Adrenaline Junkies

Since last time we journeyed through Arthers Pass among the snow, saw a few Kea's along the way and arrived for our two night stop in Franz Josef. The Rainforest Resort was full of other tour buses and our cabin was right next to the hot tub where we could hear loads of different languages and accents. About 30 people played killer pool on our first night to win a free bungy or skydive, I didn't do too bad but didn't win! For our whole day mum, Steph and I stayed in the same group for a half day hike up the Franz Josef Glacier with its blue ice! The glacier is always moving each day and every 7 years moves back and forth in size depending on the weather and changing climate, and it sits right on a fault line, a splinter of which caused the Christchurch earthquake. It was really interesting to learn about and how to wear and walk in crampons on the ice. Fortunately no one fell over! Our guide carried his manly pick axe around and casually hacked away steps for us because they have no set route up the ice. He found us an overlap which is were the ice pushes up and creates a dome that we were able to crawl into and be surrounded by clean blue and white ice.
It's pretty hard work to walk around up there so understandably we used our free entry to the hot pools just down the road when we got back before sharing a pizza at the Monsoon bar (when it rains - they pour.) and heading to bed after some fun fun laundry - just cant escape having to do your washing...

Back on the road again the following morning the group had a quick hour walk around Lake Matheson and then the Blue Pools . This was also the day I jumped off the bus a little sleepy and nutted the wing mirror. Tears happened! But I'm fine.
Our evening was spent in Makarora with no signal as we were completely surrounded by snow capped mountains in our little triangle cabins that looked a bit like metal teepee's! Included dinner was great that night and more international pool games.

More beautiful lake and mountain photo stops on our way to Queenstown as well as a stop off at Puzzle World! Lots of puzzles, illusions and mazes to be played with! Then a two hour lunch by the lake to take it easy in the sunshine.
The afternoon bought us just outside Queenstown to the original A J Hackett Bungy site, 43m Kawarau Bridge. I'd sort of talked myself out of it before we got there from fear and money! Mum isn't allowed do bungy on doctors orders so I felt no pressure. But when some of our group started to join the queue and I saw others jumping I had to join too! Out whole group was able to stay and watch and cheer us on as we got kitted out on the bridge. One by one our legs were wrapped and attached to the bungy then we were walked to the edge. I tried to distract myself while I waited and just wanted to be calm enough for the one second it takes to let yourself drop! Thankfully I didn't freak out too much, just posed for my photos in a very goofy manner then heard '3,2,1 -bungy!' and I closed my eyes for a moment to fall then jumped!! I screamed, obviously. But you can be the judge of the jump when I get home and upload the video and photos onto FB.  It was the most freeing felling as I fell and the river rushed to meet me!! I'd do it again in a second even though it would be scary all over again!
9 people in the group ended up jumping and we were really proud of each other.The buzz lasted about an hour before I crashed! Had to buck up after we checked in, shower quick and get back to for dinner in Queenstown with some of the others! Mum and I joined them all in trying a famous Fergburger! I went for a Tropical Swine and I think mum just went for a classic Fergburger. I cant exaggerate enough that these burgers were HUGE. It easily covered my face, and needless to say I was put to shame by not being able to finish it!! Woz then took us on a delightful walking tour to the best ice cream shop, sweetshop and bars. We headed to Altitude bar and bumped into another tour bus then went to the World Bar where you can order a cocktail to drink out of a teapot! It was a bit '60 million postcards' but quirkier and better music! I stayed and danced for two hours after mum went home. Big lie in the next day!!
More adrenaline in the afternoon after Mum and I were picked up for a 4x4 Lord of the Rings tour where we were driven up to see where scenes where filmed around the town and through a river a couple of times for the shot where the 9 wraiths gallop down the river away from the tidal wave. 7 of the 9 riders were actually woman from the area!
Quick refreshments served on the jeep bonnet and then a drop of to the Shotoverjet boat which shot us down the river at alarming speeds and soaked us on each 360 turn. Mum and I shouted a-lot! If you're ever in town, do it!!
Then last night played out similar to the night before except we started in the Cowboy bar and all rode the bull then went and danced again at World bar. Today we have been to the bird sanctuary and now here! Need to get back for dinner now!!!

Love xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

South Island

We left you last time at the day we though we might die.. but didn't.

