The 24th-28th in NZ & Milford Sound

On the 24th of January, a Saturday, our kiwi experience group left Frans Josef and drove on down to Wanaka. Again, we made a few stops along the way to break up the repetitiveness of the bus ride. The first stop was to Lake Matheson. We did a walk around the lake there and took snaps of the morning reflections of the mountains on the water. Just when I thought this place couldn't get any more beautiful, I was proven wrong. 

It was a very calm and peaceful location (but I admit I did kind of want to throw a rock in the water)  

The bus ride dragged on because we had such a long drive. We made one more stop to see a very tall waterfall and drink a little of its water. 

Then then it was back on the bus until we arrived at Wanaka. Lake Wanaka was amazingly massive. 

That night Doug and I ate a salad for dinner and then went to the cinema with our friends to watch Unbroken. The movie theater was different than the ones back home. Here we had homemade ice cream and freshly baked cookies- a nice change. 

The next morning Doug and I woke up and went for a walk by the lake before starting the ride further south to Queenstown. We got on the bus that morning but soon made an unexpected pit-stop to puzzle world. 

We explored the illusions and mysteries and gave ourselves quite a headache before moving on to Queenstown. We nearly missed the bus because we got lost in an outdoor maze. Although, I don't think Doug would have minded staying there a few more hours. 

Queenstown has been one of my favorite stops thus far. 

It's an eclectic outdoorsy type of city. There's a huge lake on one side and the city itself is surrounded by mountains and forrest. There are all sorts of things to do outside and lots of shops around the city. The sunset in Queenstown is such an array of colors it's very easy to let your mind wonder and thoughts get lost. 

While in Queenstown Doug and I explored a bit and also ate at the renowned, Fergburger. 

Doug ordered a traditional burger and I ate the most wonderful-overflowing with goodness- chicken sandwich. It was the one time we didn't split a meal (and also the one time we seriously should have).

On the 27th Doug and I left Queenstown and took a bus to Milford Sound, one of the most beautiful places New Zealand has to offer. 

We went on a boat cruise and saw loads of waterfalls and seals. 

Doug and I decided to stay the night at the Milford Sound Lodge. 

We roomed with a girl from California who was traveling New Zealand completely by herself. She worked as a tax accountant and realized it was time for her to leave her job when she was so stressed out with work that she forgot to file her own taxes. Sometimes we just need that ah-ha moment to realize that travel needs to be a priority, and I'm happy she found hers. 

Milfird Sound had such unique scenery. None of the waterfalls looked the same and the design of all the mountains served as a wonderful distraction for my eyes. It didn't matter which direction you looked, it was all so picturesque. 

We hiked in Milford Sound and made pesto pasta with zucchini for dinner. (Doug and I are getting good at cooking on a budget).  

The bus ride back to Queenstown was about four hours. When we arrived we met up with our England friends at a new hostel called YHA. We only have two more days in Queenstown, but don't worry...we are going to make the most of them! You're going to want to stay tuned for what's ahead, trust me :) Here is a sneak peak.... 

Side note: 

I found this quote in a hostel we stayed at...I catch myself thinking about it constantly and I'm slowly starting to understand it in more ways than I originally had. 

It reads: "only after the last tree has been cut down, only after the last river has been poisoned, only after the last fish has been caught, only then will you find that money cannot be eaten." 

Interpret it as you wish :) 

Thank you so much for reading and have a lovely day! 

The 20th-23rd in NZ, Frans Josef Glacier

On January 20th Doug and I prepared to leave Kaiteriteri. We had stayed the night before in a hostel and had a few morning hours to prepare for our journey onwards. We did a much needed load of laundry, repacked our bags, and FaceTimed both of our families (also much needed). 

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 :)