Wanaka Pic

Just a photo of Wanaka to test new filter on camera.

Killing Time

The weather has taken a turn for the worst and I am killing time waiting for it to clear because I am wanting to do a skydive over the fox glacier and the won't do them when the weather is like this. I had a very short and uneventful stay in the very small and dull town of Milford Sound (nice landscape but there is only 1 shop, 1 bar, and 1 cafe and everything is expensive because there is no other choice). I was there because I needed a rest after the beautiful Milford track and took a cruise around the fiords but it rained and I couldn't see much. I then headed back to the homely Queenstown for a couple of nights and decided to head for Wanaka while the weather is bad as it is on route to the Fox Glacier. Wanaka is pleasent and chilled out but I just feel like I am wasting time here. It is nice to get stuck into my book and take it easy but I am really in the mood for some action, but hey the sun can't be expected to shine everyday.

The Milford Track

Wow!!! Wow, wow, wow!!!!!! A couple of days ago I finished doing the Milford Track, a 4 day trek through some of the most amazing landscape. It is surpossed to be the best walk in New Zealand and one of the best in the world and I can now see why. It was SO amazing!!! You normally have to book at least 6 months ahead 'cos they limit numbers on the track but I got in the day before because somebody cancelled! How lucky am I?? It is definately one of the highlights of the trip so far....one of the highlights of my life even. It was really hard work. 33.5 miles with a full backpack on but totally worth the pain. I even climbed up and over a mountain!!!! How cool is that? The views and atmostphere at the top was impossible to describe, I literally climbed upto and over the clouds. Simply bliss. You may get a hint at how beautiful it was from the photographs but they are nothing to the real thing. Heaven.

This is more like it.......

So relieved to be out of cities and into the mountains. I am in Queenstown!!! It is a wonderful town, yet another place I'd love to live. Staying at a hostel that is more me, very colourful, not to many people, cool people though and everything made out of old bits of driftwood etc. I jumped off a bridge today!!! Best hangover cure in the world a bungy jump, it was amazing, gonna do a higher one tomorrow, that one looks really scary, 134m, 8.5 secs free fall check it....http://www.ajhackett.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/29 This town is another lovely town to chill out in, I am surprised how much I am enjoying chilling out actually, I thought I always wanna be doing stuff to keep me occupied to avoid homesickness, but its just too beautiful to miss home ha ha, sorry guys. Wish you could all come and share it. I am loving life!!

New Zealand!!!

Person jumping from Sky Tower, Auckland, NZ

Performance artist, Auckland, NZ

Grafiti, Auckland, NZ



Lanterns for Chinese New Year, Auckland, NZ

Well I am finally at the first proper stop of my trip, I feel like I can chill out a bit more now, although I havn't exactly been working hard so far, getting up when I want, relaxing on beaches, drinking when I like etc......but now I don't have to worry about flights. I am in Auckland now, it is a lovely city but to be honest I am a bit sick of cities now, looking forward to seeing the mountains. Went up the tallest buinlding in the Southern hemisphere yesterday, it was nice to see the Auckland volcanoes from there but it wasn't quite as impressive as the Empire State building. Went to a couple of Art galleries yesterday which were nice , and I am once again feeling like a pin cushon after having 3 more jabs today. I am finding lots of cool beads for my hair in Auckland wich is great for souveniers as they don't take up any room in my bag. I am also really impressed by the veggie options in Australia and New Zealand and spending way too much on food...its worth it though....yum yum. Ok next stop Queenstown, I'll message y'all from there,

Peace out,

Joe

Some photos from Sydney

Ok, here are some photograhs I didn't get the chance to upload when I did my Sydney entry...

Surfer, Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia

Wind shaped rock, just off Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia

Guys in yellows tops, Eastern Beaches, Sydney, Australia

Sunburn!!!!

I am now officially further than I have ever been from home and I can't go much further without going into space. I am in Sydney!!!! Got sunburn within my first 2 hours of being here, It was really hot even by Sydney standards. I am chillin' at a YHA hostel near Bondi beach and haven't seen anything as I have spent my whole time walking, chilling and trying to surf at the beach (and getting drunk, got an awful hangover). I am off to NZ tomorrow and a bit sad that I haven't go more time to spend in Austrailia but I may be back for a few weeks after New Zealand if I can get a job in a hostel. Anyways peace out guys, I am off to try and swim my hangover off.