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Published: March 21st 2008
I know, I know, it's been a while. I'll try to update you without rambling on too much.
As you can see from some of the pictures I posted last time; I did hike the Tongariro Crossing in Taupo. It was chilly, windy and quite challenging at times, but quite rewarding at the end knowing you just hiked over three volcanoes-two active and one dormant. Traveling down the West coast back to the South island was great, except for the damn sand flies. They're horrible little things and impossible to escape from. I spent my two days in Nelson at the Abel Tasman National Park kayaking and relaxing on one of the many beautiful beaches. Kayaking was fun, but I had to really work those arm muscles(that I just don't have!) against the extremely strong head winds that day. Jet boating was a fun and wet activity in Westport, but we were able to warm up with a nice bonfire at the beach. Our next stop was at Lake Mahinapua. It was quite an entertaining stop as we stayed at The Poo Pub and had a "Poo Party" that night. Our theme was green for St. Patty's Day and some
people went all out on their outfits. It's amazing what they put together in just a few hours. Fun was definitely had by all that night! The next stop was at the small town of Franz Josef famous for the Franz Josef glacier. The glacier is absolutely huge; something like 17 km long and a km wide. The full day glacier hike was a lot of fun even though it was a bit cloudy and rainy. Wanaka was a nice stop where we had hotel-like rooms and a great afternoon to relax on the beach before heading off to my last stop, Queenstown. I rode the Gondola up to the top of the city to watch the sunset and had a little fun riding the luge track. My second day in Queenstown, I took a tour out to Milford Sound. It's a beautiful area West of Queenstown. We drove through Fiordland National Park and took a cruise through the Sound. If you don't already know what a Sound is, well, you'll just have to look it up because I would probably describe it all wrong. Today was an extremely long bus trip back to Christchurch; my starting point. I fly
to Fiji tomorrow and will have 10 days to explore the main island and some of the many islands around it.
It's been a great month here in New Zealand, I can't believe it's already done. It is an absolutely beautiful country with amazing views. It's unfortunate I have to move on because there is still so much I could do and see here, but I'm excited to bake in the hot Fiji sun!
Miss you all! (You should really come visit me in Fiji!)
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Marlene Tremblay
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Hey Shylo!
Kim told me I could find you here! I read your whole diary--(blog?). I have tears in my eyes thinking about the wild and exciting life you are living right now!! Plus being there myself over 20 years ago-- brings back many memories-- however I did not do anything as adventurous as jumping out of planes and getting trapped under water falls! Your pictures are wonderful-- wish we had the technology when I travelled-- everyone waited for postcards! Take care and know you are thought of lots! Marlene