Blogs from Methven, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania
Dunedin to Methven - Rangitata Rafting
Published: March 14th 2011Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Methven
March 14th 2011
Our travel day to Methven (the Christchurch stop due to the earthquake) included a stop off at Rangitata Rafting, on the Rangitata river. This was a brilliant activity. Our guide Steve got us into the wetsuits and briefed us on how to tackle grade 5 rapids, of which there were two on this run. We learnt how to forward paddle, back paddle, hold on and to get down ! It was a great day on the water and there were a couple of junmps - 5 metres and 10 metres into the water plus a lovely swim down the river. We didn't fall out once, however there was one moment where I thought I had killed the woman in front. But she said she was fine, so all good ;) I was quite impressed with the ... read more
October 13th 2010
7/10/10 Yesterday we went to MT.Hutt where we were about to get a snow boarding lesson. We woke up 6:45am to get ready for the trip. We had to catch a bus up to the snowfield which was about 300m above the clouds. The snowfield was so hot that we were boiling so we didn’t where are jacket’s or glove’s. are lesson started at 9:30am at the beginners slope. Our teacher, Paul, taught us a heal turn, toe turn, C turn and a S turn. Dad and I were pretty good, it helped that I was good at ripstiking, I could jump with the board and go up a half pipe. After we were bummed so we got a coke and a trumpet while waiting for the bus. When we were driving back we drove through ... read more
October 7th 2010
When we woke up it was a mad rush to get the bus that goes to the snow fields (later we found out we were actualy early). When we were at the snow fields we discovered we were literally above the clouds, we drove through the clouds on the bus and it was amazing. When we were ready we went to our lessons on how to snow board and it went quite well. Since I missed the additional lesson I went to the top of the ski slope a long time after Caleb and Dad. I eventuly got up and loved it since it was so fun having more control when they kept on slipping down. What I did best was making drifts in the snow on the snowboard. Bailey ... read more
Mile High, Destination Unknown
Published: August 2nd 2010Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Methven
July 15th 2010
As the wavering red glow shrunk and then disappeared into the still-dark sky, the decision was made - there was going to be no launch from the centre of town, and we went in search of calmer skies to cast away into. Not too much later, just as the sun was rising, another helium filled balloon was released to assess the winds and the launch site for our hot air balloon adventure was decided. This, we were informed, is a team sport - so it was all hands required to unload the basket, burner and envelope (balloon). Actually, it was more a case of 'take photos of the sunrise while the pilot and ground crew unload them', but everyone was needed to help spread the envelope. Slowly that lifeless rainbow started to come alive, and once ... read more
May 12th 2010
Just some things I forgot to mention earlier. I met a woman at the CHCH airport when I arrived, she was from California. Her son lived in Royal Oak right near main street. I can now fully accept the fact that it is a small world. Also, I forgot to talk about the roads to Akaroa when I went. They were very narrow, and constantly winding. The speed limit was 62mph. The scary part was that people actually drove 62 mph while I wouldn't break 30. I woke up this morning and headed out towards Lyttelton. I really don't know what my plan is, I am just going to drive. I want to hike a bit but it's forecasted to rain all day. I am currently stopped at a coffee shop writing this journal. I got ... read more
May 12th 2010
I woke up this morning with no hangover!! I was completely surprised, I thought for sure I would be out. After breakfast Yella, Lee and myself headed downtown to Big Al's. Big Al's is a ski shop and they were having a sale on ski equipment. Big Al was there with his suit and clip on tie which he clearly did not even attempt to put on correctly. It was almost sideways and you could see it was a clip on. It was strange that the sales people all wore suits even in a run down ski shop. There was a skinny young salesman there that was probably wearing his fathers suit because it was a few sizes too big for him. I was looking for a jacket and I found a Billabong that would probably ... read more
July 4th 2009
Day 75 (Saturday 04/07/09, NJJ) Checked out of accommodation. Got the bus into the city then another bus out to Apollo Campers. We got into our latest home on wheels and set off around 12.30pm. We stocked up on food basics before the driving really started. Drove to Methven, via Rakaia Gorge, and checked into campsite. Not much in the area of town we drove through so back to camp for the night. Had pasta for dinner then watched X-Men Origins: Wolverine on the laptop. ... read more
June 13th 2009
Kia Ora! (Apologies if you get this one twice: there were server problems when I posted this and I don't think the emails went out). So, here I am, back in New Zealand. I don’t think it’ll surprise anyone when I say, that, I quite like it here!! Arriving in Christchurch I didn’t really have much of a definite plan, all I knew was that I was probably going to hire some form of transport and head down to Queenstown and do some skiing at Coronet Peak when it opened on 13 June. As by this time, I’d decided that I was nearly ready to come home, I couldn’t plan anything until I’d spoken to the airline about changing my flights so, that was my first job. All sorted, I found the Spaceship office and organised ... read more
January 14th 2009
Wanaka was the next port of call for us and our Nissan Pulsar. The township sits right on Lake Wanaka, allowing amazing views of Mount Aspiring National Park in the background with the beautiful lake in the foreground. Having the car made it all the better. We explored right around the edge of the lake and found ourselves a quiet little beach. It was so secluded it felt like our own private space. More exploring around the lake brought us upon many little coves, which the locals use as slipways to launch their small boats and jet skis. Another attraction in the area is Puzzling World. Having started out as just a maze in 1973, it has grown now to accommodate a "puzzling café" where guests could try out several puzzles, rooms with optical illusions, the ... read more
December 28th 2008
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR AND ALL THAT Hello all sorry it has been so long since my last message, but the holidays are upon me and I find lots of time to catch up. Baden and his family left on the 21st to spend the holidays on the north island with their family, on the 19th to the 21st weekend me and 3 other mates rented motorcycles and went on a trip around the south end if the island, it was a pretty wet ride but still was good. rained the entire day saturday and of course we never thought to get rain gear (which was free)! could only do 1000km or they would have charged us extra so we couldnt get everywhere we wanted to but is was still fun. Christmas was a ... read more
