Since two days ago, I'm back in Brazil. It's nice to be back home. However, it's weird!
From now on, its a new beggining. Time to re start my life, my career.
I won't change the title of my blog, even though I'm now living in Brazil. I will keep this blog to remember stories from all my life overseas, and also daily stories back home.
We had the morning to enjoy Hanmer Springs and then, moving on to Kaikoura.
In Hanmer Springs we could hire a mountain bike and know all the area around up to the mountain where there were some trails. We had 4 hours hired and didn’t think it would be a problem, until …
Well, at the beginning, some nice trails, just straight. Then we went back on the road going up the mountain. From there, it started to complicate. The track was really steep what made us get out of the bicycle and walk, taking them by hand.
Up there we got lost. The plan was to get around the mountain and get back to the center. At the middle, we believe, there was something wrong in the map. We were following orange arrows, but it was impossible to follow them riding a bicycle. It was really really steep. There was another way, but it didn’t seem to be the right way. Without options we decided to come back through the same way, which was amazing as it was only downhill. The 3 hours we took to get uphill we did in less than 15 min to get down.
We think all the ride we did was around 30K, which is really good for a Monday morning, isn’t it?
Back to the center why not Hot Pools again, to relax? Lol …
Not spending a long time in the pool this time, we had lunch in a Thai Restaurant that cost us around 15 dollars each. It was an absurd for me, as in Thailand I didn’t spend more than 2 dollars for the same dish. Anyway, it was really good!!!
It was time to go to Kaikoura. We were really excited to go there as they offer nice tours for watching and swimming with dolphins, seals and whales.
Arriving in Kaikoura we looked for the Albatross Backpackers, where we had booked for that night. Beds ready we went to know the city and we witness a beautiful sunset between the mountains and lightening the ocean.
Then, just before sleep, we went back to the hostel and just had some beers while we were talking to each other.
After a good sleep we were ready to leave Franz Josef towards Hanmer Springs passing through Greymouth.
So we bought a few things for breakfast and left.
Thiago was the driver and he loves to stop everywhere for pictures and to make sure there is nothing different to see, as birds, waterfalls, etc.
Already in Greymouth we parked the car and walked around the small town to find out museums, statues, clocks and everything which could represent the city.
In Greymouth departs a train towards Christchurch. The company called Tranz Scenic, says that the way between those cities there are beautiful landscapes and it’s a must to do. However, my friend Vini, has done this trip over the train few days before and didn’t like that much. He said it wasn’t different than the landscapes he had seen in other trips by bus in NZ.
Both of Thiago and Fabricio wanted to buy a jacket in reason they hadn`t taken enough for the trip. So we went to the Warehouse, just next to the Train Station. On the way, Thiago disappear. Fabricio instead, bought a cap.
On the way back, we found Thiago in a book shop, looking some books (in English!! Don`t forget that he doesn’t speak at all…LOL).
Back on the road, nice landscapes came through us.
(...)
Getting in Hanmer Springs, we decided to find a backpacker before anything. We couldn’t have the chance to get in trouble again. So we found a very comfortable backpacker for a good price and which allowed us to have as much ice cream as we could. We left it for the dinner.
Nothing else to do we went to the place where (I think) all the residents go on Sundays: Hot Pools (again!!). I say everyone, because there was nothing else to do in town and the pools were crowded.
Later on, we left the pool as the market closes at 5pm (so early!!!) and we had to buy something for dinner, otherwise we would have to eat all the ice cream available..LOL.
The menu was: Spaghetti with salmon and Red wine. Desert: ICE CREAM… A LOT!!
Meanwhile we talked to the owner and other guests to decide what we could do the day after. Quite tired we just had a look in the options and left it for the other day.
This day, we were planning to go for a Glacier Tour. However, as we had arrived late in town we couldn’t book previously. So we woke up and I called the company to make sure there were places available for us 3.
Booking ready, everything was ok. Except that were going for a trekking in the glaciers for around 8 hours and we hadn’t had breakfast and neither had bought anything for lunch.
Already late, the guide told us to run and to buy something to drink and eat, because it was going to be extremely necessary as there wasn’t anything on the way.
So there were a convenience store next to the shop where we bought some snacks and Gatorades.
