Tongariro crossing
Lord of rings - is a must know for this entry.
Da da da i felt like froto from lord of the rings as I crossed creaks and valleys and mountains. My goal was to finish the 19 kilometer walk and also add mt doom to drop off an evil ring ; ) mt doom ( mt ngauruhoe summit) climbing mt doom was not the greatest time of my life. If you were to ask me to do it again I would say NO! It was a volcano with rocks that with every step I took up I slid down a half of step and it wasn't so fun. It was worth it when I got to the top. I was able to look down In the volcano and see everything around me. At the top, it was way to windy for me to enjoy it so I went down after spending only 20 min at the top. The way down was just as scary but way fun. I took it easy going the rock way down at first. Then slid over to the more gravel way down were I slid on my feet down. Result --- burnt hole in sock bruised butt and ankles and 2 shoes full of rock and volcano sand. The rest of the crossing i came across green and blue pools of water, and hot springs. The best part of the crossing was half way up mt doom a German boy with his accent was huffing and puffing like he wasn't going to make it. He stops and sighs and goes froto better be at the top. Haha made me laugh so hard- I think you had to be there but it was perfect timing for him to say that.
I hope to have pics coming soon hopefully but no promises
- Auckland for new years then off to Asia
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
Kia Ora
Guest entry miss Megan bates
So for anyone that has been white water rafting you know that it's not the easiest thing in the world. Different from black water rafting (which is basically tubing) and more intense, especially the place where me and Jess went yesterday which had the tallest water fall that you can go White water rafting on. 7 and some m tall which is roughly about 24 ft, a grade 5 rapid and the hardest you can do is a 6. So ya we went down this water fall and almost every raft tipped including ours. A guy on our raft actually dislocated his arm because we think he held on too tight when the raft flipped. The pictures taken of it there was one point were you couldn't see our raft cause we went so far under water. Ya, pretty intense but sweet as bro. (haha thats a phrase people here say all the time) but it also didn't help that we had someone that had NO IDEA what they were doing.. Jess was getting so frustrated hahaha you all know how she gets. At one point he lost his paddle and our guide was like what are you doing so this guy just dove in after it. Our guide I think was mad cause it was super unsafe and at this point we didn't know that around the corner from were we stopped was a waterfall where 15 people had died. Not good. But it was so fun :) what a thrill.
After that we signed up to get the cultural experience of the Mauri people (the natives of New Zealand) first we had to pick "chiefs" from our big group and they would come put an select a head chief from us while performing their dances and singing their songs. We were told multiple times not to laugh cause what they do is pretty comical. Jess will put up pics of that I'm sure. But they would stick their tongues out and make their eyes as wide as they could all keeping a straight face. Obviously a big deal to them. We then were shown different games and how the tattoos that are all over their body including their face were done. (they literally carved into the skin and bone) but they didn't have an oral or written language so these symbols and tattoos were their way of communicating. Of course now they have both. We were taught the common saying of Kia Ora which means good health and if someone said it to you, you should say it back out of respect. Then they performed other dances and taught us about their weapons because these people were fighting people and had battles all the time. Pretty intense. Then we enjoyed an amazing dinner that they cooked underground on super hot rocks. Lamb, chicken, carrots, different potatoes, bread, and different seafoods. Soo good. Then desert had like a breAd and a custard( Jess didn't like that cause she always eats her food plain) haha but I loved it. So good and so glad we did it.
Now off to Taupo on a different Kiwi bus with new people. Hopefully its good weather for the tangaru crossing! Kia Ora!
So for anyone that has been white water rafting you know that it's not the easiest thing in the world. Different from black water rafting (which is basically tubing) and more intense, especially the place where me and Jess went yesterday which had the tallest water fall that you can go White water rafting on. 7 and some m tall which is roughly about 24 ft, a grade 5 rapid and the hardest you can do is a 6. So ya we went down this water fall and almost every raft tipped including ours. A guy on our raft actually dislocated his arm because we think he held on too tight when the raft flipped. The pictures taken of it there was one point were you couldn't see our raft cause we went so far under water. Ya, pretty intense but sweet as bro. (haha thats a phrase people here say all the time) but it also didn't help that we had someone that had NO IDEA what they were doing.. Jess was getting so frustrated hahaha you all know how she gets. At one point he lost his paddle and our guide was like what are you doing so this guy just dove in after it. Our guide I think was mad cause it was super unsafe and at this point we didn't know that around the corner from were we stopped was a waterfall where 15 people had died. Not good. But it was so fun :) what a thrill.
After that we signed up to get the cultural experience of the Mauri people (the natives of New Zealand) first we had to pick "chiefs" from our big group and they would come put an select a head chief from us while performing their dances and singing their songs. We were told multiple times not to laugh cause what they do is pretty comical. Jess will put up pics of that I'm sure. But they would stick their tongues out and make their eyes as wide as they could all keeping a straight face. Obviously a big deal to them. We then were shown different games and how the tattoos that are all over their body including their face were done. (they literally carved into the skin and bone) but they didn't have an oral or written language so these symbols and tattoos were their way of communicating. Of course now they have both. We were taught the common saying of Kia Ora which means good health and if someone said it to you, you should say it back out of respect. Then they performed other dances and taught us about their weapons because these people were fighting people and had battles all the time. Pretty intense. Then we enjoyed an amazing dinner that they cooked underground on super hot rocks. Lamb, chicken, carrots, different potatoes, bread, and different seafoods. Soo good. Then desert had like a breAd and a custard( Jess didn't like that cause she always eats her food plain) haha but I loved it. So good and so glad we did it.
Now off to Taupo on a different Kiwi bus with new people. Hopefully its good weather for the tangaru crossing! Kia Ora!
