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
2 comments:
You had to post this just as we're getting our first snowfall! Birds singing indeed!
way to go bro. in one post you've alienated two countrys and a whole continent, with the beer comments (true though...) and the rude, crude swedish thing. oh well, at least your leaving an impression hahaha.
looks pretty neat there, especially to me as i just finished my night(mare) shift sliding around on the ice. and having the mountains here as a backdrop didn't help at all.
nice pix. especially to those of us who are in the clutches of father winter.
godspeed
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