Hey everyone! Roadtip time!
For those of you who haven't seen it, here is a handy little map I made detailing our roadtrip:
Map!
Right now we are at point number three, Rotorua. We skipped point number one (Tongariro National Park) because the weather was REALLY unpredicable that day... We kept getting massive bouts of rain, then sun, then hail, and it is mountainside which is always even more unpredictable. Instead we just went on to Taupo and saw the gorgeous lake there, and took a good long hottub bath.
Day two saw us driving out of Taupo to this little cafe ten minutes away in a sculpture garden called L'Arte. Took some good pictures and had an absolutely FANTASTIC breakfast. Though that was the first time I've ever had eggs benedict on potato!
After that we headed out to Huka falls. Parked the car, grabbed a bag and some water, and went off for a really great walk. Took some fantastic pictures (if only I could upload them!) and a couple videos, including one of me talking to a sheep. We didn't actually get to the end of the trail... It was supposed to be a two hour walk there and a two hour walk back, but the gate closes at 6 pm and we dilly-dallied so hard on our way there that we had to turn around and hoof it the way back. My nose was a little sunburnt, but otherwise it was quite a good time.
Then we drove up to Rotorua, checked into the hostel and then went to the grocery store. Made ourselves a really great stir fry dinner, hung out for a bit and went to bed late.
It is now almost noon, and looks to be the start of another great day. We're planning on staying in Rotorua for another night, hit the sulfur springs, geysers and volcanic activity, and then keep on trekking tomorrow!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
All on my lonesome!
So, the fellowship has been torn asunder!
Matt and Natalie wandered off on their own separate ways, today. Natalie up the east cost to Napier, and Matt down to Picton on the south island. I, however, am still in Wellington due to the painting that is currently paying for my hostel. I've finished the first part of it, and now only need to do the second (smaller) half tomorrow.
I've taken pictures, but my connection here is sloooow and I'm too lazy to upload them right now. :) Maybe when I'm really bored tomorrow...
Natalie is due back in town on monday (she's only going for the weekend), and Matt is due back wednesday, or so. However, from the sounds of it the place he really wanted to go, the Juggler's hostel in Picton, is closed for the winter! So he might be back early.
I've been drawing like a mad woman the last few days, but alas! I have no scanner, so I cannot show you. :( Up until today I didn't really get to use my laptop to draw, because matt and natalie would often take it over to check email/watch a movie (matt's laptop doesn't have a dvd drive), etc... But now that I don't have them to worry about, perhaps I can actually use my own computer. :P
Really, really, really looking forward to the workshop. The excitement has been building in me for days, but I still have 25 days to go! Aaagggh....
Matt and Natalie wandered off on their own separate ways, today. Natalie up the east cost to Napier, and Matt down to Picton on the south island. I, however, am still in Wellington due to the painting that is currently paying for my hostel. I've finished the first part of it, and now only need to do the second (smaller) half tomorrow.
I've taken pictures, but my connection here is sloooow and I'm too lazy to upload them right now. :) Maybe when I'm really bored tomorrow...
Natalie is due back in town on monday (she's only going for the weekend), and Matt is due back wednesday, or so. However, from the sounds of it the place he really wanted to go, the Juggler's hostel in Picton, is closed for the winter! So he might be back early.
I've been drawing like a mad woman the last few days, but alas! I have no scanner, so I cannot show you. :( Up until today I didn't really get to use my laptop to draw, because matt and natalie would often take it over to check email/watch a movie (matt's laptop doesn't have a dvd drive), etc... But now that I don't have them to worry about, perhaps I can actually use my own computer. :P
Really, really, really looking forward to the workshop. The excitement has been building in me for days, but I still have 25 days to go! Aaagggh....
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
So, we're still here.
We're still in Wellington! There hasn't been a lot going on, so I haven't updated... Also the internet connection is too slow to really upload batches of pictures, so I've been avoiding posting...
The weather here has been nice and we've been spending our time being lazy, hanging out with friends, at the beach, going to the Weta cave and the botanical gardens.
It looks like I have a small job doing a simple mural for the bar next door, so I'll be here for the next few days, at least.