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Christmas
I had a wonderful Christmas day where I spent the day with Megan bates in a sulfur smelling town. It smells like eggs due to all the plates under ground and it being so close to volcano. In NZ and Australia they have BBQ for there meals. They open up a cracker. That I guess I am very dumb to everyone on my bus for not knowing what it is. A cracker is a small gift that you open with someone by pulling on each end and the middle peace cracks open with a joke and a small toy. A kind boy on the bus gave everyone Tim tams for a Christmas cookie. It was nice to skype home and see all my family anticipating my call! I couldn't of asked for a better Christmas. God bless
Very thankful : )
Black water caves
Megan and I got to experience a black water cave where we had to belay down into the cave and then zip line threw it with it looking like stars due to glow worms. After we Zip lined down to the river we then went up and down the river learning about glow worms. The worm is actually not what glows and it is not even a worn it is a maggot. What glows is there poop. I have never scene poop look so pretty. To get out of the cave we climbed up 2 water falls and finally saw light after 5 hours of being in a huge cave. Wile we were in the cave we got hot coco an flap jacks. ( a flap jack is something everyone should have. It is rolled oats in honey and syrup ha so gooooood - again everyone in the cave thought I was dumb for not knowing what it was.) my bus is all most all England.
Very thankful : )
Black water caves
Megan and I got to experience a black water cave where we had to belay down into the cave and then zip line threw it with it looking like stars due to glow worms. After we Zip lined down to the river we then went up and down the river learning about glow worms. The worm is actually not what glows and it is not even a worn it is a maggot. What glows is there poop. I have never scene poop look so pretty. To get out of the cave we climbed up 2 water falls and finally saw light after 5 hours of being in a huge cave. Wile we were in the cave we got hot coco an flap jacks. ( a flap jack is something everyone should have. It is rolled oats in honey and syrup ha so gooooood - again everyone in the cave thought I was dumb for not knowing what it was.) my bus is all most all England.
Mt cook national park
Mt cook national park
My last stop in he south island of new Zealand and a stop I have been looking forward too. Mt cook is the tallest peak in NZ standing 3754 meters. I was told vertical limits was filmed in the national park. It holds the highest peaks in NZ. I had planned a 2 day hike where I will stay over night at around 1800 meters and then carry on to around 2000 (6560 feet about ) and then turn back. - if your now saying why don't you do mt cook- I wish but I'm not crazy, it is for experts and you have to have a partner to hook on to. You also have to climb climb parts of it and there is snow that can fall at anytime and kill you. They say There are 5 deaths every year and about 1500 bodies not found. For the next 3 days I will be living off of peanut butter sandwiches and some dried fruit and nuts and couple apples and bananas. Thankfully I am kinda cheating and the hut I am staying at has water : ) so I can re fill my bottles. the list for things they say to bring is far to big - I will just say that. don't want you to worry ha but its a check list of 15 and I have 4.5 : ) it will be all gooooooood! I packed my bag and was excited to get to bed to wake up and go. : ( when I woke I couldn't even see the mt it was all clouds and rain and wind and booooooooooooo! I had to hold off one day and do well um....... I am in a national park the only thing to do here is outdoor activities. The closest town is 50 min away, so that means the one restaurant and bar is double the price. They don't have a store so only my hostel has 4x the price of anything. It does have a cozy fire place and DVD and 1 dollar for 15 min Internet. So I watched some movies wrote in my journal and paid for some net time, and studied Khmer (Cambodian language).
So so so so amazing i write this as I sit in a hut on top of a mountain hoping my feet will warm up. I dont no were to start to explain what I did today! I saw some of the best views of new Zealand and its all beautiful but this was above and beyond what I had imagined it would've been like. I actually kinda got scared on this climb that was classified as a tramping but it was hard core. There was a hard part where if I made a mistake or the rock that I choose to step on or reach for moved I would of most likely died! ( seriously this is not me bs ing this time) I am bad with words so I hope to just post pictures soon even though the pictures don't give it justice. I was able to watch the sun set. I was in and out of clouds. Watched glaciers fall to the ground and sound like an explosion. Saw how high I was but yet so many peaks that were way higher. Where I am staying has snow and most of what surrounds me does as well. I found myself as I went up to highest part saying Jess be careful in my head and I was like talking to myself ha this makes me sounds dumb, but I was like test that rock. Don't look down ha carful I never say these things but I did this time. By the way when you travel it makes you want to travel more. Climbing mt is same way once you do one your hooked and you want more and more so even though I got scared for little bit. I like want that agin, no I'm not an adrenaline junky I can't describe it I just ......
My last stop in he south island of new Zealand and a stop I have been looking forward too. Mt cook is the tallest peak in NZ standing 3754 meters. I was told vertical limits was filmed in the national park. It holds the highest peaks in NZ. I had planned a 2 day hike where I will stay over night at around 1800 meters and then carry on to around 2000 (6560 feet about ) and then turn back. - if your now saying why don't you do mt cook- I wish but I'm not crazy, it is for experts and you have to have a partner to hook on to. You also have to climb climb parts of it and there is snow that can fall at anytime and kill you. They say There are 5 deaths every year and about 1500 bodies not found. For the next 3 days I will be living off of peanut butter sandwiches and some dried fruit and nuts and couple apples and bananas. Thankfully I am kinda cheating and the hut I am staying at has water : ) so I can re fill my bottles. the list for things they say to bring is far to big - I will just say that. don't want you to worry ha but its a check list of 15 and I have 4.5 : ) it will be all gooooooood! I packed my bag and was excited to get to bed to wake up and go. : ( when I woke I couldn't even see the mt it was all clouds and rain and wind and booooooooooooo! I had to hold off one day and do well um....... I am in a national park the only thing to do here is outdoor activities. The closest town is 50 min away, so that means the one restaurant and bar is double the price. They don't have a store so only my hostel has 4x the price of anything. It does have a cozy fire place and DVD and 1 dollar for 15 min Internet. So I watched some movies wrote in my journal and paid for some net time, and studied Khmer (Cambodian language).
