The Wind-Down

Right, so I'm up again for the wind-down. Alex will fill you in on Qtown as soon as he's over the jetlag and likely leg cramp we're gonna get from walking a stupid amount around Hollywood today.

A few 'personal' notes on the big Q first though, as me and Alex were sadly separated for some unspeakable moments. First was night-time skiing. Which was absolutely sweet. Me and Shinoba Dragon Ninja (aka Shobi) climbed to the peak of the ranges and watched the sunset before hitting the darkened slopes. The snow was crunchened up perfectly in the colder conditions, the slopes were emptier and the mountain open to be explored. Absolutely quality.

Second moment of separation: Milford Sound day trip. Also a massive highlight from the whole journey. The drive there through the Fiordlands was the most scenic and stunning yet; the unlimited buffet lunch truly satisfying; the boat trip around the Fiords was probably the most beautiful thing I have ever seen (sorry for sounding really really gay, but its only the truth); even our bus driver was a legend. His name was Mangee (referring to the male G-string he always wears) and he had me laughing the whole way there and back.

Note 3: Fergburgers were overrated. Too much onion and not enough sauce.

Right, to the wind-down. Leaving Queenstown was as expected: saddening. Christchurch seemed pleasant enough during the one night we spent there before popping up to Kaikoura for some awesome views and a secret little seal colony that out driver only took us to after we wrote a poem pleading and begging him to.

The final legs of our trip were back through the spots we'd already visited on the North Island. Wellington was pretty nice second time round. It has the coolest little shopping street on Cuba Mall, some nice gardens leading down from the iconic cable car, and a pretty excited night scene (of which I remember little). Alex put the pressure on then got whipped by Sean. Enough said.

Lauren (the extra-excited and happy version of Pam) took us to Taupo again and I couldnt suppress my innate love for all things aeronautical. McDonalds were cool enough to have a massive plane they had converted into a kids playing area. We werent aloud in so I just climbed onto the wing the hard way and had a moment.

Rotorua and yet again our group was diminishing. Following an emotional goodbye to Georgia and Rachel (our friends right from day 1 in Auckland), we got some cheap thrills on the Luging track. Two words: intermediate left. Alex got cramp and I nearly crashed trying to take pictures of him getting cramp.

Q (the most unbothered driver yet) drove our final journey on the Kiwi bus to Auckland. We had made it in time to enjoy 3 nights at Kate's flat before flying out to LA. However, on calling said Kate (Alexs work friend) to find out where she lived we were curtly informed that she was moving out the next day and couldnt put us up at all. Sweet. Anyway we met up and drank a little then had a pillow fight. Unfortunately, following a particularly heavy blow from Alex upon my arm, my camera was flung to the floor. The lens was broken for good. I was very depressed.

So we spent the next few days buying a new camera, watching bruno, meeting Charles Marchant (yes, that one who's at the Crown sometimes!), climbing trees and failing to play football, spying on rich peoples boats and finally, on our last night in the Southern Hemisphere... Well, I wish I could remember what happened that night. Alex wishes he could too, given how he found himself knocking on apartment doors and asking to sleep on strangers sofas at 4am about an hours walk from our hostel. No one knew how or why he was there, and no one ever will. Oh, and there were some nice views of the city from Mt.Eden.

That was it, we said our goodbyes, smuggled into the hostel we never checked-out from, and left. NZ may just have been better than Oz, and leaving did cause a small clang in my heart. I sure hope I can get back there someday.

Anyway, emotion over, peace out all xx