Sun 28th Dec - Lake Tekapo
After a heavy night I'm up and getting ready to depart Queenstown after a great four nights. I say bye to Kai and the rest of the gang and then board the bus with our new driver Dave.. a laid back funny guy.. and a cheese filled playlist.. Bewitched?!
As we drive away from Queenstown I have time to grab my camera and take my last few photos of the beautiful scenery. I have downloaded Series 2 of the BBC drama series The Fall and watch three episodes during the journey to Lake Tekapo!
On route we stop a few times for some more stunning views.. it is a beautiful clear day and our view across the Lake we stop at to see Mount Cook in the distance is incredible! I am tempted to take the scenic flight later in the afternoon but decide that I have spent far too much already..
The hostel at Lake Tekapo is situated next to lakes and is very nice.. although the dorm is far too small for four people! We head to the lake to relax.. at first I am hesitant about going for a swim in the freezing cold waters but eventually go for a dip.. On route me and Rachel have made friends with Gareth & Becca.. a young couple from Wales... they are in the lake for ages!
Later in the evening we cook omelettes again.. our new 'go to dish'! At 1am the Spurs v Man U game is on.. I'm tempted to watch it but soon decide sleep is the better option... the final score 0-0 tells me I made the right decision.
After a heavy night I'm up and getting ready to depart Queenstown after a great four nights. I say bye to Kai and the rest of the gang and then board the bus with our new driver Dave.. a laid back funny guy.. and a cheese filled playlist.. Bewitched?!
As we drive away from Queenstown I have time to grab my camera and take my last few photos of the beautiful scenery. I have downloaded Series 2 of the BBC drama series The Fall and watch three episodes during the journey to Lake Tekapo!
On route we stop a few times for some more stunning views.. it is a beautiful clear day and our view across the Lake we stop at to see Mount Cook in the distance is incredible! I am tempted to take the scenic flight later in the afternoon but decide that I have spent far too much already..
The hostel at Lake Tekapo is situated next to lakes and is very nice.. although the dorm is far too small for four people! We head to the lake to relax.. at first I am hesitant about going for a swim in the freezing cold waters but eventually go for a dip.. On route me and Rachel have made friends with Gareth & Becca.. a young couple from Wales... they are in the lake for ages!
Later in the evening we cook omelettes again.. our new 'go to dish'! At 1am the Spurs v Man U game is on.. I'm tempted to watch it but soon decide sleep is the better option... the final score 0-0 tells me I made the right decision.
Mon 29th Dec - Christchurch
On route to Christchurch I finish watching The Fall! After checking into our hostel me and Rachel head out to explore the city.. I also want to find a music shop to be able to play the piano! In the reception I again bump into Amy (A welsh girl I first met in Oz and have since seen again in Queenstown!), Amy is flying back home this afternoon.. We all head to the nearby Botanical Gardens. When Amy has to head off to make her way to the airport, me and Rachel have a brief look around the gardens.. then go to the museum situated in the gardens, and after walk around the city seeing the impact of the 2011 earthquake..
At a shopping centre a short walk from the hostel I find a music shop and sit down to play the piano.. I find a music book with a few pieces I know and then begin.. and struggle to play.. oh dear.. I haven't touched a piano for 4 months and it is showing! In the evening me, Rachel, Gareth and Becca joke about in the common room.
Tues 30th Dec - Kaikoura
Today is another early start and a new driver Arias. On route to Kaikoura I listen to some more of my Spanish podcasts. We meet Laura, from England, who has been in Christchurch for about a week. On arrival to Kaikoura we stop at a lookout point.. low clouds cover much of the views.
It is very humid here and I decide to spend the afternoon chilling out in the hostel whilst Rachel, Laura and a few others head off for a coastal walk. Becca has also gone on a dolphin encounter trip. After cooking a (very tasty.. am I right Rachel?) meal we all watch I Am Legend.