So so so so amazing i write this as I sit in a hut on top of a mountain hoping my feet will warm up. I dont no were to start to explain what I did today! I saw some of the best views of new Zealand and its all beautiful but this was above and beyond what I had imagined it would've been like. I actually kinda got scared on this climb that was classified as a tramping but it was hard core. There was a hard part where if I made a mistake or the rock that I choose to step on or reach for moved I would of most likely died! ( seriously this is not me bs ing this time) I am bad with words so I hope to just post pictures soon even though the pictures don't give it justice. I was able to watch the sun set. I was in and out of clouds. Watched glaciers fall to the ground and sound like an explosion. Saw how high I was but yet so many peaks that were way higher. Where I am staying has snow and most of what surrounds me does as well. I found myself as I went up to highest part saying Jess be careful in my head and I was like talking to myself ha this makes me sounds dumb, but I was like test that rock. Don't look down ha carful I never say these things but I did this time. By the way when you travel it makes you want to travel more. Climbing mt is same way once you do one your hooked and you want more and more so even though I got scared for little bit. I like want that agin, no I'm not an adrenaline junky I can't describe it I just ......
Monday, December 12, 2011
Life!
Queenstown
Capital of adventure
I did a 134meter bungy jump, worlds biggest swing, and climbed a 1748 meter high mountain! they all had different feelings if I had to only choose one I would choose the moutain. I truly felt like I was on top of the world and it was a challenge and will go down as one of the best days of my life! It took all day but once you reach the top it is totally worth it. The bungy was ahhahahaawoww : )
Milford sound
One of the most beautiful places in the world! See pics - coming soon) it is also a place where it rains 80 percent of the time so about 12 days ago I was in a place where it is suppose to always be sunny and it rained. Well it was opposite this time it didn't rain when I was at Milford sound
The more I travel the more I learn! There is never a day were i don't learn something about others or my self. Traveling alone sometimes test me. There is no one there to hold you accountable for your actions or question your choices. Some people fall into a trap. They end up not really being them selfs. They get into the wrong group- it goes both ways thou you sometimes run into someone or a group that is amazing and they bring out the best in you.
sometimes I feel my accent is Becoming awful. I find my self saying things that only Irish, Aussies, kiwi, and British people say. It's all becoming a blend.
Kiwi kiwi kiwi
On the kiwi experience you never know what kind of bus your going to get on. It could be boring, normal, alcoholics, couples, strange, all Germans, or my bus is called the naked bus. The boys for some reason think it is hilarious to get naked and sit on the bus , it is quite funny the first few times after that its well um naked boys sitting there hanging out. (dad I am sure you are loving this blog entry)
We had an abc ( anything but cloths) party that was way fun and I had a great costume I went as nature women um eve um I don't know what to call it, but I was told by many that it was the best and I was the only girl that actually stood to the rules. Side note- tape hurts a lot and leaves marks and causes some purple and red skin)
As I travel threw out new Zealand I wish I had a... Photographer to follow me around bc I go on amazing hikes/ runs and when i get to the top or to a water fall or the river or a tunnel or rainforest with sweet green rocks leading up to the tip of the mountain, or a beach or a cliff or see dolphins at the top of cliff that looks over the sea or seals or ..... It goes on and on but I always say I wish I had a camera right now or someone to take the photo of me trying to do something silly like climb the rocks to get the perfect picture.
Franz Josef glacier
Heli hike
!!! :) :) :) : )
Took a 20 min helicopter up and around the moutains and then stopped half way up the glacier and then did a 2 hour hike on it! Spectacular! Wow! Holy camoly! I had an awsome guide who encouraged us to be active so I army crawled threw ice holes and caves and went threw cracks and managed to get very muddy bc of sluge under one of the ice things that I went into ... I was ony one who did this! Managed to get my boots completely soaked and loved every second of it!
I am thinking in my head right now and I decied I am one of those people were the tour guide either absoutly loves me or hates me- and this guide loved me. The hate bc- I sometimes adventure were i shouldn't or I'm not very good at reading signs that have a big x Threw them i honestly dont see them then i do what the x said not to do and get out and they say really did you not see this um...??? No. Love bc don't need to go there! I tried to encourage the other 6 to crawl threw spaces or do things they will never get the chance to do again!
As I go farther south the mountain tops become covered in snow. I have a new addiction/hobby and it is hiking up to the top of mountains. I am addicted I sit on the bus and see a reasonable mountain that is possible for me get to the top of and all I can think of is going to the top. I have currently done 3 now and have 3 to go before I leave new Zealand. I hope to do a real one in a few days were I will have to do it in two days so I will tent 1/2 way up it. : ) I did a tiny one today where I ran it and its like time freezes when I do it. I don't no how long it takes me I don't no how long i sit at the top in that feeling were I can't describe I just smile and look and look and get dizzy bc I am doing circles trying to take it all in, and I have no idea how long it takes me to get down, and I don't have a care in the world how long any of it takes me. It's strange usually I say o I went for a run for 30 min or a distance or I did this kind of circuit yada yada this is completely different!
As I travel threw out new Zealand I wish I had a... Photographer to follow me around bc I go on amazing hikes/ runs and when i get to the top or to a water fall or the river or a tunnel or rainforest with sweet green rocks leading up to the tip of the mountain, or a beach or a cliff or see dolphins at the top of cliff that looks over the sea or seals or ..... It goes on and on but I always say I wish I had a camera right now or someone to take the photo of me trying to do something silly like climb the rocks to get the perfect picture.
