As I think I have mentioned before Internet access for free is extremely rare here in New Zealand. But luckily the ferry has free wifi of all places.
I shall now try to summarize my past week of travels.
We started in Hahei. It was a nice beach town. I didn't swim in the ocean. Only rolled my pant legs up and got my legs wet. It was so hot and sunny and I kept thinking of the movie 'Goonies'. I don't know why. I just did. We had a group BBQ that night and I made potato salad for everyone. They seemed to enjoy it. The next day we headed to Raglan. It was kind of in the bush where we stayed. Very pretty place. All green and like a camp. They had glow worms along there drive living in the thick underbrush. Very cool to see at night.
The next day we headed out again. This time to Waitomo. That is where we went blackwater tubing. Fun day. The guides we had in the caves told us they had gps. But it doesn't stand for what you think. It stands for glowworm positioning system. The reason for that is that the ceiling of the cave was covered with glowworms. So where they were you knew where the water travelled. Sam our one guide kept on telling us if we feel anything touching our legs or backs it was just the eels. People were actually scared which I found funny. That night we stayed at a Mourea which is a Maori meeting house. They welcomed us in a traditional ceremony and later taught us all the haka. Very fun.
We went to Rotorua and Taupo the following day. Basically didn't do anything. Hung out with Holly, a girl I have become friends with from Surrey England. Her brothers friend was in Taupo as well so we hung out with him. And I made pancakes from memory and they were okay. They didn't have maple syrup but we did have caramel topping for them.
So the next place was Whakahoro, but pronounced fukawhoreo. Wh makes a 'f'sound in Maori. This was probably the highlight of my trip so far. We stayed at a place called Blue Duck Lodge. So beautiful there that I cried during hike I did when I reached one of the look out points. Niels, a guy on the bus from Denmark, ran the hike trail that took me 3hrs and he did it in 43 minutes. Didn't beat the record of 35 mintues though. I got the meal option there for dinner which was goat curry. If you have time you should google Blue Duck Lodge and take a look at what it does. A very impressive place.
After that we headed to Tongariro National Park. Almost everyone did the mountain hike up mount Tongariro. I didn't but I will try to do a winter crossing in August. Instead of the hike, the few of us who stayed behind washed the bus which was actually pretty fun. I also read 'digital fortress' by Dan Brown (da Vinci code author). It was a pretty good book. I have caught a cold now. Not too bad of one yet so when we were in Wellington yesterday I didn't do anything. Slept alright but had a super early start today. Actually writing this post on the Bluebridge ferry on my way to the south island. So today is going to be pretty boring since it's just traveling by boat and then by bus to our destination. But tomorrow is a day off from traveling. We are staying in Abel Tasman tonight and tomorrow. Should be pretty. It's another national park.
That's about all I can think of for what I have been up to. Looking forward to not being on the bus at all tomorrow. Oh and I called this post 'a-stray' since the bus tour I am on is Stray.
"hey you guys!"-sloth 'goonies'
Monday 25 February 2013
Thursday 14 February 2013
Whirl Wind
Sorry to all you who live vicariously through this blog for not updating. Lots of little things to do.
Lets back track a few days. I did a mountain type hike with Candy on Monday, then went and saw the fireworks in the harbor. Loads of people were there. Monday was also my last night in Hong Kong, and after the fireworks I went to meet up with the So's at a friend of there's place. Very posh place. Early that week Candy had shown me some local listings for apartments and stuff, and one was 55million HK $. And that was the building where I ended up having my last dinner. So a very nice place. The people were really nice too. Wendy and Denis, who were originally from Calgary and who are moving back this summer, Justin from Seattle who is doing a year in Hong Kong for work, and the rest I won't try to spell in case I get it wrong. But there were people from Adelaide Australia, Malaysia, and England. So a very diverse group, and I was the only one who didn't understand most of the conversations.
Tuesday morning, Candy, Thomas and I went to a sport type club (members only of course) where we had lunch and then watched a Lion Dance. I have video of both the fireworks and Lion Dance that I will try to upload along with photos, this weekend. I just keep either forgetting my camera, or camera cord to upload them. So continuing my journey, I flew out of Hong Kong Tuesday afternoon. Once again I got a seat change (I don't know if I mentioned that I ended up having an aisle seat on the way to Hong Kong, but I did) so I wound up with another aisle seat, and once again did not sleep. I watched Bourne Legacy, Hope Springs, Looper, and Bourne Identity. So all in all I have caught up on some great movies on these flights.