We left Blue Duck Lodge early Friday morning to drive back into Tongariro National Park and get kitted out/briefed for our hike. Only a few people opted out but the rest of us were driven out to the start point as it started to drizzle at 9am. We quickly split up into groups with different walking speeds and mum and I stayed with Monica and Gustav who were our angels the entire time - they wouldn't leave us and said we started it together so we'd finish it together!
At first it was fairly flat over a boardwalk with loads of old volcanic rock surrounding us. It was fairly foggy to we couldn't see to far. The path got steeper with more steps then eventually it was just steep walk up a mountain side! Looking back I cant believe how excited I was to see snow and have a picture with it. After to hours there was nothing I hated more than wind and snow and mountains. We spent about 20 minutes crossing a gap of just white on white only guided by the wooden posts.The higher we climbed the fiercer the wind got and the temperature got. The guides told us it got windy up there but we Never thought it was dangerous. The ridge only looked about 20 feet wide in the fog and every time we heard the wind whistle towards us it was drop to the floor or grab a rock and cling on. Giant rocks became retreats for water and rest stops. I cried about half an hour from the top because I was just so scared and there was no way out except to carry on. The four of us felt totally isolated. Only later when we finished did we find nearly everyone felt the same up there. When we Finally stepped over the summit we were amazingly blessed with 15 mins of a clear blur sky to look down on the Emerald Pools and make our way down to a flat to cross more snow. Just over one more hill and the snow began to recede as we walked down. The sky cleared and we spent the last two hours or so walking down a mountain side in sunshine as the grass turned to trees then trees to forest for the final 3km stretch to the car park. Each set that arrived were applauded. By 4pm we were wiped and everyone was back and on the bus, racing to the hot tub once we were checked into the lodge. Then dinner and drinks we all deserved as we hobbled to our seats.
Mum did So well on the hike. I thought the steps might get the best of her but she carried on and kept me calm at the top. The four of us got through mainly on humour and Gustav keeping an eye on us!!
And that was the Tongariro Crossing.

Saturday the group boarded the bus a little achy but happy as we headed for Wellington! This was our final stop on the North Island with our tour guide Nick and a few members so after check in and a walk around the Awesome Te Papa Museum a few of us came back to catch him before he left. Sad times.
The Museum blew our minds with the animals, culture, environmental info of the country. Pictures will describe it better at a later date!
After dinner at the hostels bar I went out with a few of the younger bunch to watch the fireworks while mum got an early night. I didn't realise they celebrated Guy Fawkes over here but I was please to be wrong. The display was one of the best I've ever seen! We all left smiling and headed up to the Welsh Bar for Cell, then went to the Library Bar which was home for me!! People faded out throughout the evening so Steph and I had a quick dance in Wonderland until out legs told us no more and we headed for bed.
Sunday morning we left a few behind including Gustav and Monica to continue their travels elsewhere. Wasn't nice but we moved on together across the ferry to Picton where we met to new ladies and our tour guide Wozzer. Drove down to Abel Tasmen National Park and BBQ-ed it up before bed! Mum and I got an Aqua Taxi up a few bays the next morning and enjoyed a breathtaking 12km walk back to Marahue Bay for our horse riding at 2pm. Abel Tasmen has blue waters, white beaches and lush green landscapes. We were blessed with two beautiful days there before pack up and having a driving day to Hanmar Springs yesterday (Tuesday).
Passed though Nelson NP and another with great photo stops of the Southern Alps. Greenacres Lodge was lovely and the hot springs after dinner was perfect. Panicked a little when my ring bronzed in the sulphur pools but thankfully the desk could put it in a solution to clean it back to silver!

Today we're in Kaikoura in the best hostel I've ever seen, the Fish Tank Lodge - will snap some pictures!Mum went whale watching but unfortunately they only heard them on the monitor. She saw some dolphins and an albatross and had a nap! I stayed here with Cell as we're saving money for Queenstown activities so while everyone whale and dolphin watched Wozzer took us to do the shopping and we cooked for everyone. Just need to go back a re-heat it all now!! Expect they're starving...

Thanks again for reading everyone, sorry we cant message you all individually.

Tons of love as we travel via Christchurch to Franz Josef tomorrow while you all sleep! Home in two weeks!
Love to our two boys waiting at home,
Josie and Kim xxxxxxxxxx

We almost died today...

Yes, today was pretty scary to say the least but we are alive and well so dont panic.

Back to Auckland. We were picked up at 8am by our very funny and friendly tour leader Nick. Our group is 25 people plus Nick. Travellers from Sweden, Finland, England, France, Denmark, Isreal and Wales! Big variaty of age and background so its no trek america but still great. Plus the major difference is that we travel shorter distances on a smaller island and we stay in a lodge or hostel every night - spoilt!

First day we visited a dormant volcano in Auckland then journeyed round to the Coromandel region to stay at Hahei, stopping for some tree hugger shots with the huge Kauri trees. Checked in in our quad cabins mum and I got ready for the wet weather and Nick dropped us all at the top of the walk down to Cathedral Cove. It was really beautiful with the walk through such different foliage to what the UK has and the cove itself was rainy but stunning. The arch in the rock there was used at the beginning of the second Narnia movie if you're familiar with it (except it was sunny when they filmed...). Very wet and back at the resort, food was prepped for dinner and the we threw on our swim stuff and headed down to a thermal beach where we dug our own holes or 'borrowed' other peoples and lay in the bath like water listening to the colder ocean lapping against the shore. What better way to get to know your group than everyone stripping down to their swimmers on a bus! It was so relaxing once you found the right temp. and then quicly ran back to the bus to shower for a great BBQ dinner together!

