Suz and Cath's travels :)

:D

suz_cat — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:50:00 GMT

Mum, we're alive. Home tomorrow!!! Today we did a bit of shopping, and we're going out for dinner tonight to celebrate our trip. Tomorrow morning we are getting up SUPER early to get on a plane and come back home. we're sad that the trip is over, but can't wait to get back! cat xx

The far North and our last Magic Bus ride

suz_cat — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 15:41:00 GMT

Mum, we are alive!!

Sorry about not blogging yesterday, by the time we got back to the hostel the global gossip (cheap internet) was closed and there was no way we were paying $5 just to blog!

Yesterday we went on a day trip to Cape Reigna, right up the top of NZ. our first stop was to a forest where we could see big trees... not too exciting! On the way we stopped at some giant sand dunes and went sandboarding. it was a lot of fun, but the climb up was pretty hard... towards the top it was so steep that it felt like you were going nowhere- the sand just kept sliding back down. Because of the terrible climb I only managed to go down the dunes twice before we had to leave and cath gave up after the first go! Then we arrived at a gorgeous little beach surrounded by mountains. We were allowed 45 minutes here to have a swim- the water was freezing! cath chose to stay on the bus and sleep.

After the beach, we got to Cape Reigna, where you can see the line where the Tasman sea and the Pacific Ocean meet. There was also a really nice view as it is up on a big headland.

We then started heading home. For the first part of the trip home we travelled along 90 mile beach (which is actually only 60 miles long, when the kiwis found this out they didn't change the name because they didn't want to be outdone by Australia with our 80 mile beach). When we got to the end of the beach, we found that the other bus from the company we were travelling with had become stuck in the sand. 20 minutes later our driver had used the bus to pull the other bus out and we were on our way to the ancient kauri museum, which is basically a souvenir shop selling things made from kauri (Nz native tree) which had been buried under mud for at least 45000 years. Everything there was pretty nice, but way out of our budget- a chunk of scrap wood cost at least $30! or a long chair for $25000!

Next we went to Mangonui, which apparrently has the best "fush and chups" in NZ and possibly the world according to the bus driver... the fish was ok but i'm pretty sure the chips were just frozen packet ones :( the ones we had on the lakefront in Queenstown were a lot better! We ate the chips on the bus as we were late from the other bus being bogged and arrived home a little while later. We had a spa and had an early night :)

This morning we got up early again for our last day on the magic bus. not too many exciting stops today, we stopped to look at another big tree (this one was actually quite impressive), and had a couple of stops at expensive cafes. we got bacck into Auckland at about 4, went shopping for food and are now on the net :)

Thats about all, i think i've typed enough!

Suz

BAY OF ISLANDS

suz_cat — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:21:00 GMT

Mum, we're alive!

today we caught a bus up to the bay of islands. not a very eventful day, but a good one tomorrow! Sand boarding and beaching and fush and chups!

Love cat xx

Relaxing in Auckland :)

suz_cat — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:45:00 GMT

Mum, we are alive!!

Today we spent the day just relaxing, we went out last night as it was Steph and Brendan's (from Canada) last night. Had a good sleep in this morning and went out for chinese for lunch- the meal was MASSIVE we have enough leftovers for our next 3 meals lol! Oh the free meal Cath mentioned last night was miserable- a tiny piece of fish (about half the size of the palm of my hand!) and 6 chips... and no, I'm not exaggerating!!

This afternoon we went shopping (I got a pair of Lee riders for $70 aussie!! Marked down from $160NZ!! We are going back to the hostel soon and will probably spend some time in the spa. Off to Bay of Islands tomorrow, I can't wait!

Suz

xox

BACK IN AUCKLAND

suz_cat — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:21:00 GMT

Mum, we're alive. today, after A night of bike riding and glow-worm hunting in classy gumboots, we got on the bus and came back to Auckland. We are now at the magic office with FREE INTERNET! wooo! Tonight we get FREE DINNER and then we're going out :) it's brendan and Steph's last night :( Cat xx

Coromandel

suz_cat — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:57:00 GMT

Mum, we are alive!

Today we travelled from Mount Maunganui to coromandel town. On the way we stopped at hot water beach (there is a hot spring under the sand where you can dig your own hot pool- it was actually really hot, some of the pools people had dug were steaming!). We then went to Cathedral Cove, where we saw a massive rock arch, caves, and some really pretty beaches. We then drove to Coromandel town and checked into the backpackers, which is pretty nice- there's a pool and a spa and free bikes here :) Also, theres a gold mine with glowworms inside- I might check that out after dinner :) speaking of dinner... i'm starving!
BAck to Auckland tomorrow!!

Suz

xox

Beach :)

suz_cat — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:56:00 GMT

Mum, we're alive.

Today we woke up, went back to sleep, woke up again and went to the beach. It's the nicest beach i have seen so far in NZ - there is actually sand! I went back early (because i got someones fair skin - thanks a lot pete).

