Farewell Frodo, Bye Bye Bilbo

Wow, I can't believe how quickly the 95 days in New Zealand has gone by. This is an amazing country indeed! The varied geography, spirited friendly people and myriad of outdoor activities are (I don't even know what word to use here.)

I am sitting in Auckland waiting for my ride to the airport to catch my 4:30 flight to Melbourne, Australia (they refer to it as OZ. Which is much easier to type).
I will spend a few days with friends that I met while hiking the Inca Trail in Peru (small world, eh?). Other than knowing where I will lay my head tonight; I have no plans, reservations or itinerary for 3 months in Australia. Although I had the same situation for NZ, and wouldn't have planned it any differently if I had planned it. I will read my guide book and figure a direction. I think I may go to the more remote West Coast first, or perhaps South to the Island of Tasmania. It is the height of summer now and HOT up north. So I can see the south and west first...?

I hope to sit down and finish some of the blog posts that I started regarding NZ adventures and memories (there are sooooo many). I did spend a few hours last week uploading a slew of new photos to the Flickr site though (check 'em out if you get a chance)

OK, gotta go for now, but I'll keep ya posted!

I'm still trippin' in the New Year...

My goodness...I can't believe how long it's been since my last post. Serious blog negligence and abuse. Just wanted to let y'all know that I am well and travels are going wonderfully! Unfortunately, I still do not have time to write and catch up on what's been happenin'

In a nutshell: after the Mount Cook extravaganza of hiking, I camped for a bit beside Lake Ohau, then traveled south to the quaint town of Wanaka where I spent a few days including a very quiet Christmas. From there I met a few girls from the UK (who did not know each other prior to us all meeting in Wanaka) and we drove to the very southwest corner of NZ to Fiordland National Park and hiked "The Dusky Track " (supposedly the 2nd toughest tramping in NZ). The only way to access this remote and isolated trail is by boat or seaplane. Anyway, it took us seven days to complete and we spent New Years in a rustic hut beside a small glistening lake on a majestic mountainside. Schweeeeet! Pictures and the whole story when I have more internet time.

Since then, I spent a 8 hour day hiking on the Fox Glacier with a few guides. A few hikes around the Franz Joseph glacier. A hike in Arthur's Pass to the Devil's Punchbowl waterfall. And I am now back in Christchurch ready to head north again to sell my car in Auckland before departing NZ (sigh) for Melbourne, Australia on January 30th.

But first...I will try to book a boat to swim with the dolphins and whales off of the coast in Kiakora. Followed by a day of biking to about 10 wineries in the Marlborough wine region. And there are supposed to be quite a few natural hot mineral springs around.
Other than that, not much going on....

Thanks for your emails, thoughts, holiday wishes, etc.
Keep in touch and I will try to write in more detail soon. Gotta go.........