Fiji Time

After a month exploring some of New Zealand's most amazing places and spaces I flew onwards to Fiji!
A little island time, a little sunshine and well maybe a stroll along the beach?

So much blue...

My flight from Auckland to Nadi, Fiji only took about 4 hours and I spent my first night on the main island of Viti Levu at a nice little place called Aquarius. It had it's own pool, hammocks and ocean view - I could already tell that I was going to enjoy my time here! After watching the sun set into the sea I chatted to some fellow travellers before attempting to get a few hours sleep.

First night in Fiji.. No complaints!

Early the following morning I took the bus to the port and boarded the Yasawa Flyer, (a bright yellow catamaran) which cruised its way through the sparkling blue waters towards the Yasawas, one of Fiji's most stunning regions, consisting of a chain of 20 ancient volcanic islands.

I was going to stay on two of the islands, so appreciated the others as we cruised by them!
My first stop was Barefoot Island Lodge on Naviti, 3 hours from Nadi. We transfered from the Flyer to smaller boats which sped  us to the resort, we were warmly welcomed by the staff - they were standing just on shore singing a Fijian welcome to us!

Barefoot Island Lodge was amazing, I was staying in a little hut a stones throw from the beach with a little hammock just outside the door (in case I needed a rest on the way to the shore!) The days were lazy, and  consisted of catching a few rays, chatting with my neighbours and munching on fresh coconut!

Home

There were a few creatures sharing our space, a few black tipped reef sharks swimming amongst the coral and a cast of crabs scurrying along the seashore.

One of four baby sharks I got to hang out with!

Except that is, at night... When the cheeky and overly confident monsters began scaling the wall of my hut. The slightly scratchy sound of the claws gripping to the outside gradually making their way towards the open window. I ventured outside and helped the little fella to a new location.. feeling satisfied that my mission was complete, I opted for sleep. Around 2am, the door of the hut began to squeak its way open, undeterred by my efforts the crab was back..Mission failed, univited guest to stay!

A little island welcome :)

To reach Nacula Island, took a few more hours on the the Yasawa Flyer. My new home was to be at Nabua Lodge, this was a more basic, quieter place - quite different to Barefoot.  

Whilst here I was able to visit a local village, meet the chief and buy a few souvenirs from the ladies who live there. It was really good to be able to spend time talking with them and learning a little bit more about their lives. There was even a place to get tea and cake - sadly however it was closed... I may pop back?!

Me and the Chief and his daughter!

Whilst everything seems to move a lot slower on the islands, time continued to race on...Disappointing.  Somehow I managed to climb (not fall, as was an initial and rather unfortunate moment!) out of my hammock and cruise my way back through the Yasawa's. After purchasing my first real coffee in days at the port, I took the bus to the airport... time to fly to my final country before home...next stop America.
                                                     
But...before I get there, here are a few more pictures of my Island life!

Volcanic wanderings...

After all the jumping out of a plane malarkey I thought I should make the most of being back on solid ground! I was also very pleased to find that the Tongariro crossing had been reopened and could again be adventured on. Due to an eruption late last year the crossing is only half open, but as this half still takes you passed active volcanoes, ash plains and to the Emerald lakes I wasn't going to complain, even if I was going to get picked up at 5.30 am. (Another day, another early start.)
I had met a cool Italian girl at the hostel who was also planning the 5am get up and so it was that Simona and I set out to find Mount Doom!

Mount Tongariro National Park is home to 3 volcanoes and there is currently no shortage of activity.
It is a fair way from Taupo, so we didn't arrive at the starting point, Mangatepopo car park until about 7.15am, this gave me plenty of time to drink my coffee and for the sun to come up. I added an extra couple of layers, hat and of course gloves before we set out on the start of the track. It was busy, but had that kind of quiet you get when it's too early for conversation!
The first part of the walk was along a board walk to Soda Springs, not too challenging and made quite atmospheric as the sun peaked between the volcanoes.
From Soda Springs (or Soda Stream as the bus driver kept referring to it.. completely oblivious to his mistake!) we took on the Devil's staircase...it was hard work, but having climbed Mount Hua Shan earlier in my travels I was confident I would not be defeated by these stairs of the Devil!

Mt Ngauruhoe...otherwise known as Mount Doom!

From here we had some pretty good views down the valley, the air was clear and the sky bright. At this point we had the choice, climb Mount Doom ... or continue onwards to the Emerald Lakes?

The path from the South Crater to the Red Crater...

