Categotry Archives: General

there’s a plaque in the crew’s quarters which has a pithy homily engraved in brass:

a perilous journey

maketh a poet pleasant

i am pleased. though not even a poet.

possums are slowly eating the country.

they were introduced by europeans for the fur trade like 150 years ago but now they’re twice the size they were then and have no predators. they are fat and they prosper. taking over the country, they eat more brush in a night than can be regenerated.

true dat.

the amount of products made out of possum fur is quite astounding though. it ranges from hats, scarves, and socks to nipple warmers.

i’m making friends with boys named oscar, jimmy, and reed. admittedly they are, respectively, a cat, a dog, and a horse. i haven’t gotten close enough to the sheep yet to make friends with them on an up-close and personal first-name basis. but that’s only a matter of time. at least if my internal screaming monologue of “SHEEP! SHEEP! SHEEP! SHEEP!” has anything to say about it.

yesterday, we went here:

here being waiheke island, a 35 minute boat ride from auckland.

i played in the water and picked up pinking scallop shells. i know this because today at the auckland museum they had the same shells behind glass cases. also stuffed albatrosses and a sad story about an elephant named rajah. albatrosses are HUGE. killing an elephant and then stuffing him for 7 months to be an exhibit in a museum because he wouldn’t let you ride on his back is STUPID.

tomorrow we fly to queenstown and discover if nuala really is brave enough to jump off a bridge. fingers crossed!

one of the most delightful things about nuala, not that she doesn’t have many, is her height. while standing in line to board the plane at LAX to auckland, NZ, giggling somewhat hysterically at the bodybuilder in the other line, i looked directly into her eyes–simply because i could. i have been overpowered in recent months by all the girls i see in san francisco. this means you kristen, christine, and dianna. i don’t like you so much now that i have nuala and we can be on equal footing.

it’s hard to believe that i’m leaving on tuesday. but as such i’m trying to get my self squared away for the trip which includes making sure i know what i’m going to be doing once there. as such, i’ve created this little itinerary of my trip. now you too can follow along and know that nuala and i are seeing sheep or on a boat or visiting hobbiton. (Nuala–chime in on the possible activities!)

nov 15: depart CA for auckland

nov 17: arrive auckland

nov 17-20: auckland

possible activities:

Victoria park market

New market shopping district

Auckland zoo

New Zealand war memorial museum

Fullers cruises to waiheke island

Auckland explorer bus

Sheep tour

National maritime museum

Sky tower

Mai thai restaurant

Kermadec restaurant

nov 20: depart auckland for queenstown, arrive queenstown

possible activities:

Bungee jumping

The mall

Skyline gondola

nov 21: start tour with serious fun new zealand

nov 21: ARRIVE QUEENSTOWN

Meet your guide and fellow adventurers upon arrival in Queenstown and then head out for a relaxing “Welcome Lunch” before stretching our legs with a short local hike that takes in magnificent views of Lake

Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains. Later, in the afternoon your guide will help you choose activities for your free day in Queenstown tomorrow. There might even be time for a relaxing stroll around the

lakefront before we dine at one of Queenstown’s many fine restaurants. L/D

nov 22: FREE DAY QUEENSTOWN

Queenstown, “The Adventure Capital of the World”. You can choose from an exciting array of optional activities including rafting, jet boating, bungy jumping, fly-by-wire, canyoning, tandem paragliding, hang gliding, sky diving, horse trekking, river surfing, fishing, vintage plane flights, glider flights, or take a goldfield or sheep station tour. Alternatively, just relax and enjoy the atmosphere of sidewalk cafes in this alpine resort. If you’d rather do some more hiking around Queenstown there are a number of excellent walks as well as mountain biking and kayaking opportunities which your guide will be happy to help you with. B

nov 23: MILFORD SOUND OVERNIGHT CRUISE

We drive to Te Anau on our way to Milford Sound. Enjoy a short walk along the Kepler Track, or a kayak in Lake Te Anau. After passing through the Homer Tunnel mountain bike one of the most stunning roads in the world as you descend into Milford Sound. Here we will meet our waiting vessel for an overnight cruise of the Sound. You will cruise the full length of Milford Sound before anchoring for the night. Beneath the towering presence of Mitre Peak, you can kayak around sheltered bays, venture ashore in the tender-craft or simply sit back and unwind. As the day draws to a close, enjoy a delicious meal and share stories of the day’s adventures at the bottom of New Zealand. B/L/D

nov 24: ROUTEBURN TRACK / WANAKA

After a relaxed breakfast on board, we drive to Wanaka. We’ll stop along the way to walk part of the famous Routeburn Track up to Key Summit for spectacular views of Te Wai Pounamu World Heritage Area.

In the afternoon we’ll make a brief stop to sample local wines at a picturesque winery before continuing on to Wanaka. That evening explore this vibrant lakeside town and sample some of the great local cuisine.

