We like our vehicles to have a bit of character.



The view along the way.



Right before reaching the top!



Natalie climbing the last part before reaching the lake. If you look closely, you can see the metal cable we had to use to get to the lake.



Here's the lake that we finally reached when we got to the "top".





These last two shots are from Queenstown. So pretty.





I have heard of several people making poor decisions while studying abroad, most often as a result of alcohol or some other form of drug that is unbeknownst to me. I, too, managed to make a poor decision this past weekend. Mine, however, was not due to some aforementioned drug, but a dose of a little too much confidence in my hiking abilities.

This past weekend, I went with four girlfriends to Milford Sound on Friday night and then to Queenstown for Saturday night. I must begin by saying that, as students studying abroad with minimal finances, we do our best to get as far as we can for as cheap as we can. For this trip, we were able to use my friend's boyfriend's car. What I didn't realize is that this 1980ish Toyota Corona (yes, Corona) has a bit of difficulty starting. As a result, it needed to be jumped every time we turned it off and wished to get it going again. You might be thinking that we had to fetch another car to help us every time to start the car. No need. BYOB - that stands for BRING YOUR OWN BATTERY. We got into quite a system, actually. I must say it was a bit of a scene in the grocery store parking lot. Nonetheless, rental car fee WAIVED.

Three of the girls that I went with (Sam, Nina, and Natalie) had planned to do a guided kayaking trip on Saturday. Since Natalie and I (yes, two Natalies) have done quite a bit of kayaking already, we opted for a nice day hike instead. We consulted with some of the workers at the hostel we were staying at and decided on Gertrude Saddle, supposedly the greatest hike on the South Island. We had been told that the hike was unmarked, with small piles of rocks along the way to help guide the hike. For this reason, Nat and I went in with the intention of turning back if we felt at all uncomfortable. At the start of the hike, we managed to meet up with two American guys and a girl from Germany (Chance, Adam, and Nadine), experienced hikers who seemed to be confident in their navigating abilities. We were happy to have company and hear about their fascinating lives and their current trip around the world, including Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Bali, Paris, Munich, etc. over a 3-year period. And so, the five of us began our journey.

The hike was fairly easy in the beginning before we started a steep ascent. It wasn't long before we realized that this hike wasn't for the faint-hearted. Eager to see the notorious view at the top, we plugged along. Mistake #1. Fortunately, Adam went quite a bit ahead of us to blaze the trail and guide the way. In between my huffs and puffs, I enjoyed an absolutely gorgeous view. The winter has officially arrived on the South Island, covering the already breathtaking mountains with a light snow covering. The panoramic view, however, was not enough to calm my nerves. We thought about turning around, but thought we were too close to the top to miss the supposedly gorgeous view. As we got closer, it got to be more like rock climbing than hiking. We used a metal cable to reach the "top", which turned out to be a lake, the source of all of the waterfalls that we had seen on the way up. A bit anti-climactic, shall we say. As it turns out, there was one last steep stretch to get to the view. Natalie and I had to pick up our friends and didn't think we had enough time to make it to the top, and so we decided to head back down, thus separating ourselves from Chance, Adam, and Nadine. Mistake #2. To make a long story short, we didn't nearly appreciate Adam's navigating skills as much as we should have. We repeatedly tried ways down, only to come to sharp cliffs, forcing us to climb our way back up and try a different way. Needless to say, our itch for adventure soon turned into frustration. In many parts, sliding down on our backsides was the only way to reach solid ground. I actually remember wondering how we could get in touch with the rescue squad if we were not able to find our way down by dark. Luckily, Chance, Adam, and Nadine found us on their way down and were able to guide us out. Saying that I was relieved to see them is an absolute understatement.

It was certainly an experience. When I got home, I googled Gertrude Saddle and came to find that guided day hikes are offered for NZ$250. In addition, the ascent is approximated at 800 meters, which converts to over 2,600 ft. On one hand, I got to know complete strangers, I saw a beautiful part of New Zealand, and was proud that I was able to make it as far as I did. With that said, don't bite off more than you can chew. Lesson learned.

We headed to Queenstown Saturday night for a comparatively mundane rest of our trip. We had a great time walking around the botannical gardens and town. I'd been to Queenstown earlier in the semester, but the snow has perfectly settled over the mountains now, making the views even more gorgeous than before.

I leave for Australia in just about 3 weeks and will arrive home in a little less than a month. Several people have asked me how I'm feeling about leaving. To answer succintly, I don't think I have ever wanted to be in two places at the same time so badly. I am so incredibly excited to come home, but also extremely sad to be leaving. I consider myself very fortunate for this - how lucky am I to be so happy in both places.

All my love. XOXO.