Back to the shop we had to hurry up to take the specific clothes for a freezing weather. Ready in the bus, we went with others dozens of people.
At the beginning we thought it was going to be easy. Nevertheless, we didn’t expect the rain, really cold temperature and that we were going to walk that much. 10k in those conditions is not for everyone.
Back in town, we needed to relax. For this, nothing better than HOT POOLS.
We spent around 2 hours at the hot pools. There we were thinking if we were going to stay in Franz Josef one more night or leave. So we decided to stay as we were really exhausted.
Leaving the pools around 8 pm, we went to the backpacker we had stayed the night before. Another problem, as we hadn’t booked, there were no beds available. The solutions were to pray to have another one still open, sleep in the car or hit the road towards a new city.
I called some backpackers till I find one that were almost closing, called Monrose. Thank God we didn’t have to sleep in the car.
Once we paid and got the key, we went to the Rainforest for dinner. Just before we use the time to wash and dry our clothes while the food was getting ready.
Our plan was to go to Franz Josef this day. But we saw another activity that sparked our attention and perhaps, we could do it during the morning.
So the day before, we decided to try to go for River Boarding (or River Surfing). So we looked for some agency, which was still open, that we could book for today. Lucky, we found it.
So we went to “surf” in a River.
Before leave the town we took some pictures of our Backpacker, the famous Fergburger, Baccelli …
Thiago hugging our ex "school mate" Baccelli.
The BEST burger EVER!!! FERGBURGER!!!
The experience was great!!! The river was almost low, though.
Besides, we could jump from a cliff of 7, 9 and 11 meters. I just jumped from the 7. Fabricio jumped from the 7 and 9. Thiago jumped from the 11 and also wanted to go farther. The instructor didn’t allow, though, as he was jumping in a wrong way and it might be dangerous.
After that, there was a Slide we could go using the board. It was very nice too!
Back to Queenstown, we have lunch and got ready to go to Franz Josef.
We got there around 8 o`clock. Thinking we could book some backpacker anytime, we almost got in trouble, having to sleep in the car. Except one, all the others close at 8. So we could get a room in the Rainforest Backpackers, just because it closes at 8.30pm.
Later on, Thiago and I went for a beer at the Rainforest Bar. Fabricio went to bed, as normal.
On the 4th day in Queenstown, we decided to go to Milford Sound. We did by Kiwi Experience, a very well known tour company in New Zealand.
Milford Sound is known as a very nice place, with beautiful landscapes. However, it can’t be the same in a bad weather.
Unlucky, we got a very bad weather. So it wasn’t a good trip in our opinion just because of the rain.
Anyway, we couldn’t give up. So we passed by mountains, lakes, fields, etc. After a few hours we stopped over Te Anau, the biggest city before Milford Sound, just for a little walk and toilets.
Later, we arrived in Milford Sound, where we were going for a Cruise. The Cruise takes 2 hours around and provides lunch for the passengers.
Most of the passengers were Indians, so they had a different Menu for lunch. The lunch took almost the 2 hours, till everyone get your plate and have a sit. The food was quite good, though.
Mirror Lake
After lunch, there was not much to see, as it was raining a lot outside of the ship. Nevertheless, we could take a picture next to a nice waterfall and Thiago’s friend. Lol… (the Asian lady who was sat next to him in the bus).
Seals
Thiago's Asian friend
On the way back, everyone fell asleep, as the trip was long and nothing else to see.
Back in Queenstown, we went out a little while as we were used to.
The options chosen for this day were: Bungy Jump and Gondola + Luge rides. However, Fabricio and I had paid only as an expectator for the Nevis Bungy Jump (134m). We wanted to jump, but we were undecided, as it scared us. Anyway, if we decided to jump, we would pay only the difference between we had already paid.
As we had woke up late, we didn’t have breakfast and run to the Bungy Jump Store to wait for the bus. Once we arrived there, we (Fabricio and I) got really nervous and frightened. Thiago was the first one to jump. He was extremely excited!!! I don’t know how!
Back from the jump, he was still excited! He said, though, a funny thing to the instructor: “I go together, I go together!!” The instructor looked at him without knowing what he was meaning. But as Thiago doesn’t speak English, he meant “I want to go again”.
