I have had some requests for the drink totals from New Zealand. Those 35 beers are pints, and please remember 8 pints=1 gallon. Any questions?
Blake
35 beers
1 cider
17 glasses of wine
1/2 bottle of wine
Ken
35 Beers
1 sherry
14 glasses of wine
1/2 bottle of wine
BC
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Arthur's Pass
Hello All,
Today is a very sad day for me. It is my last day in New Zealand. However, I have had an amazing time and look forward to returning some time soon. I plan on continuing to write about my journey even after I return to "The States". However, before I leave I wanted to leave you with one last story.
On our last drive in the South Island from Fox Glacier to Christchurch Ken and I had a very interesting experience. We were told by the lady who ran the B&B we stayed in Fox Glacier to be sure to get to Arthur's Pass by 3:00 pm because the fog gets thick and it is a very treacherous road. We took this into account and went on with our day.
On our drive Ken and I stopped to hike the Franz Joesph Glacier which is about a two hour hike. It was a beautiful hike that gets you right to the face of the glacier. Unlike most glaciers in the world this one is expanding at a rate of about 3 feet per day. Right when we reached the face of the glacier and huge boulder came careening down to a loud thud.
After our hike we continue to drive towards Christchurch. We reach the base of Arthur's pass at about 3:30 pm and proceed to make our ascent up the steepest road I have ever been on. Our car was not very powerful. At one point Ken had the gas pedal to the floor and we were going about 10 mph. When we came to the summit of the pass it was about 4:15 pm and there was no fog in sight. We thought we had gotten very lucky. As the drive went on we got into a pretty big valley with snow on the road side. The next thing we knew the snow started to fall. We thought we had just about gotten through all of the snow when we turned a corner and saw a line of trucks stopped. We were flagged over by a road worker and told to put on our snow tire chains.
Ken and I have never put on snow chains before, but we thought how hard can it be. Lets be serious here, Ken and I graduated Prep and went on to very good colleges. So, reading the directions to put on snow chains should be easy. How wrong we were. The directions made no sense, the pictures on the container were wrong and our chains didn't have all of the parts. We tried putting them on for about 30 to 45 minutes before I finally jury rigged the second set of chains. I told Ken to just drive, and if they fall off then I will pick them up and put them in the trunk.
By this time it was dark. We drove about 7KM down the road at about 10 mph when our first set of chains fell off. I was pretty impressed that they had stay on that long. Only about another 1KM down the road the snow stopped and i took the second set off. It was an experience.
When we returned the rental car the next day they had a tire with snow chains on them to show people how to do it. We really did have a bad pair of chains. We were not only missing parts, but our directions were backwards. I think the moral of the story is to practice putting on the chains before you need to use them.
In the end we made it to Christchurch by about 8:00 pm, 2 hours after our scheduled arrival. I would not even consider this a bad part of the trip, rather a cocktail filler I will be telling for many years.
Well, that's all for now. Until next time may you study how to properly put on snow chains.
BC
Today is a very sad day for me. It is my last day in New Zealand. However, I have had an amazing time and look forward to returning some time soon. I plan on continuing to write about my journey even after I return to "The States". However, before I leave I wanted to leave you with one last story.
On our last drive in the South Island from Fox Glacier to Christchurch Ken and I had a very interesting experience. We were told by the lady who ran the B&B we stayed in Fox Glacier to be sure to get to Arthur's Pass by 3:00 pm because the fog gets thick and it is a very treacherous road. We took this into account and went on with our day.
On our drive Ken and I stopped to hike the Franz Joesph Glacier which is about a two hour hike. It was a beautiful hike that gets you right to the face of the glacier. Unlike most glaciers in the world this one is expanding at a rate of about 3 feet per day. Right when we reached the face of the glacier and huge boulder came careening down to a loud thud.
