Tekapo & Lake Benmore

Thursday 4th - Saturday 7th May 2017

I was back to work Thursday and Friday, it was lovely to see everyone again and I got huge hugs when I picked up the boys from kindy and school!

On Friday afternoon I went up to Tekapo with the host family, as they were going to a family friends 21st birthday and I said I would babysit the boys! We stopped off at the same place we stopped at with Contiki, and it brought back fond memories of Emma finding out she was allergic to almonds and me dying of my horrific hangover. Good times! The lake is even more beautiful without a hangover for sure!

We had dinner at the Thai restaurant there, and it was pretty good! The restaurant had awesome views of the lake as well.

We then headed to Mark and Sherie's farm before heading to the lake house at Lake Benmore where we're staying for the weekend. It was pitch black when we got there so when I woke up the next day the sheer beauty of where we were hit me. We are right on the lake and the mountains in the background make for a truly amazing New Zealand view.

Wade and the boys had been rabbit shooting this morning, and when they got back Wade gave me a lesson on shooting which was pretty cool! Managed to hit the tin twice out of the four times!

We then went and helped set up for the party, went to Fairlie and then back to the lake house to get ready. I was babysitting, so went to the party with them for a bit before heading home with the boys! We pretty much went straight home on Sunday and then I just chilled out for the rest of the day. All in all another great weekend!

Return to Queenstown: Part 4

Wednesday 3rd May 2017

So the plan today was to hike up Ben Lomen before departing each other for Timaru and Melbourne. Unfortunately, we woke up to rain and low cloud so we decided against the idea (mainly because Kieran doesn't have a raincoat). So we decided to just chill around town instead after checking out and leaving our luggage in the luggage room.

Kieran was set on getting some stickers for his laptop, so we had a look around a few souvenir shops and he grabbed a ferg burger for breakfast - with the intent of having as many as possible today before leaving! We headed back to Nomads to chill in the lounge area by the fire.

As the shake was so good yesterday, we went back to cookie time to grab a cookie and shake. They are so good but so sickly! The weather was still pretty awful, so we chilled out and played a bit of pool for a bit until the rain started to clear.

As the weather looked like it might clear up pretty nicely, we decided to walk up the Queenstown hill trail. However, after about fifteen minutes the rain clouds came back in so we decided to go back into town. It wasn't long before we had to go anyway, so it was probably best. 

We met with a couple of people Kieran knew when he was living in New Zealand, and went to fat badger as they had chicken wings for 50 cents. I didn't get any though as I saved myself for my last fergburger! I went for the bun laden which did not disappoint! 

It was pretty sad saying goodbye to Kieran - turns out I probably won't see him until next year which is pretty crazy! But who knows... I've ended up seeing him on the other side of the world so I could end up seeing him anywhere! 

Return to Queenstown: Part 3

Tuesday 2nd May 2017

Today is the day. The big day. The day I never thought would happen. It was time to bungy jump.

I woke up early thanks to a million different alarms going off. So I went and grabbed breakfast earlier than planned. Waiting around is the worst part!

Just before 10 we headed off to the station to check in. We entered in our details on an iPad and then got weighed before they wrote our weight on one hand and what we were doing and what bus we are on on the other hand. It's a pretty good way to make sure everyone does what they've paid for!

After twenty minutes of waiting, it was finally time to board the bus to get to the Kawarau bridge. Surprisingly, I wasn't as nervous as I expected and I was also a little excited.

Yeah that feeling didn't last long! We went straight to the jump area and I made sure I was one of the first ones as I feel like the waiting would make me even more nervy! About 4 people jumped before it was time for me to get the kit on. I was pretty calm, even though I was freaking out on the inside. I hopped from the side to the very front of the ledge, with the help of one of the guys. He then points to two cameras to smile at and, as you can tell by obscured false smile smeared on my face I was freaking out big time!

That was the worst bit for me, I thought it would be the being upside down for such a long time (that really freaks me out hence why I didnt do a bigger bungy!). Those few seconds when I looked down at all the open space in front of me. My mind knew I was attached to a rope, I could feel the weight of it tugging me forward but for a split second I panicked. Why the hell was I paying to jump of a perfectly stable bridge 43m above a river? But then the guy counted down and I knew that if I hesitated it would not only make it worse for me in the moment, but would be a little embarrassing in the video. So I jumped.

