Words cannot explain my experience I had in New Zealand. Going there for my Easter break was probably the best decision I've ever made.
People keep asking me if I'm actually in Australia to study or not. I may be taking a minimal amount of classes that do very little towards my actual major, but coming here has helped me learn more than what is in the books and instead I learn about myself and life. New Zealand has just added to that learning life process and I will forever be grateful for the chance I had to travel in this beautiful country and expand my horizons through a variety of extreme adventures.
And the adventure began.
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Our evening sunset and plane ride from Australia to New Zealand
Day one was just getting to New Zealand. After our experiences of taking the bus to the airport to go to Sydney, we decided it was smart to give ourselves plenty of time to travel, so we left a few extra hours early. We actually made it to the airport with lots of time to spare but that was okay, especially since we were traveling international and actually had to go through two security checks.
We got on the plane with no problem but the flight there was a little but more of a challenge. Once we were over New Zealand there were many clouds that made visibility very difficult and there was a bit of rain and wind. We were about to land when all of a sudden the plane decided to speed up and go straight back into the air. Apparently, due to wind and lack of visibility, we almost missed the runway and therefore we were going to attempt landing a second time. There was lots of turbulence and it almost seemed as if the pilots could not keep the plane straight whatsoever. Thankfully we made the second attempt and landed on the ground and on the runway but due to all the turbulence and unsteadiness of the plane, there were many sick people after that flight.
When we arrived in New Zealand, the hallways were covered in these wallpapers of the mountains, sheep, and plains. There were even sheep "baaaa"ing noises!!
Day two was a relaxed driving day. We had to drive from Christchurch down to Queenstown. Apparently there have been about 1200 earthquakes in the past 3 years since the last earthquake that turned the town into a ghost town. Much of the land has sunk, and while we were driving, there were a few places that it may have just been as easy to be driving a boat. It was a long drive but we got to stop on a little farm which fed us lunch. We got to try New Zealand lamb and beef! We even got to see a sheep dog demonstration and watch the dogs round up a herd of sheep. Did you know that for every one person living in New Zealand, there are 5 sheep? Along our drive we got to stop at Lake Pukaki, one of the glacier lakes in New Zealand. We got to explore Queenstown that evening and get ready for another long day the next day.
The yummy dessert we had at the farm where we ate lunch. Made me miss my mom's huckleberry cobbler!!
Sheep herding
Friends (:
One of the sheep at the herding. Her name was Mary!
Lake Pukaki with the girls
Day three we made our way to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. It was quite the rainy day, but there was a bit of driving involved. We got a little bit wet, but it was worth it.
Since it was raining so much, there were thousands of waterfalls falling all around us! It was a fun sight to see. This area has some of the steepest mountain sides. There are actually on average 100 earthquakes a day and the mountains grow about 3-4 centimeters a year. They are the fastest growing mountains because they are right on two tectonic plates.
We got to take a walk to the chasm which was pretty interesting to see. However you look down onto it, and I wish we could walk next to it but it was still pretty to see how the water affects the rocks around it.
We finally made it to Milford Sound and we got to take a cruise around the area. Unfortunately it was so rainy and foggy we could not see much besides the waterfalls just off the nearest cliffs. The water was also a bit rough, I was worried the boat was truly going to tip. It was a fun cruise, but I wish it could have been clear weather. That area apparently only gets on average 90 days of clear good sunny weather. Otherwise it almost always rains. It's a disappointment because you see pictures of Milford Sound and they look beautiful and you have to ask yourself "that was where I was?" I wish I could see the true beauty of the Sound, but at least I can say I've been there! Plus because of the rain we got to see what the people that go on a sunny day do not get to see. The waterfalls are only prevalent when there is rain, and it was definitely a new experience to see millions of waterfalls drizzling down giant steep mountain cliffs.
The girls in front of some of the waterfalls
On our cruise we got to see New Zealand Fur Seals!
View of the mountains and how foggy it was getting on our drive to Milford Sound
Waterfalls!