After our hike we continue to drive towards Christchurch. We reach the base of Arthur's pass at about 3:30 pm and proceed to make our ascent up the steepest road I have ever been on. Our car was not very powerful. At one point Ken had the gas pedal to the floor and we were going about 10 mph. When we came to the summit of the pass it was about 4:15 pm and there was no fog in sight. We thought we had gotten very lucky. As the drive went on we got into a pretty big valley with snow on the road side. The next thing we knew the snow started to fall. We thought we had just about gotten through all of the snow when we turned a corner and saw a line of trucks stopped. We were flagged over by a road worker and told to put on our snow tire chains.
Ken and I have never put on snow chains before, but we thought how hard can it be. Lets be serious here, Ken and I graduated Prep and went on to very good colleges. So, reading the directions to put on snow chains should be easy. How wrong we were. The directions made no sense, the pictures on the container were wrong and our chains didn't have all of the parts. We tried putting them on for about 30 to 45 minutes before I finally jury rigged the second set of chains. I told Ken to just drive, and if they fall off then I will pick them up and put them in the trunk.
By this time it was dark. We drove about 7KM down the road at about 10 mph when our first set of chains fell off. I was pretty impressed that they had stay on that long. Only about another 1KM down the road the snow stopped and i took the second set off. It was an experience.
When we returned the rental car the next day they had a tire with snow chains on them to show people how to do it. We really did have a bad pair of chains. We were not only missing parts, but our directions were backwards. I think the moral of the story is to practice putting on the chains before you need to use them.
In the end we made it to Christchurch by about 8:00 pm, 2 hours after our scheduled arrival. I would not even consider this a bad part of the trip, rather a cocktail filler I will be telling for many years.
Well, that's all for now. Until next time may you study how to properly put on snow chains.
BC
Friday, July 3, 2009
MS = Most Spectacular (Milford Sound)
Hello again,
I want to first off wish everyone a Happy 4th of July! I know I am a day early, but that's what happens when I am a day ahead. I hope you all have a BBQ and beer for me while I am on my long 12 hour flight home.
So, onward with my Kiwi adventure. After Queenstown Ken and I made the two hour drive southwest to a small lake town named Te Anau. We stayed in a great "self catered" cottage. We got our own two bedroom cottage with even a kitchen and living room (and Sky TV). On the first night we went to the market and picked up some food for us to cook for our dinners and breakfasts. It was nice to be able to have a home cooked meal while watching the All Blacks game on TV.
The next morning we left early for the two and a half hour drive to Milford Sound. The weather was perfect, cold and crisp but sunny. The drive was absolutely spectacular. I think it was the most beautiful drive of the trip. We drove through wide open fields and up a very steep snow covered mountain. At one point you go through about a mile and a half tunnel that is pitch black and has water dripping from the roof. (I will post video when I return). Once in Milford Sound we took a small tour boat ride around the sound. It was beautiful. We saw water falls, huge cliffs, snow capped mountains, seals, and even a pod of dolphins that decided to keep us company on our way back into port. It was a moment to remember.
Looking back on my entire trip I have to saw that Milford Sound was my favorite part. New Zealand is a very scenic place, but Milford Sound takes it to another level. When I come back here next I am going to make sure I go to Milford Sound.
Well, that's all for now. Until next time please use caution when playing with fireworks!
BC
I want to first off wish everyone a Happy 4th of July! I know I am a day early, but that's what happens when I am a day ahead. I hope you all have a BBQ and beer for me while I am on my long 12 hour flight home.
So, onward with my Kiwi adventure. After Queenstown Ken and I made the two hour drive southwest to a small lake town named Te Anau. We stayed in a great "self catered" cottage. We got our own two bedroom cottage with even a kitchen and living room (and Sky TV). On the first night we went to the market and picked up some food for us to cook for our dinners and breakfasts. It was nice to be able to have a home cooked meal while watching the All Blacks game on TV.
The next morning we left early for the two and a half hour drive to Milford Sound. The weather was perfect, cold and crisp but sunny. The drive was absolutely spectacular. I think it was the most beautiful drive of the trip. We drove through wide open fields and up a very steep snow covered mountain. At one point you go through about a mile and a half tunnel that is pitch black and has water dripping from the roof. (I will post video when I return). Once in Milford Sound we took a small tour boat ride around the sound. It was beautiful. We saw water falls, huge cliffs, snow capped mountains, seals, and even a pod of dolphins that decided to keep us company on our way back into port. It was a moment to remember.