The rest of our day has consisted of eating and watching movies. This is the life!

cat xx

bye bye Shellie and Tom!

suz_cat — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 15:44:00 GMT

Mum, we are alive!

Sorry for not blogging last night, we were haing a farewell party for our English friends Shellie and Tom. We made cake (chocolate, SOOO yummy, especially after our backpackers diet for the last few weeks) and steak, and Shellie made cauliflour cheese (which was also delicious :) ). We had a few drinks with them and stayed up pretty late- we are going to miss them, we have had so much fun in the last few days since we met them :)

This morning we got up early to say bye to Shellie and Tom (they had to go to Auckalnd to fly out)... then went back to bed for another few hours :) we finally got up at about 11 (it was SO good to finally have a sleep in), had breakfast/ lunch and went to the beach. The beach here (Mount Manguaniu) is so pretty- we will definitley be spending a lot of time there tomorrow :) haha on the way to the beach a car pulled over behind us and the guy in the car gave us a bunch of flowers each... we feel so loved lol.

We are about to go back to the beach for a couple of hours now (since it doesn't get dark here till almost 10pm), so we will talk to you again tomorrow!!

suz

xox

Taupo - AGAIN.

suz_cat — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:09:00 GMT

Mum, we're alive. Today we came back to Taupo. Where it was raining for quite a while. we went down to the lake and looked at the shops (things we didn't get to do last time because we were sky-diving!). Probably going out tonight, to celebrate suz finishing uni and me PASSING stat! MIRACLE!! Love! Cat xx

Napier

suz_cat — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:39:00 GMT

Mum, we are alive.

Today we had another early morning and left Wellington. We slept on the bus for most of the day (after being kept awake by our roommates the night before!), but we had a couple of stops, one for morning tea at an EXPENSIVE cafe, and the second at the TUI (NZ beer) brewery, where you could get 3 Pints for $2... I went thirds with Shelley and Tom from England but it was pretty hard to even drink one!! I don't know how some of the people on our bus managed 3! We arrived into Napier this afternoon, where we checked into our room (we are stating with the smae people who kept us awake last night- lucky us lol!) and went for a walk around town. We are going to have a quite night, and watch a DVD with Shelley and tom :)
Gotta go help them choose a movie!
suz

xox

Back to the North Island

suz_cat — Wed, 9 Dec 2009 16:46:00 GMT

Mum, we're alive.

Today we caught the ferry back to the north island. it was a 3 hour trip, but it was SO funny! We took the ferry with shellie, Tom (both from England) and Beau (florida). Somehow, Tom ended up moving the potplants all around the ferry (into the middle of walkways and beau's bag) and beau made a barricade in one of the walkways out of chairs. Yes, as sad as it is, that is the most exciting thing that has happened today.

OH! no, wait! we got free curry :) oooh yeah ;)

cat xx

Kaikora

suz_cat — Tue, 8 Dec 2009 15:44:00 GMT

Mum, we are alive!

Today we left Christchurch and headed North to Kaikora. Only one stop along the way so we got here before lunchtime :)

This afternoon we walked around the town and found a cheap supermarket (we NEVER seem to be able to find the cheap ones so we were pretty ecstatic!). We spent some time relaxing at the hostel (which is pretty nice- spa and sauna and a big pool with a massive deck all around it). We just got back from the beach (which is rocks, not sand) where we had fish and chips (fush and chups??) because we had heard that the fish and chips here were voted the best in the country... they were pretty good, but the seagulls thought so too- they were actually swooping down and stealing the food out of our hands!! A lady sitting near us got her whole ice cream taken... it was pretty funny seeing a seagul fly past with a whole cornetto in its mouth!

Well better go- net time is nearly up, i will try to reply to some comments before it cuts out!

suz

xox

Christchurch

suz_cat — Mon, 7 Dec 2009 14:04:00 GMT

Today we got up early (YET AGAIN) and caught a bus to Christchurch. i swear, every second shop here is a sovineir shop. We haven't done much today, have looked around a little bit, but the city is the city - not much to do in the day :( we are going to go and look at the botanical gardens later maybe.

MISS YOU ALL!!!

love cat xx

Tekapo :)

suz_cat — Sun, 6 Dec 2009 16:52:00 GMT

Mum, we are alive :) Spent most of the day on the bus again, Left Dunedin early this morning and had a couple of stops (at the world's steepest street and some boulders which i have forgotten tha name of!) And arrived here at lake Tekapo in the afternoon. We had a quick stop as soon as we got here at NZ's most photographed church (a little stone church next to the lake, its so cute :) ). Didn't get up to much this afternoon- watched a movie at the hostel as it was raining when we got here then went for a walk around the town. And took lots of photos of the lake- its SO blue!! Tonight we are going to have an early night so we don't sleep all the way to Christchurch tomorrow!! Suz xox

YAWN.

suz_cat — Sat, 5 Dec 2009 15:46:00 GMT

mum, we're alive. Today we caught a bus (again) to Dunedin. there isn't much here, and we're only staying for one night. The YHA we're staying at is really pretty though, our room is right up the top in a little attic with a balcony and it's so cute :) well, as sad as it is, that's about all hahaha. love cat xx

CANYON SWING!!!

suz_cat — Fri, 4 Dec 2009 16:23:00 GMT

Mum, we are alive!

