Happy Easter! We woke up early today, packed our bags and headed downstairs to meet our group. It seemed as though there were about 50 college ages students waiting to get on board our coach (as well as 1 married couple – weird). Out of the 50 students, 17 of us were from
We started the trip driving through Caterbury, nothing too exciting however. After about an hour or so we saw our first great view – The Southern Alps! We stopped in a town called Authur’s Pass which has about 60-70 people living there. The town itself is nestled in the mountains adding to the old time feel. We then drove a tad bit more and stopped at a place called Death’s Corner. DC over looks a large part of the mountain range, but unfortunately it was very overcast that day and our views weren’t as good as they could be. Needless to say, it was still a beautiful view and a great first photo op.
For lunch we stopped in a town called Hokitika, where we first toured a Jade Factory. We went inside and one of the workers explained how they cut all of the Jade as well as the meaning of all of the shapes. There are four main shapes that they cut the Jade into which are:
-Fish Hook (Hei Matau): represents strength and determination, and brings peace, prosperity and good health. Also provides a safe journey over water
-Manaia: the carrier of supernatural powers. Traditionally depicted with the head of a bird, the body of a man and the tail of a fish- representing sky earth and sea, and the balance between them. Protects the wearer from evil
-Triple Twist (Crossover): Represents a bonding friendship, two lives becoming one for all eternity
-Spiral (Koru): Depicts new beginnings, growth and harmony.
There were tons of necklaces and charms all over the store that were beautiful. I was close to buying a pair of earring…until I saw that the price tag as well over $100.
After the tour of the Jade Factory three of my friends and I went to find some lunch, where I bought a Meat Pie – my new favourite food (please note that I am writing in Australia and they spell everything with ‘u’ hence favorite being spelled favourite). We ate lunch on the beach on a beautiful sunny day while looking out at the
Our next stop was in another small town which had some of the most interesting bathrooms I have ever seen. In order to open or close the door you had to push a little button. If you wanted Toilet Paper – press a button; want soap – wave you hand under the dispenser; same with the water and paper towels and the dyer. In order to have the door open from the inside you have to go through the whole hand washing process – or it will open in 10 minutes. So if you take longer than 10 minutes…you’re in trouble. They also had great music in there; actually it was fantastic music.
Our last stop of the evening was Fox Glacier a fantastic town! When we first went there we went on a small hike through the rainforest and over a very, very wobbly suspension bridge. On of the guys on the tour kept making the suspension bridge swing back and forth which made everyone else in the group very upset. Grumble Grumble.
The hotel that we were staying in was very nice. The room I was in had it’s own shower & television set: perfect. After we had dinner we went on another hike to look for glow worms! They are such interesting creatures! It turns out that the glowing is actually them digesting their food and they only live 5-7 days.
I already feel as though I could stay in NZ forever. The air feels so clean and crisp, I would love to just stay out in nature more. In addition I am falling in love with traveling. I have never had the chance to do so before when I was younger, but I want to make a point of traveling more now.
No comments:
Post a Comment