Next day was Rotorua and we did a half hour walk to a stunning panoramic view point first thing. I'm suffering from motion sickness in the bus a bit which is really odd for me but I think its because the seats are higher so the space feels really small and all the roads here are tiny and bumpy. Mum felt it a bit to but we just got on with it. And I slipped on my bum on the way back down - mum managed it much more gracefully!
One stop along the way was for an L&P which is a drink that was created in the area from the mineral water with lemon. It's famous in NZ and Really refreshing!
The afternoon was great fun! a couple of people explored the town, one or two hit the spa but a small group of us went to Luge!! I cant really explain what it is just google it! We raced really fast and had 6 goes. I even got mum on the advanced track twice. It was So much fun. Only one accident but Stephs fine now, just a few bruises. The rain poured down on us on our last ski lift up to the top to finish and Mum and I got absolutley soaked! No time to change as it was straight on the bus at 4pm for our Maori Culteral experiance.

We were welcomed and sung in the village, greeted with a handshake and nose bump from each family member as is custom then shown to our group rooms (12 in each) with the designs carved all over the walls. With songsheets we learnt to sing a song with them which we had to perform later in front of all the other evening guests. Our youngest guy (Mr Wales) was selected as Cheif of our 'tribe' and had to face the other warriors to enter their village where we were able to learn all about Maori life and warfare. The singing and dancing performance was amazing! Then our underground cooked Hangi meal was lush! the beds campfire was a great finish and the beds were comfy.

Up and out next morning to view the powerful Huku Falls then just around the corner went for another swim in a hot stream. Blue Duck lodge was the acommodation that night and all the work their doing there is outstanding. The are working to get their land back to bush land to clean the rivers and help the endangered Blue Duck which is being hunted out by ferrets and dying from the dirty river. The jeep tour was scary and muddy, we were up pretty high. Mum wen in another jeep that went gost shooting! I kid you not. A bullet went through one goat and hit another and she went CSI on tracking blood to find the injusred goat....

I'm running out of time but today we hiked up through the Tongariro mnt by Mnt Doom and it took 7 hours. The wind and rain picked up and we felt like we were going to be thrown off the mountain. I cried at the top and called jimmy for prayer. But over the summit we had some stunning views I'll talk about later! Mum did it too!!! Ankles are Throbbing now.....

to be continued...

Love you all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hello New Zealand

So just after our last post we went on an amazing walking tour around Sydney that started at the Town Hall and ended with a great view of Circular Quay. We saw the shopping mall, financial end, Hyde Park and the food festival, the history of how the city was founded and developed, a fountain where a scene from the Matrix is filmed, The Rocks, the market, Oktoberfest and even and Arthur Stace 'Eternity' slab outside the cathedral. So now we're full of Sydney knowledge! Would recommend that tour to everyone visiting the city!
For dinner we walked back to the Hero's of Waterloo, listened to some live music then went for a walk over the bridge by night.
The whole city was a little freaky because of the masses of people dressed up for Halloween, we bumped into zombies all day!

Yesterday we got up early with our waterproofs at the ready for our trip to Manly because of the weather report and having seen lightning the night before.... however, whilst watching the surfers the sun came out and slowly fried us as we walked round to Shelly Beach and took in the beauty that Is Manly. Well worth a ferry trip and a burnt face however embarrassing.

On the ferry back we managed to make some plans to catch up with another trekker I met on the Southern Sun tour and Taz came to pick us up in the Rocks and drove us down to see Bondi beach. We came back and went over the other side of the bridge for dinner (which was awesome) then went for a walk round by Luna Park and had the best view of the bridge, opera house and city thanks to our Sydney-sider tour guide! Was horrible saying bye again but at least mums here to keep me company.
Right now shes leaning on the hard drive next to me falling asleep. We got up at 4am to shuttle to the airport and catch a 9am flight to Auckland, New Zealand. Our hostel is lovely and so was the dinner we found down the road. Wont get to see much of this city but its ok as we start the trek tomorrow morning!!

Anyway better get the mother to our oh so comfy beds...

Love you all

Josie & Kim xxx

Sydney and around

Saturday now and only a day and a half left until we fly to Auckland and start our NZ tour!

