April 9th 2007, Queenstown, Ben Lomond

I began the day at 8:30 and packed up and headed to a different backpacker hostel that was cheaper because I knew I would be having to save a lot of money down the road. I moseyed on over to BJ's Lakeside backpackers where I would spend the next couple of days before heading off to Te Anau for a kayaking trip.

I got a late start on the hike for today going up Ben Lomond peak just north of Queenstown and trail accessible from 3 streets from my lodging. The day was just magnificent with a round trip time of 7-8 hours to hit the peak summit of 1200 meters I believe. However, I completed the trip in 2/3 the time and according to an Irish couple who gave me free drink tokens at the World Bar, "I shot up there."
The first part of the track passes through a very dark and dense pine? forest and then opens up to tussock grass and short alpine vegetation, all in the glorious sun. By the first couple of minutes in the sun I reverted to shirtless and converted to shorts. Ben Lomond was towering off to the left and looking to prove a challenging quick ascent. I even saw wild sheep on the way up...HOW COOL!

Reaching the summit afforded spectacular views into Queenstown and Lake Wakitipu with mountains as far as the eye could see to the north, even Mt Aspiring in the distance. Even the saddle before the summit was spectacular with a perfect spot for a bench if I ever did see one.
















I met a Boston guy @ the summit and asked if my hat was the Green Wave. Met the Irish couple who gave me two free drink coupons with a clever pic on the front:



and then chatted on the way down with an Irish guy who was just finishing up a 13 month world tour (jealous).

That evening I made it to the World Bar, alone, and got my two free drinks, and to my delightful surprise I found that they had AFTERSHOCK. I ordered a shot and exclaimed to the people around me that "First it's hot, then its cold, and how bout them crystals!" They looked at me weirdly and then I wandered back to my abode, learning it is very difficult to go out alone.

April 8th 2007, Arrival in New Zealand

The previous day was 4 hours long. After leaving Hawaii at midnight, I crossed the date line 7 hours into the flight, time traveling a day ahead. I begin this trek with 6,000 dollars for 3 months.

On the flight, they served wine and tea the entire flight through and I did not take them up on the offer because I felt I was getting sick. This is not a good thing when flying to a foreign country as they usually don't take to kindly to traveling plague victims.

Stranger than Fiction was one of the in flight movies at 4 AM and I had to stay up for it because it was one of my favorite movies. After watching it, I had a feeling that everything was going to be ok.

I finally slept a little on the 9 hour flight (no one sat next to me either) but luckily I woke up before sunrise. Flying at 34,000 feet (11000 meters) when the sun rises is one of the most beautiful images that I can see ever. Here is a photo of the sun rise at 11000 m and right when we get into auckland:


I booked my lodging for the night...whew! on easter sunday no less, massive holiday for the Christians.

Getting off the plane At Queenstown was like stepping into a new world fill of sunshine and awesomeness! The first thing I did after checking into the Deco backpackers hostel was go to Church on this the day of our Lord's birth. They only had one mass at 9 AM so I picked up a free post card to send to the folks and tell them yes I went to Church. I picked up a backcountry hut pass 90 bucks where i would definitely be saving money on hiking huts and some maps for the area to plan my day tomorrow. I passed out very early due to no sleep on the plane, and I think the German girls in my room might have been laughing at me. Ah well.

Panorama from the back balcony of the Deco Backpackers in Queenstown with the Remarkables overexposed in the backgound:
These small pics don't do it justice, and larger versions are on my webalbums on Picasa

End Day One of NZ in NZ!

Foreword

I know not where I may go, but wherever it may be, I will go to it laughing.

-Moby Dick

1st post: why?

I have decided to start a blog, chronicling my epic New Zealand adventure that began one year ago today. In it I will be posting excerpts from the journal I took and post the best photos that I took at the time. Feel free to leave comments and what not, and ENJOY!