Day 59-60

This is my last post from Queenstown, NZ. I had a great time here, met lot of amazing people and participated in some crazy activities. On my final full day I decided to explore the town and appreciate it's natural beauty. In the afternoon, I met up with the Hangliding tour and headed up a steep and windy road to get to the launch site. We took off as the sun began to set and flew around for 15-20 minutes before landing in a pasture in near darkness.
The next morning, I woke up early checked out of the hostel and was off to white water rafting before my 3pm flight. We rafted for about two hours going through various different rapids, the highest being a category 4. Down the river we saw the remains of the world second biggest gold rush, and commercial mining had existed here until a recent moratorium was enacted in 1990. We finished the trip by paddling through a cave, when we came out the other side we had about a 5 foot drop. After warming up in the Sauna I got changed and headed back to town. In town, I grabbed a quick bite to eat and then I was off to the airport. Air New Zealand has the best safety video ever, please watch below.

Steamboat, lakeside in town

Getting ready to hanglide into the sunset.

Whitewater rafting on my final morning in Q-Town

 

Video of me running off the side of one of The Remarkables to catch some air. 

The Air New Zealand inflight safety video

Day 57-58

The Nevis Bungy tower

Went for my first bungy jump today, words can't describe the way I felt. As you saw in the previous post, I posted the video of my jump and it was from what I am told the second highest in the world. After the jump I headed back to town and had the famous Queenstown Ferg burger by the lake, it was pretty good but doesn't quite match up to a NY burger. At night I headed to the Ice bar where even the glasses we drank from were made of ice.

The next day I went on a long hike up the mountain next to town. At the top I kept on going till I was at the peak all alone, not only was it immaculate up there but it was also very tranquil and I stayed at the peak for a good half an hour just absorbing the sights.

Taking the plunge

Post jump

Ferg Burger on Lake Wakatipu

View through the trees as I hike up Bob's hill

View of The Remarkables from the top of my hike.

Day 55-56

Headed to the Auckland airport this morning and I had to fill up my car before I returned it to the rental place. I was amazed when it cost me NZ$99 to fill up the tank and I was driving a small sedan, imagine an SUV...

I had a short hour and a half flight down to Queenstown, which is in the southern central part of the South island and is know as the adventure capital. After landing I took the public bus into town and found my hostel. The next morning I had another early morning, as my tour bus for the Milford Sound left at 7:45 am. It was a four hour bus ride to the sound, the first two hours are farm land and I took the bus drivers advice to catch up on some sleep. Two hours later we stopped in a town called Te Anau, which is on another one of the NZ's many pristine lakes, this town is also the entrance to the national Fiord park where the Milford sound is located. Next we stopped at the mirror lakes, which got their names from the water that is extremely reflective due to the plants living in it. We then continued on to The Valley of a Thousand Waterfalls and because it had rained the day before, there were water falls all around us as we drove through. After numerous hours of driving we finally arrived at the remote Milford Sound for our boat tour. On the boat we saw seals sun bathing on the rocks and many more waterfalls emptying into the fiord off the dramatic cliffs that surround it. Upon getting back to the harbor, I tried to book a helicopter ride up to one of the glacier but unfortunately they were all booked and I was out of luck and left with no other option but a four hour bus ride back to Queenstown.

Enjoying my venison meat pie on the dock at Te Anau

The beautiful mirror lakes

Getting soaked by a freezing waterfall as the boat goes under it.

Natural beauty, Milford Sound

Day 54

Last night I got an email from Gregor recommending that I go on a day trip to the Poor Knights. I woke up early this morning and was lucky enough to get a spot on the boat. I headed up to Tutukaka and the boat left port at 11am. It was about a 50 minute boat ride to the Poor Knights. The Poor Knights are a series of volcanic formed islands off the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand, the islands and the surrounding water are both protected areas and attract tons of fish and birds. Upon getting there I strapped on my snorkel and mask and hoped in the water to find schools of fish all around me. I even go to see two large rays cruising along the ocean floor, the water is extremely clear here so you are able to see over 30 feet down to the bottom. There are also numerous archways and underwater caves created by erosion, I explored many of these with my snorkel and also a stand up paddle board. After a beautiful day out on the water I explored a few more beaches up north, but wasn't able to find any surf. On my way back to Ruakaka I found a water fall right before I drove through the northern city of Whangarei. I have enjoyed my time on the northern part of The North Island and I am off to Queenstown tomorrow.

Sea cave at Poor Knights, the largest sea cave in the world

                                      The echo of the air horn from the boat in the sea cave, it just keeps on going

Largest sea archway in the world

Apparently you can sail on sand...

Whangarei falls

Bungy Jumping

This is a video of my bungy experience, I jumped into the Nevis Canyon. The Nevis is a 134 meter drop and is the second highest in the world.

Day 52-53

After a interesting night out on the town in Auckland, I headed up to a beach town to the north east. On Thursday afternoon I left Gregor's and headed up north to Ruakaka, on my way up I drove through country roads some were not even paved and went through cow pastures.On Friday I had a late start but got a lot in. I headed to the West Coast from Baylys beach which had no development at all on it. After that I continued north to Kai iwi Lakes which were stunning with warm crystal clear waters. From there I headed to another stunning beach and then headed to the Waipoua forest and saw Te Matua Ngahere the 'Father of the Forest' that has a trunk with a diameter of 17 feet. I finished off my trip at Omapere which is the southern point of a massive bay where on the other side was a massive sand dune. The total trip was about 250 miles but it was an amazing day and I saw so much!

