Wet Zealand : One F'ed Up Trip

Yes, we were cursed on the second tour. I can honestly only think of two . . .maybe three days without rain.





























But what doesn't kill us makes up stronger. Right?? Well, the challenges kept coming.


First: a stubborn steering column that tried to be fixed by three different mechanics.




Second: if you are going have a flat tire, might as well go all out. Now that is a shredded tire. Fortunately, through the ingenuity of one of our passengers, the spare tire was on in twenty minutes and we were back on the road.

Third: now that the steering wheel and tire is fixed, let's go four-wheeling at the the Mount Cook Department of Conservation, clip a rock, and peel the door outward away from the bus. AWESOME!















"I don't know how to fix this . . . . I'm a banker. I just buy a new one," said Tommy, our Swiss passenger.

After unhinging the door, the guys tried a variety of methods to 'fix' it including "Maybe if all of us stand on it . . ." After many attempts, the door was bent back into a 'usable' state via the pressure of our 2 ton trailer.

We had to use our ratchet straps to secure the door as best as we could until we could get to a bus mechanic to properly fix it. We were soo ghetto.

Despite the road 'obstacles' and weather, everyone kept in good spirits and had good time. Our dysfunctional relationship with the bus was half the fun.

AGW = Amature Glacier Walkers

That's what Ruben and I thought the acronym on our borrowed beanie meant. Actually it means Alpine Glacier Walker; not nearly as exciting.

But either way, we are HARDCORE, fearless Fox Glacier hikers ignoring the warnings and signs of how 'dangerous' the area is.




















Maybe its like the Chinese restaurant. Um . . . I'll have #24, the one where I get washed away after being knocked unconscious from glacier ice. Oh, I get a free soda with that? I'll have a Sprite.

Crossing the RiRo

After previous attempts, I finally got the opportunity to join the crew and hike the Tongariro Crossing; a 19.5 km moderate hike through alpine scrubs, volcanic rock formations, and tropical forest.











It was on this hike that Ruben, won my heart as my most favorite passenger of the second tour and possibly all time. Think the Dutch version of John Gara. (Yes! that good.) As we were climbing the steepest part at kilometer 7 to get to the cloud covered crater, he peered over my shoulder and asked "Have you ever seen Britney Spear's music video 'I'm not a girl not yet a woman?', I think it was filmed here . . . " I turned around laughing and he was off, climbing up the mountain signing Britney at the top of his lungs " . . not yet a woman . . all I need is time . . "













And the singing didn't stop there. That beast of a climb inspired further sing-along moments including 'Aint no mountain high enough' and 'Hallelujah.' We also asked Jesus to send us a sign if we should continue and at that moment the holy spirit texted us about Vodafone's BestMates promotion. Jesus and I are best mates. I didn't know he had a cellphone ?!?!

#1 Cycle I have ever done.

On the first tour, I convinced 8 people to join me on a 58km crack of dawn cycle to Mount Cook from Lake Pukaki. It is probably the most beautiful cycle I have ever done in my life and I have a few cycles under my belt to make that statement.


Half of the ride was riding along the lake. Fortunately we got a break while helping a farmer herd his merino sheep on the road before the killer ever-so-slight incline towards Mount Cook. Well worth it though.

Most Favoritest Passenger - TIGER!! Grrrrrrrr!

"Hello I am Terry and this is my harem" referring to the female passengers waiting at the pick-up point for the bus.

Terrance 'TIGER' Roberts, the 74 year-old Australian legend and token dirty old man of the trip. I knew he was trouble with the smell of 30 year-old scotch on his breath as he proclaimed that he just won the Melbourne Cup after 'mounting' a female passenger who was kneeling over a blue tarp. "Giddy-up Horse-y, WooHoo."

Despite his lack of social graces, this former air force navigator and brew master for Fosters is an inspiration taking on a grade 5 whitewater rapids in Rangitata and skydiving 13,000 ft in Abel Tasman. Go TIGER go! He frequently said it was his best vacation.

America Tri-Force Reunites

Somewhere between Haast and Fox Glacier, the Gordon's Outdoor Shop three-thirds of the Americans reunited randomly on the side of the road. Our crew was slowly making its way back to the bus after their glacier swimming romp in Thunder Creek when I looked up and saw these two fools. Mario and Rachel were traveling counter-clock around the South Island, while our group goes clock-wise. Mario being his calculating self, figured that day would be the day that we would cross paths, but who knew we would both be at a stop. Running into them made my day. See you two stateside :)

Karaoke Night

We always have our farewell/hello dinner at Winnies in Queenstown, but this time it happened to be karaoke night. The song books were passed around the table and my rendition of Whitney Houstons "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" is nowhere near it's public debut. My voice resonates so much, I could knock down two out of three of the little pigs' homes and 99% of the time I am lip-syncing the hymnals in church.

The MC sang her heart out to encourage all to participate and finally she had a willing volunteer singing Rod Stewart's "Maggie May." He was amazing and had the entire audience's attention. Our group closed the books and sank into their chairs when we noticed the whispers of our Irish passengers. This drunk Irishman wailing out "Maggie I wish I never seen your face" is a well-known Irish popstar that won "You're a Star," the Irish version of American Idol, a few years back.

Click on George Murphy's pic if you wanna watch him on YouTube.

