So got up today, pretty early, most people had already gone i must admit but i got up about 9am. which isn't bad for me at the moment.
So had some breekie, which was actually just an apple that i had brought the day before but i have to do something about those pies don't i.
so had my apple, which doesn't taste as good as a pie, but was nice for an apple it was a granny smiths apple. nice to know they have quality out here somewhere. then off for my walk. all alone, but thats not a problem.
The sun is shining it is a really nice day, took my camera and headed into the national park. Found a beach or two, actually the first beach i found was rather pleasent ;) why you ask, because i looked down the beach from the track didn't see anyone and thought well lets have a look. got onto the beach and there was 2 people on the beach. two topless women as a matter of fact, both pretty and nice and brown. so mmm what to do. stayed there for a little while. i wasn't perving honest. And no, no pictures again this time Michael, sorry mate. Although now i have my camera i suppose i could of...mmmm next time mate.
So basically i just walked up through the national park which was absolutely beautiful you follow the coast line and see some great views, located a few beaches on the way, nothing as good as the first one ;) , but they were rather nice for beaches. managed to take my top off and sit on each beach for a while, reading my book.
all in all i spent about 5hours, walking and sitting on beaches, i noticed it was getting a few dark clouds up in the sky, so i decided to head back as i was about 4 hrs into it then. Surprisingly it didn't take as long to get back but i suppose i wasn't taking pictures and sitting on beaches.
Ok got back to the hostel, chilled out with a few friends i had made from the stray bus. had a few drinks with them, well it would be rude not to won't it :)
Pretty much played some more guitar in my room, had dinner and went to bed.
nothing to exciting, it would be better if i wasn't on this pony pc and could attach pictures you would see why i walked and stayed on beaches for most of the day.
Friday, 30 November 2007
13th Novemeber 2007. Kaikoura to Abel tasman.
OK jumped on bus today, Graham and the posse is still doing my head in, and this is a long day, actually most of these bus journeys seem like a long day.
OK this bus is not just a bus from this town to that town, it actually does a tour aswell, and stops in interesting places and you get commentary all the time about the places you are and the things you see around you.
So we stopped at a seal colony which was just up the road about 30mins from Kaikoura, seals are kind of cool, they are just lazing around on a rock, which is alright for some. guess when i think about it that it what i am doing lazying around on a big rock we call a country. nice :)
so there was about 20 seals on these rocks, as i said just chilling out. as they do. jumped back on the bus. the east coast looks very nice, kind of reminds me of the great ocean road in OZ, but not as beautiful. we are driving right on the coast up, the sea and lots of rock formations are to the east and inland to the west is lots of mountains, the distant ones have snow on them, but mainly they are just grass mountains.
so anyway did a few more stops, where we was able to take some lovely views of the coast and surrounding areas. Then we went off to picton, which is where you get the ferry over to wellington which is the north island. however i am not going on there yet, i have the rest of the south to explore.
Some good news though, that dick head graham is getting off here, good good. So about 5 people got off here and we ended up picking up about 15 people from the north island. From here i lost the current guide a woman called Nads (yeah nice name, she as ok not a great guide) But we now picked up a guide called bagginz (yes like lord of the rings) he seems pretty cool, rather chatty and jokey so this could be fun. then we went along to Abel Tasman which is a national park at the top of the south island.
The hostel we are staying at is called "Old Macdonald's farm". mmmm nice name, it is actually a farm fully working but has some huts in the middle somewhere where they have put in bunk beds. bit disorganised if i say so, as the guide paid for the rooms with everyones money and just put a bit of paper up with all the rooms we had to choose from. I didn't mind really as i ended up on my own in a three bed room. sweet, nice and peaceful.
By the time we got to the hostel/farm, it was 7pm, so by the time everyone cooked and there was only 4 hobs between about 20 of us, i finally got to cook at 9pm. so had dinner, chilled out played some guitar in my room. got some sleep.
Looks like a lot of people tomorrow are doing a 4 hrs hike through the national park then getting a yacht back. some are doing the other way round. one is doing a full day sailing on a yacht.
however i have decided i will just go for a walk, try and save some money.
OK this bus is not just a bus from this town to that town, it actually does a tour aswell, and stops in interesting places and you get commentary all the time about the places you are and the things you see around you.
