After a rowdy last night in ChCh, we both awoke feeling really crappy.
The night was fun but getting on a trans-pacific flight hung over is something I will never do again.
We checked out of our hotel around 10 and found a super gluten free bakery for breakfast!!
They made me waffles!!!!!
we walked the town for a couple hours and shopped at the lame tourist shops. I'm sorry to anyone who was expecting a gift from me and didn't get one. (Libby, I did get you a spife!)
By about 1:30, we booked it back to the hotel and caught our shuttle to the airport.
We checked in and the travel chaos began. I was feeling anxious. I really wanted to be in San Diego in the warm comfort of my Aunt Bonnie's rented condo.
The rest of the day wasn't that exciting except that we passed through the space-time continuum and arrived in North America ready for a second Valentines Day.
When we touched down in LA, I hopped on a shuttle to Anaheim and said my good-byes to Becky. She is off in Vancouver visiting her brother.
My shuttle was fine and I caught the 1:04 train to Solana Beach.
Bonnie, Mark and my baby cousin Eitan were there to pick me up. It was so nice to see them.
I got to the condo, took a nice shower, organized laundry and called Alex. The world felt right again.
We went for a shop at Trader Joe's. Yum!!!!
My cousin Janice was out of town this week too and her flight came in around 7:30 this evening. By now, I am super tired but I wanted to see Jan so I went for the ride to the airport to pick her up.
Everything is great except for my cold. It is in full swing and I am feeling stellar!
So stellar in fact that tomorrow I am going to see if I can change my flight home so that I can hop a direct flight from San Diego to Toronto and not deal with the hassle of the shuttle train nonsense to LA.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Day #18 (The Royal screw up)
We woke up this morning to a spectacular scene. Milford Sound is probably the most beautiful place I have ever been. As the sun peakee through the clouds, you could see the hundreds of waterfalls pouring down the mountain.
Our boat was okay. I didn't sleep particularly well that night. I had a lot of tea before bed because I am starting to feel a cold coming on. This meant many unpleasant trips to the loo.
After our scenic cruise, we went out to catch a glimpse of the Sound from the Tasman sea. Wow!
The boat docked around 9am and we hopped on the bus and headed towards Queenstown. As you may have learned from my previous blog entry, our travel agent royally screwed up.
After 5 anxious hours in the bus, we were dropped off at the Queenstown airport.
We said our good-byes and boarded a plane for Christchurch.
After arriving in ChCh, we went to the same motel we stayed at the week before. It was fine.
Because it is our last night in NZ, we decided to drink. That was another addition to the list of screw ups of the previous 24 hours.
Our boat was okay. I didn't sleep particularly well that night. I had a lot of tea before bed because I am starting to feel a cold coming on. This meant many unpleasant trips to the loo.
After our scenic cruise, we went out to catch a glimpse of the Sound from the Tasman sea. Wow!
The boat docked around 9am and we hopped on the bus and headed towards Queenstown. As you may have learned from my previous blog entry, our travel agent royally screwed up.
After 5 anxious hours in the bus, we were dropped off at the Queenstown airport.
We said our good-byes and boarded a plane for Christchurch.
After arriving in ChCh, we went to the same motel we stayed at the week before. It was fine.
Because it is our last night in NZ, we decided to drink. That was another addition to the list of screw ups of the previous 24 hours.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Day #18 (Milford Sound)
Milford Sound
We got up today and said our sad good-byes to Queenstown. I loved it there. Once I had the opportunity to reflect on all the crazy stuff we did, I realized that I have truly lived every moment of this trip. It was incredible.
After leaving Queenstown, we discovered that our tour was going to overlap our flight back to North America. I freaked. It was that stress and the stress of the photo debacle (ask me about the photos another time) that got to me.
Becky and I had to book a flight from Queenstown to Christchurch a day before the trip was set to end. Not happy about the money but somewhat relieved to be off the bus a day early.
Tomorrow we are hopping off the bus and going to stay in Christchurch.
Sarah organized a secret friend gift exchange for the last few days of our trip. I got Lucy. I bought her a cuddly sheep pillow for the rest of her trip. She really liked it.
The bus ride was relatively uneventful until we reached Fjordland National park.
