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August – September 2024
  • Angharad Dowse
A 8-day adventure by Angharad Read more
  • Angharad Dowse

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  • Angharad DowseTravelerNew Zealand

    Queenstown

    September 1, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌫 6 °C

    NZ is 2 hours in front so didn’t actually get to sleep 1ish their time and had to get up at 6 🫠
    Had my first ever weetbix (except for whistle game at school camps) for breakfast (with banana) awful. Tomorrow I’ll have toast.
    The house wasn’t too cold so was able to get dressed quite pain free.
    We put on our boots which was a great decision and worth the quarantine hassle and headed on out.
    Weather is pretty shit today compared to yesterday .
    We went and organized our snow gear.
    I already have the shit with my skis. I don’t know how to carry them. And then I’m also carrying my poles and boots and have a helmet. Not enough hands.
    We wizzed through that faster than expected so we Jade and Ian got coffees. Will got a toastie, I got a lip balm.
    The bus trip was 45 mins and foooking beauuuuuutiful on the way up - I fell asleep near the end because of the winding. Such an infant.
    Because we arrived at 9 I asked if there was still availability for the lesson. Answer was yes. I couldn’t pay the difference and had to buy it outright. Sigh.
    But pleased to get a lesson. We all got $15 credit because mountain might close in the middle of the day.
    Was put in a group of 5 for our lesson and before I recount this just need to say thank fuck I got one bcause I was SO ANGRY while just trying to get my ass over to the lesson point because I didn’t know how to carry or use the skis.
    In all honesty didn’t want to be there and was ready to leave because I was so frustrated
    BUT
    lesson man was great. We started with skis off and he went over lots of things then we practiced one ski and a time doing pizza stance to slow doen and learning to stop. I had trouble turning because my leg was on the wrong foot but once I figured it out I feel like I did really well.
    We did little runs then got bigger and bigger and I for faster and more confident.
    We breaked for lunch and we’re going to go higher after lunch but the mountain closed because of the weather.
    I did try one more quick begin run by myself and it’s the first time I wish I had goggles.
    Snow wind belting my face. Not ideal.
    Squinted down the mountain.
    We got on the bus and I fell asleep again. 😅
    Mountain probably closed tomorrow too because they are expecting a huge snow dump and need to do avalanche control or something so unfortunately we had to lug our stuff back rather than use the overnight $5 lockers.
    - because day 3 we are supposed to to be going to a different mountain so if we leave stuff overnight and it is closed… can’t get our stuff.
    We will have to discuss our plans later but currently Jade and Ian are napping.
    Will fell on the mountain and fucked his hip.
    We are just pleased it’s not his back.
    Has no bruising but a huge hematoma and having issues walking. I don’t think he should look kid go tomorrow anyway but he is being a goose and stubborn at the moment.

    Every Uber we have had has been a Prius ie not big enough for all our stuff so we had to get separate ones. Ours fucked us around with picking us up but we eventually got there.

    Accidentally had a 3 hour nap 😅😅😅
    I’m still shattered.

    My calves were in trouble but they seem a bit better (the boots are sooo tight and you have to be in a bent position) 🥵

    Jade is currently cooking sausages and making a food order.

    Food order came and we got more food than last time and it got delivered to the door. A much bette system lol.

    We are watching a movie and I’ve caught up on my hard copy diary because the reason I write journals is because I don’t remember my first NZ so I’ll be damned if I don’t write one this time! 😆

