the catlins, continued...
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Sunday, December 28, 2008
So, if you want to check out Mel and Ashley's blog, (because I think that they update more often than we do) this is the link. Enjoy! We miss you guys. And, by the way, Mom, we got your package and think it is so adorable and are really excited to make the ginger bread houses. Actually, its extra great because we had wanted to make ginger bread houses... But! they don't have ghrahm (spelling? I have no idea) crackers anywhere in New Zealand, so we couldn't do it until now. So, anyway. Thanks!
And this is the link
http://ashnmel.blogspot.com
Friday, December 26, 2008
the Reese Dart, some Thanksgiving, and some Christmas
Glacier!
At the cascade saddle. Thats a glacier behind us.
So, we did the Reese Dart which is a hiking route and it was the most beautiful and incredible trip ever (maybe not ever. But we sure did have fun.) Below are some pictures of that, and a bit of Thanksgiving from forever ago and then just a few from Christmas and our apartment.
The very beginning at the start of the track (still on the road). Dana is turning away because she didn't want a picture taken of the "more ugly mountains" and so she didn't want to be in it.
Ok. So, I know the formatting is off. But I am so not capable (well, willing to spend the time) to format it all.
Anyway. Merry Christmas and boxing day and I promise we'll put some stories to go along with the pictures soon!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
although it is usually 75 degrees and sunny here, christmas is fast approaching, and the other day i got home from work to find the flat decorated with a mini christmas tree, garlands of purple tinsel, sparkly ornaments, and a santa tray filled with cookies. it was awesome. oh, and we were listening to christmas carols. it's jarring to realize it's just a few weeks away, but luckily we have big plans and lovely company. we watched elf the other night and drank hot cocoa, and a guy that goes to dartmouth that ate at tatty's restaurant spent two nights on our couch. i'll have to take some pictures of the flat and post them soon. it really is awesome- spacious, furnished, ten minutes walk from "downtown." this weekend we're doing a four day tramp, and next week we might go skydiving. not something i had originally planned on doing, but, i hadn't originally planned on going to new zealand, if you think about it, and what a great decision that turned out to be ;)
today mel and tatty and i hiked up queenstown hill and marveled at the incredible view we get from our backyard. you can see the southern alps, which still have some snow on the peaks. in other news, we're planning on taking a trip to the coast, taking surfing lessons, and playing with penguins and dolphins.
make some snow angels for us.
xoxoxoxx
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Hi so, nearly a month later, we figure that you guys deserve a bit of an update.
Lets see. This one might be a bit short, as the task feels a bit daunting, but, I'll put in all the good parts. Dont worry.
1. We came back to Queenstown and figured we wanted to work a bit before thanksgiving.
2. We sent our CVs in at a couple of places
3. We got jobs cleaning for accommodation at some really great hostels with really great people
4. Next thing we know, we are both waitressing at night at just about the coolest places in town and spending our days doing day hikes and exploring (and not bungee jumping, and generally avoiding the adrenaline junkies, etc.)
5. We met the most amazing girls ever (Mel and Ash) who lead tours in Alaska during the summer
6. We reformulated the plan a bit: start traveling and tramping with them, because four is quite a good number
7. Thanksgiving we spent here, and cooked all day and basked in the sun. It was one of the nicest days I've had here
8. I am leaving in 4.5 weeks to study abroad in Australia
9. Dana is going to stay a bit longer and kick it with these girls and then (possibly) meet up with me again later
10. We are doing the reese dart track next week
11. Mel and I are going to sell crafts and cookies at the saturday market
12. We are going to see the rob roy glacier
11. We are going to do the Dusky track just before christmas, which is supposed to be one of NZ's (if not just the one) hardest tramp. We are planning to get in goood shape before this.
Other notes:
12. I got conjuncitivits. Which sucks and is embarrasing
13. Dana sometimes has to work as a bartender, which is funny. Because she isn't even old enough to drink!
14. Mel and Ash are from Seattle
15. Kanye West played on the north island two days ago, but we couldn't go. It was, however, designated "kanye day". which was nice.
