So let's get up to date.
On 0ur first day in NZ we spent some time getting back to the 'real world' at our hostel and then took a walk along Queen St to the harbour (downtown). It was bloody cold (9c) compared to Fiji (about 30c) ! There were basically lots of shops and the general busy-ness of a city, which we found weird after being on desert islands, but Megan loved it being the self proclaimed 'city girl' she is. We walked up to the sky tower, where Megan fell flat on her face in the street (!) , and then back over to Albert Park, where there were some scary Lord of the Rings style trees. Back at the hostel we booked on to the Magic Bus to start going down towards Wellington, as our original plans to go north to the Bay of islands kind of changed when we found out there had been severe flooding there, the roads were closed and there was no power. That evening we headed to the Globe bar, where we found ourselves unexpectedly drunk thanks to 2 for 1 beer vouchers and a 15 minute free bar stunt. We weren't complaining.
The next day, we got up early to get the bus down to Rotorua. Firstly, we stopped up at Mt Eden, a dormant volcano that gave great views over Auckland, even if it was freezing! We carried on towards the Waitomo Caves, about 3 hours away, and it felt good to be driving and on the move. It also gave us time to reflect on how we missed cheese and other such delights. At the caves we took a walking and boat tour to see the famous glowworms, which was cool if a little overpriced. We are starting to notice that there is loads to do here, but you have to pay (lots!) if you want to do it. After the caves, we took a half an hour walk in the 'jungle' back to the village, which was cool, and more importantly free! The village was pretty dead, so we settled ourselves in the only bar/pub in the village until it was time to leave. We saw a gorgeous sunset on the way into Rotorua, a town famous for being the point where the Earth's crust is at its thinnest in the world, and consequently an area of thermal activity. On arrival, we dined on super noddles at our hostel (appropriately called Hot Rocks), before going down to the Lava bar with some Dutch girls from our dorm.
This morning we slept in for the first time in a long time. We walked down into the town around midday, and ended up walking through the Government Gardens and all the way along the lakefront. The lake being sulphur based, smelt rather badly of egg, but was apparently a wildlife reserve (although all we could see were seagulls!) In the afternoon, we walked along by the shops, and found ourselves in a really nice cafe called Fat Dog, where we ate probably the nicest food we've had in at least a month. On heading back to the hostel, we took a swim in the pool, which was outdoor, but thermically heated, and very nice indeed. As for this evening, we found the internet still logged on so freeloaded a good 3 hours of usage. Tonight is friday night though, so i guess that means we HAVE to go out somewhere....
Speak soon, love to all xxxx
Friday 13 July 2007
Tuesday 10 July 2007
Bula...It's Fiji time!
So; Fiji. We crossed the date line on the way to Fiji so infact didn't even exist on the 2nd July. Bit of a weird thought.
Tuesday we arrived at Nadi and were taken to our hostel, which was set in tropical gardens with swimming pools. After a chill by the pool, we decided to walk into Nadi Town with a German guy who was in our dorm. It was quite bizarre to see the effects of colonalisation; primary schools with children in school uniforms, Christian churches and the Queen's head on all their money. The town itself wasn't really anything special, mainly just supermarkets and souvenir shops. We headed back to the hostel and had a nice meal in the restaurant, surrounded by trees with fairy lights in them, after which there was fijian traditional (fire) dancing.
The next day we were taken to the port to catch the big, yellow ferry to the Yasawa Islands; first stop Sunset Waya. Although showery, (i know we didn't know it rained in Fiji either!) the boat gave great views of passing islands. Our plans for the next 7 days were to island hop in the area (think of resorts with a beach, palm/coconut trees and a few huts (or bures), all backed by mountains.) The ferry stopped in the bay fo each resort(s), and those of us getting off got into a smaller boat. On arrival at Sunset, i spectacularly rolled out of the boat, and ended up lying pretty much face down in the sea (bag and all) much to the amusement of Megan. And there we go; we had arrived.
Daily life for the next week was pretty routined; meal times were set three times a day, at which time everybody in the resort came to eat together around long communal tables. We stayed in big dorms, and as nobody could really leave the resort, island life really lent itself to meeting new people. So we spent our days relaxed on the beach and in hammocks; sunbathing, reading, swimming, snorkelling, weaving bracelets, and knocking down and opening coconuts with our new friends. In the evening, it became dark at maybe 6 o'clock and as there was limited electricity, the night seemed to be really long. There was always some kind of after dinner entertainment; be it fire dancing, musical statues, a bonfire or bula dancing (fijian macarina), in which everyone had to participate, but generally the nights were early. And so the mornings were early too. We saw sunsets and sunrises and even the moon rise once...very eerie!
Today we arrived in New Zealand and were immediately hit with the sense of returning to civilisation. No-one ever said it looked so much like England here either!