Franz Josef glacier
Heli hike
!!! :) :) :) : )
Took a 20 min helicopter up and around the moutains and then stopped half way up the glacier and then did a 2 hour hike on it! Spectacular! Wow! Holy camoly! I had an awsome guide who encouraged us to be active so I army crawled threw ice holes and caves and went threw cracks and managed to get very muddy bc of sluge under one of the ice things that I went into ... I was ony one who did this! Managed to get my boots completely soaked and loved every second of it!
I am thinking in my head right now and I decied I am one of those people were the tour guide either absoutly loves me or hates me- and this guide loved me. The hate bc- I sometimes adventure were i shouldn't or I'm not very good at reading signs that have a big x Threw them i honestly dont see them then i do what the x said not to do and get out and they say really did you not see this um...??? No. Love bc don't need to go there! I tried to encourage the other 6 to crawl threw spaces or do things they will never get the chance to do again!
As I go farther south the mountain tops become covered in snow. I have a new addiction/hobby and it is hiking up to the top of mountains. I am addicted I sit on the bus and see a reasonable mountain that is possible for me get to the top of and all I can think of is going to the top. I have currently done 3 now and have 3 to go before I leave new Zealand. I hope to do a real one in a few days were I will have to do it in two days so I will tent 1/2 way up it. : ) I did a tiny one today where I ran it and its like time freezes when I do it. I don't no how long it takes me I don't no how long i sit at the top in that feeling were I can't describe I just smile and look and look and get dizzy bc I am doing circles trying to take it all in, and I have no idea how long it takes me to get down, and I don't have a care in the world how long any of it takes me. It's strange usually I say o I went for a run for 30 min or a distance or I did this kind of circuit yada yada this is completely different!
I did what I said I woudnt
I was in a town where it has the most sun lite in the world. There are signs all over the place that state how much and they are very proud of it.( with there sun burnt nose and squinty eyes ; ). I woke in the morning to rain and zero sun shine!!! I had a kaiaking trip planned to go see abel Tasman national park- it was canceled : ( I was sad for many reasons .. 1 I was going to be kaiaking for like 5 hours and going to get a work out out of it. 2 I had fun people going a long. 3 - it is suppose to be absolutely amazing and a must see. The rain was not stopping me. I went and got my money back from the kaiaking place and asked if I could run there. They laughed at me and said no it's like 18 kilometers away. So then She goes and talks about the boat taxi that decided to still run for the crazies. It was a rip off so I said um no thanks. Then she saw how sad I was and goes you no it would be really easy to hitch hike to there! I think about it and say thanks! Went to put on my running gear to work out since not doing anything I wasn't going to sit in the hostel and complain about the weather. So I went out the door still thinking about putting out my thumb- and I ran passed a 75 year old couple getting into there car. I stopped back peddled and said say are you two going up to the national park? They say sorry no. So now I am back to my run anticipating and getting an adventure high as I round the up hill/mountain corners that look over rainforest and beaches. Next thing I know the 75 year olds come pulling on up to me and they say we deiced to bring you to the park. I so happy!!!!!!! I jump in there car thinking now I have to hitch hike back but o well you only live once. As I get chatting with them they go you were the girl that joined the 2 on the table for that song last night right? Ha haha I say yep I was up there doing my thing. They go- you were great and looked like you no how to have fun so that's why we picked you up! Ha : )
The park was one or those things I honestly can't describe again you have to do it to understand. It's like a drug. Haha I scared the crap out of these 2 girls. I came running up and said hello and they jumped so high and screamed. Sadly I didn't have my camera bc of the rain, I would love to go back and see it when it is a nice day bc It was amazing in the rain. I could spend three days hiking it but I only had 5 hours so un fortunately I had to turn around and thumb a car down.
The park was one or those things I honestly can't describe again you have to do it to understand. It's like a drug. Haha I scared the crap out of these 2 girls. I came running up and said hello and they jumped so high and screamed. Sadly I didn't have my camera bc of the rain, I would love to go back and see it when it is a nice day bc It was amazing in the rain. I could spend three days hiking it but I only had 5 hours so un fortunately I had to turn around and thumb a car down.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Ask me now what my favorite country is?
Panic mode
Christchurch had zero beds open for me on the day I arrived. All hostels were booked (crap)! The airport floor was calling my name. I jumped onto couchsurfing and send some quick couch request to see by chance and luck and hope that someone would say yes you can stay with me. Did I mention I was not arriving tell 1225! With in 2 hours of me panicking rod said sure you an stay with me. He gave me address said take the shuttle and then gave me the code to his house and directions to my bed ha! Aka he was not staying up to great me he was just letting me on it! sweet as! My plane was late so I didn't arrive tell 120 and during the flight I thought we were going to have to turn around bc someone had a heart something and they called for all doctors or paramedics on board to help it was interesting. I always wondered about that on a plane. The shuttle driver after dropping off 5 other Americans then asked If I wanted a tour. I said in my head - well of course who the heck dosent want a tour at 2 in the morning- but answered sure that would be great. ... Tour........
I am going to call this tour the earthquake tour
So if you didn't know Christchurch( for all you none geography people It's in new Zealand and I want to teach you that bc I am always being told that Americans don't know enough about other places in the world so goodanya) has had 4 earthquakes in the last year and half the biggest one last feb that was a 6.3( grade it out of 10) witch isant that big but it hit the center of the city! ( yes I am learning all this at 2 am) so my guide brought me to see the big damage sites and explained what it all looked like! I can't even imagine what it was like. The city is no longer a city a forth of the city has moved. The roads are just getting fixed. homes won't be back to re built for over 2 years. The insurance won't start rebuilding tell there is not another earthquake over 4??? For 1 1/2 years. They still have after shock earth quakes like everyday. When it did strike it was a earthquake that goes up and down not side to side so it's like the ground had a wave that went threw it that was one meter high. When this happens it creates ( forgot the word) but a silky mud stuff that sat on top of the streets. Houses come right off there foundation everything in a house moves and breaks rod my couchsurfer showed me his pictures of his place. Tourist don't stop in Christchurch anymore bc they don't have places for them to stay. ( hence why all the places were full bc they only have 4 working hostels) in business they have signs up that say sorry we are closed don't no if we will re open due to earthquakes. The main street is now all train crates type deal that have the shops in them. It looks kinda neat bc they are all painted.
