Hi everyone!
Once again, I apologize for the long wait on our post. We've been busy little bees over here. Currently listening to bagpipers outside our window (side note but i thought you might like to know).
The last we posted we were in Queenstown. We are back in Queenstown after a crazy adventure with our friend Hugh from Missoula. We met Hugh here on the 9th and headed to a little town called Wanaka the next day. We spent 2 nights there doing hikes and camping, playing on playgrounds and stealing showers from a hostel there. The next day we drove to Milford Sound, a gorgeous (but very rainy) place surrounded by mountains. We planned on camping the night we got there but it was pouring rain and had the worst sand flies (new zealand's version of a mosquito; way worse because you can't hear them coming), so we stayed the night in a hostel there. The next morning we went on a cruise through the sound with a couple cool British boys we met in the hostel; we saw a dolphin, seals, and stole enough free breakfast to last us a couple days. After the cruise, Hugh dropped Ella and me off at the start of the Routeburn Track and headed back to Queenstown. The Routeburn Track is a 4 day, 3 night hike and it was amazing! We slept on the hardest campsites I think either one of us has ever slept on, hiked for 7 hours in the sun up a mountain and had a blast doing it. We got off the track today and are staying in Queenstown tonight to catch up on sleep and rest our sore bodies, then are hitching to Franz Josef tomorrow to go glacier hiking! We will have internet there for the next 2 days so we will be in touch if anyone needs anything.
We both got a bit homesick on the hike, there's a lot of time to think when you're too winded to talk. We'll be missing home, family and friends with the holidays coming up so keep the comments coming :)
We love you guys!
xoxo Lilly and Ella
Hi Lilly,
ReplyDeleteGood blog... I am enjoying your adventure. Interesting comment about a fine line between camping and being homeless. I guess the line has to do with choice. The other factor might be that you have a light at the end of your tunnel. To that end, we are looking forward to see you in L.A. on the 18th. Mike might have to be the one who picks you up at the airport... Edie gets back from a visit to her daughter, Kristin, on the 17th at around 4:00 PM... then we drive to L.A. late in the afternoon. But don't worry, either Mike or us will get you from the airport. By the way, please tell me your airline and flight number.
We went to Pirate Night... it is a kick. I am going to buy a beater for a barone (sp?)... it's a little knobbed stick, and practice with it on a magazine. If I start to get it, I'll get the drum. Unfortunately my sense of rhythm, like many Caucasians, is lame. A drumming instrument is not a natural for me.
Right now we are at the beginning of 5 days of rain too. It is inconvenient but not as bad as if we were camping.
Stay warm and dry... as possible.
Take care.
Love, Dad