    Hoping the mountain is closed tomorrow cause Wills hip is fucked. 😬    Read more

  • Angharad DowseTravelerNew Zealand

    Queenstown

    September 2, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Remarkables website said they would inform everyone by 6:30 what the go was for today. At 6:30 they said sorry, check back at 7:30 which wasn’t a big no for me because I didn’t want to lug myself down the hill to find out I had to go home. Because our bus was at 8 so 7:30 was too late to let us know.
    Will said he wasn’t going to go anyway so I delightedly went and informed everyone we wouldn’t be going anyway.
    As it turns out all mountains were closed because of wind. Yewww - this means we got our bus pass money back because it wasn’t our choice and we did book a specific time and day. Ski passes are open so can go whenever. We are planning to get $100 credit though with a retail partner.
    Went back to bed for 30 minutes then we slowly got ready for the day.
    We dordled down to the gondola and luge.
    Outrageously expensive but should be unsurprised by now.
    The ride up was fun. Quite quick actually which is good in an efficiency sense when there is crowd but negative because I was happy to watch the view..
    To the boys delight the photos began on the way up.
    Good sports.
    It was about 10:30 - The luge was under construction so didn’t open until 12 so we went to the restaurant to fill in time and looked at the view/took 100 photos.
    Got a stranger to take a group photo. I don’t understand why people treat iPhones like roll up film. You can press the button more the once ffs. 🤦‍♀️
    You’ve literally held the camera 8 different ways, why is there only 1 photo when you give it back???????
    Lined up for the luge at 12. I think the delayed opening cause major congestion today.
    We got our helmets out of big bins - fingers crossed no one has lice because wowzas that would spread like wildfire.
    Chairlift up was fun.
    Line took a little while but eventually it was our turn. You get a 30 second lesson before you are allowed to go.
    I feel like I was going fast but everyone was faster 😅🤣
    Will had to get a bigger one but just glad he fit and could get in with his hip.
    Ian and Will opted not to go again (we got a 3 ride pass) but me and Jade wanted one more turn.
    Line was fucked and we should have cut in like everyone else who already had a helmet.
    But a quick 40 mins later … we got there - we went down the other track so now I’ve done both I’m satisfied. This one he dips so I actually preferred the first one which had more tunnels.
    You can by like unlimited/ 9 time passes. Would take the whole bloody day.
    The lifts were also super dumb cause it grouped people who knew each other together so lots of individuals taking up seats - share with another group??
    We then went down the gondola and went walking to the botanical gardens
    The gardens were lovely!
    Lots of big thick trees and little foot bridges
    Randomly lots of people playing frisbee golf? Like literally 15 different groups of more than 5 people each available on a Monday at 2:30??
    Haven’t seen a frisbee in years - today I saw loads.
    To be fair it looked fun.
    We walked through a fabulous forest section and ended up by the water edge where we sat for a while and took some pics
    Walked back and had a lovely drink (best mulled wine I’ve ever had) at a little gazebo cafe on the beach.
    Some people were sunbaking. I was in snow gear and a beanie but sure, good time to wear a bikini 🥶🥶🥶🥶
    We had an early dinner at some asian fusion place and used one of our $100 credits we get with the snow fields partners because we have missed a day of skiing.
    Jade is going to give us our bus money later or work out the math from the Uber money we owe her.
    We bought frozen peas for wills hip and got an Uber home.
    We watched noting hill, I ate sticky date pudding and wrote my journal. So time consuming (more so the movie was distracting )    Read more

  • Angharad DowseTravelerNew Zealand

    Queenstown

    September 3, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C

    Woke up at 6 and saw that coronet peak was closed today but Remarkables was open - our bus pass is for coronet peak though..
    We spent at least and hour this morning trying to get through on the phones to be able to change the booking.
    We called maybe 15 times before we got through.
    Long story short is they cancelled todays not yesterday so we have to get a $40 taxi to a different pick up point.
    I’m not mad we had a slower start today. I’m knackered.
    And nervous for Will. He says his hip is a bit better but I don’t trust him. Lol

    A little bib high stress. We ordered our taxi for 9 - it’s a 10 min drive to Frankton where we had to head the bus but at 9:15 the taxi still hadn’t arrived 😬
    We got there a bit late but thankfully the bus was still there.
    It’s currently 9:55 and I think it’s waiting cause traffic is a chockers because everyone is trying to go up the mountain.
    Napped on the bus again lol

    I just simply don’t enjoy the snow and that’s ok. The limited movement, 50,000 people in your way also inhibited by their gear and just general 62 layers pissed me right off.
    I
    Put my boots on and fuck me my calves and shins are on fire. Like someone just constantly punching a bruise.
    Walked like a spastic starfish to a point where I could put the skis on. Everyone moving 500 times faster and I don’t know how I just keep sinking into the snow.
    I’m trying to hard to be thankful to be here but it’s snow tedious bs.
    We got separated on the lifts to I was with a bunch of strangers and the lift closed on my poles so I had to supported them above my head the whole way up lol.
    Got off the lift ok.
    Thats when it all went downhill. Couldn’t turn like I could in my lesson. I can do it on flat but on a hill I don’t have the weight and strength.
    I pizza stance or breaker literally the entire way down the mountain. We made jade and Ian go infront because I had to stop twice because I had the most horrendous calf cramps that I was crying.
    It was really scary in parts. I was breaking but no stopping.
    Had to stop again and had another mildly hysterical cry and apologized to Will. He was so good about it. He only had to get me to the bottom of the mountain and i said he’d be rid of me 🤣
    Took minimal/some pics after my second meltdown cause i knew it was last chance hahah
    Getting my fat ass back up in skis is impossible too. I don’t know howwwww
    Take away is that snow sports suck, give me some ice skates. 🤣
    Am now by myself in the cafeteria. I’ve had chips and gravy which were was delicious but were $24 😬😬😬 they had no forks so I’m just eating with my fingers but I’m on an elevated bench for everyone to look at ahah

