DAY TWO IN PERU!

Day two:



Woke up early, super hot morning! I'm not a huge fan of the heat so made me a little moody to start. Called my mum to see if there was any news from from my travel agent. Mum said that Julie (my travel agent) had a huge go at Gecko and that I am to get a full refund on my transfer from the airport to the hotel. So I was happy about that. Had a cold shower, not by choice, even though it was a hot morning it didn't make the cold shower pleasant.

Went down stairs to see if there was any news about Gecko, the lovely lady at reception pointed me to the notice bored. Thank god there was a notice for me. There is to be a meeting at 8:00am to meet with everyone! To say that I was relieved would be an understatement. 

So with time to kill, I had a wee look around the hotel. We are staying at Hotel Maury.


So it is quite a nice, classy place. Very central. Awesome staff, crappy breakfasts.

So eight o'clock, meet with the tour guide, Christina. A really cute Peruvian girl who was brought up in Lima but now lives in Cusco. Meet with the other travelers too, there are six of us in total. We have Micheal an Australian, Whitney who is also Australian and Mike and Kelsey a father and daughter team from Canada. There is also a girl from America called Heather, but have yet to meet her as she was too hung over from the night before to join in today.

So Christina Showed us around Lima till 11.00am.

  

I was terrible and didn't take photos really in Lima. But really it was a lot of this type of thing, and lots and lots of churches as Peru is very Catholic. 

So after 11, we had free time! I suffered a little because of the heat, but I guess I will just have to harden up. So as a group we decided to spend our afternoon together. But first, Micheal and I went to get some food at place that Christina recommended. Then got some soles.

We were a little late so met up with the others at the train station. We caught a bus to Miraflores District.
So packed!  Even though we were all tightly packed in, we made it safely to Miraflores!
Made a mission to the beach, and ended up at a mall over looking it.

So we stopped and had a meal. Tried a famous South American dish called Ceviche, its raw fish, yep, not deep fried! What is the wold coming to! But I gave it a go, and I didn't die. But really, it actually was quite nice. But the size was way too big! so if you get it share it between two. Washed it down with a purple corn drink called Chicha morada. That I really liked, Micheal didn't so I got his. Winning!

So back on our mission to get down to the beach, we got there eventually, but I regret my decision to wear jandels. SO. MANY. BLISTERS!! There is a gorgeous little peer which I fell in love with. Had very expensive shops on it which were nice to look at. 

 

Walked for a while and we wanted to have dinner at a place that has a dinner show, which has dancing and all that fun stuff. But alas, they were either shut or was way too late for us. So we headed back to the hotel. via bus.

So back at the hotel, relaxed our feeties then we all went out for dinner in the city. 

Can't remember the name but cheap drinks. The meals were too pricey to start and just before we went to look for another place, the waiter brought out a much better priced menu. So always ask to look at set menu. Better value!  

Wandered a bit then to the hotel to bed. Packed up all my stuff for the early flight to Cusco tomorrow! Exciting!!    

p.s. I have no idea why my photos are crappy, they seem fine on my phone..... lets blame blogger. :) 

It's been a whie!

Hello my darlings!

I have returned from my travels, sorry for lack of updates. I don't even have any good reasons, I have just been plain old lazy. But, here it is.

P.s. I would add photos but for some reason blogger wont load them, bastard. 

My Peru adventure!

Day one:
The big travel day! I feel the butterfly's fluttering, my toes tingling and my heart pounding. Had to get up early to repack and double check everything, and re-pack again because I had far too much crap. Eventually everything was in my backpack and my parents and I started our journey to Auckland Airport. All the traffic was super slow, so it was a very lucky thing that we were very early. Got some lunch at the airport and said my goodbyes. Mum did so much better than I thought she would. She has been stressing out about my trip to the extreme. It felt like forever waiting to get on the plane and even longer to take off. We were honest to god on the runway for like half an hour! Eventually we did take off, and I started the 11ish hour flight to Santiago.

Now I am not a huge fan of long flights, I can never sleep and I get sick, but my sister had given me some tablets called sealegs. Best. Shit. Ever! So watched some terrible movies, got some sleep, ate and yeah. Sat next to a nice boy who had just finished his one year OE in New Zealand. When we finally arrived in Santiago, he was lovely and got all my stuff down from the overhead locker.

So I had a five hour wait in Santiago, so walked around the airport, then settled down at starbucks. That was the slowest five hours of my life. Just before I boarded the plane to Lima I talked to a guy who said I should meet up with his DJ friend in Lima, which I politely turned down... Awkward.

