A piece of advice, New Zealand is very beautiful but DO NOT go in Winter, i am not joking when i say it is freezing. There have not been many days when the temperature has been above zero.
As i mentioned in my last entry i was in Queenstown and planned to do some horse trekking in the afternoon. I really enjoyed the horse riding and we rode in an area called Glenorchy, alot of scenes from Lord of the Rings were filmed here, its all very beautiful (v.cold) . After the horse riding Fay, Hannah, Anna and myself could no longer feel our feet so we went to the pub for a drink before being picked up and taken back to our hostel. That night was fairly quiet as we had to be up early for the trip to Milford Sound the following day.
19th June (my birthday, yippee made it to 32) as mentioned we were up early, about 5.45am to make our way to Milford sound. My group and the tour guide had decorated the living area in balloons and streamers for my birthday, i got a card and some pressies which was really nice-a good start to the day! The drive to Milford was four and a half hours long, the scenary was fantastic, lots of snow (unusual for a June birthday) but very cold. After the coach journey we then had a boat journey of two hours before the long haul back to Queenstown. Everyone was shattered but i had a really nice birthday tea, and Sue (tour guide) made me a birthday cake with a big 32 in green shrek M and Ms, which was kind.
The following day (Wedensday 20th June) a few of the group went skiing while some of us went for a walk around the shops in Queenstown centre. It is great booking activities but then you miss out on getting a feel for a place. Had a very nice day anyway and in the evening off out to the pub, which turned out to be a very drunken evening indeed-but very funny!!!
Thursday 21st June in the morning we made our way to Arrowtown, a quaint little village with nice shops and just to the side are the remains of a Chinese settlement. There is lot of history in this town but again, very cold. We had a lovely gourmet pie to eat and had a few hot chocolates and by the time we went outside it seemed a little warmer. Then the snow came and it didn't stop snowing for quite some time, so much so that we stayed in Queenstown for 7 days, missing out on Mount Cook, which was such a shame but i do not think we would have seen anything anyway. By the time we left Queenstown (Sunday 24th) moral was a little low, but we were just glad to get out and carry on our trip. We had a one night stop in Christchurch and then made our way to Nelson. Before Nelson we were to stop at Kaikoura to go whale watching, unfortunately due to the bad weather it was cancelled, so instead we went wine and liquer testing-mmmm!That evening we stayed at a lovely hostel called the Accents of Trafalgar, really homely. We were here for two nights. The following day we spent in Able Tasman National Park, first sailing and then we did a 15km hike. (good scenary). Shattered that night we had an early night and then the following day we made our way to Wellington in the North Island of New Zealand. Wellington has a really good feel to it, lovely botanical gardens and an interesting museum. I like it because i was asked to prove i was over 18 in one of the bars, this also happened in Queenstown ( i like it there too). Today i am in an area called Ohakune where i am meant to be doing a 7-8 hour hike on the Tongariro crossing, however due to bad weather it has been cancelled and i am full of a cold anyway so probably for the best. Only five days left of this tour now, even though New Zealand is very beautiful i must say my enthusiasm is waning a little, plus i just can't get warm-craving tropical weather!! Will be in touch soon.
Andreax
Thursday 28 June 2007
Sunday 17 June 2007
Thermals, hats, gloves and layers
hello, so now i am in New Zealand, it is FREEZING!!!! I have had to invest in some thermal under wear but what a beautiful place i have come to. the scenary is so amazing its almost like being in a dream world. I am currently on a three week tour and with a group of 7 others including the guide. Most of the group are from the UK, apart from a Tara who is from Australia. We left Christchurch on the South Island on the 14th June and made our way to Punakaiki, a coastal town and stayed in a really nice hostel (although i am already craving for sleeping outdoors), its far too cold to camp! Here we did some really nice walks and lots of picture taking. On the 15th June we set off for Franz Joseph Glacier, we arrived after dark so had our evening meal and the we went for a walk down a track to look at the Glo worms. Shattered from all the walking i went to bed after this as i was booked on a three quarter day hike up Franz joseph Glacier on the 16th. Its so cold and all the pubs and hostels have twinkling lights you feel like it should be Christmas.