As I learned, a fjord is a valley which has been carved out by glacier. The scenery here is unbelievable. My photos don't do it justice. It is so spectacular. The world is so amazing. I feel so privileged to have seen this place. There are glacial waterfalls pouring down the mountain side and the greenery is insanely beautiful. We travelled thorough towards Milford Sound (aka, the "Milf").
It was super rainy today but it didn't get to us. We frolicked in a field, drank glacial springs and went through the Homer tunnel ("d'oh!").
At about 5, we arrived at the Wanderer, our boat. We boarded the boat and went for a cruise. We anchored in a quiet spot and went kayaking and swimming. I was too cold but Becky went and had a great time.
Dinner was served and was delicious. We played some board games including subjective "Guess Who". Lots of laughs!
Becky and I bunked with Renee and Krystal in a tiny room. They were great roommates.
We got up today and said our sad good-byes to Queenstown. I loved it there. Once I had the opportunity to reflect on all the crazy stuff we did, I realized that I have truly lived every moment of this trip. It was incredible.
After leaving Queenstown, we discovered that our tour was going to overlap our flight back to North America. I freaked. It was that stress and the stress of the photo debacle (ask me about the photos another time) that got to me.
Becky and I had to book a flight from Queenstown to Christchurch a day before the trip was set to end. Not happy about the money but somewhat relieved to be off the bus a day early.
Tomorrow we are hopping off the bus and going to stay in Christchurch.
Sarah organized a secret friend gift exchange for the last few days of our trip. I got Lucy. I bought her a cuddly sheep pillow for the rest of her trip. She really liked it.
The bus ride was relatively uneventful until we reached Fjordland National park.
As I learned, a fjord is a valley which has been carved out by glacier. The scenery here is unbelievable. My photos don't do it justice. It is so spectacular. The world is so amazing. I feel so privileged to have seen this place. There are glacial waterfalls pouring down the mountain side and the greenery is insanely beautiful. We travelled thorough towards Milford Sound (aka, the "Milf").
It was super rainy today but it didn't get to us. We frolicked in a field, drank glacial springs and went through the Homer tunnel ("d'oh!").
At about 5, we arrived at the Wanderer, our boat. We boarded the boat and went for a cruise. We anchored in a quiet spot and went kayaking and swimming. I was too cold but Becky went and had a great time.
Dinner was served and was delicious. We played some board games including subjective "Guess Who". Lots of laughs!
Becky and I bunked with Renee and Krystal in a tiny room. They were great roommates.
Day #17 (Queenstown Continued...again)
Queenstown continued, again
So, day three in Queenstown began waaaaayyyyy to early for us. We were still drunk from the night before and we were scheduled for white water rafting. At 8am we caught our shuttle to the rapids. We figured that the cold water would wake us up. It did. It also sparked the dreaded hangover. Our tour was great. It was a nice cruise and the rapids were amazing. By the end of the rafting, all I wanted was a cozy bed, a large glass of water and an Advil. It didn't happen.
We went for lunch and I had a monster plate of ribs and chips. After lunch we went up the to the hotel for a quick recharge. We met at the canyon swing store for our shuttle and headed out to jump off another cliff.
We did it! Becky and I went on a tandem jump and plummeted across a canyon over the Shotover river. It was great. The jump was amazing and the scenery was awesome.
Hangover cured. We just needed a kick of adrenaline to make us feel better.
We came back to the hotel and met the rest of the gang for dinner at Winnie Bagoes (again). I never wanted to step into that bar, or any bar for that matter, ever again.
Dinner was good. They made me a super yummy gluten free pizza and tons of other food. I was stuffed. I ate so well in Queenstown.
After dinner, I just wanted to do laundry and go to bed.
I don't have any undies left. I'm going to need to do a serious wash in San Diego but in the meantime, I have enough to get there and not smell.
Becky and I were talking about how Queenstown changed our lives. It was unbelievable. Every adrenaline activity, the bars, the people. Everything was amazing.
It made me appreciate my life in a whole different perspective.
Off to Milford Sound tomorrow.
