Oh well, I tried to remember everything.
(Heh... that having been said, I managed to leave my ipod in my checked bag in Auckland AFTER not forgetting to charge it but hey! I'm getting good at bird whistles so... yeah!)
Anyway, just wanted to give you guys a smidgen (correct spelling? word at all?) of a post so that you won't give up on me. Basically, the trip sans the rents has been fairly exciting as well (though I do miss them and dear Palmy). It began with a chance happening of going to a jewelry showcase (fair thing) in Auckland the night of Mere and Pere's departure. Great selection of stuff and made a lot of contacts, including a teacher in Dundedin who studied at the Zeichenakademie under Herr Schulz-Wahle!!! I'll be visiting her on invitation too, if all goes well on the South Island!
Basically, I took a tip to Hahei, or "the Coromandel" where we dug a hotwater tub in the sand (biggest our busdriver, Skins, had ever seen a group make.... fit for 10!) late at night an looked at the stars (hello Southern Cross), then went to Raglan where there were some awesome beaches and waves and a very cool hostel... definitely the place to go (in summer) for surfing, Then to Maketu where we partook in some Maori tradition (food, watching performance and learning the Haka, etc), through Rotorua (I did caving and saw Angora Rabbit shearing somewhere in this mix) onto Taupo (the had a plane on display in McDonalds where my Brazilian friend and I drank cappacinos inside!!! Also the craziest, drinkingest trivia night ever FOLLOWED the next day by SKYDIVING! I hadn't planned on it, but weather looked bad for Tongariro so... yes. Post to follow on that with pictures), National Park (indeed that... went skiing with the two french girls from the bus! IN JULY! A feat for us all!), and down to Wellington where met up with dear Joan again.
Joan is now my best Kiwi friend probably ;) She is also working on earning points for her party she's getting when she next visits SC, btw... My bus driver, Skins, was a great Kiwi friend as well. In addition, the bus was made up of a great and colorful crew from Germany (as Johnno, my caving guide said, "I don't know how there are any Germans left in Germany, with all the ones I meet here, eh?"), Holland, England, France, Canada, Brazil, and me.
After coming to Wellington, I hitched a ride with Skins over the ferry to Picton, Abel Tasman, and back to Nelson the next day. Nelson had a great saturday market full of artisans and craftspeople... finally got some gifts there. Spent the night with the Irwins who were extremely hospitable and sweet, despite my short notice, and hiked around. I then took the scenic ferry back (saw Star Trek too.. yay!) to Joan and have since decide to extend my stay.
I'll admit, I've been taking it easy here in Wellington, but I've had a cold to be reckoned with (which is another reason I'm glad I didn't have to fly) so it's been nice. I've also visited about every goldsmith possible in Wellington and atleast heard Kiwis at the Korari (?) sanctuary, as well as seen many other neat birds and things.
Today, of course, it's been incredibly sunny as I've ironed out all my plans and bankwork and internets, so I think it's finally time to go outside... after all... sun... in WELLINGTON...
much love and hopefully pictures next time~!
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3 comments:
I love that you have made a friend named SKINS! You are so hardcore, Claire. Keep updating!
Okay, I see it, I see it. We have more people you can connect with down Queenstown way if you need, thanks to Raj. Check email for details. Maybe you'll run into a friend with a camera cord. If not, we can wait.
What do you see, Dad?
Sounds good on those contacts! Email them me!!! I also have Joan's brother to contact... which reminds me, I need to call her. Thanks for checking in on me so much!!!
My new driver is BP (as in, the gas station) and also really cool. I will update quickly on what I'm doing actually (I hate expensive internet!)
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