Oh so you want to be able to read it?

Oh wow, english! Last night I was on a chinese computer, and as I typed it was switching it over to chinese characters. I actually found it to be pretty funny. It was very fitting seeing as how we are now back in Auckland. I am on the same computer, but today it is letting me be english. Oh and dad, did you know that you named me snow in chinese...cool as. Also in another form I was told it means honey flower. We are staying at Jeanette's place, the nurse from Putauma, and she has some home stays living here and one is from China. In all those symbols it said that I havent heard from many of you lately and am hoping that you all didnt try to go out and do your own bungy! Today we are just repacking our suitcases, rearranging all the souvies we bought our fans, and washing our clothes. I have a pair of socks that actually walk on their own. We have the run of the house because everyone is at work, so its just us and the cleaning lady as we prepare to leave behind my new home New Zealand. Once we have all our stuff organized we are going to walk around Takanini and maybe I will get to say goodbye to the Becks one last time. I am not super excited about LA, after being in NZ for so long. But it might be nice to relax on a beach for awhile and heal my aching trekking muscles before going home to what Jo's mom warned us was minus 30 temperatures. Dear lord I think my body will just seize up the second I walk outdoors! My body has already begun to realize I am leaving this subtropical paradise, as pretty much this whole trip I was able to eat ice cream with Jo and not get sick...but after trying the NZ famous Hokey Pokey last night after supper...there it was back to normal. Stupid milk. My icecream days are over haha! I dont think I will be able to write in the states, so I guess I will just see you all when I am in the hospital back in hali suffering from frost bite.