It's a new chapter. Blog soon xxxx
Tuesday we arrived at Nadi and were taken to our hostel, which was set in tropical gardens with swimming pools. After a chill by the pool, we decided to walk into Nadi Town with a German guy who was in our dorm. It was quite bizarre to see the effects of colonalisation; primary schools with children in school uniforms, Christian churches and the Queen's head on all their money. The town itself wasn't really anything special, mainly just supermarkets and souvenir shops. We headed back to the hostel and had a nice meal in the restaurant, surrounded by trees with fairy lights in them, after which there was fijian traditional (fire) dancing.
The next day we were taken to the port to catch the big, yellow ferry to the Yasawa Islands; first stop Sunset Waya. Although showery, (i know we didn't know it rained in Fiji either!) the boat gave great views of passing islands. Our plans for the next 7 days were to island hop in the area (think of resorts with a beach, palm/coconut trees and a few huts (or bures), all backed by mountains.) The ferry stopped in the bay fo each resort(s), and those of us getting off got into a smaller boat. On arrival at Sunset, i spectacularly rolled out of the boat, and ended up lying pretty much face down in the sea (bag and all) much to the amusement of Megan. And there we go; we had arrived.
Daily life for the next week was pretty routined; meal times were set three times a day, at which time everybody in the resort came to eat together around long communal tables. We stayed in big dorms, and as nobody could really leave the resort, island life really lent itself to meeting new people. So we spent our days relaxed on the beach and in hammocks; sunbathing, reading, swimming, snorkelling, weaving bracelets, and knocking down and opening coconuts with our new friends. In the evening, it became dark at maybe 6 o'clock and as there was limited electricity, the night seemed to be really long. There was always some kind of after dinner entertainment; be it fire dancing, musical statues, a bonfire or bula dancing (fijian macarina), in which everyone had to participate, but generally the nights were early. And so the mornings were early too. We saw sunsets and sunrises and even the moon rise once...very eerie!
Today we arrived in New Zealand and were immediately hit with the sense of returning to civilisation. No-one ever said it looked so much like England here either!
It's a new chapter. Blog soon xxxx
Goodbye America
Ok so its been a long time since we last blogged.
Ill start by finishing off the America part. When i last blogged we were heading to Downtown LA in search of historical, beautiful buildings (there must be some, surely?!). We took the metro rail, on which, we met a crazy guy who was shouting at us to leave England and move to high ground as it's apparently not safe anymore with all this flooding and global warming going on. We also saw an old woman dressed head to toe in lilac - very much a case of 'When I Am Old I Shall Wear Purple...' Anyway, as for the aforementioned beautiful buildings, well, there weren't any. Our first stop was the third largest cathedral in the world, (at which the guide promised we would marvel at its sublime architecture) which, i have to say was HUGE but really modern, characterless and really just not at all like a church. Next up was the old Grand Central Market, which on arrival proved to be in da ghetto init, so after a short circuit of the block we headed back to our favourite place in Hollywood; the Kodak Theater Complex, where we talked the afternoon away in the sunshine.
The next day was Sunday, and our last day in L.A. We headed once again to the coast, this time to Venice Beach, which was packed out. I had a nice walk along the shore, and was honestly glad to be out of Hollywood. In the afternoon we wondered along the promenade, which was lined with little shops and stalls selling the usual touristy things, where i bought myself some new sunglasses. Later on, we took the metro rail to the airport, which was probably the scariest experience of my life; we had to change 3 times, each stop becoming progressively more ghetto. At the last change i think the whole entire platform was just staring at the two little white girls with their backpacks.
Ill start by finishing off the America part. When i last blogged we were heading to Downtown LA in search of historical, beautiful buildings (there must be some, surely?!). We took the metro rail, on which, we met a crazy guy who was shouting at us to leave England and move to high ground as it's apparently not safe anymore with all this flooding and global warming going on. We also saw an old woman dressed head to toe in lilac - very much a case of 'When I Am Old I Shall Wear Purple...' Anyway, as for the aforementioned beautiful buildings, well, there weren't any. Our first stop was the third largest cathedral in the world, (at which the guide promised we would marvel at its sublime architecture) which, i have to say was HUGE but really modern, characterless and really just not at all like a church. Next up was the old Grand Central Market, which on arrival proved to be in da ghetto init, so after a short circuit of the block we headed back to our favourite place in Hollywood; the Kodak Theater Complex, where we talked the afternoon away in the sunshine.
The next day was Sunday, and our last day in L.A. We headed once again to the coast, this time to Venice Beach, which was packed out. I had a nice walk along the shore, and was honestly glad to be out of Hollywood. In the afternoon we wondered along the promenade, which was lined with little shops and stalls selling the usual touristy things, where i bought myself some new sunglasses. Later on, we took the metro rail to the airport, which was probably the scariest experience of my life; we had to change 3 times, each stop becoming progressively more ghetto. At the last change i think the whole entire platform was just staring at the two little white girls with their backpacks.
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