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.

Hello! Salut! Hola!

Hello my beautiful blogging people!

I have returned to the world of typing my thoughts and problems online, but I would like to think i have evolved from the moody teenager I once was. 

This time round, I would really like to share with you who I am, I never did that in my last blog because I had issues with my appearance. I still do, but its something I have to learn to get over. I was born the way I am, and I'm too poor to change it, so I will live with the cards I have been dealt. 

This is me. My name is Katherine, but I go by my middle name Harriette. So my mum calls me Karriette. I am 21, never had a boyfriend, size 10 - 12 and I am described as loud, bubbly and eccentric. I am currently trying to learn French and Spanish. 

I have had some real dark times lately so I decided to do something drastic. 

I am climbing Mt. Machu Picchu! 

I am off early April, going on a tour with Gecko, I currently don't know anyone who is also on this trip, so it's kinda scary as well as exciting. Before that, I am traveling up home with my mum in my wee Toyota Starlet From Invercargill to Tauranga. 

 

For some reason paint wouldn't let me do a red line.... but that's pretty much the trip we are doing. I have traveled around New Zealand quite a lot, so a nice direct route home is best, I will update the blog with must sees. Kaikora will be the best I think, because mum and I are planning to go whale watching! Super Exciting!

Well that's my life right now, things change who knows whats happening next!

If anyone wants to know about a place in New Zealand, message me and I can write a quicky review for you.

xosexo

Karriette