[FYIbiatches]

Ive just got back from a work trip to NZ and I have to say, that island is awesome! I got to climb a nountain or two, see snow for the first time, and what impressed me the most is that the coffee is SO MUCH BETTER than in Aus. Like lightyears better! And the people are friendlier. Even the customs officials who were threatening to throw me in jail were very nice.

I spent most of my time in Riwaka and Nelson, and cant wait to go back. Even though one of the rainforest-covered mountains was very hard to climb, and very, very dangerous. But thats all part of my job. You feel alive when youre slipping in mud towards a ravine and the only thing that stops you is the tree you slam into, with a rock in your back and a fern up your butt. Great fun.

[uranbigis]

They just wanted to trow you in jail because they wanted to keep you Alison

[globjgtyf]

I was in New Zealand last month on holidays as well. The place is awesome and your right, the food and coffee tastes better for some reason. Maybe because I was on holidays and had time to taste.

We went to Auckland, Tauranga, Rotorua and Lake Taupo. We'll go back again and do the South Island next time.

[hoarrimilsora]

Definitely do the South Island. I did a road trip all around the South Island. Awesome indeed.

I did the 134M Bungee as well

[Acciblyfluila]

They just wanted to trow you in jail because they wanted to keep you Alison

hehehe, its nice to know Im wanted! I made the mistake of not declaring my boots - any footware with a spec of mud on it needs to be declared at customs... now I know.

[Obenuearema]

I can't believe what I'm reading. The only things I have ever heard Aussies say about NZ involve physical acts with sheep...

[Sertvfdnhgjk]

hehehe, its nice to know Im wanted! I made the mistake of not declaring my boots - any footware with a spec of mud on it needs to be declared at customs... now I know.

Not just footware, they examine tent stakes too, and neither Australia or NZ like fruit or jerky.

I guess being in the Nelson area you were in beech forests.

[Nurfzerne]

I can't believe what I'm reading. The only things I have ever heard Aussies say about NZ involve physical acts with sheep...

I was tempted at first...but I resisted all the way!

[DrKirkNoliss]

Heres some pics, showing the first snow Ive ever seen (dirty crap on the side of the road), and the mountain I climbed is the one on the left. The one out the plane window is the mountains near Christchurch.


http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...5/IMGP0560.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...5/IMGP0591.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...5/IMGP0613.jpg

[heinz_1966]

* guffaw *

I remember my first December at uni... suddenly my South African mate bursts into the cafeteria... "its snowing!" is what he said. We all look up for a moment and continue our conversation. "But, its SNOW-ing" he repeats. He explains that its the first snow hes ever seen. The concept doesnt fit into a bunch of Scottish peoples heads. Then "lets go and have a snowball fight"... what ?!?!?!? Just to humour him, we do. He was excited when I offered to give him a "face wash".... until I smashed a pile of snow in his face with my hand and rubbed it in till it stung. Face washed.

In America I met people that hadnt seen the sea until they came to NYC.

I read that in NZ theres a policewoman who does part time Brothel-Work.... seems like a forward thinking country.

Its a crazy world!!!

[AccusaJalsBub]

* guffaw *

I remember my first December at uni... suddenly my South African mate bursts into the cafeteria... "its snowing!" is what he said. We all look up for a moment and continue our conversation. "But, its SNOW-ing" he repeats. He explains that its the first snow hes ever seen. The concept doesnt fit into a bunch of Scottish peoples heads. Then "lets go and have a snowball fight"... what ?!?!?!? Just to humour him, we do. He was excited when I offered to give him a "face wash".... until I smashed a pile of snow in his face with my hand and rubbed it in till it stung. Face washed.

In America I met people that hadnt seen the sea until they came to NYC.

I read that in NZ theres a policewoman who does part time Brothel-Work.... seems like a forward thinking country.

Its a crazy world!!!

In holland prostitutes pay tax how's that for forward thinking. They get health care that way pay their tax and kinda have their own little business

Thanks for sharing the pics Alison.

[zilsolley3]

You should have seen me when I spotted the snow. "what the hell is the white stuff on the road? Detergent bubbles or something??" "no you idjit, its snow" "OH MY GOD!!! STOP THE CAR!!!"

[TamreuddyRada]

You should have seen me when I spotted the snow. "what the hell is the white stuff on the road? Detergent bubbles or something??" "no you idjit, its snow" "OH MY GOD!!! STOP THE CAR!!!"

Haha, that made me laugh. And I also realized that I can't even imagine what it would be like never to see snow...it seems just plain weird. Although I can't really imagine how GeorgeMcCall could stay inside when the first snow of the year fell either... Hmm...maybe I need to work on my empathic abilities...

[doolarsva]

LOL.. first snow... hard to imagine... similarly for an Inuit... "what's a palm tree?". I've had a similar experience on cyprus when a whole bus of school kids hit the brakes when they saw snow on top of that only mountain. They started prodding it and picking it up... so we thought we'd show them... say... this is what you do with it... *throw*.. and voila! snow fight between us two and 60 kids! great fun!

And er... those NZ pictures really upset me... I've been fortunate enough to live in australia for 6 months and to travel through New Zealand for a few weeks. Seeing these makes me wanna go back... soon! damn...
You guys live on a beautiful part of the planet!

[ConoMadura]

I wished I could have spent more time there. Where did you live in Aus?