I made it, in case you were all curious. I've been adapting to New Zealand in Queenstown and in a lot of ways there aren't too many differences. I just took a hike up the Ben Lomand trail*** that began in a Doug Fir forest that had all the noxious invasives that I've come to know and love. Holly, morning glory, ivy, butterfly bush, scotch broom and of course: blackberry. Yeah, that's all pretty much the same. But then when I'm walking into town and I go to take a step to cross the street I have to leap back frantically to avoid being hit by a car. You see, looking left first and then right is something that is so ingrained in me that it is near impossible to change. Today I sat outside at a pub watching a roundabout trying to figure out just how it worked. And to think I was toying with the idea of renting a car!Queenstown Gardens view
***(check out the pictures! This place is unbelievably only a 3 hour walk from the hostel I'm staying at)
I have been keeping a journal, but it's mostly thoughts I've been having while I'm here. I haven't really done much besides adapt to New Zealand life in Queenstown and frankly, I'm ready to move on... Anyway, here are some journal excerpts:
December 27th 7:04 AM
New Zealand! the 14 hour flight is over and I now have a 3 hour layover in the Auckland airport before my flight to Queenstown. Air New Zealand was a spectacular airline. Despite sitting next to a "space invader" who's legs and elbows seemed unable to bend in a way that would keep them from bumping into me, I thoroughly enjoyed the friendly service, watching District 9 and drinking a couple complimentary glasses of Queenstown's own Pinot Noir. They were even served in a mini wine glass!
7:25 AM
As stupid as it sounds I didn't expect NZ to have such an islandy feel to it. Honestly, it reminds me of a cold day in Hawaii.
2:32 PM
In Queenstown now. It was certainly overwhelming to step off of a plane and into a foreign country in the middle of commericialized tourist central completely alone. I ducked into an Irish pub to watch some Premier League Futbol and toss back a few pints. I'm still currently in "Pog Mahones" and am honestly a little reluctant to step back outside. It's not much bother since I still have about a half hour until I can check into my room. Looks like I'm on to pint #2
For Brandon:
Whether it's Speights, Tui or whatever other brand there is available, they all taste like a lager. The only difference is the color. I even had a "Tui India Style Pale Ale" that tasted just like a lager. I wasn't expecting much from the beer here but good God they like their lagers. Maybe I should try one of their lagers instead of their ales that taste like a lager.
December 28th 9AM
Queenstown, and I'm assuming most NZ during their summer, is a very international place. I've met Germans, Frenchies, Swissies, Aussies, Canucks, Yankees and Brits and have seen plenty of Asians and Europeans and all manner of people from all over the globe. Interestingly I haven't met too many Kiwi's...
As for December 29th, I didn't take any notes today but, as I said before, I went on a spectacular hike up the Ben Lomand trail. It was roughly 11 or 12 miles out and back. The hike begins in a Doug Fir forest and shortly leads out to the treeline. After making it above treeline I ran into over a dozen different people on their way down or up. A popular attraction to say the least. After 2 hours I made it to the saddle where the trail got steep and very rough. After that it was basically scrambling up to the summit. And what a view!
That's all for now folks. I won't be updating anything until I'm done with the Kepler track. I'm sure I'll have many more stories and pictures then.
Who's that handsome devil? ________________________________________The summit of Ben Lomand in the distance.