In my head I was going to do a majestic, graceful dive and it would look amazing. In reality that didn't happen. Instead of going head first as planned, I just panicked and jumped/ stepped off which meant I was going feet first. This is exactly what I didn't want to happen as it jerks you up again harder to make you go upside down, hence my frantic flappy bird demeanour (I was trying to get myself to be upside down before the cord got strung out).

But honestly after the initial completely all consuming terror all I felt was bliss. Those 2 seconds of free fall and then the bounces after wards made me feel weightless. Made me feel free. Made me feel happy. There's something about an adrenaline rush that you can't compare. And it was so different to my skydive, a totally different feeling but both completely incredible. Unless you've done it you won't know!

L

It was a little struggle to try and grab the stick that the guys on the boat were waving at me, mainly because I was slightly deliriously happy. And as soon as I slumped onto the boat I couldn't believe t was over. All that fear for a minute of full adrenaline fuelled bliss. I could not stop smiling.

I then made my way out of the boat and watched Kieran do his jump. Obviously he did his more gracefully than me, not that that is hard, but he did end up with super blood shot eyes... serves him right for doing it hungover haha!

We had an hour to kill before getting the bus back to Queenstown, so we had a look round the shop,I bought my video and went and had a cute cousin photo in our matching t shirts with the bridge in the background because we're cute like that.

As soon as we got on the bus, feelings of hunger and exhaustion hit me all at once. We went to fat badger to grab a slice of pizza and then I got a milkshake and cookie from cookie time... treating myself!

We then just crashed out for a bit, Kieran slept and I binged watched Grey's (shock). I kinda wish I'd napped though as I still felt super over tired. We had to make the most of the free meal again, and his time it was chicken wings and baked potatoes... yum! Or so we thought! When we got there it was a really bland veggie savoury rice that had next to no flavour. So that was a disappointment.

On the upside, I got given loads of free drinks vouchers for loco, mainly for a rum punch that was pretty good! So, although we didn't stay out too late, I basically had a free night so win win! I'm sad to be leaving Queenstown again tomorrow, but I'm sure I'll be back whether that's before I leave New Zealand or way way way in the future.

If I hadn't have done it I wouldn't have regretted it. Not one bit. But that is because I would not have known what I have missed out on. Over the past couple of months I have done so many things since leaving England in January that I would never have dreamed I would do. I am simultaneous proud of myself and overly grateful for all these opportunities.

Return to Queenstown: Part 2

Monday 1st May 2017

It was a beautiful morning this morning and, after a fire drill at Nomads finally woke up Kieran, we decided to go for a hike with two other girls, Edda and Jackie. We stopped in at cookie time on the way there for hot chocolates and oh my god, I had a white chocolate hot chocolate with tons of cream and sprinkled cookies on the top... it was insanely delicious! I'm for sure coming back for a milkshake!

We then went to the Ben Lomen forest track, that leads to the skyline luge and gondola cafe. The trail was steep and I am so unfit (despite my attempts at running to get better!) so it was for sure a struggle but it was so worth the pain! About half way, after the steepest of the trail was over, there is a lookout with some pretty impressive views, but it has nothing on the skyline!

We had gotten subway sandwiches before heading up, and I am so glad I saved mine. Nothing like a delicious sandwich and a great view!

We then went a bit further up to watch some of the people doing the luge. I kinda wanted to do it again, but it's pretty expensive for what you get so we didn't bother, especially as we've done it before. Apparently the track isn't as good as the one in Rotorua anyway. It was pretty amusing watching some people do it though, as a few of them would go so sooooo slowly and the people behind them would get so mad. Oh and also at one point one guy decided it would be a great idea to take a photo of the view on the luge track. Like seriously he was there for a good 5 minutes... some people definitely lack brain cells for sure!

Walking back down to town was certainly a lot easier than walking up! Kieran and I had a good heart to heart as well, we had a great cousin bonding session!

The four of us then decided to go and play frisbee golf, as Nomads have frisbees to borrow for free. It was actually way more fun than I thought it would be. Although I was unsurprisingly awful at it!

When we finished, the sun was setting over lake Wakatipu and it was breathtaking. I know I say it a lot but I still can't get my head round how beautiful it is here!

