Stage one adventure NZ leg:
No sleep - total excitement!
My farewell dinner with everyone that could make it was soo much fun! Definitely will miss them! Xx
To be honest I had the best & worst sleep EVER knowing that I won't be able to sleep in my own bed for a few years. I'm so grateful Chrissie & Gorg organized a big family soiree to say bye Friday night. It's a very surreal feeling saying goodbye. As much as I want to do & start my adventure I feel a deep feeling of FOMO. The pickinini's will be in Kindy/Year 12.
All grown up! I'll be starting a fresh when I get back. No ties to anyone or anything - freedom at my feet.
Touchdown NZ:
Groggy, tired, aching bones & unsure. Arriving at 0015 in Christchurch. Although I saved some $ I'm not sure it was the best option. Thankfully I was able to pick up my car 5am. Few hours sleep & I was off again! First stop Lake Wanaka!!
West coast drive along the South Island is said to be beautiful - such varied landscape, beautiful sunsets, wildlife....what I saw PITCH BLACK & high beams til 8am. When I got to Arthur's passage sun was just starting to pop out behind the mountains. Gosh the southern alps are incredible!! Once the sun set I could see mountains for days!! Gorgeous- I can see why some ppl refer to NZ as a 'mini' Canada.
No road trip would be complete without getting a little lost - thank goodness for GPS! Haha
Kahlo & Marley were waiting up for me!! Cuddles, kisses & laughs with my girls! Oh how I'd missed Anna & her gorgeous girls. James was also in toe - hugs & hellos were shared!
The tiny pitter patter of foot steps, a door creaks, giggles! Kahlo & Marley snuck into my room to wake me! Excited to have me come stay for a few days!
The next few days were their normal routine, school drop off, karate, home, dinner, pj's movie/music & dancing in the lounge room, books & bed. Repeat! Until the weekend - netball & dance then repeat!! I don't know how Anna does it. Sometimes I feel like she had 3 kids to look after as James hasn't quite gotten his shite together & take take takes... she's one classy, super mum!!! Will miss you you crazy Banshee!!
As is my style I didn't pre book a bus to the airport thinking I could just rock up like in Oz!! No Siree!!
Having been unsuccessful online we decided I should hitch.
With sign in hand, backpack ready tears & goodbyes shared I was left alone. For the first time on my journey! Alone...
Would someone see me, knowing what a frosty morning it was (5-7*) & feel sorry for me - stop & drive me to Christchurch! I had my doubts but no sooner than 45mins later a lovely couple stopped!!
YAY!! They owned a wild life park in town & had just been up at a wedding at Lake Wanaka, left their kids at home so they had the room!! Thank my lucky stars!! Successful first ever hitch hike!
I was off to a great start! In fact they were sooo lovely they dropped me off at the Antarctic center!! They also made a few tourist pit stops along the way & invited me to come check out their wild life conservation park next time I'm in Christchurch!!
Ok I'm gonna skip a few hours/days & jumped to Van-city!!
