Blogs from Greymouth, West Coast, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 4

With all the wild camping and hiking once in a while we were looking for indoor accomodation with showers. In Greymouth we got a lot more than this! Run as a Backpackers by a local couple Global Village is a place of great atmosphere. When we arrived and steped into the lobby we felt like being in someones living room. A nice fire was crackling in the fireplace, gentle music was playing in the background, and people sat on comfortable sofas reading or chating. We we got to see our room we could hardly belive it. It was completely in african style decor with pictures, wood carvings, and other affectionately chosen interior and accessories. It was easily the nicest room I had during my whole journey! And everything else was just perfect, too. Let alone the ... read more

Melanie is a 26 year old Planning and Funding Analyst in the public health sector. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in geography and a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Health (with distinction). She has an AMI Award for Achievement in Public Health, awarded in 2001. She has just completed a Masters Degree in Public Health. Melanie works for the Canterbury Health board and is based in the West Coast town of Greymouth, Melanie lists her spare time activities as - digital photography, painting, two gorgeous kittens and food. She keeps fit with the help of her triathlon team, plus social volleyball in summer and basketball in winter. She is the co-founder of the West Coast Young Professionals group which brings together a diverse bunch of young folk, primarily for social contact. Melanie and her ... read more

The car is not firing on all cylinders. Oh. It does still go, but not very well. So, I've stopped before the next big hills (need to get across Lewis Pass to Kaikoura tomorrow) to get someone to look at it. I turned up here in Greymouth in a slightly stressed state - and found a friendly local who pointed me in the direction of a friendly mechanic who could fit me in tomorrow morning at 08.15. Amazing what can happen when you ask for help! Fingers crossed it can be sorted quickly and cheaply - as I have an appointment at 05.30 on Thursday morning in Kaikoura with some dolphins. I guess if it doesn't work out I will have yet another reason to come back here. I will endevaour to be philosophical about it ... read more

Or, You Try Arguing Who Has To Yield With A Holstein Toward the end of the day today, when we were exhausted from tramping (the local word for hiking for those of you who know what else we're capable of), we were out on this country road that wasn't even mapped. We managed to find this gorge with a swing bridge that went across a pool of water the color of a bar of Zest soap. Yet again remarkable. But yes, we know it's beautiful. The country road. We're trying to make our way back to civilization after tracking down the gorge with vague directions from a local. And we're wondering why there's an amber light flashing up ahead. Ah. That's the light that lets you know the cows are crossing the road. Apparently the ladies ... read more

Just a quick update to say we are here in NZ and doing very well. Arrived Friday April 1 at 5 am and felt quite jetlagged most of that day and the next. We took off with our old college buddy Dave Dennison on Saturday and drove to Tongariro National Park - "Mordor" for those Lord of the Rings fans out there. Near the peak of the recently dormant volcano it is the ugliest terrain I've ever seen - really eerie. Had a couple of great hikes further down the slopes then stayed overnight in Ohakune. Trampoline in the playground for the kids - they were over the moon. NZ highways are never boring and the landscape changes every few minutes. Spent 5 hours in the brand new and outstanding National Museum "Te Papa" in Wellington ... read more