Kiwis and Fijians ~ Life in New Zealand and Fiji

Semester break for Uni quickly arrived and on Friday, April 15th, Jess, Nikki and I boarded a plane to Christchurch, New Zealand to start our long adventure! Break is about 19 days long and we were spending 13 of them in 2 different countries. There is so much I could say about my trip, However I will try to condense it so you all don't get bored!

The Bridge of Rememberance

Fall in Christchurch

Christchurch seemed nice when we arrived late on the 15th. We had a full day to explore before our Contiki tour of the south island began on the 17th, so we decided to walk around Christchurch. It was gloomy and rainy as we walked through the park and got a good look at the city. An earthquake struck Christchurch in September of 2010, and again in February. Even though the Feb. earthquake was smaller than the Sept. one, it did alot more damage and the destruction was still clearly evident. There was literally NOTHING open. Ok, a couple car dealerships, but besides that, there was nowhere to eat or visit. Buildings were half or fully destroyed, there was paint sprayed on buildings and inspection signs everywhere. It was heart-wrenching and very sad to look at. Many roads were closed and the city was very quiet. Downtown Christchurch suffered the most destruction unfortunately, including many churches and the famous cathedral.  After our look around, we took a nap. Around 7pm we were suddenly awaken by intense shaking and our entire room moving. We all shot out of bed and grabbed each others hands, looking very scared. It was the longest 5 seconds of my life. Turns out it was a 5.3 magnitude aftershock and power was out in some areas. Can't imagine what the bigger ones must have felt like. At dinner, later we felt another one, smaller, yet no one else seemed to notice because they're all used to the small ones. In the morning around 6am we felt another shake. We were so glad to be leaving Christchurch!!

Destruction from the Earthquakes in Christchurch

Our Contiki tour started on the 17th, when we met our group for the week. Some had been traveling the north island first and others just joining with us. Unfortunately, most of the group wasn't our age. They were either in their 30s, or their upper 20s acting like 18 year olds. We did meet Olivia (19 and from Argentina) and John and Jeff (26,25 and from Baltimore). They were fun to hang out with and we could relate to them best.

Day one on the trip consisted of lots of driving. Once out of Christchurch, New Zealand was very mountainous, hilly and there were streams of water and random waterfalls everywhere! Very gorgeous. We took a pit stop at a jade carving factory and it was fun to see all the different meanings and see jade being carved and polished in front of us. Our final stop was in Frans Josef on the west coast. We were in a lodge with bunks (we roomed with Olivia) and we got to go in the Glacier Hot Pools there. Basically, it was like 3 hot tubs, fed my glacier water at 3 different temps. I went in the hottest one naturally, was was completely content!! Jess and Nikki liked the middle temperature pool, not used to the heat! They were set in a jungle like atmosphere and it was very fun!

Jade from the Jade Factory

Sheep crowding the roads! They're everywhere!

Ending Scenes of the Chronicles of Narnia were filmed here!

Day two, we got up early and were on the road south to Fox Glacier. The mountains had just gotten their first coat of snow, which made them extra pretty to look at. We put on coats, hiking boots and warm gear from the Fox Glacier Guide place and were off to hike a the Fox glacier. It was very cold and my feet froze, as usual, but the view was spectacular! Green hills, snowy mountains, glacier water streams, and white ice glaciers all in one! El was our guide and she helped our group of about 10 climb the glacier. We got to see different holes in the ice and learn about the rocks and how its all formed.

Climbing Fox Glacier

Our Group!

Jess, Nikki, Me and Olivia

After the hike, we were back on the bus and on the road. We stopped at two places for some quick photos: Knights Point on the Tasman Sea and Thunder Creek Falls. Then we eventually passed Lake Waneka where Mission Impossible 3 had a scene or two filmed. So gorgeous! Queenstown was our lodging stop for the night and we were there for the next 2 days. It had just gotten snow on the mountain peeks and the fall colors were in full spectrum. Amazing! We stayed at the Aspen on Queenstown and got a nice hotel room! For dinner, the contiki group took a Skyline gondola ride to the top of one of the big hills/mts and had dinner at Skyline restaurant. It was buffet style and so good!