The Chasm
River into the Chasm
One of the big waterfalls in Milford Sound
A bigger waterfall in Milford Sound.
Picture I took at Mirror Lake! It was gorgeous!
Day four we spent a bit of time in Teanau and went to some glow worm caves. The caves were interesting to go to. We learned that the glow worms are basically maggots and they glow to attract food, so if they are really hungry then they glow brighter. If they aren't hungry they don't glow as bright. The caves were fun. The worms definitely have their spacing down to a science. Each one is evenly spaced between the others so the dots almost look placed there. The tour was short, and I honest don't think I ever care to go into one again, but at least I can say I've been through one before. That night we had a relaxing night and went out to a couple bars. It was Easter Sunday so there's actually a law that bars have to be closed, but one got a permit and we were able to have a nice night out.
The lake we had to cross to get to the Glow worm caves
Cold days require hot coffees!
The lake again
We got a little bored waiting for our ferry....
We went out for some drinks when we got back into Queenstown
Girls <3
Ready for the night!
The next day was a free day so we were allowed to do whatever we want: walk around town or do some tour and adventure. Since New Zealand is the adrenaline junkie capital, there were so many things to chose from! My friend and I wanted to do "The Canyon Swing" which is basically a swing that is a 107 metre drop and is through the Shotover Canyon. Unfortunately it was booked, so my other friend and I decided to just paraglide. I've been skydiving so I knew paragliding wouldn't be as much of a thrill, but it was at least a long ride with amazing scenery and made out for our morning to be relaxing. I even told my mom that I am not interested in becoming certified in paragliding. I guess we will see what happens in the next couple of years and see if I decide that it is a hobby I truly want to take up. After that we spent the day in Queenstown, wandering the streets, eating, and souvenir shopping.
In Queenstown, I got to wake up to this beautiful view just outside our door every day!
Ready for paragliding!
The panorama, with a hang glider just taking off on the left!
It was a GORGEOUS morning!!! Much better weather than what we had been suffering through.
A paraglider taking off
We were at the bottom of a ski hill in Queenstown!
The view!
Paragliding!
Yewww!!!!!
The next day, day six is when the adventure really started to begin. Today we got to go bungee jumping! Before the trip I was freaking out about even going. My friend showed me videos of "bungee jumping gone wrong" where the workers forgot to tie the rope in, or the rope breaks. I was literally having nightmares, not wanting to risk my life trying to do something "fun." Of course, it's already paid for so I may as well do it but I was scared. However once this day came upon us I didn't even care anymore. I knew I just had to do it. We are in the Adrenaline Capital of the World. I'm sure they would make sure things are tied up and attached correctly. There were also 48 of us so I'm sure they'd make sure things are safe before throwing us all off the ledge. I just had to do it, enjoy it, and get it over with to say I've done it.
We took the gondola up the mountain in Queenstown. It was fun to be on top of the mountain and see all of Queenstown below us. When we got up there we went straight to the bungee jumping to get into groups of 6, and of course our group ended up being the last group. Therefore, we were able to watch one group go and we were able to go on the luge track. Basically it's like the alpine slide, but it's a bigger track so you can actually race each other. It could probably fit three cars across. One of my friends here used to be a race car driver, so of course it was difficult to keep up with her since she likes speed, but it was still a fun fast ride down the track, especially since it was on the mountain side and you could see all of the city and lake below. We were allowed to go three times down the track, and each time was just as exciting as the first, if not more as we all tried to speed up and got comfortable riding the track.
After the fun luge rides we were almost to our turn for the jump of our lives. My nerves finally started to get to the best of me, but I was stoked at the same time. It wasn't until I was on the ledge that I realized I was about to nearly fall to my death. I had to take a deep breathe and someone said to look into the horizon at the top of the mountains ahead and just not think about it. I told myself that I've skydived before and this wouldn't be anywhere near the fall that I had while skydiving. I was pumped up and just ran and leaped towards the forest below me. It was an interesting experience. It honestly all blurred around me and I hardly remember falling. Maybe that's because it was only a 4 second free fall, but it was still fun nonetheless, however I still think I'd rather skydive than bungee jump again. I got back up to the platform shaking from adrenaline and fear. But hey, I survived! And I have evidence that I did it, so that's all that matters.