Mt Doom - Mt Ngauruhoe was very striking, initially appearing almost black with the bright blus sky behind it. I was tempted to climb it, but having the left the One Ring at home I figured I would leave it for my next adventure! It was also a choice between climbing to the top here, or visiting the Emerald Lakes and climbing to the top of Mt Tongariro..so we set off leaving the South Crater and following the path across the ash plain and upwards to the Red Crater. Another climb, this time without stairs, just a lot of ash and scree and maybe a little slipping downwards.

The Red Crater would you believe?

The Red Crater and Emerald Lakes were clearly named by one of those good at stating the obvious type people! They were very striking and warranted about 200 photos! The steam was from an array of vents and made things look even more volcanic.. and smell terrible.

Having taken in the sites and smells of this strange world it was time for lunch.. and at 11.15am who could argue! We still had Mt Tongariro to climb ...

Me at the Emerald Lakes

Mount Tongariro is 1,978 metres (6,490 ft) high, it is not a very difficult climb although a few sections of the path slide away as you put your feet down! It took about 45mins-1hr to find our way to the top and when we arrived we were met with an impressive panorama. We found a suitable place to take in the vista and obviously a few more photos and celebrated our achievement with a little piece of chocolate :) ...and second lunch!
We noticed a few clouds had started to roll in and decided that it was possibly a good idea to get going in case the weather changed.

Simona and Me!

It was fairly tricky sticking to the path and in fact staying on your feet climbing down, I was thankful I had my trusting trekking pole with me and was saved by it on several occasions. The Devil's staircase was no problem on the way down, but the final boardwalk section seemed to go on forever!
Finally we rounded the last corner and had timed it perfectly...we climbed aboard the bus and enjoyed the journey back to Taupo.

Another great day, another great adventure... did I tell you I enjoy this traveling thing?

Just kinda liked this...

Free-falling!

Despite what some people may think I have never really wanted to do a bungy jump, it just doesn't really appeal in the same way as white water rafting or coasteering or other relaxing saturday afternoon activities! As a child I did want to be a astronaut; adventuring in space, discovering planets and orbiting the sun all sounded quite exciting and possible...but I'm not entirely convinced they have a space programme here in Taupo, so I had to opt for the next best thing.

I have always wanted to do a parachute jump, I'm not sure whether it's because I like the idea of jumping out of a plane a million miles up or what, but today I got that chance!

Having discovered that bad weather had closed the Tongariro crossing, Anna (my Dutch friend) and I decided this was the perfect opportunity to book ourselves in for a tandem jump. I wasn't really expecting them to be able to fit us in for today, but before I knew it we were booked in for a 4pm pick up...yep, they sent the Limo!

At the main base of operations we were asked which jump we wanted, either the 12,000ft or the 15,00ft? I figured if I was going to be jumping out a plane, the higher the better...?! 

So, I signed all the lovely forms, watched the safety video and checked out the T-shirts (well, if all went well I might need one to take home? 

30 minutes to jump...

We had to wait a considerable amount of time before it was our time to head up in the plane, so Anna and I chatted and watched the groups before us suit up and pack themselves in to the pink plane. (Really..a pink plane? Why would they do that...) Anyways, shortly after we saw the reassuring sight of parachutes blossoming in the sky above us we were called inside...we were next. 

It didnt take long to get kitted up, we were dressed in rather attractive blue jumpsuits, very uncool hats, goggles and just incase we ditched in Lake Taupo a lifejacket (kinda like the ones you get in a plane, but fortunately all wrapped up nice n small.)

The next step was to meet the jump cameraman - apparently attempting to take my own photos is not recommended! And Matty my Tandem Master (as they are called); he checked my harness and asked how I was doing... pretty excited! I thought I might be a bit nervous, but apparently not...crazy eh?

We climbed aboard the PAC 750 XL, (the pink plane...) I had less leg room than in economy and there was no sign of an inflight meal - the oxygen was pretty good though!

We climbed quickly and I loved watching out of the window seeing the world below get smaller and smaller, heading ever upwards as we passed through the clouds, the sun heading in the opposite direction.

After a few slightly posed photos and a run through of what I should do on exiting the plane - fall?

we reached our designated height and the door was opened...

My Tandem Master Matty and me probably about 9000ft! (Not posed at all..) 

There were 4 people jumping before me, the wind loudly rushing in around me as we slowly made our way towards the door. This was it the moment I had been waiting for

As I sat on the edge of the plane my legs hanging out below me the countdown began. I clutched my harness as instructed and leaned my headback... 3,2,1...JUMP!!!