哀怜没收台

壹哈和蔼认得防满意. 壹奥妙同样平铁哦内啊吃呢色．　哈哈　哦年册　壹　哈色恩　铁　瀑布里舍得　壹　色额　铁哈台　吨　十　年　吃呢色．　么历史撒　

On Top of the World

Sometimes I think I actually have it out for myself. I had the brilliant idea of climbing a mountain today, an 8hr trek. You might recall that I have spent the last 2 days celebrating my birthday, not to mention my body is just about worn out. About 2 minutes into my climb I started questioning my sanity. I was going to cheat and take the gondola up the first part of the climb because I had a late start due to my muscle cramp, but they only sell the tickets one way from the top...the guy said legally they cant sell a ticket that leaves a person stranded on a mountain. I told him I was quite capable of climbing down, it was the up part I wanted a little help with. He didnt laugh, he said there were more ways to get down the mountain so you could get lost but on the way up theres just one way so its easier. Thats when I laughed, and it gets funnier later too. Simple calculations would presume there are as many ways up as there are down. Anyway I started climbing because I am cheaper than I want to cheat. I tried to take a short cut up the mountain, as I had on the way down last time...but I didnt follow the same trails and wound up unsure of where to go next. I climbed up some sections that looked like at one point they were trails but were no longer in use for good reasons. At one point I came smack up against a rock wall and was quite close to scaling it, when reason kicked in and I had to remind myself that I actually could die...plus I was carrying my cameras in my bag! I had to back trak a bit down the steep slope but eventually came out back at the luge area. I didnt take a bottle of water because I didnt want to carry it in my hand because I like to have them both free when hiking (note to self, pack a day pack for trips like this), so I stopped in the washroom there and drank some out of the tap hoping I could conserve this like a camel until I reached the summit. I made my way onto the Ben Lomond track and started heading out. It really was quite remarkable scenery when you get around to the other side of the large mountain right at the edge of Queenstown, because it hides from view some more of the range. I should I guess at this point mention that not only did I enter this hike waterless, I also did it wearing my flip flops. Sometimes my reasoning is different than others. Anyway I continued along and was doing well, it was a nice steady hike and I stopped for photos and a german girl that I kept passing back and forth also took some shots for me (we saw each other a few times throughout the day, she was a sweetheart). It wasnt too much longer before dire thirst set in, I have no camel abilities whatsoever. After a couple hours I was beginning to struggle. James had really recommended this hike though so I plodded on. He also promised I would see mountain goats, so when I got to the top of the first trekking part I was doing I sat down on the ledge and scanned the hillside until I found one. I figured this would be another penguin moment. It was around this point that I went to take another stunning photo, but when I turned my camera on I got that all too familiar black screen and beeping noise telling me to shut my camera off. So many instant things rushed through my mind, not now, not now, can I find a sony shop, will they be as fast, etc etc. But I gave it a minute and it sorted itself out, luckily too because the hike truely was amazing and I cant wait to share it. The feelings of nausea were beginning to pass so as I sat there I ate an energy bar and just stared at the mountains and Queenstown down below. The same dwarfing effect that took place in Milford was happening here, because as a plane took off from the airport and came into view behind a mountain on the other side of the lake, I got a scale to remind myself just how massive these ranges really are. As I sat there contimplating the more important things in life, enjoying my energy in chocolate form...I heard blaaaa blaaah. Oh score, my eyes quickly scanned around me until I spotted it, a goat. Then I found a few of his mates and watched them eat for awhile. It was about 3 o'clock at this point and I was quite ready to end my trek there and go back down to town, thinking I saw what I came to see, mountains and goats. But my curiousity was getting the better of me as I kept gazing over at the next hillside...I wonder whats just beyond that? I picked up my weary body and assured my legs we would just see what was on the other side, get a nice photo then go back down. But of course, once you get over that hill, you rationalize, well I may as well see whats over the next since I came this far. Before too long I found myself at the bottom of the summit track. I leaned up against the sign saying summit 1 hour and moaned. I felt near death already and the thought of going drastically upwards for an hour made my insides turn. I couldnt do it, I just couldnt...I was on the verge of passing out and was literally having dizzy spells. Next thing I knew I was walking on toward the summit track...I even remember thinking to myself why am I still moving this way? By this point I was stopping every ten minutes or so and catching my breath before continuing on so the trekking was more laboured and slow. I came up to a point and as my head began to clear the hill in front of me to see what was off in the distance my jaw literally dropped. It was so beautiful! What lay before me was unlike anything I had seen before...miles and miles of mountain peaks. I thanked myself for pushing onward and pushed a little farther. I was just making my way up to the steepest portion of the track when I ran into the german girl again. She was really happy that I had decided to go all the way to the top, she said that she too had wanted to give up, but a french girl who was coming down told her it was worth it if she just made it up there. She warned that it was quite steep and said go slow and take breaks instead of turning back...she said what was up there was definately worth the abuse. I thanked her and began the last leg of my mountain journey. I was now beginning to take breaks after every 10 steps...I was pushing on my knees as I trudged upwards. Eventually my breaks became collapsing moments as I threw myself into the tusset grasses along side the trail. My body despised me and was letting me know it...I was beyond dry (I know this because at one point I actually sat down to cry but all I did was heave slightly because nothing came out...dry sobbing we will call it.) my feet were aching my thighs were burning, my stomach was turning and my throat felt like it was in a grip. It was a constant battle upwards between my mind and my eyes, and the rest of my body. I just so badly wanted to be at the top so I could see everything, and I so badly wanted to curl up into a ball and roll all the way back down. It was the toughest thing I have ever done, it was mind over matter for over an hour (stupid sign). I was becoming a little clumbsy in my weariness and scared myself a few times as I came close to the edge, or slipped slightly. I met a few people coming down and each time I asked them all for a drink of their water...inside my head...haha...I couldnt bring myself to actually do it. The sun was beating down on my and I was covered in dust, I was beginning to actually take a break after 5 steps...it was brutal. But I did it. I made it to the top, and it really was worth it. The really great things never come easy eh. It was almost as though as soon as I got up there I felt so much better...I had imagined myself collapsing in a heap and napping for a bit before trying to make my way down...but instead I was bouncing around taking photos and just loving everything! By 6 I was on my way back down...a tricky accomplishment as well on the narrow rocky path that zig zagged down the cliff face. When I reached the bottom of the steep section I took a breather on the park bench to soak up the view one last time. I lay back and put my feet up on the back so that the blood could drain out of them and closed my eyes and just appreciated the sun. A few moments later approaching footsteps brought me back upright as a young guy came over the peak. He looked quite weary as well and was wipiing away the sweat. We chatted for awhile about how beautiful it was and our travels...while I tried to place the accent...I really liked it so I figured it was Scottish. I was correct. He then tried to place mine, he eyed me up and then said...say about...ah yes you are canadian. He had lived in Whistler for 8 months so had a bit of a low down on the accents. He said that I didnt sound so much NS'ian as the guy he knew from there, he thought we sounded more irish...a very harsh accent...I hypothesised that perhaps he was a caper. We travelled together back down the mountain talking about this and that when he paused and said oh I never got your name, his name you ask...yes...it was Jamie. Jamie from Scotland. swoon. His last name unfortunately is english but we will just ignore that part. Everything else, aside from the hair colour, measured up. I just kept thinking oh this is priceless...we then caught up to his girlfriend farther down the trail because she had given up and was waiting for him to return (he had run up to get a picture of the view beyond the hills for her. Her name...no not claire...but Mary so still...She was however english. I definitely got a picture of them when we came out of the trail. We parted ways at the sky line (they both were super nice people and I enjoyed chatting with them...they are off next week to nepal to climb mount everest!) and I rushed into the bathroom to drink some water before I died. While in the building I wondered over to the gondolas to watch them go down...and remembering Jo say they didnt even check tickets once you purchased them I watched to see for myself. It was true...you just walked on and rode down and got off. I couldnt pass this up...so I joined the line and travelled down the final stage of the mountain in style with a german chap who was disappointed his sky dive was cancelled today. As I sit here typing I can see that my feet are black as anything and I have the imprint of my sandle straps etched in dirt across the top...so I may head off and wash up before everyone gets back. I did definately enjoy my last full day on the south island, being on top of the mountain was beyond description, and the effort it took to force myself onward was something I had to be proud of myself for...it was a very New Zealand day, the ones I enjoy the most. I'm going to hate to say goodbye to it all. This is a website about the hike up Ben Lomond: http://www.onedayhikes.com/Hikes.asp?HikesID=53