That night we did a bar crawl. We didn't care as much for the bars except for one: the Ice Bar. Queenstown has multiple ice bars, including one that is the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere. Unfortunately, we didn't go into the biggest ice bar, but we went into a different one and it was still worth the experience. It's amazing to see that everything is made of ice, even the bar and seats and our cups!! I wonder how hard it is to create an ice bar and if I could make one up in Park City. I'm sure it would be a hit. It was the coolest thing I've ever been to. Of course we had to buy a couple drinks and say we drank out of an ice cup. Who gets to say they've done that very often?
Overlooking the ski lift and Queenstown
The luge!
Luge and the lake
Our gorgeous view!!!!!
Where we will be jumping off
Racking up the nerves!
SO READY!
There I go (:
Bungee Jumping!
Another view of me jumping
The jackets we got to wear
Minus 5 Ice Bar! (Really it was minus 8 in there...)
An Indian ice sculpture
Ice sculptures
Drinking from our ice cups!
Best friends <3
Eskimo style
Drinking with the ice sculptures
Best friends!
The next day, Day 7 was another big day for us. We were going river rafting and jetboating, but the only way to get to the starting point for of the rafting is by helicopter. I officially can say I've been in a helicopter and it was such a fun experience! Short, but fun. We got to weave through the canyon walls and the captain even stalled the helicopter so we dropped in the air. It was a new experience and I'm glad I got to partake in it.
We got to the river and of course the water was freezing. Thankfully we were in full wet suits, a waterproof jacket, life jackets, and booties. However my feet and hands were still freezing by the end of the trip. We got to raft on paddle boats down Shotover River. Usually the river is a class 4/5, but since it is nearing winter, the water levels are down at 11,000 (rather than 45,000) and is only a class 3/4. Not quite as extreme as what I'm used to in the rivers but it was still nice to say that I got back on the river, especially since I had to miss the family rafting trip last summer due to my 17 credits of summer school. I've definitely missed the feeling of the river and canyon walls surrounding me.
The rapids were fairly easy, and I think the names give them much more fear than they should, like "The Toilet," "Jaws," "Oh shit," and "Pinball Canyon." There was actually one rapid that we all had to get on the right side of the raft and bounce and our guide had to get out and lift the left side to squeak the raft past a tiny opening. We also got to raft through a tiny long tunnel and go down a waterfall rapid called "Cascade." Nonetheless, we had a great time rafting, and it was a new experience for me since I've never been on a paddle raft.
After that we changed into some warm clothes and had a nice lunch at a cafe with some coffee and hot chocolate. I told my mom that the lunch was like having a nice meal after a cold, long, hard ski day. It's something you cannot wait to enjoy and relax to after a hard fun day.
After lunch we got to go jetboating. The jetboat was more than just a speedboat, but a true adrenaline ride of your life. We were flying through the river and canyon walls at 60 miles per hour and were going this fast just inches away from the canyon walls. We were also going this fast over water that was just 3 inches deep in some areas. We also did a lot of tricks and 360s within the river walls. I've definitely never trusted someone quite so much with my life before. We easily could have crashed or hit a rock in the water or the canyon wall. It was such a rush and so much fun though!!
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The helis coming into landing!
Our helicopter!
Ready for the heli and for rafting!
The view as we first took off
In the heli
We were in the front seat
The canyon and steep roadway that you could take to get to the river....
The canyon and mountain sides
Coming in to land
Let's be real, we looked hideous
The rafts
Too excited for her own good (:
Safety kayak
The river valley
The area that we all got stuck in...
Rafts!
Gorgeous river
Rafting
Right before the waterfall
The end of our river rafting trip, but the start of the jet boating!
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Such a gorgeous area
That's the jetboat we were on!