We're feeling lazy and comfortable, which is a bad combination! But good at the same time, I think. Wellington is a good city, just very laid back...
Food is more expensive than it should be, and the sushi isn't as good as one would expect, being so close to the sea. The wind is cold but smells warmly of salt, and you never really have to walk for more than ten minutes, unless you want to go to the beach.
Been making friends with backpackers, which I can tell you are a weird, weird bunch. Definitely a hippy/bohemian air, down here, and I can't say that I always fit in, but they are fun to hang out with - even if it gets to be a bit much!
Picked up a new book, recommended by a new friend - "Steppenwolf" by Hermann Hesse. Only a few pages in, so far.
I'm really, really excited for the workshop in November. I wish it was tomorrow! But no, I have to wait nearly a month!
Also, there is nanowrimo to look forward to!
Catch you all later!
The weather here has been nice and we've been spending our time being lazy, hanging out with friends, at the beach, going to the Weta cave and the botanical gardens.
It looks like I have a small job doing a simple mural for the bar next door, so I'll be here for the next few days, at least.
We're feeling lazy and comfortable, which is a bad combination! But good at the same time, I think. Wellington is a good city, just very laid back...
Food is more expensive than it should be, and the sushi isn't as good as one would expect, being so close to the sea. The wind is cold but smells warmly of salt, and you never really have to walk for more than ten minutes, unless you want to go to the beach.
Been making friends with backpackers, which I can tell you are a weird, weird bunch. Definitely a hippy/bohemian air, down here, and I can't say that I always fit in, but they are fun to hang out with - even if it gets to be a bit much!
Picked up a new book, recommended by a new friend - "Steppenwolf" by Hermann Hesse. Only a few pages in, so far.
I'm really, really excited for the workshop in November. I wish it was tomorrow! But no, I have to wait nearly a month!
Also, there is nanowrimo to look forward to!
Catch you all later!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Back in Welly!
We're back in Wellington! Yesterday it was pouring rain as we drove around trying to find some place to camp for at least ONE night... Alas, rivers were getting so bad they were flooding, so we decided it wasn't the greatest idea to go camping again. We also had to call off going to the bird sanctuary! I really wanted to go, but there was just nothing for it. :( So, we spent the whole day driving around in the New Zealand country side.
A few notes about New Zealand:
The country is very much like Canada, and very much not. It's as if everything is just a *little* off. For example, you really don't appreciate how flat Canada is until you come here... everything is hills hills hills or valley! (Or mountain!) A lot of the hills are covered only in grass, and appear to have stripes. The stripes, we've discovered, are made by the sheep, as they graze along the side of the hills. Very peculiar!
Also, the vegetation here is odd. It looks like it belongs in Canada, but then you look for another moment and you realise it's completely wrong! I suppose because down in the valleys it doesn't ever get below freezing (or at least very rarely), they have palm trees lying around every once in a while! Sometimes right beside an ever green!
So our little roadtrip (if you'd like to follow it on a map) took us from Wellington, north on highway three to New Plymouth, south the next day to Mt. Taranaki, then back to New Plymouth after that massive failure. Stayed another day in New Plymouth, then down to Wanganui, then to Palmerston north for a night, and then we took highway two back down to Wellington. Anyway, we're back in Wellington now for the next six days. Gotta figure out the plan for the next month, work out where we want to be.
In the meantime, here's a portrait I did of Natalie! Enjoy.
A few notes about New Zealand:
The country is very much like Canada, and very much not. It's as if everything is just a *little* off. For example, you really don't appreciate how flat Canada is until you come here... everything is hills hills hills or valley! (Or mountain!) A lot of the hills are covered only in grass, and appear to have stripes. The stripes, we've discovered, are made by the sheep, as they graze along the side of the hills. Very peculiar!
Also, the vegetation here is odd. It looks like it belongs in Canada, but then you look for another moment and you realise it's completely wrong! I suppose because down in the valleys it doesn't ever get below freezing (or at least very rarely), they have palm trees lying around every once in a while! Sometimes right beside an ever green!