Time's running out

I swear, if another sandfly attacks me I will not move to NZ! haha...these things are absolutely vicious! I may be permanently scarred. In other news yesterday was Milford Sound Eco Tour day! The ride out was great and a lot of the scenery consisted of the back of my eyelids. I woke up around Te Anau (I should write these posts with a map beside me because I can never really definately remember the spelling of these places) and we had a stop to grab some lunch food because we wouldnt get another chance. I went in a cafe and got a turkey and cranberry sandwich to go (it tasted just like thanksgiving!). When we were re-boarding the bus (the driver made it quite clear that we were on a schedule so you had to make sure you werent one minute late) I recognized a guy getting on at this stop from our bungy the day before. He looked like he had all body parts intact too. We drove on into the Milford Sound National Park and took a picture stop at the mirror lakes and started talking to James who was the fellow bungy participant. He had pretty similar things to say about his plunge! Our next stop was a restroom because we wouldnt see another one of those in awhile either. At the end of one of the huge walking trails (it takes three days to get out of it) we were supposed to pick up 2 hikers to join our tour...but there were 5 there waiting so the driver moved James into my seat and used his seat to store the hikers packs. So I had a new buddy to talk to for the rest of the trip and he joined our crew. We stopped again at a chasm for pictures but had just 10 mins to get in and out of the hike that takes 15mins...it was quite some tour I tell ya, every stop we made was pretty much run, snap a picture, run a little farther, snap snap, run back to the bus. The trail to the chasm was PACKED with tour bus people, it didnt feel very idyllic to me at all as I weaved around tons of people in the rainforest as though I was on Spring Garden at 4pm. When we crossed over the mountain ranges, we actually crossed under them. We drove through a tunnel that had been built during the depression and had created a lot of jobs in the process. They made it with blasting material and hauled ALL the rock out in wheel barrels, it was really cool that they had left the tunnel the way it was so the walls were all rough and jagged. The driver said they only thing they did was add the lights on top and that was just 2 yrs ago! In the summer they had traffic lights so you could only drive one way at a time for safety due to the higher volume of campers and tour busses, but it was really a 2 way tunnel. We got to the sound in time to catch out 10 to 2 boat. We had the smallest boat in the harbour, which made us give each other slight glances, but in the end I liked it that way much better because it was more intimate and of course...eco :P We had a 2hr sail around the sound and what they say about the dwarfing effect is quite true...we had stopped to watch some dolphins swim around the boat and I could see these tiny things floating over by the rocks, so I asked one of the workers what are those as I pointed out to the water....he looks at me and goes...kayaks. hahahahaha...I felt pretty daft, but my scaling was all messed up from staring up at huge cliffs! The dolphins swam around us for awhile and were even jumping out of the water and flipping! One of the kayakers jumped out of the boat and tried to swim with them but they werent having any of it and they left haha! I can only imagine how cold that water felt. It was a great little sail and the scenery truely was spectacular! However, sometimes things can just get too touristy for my liking...it really takes away from the experience when you are trying to lose yourself in the nature and you are surrounded by huge tour boats, swarms of people and heaps of tour planes buzzing around. It wouldve been so much better on a little boat with just a few people! But even so I loved it! Coming back out of the sound and through the national park we had more picture stops and I heardthe little bell of dispair as my camera screen flashed at me "memory card full....memory card full..." Oh crappers...I rushed to delete some of the non-keepers from the days so that I could keep adding some winners to my collection and we stopped at the other end of the tunnel where I got my picture taken in a tunnel of snow (thats how high up we were) and then we stopped at a glacier spring and filled out water bottles (tasted 100x better than the tap water I had). The driver had passed around a menu from a ranch restaurant back in Te Anau for our evening tea and I had ordered a bowl of vegetables so we headed in to enjoy that. James bought my my first birthday present of the year in the form of a Speights Pint. We even had to rush through supper because of our schedule. I cant believe Eddie and Jo didnt vomit as they shovelled in icecream and cheesecake that arrived while everyone was paying their bills! Our last stop on the tour was the wildlife sanctuary...or bird place or whatever where we found my new favourite NZ bird, a relative of the Pukeko but bigger. The Takahe was thought to be extinct but the rediscovered them and now have 312 birds on the island, and well in the world. They were quite cool I must say...blue and green with red beak and feet...very funny to watch. James got off in Te Anau and I gave him my email so that when he gets to Bondi beach he can send me a picture of the funny lifeguards! For the rest of the bus trip we watched The Worlds Fastest Indian...it was a super cute movie, and of course was kiwi. Back in Queenstown we got some beer and headed back to the hostel for a night out with the Kiwiexperience tour group. Well, I headed out with the group and Jo and Eddie stayed in. They were heaps of fun, and its really great to get out there and meet new people...all very nice people! They helped make sure I really celebrated my birthday and dint use beign away from home as an excuse. I had a lot of fun! One of the guys, Zak, from San Diego even had a plan to get up on stage and sing happy birthday and propose to me so I didnt feel left out, and I was going to jump up and scream and wave my arms around as I accepted, but the kareoke portion ended before we got our chance so we had to just do it amongst the crowd. SO yeah mom...I'm engaged...but the ring was too big and it didnt have a rock so I sent it back. I think we are going to call off the wedding. While I was sitting there having a good ol laugh I look up and see this guy walking by...and the first thing I notice...his pale yellow tshirt that read DALHOUSIE university across the chest. Of course I reached out my arm and stopped him exclaiming dal...as in halifax! Oh yeah! It was too funny! The guy didnt go there, but his sister did, and he said out of the 5 tshirts he packed 2 were dal shirts. Poor guy. :P He also said he was pretty glad to run into a Canadian because he hadnt seen one in awhile...plus he said its true what they say about Canadian girls...we're all hot. He said he knows quite a few brits who want to move. SO yeah...good birthday over all I would say :P Today I think I will just hike up some mountains and see how many pics I can fit onto my poor little camera which is going to be returned when I get home. It's possessed I swear...it constantly changes settings on it's own. Jo and Eddie planned a day out on their own so I have my own schedule to abide to.

