Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Time has passed so quickly. A lot of our bus have gone their separate ways now, either moving on faster, slowing down, or travelling up back north. Kind of weird but so nice when you bump into 'old' friends at a hostel somewhere along the route - such a nice surprise!
We said many goodbyes on our first night in Wellington, having pool and games competitions in the bar in our hostel. The next day I visited Te Papa Museum, where I learnt more about Maori culture and South Pacific migration to New Zealand. The acceptance and integration of different people in this country is something I find fascinating, and I'm always guaranteed a good chat talking about it to the local kiwis! We finished our visit with some good old karaoke - which didn't fail to get the adrenalin back in me! Very funny.
I spent my next few days resting up a bit in Nelson after we crossed to the South Island on the ferry. This is quite a cute little quaint town. I took two (steep!) walks up to the centre of New Zealand - one at sunset, and one at night which was a bit scary when we were surrounded by tall dark trees going up! - but both had pretty awesome views of the city and the surrounding water and mountains. The most stunning day of nature was a trip to Abel Tasman National Park. We had to get an aqua-taxi across to begin a 5 hour trek, and while we coasted along early in the morning, the sun was pouring light onto the contours of the pine-covered mountains, the water mirrored the skies, and sailboats floated along the horizon. It was so beautiful.
We saw some stingrays and came across a seal colony and then were pretty much left to our own devices to get from one part of the coast down south to another, to get picked up again. It actually turned into a mini adventure, because we decided to take the faster low-tide walk, and ended up running into the tide coming in.....clever! So we had to side-step and jump our way across slimy rocks and under grotty logs. Then the water actually cut across our path, so all we could do was take off our shoes and socks, and wade in the freezing but crystal clear, sparkling flowing waters! The only problem was the millions of crabs, tiny shells and mushy, sinking mud below the surface! Not to mention the crappy sandfly bites around my ankes which only I seemed to get! Unfair!
Oh well, all worth it in the end. I just can't believe how everywhere you turn here there is something breathtaking in sight. I forget to mention last time we also visited another national park - Tongariro, featuring incredible waterfalls and also Mount Doom, from Lord of the Rings! Amazing.
I'm now making my way down the west coast of the South Island, having passed through Westport and Lake Mahinapua, where we stayed at the 'poo pub' last night. Slightly crazy - its owned by this 84 year old kiwi with such a spirited attitude, and its only open to kiwi Experience travellers. One bus usually stops every night and so every night there is a fancy dress party! Last night the theme was something beginning with the first letter of your name... so obviously I was a fairy! Fun to get dressed up again!! Hehe, what a mad one though. This morning our driver transported 50 wary, tired, grumpy and hungover people. What a sight!
I'm now in Franz Josef, resting up tonight for tomorrow's trek on the fastest moving glacier in the world! Bring it on!!!
- comments