Hey everyone!
We drove to Kaikoura yesterday and woke up this morning to go on our "Dolphin Encounter" tour...they suited us up in wetsuits and snorkels and flippers and took us WAY out in the ocean. And we would literally just find a pod of Dusky dolphins and they would be like - get out of th boat fast!!! So we would all get in and swim in the middle of 40 - 50 dolphins!!!! It was INSANE!!! It is so hard to descride because it was just the coolest thing EVER :)
The crew tells you to make noise so it's hysterical all 15 ppl we were swimming with are making squealing noises through their snorkels :) The point is to entertain the dolphins so they want to hang around us. They don't use any bait to get them to come close - it is all about seeing them in their natural environment.
Then they dolphins would swim away and we would follow them in the boat and then do it all over again :)!
After about 5 swims, we changed out of our FREEZING wetsuits and started the hunt for Orca or Killer Whales. We saw about 6 of them!!! They usually don't do whale watching on the tour but our guide was awesome so with a little bit of pleading from us, he gave in :)
If you EVER get a chance to swim with the dolphins - DO IT!!! I can't get over how awesome it was!
Next up - Queen Charlotte Track. It's a 3 day hike so I might be out of pocket for a few days but I'll be back with pictures and more adventures to share :)!
Love,
Alley
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Update
Hi guys! Sorry I have been bad about updating this :) I am vowing to get better...
Well we have our TEENY car named "Scottie" - we love her. I finally drove the other day and was literally going like 20 mph...the roads are steep and narrow and windy!!! I was very terrified. Jess is much better...so she can be my chauffeur :)
From Christchurch we drove to a town called Akaroa on the beach - it was so cute! And we stayed at a "farm hostel" up in the mountains. Our accomdation was a "star gazer" which is a tiny little wooden hut for just enough room for jessie and I and our sleeping bags (see pics) but the roof has a glass panel so you can look up at the starts at night! It was GORGEOUS!! After a day there, we hit Sumner Beach outside of Christchurch ....the beaches are really windy so I think we might come back just as pale as we left :)
We then drove to the town of Renwick in the Marlbrough Wine Country. We rode bikes all day going to all the different wineries tasting wines :) They are known for their Sauvignon Blanc around here which I NEVER drink at home but it is TO DIE FOR here!!! Jessie and I want to buy a case...and we'll see how much of that actually makes it back to the States :) But that was my favorite day so far! We had great weather and the people at the vineyards are super nice and the scenery was unreal!
Next we drove up to Nelson, where we are now. It's a cute artsy town on the beach. It kinda reminds me of Athens. It's apparently the sunniest town in NZ...ironically it is raining today but that is good bc it is forcing me to blog!
We are driving down the coast to Kaikoura today and will swim with the dolphins there tomorrow! I can't wait. Then we are coming back up (poor planning :)) to do the "Queen Charlotte Track" it's a 3 day, 2 night hike or "tramp" through the Marlbrough Sounds which are only accessible by boat! So a boat drops us off and picks us up 3 days later! Sweet, huh?
That is all for now! We love you guys and miss you!
Take care,
Alley
Well we have our TEENY car named "Scottie" - we love her. I finally drove the other day and was literally going like 20 mph...the roads are steep and narrow and windy!!! I was very terrified. Jess is much better...so she can be my chauffeur :)
From Christchurch we drove to a town called Akaroa on the beach - it was so cute! And we stayed at a "farm hostel" up in the mountains. Our accomdation was a "star gazer" which is a tiny little wooden hut for just enough room for jessie and I and our sleeping bags (see pics) but the roof has a glass panel so you can look up at the starts at night! It was GORGEOUS!! After a day there, we hit Sumner Beach outside of Christchurch ....the beaches are really windy so I think we might come back just as pale as we left :)
We then drove to the town of Renwick in the Marlbrough Wine Country. We rode bikes all day going to all the different wineries tasting wines :) They are known for their Sauvignon Blanc around here which I NEVER drink at home but it is TO DIE FOR here!!! Jessie and I want to buy a case...and we'll see how much of that actually makes it back to the States :) But that was my favorite day so far! We had great weather and the people at the vineyards are super nice and the scenery was unreal!
Next we drove up to Nelson, where we are now. It's a cute artsy town on the beach. It kinda reminds me of Athens. It's apparently the sunniest town in NZ...ironically it is raining today but that is good bc it is forcing me to blog!
We are driving down the coast to Kaikoura today and will swim with the dolphins there tomorrow! I can't wait. Then we are coming back up (poor planning :)) to do the "Queen Charlotte Track" it's a 3 day, 2 night hike or "tramp" through the Marlbrough Sounds which are only accessible by boat! So a boat drops us off and picks us up 3 days later! Sweet, huh?
That is all for now! We love you guys and miss you!
Take care,
Alley
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Pictures!
Hello!
Aorry it has been awhile! We are BUSY :)
Here are some pics for you to enjoy....more to come soon!
http://www2.snapfish.co.nz/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=275417926/a=33717585_33717585/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink
Aorry it has been awhile! We are BUSY :)
Here are some pics for you to enjoy....more to come soon!
http://www2.snapfish.co.nz/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=275417926/a=33717585_33717585/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink
Friday, February 20, 2009
Car Adventures
Hello!
Today was rainy and pretty chilly in Christchurch - so it was the perfect day to search for a car :)! We were thinking we would buy a car here and sell it back when we are leaving..but we found out that it was more expensive than we thought and we kept worrying what would happen if we couldn't sell the car back...I say "we" but we all know that was me being the worrywort :) So we rented one or should I say "hired" one - that is what the Kiwi's call it! They also call a trunk a "boot" and a hood a "bonnet" - you learn something new everyday! We get our early 90's Mazda - which I am sure is a beauty - tomorrow around lunchtime and we will be off to explore the South Island! First stop will be Kaikora - a coastal town where we hope to swim with the dolphins if the weather permits.
