Doug and I updated our financial logbook (not that exciting) and eventually got on the bus. From Kaiteriteri we drove to Westport. On the way there we stopped at a lake with a scenic backdrop of mountains.
At Westport we stayed in Bazille's Hostel. Doug and I actually slept in a tent at this hostel instead of a room so that we could save some money. That night we made supper in the hostel kitchen (Mexican rice with a vegetable stir fry-delicious). As we ate, we sat around chatting with Danielle and our two Irish friends pondering life and traveling. Conversing with these people is never without laughter.
Later on, the nine of us walked to the nearest beach to meet up with all the other kiwi travelers for a bonfire on the sand. Great way to spend an evening!
The next day (the 21st) Doug and I woke up and joined the 7 others for breakfast-eggs and toast. We got back on the big green wagon (our kiwi bus) and started the road trip to Lake Mahinapua. It was quite a drive, but our bus made three stops so luckily that split up the time of our butts getting numb from sitting. The first stop was to do a walk where we saw shoreline views and also a group of seals sun bathing and playing. The baby seals were insanely adorable.
Doug (the big time animal lover) could have stayed there all day, but we carried on to the pancake rocks and blowholes further down the road.
From there our next stop was to a shopping area to buy groceries and costumes. Costumes? Yep, that's correct. The lodge at Lake Mahinapua is a hostel strictly for kiwi experience travelers. On that note, they threw a themed party for our bus. The theme was to dress up as a job/person you will never be. Doug was Aladdin and I was voted into being Niki Minaj (complete with balloons for a butt). Emma and Becky were a bobsleigh team, Arian was a clown, Khalid was a terrorist, Danielle and Chloe were astronauts, and Lizzie was a skydive instructor.
Side note: Doug and I spent $0 on our costumes (proud of ourselves!) Our group definitely looked the best (in my opinion) and we got so many laughs out of the night. We had a fun time and enjoyed a great breakfast in the hostel the next day before driving further south to Frans Josef.
We stayed in Frans Josef for two nights. The first day (22nd) we didn't do much but hang out and eat dinner. However, we did run into two of our lovely England friends Emily and Sarah! We met this comical duo in the beginning of our trip and have definitely missed them on our bus! They are a great example of friendship and always make us laugh. Someday Doug and I will persuade them to visit us in the states.
On the 23rd Doug and I, along with 6 of our friends went on a glacier hike.
To actually get up to the glacier we had to take a helicopter, which was super exciting because neither of us had ever been in one before.
I got lucky and was able to sit in the front with my friend Emma.
The ride itself wasn't very long but the hike lasted a few hours.
The Frans Josef glacier was just.... Spectacular? Amazing? Beautiful?...I honestly can't even think of the best word to describe it.
One minute I'm warm and looking at the ocean and the next I'm on top of a mountain putting spikes on my boots to walk across ice. What?!? The change in landscape here constantly has me questioning my perception of what I think the world is and intrigues my thoughts as to what the ultimate Creator is capable of.
The glacier allowed me to venture out of my comfort zone. Looking back it was a little dangerous... I was close to deep cracks and crevices I could have fallen in and in many places I could have easily slipped and made a mistake. However, I wasn't afraid. I trusted those around me (people I have only met a few weeks ago). I trusted people I barely know more than I have trusted several people in my life that I've known for years. When you get out of your typical stride and make yourself nervous, it's amazing how you quickly find out who a person really is. Anyways, I digress...
We had a great time on the glacier, took tons of photos and laughed a lot!
Doug had a wonderful time and certainly looked the part. He's making great progress towards a mountain-man beard!
The glacier took us all to a whole new world (hint hint: Disney reference in honor of Doug being Aladdin!) and encouraged the frozen theme song to run through our heads (Let it go! Let it go!) It was an amazing experience, something I will never forget.
When our hike ended, we helied back to the base, gave up our blue smurf jackets and returned to the hostel.
Next up we FaceTimed family, ate dinner, and relaxed in a few hot spring pools. Next up we are headed for Wanaka for a night! After that we will be in Queenstown :) Stay tuned for more updates!
From the bottom of my heart I hope those of you reading this in some way get a smile out of it. Have a wonderful day and remember to embrace your nerves. If you're nervous, it usually means you care :)
Much love and as the kiwis frequently say.....No Worries :)
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