Start of the bus...

Last night I went to the hostel bar with one of my dorm mates, where I saw a guy on a 15 foot unicycle juggle. Then my mate won a rock paper scissors championship (I got like 6th place) and got free drinks, which he spent on me, so I got a lot of free drinks last night. He also offered to buy my dinner, but I politely declined.

The bus left at 8 this morning, so I got up and ready to go at like 7:30, but I didn't sleep well last night, so it feels like I've been up for days. Which I kind of have been. The bus ride went well. The bus driver tells stories and gives lots of info, and drives to lots of fun areas. I saw a bunch of newborn lambs, which have to be the cutest thing you could imagine!

There are horrible storms in the area (don't worry, i'm safe!) and lots of roads are washed out or have been hit by landslides, so hopefully this doesn't cause any problems for me.

I am in a little town called Kaikoura, which usually has great seal, dolphin, and whale watching, and sea kayaking amoung them, but since the weather is horrendous, I only got to see a few seals and nothing else. Just more of a reason to come back during the summer months!

Anyways, I just enjoyed a big hunk of fresh fish and chips, which really hit the spot after walking in the torrential rain for a half hour. Fresh fish is now my favorite thing I could ever imagine.

I realized I lost a pair of pants (my comfy yoga ones) so I'm kinda disappointed, but that's okay, because I can always buy more!

I came to the conclusion on the bus today that I need to do something more influential with my life (yeah, I've been saying that for almost forever, but I really mean it). I am pretty sure I am going to try to go to somewhere in Africa or India. We'll see where life takes me...

In Christchurch

So I arrived at my hostel in Christchurch at about 10:30 last night and was exhausted. So I went to bed.

When I woke up, I found 5 guys in my dorm with me, so, being me, the first thing I hoped for was that they were all cute guys, but I was slightly disappointed. Oh well. There's hope for me yet (maybe in Wellington hehe).

I walked around Christchurch this morning for an hour or so, and it is a gorgeous city. My hostel is right outside of a beautiful cathedral.

I also found out yesterday that one of my best friends is engaged, so that was very exciting news! I have another wedding to help plan and pick out dresses for! yay! I'm glad I had a year off of weddings so that I can be excited about this one!

I hear that my Mirah Belle has 2 teeth now and I am so excited to see her and spend time with her. I think about her "like all the time. It's absolutely ridiculous" :)

Anyways, I'm gonna find some stuff to do around here and then venture out some more.

More Planning!

I slept all day and all night yesterday. I think I needed the 16 hours of sleep I got. I'm still sick, so it felt pretty good to catch up on some good sleep.

I've spent all of today either on the phone or internet planning the rest of my trip. So far, this is what I have planned:

Fly to Christchurch at 8 pm, stay the night.
Stay in Christchurch for the day
Leave Christchurch on Wednesday and head to Kaikoura
Leave Kaikoura on Thursday and head back to Wellington
Leave Wellington on Saturday for Nelson
Stay in Nelson then leave for Greymouth on Sunday
Stay in Greymouth then head to Franz Joseph (hike the glacier!!).
Stay in Franz Joseph on Monday and head to Queenstown.
On the 6th and 7th I will go to Milford sound and Catlins, then make my way to Dunedin.
Stay in Dunedin on the 8th and head to Lake Tekapo
Leave Lake Tekapo on the 9th for Christchurch, then head back up to Auckland/Bay of Islands to hopefully visit with Angela (a relative) for the 9/10 or something, then stay in Auckland until I leave on the 13th.

Ahhhhh! I have a full rest of my trip! I am so excited!

I am hoping my visit to Wellington is worthwhile. I am excited to spend time with someone I met there (Chatta and Sara - I want to talk to you so bad to tell you of this new adventure!). I am to the point where I feel if I don't go back, I might be asking myself later why I didn't... after all, I have nothing to lose by going there, but everything to gain!

I hope I will still be able to visit Angela, as there was a storm that hit the Bay of Islands (where she lives) that was the biggest in the past 15 years, and I hear that it's flooded. I hope her and her family are safe, and that I will be able to meet this part of my family.

Anyways, I have more reservations to make and hostels to book, so I better get to that. I hope to call Sara soon so we can chit chat (I spend too much money on the phone, hehe) and I don't really know what time it is/have Chatta's number in Sweden, so I'll save my chit chat with her for later...