Tuesday, February 26, 2008

we're good at camping

Well, we try at least. Four nights in the campervan down, eight to go! Our wheels have taken us from Christchurch past Mt Cook through Queenstown to Te Anau and Milford Sound, and now back to Queenstown again. Campervan rules--as far as we know--are that you can park and sleep anywhere out of town so long as there's no sign telling you that you can't. The results, after a stormy first night, look like the view above, and we awoke to clear views of Mt Cook from the south shore of Lake Pukaki.

Queenstown is charming. It's also very touristy. We like it, though, so we're back. When it comes to experiencing the place, you have two options: You can spend hundreds of dollars to eat, sleep, drink, boat down a river, ride a gondola, bungy jump, and use the internet, or you can do what we try to do by living on spaghetti out of the back of a van, skipping the speed boats, hiking an hour up to where the gondola would take you in three minutes, being bungy jumping enthusiasts (by jealously watching), and finding the only free wi-fi in town at the local ice cream joint. We're still suckers, though, and New Zealand is fairly expensive, so we've spent some cash. Should we just go for it? Are we missing out?

Te Anau and Milford Sound were beautiful and wet. We did fork over $30 in Te Anau for a spot at what's called a "holiday park". We were lured in by the guaranteed place to sleep, the showers, etc. They got us at Milford Sound too when we paid probably too much for a two hour cruise around the fiord. Wanida got sprayed and soaked by a waterfall!

New pics are up, so enjoy!

7 comments:

Corrie said...

Love the new pictures. Glad to see the blue cardigan made the cut. Love that you are having fun. Roam around the world...

Eric Lehman said...

Well, there you have it. I officially added New Zealand to my list of places I want to visit. Hope you're happy! Just got caught up with everything on this page and I'm glad you are having a blast. And thanks for keeping us so updated. I heart your Jucy van.

Anonymous said...

So you guys are on a spaghetti ration? What else is on the menu? Hiking is much better anyway! Today my morning sickness started, ugggh. I thought I'd let you know. Love the artistic pictures!

Whimsique said...

I wanted to jump into that picture and join you in the van. love all the adventures that are already starting. So glad you two are having fun!

Scott Hearts NZ said said...

I have a buddy for you to catch up with in Wanaka. You might be able to stay at the Lighthouse Church there if you ask him. Also there is a phone at the church with a local 760 area code so you can call home for free and talk as long as you want. Tell the Lighthouse crew I say hello. You should really stay for a church service on Sunday. Check your email too. Enjoy and have fun.

Ms Moneyone said...

I was hoping for the bungy story, but the pics are great! Off topic.. today in my Soc class we were talking about childhood memories and toys we played with. Super Mario Brothers! Yes! Apparently there was a cheat book where you could get all the hidden stuff. Who knew? OR did we use it and I just forgot.

Ms Moneyone said...

Jucy Cruzer Woo Hoo!
And I wear your clothes every day. Thanks :)