Blogs from Otago, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 38

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Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago » Queenstown March 30th 2005

OK, lots to update here so will try and be brief - highlights only! Left Wellington with a hangover so the 3 hour ferry ride across to the south island wasn't great for me actually. Didn't see much of Nelson as I was sleeping but according to other people on my bus it was very nice. We passed through a town called Greymouth which has been hit a couple of days before by a hurricane - it was all over the news but actaully there was very little damage to be seen. The roof of a local blacksmiths had been completely ripped off but the buildings around it were totally untouched. Bet he was pleased. In fact, it turns out that despite the fuss that was being made in the media only one person was hurt ... read more
Lake Hawea
A gloworm!
A bridge across a glacial chasm

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago » Dunedin March 22nd 2005

Hey there everyone... Well only 9 days until I will be sitting on a plane heading to Thailand! I am started to get excited for the trip although I do admit I am a little nervous about going alone to a place where I don't speak the language at all! It shall be interesting...so this is my last Dunedin post until I return and I've actually done something other than work and surf to tell you about! ***I am going to try and attach some photo's but no guarantee's-this computer is VERY slow to download! Yesterday I went on a tour thru the Catlins which is located on the bottom of the South Island. The Catlins is quite a tourist attraction due to the lush rainforests, beaches and wildlife. I did the tour with a girl ... read more
Purakaunui Falls Walkway
Another of our walks
Lake Wilkie

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago » Queenstown March 20th 2005

Hellooo!! Tis Rach B here, have been a bit slack about writing these long and winding passgaes, that tell you just how much time we have on our hands now that we're not working!!! Anyhoo, we're back together now, which is cool, because now when we both eat cake and ice cream, we don't feel so guilty. A couple of days after Rach F's red jump suit moment, I too donned the super figure enhancing garb and I think I might have fallen out of the plane actually, not jumped. But that's merely a detail. Unlike Rach, who got to see her fellow passengers fall out of the plane before it was her turn, I got to go first. Lucky me. I do have photos and a dvd (and a t-shirt...yeah I got everything), and will ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago » Dunedin March 17th 2005

Hey everyone...I'm not sure if this will be a repeat blog as I started a blog today but ran out of time waiting for the photo's to download so I cancelled the blog...BUT Aunt Marja responded to the Thailand news (thank-you for the note!) already so...if this is a repeat blog, I apologize!! So...as you've probably gathered I am heading off to Thailand April 2-28th. I am flying into Bankok and will be leaving from Phuket. I am getting excited about heading there...tomorrow I get my shots and malaria pills so that should be a fun day!! I have no set plans for the trip which I was told is the best way to travel when in Thailand...wish me luck! As for what's been going on here in Dunedin...not a whole lot. I've been doing a ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago March 14th 2005

From Queenstone we headed to Glenorchy to set off on our next adventure - the 5-day hike we had had planned for several weeks. Our itinerary was to link the relatively flat Greenstone track (2.5 days) with the Great Walk Routeburn Track (2.5 days). It was perfect weather and fantastic scenery all the way as our packs got lighter and the hills got steeper, the air stayed fresh and the sandflies stayed bitey. Day 1 took us on a boat across the lake from Glenorchy to the start of the Greenstone track. It was a sunny day and we walked did about 15km on the flat to the Greenstone hut. This was a fantastic hut with a big porch, perfect for resting aching muscles and nursing blisters. We encoutered two stern seasoned hikers in the hut ... read more
Pete advertises the benefits of water
Greenstone Track
Spaghetti Carbonara

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago March 12th 2005

WEEEEEEE! Splash! BOING! (that's what bungying into a river is like) Driving into Queenstown in the morning, we almost passed the AJ Hacket bungy centre. Out of curiosity and not at all planning to do a bungy we stopped to have a look. It's site is the original 43m jump-off-a-bridge-into-the-river-below and world's first commercial bungy centre. Well looking at other people doing it - one memorable one was a tiny Japanese girl doing the customary Japanese victory Vs before jumping - amongst the crowd of onlookers I just couldn't walk away without the t-shirt. 20 minutes later I was being strapped in.... I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story, but just let me say that it felt distinctly unnatural jumping off a perfectly good bridge. "Trust the technology I told myself". That afternoon ... read more
Pete dives gracefully through the air
Boing!!!!!!
Evidently still alive, if a little soggy

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago » Queenstown March 8th 2005

Pics, for the love of god. I lied last time, but here are the real pictures! Sorry about that. I'm out in the sticks where the phone works 25% of the time and the Internet about 2%. And it's slooooww. I'll update my journal in a bit, but right now a weka (like a cross between a chicken and a kiwi bird) is pecking the trash bags apart! Damn bird! To be continued...... read more
Queenstown
Mountain Lupin
Lake Wanaka

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago » Dunedin March 7th 2005

Well I am still in Dunedin and have a feeling I may be here for awhile. There is quite a bit to do around here and because I am working at the Backpackers I am able to do some tours and surf lessons for free or discounted which is really nice. Working at the Backpackers has been a blast so far. I was warned by the staff who had left that you can get addicted to this sort of lifestyle and she's right. You definetly meet interesting people...I am working in the office taking bookings for rooms and tours, quite fun. Fernanda (the English gal)and I are sharing office hours and she's quite a bit of fun. I start netball tomorrow with a Kiwi girl Jenna which should be a lot of fun (not that I ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago » Dunedin February 28th 2005

Yesterday was Shiri's last day here. Unfortunately it was also the most uneventful... Dunedin is not very interesting. We strolled in the town, saw another botanic garden with an aviary (birds zoo), we had some music in the park, nice lunch (in a restaurant for a change). This morning we kissed goodbye and she started the long journey home. Then I started the short journey to Otago Peninsula. It's a peninsula close to Dunedin with some nice things: first, the only "chateau" in NZ. Real lovely one, build about 130 years ago by a show off reach banker (financed by his wife's money aparently...) Then there are the wonderful views on the narrow piece of sea between the shore and the peninsula (what's the word for that in english?). And of course, the animals. I went ... read more
Swimming Fur Seal
Pinguins!!!
Pinguins!!! (2)

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago » Dunedin February 26th 2005

Hey everyone, I am alive...I apologize for not updating this sooner...and at the rate I'm going if this blog doesn't go thru (this is my third attempt) I will "snap!" Any way... It is the second rainy day here in Dunedin but I have a feeling it should clear up. For the most part the weather has been nice here and sunblock has become my new lotion of choice...the sun is definetly more intense here then in Canada. I have spent the past week looking for part time work and not having a lot of luck. I have been offered cleaning jobs that entail 4hrs of work a week but nothing more. I will be starting at the hostel Wednesday where I will be working two-three mornings a week for about 2hrs changing bedding...not the nicest ... read more
St. Claire Beach
St. Claire Beach
Tunnel Beach




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