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I think I am officially the worst blogger ever. It's been over a month since I updated you lovely people (although some of you may be in the loop) and now I will likely forget to mention things I should. So...rewind to end of my 2 week trip of NZ. I went skydiving!!!!!! Absolutely incredible. I did it in Wanaka, a small town just north of Queenstown. I went alone since Martha had already done it, but it was definitely worth it. I really lucked out too, because I only paid for 12,000 feet but since the two others in my plane were doing 15, they took me up there free of charge. So I saved 100 bucks and still managed to do the highest jump. It is an experience that is hard to describe. A lot of people think it may be really scary, but you're so high off the ground that its difficult to be nervous about hitting it. My tandem diving instructor ended up doing flips in the air during our 60 second freefall, it was so exhilirating! I recommend it!! Though wait till you come visit me in New Zealand to give it a go;) Though I hear its not bad in Gan...
So the rest of our trip was a success. One of my favourite areas was the Catlins. Most New Zealanders will tell you there is nothing to see and its not really worth the trip. Not true!! Because it is more remote and less of a tourist destination, it makes it all the more beautiful. Martha and I did a 2 hour horse trek with a girl who ran treks out of her farm. We ventured onto the private land and had some amazing views of the surrounding area. The Catlins has several beaches that are just so unbelievably breathtaking. Like I said, so peaceful and welcoming. We also saw a sea lion on the beach, and apparently it was only a little one! Though after seeing Eight Below, and watching a sea lion crawl out of a whale, I am a bit terrified...or maybe that was just a seal?? One night after dark we drove into a campsite and were too exhausted to put up our tent that we just ended up sleeping in the car. Well done us. Not a comfortable evening. But then we woke up and watched the sun begin to rise on a beach. I say this a lot but I can't get over how amazing this country is!!! Then we ventured on to the edge of New Zealand...the most southernly point of the whole country. Pretty much the end of the world if you ask me!:P We also visited the most southernly lighthouse in the world at Nugget Point. After faiing to see any penguins (there are two types in NZ, yellow eyed penguins and blue penguins) we continued on. So basically, if youre in NZ and are wondering where to go and someoen says don't bother with the Catlins...don't listen!! You won't know what you're missing out on.
On our drive to Queenstown we almost hit a sheep. Scariest experience ever. Luckily Martha was driving and retained her composure. Somehow it just lept out in front of us! Well okay, it was already standing in the road, but it blended in. Demon sheep. So many sheep. It was weird leaving Wellington where there are none and all of a sudden being surrounded by more of them than people. Kind of wish I'd kidnapped one to take home with me. But that'd be baaaaad.
So back to the present, this weekend I went to 'bush ball' for the tramping club. It is what it sounds like. You tramp into the woods, get dressed up in formal wear, then have a party. Needless to say it wasn't as ideal as an experience as I would have hoped. First off, the weather was terrible. I know it may seem a bit un-Canadian of me to complain about how cold it gets here sometimes, but it was not a pleasant day! We bundled up, then started on the one hour easy trek to the cabin. It was raining on the way there, but I decided it wasnt the end of the world. At least I thought that until we had to cross the river. The river had begun to flood, and we had to cross through it almost up to our knees (it was freezing!) So when we finally got to the hut, we were drenched and cold and I was not a happy camper. Still not the end of the world though. I got changed into my dress, and ended up having a blast with all the trampers. Though vodka is now my new enemy. The next day, however, makes this story the horror of all horrors. A real FML. We get up around ten, and find out that the river is too flooded to cross back over. Thus, we take a detour. So, the tramp in was fairly smooth and flat and not challenging. Therefore nursing a hangover on the way home would have been no problem. Except the detour took an extra three hours. And had me escalading up steep muddy embankments while wearing a big pack. And tramping through thigh high water on several occasions in the pouring rain. And then climbing up steep hills as if we were the Von Trapp family fleeing Austria (I could not get 'the sound of music' out of my head!) All in the rain and hail. When a friend of mine pointed out our final destinatin of the bridge, I almost cried in jubilation. However it was not the end. All of us were soaking wet, cold and exhausted. Turns out all the cars (a bunch of trampers had driven) were stuck on the other side of the ford due to flooding. So while most of the drivers went to rescue their vehicles, the rest of us sat, shivering and hungry, waiting for life to get better. Suddenly, a large tractor trailer pulls up and herds us all into the back. It felt like we were a group of illegal immigrants trying to cross a border. So an hour and a half after waiting in the cold, we get dropped off by the ford, where all the cars are being towed across. 8 hours after we left the hut, we finally head home. From a one hour tramp to an 8 hour adventure...guess thats why I am in New Zealand, to truly have the kiwi experience! Lets just say it is going to be a while before I decide to do more tramping.
On another note, only one week left of classes! Then two exams, one on the 17th of June and the other on the 30th. Can't believe how fast it has gone by. Right now I am currently debating what my next plans are. I am flat hunting at the moment, and am thinking of staying in Wellington until christmas and working. I have met a great group of people here, and maybe I can get a job at Fergs, the climbing gym. Fingers crossed!
Hope you are all well and loving the sunshine. Send me updates of your summer/fall plans! I'm sure they're sweet as:) (I keep getting sucked in...)
A bientot!
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