24 hours of flying. And now I am wide awake (it's 8pm nz time). Time changed tonight for DST in our favor, but for only one hour out of twelve. Do I dare start sorting through the pile of email and photos? No, I would rather blog at the moment. Patience my friends. Photos will come in due time.
The flights went well. All on time, full, friendly. Slept about 8 of the 12 hours of the trans-pacific flight, briefly waking only two times. I am getting good at this?
Before we left Auckland, we attended the Pasifika Festival. Like a state fair, but so much better. Many South Pacific Islands represented with food, singing, dancing, arts, crafts, and other events. Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Tahiti, Tokelau, Tuvalu, Kiribati and the Tangata Whenua (New Zealand Maori). Needs pictures and video to do justice, coming soon. It was great to mingle with the locals, and not stand out so much as tourists (we were all wearing hats and cameras).
I miss New Zealand already, but it is so good to be home. Pet the cats, shower in my own bathroom, sleep in my own quiet comfortable bed....Aaahhh.....
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
sad to be leaving nz
sad to be leaving nz in 24 hrs. enjoying Auckland, climbed another volcano today, Pasifika fest tomorrow.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
One week to go.
The last several days have been very long and tiring but fun. After Franz Joseph Glacier we visited Arthur's Pass. I gave Avalance peak a good try but just did not make it, not because of stamina but time restraint (we were given only 6 hours to comlete the hike, and then drive 5 more hours). So I made it about two thirds of the way up, and Tom made it to the top. It was the hardest single-day hike I have ever done, with un-relenting uphill and rock climbing on all fours.
The Kiakoura Coast Track was very nice, a three-day hike through farms with mountain views and on the beach. Saw some sea lions and dolphins. The itenery was only 8 miles per day, and our stuff was shuttled for us, so the hike seemed very easy compaired to the Milford Track.
About halfway through on the first day of the Kiakoura, I was stung by a bee on the inside of my left arm. It hurt quite a bit, and it has been a long time since I was stung and forgot how much it hurt. I slept poorly that night from the itching, and by morning it formed a 4"x2" rash, hot and swollen.
I pushed through the second day of the Kiakoura, careful to protect the rash from the sun, but in a daze from the Benedryl I took to try to control the itching and swelling. By the next morning, the rash was from my armpit to my elbow, and my hand was starting to feel tight and tingly. I was taking the max dose of Benedryl and it seemed to be doing nothing but make me tired.
I had had enough and decided to ask for a ride to the car, and forgo my final day of hiking track. The nice farmers gave us directions to the nearst town of Kiakoura, 45 minutes away. Luckly, Helen-Marie drove me to town since I did not have authoriziation to use the rental car. We had only 2 hours to drive 45 min, see a doctor, get an Rx filled, and get back to pick up the rest of the group.
We found a nice family practice and I explained to the receptionist the situation. Within 15 min I was talking to a doctor, and he wrote me an Rx for Prednezone. He said it had something to do with the fact that it was a foreign bee, which you can react to more easily. Also, the doc gave me the go-ahead to kayak the next day. So we filled the Rx and got back to the rest of the group with 30 min to spare!
The Prednezone helped a lot and within a few hours the redness and itching went down. It is still very sensitive to the sun so I have been wearing long sleves even in the hot times.
Today we went sea kayaking in Tasman Bay in Abel Tasman Natial Park. The weather was sunny and calm, ideal for paddling. Brought back lots of memeries of my wonderful Everglades trip. Tom was my kayak partner and he did well for his first time, with minimal arguing between us.
The 3-hr ferry ride from Picton to Wellington was beautiful through the sounds. Most of the group was passed out on the couches in the lounge of the ship by the end of the ride. Wish I could post pictures for you but I really need to go to bed, it is 2am here! Tomorrow is TePapa Meusum and dinner at Helen-Marie's cousin's house!
The Kiakoura Coast Track was very nice, a three-day hike through farms with mountain views and on the beach. Saw some sea lions and dolphins. The itenery was only 8 miles per day, and our stuff was shuttled for us, so the hike seemed very easy compaired to the Milford Track.
About halfway through on the first day of the Kiakoura, I was stung by a bee on the inside of my left arm. It hurt quite a bit, and it has been a long time since I was stung and forgot how much it hurt. I slept poorly that night from the itching, and by morning it formed a 4"x2" rash, hot and swollen.
