Holy Kiwi, I am in New Zealand

I bought a ticket to join a couple friends for three days in New Zealand. It was one of those trips I didn't have to plan but to just go.

Landed in Auckland

The mates Ari and Logan had a very good plan. We landed at 21:00 in late June- start of winter for this region.  We wanted to get to Lake Taupo early the next day.

Middle Seat!!

By 2 am, we pulled over to a dark lit park. In our luxorious Juicy van- first time I experienced this style of traveling- we folded down a nice full size bed.

To our surprise in the morning, we were near a river. My first day in NZ was off to a picturesque start.  We made it to Lake Taupo at 11:00. 

Ari or Logan, forget which one, came up with the idea to bungy jump. At first I didn't bother with the fuss because I thought skydiving was more thrilling and why go down the ladder when you have been to the top.

But their excitement kept increasing, the idea to jump into the lake, and the attachment at the ankles slowly started to awaken the butterflies in my stomach.

Lake Taupo Bungy 47 M

So naturally  I paid $150 and I was strapped in. Ari goes first and submerged underwater, NICE! Then I stepped up to the plank and somehow dived, like a crucifixed Jesus, instead of the proper dive. I was able to see the scenery for longer, which was so exhilarating knowing I fell the height of a 12 story building. 

With our hearts on fire we needed to relax a little. Ten minutes away we ended up at Taupo hot pools. We laid in the water and let the rising steam evaporate into our lungs as we watched the clouds roll over the sky above. Closer to the edge of Waikato River you can reenergize your body and mind in the cold fresh water.

Myself, Logan, and Ari

At the Taupo hot pools I had my first interaction with locals or "kiwis." They were all males and very laidback kind of people. They asked a lot of questions about music and California. 

Fast forward to sunrise on Mission Bay, a spot where forest meets Lake Taupo. NZ is such a cool place, you feel like the only person there, there is not a lot of people anywhere.

The gang decided we were going to hike Mount Tongariro the next day. The volcano connected to it had erupted 8 months earlier, there are plumes of steam coming up.  We were going to hike 19.4 km that is 12 miles through snow and around a volcano.

Red dotted land in the right is the one we completed.
Left: Mount Ruapehu (Mt. Doom in Lord of the Rings)
Middle: Mount Ngauruhoe
Right: Mount Tongariro

Standing Bow Pose

A good idea to prepare for any big trek is to acclimatize by doing a pre-hike. We checked out the trails. We saw our future in the background- Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe. The best part was a colorful waterfall we passed.

Mt Ruapehu

Base between Mt. Ngauruhoe and Mt. Tongariro

To keep this post short- I will only cover half the crossing. It started off rocky like desert foothills with scatter snow. The incline was moderate, sometimes slippery rock. Soon though you walk in snow on rock at the edge of a cliff. TAKING DEEP BREATHS!!

Once we made it to the base of the summit we had to practice falling off the edge of a cliff. Forgot what we did so hopefully that does not happen in my future. 

 

We started our biggest incline with crampons attached. The wind started to pickup and the clouds felt incredibly close. So since I'm ending this right before we peaked, here is a treat from Logan.

Last time I saw Chris Hoban, my incredible host and friend in Australia.
Now he is serving in the Australian Military- he was one of the coolest
laid-back guys that took this wild child
under his wing :) 

Touchdown in Sydney

      A direct flight to Sydney from LAX in 15 hours, it seemed dreadful, but I was to excited at this point. I arrive with bags in tow at 11:40 PM, beautiful night in Los Angeles I give my last farewell to my dad and cousin Richard.

FLIGHT EVENTS

1. Before: Gent behind me in check-in line invites me to a party in Melbourne where he will be doing the DJ thing.  

2. During: Sat next to a gracious fellow named Nick you turned out to be a big time TV producer in Australia. Hell yes I got that business card.