Looking back on my entire trip I have to saw that Milford Sound was my favorite part. New Zealand is a very scenic place, but Milford Sound takes it to another level. When I come back here next I am going to make sure I go to Milford Sound.
Well, that's all for now. Until next time please use caution when playing with fireworks!
BC
Queenstown a.k.a JS Central
Howdy,
I know I have been MIA, but I am back and better than ever! The next stop on my trip was in Queenstown. The city is similar to a small ski town, without the ski slope right outside.
Ken and I stayed in a small hotel about a five minute walk from the city center. The hotel was great. Every night they have free wine and appetizers from 6 - 7 pm. We made sure that we were part of the festivities. During the wine hour we met some great Kiwis. They are all very nice, and so interested about our travels. One of the couples even offered for us to crash at their place near the Bay of Islands. Unfortunately, we are unable to take them up on their offer, but i told them to count on me next time I am in new Zealand.
On the second day in Queenstown, Ken went skiing at the local mountain and I explored the city. In the morning I walked down to the city center for a little shopping and then around the gardens by the lake. We had wonderful weather. It was bright and sunny. After lunch I took the gondola up the mountain to where they have a luge race track. The luge I speak of is not like the one in the Olympics. It is where you sit on this bike/sled thingy and race down the mountain. I bought a ticket to do the track once, but after I got down to the bottom I had to go two more times. In my own words, "IT WAS AWESOME".
Overall, Queenstown was one of my favorite cities on the South Island. I could have spent at least a week there. They had so many things to do, and so many people to talk too. I will be sure to visit again.
The next day it was off to Te Anau for two days. One of those days was our trip to Milford Sound. So, that's all for now. Until next time please remember to put on your sunscreen!
BC
I know I have been MIA, but I am back and better than ever! The next stop on my trip was in Queenstown. The city is similar to a small ski town, without the ski slope right outside.
Ken and I stayed in a small hotel about a five minute walk from the city center. The hotel was great. Every night they have free wine and appetizers from 6 - 7 pm. We made sure that we were part of the festivities. During the wine hour we met some great Kiwis. They are all very nice, and so interested about our travels. One of the couples even offered for us to crash at their place near the Bay of Islands. Unfortunately, we are unable to take them up on their offer, but i told them to count on me next time I am in new Zealand.
On the second day in Queenstown, Ken went skiing at the local mountain and I explored the city. In the morning I walked down to the city center for a little shopping and then around the gardens by the lake. We had wonderful weather. It was bright and sunny. After lunch I took the gondola up the mountain to where they have a luge race track. The luge I speak of is not like the one in the Olympics. It is where you sit on this bike/sled thingy and race down the mountain. I bought a ticket to do the track once, but after I got down to the bottom I had to go two more times. In my own words, "IT WAS AWESOME".
Overall, Queenstown was one of my favorite cities on the South Island. I could have spent at least a week there. They had so many things to do, and so many people to talk too. I will be sure to visit again.
The next day it was off to Te Anau for two days. One of those days was our trip to Milford Sound. So, that's all for now. Until next time please remember to put on your sunscreen!
BC
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Blake MIA?!?
It is me, Blake, the one and only New Zealand traveler. I am not in jail, I did not fall off a cliff, I was not eaten by a sheep, I was just doing my thing traveling. I know you all are probably very bored looking at the ketchup posting, and for this I apologize. The good news is that for my last 2 days in New Zealand I will have Internet access. I plan on posting a lot of posts over the next few hours. I hope you haven't given up on me.
I am off to go work out and have a "spa" experience. Until next time, may you get ready for some major New Zealand adventures!
BC
I am off to go work out and have a "spa" experience. Until next time, may you get ready for some major New Zealand adventures!
BC
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