Saturday 16th June was my hike up the glacier, what a fantastic experience, walking through ice tunnels and crevaces and suprisngly i wasn't cold at all, but with the combination of walking and thermals it was fine. In the evening we were all shattered, we managed a few Vodkas but ended up in bed early. Early get up the following day as we had a 7 hour drive to Christchurch. On the way we stopped off at lake Matherson, Wanaika, a beautiful little town and Lake Hawea which has to be the most amazing thing i have ever seen. The water was so still had looked like it hadn't moved in a long time, totally breath taking. Anyway, i am currently in Queenstown for five nights, going horse riding this afternoon and tomorrow (my birthday) i spend the day at Milford Sound.
keep in touch
Lots of love
Andreaxxx
Saturday 16th June was my hike up the glacier, what a fantastic experience, walking through ice tunnels and crevaces and suprisngly i wasn't cold at all, but with the combination of walking and thermals it was fine. In the evening we were all shattered, we managed a few Vodkas but ended up in bed early. Early get up the following day as we had a 7 hour drive to Christchurch. On the way we stopped off at lake Matherson, Wanaika, a beautiful little town and Lake Hawea which has to be the most amazing thing i have ever seen. The water was so still had looked like it hadn't moved in a long time, totally breath taking. Anyway, i am currently in Queenstown for five nights, going horse riding this afternoon and tomorrow (my birthday) i spend the day at Milford Sound.
keep in touch
Lots of love
Andreaxxx
Goodbye to my fellow trekkers
hello how are you all? I am really sorry for the lack of blog entries but i am not sure where time has gone over the past few weeks, i am even in a different country since i last wrote. Anyway, i am going to do two separate entries today, one for my last few weeks in Australia and a second for my first few days in New Zealand.
Well back to Australia, i think i am up to Mission beach, if i have repeated, sorry!! After the Great Barrier reef we moved to Mission beach a little sea side town, a fantastic beach to walk up and down. In the afternoon i watched some of my friends sky dive and i must admit i was quite tempted but felt i did it in a better place over Victoria falls. Most of it was spent chilling out and walking along the beach at sunset, at night (full moon) and sunrise. On the 31st May most people went White water rafting while myself, Janne and Chris went to Dunk Island which is off Mission Beach and did a 13km walk up a mountain, it roughly took about 5 hours. Then in the afternoon we had lunch and sunbathed before taking the ferry back to Mission beach to our camp site. In the evening we had our evening meal, had another walk along the beach then had an early night as we had to be up early the following day for our drive to Airlie beach.
The drive from Mission beach to Airlie beach took roughly about 5-6 hours and we stayed at the Whitsundays camp ground. it had been raining and i was a bit disapointed that we had to cover our mosquito tent, but i suppose it is better than getting wet. The following day we were all booked on a Ragamuffin sailing tour across the Whitsundays so we had to be up early. They took us out to Pearl bay the most northern island of the Whitsundays. The cruise over was a bit of a mix of rain and hot sunshine, we were given yellow macs to wear. The rain didn't dampen the fun though and the crew got us involved in raising the sails etc. Once at Pearl bay they took us over to the island and we did some snorkelling, i took a few pictures with my underwater camera which i am quite pleased with. After about an hour we got back on the boat, had some lunch and the returned to shore. The ride back was fast and exhilarating, i was sat at the front end of the boat with a few others hanging on for life while getting soaked by the waves, it was hilarious. We even through in a few sea songs for example, we are sailing, row row row your boat, very funny! In the evening we went out to eat but everyone was shattered so we had an early night.
Another early get up the following day (Monday 4th June) as we had a 8 hour drive to Baralaba to the Myella farm stay. To be honest i didn't do too much here, i just chilled with some of the others did horse riding or motorbiking but i just fancied an easy day. The following day (5th June) we had another long drive to Redcliffe, we weren't doing much here apart from camping overnight before our ferry journey to Moreton Island. The weather in Redcliffe was terrible and we ended up sleeping on a sheltered veranda because we would have got soaked just putting up our tents. I was more than happy with this as it meant i could sleep in the open air as opposed to in the tent.
Wednesday 6th June, another early get up, this time to catch the ferry to Moreton Island, the cruise over was rough and the weather was again terrible but i did manage to spot some dolphins which was good to sea. the whole two days we were in Moreton in rained heavily and was freezing. We were staying in two beach homes which was quite cosy. Despite the weather we got a lot of sight seeing in had had such a laugh. Myself and Sarah spent the first evening cooking cakes for Jannes birthday for the next day. Thursday we had another tour around the island and then had jannes birthday party later on, where Janne made us all outfits out of plastic bin liners with decorations on them.