I decided to spend this weekend in Dunedin, in hopes of getting ahead in some schoolwork, saving a few dollars, and further getting to know my home that I will be leaving in just a few short weeks. As a result, I don't have any thrilling stories for you - no jumping off of boats, skydiving, or climbing glaciers this week. And so, I thought I would continue on my list of things that I have learned since arriving in New Zealand.

4. Kiwis don't stop for pedestrians. I learned early on that crossing the street is at your own risk. Late for class? Class can wait. Dropped your favorite pen in the middle of the street? Buy a new pen. Want to rescue a lost dog as he's crossing the street about to get hit by a car? Eh, not important. While many New Zealanders have shown me great generosity since I've been here, the streets of Dunedin are not where it has taken place.

5. I have realized just how much I take for granted the every-day appliances that I use at home. Perhaps even moreso, the considerably cheaper power bills that result. Because power is so expensive here, our flat has opted to use our dishwasher and dryer sparingly. In fact, I've only used the dryer twice since I've been in New Zealand. While my clothes used to dry fairly quickly outside, they are now taking 3-4 days to dry with the onset of the cooler temperatures and risky Dunedin weather. Looks like the dryer may be getting a little more use as we brace this highly anticipated winter.

6. I have learned that the Rob Roy convenience store has the best ice cream cones for the best price. Even more importantly, they give you the most ice cream for the best price. A "single" consists of two giant scoops that easily are the height of my hand when laid out flat. AND, they have a solid array of flavors to choose from, including cookies and cream (my personal favorite), boysenberry (a close second), and many of their signature flavors, such as hokie pokey and pinky winky. All for NZ$2.20? I'll take it.

I managed to take some pictures of the Otago campus this weekend. Enjoy!

XOXO.

This was my view on the ferry ride back to Te Anau. Rough life, I tell ya.



Yes, another beautiful sunset.



Here's a shot of the first group of kayakers on the Doubtful Sound. We were told that it rains every two out of three days, so we lucked out with the weather. The crew said it was the best night they've had all year!



Here's a photo of Doubtful Sound.



Dolphins!



The next two shots are of "The Navigator" - the dining area and sleeping quarters.




Here's a shot of some of my favorite girls in my program. From left: Myself, Emily, Sam, and Natalie.



There have been many times this semester where I have had to remind myself that I am studying abroad, as my semester here in New Zealand has been consumed with activities quite different than at good ole' J. Maddy. I am not meeting groups at the library for upcoming presentations or cramming late at night for multiple tests in a week. While I am averaging a couple assignments a week, the academics have not nearly compared to a junior semester at a U.S. college or university. However, I am instead comparing dialectics with Kate, questioning Matthias about the different provinces of Germany, or listening to Andrew rattle off the 195 countries of the world. You can also find me googlemapping my next destination or huddling around the living room television with all of my flatmates to stream in the the newest episode of Glee. Nonetheless, I can honestly say that I have learned more this semester than I have from any other - about myself, about people, about cultures around the world.

I had an unforgettable trip with my program this past weekend. We travelled to the southwestern part of the South Island to the Fiordlands, arguably the most beautiful part of New Zealand. We left Friday afternoon and spent the night at a hostel in Te Anau. We woke up early Saturday morning to head to a bird sanctuary before grabbing lunch and heading out on the Doubtful Sound for an overnight cruise. We first took a bus, then a ferry, then another bus before boarding our highly anticipated home for the night. It did not disappoint. We spent the afternoon cruising the open water and snapping pictures of the beautiful scenery while dolphins raced alongside of the boat. Just when I don't think New Zealand can get any prettier, it finds a way. Somehow, the water gets bluer, the mountains get more massive, and the sunsets get more vivid. Oh, and let's throw dolphins in there, too. I'm not complaining, just in awe.

We stopped for a couple hours to go kayaking and had the chance to go swimming in the 40-50 degree water. Yes, yours truly took the plunge. Twice, in fact. It was the type of cold where your body goes into panic mode as soon as you hit the water. Let's just say I didn't feel the need to swim laps or dilly dally. But hey, jumping off a boat into 45 degree water? Check that baby off the list.

We enjoyed a delicious buffet meal, complete with lamb, roast beef, chicken, and salmon. Not to mention cheesecake for dessert - my heart was content. We then grabbed some hot tea to brace the wind and watch the sun set before our eyes. Picture perfect.

We woke up Sunday morning to watch the sun rise, then enjoyed a nice quiet period, where everything is turned off on the boat - the motor, generators, and all of the other highly technical appliances it takes to run such a vessel that are unbeknownst to me. We were able to sit, all 50+ of us, and listen. Only when you sit in complete silence and observe do you realize where you are and what you're getting to do. Quite neat.

Sorry for the unusually long entry. Even though I know that I can't accurately depict what I'm experiencing, I like to think that I can try.

Love to all of you.

Drew, JJ, and Natalie standing in front of the Clay Cliffs.



Clay cliffs from the inside!



Welcome to Greta Lodge!