Arrived in Auckland and took a shuttle into town with some nice people. A kiwi couple, and a couple from the States. Very nice people. Got to the hostel and checked in. I have extended my stay at Ponsonby Backpackers until Tuesday, when I leave on the Moe Stray tour. But since I have been here I have set up my bank account, got a cell for emergency's, got my IRD card set up (and it will be mailed to where I am basically ending my tour), figured out wiring money today, and yeah just the small stuff. Grocery shopped, which wasn't fun. Food is expensive, but I did get some apples, bananas, and some bread to start off with. The hostel has fridges and a kitchen where you can make your own food up. Very handy.
I got in touch with friends of my cousins who live in Christchurch, and will hopefully meet up with them for a few days when I finish my tour, and then head a little farther south to Dunedin to meet up with a friend of my mom's.
It has been hard for me coming from Canada where free wifi is basically everywhere, to Hong Kong where I had free access to it at the place I stayed, to here in New Zealand, where you have to pay for it everywhere except for the library I have found. You can get like 30mins or something along those lines from some places if you purchase like a drink or food from them. So I feel like you people back at home, you got to realize how freaking lucky you are with the wifi and texting and all that new gadgetry. I really am glad now that I didn't bring my laptop. It would have just been a massive weight on my back that I wouldn't be able to use.
Now, I am going to truth out a bit. I really didn't think I would miss home, but I am. I think it's Honey that I miss the most, and my own bed. The comfort of the known, versus the unknown. I am way out of my comfort zone, but am glad that people are really nice and speak english. It also got better after I met Janette. A woman who has been travelling for over a year now all throughout south east asia and australia and everywhere it seems really. She was really cool. She left today though to continue her travels. Another girl, Yoko from Japan, is staying for the next couple days and seems like a really nice girl, kind of quiet and shy like me.
I really haven't done much since I got to Auckland other than the boring stuff like the bank and such. But there is to be a big PRIDE Parade tomorrow along Ponsonby road, so that should be fun. I might visit the museum or walk along the harbor in the next few days as well. I don't know. Anything is possible and I should just keep an open mind right?
"Good heavens, people."-Mr. Bennett 'Pride and Prejudice' Kiera Knightly version
Lets back track a few days. I did a mountain type hike with Candy on Monday, then went and saw the fireworks in the harbor. Loads of people were there. Monday was also my last night in Hong Kong, and after the fireworks I went to meet up with the So's at a friend of there's place. Very posh place. Early that week Candy had shown me some local listings for apartments and stuff, and one was 55million HK $. And that was the building where I ended up having my last dinner. So a very nice place. The people were really nice too. Wendy and Denis, who were originally from Calgary and who are moving back this summer, Justin from Seattle who is doing a year in Hong Kong for work, and the rest I won't try to spell in case I get it wrong. But there were people from Adelaide Australia, Malaysia, and England. So a very diverse group, and I was the only one who didn't understand most of the conversations.
Tuesday morning, Candy, Thomas and I went to a sport type club (members only of course) where we had lunch and then watched a Lion Dance. I have video of both the fireworks and Lion Dance that I will try to upload along with photos, this weekend. I just keep either forgetting my camera, or camera cord to upload them. So continuing my journey, I flew out of Hong Kong Tuesday afternoon. Once again I got a seat change (I don't know if I mentioned that I ended up having an aisle seat on the way to Hong Kong, but I did) so I wound up with another aisle seat, and once again did not sleep. I watched Bourne Legacy, Hope Springs, Looper, and Bourne Identity. So all in all I have caught up on some great movies on these flights.
Arrived in Auckland and took a shuttle into town with some nice people. A kiwi couple, and a couple from the States. Very nice people. Got to the hostel and checked in. I have extended my stay at Ponsonby Backpackers until Tuesday, when I leave on the Moe Stray tour. But since I have been here I have set up my bank account, got a cell for emergency's, got my IRD card set up (and it will be mailed to where I am basically ending my tour), figured out wiring money today, and yeah just the small stuff. Grocery shopped, which wasn't fun. Food is expensive, but I did get some apples, bananas, and some bread to start off with. The hostel has fridges and a kitchen where you can make your own food up. Very handy.
