Jaded

The jade is from the beaches around Greymouth. Enjoyed a very nice day there, swimming, hiking and jade hunting with some people from the hostel, prior to watching a sunset into the ocean. Such a nice way to finish a great day.

After a few days in Arthur's Pass, I decided to hitch-hike to Christchurch on a really cold morning. Greg from Auckland picked me up, drove me thru some stunning scenery, bought me a coffee and dropped me off in Cathedral Square. Spent the gorgeous afternoon walking the Avon River and tooling about the Botanical Gardens, easily one of the nicest I've ever seen. Spent a few days in town, did some museums, some walking, a full laundry including footwear, a full day off reading and a night watching the NZ All-Whites attain a spot in the soccer World Cup.

Monday, I got up nice and early and walked the 54 kms to Amberley to do some Wwoofing on Stone Circle farms with Michelle and John (friends of Sue Green's sister Judy). Google Maps done me wrong...I was only supposed to walk 47 kms, but Google had a back road in Amberley extending thru an area that it definitely does not. I even spent an afternoon on the bike trying to find an old path or lane that excuse such an error, but no luck.

Spent the next week or so up weeding at 7:00 AM, outdoors all days, eating mostly organic (I kept some snack treats in my trailer and treated myself to fish&chips on Friday) and generally enjoying a fair bit of time to myself, mostly reading a few books. All this travelling can wear you down a bit, especially when you are in shared accommodations most nights. A real treat to be by myself for a few days.

Will walk back in Christchurch tomorrow, spent a few days with Sue's sister Judy, then fly to Auckland and see if I can swing a Chinese visa before leaving NZ. The trip to Invercargill fell thru, and with it, a possible shimmy up to Queenstown and/or Mt. Cook. Would rather get the Chinese visa and spent a few days walking the Coromandel Peninsula, a place I had to skip to even get to South Island.

No matter what you decide to see in New Zealand, you are skipping over amazing things. I did not have any 'have-to's on the trip and will keep that frame of mind. I don't like rushing or chasing. I enjoy scenery, scents, walking, hostels, new people, other travellers, the sense of freedom.

Remembrance Day - NZ

As a charter member of the Gonzo Adventure Club, I felt that it was duty to continue the age-old tradition of hiking on Remembrance Day to somewhere very peaceful and quiet. I am here in Arthur's Pass, part of the NZ Alps and hiked up the Avalanche Peak trail, arriving at 5,000 ft in a snowstorm just before 11:00 AM on Nov.11. I called Bruce Duffy, because it is very nice to share some of these little adventures, and we were 2 of the constants on the Remembrance Day camping the past 10 years or so.

Prior to this, I was in Greymouth on the West Coast for a few days of hiking, swimming, sunsets and jade hunting. Found a big piece and will upload a picture of it soon.

Napier, Rugby, Abel Tasman and Glaciers

Spent a stunning few days in Napier at a really cool hostel on the beach. Such a relaxed town, all that Art Deco stuff and a wonderful beach. Spent 2 days walking around and swimming/reading on the beach. My roomies were Japanese and French and we spent a lot of time sitting about the back of the hostel with someone playing guitar. Tried my one really rude saying on a Swedish girl and will not do that again. It's too rude and I mangle it too much.

Off to Wellington for a few days of running and resting with the Russells. Bob's running pace after knee surgery is still quicker than my race pace, and he threw in hills to boot. We got in a nice evening in a local restaurant and Bob and I also made an evening of beers, fish&chips and rugby (Air New Zealand Cup semi-final).

The ferry across to Picton was on a gorgeous day and I settled into Nelson for a few days of hiking including Abel Tasman with the water taxis. Stunning views and a hike to remember for a long time. The hostel was again very cool (free brekkie and dessert each evening). Tough to leave these places, but nice knowing that there so many cool, funky hostels in Nz. Best part of the trip after all the natural wonders. Hiking and walking about in sub-tropical NZ in the spring is an experience of a lifetime. The scents in the air, the birds singing, the abundant foliage everywhere. Absolute magic.

Picture is taken in Taupo at a local hot-springs. Free hot pool spa on a nice little hike.

Took a bus down to Franz Josef and spent a few days hiking about the glaciers there and at Fox Glacier. Love staying where there are mountains. So cool to wake up to on a sunny day. The views are very weather dependant, so the mirror lake at Murchison did not give up it's delights yesterday. Was lucky enough to see Franz Josef from a mirror lake today.

Picture is from Picton on a stunning day



Picture is from Abel Tasman (not mine)




Ran into a few people I have met in other parts of NZ (Tom & Nora on a world-wide tour) and they were nice enough to take pics of me while I swam in a glacier pool. Easily ranks up there with the coldest water I have ever been in. Voice was slurring and arms not responding after but 5 seconds. A tad scary.

Picture is from a mirror lake by Franz Josef




Video is from Nelson , where Sophie worked for a bit