Jeepers, was the last post we did really all the way back at the Glaciers?! It felt like only yesterday we were clambering over giant ice cubes and dodging light speed rivers of ice. Maybe that's because since then we have done so flipping much, hence we've never been able to get near man greatest ever invention.
Lets start from where we left off, Franz Josef and Fox Glacier. The weather did clear up and in the end we had clear skies in which to enjoy these natural wonders. Ignoring safety signs we clambered over the face and really appreciated the size of them. After careful measurement, we were able to come to the conclusion that they were even bigger than Ryan's feet. Impressive to say the least. On leaving the Glaciers and west coast, we also left the rain behind. Didn't feel another drop until Christchurch so this allowed us to enjoy New Zealand's finest offerings in all their glory.
After guiding Zeus through the winding and beautiful Haast Pass, we landed in Wanaka. To say it was beautiful, is an understatement the likes of which has never been heard. Snow capped peaks mirrored as they tower above crystal clear lakes was just so inviting. So seizing the moment, like magnificent men in their flying machines, we were carried up to the heavens before throwing ourselves (or thrown!) out of our winged chariots and hurtled towards the ground at a mere 60 meters per second. At that speed even the the most tight browed plastic surgery addict from Hollywood, has jowls like a turkey and cheeks so puffed out that they could park their limousines inside! But, what a stunning way to see Mt. Aspiring National Park and the tallest Mountain in Oceania, Mt. Cook. For those who would prefer us to be less hasty in our sight seeing and not leave such a dent with our carbon foot print, mountains were scaled and time taken to appreciate and take in this most scenic, beautiful, awe inducing, inspiring countryside. Note should also be paid to the St. Andrews Presby church visited in the morning that provided us with a fabulous lunch and then the Lighthouse that gave us plenty to think about. Check these out WHEN, not if you are ever in the area.
After the biggest adrenaline rush of our lives, we headed to Queenstown. For those in the know and with backpacking knowledge, this is not only the adrenaline capital of South Island, or NZ but the whole world. Bank balances could be drained like Tescos turkeys at Christmas time so just a few hours after falling from 12,000ft we decided to jump in a boat strapped to 7000 horses or seahorses more likely. Well it was fast and more nerve racking than Ryan driving Zeus blindfolded, but what a laugh. Don't worry Zeus was never driven blind although Matthew's road kill count would suggest otherwise. Almost a National Sport, smooshing Australia's introduced possums is taught to learner divers along side learning which pedal does what and knowing that a car has 4 wheels and an engine. The abundance of road side mess makes a huge feast for the countless birds of prey and we imagine they must must see road sides as a motorway buffet diner. If only our food was as cheap.
It was in Queenstown that our paths split for the first time in 4 months. While Ryan, hauled his bag over 1500m up and 48km along, Matthew and Rory took a leisurely drive and met him at the other side the next day. A sweaty mess, but with sights etched in to his memory, Ryan slept like a baby that night eager about the next day and the jewel of NZ's tourist industry. Carved thousands of years ago, by what must have been colossal ice cubes, Milford Sound boasts 600m high near vertical cliffs that plunge into deep fiords stolen from the west coast of Norway. Pipped to be the 8th wonder of the world, Milford sound is infested with cruise boats and noisy tourists, nearly falling over board as they try to get that perfect snap shot of Mitre Peak; a 1900m guardian of the fiord. Well, we were 3 of those tourists and like the millions who have gone before us, blown away by the incredible beauty.
What to do after seeing something like that? Getting lost down a dark cave with only one torch between the 3 of us is quite exciting, and bowling for the first time in 4 months down in Invercargill is pretty good, but lets face it, Milford Sound and Mt. Aspiring National Park are the balls! We had made it from Cape Reinga at the very top, all the way to Bluff right at the south and although route 1 will take you more directly, the extra few kms we had travelled between them was more than worth it. We even picked up a German hitch hiker along the way and discussed how relations between our 2 great countries could be mended while listening to hard core German hip hop, Zie Hail!
Dunedin was our next port of call and to be honest it beat all expectations. A thriving student city it boasts not just Cadbury World, or the First Church of Otago (Presby, obviously darlings), or the steepest street in the world (which we scaled (but not in Zeus)), but it's biggest and bestest boast is that it's home to Speights Brewery, "Pride of the South". Never has beer been so educational and a guide so enthralling. A free bar afterwards was made the most of before getting back in Zeus and driving north to Oamaru and its colony of blue penguins. Don't fret, fortuanately we had designated Matthew driver and that may be because he doesn't like beer. That explains why he thinks we're British then.
A night of fishing landed numerous dogfish, not sharks as Ryan first screamed, and a few penguin sightings. Small and blue, we decided not to have them for dinner and instead Matthew blinded them with his flash photography. The next day it was our final road trip, and Ryan coaxed dear Zeus up the final few hundred kms to Christchurch where we were to try and sell our beloved friend.
The next 2 days give us plenty of time to think how much fun we had enjoyed with our trusty steed and how much we would miss her, as not one soul paid a blind bit of interest in her even after we had spruced her up and got her looking sparkly clean. It wasn't until our final day at the market that Sarah, all the way from the french Alps, laid eyes on beautiful Zeus and immediately fell in love with her. It wasn't long before we had a whole lot more money in our wallets and one less bed to sleep in. Capital of the South, Christchurch was very beautiful and full of charm. Still we had only the morning to enjoy it before we were whisked away by Mr. Qantas to our new home in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
A whole lot warmer and more people than we could shake a stick at, being back in a proper, global city was exciting and the prospect of a shower a day made us pee a litlle with excitement. A huge metrapolis we were chauffeured around the city first by Declan, and then landed in Ben and Julia's manse in the suburbs. Contacts of a contact of Matthews father, it was strange but very quickly we were made to feel very welcome and this soon became a home from home. After attending Ben's Taiwanese church and 2 hours of interpretation, their son Jeff guided us around the sights sounds and magicians of Brisbane. Like Melbourne, everyone was outside enjoying themselves, while eating and drinking, and unlike NZ it didn't all close down at 6pm.
It's here that we have once again parted company. While Rory and Matthew journey south to Byron Bay to visit friends, Ryan has ventured north to the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier reef.
Now before my free meal ticket expires, I must bolt, but I'm sure by the next time we get a chance to compile another volume of rubbish, there will be countless more stories and exploits with which to make you unhealthily bitter that you are not out here with us.
Love, hugs and kisses to all.
Adieu
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment