I met Rosie last night, she’s from Byron Bay in Oz and was just staying for the one night here, we both came down on the bus from Chch. This hostel is really plush, we went to the TV lounge which is more like a mini cinema, Lord of The Rings was on, very apt!! There are rows of comfy leather sofa’s and the screen and sound system are awesome, it’s fantastic!! Once that was finished we headed through to our dorm, there was only us two in it. Had a great night sleep and said cheerio to Rosie when I woke up, I’ve taken her details as she has said she’ll show me round Byron Bay when I make it there.
I was showered and dressed early this morning and got out and about, it’s cold here so jumper and jeans weather!! That’s what I want though!! I went into the snow resort office and found out that today was the last day of cheap snow passes, not resisting an opportunity to save money I bought mine. I also took on a job at the backpackers hostel I’m staying at. I just clean for 3 hours a day and make up beds and in return my accommodation is free. Another excellent way to meet people as I’ll be staying in the staff quarters. It’s only until I get a job that pays which I can’t see me getting for another month as the season doesn’t kick off for a while. Great to be in early though to get contacts and get myself known.
Was wondering about earlier and started chatting to a lassie (Kate) that looks like a boarder, she said to join her for a coffee down at the lake so I met her friend Luke too. She gave me the lowdown on the place and even better, she is a bar manager!! We exchanged numbers so I may head up there for a drink later. I also bumped into one of the girls who I recognised from yesterday’s bus, she also had a snowboard in tow so I got yapping to her too. She is also on her own and looking for work as a chef for the season. She is a Kiwi and is called Victoria, we exchanged numbers too and no doubt we’ll hook up later for a drink too, this place is like Aviemore but a teeny bit bigger so no doubt I’ll see the same people going about all the time. I Came back to check my emails and sort out my C.V. I’ve also had a message from Alisha, a lassie from Oz who I was in contact with before heading out here, we were going to try and find an apartment to rent together. I'm meeting her for a coffee after my shift tomorrow.
Cooked up a storm in the kitchen tonight, spag bol yumyum. Better than the crap I've been living off. It'll be good to get my own pad soon so I can get back to proper eating. I have 3 new lassies in my dorm tonight, all seem really nice but I'm knuckling down and not going out until I get a job. It's waaay to tempting, I classed Chch as my wee holiday.
Going to head up to the cinema room in a bit. First day of work tomorrow, work ahhhh I don't want to work ever again. I just want to bum around!!!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Wanaka!!
I have arrived in Wanaka and I'm completely blown away by how beautiful it is. It was just breathtaking arriving here and it's all on my doorstep. Take the west coast of Scotland, which is beautiful and stunning and times the intensity by 10!!
Well what another great couple of days, I've had no regrets since I landed here. Not one moment have I sat unhappy and that's great as I think I was unhappy lots before I got here!
I'm just trying to remember where I got to on my blog so I can let you know what I've been up to.
Tuesday 28th
Sarah, Anita and I got up early as we planned on a full on day since it was our last in Chch. We found a free bus so hopped on just for the sake of it, we decided to hop on a bus and head to a suburb called Littleton, it was another toasting hot day so we bought some stuff for a picnic and headed off. We asked the driver where was best to get off to eat our food and have a nice view, everyone on the bus got involed, I'm still not believing just how friendly everyone is!! We had a coffee after lunch and sat in the sun, I had to cover myself in tanning stuff. Think I'll stick to fake tan though rather than sunbathing!! The girls headed off up the Gondola on the way back, since I had already done it I stayed on the bus and headed back. Chilled out reading then they came back so we got ourselves packed up and showered and changed for another night out!!
The three of us went for an Indian first to the Raj Mahal, it was the finest Indian I have ever tasted and it came to $30 each, around 12 quid. This was a main course with a side and the wine!! My old best mate from school has a cousin from Chch so I contacted her and arranged to meet up, I also called Jodie, the lassie from Melbourne that we met the other night. We all met up in Dux de Lux, a fantastic beer garden then headed off to a pool hall. Kelly (my friends cous) had a friend join us too, it was a great laugh and I also met another lassie from Hamilton. She's invited me up and offered me a bed in her house. Kelly's friend runs a bar in Chch and said no probs to a job if I go back there...SWEET!!! We ended up in the internet cafe after that then fell into the hostel at 1am.
Sarah left to catch her bus on her NZ tour at 7.30am, we just gave her a wave, that was just toooo early!!
This morning I got a bit of a shock at reading the newspaper, everyone from last weekends NZ1 flight is being tested for this flu thing, I don't know if you've heard about it back home. I've not heard from anyone but the NZ1 is the flight I took. I've not started coughing or sweating yet though!!
I jumped on the naked bus at 10am to go to Wanaka, Anita bless her helped me to the bus stop and we said cheerio. I'll really miss her, she's also a biker so we got on like a house on fire. Both as mad as a box of frogs!!
The bus journey here was just amazing, The views were stunning!!! Lake Tekapo is just a stunning colour, it's something to do with the glacier dust and the light refracting? The driver was great and gave us some running commentry.
Arrived here in Wanaka at around 5pm, the hostel was just a 2 minute walk, backpack, frontpack and a huuuuge board bag to lug up! As I was getting closer this old guy, David Hamil offered to help me, He asked where I was from and turns out he has family in Aberdeen, he was sweet and even introduced himself and told me where he lived and told me to come up for a sup of tea and tell him about Aberdeen!! He made a joke that his wife would be wondering why he was away helping this young lassie, they were just in doing their food shop. Nice old couple. It's the way of the Kiwi's, not there two minutes and they're willing to help!!
I'm staying at Base Wanaka, a brand spanking new hostel which really is brilliant. Makes the Chch one look like a right dump, it's so clean and I'm really happy to be staying here for 15 nights. If I work for 3 hours a day I can have my accommodation free so I might just do that.
I can't wait to go check the place out tomorrow, it's stunning. Go look up lake Wanaka on google. WOWOWOWOW. I'll get some photos up soon. There's a cinema room here free so I'm off to see what's on and get an early night.
Once again, I'm over the moon, very happy. I've really landed on my feet.
Catch you's soon x
Well what another great couple of days, I've had no regrets since I landed here. Not one moment have I sat unhappy and that's great as I think I was unhappy lots before I got here!
I'm just trying to remember where I got to on my blog so I can let you know what I've been up to.
Tuesday 28th
Sarah, Anita and I got up early as we planned on a full on day since it was our last in Chch. We found a free bus so hopped on just for the sake of it, we decided to hop on a bus and head to a suburb called Littleton, it was another toasting hot day so we bought some stuff for a picnic and headed off. We asked the driver where was best to get off to eat our food and have a nice view, everyone on the bus got involed, I'm still not believing just how friendly everyone is!! We had a coffee after lunch and sat in the sun, I had to cover myself in tanning stuff. Think I'll stick to fake tan though rather than sunbathing!! The girls headed off up the Gondola on the way back, since I had already done it I stayed on the bus and headed back. Chilled out reading then they came back so we got ourselves packed up and showered and changed for another night out!!
The three of us went for an Indian first to the Raj Mahal, it was the finest Indian I have ever tasted and it came to $30 each, around 12 quid. This was a main course with a side and the wine!! My old best mate from school has a cousin from Chch so I contacted her and arranged to meet up, I also called Jodie, the lassie from Melbourne that we met the other night. We all met up in Dux de Lux, a fantastic beer garden then headed off to a pool hall. Kelly (my friends cous) had a friend join us too, it was a great laugh and I also met another lassie from Hamilton. She's invited me up and offered me a bed in her house. Kelly's friend runs a bar in Chch and said no probs to a job if I go back there...SWEET!!! We ended up in the internet cafe after that then fell into the hostel at 1am.
Sarah left to catch her bus on her NZ tour at 7.30am, we just gave her a wave, that was just toooo early!!
This morning I got a bit of a shock at reading the newspaper, everyone from last weekends NZ1 flight is being tested for this flu thing, I don't know if you've heard about it back home. I've not heard from anyone but the NZ1 is the flight I took. I've not started coughing or sweating yet though!!
I jumped on the naked bus at 10am to go to Wanaka, Anita bless her helped me to the bus stop and we said cheerio. I'll really miss her, she's also a biker so we got on like a house on fire. Both as mad as a box of frogs!!
The bus journey here was just amazing, The views were stunning!!! Lake Tekapo is just a stunning colour, it's something to do with the glacier dust and the light refracting? The driver was great and gave us some running commentry.
Arrived here in Wanaka at around 5pm, the hostel was just a 2 minute walk, backpack, frontpack and a huuuuge board bag to lug up! As I was getting closer this old guy, David Hamil offered to help me, He asked where I was from and turns out he has family in Aberdeen, he was sweet and even introduced himself and told me where he lived and told me to come up for a sup of tea and tell him about Aberdeen!! He made a joke that his wife would be wondering why he was away helping this young lassie, they were just in doing their food shop. Nice old couple. It's the way of the Kiwi's, not there two minutes and they're willing to help!!
I'm staying at Base Wanaka, a brand spanking new hostel which really is brilliant. Makes the Chch one look like a right dump, it's so clean and I'm really happy to be staying here for 15 nights. If I work for 3 hours a day I can have my accommodation free so I might just do that.
I can't wait to go check the place out tomorrow, it's stunning. Go look up lake Wanaka on google. WOWOWOWOW. I'll get some photos up soon. There's a cinema room here free so I'm off to see what's on and get an early night.