Flight to Lima was longer than I thought it was going to be. Was next to another nice guy who helped me fill in my arrival card, as it was all in Spanish and they didn't have any English ones. But all turns out well, got my first stamp in my passport! Exciting!

So I get through customs, no problem. So I go out to find the guy who was pre-booked to pick me up. but where was he? I wonder around for a while, stressing more every second. Till I resort to calling my mum to contact my travel agent because the number they gave me didn't work. Fantastic. Half an hour later he turns up and find me crying in a corner. useless man, but at least he turned up.

He drove me through the chaos that is Lima roads to the city center which is a wee while. Everyone honks at each other while they drive, most cars are dented and old and the are a lot of cops. A lot. So we get to the hotel and I check in. The lady at reception said my male friend who I was sharing a room with was already here. Which I replied with, WTF! Talked with the manager of the hotel to organize a room to myself. Which I got so that was fantastic. No idea what is happening tomorrow as Gecko, my travel group has left nothing for me to find. To say that I'm stressed would be an understatement. South America is ..... Interesting......

Photos.

This is Picton to Katikati. I will write more later cos I'm fancy and flying to Peru today. Yeah, epic as.

Day two of Travels

Hello again! Time to continue with my New Zealand Adventure!

So 1 hour drive north of Dunedin, just before we reached Oamaru, there is a place called Moeraki Boulders. There are so many postcards of these rocks we had to see them.

They are just very big, very round rocks. Didn't really do it for me. Just another box ticked.

Now what did it for me was Oamaru. So Mum and I hadn't pre-booked any accommodation, So Mum said the first hotel we see we would go and have a look if they had any room. We came across the Criterion Hotel.

It is such a beautiful place! And only $90 for a room with two single beds including a continental breakfast. The staff were lovely and very chill-laxed.

It’s really like going back in time at this hotel, but bring ear plugs if you are a light sleeper, there is a” Big Ben” clock that chimes all night, but not once through the day. Don’t ask why.... not even the locals know.
So the thing Oamaru is famous for is the buildings, and Victorian precinct has all the fancy shops / arty shops. Some of the shop owners even dress in Victorian outfits!

Oamaru also has a pretty awesome playground. It was worth a mention.

Oamaru is also known for its penguin watching, mum and I were too tired to stay up and watch them, since it was a full moon they were out later than normal, some guys said 9pm-ish is when they return to shore. But yeah, bed was calling.

So in the morning after our regularly interrupted sleep, when walked around Oamaru taking in the sights. There is a fantasic place called Steam Punk, magical place!

Go there

And take some coins... There is a door charge, but it was worth it if you are into interesting, different arty stuff.

We could have easily spent another day there, but alas, the road awaited.
On to Timaru we went. I’m not going to lie, Timaru was a little disappointing. We only did a quick stop by the information centre. It’s a really old blue stone building. Box ticked.

 So we continued our way to Kaikoura. We had pre-booked our hotel in Oamaru for Kaikoura, so we headed there.
Nice hotel with two separate rooms (which was fantasic for me ‘cos I’m a light sleeper and my beautiful mother snores which means I don’t sleep)
We meandered around town, got some sushi and went to bed.


Next day!


Whale watching! Had an early one, check in 7:45, you leave at 8:45. It was the second boat out, which btw was a fantastic choice.

Now, if you get seasick, be pre prepared! I wasn’t, to the whole trip on the boat was me pukeing. Not pleasant, but we got to see a wondering albatross, which are HUGE! I would have taken a photo but i was very sick at the time.

And yes, we saw a whale, the first boat tracked it so our captain knew were to go, lucky we didn’t have to wait long. There he blew, a massive sperm whale!

 Mum got this epic photo. Go team her right?

We couldn’t see him again as they feed under water for an hour which we didn’t have time for. So our captain took us to see heaps of dolphins! Who were back flipping and showing off!

So even though I got really sick, it was really worth it!

After the boat ride mum and I decided to make our way to Picton.
We stopped by this amazing place Ohau Point which has many baby seals! SO SO SO cute! Super busy, but once again freaking cute!

Passed through Blenheim, but stopped at this amazing chocolate factory and got some delicious nom noms!

Then to Picton.

Will be continued...,....

I made it!

 

Here I am, over 1500km later, and my mother and I somehow managed to make it home in one piece.