When I awoke I walked out onto a deck and I could see mountains and the beach and he city! Me being me decided to go for a work out up the mountain I am all ready 3/4 way up ( that's were his house was) but I am convinced I will run yes haha run to the top! If you wanted to know I died 20 min in and had to do a walk jog run thing! Butt : ) I made it to the top. For all you all that have climbed a mountain wow! First you don't think it's that far then your like o shit am I even going to make it to the top bc I haven't made it any closer, then you can see your close and you have that voice inside your head saying just keep going your all most there, then you make it and you sit and look at the view and you get a feeling like you want to cry but you don't cry you just smile and ---And -- and I can't describe you will just have to go climb a mountain!
I drove on left hand side 2 x ahhhhhh once bc rod drank over the limit and said you havent drank much you drive I said how much is a taxi he says 40 I said give me the keys. Then he had to get a car serviced so I drove again by my self this time mohahah. ( keep left keep left keep left)
Have been three more places I have zero time wanting to spend on net and it cost so I will write sometime?????? In prob a month
Living and loving : )
Christchurch had zero beds open for me on the day I arrived. All hostels were booked (crap)! The airport floor was calling my name. I jumped onto couchsurfing and send some quick couch request to see by chance and luck and hope that someone would say yes you can stay with me. Did I mention I was not arriving tell 1225! With in 2 hours of me panicking rod said sure you an stay with me. He gave me address said take the shuttle and then gave me the code to his house and directions to my bed ha! Aka he was not staying up to great me he was just letting me on it! sweet as! My plane was late so I didn't arrive tell 120 and during the flight I thought we were going to have to turn around bc someone had a heart something and they called for all doctors or paramedics on board to help it was interesting. I always wondered about that on a plane. The shuttle driver after dropping off 5 other Americans then asked If I wanted a tour. I said in my head - well of course who the heck dosent want a tour at 2 in the morning- but answered sure that would be great. ... Tour........
I am going to call this tour the earthquake tour
So if you didn't know Christchurch( for all you none geography people It's in new Zealand and I want to teach you that bc I am always being told that Americans don't know enough about other places in the world so goodanya) has had 4 earthquakes in the last year and half the biggest one last feb that was a 6.3( grade it out of 10) witch isant that big but it hit the center of the city! ( yes I am learning all this at 2 am) so my guide brought me to see the big damage sites and explained what it all looked like! I can't even imagine what it was like. The city is no longer a city a forth of the city has moved. The roads are just getting fixed. homes won't be back to re built for over 2 years. The insurance won't start rebuilding tell there is not another earthquake over 4??? For 1 1/2 years. They still have after shock earth quakes like everyday. When it did strike it was a earthquake that goes up and down not side to side so it's like the ground had a wave that went threw it that was one meter high. When this happens it creates ( forgot the word) but a silky mud stuff that sat on top of the streets. Houses come right off there foundation everything in a house moves and breaks rod my couchsurfer showed me his pictures of his place. Tourist don't stop in Christchurch anymore bc they don't have places for them to stay. ( hence why all the places were full bc they only have 4 working hostels) in business they have signs up that say sorry we are closed don't no if we will re open due to earthquakes. The main street is now all train crates type deal that have the shops in them. It looks kinda neat bc they are all painted.
When I awoke I walked out onto a deck and I could see mountains and the beach and he city! Me being me decided to go for a work out up the mountain I am all ready 3/4 way up ( that's were his house was) but I am convinced I will run yes haha run to the top! If you wanted to know I died 20 min in and had to do a walk jog run thing! Butt : ) I made it to the top. For all you all that have climbed a mountain wow! First you don't think it's that far then your like o shit am I even going to make it to the top bc I haven't made it any closer, then you can see your close and you have that voice inside your head saying just keep going your all most there, then you make it and you sit and look at the view and you get a feeling like you want to cry but you don't cry you just smile and ---And -- and I can't describe you will just have to go climb a mountain!
I drove on left hand side 2 x ahhhhhh once bc rod drank over the limit and said you havent drank much you drive I said how much is a taxi he says 40 I said give me the keys. Then he had to get a car serviced so I drove again by my self this time mohahah. ( keep left keep left keep left)
Have been three more places I have zero time wanting to spend on net and it cost so I will write sometime?????? In prob a month
Living and loving : )
Monday, November 28, 2011
This will make the highlights
This will be a trip highlight! I went on the well known clipper- you don't need to know what it is well known for! I spent 2 nights and 3 days sailing around the islands and stopping at the best beach in the world. I became a legend on the boat ha! I guess I did something that the crew had never scene anyone do before. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to capture the best let your self free photo! ?!?!?!?!????
Wile at the beach you could see reef sharks swimming in the lagoon. I was also able to join in on some pick up soccer. I went scuba diving and forgot how amazing under the sea is! ( come on sing the song - just look at the world around you right here on the ocean floor such wonderful things around you what more are you looking for. Under the sea under the sea under the sea) : ) the dive instructor squirted fish food so it was right on my mask and I was attacked by a billion different colored fish, the coral was just as colorful as the fish and huge! Wile on the boat they had a water slide going off it into the ocean. They also had a plank that was pretty high that you could dive off of. Every time we went Into the ocean we had to wear wet suits bc it is stinger season ( jelly fish) wile on boat we saw many sea turtles and dolphin! During the night the clipper crew had games for everyone to enter at there own risk. They were mainly inappropriate games that were so fun and funny.
