My trip on the South Island started out in Christchurch, where my friend Elliot picked me up from the airport. We spent that first night in his friend's home there. A lovely plot of land on the edge of town with horses and the most adorable dog, Louie. Louie and I played fetch till I thought my arm would fall off. The next day, we drove West across the South Island toward the coast. We drove through Arthur's Pass, which is where Elliot and I did our first walk. We stopped in Hokitika, a town famous for their Pounamu, otherwise known as Greenstone, a native stone to New Zealand. It is considered a treasure in the Maori culture, and is highly valued. The most precious stones are ones found in the South Island of New Zealand, and cut and shaped by hand. They cost hundreds of dollars due to the laborious efforts into creating them.
We drove to a town called Okarito, on the South Island and stayed in this little house on the beach. Valentines Day was spent with a group of Elliot's friends and co-workers. We grilled on the deck, sat around the table overlooking the ocean and talked and laughed for hours. Elliot and I went on a moonlit bike ride to the beach later that night and enjoyed the reflection of the stars in the sea.
The midges (sand flies) here are HORRENDOUS! In photos later of my legs, you will see their work has been well done! They bite little chunks of your skin out, and leave marks as if a giant mosquito had sucked your blood. When you're moving, they leave you alone. But if you stop moving even for one second... ATTACK!! I DESPISE them. Literally they swarm and your legs are just black with them. It is so gross. Luckily, they can't bite through clothes. So on the West Coast of the South Island, you wear long sleeves.
I was originally naming all my blog posts after Patty Griffin songs. However, to better keep track of what I am writing about in each post, I am going to use more boring and generic titles. Doesn't mean I don't still listen to her heavenly sounds nearly every day.
Xx
We drove to a town called Okarito, on the South Island and stayed in this little house on the beach. Valentines Day was spent with a group of Elliot's friends and co-workers. We grilled on the deck, sat around the table overlooking the ocean and talked and laughed for hours. Elliot and I went on a moonlit bike ride to the beach later that night and enjoyed the reflection of the stars in the sea.
The midges (sand flies) here are HORRENDOUS! In photos later of my legs, you will see their work has been well done! They bite little chunks of your skin out, and leave marks as if a giant mosquito had sucked your blood. When you're moving, they leave you alone. But if you stop moving even for one second... ATTACK!! I DESPISE them. Literally they swarm and your legs are just black with them. It is so gross. Luckily, they can't bite through clothes. So on the West Coast of the South Island, you wear long sleeves.
I was originally naming all my blog posts after Patty Griffin songs. However, to better keep track of what I am writing about in each post, I am going to use more boring and generic titles. Doesn't mean I don't still listen to her heavenly sounds nearly every day.
Xx