    Everyone found me and had lunch. Falling asleep at the table. 😪

    They all went off to do the harder runs and I did the beginners section. I had much more fun! Hot tip - stay within your capabilities 😓
    Seems logical, if something is beyond your ability win enjoy it.
    Would happily ski again, will be wanting lessons an only beginners section tickets. I don’t thin Will will want to come with me again though 😅
    I did 4 rounds - would have been more but some goose does not understand what the world alternate means which is what you are suppose to do when merging the lines for the convey belt.
    She just stood there and let I’d say 30+ people from the other line through.
    Ffs tick tock.
    I don’t know why I can’t turn on the steeper hills. Im a ok on beginner hill.

    Bunch of boys I believe at a bucks party all in speedos.
    Going to freeze.
    Weather is beautiful today.

    Good timing I finished a run as the others were boarding past and said they were done for the day.

    Currently on the ski bus and keen to return all our crap.

    Mountains look like balls of weed.    Read more

  • Angharad DowseTravelerNew Zealand

    Arrowtown

    September 4, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    Had a better sleep but still not fab considering how tired I am. I think it’s because it’s a double bed. Can’t stretch out 😩😂
    Got up 8:30ish and headed downstairs for our dishes duty from last night. Took ages, I swear Jade used every dish in the house.
    Will then cooked everyone a bacon and egg breakfast for everyone which we enjoyed in the dinning room with views just off the kitchen. Unfortunately it was a little fogged which interfered with the views.
    Delicious though.
    We then had a lazy hour before heading all down the hill into town to catch the bus to arrowtown.
    The bus was about 30 mins and a lovely drive.
    Arrowtown didn’t have much but was still very lovely. We started out at the museum and frankly it was wicked boring 😆😆😆😆
    Best part was a wall dedicated to old cigarette packaging they found somewhere. Lots of just very odd, not very flowy displayed. A ladies corset next to surgical pliers next to a boat wheel next to a compass.
    The town doesn’t have enough fame to have a museum for bragging I don’t think.
    I’m also a spoilt sod so when I see an 1800 or 1900’s date I’m not amazed because it’s too recent after the ruins we have seen elsewhere.
    Found a signed copy of the wonky donky in the gift shop that I might come back for.
    We then walked the streets which was lovely and got a drink. I got a cherry coke which was $9 so I assumed it would be house made. Nope, just a normal can. Outrageous pricing.
    We then went to a lolly store which I always love the feel of. I’m never adventurous in them but I love looking. I ended up with some salted caramel fudge 🤤
    We then went to the Chinese settlement display because (now I should have read more of the info displays) arrowtown is an old mining town.
    A few of there shelters which I enjoyed seeing.
    I always see museums and am so thankful I am born when I am. They would have been fucking freezing.
    We then went and had a feed. I had a pumpkin and feta salad and it was divine.
    We then just went into some of the stores and I hav ended up with a wooden Pinocchio doll that’s i LOVE and am so pleased with.
    We then walked to the old gaol which needed a key to open which could be found at the museum. Would have been nice to know that ahead of time 🫠 so we decided not to go in but there were handcuffs with a big wooden log out front that had a story about a 6ft 6 man being arrested and handcuffed to it. He just picked it up and took it with him to the pub.
    I enjoyed that display. Haha

    I went back to the museum and bought the signed book.
    We are now on the bus back home.

    Got off in town and went in a few of the shops and have come out with an expensive Christmas ornament 😅
    In fairness I didn’t get the suuuuper expensive $30 one.
    Will did a such a bad fart in the shop it followed him and I had to genuinely ask him if he has shat himself.
    We then went to the ice bar.
    I think I speak for everyone when I say that it wasn’t what we expected.
    They give you gloves and a jacket and then we went in and it’s literally a freezer room with a few sculptures and 2 seats.
    The bar tenders were so cringe. It was like it was 2am in the club WOOO WOOP YEAHHHHHH LETS DO SOME SHOTS WOOOOOO vibes.
    In fairness good job to them for putting in effort and enthusiasm towards their jobs.
    However it was 4 pm and only 4 other people in the room.
    Horrifyingly embarrassing.
    We had a drink and took some pics and left after 15 mins even though it was an hour session.
    Wouldn’t recommend. I’m interested to know if all like this or if this is a shit one.
    We then went to an Irish pub where everyone else got a drink to pass the time before we went to our dinner reservations (ice bar was an hour time slot) at a supposed Botswana restaurant. It gave off fancy vibes but I don’t view it as a Botswanan menu.
    Food was good. I didn’t love my onion soup but didn’t really want to spent a trillion dollars on a main I didn’t want.
    Ian got a birthday ice cream because they asked us a few times if it was someone’s birthday - it was a little weird actually. Like they went out of their way to give the ice cream and we only said yes because this trip was originally for Ian and Craig’s 30th.
    “Is it anyone’s birthday”
    “No”
    “Are you sure?”