So, day three in Queenstown began waaaaayyyyy to early for us. We were still drunk from the night before and we were scheduled for white water rafting. At 8am we caught our shuttle to the rapids. We figured that the cold water would wake us up. It did. It also sparked the dreaded hangover. Our tour was great. It was a nice cruise and the rapids were amazing. By the end of the rafting, all I wanted was a cozy bed, a large glass of water and an Advil. It didn't happen.
We went for lunch and I had a monster plate of ribs and chips. After lunch we went up the to the hotel for a quick recharge. We met at the canyon swing store for our shuttle and headed out to jump off another cliff.
We did it! Becky and I went on a tandem jump and plummeted across a canyon over the Shotover river. It was great. The jump was amazing and the scenery was awesome.
Hangover cured. We just needed a kick of adrenaline to make us feel better.
We came back to the hotel and met the rest of the gang for dinner at Winnie Bagoes (again). I never wanted to step into that bar, or any bar for that matter, ever again.
Dinner was good. They made me a super yummy gluten free pizza and tons of other food. I was stuffed. I ate so well in Queenstown.
After dinner, I just wanted to do laundry and go to bed.
I don't have any undies left. I'm going to need to do a serious wash in San Diego but in the meantime, I have enough to get there and not smell.
Becky and I were talking about how Queenstown changed our lives. It was unbelievable. Every adrenaline activity, the bars, the people. Everything was amazing.
It made me appreciate my life in a whole different perspective.
Off to Milford Sound tomorrow.
Day #16 (Queenstown Continued)
Queenstown continued
Again we were up at a "sparrow's fart".
We had to be up at 6 for our 7am shuttle to the sky diving center.
As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I was poisoned last night. When I got up this morning, my body was ready for the ultimate purge. Not that anyone really cares, but I went to the bathroom four times before 9am.
We were picked up at the hotel and shuttled into town to pay and organize our jumps.
The location for the jumps was about a 15 minute drive from town and we were shuttled there too.
Becky and I were really excited. I was a little queasy. It was from being poisoned rather than from nerves. I was feeling surprisingly calm for the outrageously crazy feat I was about to do.
Once we arrived at the jump site, we geared up and met our jumping masters. My partner was Kelsey. He was super great. (Please note: this was a completely business relationship. He didn't want to die and neither did I). So, Kelsey strapped himself to me (minds out of the gutter please), and we were set.
Becky's jump master was a guy named Jeff who was Canadian and grew up around the corner from Becky's current home. Crazy! She thought he was awesome.
Once everyone was geared up, we boarded a tiny plane and climbed to 12,000ft above Queenstown. It was spectacular. There were light fluffy clouds and beautiful mountains.
Before I could even get nervous, Kelsey and I jumped out of the plane! We fell at speeds upwards of 200km/h and drifted through icy clouds. The clouds were awesome. I had a bit of brain freeze from them because they are pretty frosty. I've always wanted to touch a real cloud and today I soared through them. (Side note: Yes. There are Care Bears up there).
Kelsey deployed the parachute and we glided down. The scenery was amazing and we saw a rainbow!
Once we made a perfect landing (that's right!), I gave Kelsey a big hug and met Becky. She LOVED it!!!!!!!
I don't think I have ever seen Becky so excited and happy. Her smile was ear to ear and she was glowing.
We got our certificates of 'being awesome and jumping out of a plane' and rode back into town. The shuttle dropped us off right in the middle of town so we shopped and had some brunch.
After brunch it was nap time so we climbed up the giant hill to our hotel and had a sleep. I got up and called my parents and Alex. I was so excited to speak to them.
I met Becky back at the room and we walked down the hill and back into town. Our next activity, Bungee Jumping!
At about 2pm, we arrived at the gondola and had a nice relaxing ride up to the spot we were at yesterday for dinner.
The jump we were scheduled to do was called 'The Ledge'. Basically, it is a 47m free fall jump off a 400m cliff. It was also the only jump (aside from the swing, where we are harnessed in rather than having our feel stuck together). I really wanted to do this because I wanted to run off the ledge and dive over the side of the mountain; and I did just that.
Becky went first. She took a running dive and had the rope snap in here face. Ouch! She's okay. She looked great on her jump.
I was up next. Again, I wasn't super nervous. Before my jump, I asked Becky how it was and she said, "just jump". She didn't want to freak me out.
