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Gday! In other words Good-day, from Sydney, Australia!
Right now in complete Backpacker-style in Youthhostel where we checked in last night, luckily still having a bed to sleep as it turned up to be 'Mardi Gras' weekend and the whole city is full and booked up! Good for some fun and experiencing the city, but bit of a challenge for finding a place to sleep.. ah well, we'll manage! Actually we learned a bit planning ahead is not unnecessary as we also experienced it when we arrived to Christchurch, New Zealand 2 weeks ago. Normally this sleepy-town has full capacity and no problems to just arrive but just when we arrived, also Iron Maiden did - including thousands of fans- as well as some Summer-festival occupied all of the city! Just when we were deciding between which bench in the park to sleep or which hotel loungebar we should spend the night at, we managed to get the last 2 beds in a dorm-room, which were kept for emergency, in a youthhostel! Pfffew. Even if that meant sleeping with 8 other people in the room. Anyway we are backpacking, that's the style :).
Also in full New Zealand style, we decided to book a Camper and cruise the South-island, skipping the North-island all-together as originally planned but Backpackers informed us better to spend the -well-needed time- in the South. And we did need it. As we drove over 3000k, through mountains, gorges and valleys, within 10 days. So our camper 'Jucy-chaser' was not only our transport, but also our restaurant, hotel, livingroom and bathroom for the time to come. Very handy driving around with the whole 'house on wheels', and parking wherever every night -from pristine beaches to glaciers (we even climbed one!), valleys with great views to farmer-grounds -where it turned out not to be too clever, being waken up at 5.30 am by the farmer and his dogs... ).
Anyway, the The 'Lord of the Rings' landscapes are truly amazing, see pics, and we saw loads of sea-lions, seals, albatrosses, penguins (endemic yellow-eyed), even whales (the great sperm-whale... eh, oh well..) and of course the famous sheep! Did you know NZ has 4 million people and 40 million sheep! So that is 10 sheep pp, to eat.. or whatever ;0. Well I must admit the lamb-rack does taste great.
A bit less happy we were with the sandflies.. also noticed they are attracted to black, so there's a tip.
Also very friendly, tranquil people (guess you also have to be, living amongst nature and quiet peace), and talented too; as a guy told me; they can dance on their left foot, skate on their right and have lots of fun in between! ;0
Well now pretty happy, especially Zayde - the city-girl- to be back into City-life. We already got back a bit into our old rhythm, after spending 2 weeks with early nights and mornings ;0. Also NZ's summer actually is not all that sunny, except the last day in the north -where we kayaked in beautiful fellow countryman Abel Tasman Park (also turned out an adventure due to bit too rough on the ocean..)
But anyway, is not that odd its a mild summer considering the south only divides the Tasman Sea from the Antarctic. Oh and did you know that when you turn the world map 'arse-down' NZ comes out on top! ;0
Well, from Down Under, have a Gday and hope to read some messages from 'Up-Top' for our next time we come back with our adventures from Aussie!
Oh and Zayde just informed me we gotta place to sleep for tonight! ;) Yep, its a backpackers-life!
Take care of yourself, and eachother,
L + Z.
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