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Published: November 21st 2007
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On the road 1
The South Island crazy Kiwi crew! Back row: Liam, Becca, Sharon, Jo and Heather. Front row: Flah, me, Jimmy and Ran. Kia Ora!
Ok, a bit of catching up to do with the blogs so there's a couple coming up...a lot of typing to be done on my part!
We were up and away early the day we left the beautiful Taupo and took in some gorgeous views as we drove round the eastern shore of the lake before heading to Turangi (the trout fishing capital of the world and a fave spot of Jack Nicholson's, though I never saw him!) for lunch. We then drove to Tongariro National Park and some of the bus went for a walk while others, me included, opted out since our feet were covered in blisters from the eight hour hike the day before. Instead, Heather and I amused ourselves in the village of Whakapapa, taking pics of the sign which we found very funny as in Maori 'wh' is pronounced as an 'f' (I'll leave you to figure it out on your own!). Once everyone was back we jumped back on the bus and headed towards River Valley where we'd be staying for the night.
Opting for a normal dorm rather than the 'orgy room' (one huge long bed fitting 12 people
Whakapapa 1
Do what? To who? He he he! in a row), Heather and I settled in, had dinner and then relaxed for a couple of hours in the spa pool and infra red sauna - sheer luxury! Heather headed off to bed early since she was white water rafting the following day - an activity I'd declined, partly to save cash and partly because I'd nearly drowned when I did it in Oz - so I chilled in the bar with Mar (our bus driver) until kicking out time (which, thanks to the Scottish barman, was extended for a couple of hours for us!). The following day I lazed about in the sun getting the craic with some of the people on my bus until the rafters came back and then we headed off again.
We spent the rest of the afternoon driving down to Wellington. I'd originally planned on having a couple of nights there but there had been a mix-up with Heather's flights so she only had time for one night now and I had changed my ticket to match hers. So I didn't get the chance to see much of the city but from what I could tell it's a lot nicer than Auckland.
River Valley 1
Heather and I with Mar our driver from Auckland to Queenstown - Float boat goat!! Definitely worth another look one day!
The next morning we were herded onto the ferry which would take us to the south island. Our first stop was in The Village in Marlborough Valley for some wine tasting and I picked up a bottle that costs 90 quid at home for less than a tenner - bargain! After also trying out some local liqueurs a slightly more merry Linds got back on the bus much to the delight of Heather and Mar who had to listen to me gibber rubbish for the rest of the afternoon!
We then made our way down to Nelson, which is NZs sunniest city and also its largest fishing port. After checking into the hostel we got to sample the 12 local beers - out of shot glasses which was a bit random! Heather and I then decided it would be a good idea to walk up to the monument on top of the hill overlooking the city which marks the exact centre of NZ - not an easy feat after all that alcohol! But we managed it and then treated ourselves to a poke of chips when we got back down - they
Marlborough Valley 1
No no, this IS the way the professional wine tasters do it! even wrapped them in newspaper just for us! Back at the hostel I met the lovely Francois for the first time and stayed up chatting to him for a bit before heading to bed.
The next day we headed off to Westport. We did stop at Lake Rotoiti where we were supposed to have a picnic but since it was pelting it down with rain we didn't bother, though I did get out and feed the ducks and almost lost a finger to one of them in the process! So we had our picnic on the bus instead and since a lot of new people had got on the bus for the south island we spent the time getting to know each other. Within five minutes of meeting Sharon, Becca, Liam, Flah, Jimmy and Jo I knew the week coming up was going to be a crazy one - each and every one of them was nuts, excellent!
The rain didn't let up the whole of the afternoon or evening so there was nothing left to do but play drinking games. What a brilliant laugh, we even played the 'disco box' game I'd learned on the Whitsundays and
Nelson 1
At the centre of New Zealand! while I earned respect for getting down to the second last layer of the box, I think I may have permanently damaged my hamstrings - I'm just not meant to bend that way! After coming last in ring of fire twice and having to drink two dirty pints, Heather nearly set the place on fire by taking her shorts out of the washing machine and leaving them to dry over the fire for a bit too long. We were all past the point of panicking at the smoke though and when the night attendant from the hostel came to investigate what had set off the smoke alarm he just found all of us jumping about singing 'the roof, the roof, the roof is on fire'! It took quite a few glasses of Jim Beam for him to agree to forget about it!
The next day we headed down the coast, stopping for walks at the Pororari River and the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks. The Pancake Rocks are a series of limestone stacks which have been eroded to give the effect of giant piles of neatly stacked pancakes. We then stopped at Greymouth to buy supplies for the fancy dress party
Nelson 2
Me n Heather pose Japanese style we were having that night at the Lake Mahinapua Hotel (known as the poo pub), run by a crusty old man called Les who is NZs oldest publican. We had great craic at the party that night and Sharon definitely stole the show for me by dressing up as a public toilet - sheer genius!
So although the last few days had been pretty uneventful, I had a great time meeting the new bus crew and I definitely enjoyed partying for a few nights - sweet as!
Right, next blog coming up...
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