16. I loveeeeeee and miss you all millions
And, I am thankful for my parents for being so great and nice and for instilling such a sense of independence and adventure in me.
Ok. Ttyl
Lets see. This one might be a bit short, as the task feels a bit daunting, but, I'll put in all the good parts. Dont worry.
1. We came back to Queenstown and figured we wanted to work a bit before thanksgiving.
2. We sent our CVs in at a couple of places
3. We got jobs cleaning for accommodation at some really great hostels with really great people
4. Next thing we know, we are both waitressing at night at just about the coolest places in town and spending our days doing day hikes and exploring (and not bungee jumping, and generally avoiding the adrenaline junkies, etc.)
5. We met the most amazing girls ever (Mel and Ash) who lead tours in Alaska during the summer
6. We reformulated the plan a bit: start traveling and tramping with them, because four is quite a good number
7. Thanksgiving we spent here, and cooked all day and basked in the sun. It was one of the nicest days I've had here
8. I am leaving in 4.5 weeks to study abroad in Australia
9. Dana is going to stay a bit longer and kick it with these girls and then (possibly) meet up with me again later
10. We are doing the reese dart track next week
11. Mel and I are going to sell crafts and cookies at the saturday market
12. We are going to see the rob roy glacier
11. We are going to do the Dusky track just before christmas, which is supposed to be one of NZ's (if not just the one) hardest tramp. We are planning to get in goood shape before this.
Other notes:
12. I got conjuncitivits. Which sucks and is embarrasing
13. Dana sometimes has to work as a bartender, which is funny. Because she isn't even old enough to drink!
14. Mel and Ash are from Seattle
15. Kanye West played on the north island two days ago, but we couldn't go. It was, however, designated "kanye day". which was nice.
16. I loveeeeeee and miss you all millions
And, I am thankful for my parents for being so great and nice and for instilling such a sense of independence and adventure in me.
Ok. Ttyl
Monday, November 10, 2008
so, we are back, with our calves quite sore and our eyes bulging from all the incredible sights, and have finished the milford. Yes, it was just as beautiful as everyone said it would be. Probably more beautiful than usual, because of all the snow. Although it is spring here, we awoke on the morning we were starting out to big snow balls plopping on the roof of our tent. We were very cold. The forecast had called for four days of rain and snow in the mountains - yay. But, the sky was clearing as we packed our packs, and there was a light dusting of snow as we took the boat across Lake Te Anau to the start of the tramp. It was beautiful - the mountains surrounding the lake were all powdered and white, appearing on all sides out of the mist that had been hiding them from us during the rain. We were cold, had gotten the worst nights sleep in our lives, but as excited as kids in a candy shop as the boat chugged along. We hopped off and got right to it - the sun came out, our feet finally started to thaw, and we marvelled at the mountains in the distance.
Now, seeing as this was a multi-day adventure, and lots of things happened each day, I won't bore you with a play-by-play of the entire track, although I would love to (but my fingers might get sore). So, a succinct night by night follows.
Night 1. Campsite: Clinton Hut
Weather: snow in the am, then clear and sunny, cloudy again at night
Events: Huts are interesting - there are bunk rooms and a seperate kitchen/hang-out area with a stove. They are simple, but a nice barrier from the frigid weather. Snow in November - I guess I am used to that, although I thought it was supposed to be spring here... anyways, there is a hut ranger at each hut, and this one was an old man named Ross, and he took us on a nature walk before dinner. We had soup, which was hot, unlike the outside temperature (the ongoing theme of this tramp, by the way, is Dana has poor temperature regulation. You thought I was a mammal, but Tatty has decided that I am, in fact, a reptile). There was a very longwinded hut talk at 8 pm that night, and we were so tired, and Ross kept going on about blue ducks and the different bands they use to identify them, and all I wanted was to go to bed, but we also found out Obama won. Yay! We felt very proud to have participated in our very first presidential election. Then we went to bed because we were exhausted.