Nomads do a free meal every night at loco, so we for sure made the most of that! Tonight it was chicken curry, pretty standard, nothing special but it was free so I was happy! Mostly tonight I've been thinking over and over about the bungy jump tomorrow, so I decided to call it a night when we got back to the hostel and went to bed!

Return to Queenstown: Part 1

Saturday 29th - Sunday 30th April 2017

I originally had decided to get an intercity bus to Queenstown, but luckily two other Au Pairs, Sabrina and Fabienne, were driving through Queenstown on the days I planned on travelling so I got a lift with them. It was so much nicer than getting the bus for sure! We stopped off at the clay cliffs in Omarama, they are pretty spectacular. I'm pretty sure you could go anywhere in New Zealand and have your mind blown by its sheer beauty.

After leaving Omarama, it was another few hours before we arrived in Queenstown. On the way there we passed the Kawarau bridge bungy... it looks higher than I remember it and I tried not to think about doing it on Tuesday!!

When we finally arrived in Queenstown it honestly felt like I was returning home. The mountains, lakes and streets all feel so familiar now and make me feel so happy! I checked in to Nomads hostel, it's on church street which is right in the centre of the town. We're in a 6 bed ensure with a balcony over looking mountains and Lake Wakatipu, so absolute luxury compared to some of the other hostels! Plus Kieran gets discount as he worked for Nomads so it was pretty cheap which is also a winner! I was pretty stoked to see Kieran, as it will be the first time I've seen any of my family since leaving for New Zealand. However, he was sound asleep when I got there! (Don't know why I was surprised!)

As I didn't want to disturb him, I went and had a wander around Queenstown, defamiliarising myself with everything that's there. I do love it here! After half an hour or so, Kieran messaged saying he head woken up, which, for both of us, only meant one thing... Fergburger!

It's pretty cold here in Queenstown, so we decided against sitting by the lake as previously planned and went back to the kitchen in Nomads to stay warm! As we walked in I noticed Kirstine! Both Kirstine and Lotte have one last night in Queenstown, so it worked out amazingly! It was so lovely to see them again, especially as I didn't think I would!

So after this we got a few bottle of wine to pre drink before heading out. Unfortunately, I peaked early... way early and got kicked out of the bar for being too drunk oops (sorry Nana and Popa). But still it was so worth it I had a great night!

Sunday however was another story, I was so hungover I only managed to make it out of bed twice to get food. Oops. 

Timaru Week 5

Monday 24th - Friday 28th April 2017

Wade was took an extra day's holiday on Monday, so we went to Peake forest with the boys. We did the 'big tree' and waterfall hikes. It was a really lovely day! We had another bank holiday for Anzac Day on Tuesday, Australia and New Zealand's rememberance day. I didn't do a whole lot, other than sleep in and go for a run! We went to the library again on weds and thurs for more lobster mayhem! This week we made rock monsters and monster hands! The boys loved it!

On Friday, I took the youngest to Chipmunks, an indoor play area, with some of the other Au Pairs. It was really nice to do a play date as it meant that all the children were playing more! 

Other than that, there isn't much to report for this week! 

Timaru Week 4

Monday 17th April - Sunday 23rd April 2017

The Fairlie show was on on bank holiday Monday, so I went with Wade and the boys. It was pretty much exactly like any of the shows I've ever been to in England, so it was pretty cool to go and do something familiar!

This week is the start of the Easter holidays, so I've upped my hours a bit whilst there is no school! We have been going to 'monster mayhem' at Timaru library, which has been pretty cool. It's twice this week and twice next week, one of the librarians reads a few monster stories and then there is a craft. On the first day we made monster masks, and then the following day we made cup monsters!

The weather has stayed pretty nice this week so we've been spending a fair bit of time outside which has been amazing! We've pretty much done the rounds of the different parks in Timaru. We've even brought Spider-Man and iron man along with us a few times! 

This week I have also been making plans for south East Asia, and it looks like I will be able to go to Sydney for a couple of days beforehand which will be awesome!

Saturday evening, Wade got me in contact with one of the girls he works with as she was going out with a few mates. It was pretty sweet going out with kiwis finally and (from what I remember) it was a pretty good night!