PLEASE say your prayers about us driving on the left hand side of the road...I am a little scared of that...and so should everyone else who will be on the road with me :)
Other than that - we have just been exploting Christchurch. We went to the BEAUTIFUL botanical gardens yesterday and did a walking tour of the city. There is a river that runs through the city called the Avon and there were people riding down in gondolas - "punting" - like in Venice - very cute :)
Jessie has been sampling all the local wines and I have been tasting all the beers brewed here :)
I will post pictures soon!!
Love,
Alley
Today was rainy and pretty chilly in Christchurch - so it was the perfect day to search for a car :)! We were thinking we would buy a car here and sell it back when we are leaving..but we found out that it was more expensive than we thought and we kept worrying what would happen if we couldn't sell the car back...I say "we" but we all know that was me being the worrywort :) So we rented one or should I say "hired" one - that is what the Kiwi's call it! They also call a trunk a "boot" and a hood a "bonnet" - you learn something new everyday! We get our early 90's Mazda - which I am sure is a beauty - tomorrow around lunchtime and we will be off to explore the South Island! First stop will be Kaikora - a coastal town where we hope to swim with the dolphins if the weather permits.
PLEASE say your prayers about us driving on the left hand side of the road...I am a little scared of that...and so should everyone else who will be on the road with me :)
Other than that - we have just been exploting Christchurch. We went to the BEAUTIFUL botanical gardens yesterday and did a walking tour of the city. There is a river that runs through the city called the Avon and there were people riding down in gondolas - "punting" - like in Venice - very cute :)
Jessie has been sampling all the local wines and I have been tasting all the beers brewed here :)
I will post pictures soon!!
Love,
Alley
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
We are here :)
Yay! We arrived safe and sound in Auckland - on the North Island! We have been doing a lot of wondering around the city exploring and SLEEPING off jet lag :)! It is 9 am on Thursday here in NZ and for you guys it's the late afternoon on Wednesday...so weird!
Our favorite thing so far was not a sight to see or landmark or park or anything it was a lady named Robyn. When Jessie and I arrived at our hostel on Tuesday morning our room was not ready which was not good as all we wanted to do was get in bed!!
So we walked down to a park near the harbour to kill time and saw the cutest dog and started petting it - I miss you, Juelp :)! - and the owner came over and started talking to us asking us where we are from, etc and she invited us over for tea at her house! Robyn was SO sweet! She made us tea and told us all about places we need to see here in NZ. And she invited us back for a "barbeque" at her house when we come back to Auckland to fly out! Isn't that so sweet?! It made ou day and was an AMAZING first impression of NZ!
Gotta run - we are cathing a shuttle to the airport to fly down to the South Island -Christchurch, here we come :)!
We love you guys and miss you!
Alley and Jessie
Our favorite thing so far was not a sight to see or landmark or park or anything it was a lady named Robyn. When Jessie and I arrived at our hostel on Tuesday morning our room was not ready which was not good as all we wanted to do was get in bed!!
So we walked down to a park near the harbour to kill time and saw the cutest dog and started petting it - I miss you, Juelp :)! - and the owner came over and started talking to us asking us where we are from, etc and she invited us over for tea at her house! Robyn was SO sweet! She made us tea and told us all about places we need to see here in NZ. And she invited us back for a "barbeque" at her house when we come back to Auckland to fly out! Isn't that so sweet?! It made ou day and was an AMAZING first impression of NZ!
Gotta run - we are cathing a shuttle to the airport to fly down to the South Island -Christchurch, here we come :)!
We love you guys and miss you!
Alley and Jessie
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
The Countdown begins..
Hello friends and family!
Welcome to our blog :)! I have no idea how to work this thing...I figured I do a practice post before we go to try and get the hang of this...
Jessie and I are off to New Zealand this Sunday (2/15) - I cannot believe it is almost here! Jessie is in NYC today interviewing for a Summer internship in fashion. I am still at work with Team In Training - my last day is tomorrow. I am VERY sad to leave my job and my co workers :( ... Jessie and I will probably be living under an underpass in a cardboard box when we get back the way the economy is looking these days...we will keep you posted on that :)
Not much to say at this point other than we are packing like maniacs and REALLY excited to go! I had a nightmare last night about the super long flight...I am not sure if I can handle it - but once we are there I know it will be worth it!
Please check our blog as we will do our best to post pictures and tales of our adventures as often as possibe! We will miss you ALL so much! Please write us to tell us how you are doing - we want to know what you're up to!
Love,
Alley and Jessie
Welcome to our blog :)! I have no idea how to work this thing...I figured I do a practice post before we go to try and get the hang of this...
Jessie and I are off to New Zealand this Sunday (2/15) - I cannot believe it is almost here! Jessie is in NYC today interviewing for a Summer internship in fashion. I am still at work with Team In Training - my last day is tomorrow. I am VERY sad to leave my job and my co workers :( ... Jessie and I will probably be living under an underpass in a cardboard box when we get back the way the economy is looking these days...we will keep you posted on that :)
Not much to say at this point other than we are packing like maniacs and REALLY excited to go! I had a nightmare last night about the super long flight...I am not sure if I can handle it - but once we are there I know it will be worth it!
Please check our blog as we will do our best to post pictures and tales of our adventures as often as possibe! We will miss you ALL so much! Please write us to tell us how you are doing - we want to know what you're up to!
Love,
Alley and Jessie
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