The stars and moon shined like the best summer night on a lake sep for they are all upside down. We had a naked Chef, who cooked some good grub. I have started telling the tours I go on that I am allergic to fish - that way they don't serve me fish! I met some sweet australians who were on holiday and after we got off the boat with by the way I still feel like I am on a boat- but anyway the Australians let me hang in there pent house sweet at a hotel that looked over the boat harbor!
When I see things like the whitsundays I sometimes have to pinch my self and say yes Jess your not dreaming! Makes me appreciate life even more. Shows me that there is a lot to life. As I sat in front of the boat and let the wind blow and I looked at the beauty it sent shivers down my back!
Yay 20 hour bus, laundry day, then off to new Zealand
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Dingos, spiders, snakes, beaches, Rainforst
fraser isaland- Largest sand island in the world. We start of f where i wasnt very happy with the tour bc i get there and you have to have a 60 dollar cash bond just in case you crash the car. I was not aware we needed it and i all ready had taken the exact amount of money i was going to spend in australia so now i have to get screwed out of 10$ on exchange and then another 10 on exchange to new zealand dollars. I just thought i would vent to someone thanks for listning. ok any way...
WE go to drive off the fairy and one of the cars break... booo so we have to sit and wait for the next fairy 3 hours later and then go on with are tour but now looking at it all its funny but at time i was like this is the worse tour i have ever been on. Our none tour guid was kinda a grump also. the sights of fraser were great i saw the 7th deadly snake in the world. i have a pic dont worry, and yes it was in the wild not the zone. It was at are camp sight- if it bites you you have hour to live if you dont get to hospital.... on fraser island it takes a helicopter hour so i could of died. i walked threw a creek that is so clear you cant even tell in the pictires i am in water just looks like the sand. i got the chance to sleep in a nasty tent with no blnaket ha but guess what.... the next night i snuck in to an open bed .. im sneaky like that.
i would love to tell you more butt my internet is saying i have 2 min left so i am not even going to re read this hope it makes sense..
meeting great people on this trip i even got 2 gals to work out with me today on the beach :)
coming .. dive at great barruer reef whoop whooop and i stay on a boat with a slid into the ocean..
WE go to drive off the fairy and one of the cars break... booo so we have to sit and wait for the next fairy 3 hours later and then go on with are tour but now looking at it all its funny but at time i was like this is the worse tour i have ever been on. Our none tour guid was kinda a grump also. the sights of fraser were great i saw the 7th deadly snake in the world. i have a pic dont worry, and yes it was in the wild not the zone. It was at are camp sight- if it bites you you have hour to live if you dont get to hospital.... on fraser island it takes a helicopter hour so i could of died. i walked threw a creek that is so clear you cant even tell in the pictires i am in water just looks like the sand. i got the chance to sleep in a nasty tent with no blnaket ha but guess what.... the next night i snuck in to an open bed .. im sneaky like that.
i would love to tell you more butt my internet is saying i have 2 min left so i am not even going to re read this hope it makes sense..
meeting great people on this trip i even got 2 gals to work out with me today on the beach :)
good to have friends who are so great
brisbane- bianca ( friend I met backpacking around europe) picked me up form the airport witch was way to nice. I didnt have to try and figure out transportation i just had to get into a car. she brought me to her home and stuffed my belly. Then showed me the sights at night. we were lucky to go to a park and have one of her favorite bands playing in it! we took the transportaion by river so that way we could see the city all lit up. She also showed me where everyone goes for a hot date ( the highest point that looks over the city) day 2 with her she took me to her home in/on the gold coast. It will go into my top days. We took out the jet skies on the ocean went threw the canals to see amazing houses then hit the waves, stopped at some resorts to see kangaroos and get some ice cream. o i should make sure to add in we ate kangaroos also! Her dad is awsome and made a lovly kangaroo steak was very very very good! that evening i have a guest blogger --- but i dont have my phone (sorry joe i will still try and post what you said) but anyway that night she had friends over and we went to a very interesting club that I would recomened to anyone um... lets just say there was a drag show and some intresting people at it! Such a good time!
Friday, November 18, 2011
Great ocean road! Wondering the city ( Mel ben)
Melbourne
I met with jen ( crazy fun girl I met in Europe that lives in melbourn) she brings me to the market to have lunch. If you go to Australia you can't go and not have a pie. Similar to chicken pot pies but in every flavor and better. In the evening she took me to some hidden pubs that are on ruff tops where I tried the blinded pair cider that is served on tap-- I recommend! The. Went to the beach where we watched the sunset and saw wild penguiens. They were so cool!
Great ocean road-
I took a day tour to see all the famous sights. Such as the 12 apostles, surf town of the world, went threw the rain forest. ( trees are so dang tall) wild kowals, we stoped and watched a battle of two males fighting over the female.they climbed up and down the tree and I needed some popcorn bc I could of watched them all day.
My last evening in the big city I was catered to by a gentamen( from Mel) who showed me the city at night!
Ahead... Fraser island, whitsundays, and scuba dive at the great barrier
I met with jen ( crazy fun girl I met in Europe that lives in melbourn) she brings me to the market to have lunch. If you go to Australia you can't go and not have a pie. Similar to chicken pot pies but in every flavor and better. In the evening she took me to some hidden pubs that are on ruff tops where I tried the blinded pair cider that is served on tap-- I recommend! The. Went to the beach where we watched the sunset and saw wild penguiens. They were so cool!