We enjoyed a huge burger that night
The next day, Day 8 turned into another free day in Queenstown. Once again my friend and I tried to do the canyon swing but it was booked. We ended up walking around town and said goodbye to the cute little mountain city.
We headed to Wanaka that evening and awaited an early morning rise to drive all the way to Fox Glacier the next day.
Lake in Queenstown
Love it here
We got a tad bit bored in Wanaka....
The drive on day nine was a bit longer than I expected. Queenstown was on the east coast of the Southern Island, and so we drove across to the west coast. It took at least 3-4 hours to drive to Fox Glacier, and when we got there we expected to hike up to the glacier. We got our gear on: hiking boots and big rain jackets and made our way to the car park where we would start the hike. We got there and it was a bit chillier and windier than the towncentre that we were in.
Apparently the glacier area had been experience extreme weather the past few days with lots of rain and earthquakes. The river was even running high and rushing down past us. I was excited for the hike, but that's when the bad news struck us. There had been a rockfall on the trail towards the glacier, and since there was a lot of rock fall and lots of odd weather activity lately, the decided to completely cancel the hiking tour. We didn't even get to walk up towards the glacier or see it, so I was a bit disappointed. I was really excited before coming to New Zealand that i'd be able to walk on the glacier and see ice caves, but since the glacier was moving we were not allowed on it, which is understandable. The fact that we didn't even get to walk towards it to see it was what struck me and disappointed me. Looks like I need a trip to Alaska or Canada to see one and climb one when I get home.
Unfortunately this day was Anzac Day, so the tiny town that we were in was closed down. There was only one cafe that was open and the supermarket. We decided to buy dinner at the supermarket and didn't really do much else in the town of Fox Glacier. The town is a tiny little street that takes 5 minutes to walk around.
On our long drive, we stopped at this waterfall. It was called Thunder Falls, but our bus driver called it "LSD Falls." Why you ask? If you look at the waterfall for 30 seconds, and then look to the side at the trees, it makes the trees look like they are climbing up the waterfall. I'm not quite sure how he figured this out, or why he figured this out, but he did, so he showed us. We all had a great trip just like him haha.
We were ready to hike to the glacier!
Day 10 was our last day and of course was a 6 hour drive back to Christchurch. Thankfully our bus driver was nice. He brought us to a view point where we were able to see Mount Cook and Mount Tasman: the two tallest peaks in New Zealand, and also Fox Glacier! So I can finally say I saw Fox Glacier, but only from a far far far away distance. Oh well.
We drove past where the Narnia Battle was filmed! I honestly had no idea Narnia was filmed in New Zealand. We also drove by some more scenic areas from Lord of the Rings.
We made it into Christchurch. This time it was blue skies and the roads weren't flooded. However the town was still dead and there wasn't much to do. We stayed in our hostel and went to the bar that was next door. My friends and I got to try a Skittle Bomb, and the bartender paid for us. It was a good end to our trip.
Snow-topped mountains
Fox Glacier, Mount Cook, and Mount Tasman!
Panorama of the area <3
Our skittle bombs!!!
It's sad to say goodbye to New Zealand. It was most difficult to leave Queenstown. That city truly reminded me of home and being in Park City and Mccall.
New Zealand has taught me that home is always where the heart is. It wasn't until college when I realized that I always took Utah for granted. I have so much to do in my backyard and it's a beautiful area to live in.
It also made me realize that maybe I want to get my nursing license and then travel and work. I honestly want to come back to New Zealand and it has become my dream to live in Queenstown and work for a year. I also want to ski in New Zealand. I saw pictures of all the snow that they can get and I think it would be such a great experience to ski there. Plus it looks beautiful with all the puffy white snow on all the mountains and in the city valleys!
Going to New Zealand for my break was the best decision I've made. I would recommend everyone to go there if they haven't already. It's such a pretty country, and who doesn't like to see sheep every few minutes when driving?
I love New Zealand! <3
The beautiful view I had on Easter, with the Remarkables in the background!
I love New Zealand! <3