Yay for time zones

I am now starting day 2 of my birthday, since it is only the afternoon back home of the 11th. I love the date line! So today for my birthday we are taking a bus tour to Milford Sound! Last night we made friends with the guys in the room next door, they are from San Diego...my cheeks hurt from laughing! Check ya later!

AHHHHH!!!

Is not what came out of my mouth when I decided to leave the safety of the ledge 143 metres above the ground. Instead it sounded more like "ah_______________" I started to scream once I realized I no longer had firmness under my feet, but as soon as I looked down and saw the Nevis river rushing at me nothing else would come out. Not a peep... I dont even know how best to describe the experience I had today. We arrived an hour before the bus to the jump left, so you had plenty of time to pace around and fidget, and wonder what was wrong for you for signing up for this. Then once on the bus you had another 45 minutes to talk yourself out of it, while trying to pump yourself up. The music on the bus was all intense and suspensful too which was funny. 20 young adults sat nearly in silence on the trip out there...the air was a buzz with nerves...I had to laugh when I heard the driver say into the CB I have 20 jumpers on board this afternoon...it reminded me of people standing on a ledge ready to end it all. The people behind me were talking right before we started the drive aout if they were excited or not, and one girl says oh we're here for my mates birthday jump...I turned around and said me too! SO we had a little bonding. The guy next to them was like so you are making a clear definate age of death then, a nice clean date on the tombstone. Death by Nevis the girl said, put that on my gravestone! So we get there and they harness you up and then weigh you in your gear...heaviest person jumps first. JoAnna and I were the last to go. I dont know if I preferred that... We watched 18 people jump before they strapped our feet up. As it got closer and closer to our weight class "super light weight" I began to shake. I cant do this...I cant do this... My legs were numb but I kept watching people jump off the ledge and not one of them hesitated after the guy said go. I could not be the first one to hesitate. Finally it was my turn and by this point the only people left in the cable car were Me, Jo, Eddie and some other spanish guy. Everyone else had jumped and was back on the safe ground while we still hovered over the gorge on a cable wire. They sat me down on a chair while he strapped on the bungee to my feet straps and my chest strap. After 2 bounces I was to pull the cord by my feet which would turn me back up right (or I could be raised back to the cable car upside down). My stomach was in knots. I still didnt think I could do it. I had to penguin wobble out to the ledge because my feet were strapped together...and this was the worst part...inching your way out so your toes were over the edge. I didnt want to look down too soon before I jumped, but if I didnt look I might accidently inch myself right into a plummet. The the guy says youre going to feel a little weight on your ankles as he throws your bungy over the edge...I thought I was going to go right with it. I stood there maybe 4 seconds in total. I got to the edge and stared at the cliff in front of me...for a split second thinking I would just scream NO and throw myself backwards onto the ground. The guy says ok 3 2 1 jump. And I did. Just like that...I knew I couldnt hesitate, I just had to do it. And like I said the first second when you realize you did it you scream...then you look down and youre in a free fall (I think ours was about 8 seconds) and you cant do anything. The feeling...youre just falling...face first...but it didnt even feel the fast...like I was floating down...I thought it would be hard to keep my eyes open but it wasnt...the river just kept getting closer and I could taste my heart in the back of my throat (quite possibly the reason no soind would come out)...then you slowly begin to decrease speed....theres a slight pause and then youre rushing back up into the air...you pause for a bit....then youre hurtling back towards the river just as fast as the first jump...I think I screamed again at this point...then you are going back up and you feel yourself getting lighter so you bend up and pull the cord and are jolted upright. I sat there swinging around in the canyon in a bit of awe...I couldnt believe that just happened to me! Anyone that really knows me will atest to the fact that I will stand for 10 minutes on the side of small bridge before jumping into a river! (haha remember gaspereau Emily?) Once you are upright you have a little more time to enjoy the view, which really was amazing. I think if anyone is going to bungy jump this is the one to do! Jo said she was researching it and this jump is labelled the 2nd most extreme sport activity IN THE WORLD...out of anything! We drove past another bungy on the way home and it just didnt look like it would be as good after the one we did...8 seconds is a long time to watch the world rushing at your face! I was pulled back onto the platform shaking slightly while Jo sat in the chair getting harnessed up. That was the only hinderance to our day...because we were back to back it made pictures and videography difficult as Eddie had to capture the day for us both. JoANna somehow managed to scream the whole way down...I dont knwo how the sound squeezed out past her heart. When you get back on the ground they show you your jump that they videoed for you...and you experience a little of the rush all over...theres nothing like watching YOURSELF leap off a ledge over a gorge! I loved it. I really loved it. Theres something to be said about scaring the crap out of yourself. But I really did feel safe as I fell...maybe something to do with the tightness around my ankles haha. When we got back to Queenstown we went out to a buffet for my birthday...which was subpar so the pressure is on back home! Tonight we plan on having some drinks and then perhaps checking out the night life in the Q-town. 26...I should go to the bathroom and check for wrinkles...or hopefully jumping face first into a canyon smoothes those right out! 4 more days in the NZ...eep! Thanks to everyone who sent birthday wishes I love and miss you all!

