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Published: July 12th 2006
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Tiger Sprigens
Didnt take long to get back into the swing! Hello and welcome to the first instalment of Jonnys New Zealand adventures. So far we have been in this beautiful country just over a week, and I can categorically say its pretty good over here. Arriving in Christchurch last Monday, the one thing that I wanted to get sorted pretty quickly was organising a car, and as the title hints, we did!
The first day in Christchurch was spent getting used to the surroundings. It was pissing it down and I needed to buy some warm clothes- so I bought a fleece and some trainers. We also briefly bumped into the Jeffs (Bully's call)- the deaf Irish girls who were on our fraser island trip. Sadly the not-so-jeff one wasnt present so the conversation was difficult!! Christchurch is a small little town that is pleasant on the eye- taking a wander round the centre and the botanical gardens, its a nice change from the hustle and bustle of Australian towns and cities. Also met Eggo, a lad from my school who was staying at the same hostel. That night numerous beers were had before I retired to bed, only to find Bully had knicked it to share! Naught boy! There were tickets for the All Blacks vs Australia rugby match for Saturday but as the city doesnt have alot to offer, we decided to move on and begin our road trip around the country!
We sorted out 2 cars between the 5 of us as chris and dan are leaving us in about 10 days. The cars are only small Hyundai accents (1300 engine size) but at a cost of about 6 quid a day you cant complain- when your ragging it though (which I obviously dont mother) it kind of makes a lawn-mower noise- so we try and have the music pumping as loud as possible (not when Im driving though mother- I need to concentrate!). So far the cars have done brilliantly around the 1200kms we have done until today when we realised one of the batteries had gone! Bugger!
Our first port of call from Christchurch was Hanmer Springs, a little alpine town about 2 hours north west. Its famous for its thermal pools, which the maori's believe to be holy waters. I just thought it was wicked, as we spent almost 4 hours sitting in the warm pools as it got progressively colder. The pools are outside so when you move from one to another, you obviously freeze your bits off, including getting the coldest feet I have ever felt. The hottest pools went to a temperature of 40degrees but as they had loads of sulphur and other such chemicals in they stank- reminded me of Mr Spencer's Chemistry labs back in the day. Was a great experience and just to sit in the pools as it got darker was great. In the evening, as there wasnt much to do in our the town or our tiny hostel, we had a 3hour game of risk! God we are soo cool (but I was amazing at it in fairness!).
The next day we set off eastwards to the West Coast of the South Island. The scenery was truly stunning; I almost asphyxiated the views were so breathtaking (bum bum!), as rolling hills were seperated by forests and valley rivers. Is very much like the Lake District but the snowcapped mountains make it all the better. Eventually reaching the rocks of Punakaiki mid afternoon, we decided to stay here as we couldnt be arsed to drive any further- this is the beauty of having cars and means we can be so much more independent and impulsive. The rocks of Punakaiki are famous for looking like layers of pancakes- they have been built up over loads of years (that many?!) by the pounding of the sea. There are underground caves which have formed blowholes, so when its high tide air gets blown out like a chimney. Sadly we werent there at high tide so missed out! Luck was to change though as we managed to scrap loads of free food from the cafe, as they were just about to close. We've decided now that closing time is the perfect time to go into small cafes from now on as free food could be on offer!! The hostel was a small quirky one right on the beach and had a spa which we sat in for ages until we got cold (except we got bit my small midgies a bit). That night, being in the middle of nowhere we stayed in!- and had a game of pictionary with 2 english girls and an australian couple. Unsurprisingly I was crap and our team came last by a mile! Two nights of board games though- crazzeee dayzzzz!
The next morning we drove further down the coast and to the glaciers area of New Zelaand. There are 2 glaciers- Franz Joseph and Fox. We took a walk in the pissing rain to look at the outside of Franz Glacier (wasnt worth it) before driving further south to reach Fox Glacier. The next morning, prepared in all our warm gear and hired rain jackets and crampons (which are spikes attached to your boots) we headed off on a trek across the glacier. All I can say is that Fox Glacier: Mint!! (had to get that in!). It was great fun trudging across the ice, though large crevaces and into small caves. It was quite strenuous on the knees and I think I may have buggered my ankle a bit. The scenery is very unique as at times you feel your in a world of just ice. Probably the best thing we have done in this country so far, but I suppose we have only been here less than a week!
We were woken early the next morning at 4.30am as the fire alarm went off. Shitting it, we all jumped out of bed faster than you can say "bugger, where's my dressing gown". Luckily it was a false alarm. Unluckily, we had to get up an hour later to watch the World Cup Final. The game was very good for a final but Zidane the nutter tarnitioning his legacy I felt a tad sad. However I had predicted Italy to reach the final all along so them winning it I wasnt fussed. hat day we had another long day of driving, as we headed inland to Wanaka. All the hostels were full so ended up staying 10kms out in a place near Lake Howea, which did a job. Me and Mike had a round of golf on a municipal course. Chilly, but the views over the snow-capped mountains were pretty good. The others went skiing, of which stories have arisen of Dan "doing a melon" (uncontrolledness!!) and Will doing a "biddy skier" (controlledness!!). I think I will do some skiing in the near future but not until my ankle gets better- interesting that!
Today we arrived in Queenstown the party capital of the South Island. We have not had a big night for a while so we are all gasping to get on the beverages tonight. Earlier today me, Mike and the humungous fella have booked a canyon swing and ............. a bungee jump of 134 metres. So be prepared in the next instalment for death defying activites with plenty of high adhrenalin cursing!! I think Will and Chris are going fishing too!
Hope everyone is ok back home?
Jonny x
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Tubs
Dan Holtby
Get Your Facts Straight
Jonny you seem to have forgotten to mention who actually won in the game of risk. That's right. Although it looked like you had clinched the victory it was yours truly who won in the end. Just thought your readers might like to know that ;0)