So we stopped at a seal colony which was just up the road about 30mins from Kaikoura, seals are kind of cool, they are just lazing around on a rock, which is alright for some. guess when i think about it that it what i am doing lazying around on a big rock we call a country. nice :)
so there was about 20 seals on these rocks, as i said just chilling out. as they do. jumped back on the bus. the east coast looks very nice, kind of reminds me of the great ocean road in OZ, but not as beautiful. we are driving right on the coast up, the sea and lots of rock formations are to the east and inland to the west is lots of mountains, the distant ones have snow on them, but mainly they are just grass mountains.
so anyway did a few more stops, where we was able to take some lovely views of the coast and surrounding areas. Then we went off to picton, which is where you get the ferry over to wellington which is the north island. however i am not going on there yet, i have the rest of the south to explore.
Some good news though, that dick head graham is getting off here, good good. So about 5 people got off here and we ended up picking up about 15 people from the north island. From here i lost the current guide a woman called Nads (yeah nice name, she as ok not a great guide) But we now picked up a guide called bagginz (yes like lord of the rings) he seems pretty cool, rather chatty and jokey so this could be fun. then we went along to Abel Tasman which is a national park at the top of the south island.
The hostel we are staying at is called "Old Macdonald's farm". mmmm nice name, it is actually a farm fully working but has some huts in the middle somewhere where they have put in bunk beds. bit disorganised if i say so, as the guide paid for the rooms with everyones money and just put a bit of paper up with all the rooms we had to choose from. I didn't mind really as i ended up on my own in a three bed room. sweet, nice and peaceful.
By the time we got to the hostel/farm, it was 7pm, so by the time everyone cooked and there was only 4 hobs between about 20 of us, i finally got to cook at 9pm. so had dinner, chilled out played some guitar in my room. got some sleep.
Looks like a lot of people tomorrow are doing a 4 hrs hike through the national park then getting a yacht back. some are doing the other way round. one is doing a full day sailing on a yacht.
however i have decided i will just go for a walk, try and save some money.
Thursday, 29 November 2007
12th November Christchurch to Kaikoura (dolphin swimming, oh yeah babe)
So taking my first stray bus journey today, off to Kaikoura. Bus seems a little quite, there is only 9 people on the bus, that holds 45 people.
And there is a group that has been traveling together is seems round the south island, and dam they have an annoying bloke called graham with them. He is from peckham in London, and is about 40 years old, but still thinks he is about 15. And he has a way of changing all conversations into a cheese sex thing. not very nice to be around and i hope he isn't with this group for very long not sure i can hack someone like him for long.
So the way to Kaikoura we stop for breakfast, which is just a little cafe in the middle of nowhere. i got a pie, and yes it does look like i have been eating alot of pies, thanks you very much (especially Mr Roche) and to be honest i probably have been, they are so tasty over here.
got to Kaikoura, seems like a nice little town, not very big but then i hear most places in NZ aren't big. This is where they catch alot of crayfish which seems bloody expensive round here, for a whole one it is like $80, or i think thats what the sign says.
so on the stray bus they pass around an activity sheet which has a selection of activities that you can do in the town we stop at, and i have seen they do dolphin swimming, how exciting, i hope it isn't like the dolphin "swim" i tried to do at ocean park in HK.
so i booked it anyway. By the time we got to Kaikoura we had to go straight to the dolphin centre after checking in. so the bus dropped us off. Got to the dolphin centre had a quick video advicing us what the dolphins are like and that they are wild and they may or may not come close to you blah blah, show me the dolphins.
So got the wet suit and all that stuff on again. Got on a boat and it took about 40mins to get out to where the dolphins are. wow i have never seen so many dolphins about, there is about 200 here and they are all wild. So got ready to get in the water, the alarm sounded and we were told to get in the sea and the dolphins are over to the right.
Got over to the right and i see 4 dolphins swim rather fast past underneath me, about a metre or 2 away. and then they disappeared, well this kept going on for a while. basically i felt there was too many people in are good, don't get me wrong i really loved it and i saw the dolphins and they swam near me, but you got to think these are wild animals and there is 15 people jumping the i the water after them they are scared so the fuck off really quickly. and we spent most of our time chasing after the dolphins, getting back on the boat back off when we was near them and that continued for about 40mins.
