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Next Stop - New Zealand!!!
05/10 - 08/10 - Auckland, North Island. Arrived in Auckland and got to the place where Dad had booked me into. It was lovely to have a 2 bed apartment to myself rather than having to share a dorm with up to 16 people! For the fisrt 3 days I didnt do much apart from lounge around in my apartment!! Did all my washing and unpacked my back pack which was a relief!! Booked my Stray pass which is the tour I decided to do. Wozza, the lad I met in Fiji was a tour driver for the company and it takes you all around the north and south island and its a great way of meeting people. Bumped into Rachel, Nicola and Rachel and got them up to my apartment - got ready and had a dance in Auckalnd town. Cant remember much but it was a good night. Had to check out on the 8th so spent the night in the Fat Camel which is a hostel in Auckland. Said goodbye to Rach & Nic as they had a car and me and Char spent the day in bed recovering!
09/10 - Stray tour - the Bay of Islands. Headed up to the bay of islands with a driver called Gerrard. Stayed at a hostel called pipi patch which was nice.
10/10 - Took a tour up to Cape Reinga, the most northern part of NZ. We had a 4x4 van for ouur tour bus which was so much fun. Went along 90 mile beach which isnt really 90 miles but infact a highway!! Yep! You can travel along a beach as its a highway!! Saw a baby seal. Had the best fish and chips ever!
11/10 - Spent the day in Paihia, had a wander around and then got the Stray bus back down to Auckland. Spent the night there ready for the start of the tour around all of NZ!
12/10 - Day 1 - Met our driver Scoobs who is a Maori lad and it was wicked person! First stop Hahei but stopped in a place called Thames for food etc but me and Richard, a lad I met on the bus found a pub instead!! Got to Hahei early afternoon and me and Richard took a walk to Cathedral Cove. Wow, what a walk! I thought I was going to die, the hills were so steep!!! Cathedral Cove was a beautiful place as you can see my the piccies! We then took a trip to hot water beach where the water is so hot, you can dig yourself a bath and sit in it for hours! My feets got burnt as the water was so hot!! The evening we had a BBQ which was nice as you got to meet everyone. We then took an evening strole along the beach to see the stars and also the shells that glow in the dark!
13/10 - Headed over to Raglan. The surfing place of NZ. We checked in to our hostel which was a lodge. Scoobs took us down to the beach where I played Rugby for the first time ever! Tried to have a paddle in the sea but the rips were so strong I found it a struggle to get out! Scoobs then took us to Bridal waterfalls - Emma's first waterfall. In the evening we saw glow worms!
14/10 - Waitomo Caves. This is where you can go caving, balck water rafting and absailing. Emma was too chicken and took the "granny" tour and saw the glow worms and then to another cave to have a walk around. After waitomo caves we headed to Rotorua. As the area is volcanic and still active they had hot mud and the whole town stinks!! Got there and Charlotte, Rachel and Nicola were in the same hostel as me. In the evening, me, Richard and a few others took a trip to the Maori culture night which was really interesting. It started off with the warriors doing to hacka to our chief (a man on the bus) and then a lady sings to allow us into their village. We saw how the Maori's lived and what they did. Then they did a show and then we had dinner which was yummy!! We headed back to Hotrocks, our hostel and went to the Lava Club which apparently was the most liveliest place in Rotorua!
15/10 - Went shopping with a kiwi boy called Kris who tried to teach me the rules etc to Rugby! Then at about midday we headed to Taupo. Stayed at Urban Retreat . On the way there we stopped to see the Hocka Falls and hot mud - still smelt!! Got to Taupo and the aim was to spent 2 night there and do a sky dive.