So our little roadtrip (if you'd like to follow it on a map) took us from Wellington, north on highway three to New Plymouth, south the next day to Mt. Taranaki, then back to New Plymouth after that massive failure. Stayed another day in New Plymouth, then down to Wanganui, then to Palmerston north for a night, and then we took highway two back down to Wellington. Anyway, we're back in Wellington now for the next six days. Gotta figure out the plan for the next month, work out where we want to be.
In the meantime, here's a portrait I did of Natalie! Enjoy.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
On the Road Again...
So, everyone is sick. And no, not because of that bloody mountain, but because Matt got something on the plane, gave it to me, and then I gave it to Natalie. Mt. Doom didn't help, though!
It's been raining straight for the last two days, so we've kept inside - either in the car, an art museum, or a hostel. Two days ago we were in New Plymouth, but now we are in Wanganui (forgive me if it's spelt wrong!), which is a very pretty little town on a river.
Since we got here yesterday (Sunday) everything was either already closed, or closed at 3 pm (!!). I've noticed so far that everything opens really early, but closes really early too. Backwards of Canada!
Anyway, only a minute of internet left, so I have to run. I'll post pictures when I can get wireless. Catch you all later! <3
It's been raining straight for the last two days, so we've kept inside - either in the car, an art museum, or a hostel. Two days ago we were in New Plymouth, but now we are in Wanganui (forgive me if it's spelt wrong!), which is a very pretty little town on a river.
Since we got here yesterday (Sunday) everything was either already closed, or closed at 3 pm (!!). I've noticed so far that everything opens really early, but closes really early too. Backwards of Canada!
Anyway, only a minute of internet left, so I have to run. I'll post pictures when I can get wireless. Catch you all later! <3
Friday, October 3, 2008
Promises
I promise I will never, ever again try to climb a mountain without knowing what the hell I'm doing.
I promise I will never, ever again disregard the words "fast-changing weather", "major mountain erosion" or "rock slips".
I promise I will never, ever again disregard weather forecasts.
I promise I will never, ever again disregard the words "fast-changing weather", "major mountain erosion" or "rock slips".
I promise I will never, ever again disregard weather forecasts.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Updates from Wellington!
So here's a bit more of an update for you.
We got into Wellington two days ago at 9:00 am, and met a world of pouring rain. Took a shuttle to the hostel where we met up with Natalie, and found we couldn't book into our rooms until 2:00 pm. This wasn't a huge issue, as we could leave our bags locked up in the hostel. So we went exploring a little bit (in the rain), got some chicken for lunch, wandered around some more, signed into the hostel, met some cool people, drank some wine, had a free meal, and went to bed at 9:30.
Yesterday we spent the day shopping for camping supplies, so we're all set to leave today at noon for wild adventures in the unknown!
Wellington is incredible, and the people are too. Backpacking is interesting - the hostel vibe is very infectious and one finds oneself being much more social than one is used to!
Today we're leaving to pick up the rental car at noon (the cheapest way to get to the mountain and back) and we'll be driving for 6 hours to get to Mt. Taranaki/Egmont.
Basically we're going to die. :)
It means, however, that we'll be out of contact for about a week.
I love you all and I will post as soon as I get back. <3
We got into Wellington two days ago at 9:00 am, and met a world of pouring rain. Took a shuttle to the hostel where we met up with Natalie, and found we couldn't book into our rooms until 2:00 pm. This wasn't a huge issue, as we could leave our bags locked up in the hostel. So we went exploring a little bit (in the rain), got some chicken for lunch, wandered around some more, signed into the hostel, met some cool people, drank some wine, had a free meal, and went to bed at 9:30.
Yesterday we spent the day shopping for camping supplies, so we're all set to leave today at noon for wild adventures in the unknown!
Wellington is incredible, and the people are too. Backpacking is interesting - the hostel vibe is very infectious and one finds oneself being much more social than one is used to!
Today we're leaving to pick up the rental car at noon (the cheapest way to get to the mountain and back) and we'll be driving for 6 hours to get to Mt. Taranaki/Egmont.
Basically we're going to die. :)
It means, however, that we'll be out of contact for about a week.
I love you all and I will post as soon as I get back. <3
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