After that we had to go back to the land, and that was really good i got to see some really cool dolphin jumps and stuff. and got some really good pics.
But i am glad i did the dolphin swim was really nice to be in the water with them.
So for the rest of evening i went back to the hostel, got some chips from the local chip shop, which is meant to the best around here, well it was no Chinese chips but they were pretty good.
So then i had to have an early night so went to my room and read my book for a bit, finally got to sleep.
And there is a group that has been traveling together is seems round the south island, and dam they have an annoying bloke called graham with them. He is from peckham in London, and is about 40 years old, but still thinks he is about 15. And he has a way of changing all conversations into a cheese sex thing. not very nice to be around and i hope he isn't with this group for very long not sure i can hack someone like him for long.
So the way to Kaikoura we stop for breakfast, which is just a little cafe in the middle of nowhere. i got a pie, and yes it does look like i have been eating alot of pies, thanks you very much (especially Mr Roche) and to be honest i probably have been, they are so tasty over here.
got to Kaikoura, seems like a nice little town, not very big but then i hear most places in NZ aren't big. This is where they catch alot of crayfish which seems bloody expensive round here, for a whole one it is like $80, or i think thats what the sign says.
so on the stray bus they pass around an activity sheet which has a selection of activities that you can do in the town we stop at, and i have seen they do dolphin swimming, how exciting, i hope it isn't like the dolphin "swim" i tried to do at ocean park in HK.
so i booked it anyway. By the time we got to Kaikoura we had to go straight to the dolphin centre after checking in. so the bus dropped us off. Got to the dolphin centre had a quick video advicing us what the dolphins are like and that they are wild and they may or may not come close to you blah blah, show me the dolphins.
So got the wet suit and all that stuff on again. Got on a boat and it took about 40mins to get out to where the dolphins are. wow i have never seen so many dolphins about, there is about 200 here and they are all wild. So got ready to get in the water, the alarm sounded and we were told to get in the sea and the dolphins are over to the right.
Got over to the right and i see 4 dolphins swim rather fast past underneath me, about a metre or 2 away. and then they disappeared, well this kept going on for a while. basically i felt there was too many people in are good, don't get me wrong i really loved it and i saw the dolphins and they swam near me, but you got to think these are wild animals and there is 15 people jumping the i the water after them they are scared so the fuck off really quickly. and we spent most of our time chasing after the dolphins, getting back on the boat back off when we was near them and that continued for about 40mins.
After that we had to go back to the land, and that was really good i got to see some really cool dolphin jumps and stuff. and got some really good pics.
But i am glad i did the dolphin swim was really nice to be in the water with them.
So for the rest of evening i went back to the hostel, got some chips from the local chip shop, which is meant to the best around here, well it was no Chinese chips but they were pretty good.
So then i had to have an early night so went to my room and read my book for a bit, finally got to sleep.
11th Novemember 2007, Christchurch, White water rafting.
Wow really looking forward to this day, i have white water rafting, and i can't wait. About time i got myself doing some things again, it seemed like i didn't do alot in OZ.
OK got picked up from hostel, taken to a place just outside Geraldine, to a lovely place, built of wood in the middle of nowhere, but next to a lovely river. some great scenery again.
So had some free tea, got into our wet suits, boots, fleeces, jackets and everything else they gave us to keep us warm. had a briefing, we are going to start off on a couple of number 1 grade rapids, work and work our way up to, grade 5, which is the highest you can do out here, well that the law will allow anyway. sounds great, can't wait.
OK had a little 10min bus ride to the top of the river. Have been put into a group of 6 people and got a guide called Kam. Seems pretty cool, but i guess you would be with a job like this. All jumped into the boat. this is all pretty calm here at the top, we first have to practice rowing in sync, forwards backwards. while the guide steers. yeah he doesn't row just steers, anyway it looks like its gonna be hard work, i hope its not as hard work as surfing.
So down the river we went, i was at the front typical, no one else would do it, so Ian to the rescue again.
wow what fun i had, i didn't fall out, but the guide made 2 other english guys fall out, which was quite funny. Not really sure how to describe the rafting, was wet great fun and knackering. Being at the front there was quite a few waves that went straight over my head, so a few time si thought i was drowning, but obviously survived.