Great ocean road-
I took a day tour to see all the famous sights. Such as the 12 apostles, surf town of the world, went threw the rain forest. ( trees are so dang tall) wild kowals, we stoped and watched a battle of two males fighting over the female.they climbed up and down the tree and I needed some popcorn bc I could of watched them all day.
My last evening in the big city I was catered to by a gentamen( from Mel) who showed me the city at night!
Ahead... Fraser island, whitsundays, and scuba dive at the great barrier
Sea sick ick. Fiji time bula
Fiji arrival...
I arrive at 530am. as you arrive there are Fiji peopel singing to you and playing guitar. I go and look for couchsurfer. Not seeing her the others are saying bula bula and wanting to help you. I don't want there help. So I keep looking nope then same girl keeps trying to help me. " what hotel are you going to mam"" I say I am being picked up then she comes over again and I tell her I am looking for oripa -must of pronounced her name wrong bc she didn't know it. Then she leaves comes back. I find you a place. I say no I am looking for oripa i then show her the name and she goes o oripa and then goes and talks to this dude. She comes back and points at the dude and says he will bring you to oripa. I now think what would chelsey do. I can't go with this random dude on day one ha. He comes over and says I will bring you to oripa clearly from the look on my face he new I was not going with him. So he says jessssss I will call oripa I say ok. I speak to her she dosent no who I am and forgot about me haha so she goes Jess just come over I remember now ha she says go in taxi or someone will bring you. I get off phone and dude got a taxi I don't have money so he points me in direction to ATM. I have bags he says Jess I watch your bags I clearly have the face again and he says Jess I watch them again and snickers at me then I walk to wrong dumb thing he laughs and re points. I get money he puts bags in taxi. And I go to passenger side door and it is THE driver side hahahah now he is really laughing at me.I relies why they call us dumb Americans. So he brings me to oripas and I am greeted by her daughter who shows me my room and tells me her mom is sleeping.
Day 2 -I make my way to an island it is beautiful made friends right away, snorkeled, laughed, played games, and danced the night away.
Sea sick ick
Depart to 2 island- I get on boat and I got some boat fuels in my nose and then that 4 hour boat ride became so so so so so sosososoosos bad. this is kinda funny first time I vomited was over side of big fairy boat ha so we pull up to this island everyone is on other side of boat taking pics. I am on other side puke ing my guts up then ran to bathroom and I was going tell dry heave. I left all my bags in 2 diffrent locations and I wanted to cry and I was going to pass out bc I was dripping sweat and I didn't know what was going on head was spinning And I couldn't bring my self to go get bags so I left them tell end and got them and got off boat to go on small boat and then have lunch were I had 4 bites and then all I wanted was my bed in a 89 degree hut and I finally got brought to it and passed out woke 3 hours later and .... : ) it was paradise so I went creeping around the island taking pics ones that one day will be sold in a coffe shop : )
I learnt all about the village and went o church it was all intresting but would take a book o write so if interested about the village ask me when I return!
They are all most all christains the service was intense and they sing and DANCE but I couldn't understand it.
Ready for my Second Time at Fiji airport ha gosh I laugh now but during I was not going to cry I was just so flustered. Ok here I go.... I didnt want to go straight to airport after fairy bc I had 5 hours so I walked around and stole Internet and wrote to you. my flight 545 free shuttle at 3 so I was golden bc takes about 30-45 min.... So I go to get on bus at 3 and we have to wait for fairy to come in. it's not in at 310 not at 315 but finally late at 320 I said it's fine Jess. they load up 330 we leave hit traffic and construction takes 50 min to get to airport he can't go in with bus so drops me close I have to walk. 4 40 now I left my bag with oripa she forgot to have it in her office errrr so call her now 445 and I am starting to freak she says so sorry Jess I forgot I bring it now I say ok but I no it will take a wile bc of construction. so I go to check in with out my bag I go and they are like were is your bag I say on the way they say ok. Then she continues and goes you don't have a visa you can't go to Australia I am now like WTF can't I just buy one now. she says shoot and says I have to do it on Internet and then have to be approved. now I am popping my pants bc I don't have my bag and I have to get visa and now it's 455 ok I have to go buy Internet( rip off) and she actually did it all for me Fiji people are very nice! Ok so then I hear my name they are calling for me over airport speaker hahaha now I am sweating bc I am trying to get visa pass. Do da do da finally it comes threw I run to finally get bag and plane ticket then run threw security zero line ps : ) then run to gate and now really really ........,,
There not even boarding yet !!!!
Fiji time I tell you what
I can't figure out how to upload a pic from my phone onto here so sorry no pics
I arrive at 530am. as you arrive there are Fiji peopel singing to you and playing guitar. I go and look for couchsurfer. Not seeing her the others are saying bula bula and wanting to help you. I don't want there help. So I keep looking nope then same girl keeps trying to help me. " what hotel are you going to mam"" I say I am being picked up then she comes over again and I tell her I am looking for oripa -must of pronounced her name wrong bc she didn't know it. Then she leaves comes back. I find you a place. I say no I am looking for oripa i then show her the name and she goes o oripa and then goes and talks to this dude. She comes back and points at the dude and says he will bring you to oripa. I now think what would chelsey do. I can't go with this random dude on day one ha. He comes over and says I will bring you to oripa clearly from the look on my face he new I was not going with him. So he says jessssss I will call oripa I say ok. I speak to her she dosent no who I am and forgot about me haha so she goes Jess just come over I remember now ha she says go in taxi or someone will bring you. I get off phone and dude got a taxi I don't have money so he points me in direction to ATM. I have bags he says Jess I watch your bags I clearly have the face again and he says Jess I watch them again and snickers at me then I walk to wrong dumb thing he laughs and re points. I get money he puts bags in taxi. And I go to passenger side door and it is THE driver side hahahah now he is really laughing at me.I relies why they call us dumb Americans. So he brings me to oripas and I am greeted by her daughter who shows me my room and tells me her mom is sleeping.