Proper post

Ok so it has been a whole week without a proper post...you'll have to bare with me here. It is Sunday night and we have checked into the Alpine Lodge in Queenstown, which will be our home base until we leave on Wednesday. He was giving us the tour and I was in pretty much a daze which you will realize why later, but I heard things like here loung, movies, here bathroom, FREE INTERNET JUMP ON WHENEVER YOU WANT, you upstairs, bathroom, laundry...I was still fixating on the computer message. We were pretty amped on that on! The Alpine is sweet as! We really lucked out here. So now for the update, since I have the time...all the other lodgers are out at the pub getting their free beer...I am typing my life story:

Friday Feb 2:
I managed to get out of work with out crying and took my last train ride out of Takanini...probably ever. I stopped at the front desk to take care of my rent and while he was sorting that out he asked if I knew about the other charges to our room. Obviously I didnt...I mean we never ordered room service? Hahaha...so yeah he goes your phone bill is outstanding...phone bill I say incredulously...we never used it. He said yeah we were quite shocked by this too...and starts printing out these pages with lists of numbers called...he goes they are all from your mates room pretty much...so I look it over yeah yeah thinking no big deal...then my eyes scan the total amount due...$1500!! I dont know how to describe the noise that came out...a guffaw maybe? I pretty much just told him she wasnt going to pay it...end of story. So we worked it out that she wouldnt have to...BUT...he gave me the bill so I could "go up and scare her." I liked his style so I took it and sat in the room anticipating a great joke. Jo walks in the door already with a weird look...darn I was thinking...she already stopped at the desk...What? I said to her...she just grimaces and looks at me then steps to the side...and in walks Eddie. And that's when everything changed. SO I still got to pull my joke but she had a diamond ring on her finger so she didnt get as phased about the bill as I was hoping haaha! We then all went to the rugby game and OF COURSE, just as the guy at the rugby shop told us...it always rains at rugby...it rained. But we just moved up into the pricey seats and continued on! The blues won. If you cared. They rucked and mauled and scored tries and stuff...yup.