Concerns/Response: The thing about huts is that, unlike trail life we are used to, you are kind of on someone else's schedule. yuck. The good news is, Tatty's new boots are keeping her blister-free so far.
Day 2. Campsite: Mintaro Hut
Weather: Sunny but cool
Events: Today was a slow climb in elevation, through the river valley, saw some blue ducks but didn't remember anything about how to tell what pair was what or from where or whatever else you can apparantly tell from their bands - which you can't even see when they're flying, it turns out. However, we saw lots of beautiful waterfalls careening down steep cliffs, and it even snowed a little near the end of the day. The day finished with a climb up through some jungle-like forest, with tons of old man's beard moss that was covered in snow. It was beautiful and enchanting, and there was a stillness and quiet that resided throughout the woods. Even though there were almost 40 people staying in the hut, everyone spreads out during the day so you don't really see them all. In the hut that night we made a fire in the woodstove and drank tea to warm up, because it was even colder here with all the snow. We also made friends with some girls from Poland and Slovakia who were working in Australia as ski instructors this winter. We decided that we should get certified to do that, or whitewater rafting, and keep traveling the world.
Concerns/Response: They are predicting snow tonight and bad weather tomorrow for the pass crossing- bummer.
Day 3. Campsite: Dumpling Hut
Weather: Gorgeous, sunny, clear skies, cold winds
Events: The big day! We woke up to clear skies and sun- horay! We crossed the Saddle after a two-hour climb up to McKinnon Pass, where you can see for miles, down into the river valley on each side, and mountains in all directions in the distance - absolutely beautiful. It's hard to explain in words, and even the pictures won't do it justice, but it was truly magnificent. Tatty now understands the glory of the mountains. Then we clambered down, and had to use an emergency track because the regular route was closed because of avalanche danger. There were incredible waterfalls with the most ridiculous-colored water, and we lunched next to one. Things here are too beautiful to be real. If you ever get the chance, come to New Zealand just to see the color of the water; I can't get over it. We also hiked to the largest waterfall in New Zealand- Sutherland Falls. It's so high it didn't even fit in the camera lens. We arrived at the hut tired and ready for dinner and bed, which was exactly what we did.
Concerns/Response: I want to relive all of today a million times, but that's not possible. damn.
Day 3. Campsite: Queenstown
Weather: Sunny and gorgeous, per usual
Events: Final day on the track. It was a beautiful walk along the valley, by the river mostly, with lots of waterfalls in the distance and tumbling down side streams. We crossed a big swing bridge and saw eels (ah!) and trout swimming in the clear water. We caught a boat to Milford Sound, and the clouds came in just as we were boarding. We had the best weather for our tramp, especially after all the bad predictions. Then we drove back to Queenstown and showered and got warm (finally) and went out for a dinner to celebrate our first tramp and Obama's victory.
Concerns/Response: None. An absolute success all around =)
So - now we're in Queenstown, job-hunting for a stint before our Thanksgiving fiesta, which is going to be stellar. Tatty is putting her maintainance skills to work as a cleaner in exchange for a room at a hostel, and I have to go meet her now. Start checking your mailboxes for postcards!
so much love.
xoxoxox
-d
oh, ps - we'll post tramping pics as soon as we recharge the camera battery, so stay tuned!
Now, seeing as this was a multi-day adventure, and lots of things happened each day, I won't bore you with a play-by-play of the entire track, although I would love to (but my fingers might get sore). So, a succinct night by night follows.
