Aotearoa
Trip Start
Dec 08, 1999
1
2
7
Trip End
Feb 27, 2000
Christchurch,
South Island,
New Zealand
Sunday, December 26, 1999
Took the bus to Waitomo and did some cave tubing. We put on wetsuits and spelunked around the caves, often through knee-deep water. There was actually only a little bit of tubing, and that consisted of sitting on the tube and pulling yourself along by a rope. We saw a few glow-worms while down in the caves. Back at the hotel, I met a lady and her young daughter. The daughter was a bit hyper and climbing all over me. I kind of got the feeling they were trying to get away from something/someone or hiding out.
(01) Auckland
Caught a shuttle from Waitomo to Rotorua. I got stuck going to some farm show 'cuz the other lady in the van was doing that. Saw dogs herd sheep and cows, plus there was sheep sheering. It was thrilling. I checked into my hostel then walked to the Whaka Thermal Area. They wanted $15 to get in and see just a little area, so I opted for a free view nearby. Hung out at the hostel that evening with everyone and had a lot of cider. Met a girl who's also going to Taupo tomorrow so we arranged to get a taxi to the bus station together.
It was raining in the morning so it was nice to have the taxi ride to the bus station. Rode the bus to Taupo with Jayne. We had reservations at different hostels. I got checked into mine then hiked along the Waikato River to Huka Falls. On the way back, I stopped by Taupo Bungy and ran into Jayne again. We had lunch and spent the day hanging out. I didn't get to do my skydive 'cuz the weather was bad. I met up with Jayne at her hostel that evening, then we and a couple other Brits went to Holy Cow for drinks. When we first arrived, it was just normal with people sitting at their tables having drinks. Within a couple hours it became loud music and people dancing on the tables. It was great fun. Didn't get back to the hostel 'til like 3am.
(02) Auckland marina
Caught the bus to Rotorua airport and flew to Queenstown (South Island). I took the gondola up the hill for pictures and wandered Queenstown Gardens.
Did a daytrip to Milford Sound. It started out cloudy on the boat trip but by the time we got to the mouth at the ocean, it was sunny. We got to see some seals and dolphins. Bus ride back to Queenstown.
Hung around Queenstown all day waiting to hear about skydiving. It turned out to be too windy so didn't get to go. By the time I got that news, it was too late to do bungy. Oh well.
Long shuttle bus ride from Queenstown to Greymouth. Wandered the town a bit - there isn't much to see. Had the $3 bbq dinner at the Railway Hotel.
Rainy day in Greymouth (it rarely feels like summer here in NZ). Took the TranzAlpine from Greymouth to Christchurch over the Southern Alps. The scenery was ok but not as nice as I was expecting. I'm sure the low clouds didn't help. In Christchurch, I opted for a smaller hostel rather than the big, unfriendly YHA. Great choice (especially since it's Christmas Eve). The owners of the hostel were very friendly and introduced me to everybody
(03) One Tree Hill
. I met and hung out with several of the people. I should've gone into town and seen the choir at the church, but didn't for some reason.Christmas! It's gray and rainy in Christchurch. Helped a bit cooking a Christmas lunch with everyone at the hostel. The weather cleared up in the afternoon, so I went wandering to Cathedral Sq and the Botanical Gardens. The owners at the hostel had a cooler full of beer for us as a Christmas gift. Nice!
Many of the people left the hostel so it was quiet. Just wandered around town and sent some pictures back home (in 1999 it was hard to find an i-net cafe that would let you hook up a USB camera).
Dec 27 I was up early to get the shuttle bus to the airport and flew to Sydney.