Saturday Feb 3:
We packed up all our remaining luggage into our hiking packs and set off to change all our south island bookings to include Eddie...part way down the street I was already compiling a list of items to remove from my bag. While those two sorted things out in the tourist builidng I continued on to Becky's and left a pile of stuff I didnt need to bring to the SI to lighten up my bag. She has been very helpful with our plans...I'll miss that kid! Then we took the shuttle to the airport and flew to Queenstown. I dont know what I had pictured in my mind...but it never compares. We landed in a little airport outside of the township, and I got of the plane and walked across the strip just in awe...we landed in a valley surrounded by mountains...very cool. We drove into the town and I simply love it. Queenstown is cute cute cute...surrounded by mountains and built around a lake...cobble stone streets little shops and cafes...its great! We dropped off our stuff at the Discovery Lodge and praise the heavens mine and Jo's packs fit into the same under bed locker! We had an 8 bed share so I grabbed the top bunk above an english bloke who was still sleeping at 1pm. We then went out to explore the town and take 2000 pictures. Having Eddie around has been handy in the photograph dept! We had supper at a place that gave us a coupon for a free drink and our waitress was from Hamilton Ont. Back in our very messy hostel room...I told Jo to take a pic but I dont know if she did....I mean it was pretty funny...all the stuff you hear about staying in hostels about protecting your belongings and being safe did not apply...these 2 girls had their packs strewn out over the whole room...we couldve gone shopping in their stuff if we hadthe notion. Both girls were quite inebriated when we returned and were ina nd out of the room as they got ready to go out...then the 3 UK guys came in and I talked to one about bungy jumping because he had the tshirt on and had done the jump that day that we were going to do. His advice was to just shut off your brain, stand on the edge and pick a point in fron of you and just stare at it...only listen for the guy behind you count down then just do it...he said the feeling was spectacular! I slept through the girls return, but awoke to the UK guys' friend come in quite loudly cursing and stumbling around. The guy under me tried to get him to settle down saying he wasnt making a very good impression on the new people...and he said something loosely along the lines of I dont give a... He then set his alarm for a few hrs later which went off repeatedly to no avail until the guy under me went over and punched him. I dont think they much enjoyed travelling with him either.

Sunday Feb 4:
We got up early and caught the bus to Dunedin. It was an awesome drive, we followed the Kurakawai (or something) river most of the way, and it was like whoever coloured it in grabbed the wrong shade of blue...it was so brilliantly bright! I also saw the red deer that Dad wanted me to get a picture of...I sat in my seat poised in fron of the window camera in hand awaiting the perfect shot and all I managed was a blur of spots which I can claim to be a herd of deer. The majority of the trip was me fighting sleep, and fighting it hard as I tried to take in all the scenery and my head bobbed along with the winding roads! Dunedin was much bigger than I imagined, I pictured a cute little town. After taking the long hilly sweaty detour to our hostel we set off to find the steepest street in the world. Turns out this street is an hours walk from our hostel...Eddie was none too impressed...Jo and I are of course seasoned veterans so it was nothing. We played around on the street taking pics, walked through some parks and went back to the hostel with plans of watching a movie. But Eddie fell asleep so we put it on the back burner and caught up on our journals.

Monday Feb 5:
Our plans for today were to catch the morning bus out to the peninsula so Jo could tour the castle and Eddie and I could search for penguins. We missed the bus by seconds and were forced to wait about 2hrs for the next so we went to the Cadbury Chocolate factory which successfully stopped Jo from crying. I think she floated around the place sucking in as many chocolate fumes as she could. We then grabbed some lunch food at the grocery and took the bus out to the Otago peninsula. The bus dropped off us at the bottom of a mountain and we began our very long very steep ascent. Hours later...haha...over an hour anyway we were finally at the top. At the gates to the castle we discovered that you actually had to pay just to wait out fron of the castle...Eddie and I exchanged looks...he paid the money and I stood there...not ready to pay just for sitting by flowers. So I bowed out and said I'll just wait out here...you guys go in; eventhough we had some plans to make a CSI story for Kelly and LoriBeth. They went in and I stood at the end of the driveway for awhile because the grass was too wet to sit on. Then I started walking down the road past the castle to see the view from the other side of the hill. As I walked the fence around the garden just ended...oh I thought to myself...I'll go in and take some pictures for the CSI story...so I did. Then I found Jo and Eddie and we took some more and were about to leave when they made me go into the castle and ask if a bus would pick us up on the other side of the hill (so Eddie and I could finally search for penguins) and thats when they recognized I hadnt paid to come through the front gate. I told them we were leaving anyway and so we did...I left by the road I had come in but when they went out the front they made them pay for one more ticket anyway. Thats all...no jail? I dont kmow what Jo wrote because I didnt have time to check but I got emails from home that were pretty crazy! There is no fighting over here. So anyway we didnt even get to do the hikes I had wanted to do and spent the whole day just climbing the mountian to the castle and then back down.

