Jim Travels The World

boxes of cigarettes at the duty free in the Queenstown airport. Apparently, these things are really bad for you. If you're interested in the whole facebook album, can check it out here

Then the boat across Milford sound to the bus station. Milford sound is def the most amazing thing i've ever seen.  the awesomeness just keeps coming I took about 100 pictures just on that 20 minute boat ride. Now on the bus out of the sound, out through fiordland national park. I could spend many more days here, this place is astounding. However a hot shower and fush n chups back in queenstown is too inviting. Being here has really made me miss and appreciate Colorado. We've met a few people who've badmouthed Melbourne, talking about the bad weather and lack of outdoor activities. It's made me thnk about how special CO is. now back to reality

Day 4 This day was so awesome I have to split it into two posts: Part 1: Dumpling Hut to Sandfly Point: Up early and on the track by 7. Today's timing is critical. We have to go twelve miles to get to sandfly point as close to 2 pm as possible without being late. Later than 2 and we miss our boat. Arrive too early and we have to wait among the sandflies. So I was a bit anxious, but we had a good trip itinerary based on the landmarks from the hut ranger. It rained on us for about 5 minutes but great weather the rest of the day. So many waterfalls, it was too easy to lose count. mackay falls The last mile was the toughest, after going 33 miles in 4 days, with most of that being the last 3. around every turn was another amazing sight like this one We made it to sandfly point with about ten minutes to spare. Perfect. The 20 minute ferry ride across milford sound was so friggin awesome it deserves its own post. coming soon

After a brief absence (due to the fact that I left my camera on the bus from Milford to Te Anau and had to wait for them to ship it back to me), we now continue with:  Day 3 Woke up, out the door by 8. Hut mgr says we're in for a bit of weather. About 20 mins down the track we begin the ascent up the mntn and that's when it starts to rain. It doesn't stop raining for 12 hours. Reaching the summit isn't too challenging, but it's cold, windy and raining hard. The mntn is steeped in fog so visibility is nil. It's a bit disappointing. We can see bits and pieces looking back at Clinton Valley, but nothing on the other side. At the peak of Mt. McKinnon, when we cross over to the other side (towards the ocean), we're now entering literally one of the wettest places on earth. We descend from 1045 meters over the next several hours. Seeing the rainforest dripping wet is kinda cool. We get below the fog and reach the hiker shelter for some instant...

Day 2 Woke up at 7, sun still not up. Deep In a valley stays dark til late. On the track by 8, fairly cold. Soon we're at where the Clinton valley widens, following the river. Huge cliff walls on either side, waterfalls.  by this point we've see literally 50 or 60 waterfalls The rainforest is filled with exotic birds, plants, mushrooms; it's like being in the land before time, like a brontosaurus could stroll past at any moment. Something magical around every turn. 16.5k later arrived at the minotua hut. Some hikers go on to the top and back just in case the weather obscures it tomorrow. It's supposed to rain, but were just too tired to attempt it today. We lounge around the hut, aching. Tomorrow is the big day, the one everyone warns us about as the biggest challenge and greatest reward: mckinnon pass. Unfortunately, I left my camera on the bus on the way out of day 4, which had the memory card with my pics of days 3 and 4. They found...

7 am Bus to te anaua then bus to te anau downs then ferry across lake te anau. It's raining so can't see much as we cross the lake. It's only an hour hike to our first shelter, Clinton Hut, and thank god cuz we were soaking wet. March is the driest month of the year, but southwest New Zealand is still one of the wettest places in the world. Set up in our bunk beds, try to dry out our gear. Rain cleared up at about 4. Clinton hut is in a valley surrounded by rainforest and jagged rock peaks that have no foothills. Just massive spires straight up. Guided nature walk with ranger Russ to explain some of the flora and fauna of the area, then glow worm spotting after dark: like miniature stars. So far we haven't seen or done much, but Day 2 is when things start to get interesting. More posts coming soon.

Fly Melbourne to Christchurch to Queenstown . this is the first thing we saw of the south island: when i was in Taupo (pronounced either Taw-Poh or Toe-Paw, depending on if you're a Kiwi or Maori), NZ (on the north island), a local told me that the south island's scenery was much more "dramatic". Now i know what she meant.   The air new Zealand safety video had actors as flight attendants wearing body paint uniforms. "air new Zealand - we've nothing to hide". Weird. Queenstown is on the edge of lake Te Anau (pronounced Tee-Ahh-Now) It's so beautiful I can't believe it. We could have spent days here just exploring the area around the town. Huge rocky mountains like CO. Tourist town like beaver creek or vail. Tshirt shops everywhere, lots of American accents. Our hotel is right on the edge of the water. The next day we start our 4 day backpack trip across the 53k Milford Track in Fiodland National Park . I'll post the first ...

land of the hobbits we (me and the rest of Active International) arrived in Auckland last thursday. Everyone here says "sweet as". It's the Kiwi equivalent of No Worries. .. We're on to Taupo (which, you'd think would be pronounced "tow-poh", but it's "toe-paw") to be onsite for the lake taupo cycle challenge, an event Active designed. .. 11,000 cyclists racing 160k around the lake. We were onsite to help the day before the race, distributing 11,000 race numbers. you'd think it would be pandemonium, and it was very busy, but Kiwis are sort of on island-time. Everyone was so chill. .. ..wtf? Then 3 hour drive back from taupo to auckland, 4 hour flight to melbourne, baggage, customs, cab ride, home. all in all, a good experience, but crazy long days and i need a vacation. good night everyone.