I wasn't freaked until I was falling. The jump itself was graceful and I managed to do a flip!
Once off the ledge we went to buy photos. The computers weren't working so we are going to pick them up tomorrow. We decided to buy the photos because the scenery is incredible and this post cannot do the moment justice. I promise to post those pics as soon a I can.
After a full day of adrenaline, we were pretty hungry. We found a cute Mexican restaurant and scarfed down some tacos. After that, we did some shopping and I got Wendy a t-shirt.
There are many great sayings here in NZ and my personal fav is "sweet as" meaning I agree with the proposition you have made; like "sounds good".
Wendy's shirt says "sweet as" and has the definition under it. I bought for her because she's sweet, it came in cherry red and I miss her. I hope it fits, Wend!
We hiked up the hill again, took showers and got ready for the group party at the minus five ice bar. This is a bar that is completely made of ice, all the drinks are in ice cups and they supply warm wear like Ugg boots and mittens.
It was lame. I have to say it.
Coming from Canada and having a nice warm vacation is great. Going to a bar made of ice for the novelty of being cold, not so fun.
After we walked out of that, we went to the bar across the way from the ice bar. Again, not anything awesome.
As I had previously mentioned, Becky really loved the whole sky diving experience. She wanted to meet up for drinks with her jump master. We left the group and went to the bar he said he was going to be at and had a drink. He wasn't there so we left.
We tried to catch up with our group and found ourselves at Winnie Bagoes bar. Bec and I walked up to the bar to order drinks and sure enough, standing next to us was Becky's jump master, Jeff. Jeff brought his buddy Jason. We had a few drinks with them. At this point, it was about 2am. I was having a super time but I was feeing as Becky calls it, "banana-town". It was time to go home.
Both of us were feeling it...big time. We left and caught a cab up to the hotel and went right to sleep.
Again we were up at a "sparrow's fart".
We had to be up at 6 for our 7am shuttle to the sky diving center.
As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I was poisoned last night. When I got up this morning, my body was ready for the ultimate purge. Not that anyone really cares, but I went to the bathroom four times before 9am.
We were picked up at the hotel and shuttled into town to pay and organize our jumps.
The location for the jumps was about a 15 minute drive from town and we were shuttled there too.
Becky and I were really excited. I was a little queasy. It was from being poisoned rather than from nerves. I was feeling surprisingly calm for the outrageously crazy feat I was about to do.
Once we arrived at the jump site, we geared up and met our jumping masters. My partner was Kelsey. He was super great. (Please note: this was a completely business relationship. He didn't want to die and neither did I). So, Kelsey strapped himself to me (minds out of the gutter please), and we were set.
Becky's jump master was a guy named Jeff who was Canadian and grew up around the corner from Becky's current home. Crazy! She thought he was awesome.
Once everyone was geared up, we boarded a tiny plane and climbed to 12,000ft above Queenstown. It was spectacular. There were light fluffy clouds and beautiful mountains.
Before I could even get nervous, Kelsey and I jumped out of the plane! We fell at speeds upwards of 200km/h and drifted through icy clouds. The clouds were awesome. I had a bit of brain freeze from them because they are pretty frosty. I've always wanted to touch a real cloud and today I soared through them. (Side note: Yes. There are Care Bears up there).
Kelsey deployed the parachute and we glided down. The scenery was amazing and we saw a rainbow!
Once we made a perfect landing (that's right!), I gave Kelsey a big hug and met Becky. She LOVED it!!!!!!!
I don't think I have ever seen Becky so excited and happy. Her smile was ear to ear and she was glowing.
We got our certificates of 'being awesome and jumping out of a plane' and rode back into town. The shuttle dropped us off right in the middle of town so we shopped and had some brunch.
After brunch it was nap time so we climbed up the giant hill to our hotel and had a sleep. I got up and called my parents and Alex. I was so excited to speak to them.
I met Becky back at the room and we walked down the hill and back into town. Our next activity, Bungee Jumping!
At about 2pm, we arrived at the gondola and had a nice relaxing ride up to the spot we were at yesterday for dinner.
