Blogs from Nelson, Nelson Region, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 10

donnerstag, 02.04.09 wie im letzten blog erwähnt, treffen will und ich also in queenstown die neue gruppe für den 'grossen ausgang', den wir ja mit unserer alten tour von christchurch nach queenstown schon erlebt und auch ausgiebig genossen haben. tja, das ganze gleicht schon von anfang an einem kleinen desaster - die mitglieder der neuen tour sind fast ausnahmslos teenies... auf den ersten blick ein ganzes rudel von pubertierenden deutschen austauschstudenten! zum glück treffen wir auch die restlichen mitglieder, doch auch diese sind sehr jung, aber immerhin international: finnland, irland, holland und england. die einzige ausnahme ist kami, 36-jährig, aus den usa - der rest ist unter 25! das macht mich zum drittältesten im ganzen bus... will führt konkurrenzlos mit einem abstand von sechs jahren auf kami! tourguide ist michelle, und fahrerin ist nancy, beide irgenwo ... read more

Its hard to follow a day where you jump out of a plane, but actually the following day I did the most fantastic walk, called the Tongariro National Crossing, considered by many to be the best day walk in New Zealand. The walk passes over (live) volcanic craters and between 3 mountains, including Mount Tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe - known as Mount Doom by Lord of the Rings geeks. Ahem, I mean fans. The forecast was a bit touch and go, with wind and a few showers predicted. We were told it would be extremely windy at the summit of the walk, and even that we might have to go on our hands and knees at some points so we wouldn't be blown off. Even with that slightly offputting warning, I think everyone was quite overwhelmed ... read more

Hi again From Arrowtown we drove over several valleys and ranges of hills to Wakata. On the way we had to stop to see the Kingston Flyer, a 1927 steam loco which had just finished a trip when we got there. Then on alongside a very long lake to Wakata where we stayed the night. Weather not great here so we did not do a great deal that evening. Dull again the following morning so we went to the Puzzle World. An amazing place, we spent over a hour there before we had to pay anything for using the puzzles set out in the coffee area. Altogether we must have spent around 4 hours looking at the displays standing on floors at crazy angles and trying to work out the visual effects created in the multiple ... read more

23/2/09 = Tahunanui beach & A Camera Cure Woke up nice and leisurely at 7:45 after a brilliant nights sleep. Rolled around for a while, then got up and had breakfast. Should have been going to Abel Tasman today, but already too late for that and not at all bothered; sleep was more important. Got ready without rushing and entirely enjoying feeling of being well again…hooray! Didn’t know much about Nelson, but since was such a beautiful day outside, hostel man recommended a visit to Tahunanui Beach. Good idea. Booked and sorted water taxi for trip to Abel Tasman tomorrow at 8:30am (bit of a rip off at $64)and then did 45min walk through town and towards beach. Nice town with lots of nice little shops. Managed to avoid going in shops and spending money, but ... read more

I'm afraid this is a very boring blog entry! But after being in Nelson for 4 ays we had run out of things to do! Both Em and I are really shocked about how small all of the towns are in New Zealand and literally once you've done the activities there, there isn't much to do. However this was a very useful day as it meant we could do some washing and pack as you find when you're moving around alot any opportunity to 'unpack' or sort of- you do so there was a lot of stuff sprawled everywhere!!! In the evening me, mike, em, kate, gay mike and chris watched a film ready to leave nelson!! A good day!!... read more