|
|
TRAVEL BLOG ENTRY
|
|
Hi peeps!
So after dunedin, next stop over was Lake Tekapo. On the way we went to the steepest street in the world!!WOW! It was pretty cool actually, i walked half way up with Jen to get pictures and then while she mooched down again i ran to the top and jumped around, rocky style! I bet the street is a nightmare in winter!
Anyway, we kept on busting, stopping now and again for some scenery pictures. Just look at the colour of the lake! It is like this because back in the day when a glacier was in these parts, it scraped huge boulders and rocks along the valley floor. This created a kind of chalky substance which is now mixed within the water of the lakes. The sun shines on the lake and the light reflects off these tiny chalk particles giving off the brilliant blue/turquoise colour. Pretty special hey? So now you know!
we finally arrived at our destination. The hostel was lovely! It is like a log cabin, just up from the lake (it also has special blue water). We walked down and skimmed some stones and took in the view. We decided to stay here for 2 nights, for 2 reasons!
Firstly, we wanted to go to and see mount cook. It was about 1 + 1/2 hr drive but probably the only chance we had to have a proper look. We booked onto the mini bus for the next morning.
Secondly, we wanted to wait for the magic bus driver that was behind us. We liked him a lot and as we were in no rush we thought it would be nice to wait and finish off the Magic Bus tour with him.
So anyway, that evening we had a BBQ. Everyone on the bus had put in $10 which the driver used to get as much meat and beer as she could. The BBQ was started and i seemed to wander outside at the wrong time because before i knew it, i was the cook! My flipping skills greatly improved that night, yet another self development attribute to add to my CV! We sat down, and munched munched munched! It was damn good, compliments to the chef! After the BBQ and a few beers later, we started a game. The driver got an old wine box and placed it on the floor, our aim: to pick it up with your teeth, and only your feet aloud to touch the floor! It was sooo funny, most of us managed to do it, all trying out a number of techniques (i prefer the 1 foot lunge, jen went for a more classic bow technique). After each round a layer was ripped off, making it smaller and harder to reach. In the end it was just a piece of flat cardboard which i failed to pick up, tried 3 or 4 times, shaking and turning red, but it was not to be! i retired gracefully! Jen however.... was a legend at this game! Might have something to do with her gymnastic past!
In the end the cardboard was exchanged for a 5 cent coin, and i think only 2 or 3 people could do it! our Jen being one of them! Well done girl!! She can now add it to her CV (a self developing night for us both you might say!) It was such a good night - everyone was really nice and in a good mood.
Also that evening, i met a guy called Wiggy! How random is this: One of his best mates at Uni was my best mate at high school! Old james willis. I could not believe it. I was in some remote log cabin in the mountains of New Zealand and the bloke beside me is mates with my friend! Crazy! i have to say it i'm afraid.... 'small world'! we swapped emails and i got james's details and have since contacted him. we will hook up on my return! Anyway, i am waffling!.....
The next day we got the mini bus to Mount Cook, we were looking forward to our walk. The journey was nice and we managed to get some good pics. We arrived at mount cook village, which is basically a big hotel and a tourist information centre. Flakes of snow were beginning to fall and as soon as we stepped out of the information hut.... it pretty much turned into a blizzard! Its pretty hard to go on a long walk when you can only see about 2 feet in front of you, but, we weren't going to come all this way for nothing. Being brave adventurist ... we headed out. Jen, myself and another 2 guys from the magic bus managed to last about 1 hr! we walked to a view point where you are supposedly meant to see the valley, made a tiny snow man, chucked a couple of snow balls and then headed back to the hotel for shelter! we had been assured by our mini bus driver that the weather would be nice.... yeah right mate! he just wanted our money! anyway, we ended up sitting in the hotel cafe for about 5 hours, waiting for the liar to come back and collect us. Jen spent a lot of this time by the fire drying her shoes and socks! we weren't really dressed for a blizzard you see... she got soaked!
That evening, Richard (the magic bus driver) arrived, they attempted a BBQ in a snow storm while we watched from inside! we were tired from our 5hr stint in the cafe! So... next morning we were up early and heading for christchurch. We stayed 1 night in christchurch and the next morning headed to Kai Kora - which is the next blog entry, i shall write about christchurch after!
See you in Kai Kora
xxxx
previous travel blog entry
Would you like to comment or ask a question?
Sign up for a free account, or sign in (if you're already a member).