Night 1. Campsite: Clinton Hut
Weather: snow in the am, then clear and sunny, cloudy again at night
Events: Huts are interesting - there are bunk rooms and a seperate kitchen/hang-out area with a stove. They are simple, but a nice barrier from the frigid weather. Snow in November - I guess I am used to that, although I thought it was supposed to be spring here... anyways, there is a hut ranger at each hut, and this one was an old man named Ross, and he took us on a nature walk before dinner. We had soup, which was hot, unlike the outside temperature (the ongoing theme of this tramp, by the way, is Dana has poor temperature regulation. You thought I was a mammal, but Tatty has decided that I am, in fact, a reptile). There was a very longwinded hut talk at 8 pm that night, and we were so tired, and Ross kept going on about blue ducks and the different bands they use to identify them, and all I wanted was to go to bed, but we also found out Obama won. Yay! We felt very proud to have participated in our very first presidential election. Then we went to bed because we were exhausted.
Concerns/Response: The thing about huts is that, unlike trail life we are used to, you are kind of on someone else's schedule. yuck. The good news is, Tatty's new boots are keeping her blister-free so far.
Day 2. Campsite: Mintaro Hut
Weather: Sunny but cool
Events: Today was a slow climb in elevation, through the river valley, saw some blue ducks but didn't remember anything about how to tell what pair was what or from where or whatever else you can apparantly tell from their bands - which you can't even see when they're flying, it turns out. However, we saw lots of beautiful waterfalls careening down steep cliffs, and it even snowed a little near the end of the day. The day finished with a climb up through some jungle-like forest, with tons of old man's beard moss that was covered in snow. It was beautiful and enchanting, and there was a stillness and quiet that resided throughout the woods. Even though there were almost 40 people staying in the hut, everyone spreads out during the day so you don't really see them all. In the hut that night we made a fire in the woodstove and drank tea to warm up, because it was even colder here with all the snow. We also made friends with some girls from Poland and Slovakia who were working in Australia as ski instructors this winter. We decided that we should get certified to do that, or whitewater rafting, and keep traveling the world.
Concerns/Response: They are predicting snow tonight and bad weather tomorrow for the pass crossing- bummer.
Day 3. Campsite: Dumpling Hut
Weather: Gorgeous, sunny, clear skies, cold winds
Events: The big day! We woke up to clear skies and sun- horay! We crossed the Saddle after a two-hour climb up to McKinnon Pass, where you can see for miles, down into the river valley on each side, and mountains in all directions in the distance - absolutely beautiful. It's hard to explain in words, and even the pictures won't do it justice, but it was truly magnificent. Tatty now understands the glory of the mountains. Then we clambered down, and had to use an emergency track because the regular route was closed because of avalanche danger. There were incredible waterfalls with the most ridiculous-colored water, and we lunched next to one. Things here are too beautiful to be real. If you ever get the chance, come to New Zealand just to see the color of the water; I can't get over it. We also hiked to the largest waterfall in New Zealand- Sutherland Falls. It's so high it didn't even fit in the camera lens. We arrived at the hut tired and ready for dinner and bed, which was exactly what we did.
Concerns/Response: I want to relive all of today a million times, but that's not possible. damn.
Day 3. Campsite: Queenstown
Weather: Sunny and gorgeous, per usual
Events: Final day on the track. It was a beautiful walk along the valley, by the river mostly, with lots of waterfalls in the distance and tumbling down side streams. We crossed a big swing bridge and saw eels (ah!) and trout swimming in the clear water. We caught a boat to Milford Sound, and the clouds came in just as we were boarding. We had the best weather for our tramp, especially after all the bad predictions. Then we drove back to Queenstown and showered and got warm (finally) and went out for a dinner to celebrate our first tramp and Obama's victory.
Concerns/Response: None. An absolute success all around =)
So - now we're in Queenstown, job-hunting for a stint before our Thanksgiving fiesta, which is going to be stellar. Tatty is putting her maintainance skills to work as a cleaner in exchange for a room at a hostel, and I have to go meet her now. Start checking your mailboxes for postcards!
so much love.
xoxoxox
-d
oh, ps - we'll post tramping pics as soon as we recharge the camera battery, so stay tuned!
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