The view as I headed to Ruakaka

The view of the unpaved road through the pastures as I headed to Baylys beach

More countrysided (aka The Shire, I think I even saw a hobbit

I hit a bird....

Baylys beach

Kai Iwi lake

another untouched west coast NZ beach

The waves were pumping but no one was surfing...I assumed this was for a reason so I regretfully did the same.

The Te Matua Ngahere tree believed to be the son of the water and air gods.

Omapere at sunset with the sand dune across the bay.

From Omapere there is a massive bay covering miles of water.

Day 50-51

I had a great last day in Sydney the weather was beautiful and I got a lot done. I booked my car rental for NZ as well as my shuttle to the airport for Wednesday morning at 3am. I would like to thank Mo, Tony, Dan and Joe, for taking such good care of me in Terrey Hills and feeding me like a king.

I headed to the Airport at 3 am Wednesday morning, when I got there at 3:40am I found out the Airport didn't open till 4 and I had to wait outside the airport terminal until it opened. Then after I got in, the attendant from Quantas tried to give me a hard time about not having my itinerary printed out but after some discussion I was able to persuade her to print me out a copy since all my flights are booked American/Quantas. After checking in I discovered that customs didn't open till 5 so I was forced to wait around again...

Once I got to New Zealand, I picked up my rental car for NZ$ 19 a day and headed off to meet Gregor. He took me on a tour of the city and the beaches, it was really special because due to the recent full moon there was an extreme low tide. I am headed north to Ruakaka tomorrow and hope to be able to share more beautiful scenery with you all.

Jack and I, first time we've seen each other since 8th grade and it was like we never were apart (except he is now a lot taller than me).

On top of Mount Eden, quite far away from NY and DC.

The end of the dock, down the street from Gregor's house

Mount Rangitoto one of many islands/volcanoes in and around Auckland.

Mt Eden, the crater is what remains of the volcano. It is sacred ground to the Mauri people and there are approximately 50 of them surrounding Auckland.

Day 48-49

The weather has finally started to cooperate, I've had two great days of warm sunshine here in Sydney. On Sunday I hung around the pool and then Mo and Tony took me for me first Indian food experience. The food was delicious and we ate like kings! On Monday I got a ride to the city with Joe, and walked over to the Circular Quay to catch the ferry to Manly. It was a beautiful ride and I had some great views of the city. Once I got to Manly, I headed to the beach were I met Brian and Kevin, we grabbed some lunch and ate on their beautiful ocean view patio. Then we headed back to the beach and met up with Robert and his two friends, who I might meet up with again in Queenstown, NZ. About an hour later, Jack picked me up from the beach and we watched the Knicks give away a win to the elderly and sluggish Celtics. Tomorrow will be my last full day in Australia so I will enjoy the land of OZ while I still can.

Strange sky in Sydney

Sydney Opera House from the Manly ferry

Sydney harbor opening

The perfect waterfront home

Day 46-47

Unfortunately the weather in Sydney has not been cooperating, on the other hand I have been able to meet up with a lot of friends and explore different areas of the city. On Friday night I took the Manly ferry into Sydney with Jack and met some of his friends. On Saturday night I went to my friend Fabian's going away party at the Glenmore Hotel at the Rocks in Sydney. New York was well represented as we had Robert, Brian, Kevin and myself all in one bar on the opposite side of the world.

Vegemite, tried it once probably never again.

Two New Yorkers and a Frenchman out in Sydney.

Day 44-45

My last two days in Coolangatta were great, I had two beautiful sunny days to finish my trip on the Gold Coast. Both days I surfed Snapper Rocks and on the first of the two days I had the privileged to be in the line up with Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson. I had some really fun waves at Snapper even though I constantly had to fight the crowd for the inside edge. I flew into Sydney last night and I will be staying here though Wednesday morning when I head off to New Zealand.

The waves pool at Snapper Rocks, with DeeBah in the background.

Unknown deep in the barrel at Snapper

Unknown hitting the lip.

Greenmount through the trees.

A replica of the Greenmount shark tower, it was used in the 60's by lifeguards to spot sharks. They now have shark nets here.

Kirra beach

Day 42-43

After leaving Brisbane I headed south to Surfers Paradise, I had some fun Barrels in the morning at the Spit, it wasn't worth it to take the boat to South Straddie because the wind was blowing onshore there. After catching some fun barrels I headed to the Jetski Safari, where I went on a two and a half hour tour of the mangroves and bays along north and south Stradbroke island. The guides were great and allowed me to pin the ski the whole time. I really had a blast even though it rained. After the Safari, I headed south to Coolangata where I will stay until my flight back to Sydney on Thursday.

On Tuesday the Ahearns and Kristen stopped in Coolangatta on their way to Byron. We surfed Snapper Rocks and then played in the wave pool just past the point. I attempted to climb to the top of the rocks and on my way up I saw a wave coming so I crouched down and braced for impact. The preparation did me no justice and I washed across a few of the rocks into the pool. After beign the subject of a few jokes by the Ahearns I tried it again, knowing this time that when I saw a wave to jump. I hope the swell picks up a little bit for my last two days on the Gold Coast. On a side note, it is great to have the Knicks and Rangers back in the playoffs together again!

At the spit jetties, looking south at Surfer Paradise and some fun barrels.

The view from the Jetski out into the secluded bays.

My outfit for the Jetski Safari, I had to wear this mask to protect my face from the rain at 60 MPH. I can only imagine what the boaters thought as we speeded by them.

The Ahearns and Kristen leaving Coolangatta after a quick visit.

Deebah

Snapper Rocks, I got rocked by a wave into the pool to the top right after trying to climb up the rock...