Mon 22nd Dec - Dunedin
A later than usual 10.45am pick up for our 'Bottom Bus' 3 day trip to Dunedin, Invercargill and Milford Sound. Roger our guide arrives in the smaller minibus which he will be driving us in untill weds morning when we will be boarding again the big bus for the journey to Milford Sound.
The drives has one stop where we grab some food, then we continue onto Dunedin where Roger then gives us a guided tour whilst on the minibus.. using the microphone to tell us about the University City... where he studied many years ago.
We pass through the centre of the city and stop at the 'World's Steepest Street'.. Baldwin Street...very random!
After checking in at our hostel, me and Rachel head out for a stroll around the city, stopping to see Dunedin's Railway Station...apparently the most photographed building in the country.
Back at the hostel we head downstairs for a couple of drinks with Max from the bus and upon checking my messages I see that Annie has let us know that the hostel back in Queenstown have announced there are beds now available over xmas.. I quickly phone up and we are now sorted till 27th! We cook omelette.. and watch home alone to get into the xmas spirit.. despite the warm weather that greets us each day!
A later than usual 10.45am pick up for our 'Bottom Bus' 3 day trip to Dunedin, Invercargill and Milford Sound. Roger our guide arrives in the smaller minibus which he will be driving us in untill weds morning when we will be boarding again the big bus for the journey to Milford Sound.
The drives has one stop where we grab some food, then we continue onto Dunedin where Roger then gives us a guided tour whilst on the minibus.. using the microphone to tell us about the University City... where he studied many years ago.
We pass through the centre of the city and stop at the 'World's Steepest Street'.. Baldwin Street...very random!
After checking in at our hostel, me and Rachel head out for a stroll around the city, stopping to see Dunedin's Railway Station...apparently the most photographed building in the country.
Back at the hostel we head downstairs for a couple of drinks with Max from the bus and upon checking my messages I see that Annie has let us know that the hostel back in Queenstown have announced there are beds now available over xmas.. I quickly phone up and we are now sorted till 27th! We cook omelette.. and watch home alone to get into the xmas spirit.. despite the warm weather that greets us each day!
Tues 23rd Dec - Invercargill
A beautiful sunny day with clear blue skies in every direction. Today we are travelling to Invercargill via The Caitlins, the southest part of New Zealand.. and maybe the most south I will ever travel..
The route takes us round the coast. On route we pick up Helen, and then stop for a beachside coffee/tea.. Feliz Navidad.
After the morning tea break our first stop is Nugget Point, where we have views of the coastal line from a lighthouse lookout, see huge rocks protruding from the crashing sea. After Curio Bay the next stop is Antarctica..!
Before lunch we make a stop for a walk down a couple of beaches to see sea-lions (New Zealand’s largest native mammal). After lunch we have a walk through forest to a water fall, then make an ice cream stop before heading to see a 180 million year-old fossilised forest and the home to the world's rarest penguins.. the Yellow Eyed Penguins.. unfortunately we don't see any.. but we hear one in the bushes! A great day aided by beauitful weather.
In Invercargill we have a few drinks, cook food and have a relaxed evening. I am now keen to book up the 134m Nevis Bungy Jump, and plan to get onto the same grouping as my friends from the Kiwi Bus.. Kai, Rikard, Jonathan and Anna!
A beautiful sunny day with clear blue skies in every direction. Today we are travelling to Invercargill via The Caitlins, the southest part of New Zealand.. and maybe the most south I will ever travel..
The route takes us round the coast. On route we pick up Helen, and then stop for a beachside coffee/tea.. Feliz Navidad.
After the morning tea break our first stop is Nugget Point, where we have views of the coastal line from a lighthouse lookout, see huge rocks protruding from the crashing sea. After Curio Bay the next stop is Antarctica..!
Before lunch we make a stop for a walk down a couple of beaches to see sea-lions (New Zealand’s largest native mammal). After lunch we have a walk through forest to a water fall, then make an ice cream stop before heading to see a 180 million year-old fossilised forest and the home to the world's rarest penguins.. the Yellow Eyed Penguins.. unfortunately we don't see any.. but we hear one in the bushes! A great day aided by beauitful weather.