    We had this convo with 2 different people.

    Went to pay the bill and we had the other $100 credit from our missed ski day - only the card didn’t work 🫠🫠🫠 so we paid the $200 each up front and need to go argue with the ski centre tomorrow.
    We are now back home.
    Overall I’ve had a great day.
    I think Will is disappointed we haven’t all gone out drinking but I’m thrilled cause we have the winery tour tomorrow.
    It was the original plan but Jade wanted to come home because she hasn’t had as good of a day as me lol.
    Keen for tomorrow.    Read more

  • Angharad DowseTravelerNew Zealand

    Queentown

    September 5, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    We both met up 4 separate times for a wee - ie we both didn’t sleep very well lol
    But at least we got to sleep until 9.
    Jade called the ski centre and we are getting reunds. They said for all 4 of us instead of 2… we shall see but I’ll view it as reimbursement for the taxi we had to get to frankton and my stupid lesson saga.

    Walked down the hill and got on our wine hop on hop off bus.
    We got off at Ayrburn winery which is only 4 months old - so very new. They spend 140 million so far and have another 200 mil to spend. It’s very well done. Lots of stone work, wood paneling and gravel roads to give it a nice rustic feel. I think it’s still looks quite fresh but in a few years when it’s a bit weathered it will feel more authentic.
    Lovely!
    There is a music festival up the mountains in the snow fields and in Queenstown in general this week so there was a bunch of purple flags around and a big stage which also messed with the vibes a little. We are all quite hungry but the menu was so unnecessarily fancy so we chose to not eat eat and just got muffins and hot drinks. We walked around a bit and are now back on the bus.

    Stopped at nockies palette.
    Which was very pretty. We did a wine tasting with 5 wines.
    I’m sure wine people make things up. The 100 flavors and undertones they reckon exist are such a stretch.
    Still, I had a really wonderful time.
    The gardens were lovely and it had a cute chapel.
    We are now on the bus again on our way to lunch.

    Stopped at “the church” and are currently awaiting our lunch order which we are very excited about - we have ordered baked Brie and ive gotten another salad.
    The grounds has lots of games like volleyball, a cricket pitch and that backyard tennis game with the ball attached to the stick, a hackey sack throw game and a trampoline.
    Went on the trampoline and landed some flips yeww 🤙🏼🤙🏼 lol.

    Cheese was so good!!! Came with a pear and fig chutney and I don’t know how, but I’m going to try make it at home lol.
    We played the sack throw game for a while and went back on the trampoline. Then me and Will played a lot of a volleyball on a string/pole game except the ball was hard and our hands were cold
    So it hurtttttt.
    We are now back on the bus dropping other people at different wineries but we are going to go back to Queenstown.

    Also. We did get reimbursed for 4 ski tickets haha

    At home I finally did some reading and watched ho to lose a guy in 10 days in the background. We he another noodles dinner because none of us were particularly hungry.    Read more

  • Angharad DowseTravelerNew Zealand

    Glenorchy

    September 6, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    Had a great sleep in then we caught an Uber down the hill to pick up Jade and Ian’s car.
    We got a maccas breakfast while in town then drove back to the Bnb to eat then we headed to Glenorchy. We stopped at a few lovely lookouts along the way. It’s about an hours drive - we went straight to the famous red shed and wharf and got a few pics.
    Will promised me 2 cooperative photos today so I got one look out and one at the shed 🤣✌🏼
    It’s a bit of a miserable day so it’s a bit foggy and a light rain but still a lovely little spot.
    We are now at a cafe where I bought a “don’t be a dick” ceramic sign and have had a drink. I think there are a few good hikes in the area and lots of lord of the rings sights but because of the weather it’s not feasible today.
    Not much to really do other than see the shed.. 😅😅
    We have just done a quick drive the isenguard * lookout.
    Unsure where in the film it’s from - sounds like a google question for when we get home.
    We had fun doing some rock skipping.
    We are on our drive back home and listening to more LOTR music 🎶 #vibes

