It’s almost the last day in New Zealand and high time for some more blogging. My former General Manager (Bengt) wrote/asked me if I’m enjoying life and the answer is: You bet I do :) -> this is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and too all of you out there: if you have the money and possibility - make your dream come true! :)The last blog was from Queenstown, south Island (the adrenaline place no 1 in NZ) and even if I didn’t go for any bungee jumping or fly-by-wire or jet boating or any other (it’s all very expensive) stuff, I did go to the Milford Sound. A full day journey with bus and boat ride into the fjord. Well, it isn’t actually a sound, but a fjord, even though they call it sound, but I guess only because it sounds more right, right? ;) Even if the weather wasn’t the best it was truly a great experience - nature at its best.
Leaving QT behind, I travelled up north to Franz Josef where one of the glaciers (slow moving river of ice) are and signed up (paid) for hiking/climbing. A lot of people told me to do the full day excursion since the ½ day didn’t go that far up the glacier and so I did. I really thought it would be a bit more challenging but the guide was not the best, mostly bragging to the girls in the group about what cool things he did on his own. Off course they totally bought it - *suckers*) A part from a nice walk and some minor challenges it was pretty nice - a "cool" experience for sure. Oh yeah, for your reference: An eight hour hike on the glacier drains 120 USD from your budget.From Franz to Greymouth by bus and from there the scenic train ride (supposed to be one of the most spectacular train rides in the world) back to Christchurch (that’s where I landed when I flew into NZ, remember ;). Being the end of winter / early spring here in NZ the weather wasn’t at its best and the scenic was at best so-so... Never the mind, safe and sound (there’s that sound again, and this time its not a fjord ;) at the hostel I met some Ozzy boys who had to get rid of a case of beer before they were flying back home the morning after - so I helped them out :) *haha* I’m telling yaw - they didn’t get to much sleep before they had to get up at 4 am to catch the airport shuttle. Next day I met a Turkish fellow who lives in Brisbane, Australia. But hey! - That’s where I’m going and.. *sim-sala-bim* now I have a place to crash when I arrive in Oz and a new friend to show me around. (I hope :)
Still a bit more than ten days left in NZ and I slowly made my way to the north island and the capital Wellington. That’s where director Peter Jackson comes from and where "The return of the King" (Lord of the Rings) had its world premiere. Just checked in to the hostel and had myself a ciggie (yeah, I know...) this girl came out to join and asked me where I was going. After hearing my answer: "Auckland", she replied: "We have a car, going there - want to join and share the costs?" If you know me, I don’t have to tell you how I replied to that one :)Travelled together with Gianna (Spain) and Denisa (Check Republic) in a "soon to see the graveyard, but still reliable" Hyundai for almost a week in and out of towns, on winding roads and saw a lot of cool stuff and scenery and had many laughs. Amongst all the things we’ve seen some favourites were: glow worms in Waitomo caves, smoking lakes and geysers. A bizarre thing was the "hot beach" where you dig yourself a little pool on the beach and there is natural hot water filling it - we didn’t do it though.
Yesterday we were supposed to return the car but when we went to get it and take it back to the rental company: IT WAS GONE. F**k, the cars been stolen... After a minute of "what are we going to do now?" we saw this tiny little sign saying it was a tow-zone. After calling the number on the little sign we learned that getting your car towed away in Auckland sets you back around 170 USD *ouch*Now the girls have moved on and I have just returned from a trip/experience in the Sky Tower, which is 328 meters high and the highest building in the southern hemisphere - the view was really good *promisse*
Summary: NZ is by far one of the most beautiful and spectacular countries in the world (of the ones I’ve been to so far), especially the south island but the north isn’t too bad either ;) People are extremely friendly and caring. Activities are just a bit too expensive so you tend to burn a bit more money than budgeted. But hey - thats life.
Lot of love, have fun and keep safe!