3. Out the window: As we are about to land I look out and see the very green and quaint city below. Traffic moves about smoothly, houses all different colors. The city had a European look, even though I never been to Europe.

4. After: Taxi driver was named Frank who gave me the low down about Sydney. Also first embarrassing tourist mistake: trying to enter his cab on the right side.

      I finally make it to my hotel at 11 am, which sits on the edge of central Sydney, next to Chinatown. Since my room wouldn't be ready till 2, I decided to go out on my first city adventure. As I walk out the hotel doors the beautiful sun soaks into my clothes, cardigan comes off. The temperature must be in the 80's and humidity a little high as I can already feel a sweat come on. I worry about the burn on my hands and lips from snowboarding but push out into the streets.

     I walk towards the crowds straight down to Railway Square and then towards Capitol Square, which leads you to the Belmore Park, small size park that sits next to Sydney Central train station. After I dodge the numerous solicitors who are seeking tourists I decide to ignore this area from now on.  Now I stand on the quieter side of Sydney known as Surry Hills. The picture of San Francisco pops into my head as I climb the hilly streets that are lined with cafes and "terrace" houses (Thank you Frank.) I have never been to SF but that is all I can think of to help you imagine.

    The hills help the goal of my adventure become apparent, a nice cold beer. I cruise down Foveaux Street till I hit Crown Street, where Nick promised a good selection of pubs, not quite. As I approach Oxford Square, the liveliness of the city increases and I find a cool spot to rest my heavy feet.

HANGOUTS

1. Mad Pizza- greeted by a Canadian bartender who name is Jancie (Jan-Cee) she serves me a cold St. Arnou in a bottle. As I study the bottle I can't help but laugh when I read "Imported from Australia". Last time I checked I was here. Pretty good drink, reminds me of Franziskaner Hefe Weissbier. The place is a pizzeria with colorful walls promoting their "super thin and healthy" pizzas... I stick with the liquid carbs. The restaurant is nice and shaded with metal pots as light fixtures and fake trees sticking out of the walls as the electronic mixes of Coldplay put me in a great place.

2. Sweeney's Rooftop Bar- After an energetic and more relaxed trek through Hyde Park, I make my way through City Centre and Galleries Victoria. The overall laidback feeling of Surry Hills is replaced by what I read about Sydney before I came, that it is like the New York of Australia. Bumper to bumper traffic, less flip-flops and more suits.

As I cruise down I find a sign that advertises a rooftop bar, I head in hoping for a fresh breeze while sipping down another beer. What I get is a sun deck filled with umbrellas and high wooden tables. The bar is very appealing, but hot as hell as I burn my arm when I rest it, ha-ha mistake #2. Amy the quintessential picture of an Australian female in my head, she is standing 6'1'' and natural in every way. She serves me a150 Lashes pale ale. Not as sweet as the last which I enjoyed. The music plays a variety of indie to reggae to rock. Jack Johnson comes on for the last song before I leave. Overall this place would be better for a pre-dinner drink with your groups of friends.  Pretty small with limited views and a lack of air circulation that is heightened by the cigarette smoke (A lot of cigarette smoking in the city).

3. Wise Monkeys Pub- One last stop before I head back I choose this place because of the three monkeys sitting above the entrance that read "Pub". As I enter I see a young casual crowd and feel like I have found a good spot. The first male bartender offers a few beer samples then deciding to go with a Coopers Brew Pale Ale (standard tap in AUS). Window seat snagged while watching the busy intersection of Liverpool and George I make a few observations:

A. Australian beer seems stronger.

B. I think my mom would really like it here.

C. The guys try really hard here, far better dressed then the females.

D. I cannot believe they just played a Garbage song!

I make it back to the Hotel Pool (pictures coming) and soon I'm joined by some Kiwis (people from New Zealand). After making friends one asks me to drinks at the Crystal Palace across the street, pretty different place. Then we had dinner at Crocodile Senior Thai restaurant where we dined and talked about New Zealand.