I pushed through the second day of the Kiakoura, careful to protect the rash from the sun, but in a daze from the Benedryl I took to try to control the itching and swelling. By the next morning, the rash was from my armpit to my elbow, and my hand was starting to feel tight and tingly. I was taking the max dose of Benedryl and it seemed to be doing nothing but make me tired.
I had had enough and decided to ask for a ride to the car, and forgo my final day of hiking track. The nice farmers gave us directions to the nearst town of Kiakoura, 45 minutes away. Luckly, Helen-Marie drove me to town since I did not have authoriziation to use the rental car. We had only 2 hours to drive 45 min, see a doctor, get an Rx filled, and get back to pick up the rest of the group.
We found a nice family practice and I explained to the receptionist the situation. Within 15 min I was talking to a doctor, and he wrote me an Rx for Prednezone. He said it had something to do with the fact that it was a foreign bee, which you can react to more easily. Also, the doc gave me the go-ahead to kayak the next day. So we filled the Rx and got back to the rest of the group with 30 min to spare!
The Prednezone helped a lot and within a few hours the redness and itching went down. It is still very sensitive to the sun so I have been wearing long sleves even in the hot times.
Today we went sea kayaking in Tasman Bay in Abel Tasman Natial Park. The weather was sunny and calm, ideal for paddling. Brought back lots of memeries of my wonderful Everglades trip. Tom was my kayak partner and he did well for his first time, with minimal arguing between us.
The 3-hr ferry ride from Picton to Wellington was beautiful through the sounds. Most of the group was passed out on the couches in the lounge of the ship by the end of the ride. Wish I could post pictures for you but I really need to go to bed, it is 2am here! Tomorrow is TePapa Meusum and dinner at Helen-Marie's cousin's house!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Glacier Trecking in Franz Joseph
Just spent the day glacier trecking on the west coast of the south island of New Zealand. It was a short drive and hike to the base of the glacier. From there we strapped on our crampons (ice spikes that attach to your boots) and headed straight up the rocks and ice. Then our guide (Branden) led us through crevaces and tunnels for a total of 1500' elevation ascent. Around lunchtime we sat and had lunch on the glacier tucked away from the wind. After lunch we explored some more of the ice including giant "waves" of ice that towered at least 20' high and wide. The final challenge was down and through a steep and tight crevace measuring about 30' deep and 18" wide (good thing ice is slippery). We used ropes connected to spikes in the ice to walk safely off of the ice back down the glacier valley.
Tomorrow is a 4 hour drive to Arthur's Pass where we'll do a challenging hike the following day (3500' up over 3mi) called Avalanche Peak.
Tomorrow is a 4 hour drive to Arthur's Pass where we'll do a challenging hike the following day (3500' up over 3mi) called Avalanche Peak.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
First week in NZ
Blogcasting live from Queenstown, NZ, internet cafe. noon here. currently loading pics from D90 to picasa web album, only that sd card is working at the moment. Pics of the Kiwi Bird Park in qt. All pics of backpacking trip were taken with p/s and card is not working now! But the pics seem safe on the card, just won't download, so I won't be able to see them until I get home and can recover them.
Great trip so far. the flights were all on time for our group and set out for Te Anau where we spent the night at a very nice backpackers lodge on the lake. left our cars at the lodge and walked to the ferry that took us north up the lake to the beginning of the Milford Track. Boat ride was georgous and great weathe with mild wind and deep blue skys. The locals drink directly from the lake without treating it and are very proud of it.
First day on the Milford Track was 3 miles through nice hardwood forest with ferns blanketing the ground. All nights stayed in huts with running water! propane cookers and wood fireplace in common area. nice group of mostly europeans hiked with us all 3 days.
Second day on milford was 11 miles, through valley with waterfalls off 2000' cliffs either side. I set out at 7am to beat the crowd and see birds, which I was greatly rewarded. Birds here in the wild are very trusting of people and curious. Don't fly away like they do back home so you can get a good look at them. Tom saw a rare blue duck and got it on video.
Third day was the rain and wind and McKinnon pass was a blistry storm, challenging but fun to conquer (no spell check on the computer!) 1500' up, 3000' down, very steep. Everyone in our group did well and no injuries (can't say the same for the other hikers on the trail that day staying in our hut!). Tom and I did the side hike to Sutherland Falls and it was well worth the trip, the highest falls in NZ. Another 12 miles for this day. Feet are sore by the point but feeling good.
