Queenstown, New Zealand

Queen of all New Zealand cities! For one, you have the breathtaking views of the massive blue lake and the gigantic surrounding mountains. There’s also tons of thrilling activities that will get your heart pumping and make your life flash before your eyes.

The bus ride from Franz Josph Glacier to Queenstown was absolutely breath taking. Lake Wakatipu is right where Queenstown is and Lake Wanaka was one the way there, they are absolutely huge! They were carved out by ancient glaciers.

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Adventures Backpackers is where I stayed. The BEST hostel I have stayed in (Even the Island in Bali comes second). Clean rooms and bathrooms decorated with taste. Excellent personable staff, free WiFi, cool common area hangouts (including a wrap around porch). A lot of free stuff to rent. Oh and if you go in snowboarding season you can rent all gear for $20. Cheap! The views are awesome, even the bathrooms have a good view. Lol

I went to get Mexicanish food with my friend Morgan, from North Carolina whom I met in Rotorua. Maragitas were ok, but made me miss Roger’s homemade Margie’s! We went out for a couple of drinks and a game of pool with 2 Brits.

Early the next morning I headed to Milford Sound. I was sad to leave so soon, but I’d be back soon. The bus ride there was perfect because the bus driver stopped at some points so we could marvel at the mountains, river or waterfall. I stayed at the Milford Lodge which is right along the river.

Now for the reason I came to Milford, to kayak on the Friod. That’s right it isn’t a sound it is a fiord because it was carved out by a glacier which in contrast, a sound is carved out by running waters, like rivers. I went with Rosco’s and it was a great experience. We saw tons of NZ fur seals, Fiord Crested Penguins, and a whale! Amazing!
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The fiord has tons of waterfalls on the way to our destination, the Tasman Sea.
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I was pooped after and had to catch a bus back to my beloved Queenstown.

I went Bungy jumping at the Nevis, which is 134 meters high. I have never had that kind of thrill. After, you feel like you can do anything. Run a marathon, cure cancer. Unfortunately I didn’t do either.
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On my last full day I walked to sunshine bay and put my feet in the water. Very chilly. Then went out with some friends from the hostel. Ended the night with Fergburger. So good.

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That concludes my 7 month journey. Off to grab one last minced cheese pie and then catch a flight back to Los Angeles!

Sweet as, Bro!

Christchurch and Greymouth, New Zealand

Right when I got to Christchurch, the shuttle took me straight to the jailhouse so I could get checked in.  No, I didn’t get into trouble, I stayed at a historic jail house.

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My cell

This jail was built in 1874 and was closed in 1999. It was vacant until 2006 when it was bought by a couple who turned it into a hostel.

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Display cell

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Some of the Jail mates drawings

Christchurch was hit with massive earthquakes in 2010 and 2011. I took a walk around town and it became very apparent that they were still recovering.

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Cathedral Center

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As of October 2013 rebuild activities have been accelerated with a completion date in the end of 2016. Damaged infrastructure in the central city amounts to $160 million. 

The city created a re start mall where all shops could move to temporarily in trailers.
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Next day was scenic train day on the Transalpine from Christchurch to Greymouth where beautiful Arthur’s Pass is. You can stand outside on an open car to take pictures.
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Want to save a lot of money on your NZ train tickets? If you purchase online from another country it will be more expensive. You can use a NZ proxy to make your IP address look like it is in New Zealand. I waited to purchase my ticket until I got to NZ. I saved $50 NZ dollars doing this. You could also get a travel agent within New Zealand to book for you or just google how to use the proxy.

Off to Franz Joseph Glacier for some sky diving and night glow worm hikes.