Knight's Point on the Tasman Sea

Thunder Creek Falls

Lake Waneka (From the Bus)

Olivia and Nikki in the Gondola

Queenstown from Skyline Restaurant

Day three, or the most anticipated day of the trip, came up so fast!! We decided to be adventurous and take the plunge.... SKYDIVING was todays big task! We got up early and were signing our lives away in the NZone skydive office with other contiki friends by 7:30am. Then we were driven out to the launch site. It was so cold out! Breakfast was out of the question... Jess and I were so nervous and Nikki was pumped! Jess and I decided 9,000ft was enough for us and Nikki did the 12,000ft jump. We (jess and I) were in the 1st plane and got out suits on in a hurry. I met my tandem diver, Nick, and he seemed pretty confident. I told him I'd be okay once I was in the air, but until then, well, shaking was in order. We were the last two on the plane, which of course meant we were the first to jump out! My legs were shaking so bad, but the plane ride itself was cool! We finally got to 9,000ft and Jess was out before she knew what hit her! I was so scared but excited. there was no turning back now! My legs were outside the plane and wrapped under it, my hands were on the straps of my jumpsuit, Nick pushed my head back and We were off! My eyes were closed until i knew we were in the air, I didn't want to see myself being hurled out of the plane. Instantly, I opened them and was at ease.... Free falling for 30 seconds and flying! I could see the mountains, Queenstown, sheep, water and the Remarkables mountain range. It was the coolest thing I've ever seen or done! The chute was pulled and we just floated for a while chatting about random things, turns out hes done over 8000 jumps so hes a pro! We landed and I went over to hug Jess. We survived and It was amazing! Best thing I've ever done! We greeted Nikki from the 2nd plane and then were off to check out Queenstown.

View from NZone Skydiving Base

Before we were off!

Nick, my tandem diver!

The Remarkables

We Did IT!!!

 Queenstown in a fun, small, skit/boarding town that reminds me of Colorado. It was beautiful and a fun place to be for a few days. Later that night we checked out the nightlife. We got to go into the Minus 5 degree bar. We put on warm coats and boots and got to be in a bar of complete ice for a half hour. It was so cool! Later we explored some more and enjoyed the Queenstown nightlife, which was pretty hoppin for a Tuesday!

The Remarkables

Queenstown Pier

Steep Hill! Interesting seeing people walk/drive down it

View from our Hotel Room

Minus 5 Ice Bar

Ice Motorcycle

Mermaid

Ice Bench

Day four, we walked down the big hill in Queenstown to the city and shopped around, stopped at the waters edge/lookout place and enjoyed the brisk fall air. It was a warmer day the the past few. Later that night the contiki crew went our for Pizza and enjoyed each others company on our last night in Queenstown. There were tons of dare-devil activities to be done while we were there, but we were good with one, not to mention they were quite spendy. Queenstown was definitely my favorite part of the trip!

Interesting that this isn't customary everywhere

CONFUSING!!

Day five we left Queenstown and stopped at the Worlds First Bungy: the Kawarau Bridge. We watched crazy people bungy jump and took in the beautiful scenery. Then we were off towards Milford Sound. We stopped at the Eglington Valley to fill up or water bottles with fresh glacier water from the stream. Then again at the Chasm. A national park with waterfalls and a chasm from rocks and water degradation. So pretty! finally we drove through the Homer Tunnel and into Milford Sound/Fidor. It was improperly named a sound apparently. It was pretty, but kind of rainy and foggy. Milford rains every 2 of 3 days. We boarded the Milford Wanderer and enjoyed an overnight boat cruise through the sound and had a great dinner and played board games at night.

AJ Hackett Kawarau Bungy Bridge

So Scary~ even though its only 140 ft to the ground

Eglington Valley

Chasm

The Milford Wanderer:Our Vessel

Milford Sound

Sunrise in Milford towards the Tasman Sea

Horizontal Clouds

Our Barracks

Day six we cruised back to port and left Milford Sound. We were headed to Lake Ohau for the Evening. On the way we saw tons of sheep (as usual, they're everywhere in NZ) and deer (which are always fenced in. so weird compared to MN). We took a pit stop in Arrowhead for an hour or so and got to explore the Chinese mining settlement. The fall colors here were incredible and so was the gelato! Later we arrived at Lake Ohau lodge, had dinner, I took a dip in the hot tub, and relaxed for our last night.

Arrowhead

Yay for Britz Campervans!

Chinese Mining Settlement

Beautiful Fall Day

View from our Lodge at Lake Ohau

Lake Ohau

Day 7, our last day of Contiki, we drove from Lake Ohau back to Christchurch. We stopped at Lake Tekapo for a break and some beautiful photos. There,we got to see the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Border Collie Monument. Later we stopped in Geraldine for lunch. I had my first meat pie, which turned out to be chicken in some weird sauce, but it was still good. Olivia, Nikki and I checked out the museum and craft stands around the little town and then we were back on the bus. Our last stop was the 'best'! We got to see a Giant Salmon statue! worth the stop! haha. Then we arrived back in Christchurch. We had one last dinner with our Contiki friends and then went back to our hotel.

