This is my last day in NZ! It's kind of crazy being back in Christchurch, because this is where I started my trip. It seems like a very long time ago that I was last here. I did so much since then ( Read more... )

Hello! Over the last couple of days, I traveled to Havelock and then did the Nydia track, a 2 day hike. The most interesting thing about the hike was where I stayed. I stayed at this backpackers that was along the way that I'm not quite sure how to describe. Part hippie commune, part crazy bush-people abode, part "environmental caretaker/ ( Read more... )

I'm all better (at least mostly). Still a little sniffly, but that's OK. I had an AWESOME day yesterday! I went from rugged, snowy mountains to tropical paradise in just a couple hours!! I went to Punakaiki, which is on the west coast. There were so many cool things there! Beautiful rock covered beaches, tide pools with starfish and muscles, ( Read more... )

I'm feeling a little under the weather today. Luckily, I'm in a really cool hostel, so laying low isn't too much of a problem. I think I'll be fully recovered tomorrow. I've read almost an entire book today! That's all for now. I'm going to a tiny town tomorrow, so I don't know when I'll next update this, but I'll let you all know when I'm all

I spent the last few days in Fox Glacier and hiking the Copland trail to the Welcome Flat hut and beyond! Fox Glacier is this tiny town next to, you guessed it, a glacier! By the way, the word Glacier sounds a lot cooler when a kiwi says it than when I say it. I've been practicing my NZ accent just for that word ( Read more... )

If you haven't read the previous entry, read it before this one ( Read more... )

OK, I have a lot to write about here, so bear with me... I just did THE MOST INCREDIBLE WALK IN THE WORLD! Sorry to scram at you with the all caps, but that's the only way to get the point across without using dirty words. Imagine the most incredible rain forest you've ever walked though. Then add some alps-style humungo mountains, some alpine ( Read more... )

A few things I've noticed since last time I traveled in hostels ( Read more... )

OK, I know it's lame to talk about coffee when I'm in NZ, but here's the deal. I like coffee. The only options here seem to be espresso drinks or crappy coffee, and I mean folger's crystals quality. Lucky for me, espresso is just fine, particularly since a certain someone in Seattle got me hooked. The trick is knowing what to order. I finally ( Read more... )

I made it to NZ!! I even slept on the airplane, thanks to a glass of wine, 2 Tylenol PMs and an entire row to myself. I got in a full 8 hours, even ( Read more... )