this feels odd to be writing so late at night (10:10 p.m.), b/c usually the internet places, in fact, everything in the entire town, closes down by 6 p.m., but here I am in Queenstown, tourist central, where even the internet places are open late, which is great! I've definitely become used to everything closing early, though.
Our plans to hike the glacier fell through, as first we had poor weather (Freezing rain), then we decided to go climbing in Wanaka (1 1/2 hrs from Queenstown), w/ Cat & Jen. HOwever, Cat, our local guide whom we all met wwoofing, then left w/in 12 hrs of reaching Wanaka for the States, in order to work w/ her brother in a shearing venture, where she'll be for 10 weeks. talk about a quick turn-around--she found out as we were driving down, then had to head back up, a 15-hr drive, in order to make her flight the next day! glad it wasn't me. Thus, our glacier & climbing guide fell through, we had heaps of freezing rain in Wanaka, so we hung out @ Puzzle World for a while, which plays mind tricks on you, then took off for Queenstown, in order to be ready to celebrate Jen's b-day the next day.
Today was spent recovering from that birthday, we were rather lazy, though we did just do a quick hike up the hill, offering spectacular views. Yesterday, we were blown away by the Remarkables, the mountain range, which are beyond word description. They were even snow-capped for us, courtesy of the freezing rain we experienced previously. We drove to a ski resort, then hiked for a couple hours to reach a small peak, practically being driven by the wind off the mountain, but being rewarded w/ views beyond compare, of snow, rugged mountains, a green river, a steel-colored lake, I just can't do it justice w/ words, & my pictures will be a disappointment, as they won't encompass the majesty of the mountains whatsoever. However, it was awesome to view & play around in!
w/ all the other activities of the day, including one of the most decadent icecream shops I've ever encountered (I had a "single" scoop w/ tiramisu & cappuccino flavors of utter deliciousness), & receiving mail/ a package in Queenstown, as well as going out that night, I decided to declare it my birthday as well, b/c we had such a great time!
Now, Liz & I have Milford Sound to cover w/ a tramp or 2, while Jen takes off for a wwoofing gig in Blenheim w/ fellow Belgians. you really should look up Queenstown/the Remarkables on the internet for pictures or something, just to get a taste.
