m so wonderfully blue, or green depending on how the sun strikes me, you must want to rush in and cleanse that filthy soul of yours" and mountains that want to be conquered. No wonder everybody here is grinning like drunk all day... They have struck gold. Plus the sun is shining!
We also got to catch Sophie and Richard up here again and be wined and dined with Richard's folks, steak baby (not quite as good as Argentina) and laugh heartily as of the obscure things they offered for sale on the boards on the walls were blondes, brunettes and gingers. Brunettes were the most expensive. Naturally I approved!
Anyway, enough talk, more action!
- comments
Herd Kwun Wheel ya wheel ya waal ya, down by the river saawlyaa. Happy St Paddy's day Kelly and Matthew
Howard PS Herd Kwun is the way in which my Northern Irish cousins pronounce my name.
helen Top blog! Make sure you visit the luge if you havent yet and has Mat had the Minteuth's summer ale? Lush!
Howard Hi Kelly and Mat. What a top day. My dad was Irish and it is St Patrick's Day. My mum was Welsh and Wales have just beaten France to win the 6 Nations Grand Slam!
mat h again, sounds like you're having such a good time, very jealous and very happy for you!