B/L/D

nov 25: WANAKA / MOUNT ASPIRING NATIONAL PARK

We start the day with a drive through the Matukituki Valley to hike in Mt Aspiring National Park. This is a World Heritage Area of majestic mountains and natural rainforest, and our favourite day hike in New Zealand. We hike up through a narrow gorge beside a crystal clear stream for a couple of hours to a clearing. All around us glaciers cling to cliff faces, broken by myriad waterfalls. Occasionally an ice avalanche will shatter the silence. In the afternoon drift downstream on the currents of the Matukituki River

while enjoying some of the best mountain scenery in New Zealand. B/L/D

nov 26: FOX GLACIER

This morning it’s along the beautiful shores of Lakes Hawea and Wanaka, then up and over the Haast Pass and on to the wild West Coast. A rainforest hike brings us to an isolated beach where we may catch a glimpse of nesting penguins. We wind our way along the World Heritage Highway and end the afternoon with a hike to the terminal face of Fox Glacier or take an optional walk on the ice. Hoisting our alpenstocks, we follow the guide as he cuts steps into the ice, leading us on a journey of discovery through crevasses and

over moraines. In recent times, the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers have advanced far down the mountains cutting a path of destruction through the surrounding rock and rainforest. “Calving” is a common

occurrence at the glacier terminal, and in a dramatic display of the power of nature, large chunks of ice separate from the glacier and crash to the ground. After dinner, we will see New Zealand’s famous glowworms in the rainforest surrounding the town of Fox Glacier. B/L/D

nov 27: HOKITIKA / PAPAROA NATIONAL PARK

Start the day with an early morning walk around Lake Matheson revealing the sunrise reflections of New Zealand’s highest peaks: Mounts Cook and Tasman. We then drive north along the rugged West Coast stopping along the way at the craft center of Hokitika, the nation’s center for greenstone carvers. Further north we enter Paparoa National Park – a chance to explore miles of deserted beaches, and a number of forest walks in the area. Two other great options are a kayak trip on the Pororari River, or ride mountain

bikes alongside the limestone cliffs and giant tree ferns of Bullock Creek. At high tide we’ll explore the famous Pancake Rocks and blowholes – part of a spectacular coastal headland, torn open by the sea. This evening we will enjoy a BBQ on the beach as the sun sets into the Tasman Sea. B/L/D

nov 28: PANCAKE ROCKS / CAPE FOULWIND

After breakfast in Punakaiki we follow some spectacular coastline as we drive to Cape Foulwind. Here we hike to a seal colony that offers stunning views of the Tasman Sea and mighty Southern Alps. Similarly, you can relax and play on one of the coasts more famous surf beaches. In the afternoon it’s on to the top of the South Island and Abel Tasman National Park.

B/L/D

nov 29: ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK

The Abel Tasman National Park was created in 1942; exactly 300 years after the Dutch Explorer Abel Tasman sailed into what is now known as Golden Bay, at the northern tip of the Park. On that unfortunate

day in December 1642, the Europeans were met by Maori canoes and four of Tasman’s men were killed in the ensuing skirmish. Abel Tasman sailed away without setting foot on the land now named in his honour!

Today’s visitors to the Park can expect a much warmer welcome, and you’ll soon discover why Abel Tasman National Park is rated as one of the best parks in New Zealand. We’ll explore the park’s coastline from a seal’s-eye view, in a sea kayak. We’ll be cruising between islands and stopping to check out the pristine golden sand beaches that the park is famous for. We might even get close-up views of native New Zealand Fur Seals along the rocky shoreline! Alternatively, you can experience the park by hiking along the Abel

Tasman Coastal Track, rated as one of the best tracks in New Zealand. The track hugs the picturesque coastline with views over the calm turquoise waters, climbing up to awesome views, then down again,

providing access to the beaches for a refreshing swim or picnic. If you like, you can hike out, and then kayak back for the best of both worlds! B/L/D

nov 30 MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS / QUEEN CHARLOTTE TRACK

After leaving Abel Tasman National Park behind we stop in Nelson – a beautiful town, nestled between stunning beaches and mountains. Local artisans and craftspeople abound and you’ll get the chance to pick

up some original pieces the area is so well known for. A short drive east and we’re into the picturesque Marlborough Sounds. We spend the afternoon and evening exploring the area by sea kayak, mountain bike

or on foot. The Queen Charlotte Walkway offers excellent mountain biking to those who choose this option. From the water there is a good chance you’ll spot dolphins and Little Blue Penguins! In the evening we will cook up a feast of fresh local seafood. B/L/D

dec 1 MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS / QUEEN CHARLOTTE TRACK

This morning we take the ferry across Cook Strait, from Picton to Wellington, bidding farewell to the Marlborough Sounds and the South Island. As well as being New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington is also the physical and cultural centre of New Zealand. Situated on a beautiful harbour ringed by hills perfect for mountain biking and hiking, Wellington prides itself on being a centre for arts and crafts, with an abundance of restaurants, cafes, nightlife and activities.

dec 1: arrive wellington, end of serious fun tour

dec 1-5: wellington

possible activities:

Te papa museum

Lambton quay

Courtney place

Civic square

Cuba street

dec 3: full day lord of the rings tour at sites around wellington

dec 5: fly from wellington back to CA, arrive home

jason s., happy birthday you old coot! sorry i was so caught up in my own thing the last 2 days and haven’t yet wished you the very best in birthday cheer.

i really wish i had a delightful german of my very own. please bring him back with you for MY birthday. and get rid of his girlfriend. through any means necessary. don’t be squeamish.