Greymouth is a small mining town with not a ...
Trip Start
May 09, 2001
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12
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Trip End
Sep 2001
Queenstown, New Zealand
Friday, July 13, 2001
Went Greenstone/Jade hunting on the local beaches but to no avail. There are several shops here that sell some nice Jade and have given me some good info on what i should be looking for, which is good!
Found a place across the road from the hostel to do a Yoga practise to keep me in shape as i haven't been too motivated to do any recently!! It's a bit difficult when you're sharing a dorm room with other people!! Just what i needed and as a bonus the woman that runs the class, Sandie, offered to take me and another couple of people from the hostel to a beach further up the coast to look for Jade! We went down a very secluded path and had to swing down a sheer cliff face with the help of a strategically placed rope and ladder and a helping hand!
The beach was fabulous although we were all unlucky in finding any precious gemstones, but nevermind there will be other days (hopefully!). Had to take off shoes and socks to get back though as the tide turned fairly fast!! Bit of fun and adventure though!!
In Greymouth all the shops shut at lunchtime on a Saturday, which is a bit weird, like going back in time some 13 or so years in the UK - Weekend shopping is THE time to shop at home so it was a bit of a shock, but kind of nice at the same time!!
Decided to buy some Jade at the Jade Boulder Gallery in Greymouth - to give me an idea of what to look for on the beach for future reference!!
Although most of my friends/family receive this travelogue they are also fortunate to get many postcards...as a consequence my hand hurts...guess it's my fault for knowing too many people!! Don't be expecting too many in the future guys as my bank balance is looking a bit fragile and i want to stay here for as long as possible,,,just remember I still love ya tho'!And I guess you get the idea that i'm having fun!!
Spent 4 nights in a little town called Hokitika - Stayed at a fantastic place called the Blue Spur Lodge, which although it is a few km out of the town, is well worth the effort and you get a free pick-up from town and can hire bikes, so it's easily accessible really. Set in 100 acres of a disused gold mine in a timber lodge with cosy woodburner and comfy beds with stunning views of the Southern Alps and Mount Cook, you can't ask for much more!
I spent a whole day with a fantastic guy called Steven Gwaliasi helping to carve my own piece of Jade!! The design is abstracted from 3 separate design forms of the Crossover, Koru and Hei Matau - which all have significant meanings and now mean even more combined together in something which I know is unique and crafted for me with a little help from myself!! Just what i was looking for, I am a contented person now i've got what i was looking for!
Have had the coldest weather in the last few days so luckily have managed to 'borrow' a duvet to go over my sleeping bag...mmm lovely and toastie warm!
Met a guy who is cycling pretty much around the world and camping out, so I think he is crazy but inspiring!!!
Jumped back on the KiwiExperience bus to stay at a place by Lake Mahinapua. Fancy dress party with the guys dressing up in dresses and the girls getting the attractive option of bin liners as a costume...mmmm! Scarily the boys loved being girls for the night and all got far too enthusiastic than is normal i'm sure, but it amused us nevertheless!!!
We then drove to the Franz Josef Glacier where I booked up to do a full day's hike! Am i crazy!!?? yes! I twisted my ankle the day before the hike so that meant i went in the slowest group - not that i really minded!! We got to the half-way point and a couple of people turned back, I was tempted for a moment but decided to go on and it has to be said it was THE MOST CHALLENGING thing i've done so far - there were some scary moments crawling between two walls of ice where you literally have to squeeze through sideways! Climbing through caves and up and down 60 degree steps of ice!!!! But i wouldn't have missed it for the world. Definately worth doing! If only for the views and the exercise!!
Stayed in Wanaka for a night and had a Thai meal and Champagne, which can't be bad! - oh to remember what it was really like to eat Thai food tho'!
It was difficult enough to get accomodation for one night although we managed to find a place at the hotel, which wasn't bad, so I was glad I'd booked ahead for Queenstown!!
Went to a fantastic little place called Puzzling World - which i definately recommend for a few hours of fun if you are anywhere near Wanaka!! I did the maze and attempted some of the puzzles and wondered at the hall of illusion!! The guy who set this up really loves his puzzles!!
Well i'm in Queenstown, Adrenalin Junkies Heaven!, for the next ten days or so while the Winter Festival is on!
Have watched several people from the bus doing the 'original' bungy jump 43 metres above a river... kind of tempting but not sure It's really what i want to do, think i'd be too scared!! Some of them have gone on to do The Nevis which is 136 metres - which is just madness!!
Staying at the Hippo Lodge which is halfway up the mountain and a fairly steep hill - good for the muscles and a beautiful view when you get here so it's worth it!! Will be moving to the YHA next week which is right by Lake Wakatipu - a change is as good as a rest, so long as i don't have to carry my bags down the hill!!!
Well that's about all for now folks. Take care
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMES!!! It's Friday 13th but it's a good day for you!
--x--