Once again, I'm over the moon, very happy. I've really landed on my feet.
Catch you's soon x
Monday, April 27, 2009
Monday 27th
I’m lying over my bed, I’m shattered, spent the day shopping with Anita, it’s so hard going into all these shops, there are so many nice pairs of shoes but there’s no way I could fit anything else into my backpack so I had to walk out without anything! I’m absolutely shattered now, I was a lazy cow this morning and never got out my bed until 12. After Anita and I had finished the bottle of wine we decided to head out, chucked on some decent clothes and some slap and off we went. We ended up in the Stock XChange which was such a laugh, we met three lovely wimmen from Oz, NZ and the US, what a giggle, there was a guy from Sheffield and another lassie from S.A. joined in on the banter too, we had sore stomaches from laughing all night. I have no idea what the doorman must have thought but we made him laugh all night too!! Made it back at around 2am and fell into our bunks!! I think we were trying hard not to giggle. The lassie from Japan that is also sharing with us said I had been singing and talking in my sleep, ooooops!!
Today has been fine although I’m really tired now, I’ve just met Sarah, our new roomie that replaced Karla, she is also travelling on her own, she’s done India, China, Singapore and Oz so no doubt we’ll get some great stories out of her, she is also here until Wednesday. She’s really friendly and seems great to hang out with too, I’ve been really lucky with the people I’ve met so far. I hope it’s the same for when I get to Wanaka!
That's me finally posted this blog up and I'm just about to email you all the address. It was a roaster today, must have been around 24 degrees!! Tonight the new lassie, Sarah, Anita and I met up with the Oz lass from last night and we went to Sticky Fingers for a couple of drinks. We're still a bit delicate from last night!! Just away to head to bed once I've finished faffing about on the internet. My wireless connection isn't great in the hostel so It's easier to come into an Internet Cafe.
Tomorrow should be another fun packed day, We've booked massages and I think I'm going to get my Tragus (bit in my ear) pierced tomorrow. That's if I don't chicken out!!
Today has been fine although I’m really tired now, I’ve just met Sarah, our new roomie that replaced Karla, she is also travelling on her own, she’s done India, China, Singapore and Oz so no doubt we’ll get some great stories out of her, she is also here until Wednesday. She’s really friendly and seems great to hang out with too, I’ve been really lucky with the people I’ve met so far. I hope it’s the same for when I get to Wanaka!
That's me finally posted this blog up and I'm just about to email you all the address. It was a roaster today, must have been around 24 degrees!! Tonight the new lassie, Sarah, Anita and I met up with the Oz lass from last night and we went to Sticky Fingers for a couple of drinks. We're still a bit delicate from last night!! Just away to head to bed once I've finished faffing about on the internet. My wireless connection isn't great in the hostel so It's easier to come into an Internet Cafe.
Tomorrow should be another fun packed day, We've booked massages and I think I'm going to get my Tragus (bit in my ear) pierced tomorrow. That's if I don't chicken out!!
Day 3 (Sun 27th April)
I’m getting the hang of this now and really enjoying myself. I slept right through until 9.30 and feel like I’ve sorted my body clock already, I’ve made two excellent friends already, Anita, a fellow Scot from Glasgow and Karla from Dublin. Both were in Oz before coming here. Karla heads off tomorrow for a 5 week tour of NZ and Anita is off to Oz on Wednesday before heading home. I have booked the ‘Naked Bus’ for Wednesday to take me to Wanaka. I just hope I don’t have to get Naked!! I think it may just mean ‘no frills’!!
Yesterday (Sat 25th April) was great, Karla and I got up and spent the day hopping on and off the tram, made friends with Larry the tram driver and we also went up the Gondola and had magnificent views over Christchurch. We also went on a punt along the river Avon, which was great, relaxing and chilled out. We were there early so hung out with the hunky punters before heading off and got them to make us a cup of coffee!! We hooked up with Anita in the evening after she had her new Tat inked on. The three of us went for a Chinese, hmm after spending half an hour trying to place an order and get the right wine our dish came. Erm, not what we were expecting. It was a chopped up chicken complete with bones, feet and beaks and kinda put us off!! We picked through it and made the most of it!!
Today (Sunday) we all got up around 11 and headed out to catch a bus to the Antarctic Centre. What a good laugh we had. It was really interesting and we got to see native little blue penguins. Did you know you get penguins in NZ?!!
Headed back to Cathedral Square and went for a wander and some dinner. We can’t be bothered going out tonight and we’re not allowed alcohol in the hostel but felt like naughty school kids because we sneaked some up anyway. We have no glasses though and using a mug and a cut out plastic bottle to drink from haha. Classy birds!! You can take the girls out of Scotland but you can’t take Scotland out of the girls!!!
