Quality Time

Trip Start Sep 09, 2004

394

Trip End Ongoing

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Flag of New Zealand Wanaka, New Zealand
Sunday, December 12, 2004

We've spent the last couple of days chilling out mainly, exploring Wanaka a little and taking in some of the awesome scenery it offers. We've individually took a little time out to catch up on emails and errands and it's been a really peaceful relaxing couple of days. It's also been good to get to know the others a little better as we've been constantly on the move over the last few days and things have been pretty much action packed. So it's nice to have had a breather and to enjoy the company of others. Igno and I have grown a lot closer over the last few days after sharing one or two discussions and the odd comfortable silence. He's got a big heart and his head is totally at the right level. I'll really miss him when he leaves.

The other night was interesting. We went out for a couple of beers starting in the local Irish bar. But this particular evening was the first of the National 'Smoking Ban' which basically means no smoking indoors. The only legal 'indoor place' you can smoke in New Zealand now is in the comfort of your own home. One local shop owner was telling us how the liquor stores even have to shut the cigarette cabinets so that the packets cannot be seen from outside the store. Interesting. It was weird at first standing around in the bar breathing fresh air and will take a little getting used to I guess but it's great. Well, for me anyway. We got back to our lodge and my clothes smelled exactly the same as they did when I went out. It just meant I got to spend half the time with Igno and Chris as they kept disappearing every twelve minutes to nip outside for a quick Shmock.

Also, I feel I need to mention (but can't express it enough) how beautiful it is here. It really is. When Wozza said we were in for a treat he meant it! Funny thing is it's starting to become abundantly clear that the best treats in life are completely free. I don't mean to get too deep here but I've always had a thing for the ocean. A real passion that would make me nip off at random opportunities and often lose time just gazing in to it. I could sit with it for hours and hours and never lose interest watching it's ever changing moods. A bit like watching fire. The ocean will always be a big part of me and I can't see myself ever settling anywhere without it being within reach (I never know when I'll need it). But there's something about lakes and mountains too. I never really gave it much thought until now. How magnificent, awe-inspiring and calming they can be. Kilimanjaro gave me a similar 'butterfly feeling' that made me crave more and yet here, sitting in front of Lake Wanaka with its snow capped peaks watching over it, I get that same incredible feeling - different to that from the ocean, but incredible nonetheless. They were right; the South Island is totally different.

The journey here was surreal too. If we've passed more than ten cars in the last couple of days, that would be an exaggeration. And the roads have been superb; scenic, twisting bends surrounded by snow capped mountains, waterfalls, lakes, rivers and the bluest of skies. Without any traffic! Honestly, I'm not joking. It's left me totally itching to hire a motorbike!

My foot has completely returned to its original size and I am starting to walk normally. Yesterday I walked on 'foots edge' with no pain but today managed to walk like a regular person with a little pain so it looks like I'm on the mend. Methinks. I've still got a few days of antibiotics to get through so fingers crossed it should all be right over the weekend. After all, I'm due a change of luck. Surely.

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