TravelStream™ news feed for member littlepetal on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/littlepetal en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Wed, 21 May 2008 19:25:29 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/littlepetal/2/1210626000/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/littlepetal/2/1210626000/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/littlepetal/2/1210626000/tpod.html Wed, 21 May 2008 19:25:29 -0400 The 'Tuffin up Princess' tour

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Timaru, South Island, New Zealand

Well, we had a one hour trip to the gym this morning, to make up for no gym yesterday.  This was followed by a quite bite at The Daily Grind and then a wander around Christchurch.  Natalie updated the blog; Natasha visited the Cathedral.Next, we were on our way to Lake Tekapo.  Two and a half hours driving through amazing countryside...and we found the Lake,  We stopped and Natalie thought long and hard of Pippa and Dean as she stepped into the Church of the Good Shepherd where they got married......it is beautiful guys!  As is the view on to the lake...wow!We had a buffet lunch at "The Godley" (of course) before backtracking slightly and finding our way to Timaru.  This is a beachside suburb on the way to Dunedin....a nice easy day today, before we toddle off to Dunedin tomorrow.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/littlepetal/2/1211338800/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/littlepetal/2/1211338800/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/littlepetal/2/1211338800/tpod.html Tue, 20 May 2008 07:03:29 -0400 The 'Tuffin up Princess' tour

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Perth, Australia

Well, we left Rydges Christchurch at 12noon.....we then proceeded to Christchurch airport.  We were then delayed.  Our flight was due to leave at 2.35pm and left at about 5.15pm.  We arrived in Sydney and were told our flight was delayed (Ground Hog Day now starting to set in....).  We went through customs and made it as far as check in for domestic travel to Perth and were told the flight was delayed.  We then arrived in the Qantas Club and were told the flight was delayed.......so.....we were arriving in Perth at 8.40pm.  I understand that we now might make it by 1.00am.....!!!!!  A little tired now and there are not enough g&ts or bubbles or food or indeed anything that will make any further delays plausible.  Please Mr Qantas, can we go home now?!!!!?Next you hear from us, we should have arrived in Perth!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/littlepetal/2/1211297460/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/littlepetal/2/1211297460/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/littlepetal/2/1211297460/tpod.html Mon, 19 May 2008 19:32:21 -0400 The 'Tuffin up Princess' tour

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Perth, Western Australia, Australia

We're heading home today, but we fitted in "punting" on the Avon first....very nice.  A last coffee and then it's time to go!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/littlepetal/2/1211241360/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/littlepetal/2/1211241360/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/littlepetal/2/1211241360/tpod.html Mon, 19 May 2008 05:03:31 -0400 The 'Tuffin up Princess' tour

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Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand

There was a VERY early start this morning because we both went to bed so early last night.  At 5.30am, the lights finally went on.....we decide a cuppa was in order and then proceeded to watch "Barnyard" - a nickelodeon version of a disney movie.  Next we knew, it was 7.30am.  Natasha went for a quick run and Natalie attempted to pack her case.....it all fitted!We left the glaciers at about 9.30am, after a quick stop at Full of Beans.  The drive to Hokitika, although marred by much roadworks, was lovely and scenic.  We were there by about 11am.  We visited the jade stop and collected some more petrol before tootling off to Greymouth (about 40mins away).  We arrived in Greymouth and found the train station and checked our bags in - Natalie's was 24kg and Natasha's was 28kg....not bad considering.Now it was 12.30, so we found Montieths Brewery and popped in for a tasting....after 30mins learning and tasting and having a go at pouring....!...we found some lunch at a local pub.At 1.30pm, we went back to the station and boarding the train to Christchurch.  4.5 hours later, we arrived in Christchurch.  The trip was scenic and pretty.  We would suggest that you only go one way (we've come across many that have been both ways) and probably Christchurch to Greymouth is better.  More importantly, it's probably only really worth going in winter......it was scenic but not much more special than if we'd driven.  Anyhoo, we can say we have travelled the TranzAlpine Express.We checked back into the Rydges and found some dinner at a local pub called Baileys....great risotto.  And then, another early night.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/littlepetal/2/1211157240/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/littlepetal/2/1211157240/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/littlepetal/2/1211157240/tpod.html Mon, 19 May 2008 04:42:13 -0400 The 'Tuffin up Princess' tour

