Pictures:
(1.) Glacier Trekking at Fox Glacier (2.) Rippon Valley Vineyards (3.) Hang Gliding in Queenstown



GOODAY MATE!

Friday, November 16, 2007, 23:45

New Zealand was one big bundle of experiences for Mariam, Makiko, and
me. We had a great time! There was so much to write about, so this
time, I really did just give highlights...

Day 1:

* Received "dramatic" recommendations from a travel agent--We loved
that he used this descriptor; It actually inspired us to re-route our
trip.
* Flew from Aukland to Christchurch, renting a car, and doing laps
around the town center, as we looked for The Base Backpackers hostel
* Ate "Mediterranean Dips" at Dux de Lux, a little local hang out,
with a great outdoor patio (We later found out the restaurant is a
chain--Manoosh you would have loved it.)
* Makiko's "something", which says it all
* Word of the week: Bo*#@ This isn't a swear word.)

Day 2:

* Spent 1.5 hours at "Pac-n-Save"--Yes, a grocery store. And there
was nothing really unique about it, but we fell in love; Or maybe we
were just really hungry.
* Ate brunch in the car of the Pac-n-Save parking lot--hummus, pesto,
bread, tofu, and Mariam's case of chocolate. When in Rome, right?
* Drove through Arthur's Pass--where the "dramatic views" begin
* Discussion questions for our driving entertainment: 1) "For
$20,000, would you go three months without washing, brushing your
teeth, or using * deodorant? Assume you could not explain your
reasons to anyone." I said "no"--That's 90 days!; Mariam said she'd
probably give it a go; Manoosh, I know what you would've said. 2)
"Would you be willing to eat a bowl of live crickets for $40,000?"
Mariam said probably not. Makiko might consider it--She does like
shrimp heads. As for me, only if I can slap on a little peanut butter.
* Hiked on Devil's Punch Bowl trail-- Enjoyed the sunshine and our
Pac-n-Save picnic by the waterfalls
* Sheep, sheep, and more sheep (There are more sheep than people in
New Zealand. It's a fact. Significantly more.)
* Furry cows
* Unpopulated country--Could drive for miles and not see a single car
* Drove through little metropolis (sarcasm) called Hokitika--Jade
Capital--It's around 8:00 pm--everything's closed and no people in
sight, except for at New World grocery store (We clearly have a thing
for grocery stores.). And there "might" have been a movie playing in
town, or so we heard.
* Stopped for sunset on Ianthe Lake--The colors were stunning--pinks
and purples!
* Outdoor restroom preferences--Being at one with nature
* Franz Joseph, Glacier County: Blue Ice (A restaurant bar turned
into a "club" at night, playing Ben's cheesy club mix--Ben's an
American bartender who seemed to have picked up a New Zealand accent
in 2 weeks.)--Great dessert wine and an interesting passion fruit
gelatin cheese cake. And the owner (Chris) was so helpful--We asked
him to suggest some local vineyards, and he whipped out his wine
manuals. Both of them.

Day 3:

* Hiked to Lake Matheson--Made it just in time to catch the lake's
reflection of the mountains
* TSS run-in at Fox Glacier--Our only one
* Glacier trekking up the mountain and through an ice tunnel (Guide
was Passang from Nepaul)
* Makiko's "not my type" and "not quite yet" guide
* Grocery store picnic at Cafe Neve
* The 3-step phone booth calling process--Brutal
* Drove to Wanaka--Stayed in Altamont Lodge--The key was left for us
in the door. There was a sign outside saying "no vacancies" , even
though we are only one of 2 sets of guests. Everything was labeled--
The owner was clearly a "J".
* No one asks for waivers...or credit card info for bookings (The
attitude: "No worries, Mate.")
* Pizza dinner at The Cow

Day 4:

* Waking up to our adventures in Wanaka...
* Soul Food Cafe--Organic healthy goodness (like a Mother's Market)
and great conversation with Mariam and Makiko about culture and
communicating with one another
* Special "warmers" purchase--Won't get into details
* Decisions: Kayak or wine tasting? Hmmm...Craig (recreational info
guide who became our favorite Kiwi--i.e., New Zealander. They call
themselves "Kiwis", in relation to the Kiwi bird): "How about
kayaking to the vineyards?" Great suggestion!
* To Tim (another guide, second day on the job): "How will we know
when we get to the winery?" Tim's response: "When you see the
vineyards." Fair enough.
* Leisurely (I mean leisurely--Our destination was literally in
eyesight, but we took about 1.5 hours to cross.) kayak across lake to
vineyards, with spectacular view of mountains in the distance
* Rippon Valley: One of the most beautiful vineyards I have ever seen
* Fourth-generation family-owned winery--Tastings by Charlie (with 3
ponytails)
* Picnic and bottle of Osteiner sweet vine in the warm sunshine
* "Chair for Contemplating the Universe"
* Kind of lost track of time--Craig shows up with jet boat to pick us
up. Oops:-)
* Off to Craig's for Tui beers on the lawn, nacho and greek salad
dinner (Karen and Courtney, do you love it?), jade carving in his
"tutuing" garage, makeshift slumber party in the living room

Day 5:

* Left thank you present for Craig at his work--A case of Tui to
enjoy in a "safe space" (His mom's a psychologist, so we had fun
sharing "counseling" phrases.)
* Oops--Makiko left her face wash (and heart) in Wanaka
* We loved Wanika. I'm retiring there.
* Headed down to Queenstown for some HANG GLIDING!
* Amazing hang gliding experience--Running off the Remarkables
Mountains (Guides: Anders from Sweden and Gerrard from Argentina)
* Apps and drinks at Dux de Lux (the chain restaurant from Christchurch)
* Fergberger--Mariam was craving meat
* Deco Lodge Backpackers hostel--Miguel gives us a full city tour of
the hostel

Day 6:

* Beautiful morning view of Queenstown from the Deco
* Mariam broke Deco table in a photo-taking attempt
* We all bought miniature camera tripods--Apparently we each needed
one. They were just so cute. And pretty cheap.
* Headed out to Lake Pukaki--Turquoise water (Seriously--It looked
like the ocean water in Tahiti.) and view of Mt. Cook
* Stopped at Lake Tekapo for another beautiful lake with view of Mt.
Cook--Lakes and mountains: Big theme in NZ
* Town of Tekapo--5% sales at local store, Church of the Good
Shepherd, and statue of dog (which Mariam decides to climb)
* Final destination: Mt. Cook (reminded me of unpopulated ski town)--
Hotels/hostels booked or closed (Usually have to make it by 8:30 pm--
Generally no 24-hour hotel reception) except for one: The Hermitage--
the most famous hotel in NZ. Costs a pretty penny. Luckily, Tony
(from one of the hotels) takes pity and calls the Hemitage, talks to
his friend (Masa--Hermitage Hotel Manager), and gets us a place for
1/2 price. Apparently Tony and Masa's kids play together. Masa'a
also Japanese, so he and Makiko chatted it up. GREAT chalet with
beautiful view of Mt. Cook.
* Because we arrived late to Mt. Cook, restaurant/bar (There are only
2 in the town.) were closed. Solution? Picnic in the chalet: Let's
see what we have left--Bananas, melted chocolate, and bread. With
kiwi for dessert. Perfect.

Day 7:

* Drove back to Christchurch
* Stopped at Belgium Beer Cafe for lunch and Kriek Cherry Beer
* "The Cup" horse races in Christchurch--an annual event; like the
Kentucky Derby. We didn't get to go b/c we had to catch our flight,
but it was fun to see the buzz all over town.
* Dropped off rental car at Scotties--Rode to airport with Scottie
himself (who heard about The Scholar Ship on the news!)
* Didn't have time for last run to Pac-n- Save :-(
* Back to Aukland for boarding!

Australia, here we come...