.... Gareth's snoring wakes me up in the nights.. urghhh.. haha!
Today is another early start and a new driver Arias. On route to Kaikoura I listen to some more of my Spanish podcasts. We meet Laura, from England, who has been in Christchurch for about a week. On arrival to Kaikoura we stop at a lookout point.. low clouds cover much of the views.
It is very humid here and I decide to spend the afternoon chilling out in the hostel whilst Rachel, Laura and a few others head off for a coastal walk. Becca has also gone on a dolphin encounter trip. After cooking a (very tasty.. am I right Rachel?) meal we all watch I Am Legend.
.... Gareth's snoring wakes me up in the nights.. urghhh.. haha!
Weds 31st Dec - Wellington
Using the wifi at the hostel, overnight I have downloaded Gone Girl and Shrek.. after a listening to another episode of my spanish podcast I begin watching Gone Girl whilst we journey on the bus to Picton where we then take the ferry across to Wellington. I finish the film on the ferry.. an intense drama, with many twists in the plot and great acting. The journey on the ferry is around 3 hours and so next I watch Shrek with Becca.. 'that's a nice boulder'.. and begin drinking..
Once in Wellington we make the short drive to the hostel where we have a free BBQ dinner .. Gareth pulls the short straw with an uncooked chicken skewer.. (getting some alcohol supplies beforehand). In our dorm we drink, Karin from my bus in Kaiteriteri to Franz Josef is here as well so we catch up and she joins us. Francesca .. an Italian girl from the bus.. has thought that me and Rachel were a couple.. so is surprised when she finds out that we aren't and is unable to get her head around the fact that we have travelled together without any ´jiggy jiggy´ ..
After pre drinks we first head to the basement bar at the hostel then head out to Electric Avenue before walking to the harbour front to watch the fireworks at midnight. Somehow I manage to knock over Laura when frantically crossing the road.. oh no... !! She´s up and off! The fireworks are a let down .. afterwards me, Laura.. along with Gareth and Becca (I´m told in the morning) and Laura's friends head to an Irish Bar with a live band where we spend the rest of the night.
Using the wifi at the hostel, overnight I have downloaded Gone Girl and Shrek.. after a listening to another episode of my spanish podcast I begin watching Gone Girl whilst we journey on the bus to Picton where we then take the ferry across to Wellington. I finish the film on the ferry.. an intense drama, with many twists in the plot and great acting. The journey on the ferry is around 3 hours and so next I watch Shrek with Becca.. 'that's a nice boulder'.. and begin drinking..
Once in Wellington we make the short drive to the hostel where we have a free BBQ dinner .. Gareth pulls the short straw with an uncooked chicken skewer.. (getting some alcohol supplies beforehand). In our dorm we drink, Karin from my bus in Kaiteriteri to Franz Josef is here as well so we catch up and she joins us. Francesca .. an Italian girl from the bus.. has thought that me and Rachel were a couple.. so is surprised when she finds out that we aren't and is unable to get her head around the fact that we have travelled together without any ´jiggy jiggy´ ..
After pre drinks we first head to the basement bar at the hostel then head out to Electric Avenue before walking to the harbour front to watch the fireworks at midnight. Somehow I manage to knock over Laura when frantically crossing the road.. oh no... !! She´s up and off! The fireworks are a let down .. afterwards me, Laura.. along with Gareth and Becca (I´m told in the morning) and Laura's friends head to an Irish Bar with a live band where we spend the rest of the night.
 |
| #thehappycouple.. |
Thurs 1st Jan Dec - Wellington
Me, Rachel and Laura are all up late in the morning...and around midday head out for lunch.. we head to the harbour front to explore and find somewhere to eat.. we see many people stood at the top of a platform jumping into the water below.. JUMP JUMP.. one girl takes an age.. the slow clap doing nothing to speed her up..
We find a trendy pizza restaurant.. we order three pizzas to share and have our first drink of the year (in the day).. a delicious meal with great company.