Those who jump together, work together or . . .are just plain stupid. In this case all apply.

Being a professional Bungy Jumper with one previous jump under my belt, I was keen to have another go at it when Drew (my 'co-worker' who drives the bus) suggests jumping tandem.

I was nervous and convinced we would collide, be knocked unconscious, and drown in Waikato River. We took the plunge, leaping from a 154ft platform. Never had a team building exercise like this in Grad School.



Side note: this bungy jump station was Drew's summer job in high school.

On the Road Again

Today I start my new job with a Adventure Travel Tour Company going everywhere in New Zealand. I am very excited to look at the stars, ride my bicycle, sleep in a tent, and live by a campfire.

Since I will be on the road, I will not be updating the blog until the beginning of February, but you are always more than welcome to comment, send me emails, and write me letters.

2009 is mighty mighty fine!

Where is New Zealand from if it's not from the World?!

"Stop comparing everything to Top Gun. This situation is nothing like Top Gun." - Jermaine

It is New Year's day and of course there is a Flight of the Conchords marathon! Watching it again after living here for three months, well . . .it is spot on.

Jermaine: Too much mumbling?
Murray: Yeah . . .that was inaudible.

This is my everyday minus people breaking out into song and ya know . . that New York City thing.

They do think all Americans have guns. Hamish is a very common name. And the posters . . No really, that is how they advertise the country. The picture of sheep on the road is a 'traffic jam'. Nana's tea party - well I have been to Mary's 2pm tea party over Christmas holiday and the ginger biscuits were good!

I apologize to those who havent seen it. Really you should be apologizing to me. I thought we were friends? Netflix it NOW!

Oh yeah! I got a new job as a part-time model, but you know I gotta keep my other job ;)

Upside-Down Christmas

How did you spend your holiday?

Don't be fooled by that scenic picture. The Blue Lake was FREEZING! When I finally caught my breathe, I was swearing uncontrollably. After the 5th dive, it wasn't too bad and became tolerable.

Really it didn't feel like Christmas at all. Way too warm. I tried my best to be festive. I baked cookies, I decorated a tree, I went shopping and the entire time I wanted to wear my scarf and mittens.

I flew to Central Otago, South Island to join my friend Mel and family for Christmas. I was delighted by the warmth, sun, and lack of wind. It really is summertime . . . .in other parts of the country. I love being on the farm with the Kane family. I have dubbed them 'family away from my family.' The food was sooo good and I ate like a teenage boy. I think I gained 5kg from all the chocolate, wine, and Bernie's homemade bread.

On Boxing Day (Dec 26th) we were four-wheeling in the countryside near Lake Onslow. Gorgeous! I felt like I should have been in LCD with Fromboluti to capture the colors. We drove through the hills, encouraged Bernie to drive through a wide stream of unknown depth by chanting "4-wheeling! 4-wheeling! 4-wheeling," and picnicked in the valley.

Everyone's Speights up in the air for the South Alps!

"We all live . . . "

. . in a Yellow Stadium, Yellow Stadium, Yellow Stadium." I love Phoenix chants. And I love attending games with Ben and Ang even more.













Ben cracks me up in how much he gets into the games. Ang and I just do some girl chat "oh what are you doing for New Years . . .yadda yadda yadda . . . sure I'll have a donut", while Ben is screaming "You're so shit it's unbelievable" and "You dirty Aussie Bastard" along with 7000 other men.

Ben's favorite is "D-I-S-C-O, DISCO!," a collective chant followed by dancing in the stands to keep warm, but with a variation for the southern hemisphere. "D-I-N-G-O, DINGO! A dingo ate your baby, dingo ate your baby!"


This time the Phoenix WON! And the crowd celebrated bareback swinging their towels over their heads. Glad I got to see them win one. My Phoenix experience is complete.

Red Rocks Coast

On my days off from wonderful Gordon's, I team up with my fellow American co-workers and head out to see the sights of New Zealand.

This week, Red Rocks Coastal Walk near Owhiro Bay outside of Wellington. Three hours of trekking along the rocky coast while swatting away the blood sucking sand flies from nibbling on my ankles.

Apparently, it is illegal to kill New Zealand sandflies within a National Park. They are indigenous species. Oops! Sorry about that . . .just my Darwinism instinct.


The best finds of the day; A clean, but abandon tub & McDonald's VIP pass. Wha??













Scariest sight of the day: A group of guys drinking beer with a semi-automatics in hand. Um . . . i started walking faster.

Gordon's Staff Room . . .no joke.

I was speechless.

Thanksgimme some Kiwi-urkey Day

Two days of food preparation and Thanksgiving, affectionately renamed "Kiwi-urkey Day", went very well.

It was a great night and I am soo happy I was able to share it with old and new friends. We went around in a circle to give thanks and being abroad made it even more sentimental.

Naturally, I was a little nervous being head chef, I've always been kitchen wing-man. Thank goodness Kiwi's eat turkey for Christmas and the grocery stores have begun stocking them. Plus I had to cook for a small kiwi and ex-pat army.

After one bite, it tasted like home. My kiwi friends lived the Thanksgiving dream; multiple helpings of dinner and dessert, people getting sleepy-eyed on the couch, and Sarany needing to change into larger pants. If only we had an American Football game on TV.