The jump we were scheduled to do was called 'The Ledge'. Basically, it is a 47m free fall jump off a 400m cliff. It was also the only jump (aside from the swing, where we are harnessed in rather than having our feel stuck together). I really wanted to do this because I wanted to run off the ledge and dive over the side of the mountain; and I did just that.
Becky went first. She took a running dive and had the rope snap in here face. Ouch! She's okay. She looked great on her jump.
I was up next. Again, I wasn't super nervous. Before my jump, I asked Becky how it was and she said, "just jump". She didn't want to freak me out.
I wasn't freaked until I was falling. The jump itself was graceful and I managed to do a flip!
Once off the ledge we went to buy photos. The computers weren't working so we are going to pick them up tomorrow. We decided to buy the photos because the scenery is incredible and this post cannot do the moment justice. I promise to post those pics as soon a I can.
After a full day of adrenaline, we were pretty hungry. We found a cute Mexican restaurant and scarfed down some tacos. After that, we did some shopping and I got Wendy a t-shirt.
There are many great sayings here in NZ and my personal fav is "sweet as" meaning I agree with the proposition you have made; like "sounds good".
Wendy's shirt says "sweet as" and has the definition under it. I bought for her because she's sweet, it came in cherry red and I miss her. I hope it fits, Wend!
We hiked up the hill again, took showers and got ready for the group party at the minus five ice bar. This is a bar that is completely made of ice, all the drinks are in ice cups and they supply warm wear like Ugg boots and mittens.
It was lame. I have to say it.
Coming from Canada and having a nice warm vacation is great. Going to a bar made of ice for the novelty of being cold, not so fun.
After we walked out of that, we went to the bar across the way from the ice bar. Again, not anything awesome.
As I had previously mentioned, Becky really loved the whole sky diving experience. She wanted to meet up for drinks with her jump master. We left the group and went to the bar he said he was going to be at and had a drink. He wasn't there so we left.
We tried to catch up with our group and found ourselves at Winnie Bagoes bar. Bec and I walked up to the bar to order drinks and sure enough, standing next to us was Becky's jump master, Jeff. Jeff brought his buddy Jason. We had a few drinks with them. At this point, it was about 2am. I was having a super time but I was feeing as Becky calls it, "banana-town". It was time to go home.
Both of us were feeling it...big time. We left and caught a cab up to the hotel and went right to sleep.
Day #15 (Queenstown)
Queenstown
The day began at "a sparrow's fart" (really really early in the morning).
We packed up our sweet house and went out to the Fox Glacier. I like to call it the 'Emma Fox Glacier'. :)
Becky and I had signed up for a hike around the glacier. It was amazing. We were in a group of eight and we were also the first group out on the ice this morning.
Our leader, Ruth, was awesome. She guided us up onto the ice and answered all of our questions.
I can't describe the beauty and brilliance of the hike we did today. I just wouldn't do it justice. The pictures are spectacular so please stay tuned to a time when I can upload them for you.
We finished our amazing hike and hopped on the bus for 6 (yes, 6) hours. Oye!
Queenstown would not come fast enough. After the painful six hour ride, we arrived in Queenstown. The city itself is super cute. It reminds me of Banff/Whistler.
The hotel is nice except that the Internet is spotty.
Tonight we went out to the gondola for a buffet in the sky the food was great. After dinner, we went down and had some drinks at the Buffalo club. At about 11, I was ready to go home so I grabbed our leader, Sarah, and some other of my mates and we went to catch a cab. Unfortunately there weren't any van cabs available so we went to the sushi restaurant next door and did sake bombs. I had no idea that they were beer until I had the delicious beer aftertaste in my mouth. I've officially been poisoned.
Don't worry fellow readers. Please! My reaction isn't due for a couple days and this is the first time I've had gluten in five years. Everything is going to be okay. I'm currently very healthy and I will get through this!
Skydiving and bungee jumping tomorrow. I have that to worry about. I will focus on the positive and hopefully not crap my pants while jumping off a ledge tomorrow.
The day began at "a sparrow's fart" (really really early in the morning).
We packed up our sweet house and went out to the Fox Glacier. I like to call it the 'Emma Fox Glacier'. :)
Becky and I had signed up for a hike around the glacier. It was amazing. We were in a group of eight and we were also the first group out on the ice this morning.