I got in touch with friends of my cousins who live in Christchurch, and will hopefully meet up with them for a few days when I finish my tour, and then head a little farther south to Dunedin to meet up with a friend of my mom's.
It has been hard for me coming from Canada where free wifi is basically everywhere, to Hong Kong where I had free access to it at the place I stayed, to here in New Zealand, where you have to pay for it everywhere except for the library I have found. You can get like 30mins or something along those lines from some places if you purchase like a drink or food from them. So I feel like you people back at home, you got to realize how freaking lucky you are with the wifi and texting and all that new gadgetry. I really am glad now that I didn't bring my laptop. It would have just been a massive weight on my back that I wouldn't be able to use.
Now, I am going to truth out a bit. I really didn't think I would miss home, but I am. I think it's Honey that I miss the most, and my own bed. The comfort of the known, versus the unknown. I am way out of my comfort zone, but am glad that people are really nice and speak english. It also got better after I met Janette. A woman who has been travelling for over a year now all throughout south east asia and australia and everywhere it seems really. She was really cool. She left today though to continue her travels. Another girl, Yoko from Japan, is staying for the next couple days and seems like a really nice girl, kind of quiet and shy like me.
I really haven't done much since I got to Auckland other than the boring stuff like the bank and such. But there is to be a big PRIDE Parade tomorrow along Ponsonby road, so that should be fun. I might visit the museum or walk along the harbor in the next few days as well. I don't know. Anything is possible and I should just keep an open mind right?
"Good heavens, people."-Mr. Bennett 'Pride and Prejudice' Kiera Knightly version
Saturday 9 February 2013
New Year!
Been in Hong Kong for a few days now and I think it's beautiful. The only place I have been in the world that is both a mountain and an island, and it literally blows my mind thinking about all the buildings and roads literally carved out of rock.
On Friday I went with Candy to the wet market and the lunar flower market and it was extraordinary. So many people in such a limited amount of space and they make it function. The flower market had not only flowers but food toys and even things like mops and steamers. Very cool place.
Yesterday we went for dim sum and it was amazing. I even ate the tofu, which wasn't anything like the tofu back home. It was really good. Thomas then went with me to the Peak where they have this mountain tram that takes you up. At the top there are a lot of things to do. You can walk the peak trail, shop, go to one of the restaurant, or they also have a Mme Tussauds wax museum. I really wanted to see the wax museum so Thomas agreed to go with me through it. It was really cool and I have tonnes of pictures from it. They had an Obama figure :D
After that we walked the peak a bit but I got distracted by some dogs..... So when we met up with Conrad we rewalked part of it so I saw Victoria harbor. Then he drove around the island a bit and showed me some of he others sites. Omg the roads are curvy. It was like going on a roller coaster. By the end of the hour drive I was feeling a bit queasy. And I should have kept it to myself. I told Thomas on the elovator ride up and he told his brothers. Victor and James found it amusing, very amusing.
I then helped make wontons. It was fun. They became part of what we ended up cooking during the hot pot dinner that they hosted. I met some of there church friends and cousins. It was fun. A big family dinner. I didn't eat much since I was still full from dim sum and my stomach was still a bit wonky from the drive.
It was fun watching after the meal had been finished how the boys went off and watched futball and the parents went into the other room and started singing and playing guitar. The one girl who came, Jessica, actually lives in Melbourne and goes to uni there. She was pretty cool and we talked a lot of the night. I still find it cool that they almost have British accents :)
Today I went for a walk near there house on this trail that a lot of people were jogging. I walked for about 2.5hrs and saw a dragon dance while over looking a square, and even the Manulife building :)
It had wonderful views but it's been very cloudy, so hard to see anything to far away.
"are you not entertained?!"- Maximus 'Gladiator'
On Friday I went with Candy to the wet market and the lunar flower market and it was extraordinary. So many people in such a limited amount of space and they make it function. The flower market had not only flowers but food toys and even things like mops and steamers. Very cool place.