After eating we go and explore the museum.. and then it's time for ice cream (Rachel's favourite pastime..!), back at the hostel we chill out.. later in the evening after eating some dinner we head back out for a few drinks.
On our return to the hostel a message pops up on Rachel's phone.. Georgie will be in Wellington tomorrow late afternoon/early evening.. great news.. we will change our bus departure date to Sat 3rd in order to stay and catch up with Georgie!
Fri 2nd Jan - Wellington
I'm up early... 6.15am in order to stream the footy.. Spurs v Chelsea (.. last time ending 3-0 when I watched the reverse fixture in Auckland..). I use the hostel computer and find a high quality stream.. At 1-0 down I have the thoughts of here we go again.. 'why did I get up!'.. But in the space of a crazy 20min the score is 3-1 at half time.. exciting viewing! The receptionist is also a Spurs fan.. we are both cheering the goals. Karin, and Laura are both leaving this morning.. we will see Laura again in Taupo but Karin is heading back to work at River Valley. The game ends 5-3.. I am now cheering in a busy reception full of travelers having breakfast..! On my return to the dorm I'm excited to tell Rachel .. haha .. she's not too impressed.. it's still early! Soon I'm back asleep.
Annie is also in Wellington, so around midday Annie comes to the hostel to meet me and Rachel.. we then head into the city where we take the cable car up to the Botanical Gardens. It is a nice afternoon stroll through the gardens and back down to the city.. we are soon ready for a drink back by the harbour front!
Back in the hostel I have another brief nap.. Rachel wakes me to the news that Georgie is not coming anymore.. what.. WHAT.. NOO!! .. but she is in fact winding me up.. Georgie suddenly appears around the door.. happy days! We all share a bottle of wine and catch up, with many stories to share since we last saw Georgie in Wellington around three weeks ago. We head out for a tasty Mexican meal followed by a few drinks and a dance to a cheese filled playlist at Electric Avenue.. Bewitched.. It's great to be reunited, if only for one night! Tomorrow Georgie will continue on the Kiwi Bus to the South Island, whilst me, Rachel and Annie will take the bus up to Taupo.. our Kiwi Experience will soon be coming to an end.
I'm up early... 6.15am in order to stream the footy.. Spurs v Chelsea (.. last time ending 3-0 when I watched the reverse fixture in Auckland..). I use the hostel computer and find a high quality stream.. At 1-0 down I have the thoughts of here we go again.. 'why did I get up!'.. But in the space of a crazy 20min the score is 3-1 at half time.. exciting viewing! The receptionist is also a Spurs fan.. we are both cheering the goals. Karin, and Laura are both leaving this morning.. we will see Laura again in Taupo but Karin is heading back to work at River Valley. The game ends 5-3.. I am now cheering in a busy reception full of travelers having breakfast..! On my return to the dorm I'm excited to tell Rachel .. haha .. she's not too impressed.. it's still early! Soon I'm back asleep.
Annie is also in Wellington, so around midday Annie comes to the hostel to meet me and Rachel.. we then head into the city where we take the cable car up to the Botanical Gardens. It is a nice afternoon stroll through the gardens and back down to the city.. we are soon ready for a drink back by the harbour front!
Back in the hostel I have another brief nap.. Rachel wakes me to the news that Georgie is not coming anymore.. what.. WHAT.. NOO!! .. but she is in fact winding me up.. Georgie suddenly appears around the door.. happy days! We all share a bottle of wine and catch up, with many stories to share since we last saw Georgie in Wellington around three weeks ago. We head out for a tasty Mexican meal followed by a few drinks and a dance to a cheese filled playlist at Electric Avenue.. Bewitched.. It's great to be reunited, if only for one night! Tomorrow Georgie will continue on the Kiwi Bus to the South Island, whilst me, Rachel and Annie will take the bus up to Taupo.. our Kiwi Experience will soon be coming to an end.
No comments:
Post a Comment