Later on, after another people jump, the instructor asked me and Fabricio if we would like to jump or not, and we had to decide at that moment. We looked each other and Fabricio said “YES”. From there I was completely scared. I couldn’t be the only one, who wouldn’t jump. I couldn’t give up again, once I had been there few months before with Mariana and I didn’t jump.
So did Fabricio! So did I! Fabricio almost jump before be allowed. But me, I took about 2 minutes to jump. I was just thinking about my death. If I were there without friends I’m sure I wouldn’t do it.
All three did it!! Great sensation! A big challenge was accomplished!
(…)
Back to town, nothing better than eat something. We had lunch at Subway and then went for the Gondola and Luge.
Few pictures were taken around the Mount and then we were ready for the Luge rides. We had 5 of them, enough to have fun. Usually, people go for it just as a ride. Instead, our rides were as a race! However, the objective was not to be the first one, but to try to break the others, bumping into them, crashing them.
At the end, there wasn’t a champion, but a lot of laughs.
Back down the Mount, we had a little walk around and went back to the Backpacker for a nap. Really tired, we slept till 10 pm.
At night, we went out for a while and we met 2 guys we had met at the Rafting, one guy who looks like Maurano (our friend in Brazil) and a Comic guy, bold and with a long beard.
Hungry, we all went to the best Burguer in New Zealand = FERGBURGUER.
17/11
As we had booked activities during the afternoon, we could sleep longer. After breakfast and just before going for the Triple Challenge, which was included, Jet Boat, Helicopter and Rafting, we had a walk around the city. Queenstown is known by the Adventures Sports and even though it is a really small city, it receives every single day, plenty of tourists, looking for new experiences.
During our walking, Fabricio and I attended a scenic and funny situation, illustrated by Thiago. Next to a little river, surrounded by trees, benchs, people having lunch, Thiago suddenly decided to catch one of the Ducks, which were around. However, the trying wasn’t as normally, but it was like a goal keeper does to catch a ball in a really difficult shot by the soccer player.
Fabricio and I couldn’t stop laughing. We couldn’t imagine that he was going to do something like that. The people around didn’t understand what was going on. They just looked surprised.
Unfortunately, we didn’t video this comic scene.
(…)
Moving on, but still laughing, we went for the Triple Challenge. The first one was the Jet Boat. A fast boat which drives around rocks and does 360o turns along the river.
Secondly, a helicopter gave us a ride up the river where we were going to do Rafting. Although the helicopter ride, looked just a simple ride, the pilot did some free style which became it exciting and scared.
Following, the Rafting finished great the Challenges. Our guide was Brazilian, and had a funny and strong accent.
(…)
Back to the BASE, we had a meal and bought some beers and vodka for the night.
This day seemed as Thiago’s day. And just not seemed, but it happened. After some drinks in the room, we went out. We were having some beers at the Atitude Bar, when suddenly Fabricio saw Thiago being kicked out by the security. However, another comic scene!! The security man was carrying him up side down!!! Fabricio started laughing and I was upset to have missed this fact.
Thiago affirmed that he wasn’t doing anything wrong, just talking to a girl. We thought that, maybe, her boyfriend could have called the security man for jealousy.
Anyway, we couldn’t do anything about, and Thiago couldn’t get in again. After a while, he came to another guy who was at the entrance and tried to get in. Without success and angry, he said:
"I fight you,
I broke you,
I slice you"
In English it doesn't sound clear, but the way how he said was enough to understand perfectly.
We had the morning to enjoy Hanmer Springs and then, moving on to Kaikoura.
Well, at the beginning, some nice trails, just straight. Then we went back on the road going up the mountain. From there, it started to complicate. The track was really steep what made us get out of the bicycle and walk, taking them by hand.
It was time to go to Kaikoura. We were really excited to go there as they offer nice tours for watching and swimming with dolphins, seals and whales. 
After a good sleep we were ready to leave Franz Josef towards Hanmer Springs passing through Greymouth.
This day, we were planning to go for a Glacier Tour. However, as we had arrived late in town we couldn’t book previously. So we woke up and I called the company to make sure there were places available for us 3. 
So there were a convenience store next to the shop where we bought some snacks and Gatorades.
Once we paid and got the key, we went to the Rainforest for dinner. Just before we use the time to wash and dry our clothes while the food was getting ready.