16/10 - We were informed that the next bus available was the 20th and we werent going to stay in Taupo that long so we jumped on the bus again with scoobs and headed to Tongariro National Park. On the way we stopped off in a town called Turangi, we stopped off at a trout farm where Emma tried to feed them and screamed when then jumped out of the water to take the food from my hand! We then went to the Tawtais waterfall where Rachel, the crazy head, jumped off the waterfall. I got as far as putting my cossy on but as soon as I saw the waterfall I chickened out!!! Saw the 2 famous mountains on our travels, Tongariro and Pukekalkore. Now we were suppposed to walk the mountains and it is a 6 hour hike but as the weather was so bad we couldnt walk it. So scoobs took us to do a 2 hour hike and Emma shot off and ran some of it and was the first one back after doing it in an hour 10!! I need the exercise believe me!!! The hostel we stayed at was the best so far! It had a huge fire and proper matresses!!! It even had a hot tub which we jumped into as soon as we got there. We then had dinner in the local kiwi pub which was fun and met the locals. Met a snow maker who took a shine to Rachel and some birthday boy ended up buying me drinks!! Apparently its the way over there so I didnt complain!! When we got back it was snowing!! It felt like Christmas up in the mountains in some beautiful resort!
17/10 - Headed to Wellington, the last stop in the North Island. I wasnt feeling too great after the amount I drank the night before and learnt my lesson not to drink too much when you have a long journey in front of you the next morning! So I sat with Scoobs at the front and played Boat, Float, Goat! You have to see them in order and shout when you see them. A float is the thing that the horses get carried in! Stopped at a place called Bulls, named after the Englishman John Bulls???!!! Got to Wellington and I had to lay down for a few hours. Ended up in the backpackers nightclub drinking too much again!!
18/10 - Boat trip from the north to the south island. Ive never felt so bad before! The sea was so choppy so I took some sickness tablets and tried to sleep the whole way. Scoobs picked us up in Picton and we head to Abel Tasman, the south islands national park. This is where I then decided after being on a coach for hours and hours that I wanted to jump out of a plane!!! It was amazing. I jumped 13,000 ft from a plane with a man called Bob! The plane ride up in the tiny plane was more acry I think than jumping out of it! As soon as we jumped we toppled out of the plane and free falled from what seemed a life time. He then pulled the parachute and we cruised over the park. Having mountains one side and sandy beaches the other - the view was literally breath taking! We did a few stunts and landed on my feet! I gave him the biggest hug ever!! I was on a high then for the rest of the day! We stayed at Old MacDonalds Farm which was cool. We even had our own peacock who kept on shaking his feathers at the ladies!!!
19/10 - Spent the morning in Abel Tasman and at about midday we headed to Barrytown. The weather was awful so we kept on going. Didnt get to Barrytown until about 8pm but there was a party - the theme - no clothes! I went as a hula hula and my outfit was made out of black bin liners and silver foil. Had a brilliant night and got everyone dancing!
20/10 - Woke up and went bone carving. Which was an experience again whilst hungover! Drinking too much??!! Yep!! Made Jonathan a carving. The rest of the day was taking a wonder to the beach and looking for their green stone which is Jade and a very special stone to them. The evening was spent not drinking and watching dvd's!
21/10 - Took a drive to Punakaiki to see the pancake mountains and also to have breakfast. We then had a long drive to Franz Josef. We stopped off at Hotiika to do some shopping and also see the jad stone shop and saw some being made into carvings. Got to Franz Josef late afternoonn. We booked out glacier walk and headed to Rainbow Lodge, our hostel. Me and the girls ran into the hot tub as it was raining outside and stayed there to warm up. Was such a bizzarre feeling being in hot water outside and for it to be raining and cold. The eveing we watched the rugby NZ v Oz.
22/10 - Early start 6.30am Glacier walk. I have to say that the walk for me was more of an achievement than the skydive. I hate heights and the thought of wlaking on ice scares me silly! But I did it! It was really hard work but our guide Mike was great and made sure we all felt ok. The scenes were beautiful but my camera died completely so Im waiting for Charlotte to get the piccies off her to show you all. We left Franz Josef at 2.30pm and headed to Makarora. On our way to Makarora we stopped off at thunder somethiing waterfalls and the blue pools, which were really blue!!! The hostel was lovely. We had teepee style lodges and in the mountains and had the lake by the side of us. Ive never seen the star look so bright and so clear.