The feeling was unreal...suddenly rushing towards the ground, the noise around me seemed to double ... it was hard to register what I was seeing...spiraling around until in what must have only been seconds we levelled out into the right position. I felt a tap on my arm, the signal that I could let go of my harness throw my arms out and enjoy the free fall...so, I did!

Lets talk about free fall!

I had over a minute of free fall after exiting the plane, I was up above the clouds in a different world...

I passed through the silent clouds, the wind roaring past as the world below came into focus. It looked like the perfect model, full of detail and amazing to see, tiny houses, beautiful scenery, the hills below speckled by shadows made by the clouds above me... I was loving it! 

Loving those goggles!

...just, awesome...

As I tried to catch my breath I noticed Matty checking his altimeter, I'm not sure at what height he pulled the tag and the chute opened. But suddenly the chest harness pulled tightly up by my neck as our descent slowed significantly... The parachute opened without a hitch - No worries mum!

The moment of truth...Phew!

Sorry, quite a dark photo, but this is me back on solid ground!

After several enjoyable minutes swooping from left to right the landing field appeared. I was given instructions on the landing procedure and before I knew it I was sat on the grass back on the ground.

I watched the sky to see Anna appear and land safely... Just minutes earlier we had been sat in a plane at 15,000ft...now we were back on solid ground with some amazing memories and maybe just a little adrenaline! It was an awesome experience and Yes, I would do it again!

Me and Anna...Achieved!

Abel Tasman and me

I only had one day in Nelson and having decided that I definitely didn't want to get up early again, my plans to have a lie in were somewhat rearranged when I discovered that if I wanted to do a day trip to Abel Tasman National Park then I was going to have to be up early for my 7am pick up!!

The weather was forecast to be sunny and it seemed too good an opportunity to miss, I made a snap decision, booked the day out and then had to run to the supermarket to find supplies! 

Who needs sleep eh?!

Out on the water taxi on the way to the trails.

I managed to make myself breakfast and coffee before 7am arrived and shortly after that boarded the bus to Abel Tasman. It took around an hour to get to the park and once there I was shuttled out to the start of the walk by Water Taxi. The boat ride itself was pretty cool, we got an amazing view of the park's coastline and golden beaches, we also saw a little blue penguin out for a swim, seal pups and sting rays!

Not the best picture.. but here is my penguin!

After paddling ashore I found the start of the walk and set off to explore Abel Tasman with a nice German lady I had met at the hostel. The sun shone and we enjoyed exploring the trail, walking from Bark Bay to Anchorage Bay, stopping in at small coves and taking photos. The path was not very challenging, but was very picturesque winding along by the shore, heading in land through forested areas and then back out to the coast.
Tomorrow I'm off to the north island, hopefully catching up with new friends, have left you a few photos of Abel Tasman.. enjoy! :)

Through the forests...

...and down to the beautiful beaches.

Not a bad spot for lunch!

Whistle stop tour of the south

The trouble with New Zealand is that there are just too many amazing places to stop and see. Even with a month to spend here I really need longer.. perhaps another 6-12?!
In an effort to see a little more and in order to be able to make it back to Auckland to catch my flight to Fiji, I needed to move a little quicker...

Queenstown and beyond...

I got organised! I booked my buses and hostels and travelled north...
Queenstown, was a definite stop - although no bungy jumping for me! Instead I took a ride up the Gondola for some spectacular views and then there was just time for a few rides on the Luge! (Sort of Go-Karting fun!) before an evening cruise on the 100 year old TSS Earnslaw, a vintage steam boat.

The following morning saw another early start - one of travels great joys! - it was however a beautiful morning as the clouds caught fire behind the mountains as the sun crept up.

Morning by the lakeside

Bus journeys in New Zealand 

My next stop was the realm of ice and snow - well Glacier country - Franz Josef my home for the night.
The last time I was here I was able to go out and explore the glacier on a half day hike. Things have changed a little in the last 5years as the glacier itself is retreating, a huge chunk of the ice fell away in April 2012 taking with it the trekking companies only foot access to the ice. I walked up to the face to see the difference in size for myself - I was amazed at how small it appeared compared to last time I visited... I took a few photos so I can compare them when I get home, if things continue in this way it will have a huge impact on the town here.

Warning...

Getting smaller?

Another long and slightly less than comfortable day on the bus followed my day at Franz Josef. As the bus wound it's way up New Zealands west coast, we stopped to view Punakaiki or Pancake Rocks as they are more often known.

Just after 7pm I made it to Nelson, my home for a few nights ....and hopefully my base to explore the Abel Tasman National Park.