murf6481's TravelStream™ — Recent TravelPod.com entries TravelStream™ news feed for member murf6481 on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/murf6481 en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:34:03 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com Coming Home — Caledonia, Illinois, United States http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/murf6481/2/1238801460/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/murf6481/2/1238801460/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/murf6481/2/1238801460/tpod.html Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:34:03 -0400 In the Land Down Under
Caledonia, Illinois, United States

Well, the trip is over now. Made it home safe and sound. A long flight, but at least most of it was on Qantas, and not something like American or United. Anyway, now I have to find some work so I can start saving for the next trip. Thanks for reading everyone.
]]> Sunny Bay of Islands — Paihia, North Island, New Zealand http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/murf6481/2/1238289240/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/murf6481/2/1238289240/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/murf6481/2/1238289240/tpod.html Tue, 31 Mar 2009 21:20:52 -0400 In the Land Down Under
Paihia, North Island, New Zealand

I'm spending the last week of my trip in Paihia, in the Bay of Islands. Its north of Auckland a bit. So far, its been sunny every day and the temp has been great.

Mostly I've just been hanging on the beach or walking around the area a bit. But I did get out for a round of golf at the Waitangi Golf Club the other day. Started out pretty bad, 22 through 3 holes. But that could have been the rental clubs, not knowing the course, not playing since September, or maybe being completely sober. Surprisingly, I actually got a lot better after that, shot a 50 on the front, and a 41 on the back. Kinda wanted to steal the rental irons that I was given since I was hitting them so well. Id love to get another shot at the course, now that I know whats over hill and around corners. Those blind shots are a little tough. Especially when all the yardage is actually 'meterage', and you have to try and convert in your head before picking a club. But still, was a beautiful day, and I had a great time.

Well, I'll be back in the states on 2 April. So soon.
]]> City of Churches — Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/murf6481/2/1237853640/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/murf6481/2/1237853640/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/murf6481/2/1237853640/tpod.html Sat, 28 Mar 2009 20:21:11 -0400 In the Land Down Under
Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand

So this is as far south as I'll be getting in New Zealand. At least for this trip. There is so much left to see in the southern half of the south island. I think I could spend a few weeks down there at least. And I want to, but I definitely want to do it in the summer, and when Ive got the time and money to do everything that I want. Also, you need to apply months in advance for permission to do some of the 'Great Walks' in the country. They're the most spectacular usually, and definitely the most popular. But I'm not really set up for hiking/camping for several days. No tent, sleeping bag, stove. I think thats the route I'll take when I come back.

Anyway, I only get one night in Christchurch, then fly back to the north island for the last week of my trip. CC itself seems ok at first glance. Lots of churches obviously. Pretty quiet it seems. Other than a quick walk around the main square however, I dont really have time for anything else. Too bad, but maybe next time.
]]> Rain Rain Go Away — Kaikoura, South Island, New Zealand http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/murf6481/2/1237766880/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/murf6481/2/1237766880/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/murf6481/2/1237766880/tpod.html Sat, 28 Mar 2009 20:14:31 -0400 In the Land Down Under
Kaikoura, South Island, New Zealand

Well, after 10 great laid back days in Nelson, with a delivery of free baked goods every afternoon, I travelled across the island to Kaikoura. Its a little town on a peninsula of the east coast, thats known as the place to go if you want to see marine life like dolphins, whales, and what have you. Unfortunately, the weather was pretty poor both days that I was there, so no boats were even going out. Of course, that didnt really bother me, since I cant really afford a boat trip at this point. Luckily, the 2nd day, the skies cleared long enough to take a nice little hike around the penninsula. Very pretty stuff. The whole place is backdropped by a mountain range and the sea crashes on cliffs all around. Plus, there are a couple seal colonies along the beach, so I was able to get up close to some seals. And they stink. But they were cool to see.
]]> Lazy days in Nelson — Nelson, South Island, New Zealand http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/murf6481/2/1237171620/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/murf6481/2/1237171620/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/murf6481/2/1237171620/tpod.html Sun, 15 Mar 2009 22:53:46 -0400 In the Land Down Under
Nelson, South Island, New Zealand

I've been spending a few days in Nelson. And I'll probably spend a few more. The combination of a really relaxed, fun hostel, and me being kinda strapped for cash at the moment makes it tough to leave. In fact, I'm not really going to see much of the South Island on this trip. There are so many amazing places I'd like to go down here, but I'm not quite equipped with camping gear, the right clothing for the season, etc. So I'll have to plan on coming back some day and doing it right. But at least Nelson is a nice place to spend a few days. They have a ton of sun every year, and even though the beach is nothing special, at least there is one. Plus, the hostel has free food every day, which is pretty huge to backpackers. And of course, there are a lot of bars in town. I haven't been frequenting them yet, but defintely on St Paddys Day if I stick around til then. Which I probably will. Assuming they arent full yet. Anyway, no pictures to update at the moment. But maybe in a few days.
]]> Across the Cook Strait — Picton, South Island, New Zealand http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/murf6481/2/1236734160/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/murf6481/2/1236734160/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/murf6481/2/1236734160/tpod.html Thu, 12 Mar 2009 21:26:55 -0400 In the Land Down Under
Picton, South Island, New Zealand

Took a ferry ride today. I love being out on the water. The ferry itself was quite a bit bigger than I expected. I think I was expecting something like in Seattle, but then I should have realized they'd need something more stable to get out on the ocean. Not that it was a long stretch of ocean. In fact, I didnt know this, but you can see from one side of the strait to the other! Its that close. And you dont actually sail south but west. Still pretty fun though.