In Invercargill we have a few drinks, cook food and have a relaxed evening. I am now keen to book up the 134m Nevis Bungy Jump, and plan to get onto the same grouping as my friends from the Kiwi Bus.. Kai, Rikard, Jonathan and Anna!
Weds 24th Dec - Milford Sound
Today I wake to some sad news, a miss call and message on my phone reading 'You need to phone home' doesn't bode well and my thoughts turn to my grandad who has been in hospital for the past few weeks. I call home (using my international sim) and am hit with the news that my Grandad has passed away. The tears fall heavily, I sink into the sofa, loneliness hits me with the distance I find myself from home, heightened by the christmas season, struggling to find words to converse. I find Rachel in the kitchen and a welcome hug.
The bus is leaving shortly so I quickly pack up and head downstairs, board the bus and take time to digest the news.. writing my thoughts down..
The sun is shining and blues skies once again surround me.. but it's christmas eve.. how alien to me.
The tears that had filled my eyes clear, and I can only smile at the memory of my grandad. He was the happiest, loveable gentleman you could wish to meet and I hope to live by he's influences. He took life in his stride with a cheeky smile.
How short my time will also come to pass.
Soon before Te Anau, we depart the minibus and board the big green bus, reuniting once again with many of our friends. In Te Anau I call home again to speak more freely, I am feeling better and with many friends.. with a trip to the beautiful Milford Sound ahead of us.
The whole journey proves to live up to my expectations (I have been looking forward to seeing the scenery here since booking up my New Zealand trip), a non stop continuation of stunning views!
Places like these remind us how small and insignificant we are in the grand schemes of things..
During the long bus drive back to Queenstown (8 hours!) I watch Jersey Boys on my tablet.. a movie that lives up to the success of the musical.. non stop hits.. I'm constantly humming along.
Back in Queenstown (having had some wine on the bus) we continue the pre drinks before heading out for a big night..christmas tunes played throughout the final hour as we welcome in christmas at midnight!
Merry Chrismas.. Feliz Navidad
Today I wake to some sad news, a miss call and message on my phone reading 'You need to phone home' doesn't bode well and my thoughts turn to my grandad who has been in hospital for the past few weeks. I call home (using my international sim) and am hit with the news that my Grandad has passed away. The tears fall heavily, I sink into the sofa, loneliness hits me with the distance I find myself from home, heightened by the christmas season, struggling to find words to converse. I find Rachel in the kitchen and a welcome hug.
The bus is leaving shortly so I quickly pack up and head downstairs, board the bus and take time to digest the news.. writing my thoughts down..
The sun is shining and blues skies once again surround me.. but it's christmas eve.. how alien to me.
The tears that had filled my eyes clear, and I can only smile at the memory of my grandad. He was the happiest, loveable gentleman you could wish to meet and I hope to live by he's influences. He took life in his stride with a cheeky smile.
How short my time will also come to pass.
Soon before Te Anau, we depart the minibus and board the big green bus, reuniting once again with many of our friends. In Te Anau I call home again to speak more freely, I am feeling better and with many friends.. with a trip to the beautiful Milford Sound ahead of us.
The whole journey proves to live up to my expectations (I have been looking forward to seeing the scenery here since booking up my New Zealand trip), a non stop continuation of stunning views!
Places like these remind us how small and insignificant we are in the grand schemes of things..
During the long bus drive back to Queenstown (8 hours!) I watch Jersey Boys on my tablet.. a movie that lives up to the success of the musical.. non stop hits.. I'm constantly humming along.
Back in Queenstown (having had some wine on the bus) we continue the pre drinks before heading out for a big night..christmas tunes played throughout the final hour as we welcome in christmas at midnight!
Merry Chrismas.. Feliz Navidad
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| With my friends, husband and wife, Carlos (Spain) and Domi (Venezuelan) |
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| With Helen |
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