Our leader, Ruth, was awesome. She guided us up onto the ice and answered all of our questions.
I can't describe the beauty and brilliance of the hike we did today. I just wouldn't do it justice. The pictures are spectacular so please stay tuned to a time when I can upload them for you.
We finished our amazing hike and hopped on the bus for 6 (yes, 6) hours. Oye!
Queenstown would not come fast enough. After the painful six hour ride, we arrived in Queenstown. The city itself is super cute. It reminds me of Banff/Whistler.
The hotel is nice except that the Internet is spotty.
Tonight we went out to the gondola for a buffet in the sky the food was great. After dinner, we went down and had some drinks at the Buffalo club. At about 11, I was ready to go home so I grabbed our leader, Sarah, and some other of my mates and we went to catch a cab. Unfortunately there weren't any van cabs available so we went to the sushi restaurant next door and did sake bombs. I had no idea that they were beer until I had the delicious beer aftertaste in my mouth. I've officially been poisoned.
Don't worry fellow readers. Please! My reaction isn't due for a couple days and this is the first time I've had gluten in five years. Everything is going to be okay. I'm currently very healthy and I will get through this!
Skydiving and bungee jumping tomorrow. I have that to worry about. I will focus on the positive and hopefully not crap my pants while jumping off a ledge tomorrow.
Day #14 (Franz Joseph)
Franz Joseph
Today was a pretty slow day considering that we were on the bus for about 8 hours.
The day began in Christchurch. We left our hotel, which was pretty gross, and toured Christchurch for about an hour. I managed to get some souvenirs for my parents and parents-in-laws. Nothing fancy but there were some nice magnets and trinkets.
We boarded the bus and travelled for many hours. We stopped a few times and "tried for results". One of the stops we made was in this tiny one horse town for lunch. There was gluten free vegetarian quiche-pie. It was tasty. We also got to look at the rare and beautiful Kea bird. These birds are supposed to be super smart. I didn't test it with any hard math questions or puzzles but I should have.
After many more hours of traveling through the beautiful mountains we arrived at the Rainforest Retreat, in the town of Franz Joseph. When we left Christchurch we had picked up more people for the rest of the tour. This caught our leader, Sarah, with a dilemma. There weren't enough rooms at the Rainforst Retreat so she found a sweet pad for all the people who were twin share (this included me and Becky).
Six of us were put in a vacation house. It was amazing. The beds weren't super comfy but the house itself was incredible. There was laundry, a full kitchen and satellite tv. To capture the family aspect of the house we took a family photo.
We went for a quick dip in the hot pools; which were, in my opinion, the nicest we've been in.
Dinner was served around 7:30. I don't think I can handle another chicken salad. When I get back to Canada, I don't want to eat another chicken salad until 2015!
We had some drinks and went back to the house for the night.
Today was a pretty slow day considering that we were on the bus for about 8 hours.
The day began in Christchurch. We left our hotel, which was pretty gross, and toured Christchurch for about an hour. I managed to get some souvenirs for my parents and parents-in-laws. Nothing fancy but there were some nice magnets and trinkets.
We boarded the bus and travelled for many hours. We stopped a few times and "tried for results". One of the stops we made was in this tiny one horse town for lunch. There was gluten free vegetarian quiche-pie. It was tasty. We also got to look at the rare and beautiful Kea bird. These birds are supposed to be super smart. I didn't test it with any hard math questions or puzzles but I should have.
After many more hours of traveling through the beautiful mountains we arrived at the Rainforest Retreat, in the town of Franz Joseph. When we left Christchurch we had picked up more people for the rest of the tour. This caught our leader, Sarah, with a dilemma. There weren't enough rooms at the Rainforst Retreat so she found a sweet pad for all the people who were twin share (this included me and Becky).
Six of us were put in a vacation house. It was amazing. The beds weren't super comfy but the house itself was incredible. There was laundry, a full kitchen and satellite tv. To capture the family aspect of the house we took a family photo.
We went for a quick dip in the hot pools; which were, in my opinion, the nicest we've been in.
Dinner was served around 7:30. I don't think I can handle another chicken salad. When I get back to Canada, I don't want to eat another chicken salad until 2015!
We had some drinks and went back to the house for the night.
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