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Published: March 21st 2008
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I'm in love! In love with New Zealand!! It's so ME! All outdoorsy activities in the most beautiful natural scenery, lush green fields and mountains line the coast, white sheep dotting the greenery, wineries galore, great restaurants hidden away everywhere and the most friendly down-to-earth wonderful smiling people!
The curvy coastal drive to the Banks Peninsula in a small shuttle van brought me to a small town, Akaroa (very cute, French influenced) to begin my "tramp". Yes, they call it a "tramp", I am guessing this is a combination of trecking (hiking) and camping..get it "tramping"; anyway, it's a multi-day treck. Most people seem to do this particular treck in 4 days, but being the "balls out" kinda gal I am, I chose the 2 day, 35 kilometers (21 miles) in 2 days, all hiking up and down the mountains! And I absolutely loved it!
However, when I was picked up, I quickly found out I was ill-prepared. I didn't realize I was supposed to bring food, sleeping bag, supplies. But I did talk the crabby bus driver into allowing me a 2 minute grocery spin to set myself up...which given the circumstances, I did pretty damn well.
We arrived at our camping "hut", which was completely luxurious and beautiful! The outhouse even had a flush toilet! Ahhhh...I love the western world! 😊 I met up with 3 other trampers who as crazy as me to choose the 2 day option. About 12 other people were with us the first night, but on the 4 day plan. . I immediately loved my fellow trampers, since they shared a delicious sauvignon blanc with me upon arrival. Wine is always the way to my heart! I enjoyed cooking at the "hut"; I hadn't cooked for myself in so long and to eat outside overlooking the ocean and scenery warmed my little heart. However, other things were not warm throughout the night. The no sleeping bag thing didn't work out as well. I chose not to sleep in my hut, but rather in a "star-gazer". This is quite similar to a dog house, but a little longer to accomodate the human body and about 2 feet of the roof is made of glass, so you can watch the stars as you fall to sleep. I thought, "Why not?", as the New Zealanders say! And when else will I have the chance?
A couple of real Dags!!
Chris and Lois...I loved you guys! Thanks for making the trip the best!! The stars were bright and it was a beautiful night, excellent to see the southern hemisphere's sky and the difference; my sweet tramper friend pointed out the southern cross along with others. But later in the star-gazer, I froze my *ss off! Let's just say my "you know what's" were so hard they could've cut glass! I won't be forgetting my sleeping bag again!
The tramp was beyond all expectations, views of black sand and stone beachs (since after all, we were hiking a volcano), all along the coast intermixed with jungle/forest trails along a creek and waterfalls. I stuck with my new tramping friends and they continually made me laugh, shared food with me, looked out for me and taught me little tidbits about New Zealand, for example, a swim suit is called "togs" and apparently I am a "dag", which is a laugh and a half. They are dags too! 😊
After lunch we stopped to watch the many pods of dolphins swimming around. Two of them actually jumped out of the water in unison twice!! Like they were putting on a show, but we were watching from up on the mountain side. Then we turn
another corner an hour later and see about 20 seals frolicking in the cove. So fun! We treck for about 7 hours total in the mountains. Arriving at this night's accomodation is also awesome. No electricity, but who needs it, when you have a campfire, candles, an outdoor grill and best of all....a fire in the ground under the outdoor bathtub, as well as an outdoor hot shower heated by the fire! This was the best bath of my life! We had lots of wine, cheeses and crackers from "the shop" (a closet with foods you pay on an honor system), steaks and sausages and then the bath surrounded in flowers under the stars! And I proceeded to tell my fellow trampers about my life, love life and stories of the past, which I think they enjoyed a little. 😊
Finishing the tramp in the late afternoon back in town, I said good-bye to my new wonderful friends and took a nap on the black beach and chose a fancy French restaurant on the water, where I could reward myself for all my physical efforts.
THEN.....another story....I joined up with a bachelor party ("stag" party, as they call
it). It's St. Patrick's day and the small town is dead, but somehow I meet the most fun, wild, wonderful group of guys! It's all of the boys and me and we have an absolute ball! We were even having a Guns 'n Roses audition in the beer garden and we were practically the only ones there...you can only imagine! So much fun that I stay out with them even for an after party at their "bach" (cottage) and to drink beer around the bon fire and tell stories. Then they invite me to join them the next 2 days to continue on the trip! Oh My God...I almost did it. But I knew I couldn't do the boy stuff for days on end...I had to get to the spa in the hot springs and they plans of bungy jumping and paint ball. Regardless, thanks to the boys for a St. Pat's to remember!
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Chris
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Horse trading on the Banks Peninsula track!!
Dear Tara, What a wonderful review of our lovely walk together around the Banks Peninsula!!Although we really had to boot it to get Joan to the Airport in time, we all had a great time together. Our best memory of the trip was when you found us at lunch on Day 1, apparently trying to trade you in for a bland, moody German backpacker who seemed to have no personality whatsoever!! The 4 day people were considering our offer to trade you in for him, but they just couldn't come up with a dollar value that was high enough for us!! It turns out that you really are a 'million dollar babe' when it comes to your tramping companionship, Tara! We all chatted non-stop for 2 days with hardly a break, and with such wonderfully funny stories to tell! Anyone that gets to spend time travelling with you in the future is truely blessed!! Enjoy the World, Tara, and maybe we'll see you down the track!! Chris and Lois