LRS28

The past few days have been an absolute blast. I finished work on Wed., said my goodbyes, then Thurs morning headed to Queenstown. From there went to Te Anau for two nights, and from there visited Milford Sound on a hike/cruise tour. I thought it might be overrated - it's the most visited tourist spot in NZ. And it's really just some mountains, and a lake (aka "fjordland). But it's absolutely stunning. I could've sat and just stared at the mountains for about a week.

Went back to Queenstown, which was like one big college party. Imagine: a small ski village, where everyone is amped form there day bungy jumping/rafting/sledging/hiking/etc. and they just want to hit up happy hour to celebrate being alive. My hostel room was full of rowdy folk, and I wound up out til 4am.

Then it was on to the glacier land, which is where I am now. Just finished a hike up Franz Josef glacier - which "hike" is putting it mildly. It was a little closer to rock climbing. We wore Talonz (crampons) and climbed up the terminal face on stairs chopped in by our axe-wielding guides. The all-day hike just gets up about a third of the way. We went thru an ice fall, sqeezed thru crevasses - it was amazing. And a serious workout. Now it's off to happy hour to put my feet up. I'm going to be sore tomorrow.

Am really sad that tomorrow is my last full day here. In the past few days, I've met some amazing people. Of course the backpacker's life is weird - you meet people, then a day or two later, you move on in different directions. So it's fleeting, but a fun peek in at many different lives and lifestyles. Like the two guys who were (separately) biking across the country. Or the sisters from Oregon who kept trying to ditch their parents. Or DeeDee from Ireland, who was super fun to party with. I like to think about the webs people leave - the path they make thru life, and the points of contact they make on the way. I used to imagine it all lit up on a big map. Or did I get that from a Jonathan Safran Foer book... both.

Anywho, soon it's back to the real world, money worries, and trying to figure out a game plan for that lovely path thru life.

:: HOME :: GET EMAIL UPDATES :: Mediabistro :: FishBowlNY :: Unbeige :: Gawker :: Jossip :: Go Fug Yourself :: L-Do's Vegan Journal :: UptownGirl :: Kirty Word :: Karen in Africa :: AG's so quiet ::

2005-12-09 4:57 AM Two days left Previous Entry :: Next Entry Read/Post Comments (0) Share on Facebook	The past few days have been an absolute blast. I finished work on Wed., said my goodbyes, then Thurs morning headed to Queenstown. From there went to Te Anau for two nights, and from there visited Milford Sound on a hike/cruise tour. I thought it might be overrated - it's the most visited tourist spot in NZ. And it's really just some mountains, and a lake (aka "fjordland). But it's absolutely stunning. I could've sat and just stared at the mountains for about a week. Went back to Queenstown, which was like one big college party. Imagine: a small ski village, where everyone is amped form there day bungy jumping/rafting/sledging/hiking/etc. and they just want to hit up happy hour to celebrate being alive. My hostel room was full of rowdy folk, and I wound up out til 4am. Then it was on to the glacier land, which is where I am now. Just finished a hike up Franz Josef glacier - which "hike" is putting it mildly. It was a little closer to rock climbing. We wore Talonz (crampons) and climbed up the terminal face on stairs chopped in by our axe-wielding guides. The all-day hike just gets up about a third of the way. We went thru an ice fall, sqeezed thru crevasses - it was amazing. And a serious workout. Now it's off to happy hour to put my feet up. I'm going to be sore tomorrow. Am really sad that tomorrow is my last full day here. In the past few days, I've met some amazing people. Of course the backpacker's life is weird - you meet people, then a day or two later, you move on in different directions. So it's fleeting, but a fun peek in at many different lives and lifestyles. Like the two guys who were (separately) biking across the country. Or the sisters from Oregon who kept trying to ditch their parents. Or DeeDee from Ireland, who was super fun to party with. I like to think about the webs people leave - the path they make thru life, and the points of contact they make on the way. I used to imagine it all lit up on a big map. Or did I get that from a Jonathan Safran Foer book... both. Anywho, soon it's back to the real world, money worries, and trying to figure out a game plan for that lovely path thru life. Read/Post Comments (0) Previous Entry :: Next Entry Back to Top
:: HOME :: GET EMAIL UPDATES :: Mediabistro :: FishBowlNY :: Unbeige :: Gawker :: Jossip :: Go Fug Yourself :: L-Do's Vegan Journal :: UptownGirl :: Kirty Word :: Karen in Africa :: AG's so quiet ::