Friday 8th June we had another early get up and drove to Byron bay, set up camp and had an evening meal then went to bed. Woke up the next morning it was freezing, i though i had hypothermia and so did everyone else who slept outside, so we went shopping for warm clothes. I am determined to keep sleeping outside. Anyway the warm clothes worked and i had a good sleep, outside despite the cold weather. The day we left Byron bay the weather was really nice, and we had a walk along the beach, saw a hump back whale, they are moving north for the warmer weather at the moment.
We left Byron Bay about midday and set off for Port macquarie, again it was just a camping stop and the following day, we cleaned our camping equipment and did a stock check of everything for the end of the Australian tour. To be honest the mood was quite sombre after this, everyone on the tour has been so nice and we have just worked together so well it has been brilliant. The 11th June we moved to barrington tops about 4-5 hours from Sydney, absolutely amazing scenary. We stayed in a converted barn, open living area with two wood burning fires, lots of candles, absolutely perfect for the last night.
Tuesday the 12th June, was the last day, we made our way back to the travel lodge in Sydney. In the evening we all met up again, had a meal together and a good chat. A few of us stayed up all night as my flight was at 8am and had to be at the airport for 5am. Saying good bye to everyone was so sad. Even now i feel abit lost, for the past 42 days i have been living in very close proximity to 14 others and even when you are in the shower you know that one of the group is in the shower next to you. I have had a few emails and text messages saying that others feel the same too. The aussie trekkers were a really great bunch of people!!
Well back to Australia, i think i am up to Mission beach, if i have repeated, sorry!! After the Great Barrier reef we moved to Mission beach a little sea side town, a fantastic beach to walk up and down. In the afternoon i watched some of my friends sky dive and i must admit i was quite tempted but felt i did it in a better place over Victoria falls. Most of it was spent chilling out and walking along the beach at sunset, at night (full moon) and sunrise. On the 31st May most people went White water rafting while myself, Janne and Chris went to Dunk Island which is off Mission Beach and did a 13km walk up a mountain, it roughly took about 5 hours. Then in the afternoon we had lunch and sunbathed before taking the ferry back to Mission beach to our camp site. In the evening we had our evening meal, had another walk along the beach then had an early night as we had to be up early the following day for our drive to Airlie beach.
The drive from Mission beach to Airlie beach took roughly about 5-6 hours and we stayed at the Whitsundays camp ground. it had been raining and i was a bit disapointed that we had to cover our mosquito tent, but i suppose it is better than getting wet. The following day we were all booked on a Ragamuffin sailing tour across the Whitsundays so we had to be up early. They took us out to Pearl bay the most northern island of the Whitsundays. The cruise over was a bit of a mix of rain and hot sunshine, we were given yellow macs to wear. The rain didn't dampen the fun though and the crew got us involved in raising the sails etc. Once at Pearl bay they took us over to the island and we did some snorkelling, i took a few pictures with my underwater camera which i am quite pleased with. After about an hour we got back on the boat, had some lunch and the returned to shore. The ride back was fast and exhilarating, i was sat at the front end of the boat with a few others hanging on for life while getting soaked by the waves, it was hilarious. We even through in a few sea songs for example, we are sailing, row row row your boat, very funny! In the evening we went out to eat but everyone was shattered so we had an early night.
Another early get up the following day (Monday 4th June) as we had a 8 hour drive to Baralaba to the Myella farm stay. To be honest i didn't do too much here, i just chilled with some of the others did horse riding or motorbiking but i just fancied an easy day. The following day (5th June) we had another long drive to Redcliffe, we weren't doing much here apart from camping overnight before our ferry journey to Moreton Island. The weather in Redcliffe was terrible and we ended up sleeping on a sheltered veranda because we would have got soaked just putting up our tents. I was more than happy with this as it meant i could sleep in the open air as opposed to in the tent.
Wednesday 6th June, another early get up, this time to catch the ferry to Moreton Island, the cruise over was rough and the weather was again terrible but i did manage to spot some dolphins which was good to sea. the whole two days we were in Moreton in rained heavily and was freezing. We were staying in two beach homes which was quite cosy. Despite the weather we got a lot of sight seeing in had had such a laugh. Myself and Sarah spent the first evening cooking cakes for Jannes birthday for the next day. Thursday we had another tour around the island and then had jannes birthday party later on, where Janne made us all outfits out of plastic bin liners with decorations on them.