It took about an hour I'd say to actually get out of Wellington Harbour. The city is kinda tucked back in it a ways. Then, it was a quick run across Cook Strait and into the little channels that break up the north end of the south island. The last part of the trip actually reminded me of pictures you might see of an Alaskan cruise. Sailing along with mountains rising on either side. Very scenic.

Picton, the town where the ship docked is a tiny little place. Has a nice look to it. Relaxed. Little harbor.

First impressions of the South Island though are: why did I come here now? Winter is coming and its actually pretty cold except for the middle of the day. I definitely should have come a month ago. But thats ok. I'm not really gonna have the time or money to do most of the things down here that I'd like to, so I'll have to come back at some point. In fact, its not even worth trying to do some of the multi-day hikes that I'd like to at this point. But I'm definitely getting plans made for a future trip back.
]]> Capitol City — Wellington, North Island, New Zealand http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/murf6481/2/1236647280/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/murf6481/2/1236647280/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/murf6481/2/1236647280/tpod.html Thu, 12 Mar 2009 21:16:15 -0400 In the Land Down Under
Wellington, North Island, New Zealand

Another looonnnggg bus ride. 13 hours this time. I wish NZ did overnight bus trips like in Australia. Actually I immediately take that back. The roads here are far to full of curves and hills. There'd be buses crashing every day. But it does make for a long trip. And unfortunately, it wasnt just down the coast like the map is probably gonna show after I post this. They headed back inland to Rotorua where I had to change buses and then head south through the country. I mean, it was a pretty drive, but I'd already been along that road on the way to Gisborne and was hoping to see something new. But what are you gonna do.

Anyhow, Wellington is a pretty nice city. I mean, its a city like any other for the most part. But it did feel comfortable. They have a big new museum, which has free entry and I like that, so I went there on my day in the city. It had a lot of really interesting stuff, but felt very disjointed. Like nothing flowed together well. Plus, every description is written both in English and Maori. Which is interesting to see, but can make it tough to read without jumping around a little. Oh well. The rest of the day I just wandered around and saw some of the city, harbor, and parks.
]]> First to see the sunrise — Gisborne, North Island, New Zealand http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/murf6481/2/1236472800/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/murf6481/2/1236472800/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/murf6481/2/1236472800/tpod.html Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:47:49 -0400 In the Land Down Under
Gisborne, North Island, New Zealand

Took a 12 hour bus ride to Gisborne on the east coast. It calls itself the 'first city in the world to see the sunrise each day'. Although there are actually places further to the east that see it first, I guess they aren't considered cities. Well, the first morning was rainy, so I didn't see it then, but I did get up in time to watch it rise on day 2. Not that it was really a problem. It didnt rise until almost 7 am, and I had a bus to catch at 7:05. So it worked out pretty well.

Other than that, theres not much to do in Gisborne. Its the first place that Captain Cook landed when he 'discovered' New Zealand, so there are a few statues and monuments of him, and of the boy, Young Nick, who was the first to actually spot land. But the beaches near the city were pretty bad. Of course, the rainy weather I had while there didnt help impressions. Although thinking about it, I think the reason I say theres not much in Gisborne, is because I was there on Friday and Saturday nights, and had trouble finding one other person in the couple bars in town. I was pretty surprised by that.
]]> Back to Auckland — Auckland, North Island, New Zealand http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/murf6481/2/1236299760/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/murf6481/2/1236299760/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/murf6481/2/1236299760/tpod.html Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:40:03 -0400 In the Land Down Under
Auckland, North Island, New Zealand

Headed back to Auckland on a rainy day. Alex had to fly out on the 6th. Couldn't see much from the drive.
]]> In the shadow of Mordor — Tauranga, North Island, New Zealand http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/murf6481/2/1236227040/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/murf6481/2/1236227040/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/murf6481/2/1236227040/tpod.html Sun, 08 Mar 2009 23:54:13 -0400 In the Land Down Under
Tauranga, North Island, New Zealand

Sorry, I'm running out of time to update this. But suffice it to say we went hiking (for 6.5 hours and almost 20 km) across Tongariro National Park. For those of you who have seen the Lord of the Rings movies, this is where they filmed scenes of Mordor and Mt Doom. Its a pretty crazy landscape, volcanic, rocky. Felt like the moon or Mars might. Anyway, I uploaded a few pictures at least.
]]>