Tuesday Feb 6:
Finally, my kind of day! We rented a car and did the Otago peninsula proper! Our itinerary included: Sandfly beach, sandmount hike, gannet colony, tunnel beach, glow worm caves. Jo was the frist driver so we started out our journey in terror...haha...let's just say she hugged the left shoulder pretty tight and made me gasp several times! There were quite a few yells from Eddie in the back. When we got into the highlands of the peninsula visibility decreased substantially from the fog and the fear factor rose as we drove through nothing but white and grey and all you could see was the plummeting cliff to the left. (yeah the side she was hugging...hence the gasping). We managed to make it there with only attacking one curb. Due to the conditions we missed sandfly so we back tracked and found sandmount. We parked in the car park and sat there for awhile...all hesitant to leave the car and enter the white mist. We finally got out, hoods dran up tight and headed towards the forest the was the beginning of the hike...it wasnt so much raining, but it had been so the trees were wet, and in the rain were dropping this water down into the forest as though the trees were raining. Jo pulled out her umbrella and trodded in...Eddie and I paused. We all stood there and decided this was not the best time to do this hike since we couldnt see anything. We went up to the tip of the peninsula and decided to work our way down instead of up. It was freeezing up there. I was shaking and chattering as I filmed sea lions or seals (I couldnt tell) spotted shags and gannets. When we got back to the car it wouldnt start...the lights had been left on b/c eddie thought they would shut off automatically. No worries though because a guy working there gave us a boost and we were back on the road. Then I took the wheel to sandymount....whooohooo. Sheep ran out in front of me more than once! But we made it back safe and sound and I stayed on the left side. The hike was definately worth postponing...the views were out of this world unbelieveable! The chasm was amazing, I stood on the edge and felt like I was on the edge of the world. Looking out out into the ocean horizon you saw nothing but clouds and water. You could see the mountain peaks over the clouds! The hike took us in a loop around to lovers leap, a hole in the rock that had wind rushing thorugh it that sounded like screaming, then up to the highest point that gave a great panoramic. A lot of the trail was sand and uphill so quite the workout. We moved on to sandfly beach and had so much fun entering the site as we jumped ran and slid down huge sand dunes to get to the beach that had amazingly huge waves. We hiked down to the hide out and waited for penguins. Eddie and Jo gave up but I was relentless...filming the sea lions dance and play in the bull kelp wasnt enough. SO my wait paid off and I founf 2 yellow eyed penguins higher up the dune and rushed back to find them. It felt like we were on a real expedition as we crawled through the dunes to see them! We didnt have time for tunnel beach and the glow worms but I was on cloud nine nonetheless! Slept with a smile that night for sure...my heaven!

Wednesday, Feb 7:
Stopped at a surf shop to ask why I wouldnt have seen any surfers at sandfly beach since the waves looked so great. His reply: oh yeah well you know there's heaps of wildlife there and the surf can be inconsistent, his buddy looks at him and says wildlife? in a sarcastic voice...i think what you mean mate is sharks! Yeah he meant sharks! the place is swarming with them because of the wicked fishing grounds around the rocks! ahhhhhhhhhhh! I almost swam in that!! Took the bus back to Queenstown and got moved into the aspen lodge because the alpine had overbooked.

Thursday, Feb 8:
Picked up our rental car and started our road trip to Franz Josef. Took many many photo stops along the way, and I even got a proper red deer shot because I wasnt on a bus! You should see the antlers dad! sweet as! We had great stops and you will see the pics of course...and it turned out to be a very hot day...and I dont know why Jo and I love climbing mountains...but we reward ourselves with waterfalls. The roads were nuts nuts...and Eddie and I took to judging the curves by their speed limits....ooh a double 25....ooooooh a 15, a 15! Hairpins all the way! Arrived at Franz Josef somehow still sane after all day in and out of the car with no radio at all! I think they loved my singing though. They checked into their hostel and Jo passed me a sheet and blanket out the window and I turned the car into a sweet fort and hunkered down for the night. Started raining at 2am and I layed there hoping they dont cancel galcier hikes due to rain.

Friday, Feb 9:
They do not cancel glacier hikes due to rain...weeee! Youre also not allowed to wear jeans on the glacier so I went in my skivvies under the trouser pants they provided. I'm cool like that. It was awesome, a great day on the ice...actually felt like winter for once as we shivered in the cold wearing touques and mittens. Our guide loved us canadians but teased us relentlessy about how we loved to take pictures. Eddie spent the day fishing the rivers with his day lisence and then we met up again and went to Lake Matheson which was a let down. And I was attacked by an eel. Then we popped in to see the fox glacier and travelled the long journey back. We got back to Queenstown at around 1:30 and we all slept in the car this time until we could check into the alpine. 2 nights in the car is definately my limit...I could sense grumpy under the surface...Eddies had bubbled out...haha...