Lake Tekapo

Church of the Good Shepherd

Border Collie Monument

First 'meat' pie

In the Geraldine Museum (just for you dad!)

GIANT SALMON!

Who needs Sea World when you have Salmon World!

Easter Sunday, Nikki and I found a church that was still intact, and attended service there. It was nice, but people were not as dressy as I'm used to. I don't think Easter is as big of a deal here. It was a nice experience and interesting to compare a NZ Catholic mass to the MN/ND ones I'm used to. Some words and songs were definitely different. Then a nice old couple offered to bring us to our hotel so we didn't have to pay for a cab. They were so sweet and we chatted about how they have a daughter and grand daughter that studied abroad. So nice to chat with them! We all hung out in the park and enjoyed the beautiful Easter weather. It was weird not being home with my family for Easter, and it just didn't really feel like Easter not being with them. I wish I could have been home, but It was interesting being in NZ too.

Christ the King Catholic Church

Easter Sunday at our Hotel, the Chateau on the Park

Early Monday morning we boarded our flight to Sydney, hung out there for a few hours, and then were off to Nadi (pronounced Nandi) Fiji. Our jet was a Boeing 747 with two levels! Biggest plane I've ever been on, we were on the second deck. We arrived late and got to our place on Bounty Island. We were welcomed with a nice 'Bula (welcome)' song and went to bed early. It had been a very long day.

Sydney from the Airport

Sunset over Fiji from the Airplane

We had two full days in Fiji to enjoy the hot sunshine, swim in the ocean/pool, snorkel, kayak, and sunbathe. It was nice and relaxing and so nice to be in warm weather after 10 days in chilly weather. The scenery was beautiful and we were content. I even saw a jellyfish close to the beach! I almost had a blonde moment by contemplating picking it up (this was before it registered that it was a jelly fish), thank goodness the lightbulb went off in my head! The only downfall of Fiji is the people trying to con you for your money, and the lack of communication between people and islands. Everyone denied what others had told us and there were lots of inconsistencies of info between people.

FIJI!

Beautiful

Sunset on Bounty Island

 We stayed on the mainland our last night and caught an early flight on the 28th back to Brisbane. It had been a long 2 weeks and we were all ready to head back to the sunny coast... which was of course raining when we arrived.

Overall, It was an enjoyable break with scary, exhilarating, special and fun times that none of us will forget! It was also nice having the American Dollar go a lot further for 13 days than in Australia! Gotta love exchange rates. Now, a couple days off to get back in the groove of school, though I'm finding it hard already. I am so ready for classes to be over!! I have mostly final papers left and lots of work to do. Not looking forward to it. But, in two months, Minnesota will be graced with my presence again only I will be more worldly and cultured.

Paradise! The Perfect Weekend

I know you've all been patiently awaiting my next post (who wouldn't be) and I have so much to share!! Friday morning Jess, Nikki, Jourdan and I got up quite early and boarded a greyhound to Hervey Bay. Jourdan is from Pennsylvania but goes to Ole Miss. The bus left around 8:45am and was supposed to arrive in Hervey Bay around 2:30. We made a pit stop in a random town for a half hour stretch break/breakfast and I had the pleasure of taking a picture with Australia's biggest kangaroo, Matilda!

Then we got back on board and were off! We arrived in Hervey Bay (north of Sippy Downs on the coast 2.5 hrs by car) around 2:15 and got settled into our hostel. We decided to go out for a quick lunch and I wanted to see the beach! Being indecisive, we all chose different foods, I had fish and chips (fresh from the sea) and it was fantastic! Then we waled to the beach, gorgeous of course and quiet. Took some photos, then it started to rain...go figure...then pour...how unexpected!? After a few minutes we headed back to the beach and had the pleasure of seeing a lovely rainbow. I made them all follow me to the pier so I could see how beautiful everything was. We walked around the town a bit, got ready and headed to the 'bar' in our hostel for some cheap food.There is only one night club in Hervey Bay, right next to our hostel, so we had to check it out. It was sooo tiny and everyone was either 17 looking or 45 looking. So weird. We didn't last long, and went to bed!