Oh at the end of the rafting we had the opportunity of jumping of some cliffs, one at 5m, and the other at 10m. Boy my group loved me, well most people jumped off the 5m, but again no one was will to go first, but the way i see it i would rather go first then sit up the top and think about it. So Ian to the rescue again. da da da d da, super length..... lol
So anyway i volunteered to go first, and i was going first all my other group had to jump next before everyone else as they were taking pictures of us jumping, (they took pics all the way down and yes i did get a copy, but they are int he room, sorry still no pics) so they were like thanks ian, thanks very much. So did the 5m, and then 3 of my group including me did the 10m, again i had to go first, well didn't have to but as i said i don't wanna thing about it. 10m is quite a height and we was advised if you don't land right then you could really hurt yourself.
well he who dares rodder's he who dares. :)
OK got picked up from hostel, taken to a place just outside Geraldine, to a lovely place, built of wood in the middle of nowhere, but next to a lovely river. some great scenery again.
So had some free tea, got into our wet suits, boots, fleeces, jackets and everything else they gave us to keep us warm. had a briefing, we are going to start off on a couple of number 1 grade rapids, work and work our way up to, grade 5, which is the highest you can do out here, well that the law will allow anyway. sounds great, can't wait.
OK had a little 10min bus ride to the top of the river. Have been put into a group of 6 people and got a guide called Kam. Seems pretty cool, but i guess you would be with a job like this. All jumped into the boat. this is all pretty calm here at the top, we first have to practice rowing in sync, forwards backwards. while the guide steers. yeah he doesn't row just steers, anyway it looks like its gonna be hard work, i hope its not as hard work as surfing.
So down the river we went, i was at the front typical, no one else would do it, so Ian to the rescue again.
wow what fun i had, i didn't fall out, but the guide made 2 other english guys fall out, which was quite funny. Not really sure how to describe the rafting, was wet great fun and knackering. Being at the front there was quite a few waves that went straight over my head, so a few time si thought i was drowning, but obviously survived.
Oh at the end of the rafting we had the opportunity of jumping of some cliffs, one at 5m, and the other at 10m. Boy my group loved me, well most people jumped off the 5m, but again no one was will to go first, but the way i see it i would rather go first then sit up the top and think about it. So Ian to the rescue again. da da da d da, super length..... lol
So anyway i volunteered to go first, and i was going first all my other group had to jump next before everyone else as they were taking pictures of us jumping, (they took pics all the way down and yes i did get a copy, but they are int he room, sorry still no pics) so they were like thanks ian, thanks very much. So did the 5m, and then 3 of my group including me did the 10m, again i had to go first, well didn't have to but as i said i don't wanna thing about it. 10m is quite a height and we was advised if you don't land right then you could really hurt yourself.
well he who dares rodder's he who dares. :)
10th November 2007, LOTR rohan. (christchurch)
First off sorry for no pictures, i am on a PONY PC that will not expect my memory card or pen-drive. but alot of people want this updated so enjoy.....
Im rather excited today i get to go see where they filmed Lord of the Rings Rohan scenes which was out of film 2 twin towers.
Got onto the bus it takes about 2hrs to drive out there, and the bus is full so i had to take the front seat. thats ok with me, i get a better view of the country side. So we got commentary on the way, things like how the discovered the place. apparently it was peter jacksons scouts was flying a plane around and didn't find what they were looking for, but on the way back they flew over this valley and they called peter he came down and had a look and they filmed there.
Well there is a little more to it then that, other things we were told was, that it took 8months for them to build the town, which was mainly out of polystyrene they then filmed the scenes only the outside as the inside of the hall was done in a studio in wellington. the filming only took 8 days to do, and then they took it all down, apparently the government said peter could do all this work in NZ as long as he left it the way he found it, bummer really it would of been nice to have the town there and actually walk round it.