Friday 8th June we had another early get up and drove to Byron bay, set up camp and had an evening meal then went to bed. Woke up the next morning it was freezing, i though i had hypothermia and so did everyone else who slept outside, so we went shopping for warm clothes. I am determined to keep sleeping outside. Anyway the warm clothes worked and i had a good sleep, outside despite the cold weather. The day we left Byron bay the weather was really nice, and we had a walk along the beach, saw a hump back whale, they are moving north for the warmer weather at the moment.
We left Byron Bay about midday and set off for Port macquarie, again it was just a camping stop and the following day, we cleaned our camping equipment and did a stock check of everything for the end of the Australian tour. To be honest the mood was quite sombre after this, everyone on the tour has been so nice and we have just worked together so well it has been brilliant. The 11th June we moved to barrington tops about 4-5 hours from Sydney, absolutely amazing scenary. We stayed in a converted barn, open living area with two wood burning fires, lots of candles, absolutely perfect for the last night.
Tuesday the 12th June, was the last day, we made our way back to the travel lodge in Sydney. In the evening we all met up again, had a meal together and a good chat. A few of us stayed up all night as my flight was at 8am and had to be at the airport for 5am. Saying good bye to everyone was so sad. Even now i feel abit lost, for the past 42 days i have been living in very close proximity to 14 others and even when you are in the shower you know that one of the group is in the shower next to you. I have had a few emails and text messages saying that others feel the same too. The aussie trekkers were a really great bunch of people!!
Saturday 2 June 2007
Still Going Strong!
Well we arrived at Kakadu National Park on Tuesday 22nd May but prior to this we stopped at a educational centre called "Window on the Wetlands Visitor Centre" which was all about the wildlife,plants within kakadu National park.
We arrived at the campsite about 5pm and set up camp, as you are aware a few of us have ditched our tents and have been sleeping outside, which has been really good fun but we are legs and feet are now covered in Mosquito bites and we look like we all have the pox. The thing is we just don't want to sleep in the tents so myself and Sarah bought a little mosquito tent between us and we sleep in this and are still able to look at the stars. A few others have them too, its great and you still get that outside feeling too. So happy all round!! This day was quite along driving day so we had a dip in the pool and then a few of us went to watch the sunset over an Aboriginal site called Ubbir and consists of Rock Art which has been there for a thousand of years. The sunset over the wetlands was amazing and as usual i have taken alot of photos. This has definately been one of my favourite sunsets in Australia so far.
Sleeping in the Mosquito tent was fantastic, i feel so relaxed in the morning and you wake up naturally as well. This morning (Wednesday 23rd) we set off for Bowali Visitor centre within the National park which again displays the habitants of the park and also touches upon aboriginal life, really interesting stuff. We then headed for a short walk to the Nourlangie Rock Art site to look at some more Aboriginal art before moving on to Gunwarrdehwarrde look out point which gives an amazing view, the green bush against the blue hot sky is fantastic, i just love it all. We had lunch at Anbangbang billibong, which is situated at the base of Nourlangie Rock and is crowded with waterlillies and birds, there are croccodiles in their too-the worlds largest reptile. in the afternoon we went to the Aboriginal Culture centre which is again extremely interesting. I reallly like all the aboriginal art, i like the colours and much prefer it to the African art.
In the evening we moved to a new camp site, this tilme more of a bush camp, had a short walk, an evening meal and then early bed as we had to be up really early for the Yellow river cruise to see the big Croccodiles-Yeah!!!
In total saw alot of wildlife on the cruise and three of the biggest crocs i have ever seen -amazing!! had a close up look as well with my binoculars, sends shivers down your spine. After the cruise we set off travelling again to Daly Waters where we had some drinks, food and set up camp for the night.
the following day (Thursday 24th) was a big travelling day through the middle of nowhere. We stopped about 5pm and camp in the middle of no where with no toilets and guess what this was my best ever camping night. It was just brilliant to watch the stars and wake up in the ling grass, just so beautiful. Apparently in the night, cows came to join us but i was totally unaware, i find it really funny that at home i can hear a pin drop about ten miles away but when sleeping in the wild i fail to hear cows munching grass next to my head.
The next night we moved to Conclurry, just to camp really then the following day we moved to Mount Suprise where there is a guy called Russell that does a snake show. The snakes were fab and i was more than happy to have them drapped around my neck, they actually feel reallly good and not slimey at all-got some great pictures, i had one drapped around me for about an hour.