We had to stop twice on our drive for sheep herders, but I wasn't complaining. We watched them cross a narrow bridge, nearly on top of each other as they scurried across. As soon as they reached the end, they scattered! As you can tell, this picture was taken post-bridge.



From the side of the road right next to Mount Cook. Thank you, self timer.



Mount Cook!



The view from the lake we stopped at on our way home.



I think you guys can figure the last two out. So pretty.



This weekend proved to be another one of spontaneity and adventure. Four of us went to several different spots in the central South Island, none of which were our original destination. Natalie and I picked up JJ and Drew, two nice guys from our IFSA-Butler program, and headed out Friday morning for what turned out to be one of my favorite weekends in New Zealand. We drove for a while on Friday and made several stops along the way - a grocery run (top priority), Moeraki Boulders (round #3), and the Clay Cliffs, which were sweet. The stops, along with a few wrong turns, put us looking for a place to camp around 4:30 Friday afternoon. After checking out the atlas, we decided that Lake Ohau would be our final destination for the night - we chose well.

We drove around the lake looking for the optimum place to pitch our tent, cruising down dirt roads to see where they ended up. We drove down one only to find a small hut at the end, with a nice lawn and access to the water. Built after the Great Depression, this small hut, which we now know as Greta's Lodge, was built for travellers looking for a place to stay. What prime candidates we were. We moved our things in and had fun reading the guestbook and getting to know our home for the night, slightly in awe that this happens in real life. There were beds, a fireplace (complete with wood and newspaper), pots and pans, and several chairs. While to many it may have looked like an abandoned shack, to us it seemed quite idyllic. We had a delicious dinner and enjoyed wine and music by the fire, all still taking in what we were experiencing. We were even joined later on by fellow campers down the road, a Canadian and an Austrian who have spent the last seven months travelling in Asia, Australia, and now New Zealand. I was so glad I had Natalie, JJ, and Drew to experience it with.

We woke up the next morning and headed for Mount Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand. Again, idyllic. The sky was perfectly blue and the mountains were perfectly snow-covered and pristine. I feel like I sound a bit like a writer for Lonely Planet trying to sway your travel plans and convince you to do a stopover in Aotearoa/New Zealand. While I certainly wouldn't argue against it, you must know that this is not my intent. There are simply no other words to describe the views that I am seeing - even idyllic and pristine do not do them justice.

We stopped along the side of the road to take in the views and cook bacon that we had bought the day before (SO good). Full and satisfied, we decided to drive to Tasman Glacier, which is right next to Mount Cook. We did a short climb to the overlook and saw a gorgeous view of the glacier, the largest in New Zealand. Must I say it again? Idyllic.

We headed back in the early afternoon and made another stop at a lake on the ride home. We took a dirt road that led us straight to the water and enjoyed a nice two hours of relaxation. JJ even set up his hammock that he had packed! We had a great time soaking in the sun and looking off on trees that were reflected on the water. As if this wasn't enough, our final stop was on the side of the road to take in arguably the prettiest sunset I have ever seen. You are too good to me, New Zealand. Too good.

All of these shots are from this past weekend in Queenstown. As you can tell, quite breathtaking views.




Today was a monumental day. On my walk to campus, I was stopped and asked for directions and was successfully able to point the poor woman in the right direction. (The fact that she was looking for the street that I live on is beside the point.) Nonetheless, I decided that this meant one of two things - I either successfully posed as a Kiwi or I appeared to be an educated American. Either way, I'm making progress.

Last weekend, Natalie, Whitney, and I rented a car and drove to Queenstown, a popular ski town about four hours away. The myriad of fall colors that are quickly taking over seem to complete the already picture perfect landscape that is New Zealand. So again, the drive had me captivated. We arrived Friday night and had a great time exploring the quaint, New England-like downtown and shopping at their outdoor market. We went for a hike on the Ben Lomond Track on Saturday, which turned out to get my heart pumping a bit more than I had expected, but that's New Zealand for you. I even managed to take quite a spill, shall we say, towards the end of the hike. A couple bruises and scrapes were well worth the absolute laughter that ensued. Let's just say I lost my balance going downhill, butt-bumped a few rocks along the away, did a couple rotations of tumbling, and was fortunately stopped by a tree. Permission to laugh granted.

It's beginning to set in that I only have two more months here, which is a bit scary. The last three months have gone by so fast, I am only anticipating how quickly the next two are going to come. The beauty of coming with other U.S. students from all over the country and living with other international students from all over the world is the unbelievable diversity and knowledge that you get from meeting and getting to know so many different people. The downside, however, is that you get five months - five months to live, eat, and breathe with people who will go back to their different homes all over the world five months later. I'm just trying to take in all that I can while I still can.

Congrats to those of you who are DONE for the semester and GOOD LUCK to those that are almost finished! I think of all of you more than you know.

XOXO.