Life in Queenstown returned to normal the day after Christmas. Unlike probably any other town in the world, this meant a zillion tour operators began shuffling people to face their fears jumping the 130+ meter Nevis bungy (world’s 2nd highest), skydiving from 15,000 feet, riding the world’s highest swing (109 meters), and a variety [...]

Upon leaving Franz Joseph, we took in a scenic view of New Zealand’s Southern Alps from Lake Mattheson. On a good day, you’re suppose to be able to see a great reflection of the mountains (including Mt. Cook) because the lake is well protected. Unfortunately it was overcast when we were there.

Another scenic [...]

Spending a full day (6 hours ice time) hiking on the Franz Joseph Glacier on the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island was something I’d been looking forward to for months. It was fully my intent to do the full day hike, however…
About 3 days after I had completed the Tongariro Crossing [...]

I paid for the good times in Wellington on my travel day to the South Island. I was up around 6am, took a 7am shuttle to the quay, and set sail aboard the 8:30am ferry to New Zealand’s South Island.
The ferry ride was rather uneventful, and I spent a few minutes lounging in a [...]

 
It’s one thing to say you’ll pack light, and another to actually manage it once traveling.  Just in case you need a few reminders why it pays to pack lighter….
1.  Ease of movement – less physical/mental stress when you’re on the move.
2.  Less stuff means you’re better able to account for what you do have [...]

I’m going to skip ahead for today so I can share some photos from my Christmas Eve in Queenstown. I spent it getting to know Nadia (Switz), Vivian (Holland), and Vanessa (Germany). For dinner, we picked Chico’s, an old, low key, candlelit restaurant. Plus a guy outside had offered us a coupon [...]

I met up with Justin in the common room of the Wellywood hostel in Wellington. The night was already set for us – Trivia Night at a local bar. His team had placed first the week before, so I was just hoping to make a small contribution to their defending effort.
First off, we [...]

2:38pm, December 17, 2007
Sitting outside Mac’s Brewery on a Monday afternoon enjoying a brew – watching the clouds quickly drift by – “Stand By Me” playing over the stereo – winds whipped up – I’m the luckiest son of a gun – feeling like I pulled off The Great Rock ‘n Roll Swindle (a la [...]

Now that I’ve been gone about 3 weeks, I’m getting the hang of using the various Internet cafes and access points to keep my blog updated. Internet access in French Polynesia and New Zealand has been ubiquitous – every place I’ve stayed either had it, or had it within a short walk. The [...]

My diet in New Zealand has been an odd combination of food. Most eaten items would have to include sausages, cheeseburgers, ham and cheese sandwiches, pizza, fresh muffins, Cadbury chocolate bars (soooo good), granola bars (specifically a brand called “Bumper Bars”), bananas, ice cream bars/pops, and biscuits (ie. cookies). Not too exciting! [...]