I guess I like having a companion to travel with--that way I wouldn't feel so alone and would be willing to do more things. Some day I will try it.
I, also wanted to mention that I was reading the Bangkok book yesterday, Pete and Jeff told us to go to this monastery where monks do massages. Well, I was reading about the monastery. They actually have a 10 day course in massage. I wish I was there long enough to do it. I also saw that you could stay a year and study herbal medicine, massage, and something else. Well, I can always go back, except Jeff said that he thinks it would be very tough to stay one year in Bankok.
March 6, 2003
Got up at 4:15 and threw my stuff in bag and went to meet the shuttle. The driver was great. He first took us to the domestic flight, but then realized that our packs were stored at the international terminal. He took us over there, but we had to walk back. The flight to Christ Church was 1 hour and 20 minutes, then hopped on the shuttle to TeAnau. When we arrived at the airport it was about 10:00. We missed the bus into TeAnau and the next one wasn't for 4 hours. We decided to take the bus to Queenstown. We weren't sure what we were going to do but decided to check it out. It is a cute little village nestled in the mountains. There is a little snow on the peaks. I forgot to mention that when we flew in we flew over Mt. Cook and other peaks. They are all snow covered and there are some glaciers there. I think Mt. Cook is the hightest peak, but I don't know what the elevation is, We decided that we would ewalk around Queenstown and catch the 2:00 bus to TeAnau. We checked out a hostel that we think we will go to once we go back to Queenstown. We checked out prices for car rentals, we ate lunch and then it was time to go. The bus was a 2 hour ride. There is a lot of sheep and deer farms here. I think they must also farm something because from the plane you could see the different boundaries in the land.
We checked into a nice backpackers hostel called the TeAnau backpackers. There wasn't much available, but we got this "caravan" which is actually a trailer. It had 2 twin beds and a double bed--it would work so we took it for two nights. The other rooms look really nice. The hostel is right on Lake TeAnau. So we have beautiful views of the mountains and lakes and the sun setting.
We walked to the store and picked out our food for the next three-four days.
I wanted to tell you that Queenstown is a hopping place. I don't know if it is the major place for adrenaline sports, but they have bunjie jumping, paragliding, sky swings, river surfing, and much more. Don't worry I am not up for them--at least not yet. I told Laurie that if it was the end of the trip I might think about it because I would know if I had extra money.
I have spent more money in these two days than I spent in all the time in Hong Kong. We had to pay a lot in transportation and now we have to pay for a place to stay. I really can't complain because lodging is pretty cheap. I paid $12 (USD) for tonight's room. OK, so it is not the Ritz, but it has a bed, there is a kitchen, a bathroom, shower, and a TV in a separate building.
Tonight's dinner--Ramen with tuna and peas. I am sure you are all drooling wishing you were here.
While eating we met a nice couple from the Netherlands. They have been here for five weeks already and plan on spending another two weeks. The Europeans get 5 weeks vacation right off to start. They sure do it right.
I got up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom that was in the next building. When I looked at the stars they were unbelievable. It was a nice clear night. I could even see the Milky Way. I think the constellations are somewhat different in the southern hemisphere. There are so many stars I can't spot anything I know.
March 7, 2003
I slept in late today. The trailer was so dark I couldn't tell if it was light out. I finally got up about 9:00 am. We didn't have much planned for today so it was nice just to get up when you want. Laurie and I walked down to the DOC (Dept. of Conservation). That is where we booked our "tracks". We picked up the tickets for our transportation. We then took a walk by the bird wildlife sanctuary and then further down the path I was looking for a log walk but couldn't find it. So we just walked back the other way into town. We hadn't eaten breakfast so we were getting hungry. As it was about 12:00. We walked down the main road to check out all of the stores and restauarnts. The restaurants were more than we wanted to spend so we kept walking and we found a small sandwich and ice cream shop. Of course we did indulge in both. We went to the hostel to relax.
The day started off grey, but turned out to be a beautiful clear day. So I hung out on one of the porched and read. We walked back into town to buy more supplies.
Presently I am doing wash, well I am waiting in line to do wash. When done, I will have to pack my pack as we are heading out to the Milford Track. It will be four days and 53.5 km which is about 33.4 miles. To get there we have to take a bus and then a boat to the start of the trail.
March 8, 2003
It feels so nice to be able to stay in bed a little longer than when I have to go to work. I slept well, but had lots of strange dreams. Some about friends and family and some about people from work. I am not one to interpert my dreams, but I must be thinking about the people that I won't see for a year.
I packed up and had breakfast. We were to meet our bus at 9:30. Checked my email to see if I had anymore messages before I left. I am getting spoiled with the computer access. I won't have the availability when I am in Nepal.
I can't believe that I have only been gone for a week and a half. I am getting quite use to this life. I guess after a year of this it will be especially hard to go back to work.
We met the bus and the bus driver took us to TeAnau Downs. He gave some facts and history about the area. Said tourism was the number one industry and fishing second. He said farming was third and that
