Greymouth

So we finally made it to the first of February!! And that's when I was supposed to start wwoofing. But it's raining so they have nothing for me to do. And since it's raining and I have no way of getting around I have gone to the library for free wifi. I plan to read and do nothing. Which does not help with the homesickness. :(. That's all I have.

Westport and Punakaiki

So what's happened since I last posted isn't much. We left Nelson to Westport where nothing much was happening. We did a beer tasting. Ops. We stayed there two nights then we went to Punakaiki for another two nights. We did a very nice hike and saw the pancake rocks. It twas fun :). Now we are in Greymouth (we did another brewery tour but this one was gooood!) just waiting till the first to start our wwoofing! :):)

A Nice Treat

So today me and Graeme decided we should have a nice meal. A treat to ourselves for walking about 20 km. So this is what we made ourselves.

Abel Tasman Photos

Able Tasman

Day one: So we woke up at 7 am. We had set an alarm for 6:16 am! So far not a good start since we had to catch our ferry at 7:30ish. We got up had showers and breakfast. Then walked to the information site where a van picked us up to take us to the ferry. We got on and went to Bark bay. On the way there we saw some really cute seals. Once we got to Bark bay we walked to Torrent bay. On the way we got to walk on the swing bridge which was really cool and a bit scary with a big pack. Once we got to Torrent bay we stopped and had our lunch. There we decided to do the bush walk around the bay instead of walking through the bay during low tide. After an hour we decided to go to Cleopatras pool which was just 10 minuets from the main track. We stayed about 20 minuets and then decided we'd go back the next day. We walked to our first camp site which was called Anchorage. We went to the beach and swam. Had a nap. A very LONG nap heehee. Then woke up made our supper and then went back to bed.

Day Two: We woke up and had breakfast and then went back to Cleopatras Pool. This time we where prepared with snacks and swim suites. In the pool there is a natural water slide! Pretty awesome. To see a video of me going down it go to my Facebook page. :). After about an hour we walked back to our camp, had lunch, packed up, and started off again. We walked to Akersten Bay and set up yet again. Had a nap. Yet again. It was a lot like my hike to Grey Owls Cabin back home. Pre and post naps for everything :). We really did nothing else that night other than taking a short walk to a near by look out. Then slept.

Day Three: Up we got and off we went. It was a lovely walk until my feet decided to do a dance that my body was not prepared for and I took a nasty spill. Have a nice gash on my knee. If it wasn't for Graeme I would've been stuck on my side until someone helped me up. A little further up the track we stopped and cleaned t our a bit and put a nice bandage on it. Fairly shortly after we made it to our last camping spot called Apple Tree Bay. The name is very deceiving since there was no apple tree in sight. We napped sat around and did nothing.

Day Four: Our last day on the beautiful Abel Tasman track. We took our time packing up since the walk to where the ferry was to get us was very short. In that time though I took my nice bandage off too see that it was pussing a icky yellowish liquid. Graeme assures me that it is very normal. I let it air out a bit and then put another bandage on. We then started packing up and happened to get stung by a bee. I have never, to my recollection, been stung by a bee. If I was scared of them before I am now terrified. It HURTS! We then went to Coquille Bay where our ferry picked us up. And that brings me to the end of my Abel Tasman adventure. Pictures will be posted in its own post.

:):)

Center of New Zealand

So the south island is pretty great. Once we got to Nelson we just chilled and didn't do much. On our second day we walked. We walked all around this town and then we decided that it would be a lovely time to go to the beach. Wrong! It was an hour long walk and we had already been walking all day! Beach and Ereader do not mix! We then went back to the hostel. Today we went to the center of New Zealand. It was awesome! The start of the track is in an interesting spot. But we found it! Then we went to the information site to look and see how much it would cost. I'm glad to say tomorrow we shall be booking everything :). I miss traveling with everyone else but got to say it is So much easier! Today I also got a necklace that is Maori design. The jist of the design is everlasting friendship. :) Thanks mom and dad for it! Heeheehee. We have also found a wwoofing place and will be there around the beginning of February! That's all for now!!

Small update!

Went on a very lovely hike today with Graeme. We are off to Nelson tomorrow afternoon.

On to the South Island!

This morning me and Graeme woke up at 6 am! Just to get onto a ferry at 8. Doesn't make much sense unless you're a person who has to be on time. (A.K.A me and Graeme ;)). The ride was long and quite boring. I got sea sick which is surprising since I've never been motion sick before. We got to our hostel in Picton and had a nap. Cause sitting around all day is very tiring. (Heehee). Then we walked around the water front. It is so beautiful. It's similar to the North Island but totally different. Interesting isn't it? Tomorrow we plan to do a four hour hike. Training for the Milford track. Joy!! :) I am actually excited since hikes are the reason I came to New Zealand. Well that's all for now!!

Still in Wellington

Being home sick is the worst thing ever. I'm so lucky that I'm with people who care or else I would've been on a plain back home. Being with people who care about you is no substitute for your real family or those friends you have left behind. Being here with these people is an amazing opportunity and I know how lucky I am. I just wanted to let you know how much I miss all of you. It's a little crazy but I miss my parents friends. Like all of those gals who, with my moms help, made my grad party and my going away party unforgettable. Yes I miss you gals too :). And of course the lady who has seen all my ups and downs. Dayday you have no idea how much I miss ou. Today is your birthday. Well at least here :P. I want to wish you a wonderful day and don't let school get you too low. I got you a present! But you're just going to have to wait till I get home. :).

Now I'll let you all know what I've been up too. Yesterday me and Graeme went to the Botanical gardens here in Wellington. The smells where spectacular and there where so many flowers. We went to the library and found out stuff about the milford track. Then we went for a run. Ugh. That's right a run. And we even did push ups and crunches. We have to prepare for the Milford Track. The Internet told us that it isn't easy but it isn't difficult. Not difficult my butt! People I've talked to about it say it is amazing and totally worth the pain. Soon I'll be leaving the north island and off to the south! There are a lot more hikes and stuff to see so I should be blogging more frequently. A lot I won't be in cities where I'll have free wifi so we'll see.
That's all for now folks!

Zoo the zoo!

Yesterday we went to the zoo! Here's so pics!

Christmas and 2012

Christmas was great! The Mansons (Kelsey's family friends) where amazing to us! They let us stay during Christmas. That was something I never expected. On Christmas Eve we went to the local pub which is very busy on Christmas eve. On Christmas day we opened presents and then me Michelle Emma and Delton kayaked to a nearby island. For supper we had an amazing turkey and so much food! They let us stay there for a couple more days and then we left back into Wellington. We hung out for most of the time. Visited museums and looked around. On New Years Eve a friend Kelsey went to school with had a house party and invited us to stay the night. We had loads of fun. The next day we headed back to Wellington. Since then I've been looking for apartments but its pretty hard looking for 6 almost 7 people. Brendan and Kelsey landed a sweet as house sitting job. (Mom 'sweet as' is an expression they have here. Not trying to say 'sweet a**'). :). Here's some photos!

P.S.
The bird could be as tall as 6 meters