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Franz Josef, South Island, New Zealand

We woke up this morning at 7.30am it was still mostly pich black outside.  Haast is not the most "happening" town and probably one we'd suggest you avoid as it didn't really achieve much.......sorry Haast.Natalie grabbed a packed lunch and we headed off to the glaciers.  We drove through Fox Glacier (about 90mins drive) and kept going to Franz Josef.  After checking into our hotel, we walked to the main street (2 mins) and found "Full of Beans" where we grabbed a quick bite and a coffee.  We then split.  Natasha found a shuttle that would take her to the bottom of the glacier where she could walk as much or as little as she liked.....she also found a few walking tracks.  Only one problem: her "walking boots" were in fact steel cap work boots and not up to challenge; Natasha then changed into sneakers and found the local pub!Natalie was booked on a 1/2 day glacier walk.  5 hours, 8 kms later (1.5 hours walk over rocks to the glacier; 1.5 hours walk up the glacier with spikes on her fantastic hiking boots; 1 hr back down the glacier and 1 hr back to the bus)......she was utterly exhausted.  The asthma kicked in pretty early on, but she pushed through and made it to walking on the glacier......one of the most memorable experiences ever!  To celebrate, we found The Landing, and enjoyed "handles" of Speights Distinction beer and gourmet pizzas (Natalie brie, camembert and chicken; Natasha cajun chicken).....the best pizzas ever!!!!!!!  We then stumbled home, watched a little tv and were both fast asleep by 8pm.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/littlepetal/2/1210899420/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/littlepetal/2/1210899420/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/littlepetal/2/1210899420/tpod.html Mon, 19 May 2008 04:22:23 -0400 The 'Tuffin up Princess' tour

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Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand

We spent the first hour this morning doing our separate things - Natasha exercised and Natalie studied (yes, she really did).  A coffee stop and peanut butter cookie at the Sandfly Cafe counted as breakfast and we were off to Queenstown.  Te Anau this morning was grey, cold and foggy......Natasha reminded Natalie to get NZ lotto given that Natalie apparently picked the best day of the entire week to go to Milford Sound!!! (Natalie will buy scratchies).  As we drove out of Te Anau, through Mosstown and on to Queenstown, the weather became finer and finer.  By the time we arrived in Queenstown, there was bright sunshine and only a light cloud about....deceptively warm looking (but COLD).We began by parking in town and walking up to the Skyline Gondola.  We enjoyed a ride up the mountain, before indulging in a buffet lunch at the top overlooking Queenstown.  Next, we took on the luge, first the beginners course and then two efforts at the advanced course.  Natalie finally finished in front......with a few extra bits of help!  By now, our hands felt as though they belonged to someone else due to frostbite, but we were not deterred.  We travelled back down the mountain in the Gondola, found the car and located our hotel.The hotel was beautiful - about 10mins walk out of town and magnificent views.  Only a couple of teething problems when we arrived - only 1 very large bed in the room (which magically became "twinned" with a little help from housekeeping) and no water (renovations on the hotel caused the Council to require the water be turned off).  All was forgiven, particularly when the tv was turned on and there was a message welcoming "Miss Mutch" to the hotel!Natalie next took a 15min stroll back into town and found herself a jet boat ride to go on.  1 hour of adrenaline, slight queasiness and chill factor of around -5......but AWESOME fun.  Natalie only suffered a few bruises on one arm!  Next, Natalie went down to the underwater observatory and saw the eels and ducks in the lake from underwater.  Cute.  Natasha in the meantime, was interviewing the head of Queenstown Tourism......or someone equally important.  We met up at the pub aptly named "Guilty", before heading next door to the Pig and Whistle (a little more up market than the Swan View pub of similar name) for a beer.  Our next stop was the Minus 5 Bar (yes Damian, Natalie did go).  Apparently especially for us it was -8.6 degrees...even with the thick jackets, gloves and boots provided, we still only lasted about 15mins.  We each enjoyed an arctic sunrise first though!The final stop of the evening was back to the hotel bar for a drink and then the restaurant for dinner......YUMM.  We might have enjoyed a nightcap of a few bubbles before it was definately bed time.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/littlepetal/2/1210964340/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/littlepetal/2/1210964340/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/littlepetal/2/1210964340/tpod.html Sat, 17 May 2008 00:11:52 -0400 The 'Tuffin up Princess' tour