Yesterday we went for dim sum and it was amazing. I even ate the tofu, which wasn't anything like the tofu back home. It was really good. Thomas then went with me to the Peak where they have this mountain tram that takes you up. At the top there are a lot of things to do. You can walk the peak trail, shop, go to one of the restaurant, or they also have a Mme Tussauds wax museum. I really wanted to see the wax museum so Thomas agreed to go with me through it. It was really cool and I have tonnes of pictures from it. They had an Obama figure :D
After that we walked the peak a bit but I got distracted by some dogs..... So when we met up with Conrad we rewalked part of it so I saw Victoria harbor. Then he drove around the island a bit and showed me some of he others sites. Omg the roads are curvy. It was like going on a roller coaster. By the end of the hour drive I was feeling a bit queasy. And I should have kept it to myself. I told Thomas on the elovator ride up and he told his brothers. Victor and James found it amusing, very amusing.
I then helped make wontons. It was fun. They became part of what we ended up cooking during the hot pot dinner that they hosted. I met some of there church friends and cousins. It was fun. A big family dinner. I didn't eat much since I was still full from dim sum and my stomach was still a bit wonky from the drive.
It was fun watching after the meal had been finished how the boys went off and watched futball and the parents went into the other room and started singing and playing guitar. The one girl who came, Jessica, actually lives in Melbourne and goes to uni there. She was pretty cool and we talked a lot of the night. I still find it cool that they almost have British accents :)
Today I went for a walk near there house on this trail that a lot of people were jogging. I walked for about 2.5hrs and saw a dragon dance while over looking a square, and even the Manulife building :)
It had wonderful views but it's been very cloudy, so hard to see anything to far away.
"are you not entertained?!"- Maximus 'Gladiator'
Friday 8 February 2013
Hong Kong
The flight to Hong Kong was long and I watched like 7 movies I think.
I didn't sleep on the flight at all and yes mom I got up and walked around every so often. I actually ended up with an aisle seat so had to get up a lot just to let the others out.
I like the So's place. Conrad and James have colds so James was at home when I got here. I had a shower and a nap and then the other boys got home from school. I went with Thomas into Causeway bay area, and wandered for a bit by myself. Thomas had piano lessons so he went to that.
When I got back and every one but Victor was home, he had drama lessons, we had a nice family style meal.
When Victor did come home we has an in-depth discussion about pokemon with Thomas. Today Candy is taking me with her to the market.
"live long and prosper"- Spock 'star trek'
I didn't sleep on the flight at all and yes mom I got up and walked around every so often. I actually ended up with an aisle seat so had to get up a lot just to let the others out.
I like the So's place. Conrad and James have colds so James was at home when I got here. I had a shower and a nap and then the other boys got home from school. I went with Thomas into Causeway bay area, and wandered for a bit by myself. Thomas had piano lessons so he went to that.
When I got back and every one but Victor was home, he had drama lessons, we had a nice family style meal.
When Victor did come home we has an in-depth discussion about pokemon with Thomas. Today Candy is taking me with her to the market.
"live long and prosper"- Spock 'star trek'
Tuesday 5 February 2013
Flying
I have spent a lot of time today in airports. Some in toronto but mostly in Vancouver.
It was interesting to fly and have a lay over for nearly a day to say the least. I got to spend it with my aunt rose and uncle gord. They fed me, and watered me, and walked me. We took the sky train into the city and I got to try and nap at the public library. Then we spent more time in the airport and played some crazy eights.
I have left my cell in there possession, so don't try texting or calling it, you wont get an answer.
I also have left (on purpose) my laptop behind in a friends keeping. So I might be slow sometimes in emailing or facebooking people back. I am currently sitting at my gate with 4 hours to go.
"no power in the verse can stop me"- river 'firefly'
It was interesting to fly and have a lay over for nearly a day to say the least. I got to spend it with my aunt rose and uncle gord. They fed me, and watered me, and walked me. We took the sky train into the city and I got to try and nap at the public library. Then we spent more time in the airport and played some crazy eights.
I have left my cell in there possession, so don't try texting or calling it, you wont get an answer.
I also have left (on purpose) my laptop behind in a friends keeping. So I might be slow sometimes in emailing or facebooking people back. I am currently sitting at my gate with 4 hours to go.
"no power in the verse can stop me"- river 'firefly'
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