23/10 - Headed to Wanaka at 10.30am. Had a wonder round Wanaka which is a lovely town and headed to Puzzling World! Its a place that has illusions and crazy things that make your head go funny! They also have a maze in which you have to get to each corner and the average person can walk 3 - 5km in the maze! After winning and being the 1st group to get to them all and get out first we headed to Queenstown but stopped off at Mrs Jones' Fruit place who sells the most freshest fruit around and also has the best ice cream - apparently! Got to Queenstown late afternoon and prepared ourselves for a big farewell party as most people were saying goodbye here. Danced alot and ended up in bed, I think, at about 5am!!!
24/10 - I died! I didnt get up until 6pm and it was so nice to finally not do one thing and chill out. After being on the road constantly it gets to you so all us girlies died in bed and slept lots and lots! Ended finally getting up and headed to the irish bar we found!!!
25/10 - Laundry day! Didnt do much and finally bought myself a half decent camera! HAd a walk around Queenstown and spent the evening watcing dvd's.
26/10 - Wow - shock horror!! Emma worked for a day!!!! It was supposed to be Char and Nic that were working but Nic had a cold and couldnt speak so I helped out. Me and Charlotte spent the day handing out leaflets for a jewellers that had a half price sale. Now in a big town, its quite easy but in a small town it got very boring! They gave us a bag of sweets to hand out and me and Char ended up eating them, tieing balloons to ourselves and dancing and singing down the roads!! 6 hours later it took its toll and wanted to go home. We got $50 out of it though so it has helped a bit. Emma made dinner for the girls and had a few drinks in the bar.
27/10 - Spent the morning writing this and Ive been on the net now for 3.5 hours solid and My head is bounding and Ive still got to write emails!!! We've got a halloween party tonight and the winner of the best dressed wins a bungee jump. IF I win, Im selling mine!!!! Will keep you more updated from now on!!!! Halloween party was fun. Didnt win but was in the last remaining people to win. Not sure what I was really but I had a black dress with tin foil stars and moons attached to it! Ended up meeting a rugby team from Auckland which was quite entertaining! Especailly when they all got up and started dancing!!
28/10 - Woke up early and went out with Rachel and Charlotte for breakfast. Queenstown is a quiet place at 8.30am! Went to the DVD shop and spent the whole day watching dvd's! Not really the travelling thing but when you drink too much the night before - what else can you do. Enjoyed the day in the tv room watching film after film! Eventually got up and dressed and watched the rugby - UK v Kiwi's. Never have I seen so much rugby in all my life since being here!
29/10 - Woke up to rain - it was supposed to be walking day but fat chance in the down pour we had. We went and played indoor crazy golf which was fun. In the afternoon we borrowed Charlotte's mates 4x4 and headed off on a little road trip! We stopped off in a place called Arrowtown and saw where the first set of chinese people made settlement there. Their houses were tiny and far too small for someone like me!! Charlotte lives on a farm back home and is used to driving 4x4 so she took it for a rally through the rivers!! It was fun!! We then headed to Frankton and stopped off to have a bit of a shop. Rachel bought fireworks for Halloween! We then went to Deer Heights which is a big park just outside of Queenstown and we went there to feed the animals and see the sights of Queenstown. Its also where a lot of Lord of the Rings was filmed. Fed deer, pigs, donkeys, goats, lamars and other odd looking animals. The ox thing, thankfully didnt come down off his hill and stayed where he was!!! Had a drink with Charlotte's mate Paddy and dropped the car back off. Charlotte made her first ever spag bol which was yummy! Intended to go out for a few seeing as it was our last night but ended up being up all night! Said goodbye to the people that were staying which was sad and I played frizbee until 4.30am!