Saturday we woke up early to catch the ferry to World Heritage listed Fraser Island. It is the largest sand island in the world and all the vegetation (rainforest and all) is grown on sand. (see dad! not only does our lawn grow well on sand, but a rainforest does too!) First impression- beautiful!! Not to mention, the skies were clear and it was hot out!! Finally the sun gods listened! Once on the island, we met our tour guide Chris and were off in our 4WD bus. There are no roads of course, all sand so 4WD is necessary. Some how Nikki and I got stuck in the back row and got to feel first hand why the first stretch of road was called "the roller coaster". Yikes, good thing there were seatbelts.

Our first stop was basin lake. A perched dune lake fed by rain only. There was no swimming in it because human oils change the PH of the lake, killing native animals and bringing about neutral water creatures versus acidic water creatures. It was beautiful.

Basin Lake

Next we were on to central station where we had a picnic lunch and were able to hike through the rainforests. Flowing through it was a naturally purified freshwater stream that we got to drink out of. Yummy! The water was so clear! We also got to see a tree that had been there 500 years and stretched 5m in diameter! It was called central station because up until 1991 the island was used for logging and previously inhabited by indigenous Australians.

Drinking out of the Purified Freshwater Stream

Our last stop of day one was the unbelievable, picture perfect, Lake McKenzie. Words can't describe the beauty of it. Green vegetation, white soft sand, dark blue and aqua clear water. So beautiful. We got to lay out and swim and enjoy the lake for a few hours. Then it was time for afternoon tea and biscuits and heading back to our lodge.

Lake McKenzie

Nikki, Jess, Jourdan and I

We stayed at Kingfisher Bay resort and lodge. Our tour had the cabins and the other, wealthy vacationers were at the hotel itself. a nice place in the middle of the forest and on the pacific ocean. We grabbed our cameras and walked to the pier to watch the sunset. Phenomenal. There were wedding photos being taken out there at that time and after we had taken our photos and relaxed, we met 3 of the groomsmen and were asked if they could take a photo with us! Why not? So, we seized the opportunity, and saw them a few random places after the fact and they were all excited!

Sunset <3

Oysters clung to all the rocks near the pier

We had a pasta buffet dinner and had a drink or so while meeting some other travelers. A group of people were on a Contiki trip and this one gal, Carly, was hilarious. She was telling us about two girls (nicknamed pink eye and dolphin) that were stupid and rediculous on their trip. We had a good time laughing and chatting with them all.

Stonetool Sand Blow

75 Mile Highway

 Sunday morning we woke up early again for our 2nd and last day of touring the island. First stop was stonetool sand dunes. We got to learn how all the sand is blown there and fights with the vegetation to stay. very pretty. After making our way to the other side of the island, we got to the 75 mile sand/beach highway. Unbelievable. Chris said that its actually 65 miles but fishermen must have named it because they always exaggerate. :) funny guy. He was very knowledgible about the history, vegetation and animals of Fraser. Took many beach photos and then decided to go up and take an aerial view of the island. no words can describe the excitement.

Lake shaped like a butterfly!

Rainforest

Maheno Shipwreck on the Beach

Our tour bus for the weekend

 Next we stopped at the Maheno Shipwreck on the beach and got to see how large it originally was. Very cool! The Pinnacles were the next stop along the beach. They are rock formations that looked like they should be in Arizona. Then off to Indian Head!

We pulled up along the beach and saw the hill we had to climb... flip flops were a great idea.... we climbed up with our friend John that we had met the day before and had some good laughs to make time go by fast. When we arrived at the top... I didn't want to leave... it was by far the most breathtaking 365 degrees of beauty I had ever seen. We took lots of photos, soaked in where we were standing, in awe, and climbed back down because it was so hot and sunny and we were sweating! We took a stroll through the ocean and cooled off.

View from Indian Head

Most AMAZING view I've ever seen!

We drove to a park place and had lunch again. Then walked down the path to the Champagne Pools. We weren't allowed to swim because of all the sharks, sting rays etc. so the water that went over the rocks creates pools of safe and protected water we could swim in ( the champagne pools). It was so refreshing and gorgeous. After soaking up the sun and swimming a bit, we were off yet again!

Champagne Pools

On our way to a creek, we stopped for a potty break and I got to see the biggest spider I've ever seen!!! Australia/Fraser is home to the #2,4 and 5 most deadly snakes if I remember correctly... scary. Then we got to Eli Creek! A freshwater, crystal clear creek flowing nicely out of nowhere. We waded in the nippy water and walked up the path so we could swim/go with the flow down the stream from the top. So refreshing and beautiful. Then we had afternoon tea and biscuits (cookies) and were on our way back to the lodge.