Day 2 -I make my way to an island it is beautiful made friends right away, snorkeled, laughed, played games, and danced the night away.
Sea sick ick
Depart to 2 island- I get on boat and I got some boat fuels in my nose and then that 4 hour boat ride became so so so so so sosososoosos bad. this is kinda funny first time I vomited was over side of big fairy boat ha so we pull up to this island everyone is on other side of boat taking pics. I am on other side puke ing my guts up then ran to bathroom and I was going tell dry heave. I left all my bags in 2 diffrent locations and I wanted to cry and I was going to pass out bc I was dripping sweat and I didn't know what was going on head was spinning And I couldn't bring my self to go get bags so I left them tell end and got them and got off boat to go on small boat and then have lunch were I had 4 bites and then all I wanted was my bed in a 89 degree hut and I finally got brought to it and passed out woke 3 hours later and .... : ) it was paradise so I went creeping around the island taking pics ones that one day will be sold in a coffe shop : )
I learnt all about the village and went o church it was all intresting but would take a book o write so if interested about the village ask me when I return!
They are all most all christains the service was intense and they sing and DANCE but I couldn't understand it.
Ready for my Second Time at Fiji airport ha gosh I laugh now but during I was not going to cry I was just so flustered. Ok here I go.... I didnt want to go straight to airport after fairy bc I had 5 hours so I walked around and stole Internet and wrote to you. my flight 545 free shuttle at 3 so I was golden bc takes about 30-45 min.... So I go to get on bus at 3 and we have to wait for fairy to come in. it's not in at 310 not at 315 but finally late at 320 I said it's fine Jess. they load up 330 we leave hit traffic and construction takes 50 min to get to airport he can't go in with bus so drops me close I have to walk. 4 40 now I left my bag with oripa she forgot to have it in her office errrr so call her now 445 and I am starting to freak she says so sorry Jess I forgot I bring it now I say ok but I no it will take a wile bc of construction. so I go to check in with out my bag I go and they are like were is your bag I say on the way they say ok. Then she continues and goes you don't have a visa you can't go to Australia I am now like WTF can't I just buy one now. she says shoot and says I have to do it on Internet and then have to be approved. now I am popping my pants bc I don't have my bag and I have to get visa and now it's 455 ok I have to go buy Internet( rip off) and she actually did it all for me Fiji people are very nice! Ok so then I hear my name they are calling for me over airport speaker hahaha now I am sweating bc I am trying to get visa pass. Do da do da finally it comes threw I run to finally get bag and plane ticket then run threw security zero line ps : ) then run to gate and now really really ........,,
There not even boarding yet !!!!
Fiji time I tell you what
I can't figure out how to upload a pic from my phone onto here so sorry no pics
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
What a diffrent way of life
i had 24 hours in LA! by the way I cant say LA bc some get offended if you dont specify where you are from. so i stayed in Pasadena. in a house with 14 bathrooms. I felt as though i was staying in a 1920 California palace. its not a about a place you stay its about the company you are with.
Huge thank you to ricky, his friend samatha, and their families for doing an amazing job hosting me.
went out in old town where they showed me there local hot spots. somehow managed to stay up tell 2 witch is 4 back in the good ol mn.
today- samatha took me everywhere. she picked me up took me down in the valley then to san Monaco where we ate lulnch and i got to experience my first valet parking... i felt like a high roller, At lunch the menu was hard to choose bc they had all sorts of nasty food on it you no for like people who like to taste a lot but guess what they had a chicken breast on the menu with some fancy name for potatoes and kale and veggies.... then we went to Venice beach and saw some crazies. Next to Beverly hills where i personally think people are CRAZY who the heck would spend that much money on things oooooooofta. then I saw the Hollywood sign and then to pick up a girl form school, and to bring her to get ice cream. i hadnt peed all day i dont know why to much to see and do so when we went and got ice cream i had to go into a car dealership and they asked how may i help you write away. I said i am going ot pee my pants sir may i please use your bathroom. longest pee ever.
off to airport to get dinner at in and outs (its a must) and then Fiji where i still havent heard form my next host :( she will be there
Saturday, November 5, 2011
ANd so it begins
O YEAhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!
Ok I am not your typical blogger, I am not very good at doing it often, I some times write outrageous inappropriate things that will happen in my life. If you are one of those people who hate poor spelling and you need correct grammar, then this blog is not for You. I will be entering my blogs off of my iphone when ever I get the chance to connect to wifi . Sometimes I may be lucky and can use a dogey (practicing my Australia slang –(dogey)) hostel computer.
Alarm goes off I jump up and down! Butterflies think they can fly freely in my stomach. I hit my studio for the last time this year, I start off dancing and go into a circuit of 4. shower time: I better shower since I may not shower again for 3 -5 days ha! Chelsey smith (best friend) arrives and is crying bc she has to say good bye to me. O one more side note for this blog. “I will try and never stretch the truth!” I fly from Minneapolis to LA. In LA ricky(head soccer coach for Brainerd/ friend) picked me up and shows me where he grew up in Pasadena California. O ps-his house is featured in books and magazines and is a mansion that over looks the rose bowl.
Upcoming events---- ricky will show me around and then drop me off at airport where I will depart to FIJI and hopefully my couch surfing host will be there to pick me up from airport!
Friday, October 14, 2011
Pasta For a Cause - Food For The Soul!
The pasta feed at The Chap on Tuesday, October 11 was a big success! I felt it went very well and was happy about the turn out - - as well as the funds raised that will go towards my time volunteering in Cambodia at the SALT Academy. It was wonderful to see all of you there to support me!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
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