New Zealand
Well, I should realliy get around to actually writing SOMETHING at least about New Zealand.
Because it was GREAT believe it or not, but I'm too lazy to write much about it :(
Well, let's see how I go. At least I've got a lot of pictures :)
We flew to Christchurch, where we arrived at about 11 pm or something. Mum had booked a motel room but the person had FORGOTTEN TO LEAVE US THE KEY! So we were stuck in the FREEZING cold rain, at midnight, in a place where there was no one. Luckily mum found the owner of the motel next door and, although he had 'no vaccancies', we were able to stay in a room there for one night.
Great start.
Next morning, we get our campervan - the next shock. Although it had a shower, toilet, small kitchen + table, 2 beds (each 120 cm wide and 2m long), it was not that great. the table could not actually be fastened properly, so it wobbled on a single pole the whole holiday. Not good.
The toilet, although ok, had some problem and something leaked. For some days, it STANK. Then we worked that out. We decided never to use the shower, as the whole complex (toilet, sink, shower) was comprised in a 'room' about 1m square.
BUT once we got on the road, it was great.
Our first stop was Lake Tekapo:
Our campervan!
Then it was off to Mount Cook national park.
Even the road was beautiful - I know that sounds corny, but seriously:
When we arrived at the campsite, we didn't take long before we were off on a little walk:
(That's mount cook in the background)
Lunch break!
The next day was 'slightly' tougher:
It just went up and up and up and up...
Up to Miller's hut and back. 1100m of height covered, over 3 or so hours. Then back.
Going up was ok - down was not so great...
Once we FINALLY reached Miller's hut, it was luckily open, and surrounded by 1m of snow. At least there were tables inside, and some gas stoves for tea.
the mountains are magnificent... covered in glaciers. Every now and then, a deep rumble could be heard as another avalanche came down. I was glad we weren't any closer - watching them from a distance was scary enough!
The toilet
At least there weren't any problems with flies
Then the way down the STEEP slope in the DEEP snow.
Not fun. Verena and I just ended up laughing because we just fell down all the time, one after the other as if on cue.
Well, we got down though.
Next day we moved on, to Queenstown. That was X-mas. On X-mas day, each of us were allowed to choose something to do from the 'adventure sports' offered there. Verena and I chose Paragliding, which was absolutely fabulous!!!
And I got to fly with this nice french guy:)
the Starting ground
Verena preparing...
Me:)...
...ready to go...
And I'm OFF :) (Of course, with the experienced person in the back...)
And that was that...!
Back at the campground, there was this really encuisitive duck... we had our fun- and so did it
Next day, dad got his turn. BUNGY JUMPING.
We decided ours was cheaper per minute.
Dad about to jump
And him waiting to be picked up after it
Then it was off to Te Anau and Milford Sound.
Lunch on the way
Lake Te Anau
And one of the pigions there - the worlds largest!
That evening we left for Milford sound, and stayed at an unserviced campground a few km away. It was pouring, but the rainforest was absolutely beautiful. No other people around, I went for a walk in the rain, along the river, into the dripping forest.
Next day I woke up (on my B'day) to SUNSHINE!!!
First of all, I've got to explain this is a miracle. Milford sound is known for its rain, it hardly ever ceases raining. It rains 9000mm a year there - that's 9m!
This was a cute poem we found there- and it is SO true
“It rained and rained and rained- The average fall was well maintained.
And when the tracks were simply bogs,
It started raining cats and dogs.
After a drought of half an hour
We had a most refreshing shower; And then the most curious thing of all:
A gentle rain began to fall.
Next day also was fairly dry,
Save for a deluge from the sky,
Which wetted the party to the skin,
And after that the rain set in!”
OK, so, we decided to get going straight away, without breakfast, to try and witness Milford Sound in Sunshine...
We nearly made it. Unfortunately, both digital cameras had run out of battery or will, so I do not have any digital photos. But it was amazing. Maybe I'll scan some pictures in...
Mountains rising out of the ocean, waterfalls 300m high, smaller ones everywhere.
Oh yes, but on the way there we came across our first Keas - witnessing them in what they do best, namely, taking appart any posessions or things which they come across...
Including windscreen wipers on cars, and rubber from around the windows!
Next day, we drove further south to where we were going to start our 4 day hike, the Kepler track.
Just before, dad decided we should not get lazy, and we did another 'short' walk. Starting with a river crossing.
The next day, in pouring rain, we started on teh Kepler track.
What was meant to be covered in 6 hours uphill, I did in 4 because we couldn't stop since we would just freeze.
Overnight it snowed, and the next day we started in the snow, ran into hail and gails and more snow on the ridge crossing.
the hut on the first night - funnily enough, most people were german!
Ok, when we STARTED on the second day, it did not snow/hail/rain. But that was just a trick.
Me:)
More keas - note, that all of these photos were taken in the rare moments in which we were able to stop/see/take out a camera.
End of the second day - arrival at the hut...
the second hut! (But taken on the 3rd day) which was slightly nicer :)
Some friends we made -getting ready to go
The sleeping room
Quick detour by the waterfall the next morning...
And we're off
Doesn't it look like a Kiwi?
Ever seen a PURPLE mushroom???
LUNCH is always welcome, especially when the SUN IS OUT!!!
FINALLY! The last hut...
Reciding on a glacier lake where dad and I decided to take a refreshing swim... only later did I remember we didn't have towels. Oh well.
We were the only clean ones that night (new Years Eve) in the hut, after 3 days of hiking.
The last day was a rush -I walked back with our German Friends who absolutely RAN. Made it back in 3 hours, what should have taken at least 5:)
Did I mention it was beautiful?
Well, after that it was back to Christchurch, and (for me) onto the plane back to melbourne where IB results awaited the next day.
The rest of the family had another week in NZ, in the north of the south island, but me - I had some quality alone time:)