Today i went on the canyon swing- scariest thing so far!! Have a look at the website.. google canyon swing. I chose to do the "Cutaway" swing (where you hang out over the gorge and they pull a string and you drop) because there was no way i was jumping off a 109m cliff doing flips or with a bin over my head!! Some of the other people in my group jumped with a bin on their heads ("bin laden") or with a chair.

Anyway... I was completely freaking out- the girls before me had been waiting for ages and the guys who worked there kept pretending to push them just to freak them out... so i was expecyting the same thing. Pretty much as soon as i was hanging over the cliff, the guy pulled the string mid conversation, resulting in me hurtling towards the ground making the kind of sound you would expect a male weightlifter to make (thats actually what Cath described it as, she saw the video!!).

After I "screamed" (you couldn't really call it a scream...) I was wondering if it was actually me who screamed!! Haha I bought the DVD at the end so remind me when I get back and you can watch it and laugh at me :). It wasn't as scary as I thought and the view of the canyon was great once I slowed down enough to see it!! No more extreme activities for a while though!

Better go, internet is chewing up my credit and this is already a long story!

suz

xox

ps. Today we also wandered around Queenie (as the locals call it) and went to "underwaterworld" (FREE entry!!) which was pretty cool :) Tonight we are going out- there is a "fun in the sun" theme at our hostel :)

Oh and I think I was supposed to write about jetboating- it was more exciting than fun, I'm glad I did the canyon swing after it, it would have seemed quite boring after what I did today!!

PUB CRAWL!!!

suz_cat — Thu, 3 Dec 2009 16:37:00 GMT

Mum, we're alive.

last night for Brendan's birthday (A canadian guy we're friends with) we went on a pub crawl in Queenstown :)

it was good fun, you actually get ASKED to dance on the bars here. and if you do they sometimes give you free drinks! we went to 6 different pubs and had an awesome time! photo's here: http://www.bignightout.net.nz/qtown/photos.html

Today (after getting up very late) we made ourselves a BIG breakfast, then wen't walking around queenstown. It's so so pretty here, we sat by the lake for a lot of the day. Suz also went jet boating, but she'll tell you about that tomorrow :)

We're having lots of fun, but i must admit i'm getting a little homesick. Miss you all so much!

Hope everything is great back in Aus,

Cat xx

Milford Sound- best music festival EVER!!

suz_cat — Thu, 3 Dec 2009 10:13:00 GMT

Mum, we are alive!

Sorry for not blogging last night, we went to Milford Sound for the day and got back at 9... we had to rush to meet some people from our tour bus at 9:30 for one of the Canadian's birthday party! so no time for blogging!

Yesterday we got up super early (after having a pretty late night at World bar... yay teapots!!) and left to go to Milford Sound. The bus drive took Forever and it didn't help that the driver insisted on stopping every half hour to make us get out and go for a walk! We finally got to Fiordland National Park... it was stunning. Massive mountains everywhere covered in snow! We kept driving and got to Milford Sound (which Cath oringinally thought was a music festival.

Milford Sound was AMAZING... can't really describe it, we will try to put piuctures up as soon as possible! We saw penguins and seals and got saturated by waterfalls :)

Then we had to endure the 4 hour bus drive back... and got back just in time for Brendan's party :) i'll let Cath write about that!

Today I am going jet boating on the Shotover river- can't wait!

Hope everyone is great!

Suz

Q-Q-Queenstown!!!

suz_cat — Tue, 1 Dec 2009 18:19:00 GMT

Mum we're alive!

Today we endured yet another long, boring bus trip. we stopped at some mountains and lakes, and the scenery was quite pretty, but not pretty enough to make us enjoy 9 hours of sitting on our bums.

When we finally got here, we were so happy! it's so so pretty here, and the city is so cool (World Bar here = TEAPOTS!).

Our accomodation is also really nice. it has just recently been built, so everything is so nice and clean :) we're going out tonight with brendan and steph (our 2 canadian friends) for a few drinks.

got to go get ready!

Cat xx

Freezing in Franz Josef

suz_cat — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:54:00 GMT

Mum, we are alive! We left Greymouth this morning, had a couple of small stops in little towns along the way and arrived in Franz Josef at about lunchtime. It is SO cold here!! It's strange seeing snow on the tops of the mountains when its summer tomorrow! going to queenstown tomorrow- i'm trying to talk myself into doing the canyon swing (google it- it looks terrifying!!) The hostel we are staying at tonight is pretty cool- free spa so we are going to go and spend some time with some Canadians on our bus :) Hmmm sorry there isn't much to write about today!! Suz xox