Biggest spider I've ever seen!

Eli Creek

Nik and Jess in the Creek

Finally, on our last stretch of beach we got to see a dingo! They are a wolf descendant but lots skinnier and they don't travel in packs. Fraser has about 350 of them, which is not a lot compared to the overall surface area of the island. We only got to see it from inside the bus, but atleast we didn't have to go home with out seeing one.

Wild Dingo (they're tagged so the conservation people on the Island can count how many there are)

We got back to the lodge, watched the sunset again and had Asian food for dinner. Then we relaxed until it was time to catch the ferry back to Hervey Bay. I passed out sleeping on the ferry and forgot where I was! Once back, it was late so we checked into our hostel, chatted with our Canadian roomie who was going camping on Fraser the next day and told him how amazing it was.

Sunset on Fraser Island

Monday we woke up super early for the greyhound and headed back to Sippy Downs. We got so lucky with how amazing and sunny the weather was all weekend. It sure made the weekend. Fraser Island, I'd have to say, is my favorite place in Australia so far and anyone visiting here has to see it before they leave or they'd be missing out on a truely phenomenal place. Theres a million more picture I could show you, but it would take forever to load them all!

This week I have been busy with lots of homework, and it has been gorgeous outside. Very difficult! Tonight I am going out with friends for my birthday and tomorrow, Jess, Nikki and I leave for New Zealand!! Can't wait to go on our tour and meet lots of new people! Unfortunately I won't be able to blog until the end of April because it is semester break and I will be traveling! I'm sure you'll all be itching to hear all about it :) and I will be excited to share it with you! Until then, enjoy the wonderful weather and I'll be thinking of you!

Cheers!

I Can't Believe It!!

The past week has been filled with lots of homework and essay writing. Its week 7 and things are really starting to pick up at uni. LOTS of essays to write. Last Thursday I went grocery shopping at Woolworths with Elli and Nikki. I almost had a heart attack in the candy isle. Heres the background story: Every time I am at Target and see the M&Ms i complain about how they have peanut butter, peanut, pretzel, dark, seasonal and regular ones but NO crispy! Apparently in America, they decided not to produce the crispy ones anymore-of course they are my favorite kind. So, I haven't eaten a crispy M&M in years. Back to the Present Day: I was in the isle and saw a green package of them... didn't recognize the label, but Elli said the bag was a mixture of regular and crispy. My eyes lit up and I said "CRISPY!?" then I saw them... the bright blue, very inviting, package hanging on the wall! I was so excited and couldn't stop talking about it for about 5 minutes! I think the Aussies in the isle thought I was nuts! So, needless to say, I got a package and ate them in no time! I will definitely have to stock up before I venture back to the states! Pretty sad that that was the best part of my week!

The kitty was back this week, crying and begging for food. I didn't have much and especially nothing a cat could digest, so I gave it a little milk :)

Nikki and I took a walk to the library on Sunday to get some work done. So many kangaroos were basking in the cloudy weather. Besides the zoo, I hadn't seen so many in one area yet. We were able to get up pretty close (we were still nervous) to take some pictures.

Another odd thing I've found about Australia is that they don't sell pop in 12 packs... its either 15 packs or 24 packs. Either way, a 15 pack is A$11 on sale and a 24 pack is close to A$30!! insane! I was also very disappointed to see that they don't sell crystal lite packets for water! Good thing my Mom sent me here with some :) She thinks of everything! 

Clouds from Nikki's Balcony

Cute huh?!

Uni

We counted 15 in one area!

In Australia, most kids, that I've seen, go to private schools. They ALL wear uniforms of some sort including rediculous looking hats and olden day looking dresses. Boys are in trousers and girls in skirts and dresses. I've seen so many different kinds of uniforms due to all the schools around. The uni is next to Chancellor State College (college in Australia is like high school) and campus is filled with their students after about 2pm. Many of their parents I think either work or attend uni. Sometimes it feels like a campus for high school, college and adult aged students.

I got to witness my first beautiful sunset on Sunday! I'd been waiting 2 months for it! I hope to see many many more in the upcoming months. I love sunsets! They remind me of the cabin in summertime.

By camera didn't like the buildings, so they're dark. Hopefully more sunsets to come!

I'm off to Fraser Island with some girls this weekend and am doing a tour with a bunch of 18-35 year olds and hope to make lots of new friends, and that the weather will be sunny for once!! Can't wait! Off to work on more papers and projects, talk to you all when I'm back from the weekend!

Cheers!