Saturday, Feb 10:
Not able to check in until noon but left our bags there at 8 and just walked around town...we were zombies! Back in the hostel we napped for about 2 hours....sweet sweet beds that I love love love! Got up and headed up another mountain...what is wrong with us! Standing at the bottom it didnt look too bad...but the trail however did not go straight up...I started to think we were going to loop the sucker like a candy cane! It was the first time my legs were actually pleading with me to give up. It was the hardest trek yet. But we made it and we did the luge at the top and Jo and Eddie took the gondola to the bottom because Jo was not going to take that walk again in reverse. I decided to use the 10 bucks on supper instead of the ride down and started headign down the mountain not taking the walking trail...I was out and in the parking lot at the bottom in 15 minutes. I couldnt believe it! Some points were a little scary as I slid down but it was way faster (I followed a mountain bike trail and would never ever do that on a bike!) Then we had supper at Hell our favourite place to eat and came back to the hostel with plans of going out for a beer. But we didnt make much of a move once here and just sat around, me drinking my L&P, Jo eating her fudge. So I am out here updating this instead...waiting to turn 26!!... oh look...3 minutes ago technically I did! "Today" we bungy...Tell nanuk I loved him! We watched soem people bungy today and I think Jo nearly threw up...this is going to be interesting!

quickie

I dont have long but I must say I had an absolutely amazing day on the otago peninsula yesterday...took my breath away. And I drove! and sheep ran out in front of me more than once! And I dont care who you are, or how happy you are for a couple....nobody signs up to travel around as the huge third wheel (imagine a couple that hasnt seen each other for over a month, then throw in a diamond ring...i travel off by myself alot) Its all good though, Eddie and I now cancel out Jo's insanity when it comes to travel...and he just yells at her when she gets out of hand...hahaha. Oh the bickering...I just tune it out! I love NZ but I think my little travelling feet are getting ready to go home for awhile! Emily I saw penguins...it is quite the story. Dad I got a pic of red deer but its not great because I saw them out the window of the bus! It is cooler down here on the south, but I am getting used to it!

Be Still My Little Heart

Not much to report on for Wednesday, just went down to Beckys in the evening. Thursday was our day out atthe Long Bay beach for the activity that was run by myself and JoAnna. I was really impressed with how much the clients actually participated! Everyone had a really great time and gave heaps of praise in our direction! Last night we went down to Beckys and Bella, an OT from West Auckland, and Stefan, Jo's preceptor also were there. We took our packed suitcases with us because Becky is going to kepp our bags at her place, then bring them in and Jeanette the nurse at my work will take them. She ever so graciously offered to pick us up at the airport on the 14th, take us to her place so we can eat, do laundry, shower and sleep and then she will bring us back so we can fly out to LA! I thought that was just so nice of her. SO we are definately being well taken care of! The walk down to Becky's however was no strll in the park...I felt like I was lugging a load of bricks! We had some drinks at her place then went to O'Hagans and I didnt pay attention to the names of the next two places. Jo was saying it was time to bring out the Beeze :P It was a really great time, very fun! On the walk home Jo and I were talking french for some reason, and we were stopped by a group of pacific island boys just so they could tell us hwo cute we were. I was told I looked like a kiwi for sure, until I spoke of course...again...because I had on a fish hook necklace and a sail boat dress (yes the same as the sky tower, have to get your moneys worth!) and jandals. They taught me how to speak the language from the Cook Islands but I couldnt for the life of me repeat any of it now. Then we went and, you guessed it, got some 50cent icecreams from micky dee's. I thought maybe Jo was joking when she woke me up thsi morning because it was still dark and it felt like I had just lied down. Our usual routine is she calls out "are you awake?" and I say "yes", today though all I could get out was ynnh. It was a rough morning to say the least. I rushed down to the train this morning because I had to add time on for buying a day tripper pass, but when I got there the lady wouldnt sell it to me until 7:30 even though I told her I wanted to catch the 7:20 train. She told me I couldnt use the day tripper until 9am anyway. gah, I thought I was going to have to wait around but decided to get the ticket and just get on the train regardless...worst they could do was kick me off in New market I guess. On the train I read it and it said I could use it from 5am onward...she almost made me wait around for nothing. We went to town today and printed off some of the pictures that I took yesterday and I mailed a letter. Today is my last day at work and when we got back form town there was a tea ready for us and...just when you think a country cant get any better, and you love it unbelievably...your work place buys you a going away cheesecake. They know how to melt my heart I tell ya! And they got me a present, so cute of them...all wrapped in fern paper it was a tshirt that said Aorteora and a nice bag with a koru on it, that I actually debated buying for myself but couldnt decide on the right design or could shell out the money for it! So very very nice, I was very appreciative. A client also gave me a little gift, a kiwi keychain :) So tonight it's the Auckland Blues vs the Christchurch Cruisaders...my money is on the cruisaders. Then Sat we go to Queenstown, Sunday bus to Dunedin for hopefully wildlife spotting, and kayaking, back to queenstown on Wed, Thurs we are renting a car and driving to Franz Josef and back to queenstown on sat, sleeping in the car. In Queenstown we are staying at the Discovery Lodge each night and taking trips out of there like Milford Sound and Bungee jumping...the rest will be filled in when we discover what is to be found! Since I am not sure about internet and such I dont know when I will be back to update. But for my birthday I will be in Queenstown...and I havent decided yet if I want to spend it cruising the Milford Sound or hurling myself off a gorge!!