I would have updated as I was traveling, but bloody vodafone messed  up that idea didn't they. One week they said, one week. I handed in my phone to get fixed on Monday. I was very clear that I was leaving Invercargill on Tuesday the following week. Not a problem they said, it will be back on Friday... there wont be an issue. Friday comes along, oh no, its not back yet, should be here tomorrow. Saturday, oh no, not here yet. Don't worry, Monday should be the latest. On Monday, yeah... its not here, you will have to pay for the courier to take it up north when it finally arrives.

GAARRR! too annoying!

Oh did I mention that I have yet to get my phone.... its still not here.

I miss my Iphone.... :(

Well, anywho, let me tell you about my trip up New Zealand.

Tuesday 26th:

The day I said goodbye to Invercargill.

Stayed the night in the Ascot (my old work) with my mother, had a beautiful room, and everyone was just wonderful to us, totally spoilt. I really am going to miss that job, there were some fantastic people there. Had some amazing regulars! And Baldrick, if you are reading this, HI! I had some epic managers who I will have to go and visit again. Want a place to stay in Invercargill, that's the place. Most of the staff actually enjoy their job. Makes the whole atmosphere awesome.
 

 Had to say goodbye to all my lovely friends too. Made it very short and sweet... I'm a crier. So no point dragging that out. I miss them all already. But in the long run I know that we will see each other again, so its not the end of the world. As a traveler, you have to learn to say goodbye, but stay in contact. That's what I think anyway. 

So left Invercargill 10:30ish, to drive to Lumston. Meet with some family up there. It was a bit out of the way to get there, but worth it. They feed us. Winning, free food is always good food. We then left there to drive to Dunedin, Awful city to drive through.... not fun at all. Dunedin city really doesn't do it for me, but just out of it has some really magical places if you have a local to show you around.

Mum and I were on a mission, so no time to meander... Mum wanted to reach Oamaru that night to stay there. 

But I will leave you there for now, next post I will tell you all about Oamaru. Two words for now... 

GO THERE!

Shots! Shots! Shots!

Unfortunately for me, the shots I am talking about do not involve tequila.

These shots are more expensive and less enjoyable. Did I mention expensive? But, alas, they are something you MUST get if you are traveling. I needed quite a few shots since I'm going to South America, so far I have gotten yellow fever.... $125 later. As well as the $90 consultation. 

I have got hepatitis A and B and lupus to go. Also got to get some Malaria medicine. So I have to expect to pay another $200 more, give or take. Which makes my bank cry just a bit, but I'm guessing my doctor is one happy camper. 

Speaking of this doctor.... He is one straight up guy. In the consultation, he was very clear about all dangers that could happen. Such as wearing skimpy clothing is seen as an invitation, that I shouldn't sleep with locals (he even said that if I did, that I should use two condoms!) and all the nasty things I could catch. Like this one thing, if you go swimming in a pond there is this thing that climbs into your urethra. Scaring stuff. But the best traveler is an informed traveler.

So overall I quite like this doctor. 

so TTFN!

Oh yeah, I got these images off google, so yeah... not mine and stuff. just saying.

Go caving, just do it.

So here I was, just chilling. Stalking people on Facebook, as you do, when my friend Andrew was like, "We're going caving." and I was like sweet as bro. 

I called my friend Steph, and we were soon on a spontaneous road trip to Clifton Caves. With chips, chocolate and mango in hand we drove in the dreary, wet weather to a part of Southland I have never been to before. And you know what?

IT WAS WORTH IT!

It was a beautiful, magical afternoon out. The glow worms were putting on a show and it was like nothing I had done before. I would not hesitate to go again. The best part? IT'S FREE! Everything is better when its free. 

So if you are in Southland and have half a day spare, go do this. They are just out of Tuapapere along Clifon Gorge Road. It's pretty well signed so no panic there.

This is Steph and Andrew at the entrance. So that's the sign you will find when you get there.

What you will need? Well not much, jacket, torch (I suggest a head one) and good shoes - they will get a bit wet. Wear clothing that you wont mind getting dirty.

In the caves there are small gaps will need to fit into, but even if they look too small, they are not. Andrew Fit fine and had little trouble. There will be times when you are crawling on hands and knees.

The most important thing I will mention is that there are large pools in the caves... DON'T TURN BACK. There is a small ledge on the left hand side of the pool, yes its scary, but overall its easy enough to sidestep along. If I can do it, you can to. So don't freak out and turn back when you see it.

This is Steph at the entrance of the cave.

Once you get to the other side of the cave you walk down the road to where you parked. And maybe tell some tourists that they are driving on the wrong side of the road like we had to. :)

And if you are anything like me, you will be covered in mud by the end. So do it, go caving.