Milford Sound, NZ
Ah yes, the land where they have more sheep than people. Yes, its true. Everywhere you look on the countryside here is rammed with sheep. Unfortunately, pretty much all of them get exported, so I don't really have any grand stories of all you can eat lambchops for $4.99.
I have now been in NZ for a couple of weeks. Finally starting to adjust to the new price range. I have pretty much avoiding taking any pricey tours, and instead of taking buses, I've managed get rides with other travellers.
I started off in Auckland where I was hanging out with my German buddy Daniel, who I met on the plane coming over from Chile. We headed up to Bay of Islands to check out some scenery. Weather here is pretty nice during the day, and then pretty chilly at night. New Zealand consists of 2 seperate islands, just to the south east of Australia. Obviously, the northern part is warmer than the southern part.
Hostels are expensive at $20 to $25 NZ dollars per night (NZ$ is about 80 cents of our dollar). We had been living pretty cheap though (peanut butter and banana sandwiches) and so we decided to 'catch' dinner the first night. We took the 2 free fishing rods at the hostel and headed for the ocean. We got some local bouncers at a bar by the beach to fill us in on details so as where to buy bait, what 'bait' actually consisted of, and where we could catch fish. After 15 minutes of laughing and making fun of us, the locals hooked us up with some bait, fixed up our apparently shitty rods (mine was a half rod with only about 8 feet of line, for which I'm told isn't very much), and then sent us on our way. Within 20 minutes of hitting the dock, I was hauling out a 14 inch sea trout with my piece of shit half rod. Took a bit of struggling to get him in......well, not really, but I figured I had to say that. Anyway, we quickly realized that catching the fish was the easy part......killing the little bastard was the hard part (sorry to all you animal lovers out there). I guess that the two of us didn't have the heart to do it properly. Lets just say that it wasn't a quick and easy process. The dock somewhat resembled a crime scene by the end of it. I'm sure that the local onlooking fisherman got quick the kick out of us. Anyway, it turned out to be the only fish that we caught. We cooked it up on the BBQ and had quite the meal I must say so myself. Haven't fished since though.
Got back to Auckland after that, and stayed with my friends that I used to work with at TD, Linda and Matt. They also hooked me up with a proper guide book for NZ, so that I could actually find my way around here. After picking up some 2nd hand camping gear at a local shop, I grabbed a quick flight down to Christchurch, on the south island. Met a dude on the plane, who invited me over to his aunt and uncle's for a nice homecooked meal. After a few days, I caught a bus down through Wanaka and on to Queensland.
I eventually caught a ride to Milford Sound where all the giant mountains fall directly into the ocean. It is a pretty cool sight to see. It is a little rainy down in these parts, but it made for some spectacular water falls.
I have met tons of local New Zealanders which is nice.......I guess that it helps to be able to speak the local language. Most of them love Canada too, and have been there. The one thing that they all talk about that Canada has that New Zealand doesn't is Central Heating. Its pretty funny how often I hear about it.
Oh yeah, the show 'Trailer Park Boys" is real big over here. They all love it. They got quite the kick out of it when I told them that it is shot just outside of where I went to University. Pat, I told them about the guy you know who did the stunts for the movie. Ha.
Anyway, I'm currently staying at a student house in Dunedin, on the east coast of the south island. I met them through the dudes that I got a ride with to Milford Sound. They ended up leaving for Australia, but I ended up staying at the place. Feels kind of strange being in a student house again.........really reminds me of Halifax. I love that sticky noise my shoes makes when I cross the kitchen floor.
Anyway, here are the pics that I have of NZ so far. Hope that you all are having a fabulous Christmas holidays. Take it easy on those Rum and Eggnogs.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=8ab2nqp.89adtojx&x=1&y=uj5zxo
I have now been in NZ for a couple of weeks. Finally starting to adjust to the new price range. I have pretty much avoiding taking any pricey tours, and instead of taking buses, I've managed get rides with other travellers.
I started off in Auckland where I was hanging out with my German buddy Daniel, who I met on the plane coming over from Chile. We headed up to Bay of Islands to check out some scenery. Weather here is pretty nice during the day, and then pretty chilly at night. New Zealand consists of 2 seperate islands, just to the south east of Australia. Obviously, the northern part is warmer than the southern part.
Hostels are expensive at $20 to $25 NZ dollars per night (NZ$ is about 80 cents of our dollar). We had been living pretty cheap though (peanut butter and banana sandwiches) and so we decided to 'catch' dinner the first night. We took the 2 free fishing rods at the hostel and headed for the ocean. We got some local bouncers at a bar by the beach to fill us in on details so as where to buy bait, what 'bait' actually consisted of, and where we could catch fish. After 15 minutes of laughing and making fun of us, the locals hooked us up with some bait, fixed up our apparently shitty rods (mine was a half rod with only about 8 feet of line, for which I'm told isn't very much), and then sent us on our way. Within 20 minutes of hitting the dock, I was hauling out a 14 inch sea trout with my piece of shit half rod. Took a bit of struggling to get him in......well, not really, but I figured I had to say that. Anyway, we quickly realized that catching the fish was the easy part......killing the little bastard was the hard part (sorry to all you animal lovers out there). I guess that the two of us didn't have the heart to do it properly. Lets just say that it wasn't a quick and easy process. The dock somewhat resembled a crime scene by the end of it. I'm sure that the local onlooking fisherman got quick the kick out of us. Anyway, it turned out to be the only fish that we caught. We cooked it up on the BBQ and had quite the meal I must say so myself. Haven't fished since though.
