New Zealand May 2005 – The text messages

May 8

Email fom Claire

In Auckland at the moment (weird, I really had to stop and think where I was for a second!), just spent a couple of hours reading all about the kiwi experience on their site. Sounds amazing, really want to fit in as much as possible, mainly because I’d like to see as much as I can but also a big part of it is about me keeping occupied. I phoned the kiwi office from the hostel just to double check they have me booked for tomorrow morning, and the pick-up time. It is 8.25 from outside the hostel – all good! The guy said that the bus will pick me up and take me to the office so that I can find out more about what they do, and discuss the trip. Which sounds fantastic, as I think I will get a real chance to plan ahead – well Im hoping I will, I also hope to get advice about fitting it all in to my time frame, along with getting to go to kaikoura for a couple of days (think that might have to be separate, just a return trip from Christchurch). Anyway thats tomorrow morning before we start the tour – sounds so exciting reading all about it. As I read about each place I made some short notes on the activities that I fancied, just so I have an idea for tomorrow if the tour is planned a bit then. Im hoping they will help me plan as I do want to do so much in such a short period.
 
Well I’ve got a few bits to buy here in Auckland, the most essential being an adapter, and some cream to sooth these bites. The hostel is great boo, great choice! Thank you again  Gonna finish up the rest of my internet time then go out into the city, have half the day left so Im sure I’ll find somethings to see, even though I will be getting an early night tonight, to start another great big adventure tomorrow!

Just put a few more zim entrys on here, but Im done for today, just so tired. I’ve still twenty minutes left on clock but Ive got to go to bed. Big day tomorrow after all! Plus I’ve got to charge my things up, can’t believe I’m going to be on the road for three weeks straight now. It certainly will be a kiwi experience. Hopefully should be able to get back on the net again in that time, but if not I’m not too worried as I’ll have plenty of opportunity in Oz.

Some text messages 7,8,9 May

All good, v.tired. Just got back from an afternoons kayaking. Just me out of the whole bunch from the kiwi ex. So ive just got 2 the hostel where were all stayin. Gonna get tidyed up & meet them all 4 dinner. Drive from auckland was just beautiful. The driver is great. The kayaking was wonderful, saw some more great scenery, beaches, islands, sunset. Just a bit cold & worn out now. But feelin positive about this trip! The kiwi’s are all so friendly2 x

Stoppin off at Hobbiton this morning cool huh! Doing some lugeing this afternoon along with visiting a thermal area- with boiling mud pools. Gonna get to see a real kiwi! Then tonight were going to a maori village, gonna learn some dances and eat some tradition food. Big day ahead! x x x

They are all really nice, loads of brits, nearly all of us in fact. The driver ‘hokey’ is really nice too. Pity we cant stay altogether for the whole trip. Night night, text you when you wake. Have a good nights sleep. I do miss my own bed sometimes!

Text 10 May

Well! We didnt stop at hobbiton for long, didnt see the holes or do the tour but got my picture by the sign. The luge was alot of fun. There was just me and another girl ellen and then the boys, so we were looked on as being brave! Had a great time there. Then this afternoon we got into the culture, saw the wood carving, the bubbling mud, the thermal holds that shoot water into the air and a kiwi bird. Then we learnt some traditional dancin.

Off out now 4 More cultural experiences, gonna see how they do the dancing, properly. Have some maori food. Bought my phone card for the morning. Its 13 cents per minute. With a surcharge of 24 cents. Is that cheaper? Bought a thirty dollar one which can be used else where too. Hope your days were ok. Love u loads x x

Text 11/12 May

I asked how her evening went – she replied….

Yeah brillant, bit drunk, maybe better if text u in morning when feeling sober, fantastic birthday, can’t describe. Wonderful. Will text tomorrow. Love u loads x

In the morning I asked “how’s your head….”

A bit sore, taken some tablets, had a sandwich. Oh my god i had the best birthday ever! Did the black water rafting, the hard one! It was absolutely amazing, so so scary, did a 30m absail then a flying fox, jumped off a ledge into freezing water, tubing down underground rivers with glowworms all over head, climbed up three waterfalls to make it out into the open again. Was five hours long! So so fantastic! Best birthday ever! Thank you so much! Love u

I think this is the website!

http://www.blackwaterrafting.co.nz/

12 May

We were woken at 6AM by an excited claire with this news

The skydive was amazing. Nearly the whole bus went which made it alot more fun. The company is called Freefall- great lakes skydive centre taupo new zealand. It was from nearly 3 miles up. My tandem was with an instructor called Patrick and he was from sweden, really nice guy. He even gave me a A hug when i was shaking with nerves in the plane on the way up. that was the worst bit, it was the longest fifteen minutes ever! And when the door opened and they started to fall out i was terrified! But as soon as we were out and falling it was truely fantastic, what a rush what a feeling. I loved it! I got the dvd and the twenty four still shots. Both have turned out great.

This is the website I think… http://www.freefly.co.nz/tandem.html

Tinekepeeters

Claire, this is wonderfull!!
I am really happy for you. And as usual what you get from everyone jealous…

I am still planning to go to Australia in the ( not so near ) future.
I got in to university so all travelling has to be put on hold for about 4 years ( that is if I pass every year )

After Africa, I suppose that is allright.

A late happy birthday  :-*

And I am following the whole trip the moments I can Actually can get into the Forum.
But I suppose with all the fun you are making, you won’t have that much time to read e-mails.

Well, up untill the next stop  ;)

BYE!!!
Kisses
Hugges
Kusjes
Knuffels
( last two in Flemish )

Awaiting the next adventure.

Tineke

16 May

Good morning, off to the South Island today, from Wellington to Picton, Nelson. The boys are staying in Wellington another night, while ellen and i are stayin in nelson two nights.
I want to ring air new zealand up today and ask them if i can change my flight date from the 28th to the 30th may. It will give me more time here, which i am loving, plus the other three dont leave until the 30th and after. I really really wanna stay till then.
I just want to let you know that im havin a fantastic time! & its alot bcause of Ellen, Tim & Chris. Hope 2 phone 2morrow, text you when I get to the South Island, love u loads x

28 May

Hi boo! Just phoned mum, glad to hear that things are going well. Was thinking of you. Just got back from doing a tandem paraglide over Queenstown. So so fantastic, and really spontaneous, was up the top lugeing with the boys, passed by the guys running the paragliding, they asked if i was interested, only had $80 on me, said he would do me a great deal- $100 instead of $185. Chris lent me the extra twenty and i went! It was amazing! Flying thru the air! x