30/10 - 7am pick up to leave Queenstown. Rob, our driver is crazy! He took me up to the Bay of Islands when I was in the north island. But he certainly made the trip enjoyable! We headed towards Te Anau which is where we were staying for the night. We booked our boat trips for Milford Sounds and Stewart Island. Dumped our bags off at the site we were staying and headed towards Milford Sounds. I have to say Milford Sounds was the most beautiful part of NZ that I have seen. The scenery is to die for and it was breath taking. We took a boat tour around Milfords Sounds and saw Penguins and Seals. Got very close to a waterfall and got wet! We headed then back to Te Anau and ordered a chinese to be delivered to the place we were staying!! The place we were staying was nice. It was a set on a holiday camp style place and we had our own rooms! This was the first time since Auckland that I had slept by myself! For some poeple it had been months and months!! Was strange at first and then felt like heaven!! Even had an early night !
31/10 - Another 7am start! Its so cold at that time in the morning and the bus doesnt have any heating at all! We had the choice to stay on the main island or we could go over to Stewart Island. Boat was at 11.30am and before we got the boat we had our photo's taken at the sign post which is the furthest point south of NZ. So I have me at the north island and also at the south! The boat trip was the worst ride Ive ever had in my life! I just went to the back of the boat turned up my ipod and closed my eyes! Unfortunatley for me I opened them at the wrong time and saw my friend Ang be sick in front of me! An hour on the boat seemed like a life time!! Once on Stewart Island we checked in to our accomodation which was small cottages which were cool! I got a double bed! YEY! The plan was to go fishing but after that boat trip there was no way I was going on another so I stayed back and had a wonder around Stewart Islands which took about 10 mins! Went to the only pub on the island! In the evening as it was Halloween we dressed up. I had nothing really to wear so the girls painted my face! We then headed down to the beach and had our own fireworks display! We then tried to go to the pub but at 10.10pm it was closing! Headed back to our cottage for our own little party.
01/11 - Another eraly start! 8am boat trip back to the main island. Thankfully the boat trip was fine and calm. No more coming out of my seat this time! Headed to Dunedin and stoppped off at a few places. Went to a museam and saw the smallest jail Ive ever seen! Had lunch and carried on through the countryside. Got to Dunedin late afternoon, went shopping and had a wonder around. Dunedin is very studenty but they were all away so it was fairly quiet. The aim was to go out for a dance but we ended up playing pool, headed out and everything was so quiet. So grabbed some wine and sat up chatting all night!
02/11 Early start again!! Last bus trip today! My tour ends! Christchurch hear I come! Rob took us to the steepest road in the world and made us walk up it! My life it was hard work! Well worth it at the top! Still quiet hard to walk down too! Had a stop at boulder beach which the stones on the beach were massive great big boulders. The rest of the day was driving to Christchurch. Arrived in Christchurch late afternoon and met Charlotte who had to leave us at Queenstown to meet her Dad. So met Dad and Charlotte and then went out for dinner with the last of the Stray crew. We went to an English pub and I had a hot pot!!
03/11 - Boring day of laundry, emails. Met Sean in the afternoon, a boy I met on the Stray bus and we went shopping for Poi and he tried to teach me a few moves, it wasnt very sucessful! In the evening I met up with Wozza, the fella who I met in Fiji who is a Stray driver. Was good to see him. Then went to the cimema to see Jackass 2 - never laughed so much in a long time!
04/11 - Charlotte and her Dad left today to travel around the south island so said a sad goodbye. It was Sean;s birthday so we went out for lunch and then headed to the Botanical gardens. It was such a beautiful day that we spent the whole afternoon in the gardens. Late afternoon was spent back at the hostel garden. The evening was spent playing drinking games, singing happy birthday and eating cake. We then went out into Christchurch and partied all night long. Ended up back at the hostel at 6.30am! Not a great idea when I have to fly out of the country!!
05/11 - After no sleep and lounging around I finally left Christchurch all packed and ready to go for my flight to Sydney at 3.30pm. Flight was ok and tried to sleep as much as I could! Got into Sydney and guess what.... RAIN!!!!! This isnt what its supposed to be like!!!!
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