Got back to Auckland after that, and stayed with my friends that I used to work with at TD, Linda and Matt. They also hooked me up with a proper guide book for NZ, so that I could actually find my way around here. After picking up some 2nd hand camping gear at a local shop, I grabbed a quick flight down to Christchurch, on the south island. Met a dude on the plane, who invited me over to his aunt and uncle's for a nice homecooked meal. After a few days, I caught a bus down through Wanaka and on to Queensland.
I eventually caught a ride to Milford Sound where all the giant mountains fall directly into the ocean. It is a pretty cool sight to see. It is a little rainy down in these parts, but it made for some spectacular water falls.
I have met tons of local New Zealanders which is nice.......I guess that it helps to be able to speak the local language. Most of them love Canada too, and have been there. The one thing that they all talk about that Canada has that New Zealand doesn't is Central Heating. Its pretty funny how often I hear about it.
Oh yeah, the show 'Trailer Park Boys" is real big over here. They all love it. They got quite the kick out of it when I told them that it is shot just outside of where I went to University. Pat, I told them about the guy you know who did the stunts for the movie. Ha.
Anyway, I'm currently staying at a student house in Dunedin, on the east coast of the south island. I met them through the dudes that I got a ride with to Milford Sound. They ended up leaving for Australia, but I ended up staying at the place. Feels kind of strange being in a student house again.........really reminds me of Halifax. I love that sticky noise my shoes makes when I cross the kitchen floor.
Anyway, here are the pics that I have of NZ so far. Hope that you all are having a fabulous Christmas holidays. Take it easy on those Rum and Eggnogs.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=8ab2nqp.89adtojx&x=1&y=uj5zxo
Labels: New Zealand
posted by Ryan D. MacIntyre | 6:03 PM
12 Comments:
Ry!!! Great to hear from you!! I enjoyed your post...actually copied and pasted your story about the fish to the girls in the office as I was laughing away at my desk and they wanted to know what I was laughing at. How long are you staying in NZ and are you heading to Australia? I can't remember. I made the first picture you posted the background for my desktop...beautiful scenery!!!
Looks like we will be having a green Christmas here...what are your plans???
I like where your heads at....i hate those bastard fish too.
We've had nearly 200cm of snow in the last 8 or 9 days....I woke up one morning with literally 2 feet of snow on my car....I was late for work. needless to say the mountain has been incredible....
i'm headin up there now so see ya later.
S
Hey Tara!
I actually tried to spare a few details on the fish story.....it got pretty ugly down there. I think that we were both relieved that we didn't catch another one.
Yeah, the lake was beautiful....the colours here are outstanding, and the sky is super blue. As for the green Christmas, that sucks. I will be having one as well. Still haven't really come up with a plan yet. Have a couple of invitations though, so I'll have something figured out soon.
Sly
You bastard. I have been craving snowboarding like crazy over the past few months. I heard that it is pretty awesome there right now. Do a couple of face plants for ME if you can.
Ryan...
The whole fish thing--so manly! I'll remember to buddy up with you if I'm ever going to get lost in the wilds somewhere.
Happy Solstice! Beginning tomorrow, there will be more light--hurrah. How does it work where you are--is it the day of longest light?
Kicking around T.O. with my adopted 'family' for the hols. My real sis is coming for 3 days from Ottawa next week.
No job news yet. Getting darn tired of my CV, I tell ya! Ah, for the good old days when you could pen off a sonnet for a sixpence or two at the local pub...
Season's Greetings to you--have a WONDEROUS holiday season. Learn all the NZ rituals so you can recreate them here next year (probably something about bludgeoning a fish???) Now go find some mistletoe and get yer holiday started :-).........Yorga
Trailer Park Boys are conversation starters around the world! Merry Christmas
Ask them if they know about Lucy Maude Montgomery. I have some of her books that were published in Australia. Call us Christmas Eve at Gregs. Papa
Did you not know the saying about New Zealand? - "New Zealand - Where men are men and the sheep are nervous!" Didn't see one sheep in your pictures, saw five hippos but no sheep. Sure you're not mixing them up?
Great fish story - laughed my arsehole out. Good thing that's a saying and not reality!
Have a Merry Christmas "Dude" - did you get our email card?
“Stay Calm, Be Brave, Wait for the Signs”
Frisky,
Merry Christmas! Heard that it wasn't a white one though. That's too bad. As for here, yes, there is tons of light. Actually stays bright out to past 10:00 here. Kinda weird actually......I keep thinking that it is only 7:30. Not too warm here, but I did just come from sitting out on a patio in the sun. Anyway, good to hear that all is well. Have a Happy New Year!
Pat,
Hope you got to watch the Trailer Park Boys Christmas special....that's how I did it this year. I was pretty surprised to see how well produced the show is now. Even the acting is pretty solid! Merry Christmas.
Dad,
Their folks didn't know about Lucy Maud, but I bet there will be a bunch of folks in Auz who may be familiar.
Did you guys manage to make it to church on time without me??? Remember, I was the first one ready last year.
Colin!
Good to see that you're back again! And yes, there is definitely something creepy about all the sheep that they have here.
Didn't get the email card yet, having trouble with attachments on this computer.
Good to hear that xmas went well!
Happy New Year!
Post a Comment
<< Home