    They dropped us off at the Kiwi park which was huge a $55 each which is a bit much but I think they use the money for conservation.
    We saw lots of birds. I particularly liked the Kea which was much bigger than I was expecting - and actually very cheeky!!! They have beautiful under feathers and according to their little blurb are as curious and have the same problem solving skills as a 4 year old.
    Really liked them.
    Lots of other birds too - some who have been brought back from really low numbers to that’s great!
    We then went to the Kiwi encounter which was scheduled for 3:45 and hung around a bit. I was a little nervous we were in the wrong spot but eventually a lady came.
    Please we arrived 5 mins early because it took our eyes a little bit to adjust to the darkness.
    It was a 10 min chat about kiwi numbers and survive rates.
    A kiwi egg in the wild only has a 5% of making its first birthday so obviously abismal rates.
    They also said they often release M/F Kiwis together because they are life partners and aren’t fussy so they accept who ever you pair them with. (🤣) They lay 2-4 eggs a year and can like to 60.
    So some good hope/number to revamp the population who are mainly killed by dogs and introduced species.
    We saw 3 out of 4 of them - 2 were really active and came right up the the glass and we scavenging and drinking so that was really awesome to see rather than just in their house or in the corner.
    Had a great then.
    Then was able to buy a kiwi magnet because I saw one yeewww haha.
    We then went to a gift shops where I bought another magnet and a mug 👀👀👀😆
    Got an Uber home and are prepping for dinner which I am SO KEEN FOR.

    Dinner was gooood. Service not great but it literally never is at Brazilian BBQ.
    I am STUFFED!
    we have come home and divvied up our finances which I’m 100% is wrong.
    Also before Jade was like you guys are ok to contribute for petrol yeah? Which we obviously are until she was like $20
    Excuse me but it’s only 1 hour each way. You think that’s a $40 trip? That like 3/4 of a tank.
    As Will said, not the hill I’m going to die on.    Read more

  • Angharad DowseTravelerNew Zealand

    Departing

    September 7, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 9 °C

    Awful sleep again.
    I speak for both of us when I say we are very excited about sleeping in our own beds tonight.
    And PUPPY CUDDLES!!!!!! 😭😭😭😭
    We are also pleased to have a break from Miss positivity (Jade) who has such been so negative “I just find that so irritating” “it’s just so annoying how”
    are her catch phrases. She also doesn’t laugh. Great for a dinner date but the last few days have been draining.
    She is also so damn rude to Ian.
    anyway. We are out!
    We did start the morning together though where we drove down the hill into town. Kinda missed our vertical walk lol.
    Parking was a little challenging but we found 1hr parking for $3 which was great.
    All of Ian’s choices this morning about which direction to drive and where to try park were wrong according to someone .… 😆
    We went to Ferg’s bakery where they didn’t have regular flavored pies so I got the most basic they had and Will got a pork sausage roll. I got a wonderful juice and Will got a hot chocolate that was literally half a cup of melted chocolate he gave it to me because it was too much.
    I agree but it also delicious 😆
    We went and had a look in Burton at the boards. If you live in snow areas then absolutely. But man it’s expensive.
    Board’s weren’t too much to be fair - like $600
    But the shoes are 400 the helmets are 350 etc etc adds up quick sticks.
    The weather was miserable and rainy so we just went straight to the airport.
    They have another few days in wanaka*

    Swapped over our coats when we got the airport and were able to check our bags in quick quickly.
    We were there 3 hours early and honestly it’s probably the fastest 3 hours I’ve had in an airport in which I’ve done nothing.
    Once they took our bags (I would like to see the rate of bag loss data now that they use machines compared to when they used people. Because if you haven’t see airport staff do it before then you wouldn’t know to take some of the bag stickers for yourself and to stick on your bag just incase the label rips off.
    Obviously people have their own labels on bags as we do but a lot don’t. I reckon bag loss has probably gone up.)
    we went through tsa quick.
    Bought a book about a kiwi on the other side which came with a little plush.
    Will delighted obviously.
    VERY TEMPTED to buy a sleeping bulbasaur and pikachu but my new idea is to buy 6 Pokémon’s to represent my loyal Pokémon league bros starting with meganium and umbreon. Way better idea.
    Just have to fund it 😅😆
    We are on the plane now. Captain said it would be bumpy - had a little cry while getting through the clouds.
    Seatbelt sign has just been turned off 🥳

    Righto. Have come back on here specifically to say my nose has never run so much in my life. I’ve used about 40 issues - my nose is red raw. And im just having constant sneezing fits. Bet the people around me are well pleased.    Read more

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