bugger.
i am currently recuperating from the greatest trip of my life. i spent the last two weeks backpacking nearly the entire country of new zealand. starting in auckland, at the top of the north island (i bet a lot of you didn't know that new zealand consisted of two islands), i casually made my way down to queenstown, at the bottom of the south island. somewhere in between, i was given the extreme privilege of travelling through, in my opinion, one of the most gorgeous countries on earth. i mean it. absolutely, positively, gorgeous. It is as if a great portion of the country has been preserved, from the very beginning of time, and each day, become more beautiful than the day before. more magnificent, more breath taking, more awe inspiring, more glorious. i had to remind myself to blink at times, and use a gentle finger to lift my jaw, as to not drool all over myself. for two whole weeks i was in constant euphoria. of course, it didnt hurt that i was jumping out of planes, taking 15 mile hikes through rolling countryside, climbing glaciers, and black water rafting through glow worm caves. i am a very, very, lucky girl.
let me take a minute to tell you the most amazing thing about this little creature we like to call the glow worm. the glow worm is actually a little maggot type insect that lives in the depths of dark moist caves, and eventually turns into a moth like insect, that lives for a grand total of 48 hours. HOWEVER, the very best part about these little buggers, is that the part of them that glows, is actually their poo. now if you ever happen to find yourself in a cave full of the miraculous beings, and you need a little extra reading light, simply give'em a little scream. sure enough, they will glow a little brighter for you. any guesses why? thats right. they shit themselves.
i'll post a few pictures, simply because that is what i promised in blogging from australia. i never promised a bounty of eloquently written memoirs or anything of the like. but pictures i will provide. you have to admit, you don't really care what the pictures are of, but you'll probably enjoy looking at them anyway.
This was our first stop in New Zealand... on our cruise of the beautiful bay of islands. Some of the most expensive real estate exists in this bay. And then there is this little cabin you can stay in for $12 a night. It is about a 3 hour hike, and a half hour boat ride from civilization. Whos with me?
Our 15 mile hike through the countryside of waitomo was probably one of the best things we did while we were there. and it was free.
We asked the bartender what was a good new zealand beer. He said, no comment, and gave us a bucket of something cheap. Apparently, no such thing exists.
and since we were in new zealand, we had no other choice but to go on a lord of the rings tour. if you can guess who we are, i'll give you a kiss.
an hour before we left for the airport, i found myself in a tattoo parlor, getting this put on my wrist. ouch.
well, i love you all. two months down. two to go.