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Haast, New Zealand

This morning we both had our exercise routine and then checked out!We began our trip to Haast with a stop at Arrowtown.  Arrowtown is approximately 20mins drive from Queenstown.  It has beautiful restored and some new created buildings and is just exquisite.  We wondered around the shops, before deciding on the Arrowtown Ice Cream Shop for breakfast.  Ok, we did not have icecream, but each indulged in coffee and a muffin out of the oven......ohmigod they were to die for.  Make sure you don't miss out on that experience.  We also visited the Sweet Shop and it smelled awesome.  We were also told dutifully that the current temperature was -2 degrees......and it was 9.30am!!!!!!! A few purchases later and.....we discovered that there is a site of an old Chinese Settlement area for tourists to understand a little history of Arrowtown.   We wondered around the settlement, marvelling also at the FROZEN leaves and ice......as close to snow that you want to get when you are not properly dressed (make sure you put on your thermals BEFORE leaving Queenstown as it's too late when you arrive in Arrowtown).From Arrowtown, we took the shorter and much steeper route to Wanaka via the Coronet Mountains....very scenic, but very windy and currently with lots of roadworks.  Worth the view though.  A short time later, we were at Wanaka.  Lovely lakes and a bustling little town.  We did order takeaway coffee at the Virtues Cafe, though it took about 20mins to make (they did however redeem themselves by selling Rocket sauce......).Next, we made our way to Haast (on the edge of the glaciers), via the Haast Pass (the meeting of Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea, Mt Brewester and a few others) with fabulous "Gates of Haast " (a bridge) to experience.  So here we are, having a relaxing afternoon (we both indulged in some fush and chups for lunch).  Natalie will now study;  Natasha will do some work.  Indiana Jones is on tonight at 7.30pm so we'll be rugged up watching that (not much to do in Haast though may go for a short afternoon walk soon - Natalie's hiking boots are still doing a fabulous job; Natasha's are not). Ciao.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/littlepetal/2/1210887420/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/littlepetal/2/1210887420/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/littlepetal/2/1210887420/tpod.html Thu, 15 May 2008 05:35:24 -0400 The 'Tuffin up Princess' tour