We met up with Kelly as planned on Thursday and went for a huge walk and lunch around the Botanical Gardens which were really beautiful. Mum went back to find some of our family from Oz and spent the afternoon with them at Darling Harbour while Kelly and I carried on walking, went to the Art Museum of New South Wales and then chatted over a hot chocolate in a cafe near Pitt St. We said goodbye about 6 and I met up with Mum, Yvonne, Sarah and her little boy Ethan who was really sweet! We all went for dinner at China Town, had a catch up and made some plans for when Sarah & Ethan come over to England in December. They arrive the week after we get home! So that made saying goodbye a bit easier.

Yesterday Mum and I were up (after another mammoth sleep) and waiting outside the hostel about 8am to be picked up for the Blue Mountains Tour. It was a huge day and they crammed in so much. We stopped at loads of beautiful view points, did the scenic air flight, cable car and train at the Blue Mountains, saw an aboriginal direction carving and stopped off to see some wild kangaroos before a leisurely cruise back round to Sydney Harbour under the bridge, past the Opera House and back into Circular Quay. After trekking back down to the other end of Pitt St to our hostel, sprucing up a bit, we went for dinner at the Three Wise Monkeys then strolled home.
Over slept a bit today because we forgot to set an alarm... Mums just gone down to Coles to get some food then we're doing a 3 hour walking tour around the City, may walk over the bridge to Luna Park later. Tomorrow we intend to catch a ferry over to Manly for the day. Might rain so we've got a backup plan of ducking into the Art Museum and Aquarium, if not, there's the market and beach walks. May be able to catch up with another Trek Am friend too hopefully!

I think thats it for now. Stay in touch as we'd love to hear from you. May not be back online to blog until we get to New Zealand now as I'm not sure when we'll have time, so don't worry if it goes quiet, check facebook updates!

Miss and love you all
Josie & Kim xxxxxxx

We missed Tuesday...

So we've arrived safe and sound in Sydney after a very long journey from Heathrow to Dubai, to Bangkok (Which was a surprise) then Sydney. We've eaten four plane meals and missed Tueday! It's about 1am for you guys and 11am here. Really want to pass out but can't check into our room til 2 and need to try and stay awake so we actually sleep at night.
Some sad news... my shampoo opened in my bag and made a nice mess over all my toiletries and some clothes that I had to deal with after getting my bag off the carousel. Still cant sort it properly until I get in my room, boooo! Feeling slighting childish, irrational, grimy and homesick. Yup, only just arrived but I find this the worst bit, settling in. Mums doing well though! Shes just charging her phone and answering her many messages at the moment. She says hello!
The weather is a little miserable and grey but not as chilly as home. Will go for a wander when my times up here, maybe buy some healthy food that we so desperately need.

Anyway - the plan this week looks like this so far...
Tomorrow we're meeting a lovely girl called Kelly that I met on my first 3 weeks of Trek America for lunch in China Town and then my mums cousin is hopefully coming into town for dinner with us. Shes coming to England for Christmas so we can organise! Friday we've got a Blue Mountain tour booked for the day so that should keep us busy, and then two days to go round the harbour, maybe over to Manly, we'll see.

Will update again soon,
All our love
Josie & Kim xxx

Psalm 139

ps  I am fine with my chaotic body clock at home i am used to short sleeps and eating at funny times.  No change then!! but did miss tuesday!!!  Chatted to a cute ozzie on the plane, josie sat next to a cute guy who fell aseep the whole way.  Josie has gone back to 5 year old mentality, and is soooo tired and irritable great we have only just arrived  lot of love to you all Kim

Chapter Two: It's a mother daughter thing...

We fly next Monday! By 9pm we'll be flying over England to Sydney via Dubai. The plan is this...

Arrive in Sydney, Australia on 26th, sleep a lot, then see trek friends and explore over the next few days. On 31st we will be catching a flight to Auckland, New Zealand where we'll stay the night in a hostel and be picked up the following morning to start our three week tour around both islands. I'm not sure if we'll be with the same group the whole way or not, its more likely to be a hop-on-hop-off thing. Soon find out.

This trek is based in more hostels/lodges and a lot more feeding ourselves rather than as a group in the campgrounds. I've got a few things on my to-do list as well like a bungee jump, maybe more horse riding and plenty of hikes...

After arriving back in Auckland around 20th November we'll stay the night then catch a flight back to Dubai where we intend to sun ourselves for two days then head back to cold little England on 24th with a nice winter tan. :)

Organising this trip is a little more complicated with all the flights and various accommodations - plus I'm organising for two. I've got double everything slowly mounting up in my bedroom ready to be packed. All the paper work and last minute things to throw in are hanging around needing my attention...

But we're getting there and John is almost organised and ready to have some freedom from us! Mum's alright, a bit nervous I think, but mainly she just breaks into an excited holiday dance every now and again which I'll try and record at some point for entertainment purposes.

I'll even been updating for two while were away so Hi all mums friends!

And remember whenever you read, we'll be about 13 hours ahead of you. 

See you in Winter

Josie
xxx