Anyway, got there and wow it was so amazing. the valley they choose is really really spectacular, got plenty of pics, we first of took pics from the distance then took the 6 wheel jeep over the streams, only just making it mainly because the driver forgot to engage the wheel nuts, anyway we made it, stood on the hill thing that the town was built on and stood around for a while taking lots of pictures, was there for a good 30-40mins. Still can't believe the scenery was so amazing.
then had lunch which was free, we had sandwiches, wine and cake. nothing special but was good enough. then back to Christchurch, we i vegged out for the day, watched another film sorry people, but its either watch and film or something or go out drinking and yes i have done enough of that.
P.S sorry for the late updating this, but when traveling round New zealand with the stray bus, there is not much internet available plus i am on and off the bus pretty much everyday. the places they did have internet it was $5 for 30mins, where i ususal pay $3 for an hour. sod that.
Im rather excited today i get to go see where they filmed Lord of the Rings Rohan scenes which was out of film 2 twin towers.
Got onto the bus it takes about 2hrs to drive out there, and the bus is full so i had to take the front seat. thats ok with me, i get a better view of the country side. So we got commentary on the way, things like how the discovered the place. apparently it was peter jacksons scouts was flying a plane around and didn't find what they were looking for, but on the way back they flew over this valley and they called peter he came down and had a look and they filmed there.
Well there is a little more to it then that, other things we were told was, that it took 8months for them to build the town, which was mainly out of polystyrene they then filmed the scenes only the outside as the inside of the hall was done in a studio in wellington. the filming only took 8 days to do, and then they took it all down, apparently the government said peter could do all this work in NZ as long as he left it the way he found it, bummer really it would of been nice to have the town there and actually walk round it.
Anyway, got there and wow it was so amazing. the valley they choose is really really spectacular, got plenty of pics, we first of took pics from the distance then took the 6 wheel jeep over the streams, only just making it mainly because the driver forgot to engage the wheel nuts, anyway we made it, stood on the hill thing that the town was built on and stood around for a while taking lots of pictures, was there for a good 30-40mins. Still can't believe the scenery was so amazing.
then had lunch which was free, we had sandwiches, wine and cake. nothing special but was good enough. then back to Christchurch, we i vegged out for the day, watched another film sorry people, but its either watch and film or something or go out drinking and yes i have done enough of that.
P.S sorry for the late updating this, but when traveling round New zealand with the stray bus, there is not much internet available plus i am on and off the bus pretty much everyday. the places they did have internet it was $5 for 30mins, where i ususal pay $3 for an hour. sod that.
Monday, 19 November 2007
9th Novemeber 2007. Christchurch.
OMG some people are so fucking rude. mister american arsehole im not gonna introduce myself and be a big fat cock all my life. Decided he is getting up, i think going to work, anyway at 6:30am. but instead of being nice and quiet im gonna slam bathroom doors and wake up the whole universe.
Thanks.
So i finally got up as i was not gonna be sleeping. decided i would change rooms there is enough rooms in this place so i can find one that i like surely. would like some good sleep for a change.
So changed rooms to one with just 2 women in it. american women, but nice enough or seems it anyway. No i didn't wake them up, they were actually rather impressed i managed to come into the room, take a shower and move about without waking them up.
so by the time they actually woke up it was infact around 12pm, we had a chat and that. then they were going for a cheap lunch. $5 for a curry. Well im game for that sort of price.
So they invite me along we go for some curry. wasn't bad. well was pretty good for $5. They seem like nice girls they are traveling together have a car, and are going out tonight and want me to come along. Well ok twist my arm, you know me never like to drink much, but being the gentleman i am, have to escort these lovely women out for the evening. its a hard life.
so i left them there were gonna walk round the botanical garden and do some shopping or something (don't get me started again. lol )
so i left them to it and went to the information place. to book some stuff. So looks like there are a few things to do around here. first off i want to do a lord of the rings tour, i get to go see rohan. which should be pretty good booked that for tomorrow, and the next day the 11th i will go do some white water rafting.
Oh yeah also booked my bus tour round NZ, wow i just spent lots of money in a matter of minutes, not good, but will be worth it, i hope.
so took a walk round the town and botanical gardens, got back to the hostel and had some dinner, then watched another film. went to bed
Thanks.
So i finally got up as i was not gonna be sleeping. decided i would change rooms there is enough rooms in this place so i can find one that i like surely. would like some good sleep for a change.