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Te Anau, New Zealand

What a day and a half it has been!  Natalie spent last night experiencing the glowworms in the caves near Te Anau.  After a 30min evening boat cruise, we landed on Murchison Island and then the adventure began.  The waterfalls in the cave are so strong and exhilarating.  Contrast this with the eerie silence of the cave where the glowworms are (no cameras, no talking).....your senses start to pick up smells and noises that you would otherwise never hear!  After a g&t in the hotel bar, watching the start of the kiwi v wallaby centenary match, Natalie was ready for bed (Natasha was very well behaved and already fast asleep).Today, Natalie joined a whole lot of others on a day tour to Milford Sound.  We enjoyed a number of photo stops along the way, by bus, before boarding the Milford Mariner and beginning the 2 hour cruise of wonder.  The rocks lining the Sound are very high and dwarf the many waterfalls and other natural features also found in the sound.  Natalie enjoyed a picnic lunch, including bubbles, before daring to step onto the decks for photos.  It reminded her of Halong Bay in Vietnam, though about 20 degrees cooler!  Now it's time for some washing and dinner!Having now enjoyed dinner together at The Ranch, Natasha wanted to inform the world what she had being doing all.  Evidently, the planned horseriding and jetboating never eventuated - the horseriding was full and after 15 phone calls to the jetboat man, Lex, it was confirmed that as Natasha was the only starter, that too was a no go.  As a result, Natasha spent her day walking around Lake Te Anau, visiting the conservation area, learning about Milford Sound by video and......possibly drinking some bubbles.  However, unlike Natalie, Natasha did exercise for a good hour (Natalie's hamstrings are a little overstrung from yesterday morning's burst of exercise so she is having a day or two off).  Anyhooooo....tomorrow we are off to Queenstown where we see exactly how many different things we can pack into about 20hours in this little town!Good night all.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/littlepetal/2/1210210440/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/littlepetal/2/1210210440/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/littlepetal/2/1210210440/tpod.html Wed, 14 May 2008 01:25:08 -0400 The 'Tuffin up Princess' tour

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Wellington, North Island, New Zealand

After a 3 hour flight and, you guessed it, more food (this time "lunch" - bearing in mind it is only 8.30am in the morning in Perth), we arrived in Wellington.  We went through customs at which point Natalie received a formal warning from the New Zealand Government for not having declared that she had hiking boots in her luggage.  The nice customs people even cleaned her shoes as part of the formal warning process!!!! Oops.  We then went to find our hire car.  The Apex Rental company collected us and took us to the Wellington Depot where we were provided with our own personal Nissan Sunny......like a Corolla, but not!Next, the adventure began.  We drove north east from Wellington to Peka Peka Beach, about 1 hour and 15mins away.  Here we met with Helen and Frtiz Eisenhofer at Sol-d-Mer.  This is an amazing dome solar house, made of glass and very cosy.  Natalie was meeting with Fritz on behalf of JCF, to try and see if Fritz can help some people in Albany build something similar near WhaleWorld.  Once there are photos available, I will add them to this site and you will be impressed with this place!  Anyway, after a tour, a chat, a bottle of wine and some copying of photos, we hopped back into our Sunny and drove back to Wellington.We took a while trying to navigate Wellington streets, and the fact that there are many, many Quest apartment complexes in Wellington (maybe 16!).......we finally found no. 120 The Terrace.  A two bedroom (including King bed for Natalie) apartment with fabulous views.  Given we'd now had minimal sleep, we were a little tired but hungry so we found dinner across the road at "Caucus" at the Novotel.  Yes, the entire menu is themed as if you were a piece of legislation, trying to pass through Parliament, including second reading speech and the like.  Each to their own!  After some food and chat, it was lights out.....
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/littlepetal/2/1210791900/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/littlepetal/2/1210791900/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/littlepetal/2/1210791900/tpod.html Wed, 14 May 2008 01:12:50 -0400 The 'Tuffin up Princess' tour

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Te Anau, South Island, New Zealand

This morning saw a late start - about 7.30am....we did a few exercises before indulging in a country breakfast provided by Lanarch Stables.  Yummmm.......We then proceeded to mosey around the Castle and the gardens and admire the amazing restoration efforts.We left the Ontago Peninsula and made our way to Dunedin, before headinh south on the main motorway.  We reached the small town of Clinton before, you would not believe it, we took the "Clinton-Gore Expressway" to Gore (what the?!).  Anyway, in Gore, we enjoyed a lovely lunch and coffee at The Green Room and got some petrol.Our trip on to Te Anau was approximately 90mins.  The scenery changed a little with more green hills, rather than autumnal coloured hills.  We arrived at about 3pm and checked in the hotel.  Very flash with washing facilities, a gynmasium, cafes and internet.  Next was time for Natalie to book her adventure into Milford Sound ready for tomorrow and the Glowworms for tonight.....who knows what she'll see.  Natasha has chosen to horseride or jet boat.....adventures for everybody!Ciao for now!
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