West Coast

Quick update.

Drove from Christchurch to the West Coast these last few days.  Highlights:

- Cave stream - underground stream; about a 30 minute hike through caves in knee-deep to chest-deep water.  Water droplets on the ceiling looked like stars.  So cool.

- Franz Josef glacier - hike out to glacier; surreal scenery with lots of crowds.  Also so cool...minus the crowds.

- Camping with sandflies - OH GOD MAKE IT STOP.  First morning, Al's sanity broke because of the flies and the bad weather.  This morning, Sarah's sanity broke because of flies and rain.  Crossing my fingers that I'm not next...

- Lake Wanaka - Sunbathed for the first time!  One hour makes three weeks out here worth it, right?  Right??

- Skydiving - Going in an hour!  Nervous, but can't wait!

No time on the internets left; only 5 days left until return trip!  Ahhh!

Until more internet minutes,
Kate

EDIT:

Oh man.  I just jumped out of a plane at 12,000 feet in one of the most scenic areas I've ever been.  A very flirty and hilarious eastern European man was my tandem partner, and made the flight all the more fun.  We did a bunch of tricks on our way down which I didn't think I'd have the stomach for.  To be honest, I didn't think I'd have the stomach for skydiving period.  So incredible!!  Definitely an experience that will be difficult to top, what with a view of Lake Wanaka, the neighboring lake, Mount Cook, Mount Aspiration, and the southern Alps.  Pictures during flight cost an extra $100-200, so here's a stolen picture with the same view as today:

Tough life, right?

Also, we picked up our Escape campervan from Christchurch.  It's Transformer themed!  Over the last couple days, we've gotten sooo many waves and thumbs up from little boys driving by or parked at our campgrounds.  My camera was forgotten at our hostel in Chch, so pictures will have to wait until my return home.  So far, the van has been a mixed blessing.  Wonderful being able to cart all our gear around and not have to worry about finding a hostel every night, but we haven't showered in 3 days now (going on 4 since we're not staying at a campsite tonight with facilities).  However, the sun finally came out today and Sarah and I enjoyed a jump in Lake Wanaka earlier.  I will be going back for seconds shortly.  Sleeping quarters tend to be a bit cramped as well, but Sarah and I brought tents so we'll be rotating out.

Spirits have been getting down with all the bad weather, biting bugs, and LONG drives (we average between 5-8 hours in the car on the days we travel) but today has been a favorite for all three of us!  Oh man.  I seriously can't get this smile off my face.

I was hoping to get my flight changed to fly out Chch, but my travel company is being a butt so I'll be trying to do stand-by up to Auckland on the 16th and catch my 7:30 PM flight back to San Francisco that night.  Everything should work out, given I can catch my flight to Auckland.  If not, I can just reschedule my flight to SFO from the Chch airport until I can hop a flight out.  The return home is coming up so quickly!  I'll be coming home with lots of smiles, good memories, and itchy bug bites.  Once again, worth the trip!

Seriously until next time,
Kate