So changed rooms to one with just 2 women in it. american women, but nice enough or seems it anyway. No i didn't wake them up, they were actually rather impressed i managed to come into the room, take a shower and move about without waking them up.
so by the time they actually woke up it was infact around 12pm, we had a chat and that. then they were going for a cheap lunch. $5 for a curry. Well im game for that sort of price.
So they invite me along we go for some curry. wasn't bad. well was pretty good for $5. They seem like nice girls they are traveling together have a car, and are going out tonight and want me to come along. Well ok twist my arm, you know me never like to drink much, but being the gentleman i am, have to escort these lovely women out for the evening. its a hard life.
so i left them there were gonna walk round the botanical garden and do some shopping or something (don't get me started again. lol )
so i left them to it and went to the information place. to book some stuff. So looks like there are a few things to do around here. first off i want to do a lord of the rings tour, i get to go see rohan. which should be pretty good booked that for tomorrow, and the next day the 11th i will go do some white water rafting.
Oh yeah also booked my bus tour round NZ, wow i just spent lots of money in a matter of minutes, not good, but will be worth it, i hope.
so took a walk round the town and botanical gardens, got back to the hostel and had some dinner, then watched another film. went to bed
8th November 2007, Christchurch New Zealand.
Hey i am so excited off to a new location and new country which is a great feeling after being stuck in sydney for 7 days. and those at the end where pretty long days.
So left Sydney at 9:30am and arrived in Christchurch at 2:30pm. i am now 13 hrs ahead, and looking on a globe it appears i am pretty much exactly half way round the world. wow scary thought i think. but pretty exciting at the same time.
So the sun is shining weather is sweet. Not a really hot day, but still sun is better then bloody rain. Yeah i bet a get a few comments about it, seen as i have been rubbing it in for england. wonder if it is still raining there.
So got to christchurch, i am in a hostel called cokeys, which my sister informs me she stayed at, says it is a good one, lets see. First impressions it looks old, but it is big.
So did the usual went round christchurch, did the walk around thing and get to know the place. went to a information centre, there quite a few things i wanna do round here, like the lord of the rings city rohan was filmed round here and they do tours, white water rafting and a few others.
at the moment i just got some leaflets, to give me this evening to look over them and decided what i wanna do.
So treated myself and got a KFC for dinner, went back to the hostel meet some room mates, not sure there name now, some koren guy and some american which didn't actually introduce himself anyway. well nevermind.
Went down to the bar, had one beer to celebrate getting out of oz alive. lol. Then got kicked out the bar as there wasn't enough people in there to keep it open. how shit is that.
So went to the TV room, meet a lovely women called lorry ( i think) she was a american chinese women, with dreads, not seen that before, she has had a heavy night and was watching movies all day. anyway watched another movie with me, and i went to bed pretty much after that.
So left Sydney at 9:30am and arrived in Christchurch at 2:30pm. i am now 13 hrs ahead, and looking on a globe it appears i am pretty much exactly half way round the world. wow scary thought i think. but pretty exciting at the same time.
So the sun is shining weather is sweet. Not a really hot day, but still sun is better then bloody rain. Yeah i bet a get a few comments about it, seen as i have been rubbing it in for england. wonder if it is still raining there.
So got to christchurch, i am in a hostel called cokeys, which my sister informs me she stayed at, says it is a good one, lets see. First impressions it looks old, but it is big.
So did the usual went round christchurch, did the walk around thing and get to know the place. went to a information centre, there quite a few things i wanna do round here, like the lord of the rings city rohan was filmed round here and they do tours, white water rafting and a few others.
at the moment i just got some leaflets, to give me this evening to look over them and decided what i wanna do.
So treated myself and got a KFC for dinner, went back to the hostel meet some room mates, not sure there name now, some koren guy and some american which didn't actually introduce himself anyway. well nevermind.
Went down to the bar, had one beer to celebrate getting out of oz alive. lol. Then got kicked out the bar as there wasn't enough people in there to keep it open. how shit is that.
So went to the TV room, meet a lovely women called lorry ( i think) she was a american chinese women, with dreads, not seen that before, she has had a heavy night and was watching movies all day. anyway watched another movie with me, and i went to bed pretty much after that.
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