Forth day was the time buster. 11 miles, and needed to catch the ferry from Sandfly point to town of Milford where we had a cruise scheduled around Milford Sound. Rain let up by then, and the hiking was a bit hotter, bugs a bit more bite-e-r, but good day of hiking overall. Set out at 7:30am, and once we were a few miles out we slowed our pace so we would not have to hang out too long at Sandfly Point (aptly named). But it turned out the wind was good at the point and no sandflies. Got our pic taken at the famous 'completion' sign.
Cruise around Milford Sound was nice, wonderful weather, nice to sit for a change and rest your feet while taking in scenery.
Last few days in Queenstown have been relaxing. Tom and I have our own room here in the hostel, primitive but comfortable, quiet with earplugs. Visited the birdpark and saw a kiwi and a lot of other birds I saw on the milford track. Learned about Maori life. Nicely constructed park, well worth the time and money.
Tom is currently on the Shotover Jetboat (I was not interested), I will be exploring the gardens and hiking around the lake here in QT. Tomorrow is Arrowtown, Wanaka, and wine country.
Cheers!
Great trip so far. the flights were all on time for our group and set out for Te Anau where we spent the night at a very nice backpackers lodge on the lake. left our cars at the lodge and walked to the ferry that took us north up the lake to the beginning of the Milford Track. Boat ride was georgous and great weathe with mild wind and deep blue skys. The locals drink directly from the lake without treating it and are very proud of it.
First day on the Milford Track was 3 miles through nice hardwood forest with ferns blanketing the ground. All nights stayed in huts with running water! propane cookers and wood fireplace in common area. nice group of mostly europeans hiked with us all 3 days.
Second day on milford was 11 miles, through valley with waterfalls off 2000' cliffs either side. I set out at 7am to beat the crowd and see birds, which I was greatly rewarded. Birds here in the wild are very trusting of people and curious. Don't fly away like they do back home so you can get a good look at them. Tom saw a rare blue duck and got it on video.
Third day was the rain and wind and McKinnon pass was a blistry storm, challenging but fun to conquer (no spell check on the computer!) 1500' up, 3000' down, very steep. Everyone in our group did well and no injuries (can't say the same for the other hikers on the trail that day staying in our hut!). Tom and I did the side hike to Sutherland Falls and it was well worth the trip, the highest falls in NZ. Another 12 miles for this day. Feet are sore by the point but feeling good.
Forth day was the time buster. 11 miles, and needed to catch the ferry from Sandfly point to town of Milford where we had a cruise scheduled around Milford Sound. Rain let up by then, and the hiking was a bit hotter, bugs a bit more bite-e-r, but good day of hiking overall. Set out at 7:30am, and once we were a few miles out we slowed our pace so we would not have to hang out too long at Sandfly Point (aptly named). But it turned out the wind was good at the point and no sandflies. Got our pic taken at the famous 'completion' sign.
Cruise around Milford Sound was nice, wonderful weather, nice to sit for a change and rest your feet while taking in scenery.
Last few days in Queenstown have been relaxing. Tom and I have our own room here in the hostel, primitive but comfortable, quiet with earplugs. Visited the birdpark and saw a kiwi and a lot of other birds I saw on the milford track. Learned about Maori life. Nicely constructed park, well worth the time and money.
Tom is currently on the Shotover Jetboat (I was not interested), I will be exploring the gardens and hiking around the lake here in QT. Tomorrow is Arrowtown, Wanaka, and wine country.
Cheers!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
just off milford track. in
just off milford track. in queenstown now. had great time backpacking. only 1 day of rain. nice cruise around milford sound.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Trip Overview, Part 3
Then we drive 2.5 hours north to the Rotorua area for some strolls to and through volcanic geological formations, taking a dip in a natural hot water pool, and Zorb.
Then drive 1.5 hours to Tauranga, where we’ll have the option of enjoying a sunset kayaking tour to go see an abundance of glow worms after dark.
The final leg of our trip is Auckland, including a hike on the volcanic island of Rangitoto.
The final leg of our trip is Auckland, including a hike on the volcanic island of Rangitoto.
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