Advertisement
Published: April 6th 2007
Edit Blog Post
Well I have very tired feet!!! I'm in New Z on my treking trip.. and there is a lot of beautiful treking!
First things first.. thanks everyone for their birthday wishes, I had a great day and it was brilliant to hear from friends and family. By the way I am still celebrating as is not yet 6 April in UK for another 20 mins..
Also my thoughts are with HAAD in Kosovo at the moment - good luck everyone - hope the week is safe and successful.
So Monday morning.. an early start and I met our tour guide Sue, and 13 other trekbuddies. One couple, one pair of mates, and the rest solo travellers. Think we all clicked really well so far. Cheesy things like we all have to sit in a different seat each day but it really works to get to know everyone!
Bit of a drive Monday - left Christchurch and went to Devils Punchbowel for a walk to a waterfall.. walk was a bit of a shock to the system.. up hill... then lunch and a drive to Greymouth - the smallest town on the west coast. Some very
funky toilets that talk to you and play Burt Bararach...! Driving up the west copast to the Beach Hostel where we stayed.. and more walks of the Pancake Rocks.. This is a trek tour.. so walking/hiking about 3-6 hours a day depending on the other things going on..!
We're all taking it in turns to cook.. oh dear.. and I am with Mel, Mike and Louise.. its our go tonight (jacket potatoes.. cheese and beans..!!! We need Lizzie!!)
Tuesday we headed towards Frans Joseph glacier via lots of stops and walks.. I did about 6 hours of walking in total.. up Kings hill in Greymouth, along a creek and then a trueman trail I think it was called.. I have all the maps to bring home with me! Next youth hostel was great.. complete with hammock.. Headed out to the pub (and not on the glow worm walk..!) and enjoyed Lemonade.. Lime and Bitters.. (LLB) very good soft drink..!!! Can get it made by Aussie's Bundaberg but better if barman mixes it fresh.
Wednesday was a full day glacier hike.. pictures to follow soon. It was AMAZING!! There was about 50 of us.. in 5 groups. 1
was the fastest and 5 the National Geographic or slowest group!! I went in 5 as was feeling unfit! And also it's the same route, and didn't want any pressure.. So we had to be kitted out in full gear.. boots, crampons/talons, trousers, jackets, hats and gloves.. and we were on he ice for 6 hours. Our guide was Donkey or Dale.. he's just 19 and was great - cutting steps in the ice along the way and adding in ropes and so on for the steep bits! Got to see some really blue ice.. and climb through ice holes, and up very narrow gaps.. Had lunch sat on some ice rocks.. felt like an explorer. No set path.. everyday the route changes. Abouty 400 people go up each day. Felt very safe. Weds night we all hit 2 of the 4 bars in Frans J.. and some of my new friends helped me celebrate my New Z birthday at midnight!
Thursday 5th I was 25... very scary.. do I have to be sensible now..??!! It was great.. When I got to the minibus it was decked out in balloons and banners.. and they had all got me a
great card.. and a tiara thign to wear..which will probably ruin many people's photos that day! It was a 7 hour drive to Queenstown where we spend 4 days, so lots of driving, but after a few hours we stopped for a comfort break and all of a sudden there was birthday cake and sparkling wine for breakfast!! Saw Lake Mathseson which was beautiful.. like a postcard with the mountains reflected in the water. Weather sunny but a bit cold!!
Quick lunch stop then I went with 6 other the trekkers for their skydive.. I didn't jump but wanted to go for moral support, take pics. 5/6 made it and one came down again in the plane (braver to say no then to jump I think). Was great to watch them, and we all feel like a family already.
Thurs night and I got to pick where we all went for dinner... New Z doesn't take bookings so we ended up across the road from where planned in the Pig and Whistle - excellent. New Z pub cuisine.. I had steak and a little red wine.. Because of Good Friday pubs close at 12pm Thurs and open 24 hours later.. so we weren't too wild, but when I got back to our hostel - Pinewoods Lodge I went trampolining.. can still do the old seat and front drops even under the influence..!
I'm glad I am seeing beautiful things in the world although part of me this week really wanted to be in Kosovo with HAAD. (and with my family on my birthday. Being away on your birthday is a weird one!!)
Anyhow - today Friday is the one relaxed day of the trip.. then I'm trying to handglide tomorrow and various other thigns.. and Monday am we move to Mt Cook and Milford Sounds!
Love to all and Happy Easter!
Mich
xx
Advertisement
Tot: 0.073s; Tpl: 0.011s; cc: 6; qc: 44; dbt: 0.0437s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
Katie
non-member comment
Wow Michelle, sounds like you are having such a wonderful time. I love hearing about all of your adventures!! The pictures are fantastic! Keep having fun lovely..and keep the updates coming!! oh and HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY....YAAAAY!!!