It’s still not really hit me that I’m here yet, I really do love the place and can’t get over how relaxed and friendly everyone is. It is like Scotland/Amsterdam and Spain rolled into one!! I was a bit worried that the chocolate wouldn’t be the same but found some Lindt phew!! I need to start eating beans on toast and stop spending money until I actually get a job!! I’m not sure what’s happening tomorrow but Karla leaves so we’re one down!! I will be hooking up with her next week when she passes through Wanaka to do a Canyon Swing and a Sky Dive!! I can’t wait.
Yesterday (Sat 25th April) was great, Karla and I got up and spent the day hopping on and off the tram, made friends with Larry the tram driver and we also went up the Gondola and had magnificent views over Christchurch. We also went on a punt along the river Avon, which was great, relaxing and chilled out. We were there early so hung out with the hunky punters before heading off and got them to make us a cup of coffee!! We hooked up with Anita in the evening after she had her new Tat inked on. The three of us went for a Chinese, hmm after spending half an hour trying to place an order and get the right wine our dish came. Erm, not what we were expecting. It was a chopped up chicken complete with bones, feet and beaks and kinda put us off!! We picked through it and made the most of it!!
Today (Sunday) we all got up around 11 and headed out to catch a bus to the Antarctic Centre. What a good laugh we had. It was really interesting and we got to see native little blue penguins. Did you know you get penguins in NZ?!!
Headed back to Cathedral Square and went for a wander and some dinner. We can’t be bothered going out tonight and we’re not allowed alcohol in the hostel but felt like naughty school kids because we sneaked some up anyway. We have no glasses though and using a mug and a cut out plastic bottle to drink from haha. Classy birds!! You can take the girls out of Scotland but you can’t take Scotland out of the girls!!!
It’s still not really hit me that I’m here yet, I really do love the place and can’t get over how relaxed and friendly everyone is. It is like Scotland/Amsterdam and Spain rolled into one!! I was a bit worried that the chocolate wouldn’t be the same but found some Lindt phew!! I need to start eating beans on toast and stop spending money until I actually get a job!! I’m not sure what’s happening tomorrow but Karla leaves so we’re one down!! I will be hooking up with her next week when she passes through Wanaka to do a Canyon Swing and a Sky Dive!! I can’t wait.
The first day of the rest of my life (Friday 24th April 2009)
It’s Friday, it’s 1.30pm and I’m finally lying in a bed! I can’t stand up because I feel like I’m going to fall down, I don’t want to sleep as I need to get adjusted to my new time zone. This is a weird feeling, I feel completely wasted!! I am so confused, my belly wants dinner when it’s breakfast time. I still can’t get my head around the fact the leaves are turning brown and falling off the trees. Two winters in a row, am I mad?!I had 3 dinners in a row because of the time zones. I really need to sleep, I’ve never felt this tired before. I’m tired but I don’t think I could sleep!! I must stay awake.
My flights were great, four separate flights altogether, first one was just over an hour, second one was 11 hours, third was 13 then one more flight of an hour!! I had 5 foot of space in front of me from Heathrow to Auckland with no one at either side of me. Was pleased to get in and out of LA quickly though. Met some cool people on the flight from all walks of life going to all manner of places. I couldn’t get my head round crossing the International Date line westwards, I lost a whole day somewhere!! I left Aberdeen at lunch time 2 days ago, that’s mad. I started to finally brick it two hours before landing in NZ, all that planning and looking forward to leaving my old life!! I got off the flight at Christchurch and thought to myself ‘What now?!!’
I couldn’t get into my bed until 1pm so I’ve been for a wee wander about, put my money into my new bank and got myself a NZ sim card. There’s such an excellent atmosphere about the place and it feels so laid back and chilled out, everyone smiles and says hi. I can’t believe how helpful everyone is, I feel pretty much settled into the NZ way of life and already decided I don’t ever want to leave!!
That’s all I can tell you so far really, I’ll book some wifi and get a new blog organised to post this up on. I am going to shut my eyes for an hour first though!
Just wanted to tell you all I made it alive. I feel so chilled and I’m already pretty sure I’ve done the right thing!!
Update: My new roomie Karla came in and saved me from falling into a deep sleep which was great as that was the last thing I wanted to do!! She seems great and is also on her own, we went for something to eat and wandered about to get our bearings. We came across a fantastic bar called Cartel’s, highly recommended. The NZ wine was going down a treat, we were sat outside a in a lovely lane with blue fairly lights over the top, sofa’s and a log fire outside and big rugs. There was a band playing Country / Folk music and the lassie sounded like Norah Jones. It was just so nice and chilled for our first night in NZ. Headed back a bit tipsy and met our other new roomie Anita. By this time I was shattered as I hadn’t been to bed since Tuesday night in the UK and this was now Friday night!! We all yapped for a bit and I took a couple of sleeping tablets as my mind was alive but my body not!!
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