Monday 28th May, we were heading for the state of Queensland to the city Cairns, we stopped off at a place called Windy Hill Wind farm which lloked very much like somewhere in Europe and a beautiful waterfall callled Millaa Millaa. Cairns was great, spent Monday having a llok around and in the evening the weather was bad so we went to the cinema to watch Pirates of the Carribean 3. The next morning we spent the day on the Great Barrier Reef, i attempted scuba diving but i couldn't do it but i am determined to have some lessons back home and come back and go diving in the reef, (before i am 35), a little personal goal there!! I also learnt that i have a place at London School of Tropical medicine in September, so for those of you who had bets on that i wasn't coming home, you have been proved wrong.
Anyway i have just run out of time i have to go and meet the others for food and i still haven't told you about Mission beach and Airlie beach yet, will have to fill you in next time. keep safe,
Lots of Love
Andreaxxxx
We arrived at the campsite about 5pm and set up camp, as you are aware a few of us have ditched our tents and have been sleeping outside, which has been really good fun but we are legs and feet are now covered in Mosquito bites and we look like we all have the pox. The thing is we just don't want to sleep in the tents so myself and Sarah bought a little mosquito tent between us and we sleep in this and are still able to look at the stars. A few others have them too, its great and you still get that outside feeling too. So happy all round!! This day was quite along driving day so we had a dip in the pool and then a few of us went to watch the sunset over an Aboriginal site called Ubbir and consists of Rock Art which has been there for a thousand of years. The sunset over the wetlands was amazing and as usual i have taken alot of photos. This has definately been one of my favourite sunsets in Australia so far.
Sleeping in the Mosquito tent was fantastic, i feel so relaxed in the morning and you wake up naturally as well. This morning (Wednesday 23rd) we set off for Bowali Visitor centre within the National park which again displays the habitants of the park and also touches upon aboriginal life, really interesting stuff. We then headed for a short walk to the Nourlangie Rock Art site to look at some more Aboriginal art before moving on to Gunwarrdehwarrde look out point which gives an amazing view, the green bush against the blue hot sky is fantastic, i just love it all. We had lunch at Anbangbang billibong, which is situated at the base of Nourlangie Rock and is crowded with waterlillies and birds, there are croccodiles in their too-the worlds largest reptile. in the afternoon we went to the Aboriginal Culture centre which is again extremely interesting. I reallly like all the aboriginal art, i like the colours and much prefer it to the African art.
In the evening we moved to a new camp site, this tilme more of a bush camp, had a short walk, an evening meal and then early bed as we had to be up really early for the Yellow river cruise to see the big Croccodiles-Yeah!!!
In total saw alot of wildlife on the cruise and three of the biggest crocs i have ever seen -amazing!! had a close up look as well with my binoculars, sends shivers down your spine. After the cruise we set off travelling again to Daly Waters where we had some drinks, food and set up camp for the night.
the following day (Thursday 24th) was a big travelling day through the middle of nowhere. We stopped about 5pm and camp in the middle of no where with no toilets and guess what this was my best ever camping night. It was just brilliant to watch the stars and wake up in the ling grass, just so beautiful. Apparently in the night, cows came to join us but i was totally unaware, i find it really funny that at home i can hear a pin drop about ten miles away but when sleeping in the wild i fail to hear cows munching grass next to my head.
The next night we moved to Conclurry, just to camp really then the following day we moved to Mount Suprise where there is a guy called Russell that does a snake show. The snakes were fab and i was more than happy to have them drapped around my neck, they actually feel reallly good and not slimey at all-got some great pictures, i had one drapped around me for about an hour.
Monday 28th May, we were heading for the state of Queensland to the city Cairns, we stopped off at a place called Windy Hill Wind farm which lloked very much like somewhere in Europe and a beautiful waterfall callled Millaa Millaa. Cairns was great, spent Monday having a llok around and in the evening the weather was bad so we went to the cinema to watch Pirates of the Carribean 3. The next morning we spent the day on the Great Barrier Reef, i attempted scuba diving but i couldn't do it but i am determined to have some lessons back home and come back and go diving in the reef, (before i am 35), a little personal goal there!! I also learnt that i have a place at London School of Tropical medicine in September, so for those of you who had bets on that i wasn't coming home, you have been proved wrong.
Anyway i have just run out of time i have to go and meet the others for food and i still haven't told you about Mission beach and Airlie beach yet, will have to fill you in next time. keep safe,
Lots of Love
Andreaxxxx
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